Abstract: This present disclosure relates to a catalytic process for upgrading crude and/or refined fusel oil mixtures to higher value renewable 2-methyl-2-butene, via novel doped alumina catalysts. It was found that passing a vaporized stream of crude and/or refined fusel oils over doped alumina catalysts provides renewable 2-methyl-2-butene in high yields in a single step. Subsequent downstream purification of the reactor effluent results in a renewable 2-methyl-2-butene at competitive price and quality to fossil fuel derived 2-methyl-2-butene.

Abstract: In a first aspect of the invention there is provided a wind turbine blade shear web comprising an elongate web panel and a mounting flange extending along a longitudinal edge of the panel. The mounting flange comprises a base for bonding the shear web to a surface of a wind turbine blade shell and an upstand extending transversely to the base. The upstand is adhesively bonded to a side surface of the web panel and inclined relative to the side surface such that a bond gap is defined between the upstand and the side surface. The bond gap is at least partially filled with adhesive and one or more spacers are located in the bond gap, wherein the one or more spacers are configured to set an angle of inclination between the panel and the base of the mounting flange.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a single stage process for the direct conversion of alcohols, e.g. ethanol, to olefinic mixtures (C2-C7) with low levels of aromatics carried out in a single reactor with two fixed catalyst beds in series, or two catalytic fixed bed reactors in series wherein the first reactor operates at a lower or higher temperature than the operating temperature of the second reactor. The process transformation of ethanol is comprised of ethanol dehydration to ethylene and water in high yield with the first catalyst in the first reactor, or via the first fixed catalyst bed, followed by directly feeding the ethylene and water to the second reactor, or second fixed catalyst bed, with conversion of said ethylene and water to a C2-C7 olefinic mixture with the second catalyst(s) in high yields with minimal aromatic compound formation.

Abstract: Improvements relating to wind turbine blade manufacture A method of making wind turbine blades of variable length is described. The method involves forming first and second half shells of a main blade section in a main blade mould assembly. A pre-manufactured tip section is selected from a plurality of tip sections of different lengths according to a total length requirement for the wind turbine blade. The tip section is supported adjacent to the main blade mould assembly such that an inboard end of the tip section overlaps with an outboard end of one of the half shells of the main blade section. The main mould assembly is then closed to bond the two main half shells together and to bond the tip section to the main blade half shells. The invention allows blades of different overall length to be produced using a common main blade mould assembly.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject technology relate to systems and methods for pumping multiple wellbores from a common pumping source. A fluid pump of known operating pump capacity can be selected. The pump can be fluidly connected to a common pumping source that is fluidly connected with each of a plurality of cased wellbores in a subterranean formation for providing pumped fracturing fluid to each of the wellbores. Each of the plurality of wellbores can have at least one perforation through a casing of the wellbore with a known rate range within which fracturing fluid is required to be provided to the perforation to successfully fracture the subterranean formation outside the perforation, through the perforation. Further, the wellbores can be configured so that the common pumping source provides fracturing fluid to each of the perforations within the known rate range of the respective perforation to successfully fracture the subterranean formation.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject technology relate to systems and methods for pumping a wellbore with a pump operating in a damage avoidance mode during a hydraulic fracturing job. A fluid pump of known operating pump capacity measurable in barrels per minute is selected. The pump is fluidly connected with each of a cased wellbore in a subterranean formation for providing fracturing fluid to the wellbore. The wellbore has at least one perforation through a casing of the wellbore that has a known rate range within which fracturing fluid is required to successfully fracture the subterranean formation outside the perforation through the perforation. The pump is configured to provide fracturing fluid to each perforation within the known rate range of the respective perforation to successfully fracture the subterranean formation outside of the perforation while operating the pump in a damage avoidance mode.

Abstract: A three-dimensional print head apparatus may include a securing mechanism, a hopper, a nozzle, a heating system, and a fume extraction system. The securing mechanism may be adapted to secure to a wrist joint of a robotic arm. The hopper may have a cavity and a lower aperture and may be secured to the securing mechanism. The nozzle may have an upper aperture and a lower aperture. The heating system may be positioned along the barrel.

Abstract: A method and system pulse for treating a plurality of wells simultaneously includes applying a high pressure of fracturing fluid to one or more switching valves and repeatedly opening and closing the one or more switching valves to divert the fracturing fluid near instantaneously from one well to the other well to creating a pulse wave into the plurality of wells for fracturing subterranean formations. The one or more switching valves may be a single 3-way valve incorporating the function of two or more switching valves. This technique reduces wear of surface equipment including high pressure pumps that need only provide a constant pressure.

Abstract: This present disclosure relates to catalytic processes for oligomerizing bio-based olefinic mixtures to higher value renewable fuels via a doped Chabazite zeolite catalyst. A stream including a C2-C8 olefin and an oxygenate is fed to an oligomerization process utilizing a doped Chabazite zeolite catalyst resulting in high yields and selectivity of oligomers used to produce bio-based jet fuel and/or diesel fuels depending upon reaction temperatures and pressures. The process also produces iso-octane that is suitable for producing bio-based gasoline. The process tolerates relatively high levels of oxygenates in the olefinic feed and the catalyst is capable of air regeneration.

