Abstract: A method of partially oxidizing a feed gas comprises providing a reactor containing a catalyst, providing a gas distributor comprising a body having a plurality of channels therethrough and a plurality of outlets from said channels for distributing gas across the catalyst, feeding the feed gas and the oxygen-containing gas into the gas distributor and allowing the feed gas and the oxygen-containing gas to flow through the gas distributor and out through the outlets into contact with the catalyst. The gas distributor preferably comprises a micro-channel gas distributor, which can be assembled by providing a plurality of etched plates defining flow channels, and stacking and fusing the plates. The reactant gases can be mixed within the gas distributor or maintained separately until they have exited the gas distributor.

Abstract: A method of forming a cushioning pad includes placing a component formed of polyurethane foam onto a first web of polyethylene foam. A second web of polyethylene foam is then placed over the component to sandwich the component. Heat and pressure is applied to the sandwich, which flattens the component and forms a seam between the first web and the second web encircling the component. If an unsealed cushioning pad is to be formed, a hollow needle is inserted into one of the first web or the second web. Air passes through the hollow needle and into the component, which absorbs the air and expands. Later, the needle is removed. If a sealed cushioning pad is to be formed, an insertion point of the hollow needle is in the seam, between the first web and the second web. After the component absorbs air and expands, the needle is removed and the insertion point of the hollow needle is re-seamed.

Abstract: A method of partially oxidizing a feed gas comprises providing a reactor containing a catalyst, providing a gas distributor comprising a body having a plurality of channels therethrough and a plurality of outlets from said channels for distributing gas across the catalyst, feeding the feed gas and the oxygen-containing gas into the gas distributor and allowing the feed gas and the oxygen-containing gas to flow through the gas distributor and out through the outlets into contact with the catalyst. The gas distributor preferably comprises a micro-channel gas distributor, which can be assembled by providing a plurality of etched plates defining flow channels, and stacking and fusing the plates. The reactant gases can be mixed within the gas distributor or maintained separately until they have exited the gas distributor.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products are provided which automatically distribute tasks associated with a telephone system and tasks associated with a computer system between a plurality of agents tracking ACD telephone status of the plurality of agents and tracking computer status of the plurality of agents. When a request for a computer task is received, an agent of the plurality of agents is assigned to the computer task corresponding to the received request based on the ACD telephone status and the computer status of the agent of the plurality of agents.

Abstract: Pyrotechnic burster composition combines high explosive energy when confined, with reduced ignition hazard when unconfined. The composition includes pyrotechnic mixtures of KClO4, metal powders, and pentaerythritol or terephthalic acid.

Abstract: A system for controlling temperature of a polymerization process includes a primary reactor system having a polymerization reactor and a recycle gas line which includes a heat exchanger, a primary temperature controller which continuously measures temperature within the reactor and provides a coolant adjust signal, a secondary cooling system which circulates a mixture of fresh and recirculated coolant through the heat exchanger and a secondary temperature controller which continuously measures the temperature of the mixed coolant and adjusts the proportion of mixed coolant to fresh coolant based on the coolant adjust signal and the temperature of the mixed coolant.

Abstract: A method for measuring local fluid flow rates in a vessel, e.g., a packed bed two-phase flow catalytic reactor, is disclosed which comprises:(a) arranging a plurality of heated thermocouple probes in the vessel at predetermined locations in the path of the fluid flow therethrough;(b) obtaining a first set of temperature readings with the probe heaters off to provide the local reactor temperature;(c) obtaining a second set of temperature readings with the probe heaters on to provide the skin temperature of the heater well;(d) using the difference between readings (b) and (c) to calculate the fluid flow rates.

Abstract: A body fused together enclosing a container in which the body has at least one elongate perforation on the inside of the body extending outwardly from the interior of the body towards but spaced from the exterior of the body. A gripping surface on the exterior of the body for manually breaking the body along the perforations for providing access to the container. The body is of a semi-rigid plastic material that discolors when damaged for providing a visual indication of tampering.

Abstract: A fuel-saving energy storage vehicle drive system which saves fuel, primarily under stop-and-go driving conditions, by collecting, storing and using energy normally lost in the braking or deceleration of the vehicle, by automatically controlled operation of the engine under certain conditions, and by automatically controlled use of the stored energy and engine respectively as alternative or supplemental prime movers for each other for driving the vehicle. Subsystems for preventing waste of deceleration energy and stored energy are provided, and compact transmission layout and packaging are provided which facilitate installation of the new system in existing vehicles.

Abstract: A fuel-saving energy storage vehicle drive system which saves fuel, primarily under stop-and-go driving conditions, by collecting, storing and using energy normally lost in the braking or deceleration of the vehicle, by automatically controlled operation of the engine under certain conditions, and by automatically controlled use of the stored energy and engine respectively as alternative or supplemental prime movers for each other for driving the vehicle. Subsystems for preventing waste of deceleration energy and stored energy are provided, and compact transmission layout and packaging are provided which facilitate installation of the new system in existing vehicles.

Abstract: A fuel-saving energy storage vehicle drive system which saves fuel, primarily under stop-and-go driving conditions, by collecting, storing and using energy normally lost in the braking or deceleration of the vehicle, by automatically controlled operation of the engine under certain conditions, and by automatically controlled use of the stored energy and engine respectively as alternative or supplemental prime movers for each other for driving the vehicle. Subsystems for preventing waste of deceleration energy and stored energy are provided, and compact transmission layout and packaging are provided which facilitate installation of the new system in existing vehicles.