Abstract: A method of operating a telematics unit comprising the steps of: first operating the telematics unit in a logistical support mode containing a first set of operations assisting tracking of at least one of (a) the telematics unit and (b) a vehicle containing the telematics unit through storage and travel; and second operating the telematics unit in a customer service mode containing a second set of operations supporting a customer associated with the vehicle, wherein the first set of operations contains at least one operation unique from the second set of operations.

Abstract: A method for controlling replacement of plural terminal equipment in a building management system is disclosed, in which a system can be effectively replaced, without providing any temporal apparatuses and without any obstacle on the operation. The method for controlling replacement of plural terminal equipment connected to plural points to be managed in a building, includes the steps of tabulating a connecting status showing which existing terminal equipment or new terminal equipment is used in each point to be managed and correspondence between hard addresses of the existing terminal equipment and the new terminal equipment, which correspond to the points to be managed, and switching hard addresses corresponding to the points to be managed according to the tabled connecting status of the terminal equipment and the correspondence between the hard addresses of the existing terminal equipment and the new terminal equipment.

Abstract: Enhanced uniformity of treatment of the material with a treatment liquid in a continuous treatment vessel, is provided. The invention is particularly applicable to the treatment of comminuted cellulosic fibrous material to produce paper pulp, specifically for the digesting (kraft or sulfite, or solvent pulp processing) of wood chips to produce paper pulp. The vessel has at least one annular screen divided into at least four arcuate screen segments disposed around the internal periphery of the vessel, and a first liquid having treatment properties, and a second, spent liquid, are utilized in the treatment. A second liquid is withdrawn through at least a first of the arcuate screen segments while simultaneously the first liquid through or adjacent at least a second of the arcuate screen segments opposite the first screen segment. The various screen segments are operated, and at rest, in sequence to provide the uniformity of treatment.

Abstract: A process is provided for selectively converting methane and a hydrating agent to C.sub.3 to oxygenates. More particularly, methane is reacted with water in the presence of a nickel metal powder catalyst using microwave irradiation to produce acetone and propanol.

Abstract: An environmentally safe process for pre-cleaning, sterilizing, preserving, and enhancing performance characteristics of materials used in critical environments with stringent end-product cleanliness and sterilization requirements in a single process using high energy dense fluids. One or more dense fluids are mixed with one or more chemical agents and are simultaneously subjected to a non-uniform electrostatic field and high powered acoustic radiation to remove, in a process called acoustic-electroextraction, deeply recessed contaminants from internal and external surfaces of intricately arranged or formulated materials such as biomaterials, surgical tools, or dental implants. Subsequently, the cleaned materials are than subjected to a high energy dense fluid oxidizing environment to provide for deep material penetration and sterilization and removal of biological contaminants.

Abstract: A method and apparatus provide for the production of low kappa number (e.g. below 20) kraft paper pulp, and a low viscosity black liquor which is easily transported to a recovery or disposal stage. Comminuted cellulosic fibrous material is steamed, passed to a treatment vessel, and then introduced into the top of a continuous digester. Black liquor is withdrawn from the digester and heated about 20-40 degrees C. above cooking temperature (e.g. about 170 degrees C.), and then introduced into contact with the material in the treatment vessel. After the material is treated with the black liquor, it is withdrawn from the treatment vessel, and passed to the recovery or disposal stage. White liquor may be introduced into the treatment vessel after black liquor withdrawal, after passing in heat exchange relationship with liquid recirculated from an impregnation vessel to a high pressure feeder.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing ecological protection with respect to equipment using halogenated hydrocarbons in which the release, escape or discharge of a halogenated hydrocarbon from such equipment is detected, and a source of radiation for effecting selective dissociation of the halogenated hydrocarbon is energized to separate the halogen atoms therefrom and to convert them to a halide salt.

Abstract: A composition which is cured upon exposure to ultraviolet light in the absence of solvent is disclosed. The liquid composition is prepared by combining a liquid maleate polyester and at least one of a vinyl compound and an allyl functional compound. A photoinitiator is then added to the polymerizable liquid composition. A substrate is impregnated with the polymerizable liquid composition and exposed to actinic energy of a sufficient dosage for a sufficient amount of time to polymerize the composition to a sufficient degree to impart useful properties to the substrate. The composition can be used as a binder for fiberglass insulation, in the manufacture of transparent or semi-transparent paper and to manufacture paper for use in photocopy machines.

Abstract: The removal of manganese from pulp is enhanced by supplementing the treatment with a chelating agent by the addition of at least 500 ppm of magnesium ions prior to thickening of the pulp thereby to reduce the manganese content of the thickened pulp significantly more than the content would be reduced by the treatment with the chelating agent without the magnesium ions.

