Abstract: Hydrocarbon feeds can be hydrotreated in a continuous gas-phase environment and then dewaxed in a liquid-continuous reactor. The liquid-continuous reactor can advantageously be operated in a manner that avoids the need for a hydrogen recycle loop. A contaminant gas can be added to the hydrogen input for the liquid-continuous reactor to modify the hydrogen consumption in the reactor.

Abstract: A mineral feed can be hydrotreated in a trickle-bed reactor or other stage in a continuous gas-phase environment. The effluent from the hydrotreatment stage can be separated to remove gas-phase impurities. The remaining liquid effluent from the hydrotreating stage can then be introduced, in total or in part, into a second stage/reactor. A feed of biocomponent origin can also be introduced into the second stage/reactor. The second stage/reactor can be operated to perform deoxygenation of the mixture of biocomponent feed and hydrotreated liquid effluent in a continuous liquid phase environment.

Abstract: A divided wall column can allow for fractionation of multiple streams while maintaining separate product qualities. Effluents from multiple stages of a reaction system can be processed in a single divided wall column. The divided wall column can produce multiple cuts from each separated area, as well as at least one output from a common area. At least one reaction stage can advantageously have a continuous liquid phase environment.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for running tubulars into and out of a wellbore.

Abstract: Sound quality is enhanced in a sound system including handsets and headsets. Handset sound enhancing algorithms are implemented in a handset. The handset automatically determines which, if any, of a plurality of headset sound enhancing algorithms are active in a headset in communication with the handset. The handset determines how to use the handset sound enhancing algorithms in a sound processing channel based on which of the headset sound enhancing algorithms are active in the headset.

Abstract: Sound quality is enhanced in a sound system including handsets and headsets. Handset sound enhancing algorithms are implemented in a handset. The handset automatically determines which, if any, of a plurality of headset sound enhancing algorithms are active in a headset in communication with the handset. The handset determines how to use the handset sound enhancing algorithms in a sound processing channel based on which of the headset sound enhancing algorithms are active in the headset.

Abstract: Sound quality is enhanced in a sound system including handsets and headsets. Handset sound enhancing algorithms are implemented in a handset. The handset automatically determines which, if any, of a plurality of headset sound enhancing algorithms are active in a headset in communication with the handset. The handset determines how to use the handset sound enhancing algorithms in a sound processing channel based on which of the headset sound enhancing algorithms are active in the headset.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a gripping apparatus for supporting a tubular. The gripping apparatus may include a housing, a slip assembly disposed in the housing, and a leveling ring operable to move the slip assembly in the housing. The gripping apparatus may further include a guide member and a mating member operable to couple the slip assembly to the leveling ring. The longitudinal movement of the leveling ring directs the mating member along the guide member to radially displace the slip assembly relative to the housing.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for running tubulars into and out of a wellbore. A gripping apparatus is activated with an actuator having a primary actuator and a redundant safety feature. The redundant safety feature may include one or more redundant fluid operated pistons. The gripping apparatus may include an integrated safety system adapted to prevent damage to the tubulars while making and breaking out connections between the tubulars and the tubular string.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of evaluating the human subconscious response to smell and a method of evaluating a subject's subconscious response to an aroma stimulus.

Abstract: Sound quality is enhanced in a sound system including handsets and headsets. Handset sound enhancing algorithms are implemented in a handset. The handset automatically determines which, if any, of a plurality of headset sound enhancing algorithms are active in a headset in communication with the handset. The handset determines how to use the handset sound enhancing algorithms in a sound processing channel based on which of the headset sound enhancing algorithms are active in the headset.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conditioning ambient air for use in an enclosure is disclosed which cools the ambient supply air stream in sensible energy recovery device or cools and dehumidifies the ambient supply air stream in an enthalpy energy recovery device. The thus cooled air is then cooled by a cooling coil of a refrigerant cooling system to reduce its temperature and humidity. The thus cooled and dehumidified air is then passed through a segment of a rotating desiccant wheel or through a different type of desiccant dehumidification device under conditions which reduce its moisture content and increases its temperature. The supply air is then delivered from the desiccant wheel to the enclosure. The desiccant wheel is regenerated by heating a separate regeneration air stream, provided by the exhaust air from the space and using the condensing coil of the refrigerant system to increase the regeneration air stream temperature.

