Abstract: A desalination system and a method for operating the desalination system. An example desalination system includes a partitioned container, a membrane container housing a cross-flow semipermeable membrane, a feed pump for supplying saline water, a recirculation pump, a main valve, a bypass valve and a purge valve. The system operates in a first pressurisation stage where saline water is provided by the feed pump while the bypass valve is open, followed by a second pressurisation stage where an upstream compartment of the container is filled and a recharge stage where the main valve is closed and concentrated saline water is purged via the purge valve. An inlet valve may be provided, which is closed in the first pressurisation stage and open in the second pressurisation stage and recharge stage.

Abstract: According to a first aspect, there is provided a method of testing a plurality of virtual network functions (VNFs) during commissioning of the plurality of VNFs in a virtualized environment in a customer network, the method comprising: at a VNF testing component configured to have access to the virtualized environment of the customer network, performing interoperability testing between a first VNF component instantiation (VNFCI) within a first VNF of the plurality of VNFs and a second VNFCI within a second VNF of the plurality of VNFs, the second VNF being different from the first VNF, the first VNF and the second VNF comprising a subset of VNFs within the plurality of VNFs, wherein performing the interoperability testing comprises: instructing the first VNFCI to interoperate directly with the second VNFCI in a predetermined manner; and determining whether the second VNFCI reacts to the instructed direct interoperation in an expected manner.

Abstract: A system (10) for converting power comprising a plurality of modules (14) connected in series and having each at least one DC power source. Storage devices (18) are provided with each module (14) to store power from the power source and voltage control circuitry (19) in each module (14) connects the storage device between a maximum module voltage, a minimum module voltage to create a stepwise approximation of a mains signal. A compensator unit (20) is provided in series with the modules (14) including a storage device charged by the power sources. While each of the modules (14) is supplying either its maximum or minimum voltage to the system a control unit ramps up or down the voltage between the input and output of the compensator unit (20) to follow the desired AC signal.

Abstract: Certain aspects provide a method of commissioning a virtualized network function (VNF), including: at a commissioning virtual machine instantiated in a virtualized environment of a customer network, configuring a remote access connection facility for accessing the commissioning virtual machine remotely from outside of the customer network, wherein the commissioning virtual machine has access to a virtual infrastructure manager (VIM) component of the virtualized environment; causing, via the remote access connection facility, configuration of a VNF manager component within the commissioning virtual machine; and causing, via the remote access connection facility, the configured VNF manager component to instruct the VIM component to instantiate one or more virtual machines in the virtualized environment, the one or more virtual machines being operable to perform at least a part of the VNF.

Abstract: A controlled discharge ostomy appliance assembly comprises (i) a stoma seal that is self-urging with a dynamic damping characteristic that resists changes of seal volume, (ii) a press-fit coupling member displaceable from an unlocked position to a locked position as part of a press-fit process, and (iii) a single-use frangible portion. The assembly further includes a protector shield removably fastened to the appliance forming a combined assembly therewith. The protector shield comprises (i) a seal displacer manipulable for displacing the stoma seal to a non-operative position ready for fitting, (ii) a substantially rigid coupling member guard portion for protecting the state of the coupling member, and (iii) a bracing portion for bracing the single-use frangible portion.

Abstract: According to a first aspect, there is provided a method of testing a plurality of virtual network functions (VNFs) during commissioning of the plurality of VNFs in a virtualized environment in a customer network, the method comprising: at a VNF testing component configured to have access to the virtualized environment of the customer network, performing interoperability testing between a first VNF component instantiation (VNFCI) within a first VNF of the plurality of VNFs and a second VNFCI within a second VNF of the plurality of VNFs, the second VNF being different from the first VNF, the first VNF and the second VNF comprising a subset of VNFs within the plurality of VNFs, wherein performing the interoperability testing comprises: instructing the first VNFCI to interoperate directly with the second VNFCI in a predetermined manner; and determining whether the second VNFCI reacts to the instructed direct interoperation in an expected manner.

