Abstract: A gateway module includes: a module housing, an operating device arranged on the module housing, which can be put, by user actuation, into a plurality of visually distinguishable operating device states, a first communication interface for communication with field level devices, a second communication interface for communication with an external server, and a control unit configured to receive field data from the field level devices via the first communication interface and to provide the field data to the external server via the second communication interface, wherein the control unit is further configured to provide, depending on which operating device state the operating device is in, a manipulation function for influencing the operation of the gateway module and/or the field level devices.

Abstract: A gateway module includes: a module housing, an operating device arranged on the module housing, which can be put, by user actuation, into a plurality of visually distinguishable operating device states, a first communication interface for communication with field level devices, a second communication interface for communication with an external server, and a control unit configured to receive field data from the field level devices via the first communication interface and to provide the field data to the external server via the second communication interface, wherein the control unit is further configured to provide, depending on which operating device state the operating device is in, a manipulation function for influencing the operation of the gateway module and/or the field level devices.

Abstract: In a system and a method for the automated design of an automation unit, multiple electronically controllable components are interconnected in a work dependency. The system includes a central web server having a database, an interface for importing technical application data for the automation unit, a processor, which applies technical application data and provided functionality data sets of the components according to interconnection rules to generate a circuit diagram for the components. The system can also include a converting unit, which converts the generated circuit diagram into control commands for the design of the automation unit.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for producing alkylpolysulfonic acid alkali metal salts such as methanedisulfonic acid alkali metal salts. The process involves heating an aqueous solution of about two molar equivalents of an alkali metal sulfite to a temperature of from about 70° C. to about 90° C.; adding about one molar equivalent of a dihaloalkane to the aqueous alkali metal sulfite solution at a temperature of about 70-90° C.; and then separating the resulting alkyldisulfonic acid alkali metal salt from the reaction solution. The dihaloalkane is added at a pressure of about 1.1 atmospheres or less.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for recovering and/or removing organic compounds from gas flows, wherein the method comprises the step of: removing the organic compounds from the gas flow using an adsorber and desorbing the organic compounds using microwaves, characterized in that the adsorber is a finely dispersed mixture of a hydrophilic and a hydrophobic adsorbent.

Abstract: This present invention relates to microporous oxidic solids based on organofunctional compounds of metals, transition metals and semiconductor elements, preferably elements of the third and fourth main group and/or the fourth sub-group of the periodic system of elements, which are produced by tempering and calcining said compounds in an oxygen or ozone-containing gas atmosphere, and their use as adsorbent, for substance separation, as catalyst or as catalyst carrier material. The solids have a pore size of 0.3 to 2 nm, a pore volume of 0.05 to 0.9 ml/g and a BET surface of 10 to 1,000 m.sup.2 /g.

Abstract: Particulate adsorbents composed of inorganic oxides impregnated with an indicator dye selected from the group consisting of phenolphthalein, cresol red and thymol blue; a method for the production thereof, and a method for adsorptive drying of neutral gases using the aforementioned particulate adsorbents, whereby the degree of water absorption by the adsorbent particles is indicated by a reversible color change.

Abstract: A process for separating organic compounds, such as solvents, from gases, e.g. waste gases of paint shops. The gases to be treated are conducted in an adsorber over a sorbent which is composed of particulate activated carbon in an oxidic carrier. The charged sorbent is regenerated by passing therethrough, preferably according to the countercurrent principle, a heated regeneration gas, the regeneration gas charged with desorbate is cooled so that organic compounds condense and can then be separated, whereupon the regeneration gas is reheated and reused for the desorption of the charged sorbent. Heating of the regeneration gas as well as cooling of the regeneration gas charged with desorbate are, at least partially, effected by a heat pump. It will be expedient to provide at least two adsorbers which are charged and regenerated alternately. An apparatus for carrying out the process is additionally described.

Abstract: Described is a process for the simultaneous sorption of water and organic compounds from gases selected from the group comprising natural gas and process gases (e.g. waste gases of maleic acid or terephthalic acid (anhydride) production or phthalic acid anhydride production or of steam reforming). The gas to be treated is contacted with a sorbent comprising particulate activated carbon in an oxidic carrier on a basis of silicon dioxide, aluminum oxide, aluminum phosphate or aluminosilicate. When natural gas is treated, water and C5+ hydrocarbons, for example, can be separated simultaneously. In steam reforming, with appropriate process management, C2+ hydrocarbons, CO.sub.2 and water can be absorbed simultaneously.

Abstract: Particulate adsorbents composed of inorganic oxides impregnated with an indicator dye selected from the group consisting of phenolphthalein, cresol red and thymol blue; a method for the production thereof, and a method for adsorptive drying of neutral gases using the aforementioned particulate adsorbents, whereby the degree of water absorption by the adsorbent particles is indicated by a reversible color change.

Abstract: A method for the sorption of organic compounds using a sorbent, comprising activated carbon in a preferably amorphous oxidic support is described. Novel sorbents are also described.