Abstract: A manual stamp dispenser encases a roll of stamps or labels within a housing and provides tension to the roll as the stamps are advanced and discharged therefrom. The stamps are adhered to a backing strip by a pressure sensitive adhesive such that the stamps are released from the backing strip by reverse bending the strip around a dispensing surface. Tension is provided to the stamp strip by a tensioning tab on a supply roll holder and a tensioning arm positioned along a guide surface between the supply roll holder and the dispensing surface.

Abstract: Process for repulping paper comprising providing paper comprising thermosetting resin which is the reaction product of epihalohydrin and polyamide made from polyalkylene polyamine, succinic acid and optionally another dicarboxylic acid and repulping the paper to obtain recycled pulp fibers.

Abstract: This invention relates to the process of manufacture of resin treated mercerized cellulose fibers and fibrous products prepared therefrom and is directed particularly to a method of improving permeability and bulking properties and reducing water retention value (WRV) of a conventional high permeability bulk pulp. The invention also includes the improved cellulose fibers, cellulosic sheet materials containing said fibers, and products therefrom (such as automotive oil and air filters).

Abstract: Soft throughdried tissues, which are sufficiently soft to serve as premium bathroom tissues, can be made without the use of a Yankee dryer. The typical Yankee functions of building machine direction and cross-machine direction stretch are replaced by a wet end rush transfer and the throughdrying fabric design, respectively. It is particularly advantageous to form the tissue with chemimechanically treated fibers in at least one layer. The resulting tissues have high bulk (about 6 cubic centimeters per gram or greater) and low stiffness.

Abstract: A high-opacity cellulose-free synthetic paper is formed from a wet-laid nonwoven web of thermoplastic fibers, all or most of which fibers are made of a predetermined polymeric material. The wet-laid web is dried to remove excess water, drying being carried cut at temperatures below the melting temperature of the predetermined polymeric material. The dried nonwoven web is saturated on at least one side with a pigmented binder forming a continuous coating thereon. The binder is cured at temperatures below the melting temperature of the predetermined polymeric material.

Abstract: Compositions and methods are provided for the sizing of paper, to enhance the quality of images printed thereon. The novel sizing compositions contain as a sizing agent a mixture of a polyacid and a polybase. When applied to a paper substrate, such as in an internal or external sizing process, the sizing compositions result in a sized paper substrate that provides high quality printed images when printed with an ink containing a reactive dye having ionizable and/or nucleophilic groups capable of reacting with the sizing agent. Images printed on a paper substrate coated with the sizing compositions of the invention are bleed-resistant, water-resistant (e.g., water-fast), and/or are characterized by an enhanced chroma and hue.

Abstract: Method of inhibiting the deposit of sticky material on a papermill felt used in processing pulp slurry into sheets, comprising applying to the papermill felt at least one cationic polymer and at least one nonionic surfactant having an HLB of about 11 to 14.

Abstract: A press felt for use in the press section of a papermaking machine includes a base fabric and at least one layer of an assembly of fibers, preferably forming a carded web or batt, the assembly of fibers containing a plurality of fibers having a deep grooved configuration. The deep-grooved fibers of the press felt provide improved dewatering properties to the press felt as compared to conventional round monofilaments of the same denier currently employed as the batt in press felts used in the press sections of papermaking machines. A method for at least partially dewatering a sheet of paper fibers within the press section of a papermaking machine includes positioning the sheet of paper fibers on the press felt described herein, transporting the sheet of paper fibers through the press section, and pressing the sheet to at least partially remove the water therefrom.

Abstract: A papermaking belt and paper made thereon. The papermaking belt may be a through air drying belt having a plurality of deflection conduits therethrough. The deflection conduits are divided into subconduits by peninsular segments. Likewise, the paper made on the belt has an essentially continuous network and a plurality of domes. Each dome is divided into a plurality of subdomes by peninsular segments in the paper. The papermaking belt may, alternatively, be a forming wire. If so, the forming wire may have a plurality of discrete protuberances extending outwardly from the plane of the forming wire. Each protuberance has at least one slot therein. The slots extend into the discrete protuberance. Likewise, the paper made on this forming wire has a high basis weight essentially continuous network and discrete low basis weight regions corresponding to the discrete protuberances. Each low basis weight region has at least one high basis weight peninsular segment corresponding to the slot in the protuberance.

