Abstract: A method of obtaining useful material from plant biomass waste. The method uses sonication and/or microwave irradiation followed by sequential incubation with mixed fungal cultures. In particular, the method involves obtaining useful material from plant biomass waste comprising the steps of: a) subjecting the biomass waste to microwave irradiation and/or sonication; b) incubating the biomass waste from step a) with one or more enzymes extracted from Basidiomycete fungi; and c) incubating the biomass waste from step b) with one or more enzymes extracted from Ascomycete fungi.

Abstract: A laser piston position sensor for determining the position of a piston within an accumulator, the laser piston position sensor configured to attach to an end of the accumulator, and the accumulator having an aperture in the end thereof exposing the piston within the accumulator to the laser piston position sensor. The laser piston position sensor including a sensor housing enclosing a cavity containing a low pressure gas, and defining an opening from the cavity toward the accumulator, a laser sensor positioned within the cavity for emitting a laser toward the piston of the accumulator via the opening in the sensor housing and the aperture in the accumulator, and a transparent lens positioned between the laser sensor and the accumulator to allow passage of the laser from the laser sensor to the piston, and to separate gases in the accumulator from gases in the cavity of the sensor housing.

Abstract: A subsea blowout preventer control system has horizontally oriented solenoid valve housings. Solenoid valves mounted within each of the solenoid valve housings are electrically controlled to selectively provide a hydraulic pilot signal to a hydraulic valve. A vertically extending central chamber contains a dielectric liquid and extends alongside the solenoid valve housings. A communication tube for each solenoid valve housing has an open upper end within the central chamber adjacent an upper end of the central chamber. Each of the communication tubes has an open lower end extending into one of the solenoid valve housings for communicating dielectric liquid in the central chamber with an interior of each of the solenoid valve housings. A separate drain line mounted to each of the solenoid valve housings enables draining of one of the solenoid valve housings for maintenance without requiring draining of other of the solenoid valve housings.

Abstract: A laser piston position sensor for determining the position of a piston within an accumulator, the laser piston position sensor configured to attach to an end of the accumulator, and the accumulator having an aperture in the end thereof exposing the piston within the accumulator to the laser piston position sensor. The laser piston position sensor including a sensor housing enclosing a cavity containing a low pressure gas, and defining an opening from the cavity toward the accumulator, a laser sensor positioned within the cavity for emitting a laser toward the piston of the accumulator via the opening in the sensor housing and the aperture in the accumulator, and a transparent lens positioned between the laser sensor and the accumulator to allow passage of the laser from the laser sensor to the piston, and to separate gases in the accumulator from gases in the cavity of the sensor housing.

Abstract: A blowout preventer control system includes a valve block having a solenoid valve face and a hydraulic valve face. Solenoid valve cavities extend into the valve block front the solenoid valve face, each solenoid valve cavity containing an electrically actuated solenoid valve. Hydraulic valve cavities extend into the valve block from the hydraulic valve face, each containing a hydraulic valve. A solenoid valve supply passage in the valve block joins each of the solenoid valve cavities. A solenoid valve pilot passage in the valve block extends from one of the solenoid valve cavities to tine of the hydraulic valves. A hydraulic valve supply passage in the valve block joins each of the hydraulic valve cavities. A hydraulic valve outlet passage extends from each of the hydraulic valve cavities out of the valve block.

Abstract: A subsea blowout preventer control system has horizontally oriented solenoid valve housings. Solenoid valves mounted within each of the solenoid valve housings are electrically controlled to selectively provide a hydraulic pilot signal to a hydraulic valve. A vertically extending central chamber contains a dielectric liquid and extends alongside the solenoid valve housings. A communication tube for each solenoid valve housing has an open upper end within the central chamber adjacent an upper end of the central chamber. Each of the communication tubes has an open lower end extending into one of the solenoid valve housings for communicating dielectric liquid in the central chamber with an interior of each of the solenoid valve housings. A separate drain line mounted to each of the solenoid valve housings enables draining of one of the solenoid valve housings for maintenance without requiring draining of other of the solenoid valve housings.

