Abstract: The invention is a process for the purification of ethanol. In one embodiment the process comprises boiling a degassed beer feed (106) in a pre-boiler (110) to provide a vapor by-pass fraction (112) that by-passes the conventional beer column and is fed into the rectifier column (124). The process allows free capacity in the rectifier column of new or established plants to be filled by ethanol-water vapor and/or condensate streams that do not originate from the beer column.

Abstract: A portable Static Electro Magnetic Field (SEMF) generating device and method for the therapeutic treatment of inflammatory and painful disorders of the human limbs including fingers, hands, wrists, forearms, elbows, toes, feet and ankles preferably includes a wearable, portable battery powered solenoid or coil. The coil is configured to focus a substantially time invariant magnetic flux field onto a selected part of the body. The SEMF generating device's coil, when energized, works by slightly changing the charges associated with voltage-dependant ion channels in the cell membranes of the human body, thereby stabilizing abnormal fluid transport into the cells through aquaporin channels and the sodium ions relating to them, treating inflammation and altering the flow of calcium, chloride and potassium ions through their respective neuronal ion channels and treating pain.