Abstract: The invention provides a process for the production of a high purity first diol, selected from the group consisting of C2 to C7 diols from a product stream comprising two or more C2 to C7 diols, said process comprising the steps of: (i) subjecting the product stream to distillation in a first distillation column to provide a bottoms stream comprising high boiling by-products and a top stream comprising a mixture comprising the two or more C2 to C7 diols; (ii) providing said mixture comprising the two or more C2 to C7 diols as a feed to a second distillation column; (iii) providing a feed comprising an extractant to the second distillation column above the mixture comprising the two or more C2 to C7 diols; (iv) operating the second distillation column at a temperature in the range of from 50 to 250° C. and a pressure in the range of from 0.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the separation of MEG and 1,2-BDO from a first mixture comprising MEG and 1,2-BDO in a weight ratio of at least 10:1 (MEG:1,2-BDO), said process comprising the steps of; (i) providing the first mixture as a feed to a distillation column at a point in the range of from 20 to 80% of the column height; (ii) operating the distillation at a temperature in the range of from 120 to 190° C. and at a pressure in the range of from 5 kPa to atmospheric pressure; (iii) removing an MEG stream from the distillation column at a point below the point at which the first mixture is fed; (iv) removing an overheads stream comprising an azeotrope of MEG and 1,2-BDO.

Abstract: The invention relates to arrangements for actuating an element in a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus. In accordance with one aspect, an arrangement for actuating an element in a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus comprises a first number (nR) of degrees of freedom, wherein an adjustable force can be transmitted to the optical element in each of the degrees of freedom, and a second number (nA) of actuators, which are coupled to the optical element in each case via a mechanical coupling for the purpose of transmitting force to the optical element, wherein the second number (nA) is greater than the first number (nR). In accordance with one aspect, at least one of the actuators is arranged in a node of at least one natural vibration mode of the optical element.

Abstract: A coupling device is disclosed for coupling a damping apparatus to a test frame of a test arrangement for testing the damping apparatus. The coupling device includes a receiving device configured to receive an adjustment device and for coupling the adjustment device with the test frame. The adjustment device includes a coupling interface for coupling with the damping apparatus. The coupling interface is variably configurable relative to the receiving device.

Abstract: A test arrangement 1 for testing damper devices 2 for damping a flap 3 that is pivotable about a flap pivot axis Ar, wherein the test arrangement 1 includes a test stand 4 with a pivot axis A, which is designed as a simulation of the flap pivot axis Ar, wherein the test arrangement 1 includes a test frame 5, wherein the test frame 5 is designed as a function model of the flap 3, wherein the test frame 5 includes a connecting device 7 for the pivotable connection to the test stand 4 about the pivot axis A, wherein the test arrangement 1 includes at least two damper devices 2 for the dampened pivoting of the test frame 5 about the pivot axis A.

Abstract: A method of recovering an alcohol from an aqueous stream comprising: providing an aqueous stream comprising water and an alcohol; providing a solvent stream; combining the aqueous stream and the solvent stream; and recovering at least a portion of the alcohol by liquid-liquid extraction.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the separation of MEG from a glycol stream comprising MEG and 1,2-BDO, said process comprising the steps of: (a) providing the glycol stream and an azeotrope-forming agent to a distillation column, (b) subjecting the glycol stream and the azeotrope-forming agent to distillation at a distillation temperature and a distillation pressure; (c) obtaining a first overhead stream comprising an azeotrope of MEG and the azeotrope-forming agent and a first bottoms stream comprising 1,2-BDO; and (d) subjecting the first overhead stream to phase separation in the presence of water to obtain an MEG-rich aqueous stream and an azeotrope-forming agent rich stream, wherein the azeotrope-forming agent is an organic solvent that forms a homogeneous azeotrope with MEG and does not form an azeotrope with 1,2-BDO at the distillation temperature and pressure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for partially solidifying a methane comprising stream. The method comprises—providing a liquid methane comprising stream (30) at a first pressure (P1),—passing the liquid methane comprising stream (30) to a slush vessel (300) which is kept at a second pressure (P2), the second pressure (P2) being lower than the first pressure (P1), thereby cooling and at least partially solidifying the methane comprising stream (30) generating a methane comprising slush, and—collecting the methane comprising slush.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the separation of MEG and 1,2-BDO from a first mixture comprising MEG and 1,2-BDO in a first solvent by the steps of: (i) combining said first mixture with a second solvent stream comprising a second solvent in a first extraction column; (ii) recovering (a) a second mixture of MEG and 1,2-BDO in the second solvent, wherein the molar ratio of MEG:1,2-BDO is lower in the second mixture than in the first mixture; and (b) a solution comprising MEG in the first solvent; (iii) combining said second mixture with a first washing stream, said first washing stream also comprising the first solvent in a second extraction column; (iv) recovering (c) a first extract stream comprising the second solvent and 1,2-BDO and (d) a third mixture comprising MEG and, optionally, 1,2-BDO in the first solvent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating a waste water stream. Said waste water comprises hydrocarbons and oxygenates such as alcohols, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids, and has a COD of up to 5 wt %. The invention relates to a distillation column for treating a waste water stream and a system for treating a waste water stream.

