Abstract: The process involves the use of two rotary valves to implement Varicol operation of a simulated moving bed apparatus to separate a product from at least one multicomponent feed. In a particular embodiment, paraxylene is separated from a mixture of C8 aromatic hydrocarbons. The use of the Varicol process further enhances the separation of the desired product and provides flexibility with a simulated moving bed apparatus using dual rotary valves.

Abstract: A process to separate paraxylene from a mixture of paraxylene, metaxylene, orthoxylene, and ethylbenzene in a commercial simulated moving bed apparatus in a reduced number of beds is provided, allowing an additional separation to be conducted in the remaining beds. This additional separation may separate another xylene isomer, ethylbenzene, or a non-aromatic C8+ hydrocarbon from the raffinate stream produced by the first separation. A PowerFeed process is used to recover paraxylene in a first adsorption zone containing 8-16 beds of a conventional 24-bed simulated moving bed adsorption apparatus, and then a second separation may be conducted in a second adsorption zone containing the remaining beds.

Abstract: A process to separate paraxylene from a mixture of paraxylene, metaxylene, orthoxylene, and ethylbenzene in a commercial simulated moving bed apparatus in a reduced number of beds is provided, allowing an additional separation to be conducted in the remaining beds. This additional separation may separate another xylene isomer, ethylbenzene, or a non-aromatic C8+ hydrocarbon from the raffinate stream produced by the first separation. A PowerFeed process is used to recover paraxylene in a first adsorption zone containing 8-16 beds of a conventional 24-bed simulated moving bed adsorption apparatus, and then a second separation may be conducted in a second adsorption zone containing the remaining beds.

Abstract: The process involves the use of two rotary valves to implement Varicol operation of a simulated moving bed apparatus to separate a product from at least one multicomponent feed. In a particular embodiment, paraxylene is separated from a mixture of C8 aromatic hydrocarbons. The use of the Varicol process further enhances the separation of the desired product and provides flexibility with a simulated moving bed apparatus using dual rotary valves.

Abstract: A dishwasher appliance includes a mid-level spray arm assembly and a diverter disposed in a conduit of the assembly. The diverter includes a disk positioned within a chamber and rotatable about an axis, the disk defining an aperture for selectively controlling fluid flow from the chamber into outlet channels, the disk movable along the axial direction between a first position and a second position, the disk defining a channel and a plurality of cams projecting into the channel. The diverter further includes a biasing element configured to urge the disk into the first position, and a boss extending from the housing into the channel of the disk, the boss defining a plurality of guide elements. The guide elements and cams are configured to interact so that movement of the disk along the axial direction between the first position and the second position causes the disk to rotate about the axis.

Abstract: A dishwasher appliance is provided. The dishwasher appliance includes a tub that defines a wash chamber and a rack assembly disposed within the wash chamber. The rack assembly includes a frame, a first tray and a second tray. The first and second trays are removably mounted to the frame. The first tray is sized and configured for supporting a plurality of flatware therein. The second tray is sized and configured for supporting a plurality of cooking utensils therein.

Abstract: A dishwasher appliance includes a mid-level spray arm assembly and a diverter disposed in a conduit of the assembly. The diverter includes a disk positioned within a chamber and rotatable about an axis, the disk defining an aperture for selectively controlling fluid flow from the chamber into outlet channels, the disk movable along the axial direction between a first position and a second position, the disk defining a channel and a plurality of cams projecting into the channel. The diverter further includes a biasing element configured to urge the disk into the first position, and a boss extending from the housing into the channel of the disk, the boss defining a plurality of guide elements. The guide elements and cams are configured to interact so that movement of the disk along the axial direction between the first position and the second position causes the disk to rotate about the axis.

Abstract: The present subject matter provides a spray assembly for a dishwasher appliance. The spray assembly includes a housing and an impeller disposed within a chamber of the housing such that the impeller is rotatable about an axis of rotation within the chamber of the housing. The impeller includes a plurality of conduits for directing flows of wash fluid. Each conduit of the plurality of conduits can have a different size and/or shape in order to provide suitable wash fluid coverage within the dishwasher appliance.

Abstract: A security system lays out a sensing optical fiber tautly at the perimeter of an area to be secured. The sensing optical fiber has at least one sensing Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) which is stretched when the sensing optical fiber is stretched by an intruder. The center wavelength of reflection of the stretched sensing FBG shifts towards longer wavelengths. The shifted center wavelength of reflection is detected using a reference FBG with a longer center wavelength of reflection. The sensing optical fiber has a loose buffer coating for isolating the sensing optical fiber and the sensing FBG from nuisance disturbances and noise such as vibrations caused by wind. Trip wires may be attached to the sensing optical fiber for enhancing intruder detection. A cut of the sensing optical fiber may be detected by monitoring the optical power exiting the far end of the sensing optical fiber.

Abstract: A security system lays out a sensing optical fiber tautly at the perimeter of an area to be secured. The sensing optical fiber has at least one sensing Fiber Bragg Grating (FBG) which is stretched when the sensing optical fiber is stretched by an intruder. The center wavelength of reflection of the stretched sensing FBG shifts towards longer wavelengths. The shifted center wavelength of reflection is detected using a reference FBG with a longer center wavelength of reflection. The sensing optical fiber has a loose buffer coating for isolating the sensing optical fiber and the sensing FBG from nuisance disturbances and noise such as vibrations caused by wind. Trip wires may be attached to the sensing optical fiber for enhancing intruder detection. A cut of the sensing optical fiber may be detected by monitoring the optical power exiting the far end of the sensing optical fiber.