Abstract: An unloading system comprises an upper-opening chamber for receiving airplane-derived refuse, a chute, a chute-connected safety gate which is settable in falling preventing relation with respect to an access door of an airplane from which the refuse is unloadable into the chute and to the chamber, and an air brake assembly for immobilizing the safety gate when the chute ceases to be vertically displaced.

Abstract: An unloading system comprises an upper-opening chamber for receiving airplane-derived refuse, a chute, a chute-connected safety gate which is settable in falling preventing relation with respect to an access door of an airplane from which the refuse is unloadable into the chute and to the chamber, and an air brake assembly for immobilizing the safety gate when the chute ceases to be vertically displaced.

Abstract: An unloading system comprises an upper-opening chamber for receiving airplane-derived refuse; a chute; a chute-connected safety gate which is settable in falling preventing relation with respect to an access door of an airplane from which the refuse is unloadable into the chute and to the chamber; and an air brake assembly for immobilizing the safety gate when the chute ceases to be vertically displaced. A compacting system comprises a main platen mount with an occluding surface for occluding the opening; an auxiliary platen mount for movably supporting the main platen mount; a holder assembly underneath the auxiliary platen mount; and force transmitting elements always retained within a compaction chamber interior. The main platen mount is linearly driven between a first position completely forwardly of the opening and a second position at which the opening is completely occluded, and is additionally driven to discharge the received refuse. Methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: An unloading system comprises an upper-opening chamber for receiving airplane-derived refuse; a chute; a chute-connected safety gate which is settable in falling preventing relation with respect to an access door of an airplane from which the refuse is unloadable into the chute and to the chamber; and an air brake assembly for immobilizing the safety gate when the chute ceases to be vertically displaced. A compacting system comprises a main platen mount with an occluding surface for occluding the opening; an auxiliary platen mount for movably supporting the main platen mount; a holder assembly underneath the auxiliary platen mount; and force transmitting elements always retained within a compaction chamber interior. The main platen mount is linearly driven between a first position completely forwardly of the opening and a second position at which the opening is completely occluded, and is additionally driven to discharge the received refuse. Methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for oxidising a hydroxyl group to form an aldehyde and/or carboxy group, the process comprising the step of reacting a substrate comprising at least one primary hydroxy group with a nitrosonium ion in the presence of an oxidase and hydrogen peroxide.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing insulating and/or fire-resistant material, wherein the potato steam peels are subjected to a treatment for recovering a cork fraction, at least a non-calorific part, from those peels, while the insulating and/or fireresistant material is manufactured at least from the recovered cork fraction and a binding agent. The invention further provides insulating and/or fire-resistant material containing at least a cork fraction recovered from potato steam peels. Further, the invention provides a construction element, provided with such insulating and/or fire-resistant material.

Abstract: Filters used in the beverage industry fouled by polyphenol-protein complexes and carbohydrate polymers can be cleaned by treating the filters either with the following methods:—Solubilisation of at least part of the carbohydrate polymers followed by a treatment of the resulting polyphenol protein complex with an oxidative chemical.—Treatment of the fouled filters through a back-wash method using an oxidative chemical. In both cases it is not necessary to rinse the membranes after cleaning with a reductive chemical.

Abstract: Filters used in the food and beverage industry can be cleaned by contacting the filters with a cyclic nitroxyl compound and a reoxidator or with a nitroxonium compound in a bromine-free process. The nitroxyl can be TEMPO or its 4-acetamido or 4-acetoxy derivative, and the nitroxonium compound can be the corresponding oxidized ion obtained by enzymatic or metal catalyzed oxidation. The reoxidator may be a peracid, such as peracetic acid, persulphuric acid or permanganic acid, or a metal complex with a hydroperoxide.

Abstract: A process for the separation of a protonated organic hydroxylamine compound and an organic nitrosonium compound from each other under acidic conditions, wherein a mixture of protonated organic hydroxylamine compound and organic nitrosonium compound is brought in contact with a hydrophobic resin to retain the organic hydroxylamine compound on the hydrophobic resin. A process for the oxidation of a hydroxy compound in the presence of an organic nitroxy compound and optionally a primary oxidant, using this separation process is also disclosed.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of an organic nitroxy compound from a solution of this nitroxy compound in an organic solvent or a mixture of a water-miscible organic solvent and water, the process includes the steps of: (a) adjusting the pH of the solution to a value below 4 to generate a nitrosonium ion and the -protonated hydroxylamine; (b) removing the organic solvent until a residue containing the nitrosonium ion and the protonated hydroxylamine has formed; (c) if necessary, redissolving the residue obtained in water; and (d) neutralizing the resulting aqueous solution to recover the nitroxy compound.

Abstract: A process for the separation of a secondary organic nitrosonium compound and/or a secondary organic hydroxylamine compound from an acidic aqueous medium containing them in dissolved form, includes the step of bringing into contact said acidic aqueous medium with a cation exchange resin. The process is used in a process for the recovery of secondary organic nitroxy compounds from an aqueous medium containing the nitroxy compound and oxidation processes for hydroxy compounds.

Abstract: A process for the oxidation of a hydroxy compound comprising the steps of: a) providing a first mixture containing an organic protonated hydroxylamine compound, b) oxidizing the protonated hydroxylamine compound to the corresponding nitrosonium compound, c) reacting the nitrosonium compound obtained thereby with a second mixture containing a hydroxy compound, and d) oxidizing the hydroxy compound with the nitrosonium compound, thereby generating the hydroxylamine.

Abstract: Dialdehyde carbohydrates such as dialdehyde starch (DAS) can be oxidised with oxygen or hydrogen peroxide in the presence of a laccase or another enzyme capable of oxidation. The oxidation is mediated by a di-tertiary nitroxyl such as TEMPO. The products contain both aldehyde groups and carboxyl groups and have excellent properties as wet strength agents.