Abstract: The invention is directed to a process to prepare a char product by pyrolysis or mild gasification of a solid biomass feed thereby obtaining a gaseous fraction comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and a mixture of gaseous organic compounds and a solid fraction comprising of char particles having a reduced atomic hydrogen over carbon ratio and a reduced oxygen over carbon ratio relative to the solid biomass feed. The solid biomass feed are pellets of a solid torrefied biomass feed. The pyrolysis or mild gasification is performed at a temperature of between 500 and 800° C. and at a solid residence time of between 10 and 60 minutes.

Abstract: A monitoring unit is disclosed which is configured to be electrically disposed between a panel assembly of a structure and an electric service meter for the structure. The monitoring unit comprises first means for electrical coupling to the panel assembly and second means for electronically coupling to the electric service meter. The first means may comprise blades configured for insertion into jaws of the panel assembly to electrically couple the monitoring unit to the panel assembly and the second means may comprise a meter socket having a plurality of jaws configured to receive a plurality of blades in the electric service meter. The monitoring unit may also comprise a neutral blade configured for insertion into a neutral jaw of the panel assembly or a leader line having a connector configured to couple to a lead wire for attachment to a portion of the panel assembly corresponding to the neutral jaw.

Abstract: A pressure vessel assembly is provided for use in a beverage dispensing assembly. The assembly comprises a pressure vessel comprising a housing provided by at least two shell parts, the housing comprising, a gas inlet for receiving a gas in the pressure vessel and a beverage dispensing passage, wherein the at least two shell parts are releasably connectable for forming the housing and for receiving a compressible beverage container assembly filled with a substantially non-carbonated beverage in the housing. The assembly further comprises a compressible beverage container assembly, comprising a flexible bag defining a beverage storage volume, a filling gland, connected to the flexible bag providing a gland beverage passage to the beverage storage volume, and female adapter part, connectable to the filling gland, arranged to receive at least part of a male adapter part of a dispensing line, wherein a sealing member is provided in the gland beverage passage.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process to continuously prepare a char product having a high BET surface area of above 400 m2/g and gaseous fraction comprising of carbon monoxide, hydrogen and hydrocarbons starting from particles of a torrefied biomass in an elongated and substantially horizontally positioned reactor furnace. A reactive gaseous mixture of steam and oxygen is supplied to the solids in the reactor and more oxygen and steam is supplied to the downstream end part of the reactor as compared to the amount of oxygen supplied to the upstream end part.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process to prepare an activated carbon product and a gaseous fraction comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and a mixture of gaseous organic compounds from a solid torrefied biomass feed comprising the following steps. (i) subjecting the solid biomass feed to a pyrolysis reaction thereby obtaining a gaseous fraction comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and a mixture of gaseous organic compounds and a solid fraction comprising of char particles. (ii) separating the solids fraction from the gaseous fraction. and (iii) activating the char particles as obtained in step (ii) to obtain the activated carbon product.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process to prepare a char product and a syngas mixture comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide from a solid torrefied biomass feed comprising the following steps: (i) subjecting the solid biomass feed to a pyrolysis reaction thereby obtaining a gaseous fraction comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and a mixture of gaseous organic compounds and a solid fraction comprising of char particles; (ii) separating the char particles as the char product from the gaseous fraction; (iii) subjecting the gaseous fraction obtained in step (ii) to a continuously operated partial oxidation to obtain a syngas mixture further comprising water and having an elevated temperature and (iv) contacting the syngas mixture with a carbonaceous compound to chemically quench the syngas mixture. The temperature of the syngas is reduced in step (iv) from between 1000 and 1600° C. to a temperature of between 800 and 1200° C.