Abstract: Paper pulp is produced from small chips (e.g. having a smallest dimension of between about 1 and 5 mm), which may be more easily penetrated by the treatment liquids resulting in a more uniform Kappa distribution which makes it possible to cook to lower Kappa numbers without losing strength. The chips are steamed and then impregnated with sulfur containing liquor in an impregnation vessel having a conveyor. The conveyor, such as an endless belt with baffles, moves the chips through the liquor rather than trying to circulate the liquor. From the impregnation vessel the chips move to the top of an upright digester where they are steamed, and then are subjected to digesting conditions, entrained in white liquor, in the digester and discharged from the bottom. The digester has smooth side walls, devoid of screens and circulation loops.

Abstract: System and method for selectively inducing transparency to laser radiation in a material are described comprising a material having a ground state and two closely-spaced first and second excited states wherein the transition dipole moment d.sub.1 between the ground and first excited states is parallel to the dipole moment d.sub.2 between the ground and second excited states, and wherein d.sub.1 is substantially equal to zd.sub.2 where z is a scalar constant characteristic of the material, and wherein the frequencies of transition between the ground and first excited states and between the ground and second excited states are .omega..sub.o and .omega..sub.o +.DELTA., respectively, and a source of laser radiation for substantially totally irradiating the material with laser radiation of frequency .omega..sub.L substantially equal to .omega..sub.o +.DELTA./(1+z.sup.2).

Abstract: An apparatus for calcining and/or sintering ceramic materials comprising a kiln having a heating chamber formed from a microwave impermeable material separated from abutting secondary chambers containing conventional heating means by perforated walls, permitting convectional/radiative heat transfer from the secondary chambers into the heating chamber while minimizing leakage of microwave radiation from the heating chamber. A method for processing ceramic materials in the apparatus comprises applying convectional or convectional/radiative heat to elevate the temperature of a material to increase microwave coupling, and then applying microwave radiation to further elevate the temperature of the material and maintain a desired temperature for a desired length of time.

Abstract: Vinylidene chloride is removed from 1,1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane (HCFC-141b) by contacting the HCFC-141b in the vapor phase with chlorine in the presence of ultraviolet light providing an exposure up to about 50 watts-hour/kg.

Abstract: The activity maintenance of the plasma initiators used during the upgrading of a hydrocarbon feedstock in a reaction zone using microwave radiation can be improved if molecular hydrogen is added to the reaction zone such that the weight ratio of carbon (in the molecules in contact with the plasma initiators) to hydrogen is maintained at less than 6:1 during upgrading.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating an organic waste gas has an oxidizing means for contacting the waste gas with an oxidizing agent to effect primary oxidation and form a primary oxidation product. An ultraviolet wave generator inadiates the primary reaction product with UV light in the near UV range to effect secondary oxidation of the primary reaction product.

Abstract: A composition for rendering materials fluorescent substantially without visible trace comprises an organic fluorescent compound dissolved in a solvent characterized by a boiling point or distillation range at atmospheric pressure of between about 12.degree.-35.degree. C. The preferred composition comprises fluorescent azoles, such as 2-(o-Hydroxyphenyl)benzoxazole, 2-(o-Hydroxyphenyl)benoxazole, and derivatives thereof dissolved in volatile halocarbon solvents, such as Fluorotrichlormethane, 1,1-Dichloro-1-Fluoroethane, and 2,2-Dichloro-1,1,1-Trifluoroethane. The resultant product is particularly suited for marking currency, papers, fabrics, and other porous webs and surfaces. Treated surfaces appear normal in white light, are highly fluorescent under UV light and feature excellent transfer of the fluorescent compound to fingertips and other surfaces in direct or glancing contact.

Abstract: A multi stage process for the conversion of 2-chloro-4-sulphotoluene (SCT) to 2-chloro-4-sulphobenzoic acid (SCUBA). Stage (a) comprises a process S1 for the selective side chain bromination of SCT to 2-chloro-4-sulpho-dibromotoluene (SCDBT) or 2-chloro-4-sulpho-bromotoluene (SCMBT) by contacting the starting material with bromine in chloroform or trichloroethane and irradiating the mixture with light that dissociates bromine. Subsequently, in stage (b), process S2, the product of S1 can be hydrolysed at elevated temperature after separation from the organic solvent to the corresponding alcohol (SCOL) or aldehyde (SCAB). In stage (c), the product of S2 can be oxidized to SCUBA either by oxidation with a peroxyacid, optionally generated in situ, provided that the aqueous solution has previously been stripped of bromide/bromine in process S3.