Abstract: The invention relates to power packs, which comprises a plurality of fuel cells and a reactant supply element. In one embodiment, the power pack comprises a reactant supply element for a reactant comprising one of a fuel or an oxidant; and a plurality of cylindrical fuel cells. The reactant supply element is aligned with the plurality to be capable to deliver the reactant to more than one fuel cell of the plurality. In a second embodiment, the power pack comprises a reactant supply element for a reactant comprising a fuel and a plurality of fuel cells attached to the reactant supply element. At least two of the plurality are removably attached to the reactant supply element, and the power pack comprises a passive oxidant supply.

Abstract: An integrated process for the production of a dialkyl carbonate and a diol from an alkylene oxide, carbon dioxide and an aliphatic monohydric alcohol is described in which an alkylene oxide is first reacted with carbon dioxide in the presence of a halogen-free carbonation catalyst to provide a corresponding cyclic carbonate and the cyclic carbonate is then reacted with an aliphatic monohydric alcohol in the presence of the carbonation catalyst and/or a transesterification catalyst and recycling the carbonation catalyst to provide a corresponding dialkyl carbonate and diol, wherein the dialkyl carbonate product exhibits a halogen concentration of about 5 ppm or less.

Abstract: A process for treating methane-containing natural gas is provided which comprises: i) converting methane to methanol at or near a site of natural gas production; ii) transporting the methanol to a refinery remote from said site of production, said refinery producing ethylene and propylene and comprising an alkylation unit which can utilize a propylene feed; and iii) converting said methanol to gasoline boiling range fuel product and petrochemicals, including ethylene, propylene, butenes and xylenes.

Abstract: An integrated process for the production of a dialkyl carbonate and a diol from an alkylene oxide, carbon dioxide and an aliphatic monohydric alcohol is described in which an alkylene oxide is first reacted with carbon dioxide in the presence of a halogen-free carbonation catalyst to provide a corresponding cyclic carbonate and the cyclic carbonate is then reacted with an aliphatic monohydric alcohol in the presence of the carbonation catalyst and/or a transesterification catalyst and recycling the carbonation catalyst to provide a corresponding dialkyl carbonate and diol, wherein the dialkyl carbonate product exhibits a halogen concentration of about 5 ppm or less.

Abstract: A flexible graphite sheet exhibiting enhanced isotropy is provided. In addition, an apparatus, system and method for continuously producing a resin-impregnated flexible graphite sheet is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides non-invasive methods to distinguish fetal DNA from maternal DNA and thereby detect fetal aneuploidies and alleles. The methods require isolation of fetal DNA from maternal serum and treatment with a reagent that creates primary sequence differences between maternal and fetal DNA that exhibit differential methylation. Various methods including quantitative PCR is used to identify detect fetal aneuploidies and alleles. In one embodiment, the method is useful to identify imprinting genes in subjects, including adults.

Abstract: A process for treating methane-containing natural gas is provided which comprises: i) converting methane to methanol at or near a site of natural gas production; ii) transporting the methanol to a refinery remote from said site of production, said refinery producing ethylene and propylene and comprising an alkylation unit which can utilize a propylene feed; and iii) converting said methanol to gasoline boiling range fuel product and petrochemicals, including ethylene, propylene, butenes and xylenes.

Abstract: Fluid permeable graphite article in the form of a perforated flexible graphite sheet having increased electrical and thermal conductivity transverse to the surfaces of the sheet.

Abstract: A process for the production of a dialkyl carbonate and a diol, such as dimethyl carbonate and ethylene glycol, by reacting a feed containing a cyclic carbonate, a hydroxy alkyl carbonate and an aliphatic monohydric alcohol in the presence of a transesterification catalyst is described. In another aspect, a process is described which is particularly useful for producing unsymmetric dialkyl carbonates, such as ethyl methyl carbonate.

Abstract: There is provided a process for converting methanol or dimethyl ether to a product containing C2 to C4 olefins, which comprises the step of contacting a feed containing methanol or dimethyl ether with a catalyst which comprises a zeolite having 10-ring intersecting channels, such as ZSM-5, and which has a Diffusion Parameter for 2,2-dimethylbutane of less than 100 sec−1 when measured at a temperature of 120° C. and a 2,2-dimethylbutane pressure of 60 torr (8 kPa). The contacting step is conducted at a temperature of 370 to 480° C., a methanol partial pressure of 30 to 150 psia and a methanol conversion per pass of less than 95%.

