Abstract: A method and apparatus for extracting CO2 from air comprising an anion exchange material formed in a matrix exposed to a flow of the air, and for delivering that extracted CO2 to controlled environments. The present invention contemplates the extraction of CO2 from air using conventional extraction methods or by using one of the extraction methods disclosed; e.g., humidity swing or electro dialysis. The present invention also provides delivery of the CO2 to greenhouses where increased levels of CO2 will improve conditions for growth. Alternatively, the CO2 is fed to an algae culture.

Abstract: The time-release dental adhesive is made as a two-part preparation to increase shelf life. The first part contains three monomers (hydroxyethyl methacrylate [HEMA], triethyleneglycol dimethacrylate [TEG-DMA], and bisphenol A di(ethyl-methacrylate) [BPA-DEMA]), glycerol, a polymerization catalyst, a filler, and a stabilizer. The second part contains the same three monomers listed above, an acrylic resin to increase viscosity, an accelerator, a filler, and a sugar or sugar-based sweetener. When desired for use, the two parts are mixed in a 1:1 ratio by weight. The adhesive cures to a strong, hard bonding agent, but gradually weakens in the presence of moisture to provide a time-release adhesive. The amount of elapsed time before release of the adhesive may be controlled by changing the quantity of sugar or sugar-based sweetener in the adhesive.

Abstract: This unique process is a feed forward control of hydroprocessing by on-line sulfur speciation. An on-line gas analyzer such as (GC) with a sulfur specific detector (AED) would be installed to analyze the feed to a hydrotreating unit. The analyzer would be calibrated to quantify the individual sulfur compounds or classes of sulfur compounds present in the feed. The output from the analyzer would be linked to the unit's distributed control system to automatically change temperatures and feed rates to change hydrotreating severity. This invention could bring economical benefits by increasing the life of the hydrotreating catalyst, reducing operating cost, and decreasing the potential amount of offspec product. In one embodiment, the hydrotreating is a hydrodesulphurization process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the treatment of crude oil or aged crude oil residue comprising the steps of (a) contacting the oil or residue with a phenol resin and with a diluent, to provide a diluted phenol resin treated oil or residue; and (b) optionally removing solid material from the diluted phenol resin treated oil or residue.

Abstract: Hydroxylamine is formed in a reactor through a partial hydrogenation of nitric oxide gas (NO) with hydrogen gas (H2) in an aqueous medium with nitrogen gas (N2) as an inert gas. The formation of the hydroxylamine forms nitrous oxide gas (N2O). The gases and the water vapor are flowed away from the reactor in a vent gas stream enabling recycling of the gases. The N2O is removed from the vent gas stream to reduce flammability. Once the N2O is removed, the NO, H2, and N2 are recycled and re-used in the reactor to form additional hydroxylamine. The N2O removed from the vent gas stream is of high purity and can be commercially sold or economically discarded.

Abstract: An adhesive composition including an etchant for a hard tissue surface, at least one multifunctional crosslinkable (meth)acrylate monomer with a functionality greater than 4, and water. The adhesive composition is a water-in-oil emulsion.

Abstract: A process by means of which the colonization by plaque on dental materials can be permanently prevented or delayed without the product properties of the dental material being negatively influenced. The process involves equipping the dental material with anti-plaque substance, namely at least one molecularly dispersely distributed octenidine salt or dequalinium salt. Also disclosed is a dental material so equipped.

Abstract: A method for evaluating rubber is provided which can evaluate the degree of crosslinking of a crosslinked rubber product within a short period of time without performing any specific treatment. In the above method, the amount of energy shift of the peak (such as the peak of C12p3/2 of chlorinated butyl rubber) of a constituent element of the rubber is measured by photoelectron spectroscopy, and the degree of crosslinking of the rubber is evaluated from the amount of energy shift. In addition, a method for manufacturing a rubber product is also provided which includes the steps of measuring the amount of energy shift of the peak of a constituent element of the rubber product by a photoelectron spectrometer which is installed in a manufacturing line and then feeding back measurement result to adjust heat molding conditions so as to obtain a desired degree of crosslinking.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a device for a gas-liquid contacting apparatus. The gas-liquid contacting apparatus can include a member. The member can include: a non-breakable portion, and a breakable portion adapted for removal by application of an effective amount of force for creating one or more holes for a passage of a fluid there-through.

Abstract: A gas extraction apparatus provides for reliable and accurate extraction of gases dissolved in fluids and routing the extracted gas to an analytical instrument. An extraction module comprises one or more fluorosilicone membranes molded into the shape of a flattened disk. The membranes are retained in a housing in a spaced apart relationship. The membrane is permeable to target gas(es), but not to the fluid. Porous support members support the membranes and prevent damage to them and the housing defines separate fluid flow paths for the fluid and the gas extracted from it.

