Abstract: A process for preparing a hydrocarbon or mixture of hydrocarbons comprising the steps of (i) hydrogenating furfural, 5-hydroxymethylfurfural or a mixture of furfural and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural to provide furfuryl alcohol, 2,5-furandimethanol or a mixture of furfuryl alcohol and 2,5-furandimethanol; (ii) oligomerizing the alcohol or mixture of alcohols of step (i) in the presence of an acidic catalyst to provide a carbon-carbon coupled oligomer; and (iii) hydrogenating the oligomer of step (ii) is provided. The hydrocarbons are useful as fuel blending components. Processes for controlling the oligomerization of alcohol or mixture of alcohols to optimise the production of oligomers suitable for conversion to hydrocarbons useful as kerosene and diesel components are also provided.

Abstract: Fuel formulation, such as a gasoline or diesel fuel formulation, containing a dialkyl carbonate (DAC) having 6 or more carbon atoms is provided.

Abstract: A diesel fuel formulation containing (i) a lower molecular weight dialkyl carbonate (DAC) selected from dimethyl carbonate (DMC), diethyl carbonate (DEC) and mixtures thereof; (ii) di-n-butyl carbonate (DBC); and optionally (iii) an additional diesel fuel component is provided.

Abstract: A diesel fuel formulation with improved lubricity is provided containing (i) a fatty alcohol ester, (ii) an acid-based lubricity additive and (iii) an additional diesel fuel component. The ester (i) has the formula R1-C(O)—O—R2, in which R1 is for example either hydrogen or methyl and R2 is for example a C6 to C14 alkyl group.

Abstract: Diesel fuel formulation is provided containing (i) FAME with ?50% w/w saturates, (ii) dialkyl carbonate (DAC) and (iii) an additional diesel fuel component. Also provided is a diesel fuel supplement containing FAME and DAC, for use in a diesel fuel formulation.

Abstract: A compression ignition (CI) (typically diesel) fuel formulation is provided containing (i) a C4 to C8 dialkyl ether (DAE), (ii) a naphtha fuel component and (iii) a low boiling component selected from low boiling hydrocarbons, ethers and mixtures thereof. The formulation may be produced along with a gasoline fuel formulation, by (1) preparing a gasoline fuel formulation in a manner which yields a naphtha fuel component as a byproduct, and (2) blending at least some of the naphtha byproduct with a C4 to C8 DAE and a low boiling component (iii) so as to produce the CI fuel formulation.

Abstract: A diesel fuel formulation is provided containing (i) a fatty acid alkyl ester (FAAE), in particular a fatty acid methyl ester (FAME), (ii) diethyl carbonate (DEC) and (iii) an additional diesel fuel component. Also provided is a diesel fuel supplement containing a FAAE and DEC. The inclusion of DEC, in a FAAE or in a diesel fuel formulation containing a FAAE, increase the stability of one or more glycerides present in the FAAE, and/or reduce the concentration of a stability-enhancing additive in the FAAE or fuel formulation, and/or reduce the amount of glyceride precipitates in the FAAE or fuel formulation. The glycerides are in particular saturated monoglycerides.

Abstract: Gasoline compositions are provided comprising component A, an alkyl alkenoate compound, or a mixture of alkyl alkenoate compounds, selected from compounds of formula I: wherein R1 is a linear alkenyl group containing 3 to 5 carbon atoms, optionally substituted by a methyl group, and R2 is a linear or branched alkyl group containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms, with the proviso that component A has a boiling point or boiling point range within the temperature range of from 90 to 200° C., and at least one additional selected component.

Abstract: A method and system for advising a person with diabetes to perform a task based on the recommended therapy are disclosed. A library of one or more tasks is established, wherein each task in the library is related to a therapy recommended to the person with diabetes. Personal and real-time data related to the person's diabetic condition are recorded such that advice provided to the person to perform a task from the library is based on the recorded personal and real-time data. In this manner, the embodiments of the present invention simplify the ability of a person with diabetes to follow a recommended therapy.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine is disclosed that has with two or more compressors. A first one of the compressors include a compressor variable geometry mechanism that may be in the form of adjustable vanes, bleed valves, or the like. A first one of the compressors is turned at a first speed and the second one of the compressors is turned at a second speed. The first speed is maintained approximately constant while the second speed varies and position of the compressor variable geometry mechanism is modulated in accordance with the second speed of the second one of the compressors to regulate surge margin for the first one of the compressors.

Abstract: A technique is provided for operating a gas turbine engine that has a combustor with a primary stage and one or more other stages and a first compressor providing an air flow to the combustor. This technique includes driving a variable load device with the rotating shaft of the gas turbine engine and sensing pressure of the air flow and an engine speed. In response to a decrease in loading of the engine by the variable load device: selectively bleeding the air flow as a function of the engine speed and regulating temperature in the primary stage of the combustor as a function of a ratio between fuel flow provided to primary stage and the pressure to prevent engine flame out. In one form, the combustor is arranged as a dry load emissions type and the variable load device includes an electric power generator.

