Abstract: A process useful for treating biologically derived oils in the production of biofuels is described. A biologically derived oil feed is deoxygenated by contacting the feed with a metal titanate catalyst comprising a metal titanate having an MTiO3 perovskite structure wherein M is a metal having a valence of 2+. The process does not require the addition of hydrogen.

Abstract: A method of hot-swapping in a portable electronic device having at least two power sources comprising determining one of the at least two power sources requires replacement; confirming that the portable electronic device is being powered by another of the at least two power sources; and transmitting an indication that the power source requiring replacement may be replaced without shutting down the portable electronic device.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a mobile electronic device having a fuel cell configured to receive fuel and generate therefrom electrical power for the mobile electronic device, a fuel tank adapted to store fuel and provide fuel to the fuel cell, and a solid-state battery configured to provide power to the mobile device. The solid-state battery is sized and shaped to at least partially surround at least one of the fuel cell and the fuel tank.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a mobile electronic device having a fuel cell configured to receive fuel and generate therefrom electrical power for the mobile electronic device, a fuel tank adapted to store fuel and provide fuel to the fuel cell, and an energy storage device configured to provide power to the mobile device. The fuel tank is sized and shaped to at least partially surround the energy storage device. The fuel tank and the energy storage device may be in thermal contact.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for producing a CO2-depleted product gas stream. The processes involve feeding a natural gas feed stream comprising greater than about 10 vol % CO2 to at least one membrane unit comprising a plurality of polymer membranes to provide a CO2-rich permeate comprising at least 95 vol % CO2 and a CO2-depleted product gas stream. The polymer membranes comprise a crosslinked polyimide polymer having covalent ester crosslinks and have a CO2 permeance of at least 20 GPU and a CO2/CH4 selectivity of greater than 20, at 35 degrees C. and a feed pressure of 100 psia. Also disclosed herein is an apparatus incorporating the crosslinked polyimide polymer for producing a CO2-depleted product gas stream from a natural gas feed stream.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments relating to a process for reducing the total acid number of a hydrocarbon feed by contacting the feed with a metal titanate catalyst having an MTiO3 structure wherein M is a metal having a valence of 2+, resulting in a hydrocarbon product having a final total acid number lower than the initial total acid number of the feed. The process is useful for pretreating high acid crudes prior to further processing thus avoiding corrosion of equipment used in refining operations. The process can be integrated into conventional refining operations in order to treat various refinery streams. In one embodiment, a process is provided for refining a low acid crude oil and a high acid crude oil by separately introducing a relatively low acid crude oil feed and a relatively high acid crude oil feed to an atmospheric distillation column, wherein the relatively high acid crude oil feed is contacted with a metal titanate catalyst prior to introduction to the atmospheric distillation column.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for preparing a crosslinked hollow fiber membrane. The method involves spinning a one phase solution comprising a monoesterified polyimide polymer, acetone as a volatile solvent, a spinning solvent, a spinning non-solvent, and optionally an organic and/or inorganic additive, wherein the volatile solvent is present in an amount of greater than 25 wt. % to about 50 wt. %, based on the total weight of the solution.

Abstract: A process useful for treating biologically derived oils in the production of biofuels is described. A biologically derived oil feed is deoxygenated by contacting the feed with a metal titanate catalyst. The process does not require the addition of hydrogen.

Abstract: A method includes: receiving a temperature indication, the temperature indication being a function of a temperature of a power pack of a portable electronic device; determining, as a function of the temperature indication, whether the temperature is within an elevated operating temperature range; and reducing a charge termination voltage and a charging current when the temperature is within the elevated operating temperature range.

Abstract: An energy-efficient process for dewatering an aqueous organic solution includes using freely available solar energy to concentrate a draw solution within a reservoir. The draw solution is used in conjunction with a membrane to remove water from the organic solution in a forward osmosis process. The draw solution is diluted by the osmosis process, and returned to the reservoir to be re-concentrated and reused in the osmosis process.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are processes for producing a CO2-depleted product gas stream. The processes involve feeding a natural gas feed stream comprising greater than about 10 vol % CO2 to at least one membrane unit comprising a plurality of polymer membranes to provide a CO2-rich permeate comprising at least 95 vol % CO2 and a CO2-depleted product gas stream. The polymer membranes comprise a crosslinked polyimide polymer having covalent ester crosslinks and have a CO2 permeance of at least 20 GPU and a CO2/CH4 selectivity of greater than 20, at 35 degrees C. and a feed pressure of 100 psia. Also disclosed herein is an apparatus incorporating the crosslinked polyimide polymer for producing a CO2-depleted product gas stream from a natural gas feed stream.

Abstract: An energy-efficient process for dewatering an aqueous organic solution includes using freely available solar energy to concentrate a draw solution within a reservoir. The draw solution is used in conjunction with a membrane to remove water from the organic solution in a forward osmosis process. The draw solution is diluted by the osmosis process, and returned to the reservoir to be re-concentrated and reused in the osmosis process.

Abstract: An energy-efficient process for dewatering an aqueous organic solution includes using freely available solar energy to concentrate a draw solution within a reservoir. The draw solution is used in conjunction with a membrane to remove water from the organic solution in a forward osmosis process. The draw solution is diluted by the osmosis process, and returned to the reservoir to be re-concentrated and reused in the osmosis process.

Abstract: A crude oil which contains at least 0.1 wt % unstable sulfur compounds is treated in a reaction zone at low temperature to convert at least 50 wt % of the unstable sulfur compounds contained therein. The reaction and removal of sulfur from the crude may be facilitated by contacting the crude oil with a catalytic material in the presence of a stripping fluid.