Abstract: A hydrocarbon fuel composition which is suitable for sue in a fuel cell apparatus and an internal combustion engine comprises at least one saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon having 4 to 12 carbon atoms, and is characterised by an olefin content of less than 20% by volume, an aromatics content of less than 42% by volume, a final boiling point (fop) of less than 215° C., and a sulphur content of less than 20 ppm.

Abstract: An adjustable downlight fixture includes an adjustable mounting for a light source. The adjustable mounting for the light source may be rotated about a substantially vertical axis and tilted about a substantially horizontal axis from underneath the adjustable downlight fixture without having to remove the adjustable downlight fixture from its mounting within the ceiling.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for registering frequent travelers and for confirming traveler identities so that a more streamlined procedure may be used during security checks prior to departure of the registered traveler. One such method includes receiving a customer data set and a customer biometric with a controller, and transmitting at least a portion of the data set to a remote system. In some embodiments the remote system is a background check system, such as an FBI database system for checking whether the individual associated with the biometric is wanted by local, state or federal authorities, is on a terrorist watchlist, and the like. The method includes receiving a response from the remote system, and creating a registered traveler record using the customer data set and the customer biometric. In this manner, a customer can become a registered traveler, after providing various data and biometric(s), and submitting to a background check.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for removing highly deletenious non-basic nitrogen compounds upstream from an acid catalyzed thiophene alkylation process using adsorbents capable of adsorbing the non-basic nitrogen compounds.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for reducing the nitrogen content of a liquid hydrocarbon feed wherein said process comprises a) contacting a liquid hydrocarbon feed comprising an alkylating agent and organic nitrogen species with an acidic catalyst at elevated temperature in a first reaction zone to generate a liquid hydrocarbon feed comprising a reduced alkylating agent content and organic nitrogen species of higher boiling point. b) fractionating the liquid hydrocarbon feed comprising a reduced alkylating agent content and organic nitrogen species of higher boiling point to remove the organic nitrogen species of higher boiling point to generate a liquid hydrocarbon feed comprising a reduced alkylating agent content and a reduced nitrogen content.

Abstract: Processing a group of accounts corresponding to different products. A group of accounts are linked together to create a group so that group processing can be performed at the group level while independent processing of the accounts is performed at the account level. Typically, a group includes a key account and one or more dependent accounts. The relationships between the accounts and the group are flexible to accommodate changes in the status of the group cardholders. Group level processing includes authorizing transactions, applying group payments, creating group statements, creating cardholder communications, and administering reward programs. Each dependent account has an associated dependent strategy that specifies group level processing options for the dependent account.

Abstract: Multicomponent fibers having an outer exposed surafec include a polyarylene sulfide polymer component and at least one additional component formed of a different polymer. The polyarylene sulfide polymer component forms the entire exposed surface of the fiber and imparts good thermal and chemical resistance to the fiber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Compositions of fuels for transportation are disclosed, particularly organic compositions which are liquid at ambient conditions. More specifically, it relates to transportation fuels comprising suitable organic distillates, as a predominant component, and limited, but essential, amounts of a component comprising oxygen-containing organic materials, which materials are typically derived from natural petroleum. Beneficially, the oxygen content of these transportation fuels is at least 0.02 percent by weight. Preferably the oxygen content these transportation fuels is in a range from about 0.2 percent to about 10 percent by weight.

Abstract: Multicomponent fibers having an outer exposed surafec include a polyarylene sulfide polymer component and at least one additional component formed of a different polymer. The polyarylene sulfide polymer component forms the entire exposed surface of the fiber and imparts good thermal and chemical resistance to the fiber.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process to improve the cetane number and emissions characteristics of a distillate feedstock by increasing the oxygen content of the feedstock by contacting the feedstock with an oxygen-containing gas in the oxidation zone at oxidation conditions in the presence of an oxidation catalyst comprising a Group VIII metal and a basic support.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process to make environment friendly components for refinery blending of transportation fuels. The process involves contacting a petroleum distillate with an oxygen-containing gas at oxidation conditions in the presence of a heterogeneous catalyst comprising a Group VIII metal on a basic support to oxidize any sulfur and/or nitrogen-containing compounds in the distillate. A portion of these sulfur and/or nitrogen-containing compounds is then removed from the oxidation zone effluent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to Compositions of fuels for transportation are disclosed, particularly organic compositions which are liquid at ambient conditions. More specifically, it relates to transportation fuels comprising suitable organic distillates, as a predominant component, and limited, but essential, amounts of a component comprising oxygen-containing organic materials, which materials are typically derived from natural petroleum. Beneficially, the oxygen content of these transportation fuels is at least 0.02 percent by weight. Preferably the oxygen content these transportation fuels is in a range from about 0.2 percent to about 10 percent by weight.

Abstract: A novel optical channel processing unit is disclosed that is useful for multiplexing, demultiplexing and switching optical signals in a WDM network. In one embodiment, the optical channel processing unit is implemented as an optical switch (700) for interfacing any of various multichannel input ports (702) with any of various multichannel output ports (704). The illustrated switch (700) includes a two-dimensional array of input ports (702) and a two-dimensional array of output ports (704). An input signal (705) is transmitted via a spectral device (706) to an input movable mirror array (708). A signal transmitted by an output port (704) is transmitted via a spectral device (712) to mirrors (714) of an output mirror movable mirror array (716). Each mirror of each array (708 and 716) is movable to target any selected mirror of the opposing array (708 or 716). The arrays (708 and 716) thereby support full multichannel switching functionality for more than two channels.

