Abstract: It is disclosed a purifier assembly and method for removing impurities from an electrolytic bath before using the same with an electrolytic cell for making a metal, such as aluminum or aluminium. The assembly comprises a purification tank, located upstream the cell, for containing the bath; and at least one row, preferably at least two rows, of alternating vertically oriented cathodes and anodes configured to be operatively connected to a power supply for providing an electric current to the anodes and cathodes. The rows of vertically oriented cathodes and anodes are configured in size to be inserted into the tank. The purifier assembly is configured to maintain an anode-to-cathode distance (ACD) between the cathodes and anodes. The purifier is particularly adapted for removing sulfur, phosphorus, iron, and/or gallium from cryolite for the eco-friendly production of aluminum with a cell using oxygen-evolving or inert anodes, which preferably requires a purer bath.

Abstract: It is disclosed a system and process for starting up an electrolytic cell. The system and process are particularly adapted for preheating an electrolytic cell or pot having cathodes before installing preheated anodes in the cell, for the production of a metal (e.g. aluminum). The system comprises one or more electrical heaters installed in the cell in place of the anode assemblies and can be used with a dry bath or a liquid melted bath (e.g. cryolite). The cell is preferably preheated by as many cell preheaters as there are anode assemblies. The cell preheater is preferably powered by current available in the pot's busbar. The invention is environmentally friendly as being preferably adapted for preheating a cell working with inert or oxygen-evolving anodes. Furthermore, the starting up process allows optimizing/reducing the time necessary for starting up the electrolytic cell, while securing the materials located inside the cell.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for the production of particulate carbon products in a reactor vessel wherein gas flow between a gas inlet port and a gas outlet port suspends a bed of catalyst-containing particulate material in said vessel and wherein the product is discharged from said vessel by falling from the bed.

Abstract: A method for the production of particulate carbon products in a reactor vessel wherein gas flow between a gas inlet port and a gas outlet port suspends a bed of catalyst-containing particulate material in the vessel and wherein the product is discharged from the vessel by falling from the bed.

Abstract: A method for distributed quote management includes receiving a buyer request for quote (RFQ) from a buyer. The buyer RFQ requests a quote from a seller and identifies multiple items. The method includes automatically determining a best cost of each item in the buyer RFQ. The method includes automatically generating a quote for the buyer RFQ using the determined best costs of the items in the buyer RFQ. The method includes automatically generating a bid package for the buyer RFQ that includes the generated quote and automatically communicating the generated bid package to the buyer.

Abstract: A method for the production of particulate carbon products in a reactor vessel wherein gas flow between a gas inlet port and a gas outlet port suspends a bed of catalyst-containing particulate material in the vessel and wherein the product is discharged from the vessel by falling from the bed.

Abstract: A product development scheduler uses a distributed, constraint based system for modeling allocation of resources. All resources for all active development projects are provided at a central location, so that resources are not allocated twice across different projects. Real time availability of resources allows accurate modeling, and changes in resource status are reflected by the scheduler. Availability of materials are tracked through the supply chain to ensure true availability for planning purposes.

Abstract: A planning system for developing new products includes resource and projected financial performance information as inputs. By selecting various combinations of possible new products to develop, a planner can determine a product mix that maximizes future profits as well as can actually be implemented using available resources. A product development schedule is generated along with projected financial information.