Abstract: A spray coating system has integrated weather monitoring controls. The system can include a dispenser with onboard control unit; an integrated apparatus for monitoring environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, wind etc.); and communication interface for wired, wireless, internet of things (IOT), or other communications. The system monitors weather conditions in the direct vicinity of the spray equipment and informs coating applicators immediately to prevent faulty coating applications associated with incompatible environmental conditions.

Abstract: A membrane separation process is described. The process comprises pumping of a fluid stream through a membrane module to produce a permeate during a plurality of membrane operating cycles. Each membrane operating cycle comprises a filtration cycle and a relaxation cycle. Concentration polarisation is controlled during the process by controlling duration of filtration cycles and relaxation cycles to relatively short duration to maintain the degree of concentration polarisation below a target.

Abstract: An in-line electric heater for flowing fluids comprises a housing having a fluid inlet at one end and a fluid outlet at an opposing end with a plurality of resistance wire heating elements arranged along the flow path of the fluid and in direct contact with the fluid.

Abstract: A heated hose has pressure housings at or near its inlet and outlet. Heat is provided by an electric resistance heater located within the flow channel of the hose. Power feedthroughs in the pressure housings provide fluid-tight electrical power and return connections to the heater. The power feedthroughs may comprise a generally cylindrical body having a central axial bore. A conductor pin is situated within the central axial bore in spaced apart relation thereto creating an annulus. The annulus may be filled with an insulating material such as a ceramic. The power feedthroughs are retained within bores in each of the pressure housings. The bores have a circumferential groove in their inner walls which hold a seal such as an O-ring in sealing engagement with the outer surface of the generally cylindrical body of the power feedthrough.

Abstract: A membrane separation process is described. The process comprises pumping of a fluid stream through a membrane module to produce a permeate during a plurality of membrane operating cycles. Each membrane operating cycle comprises a filtration cycle and a relaxation cycle. Concentration polarisation is controlled during the process by controlling duration of filtration cycles and relaxation cycles to relatively short duration to maintain the degree of concentration polarisation below a target.

Abstract: Systems and methods for manufacturing high-strength cladded components such as pressure containing components that may be used in, e.g., oilfield systems to carry corrosive fluids at high pressures. Embodiments of the invention include products and processes in which low carbon HSLA Steel that has a yield strength greater than 70,000 psi is used as a base material from which a component is formed. A corrosion resistant alloy is welded to selected surfaces of the base metal. Because the base material has a low carbon content, welding the corrosion resistant alloy onto the base material does not create significant stresses in the base material and consequently eliminates the need for PWHT to relieve such stresses and eliminates strength degradation that normally results from PWHT. Eliminating PWHT also allows the component to be refurbished and re-cladded multiple times without significantly degrading the yield strength of the component.

Abstract: A method of accelerated testing of a membrane module for resistance to cyclic stress during operation of an industrial membrane separation process comprising loading at least one membrane module into a test cell of a test plant; conducting said industrial membrane separation process while subjecting said membrane module to cyclic stresses during a plurality of membrane operating cycles, each cycle being of significantly lesser duration than used for operation of said industrial membrane separation process in an operating plant; and testing said membrane module for component failure caused by said cyclic stresses.

Abstract: The flow valve apparatus includes a valve body, a valve sub assembly, a valve stem guide, and a spring. The valve body can be placed in a pipeline or other fluid flow path. The valve sub assembly has a float and valve stem to control flow through the valve body. Actuating the float between a first position at a proximal end and a second position at a distal end opens and closes the flow valve apparatus. The valve body has an outer surface and an inner surface. The inner surface has a stem chamber and a float chamber. The valve sub assembly is oriented so that the float is positioned in the float chamber and the valve stem is positioned in the stem chamber. The cross-sectional area formed by the inner surface and the float is constant, when the float is in the first position.

Abstract: A computer implemented method may include identifying a base information card stored on a client, determining whether an overlay information card is to be applied to the identified base information card, and selecting the overlay information card. The method may also include generating a final information card by applying the selected overlay information card to the identified base information card.

