Abstract: A device for drying the bristles of a brush, the device including a body with an air-moving component; and a brush holder, the brush holder configured to hold at least one brush substantially horizontal and, further, so that the bristles of the brush are in the flow of air from the air-moving component. A device for drying the bristles of a brush, the device including a body with an air-moving component, and a brush holder, the brush holder configured to hold at least one brush at an angle of up to 35 degrees from a horizontal plane and, further, so that the bristles of the brush are in the flow of air form the air-moving component.

Abstract: Among other things, this document describes systems, devices, and methods for improving cache performance when caching multiple versions of an object. In some embodiments, a network cache can execute a cache eviction algorithm that considers the versatility of object versions when making eviction decisions. The techniques described herein can be applied to wide variety of media objects, such as an original image and a set of derivative images in various formats, sizes, or compression levels. A versatile version is versatile because it can be substituted for one or more other versions requested by a client. Hence, the techniques described herein may prefer, under certain conditions, to evict from a network cache less versatile versions prior to evicting more versatile versions.

Abstract: Among other things, this document describes systems, devices, and methods for improving cache performance when caching multiple versions of an object. In some embodiments, a network cache can execute a cache eviction algorithm that considers the versatility of object versions when making eviction decisions. The techniques described herein can be applied to wide variety of media objects, such as as an original image and a set of derivative images in various formats, sizes, or compression levels. A versatile version is versatile because it can be substituted for one or more other versions requested by a client. Hence, the techniques described herein may prefer, under certain conditions, to evict from a network cache less versatile versions prior to evicting more versatile versions.

Abstract: A protective wear sleeve for a cutting tool assembly that includes a solid body that has a shaft portion, a radial collar portion, and a central bore that defines a central axis. The shaft has a forward end and a rearward end, wherein the radial collar is integral with the forward end. The radial collar has a ring support surface that faces at least partially in an outward radial direction. The forward end of the shaft and the radial collar together define a tooth support surface that faces in a forward direction and has an outer diameter. At least one wear ring is disposed on the ring support surface and extends around the radial collar. The at least one wear ring has a hardness greater than that of the radial collar and has an outer diameter greater than that of the outer diameter of the tooth support surface.

Abstract: A method for hydroconversion of a combined feed of at least one low value petroleum derived hydrocarbon and at least one biorenewable feedstock in a hydroconversion reaction zone in the presence of a hydroconversion catalyst at hydroconversion reaction conditions for a period of time sufficient to form a hydroconversion reaction product.

Abstract: A method and apparatus enables testing of sifting segregation of a particulate solid mixture in a storage bin or hopper. The apparatus makes use of a convergently and divergently angled hopper for collecting the mixture. The apparatus further makes use of a minimally-shearing feeder mechanism supplying a desired flow of mixture, with minimal to no sifting segregation, to the angled hopper. A collection mechanism removes samples of the mixture from the angled hopper for analysis with minimal disruption of the particles of the mixture relative to each other. Thus, samples resulting from the testing apparatus, and corresponding method, are highly representative of mixture conditions within a larger storage hopper.

Abstract: A method makes use of a minimally-shearing feeder mechanism supplying a desired flow of particulate solids mixture, with minimal to no sifting segregation to a desired location. The feeder methodology maintains a uniform concentration of each size of particle within the mixture.

Abstract: A minimally-shearing feeder mechanism supplies a desired flow of particulate solids mixture, with minimal to no sifting segregation, to a desired location. The feeder mechanism maintains a uniform concentration of each size of particle within the mixture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus enables testing of sifting segregation of a particulate solid mixture in a storage bin or hopper. The apparatus makes use of a convergently and divergently angled hopper for collecting the mixture. The apparatus further makes use of a minimally-shearing feeder mechanism supplying a desired flow of mixture, with minimal to no sifting segregation, to the angled hopper. A collection mechanism removes samples of the mixture from the angled hopper for analysis with minimal disruption of the particles of the mixture relative to each other. Thus, samples resulting from the testing apparatus, and corresponding method, are highly representative of mixture conditions within a larger storage hopper.

Abstract: A method of determining a surface property of a plurality of solids by contacting the solids with a fluid, measuring the radiation emitted, absorbed, or altered during desorption of the fluid using a detector, and then determining at least one surface property of the solids from the radiation measurements has been invented. The invention is particularly useful in combinatorial applications in order to evaluate a plurality of solids or mixtures of solids to determine at least one surface property of each of the solids.

