Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the preparation of glycerol carbonate from the reaction of glycerol and a dialkylcarbonate, for example dimethyl carbonate, or a cyclic alkylene carbonate. More specifically, the invention relates to a process where the synthesis of glycerol carbonate is conducted in the presence of a homogeneous transesterification catalyst and involves the partial reaction of a glycerol reactant stream and a dialkyl carbonate or cyclic alkylene carbonate reactant stream and an intermediate step of alcohol by-product separation before further reaction in order to improve glycerol conversion and glycerol carbonate selectivity and yield.

Abstract: A process is provided for the selective oligomerisation of C5 to C20 alpha-olefins to produce polyalphaolefin oligomers with a molecular weight distribution that is suitable for use in lubricant base oils.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for removing mercury, from a mercury-containing hydrocarbon fluid. More specifically, the invention relates to a process for the removal of mercury from a mercury-containing hydrocarbon fluid feed comprising the steps of: (i) contacting the mercury-containing hydrocarbon fluid feed with a metal perhalide having the following formula: [M]+[X]? wherein: [M]+ represents one or more metal cations wherein the metal has an atomic number greater than 36; an atomic radius of at least 50 pm and a 1st ionization energy of less than 750 kJmol?1; [X]? represents one or more perhalide anions; and (ii) obtaining a hydrocarbon fluid product having a reduced mercury content compared to mercury-containing hydrocarbon fluid feed.

Abstract: A process is provided for the selective oligomerization of C5 to C20 alpha-olefins to produce polyalphaolefin oligomers with a molecular weight distribution that is suitable for use in lubricant base oils.

Abstract: This invention relates to aprocess for the preparation of glycerolcarbonate from the reaction of glycerol and a dialkyl-carbonate, for example dimethyl carbonate, or a cyclic alkylene carbonate. More specifically, the invention relates to a process where the synthesis of glycerolcarbonate is conducted in the presence of a homogeneous transesterificationcatalyst and involves the partial reaction of a glycerol reactant stream and a dialkyl carbonateor cyclic alkylene carbonate reactant stream and an intermediate step of alcohol by-product separation before further reaction in order to improve glycerol conversion and glycerol carbonate selectivity and yield.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for refining glyceride oil comprising the steps of: (i) contacting glyceride oil with a liquid comprising a basic quaternary ammonium salt to form a treated glyceride oil; wherein the quaternary ammonium salt comprises a basic anion selected from hydroxide, alkoxide, alkylcarbonate, hydrogen carbonate, carbonate, serinate, prolinate, histidinate, threoninate, valinate, asparaginate, taurinate and lysinate; and a quaternary ammonium cation; (ii) separating the treated glyceride oil from a salt comprising the quaternary ammonium cation; and (iii) subjecting the treated glyceride oil after the separation step to at least one further refining step; and to the use of contacting a glyceride oil with the basic quaternary ammonium salt for preventing or reducing the formation of fatty acid esters of chloropropanols and/or glycidol upon heating of the glyceride oil.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for removing metal from metal-containing glyceride oil comprising the steps of: (i) contacting a glyceride oil, comprising chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel and/or copper in a total amount of from 10 mg/kg to 10,000 mg/kg, with a liquid comprising a basic quaternary ammonium salt to form a treated glyceride oil; wherein the basic quaternary ammonium salt comprises a basic anion selected from hydroxide, alkoxide, alkylcarbonate, hydrogen carbonate, carbonate, serinate, prolinate, histidinate, threoninate, valinate, asparaginate, taurinate and lysinate; and (ii) separating the treated glyceride oil from a salt comprising the quaternary ammonium cation, providing a treated glyceride oil containing a reduced amount of metals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for removing metal from metal-containing glyceride oil comprising the steps of: (i) contacting a glyceride oil, comprising chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, nickel and/or copper in a total amount of from 10 mg/kg to 10,000 mg/kg, with a liquid comprising a basic quaternary ammonium salt to form a treated glyceride oil; wherein the basic quaternary ammonium salt comprises a basic anion selected from hydroxide, alkoxide, alkylcarbonate, hydrogen carbonate, carbonate, serinate, prolinate, histidinate, threoninate, valinate, asparaginate, taurinate and lysinate; and (ii) separating the treated glyceride oil from a salt comprising the quaternary ammonium cation, providing a treated glyceride oil containing a reduced amount of metals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for refining glyceride oil comprising the steps of: (i) contacting glyceride oil with a liquid comprising a basic quaternary ammonium salt to form a treated glyceride oil; wherein the quaternary ammonium salt comprises a basic anion selected from hydroxide, alkoxide, alkylcarbonate, hydrogen carbonate, carbonate, serinate, prolinate, histidinate, threoninate, valinate, asparaginate, taurinate and lysinate; and a quaternary ammonium cation; (ii) separating the treated glyceride oil from a salt comprising the quaternary ammonium cation; and (iii) subjecting the treated glyceride oil after the separation step to at least one further refining step; and to the use of contacting a glyceride oil with the basic quaternary ammonium salt for preventing or reducing the formation of fatty acid esters of chloropropanols and/or glycidol upon heating of the glyceride oil.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for removing mercury, from a mercury-containing hydrocarbon fluid. More specifically, the invention relates to a process for the removal of mercury from a mercury-containing hydrocarbon fluid feed comprising the steps of: (i) contacting the mercury-containing hydrocarbon fluid feed with a metal perhalide having the following formula: [M]+[X]? wherein: [M]+ represents one or more metal cations wherein the metal has an atomic number greater than 36; an atomic radius of at least 50 pm and a 1st ionization energy of less than 750 kJmol?1; [X]? represents one or more perhalide anions; and (ii) obtaining a hydrocarbon fluid product having a reduced mercury content compared to mercury-containing hydrocarbon fluid feed.