Abstract: The invention relates to arrangements for actuating an element in a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus. In accordance with one aspect, an arrangement for actuating an element in a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus comprises a first number (nR) of degrees of freedom, wherein an adjustable force can be transmitted to the optical element in each of the degrees of freedom, and a second number (nA) of actuators, which are coupled to the optical element in each case via a mechanical coupling for the purpose of transmitting force to the optical element, wherein the second number (nA) is greater than the first number (nR). In accordance with one aspect, at least one of the actuators is arranged in a node of at least one natural vibration mode of the optical element.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the recovery of 1,4-butanediol and at least one co-product selected from ?-butyrolactone, n-butanol and tetrahydrofuran from an aqueous stream, said process comprising the steps of providing the aqueous stream, providing a first solvent stream, combining said aqueous stream with said first solvent stream and recovering at least a portion of the 1,4-butanediol and at least a portion of at least one of the co-products by liquid-liquid extraction.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the separation of MEG and 1,2-BDO from a first mixture comprising MEG and 1,2-BDO in a weight ratio of at least 10:1 (MEG:1,2- BDO), said process comprising the steps of; (i) providing the first mixture as a feed to a distillation column at a point in the range of from 20 to 80% of the column height; (ii) operating the distillation at a temperature in the range of from 120 to 190° C. and at a pressure in the range of from 5 kPa to atmospheric pressure; (iii) removing an MEG stream from the distillation column at a point below the point at which the first mixture is fed; (iv) removing an overheads stream comprising an azeotrope of MEG and 1,2-BDO.

Abstract: The invention provides for a cermet powder containing 75-90% by weight of at least one hard material powder, from 10 to 25% by weight of one or more matrix metal powders and up to 3% by weight of at least one modifier, wherein the matrix metal powder or powders contain from 0 to 38% by weight of cobalt, from 0 to 38% by weight of nickel, from 0 to 20% by weight of aluminum, from 0 to 90% by weight of iron and from 10 to 35% by weight of chromium and the sum of the contents of iron and chromium is in the range from 10 to 95% by weight and the sum of the contents of cobalt, nickel and iron is in the range from 65 to 95% by weight. The invention also relates to a cermet and a process to make the cermet containing the cermet powder and shaped article coated with the cermet powder and a process to make the shaped article.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the separation of MEG from a glycol stream comprising MEG and 1,2-BDO, said process comprising the steps of: (a) providing the glycol stream and an azeotrope-forming agent to a distillation column, (b) subjecting the glycol stream and the azeotrope-forming agent to distillation at a distillation temperature and a distillation pressure; (c) obtaining a first overhead stream comprising an azeotrope of MEG and the azeotrope-forming agent and a first bottoms stream comprising 1,2-BDO; and (d) subjecting the first overhead stream to phase separation in the presence of water to obtain an MEG-rich aqueous stream and an azeotrope-forming agent rich stream, wherein the azeotrope-forming agent is an organic solvent that forms a homogeneous azeotrope with MEG and does not form an azeotrope with 1,2-BDO at the distillation temperature and pressure.

Abstract: The invention relates to arrangements for actuating an element in a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus. In accordance with one aspect, an arrangement for actuating an element in a microlithographic projection exposure apparatus comprises a first number (nR) of degrees of freedom, wherein an adjustable force can be transmitted to the optical element in each of the degrees of freedom, and a second number (nA) of actuators, which are coupled to the optical element in each case via a mechanical coupling for the purpose of transmitting force to the optical element, wherein the second number (nA) is greater than the first number (nR). In accordance with one aspect, at least one of the actuators is arranged in a node of at least one natural vibration mode of the optical element.

Abstract: A food chopper includes a housing and a chopping blade assembly disposed therein. The chopping blade assembly is held and guided in a guide of the housing so as to be movable to-and-fro along an operating direction counter to a force of a return spring in such a manner that the chopping blade assembly, during movement along the operating direction, is forcibly rotated and held in the upper rest position by the return spring and, in order to chop the food, is movable from the upper rest position downward against a counter-bearing face. A scraper element is rotationally driven by rotational movement of the chopping blade assembly and has a scraper edge having an elastic lip which is configured, during the rotational movement of the scraper element, to bear on an inner side of a side wall of the housing.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the separation of MEG and 1,2-BDO from a first mixture comprising MEG and 1,2-BDO in a first solvent by the steps of: (i) combining said first mixture with a second solvent stream comprising a second solvent in a first extraction column; (ii) recovering (a) a second mixture of MEG and 1,2-BDO in the second solvent, wherein the molar ratio of MEG:1,2-BDO is lower in the second mixture than in the first mixture; and (b) a solution comprising MEG in the first solvent; (iii) combining said second mixture with a first washing stream, said first washing stream also comprising the first solvent in a second extraction column; (iv) recovering (c) a first extract stream comprising the second solvent and 1,2-BDO and (d) a third mixture comprising MEG and, optionally, 1,2-BDO in the first solvent.

Abstract: A method of recovering an alcohol from an aqueous stream comprising: providing an aqueous stream comprising an alcohol; extracting at least a portion of the alcohol from the aqueous stream with a solvent to form an extracted solvent stream; extracting at least a portion of the solvent from the extracted solvent stream to form an extracted aqueous stream; and recovering at least a portion of the alcohol from the extracted aqueous stream.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for the recovery of an alkylene glycol from an aqueous stream comprising the alkylene glycol and the corresponding dialkylene glycol, said process comprising the steps of providing the aqueous stream comprising the alkylene glycol and the corresponding dialkylene glycol, providing a first solvent stream, combining said aqueous stream comprising the alkylene glycol and the corresponding dialkylene glycol with said first solvent stream and recovering at least a portion of the alkylene glycol by liquid-liquid extraction, wherein said solvent comprises an amine.