Abstract: A casing has a pulp slurry inlet, a reject outlet and an accept stock outlet and accommodates a rotor. The rotor has a hollow cylinder with scraper blades at its outer periphery. A screen plate is disposed outside of the scraper blades to provide between them a passage facing to the screen plate. The hollow cylinder is formed with pulp slurry outlets. Rotation of the hollow cylinder causes the pulp slurry to be circulated outside and inside of the hollow cylinder, so that separation of the pulp slurry into accept stock and reject is repeatedly carried out by the screen plate.

Abstract: Apparatus and process are disclosed for the distillation separation of styrene monomer from ethylbenzene utilizing a split feed to two distillation columns in conjunction with cascade reboiling utilizing thermal energy from the overhead of one column to supply heat to the second.

Abstract: A method for plasma treatment in hollow bodies includes providing a hollow body which has an opening and which is at least partially flexible; evacuating the hollow body with volume contraction to a first pressure which is preselected such that the hollow body, after evacuating and sealing, experiences a volume expansion in the region of a second pressure, by means of which volume expansion the pressure in the hollow body assumes a value which allows ignition of a non-thermal gas discharge in the hollow body; gas-tight sealing the hollow body while maintaining the first pressure; introducing the hollow body, after evacuating and sealing, into a vacuum chamber; evacuating the vacuum chamber to the second pressure; and igniting a gas discharge in the hollow body after sealing by application of an electrical field.

Abstract: A device (100) for producing fullerenes includes an IEC vacuum chamber (110) which has a central grid-like electrode (112) and a conductive outer shell (111) that are connected to a pulsed source of high voltage (114) and provide an electric field within the chamber (110). The applied voltage supports the creation of a plasma at the inner core of the chamber near the electrode (112). A carbon-based gas, which is introduced into the chamber (110), possibly along with an inert buffer gas, id dissociated into component carbon and hydrogen ions that are separated and the carbon ions recombined into fullerenes that appears as a soot. The device (100) includes a soot extraction mechanism for removing and collecting the fullerenes.

Abstract: Controlled generation of ozone is provided by flowing air around an electrodeless low pressure discharge lamp having high ultraviolet transmission properties. Power to the lamp is controlled by a circuit that is driven by a photocell for detecting visible light emissions from a phosphor triggered by ultraviolet radiation from the lamp upon the phosphor.

Abstract: A mark shielding ring for use in a physical vapor deposition chamber and a method for using such ring are disclosed. The mark shielding ring may be suitably used for shielding alignment marks or any other marks provided on the top surface of a wafer along a peripheral region. The novel mark shielding ring includes an alignment means for mechanically joining a shielding ring to a wafer pedestal on which the ring is positioned. Any up-and-down motion of the wafer pedestal therefore does not change the alignment between the shielding ring and the pedestal and therefore the function of the shielding ring for protecting an alignment mark can be insured.

Abstract: Described is a method for coating surfaces using a facility having sputtering electrodes, which has at least two electrodes that are spaced apart from one another and arranged inside a process chamber, and an inlet for a process gas. The two sputtering electrodes are acted upon by a bipolarly pulsed voltage in such a way that they are alternately operated as cathodes and as anodes. In addition, the frequency of the voltage is set between 1 kHz and 1 MHz. Furthermore, and that the operating parameters are selected in such a way that in operation, the electrodes are at least partially covered by a coating material.

Abstract: Improved targets for use in DC_magnetron sputtering of aluminum or like metals are disclosed for forming metallization films having low defect densities. Methods for manufacturing and using such targets are also disclosed. Conductivity anomalies such as those composed of metal oxide inclusions can induce arcing between the target surface and the plasma. The arcing can lead to production of excessive deposition material in the form of splats or blobs. Reducing the content of conductivity anomalies and strengthening the to-be-deposited material is seen to reduce production of such splats or blobs. Other splat limiting steps include smooth finishing of the target surface and low-stress ramp up of the plasma.

