Abstract: A modular filter system having a mechanism for performing a filter to waste step on the last cell of a multi-cell system following backwashing. A method of operating a modular filter system in which a filter to waste step is performed on the last cell of a multi-cell system after backwashing.

Abstract: A method is provided for preventing dopant leaching from a doped structural film during fabrication of a microelectromechanical system. A microstructure that includes the doped structural film, sacrificial material, and metallic material is produced with a combination of deposition, patterning, and etching techniques. The sacrificial material is dissolved with a release solution that has a substance destructive to the sacrificial material. This substance also acts as an electrolyte, forming a galvanic cell with the doped structural film and metallic material acting as electrodes. The effects of the galvanic cell are suppressed by including a nonionic detergent mixed in the release solution.

Abstract: A donor substrate (12) which is patterned to include a donor mesa (18) is bonded to a receiving substrate (20). In a one embodiment, a bulk portion of the donor substrate is removed while leaving a transferred layer (26) bonded to the receiving substrate. The transferred layer is a layer of material transferred from the donor mesa. A portion of receiving substrate can be processed to form a recess (27, 28, or 32) to receive the donor mesa. Alternatively, the transferred layer can be formed over a dummy feature (46) formed on the receiving substrate, either with or without the use of mesas on the donor substrate. In a preferred embodiment, the transferred layer is used to form an optical device such as a photodetector in a semiconductor device. With the invention, bonding can be achieve despite having a non-planar surface on the receiving substrate.

Abstract: Low K dielectrics, such as porous silica, present a problem during damascene processing in that the trench floor tends to be rough, thus requiring a thicker than desired barrier layer. This problem has been overcome by fully covering the trench floor with a layer of a flowable material following which an etchant is provided that etches both the trench and flowable materials at approximately the same rate. Using this etchant, the trench floor is then uniformly etched until only a small amount of flowable material remains. After removal of any and all remaining flowable material, it is found that the roughness at the trench floor has been reduced by a factor of about 3-5. This allows a barrier layer of normal thickness to be used during the standard copper damascene process without danger of copper leakage. The process is particularly well suited for use with porous silica dielectrics having a dielectric constant less than about 2.5.

Abstract: A protective finishing composition for protecting nylon fibers comprises an aqueous mixture of a sulfonated aromatic aldehyde condensation stainblocker, a methacrylate stainblocker, a fluorocarbon-based repellant emulsion, and a naphthalene sulfonated salt fluorocarbon anti-coalescing agent in an amount effective to prevent said fluorocarbon based repellant emulsion from coalescing in the presence of the stainblockers.

Abstract: A ferroelectric Pb5Ge3O11 (PGO) thin film is provided with a metal organic vapor deposition (MOCVD) process and RTP (Rapid Thermal Process) annealing techniques. The PGO film is substantially crystallization with c-axis orientation at temperature between 450 and 650° C. The PGO film has an average grain size of about 0.5 microns, with a deviation in grain size uniformity of less than 10%. Good ferroelectric properties are obtained for a 150 nm thick film with Ir electrodes. The films also show fatigue-free characteristics: no fatigue was observed up to 1×109 switching cycles. The leakage currents increase with increasing applied voltage, and are about 3.6×10−7 A/cm2 at 100 kV/cm. The dielectric constant shows a behavior similar to most ferroelectric materials, with a maximum dielectric constant of about 45. These high quality MOCVD Pb5Ge3O11 films can be used for high density single transistor ferroelectric memory applications because of the homogeneity of the PGO film grain size.

Abstract: Linear polymers of glycerol can prevent or delay ice nucleation in a variety of contexts. Polyglycerol can also be employed in combination with other ice control agents, such as polyvinyl alcohol/polyvinyl acetate copolymers and antifreeze proteins, to provide antinucleation effects that are superior to those of either polyglycerol or the co-antinucleator alone. Polyglycerol has a number of advantageous physical and toxicological properties, such as extreme water solubility, non-toxicity to human beings, non-toxicity to animal tissues and organs in vitro even at extreme concentrations, minimal foaming tendency, minimal retention on hydrophobic surfaces, and stability in solution without the need for periodic heating to reactivate its antinucleation properties.

Abstract: A process for preparing alcoholic solutions of alkali metal alkoxides. The process includes reacting an alkali metal with an alcohol in a microreactor wherein the microreactor provides laminer flow.

Abstract: The present invention provides an easy-to-handle biopolymer composite ion-exchanger with high cesium selectivity, and method for manufacturing this ion-exchanger with ease and good reproducibility, and relates to a cesium separation/recovery agent comprising a composite ion-exchanger with high cesium selectivity by employing a calcium alginate gel as a matrix and loading this matrix with an inorganic ion-exchanger; and to a manufacturing method therefor.