Abstract: Lavatory pans (2) are disclosed comprising an outlet (8) for discharging water into the pan and a passage (20) for supplying water to the outlet, the passage comprising a main portion (22) and an outlet portion (24) which is curved and has a pre-determined downward component of curvature from the main portion to the outlet. The outlet is situated below the main portion of the passage. Also disclosed are processes for producing the lavatory pans and moulding tools for use in the processes. The pans of the invention are particularly useful for secure institutions, are anti-ligature and exhibit a high flush rate.

Abstract: An aluminum ingot casting machine comprising a source of molten metal, a rotatable annular ring, carrying ingot casting moulds and a drive means for indexing the moulds. The machine includes a vacuum demoulder having a vacuum seal arrangement comprising a sealing element having a flexible core which can deform to form a vacuum seal against an ingot and a flexible abrasion resistant outer layer on said core, and retaining elements located on a lower face of the vacuum lifting head for releasably retaining the sealing element onto the lifting head. The vacuum seal comprises a flexible ring shaped body, being rounded in cross section, having a fibre cord core and an abrasion resistant flexible sheathing surrounding the core.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for the casting of metals comprising the steps of: indexing a mould (3) in series on a rotating carousel (2) to a pouring station (2.1), skimming station (2.2) and a mould transfer station (2.3); casting molten metal into the mould at the pouring station (2.1); skimming dross from the molten metal at the skimming station (2.2); transferring the mould (3) containing molten metal from the mould transfer station (2.3) to a cooling section (5) and replacing it at the mould transfer station (2.3) with an empty mould; transferring a cooled mould containing a solidified metal ingot (10) from the cooling section (5) to a demoulding station (7) remote from the rotating carousel (2); removing the solidified ingot (10) from the mould (3); removing the pin/hook members (11) from the ingot (10); returning the pin/hook members (11) to the empty mould (3); returning the empty mould (3) to the mould transfer station (2.3); and transferring the ingot (10) to the further processing.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for the casting of metals comprising the steps of:

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for the casting of metals comprising the steps of: indexing a mould (3) in series on a rotating carousel (2) to a pouring station (2.1), skimming station (2.2) and a mould transfer station (2.3) casting molten metal into the mould at the pouring station (2.1); skimming dross from the molten metal at the skimming station (2.2); transferring the mould (3) containing molten metal from the mould transfer station (2.3) to a cooling section (5) and replacing it at the mould transfer station (2.3) with an empty mould; transferring a cooled mould containing a solidified metal ingot (10) from the cooling section (5) to a demoulding station (7) remote from the rotating carousel (2); removing the solidified ingot (10) from the mould (3); removing the pin/hook members (11) from then ingot (10); returning the pin/hook members (11) to the empty mould (3); returning the empty mould (3) to the mould transfer station (2.3); and transferring the ingot (10) to the further processing.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for the casting of metals comprising the steps of: indexing a mould in series on a rotating carousel to a pouring station, skimming station and a mould transfer station; casting molten metal into the mould at the pouring station; skimming dross from the molten metal at the skimming station; transferring the mould containing molten metal from the mould transfer station to a cooling section and replacing it at the mould transfer station with an empty mould; transferring a cooled mould containing a solidified metal ingot from the cooling section to a demoulding station remote from the rotating carousel; removing the solidified ingot from the mould; removing the pin/hook members from the ingot; returning the pin/hook members to the empty mould; returning the empty mould to the mould transfer station; and transferring the ingot to the further processing.

Abstract: In a pressure and vacuum relief valve assembly for a container that normally operates to limit pressure in the container both above and below atmospheric pressure, an auxiliary seal arrangement is provided that operates to prevent leakage from the container during and after an abnormal pressure surge.