Abstract: A porous membrane with a molecular weight cut-off (MWCO) greater than about 10 kDa, and a coating on at least a portion of a major surface of the porous membrane. The coating includes a star polymer having a hydrophobic core and hydrophilic arms, wherein the hydrophobic core contacts the porous membrane.

Abstract: An additive comprising one or more C3-C12 hydroxycarboxylic acids and/or one or more C3-C12 hydroxycarboxylic acid salts may be added to an aqueous system having galvanized metallurgy or a carbon steel surface in an effective amount to passivate a galvanized coating on the metallurgy or to decrease white rust formation or other types of corrosion upon the galvanized metallurgy or carbon steel surface in an aqueous system. In a non-limiting embodiment, the C3-C12 hydroxycarboxylic acid or the C3-C12 hydroxycarboxylic acid salt additive may utilize the zinc in the galvanized coating to achieve passivation. The passivation may occur while the system is shut down or in service. The aqueous system may be or include a cooling tower, a cooling water system, and combinations thereof. The additive may be used with or in the absence of a phosphorous-containing compound.

Abstract: A fire kindling device and method having a wick and a coated fuel material strip. A user loosely rolls the coated fuel material strip into a spiraled cylindrical coil defining and creating a gap between radially spaced sections. The user places the spiraled cylindrical coil in an upright position, presses the wick into a centrally located apex point over the radius of the spiraled cylindrical coil and down the exterior side wall and then stacks combustible kindling material around the spiraled cylindrical coil. The wick is ignited, igniting the fire fuel causing the fire fuel to ignite the coated fuel material strip within the spiraled cylindrical coil, thereby causing a kindling fire. The sections are ignited nearly simultaneously, igniting the combustible kindling material. The fire fuel transforms into a combustible gas within the gap, augmenting combustion of the fire fuel, and increasing the temperature of the kindling fire.

Abstract: A thin film composite (TFC) forward osmosis (FO) membrane includes a porous support with surfaces having thereon a hydrophilic self-assembled monolayer. An active layer on the support is sufficiently dense to remove an ionic species from a liquid.

Abstract: A method of filtering a fluid with components includes providing an alternating pressure. The alternating pressure yields an oscillating transmembrane pressure through volume and pressure variations within a filtration chamber while sealing the filtration chamber. A separation surface can be housed in the filtration chamber wherein an influent is introduced. Components can be concentrated on the separation surface, effectively removing some or all of them from the fluid. To flush the filtration chamber and separation surface, a backwash fluid and components can be introduced and removed from the filtration chamber. While both the components are being concentrated and backwashed, the system can maintain the oscillating transmembrane pressure and varying volume and pressure relative to the separation surface.

Abstract: A blood filtration method, system, device and media for removing gram negative bacteria from the blood wherein the media includes a substrate coated with mannose optionally in constitution with substrate coated with heparin.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel comprising a renewable middle distillate composition obtainable by hydrodeoxygenation of a feedstock comprising levulinic acid dimers/oligomers and fractionated distillation. The renewable middle distillate composition contains less than 10.0 wt.-% aromatics.

Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane is disclosed that includes both a porous hollow fiber and a nonporous film coating. The hollow fiber membrane is suitable for use in solubilizing gases into liquids. This can include for example carbonation of an aqueous liquid by CO2 gas. Systems, methods, and devices are disclosed.

Abstract: A production system for manufacturing composite porous solid articles is provided wherein the color of such articles is monitored to confirm that the articles, which are produced by heating and compressing mixtures of poly(vinylidene fluoride) binder powder (such as Kyblock® resin from Arkema) and activated carbon powder, are fully cured. Adjustments to the processing conditions are made when a region of the article appears blue (indicative of incomplete curing).

Abstract: Disclosed are novel engineered fuel feed storks, feed stocks produced by the described processes, and methods of making the fuel feed stocks. Components derived from processed MSW waste streams can be used to make such feed stocks which are substantially free of glass, metals, grit and noncombustibles. These feed stocks are useful for a variety of purposes including as gasification and combustion fuels.

Abstract: A water-based fragrance composition comprises at least about 67 wt % water and between about 5 and about 17 wt % of a first organic solvent, wherein the first organic solvent comprises one or more relatively volatile, water soluble, low molecular weight organic compound(s) having a boiling point less than about 100° C. The water-based fragrance composition further comprises about 5 wt % or less of at least one fragrance formulation and between about 0 and about 22 wt % of a second organic solvent, wherein the second organic solvent comprises one or more moderately volatile, water soluble organic compound(s) having a boiling point greater than or equal to about 100° C. and less than or equal to about 300° C.

