Abstract: A method for breaking an emulsion of an ionic liquid which is a salt that is in the liquid state at a temperature below 1500 C, and an oil, comprising the steps of (a) irradiating the emulsion with microwave radiation; (b) separating the emulsion into an ionic liquid phase and an oil phase; and (c) recovering at least one of the phases.

Abstract: A vapor distributor for use in atmospheric or vacuum columns includes a new design of vapor inlet device, or vapor horn, to provide superior mixing and distribution of a tangential first feed and a vertical second feed. New vapor inlet device has an inlet dividing the first feed into two portions, each flowing in respective housings in opposed circulation directions, and a plurality of vanes for redirection of vapor. Mixing and distribution of feeds by the vapor distributor is further enhanced by inclusion in vapor distributor of a mixer and vapor directing plates.

Abstract: A secondary air injection system for improving emissions of internal combustion engines. The secondary air injection system includes an engine cylinder head and exhaust system designed to be used with or without a secondary air system.

Abstract: A balancer apparatus including a first balancer and a second balancer. The first balancer includes a first balance weight and the second balancer includes a second balance weight and wherein the first and second balance weights are asymmetrical. The first and second balancers include first and second center of gravities that are longitudinally aligned when the first and second balancers are assembled in a housing.

Abstract: An oil pan for an engine, the oil pan having a plurality of substantially parallel, spaced-apart reinforcement channels (58) extending from adjacent a first end (10) of the oil pan to adjacent a second end (12) of the oil pan, each channel (58) having a base (58) and two sides (60) and an open top (66); the channels (58) tapering downwardly from the first end (10) and the second end (12) towards an accumulation area (24) of the oil pan.

Abstract: A flange for an oil filter adaptor, the flange having a peripheral sealing portion adapted to be contacted by and seal with a correspondingly sized and shaped mounting flange of the oil filter adaptor; the peripheral sealing portion defining at least one inlet opening and at least one outlet opening with there being at least one divider between the at least one inlet opening and the at least one outlet opening, the at least one divider extending between a first section of the peripheral sealing portion and a second section of the peripheral sealing portion, the first section being remote from the second section. An adaptor for use with the flange is also disclosed.

Abstract: A cooling system for cooling an interbore bridge of a cylinder block of a water cooled engine, the interbore bridge having a top surface and a central region of minimum width; the cylinder block having a water jacket; the cooling system including at lest one water passage extending from the top of the interbore bridge adjacent the central region to the water jacket. A method of forming the cooling system, and a cylinder block so formed, are also disclosed.

Abstract: An agricultural material composition comprises particles of an agricultural material, e.g. a fertilizer, coated with a layer of protein degraded pre-vulcanized natural rubber to provide slow-release properties. The particles preferably have a diameter of from 0.5 to 12 mm, and the thickness of the rubber layer is preferably from 10 to 250 microns.