Abstract: Transrectal ultrasound probes, systems and related methods. A probe includes an anisotropic balloon that defines a cavity for receiving a probe body that carries an ultrasound transducer. A vent tube is attached to or integral with, an outer surface of the anisotropic balloon. The balloon is structured to have inflation and elasticity characteristics that allow air bubbles between the balloon and rectal wall to be pushed away to form an improved acoustic interface while allowing bowel gas to be vented through the vent tube.

Abstract: The invention provides a process which facilitates high incremental capacity expansion of existing syngas-based plants by providing an adiabatic prereformer and an independent heater which is configured to (1) receive a prereformed and preheated mixed feed stream from the prereformer, (2) heat the prereformed and preheated mixed feed stream to a reheat temperature of as high as around 700° C. without local overheating of heat exchange surfaces and without the risk of carbon formation (on, e.g., fired heater heating coils), and which (3) feeds the prereformed and preheated mixed feed stream at the reheat temperature to the inlet of reformer radiant section catalyst tubes, wherein the prereformer and independent heater are not contained within the reformer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for distributing a product releasably incorporated within a carrier, and for removing the product and returning the carrier for rehabilitation. In one embodiment, the system includes a first supply loop comprising a manufacturing facility for releasably incorporating a product into a first carrier to form fresh. The first loop further includes transportation means for conveying fresh to a first user, the first user including a fresh storage vessel for receiving and storage of fresh. The first user further comprises means for removing product from the carrier to form spent, and a spent storage vessel for receiving, storing, and dispensing of spent. The loop further includes means for returning the spent to a rehabilitation facility of the spent to form fresh wherein a product is contained in a carrier. The carrier may be in any physical state such as for example, solid, liquid, vapor, plasma, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: Methods are provide for dispensing a product to a user, the product releasably incorporated within a carrier. In one embodiment, the method comprises the step of providing a first user comprising at least one storage vessel for receiving and storing fresh and at least one vessel for receiving and storing spent. The method further includes the steps of: collecting spent from a storage vessel of the first user; detecting a chemical or physical property of the collected spent; and comparing the detected chemical or physical property of the collected spent with a predetermined criteria.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for distributing a product, like hydrogen, contained in a carrier to a user, and for recovering the spent from the user. In one embodiment, the invention is a system for distributing a product releasably incorporated within a carrier, recovering spent, and conveying spent to a rehabilitation facility. In this embodiment, the system comprises a mobile delivery vehicle, the vehicle comprising a first storage vessel for storing fresh and for dispensing fresh using a connected fresh dispensing apparatus and for receiving and storing spent from a spent dispensing apparatus, the storage vessel further including means for separating fresh from spent. The system further includes fresh, spent, and a first user. The first user comprises a fresh storage vessel for receiving, storing, and dispensing fresh, and further comprises a first spent storage vessel for receiving, storing, and dispensing spent.

Abstract: A system for the supply and delivery of a high or a ultrahigh purity (UHP) carbon dioxide product stream to at least one process tool within a manufacturing facility and method comprising same is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the system is comprised of the following sub-systems: a carbon dioxide source, a carbon dioxide delivery system, and the point of use (POU) containing at least one process tool.

Abstract: A system for the bulk supply and delivery of a carbon dioxide product stream to at least one process tool in a plurality of applications at varying pressure, purity or other process parameter within a manufacturing facility and method comprising same is disclosed herein. In one embodiment, the system is comprised of: a carbon dioxide source, a carbon dioxide delivery system containing a low pressure delivery and distribution system, and a plurality of applications containing at least one process tool.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in a process and apparatus for delivering ultra high purity liquid carbon dioxide to a point of use at pressures above ambient without pumping. In the process a high purity carbon dioxide feed is charged to a vessel and at least partially solidified. Once filled, the slush or solid is isochorically heated, i.e., heated at constant vessel volume whereby the solid phase carbon dioxide is converted to a liquid. Liquid, then, is withdrawn from the vessel at a desired pressure at a rate at which the solid phase carbon dioxide is converted to a liquid. The improvement resides in effecting partial solidification and recycle of carbon dioxide.