Abstract: Absorbing oxygen from a closed space at a rapid rate, particularly in food packaging, is made possible by introducing an alcohol-water mixture as an activator for iron-based absorber systems, preferably including an acid to control pH. Preferred alcohols are aliphatic alcohols, particularly, monohydric alkanols, such as methanol, ethanol, n-propanol, isopropanol, sec-butanol and t-butanol. Such absorber-activator combinations are capable of rapidly reducing the oxygen in a closed package. A preferred acid is orthophosphoric acid used in an amount sufficient to establish a pH of about 0.6 to 4. A preferred iron-based absorber system employs sponge iron, optionally including a dibasic acid cooperating with the orthophosphoric acid to control pH in the system. In one preferred embodiment, the iron-based absorber is pre-activated by contacting with the activator in the substantial absence of oxygen for a predetermined period of time.

Abstract: Halophosphate luminescent materials co-activated with europium and manganese ions and having the general formula of (Ca,Sr,Ba,Mg)5(PO4)3:Eu2+,Mn2+ are disclosed. The inclusion of manganese shifts the peak emission to longer wavelengths and, thus, is beneficial in generating a bright yellow-to-orange light. White-light sources are produced by disposing a halophosphate luminescent material, optionally with a blue light-emitting phosphor, in the vicinity of a near UV/blue LED. Blue light-emitting phosphors that may be used in embodiments of the present inventions are Sr4Al14O25:Eu2+, Sr6P6BO20:Eu2+, BaAl8O13:Eu2+, (Sr,Mg,Ca,Ba)5(PO4)3Cl:Eu2+, and Sr2Si3O6.2SrCl2:Eu2+.

Abstract: Materials containing precursors to electrically conductive polymers and electrically conductive polymers are described which have a high degree of crystallinity. The high degree of crystallinity is achieved by preparing the materials under conditions which provide a high degree of mobility to the polymer molecules permitting them to associate with one another to form a crystalline state. High levels of electrical conductivity are achieved in the electrically conductive materials without stretch orienting the material. The enhanced electrical conductivity is isotropic as compared to a stretch oriental film which has isotropic electrical conductivity.

Abstract: A Z-axis electrical contact may be formed using a resinous deposit containing conductive particles which may align along surface regions to form an electrical conduction path over the resinous material. If the resinous material is thermoplastic, the material may be heated to mechanically bond to contact surfaces. Advantageously, the resinous material may be formed by forcing a resinous matrix containing conductive particles through an annular opening in a stencil. The resulting member allows surfaces to be contacted which may be irregular or may be covered by native oxide layers.

Abstract: Sterically stabilized second-order nonlinear optical chromophores and devices incorporating the same are embodied in a variety of chromophore materials. An exemplary preferred chromophore includes an electron donor group, an electron acceptor group and a ring-locked bridge structure therebetween, with the bridge structure being directly connected to the electron donor via a single bond. Another exemplary preferred chromophore includes an electron donor group, an electron acceptor group and a ring-locked bridge structure between the electron donor group and the electron acceptor group, with two free double bonds, one located between the donor and the bridge and the other located between the (fused) ring bridge and the acceptor. Another exemplary preferred chromophore includes an electron donor group, an electron acceptor group, and a bridge structure therebetween, with the chromophores having no carbon-carbon double bond between the donor and the (fused) ring bridge.

Abstract: A fire barrier material comprising a combination of materials capable of melting progressively as the temperature rises under fire conditions, namely a relatively high melting devitrifying frit, one or more substances to reduce melt and flow temperature of the frit and, optionally, an intumescent substance and/or a pH buffer. The material is particularly suitable for use in thermoplastic materials.

Abstract: In exemplary embodiments, the invention provides one or more processes for making stampers for stamping replica data storage disks. For instance, the invention may provide a process for making a family of stampers from one master. Moreover, the invention may provide a way to systematically adjust the depth of the grooves on a stamper in a particular family of stampers while maintaining groove widths that are substantially the same as those of the master.

Abstract: A method of producing an optically molded product of a thermoplastic resin by injection compression molding, the method comprising the steps of: (1) expanding the volume of a cavity more than the volume of the optically molded product of interest; (2) injecting a molten thermoplastic resin into the cavity through an injection cylinder; (3) compressing the expanded cavity to a prescribed thickness of the molded product; (4) returning an excess of the thermoplastic resin produced by the compression into the injection cylinder; and (5) keeping the molten thermoplastic resin in the cavity until the molded product of interest is formed. The present invention makes it possible to produce an optically molded product (for example, a spectacle lens) free from a weld line and excellent in surface accuracy using a metal mold having a simple structure industrially advantageously.