Abstract: A pressure vessel assembly is provided for use in a beverage dispensing assembly. The assembly comprises a pressure vessel comprising a housing provided by at least two shell parts, the housing comprising, a gas inlet for receiving a gas in the pressure vessel and a beverage dispensing passage, wherein the at least two shell parts are releasably connectable for forming the housing and for receiving a compressible beverage container assembly filled with a substantially non-carbonated beverage in the housing. The assembly further comprises a compressible beverage container assembly, comprising a flexible bag defining a beverage storage volume, a filling gland, connected to the flexible bag providing a gland beverage passage to the beverage storage volume, and female adapter part, connectable to the filling gland, arranged to receive at least part of a male adapter part of a dispensing line, wherein a sealing member is provided in the gland beverage passage.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process to prepare an activated carbon product and a gaseous fraction comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and a mixture of gaseous organic compounds from a solid torrefied biomass feed comprising the following steps. (i) subjecting the solid biomass feed to a pyrolysis reaction thereby obtaining a gaseous fraction comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and a mixture of gaseous organic compounds and a solid fraction comprising of char particles. (ii) separating the solids fraction from the gaseous fraction. and (iii) activating the char particles as obtained in step (ii) to obtain the activated carbon product.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process to prepare an activated carbon product and a syngas mixture comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide from a solid torrefied biomass feed comprising the following steps, (i) subjecting the solid biomass feed to a pyrolysis reaction thereby obtaining a gaseous fraction comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and a mixture of gaseous organic compounds and a solid fraction comprising of char particles, (ii) separating the solids fraction from the gaseous fraction, (iii) subjecting the gaseous fraction obtained in step (ii) to a continuously operated partial oxidation to obtain a syngas mixture further comprising water and having an elevated temperature and (iv) activating the char particles as obtained in step (ii) to obtain the activated carbon product.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process to prepare a char product and a syngas mixture comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide from a solid torrefied biomass feed comprising the following steps: (i) subjecting the solid biomass feed to a pyrolysis reaction thereby obtaining a gaseous fraction comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and a mixture of gaseous organic compounds and a solid fraction comprising of char particles; (ii) separating the char particles as the char product from the gaseous fraction; (iii) subjecting the gaseous fraction obtained in step (ii) to a continuously operated partial oxidation to obtain a syngas mixture further comprising water and having an elevated temperature and (iv) contacting the syngas mixture with a carbonaceous compound to chemically quench the syngas mixture. The temperature of the syngas is reduced in step (iv) from between 1000 and 1600° C. to a temperature of between 800 and 1200° C.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process to prepare a char product by pyrolysis or mild gasification of a solid biomass feed thereby obtaining a gaseous fraction comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and a mixture of gaseous organic compounds and a solid fraction comprising of char particles having a reduced atomic hydrogen over carbon ratio and a reduced oxygen over carbon ratio relative to the solid biomass feed. The solid biomass feed are pellets of a solid torrefied biomass feed. The pyrolysis or mild gasification is performed at a temperature of between 500 and 800° C. and at a solid residence time of between 10 and 60 minutes.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process to prepare a char product and a syngas mixture comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide from a solid torrefied biomass feed comprising the following steps: (i) subjecting the solid biomass feed to a pyrolysis reaction thereby obtaining a gaseous fraction comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and a mixture of gaseous organic compounds and a solid fraction comprising of char particles; (ii) separating the char particles as the char product from the gaseous fraction; (iii) subjecting the gaseous fraction obtained in step (ii) to a continuously operated partial oxidation to obtain a syngas mixture further comprising water and having an elevated temperature and (iv) contacting the syngas mixture with a carbonaceous compound to chemically quench the syngas mixture. The temperature of the syngas is reduced in step (iv) from between 1000 and 1600° C. to a temperature of between 800 and 1200° C.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process to prepare an activated carbon product and a syngas mixture comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide from a solid torrefied biomass feed comprising the following steps, (i) subjecting the solid biomass feed to a pyrolysis reaction thereby obtaining a gaseous fraction comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and a mixture of gaseous organic compounds and a solid fraction comprising of char particles, (ii) separating the solids fraction from the gaseous fraction, (iii) subjecting the gaseous fraction obtained in step (ii) to a continuously operated partial oxidation to obtain a syngas mixture further comprising water and having an elevated temperature and (iv) activating the char particles as obtained in step (ii) to obtain the activated carbon product.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process to prepare a char product and a syngas mixture comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide from a solid torrefied biomass feed comprising the following steps: (i) subjecting the solid biomass feed to a pyrolysis reaction thereby obtaining a gaseous fraction comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and a mixture of gaseous organic compounds and a solid fraction comprising of char particles; (ii) separating the char particles as the char product from the gaseous fraction; (iii) subjecting the gaseous fraction obtained in step (ii) to a continuously operated partial oxidation to obtain a syngas mixture further comprising water and having an elevated temperature and (iv) contacting the syngas mixture with a carbonaceous compound to chemically quench the syngas mixture. The temperature of the syngas is reduced in step (iv) from between 1000 and 1600° C. to a temperature of between 800 and 1200° C.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process to prepare a char product and a syngas mixture comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide from a solid biomass feed comprising the following steps: (i) performing a continuously operated partial oxidation of the solid biomass feed at a gas temperature of between 700 and 1100° C. and at a solids residence time of less than 5 seconds, (ii) continuously separating the formed char particles as the char product from the formed gaseous fraction and (iii) subjecting the gaseous fraction obtained in step (ii) to a continuously operated partial oxidation and/or to a steam reforming to obtain the syngas mixture. The solid biomass feed has been obtained by torrefaction of a starting material comprising lignocellulose and is a sieve fraction wherein 99 wt % of the solid biomass particles is smaller than 2 mm.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process to prepare a char product and a syngas mixture comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide from a solid biomass feed comprising the following steps: (i) performing a continuously operated partial oxidation of the solid biomass feed at a gas temperature of between 700 and 1100° C. and at a solids residence time of less than 5 seconds, (ii) continuously separating the formed char particles as the char product from the formed gaseous fraction and (iii) subjecting the gaseous fraction obtained in step (ii) to a continuously operated partial oxidation and/or to a steam reforming to obtain the syngas mixture. The solid biomass feed has been obtained by torrefaction of a starting material comprising lignocellulose and is a sieve fraction wherein 99 wt % of the solid biomass particles is smaller than 2 mm.