Abstract: The present invention relates to post manufacturing operations for improving the working life of known bonding tools such as capillaries, wedges and single point TAB tools of the type used in the semiconductor industry to make fine wire or TAB finger interconnections. After the desired bonding tool is manufactured to predetermined specifications, dimensions and tolerances, it is placed in a sputtering chamber with hard target material with an ionizing gas. A controlled volume of sputtered hard material is generated at high temperature by plasma ion bombardment and deposited onto the working face of the bonding tool while the tool is held at a temperature that prevents distortion. A very thin amorphous hard layer is bonded onto the working face of the bonding tool which increases the working life of most tools by an order of magnitude and there is no requirement for additional processing.

Abstract: In the method of fabricating a CRT including a sputtering method for forming an anti-static layer and a spin-coating or spray-coating method for forming an anti-reflection layer on a CRT panel, a method of fabricating a low-resistance, anti-reflection CRT is characterized by applying a silicon oxide (SiO2) coating between the anti-static layer and the anti-reflection layer by a sputtering method. As a result, the CRT has enhanced strength of layers and a low surface resistance. Also, the screen is provided with a charge protection function in the surface, with reflectivity of an external light being mitigated. As a result, it is possible to enhance the contrast characteristics of the screen, to avoid leaving fingerprints on the screen, and also to eliminate unpleasant feeling of static electricity.

Abstract: A spectral selective absorbing surface on solar collector elements has a very high solar absorbing ability, in the range of 96% to 97% and a low thermal emittance, in the order of 10%, and can be produced with high capacity in industrial scale. A reactive gas in an amount of 1 to 50 cm 3/min kW, preferably 10 cm 3/min kW, distributed in the coating zone provides that the metal layer deposed onto the receiving material partly oxidizes during the deposition, whereby a layer is obtained that comprises a grain mixture of metallic material and metal oxide, whereby 40% to 80%, preferably about 50%, of metallic material is embedded into the metal oxide closest to the receiving material. The metallic material is successively decreased to about zero at the surface of the layer by increasing the addition of oxygen at the end of the coating zone.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for manufacturing semiconductor devices, and, in particular, for depositing material at the bottom of a contact hole, comprises sputtering a material onto a semiconductor substrate; applying a first bias voltage to the substrate, simultaneously removing the material surrounding the contact hole to form a facet at the top of the recess; and applying a second bias voltage to the substrate, simultaneously sputter-depositing the first material onto the bottom of the recess. A further embodiment of the invention utilizes an electrically isolated collimator for the sputtering apparatus. Another embodiment of the invention resputters a first material onto sidewalls of a contact hole during physical vapor deposition.

Abstract: Conductive ceramics are useful in the construction of electrochemical electrodes that are used in a wide variety of applications because of their inherent chemical resistance. When porous forms of these ceramics are employed as electrodes in even dilute corrosive solutions, corrosive ionic species are caused to diffuse from the solutions into the porous electrode and to concentrate in the vicinity of the electrical connection by means of electromigration. The resulting corrosive degradation of the electrode and the electrical connection ultimately causes electrical failure. The present invention uses polymers to impregnate and selectively coat the ceramic so as to create a barrier seal against the migration of corrosives into the electrode while allowing the ceramic electrode to maintain electrical contact with its environment. Methods for achieving such impregnation are disclosed.

Abstract: A magnetron sputtering electrode for use within a magnetron sputtering device having more uniform cooling of the target with the use of a water chamber including water diverters to establish a turbulent water flow within the water chamber. The electrode also includes a direct power coupling to the cathode body to avoid degradation of the power supplied to the electrode. The electrode further includes introduction of process gas in an interstitial space between the anode shield and the cathode shield. The electrode also includes the use of removable shaped magnets providing improved target utilization and run times and a choice of erosion pattern and balanced or unbalanced sputtering by simple magnet substitution. In one embodiment, the invention includes the use of a threaded anode shield and a threaded cathode shield which significantly reduces the overall electrode size for a given target diameter.