Abstract: A process for preparing nanoparticles and microparticles is provided. The process involves forming a mixture of a polymer and a solvent, wherein the solvent is present in a continuous phase and introducing the mixture into an effective amount of a nonsolvent to cause the spontaneous formation of microparticles.

Abstract: An apparatus for the manufacture of chemical vapor deposited domes. The apparatus has a vapor deposition chamber with a plurality of sides, a base and a top where the base has a reactant port for receiving a flow of chemical reactants. A male mandrel is joined to one of a plurality of sides of the deposition chamber such that the flow of chemical reactants in the vapor deposition chamber does not impinge on the mandrel.

Abstract: A filling step control method of an injection molding machine for filling a molten resin into a die cavity is provided. The control method has the steps of: sampling in initiating the filling step for filling the molten resin into the die cavity by controlling an injection speed and, thereafter, by controlling a filling pressure while not exceeding a predetermined value; storing the injection speed over an entire filling process when a quality product can be stably obtained during the sampling step into a storage medium as a reference waveform; and after storing the reference waveform, molding for filling the molten resin into the die cavity by controlling the injection speed to follow the reference waveform over the entire filling step.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for precisely determining a separating force of a molded product from a mold by an ejector in an injection molding machine. A load exerted on an ejector mechanism in operation without a product molded in the mold is constituted by an inner resistance of the ejector mechanism. The inner resistance includes frictional force produced within the ejector mechanism and resilient forces of springs for returning ejector pins to retracted positions thereof. On the other hand, the load exerted on the ejector mechanism in operation with a product molded in the mold is constituted by the inner resistance and the separating force of the molded product from the mold. Thus, a difference between the loads detected in driving the ejector mechanism with and without a molded product at each ejector position precisely represents the separating force of the molded product from the mold.

Abstract: Process for making thermally stable macro porous spheres with or without central core cavity includes steps of homogenizing dry pulverized selective constituents with or without burnable core particles and with <25% combustibles; sprinkling over pan pelletizer wetted with PVA aqua sol binder and rolling to form spheres having <25% moisture and dry compacting in pelletizer before oven drying at 90-100° C. until moisture and core particles are partially destroyed and sintering under rotary motion of the spheres for 45-60 minutes at 1350-1380° C. before being rapidly cooled down to ambient temperature and sieving and recovering therefrom low-to-high temperatures >90% loose fill macro porous spheres for catalyst and moulded bricks/monoliths forming refractory insulation applications.

Abstract: A method forms a concrete block, particularly but not exclusively a composite block with a reflective fascia portion. The block is formed by a dry-cast technique, in which mixture for forming the block has a water/cement ratio less than or equal to 0.35, in combination with application of a compaction force so that the resultant block complies with compressive strength requirements set out in BS 6717: part 1: 1993.

Abstract: A metal oxide electrode for a supercapacitor and a manufacturing method thereof are disclosed. Potassium permanganate is absorbed on a conductive material, such as carbon or activated carbon, and mixed with a solution including manganese acetate so as to form amorphous manganese oxide. Amorphous manganese oxide powder is grounded to a powder which is mixed with binder to form an electrode having a predetermined shape. The electrode reduces equivalent serial resistance and enhances high frequency characteristics since the contact area and the adhesion strength between the manganese oxide and the conductive carbon are improved. Also, the electrode has high capacitance suitable for a supercapacitor, which is manufactured therefrom at a greatly reduced cost.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods involving rewetting of expandable polymers with a wettable liquid to allow for enhanced expansion at or below room temperature without breakage, and in some cases, allows one to achieve a greater expansion ratio than that allowed at elevated temperatures using known methods. The present invention also allows one to achieve material with unique properties and handling characteristics. These properties included decreased material thickness, increased density, an altered node/fibril morphology, and a more consistent web in the case of flat material. This method is not limited to room temperature conditions and can be applied whenever the expandable polymer material is wet with a wettable liquid, and the expansion is performed at a temperature preferably below the vaporization or boiling points of that liquid.

