Abstract: Systems and methods to create and store a liquid phase mix of natural gas absorbed in light-hydrocarbon solvents under temperatures and pressures that facilitate improved volumetric ratios of the stored natural gas as compared to CNG and PLNG at the same temperatures and pressures of less than ?80° to about ?120° F. and about 300 psig to about 900 psig. Preferred solvents include ethane, propane and butane, and natural gas liquid (NGL) and liquid pressurized gas (LPG) solvents. Systems and methods for receiving raw production or semi-conditioned natural gas, conditioning the gas, producing a liquid phase mix of natural gas absorbed in a light-hydrocarbon solvent, and transporting the mix to a market where pipeline quality gas or fractionated products are delivered in a manner utilizing less energy than CNG, PLNG or LNG systems with better cargo-mass to containment-mass ratio for the natural gas component than CNG systems.

Abstract: A method for purifying a polymer comprising providing a first mixture comprising at least one solvent and at least one polymeric material, diluting the first mixture with veratrole to produce a second mixture in which the polymeric material is substantially dissolved at a temperature less than 100° C., performing at least one step selected from (i) contacting the second mixture with an aqueous wash solution, and (ii) filtering the second mixture.

Abstract: A method for purifying a polymer comprising providing a first mixture comprising at least one solvent and at least one polymeric material, diluting the first mixture with veratrole to produce a second mixture in which the polymeric material is substantially dissolved at a temperature less than 100° C., performing at least one step selected from (i) contacting the second mixture with an aqueous wash solution, and (ii) filtering the second mixture.

Abstract: A method for preparing a polymer-organoclay composite composition comprises combining a solvent and an unexfoliated organoclay to provide a first mixture, wherein the unexfoliated organoclay comprises alternating inorganic silicate layers and organic layers, and has an initial spacing between the silicate layers; exposing the first mixture to an energized condition of a sufficient intensity and duration to increase the initial spacing of the inorganic silicate layers, to provide a second mixture; contacting the second mixture with a polymer composition so that the polymer composition fills at least one region located between at least one pair of silicate layers, wherein the polymer composition is at least partially soluble in the solvent; and removing at least a portion of the solvent from the second mixture, wherein the inorganic silicate layers remain separated by the polymer after removal of the solvent.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a blast-resistant panel may include a layer of a pre-cured elastomeric material having a predetermined thickness, a body portion, and a plurality of flanges, each of the plurality of flanges having a substantially equal width and depending away from a same side and at approximately equivalent right angles to the body portion. The blast-resistant panel may also include a plurality of fastener elements for securing the pre-cured elastomeric material layer to a surface of a structure through the plurality of flanges of pre-cured elastomeric material layer.

Abstract: A method for purifying dianhydrides is provided. In one aspect, purified oxybisphthalic anhydrides, intermediates useful in the preparation of polyetherimides are provided. In one embodiment, a first solution containing a dianhydride compound, a solvent, and a phase transfer catalyst is contacted with a solid inorganic adsorbent material having a total pore volume of about 0.5 milliliters/gram or greater and a cumulative pore volume distribution of about 20 percent or greater of particles having a pore diameter in a range between about 3 nanometers and about 20 nanometers. The solution containing the dianhydride compound is then separated from the solid inorganic adsorbent material to provide a purified dianhydride compound which is substantially free of the phase transfer catalyst. The purification technique is especially valuable for preparing high purity oxybisphthalic anhydrides, such as 4,4?-oxybisphthalic anhydride (4,4?-ODPA), which are substantially free of residual phase transfer catalyst.

Abstract: A method for purifying a polymer comprising providing a first mixture comprising at least one solvent and at least one polymeric material, diluting the first mixture with veratrole to produce a second mixture in which the polymeric material is substantially dissolved at a temperature less than 100° C., performing at least one step selected from (i) contacting the second mixture with an aqueous wash solution, and (ii) filtering the second mixture.

Abstract: A method for purifying a polymer comprising providing a first mixture comprising at least one solvent and at least one polymeric material, diluting the first mixture with veratrole to produce a second mixture in which the polymeric material is substantially dissolved at a temperature less than 100° C., performing at least one step selected from (i) contacting the second mixture with an aqueous wash solution, and (ii) filtering the second mixture.

Abstract: A method for preparing a polymer-organoclay composite composition comprises combining a solvent and an unexfoliated organoclay to provide a first mixture, wherein the unexfoliated organoclay comprises alternating inorganic silicate layers and organic layers, and has an initial spacing between the silicate layers; exposing the first mixture to an energized condition of a sufficient intensity and duration to increase the initial spacing of the inorganic silicate layers, to provide a second mixture; contacting the second mixture with a polymer composition so that the polymer composition fills at least one region located between at least one pair of silicate layers, wherein the polymer composition is at least partially soluble in the solvent; and removing at least a portion of the solvent from the second mixture, wherein the inorganic silicate layers remain separated by the polymer after removal of the solvent.