Abstract: In a device for holding lenses for eye glasses to be coated (3,3′, . . . ) with a substrate holder (4) consisting of cap-like sheet-metal blanks (4a,b,c,d) forming a dish in the form of a spherical segment and having several drill-holes (5,5′, . . . ), rotating on a vertical axis (R) in the vacuum chamber (2) above a coating source (Q), the coating source (Q) being mounted to the side of the axis of rotation (R) and the lenses (3,3′, . . . ) being placed and held in the drill-holes (5,5′, . . .

Abstract: The present invention relates to the electrophoretic separation of bio-organic molecules using a slab gel electrophoresis apparatus having a pair of spaced, confronting plates defining a multi-lane separation zone adapted to hold a separation medium and an upper loading zone. In one aspect of the invention, at least one of the plates is shaped to provide an expanded loading zone. The plate-to-plate distance within the expanded loading zone is greater than the plate-to-plate width within the separation zone. In another aspect of the invention, a comb is provided with each tooth having a gradual taper beginning at a support member and extending along most of the tooth's longitudinal axis, and a sharp taper beginning immediately beyond the gradual taper and extending to the end of the tooth.

Abstract: The present invention provides suspensions and methods for depositing luminescent materials (e.g., phosphors) using electrophoresis, particularly during the preparation of display devices, such as field emission display devices, and the articles produced thereby. The luminescent material is deposited onto a substrate having thereon a metal-containing transparent, conductive coating. The suspension includes a nonaqueous liquid, a luminescent material, and a salt of a metal of the transparent, conductive coating.

Abstract: A longitudinally horizontal pressure vessel desalts a fluid mixture of oil, an emulsion of oil globules encapsulated in salt water casings, gas and/or free water. A vertical wall splits the vessel into a double length flow path extending from an inlet to separate outlets for discharging the gas, the free water and the oil. A plurality of vertical baffles at intervals between the inlet and the outlets are divided along horizontal lines into a lowermost perforated zone for passing free water, a lower central zone for blocking passage of the emulsion, an upper central perforated zone for stripping the salt water casing from the oil globules and for passing oil and an uppermost open zone for passing gas. The line dividing the lower and upper central zones of each baffle are higher than the corresponding line of each preceding baffle along the flow path extending from the inlet to the outlets.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is provided for obtaining a preparative-scale, free-fluid electrophoretic separator with high resolution as well as an analytical capability commensurate with capillary zone electrophoresis. The electrophoretic focusing apparatus and method of the present invention combines features of electrophoresis and isoelectric focusing to accomplish large scale purifications and fractionations that have not previously been possible, and features a separation chamber bounded by planar porous insulated screens, a plurality of purge chambers, a plurality of electrode chambers, and a plurality of pump means. The separation device of the invention is capable of high speed of separation and short residency of sample through the use of high voltage gradients which are produced by relatively low voltages applied across the narrow chamber dimensions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed; both of which use electrochemistry to selectively grow and remove hard oxide coatings on metals, and capacitive double layers on non-metals and semiconductors in order to predict and control the rate of surface abrasion during planarization of the surface of such materials.

