Abstract: A respirator is disclosed. The respirator includes a mask body and a harness. The mask body includes polypropylene in an amount of between 60 and 100 weight percent. The harness is attached to the mask body. The harness includes elastomeric polypropylene-miscible copolymer in an amount of between 80 and 100 weight percent. The respirator includes an overall composition of polypropylene of at least 80 weight percent. The respirator includes an overall composition of ethylene of less than 10 weight percent. The respirator may be consistent with definition of recyclable according to Association of Plastic Recyclers (APR) standards for polypropylene.

Abstract: Porous ePTFE articles coated with a hydrophilic coating are provided. The coating may be modified by covalent modifications to the PVOH coating. Covalent modifications may include small molecule grafting, polymer grafting to or from the PVOH backbone, modifying the PVAc precursor of the PVOH, crosslinking of the polymer via thermal or photochemistry, crosslinking of the polymer with a multifunctional crosslinking agent, and the like, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to filtration devices having spiral wound filtration element. In an embodiment, a filtration device is included having a first spiral wound filter element. The first spiral wound filter element can include one or more spacing layers, one or more membrane layers disposed in between the one or more spacing layers, and a plurality of spacing elements. The first spiral wound filter element can have an aspect ratio that is less than 8:1 height to width. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: A method for dynamically calculating a reimbursement rate for vehicle usage including accessing expected cost factors that include a plurality of specific expected costs, deriving a geographically specific regional baseline CPM reimbursement rate that includes the expected cost factors; accessing a geopoint trip record comprised of a sequence of geopoints that include generated cost factors including a plurality of specific generated costs for the driven vehicle, individually comparing generated cost factors with associated expected cost factors to determine if the generated cost factors are greater than, less than, or equal to the expected cost factors, generating a positive cost allotment for each generated cost factor that is greater than the associated expected cost factor, generating a negative cost allotment for each generated cost factor that is less than the associated expected cost factor, and deriving a dynamic CPM reimbursement rate by adjusting the geographically specific regional baseline CPM rei

Abstract: Methods of preparing polymeric webs include hot melt blending of thermoplastic resins and processing aids. The process aids include hindered amine N-substituted succinimide oligomers. The webs prepared from the blends may be in the form of films or non-woven fibrous webs. Non-woven microfiber webs are useful as filtration media. Among the polymeric webs produced are electret webs. The processing aids also function as charge-enhancing additives for the electret webs.

Abstract: Described herein is a material moving apparatus that includes a chamber into which a compressible material is introduced. The chamber includes an input opening for receiving the material, a discharge opening and a sealing mechanism to prevent flow of air or other gasses between the input opening and the discharge opening. In one embodiment, the material moving apparatus can be used to introduce compressible biomass into a gasification reactor.

Abstract: Methods of preparing polymeric webs include hot melt blending of thermoplastic resins and processing aids. The process aids include hindered amine N-substituted succinimide oligomers. The webs prepared from the blends may be in the form of films or non-woven fibrous webs. Non-woven microfiber webs are useful as filtration media. Among the polymeric webs produced are electret webs. The processing aids also function as charge-enhancing additives for the electret webs.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) igniter which is an ignition safety device (ISD) in a small, low-cost, low-power, and highly reliable design. The MEMS igniter provides both out-of-line safety and an ignition mechanism for a rocket motor. The igniter is initially held in a safe, out-of-line position with respect to a propellant. Upon receiving appropriate arm and fire commands and sensing the correct environment, MEMS mechanisms move an ignition component into alignment and the device can function.

Abstract: Described herein is a material moving apparatus having a chamber that includes a chamber having a cross-sectional shape and a discharge opening; a pumping ram mounted in the chamber configured to move material out of the discharge opening of the chamber; and a discharge pipe connected to the discharge opening of the pump and having and an inlet and an outlet and a cross-sectional shape corresponding to the cross-sectional shape of the discharge opening.

Abstract: A reactor for hydrolytic splitting of cellulose under high pressure and heat has an inlet and outlet each with a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of the reactor. The pressure and heat in the reactor forms a cellulose plug within the inlet and the outlet. The inlet plug stops cellulose from escaping out the inlet. Cellulose begins to breakdown under heat, pressure, and if required an acid or a lubricant. The outlet plug slows downstream movement of cooking cellulose. Cellulose may be pre-treated by the addition of water, a weak acid, a lubricant, or a combination of the foregoing. The outer surface of the plug cooks faster than the inner core of the plug, becomes a liquefied slurry, and slides faster towards the outlet than the inner core.