Abstract: A method for purifying a polymer comprising providing a first mixture comprising at least one solvent and at least one polymeric material, diluting the first mixture with veratrole to produce a second mixture in which the polymeric material is substantially dissolved at a temperature less than 100° C., performing at least one step selected from (i) contacting the second mixture with an aqueous wash solution, and (ii) filtering the second mixture.

Abstract: A method for preparing a polymer-organoclay composite composition comprises combining a solvent and an unexfoliated organoclay to provide a first mixture, wherein the unexfoliated organoclay comprises alternating inorganic silicate layers and organic layers, and has an initial spacing between the silicate layers; exposing the first mixture to an energized condition of a sufficient intensity and duration to increase the initial spacing of the inorganic silicate layers, to provide a second mixture; contacting the second mixture with a polymer composition so that the polymer composition fills at least one region located between at least one pair of silicate layers, wherein the polymer composition is at least partially soluble in the solvent; and removing at least a portion of the solvent from the second mixture, wherein the inorganic silicate layers remain separated by the polymer after removal of the solvent.

Abstract: A generator winding-to-ground fault detection system is disclosed that includes a signal injection source in electrical communication with a winding of an electric power generator via an injection transformer. The winding may be coupled to ground via a winding-to-ground path and the signal generation source may generate an injection signal capable of being injected to the winding using the injection transformer. The disclosed system may further include a protection module in communication with the signal injection source and the electric power generator configured to receive the injection signal and a signal relating to the current through the winding-to-ground path, and to determine the occurrence of a winding-to-ground fault condition based at least in part on the injection signal and the signal relating to the current through the winding-to-ground path.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a blast-resistant panel may include a layer of a pre-cured elastomeric material having a predetermined thickness, a body portion, and a plurality of flanges, each of the plurality of flanges having a substantially equal width and depending away from a same side and at approximately equivalent right angles to the body portion. The blast-resistant panel may also include a plurality of fastener elements for securing the pre-cured elastomeric material layer to a surface of a structure through the plurality of flanges of pre-cured elastomeric material layer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for removing a neutral or an ionic guanidine compound from aqueous media optionally comprising an alkali metal halide, wherein the method is selected from the group consisting of (a) adsorption onto a carbonaceous adsorbent, (b) adsorption onto a clay adsorbent, (c) filtration through a nanofiltration membrane, and (d) removal of water and calcination.

Abstract: An article including a metallic substrate is presented. The article further includes a sacrificial layer disposed on a surface of the substrate and an anti-fouling layer disposed on the sacrificial layer. The anti-fouling layer includes a metal-polymer composite. An article including an anti-fouling layer having a nitride is also presented.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a blast-resistant panel may include a layer of a pre-cured elastomeric material having a predetermined thickness, a body portion, and a plurality of flanges, each of the plurality of flanges having a substantially equal width and depending away from a same side and at approximately equivalent right angles to the body portion. The blast-resistant panel may also include a plurality of fastener elements for securing the pre-cured elastomeric material layer to a surface of a structure through the plurality of flanges of pre-cured elastomeric material layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for measuring and controlling chemical reactions that produce thermoplastic polymers by utilizing a stoichiometry correction during a reaction cycle to produce thermoplastic resins with desired properties. The thermoplastic polymer is made from at least one first monomer having a first reactive end group and at least one second monomer having a second reactive end group by reaction of the first reactive end group with the second reactive end group and has a glass transition temperature of greater than 130° C.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a blast-resistant panel may include a layer of a pre-cured elastomeric material having a predetermined thickness, a body portion, and a plurality of flanges, each of the plurality of flanges having a substantially equal width and depending away from a same side and at approximately equivalent right angles to the body portion. The blast-resistant panel may also include a plurality of fastener elements for securing the pre-cured elastomeric material layer to a surface of a structure through the plurality of flanges of pre-cured elastomeric material layer.

Abstract: A method of preparing a halophthalic acid is disclosed which comprises the steps of contacting in a liquid phase reaction mixture at least one halogen-substituted ortho-xylene with oxygen and acetic acid at a temperature in a range between about 120° C. and about 220° C. in the presence of a catalyst system yielding a product mixture comprising less than 10 percent halogen-substituted ortho-xylene starting material, a halophthalic acid product, and less than about 10,000 ppm halobenzoic acid and less than about 1000 ppm halophthalide by-products based on a total amount of halophthalic acid present in the product mixture. In addition methods for the preparation of halophthalic anhydride, and recovery of high purity acetic acid from an aqueous acetic acid stream comprising HCl, which is generated during the preparation of the halophthalic acid are also disclosed.

Abstract: An integrated ship mounted system for loading a gas stream, separating heavier hydrocarbons, compressing the gas, cooling the gas, mixing the gas with a desiccant, blending it with a liquid carrier or solvent, and then cooling the mix to processing, storage and transportation conditions. After transporting the product to its destination, a hydrocarbon processing train and liquid displacement method is provided to unload the liquid from the pipeline and storage system, separate the liquid carrier, and transfer the gas stream to a storage or transmission system.