Abstract: In one embodiment, a susceptor for thermal processing is provided. The susceptor includes an outer rim surrounding and coupled to an inner dish, the outer rim having an inner edge and an outer edge. The susceptor further includes one or more structures for reducing a contacting surface area between a substrate and the susceptor when the substrate is supported by the susceptor. At least one of the one or more structures is coupled to the inner dish proximate the inner edge of the outer rim.

Abstract: An evaporation system employs a thermocompressor to recover heat associated with a distillate produced by an evaporator and to use the recovered heat to preheat evaporator feedwater. In one example, the thermocompressor produces a thermocompressor discharge that is directed into the deaerator, contacting and preheating the evaporator feedwater passing therethrough. In another example, the thermocompressor discharge is directed through a barometric condenser which contacts evaporator feedwater therein and condenses and in the process preheats the evaporator feedwater.

Abstract: An evaporation system employs a thermocompressor to recover heat associated with a distillate produced by an evaporator and to use the recovered heat to preheat evaporator feedwater. In one example, the thermocompressor produces a thermocompressor discharge that is directed into the deaerator, contacting and preheating the evaporator feedwater passing therethrough. In another example, the thermocompressor discharge is directed through a barometric condenser which contacts evaporator feedwater therein and condenses and in the process preheats the evaporator feedwater.

Abstract: A process is described for recovering alkali-chloride and alkali-sulfate salts from a salt solution. The salt solution comprises alkali metal, chloride and sulfate ions and is directed to a hydrous salt crystallization unit which crystallizes hydrated sulfate salts that comprise sulfate and at least one alkali metal. A purged solution from the hydrous salt crystallization unit is directed to a chloride salt crystallization unit while the hydrated sulfate salt crystals are melted to form an aqueous sulfate solution which is directed to a sulfate crystallization unit. Anhydrous sulfate salts are crystallized from the aqueous sulfate solution to form sulfate salt crystals comprising sulfate and at least one alkali metal. In the chloride salt crystallization unit, chloride salt is crystallized to form chloride salt crystals. A purge from the chloride salt crystallization unit is directed to the hydrous salt crystallization unit.

Abstract: A process is described for recovering alkali-chloride and alkali-sulfate salts from a salt solution. The salt solution comprises alkali metal, chloride and sulfate ions and is directed to a hydrous salt crystallization unit which crystallizes hydrated sulfate salts that comprise sulfate and at least one alkali metal. A purged solution from the hydrous salt crystallization unit is directed to a chloride salt crystallization unit while the hydrated sulfate salt crystals are melted to form an aqueous sulfate solution which is directed to a sulfate crystallization unit. Anhydrous sulfate salts are crystallized from the aqueous sulfate solution to form sulfate salt crystals comprising sulfate and at least one alkali metal. In the chloride salt crystallization unit, chloride salt is crystallized to form chloride salt crystals. A purge from the chloride salt crystallization unit is directed to the hydrous salt crystallization unit.

Abstract: A gas stream containing nitrous oxide and ammonia is contacted with a catalyst composition containing a zeolite. N2O is reduced to N2 and H2O at low temperatures in a highly efficient manner. Ammonia-mediated reduction of nitrous oxide can be effectuated from gas streams having N2O concentrations as low as 1%. The gas stream may also contact a catalytic composition selective for the reduction of NOx. In this way, N2O and NOx treatment may be effectuated in a single process stream.

Abstract: A gas stream containing nitrous oxide and ammonia is contacted with a catalyst composition containing a zeolite. N2O is reduced to N2 and H2O at low temperatures in a highly efficient manner. Ammonia-mediated reduction of nitrous oxide can be effectuated from gas streams having N2O concentrations as low as 1%. The gas stream may also contact a catalytic composition selective for the reduction of NOx. In this way, N2O and Nx treatment may be effectuated in a single process stream.

Abstract: A rear seat assembly of a passenger cabin of a pick-up truck includes a rear seat cushion and a rear seat back, each rotatable such that a bottom surface of the rotated rear seat back can rest upon a rear end of the rotated seat cushion to provide a storage space beneath the rotated seat back and between the rotated seat cushion and a rear wall of the passenger cabin. The cargo bed of the truck may be extended into the storage space by providing an access door thereto in a front wall of the cargo bed in communication with a corresponding opening in the rear wall of the passenger cabin.

Abstract: A convertible cargo bed cover can function as both a tonneau cover and a cargo bed cap. The cover is raised by motorized elements to be substantially aligned with a roof of a passenger cabin of the vehicle. Side and rear window panels stored inside the cover can be installed to transform the cover to a cap to enlarge available enclosed cargo space. Rear pillars are installed at the rear corners of the tonneau cover in its raised position to complete the installation.