Abstract: A method for remotely managing the health of animals, the method including: receiving measurement data relating to the health or treatment of one or more animals in one or more remote locations over a network from a user device connected to the network; storing the measurement data at a server connected to the network; comparing the measurement data with one or more pre-determined criteria at the server; contacting a healthcare professional via a device associated with the health care professional connected to the network for review of the measurement data if said one or more predetermined criteria are met; providing the measurement data to the device of the health care professional for review and the healthcare professional subsequently providing a treatment plan based on the measurement data; generating treatment data indicative of the treatment plan and storing the treatment data and providing the treatment data to the user device.

Abstract: A motorized foldable scooter has a frame, at least a front and rear wheel connected to the frame, a seat supported by the frame, a steering arrangement for the front wheel, and an electric motor, driving the rear wheel through a transmission. The frame has at least front and rear frame parts movably connected through a substantially vertical rotary axis to move the frame parts between an extended position of use and a collapsed resting position. The steering arrangement and the seat, and/or the front and rear frame parts are shaped such with respect to each other and the rotary axis that they at least partly nest in lateral direction of the scooter when the frame parts are in the collapsed resting position.

Abstract: A motorized foldable scooter has a frame, at least a front and rear wheel connected to the frame, a seat supported by the frame, a steering arrangement for the front wheel, and an electric motor, driving the rear wheel through a transmission. The frame has at least front and rear frame parts movably connected through a substantially vertical rotary axis to move the frame parts between an extended position of use and a collapsed resting position. The steering arrangement and the seat, and/or the front and rear frame parts are shaped such with respect to each other and the rotary axis that they at least partly nest in lateral direction of the scooter when the frame parts are in the collapsed resting position.

Abstract: The electronic device comprises electronic circuitry which functionally comprises a boundary detector, an analyzer and an includer. The boundary detector is operative to determine a boundary (47) between a relevant area (45) and an irrelevant area (43) of an image (41). The analyzer is operative to analyze blocks (55) of pixels intersected by the boundary (47). The includer is operative to include blocks (55) of pixels intersected by the boundary (47) in the relevant area (45) in dependence upon the analysis. The invention further relates to a method of determining a relevant area of an image for block-based image processing. The method comprises the steps of determining a boundary between a relevant and an irrelevant area of an image, analyzing blocks of pixels intersected by the boundary and including blocks of pixels intersected by the boundary in the relevant area in dependence upon the analysis.