Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of deoxygenating tall oil pitch, yielding aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons. The invention even comprises turning the aliphates into polymerizable olefins by steam cracking, and turning the aromates into polymerizable terephthalic acid by oxygenation and, as necessary, rearrangement. The monomers can be used for the production of polymers of partially or completely biologic origin. According to the invention, tall oil pitch is first heated to turn it into liquid, which is then fed into a catalyst bed and catalytically deoxygenated with hydrogen. The deoxygenation catalyst is preferably a Ni—Mo catalyst and, in addition, a cracking catalyst can be used, such as an acidic zeolite catalyst. The deoxygenated product stream is cooled down so as to obtain a liquid, which is distilled for separation of the aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons for use in the production of the respective monomers and finally polymers.

Abstract: A system and method for managing an asset, the method including assigning a unique identifier to the asset, the unique identifier including a first identifier part and a second identifier part; acquiring information of the asset and information of a first entity using the first identifier part of the unique identifier, wherein the first entity is operable to offer the asset for rent; receiving information of a second entity and information of a rent request from the second entity, wherein the second entity is operable to acquire the asset offered for the rent; generating a first asset information and a second asset information using the information associated with the asset, the first entity, the second entity and the rent request; and providing the first asset information to the first entity upon use of the first identifier part of the unique identifier and the second asset information to the second entity based upon the use of the second identifier part of the unique identifier.

Abstract: A method of deoxygenation of tall oil as well as methods for the production of aliphatic hydrocarbons and polymerizable monomers from tall oil. Sulphurous crude tall oil together with hydrogen gas is fed into a reactor comprising a catalyst bed. The oil is catalytically deoxygenated by hydrogen in the bed by use of a sulfided metal catalyst, e.g. a NiMoS catalyst. The flow exiting the reactor is cooled down and a hydrocarbon-bearing liquid phase is separated from a gas phase, followed by subjecting the liquid phase to distillation for removal of useless aromatic hydrocarbons and then to steam cracking to form a product containing olefins such as ethylene or propylene. By regulation of the deoxygenation temperature to be at least 270° C. but less than 360° C. the yield is rich in linear and cyclic aliphates that usefully turn to olefins in the steam cracking, while formation of napthalenes is reduced.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovery of lipids from microbial biomass, including providing wet microbial biomass to thermal pretreatment of at least 100° C. in a pressure vessel, subjecting the thermally pretreated microbial biomass to extraction using a liquid hydrocarbon as an extractant, and subsequently, recovering a product containing lipids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of deoxygenating tall oil pitch, yielding aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons. The invention even comprises turning the aliphates into polymerizable olefins by steam cracking, and turning the aromates into polymerizable terephthalic acid by oxygenation and, as necessary, rearrangement. The monomers can be used for the production of polymers of partially or completely biologic origin. According to the invention, tall oil pitch is first heated to turn it into liquid, which is then fed into a catalyst bed and catalytically deoxygenated with hydrogen. The deoxygenation catalyst is preferably a Ni—Mo catalyst and, in addition, a cracking catalyst can be used, such as an acidic zeolite catalyst. The deoxygenated product stream is cooled down so as to obtain a liquid, which is distilled for separation of the aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons for use in the production of the respective monomers and finally polymers.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of aromatic hydrocarbons, includes allowing at least one olefin to react with at least one hydrogen scavenger at a temperature from 50 to 1000° C., under a pressure from normal atmospheric pressure to 500 bar without an added catalyst, to yield aromatic hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A method of deoxygenation of tall oil as well as methods for the production of aliphatic hydrocarbons and polymerizable monomers from tall oil. Sulphurous crude tall oil together with hydrogen gas is fed into a reactor comprising a catalyst bed. The oil is catalytically deoxygenated by hydrogen in the bed by use of a sulfided metal catalyst, e.g. a NiMoS catalyst. The flow exiting the reactor is cooled down and a hydrocarbon-bearing liquid phase is separated from a gas phase, followed by subjecting the liquid phase to distillation for removal of useless aromatic hydrocarbons and then to steam cracking to form a product containing olefins such as ethylene or propylene. By regulation of the deoxygenation temperature to be at least 270° C. but less than 360° C. the yield is rich in linear and cyclic aliphates that usefully turn to olefins in the steam cracking, while formation of napthalenes is reduced.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing olefinic monomers for the production of a polymer. The invention particularly relates to the production of tall oil-based biopolymers, such as polyolefins. In the stages of the method bio oil, with a content of over 50% of fatty acids of tall oil and no more than 25% of resin acids of tall oil, and hydrogen gas are fed into a catalyst bed (7); the oil is catalytically deoxygenated in the bed by hydrogen; the flow exiting the bed is cooled down and divided into a hydrocarbon-bearing liquid phase (10) and a gas phase; and the hydrocarbon-bearing liquid (13) is subjected to steam cracking (4) to provide a product containing polymerizing olefins. The deoxygenation in the bed can be followed by a catalytic cracking or, with a suitable catalyst, the deoxygenation and cracking can be simultaneous. The separated hydrogen-bearing gas phase can be circulated in the process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovery of lipids from microbial biomass, including providing wet microbial biomass to thermal pretreatment of at least 100° C. in a pressure vessel, subjecting the thermally pretreated microbial biomass to extraction using a liquid hydrocarbon as an extractant, and subsequently, recovering a product containing lipids.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing olefinic monomers for the production of a polymer. The invention particularly relates to the production of tall oil-based biopolymers, such as polyolefins. In the stages of the method bio oil, with a content of over 50% of fatty acids of tall oil and no more than 25% of resin acids of tall oil, and hydrogen gas are fed into a catalyst bed (7); the oil is catalytically deoxygenated in the bed by hydrogen; the flow exiting the bed is cooled down and divided into a hydrocarbon-bearing liquid phase (10) and a gas phase; and the hydrocarbon-bearing liquid (13) is subjected to steam cracking (4) to provide a product containing polymerizing olefins. The deoxygenation in the bed can be followed by a catalytic cracking or, with a suitable catalyst, the deoxygenation and cracking can be simultaneous. The separated hydrogen-bearing gas phase can be circulated in the process.