Abstract: Liquid fuel compositions comprising one or more C4+ compounds derived from a water-soluble oxygenated hydrocarbon.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus (10) for handling telephone calls which comprises: means for configuring the operation of the apparatus based on user preferences relating to the handling of calls from particular callers, means for storing the user preferences, means for processing incoming calls based on the user preferences, and means for receiving updates to the user preferences in dependence on changes to a preference database for storing the preferences of at least one user. The invention also relates to a telecommunications system, and to an associated server.

Abstract: In a method of attaching a suture to a needle barrel, a first compression stroke compresses the radially-defined top of the barrel against a suture in the bore of the barrel while restraining the bottom and sides of the barrel against deformation. A second compression stroke compresses the bottom of the barrel against the suture while restraining the sides against deformation. In another method, the top and bottom are compressed concurrently while the sides are restrained against deformation. An apparatus for attaching a suture to a needle barrel includes two die sets, each including a die with a groove therein. In one die set, the groove protects the bottom and sides of the barrel from deformation while the top is compressed. In the other die set, the groove protects the sides of the barrel from deformation while the bottom is compressed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid fuel composition comprising a distillation fraction of a component having at least one C4+ compound derived from a water-soluble oxygenated hydrocarbon prepared by a method comprising: providing water and a water-soluble oxygenated hydrocarbon comprising a C1+O1+ hydrocarbon in an aqueous liquid phase and/or a vapor phase; providing H2; catalytically reacting in the liquid and/or vapor phase the oxygenated hydrocarbon with the H2 in the presence of a deoxygenation catalyst at a deoxygenation temperature and deoxygenation pressure to produce an oxygenate comprising a C1+O1-3 hydrocarbon in a reaction stream; and catalytically reacting in the liquid and/or vapor phase the oxygenate in the presence of a condensation catalyst at a condensation temperature and condensation pressure to produce the C4+ compound, wherein the C4+ compound comprises a member selected from the group consisting of C4+ alcohol, C4+ ketone, C4+ alkane, C4+ alkene, C5+ cycloalkane, C5+ cycloalkene,

Abstract: An improved interconnection protocol that is well suited for use in an inspection system or similar modular electronic system. Communication is provided over a network where the electronic modules are nodes, including a root node and multiple remote nodes. The root node and remote nodes are connected through multiple point-to-point synchronous links. The root node and remote nodes are configured to send and receive packets in either a short form or a normal form. Timing between the root node and remote nodes is provided by an external clock distributed by the root node. Each remote node responds to commands with low latency. This protocol allows normal packets to be configured to provide variable payload length, with a maximum payload size that yields a low protocol overhead.

Abstract: An air traffic control system, for use by a controller controlling a plurality of aircraft held vertically separated in a stack, the system comprising at least one processor; a display device for the control generating a display controlled by said at least one processor, and at least one device for selectively receiving, from said aircraft, an indication of their intended future altitudes; in which said processor is arranged to receive such intended altitude data; to compare said intended altitude data with current altitude and/or intended altitude data of other aircraft; and to generate said display on said display device so as to list said plurality of aircraft, to highlight a first part of the display relating to a first aircraft whose intended altitude overlaps with the current or intended altitude of at least one said second aircraft, and to highlight also a second part of the display relating to said second aircraft.

Abstract: A technique is provided for operating a gas turbine engine that has a combustor with a primary stage and one or more other stages and a first compressor providing an air flow to the combustor. This technique includes driving a variable load device with the rotating shaft of the gas turbine engine and sensing pressure of the air flow and an engine speed. In response to a decrease in loading of the engine by the variable load device: selectively bleeding the air flow as a function of the engine speed and regulating temperature in the primary stage of the combustor as a function of a ratio between fuel flow provided to primary stage and the pressure to prevent engine flame out. In one form, the combustor is arranged as a dry load emissions type and the variable load device includes an electric power generator.

Abstract: A liquid storage apparatus provides a safe and easy to use device for efficiently managing liquid reagents used in a variety of laboratory equipment. The liquid storage apparatus helps reduce the likelihood of accidents, allows for flexibility of experimental design, and helps maximize the use of chemical regents to prevent waste. The apparatus includes a plurality of containers with a pierceable septum interface at each end. The apparatus also includes a lower array of needles with each of the lower needles in the lower array of needles arranged to penetrate the bottom pierceable septum of a different one of the containers. The apparatus further includes a piercing device arranged to penetrate the top pierceable septum of a different one of the containers. Each of the piercing devices include a passageway so gas can flow into the pierced container.

Abstract: A liquid fuel composition suitable for use in an internal combustion engine is provided containing (a) from 50 to 90 % v/v of a C1-C4 alcohol; (b) from 10 to 50 % v/v of a Fischer-Tropsch derived naphtha; and optionally (c) up to 10 % v/v of a C3-C6 hydrocarbon component. A process for preparing a liquid fuel composition and a method of operating an internal combustion engine is also disclosed.