Abstract: A method of deploying autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), the method comprising loading the AUVs into a deployment device; submerging the deployment device containing the AUVs after the AUVs have been loaded into the deployment device; towing the submerged deployment device containing the AUVs with a surface vessel; deploying the AUVs from the submerged deployment device as it is towed by the surface vessel; and operating a thruster of each AUV after it has been deployed so that it moves away from the submerged deployment device. A method of retrieving autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) is also disclosed, the method comprising towing a submerged retrieval device with a surface vessel; loading the AUVs into the submerged retrieval device as it is towed by the surface vessel; and after the AUVs have been loaded into the submerged retrieval device, lifting the submerged retrieval device containing the AUVs out of the water and onto the surface vessel.

Abstract: A submersible device (2) for deploying or retrieving autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), the submersible device comprising: two or more platforms (130) arranged in a stack (3a, 3b), wherein each platform is configured to carry two or more of the AUVs; a port (300, 310); and a transfer mechanism (200) comprising a transfer device (210) arranged to load or unload the AUVs onto or from the platforms, and an actuator arranged to move the transfer device between the platforms and the port in order to transfer the AUVs between the platforms and the port.

Abstract: A method of deploying autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), the method comprising loading the AUVs into a deployment device; submerging the deployment device containing the AUVs after the AUVs have been loaded into the deployment device; towing the submerged deployment device containing the AUVs with a surface vessel; deploying the AUVs from the submerged deployment device as it is towed by the surface vessel; and operating a thruster of each AUV after it has been deployed so that it moves away from the submerged deployment device. A method of retrieving autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) is also disclosed, the method comprising towing a submerged retrieval device with a surface vessel; loading the AUVs into the submerged retrieval device as it is towed by the surface vessel; and after the AUVs have been loaded into the submerged retrieval device, lifting the submerged retrieval device containing the AUVs out of the water and onto the surface vessel.

Abstract: A submersible device (2) for deploying or retrieving autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), the submersible device comprising: two or more platforms (130) arranged in a stack (3a, 3b), wherein each platform is configured to carry two or more of the AUVs; a port (300, 310); and a transfer mechanism (200) comprising a transfer device (210) arranged to load or unload the AUVs onto or from the platforms, and an actuator arranged to move the transfer device between the platforms and the port in order to transfer the AUVs between the platforms and the port.

Abstract: A method is described for preparing a catalyst comprising the steps of (i) preparing a calcined shaped calcium aluminate catalyst support, (ii) treating the calcined shaped calcium aluminate support with water, and then drying the support, (iii) impregnating the dried support with a solution containing one or more metal compounds and drying the impregnated support, (iv) calcining the dried impregnated support, to form metal oxide on the surface of the support and (v) optionally repeating steps (ii), (iii) and (iv) on the metal oxide coated support. The method provides an eggshell catalyst in which the metal oxide is concentrated in an outer layer on the support.

Abstract: A method is described for preparing a catalyst comprising the steps of (i) preparing a calcined shaped calcium aluminate catalyst support, (ii) treating the calcined shaped calcium aluminate support with water, and then drying the support, (iii) impregnating the dried support with a solution containing one or more metal compounds and drying the impregnated support, (iv) calcining the dried impregnated support, to form metal oxide on the surface of the support and (v) optionally repeating steps (ii), (iii) and (iv) on the metal oxide coated support. The method provides an eggshell catalyst in which the metal oxide is concentrated in an outer layer on the support.

Abstract: A method for preparing a catalyst comprising (i) preparing a calcined shaped calcium aluminate catalyst support, (ii) treating the calcined shaped calcium aluminate support with water, and then drying the support, (iii) impregnating the dried support with a solution containing one or more metal compounds and drying the impregnated support, (iv) calcining the dried impregnated support, to form metal oxide on the surface of the support and (v) optionally repeating steps (ii), (iii) and (iv) on the metal oxide coated support. The method provides an eggshell catalyst in which the metal oxide is concentrated in an outer layer on the support.

