Abstract: A method for preparing oxygenated hydrocarbons includes steps of: reacting a first heated hydrocarbon-containing gas stream with an oxygen-containing gas stream in a reactor for form a first product blend, recovering the energy generated in the reactor in order to preheat incoming hydrocarbon feed to the reactor and/or to drive endothermic reactions that generate synthesis gas, separating and condensing one or more liquid oxygenated hydrocarbons from the product stream, separating a reject stream from a recycle stream, mixing remaining gaseous hydrocarbon product from the recycle stream with the first hydrocarbon-containing gas stream after one reaction cycle, converting the first reject stream to a synthesis gas mixture, and converting the synthesis gas mixture to light alkanes to be blended with one or with oxygenates in an output stream to optionally form higher molecular weight oxygenates.

Abstract: A method for forming a blend of ethers from a blend of alcohols includes a step of reacting a hydrocarbon-containing gas with an oxygen-containing gas to form first product blend. The first product blend includes a blend of partially oxygenated compounds. The blend of partially oxygenated compounds is provided to a reactive distillation station where it is converted a second product blend. The second product blend typically includes a mixture of ethers. An apparatus implementing the method is also provided.

Abstract: An integrated refrigeration and air conditioning plant working with environmentally friendly natural refrigerant carbon dioxide (CO2) and an ozone friendly non CO2 refrigerant. The low temperature refrigeration is provided by evaporating CO2 and the fluid is used as a secondary refrigerant, predominantly in liquid mode, for medium temperature refrigeration. The heat rejection from CO2 occurs to another upper stage cascaded refrigeration system that operates with a ozone friendly non CO2 refrigerant. Since air conditioning applications require cooling at temperatures higher than refrigeration for food sector, cooling for this range is derived from the non CO2 refrigerant.

Abstract: A fire-resistant assembly may be attached to a wall frame assembly of a building and configured to transfer loads from a load-bearing assembly into the wall frame assembly. The assembly provides for a desired amount of fire resistance by virtue of a fire-resistant filler and provides for a desired amount of structural capacity by virtue structural sheets that form a cavity for the filler. In addition, a load-limited connector may be coupled to the assembly to transfer loads from the load-bearing assembly up to a desired load threshold.

Abstract: A fire-resistant assembly may be attached to a wall frame assembly of a building and configured to transfer loads from a load-bearing assembly into the wall frame assembly. The assembly provides for a desired amount of fire resistance by virtue of a fire-resistant filler and provides for a desired amount of structural capacity by virtue structural sheets that form a cavity for the filler. In addition, a load-limited connector may be coupled to the assembly to transfer loads from the load-bearing assembly up to a desired load threshold.