Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing allyl alcohol, the process comprising: dehydrating a C3-oxygenate comprising monopropylene glycol or 1,3-propanediol; wherein the dehydration is performed in the presence of a basic catalyst. The C3-oxygenate may be derived from a biomass conversion process and subsequently converted to acrylic acid.

Abstract: The disclosure is related to a rotary cutting apparatus (10) comprising a frame (12); a first rotary device (14 or 16) comprising a first shaft concentrically arranged about a first rotational axis (A or B) and a first drum (37 or 38); a second rotary device (14 or 16) comprising a second shaft concentrically arranged about a second rotational axis (A or B) and a second drum (37 or 38); said first and second rotational axes being substantially horizontal and substantially in the same plane, wherein, a monitoring unit (28) is at least partially embedded in at least one of the drums of the first and second rotary devices, the monitoring unit being configured for measuring at least one working parameter and for transmitting data representative of the at least one working parameter between the monitoring unit and an interface transmission unit positioned outside either the first or second rotary device or both.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to allocating resources of computing devices for providing information service in a network. The computing devices may be hierarchically structured and may include, for instance, cloud servers, telecommunication servers, edge edges, gateways, and client devices. A system environment may include a hierarchical orchestrator coordinating with one or more local orchestrators to allocate service components (for example, a discrete functional software or hardware component) to computing devices. The orchestrators can automatically reallocate resources responsive to detecting update events such as a change in traffic or payload on the network.

Abstract: A modular medication dispensing system for managing and automatically dispensing pills from a plurality of portable medication dispensers comprises: a base equipped with rotation means and being removably installed on a plane surface, a circular magazine comprising a plurality of adaptors for receiving a plurality of portable medication dispensers, the circular magazine being rotatably mounted on the base, an actuator for actuating a portable dispenser from the plurality of portable dispensers when the portable dispenser is in the dispensing position, a plurality of autonomous portable dispensers being removably received in the plurality of adaptors and operating autonomously or in synchronization with the modular system, a filling assembly comprising movable means for automatically filling a portable dispenser, and an electronic system comprised in each portable dispenser and in the base for permanently communicating between the plurality of portable dispensers and the base or between the base and a user.

Abstract: The invention relates to an integrated process for the production of ethylene and vinyl acetate (VAM), comprising contacting in a first reaction zone a gas stream comprising ethane and optionally ethylene with an oxygen-containing gas stream in the presence of a oxydehydrogenation catalyst under oxidative dehydrogenation conditions to produce a first product stream comprising ethane, ethylene, acetic acid and water, and optionally other compounds, separating said first product stream in a vapor permeation unit into a second stream comprising water and a third stream comprising ethane, ethylene, acetic acid, and optionally other gaseous compounds, contacting in a second reaction zone all or at least a portion of said third stream with a stream comprising concentrated acetic acid and with an oxygen-containing gas stream in the presence of a VAM catalyst, to produce a fourth product stream comprising vinyl acetate, acetic acid, ethane, ethylene, water, carbon dioxide, and optionally other compounds, separating s

Abstract: A crane control system for controlling a plurality of cranes is provided. The crane control system in some embodiments includes a master controller unit, at least one computer readable memory for storing a plurality of tokens, each token from the plurality of tokens associated with a respective crane from the plurality of cranes, and a processing unit responsive to commands inputtable by an operator of the master controller unit to send the commands to individual cranes from the plurality of cranes, wherein the processing unit associates the commands with respective tokens to control the cranes associated with those tokens. The crane control system in some embodiments also includes a processing unit that is responsive to a signal indicative of a synchronization loss to issue a command to bring the plurality of cranes into a safe condition, such as an emergency stop, or a corrective action.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a composition for a molded body comprising a recombinant spider silk protein, and a plasticizer. Further, the present disclosure relates to a molded body comprising a recombinant spider silk protein and a plasticizer, and a process for preparing the molded body.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the extraction of furfural which includes: (a) subjecting a composition comprising furfural, water, at least one acid and an aromatic solvent, with a boiling point higher than that of furfural, to a first separation step providing: (i) an organic phase, and (ii) an aqueous phase; (b) subjecting the aqueous phase of step (a) to a first distillation step to provide: (i) a first in top stream comprising a furfural-water azeotrope; (c) subjecting the first top stream of step (b) to a second separation step to provide: (i) a second top stream comprising a portion of the furfural-water azeotrope; (d) subjecting the second top stream of step (c) to a second distillation step to provide: (i) a third top stream enriched with the furfural-water azeotropic mixture; (e) subjecting the organic phase of step (a) to a third distillation step to provide: a fourth top stream comprising furfural.