Abstract: A method of applying a conductive carbon coating to a non-conductive surface, conductive carbon compositions for that purpose, and a printed wiring board having through holes or other nonconductive surfaces treated with such carbon compositions are disclosed. A liquid dispersion of electrically conductive carbon (for example, graphite) having a mean particle size no greater than about 50 microns is coated on the non-conductive surface to form an electrically conductive carbon coating. The conductive carbon coating is then fixed on the (formerly) nonconductive surface. Fixing may be accomplished in a variety of different ways. For example, the fixing step can be carried out by applying a fixing liquid to the carbon-coated surface. One example of a suitable fixing liquid is a dilute aqueous acid. Fixing may also be carried out by removing the excess carbon dispersion with an air knife or other source of compressed air.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing the oxygen content of water have been shown and described. A volume of water is passed between the electrodes of an electrolytic cell, a portion of the volume of water converting to dissolved oxygen. A desired level of dissolved oxygen is selected, and the number of times the volume of water must flow through the electrolytic cell to ensure that the volume of water contains the selected percentage of dissolved oxygen is also selected. The volume of water is then forced through the cell the selected number of times, such that the volume of water contains the desired percentage of dissolved oxygen. The electrolytic cell is in fluid communication with a tank and a pump, the pump drawing the volume of water from the tank and forcing it through the electrolytic cell and back into the tank. The volume of water is thereby recirculated through the electrolytic cell by the pump for the selected number of times.

Abstract: A modified universal exhaust gas oxygen sensor, referred to herein as a CEGA sensor, is provided which can be used to measure the concentration of a variety of components of a gaseous fuel emission including CO, CO2, O2, H2, and H2O. The CEGA sensor employs at least one additional electrode on a ceramic substrate which possess a different catalytic activity relative to the electrodes that normally found on a UEGO sensor. The ceramic substrate may be made of any suitable ceramic and is preferably made of zirconia. The difference in catalytic activity between the additional electrode(s) and the electrodes native to the UEGO sensor create an oxygen gradient which enables a measure of combustion completeness to be calculated. In combination with an air/fuel ratio measured by the sensor, the concentrations of different components in the emission can be calculated.

Abstract: The present invention is a slurry-type process for upgrading heavy oils to FCC and S/C feeds under temperature and pressure conditions similar to MSHP, but employing catalysts in concentrations small enough (e.g., <300 ppm Mo on feed) that they need not be recycled.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus for providing improved contaminant removal and hydrogen reuse in reactors, particularly in refineries and petrochemical plants. The improved contaminant removal is achieved by selective purging, by passing gases in the reactor recycle loop across membranes selective in favor of the contaminant over hydrogen.

Abstract: A residue from petroleum refining is thermally cracked to convert the residue to useful cracked products and to generate fuel gas. The residue is cracked by contact with hot synthesis gas produced by the gasification on the tar/pitch residue remaining after the cracking of the residue feed. Waste heat can be recovered from remaining portions of the synthesis gas from the gasifier in the form of steam which can be used in the gasification process and in the cracking process as needed for coke suppression. The combustible synthesis gas and the combustible gasses form the thermal cracking are separated from the cracked product liquid and used for power generation in a combined cycle plant.

Abstract: Useful for example, for the hydrocracking of hydrocarbons is a catalyst comprising a matrix, at least one Y zeolite which is dealuminated and has a lattice parameter in the range 2.424 nm to 2.455 nm, a global SiO2/Al2O3 mole ratio is more than 8, the quantity of alkaline-earth metal cations or alkali metal cations and/or rare earth metal cations is such that the atomic ratio (n×Mn+)/Al is less than 0.8, the specific surface area, determined using the BET method, is more than 400 m2/g, and the water adsorption capacity is more than 6% by weight for P/P0 =0.2 at 25° C., said catalyst also comprising silicon deposited on the catalyst.

Abstract: A method for converting a polymer or oligomer derived from an ethylenically unsaturated monomer into alkanes or into a hydrocarbon fraction or a lower oligomer fraction by controlled hydrocracking, wherein the polymer or oligomer is exposed to a catalyst based on a metal hydride or an organometallic complex supported on a mineral carrier, the complex having at least one hydrocarbon ligand and optionally at least one hydride ligand, and the resulting mixture is reacted with hydrogen to cause catalytic hydrocracking of the polymer or oligomer. The polymer or oligomer is broken down into reclaimable products with a lower molecular weight for use, e.g., in the field of polymers, particularly controlled molecular weight polymers, fuels or lubricants.

