Abstract: Natural gas is processed to generate longer-chain hydrocarbons, the process comprising subjecting the gas to steam reforming to generate a mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, and then subjecting this mixture to Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. The reforming reaction (20) is performed at 0.4–0.5 MPa and the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (50) at 1.8–2.1 MPa, and two compressors (36, 44) are used to raise the pressure, the gas mixture being cooled (26, 32, 40) before and after the first compressor (36). This reduces both the operating cost and capital cost of the plant.

Abstract: In a railway line, thermally-induced stresses are a factor for both rail breaks and rail buckling. These stresses are in the longitudinal direction. A nondestructive measuring technique enables the residual stress in a rail to be determined, and hence the thermally-induced stress. An electromagnetic probe is used to measure the stresses in the rail web in the vertical direction, and in the direction parallel to the longitudinal axis. The residual stress in the longitudinal direction can be deduced from the measured stress in the vertical direction; hence the thermally-induced stress can be determined.

Abstract: A method and device for viewing, archiving and transmitting a garment model over a computer network. The method comprises photographing a physical mannequin from several different directions, the mannequin being a copy of a virtual human model which is representative of the target consumer. The virtual mannequin viewing layers and the garment model are generated from digital images of the naked or clothed mannequin which is suspended from the photography stand. A laser beam is used to determine the exact position of the mannequin. Subsequently, crop marks and recorded reference lines can be used to merge the viewing layers and the model precisely. The data are archived in a base and transmitted over an intranet, an extranet or the Internet for the purpose of remote viewing. The method and device are particularly suitable for the design, manufacture and inspection of clothing samples in the clothing industry.

Abstract: A reactor (1) particularly for the plasma treatment of internal combustion engine exhaust gases, in which a power supply (10) and a reactor bed (2) of the dielectric barrier discharge type are connected directly and enclosed in an earthed metal chamber (17) which both isolates the high voltage power supply and acts as a Faraday cage preventing the emission of electromagnetic radiation from the power supply or plasma.

Abstract: A scanner and method of operation for inspecting high efficiency filters to detect the presence of pin-hole leaks. The scanner includes a plurality of funnel members movable along guide members and connected by tube members to a monitoring device for detecting any contaminants contained in gases entrained in the funnel members.

Abstract: A valve system (10) controls the fluid flow between an inlet (12) and an outlet (14). The system (10) splits the flow into two parallel flow ducts (15, 16) and recombines the flows through opposed tangential inlets (18) and (19) of a fluidic vortex valve (20) which has an axial outlet (22). An adjustable valve (24) controls the flow through one of the parallel flow ducts (15), controlling the strength of the vortex generated within the vortex valve (20). Hence a small valve (24) can control and adjust the flows in both ducts (15 and 16).

Abstract: A catalytic material for the plasma-assisted treatment of the exhaust gases from internal combustion engines, consisting of an activated alumina, which contains silver or molybdena (MoO3). For silver doped alumina, a preferred silver concentration is between 0.1% and 5% by weight. The preparation and use of silver doped alumina material also is described.

Abstract: X-ray microscope comprise extended X-ray source, as well as means for placement of test object 3 and recording means, and located between them X-ray capillary lens. Channels of the latter are diverging towards recording means. Means for placement of the test object is located between extended X-ray source and lesser end side of the X-ray capillary lens. The device is characterized in that the walls of the channels (14, 16) for radiation transmission have a coating or are made of material absorbing or scattering X-ray radiation, and have lateral surface shape of truncated cone or pyramid, or that of cylinder or prism. With specified choice of the material, phenomenon of total external reflection is excluded, while rectilinearity of longitudinal axes of the channels ensures their functioning as collimators. Therefore, channels capture radiation only from the fragments of the test object 3 situated exactly opposite their entrances.

Abstract: In a non-thermal plasma reactor (300), at least a component of the active material (320) is selected or modified to provide the capability to adsorb or trap a predetermined chemical species in the gas flow thereby to increase the effective residence time of said species relative to the residence time of unadsorbed species in the gas flow.

Abstract: The onset of rolling contact fatigue in an object may be detected by measuring the residual stresses in the surface of the object, and monitoring changes in their magnitude or their direction. The values of residual stresses in the surface are those averaged over a depth that may be in the range say 0.1 mm to 8.0 mm, for example about 2.5 mm. For ferromagnetic objects such as rails, the method may utilize an electromagnetic probe. Prior to rolling contact fatigue the surface stresses are compressive, and the onset of rolling contact fatigue may be characterized by a marked decrease of the stress in the generally transverse direction.