Abstract: A resilient article and method of manufacturing the same using recycled materials are described. Predetermined amounts of thermoset material and thermoplastic binder are mixed and extruded into a die, from which the mixture emerges in the form of a sheet having the approximate thickness of the finished article. The mixture then enters a calibrator, which more precisely shapes the sheet to the desired thickness. The sheet is then cooled and cut to the desired dimensions to provide the finished article. The thermoset material used in the mixture is preferably ground vehicle tire rubber with the fabric and metal removed and the thermoplastic binder is preferably waste polyethylene. The apparatus and method according to the present invention is particularly well suited for manufacturing resilient articles for use as expansion joint material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bonding molded pieces including left and right molds, a sheet material setting mechanism for inserting sheet material acting as a bonding medium between the left and right molds, a sliding blade portion that has a cutting blade disposed at a front end thereof for cutting the sheet material, the cutting blade being formed so as to be along outer circumferential surfaces of the molded pieces on a left side of the right mold and the sliding blade portion being movable to left and right inside the right mold, a driving mechanism for moving the sliding blade portion to left and right, a sliding blade bearing portion formed on a right side of the left mold such that the blade bearing portion and sliding blade bearing portion are movable to the left and right inside the left mold, and a spring member for pressing the sliding blade bearing portion to the right.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing a multilayer molded article comprising a step of supplying a skin material having at least a foam layer between a pair of a male mold half and a female mold half, supplying a molten thermoplastic resin between the skin material and the molding surface of one of the male mold half and the female mold half, a step of laminating the skin material onto at least a part of the surface of a substrate made from the thermoplastic resin and a step of forming a recess in the skin material laminating region, wherein the thickness, t (mm), of the foam layer in the skin material before molding is 0.6 R or less wherein R represents the minimum radius (mm) of the recess on the skin material laminating side of the substrate in the skin material laminating region of the multilayer molded article.

Abstract: The upper and lower mold plates of a transfer molding machine are configured for one-side encapsulation of a pair of substrate mounted electronic devices having an opposite conductor-grid-array and/or bare heat sink/dissipator. A buffer member, optionally with cut-outs or apertures, may be placed between the two back-to-back substrates for protecting the grid-arrays and enabling encapsulation of devices with varying thicknesses without adjustment of the molding machine. Alternately, the upper and lower plates are configured for one-side encasement using covers of a pair of substrate mounted electronic devices having an opposite conductor-grid-array and/or bare heat sink/dissipator.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing camber from zipper with profiles having interlocking elements and or webs. The zipper is stretched longitudinally in a manner so that the interlocking elements stretch relative to each other. To this end, the zipper is fed to an idler wheel that may be spring loaded. From a set of first drive wheels and fed from the idler wheel by a set of second drive wheels. The second drive wheels are driven faster than the first drive wheels to effect the stretching. Alternately only the second set of drive wheels are driven and the stretch is provided by the spring loaded idler wheel or the zipper is driven around a static curved surface.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for imprinting a hose (2) with a continuous grip enhancing texture is disclosed. The texturing device (C, C′) is comprised of a circular guide tube (8) through which the hose (2) to be textured is driven. The guide tube (8) is rotated, by a drive (4). Texturing means mounted at the exit end of the guide tube (8) are also rotated about the hose (2) as the texture is applied to the hose (2). The texturing of the hose is accomplished by at least one roller (6) mounted on a chuck (5) or by at least one scribing pen (28) mounted on a bracket (24).

Abstract: A method of making a plastics stretch film includes the steps of taking cast or blown film of LLDPE at a temperature of between 50° C. and 100° C., stretching it in two successive stretching steps, the first step having a stretch ratio higher than that of the second step, to cause both plastic and elastic deformation of the film. The film is then relaxed to substantially release all of the elastic deformation and winding the substantially relaxed film into rolls. Preferably, the first stretch ratio is in the range 1:1.85 to 1:1.95, and there is a reduction ratio of substantially 1:0.85 between the speed of the film during the second stretch rolling step and the speed of the film during wind-up.

Abstract: A cable tie having a locking head and a strap terminating in a tip is formed by injecting plastic material into a mold cavity defined by a first mold part that includes a head region defining a portion of the head and a second mold part that includes a tip region defining a portion of the tip. Upon initial separation of the mold parts a portion of the head is retained in the head region of the first mold part and a portion of the tip is retained in the tip region of the second mold part. Upon further separation of the mold parts, the tip is still retained in the tip region of the second mold part and the head is removed from the head region of the first mold part. Subsequently, the tip of the cable tie is ejected from the tip region of the second mold part.