Abstract: A cavitation enhanced atomizing process comprises forming a flowing solution of the liquid to be atomized and a lower boiling cavitating liquid. This flowing solution is then contacted with a pressure reducing means, at a temperature below the bubble point of the cavitating liquid in the solution, to produce cavitation bubbles. These bubbles comprise cavitation liquid vapor and the bubble nucleation produces a two-phase fluid of the bubbles and liquid solution. The two-phase fluid is passed downstream into and through an atomizing means, such as an orifice, and into a lower pressure atomizing zone, in which the bubbles vaporize to form a spray of liquid droplets. The nucleated bubbles also grow in size as the so-formed two-phase fluid passes downstream to and through the atomizing means.

Abstract: A process for the conversion of a hydrocarbon fraction comprising a step a) for treating a hydrocarbon charge in the presence of hydrogen in at least one reactor containing at least one hydrodesulphurisation catalyst in a fixed bed under conditions that make it possible to obtain a liquid effluent with a reduced sulphur content, a step b) for treating at least a part of the liquid effluent originating from step a) in the presence of hydrogen in at least one three-phase reactor, containing at least one hydrotreatment catalyst in a boiling bed, operating with an ascending stream of liquid and gas, said reactor comprising at least one means of withdrawing the catalyst from said reactor situated near the bottom of the reactor and at least one means of making up fresh catalyst in said reactor situated near the top of said reactor, and a step c) in which at least part of the product obtained in step b) is passed to a distillation zone from which are recovered a gas fraction, a motor fuel fraction of the petrol type

Abstract: A process for the desulfurization of hydrocarbonaceous oil wherein the hydrocarbonaceous oil is contacted with a hydrodesulfurization catalyst in a hydrodesulfurization reaction zone to reduce the sulfur level to a relatively low level and then contacting the resulting hydrocarbonaceous stream from the hydrodesulfurization zone with an oxidizing agent to convert the residual, low level of sulfur compounds into sulfur-oxidated compounds. The resulting hydrocarbonaceous oil stream containing the sulfur-oxidated compounds is separated after decomposing any residual oxidizing agent to produce a stream containing the sulfur-oxidated compounds and a hydrocarbonaceous oil stream having a reduced concentration of sulfur-oxidated compounds.

Abstract: A process comprises providing a catalyst comprising a support, a microwave absorption material, and a catalytically active phase; heating the catalyst with a source of microwave energy which is absorbed by said microwave absorption material to increase the temperature of the catalyst to a desired temperature; and contacting said heated catalyst with a hydrocarbon feedstock for upgrading same.

Abstract: The present invention relates to computer automated upflow bead filter systems. These systems typically include a bead bed; in situ sensors/transducers for monitoring dissolved oxygen, differential pressure across the filter, water flow, pH, oxidation-reduction potential or any combination of these; a control system, such as a computer, operably coupled to the in situ sensors/transducers; an influent conduit below the bead bed; and an effluent conduit above the bead bed. The in situ sensors/transducers convert monitored conditions to electrical signals and at least back washing or dissolved oxygen may be continually adjusted in accordance with the electrical signals using the control system. By virtue of the control system, water flow rate or residence time, backwash frequency, and backwash duration may be continually adjusted to optimize the operation of the filter.

Abstract: A water purifier (10) comprising an inlet conduit (12) with a high-pressure pump (18), a purifying unit (22) of the type including a filter or a membrane, an outlet conduit (28) for purified water, a sensor provided in said outlet conduit (28) for the control of the high-pressure pump (18), a tap point (38) at which the outlet conduit (28) opens, a non-return valve (32) provided in the outlet conduit (28), and a reject conduit (42) for concentrated, unpurified water. In the outlet conduit (28) for purified water, between the non-return valve (32) and the tap point (38), there is provided a pressure equalizing valve (34). The object of said pressure equalizing valve (34) is to compensate for the pressure drop that can occur in the conduit (28) for purified water in case of minor leakage.