Abstract: A method of accelerated testing of a membrane module for resistance to cyclic stress during operation of an industrial membrane separation process comprising loading at least one membrane module into a test cell of a test plant; conducting said industrial membrane separation process while subjecting said membrane module to cyclic stresses during a plurality of membrane operating cycles, each cycle being of significantly lesser duration than used for operation of said industrial membrane separation process in an operating plant; and testing said membrane module for component failure caused by said cyclic stresses.

Abstract: A process for treating a water stream containing dissolved organic carbon and dissolved salts comprises subjecting the water stream to reverse osmosis after a pre-treatment step to reduce the amount of dissolved organic carbon directed in water to the reverse osmosis treatment step. The preferred pre-treatment step is a membrane treatment step such as nanofiltration. The process enables treatment of complex effluents including mixtures of domestic and industrial effluents. Treated water may be recycled and a treatment plant (100) employing the process forms another aspect of the invention.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method can include selecting an information card from a group of identified information cards, selecting a persona from a group of identified personae that are associated with the selected information card, and generating a Request for Security Token (RST) based on the selected information card and the selected persona.

Abstract: A client includes a card selector, and receives a security policy from a relying party. If the client does not have an information card that can satisfy the security policy, the client can define a virtual information card, either from the security policy or by augmenting an existing information card. The client can also use a local security policy that controls how and when a virtual information card is defined. The virtual information card can then be used to generate a security token to satisfy the security policy.

Abstract: The user can associate metadata with information cards. The metadata can include, among other possibilities, string names, icons, user policies, containers, and hierarchies. The metadata is stored by the computer system. The metadata can then be used to filter the set of information cards that can satisfy a security policy from a relying party.

Abstract: A selector daemon can run in the background of a computer. Applications that are capable of processing information cards directly, without requiring the use of a card selector, can request the selector daemon to list information cards that satisfy security policy. Upon receiving such a request, selector daemon can determine the information cards available on the computer that satisfy the security policy, and can identify these information cards to the requesting application. The applications can then use the identified information cards in any manner desired, without having to use a card selector: for example, by requesting a security token based on one of the information cards directly from an identity provider.

Abstract: A string matching system is described herein that provides for very fast and efficient pattern matching against large sets of certain types of pattern strings. If a set of pattern strings is comprised of strings that can be logically divided into segments, these pattern strings can be stored efficiently in a tree-like data structure, segment by segment, storing pattern-match syntax segments separately from literal string segments. After segmentation, individual match candidate strings are compared, segment by segment, against elements in the tree. The system uses a data structure that is conceptually a combination of a tree and a hash table. Using a hash table to implement the branching elements at each level in the tree contributes to quick matching speed at each level. By consistently separating strings into segments, the system can also share storage locations for like elements in the data structure.

Abstract: A user defines an audit policy. The audit policy identifies one or more triggers that, when related information is included in a security token, trigger the performance of the audit. The audit can include notifying the user in some manner that the trigger occurred. The audit can require in-line confirmation of the audit, so that the security token is not transmitted until the user confirms the audit.

Abstract: A user engages in a transaction with a relying party. The relying party requests identity information from the user in a security policy and identifies transaction elements for an on-line business transaction. Typically, the security policy and transaction elements are transmitted together; the security policy can be as little as a request to conduct the on-line business transaction. The user identifies an information card that satisfies the security policy. The computer system requests a security token from the identity provider managing the information card, which can include requesting a transaction receipt for the transaction elements. The computer system then returns the security token (and the transaction receipt) to the relying party, to complete the transaction.

Abstract: A selector daemon can run in the background of a computer. Applications that are capable of processing information cards directly, without requiring the use of a card selector, can request the selector daemon to list information cards that satisfy security policy. Upon receiving such a request, selector daemon can determine the information cards available on the computer that satisfy the security policy, and can identify these information cards to the requesting application. The applications can then use the identified information cards in any manner desired, without having to use a card selector: for example, by requesting a security token based on one of the information cards directly from an identity provider.

Abstract: An accessor function interfaces among a client, a relying party, and an identity provider. The identity provider can “manage” personal (i.e., self-asserted) information cards on behalf of a user, making the personal information cards available on clients on which the personal information cards are not installed. The client can be an untrusted client, vulnerable to attacks such as key logging, screen capture, and memory interrogation. The accessor function can also asked as a proxy for the relying party in terms of invoking and using the information cards system, for use with legacy relying parties.