Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing haloalkanesulfonic acids from sulfur trioxide and a haloalkane, particularly to a process for preparing trifluoromethane sulfonic acid from sulfur trioxide and trifluoromethane.

Abstract: Disclosed are catalyst compositions comprising two or more metal elements with high performances for selective alkyl-demethylation of C2+-hydrocarbyl-substituted aromatics, processes for making such catalyst compositions, and alkyl-demethylation processes using same. Also disclosed are preferred processes for making alkyl-demethylation catalyst compositions including a high-temperature calcination step, and preferred alkyl-demethylation processes having a high H2/HC molar ratio.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for recycling and/or disposal of halocarbons, particularly fluorinated alkanes, such as trifluoromethane, by reacting said halocarbons with sulfur trioxide, particularly to form halide sulfonic acids and sulfur dioxide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing haloalkanesulfonic acids from sulfur trioxide and a haloalkane, particularly to a process for preparing trifluoromethane sulfonic acid from sulfur trioxide and trifluoromethane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for the production of alkane sulfonic acids, especially methane sulfonic acid, from alkane, especially methane, in which a carbocation, particularly a carbenium ion, is formed, as well as to the use of carbocations, particularly carbenium ions, for the production of alkane sulfonic acids, especially methane sulfonic acid.

Abstract: A video inspection system and method for facilitating inspection of a rail component while traveling on the railroad track. The system includes a light source that provides illumination to a rail of the railroad track, a triggering device for automatically providing a trigger signal, a camera adapted to provide an image of the illuminated rail component, and a computing device adapted to capture the image provided by the camera based on the trigger signal. A method for inspecting rail components is also provided, the method including the steps of illuminating a rail of the railroad track, automatically providing a trigger signal, providing a camera adapted to provide an image of the rail component, and capturing the image of the rail component that is provided by the camera based on the trigger signal.

Abstract: A system for determining a neutral temperature of a metal specimen includes an excitation assembly disposed adjacent to the metal specimen for inducing vibrations to the metal specimen, at least one vibration detector disposed adjacent to the metal specimen to measure the induced vibrations transmitted in the metal specimen, a temperature sensor disposed adjacent to the metal specimen to measure temperature of the metal specimen, and a control/acquisition system for control of the excitation assembly and acquisition of data from the excitation assembly, the at least one vibration detector, and the temperature sensor, wherein the control/acquisition system calculates damping coefficients for each of the induced vibrations and determines a peak damping coefficient corresponding to the neutral temperature of the metal specimen based upon the acquired data.

Abstract: An integrated measurement device for taking gauge and cross-level measurements between two objects. The integrated measurement device includes at least an emitter/receiver unit, a sensor unit, and a microprocessor. In operation, the integrated measurement device is pivotably placed on the top of the first object such that a light emitted from the emitter/receiver unit travels along a surface of the second object as the device rotates about a pivot point of the first object. The sensor unit senses data associated with incident angles and traveling distances of the emitted light. Based on the data sensed by the sensor unit, the microprocessor calculates the incident angle, the traveling distance, and a distance between the first and second objects. The calculated values can also be transformed to (x, y) space coordinates that are used to describe a profile of the second object.

Abstract: An integrated measurement device for taking gage and cross-level measurements between two objects. The integrated measurement device includes at least an emitter/receiver unit, a sensor unit, and a microprocessor. In operation, the integrated measurement device is pivotably placed on the top of the first object such that a light emitted from the emitter/receiver unit travels along a surface of the second object as the device rotates about a pivot point of the first object. The sensor unit senses data associated with incident angles and traveling distances of the emitted light. Based on the data sensed by the sensor unit, the microprocessor calculates the incident angle, the traveling distance, and a distance between the first and second objects. The calculated values can also be transformed to (x, y) space coordinates that are used to describe a profile of the second object.

Abstract: A video inspection system and method for facilitating inspection of a rail component while traveling on the railroad track. The system includes a light source that provides illumination to a rail of the railroad track, a triggering device for automatically providing a trigger signal, a camera adapted to provide an image of the illuminated rail component, and a computing device adapted to capture the image provided by the camera based on the trigger signal. A method for inspecting rail components is also provided, the method including the steps of illuminating a rail of the railroad track, automatically providing a trigger signal, providing a camera adapted to provide an image of the rail component, and capturing the image of the rail component that is provided by the camera based on the trigger signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the geometry of a rail for a railroad track which includes mounting first and second cameras in back to back relationship to create a single camera axis passing through the camera lenses and to define a coordinate system with an origin centered between the cameras on the camera axis. First and second targets are placed on the rail to be measured and spaced an equal distance from the origin between first and second cameras respectively. The first and second cameras record the position of the first and second targets and provide position signals from which the mid-chord value of a chord extending between the first and second targets is computed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring the geometry of a rail for a railroad track which includes mounting first and second cameras in back to back relationship to create a single camera axis passing through the camera lenses and to define a coordinate system with an origin centered between the cameras on the camera axis. First and second targets are placed on the rail to be measured and spaced an equal distance from the origin between first and second cameras respectively. The first and second cameras record the position of the first and second targets and provide position signals from which the mid-chord value of a chord extending between the first and second targets is computed.