Abstract: Described herein are chlorine-free alkaline degreasing compositions. The compositions comprise at least one alkaline agent, surfactant(s) and potassium nitrate. The compositions of the invention advantageously comprise potassium nitrate instead of chlorinated compound(s). In embodiments, the degreasing composition takes the form of a gel. Since the compositions are chlorine-free they are particularly useful as cleansers and degreasers in food factories. Also described are methods for transforming an original cleaning composition comprising undesirable chlorinated compound(s) into an environmental-friendly chlorine-free cleaning composition by substituting the chlorinated compound(s) by potassium nitrate.

Abstract: Described herein are solid compositions for water treatment of swimming pools and spas. The solid composition comprises, in a single solid product in the form of a tablet, puck, briquette, a capsule, powder mix or the like, a combined source of a plurality of chemical compounds such as chlorine, algaecide, clarifier and pH adjuster. In embodiments the solid composition comprises at least a combination of (i) a source of chlorine for killing bacteria and (ii) a neutralizer for ensuring a proper pH balance. In embodiments the solid composition is be formulated as a bilayer. In embodiments the solid composition is formulated as a bilayer, a first layer comprising sodium dichloroisocyanurate (NaDCC) and a second layer comprising trichloroisocyanuric acid (TCCA).

Abstract: Described is a container, a cartridge, a kit and method for slow release of algaecide in swimming pools. The container comprises: a hollow housing comprising a top portion with an internal cavity defining a sub-hollow space within the housing; an open bottom portion for filling the housing with the algaecide; and a lid for closing the open bottom portion of the housing. The cartridge comprises a container having a top portion comprising an internal cavity defining a sub-hollow space within the housing, that sub-hollow space comprising a dissolving powderous compound. The cartridge further comprises a dissolving algaecide composition cast inside the housing and covering the dissolving powderous compound. Described also is a method for the slow release of algaecide, and kits comprising the cartridge. Slow release of algaecide during an extended period with the cartridge is helpful in the main maintenance of swimming pools, particularly during the wintering period.

Abstract: Described herein are peracetic compositions, methods and kits for the disruption and/or the removal of bacterial biofilms. The compositions comprise (i) peracetic acid; (ii) at least one secondary acid; and (iii) a non-foaming surfactant. One of the methods comprises contacting, preferably for at least 5 min, a surface with such a peracetic such a peracetic composition. Another method comprises circulating such a composition into a piping system for a period of time providing for disruption and/or removal from the biofilm. Kits may comprise bottles of concentrated solutions to be mixed and dilute with water before use. These compositions, methods and kits are particularly useful to remove bacterial biofilms from enclosed surfaces such as piping systems that are commonly used in the food and beverages industries.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods, compositions and kits for determining the cleanness of a surface. Described herein is a kit for determining the cleanness of a surface comprising an enzymatic solution comprising catalase; and a developer solution comprising hydrogen peroxide. Described also is a method for determining the cleanness of a surface comprising: applying on a zone of a surface to be cleaned an enzymatic solution comprising catalase and letting it dry; after cleaning said surface, applying on said zone a developer solution comprising hydrogen peroxide; and detecting a catalytic reaction between remaining catalase and hydrogen peroxide, wherein presence of a catalytic reaction is indicative of a surface not properly cleaned. Also provided are specific enzymatic solutions and developer solutions for the kits and methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods, compositions and kits for determining the cleanness of a surface. Described herein is a kit for determining the cleanness of a surface comprising an enzymatic solution comprising catalase; and a developer solution comprising hydrogen peroxide. Described also is a method for determining the cleanness of a surface comprising: applying on a zone of a surface to be cleaned an enzymatic solution comprising catalase and letting it dry; after cleaning said surface, applying on said zone a developer solution comprising hydrogen peroxide; and detecting a catalytic reaction between remaining catalase and hydrogen peroxide, wherein presence of a catalytic reaction is indicative of a surface not properly cleaned. Also provided are specific enzymatic solutions and developer solutions for the kits and methods.

Abstract: A system permanently monitoring the insulation of a frame from its neighbors, comprising: a) an IMD (100); b)) a first portion of measuring circuit (103) connecting said frame (70) to a first terminal of said IMD; c) a second portion (104, 201, 108, 109) of measuring circuit used to connect the second terminal (102) of said IMD to each of said adjacent frames (80, 90), said second portion of measuring circuit including at least one relay (201) that makes it possible to connect said IMD alternately to a portion (104, 201, 108; 104, 201, 109 respectively) of measuring circuit connected to said adjacent frame (80, 90 respectively); Said IMD injects alternately, on each switching, a current into the measuring circuit in order to measure the resistance of said circuit. Said system is used to regularly monitor the insulation of the various parts of a servicing unit designed for work on an electrolytic cell, the measuring circuits being designed preferably so that only a single IMD is used.

