Abstract: In an operating liquid feed fuel cell system, fuel concentration in the fuel stream can be calculated as a function of the observed current, the temperature of the fuel stream entering the fuel cell stack, and the temperature of the fuel cell stack itself, thereby eliminating the need for a separate sensor. Typically, methanol will be used as the fuel and the liquid feed fuel cell system will thus be a direct methanol fuel cell system.

Abstract: A method of preparing phytosterols from tall oil pitch containing steryl esters comprises the steps of converting the steryl esters to free phytosterols while in the pitch to produce a modified pitch containing the free phytosterols; removing light ends from the modified pitch by evaporation to produce a bottom fraction containing the free phytosterols; evaporating the bottom fraction to produce a light phase distillate containing the free phytosterols; dissolving the light phase distillate in a solvent comprising an alcohol to produce a solution containing the free phytosterols; cooling the solution to produce a slurry with the free phytosterols crystallized in the slurry; and, washing and filtering the slurry to isolate the crystallized phytosterols.

Abstract: In an operating liquid feed fuel cell system, fuel concentration in the fuel stream can be calculated as a function of the observed current, the temperature of the fuel stream entering the fuel cell stack and the temperature of the fuel cell stack itself, thereby eliminating the need for a separate sensor. Typically, methanol will be used as the fuel and the liquid feed fuel cell system will thus be a direct methanol fuel cell system.

Abstract: An optical alignment system used in the manufacture of semiconductor integrated circuits determines and adjusts the alignment between features which have been formed on a semiconductor wafer and features on a mask which is being projected onto the semiconductor wafer. Light which illuminates the semiconductor wafer is scattered and diffracted into a dark-field detector system. This results in the generation of electrical signals which are used to position the mask relative to the semiconductor wafer. The use of polarized light in the present system results in an increase in the magnitude of the desired signals and a decrease in the magnitude of the spurious signals. To improve the quality of the signals, the angle of polarization of the light is adjusted to a specific relationship with respect to the geometry of the alignment marks on the semiconductor wafer.

Abstract: A process is described for producing additives for diesel fuels having high cetane numbers and serving as fuel ignition improvers. In the process, biomass feedstock selected from (a) tall oil containing less than 0.5 wt % ash, less than 25 wt % unsaponifiables, up to 50 wt % diterpenic acids and 30 to 60 wt % unsaturated fatty acids, (b) wood oils from the pulping of hardwood species, (c) animal fats and (d) blends of said tall oil with plant or vegetable oil containing substantial amounts of unsaturated fatty acids or animal fats, is subjected to hydroprocessing by contacting the feedstock with gaseous hydrogen under hydroprocessing conditions in the presence of a hydroprocessing catalyst to obtain a product mixture. This product mixture is then separated and fractionated to obtain a hydrocarbon product boiling in the diesel fuel boiling range, this product being the high cetane number additive.

Abstract: Described herein is a process for producing potassium salts from potassium-based liquors for pulping of lignocellulosic material. The process comprises the steps of(a) digesting lignocellulosic material with a potassium-base aqueous cooling liquor to obtain an aqueous slurry of partially delignified pulp of the lignocellulosic material;(b) separating the pulp from the spent potassium-base aqueous cooling liquor;(c) concentrating the spent pulping liquor; and(d) recovering potassium salts including potassium carbonate, potassium sulphate and potassium lignosulphonate from the concentrated spent pulping liquor. The recovered potassium salts find numerous uses, an example being use in fertilizers.

Abstract: A multi-step method is provided for the purification of waste water, especially pulp mill effluents. It comprises a number of steps carried out in a specific sequence. The first step involves passing an oxygen-containing gas through the waste water while the waste water is in intimate contact with a finely divided activated carbonaceous material, preferably including, as a preliminary step, the addition of the finely divided activated carbonaceous material to the waste water. The second step involves adding a clarification agent selected from one or more of a coagulant, a flocculant, and a polyelectrolyte to the treated waste water provided by the first step. The third step involves recovering a solids-free effluent by known means, e.g.