Abstract: A three-dimensional print head apparatus including a securing mechanism, a hopper, a nozzle, a barrel, and a heating system. The securing mechanism is adapted to secure to a wrist joint of a robotic arm. The hopper is secured to the securing mechanism and has a cavity and a lower aperture. The nozzle has an upper aperture and a lower aperture. The barrel has an elongate, hollow member with a first end secured to the lower aperture of the hopper and a second end secured to the upper aperture of the nozzle. The heating system is positioned along the barrel.

Abstract: The invention provides a wind turbine blade body manufacturing method, the method comprising the steps of: providing a mould (40) having an elongated mould surface (43), placing a movable insert (50) on the mould surface, in a first position, forming, with the insert in the first position, a first blade body having a first length (L1), placing the insert (50) on the mould surface, in a second position, and forming, with the insert in the second position, a second blade body having a second length (L2) which is different from the first length.

Abstract: A method of forming a wind turbine blade shear web flange section (36) by resin transfer moulding comprises providing a mould assembly (84) comprising a mould surface (86) defining a mould cavity and arranging a plurality of elongate flange elements (46) with the mould surface in an array (80) such that the flange elements are positioned one on top of another with first and second longitudinal ends (56,60) of each flange element longitudinally offset from respective first and second longitudinal ends of a neighbouring flange element so as to form a tapered portion (58,62) at each of a first and second longitudinal end of the flange section (36). A The method further comprises injecting resin to the mould cavity and curing the array of flange elements in a resin matrix to form a cured flange section having a laminate construction.

Abstract: A modular wind turbine blade is described. The modular blade comprises a first blade 5 module having a first spar cap extending longitudinally in a spanwise direction and a second blade module having a second spar cap extending longitudinally in the spanwise direction. The blade modules are configured for connection end-to-end via their respective spar caps. The first spar cap comprises first and second beams arranged side-by-side, each beam having a tapered end defining a scarfed surface. The tapered end of the first 10 beam extends beyond the tapered end of the second beam. The second spar cap comprises first and second beams arranged side-by-side, each beam having a tapered end defining a scarfed surface. The tapered end of the second beam extends beyond the tapered end of the first beam.

Abstract: A passive microscopic Fabry-Pérot Interferometer (FPI) sensor includes an optical fiber a three-dimensional microscopic optical structure formed on a cleaved tip of an optical fighter that reflects a light signal back through the optical fiber. The reflected light is altered by refractive index changes in the three-dimensional structure that is subject to at least one of: (i) thermal radiation; and (ii) volatile organic compounds.

Abstract: Improvements relating to wind turbine blade manufacture A method of making wind turbine blades of variable length is described. The method involves forming first and second half shells of a main blade section in a main blade mould assembly. A pre-manufactured tip section is selected from a plurality of tip sections of different lengths according to a total length requirement for the wind turbine blade. The tip section is supported adjacent to the main blade mould assembly such that an inboard end of the tip section overlaps with an outboard end of one of the half shells of the main blade section. The main mould assembly is then closed to bond the two main half shells together and to bond the tip section to the main blade half shells. The invention allows blades of different overall length to be produced using a common main blade mould assembly.

Abstract: A method of making passive microscopic Fabry-Pérot Interferometer (FPI) sensor includes forming a three-dimensional microscopic optical structure on a cleaved tip of an optical fiber that reflects a light signal back through the optical fiber. The reflected light is altered by refractive index changes in the three-dimensional structure that is subject to at least one of: (i) thermal radiation; and (ii) volatile organic compounds.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject technology relate to systems and methods for pumping multiple wellbores to form and stabilize fractures during a fracturing job. A fluid pump of known operating pump capacity measurable in barrels per minute is selected. The pump is fluidly connected with each of a plurality of cased wellbores in a subterranean formation for providing fracturing fluid to each of the wellbores. The plurality of wellbores each have at least one perforation through a casing of the wellbore that has a known rate range within which fracturing fluid is required to successfully fracture the subterranean formation outside the perforation through the perforation. The pump is configured to provide fracturing fluid to each of the perforations within the known rate range of the respective perforation to successfully fracture the subterranean formation outside of the perforation.

Abstract: A wind turbine blade mould extending longitudinally in a spanwise direction and transversely in a chordwise direction is provided and a spar cap (134, 136) is laid the mould. The spar cap comprises a plurality of strips (138) extending longitudinally in the spanwise direction and arranged side-by-side in the chordwise direction, said strips comprising one or more intermediate strips (158) arranged between peripheral strips (160, 162) which are inclined relative to the intermediate strips. A shear web (126) comprising a flange (130a) extending longitudinally in the spanwise direction is provided, the flange comprising a base (144) defining a primary bonding surface (164). A chordwise width of the primary bonding surface corresponds substantially to a chordwise width of the intermediate strips of the spar cap. The primary bonding surface of the flange is bonded to the one or more intermediate strips of the spar cap.

Abstract: A modular wind turbine blade is described. The modular blade comprises a first blade 5 module having a first spar cap extending longitudinally in a spanwise direction and a second blade module having a second spar cap extending longitudinally in the spanwise direction. The blade modules are configured for connection end-to-end via their respective spar caps. The first spar cap comprises first and second beams arranged side-by-side, each beam having a tapered end defining a scarfed surface. The tapered end of the first 10 beam extends beyond the tapered end of the second beam. The second spar cap comprises first and second beams arranged side-by-side, each beam having a tapered end defining a scarfed surface. The tapered end of the second beam extends beyond the tapered end of the first beam.