Abstract: Small crystals are made by mixing a solution of a desired substance with an anti-solvent in a fluidic vortex mixer in which the residence time is less than 1 s, for example 10 ms. The liquid within the fluidic vortex mixer (12) is subjected to high intensity ultrasound from a transducer (20, 22) in or on the wall of the mixer, or coupled to a pipe supplying liquid to the mixer. The solution very rapidly becomes supersaturated, and the ultrasound can induce a very large number of nuclei for crystal growth. Small crystals, for example less than 5 ?m, are formed that may be of a suitable size for use in inhalers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing nitrogen oxides from internal combustion engine exhaust emissions consisting of the operations of contacting the exhaust emissions with a non-thermal plasma (1) and a silver doped alumina catalyst (2) and then an indium-doped zeolite catalyst (3).

Abstract: Capsules, for example for the delivery of pharmaceuticals, are produced from at least three films (12, 13, 14) of a water-soluble polymeric material, by deforming two of the films (12, 14) to form a multiplicity of recesses, and filling the recesses (18, 32) with a flowable filling material. A film (13) is used to cover the recesses (18) in at least one of the films (12), and is welded to it by dielectric welding. The films with filled recesses are then brought together and welded together by dielectric welding to form filled capsules, which are cut or punched out of the welded film. The polymeric material may be gelatin, or a water-soluble cellulose derivative such as hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, and may also contain a plasticiser.

Abstract: Radioactive sources are made from a foil (10) containing radioactive material, by cutting out hexagonal foil elements (12) from the foil, leaving no uncut portions of foil between adjacent hexagonal foil elements. This significantly induces wastage of radioactive foil.

Abstract: A dental cartridge (10) for dispensing a dental cartridge substance (26). The dental cartridge (10) has a dispensing region (18) which is of substantially constant internal diameter. The dispensing region (18) is at least partially curved. A deformable piston (24) is provided and arranged to pass through the curved portion of the dispensing region (18).

Abstract: The steering apparatus in which at least part of the transmission lines (L1, L3) which transmit the control quantity of steering from the steering wheel (20, 120, 220) to the rudder (30, 130, 230) is constituted from a steering cable such as wire so as to steer the rudder by transmitting the control quantity of operating the steering wheel to the rudder through reciprocal motion of the transmission line. The assisting force supplying means (70, 170, 270) is additionally installed and the intermediate linkage rod (60, 160, 260) is installed to interpose in the transmission line, with the transmission line (L2) for transmitting the assisting force supplied from the assisting force supplying means being connected to said intermediate linkage rod in addition to the transmission lines described above, so that the intermediate linkage rod is moved back and forth by the sum of the manual force from said steering wheel and the assisting force from the assisting force supplying means, thereby to steer the rudder.

Abstract: A reactor for the plasma-assisted processing of a gaseous medium, including a pair of electrodes having facing surfaces the separation of which is substantially uniform, with a body of dielectric material positioned between them and defining a plurality of gas passages extending through the space between the electrodes.

Abstract: A gamma radiation source comprising selenium-75 or a precursor therefore, wherein the selenium is provided in the form of one or more thermally stable compounds, alloys, or mixed metal phases.

Abstract: A reaction chamber (12, 49) is adapted to be coupled to a source of microwave radiation. A pair of opposed field enhancing electrodes (18, 21; 62, 63) concentrate microwave energy so as to form plasma in a localised region between the electrodes. Gas passages are arranged for passing a gaseous medium into and out of the chamber so that the gaseous medium passes through the said localised region of plasma. The electrodes comprise electrically conducting tubes (18, 21; 62, 63) held in electrode holders (17, 19; 53, 54) located in the chamber wall, the electrode tubes being removable and replaceable from outside of the apparatus.

Abstract: A lithography device including a soft X-ray source 1 transforming to a quasi-parallel radiation apparatus for placing a mask 3 and a plate-substrate 4 coated with a resist 5, and an absorbing filter 6 for smoothing of intensity decreasing as from the center to the periphery of a beam. The filter 6 is placed between the source 1 and the input face of the half-lens 2. The half-lens has an enlarged capture angle. This angle is chosen depending on radiation energy (0.6-6 keV) of the source 1. As a result, there is an opportunity to increase the size of the plate-substrate.