Abstract: A method for preparing hydrocarbons includes subjecting a renewable feedstock comprising lipophilic phosphorus compounds to a hydrotreatment process to form hydrocarbons from the renewable feedstock. In some embodiments, the content of the lipophilic phosphorus compounds in the renewable feedstock can be in a range of between 2 parts per million by weight (wppm) and 0.1 wppm so that deactivation of a catalyst used in the hydrotreatment process is reduced or avoided. In some embodiments, a feedstock can be determined to include an amount of “difficult to remove” phosphorus and the result thereof can be used for selecting a suitable pretreatment to which the feedstock can then be subjected. The pretreated renewable feedstock can then be hydrotreated catalytically.

Abstract: A multichannel inlet system for a mass spectrometer includes a plurality of valve assemblies coupled to a manifold, and a pulsed valve driver. The manifold is configured to be connected in fluid connection with an ion trap of the mass spectrometer. Each valve assembly includes a valve and an injection port operably coupled to receive the reagent. The valve has an actuated state in which the valve provides fluid communication between the injection port and the manifold, and an unactuated state in which the valve substantially prevents fluid communication between the injection port and the manifold. The pulsed valve driver is operably connected to receive a pulse signal sequence from a processor, and is configured to generate pulsed valve drive signals for one or more of the valves based on the pulse signal sequence to cause a corresponding one of the valves to be in the actuated state.

Abstract: A multichannel inlet system for a mass spectrometer includes a plurality of valve assemblies coupled to a manifold, and a pulsed valve driver. The manifold is configured to be connected in fluid connection with an ion trap of the mass spectrometer. Each valve assembly includes a valve and an injection port operably coupled to receive the reagent. The valve has an actuated state in which the valve provides fluid communication between the injection port and the manifold, and an unactuated state in which the valve substantially prevents fluid communication between the injection port and the manifold. The pulsed valve driver is operably connected to receive a pulse signal sequence from a processor, and is configured to generate pulsed valve drive signals for one or more of the valves based on the pulse signal sequence to cause a corresponding one of the valves to be in the actuated state.