Abstract: A telecommunications network includes a mobile phone with an audio-modulated vibrotactile module that responds to a telecommunications signal containing information about incoming speech from a called/calling party, for providing an audio-modulated vibrotactile module force containing information about the incoming speech from the called/calling party to vibrate a user's fingers, facial skin, wrist, cheek or other suitable location. The audio-modulated vibrotactile module has an audio-to-vibrotactile converter that responds to the telecommunications signal, for providing an audio-to-vibrotactile converter signal containing information about a vibration modulation of the incoming speech from the called/calling party. The audio-modulated vibrotactile module also has a vibrotactile actuator that responds to the audio-to-vibrotactile converter signal, for providing the audio-modulated vibrotactile module force in the form of a vibrotactile actuator force.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of purifying phytosterol concentrates by contacting the phytosterol concentrate with a pressurized fluid. The invention also relates to the obtained purified phytosterol concentrate, foodstuff and animal feed premixes containing the same as well as to foodstuffs and animal feeds containing phytosterol concentrate.

Abstract: A telecommunications network includes a mobile phone with an audio-modulated vibrotactile module that responds to a telecommunications signal containing information about incoming speech from a called/calling party, for providing an audio-modulated vibrotactile module force containing information about the incoming speech from the called/calling party to vibrate a user's fingers, facial skin, wrist, cheek or other suitable location. The audio-modulated vibrotactile module has an audio-to-vibrotactile converter that responds to the telecommunications signal, for providing an audio-to-vibrotactile converter signal containing information about a vibration modulation of the incoming speech from the called/calling party. The audio-modulated vibrotactile module also has a vibrotactile actuator that responds to the audio-to-vibrotactile converter signal, for providing the audio-modulated vibrotactile module force in the form of a vibrotactile actuator force.

Abstract: A process is provided for the preparation of pure cyclosporin which is purified chromatographically from a mixture of different cyclosporin forms and other substances prepared by fermentation. The process comprises feeding a mixture containing a desired form of cyclosporin with an eluent consisting of high pressure carbon dioxide and an adjuvant, into a chromatography column being packed with particles prepared of silica, and recovering from the eluent flow coming out of the chromatography column a fraction which contains the desired cyclosporin form in adequately pure form.

Abstract: A method is provided for supplying the desired optical isomer of a derivative of epoxypropionic acid from a racemix mixture. A representative derivative of epoxypropionic acid is an ester of (p-methoxyphenyl)epoxypropionic acid. The racemic mixture initially is dissolved in carbon dioxide and the resulting solution is passed through a chromatographic column. The desired isomer is subsequently separated from the resulting eluant. In a preferred embodiment the chromatographic column is packed with microcrystallized cellulosetriacetate, cellulose-tris-(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate), or cellulose-tris-(p-methylphenylcarbamate).

Abstract: The invention relates to a water separator for a gas analyzer, comprising a tube (12) for passing a gas sample into the water separator, wherein water separation is effected in a tubular passage by dividing the flow into two partial flows. The wall or walls (3) of a first tubular passage (17) are made of a porous material, readily permeable to gas, and this main flow, which has penetrated the wall, is passed into a second tubular passage (4) and via a tube (10) on to measuring sensors (5 and 6) but the water, which is not able to penetrate the porous wall of first passage (17), is passed along with a minor amount of gas down a passage (17, 13) into a water receiver (15) and this many times lesser side flow further via a tube (14) into a third tubular passage (16), through its porous wall (3) into a fourth tubular passage (18) and via a tube (11) through a flow throttle (7) on to a pump (8).

Abstract: A method for producing fire-retarded blend fibers having a fire resistance LOl-value of at least 21% O.sub.2, made from cellulose and chlorine containing polymer. Chlorine containing polymer having a chlorine content of 30-75% by weight, is blended, either as such or dissolved in a solvent, with a DMSO/formaldehyde solution of cellulose so that the obtained blend has 10-70% by weight of chlorine containing polymers, based on the total amount of cellulose and said polymers. Fibers are produced of the obtained mixture by bringing it into contact with an aqueous or alcoholic solution.

Abstract: A process for producing regenerated cellulosic articles from cellulose which has been dissolved in a mixture of dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and formaldehyde, and for recovering the solvent chemicals. The DMSO/formaldehyde solution of cellulose is brought into contact with an aqueous solution, the pH of which is at least 9 and the adjustment of pH has been carried out by means of a base or an alkaline salt which does not react with formaldehyde and the content of which is at most 0.1% by weight, so that the product is coagulated and regenerated in the desired form, such as fibres, films or shaped articles. The coagulation solution is evaporated in one stage or plurality of stages so that the DMSO and formaldehyde of the cellulose solution remain in the evaporation residue. The evaporation residue is recycled for the production of cellulose solution, purified, if so required.