Abstract: A method for the preparation of methyl tertiary butyl ether is provided wherein a mixture of methanol and substantially peroxides-free tertiary butyl alcohol are catalytically reacted to form a reaction product comprising unreacted methanol, unreacted tertiary butyl alcohol, water, isobutylene and methyl tertiary butyl ether, that is separated into a substantially anhydrous first lighter distillation fraction comprising isobutylene, methanol and methyl tertiary butyl ether and a second heavier distillation fraction comprising methanol, tertiary butyl alcohol and water, and wherein the isobutylene and methanol in the first distillation fraction are reacted to form an isobutylene conversion product that contains additional methyl tertiary butyl ether that is substantially free from tertiary butyl alcohol.

Abstract: A telephony apparatus is disclosed. The telephony apparatus has a receiver for receiving an email and a processor circuit having a communications port, for automatically forwarding at least a portion of the email from the communications port to a remote device, in response to receiving the email.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for remotely answering a door. The apparatus includes a switch, a telephone transmitter and an a telephone receiver positioned near the door. At least one telephone station is operable to place a telephone call to a remote telephone identified by a pre-determined telephone number. An interface detects actuation of the switch and signals the telephone station to place the telephone call in response to actuation of the switch and places the telephone transmitter and receiver in communication with the telephone to establish telephonic communication between the telephone transmitter and receiver and the remote telephone.

Abstract: MTBE is prepared from TBA and MeOH by passing a feed mixture comprising TBA and MeOH through a primary MTBE reaction zone to form a primary reaction product containing MTBE, unreacted TBA, unreacted MeOH, isobutylene and water; the primary reaction product is fractionated to provide a first lighter distillation fraction comprising isobutylene, MeOH and MTBE and a first higher boiling distillation fraction comprising MeOH, TBA and water and the first higher boiling distillation fraction is charged to a second stage MTBE reaction zone to form a second stage reaction product comprising unreacted MeOH, unreacted TBA water, isobutylene and MTBE.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump comprises a rotatable drum 2 having rollers 5 or cams 5' for squashing a flexible tube 9 against a profiled surface 10 of a presser plate 7. Tube 9 is mounted between supports 14 and 15 on presser plate 7 and is automatically movable between an inoperative and operative (pumping) position by pivotal movement of plate 7 about axis 8 produced by an electro mechanical actuator. A flexible membrane 33 is sandwiched between rollers 5 or cams 5' for eliminating shear forces on the tube 9. The construction of the pump and shape of profile 10 are such as to mimimise pulsations in the output flow. Systems for supplying a sample for analysis to spectroscopic apparatus using the peristaltic pump are also described.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump comprises a rotatable drum 2 having rollers 5 or cams 5' for squashing a flexible tube 9 against a profiled surface 10 of a presser plate 7. Tube 9 is mounted between supports 14 and 15 on presser plate 7 and is automatically movable between an inoperative and operative (pumping) position by pivotal movement of plate 7 about axis 8 produced by an electro mechanical actuator. A flexible membrane 33 is sandwiched between rollers 5 or cams 5' for eliminating shear forces on the tube 9. The construction of the pump and shape of profile 10 are such as to mimimise pulsations in the output flow. Systems for supplying a sample for analysis to spectroscopic apparatus using the peristaltic pump are also described.