Abstract: Certain aspects provide a method of commissioning a virtualized network function (VNF), including: at a commissioning virtual machine instantiated in a virtualized environment of a customer network, configuring a remote access connection facility for accessing the commissioning virtual machine remotely from outside of the customer network, wherein the commissioning virtual machine has access to a virtual infrastructure manager (VIM) component of the virtualized environment; causing, via the remote access connection facility, configuration of a VNF manager component within the commissioning virtual machine; and causing, via the remote access connection facility, the configured VNF manager component to instruct the VIM component to instantiate one or more virtual machines in the virtualized environment, the one or more virtual machines being operable to perform at least a part of the VNF.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a compound has the formula (I) where: R1 and R2 are alkyl or, together with the carbon atom to which they are attached, cycloalkyl; R3, R4 and R5 are H or alkyl (formula II); R6 is alkyl or where: R7 and R8 are H, alkyl or, together with the carbon atom to which they are attached, cycloalkyl; R9 is H or alkyl; X is alkylene or is absent; and p is 0, 1, 2 or 3; and m and n are 0, 1, 2 or 3 provided that m is 0 when R4 and R5 are H. The compound is suitable for use as a base stock which provides low volatility for a given viscosity profile. The compound may be used in a lubricant composition for an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a compound has the formula (I) where: R1 and R2 are alkyl or, together with the carbon atom to which they are attached, cycloalkyl; R3, R4 and R5 are H or alkyl (formula II); R6 is alkyl or where: R7 and R8 are H, alkyl or, together with the carbon atom to which they are attached, cycloalkyl; R9 is H or alkyl; X is alkylene or is absent; and p is 0, 1, 2 or 3; and m and n are 0, 1, 2 or 3 provided that m is 0 when R4 and R5 are H. The compound is suitable for use as a base stock which provides low volatility for a given viscosity profile. The compound may be used in a lubricant composition for an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method of cooling by latent energy transfer and, in particular, to cool a fluid by discharging unwanted low temperature thermal energy to a surrounding ambient environment utilizing a fluid evaporation process involving permitted or forced ventilation of air across a surface area of a heat transfer fluid. The invention further relates to an air treatment system utilizing the cooled heat transfer fluid for cooling air and for supplying ventilation air to the evaporation process. A body of liquid is cooled close to the prevailing wet bulb temperature, discharging unwanted thermal energy to the surroundings, rendering the liquid suitable as a cooling medium for removing unwanted thermal energy from a location or in a process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solar energy collection apparatus and design method. In particular, the invention provides a solar energy collection apparatus incorporating one or more reflectors and a solar collector for receiving incoming solar radiation, including reflected radiation from the one or more reflectors, wherein the one or more reflectors and the collector are oriented according to a pre-calculated offset length and offset angle based at least on the latitude of the apparatus. The invention further provides a computer-implemented method of designing a solar collection apparatus including determining the optimal offset length and offset angle between the one or more reflectors and the collector for a given latitude and other inputs.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dehumidification system and method and, in particular, to a system and method for controlling the humidity of air in a process or location using a desiccant-coated fluid-air heat exchanger. The desiccant material adsorbs water at or above ambient temperatures during an adsorption cycle, and the resultant air stream is of a reduced humidity compared with the humidity of the supply air. The desiccant material may then be dried during a regeneration cycle through addition of heating fluid through the heat exchanger, driving water back into the vapor state with addition of latent energy of vaporization. The desiccant material may be cooled, during the adsorption cycle, through addition of cooling fluid through the heat exchanger to maintain the temperature within a range sufficient for water vapor to be removed from the stream of air.

Abstract: Described is a method for converting power including controlling operation of a plurality of series connected modules including a DC power sources and storage devices such that the total voltage across the series connected modules includes an AC signal. A storage parameter is defined based on a sum of a function of the voltages in the storage devices in the modules and one or more voltage control levels are defined for each of or a plurality of the storage devices. An average current drawn from the series connected modules over a time period is set such that the storage parameter approaches a target value. The target value is decreased for a subsequent time period in the event that none the voltage control levels are reached and increased in the event that one or more of the voltage control levels are reached.