Abstract: The reactor pump for hydrolytic splitting of cellulose is configured to pump cellulose, under high pressure, with low availability of sugar into a reactor. The reactor has an upstream transition segment connected to a downstream reaction chamber. The transition segment has an inlet that is smaller than the outlet. The inner walls taper outward. The chamber has an inlet that is larger than the discharge outlet. The inner walls taper inward. The transition segment outlet has an area that is substantially the same as the area of the chamber inlet. Back pressure in the chamber forms a cellulose plug within the inlet of the transition segment. The plug stops cellulose from escaping out the inlet. High pressure pumping forms a cellulose plug within the discharge outlet of the chamber. The plug slows downstream movement of the cooking cellulose giving the cellulose time to cook. Cooking cellulose begins to breakdown under heat and the injection of acid, if required.

Abstract: Multilayer articles having acoustical absorbance properties are disclosed. Methods of making and using the multilayer articles are also disclosed.

Abstract: A new acoustic insulating sheet material comprises in laminar assembly a) a primary sound absorbing sheet, and b) a dense porous membrane that i) has an air-flow resistance of about 5000 rayls or less and ii) has an Acoustic Value Ratio as defined herein of at least 3000. Preferably, the membrane is about 200 micrometers or less in thickness, and more preferably is about 150 micrometers or less in thickness. Also, the Acoustic Value Ratio is preferably at least 7,000. The described membrane can also be used alone to acoustically insulate a space, e.g., by mounting it in planar array over an air gap and in position to attenuate noise from a noise source.

Abstract: A reactor for hydrolytic splitting of cellulose under high pressure and heat has an inlet and outlet each with a cross-sectional area smaller than the cross-sectional area of the reactor. The pressure and heat in the reactor forms a cellulose plug within the inlet and the outlet. The inlet plug stops cellulose from escaping out the inlet. Cellulose begins to breakdown under heat, pressure, and if required an acid or a lubricant. The outlet plug slows downstream movement of cooking cellulose. Cellulose may be pre-treated by the addition of water, a weak acid, a lubricant, or a combination of the foregoing. The outer surface of the plug cooks faster than the inner core of the plug, becomes a liquefied slurry, and slides faster towards the outlet than the inner core.

Abstract: New nonwoven fibrous webs are taught which comprise a collected mass of a) directly formed fibers disposed within the web in a C-shaped cross-sectional configuration and b) staple fibers having a crimp of at least 15% dispersed among the directly formed fibers in an amount of at least 5% the weight of the directly formed fibers. The web is lofty but free of macrovoids. Preferably, the web has a filling ratio of at least 50 and a light transmittance variation of about 2% or less. Typically, fibers within the web are bonded together at points of fiber intersection, preferably with autogenous bonds, to provide a compression-resistant matrix. The webs are especially useful as acoustic and thermal insulation.

Abstract: Multilayer articles having acoustical absorbance properties are disclosed. Methods of making and using the multilayer articles are also disclosed.

Abstract: An online device and method for predicting at least one fluid flow parameter in a process (which comprises a bounded flow domain having disposed therein a pre-determined matrix) includes a computer and/or process steps whereby: (i) a memory receives a database, the database comprising location information for a plurality of nodes or particle pathways in the matrix; (ii) input data is received from the process, and (iii) the at least one fluid flow parameter is calculated from the database and the input data. Preferably, structure and/or process steps are provided to adjust the database in the event that the input data does not correspond with at least one pre-determined flow state.

Abstract: A viscous material (sludge) pump, a method of accurately estimating output of such a pump and a method of efficiently managing such a pump. The pump can be the single or double cylinder variety. The pump is calibrated to determine a calibrated sludge-weight output of the pump in terms of a parameter defined as a “lost travel” position of the piston in the pump chamber. This position is defined in terms of the position of the piston in the chamber when the pressure in the chamber reaches a preselected reference pressure expressed in terms of a percentage of the maximum pressure reached in the chamber during a just previous discharge stroke of the piston. The lost travel parameter is used for comparison purposes to accurately estimate actual pump output based on the calibrated pump output at the calibrated value of the lost travel parameter. The pump is managed efficiently by management of the speed of the feed auger.

Abstract: New fibrous nonwoven webs are taught that comprise a mass of polyethylene terephthalate fibers that exhibit a double melting peak on a DSC plot: one peak is representative of a first molecular portion within the fiber that is in non-chain-extended crystalline form, and the other peak is representative of a second molecular portion within the fiber that is in chain-extended crystalline form and has a melting point elevated over that of the non-chain-extended crystalline form. Webs comprising fibers having such a morphology have a unique combination of durability and dimensional stability. The fibers are generally autogenously bonded at points of fiber intersection.

Abstract: New nonwoven fibrous webs are taught which comprise a collected mass of a) directly formed fibers disposed within the web in a C-shaped cross-sectional configuration and b) staple fibers having a crimp of at least 15% dispersed among the directly formed fibers in an amount of at least 5% the weight of the directly formed fibers. The web is lofty but free of macrovoids. Preferably, the web has a filling ratio of at least 50 and a light transmittance variation of about 2% or less. Typically, fibers within the web are bonded together at points of fiber intersection, preferably with autogenous bonds, to provide a compression-resistant matrix. The webs are especially useful as acoustic and thermal insulation.