Abstract: This invention relates to base oils for lubricating compositions. In particular, the present invention provides a process for the selective oligomerisation of C5 to C20 alpha-olefins to produce polyalphaolefin oligomers with a molecular weight distribution that is suitable for use in lubricant base oils.

Abstract: This invention relates to base oils for lubricating compositions. In particular, the present invention provides a process for the selective oligomerisation of C5 to C20 alpha-olefins to produce polyalphaolefin oligomers with a molecular weight distribution that is suitable for use in lubricant base oils.

Abstract: An imaging system 10 for automatically capturing an image of a faint pattern of light emitted by a specimen comprises: an electronic image capture device 12, such as a camera having a CCD sensor; a light-tight enclosure 24 having within a platform 32 for mounting a light-emitting specimen 30 thereon within the field of view of the image capture device 12; and a computer 50, connected to at least the image capture device 12. The computer 50 is adapted to: estimate a maximum signal level that can be expected from the specimen 30 and calculate, based on said estimated maximum signal level, a peak signal level estimate (psle); calculate an exposure time on the basis of the psle and a desired resolution for a captured image; and capture an image for the calculated exposure time. The desired resolution may a user-selected choice, balancing a need for quality of final image against the time required to capture it. An associated method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Process for producing glycolic acid by contacting carbon monoxide and formaldehyde, optionally in the presence of a solvent, with a catalyst including a solid acid. The solid acid is an acidic polyoxometalate compound insoluble in formaldehyde, glycolic acid and the optional solvent, and has a concentration of acid sites of greater than 60 ?mol g?1 on the external surface and/or a Hammett Acidity value of less than ?12.8.

Abstract: An immunogenic agent which comprises a killed strain of Burkholderia pseudomallei, or a combination of components thereof which combination produces a protective immune response in an animal to whom it is administered, and which comprises at least two members selected from the group consisting of (i) a lipopolysaccharide of Burkholderia pseudomallei, (ii) a capsular polysaccharide of Burkholderia pseudomallei and (iii) a protein of Burkholderia pseudomallei or an immunogenic variant thereof or an immunogenic fragment of either of these, or a nucleic acid which expresses said protein, immunogenic variant or immunogenic fragment thereof in a host animal; for use in the prevention or treatment of infection by Burkholderia pseudomallei and/or Burkholderia mallei.

Abstract: A system and an associated method of imaging microbial colonies in high fidelity and in colour. Differently coloured light sources are turned on and off in sequence and for each illumination colour an image is captured by a monochrome camera. The resultant respective monochrome images are combined into a composite colour image of the microbial colonies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biocidal fusion peptide comprising: a) a peptide LL-37 or an active fragment or active derivative thereof; b) and a further heterologous bioactive peptide or an active fragment thereof, wherein part or all of the amino acid sequence of the fusion peptide is predicted to form an alpha-helix structure for disruption of a pathogen membrane, compositions such as pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same, methods of preparing the peptide and use of the peptides in treatment, in particular for the treatment of bacterial infection and/or fungal infection and/or viral infection.

Abstract: Process for the conversion of carbon oxide(s) and hydrogen-containing feedstocks to oxygen containing hydrocarbon compounds in the presence of a particulate rhodium-based catalyst, by reacting carbon oxide(s) and hydrogen in the presence of a particulate rhodium-based catalyst in a conversion reactor to form oxygen containing hydrocarbon compounds. At least one paraffinic aliphatic monohydric alcohol of the formula R-OH where R is a hydrocarbon radical having 1 or 3 to 5 carbon atoms is/are separated from the other oxygenates produced in the conversion reactor, and is/are then sent back to the conversion reactor.

Abstract: An immunogenic agent which comprises a killed strain of Burkholderia pseudomallei, or a combination of components thereof which combination produces a protective immune response in an animal to whom it is administered, and which comprises at least two members selected from the group consisting of (i) a lipopolysaccharide of Burkholderia pseudomallei, (ii) a capsular polysaccharide of Burkholderia pseudomallei and (iii) a protein of Burkholderia pseudomallei or an immunogenic variant thereof or an immunogenic fragment of either of these, or a nucleic acid which expresses said protein, immunogenic variant or immunogenic fragment thereof in a host animal; for use in the prevention or treatment of infection by Burkholderia pseudomallei and/or Burkholderia mallei.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a biocidal fusion peptide of SEQ ID NO: 1 or a sequence with at least 90% identity thereto, compositions such as pharmaceutical compositions comprising the same, methods of preparing the peptide, and use of the peptide in treatment, in particular for the treatment of bacterial infection and/or fungal infection and/or viral infection.