Abstract: A direct fuel injection internal combustion engine fluidly coupled to an exhaust aftertreatment system is described and includes a plurality of fluidly coupled exhaust purifying devices and an exhaust gas sensor. A method of controlling the engine includes, activating, via a heater controller, a heating element of the exhaust gas sensor in response to starting the internal combustion engine. An exhaust gas feedstream is monitored to determine a temperature of the exhaust gas sensor. Engine control to effect heating of one of the exhaust purifying devices is permitted only when a temperature of the exhaust gas sensor is greater than a threshold temperature.

Abstract: A direct fuel injection internal combustion engine fluidly coupled to an exhaust aftertreatment system is described and includes a plurality of fluidly coupled exhaust purifying devices and an exhaust gas sensor. A method of controlling the engine includes, activating, via a heater controller, a heating element of the exhaust gas sensor in response to starting the internal combustion engine. An exhaust gas feedstream is monitored to determine a temperature of the exhaust gas sensor. Engine control to effect heating of one of the exhaust purifying devices is permitted only when a temperature of the exhaust gas sensor is greater than a threshold temperature.

Abstract: Reduction of dinitrotoluene impurity in water is achieved by distillation in the presence of nitric acid. A suitable process for such reduction comprises (a) contacting said composition with nitric acid to provide a nitric acid-containing composition, (b) distilling at least a portion of said water in said nitric acid-containing composition to provide vaporized water containing a reduced concentration of said dinitrotoluene, and (c) separating said vaporized water from said nitric acid-containing composition.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for transporting toluenediamine (TDA) from a first site to a second site. The process of the invention comprises the steps of (a) providing a molten mass of TDA isomers at the first site; (b) cooling the molten mass to a temperature below the melting point, the molten mass thereby forming flowable particles of solid TDA in an inert gas; (c) providing an airtight storage vessel lined with a chemically inert liner; (d) storing the flowable particles of solid TDA in the lined storage vessel; (e) charging the storage vessel with inert gas; (f) transporting the storage vessel from the first site to the second site; and (g) remelting the TDA flowable particles in inert gas with TDA liquid that is superheated above the melting point to produce a molten TDA isomer mixture in inert gas having substantially the same isomer ratio as that of the molten mass.

Abstract: An automated tri-fold bed includes a bed frame, a mattress support that is pivotable between a horizontal configuration and a mattress folding configuration, and a mechanism for pivoting the mattress support about a transversely centered longitudinal pivot axis. The pivoting mechanism includes an actuating arm attached to the mattress support and an actuator for moving the actuating arm to pivot the mattress support. A mechanism is also provided for folding at least one end of the mattress support about a transverse axis to permit raising of one end of a mattress on the mattress support.

Abstract: A patient-handling apparatus includes an upright post having a top end and a support arm having an inner end adjacent to the upright post and an outer end away from the upright post. The support arm is coupled to the top end of the post about a pivot point to permit movement of the support arm relative to the post between a cantilevered position at an angle to the post and a stored position alongside the post and to permit movement of the support arm relative to the pivot point during movement of the support arm between the cantilevered and stored positions. A mechanism is provided for suspending a patient in the air from the support arm following movement of the support arm to its cantilevered position so that a patient can be moved from one place to another along the support arm between the inner and outer ends of the support arm.

Abstract: A non-catalytic, gas-phase oxidation process for the production of an alkylene oxide or mixture of alkylene oxides in the presence of an aldehyde which may be an aldehyde produced in the oxidation process. Preferably, a gaseous mixture of propylene, oxygen and acetaldehyde is reacted at a temperature in the range of from about 200 to about 350.degree. C. and at a superatmospheric pressure up to about 1000 psig.

Abstract: A continuous process for the vapor phase oxidation of an alkane or olefin in molten salt catalyst to produce alkylene oxides in increased yields while reducing or substantially eliminating the formation of aldehyde by-products. The process involves the continuous separation and recirculation of aldehydes, normally formed in the oxidation reaction, back into the vapor phase oxidation reaction for co-oxidation to form carbon-oxygen gases while increasing the olefin selectivity to alkylene oxide.