Abstract: A lubricating composition comprising a base oil of lubricating viscosity and one or more lubricant additives, wherein the base oil comprises or consists of a base stock which comprises or consists of at least one isoprenoid compound comprising: (i) one or two oxygen-containing moieties independently selected from ether and ester moieties; (ii) a first acyclic isoprenoid moiety containing 1 to 5 isoprenyl units; and (iii) optionally, a second acyclic isoprenoid moiety containing 1 to 5 isoprenyl units with the proviso that at least one isoprenoid moiety contains 3 to 5 isoprenyl units where the isoprenoid compound contains a single ether moiety.

Abstract: A controlled discharge ostomy appliance assembly comprises (i) a stoma seal that is self-urging with a dynamic damping characteristic that resists changes of seal volume, (ii) a press-fit coupling member displaceable from an unlocked position to a locked position as part of a press-fit process, and (iii) a single-use frangible portion. The assembly further includes a protector shield removably fastened to the appliance forming a combined assembly therewith. The protector shield comprises (i) a seal displacer manipulable for displacing the stoma seal to a non-operative position ready for fitting, (ii) a substantially rigid coupling member guard portion for protecting the state of the coupling member, and (iii) a bracing portion for bracing the single-use frangible portion.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a compound has the formula (I) where: R1 and R2 are alkyl or, together with the carbon atom to which they are attached, cycloalkyl; R3, R4 and R5 are H or alkyl (formula II); R6 is alkyl or where: R7 and R8 are H, alkyl or, together with the carbon atom to which they are attached, cycloalkyl; R9 is H or alkyl; X is alkylene or is absent; and p is 0, 1, 2 or 3; and m and n are 0, 1, 2 or 3 provided that m is 0 when R4 and R5 are H. The compound is suitable for use as a base stock which provides low volatility for a given viscosity profile. The compound may be used in a lubricant composition for an internal combustion engine.

Abstract: A controlled discharge ostomy appliance assembly comprises (i) a stoma seal that is self-urging with a dynamic damping characteristic that resists changes of seal volume, (ii) a press-fit coupling member displaceable from an unlocked position to a locked position as part of a press-fit process, and (iii) a single-use frangible portion. The assembly further includes a protector shield removably fastened to the appliance forming a combined assembly therewith. The protector shield comprises (i) a seal displacer manipulable for displacing the stoma seal to a non-operative position ready for fitting, (ii) a substantially rigid coupling member guard portion for protecting the state of the coupling member, and (iii) a bracing portion for bracing the single-use frangible portion.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dehumidification system and method and, in particular, to a system and method for controlling the humidity of air in a process or location using a desiccant-coated fluid-air heat exchanger. The desiccant material adsorbs water at or above ambient temperatures during an adsorption cycle, and the resultant air stream is of a reduced humidity compared with the humidity of the supply air. The desiccant material may then be dried during a regeneration cycle through addition of heating fluid through the heat exchanger, driving water back into the vapour state with addition of latent energy of vaporization. The desiccant material may be cooled, during the adsorption cycle, through addition of cooling fluid through the heat exchanger to maintain the temperature within a range sufficient for water vapour to be removed from the stream of air.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method of cooling by latent energy transfer and, in particular, to cool a fluid by discharging unwanted low temperature thermal energy to a surrounding ambient environment utilising a fluid evaporation process involving permitted or forced ventilation of air across a surface area of a heat transfer fluid. The invention further relates to an air treatment system utilising the cooled heat transfer fluid for cooling air and for supplying ventilation air to the evaporation process. A body of liquid is cooled close to the prevailing wet bulb temperature, discharging unwanted thermal energy to the surroundings, rendering the liquid suitable as a cooling medium for removing unwanted thermal energy from a location or in a process.