Abstract: Automatically performing an operation on an object-with a tool-carried by a polyarticulated system-that can be moved in a working environment, the object-and the working environment being open-ended or insufficiently defined to carry out the operation. A method comprises: capturing a scatter plot image of the object-and the working environment-with a 3D sensor, merging this image with the CAD model of the system and the environment into a working image, and defining anti-collision parameters;— defining a path of the tool-on the portion of the working image representing the object and executing a simulation of the corresponding movement of the system-and the tool in the working image so as to ensure that the operation is feasible;— and if the operation is feasible executing the actual movement of the system carrying the tool-according to the path defined for performing the operation on the object.

Abstract: A selective sorting method in order to identify and sort material objects of different natures, sizes and shapes having the form of a pile is described. The method is characterized in that the choice of a gripping zone, associated with an object contained in the pile to be sorted, is carried out automatically, and in that the defining of the nature of the object associated with this gripping zone is carried out using at least one sensor that measures at least one electromagnetic radiation emitted by this object. A device able to implement such a method is also described.

Abstract: A method of using a polyarticulated system associated with a vision system for automatically picking up an article situated in a zone suitable for receiving at least one article, the polyarticulated system including at least one pick-up member suitable for taking hold of an article via at least one specific zone of the article. In accordance with the invention, the method includes at least the steps of: taking an image of the article-receiving zone; processing the information resulting from the 3D image and identifying all of the specific zones that are present on the articles to be taken hold of, and that are compatible with the pick-up member(s); locating the identified compatible specific zone(s); choosing one of the located compatible specific zones and automatically defining a pick path; and taking hold of the corresponding article along the defined path.

Abstract: A selective sorting method in order to identify and sort material objects of different natures, sizes and shapes having the form of a pile is described. The method is characterized in that the choice of a gripping zone, associated with an object contained in the pile to be sorted, is carried out automatically, and in that the defining of the nature of the object associated with this gripping zone is carried out using at least one sensor that measures at least one electromagnetic radiation emitted by this object. A device able to implement such a method is also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for converting an alkyl tert-alkyl ether into an alkanol and an iso-alkane wherein the alkyl tert-alkyl ether is contacted with a hydrocracking catalyst in the presence of hydrogen under hydrocracking process conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to an integrated process for preparing an epoxide from an oxygenate, wherein the production of a lower olefin from the oxygenate and the subsequent epoxidation of the lower olefin is combined and wherein isobutene, a by-product of the lower olefin production, is converted into a hydroperoxide that is used for the conversion of the lower olefin into the corresponding epoxide.

Abstract: The invention relates to an integrated process for preparing an epoxide from an oxygenate, wherein the oxygenate is converted into a lower olefin and the lower olefin is subsequently epoxidised, and wherein isobutane obtained after hydrogenation and subsequent normal/iso separation of C4 hydrocarbons obtained as by-product of the oxygenate conversion, is converted into a hydroperoxide that is used for the conversion of the lower olefin into the corresponding epoxide.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing ethylene oxide, comprising (a) cracking an ethane-comprising feed in a cracking zone under cracking conditions to obtain olefins including at least ethylene and hydrogen; (b) converting an oxygenate feedstock in an oxygenate-to-olefin zone to obtain olefins, including at least ethylene; providing at least part of the ethylene obtained in step (a) and /or (b) to an ethylene oxidation zone together with a feed containing oxygen and oxidizing ethylene to obtain at least ethylene oxide and carbon dioxide. At least part of the oxygenate feedstock is obtained by providing carbon dioxide obtained in step (c) and a feed containing hydrogen to an oxygenate synthesis zone and synthesizing oxygenates, which feed containing hydrogen comprises hydrogen obtained in step (a).

