Abstract: Optimizing copy operations in a storage array, including: receiving a plurality of copy operations; detecting a triggering event that causes a storage array controller to initiate execution of the plurality of copy operations; and combining, in dependence upon a metadata optimization policy, the plurality of copy operations into a single copy operation.

Abstract: Compressing data in dependence upon characteristics of a storage system, including: receiving an amount of processing resources available in the storage system; receiving an amount of space available in the storage system; and selecting, in dependence upon the priority for conserving the amount of processing resources and the amount of space, a data compression algorithm to utilize to compress the data.

Abstract: Intelligently compressing data in a storage array that includes a plurality of storage devices, including: prioritizing, in dependence upon an expected benefit to be gained from compressing each data element, one or more data elements; receiving an amount of processing resources available for compressing the one or more of the data elements; and selecting, in dependence upon the prioritization of the one or more data elements and the amount of processing resources available for compressing one or more of the data elements, a data compression algorithm to utilize on one or more of the data elements.

Abstract: A system and method for creating and managing snapshots. Mediums are recorded and maintained, all of which are read-only except for the most recent mediums in use by a volume. Multiple volumes may be maintained, including a first volume which points to a first medium. When a snapshot of the first volume is taken, a second medium is created that points to the first medium. The first volume is also updated to point to the second medium. The first medium becomes the underlying medium of the second medium, and lookups are performed initially on the second medium and then on the first medium if the data is not located in the second medium.

Abstract: Optimizing copy operations in a storage array, including: receiving a plurality of copy operations; detecting a triggering event that causes a storage array controller to initiate execution of the plurality of copy operations; and combining, in dependence upon a metadata optimization policy, the plurality of copy operations into a single copy operation.

Abstract: A system and method for performing coarse-grained deduplication of volume regions. A storage controller detects that a first region of a first volume is identical to a second region of a second volume, wherein the first volume points to a first medium and the second volume points to a second medium. In response to detecting the identical regions, the storage controller stores an indication that the first range of the first medium underlies the second range of the second medium. Also in response to detecting the identical regions, the mappings associated with the second range of the second medium are invalidated.

Abstract: A system and method for utilizing unmapped and unknown states in a storage system. When a first portion of a first medium is determined to be unreachable from any other mediums, the first portion of the first medium may be put into an unmapped state, and its data may be discarded and the corresponding storage locations may be freed. During replication of the first medium to a replica storage array, the state of the first portion of the first medium may be translated from the unmapped state into an unknown state on the replica storage array. If another storage array has the data of the first portion of the first medium, this data may be used to overwrite the first portion of the first medium on the replica storage array, converting the first portion of the first medium from the unknown state into the mapped state.

Abstract: A system and method for maintaining the safety of volume operations. A storage controller receives a request to delete a first volume. In response to this request, the storage controller can delete a link between the first volume and its anchor medium. The storage controller can also delay the deletion of the first volume's anchor medium. Later on, if the user wishes to restore the first volume, the storage controller can reconnect the first volume to its previous anchor medium, effectively restoring the first volume to its former state and undoing the deletion operation.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for efficiently producing both a low-pressure ozone stream and high-pressure oxygen stream using a single air separation unit. The low-pressure ozone stream and high-pressure oxygen stream can be produced with significant energy savings and can be used in variety of applications, including the extraction of precious metals from ore with aqueous oxidation reactors and high-pressure oxidation reactors.

Abstract: A system and method for performing copy offload operations. When a copy offload operation from a first volume (pointing to a first medium) to a second volume (pointing to a second medium) is requested, the copy offload operation is performed without accessing the data being copied. A third medium is created, and the first medium is recorded as the underlying medium of the third medium. The first volume is re-pointed to the third medium. Also, a fourth medium is created, the second volume is re-pointed to the fourth medium, and the second medium is recorded as the underlying medium of the targeted range of the fourth medium. All other ranges of the fourth medium have the second medium as their underlying medium.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer readable storage mediums for maintaining the history of remapped data in a storage system. A first portion of a first medium may be remapped to a second medium as part of read optimization operations, wherein the second medium is younger than the first medium. A tag associated with the first portion of the first medium may be retained when the first portion is remapped to the second medium. When the second medium is replicated to another storage array, the first portion of the first medium may be prevented from being replicated based on the tag identifying the first portion as being part of a previous replication operation.