Abstract: A process for the extraction of furfural from a composition comprising furfural, water, at least one organic acid and an oxygenate solvent with a boiling point higher than that of furfural. The process includes: (a) subjecting the composition to a first liquid-liquid separation step to provide: (i) an organic phase; (b) subjecting the organic phase of step (a) to a first distillation step to provide: (i) a first top stream; (c) subjecting the first top stream of step (b) to a second liquid-liquid separation step to provide: (i) a second top stream; and (d) subjecting the second top stream of step (c) to a second distillation step to provide: (i) a third top stream comprising a furfural-water azeotrope, and (ii) a third bottom stream comprising furfural.

Abstract: An apparatus for auto addressing includes a communication bus interface configured to receive an address assignment request to assign an address to the apparatus. A functional connection is configured to activate a device connected to the apparatus. A detector is configured to measure a characteristic of the device and to compare the characteristic with a validation parameter. The characteristic depends on the functional connection. An address assignment circuit is configured to store the address in a memory of the apparatus in response to receiving the address assignment request at the apparatus, and the characteristic being validated with the validation parameter.

Abstract: There is provided a modular medication dispensing system for managing and automatically dispensing pills from a plurality of portable medication dispensers, the modular system comprising: a base equipped with rotation means and being removably installed on a plane surface, a circular magazine comprising a plurality of adaptors for receiving a plurality of portable medication dispensers, the circular magazine being rotatably mounted on the base, an actuator for actuating a portable dispenser from the plurality of portable dispensers when the portable dispenser is in the dispensing position, a plurality of autonomous portable dispensers being removably received in the plurality of adaptors and operating autonomously or in synchronization with the modular system, a filling assembly comprising movable means for automatically filling a portable dispenser, and an electronic system comprised in each portable dispenser and in the base for permanently communicating between the plurality of portable dispensers and the

Abstract: The invention relates to an integrated process for the production of ethylene and vinyl acetate (VAM), comprising contacting in a first reaction zone a gas stream comprising ethane and optionally ethylene with an oxygen-containing gas stream in the presence of a oxydehydrogenation catalyst under oxidative dehydrogenation conditions to produce a first product stream comprising ethane, ethylene, acetic acid and water, and optionally other compounds, separating said first product stream in a vapor permeation unit into a second stream comprising water and a third stream comprising ethane, ethylene, acetic acid, and optionally other gaseous compounds, contacting in a second reaction zone all or at least a portion of said third stream with a stream comprising concentrated acetic acid and with an oxygen-containing gas stream in the presence of a VAM catalyst, to produce a fourth product stream comprising vinyl acetate, acetic acid, ethane, ethylene, water, carbon dioxide, and optionally other compounds, separating s

Abstract: A crane control system for controlling a plurality of cranes is provided. The crane control system in some embodiments includes a master controller unit, at least one computer readable memory for storing a plurality of tokens, each token from the plurality of tokens associated with a respective crane from the plurality of cranes, and a processing unit responsive to commands inputtable by an operator of the master controller unit to send the commands to individual cranes from the plurality of cranes, wherein the processing unit associates the commands with respective tokens to control the cranes associated with those tokens. The crane control system in some embodiments also includes a processing unit that is responsive to a signal indicative of a synchronization loss to issue a command to bring the plurality of cranes into a safe condition, such as an emergency stop, or a corrective action.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the extraction of furfural including: (a) subjecting a composition comprising furfural, water, at least one inorganic acid, at least one organic acid and a solvent mixture comprising an aromatic solvent and an oxygenate solvent, to a first separation step providing: (i) a first organic phase; (b) subjecting the first organic phase to a first distillation step providing: (i) a first top stream comprising furfural and a portion of the at least one organic acid; (c) subjecting the first top stream from step (b) to a second separation step providing: (i) a second top stream enriched with furfural; (d) subjecting the second top stream from step (c) to a second distillation step providing: (i) a third top stream comprising a furfural-water azeotrope, and (ii) a third bottom stream comprising furfural.