Abstract: An electrode for an electrochemical fuel cell is provided. More particularly, an electrode formed of a sheet of a compressed mass of expanded graphite particles having a plurality of transverse fluid channels passing through the sheet between first and second opposed surfaces of the sheet, is provided. The electrode is treated with a water resistant additive sufficient to provide utility as a cathode in an electrochemical fuel cell.

Abstract: Fluid permeable graphite article in the form of a glassy carbon coated perforated flexible graphite sheet useful as an electrode and electrically conductive backing material in flow-through type electrical capacitors.

Abstract: In a process for the selective production of meta-diisopropylbenzene, a C9+ aromatic hydrocarbon feedstock containing meta- and ortho-diisopropylbenzene is contacted with benzene under conversion conditions with a catalyst comprising a molecular sieve selected from the group consisting of zeolite beta, mordenite and a porous crystalline inorganic oxide material having an X-ray diffraction pattern including the d-spacing maxima at 12.4±0.25, 6.9±0.15, 3.57±0.07 and 3.42±0.07 Angstrom. The contacting step selectively converts ortho-diisopropylbenzene in the feedstock to produce an effluent in which the ratio of meta-diispropylbenzene to ortho-diispropylbenzene is greater than that of the feedstock. The effluent is the fed to a separation zone for recovery of a product rich in meta-diisopropylbenzene.

Abstract: Materials and methods of manufacturing materials useful in the forming of fuel cell components are disclosed. A mass of expanded particles of natural graphite is molded into a foraminous sheet having parallel opposed first and second surfaces and having a plurality of transverse fluid channels passing through the sheet between the first and second parallel opposed surfaces. The particles of natural graphite may be either virgin particles, recycled particles or a blend thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of controlling water and/or oxygenate concentrations of an olefin stream. The method includes contacting the olefin stream with a liquid absorbent. The liquid absorbent is selected from the group consisting of a polyol, amine, amide, nitrile, heterocyclic nitrogen containing compound, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: Fluid permeable graphite article in the form of a perforated flexible graphite sheet having increased electrical and thermal conductivity transverse to the surfaces of the sheet.

Abstract: An improved method enables preparation of articles for a variety of applications, including embossing or otherwise shaping to form a variety of articles. A plurality of thin, preferably resin-impregnated, flexible graphite sheets are arranged to form zones in a composite material having a graded density or other characteristic. Variation of properties between zones in the stock material formed is useful for achieving a desired set of properties in the formation of articles such as those useful in electrochemical fuel cells and double-layer capacitors.

Abstract: There is provided a process for converting methanol and/or dimethyl ether to a product containing C2 to C4 olefins which comprises the step of contacting a feed which contains methanol and/or dimethyl ether with a catalyst comprising a porous crystalline material. The contacting is conducted in the presence of a cofed aromatic compound under conversion conditions including a temperature of about 350° C. to about 550° C. and a methanol and/or dimethyl ether partial pressure less than or equal to 50 psia (345 kPa). The porous crystalline material used in the catalyst has a pore size greater than the critical diameter of the aromatic compound and a Diffusion Parameter for 2,2-dimethylbutane of about 0.1 to about 26 sec−1 when measured at a temperature of 120° C. and a 2,2- dimethylbutane pressure of 60 torr (8 kPa), and the aromatic compound is capable of alkylation by the methanol and/or dimethyl ether under said conversion conditions.

Abstract: An integrated process for the production of a dialkyl carbonate and a diol from an alkylene oxide, carbon dioxide and an aliphatic monohydric alcohol is described in which an alkylene oxide is first reacted with carbon dioxide in the presence of a homogeneous carbonation catalyst to provide a corresponding cyclic carbonate and the cyclic carbonate is then reacted with an aliphatic monohydric alcohol in the presence of the homogeneous carbonation catalyst and/or a heterogeneous transesterification catalyst and recycling the homogeneous carbonation catalyst to provide a corresponding dialkyl carbonate and diol.

Abstract: A process for treating methane-containing natural gas is provided which comprises: i) converting methane to methanol at or near a site of natural gas production; ii) transporting the methanol to a refinery remote from said site of production, said refinery producing ethylene and propylene and comprising an alkylation unit which can utilize a propylene feed; and iii) converting said methanol to gasoline boiling range fuel product and petrochemicals, including ethylene, propylene, butenes and xylenes.