Abstract: A system and method for utilizing unmapped and unknown states in a storage system. When a first portion of a first medium is determined to be unreachable from any other mediums, the first portion of the first medium may be put into an unmapped state, and its data may be discarded and the corresponding storage locations may be freed. During replication of the first medium to a replica storage array, the state of the first portion of the first medium may be translated from the unmapped state into an unknown state on the replica storage array. If another storage array has the data of the first portion of the first medium, this data may be used to overwrite the first portion of the first medium on the replica storage array, converting the first portion of the first medium from the unknown state into the mapped state.

Abstract: A system and method for exposing volumes with underlying read-write mediums to user operations. When a medium is in the process of being replicated to a storage array, a volume which relies on the medium can be exposed to user operations (e.g., snapshots, read and write operations) once the portions of the medium which underlie the volume have been replicated. The volume can be exposed to user operations while one or more other portions of the medium are unfilled and while the medium is in an intermediate read-write state.

Abstract: A system and method for performing replication using mediums. A snapshot ‘S’ is selected for replication, and the anchor medium ‘M’ of S is identified. The replica storage array ‘R’ to which M is being replicated determines a list of medium extents which are available. R sends this list to an original storage array ‘O’ and O generates a list of medium extents which need to be sent to R. Only those medium extents corresponding to M which R does not already have will be sent from O to R. Also, R can obtain medium extents from other source storage arrays during the replication process.

Abstract: Process of reducing water, CO2 and N2O in feed air, which: a first adsorbent such as alumina (25-40% volume) and a second adsorbent such as X zeolite (60-75% volume) are used; the online time of the adsorbent is determined by determining the concentration measured by an analyzer for CO2 concentration at a position within the length of the second adsorbent when a maximum level of N2O is simultaneously obtained at the downstream end of the second adsorbent in the feed direction, wherein the online time is the time taken from commencing passing the feed air to the first and second adsorbents to the measurement by the analyzer of the determined concentration of CO2; at least the second adsorbent is regenerated by heated regeneration gas at a temperature of 140° C.-220° C.; and the molar ratio of the regenerating gas to feed air supplied during one iteration of the cycle is 0.08-0.5.

Abstract: A system and method for performing copy offload operations. When a copy offload operation from a first volume (pointing to a first medium) to a second volume (pointing to a second medium) is requested, the copy offload operation is performed without accessing the data being copied. A third medium is created, and the first medium is recorded as the underlying medium of the third medium. The first volume is re-pointed to the third medium. Also, a fourth medium is created, the second volume is re-pointed to the fourth medium, and the second medium is recorded as the underlying medium of the targeted range of the fourth medium. All other ranges of the fourth medium have the second medium as their underlying medium.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems and methods for efficiently producing both a low-pressure ozone stream and high-pressure oxygen stream using a single air separation unit. The low-pressure ozone stream and high-pressure oxygen stream can be produced with significant energy savings and can be used in variety of applications, including the extraction of precious metals from ore with aqueous oxidation reactors and high-pressure oxidation reactors.

Abstract: Hydrogen and carbon monoxide impurities are removed from a dry gas comprising the impurities, wherein the dry gas is at least substantially free of carbon dioxide, by passing the dry gas with sufficient residence time, e.g. at least 1.5 s, through a layer of catalyst comprising a mixture of manganese oxide and copper oxide. The use of expensive noble metal catalysts to remove hydrogen may thereby be avoided. In addition, regeneration of the catalyst using oxygen-containing regeneration gas does not reduce the effectiveness of the catalyst.

Abstract: Hydrogen and carbon monoxide impurities are removed from a dry gas comprising the impurities, wherein the dry gas is at least substantially free of carbon dioxide, by passing the dry gas with sufficient residence time, e.g. at least 1.5 s, through a layer of catalyst comprising a mixture of manganese oxide and copper oxide. The use of expensive noble metal catalysts to remove hydrogen may thereby be avoided. In addition, regeneration of the catalyst using oxygen-containing regeneration gas does not reduce the effectiveness of the catalyst.

Abstract: Composite adsorbent beads have a porous and non-adsorbent core comprising at least one inorganic material and a porous and adsorbent shell comprising at least one adsorbent layer comprising a porous adsorbent material on the surface of the core. The core preferably comprises agglomerated inorganic particles having a mean particle size equal to or smaller than the mean particle size of the surrounding agglomerated adsorbent particles. The beads preferably are manufactured by calcining together a non-sintered core and the adsorbent layer. The beads can be used at the outlet end of an adsorption column to improve performance.