Abstract: A method for preparing a catalyst comprising (i) preparing a calcined shaped calcium aluminate catalyst support, (ii) treating the calcined shaped calcium aluminate support with water, and then drying the support, (iii) impregnating the dried support with a solution containing one or more metal compounds and drying the impregnated support, (iv) calcining the dried impregnated support, to form metal oxide on the surface of the support and (v) optionally repeating steps (ii), (iii) and (iv) on the metal oxide coated support. The method provides an eggshell catalyst in which the metal oxide is concentrated in an outer layer on the support.

Abstract: A method for preparing a catalyst comprising (i) preparing a calcined shaped calcium aluminate catalyst support, (ii) treating the calcined shaped calcium aluminate support with water, and then drying the support, (iii) impregnating the dried support with a solution containing one or more metal compounds and drying the impregnated support, (iv) calcining the dried impregnated support, to form metal oxide on the surface of the support and (v) optionally repeating steps (ii), (iii) and (iv) on the metal oxide coated support. The method provides an eggshell catalyst in which the metal oxide is concentrated in an outer layer on the support.

Abstract: A catalyst unit is described comprising a cylinder with a length C and a diameter D, wherein said unit has five holes arranged in a pentagonal pattern extending longitudinally therethrough, with five flutes running along the length of the unit, said flutes positioned equidistant adjacent holes of said pentagonal pattern. The catalyst may be used particularly in steam reforming reactors.

Abstract: A catalyst unit is described in the form of a cylinder having a length C and diameter D, which has one or more holes extending therethrough, wherein said cylinder has domed ends of lengths A and B, such that (A+B+C)/D is in the range 0.50 to 2.00, and (A+B)/C is in the range 0.40 to 5.00. The catalyst or catalyst unit preferably has one or more flutes miming along its length. The catalyst may be used particularly in steam reforming reactors.

Abstract: A method for preparing a catalyst comprising (i) preparing a calcined shaped calcium aluminate catalyst support, (ii) treating the calcined shaped calcium aluminate support with water, and then drying the support, (iii) impregnating the dried support with a solution containing one or more metal compounds and drying the impregnated support, (iv) calcining the dried impregnated support, to form metal oxide on the surface of the support and (v) optionally repeating steps (ii), (iii) and (iv) on the metal oxide coated support. The method provides an eggshell catalyst in which the metal oxide is concentrated in an outer layer on the support.

Abstract: A catalyst unit is described in the form of a cylinder having a length C and diameter D, which has one or more holes extending therethrough, wherein said cylinder has domed ends of lengths A and B, such that (A+B+C)/D is in the range 0.50 to 2.00, and (A+B)/C is in the range 0.40 to 5.00. The catalyst or catalyst unit preferably has one or more flutes miming along its length. The catalyst may be used particularly in steam reforming reactors.

Abstract: A catalyst unit is described comprising a cylinder with a length C and a diameter D, wherein said unit has five holes arranged in a pentagonal pattern extending longitudinally therethrough, with five flutes running along the length of the unit, said flutes positioned equidistant adjacent holes of said pentagonal pattern. The catalyst may be used particularly in steam reforming reactors.

Abstract: A Coriolis mass flow sensor includes a flow tube, a light source, and a light pipe having a light inlet situated to receive light from the light source and a light outlet for emitting light received from the light source. A light detector receives light from the light pipe light outlet, and a drive device vibrates the flow tube such that the flow tube moves through a light path between the light outlet of the light pipe and the light detector. In certain embodiments, the light pipe defines a generally square cross section. A sensing aperture having a predetermined shape is situated between the light outlet of the light pipe and the light detector. The sensing aperture passes a portion of the light emitted from the light outlet of the light to the light detector, such that the light entering the light detector has the predetermined shape.

Abstract: A Coriolis mass flow sensor includes a flow tube, a light source, and a light pipe having a light inlet situated to receive light from the light source and a light outlet for emitting light received from the light source. A light detector receives light from the light pipe light outlet, and a drive device vibrates the flow tube such that the flow tube moves through a light path between the light outlet of the light pipe and the light detector. In certain embodiments, the light pipe defines a generally square cross section. A sensing aperture having a predetermined shape is situated between the light outlet of the light pipe and the light detector. The sensing aperture passes a portion of the light emitted from the light outlet of the light to the light detector, such that the light entering the light detector has the predetermined shape.