Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method 200 of controlling a system 100, 100?, 100? including a heating arrangement 130 for heating a process medium 140, a current sensing arrangement 180, and a switching arrangement 120 configured to selectively couple a power supply 110 to the heating arrangement, the switching arrangement comprising at least one semiconductor switch 120A, 120B, 120C. The method 200 comprises: in response to a demand signal 224 for starting heating of the process medium 140, operating 204 the system in a test mode 230. Operating the system in the test mode 230 includes performing a test sequence 230A.

Abstract: Aspects of a charging system may involve altering the duty cycle of the shaped charge signal over a period of time to alter an average current supplied to an electrochemical device while maintain the maximum current of the charge signal. For example, the average current of the charge signal used to charge a battery may be adjusted by varying the duty cycle or peak current of the shaped charge signal, and may be based, in some instances, on the state of charge, temperature, and/or impedance of the battery. In some instances, control over the average or total current of the charge signal is constrained by the maximum current that the system can supply, such that altering the duty cycle of the charge signal provides control over an average current of the charge signal without needing to supply additional current sources.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell (3) for use in a fuel cell stack (1) comprising a resilient electrical conduction member sub-assembly (10, 16) having a first flow plate (5, 9), a second flow plate (6, 8) and a bipolar plate (11, 22). A fluid chamber (17, 19) is created by the first flow plate (5, 9), the second flow plate (6, 8), the bipolar plate (11, 22) and an electrode (13, 18) and has an inflow duct (59, 63) and an outflow duct (61, 65). A resilient electrical conduction member (15, 20) is located within the fluid chamber (17, 19) so that in use, a fluid can flow between the inflow duct (59, 61) and the outflow duct (61, 65). The resilient electrical conduction member (15, 20) is in electrically conductive contact with the bipolar plate (11, 22) and with the electrode (13, 18) via a plurality of electrical contacts (51) and the resilient electrical conduction member (15, 20) is compressed between the bipolar plate (11, 22) and the electrode (13, 18).

Abstract: Friction reducers, fracturing fluid compositions and methods for treating subterranean formations, wherein friction reducer is a reacted, grafted or blend of galactomannan gum and polyacrylamide having a molecular weight between from about 300,000 to about 30,000,000 and wherein the amount of polyacrylamide in the friction reducer is from about 15 to about 50 weight percent based on the total weight of the polyacrylamide and galactomannan gum.

Abstract: The recent pandemic has resulted in a desire to avoid human-to-human contact where possible. Purchasing items from a brick-and-mortar store traditionally involves close human interaction and touching items that have been touched by others. Now, to reduce human-to-human interaction, a bank of compartments is described into which items are placed by staff members for later collection by customers. After agreeing a purchase, a staff member places the purchased item in a compartment. The customer uses a smartphone to announce their arrival at the bank of compartments and provide authentication, at which point the compartment with the item is identified to the customer. The compartment automatically unlocks and opens allowing the customer to obtain the item without touching the compartment or its door. Deposits of purchased items are made via the bank for exchange, repair or refund. Each compartment may sanitize itself and its contents with UV-C light.

Abstract: Anti-blocking compositions are disclosed that include a wax or mixture of waxes effective to reduce, retard or prevent blocking of a viscoelastic solid when applied to the surface of such a solid. Also disclosed are methods of reducing, retarding or preventing blocking of a viscoelastic solid, and the products of those methods which are viscoelastic solids resistant to blocking.

Abstract: Anti-blocking compositions are disclosed that include a wax or mixture of waxes effective to reduce, retard or prevent blocking of a viscoelastic solid when applied to the surface of such a solid. Also disclosed are methods of reducing, retarding or preventing blocking of a viscoelastic solid, and the products of those methods which are viscoelastic solids resistant to blocking.

Abstract: Anti-blocking compositions are disclosed that include a wax or mixture of waxes effective to reduce, retard or prevent blocking of a viscoelastic solid when applied to the surface of such a solid. Also disclosed are methods of reducing, retarding or preventing blocking of a viscoelastic solid, and the products of those methods which are viscoelastic solids resistant to blocking.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a foamed fracturing fluid comprising a carrier fluid; a polymer that is soluble in the carrier fluid; the polymer being a synthetic polymer, wherein the synthetic polymer comprises a labile group that is operative to facilitate decomposition of the synthetic polymer upon activation of the labile group; a foaming agent; and a gas constituent, the synthetic polymer, foaming agent and gas constituent being operative to increase the viscosity of the carrier fluid to about 50 centipoise or greater at 100 s?1, the foamed fracturing fluid being operative to reduce friction during a downhole fracturing operation and to transport a proppant during the downhole fracturing operation. A method for treating a hydrocarbon-bearing formation is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fracturing fluid including a carrier fluid and a viscosity-increasing self-breaking synthetic polymer soluble in the carrier fluid. A method for treating a hydrocarbon-bearing formation is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hydration system configured to selectively enable a continuous process or a batch process of an additive for a hydraulic fracturing fluid, the hydration system including a hydration tank having a plurality of compartments, wherein the hydration tank is configured to enable movement of a material through the plurality of compartments in the continuous process. The hydration tank is configured to substantially restrict movement of the material between the plurality of compartments in the batch process. Also included is a method of selectively hydrating an additive in a batch process or a continuous process using a hydration system configured to enable both the batch process and the continuous process.