Abstract: A fluid filter assembly incorporates a filter element and valve assembly within a filter housing and base plate. The filter element and valve assembly is a single pre-assembled unit which includes an anti-drainback valve seat and diaphragm, a by-pass valve assembly, a pleated paper filter element, and a spring endcap. The filter housing and base plate separably clamp together to enclose the filter element/valve cartridge which is replaceable, as a single assembly, once its filtering ability is degraded. The anti-drainback valve seat engages complementary features on the base plate to correctly align and position the filter/valve cartridge during assembly. Further, a recess within the top of the filter housing receives a protrusion on the filter element endcap to provide additional alignment and to provide pressure to seal the filter/valve cartridge to the base plate in a fluid-tight manner.

Abstract: A subsea raw water injector including a pump which is connected to an injection string and a filter connected to an inlet of the pump to remove particulates from the surrounding sea water. The filter is in the form of an inclined tube settler disposed such that particulates separated from sea water flowing through it are discharged to the seabed.

Abstract: A flow through bubble trap for fluid flow lines comprises a chamber-defining wall and a flow inlet/outlet tube at least substantially extending through the chamber and open at opposed tube ends to respectively define an inlet and an outlet of the bubble trap. The tube defines a flow inlet port and a flow outlet port within the chamber interior. A flow blocking partition closes the bore of the tube between the flow inlet and outlet ports. Additionally, the chamber defining wall carries a retaining-sealing member for removable, sealing connection with a tube connector of a fluid flow line. The retaining-sealing member is free of fluid flow connection with the interior of the chamber defined by the wall, and thus serves as a seal for connectors on tube ends of a set carrying the bubble trap. Also, the chamber defining wall has a bottom wall that defines a third port.

Abstract: The present process proceeds from an aqueous reaction solution containing a chlorite and a halogen-free oxidizing agent which is present in an excess of up to double the required stoichiometric amount. The pH of the reaction solution is set at between 5.5 and 9.5, preferably between 6 and 9, and the reaction solution is reacted at ambient temperature until almost all the chlorite has been converted into chlorine dioxide. In this way a chlorine dioxide-containing solution is obtained which is free not only from residual chlorite but also from chlorate and other undesirable by-products and can be used directly as such in water treatment. Preferably an aqueous chlorite solution with a pH or more than 9.5 and an aqueous solution of the oxidizing agent are mixed with one another in order to produce the reaction solution, the pH of the aqueous reaction mixture being adjusted by means of a proton donor present in the oxidizing agent solution.

Abstract: A chromatography cartridge assembly includes a cartridge and first and second end caps. A wall of the cartridge defines a chamber for containing chromatography media. The end caps define inlet and outlet passages, respectively, for flow of process fluid. The first end cap defines flow distributor passages for distributing process fluid across a cross-sectional area of the chamber, and the second end cap defines flow collector passages for collecting process fluid from across a cross-sectional area of the chamber. A clamp is circumferentially located about the cartridge wall for applying a radial load through the wall to the first end cap to fix the first end cap in a desired position.

Abstract: Dual-flow filter for the biological purification of effluents, particularly water, comprising at least two filtration cells, arranged in series, in fluid communication, with one another so that the effluent to be treated passes through them successively, these two cells being separated by an intermediate box provided with aeration means, wherein the first filtration cell is of the ascending flow type and the second filtration cell is of the descending flow type, and the aeration in the intermediate box takes place countercurrentwise with respect to the liquid flow moving through the box, with a movement of the flows guided with the aid of a siphon partition.

Abstract: A fluid conditioning system and method is disclosed for coupling to a first solution source comprising a suspension solution and particles suspended in the suspension solution. The fluid conditioning system includes a containment vessel defining a treatment environment and including a wall defining a fluid passage and having an inlet apparatus. The inlet apparatus is coupled to the solution source for receiving a solution stream and directing the solution stream through the passage helically along the cylindrical wall. The containment vessel includes a sparging apparatus disposed downstream of the inlet apparatus for introducing a gas into the solution stream, and an outlet for discharging the sparged solution stream. The system further includes a flotation tank disposed proximate the containment vessel outlet for receiving the discharged solution stream.