Abstract: A novel optical channel processing unit is disclosed that is useful for multiplexing, demultiplexing, switching and otherwise processing optical signals in a WDM network. In one embodiment, the optical channel processing unit is implemented as an optical switch (700) for interfacing any of various multichannel input ports (702) with any of various multichannel output ports (704). The illustrated switch (700) includes a two-dimensional array of input ports (702) and a two-dimensional array of output ports (704). An input signal (705) is transmitted via a spectral device (706) to an input movable mirror array (708). A signal transmitted by an output port (704) is transmitted via a spectral device (712) to mirrors (714) of an output mirror movable mirror array (716). Each mirror of each array (708 and 716) is movable to target any selected mirror of the opposing array (708 or 716). The arrays (708 and 716) thereby support full multichannel switching functionality for more than two channels.

Abstract: Economical processes are disclosed for the production of fuels of reduced sulfur content from a feedstock, typically derived from natural petroleum, wherein the feedstock is comprised of limited amounts of sulfur-containing organic compounds as unwanted impurities. The processes involve an integrated, multiple stage system for converting these impurities to higher boiling products by alkylation and removing the higher boiling products by fractional distillation. Advantageously, the processes include selective hydrogenation of the high-boiling fraction whereby the incorporation of hydrogen into hydrocarbon compounds, sulfur-containing organic compounds, and/or nitrogen-containing organic compounds assists by hydrogenation removal of sulfur and/or nitrogen. Products can be used directly as transportation fuels and/or blending components to provide, for example, more suitable components for blending into fuels which are more friendly to the environment.

Abstract: Economical processes are disclosed for the production of fuels of reduced sulfur content from a feedstock, typically derived from natural petroleum, wherein the feedstock is comprised of limited amounts of sulfur-containing organic compounds as unwanted impurities. The processes involve integrated, multistage processes which include pretreatment of a light naphtha with a solid adsorbent to remove basic nitrogen containing compounds, chemical conversion of one or more of the sulfur-containing impurities to higher boiling products by alkylation, and removing the higher boiling products by fractional distillation. Advantageously, the processes include selective hydrogenation of the high-boiling fraction whereby the incorporation of hydrogen into hydrocarbon compounds, sulfur-containing organic compounds, and/or nitrogen-containing organic compounds assists by hydrogenation removal of sulfur and/or nitrogen.

Abstract: A novel optical channel processing unit is disclosed that is useful for multiplexing, demultiplexing and switching optical signals in a WDM network. In one embodiment, the optical channel processing unit is implemented as an optical switch (700) for interfacing any of various multichannel input ports (702) with any of various multichannel output ports (704). The illustrated switch (700) includes a two-dimensional array of input ports (702) and a two-dimensional array of output ports (704). An input signal (705) is transmitted via a spectral device (706) to an input movable mirror array (708). A signal transmitted by an output port (704) is transmitted via a spectral device (712) to mirrors (714) of an output mirror movable mirror array (716). Each mirror of each array (708 and 716) is movable to target any selected mirror of the opposing array (708 or 716). The arrays (708 and 716) thereby support full multichannel switching functionality for more than two channels.

Abstract: Disclosed are fuel compositions for internal combustion engines comprising as a predominant component organic distillates which exhibit suitable physical properties, and a low-sulfur fraction of an alkylated petroleum feedstock which, for example, consisted of material boiling between about 60° C. and about 345° C. More particularly, compositions of the invention comprise low-boiling, low-sulfur, blending components, advantageously obtained by a process for converting sulfur-containing organic compounds which are unwanted impurities, to higher boiling products by alkylation and removing the higher boiling products by fractional distillation. Products can be used directly as transportation fuels and/or blending components to provide fuels which are more friendly to the environment.

Abstract: Economical processes are disclosed for the production of fuels of reduced sulfur content from a feedstock, typically derived from natural petroleum, wherein the feedstock is comprised of limited amounts of sulfur-containing organic compounds as unwanted impurities. The processes involve an integrated, multiple stage system for converting these impurities to higher boiling products by alkylation and removing the higher boiling products by fractional distillation. Advantageously, the processes include selective hydrogenation of the high-boiling fraction whereby the incorporation of hydrogen into hydrocarbon compounds, sulfur-containing organic compounds, and/or nitrogen-containing organic compounds assists by hydrogenation removal of sulfur and/or nitrogen. Products can be used directly as transportation fuels and/or blending components to provide, for example, more suitable components for blending into fuels which are more friendly to the environment.

Abstract: Economical processes are disclosed for the production of fuels of reduced sulfur content from a feedstock, typically derived from natural petroleum, wherein the feedstock is comprised of limited amounts of sulfur-containing organic compounds as unwanted impurities. The processes involve integrated, multistage processes which include pretreatment of a light naphtha with a solid adsorbent to remove basic nitrogen containing compounds, chemical conversion of one or more of the sulfur-containing impurities to higher boiling products by alkylation, and removing the higher boiling products by fractional distillation. Advantageously, the processes include selective hydrogenation of the high-boiling fraction whereby the incorporation of hydrogen into hydrocarbon compounds, sulfur-containing organic compounds, and/or nitrogen-containing organic compounds assists by hydrogenation removal of sulfur and/or nitrogen.