Abstract: An on-the-fly method for measuring the length, along an axis (z?z) of an anode (20) used in the production of aluminium by molten salt electrolysis in which: i) said anode is suspended from a gripping member (13a) which is fitted with a displacement sensor measuring the vertical position of the point of attachment (O); ii) said gripping member is moved vertically so that the lower surface (21a) of the anode passes through a plane (P) formed by n beams (f1, . . . , fi, . . . , fn) and, each time one of said beams i (i=1 to n) is disturbed by the lower surface of the anode passing through it, the vertical position hi of said point of attachment (O) is measured; iii) the angle of inclination zz? of the anode stem is measured and the distance between the point of attachment and the lower surface (21a) of the anode block (21) is deduced based on values measured hi (i=1 to n), and the inclination value of the anode stem.

Abstract: A process for changing an anode of a cell for the production of aluminum by fused bath electrolysis including a plurality of anodes. According to the invention, an anode handling tool is used including a positioning device, a gripping device and a sensor detecting the vertical position of the gripping device, and the position sensor is used to measure the vertical distances traveled by the gripping device with respect to a reference level N. At least one sound or electromagnetic waves beam is then produced in a determined reference line or plane and the passage of the anode in the beam is used to measure the distances. The vertical position of the replacement anode in the cell is determined starting from the values obtained for the traveled distances and the replacement anode is put into this position in the place initially occupied by the spent anode.

Abstract: Low power architecture features and techniques are provided in a scalable array indirect VLIW processor. These features and techniques include power control of a reconfigurable register file, conditional power control of multi-cycle operations and indirect VLIW utilization, and power control of VLIW-based vector processing using the ManArray register file indexing mechanism. These techniques are applicable to all processing elements (PEs) and the array controller sequence processor (SP) to provide substantial power savings.

Abstract: A process for changing an anode of a cell for the production of aluminum by fused bath electrolysis including a plurality of anodes. According to the invention, an anode handling tool is used including a positioning device, a gripping device and a sensor detecting the vertical position of the gripping device, and the position sensor is used to measure the vertical distances traveled by the gripping device with respect to a reference level N. At least one sound or electromagnetic waves beam is then produced in a determined reference line or plane and the passage of the anode in the beam is used to measure the distances. The vertical position of the replacement anode in the cell is determined starting from the values obtained for the traveled distances and the replacement anode is put into this position in the place initially occupied by the spent anode.

Abstract: Low power architecture features and techniques are provided in a scalable array indirect VLIW processor. These features and techniques include power control of a reconfigurable register file, conditional power control of multi-cycle operations and indirect VLIW utilization, and power control of VLIW-based vector processing using the ManArray register file indexing mechanism. These techniques are applicable to all processing elements (PEs) and the array controller sequence processor (SP) to provide substantial power savings.

Abstract: A processor with a generalized eventpoint architecture, which is scalable for use in a very long instruction word (VLIW) array processor, such as the manifold array (ManArray) processor is described. In one aspect, generalized processor event (p-event) detection facilities are provided by use of compares to check if an instruction address, a data memory address, an instruction, a data value, arithmetic-condition flags, or other processor change of state eventpoint has occurred. In another aspect, generalized processor action (p-action) facilities are provided to cause a change in the program flow by loading the program counter with a new instruction address, generate an interrupt, signal a semaphore, log or count the p-event, time stamp the event, initiate a background operation, or to cause other p-actions to occur.

Abstract: Hardware and software techniques for interrupt detection and response in a scalable pipelined array processor environment are described. Utilizing these techniques, a sequential program execution model with interrupts can be maintained in a highly parallel scalable pipelined array processing containing multiple processing elements and distributed memories and register files. When an interrupt occurs, interface signals are provided to all PEs to support independent interrupt operations in each PE dependent upon the local PE instruction sequence prior to the interrupt. Processing/element exception interrupts are supported and low latency interrupt processing is also provided for embedded systems where real time signal processing is required. Further, a hierarchical interrupt structure is used allowing a generalized debug approach using debut interrupts and a dynamic debut monitor mechanism.

Abstract: A system for transmitting initialization information between fixed installations and trains.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, a signal generator providing multiple signals with different frequencies includes, in a combined form, a clock (1), an address counter (2), a memory (3), and a digital-to-analog converter (4), which are to be series-connected. Individual storage locations within the memory (3) shall be preloaded with amplitude samples for the entire group of signals with different frequencies, which are to be selected in such a manner that storage locations in use within the aforementioned memory (3) shall contain an integral number of cycles for each signal. The address counter (2), which is controlled by the clock (1), shall successively address each storage location within the memory (3), and a capacitor (5) connected to the converter output shall be used to smooth the resulting signal. Applicable for systems permitting prompt transmission of multiple messages within railway systems, by use of contact ramps.