Abstract: The present invention provides various processes for selectively removing undesirably sized catalyst particles from a catalyst synthesis system. In one embodiment, a slurry is formed containing a molecular sieve, a matrix material, a slurring agent, and optionally a binder. At least a portion of the slurry is dried to produce a first catalyst mixture. At least a portion of catalyst particles are selectively removed from the first catalyst mixture based on their size. The selective removal of particles preferably occurs in a counter-flow cyclone separator. By selectively removing undesirably-sized catalyst particles from the formulated catalyst mixture, desirable fluidization and catalytic activity characteristics can be realized in an OTO reaction system.

Abstract: A rear seat assembly of a passenger cabin of a pick-up truck includes a rear seat cushion and a rear seat back, each rotatable such that a bottom surface of the rotated rear seat back can rest upon a rear end of the rotated seat cushion to provide a storage space beneath the rotated seat back and between the rotated seat cushion and a rear wall of the passenger cabin. The cargo bed of the truck may be extended into the storage space by providing an access door thereto in a front wall of the cargo bed in communication with a corresponding opening in the rear wall of the passenger cabin.

Abstract: A convertible cargo bed cover can function as both a tonneau cover and a cargo bed cap. The cover is raised by motorized elements to be substantially aligned with a roof of a passenger cabin of the vehicle. Side and rear window panels stored inside the cover can be installed to transform the cover to a cap to enlarge available enclosed cargo space. Rear pillars are installed at the rear corners of the tonneau cover in its raised position to complete the installation.

Abstract: A convertible cargo bed cover can function as both a tonneau cover and a cargo bed cap. The cover is raised by motorized elements to be substantially aligned with a roof of a passenger cabin of the vehicle. Side and rear window panels stored inside the cover can be installed to transform the cover to a cap to enlarge available enclosed cargo space. Rear pillars are installed at the rear corners of the tonneau cover in its raised position to complete the installation.

Abstract: A rear seat assembly of a passenger cabin of a pick-up truck includes a rear seat cushion and a rear seat back, each rotatable such that a bottom surface of the rotated rear seat back can rest upon a rear end of the rotated seat cushion to provide a storage space beneath the rotated seat back and between the rotated seat cushion and a rear wall of the passenger cabin. The cargo bed of the truck may be extended into the storage space by providing an access door thereto in a front wall of the cargo bed in communication with a corresponding opening in the rear wall of the passenger cabin.

Abstract: A stowable vehicle seat assembly and a method of manufacturing a stowable vehicle seat. More specifically, the stowable seat includes a bottom assembly forming the lower portion of a vehicle seat, and a rear assembly forming the back portion of the vehicle seat. In the stowed configuration, the bottom assembly and rear assembly are uncoupled, each folding to form a substantially flat subassembly easily stowed and fixed against a vehicle floor adjacent one another.

Abstract: A stowable vehicle seat assembly and a method of manufacturing a stowable vehicle seat. More specially, the stowable seat includes a bottom assembly forming the lower portion of a vehicle seat, and a rear assembly forming the back portion of the vehicle seat. In the stowed configuration, the bottom assembly and rear assembly are uncoupled, each folding to form a substantially flat subassembly easily stowed and fixed against a vehicle floor adjacent one another.

Abstract: A gas stream containing nitrous oxide and ammonia is contacted with a catalyst composition containing a zeolite. N2O is reduced to N2 and H2O at low temperatures in a highly efficient manner. Ammonia-mediated reduction of nitrous oxide can be effectuated from gas streams having N2O concentrations as low as 1%. The gas stream may also contact a catalytic composition selective for the reduction of NOx. In this way, N2O and Nx treatment may be effectuated in a single process stream.

Abstract: The present invention relates to semiconductor devices. More specifically, the invention discloses the use of dummy structures to improve thermal conductivity, reduce dishing and strengthen layers formed with low dielectric constant materials.

Abstract: A Christmas light string holder for use on interior and exterior surfaces of buildings. The holder comprises a flexible, resilient, helical wire, a fastener such as a nail or screw and, optionally, a convex cap with a hollow recess for dressing the head of the nail. To mount a light string on a surface, a holder is attached at each of several spaced apart locations on the surface, and the light string is wedged between, and retained by, adjacent turns of the helical wires. The light string is easily disattached from the holders by spreading apart the adjacent turns long enough to lift away the light string. The holders can remain in place year-round if desired, and can be used for mounting other objects to the same surface.

Abstract: A new and distinct cultivar of Phlox plant named ‘Thai Pink Jade’ characterized by its compact and bushy plant habit, its strong dark colored stems, its medium green foliage, its long lasting porcelain pink colored flowers with a small dark pink eye, and its resistance to powdery mildew.