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing aromatic hydrocarbons and ethylene, comprising: a. contacting a lower alkane feed comprising at least one of ethane, propane and butane with an aromatic hydrocarbon conversion catalyst within an alkane-to-aromatic zone to obtain at least hydrogen and aromatic reaction products, including at least benzene; b. converting an oxygenate feedstock in an oxygenate-to-olefin zone to obtain olefins, including at least ethylene; wherein at least part of the oxygenate feedstock is obtained by providing at least part of the hydrogen obtained in step a) and a feed containing carbon monoxide and/or carbon dioxide to an oxygenate synthesis zone and synthesizing oxygenates. In another aspect the invention provides an integrated system for aromatic hydrocarbons and ethylene and the use of hydrogen obtained from a process to convert lower alkanes to benzene to produce an oxygenate feed for an oxygenate-to-olefin process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing olefins from a feed comprising at least methane, ethane and carbon dioxide. The feed is separated into at least a methane-comprising feed, an ethane-comprising feed and a carbon dioxide-comprising feed. At least part of the methane-comprising feed is converted to a synthesis gas. The ethane-comprising feed is cracked to obtain at least olefins and hydrogen. At least part of the carbon dioxide-comprising feed and at least part of the synthesis gas are used to synthesis oxygenates. At least part of the oxygenates are converted in an oxygenate-to-olefin (OTO) zone to obtain at least olefins and hydrogen. At least part of the cracking effluent and at least part of the OTO zone effluent are combined to obtain a combined effluent from which hydrogen is separated. At least part of the hydrogen is supplied to the oxygenate synthesis zone.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing ethylene oxide, comprising: a. cracking an ethane-comprising feed in a cracking zone under cracking conditions to obtain olefins including at least ethylene and hydrogen; b. converting an oxygenate feedstock in an oxygenate-to-olefin zone to obtain olefins, including at least ethylene; c. providing at least part of the ethylene obtained in step (a) and/or (b) to an ethylene oxidation zone together with a feed containing oxygen and oxidising ethylene to obtain at least ethylene oxide and carbon dioxide; and wherein at least part of the oxygenate feedstock is obtained by providing carbon dioxide obtained in step (c) and a feed containing hydrogen to an oxygenate synthesis zone and synthesising oxygenates, which feed containing hydrogen comprises hydrogen obtained in step (a). In another aspect the invention provides an integrated system for producing ethylene oxide.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing olefins, comprising: a. providing a feed comprising at least methane, ethane and carbon dioxide; b. separating the feed into at least a methane-comprising feed, an ethane-comprising feed and a carbon dioxide-comprising feed; c. providing at least part of the methane-comprising feed to a process for preparing synthesis gas to obtain a synthesis gas; d. cracking the ethane-comprising feed in a cracking zone under cracking conditions to obtain a cracking zone effluent comprising at least olefins and hydrogen; e. providing at least part of the carbon dioxide-comprising feed and at least part the synthesis gas obtained in step c) to an oxygenate synthesis zone and synthesising oxygenates; f. converting at least part of the oxygenates obtained in step (e) in an oxygenate-to-olefin zone to obtain an oxygenate-to-olefin zone effluent comprising at least olefins and hydrogen; g.

Abstract: A device for contact-free guidance of a web material over a surface element whereon a first longitudinal fold is formed in the web material, the surface element decreasing in width continuously from a top crossmember to a bottom crossmember, and being defined by boundary elements, the surface element and the boundary elements having gaseous medium provided therein, includes an adjustable closure element for varying, in accordance with a respective format of the web material guided over the surface, a flow of a volume of the gaseous medium from an air cushion formed beneath the web material; a device for forming the first longitudinal fold; and an angle-bar superstructure and a web-processing rotary printing machine, respectively, including the fold-forming device.

Abstract: A device for cross cutting material webs includes a cutting-cylinder pair formed of mutually cooperating cylinders having respective cylinder cores and circumferential surfaces formed by exchangeable circumferential elements, the circumferential elements being arranged removably around the respective cylinder cores of the cylinders.

Abstract: A device for contact-free guidance of a web material over a surface element whereon a first longitudinal fold is formed in the web material, the surface element decreasing in width continuously from a top crossmember to a bottom crossmember, and being defined by boundary elements, the surface element and the boundary elements having gaseous medium provided therein, includes an adjustable closure element for varying, in accordance with a respective format of the web material guided over the surface, a flow of a volume of the gaseous medium from an air cushion formed beneath the web material; a device for forming the first longitudinal fold; and an angle-bar superstructure and a web-processing rotary printing machine, respectively, including the fold-forming device.

Abstract: An apparatus for the transport and slowing of folding copies in a folding machine. The folding copies are transported by belt groups, and the copies are removed from a surface of the copy-guiding cylinder by the belt groups. At least two belt groups are provided for transporting the folding copies. A belt group preceding a longitudinal-folding device is driven by a drive that is independent of the folding machine drive.

Abstract: A device for converting the function of a cutting/collecting cylinder (4) of a folding apparatus for rotary printing presses is provided. The cutting/collecting cylinder is convertible from a "collect" to a "non-collect" mode of operation and vice versa. Within the cutting/collecting cylinder (4) there is placed at least one group of pins (7), the pins (7) being disposed on a pin-bearing shaft (9) which can be actuated via a cam follower (41) rolling off on a cam body (27). The cam body (27) is adjustably mounted in a side wall (25) of the folding apparatus so as to be situated opposite a face side of the cutting/collecting cylinder (4). The relationship between the circumferential speed of the cutting/collecting cylinder (4) and the cam body (27) is changeable through a second power transmission element (34) which is coaxially movable and engageable with a first power transmission element (29) having at least two engagement areas (29a, 29b) .