Abstract: A unitary biodegradable, absorbent flexible back and body strap for selectively applying a protective substance and a skin-protective agent to a user's body, the strap having an elongated thin parallelepiped midportion, a biconcave first gripping end, and an opposite biconcave second gripping end, each end having a tip narrower in width than the midportion. The midportion is impregnated with a protective substance, which may be a body lotion, sunscreen, insect repellant, or a combination of sunscreen and insect repellant. At least one protective agent layer may be disposed on a midportion top side, which contains a skin-protective agent. The user alternatingly pulls the first gripping end and the second end from side to side across the desired body portion to selectively apply the protective substance and the skin-protective agent discards the strap whereinafter the strap biodegrades.

Abstract: The present application is directed to methods for transitioning between color printing and black-only printing in an image forming device. A cartridge is moved between a first position in which color printing may occur and a second position in which black-only printing may occur. In the first position, a color developer unit may be in contact with a color photoconductor unit. The color developer unit may be spaced from the color photoconductor unit in the second position. During the transition, a voltage supplied to the cartridge and a speed of a drive motor driving the cartridge may be adjusted.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a pipe handling system for use with a tubular joining system (such as a welding or forging assembly) located on a drilling rig at a wellbore. In one aspect, a method of forming a string of pipe using a joining assembly at a wellbore is provided. The joining assembly includes an internal joining tool and an external joining tool. The method includes the step of picking up the pipe joint using an elevator. The method further includes the step of positioning a lower end of the pipe joint adjacent an end of a string of pipe disposed in the external joining tool. The method also includes the step of moving the internal joining tool from a first position to a second position relative to the elevator, wherein the second position is between the pipe joint and the string of pipe. The method further includes the step of forming a connection between the pipe joint and the string of pipe.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for connecting a control line to a tubular string. In one embodiment, the apparatus includes a guide boom pivotable around a location adjacent the string and with a guide member at an end thereof to guide the control line. The apparatus further includes a clamp boom that is independently pivotable and includes a clamp housing at an end thereof for clamping the control line against the tubular string. The guide boom and the clamp boom each have a center line which is substantially aligned with the center line of the tubing string permitting the control line to be aligned adjacent the tubular string prior to clamping.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for remotely performing a pipe handling operation is provided. In one aspect, the method and apparatus includes a false rotary table capable of supporting one or more tubulars during the pipe handling operation which is moveable between a position for landing one or more tubulars to a position for running one or more tubulars into a wellbore. In another aspect, the present invention provides a method and apparatus for remotely connecting elevator links alternatingly between interchangeable elevators which are capable of axially engaging one or more tubulars above the wellbore.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a gripping apparatus for supporting a tubular. The gripping apparatus may include a housing, a slip assembly disposed in the housing, and a leveling ring operable to move the slip assembly in the housing. The gripping apparatus may further include a guide member and a mating member operable to couple the slip assembly to the leveling ring. The longitudinal movement of the leveling ring directs the mating member along the guide member to radially displace the slip assembly relative to the housing.

Abstract: A fill-up and circulation tool includes a mandrel; a packer assembly is disposed around the mandrel; and a valve assembly connected to the mandrel, wherein the valve assembly is configured to selectively control fluid flow into the tool and out of the tool.

Abstract: This disclosure provides methods and compositions for the promotion of enzymatic activity of Target Enzymes, including but not limited to oligosaccharide/polysaccharide enzymes, protein enzymes, polynucleotide enzymes. The methods involve use of a non-naturally occurring polysaccharide (including but not limited HES) for promoting the enzymatic activity of an enzyme in liquid milieu, wherein the concentration of the polysaccharide in the composition comprising the Target Enzyme is from about 0.01% to about 55% w/v.