Abstract: Implementations of the disclosed subject matter provide a process for converting biomass into furfural. The process may include subjecting a pentosan-containing biomass material to an acid catalyzed digestion process in a digestion vessel to produce a digested product stream comprising C5-carbohydrates and solids comprising cellulose. The digested product stream may be separated into a liquid product stream and a solid product stream comprising lignin and cellulose. The solids product stream may be contacted with water and an organic solvent, thereby converting at least part of the lignin to a phenolic solvent. The C5-carbohydrate in the liquid product stream may be subjected to a dehydration reaction in the presence of an acid catalyst and a biphasic mixture comprising an aqueous phase and a water-immiscible organic phase, wherein the water-immiscible organic phase includes at least a portion of the phenolic solvent, to produce furfural or a furan derivative.

Abstract: The invention provides a catalyst system comprising: a) one or more Group 1 metal phosphotungstate-containing species; and b) one or more catalytic species suitable for hydrogenation; and a process for the preparation of monoethylene glycol from starting material comprising one or more saccharides, by contacting said starting material with hydrogen in a reactor in the presence of a solvent and said catalyst system.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the extraction of furfural including: (a) subjecting a composition comprising furfural, water, at least one inorganic acid, at least one organic acid and a solvent mixture comprising an aromatic solvent and an oxygenate solvent, to a first separation step providing: (i) a first organic phase; (b) subjecting the first organic phase to a first distillation step providing: (i) a first top stream comprising furfural and a portion of the at least one organic acid; (c) subjecting the first top stream from step (b) to a second separation step providing: (i) a second top stream enriched with furfural; (d) subjecting the second top stream from step (c) to a second distillation step providing: (i) a third top stream comprising a furfural-water azeotrope, and (ii) a third bottom stream comprising furfural.

Abstract: A process for the extraction of furfural from a composition comprising furfural, water, at least one organic acid and an oxygenate solvent with a boiling point higher than that of furfural. The process includes: (a) subjecting the composition to a first liquid-liquid separation step to provide: (i) an organic phase; (b) subjecting the organic phase of step (a) to a first distillation step to provide: (i) a first top stream; (c) subjecting the first top stream of step (b) to a second liquid-liquid separation step to provide: (i) a second top stream; and (d) subjecting the second top stream of step (c) to a second distillation step to provide: (i) a third top stream comprising a furfural-water azeotrope, and (ii) a third bottom stream comprising furfural.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the extraction of furfural which includes: (a) subjecting a composition comprising furfural, water, at least one acid and an aromatic solvent, with a boiling point higher than that of furfural, to a first separation step providing: (i) an organic phase, and (ii) an aqueous phase; (b) subjecting the aqueous phase of step (a) to a first distillation step to provide: (i) a first in top stream comprising a furfural-water azeotrope; (c) subjecting the first top stream of step (b) to a second separation step to provide: (i) a second top stream comprising a portion of the furfural-water azeotrope; (d) subjecting the second top stream of step (c) to a second distillation step to provide: (i) a third top stream enriched with the furfural-water azeotropic mixture; (e) subjecting the organic phase of step (a) to a third distillation step to provide: a fourth top stream comprising furfural.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the extraction of furfural. The process includes subjecting a composition comprising furfural, water, at least one acid and an aromatic solvent, with a boiling point higher than that of furfural, to a first separation step in a first liquid-liquid separator providing a first organic phase and a first aqueous phase; conveying the first organic phase along a first line to a distillation column and subjecting the first organic phase to a distillation step providing a top stream comprising furfural and a bottom stream comprising the aromatic solvent; subjecting the first aqueous phase and a portion of the bottom stream to a second separation step providing a second organic phase; conveying the second organic phase along a second line which either feeds its contents into the first line or into the distillation column and subjecting the resultant mixture to said distillation step.