Abstract: Anti-blocking compositions are disclosed that include a wax or mixture of waxes effective to reduce, retard or prevent blocking of a viscoelastic solid when applied to the surface of such a solid. Also disclosed are methods of reducing, retarding or preventing blocking of a viscoelastic solid, and the products of those methods which are viscoelastic solids resistant to blocking.

Abstract: A precision cutting tool for removing the excess wax wall of a pillar styled candle includes a ring configured to encircle the candle and a handle extending from the ring. The handle includes an extendible and retractable cutting element. The cutting element may be extended into the circle defined by the interior circumference of the ring in a gradual manner. The tool includes a recess for the cutting element to be retained when the tool is not in use. The interior of the handle includes a cutting element mover configured to cause linear movement of the cutting element into and partially out of the recess. When the mover is actuated in a direction that results in movement of the cutting element out of the recess, the cutting element extends partially into the candle located in the interior circle established by the ring. The candle or the tool may then be rotated to cause cutting into the candle wall until the excess wax wall can be removed.

Abstract: A precision cutting tool for removing the excess wax wall of a pillar styled candle includes a ring configured to encircle the candle and a handle extending from the ring. The handle includes an extendible and retractable cutting element. The cutting element may be extended into the circle defined by the interior circumference of the ring in a gradual manner. The tool includes a recess for the cutting element to be retained when the tool is not in use. The interior of the handle includes a cutting element mover configured to cause linear movement of the cutting element into and partially out of the recess. When the mover is actuated in a direction that results in movement of the cutting element out of the recess, the cutting element extends partially into the candle located in the interior circle established by the ring. The candle or the tool may then be rotated to cause cutting into the candle wall until the excess wax wall can be removed.

Abstract: A precision cutting tool for removing the excess wax wall of a pillar styled candle includes a ring configured to encircle the candle and a handle extending from the ring. The handle includes an extendible and retractable cutting element. The cutting element may be extended into the circle defined by the interior circumference of the ring in a gradual manner. The tool includes a recess for the cutting element to be retained when the tool is not in use. The interior of the handle includes a cutting element mover configured to cause linear movement of the cutting element into and partially out of the recess. When the mover is actuated in a direction that results in movement of the cutting element out of the recess, the cutting element extends partially into the candle located in the interior circle established by the ring. The candle or the tool may then be rotated to cause ending into the candle wall until the excess wax wall can be removed.

Abstract: A hydration system configured to selectively enable a continuous process or a batch process of an additive for a hydraulic fracturing fluid, the hydration system including a hydration tank having a plurality of compartments, wherein the hydration tank is configured to enable movement of a material through the plurality of compartments in the continuous process. The hydration tank is configured to substantially restrict movement of the material between the plurality of compartments in the batch process.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a foamed fracturing fluid comprising a carrier fluid; a polymer that is soluble in the carrier fluid; the polymer being a synthetic polymer, wherein the synthetic polymer comprises a labile group that is operative to facilitate decomposition of the synthetic polymer upon activation of the labile group; a foaming agent; and a gas constituent, the synthetic polymer, foaming agent and gas constituent being operative to increase the viscosity of the carrier fluid to about 50 centipoise or greater at 100 s?1, the foamed fracturing fluid being operative to reduce friction during a downhole fracturing operation and to transport a proppant during the downhole fracturing operation. A method for treating a hydrocarbon-bearing formation is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: Hair fixatives such as styling mousse and gel may include biopolymers derived from natural renewable resources. The biopolymer may be cross linked to form a biopolymer latex that may be incorporated into the hair fixatives.

Abstract: A method for constructing a leak resistant concrete septic tank and the associated tank is provided. In one embodiment, the method includes pouring an integral tub having an integral tub cap and an integral tub sidewall. The integral tub may have a base attachment surface. Following pouring, the integral tub is cured. Once cured, the integral tub may be oriented to position the base attachment surface over a gravity base form. A base may be created in the gravity base form. The base attachment surface may be positioned at an integral tub set height from a bottom surface of the gravity base form. The base has a base thickness and a base ledge. The tub set height may be less than the base thickness. When the base is poured, a joint may be formed between the integral tub and the base. The formation of the joint encloses an influent chamber.

Abstract: A system interface includes a plurality of first directors, a plurality of second directors, a data transfer section and a message network. The data transfer section includes a cache memory. The cache memory is coupled to the plurality of first and second directors. The messaging network operates independently of the data transfer section and such network is coupled to the plurality of first directors and the plurality of second directors. The first and second directors control data transfer between the first directors and the second directors in response to messages passing between the first directors and the second directors through the messaging network to facilitate data transfer between first directors and the second directors. The data passes through the cache memory in the data transfer section. A method for operating a data storage system adapted to transfer data between a host computer/server and a bank of disk drives.