Abstract: A device for the precise and accurate potentiometric pH measurements in situ. Embodiments of a potentiometric device according to the invention consist of one or more glass pH-sensitive electrodes connected to a potentiometer. A key feature of the device is that, rather than being calibrated conventionally with buffers, it can be calibrated with an in situ device that measures pH spectrophotometrically. Spectrophotometric pH measurements obtained via sulfonephthalein absorbance measurements are inherently calibrated (do not require buffers). Thus, devices according to the invention allow for continuous potentiometric pH measurements with occasional spectrophotometric calibrations. The spectrophotometric calibration device consists of a spectrophotometer with associated pumps for combining a sulfonephthalein pH indicator with the aqueous medium whose pH is to be measured.

Abstract: Electrodeposition baths, systems and methods are provided. In some embodiments, the baths, systems and methods are used to deposit metal alloy coatings.

Abstract: A method is provided for reducing emissions of a volatile organic compound (“VOC”) from a source of the VOC. The method includes the steps of: (A) operatively positioning a VOC-absorbing material between the source of the VOC and the atmosphere, wherein the VOC from the source of the VOC must pass through the VOC-absorbing material before being vented to the atmosphere, and wherein the VOC-absorbing material comprises: (i) a permeable substrate; and (ii) a stripper for the VOC; and (B) exposing the stripper of the VOC-absorbing material to bacteria, wherein the bacteria is selected for being capable of converting the VOC to another compound. A method for pumping a fluid from a low-pressure fluid source to a high-pressure fluid outlet and a method for storing or transporting a fluid are also provided, wherein the fluid comprises a VOC.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gas conditioning system for processing an input gas from a low temperature gasification system to an output gas of desired characteristics. The system comprises a two-stage process, the first stage separating heavy metals and particulate matter in a dry phase, and the second stage including further processing steps of removing acid gases, and/or other contaminants. Optional processes include adjusting the humidity and temperature of the input gas as it passes through the gas conditioning system. The presence and sequence of processing steps is determined by the composition of the input gas, the desired composition of output gas for downstream applications, and by efficiency and waste minimization.

Abstract: A fluid inlet device (1) suitable for introducing a mixture of liquid and gas into a vessel, which fluid inlet device comprises a guide member having a surface on which surface a liquid film is present during normal operation, and having a main direction of gas flow along the surface; and wherein the guide member (20) is provided with a liquid catcher channel (40) extending from an upstream position with respect to the guide member (20) to a downstream position, and wherein a virtual line along the guide member between the upstream position and the downstream position deviates from the main direction of gas flow; the use of the fluid inlet device for introducing a mixture of liquid and gas into a gas-liquid contacting vessel; and a method of retrofitting a fluid inlet device.

Abstract: A contactor/separator is formed from a vessel; an inlet for receiving a vapor/liquid mixture; an inlet for receiving a superheated vapor; a hub located within the vessel, the hub including a plurality of vanes for imparting a centrifugal motion to the vapor/liquid mixture or the superheated vapor; an outlet in a bottom of the vessel for removing liquid; and an outlet for removing vapor from the vessel. A method is also provided for heating and separating liquid and vapor from a hydrocarbon feedstock comprising introducing a hydrocarbon feedstock into a contactor/separator: introducing a superheated vapor into the contactor/separator such that it contacts and vaporizes a portion of the feedstock within the contactor/separator; separating unvaporized feedstock from vaporized feedstock in the contactor/separator; removing the vaporized feedstock and the superheated vapor through a first outlet; and removing the unvaporized feedstock through a second outlet.

Abstract: In a method for removing moisture from an optical system at high altitude, the improvement comprises using the difference in flow resistance between the desiccant path and the optical cavity path to enable airflow through the desiccant unit and not through the optical path.

Abstract: A process comprising: a) taking a sample from a continuous reactor process, b)measuring a content of a halide in the sample, and c) in response to the measured content of the halide, adjusting a flow of a halide containing additive comprising the halide to control the process. Also, an apparatus comprising: a) a reactor holding an ionic liquid catalyst and a reactant mixture, b) a means for measuring levels of a halide in an effluent from the reactor, and c) a control system that receives a signal in response to the measuring and communicates changes in an operating condition that influences the yield of a product in the reactant mixture.

Abstract: A system for separating hydrocarbons from a solid source including a primary separation tank including a first hydrocarbon removing device to remove hydrocarbons from a slurry of water and solids. Further, the system including a transfer device between the primary separation tank and a secondary separation tank, wherein the transfer device is configured to transfer solids from the slurry to the secondary separation tank. Further still, the system including a second hydrocarbon removal device, a fine particle separation device to remove remaining solids in the secondary separation tank, and a product collection tank to receive hydrocarbons removed from the primary and secondary separation tanks.

Abstract: The invention relates to a nickel tungsten bulk catalyst, to a process for the manufacture of said catalyst and to the use of said catalyst for the hydrotreatment, in particular the hydrodesulphurisation and hydrodenitrogenation of hydrocarbon feedstock. The catalyst comprises nickel tungsten metal oxidic particles obtainable by a process comprising forming a slurry of a first solid metal compound comprising Group VNI metal nickel and a second solid metal compound comprising Group VIB metal tungsten in a protic liquid, reacting the first and second solid metal compounds at elevated temperature whereby the first and second solid metal compounds remain at least partly in the solid state during the entire reaction to form the nickel tungsten oxidic bulk catalyst.