Abstract: A bed of particulate solids is fluidized in a test chamber to yield multiple test samples for subsequent evaluation of segregation effects. A controlled stream of gas enters the chamber in a series of flow rate cycles each progressively increasing to a maximum rate of gas flow and then decreasing, the maximum rate increasing for successive cycles. An indicating function is formed from measurements of corresponding rates of gas flow and pressure across the bed. Upon termination of the fluidization, multiple samples are sequentially extracted from a single space at the bottom of the test chamber.

Abstract: A bed of particulate solids is fluidized in a test chamber to yield multiple test samples for subsequent evaluation of segregation effects. A controlled stream of gas enters the chamber in a series of flow rate cycles each progressively increasing to a maximum rate of gas flow and then decreasing, the maximum rate increasing for successive cycles. An indicating function is formed from measurements of corresponding rates of gas flow and pressure across the bed. Upon termination of the fluidization, multiple samples are sequentially extracted from a single space at the bottom of the test chamber.

Abstract: A bed of particulate solids is fluidized in a test chamber to yield multiple test samples for subsequent evaluation of segregation effects. A controlled stream of gas enters the chamber in a series of flow rate cycles each progressively increasing to a maximum rate of gas flow and then decreasing, the maximum rate increasing for successive cycles. An indicating function is formed from measurements of corresponding rates of gas flow and pressure across the bed. Upon termination of the fluidization, multiple samples are sequentially extracted from a single space at the bottom of the test chamber.

Abstract: A process for selectively opening cyclic paraffins (naphthenic rings) with substantially no subsequent cracking of the acyclic product has been developed. The process comprises contacting a cyclic paraffin feedstream with a catalyst at ring opening conditions to produce an acyclic paraffin product. The catalyst comprises a Group VIII metal, such as platinum, a modifier component, such as niobium or ytterbium, a molecular sieve, such as UZM-16 and a refractory inorganic oxide such as alumina. The Group VIII metal and modifier component are preferably deposited on the refractory inorganic oxide.

Abstract: A catalyst for selectively opening cyclic paraffins has been developed. The catalyst comprises a Group VIII metal, such as platinum, a modifier component, such as niobium or ytterbium, a molecular sieve, such as UZM-16 and a refractory inorganic oxide such as alumina. The Group VIII metal and modifier component are preferably deposited on the refractory inorganic oxide. A process for using the catalyst is also disclosed.

Abstract: A catalyst and process for opening aliphatic cyclic hydrocarbons have been developed. The catalyst comprises a catalytic metal component, a molecular sieve and refractory inorganic oxide component. The molecular sieve is selected from the group consisting of MAPSOs, SAPOs, UZM-8, UZM-8HS, UZM-15, UZM-15HS, UZM-16, UZM-16HS and mixtures thereof. Preferred catalytic metals include platinum, palladium and rhodium. The catalyst may also contain a modifier such as niobium, titanium, or rare earth metals.

Abstract: The Dual Gas Facility stores natural gas in one or more man-made salt caverns typically located in a single salt dome or in bedded salt. The Dual Gas Facility can access different sources of natural gas. A first gas source is from a natural gas pipeline(s) and a second gas source is from LNG. Depending on economic conditions, supply conditions and other factors, the Dual Gas Facility can receive gas from the natural gas pipeline(s) and/or from LNG to fill the salt caverns. Of course, the LNG must be warmed before being stored in a salt cavern.

Abstract: A catalyst for selectively opening cyclic paraffins has been developed. The catalyst comprises a Group VIII metal, such as platinum, a modifier component, such as niobium or ytterbium, a molecular sieve, such as UZM-16 and a refractory inorganic oxide such as alumina. The Group VIII metal and modifier component are preferably deposited on the refractory inorganic oxide. A process for using the catalyst is also disclosed.

Abstract: A catalyst and process for opening aliphatic cyclic hydrocarbons have been developed. The catalyst comprises a catalytic metal component, a molecular sieve and refractory inorganic oxide component. The molecular sieve is selected from the group consisting of MAPSOs, SAPOs, UZM-8, UZM-8HS, UZM-15, UZM-15HS, UZM-16, UZM-16HS and mixtures thereof. Preferred catalytic metals include platinum, palladium and rhodium. The catalyst may also contain a modifier such as niobium, titanium, or rare earth metals.