Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for preparing 1,2-propanediol by hydrogenation of glycerol by means of hydrogen gas, wherein glycerol is reacted with hydrogen in at least “i” fluidically interconnected reactors R1 to Ri each having a hydrogenation catalyst to form 1,2-propanediol, wherein the process comprises sequential steps from reactors R1 through Rn, wherein n as used hereinafter is an integer in the range from 2 to i. The process includes introducing hydrogen gas and a glycerol phase into the first reactor R1 and a first 1,2-propanediol containing phase and a first hydrogen phase are formed in the reactor, and introducing sequentially the 1,2-propanediol containing phase formed in the preceding reactor and hydrogen into each of the subsequent reactors wherein the glycerol phase containing at least 60% by weight, based on the total weight of the glycerol phase of glycerol.

Abstract: Fuel compositions containing fuels and glycerol are disclosed. The addition of glycerol increases the combustion value of the fuels, and enables combustion to take place more uniformly and with less slag formation. The use of glycerol for improving the combustion value and combustion efficiency of liquid or solid fuels is thus also disclosed.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the operation of a high-power electron beam for the vaporization of materials in a target. With this method, static and dynamic deflection errors are corrected. First, the static and dynamic deflection errors are ascertained by means of a teach-in process for concrete spatial coordinates and concrete frequencies of the deflection currents and stored in a memory. For the later operation, this stored data is used in such a way that input geometric data for the incidence points of the electron beam is automatically recalculated into corrected current values which bring about the exact incidence onto the input points. A corresponding procedure takes place with the input of frequencies for the deflection current. The input frequencies are automatically corrected in terms of frequency and amplitude in order to eliminate the frequency-dependent attenuation effects.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for the operation of a high-power electron beam for the vaporization of materials in a target. With this method, static and dynamic deflection errors are corrected. First, the static and dynamic deflection errors are ascertained by means of a teach-in process for concrete spatial coordinates and concrete frequencies of the deflection currents and stored in a memory. For the later operation, this stored data is used in such a way that input geometric data for the incidence points of the electron beam is automatically recalculated into corrected current values which bring about the exact incidence onto the input points. A corresponding procedure takes place with the input of frequencies for the deflection current. The input frequencies are automatically corrected in terms of frequency and amplitude in order to eliminate the frequency-dependent attenuation effects.

Abstract: A sputtering cathode with a flat plate-shaped target (8) and a tub-shaped yoke (3) arranged behind the target (8), with center ridge (5) and with magnets (7,7′) for generating an enclosed tunnel of arc-shaped curved field lines (15,15′) in front of the target surface, as well as with three sheet metal cutouts (9,10,11) or groups of partial cutouts inserted into the plane between the target (8) and the end faces (12) of the tub rim of the yoke (3) facing the target (8), all the sheet metal cutouts (9,10,11) together form two gaps (a,b) extending roughly parallel to the end faces (12,13), wherein the magnets (7,7′) are each incorporated or inserted into the yoke bottom and the side surfaces of the magnets (7,7′) facing towards and away from the target (8) run flush with the yoke bottom.