Abstract: A lubricant composition of an oil of lubricating viscosity, an ashless condensation reaction product of an olefin polymer, having a number average molecular weight of 2,000 to 70,000, comprising carboxylic acid or equivalent functionality grafted onto the polymer backbone, with a monoamine or a polyamine often having a single primary amino group; a succinimide dispersant; and an overbased metal detergent, in an amount such that the total base number of the lubricant composition is less than 6.5, exhibits good sludge prevention performance in a gasoline engine.

Abstract: Methods for making efficient use of steam in a steam-assisted gravity drainage (SAGD) process for recovering heavy oils from tar sands and similar petroleum deposits are disclosed. The methods utilize a surfactant to generate steam foam in ways that maximize efficient use of steam. In some aspects, steam foam is used in water layers or gas caps that reside above steam chambers to prevent loss of steam from the steam chamber. The predominant use of relatively dry steam in SAGD processes makes it challenging to find ways to introduce surfactants and generate steam foam. However, decreasing the mobility of the steam by converting at least some of it to foam allows the wellbore and steam chambers above the injection site to be more fully developed, provides for more effective heat transfer to the heavy oil and rock, improves production, and allows recovery of the heavy oil with a minimum amount of steam usage.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to both a method for ensuring optimal conditions for separation, and a separator device for extraction of water, oil and gas from a mixture of water-oil-gas flowing in a straight pipe or straight channel. A separator comprises a certain length of pipe with diameter larger than or equal an inlet pipe and several inclined and profiled holes along the separator pipe wall. Holes in the pipe wall at the bottom of the pipe are provided for extraction of water, and one or more groups of inclined holes in the pipe wall at the top of the pipe are provided for extraction of oil and possible gas. Water and oil/gas are separated such that dispersed flow in the inlet is reduced to velocity equal or less than that of the separated flow at the outlet of the separator.

Abstract: Low sulphur marine fuel compositions are provided. Embodiments comprise 10 to 50 wt % of a residual hydrocarbon component, with the remaining 50 to 90 wt % selected from a non-hydroprocessed hydrocarbon component, a hydroprocessed hydrocarbon component, and a combination thereof. Embodiments of the marine fuel composition can have a sulphur content of about 0.1 wt % or less.

Abstract: A liquid electrical air care device for dispensing a liquid composition from a reservoir containing the liquid composition, wherein the liquid composition includes 0.1% to 10% by weight of the total liquid composition of a fragrance ingredient having a standard equilibrium headspace concentration (HSi) of greater than 12 to 50 micrograms/litre and a Flexibility Index (FIi) of 45 or more, and/or 0.1% to 7% by weight of the total liquid composition of a fragrance ingredient having a standard equilibrium headspace concentration (HSi) between 5 and 12 micrograms/litre and a Flexibility Index (FIi) of between 20 and 44, and/or 0 to 1% by weight of the total liquid composition of a fragrance ingredient having a standard equilibrium headspace concentration (HSi) of less than 5 micrograms/litre and a Flexibility Index of between 7 and 19 (FIi).

Abstract: Disclosed are novel engineered fuel feed stocks, feed stocks produced by the described processes, methods of making the fuel feed stocks, methods of producing energy from the fuel feed stocks. Components derived from processed MSW waste streams can be used to make such feed stocks which are substantially free of glass, metals, grit and noncombustibles and contain a sorbent. These feed stocks are useful for a variety of purposes including as gasification and combustion fuels. In addition, one or more sorbents can be added to the feed stocks in order to reduce the amount of a variety of pollutants present in traditional fuel and feed stocks, including, but not limited, sulfur and chlorine. Further, these feed stocks with added sorbent can mitigate corrosion, improve fuel conversion, extend power generating plant lifetime, reduce ash slagging, and reduced operating temperature.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are compositions that include at least about 85 wt % of a hydroalcoholic solution that includes at least about 1 wt % water; and about 30 to about 85 wt % of at least one C1 to C4 alkyl alcohol based on the total weight of the hydroalcoholic solution; and acrylate copolymer particles dispersed in the hydroalcoholic solution, the acrylate copolymers particles being the reaction product of a reaction mixture, the reaction mixture including monomers, the monomers including from about 5 wt % to about 50 wt % of at least one high Tg monomer; and from about 20 w % to about 80 wt % of at least one low Tg monomer where the wt % of the low and high Tg monomers are with respect to the total weight of the monomers in the reaction mixture, wherein the particles have a number average diameter of at least about 100 nm.

Abstract: Methods are provided for producing Group III base stocks having high viscosity and also having one or more properties indicative of a high quality base stock. The resulting Group III base stocks can have a viscosity at 100° C. and/or a viscosity at 40° C. that is greater than the corresponding viscosity for a conventional Group III base stock. Additionally, the resulting Group III base stocks can have one or more properties that are indicative of a high quality base stock.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fuel blend comprising a hydrocarbon based fuel; and particles that comprise magnesium and boron. Disclosed herein too is a method comprising blending a composition comprising a hydrocarbon based fuel and particles that comprise magnesium and boron to form a fuel blend.