Abstract: A manufacturing method comprising the steps of forming at first solidified wax layer of a desired shape, depositing onto the first solidified wax layer at least one layer of a liquid resin formulation, solidifying the layer of liquid resin formulation, depositing a second wax layer on to the combination of the first solidified wax layer and the layer of solidified resin formulation, solidifying the second wax layer, and separating the solidified resin formulation from first and second wax layers. Preferably, the resin formulation comprises at least one monofunctional water soluble vinyl or acrylic monomer in combination with a low molecular weight aliphatic polymer having acrylic or methacrylic acid functionality. The solidified wax and resin formulation layers can be machined as may be desired to form mold of a given shape comprising wax layers when the layer of formulation is separated from the wax layers.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for eliminating or reducing a surface skin when producing a flexible polyurethane foam slab are disclosed. The top surface of the chemically reactive polyurethane foaming mixture is heated during and/or after the foaming mixture expands. The heating preferably is conducted so as to prevent a significant temperature gradient from forming between the internal temperature of the foaming mixture and the top surface of that mixture. Preferably, heat is applied so as to heat from the top surface of the foaming mixture in an escalating fashion to higher temperatures as the foam is conveyed along a conveying path away from the foaming mixture dispensing device.

Abstract: A method for molding and aligning microstructures on a patterned substrate using a microstructured mold. A slurry containing a mixture of a ceramic powder and a curable fugitive binder is placed between the microstructure of a stretchable mold and a patterned substrate. The mold can be stretched to align the microstructure of the mold with a predetermined portion of the patterned substrate. The slurry is hardened between the mold and the substrate. The mold is then removed to leave microstructures adhered to the substrate and aligned with the pattern of the substrate. The microstructures can be thermally heated to remove the binder and optimally fired to sinter the ceramic powder.

Abstract: A two-part resilient bumper formed by depositing a first liquified resilient material into a bumper cavity of a mold plate, distributing the first liquified resilient material over a bottom portion of the bumper cavity before depositing a second liquified resilient material into the bumper cavity on top of the first liquified resilient material, and curing the first and second liquified resilient materials to form a first resilient material bonded to a second resilient material, wherein the first and second resilient materials have different performance characteristics when cured.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for manufacturing a flexible sheet product having liquid absorbent qualities. The apparatus generally includes first and second competing vacuum systems pulling air in substantially opposite directions into first and second moving screens, respectively. A molten polymer-based material, which is blown into the first and second competing vacuum systems, is pulled in substantially opposite directions onto the first and second moving screens. The liquid polymer-based material fiberizes as it is being pulled apart by the competing vacuum systems creating a web of fibrous material which cures to develop the flexible sheet product having liquid absorbent qualities.

Abstract: A method for fabricating electrically conductive silicon carbide articles by doping and sintering submicron silicon carbide particles using sub-micron alumina as the dopant source. Submicron alumina particles are made by milling aluminum powder. Despite the ductility of metallic aluminum, it is successfully ball milled in an aqueous medium through the creation and abrasion of successive layers of an alumina skin to yield alumina particles as small as 0.01 &mgr;m across. When suitably composed mixtures of the silicon carbide and alumina are molded into a green body and heated sufficiently in a non-oxidizing furnace atmosphere, the alumina breaks down to metallic aluminum which diffuses into the silicon carbide. The small particle sizes and the presence of a sintering aid enable rapid processing kinetics which favor saturation of the silicon carbide by the aluminum and inhibit grain growth.

Abstract: A reversible hydrogen storage alloy capable of absorbing approximately 4 weight percent hydrogen and desorbing up to 2.8 weight percent hydrogen at temperatures up to 100° C. The hydrogen storage alloy is generally composed of titanium, vanadium, chromium, and manganese. Additional elements such as zirconium, yttrium, iron, nickel, zinc, molybdenum, and tantalum may also be included in the alloy.

Abstract: This invention deals with a process for treating and sanitizing animal habitats. In addition to sanitizing the habitat the production of ammonia and odor from fecal matter and urine is inhibited or terminated. In the process an animal habitat is cleaned and subsequently treated with trichloromelamine (TCM). The TCM may be applied by spraying the habitat with a solution of TCM, by dusting the habitat with powdered TCM or by treating bedding/litter with TCM. This process produces healthier animals and as such the productivity of a given grow out is increased. The process of this invention is particularly suited to animal habitats which are used to raise batches of hogs, cattle, turkeys and chickens on a continuous basis.

Abstract: A diagnostic testing kit for collection of fluid samples comprising a reservoir cup insertable into a container vessel. Fluid placed in the cup is communicated to reactive test strips located in a separation cavity between the cup and the container vessel when assembled. The test strips have a reactive agent impregnated in them that reacts to specific substances in the fluid and provide a visual result through the sidewall of the container vessel to the user. An optional alarm is provided to show minimum and maximum test times.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for collecting a fluid specimen, locally analyzing the specimen to qualitatively detect specified chemical components at concentrations above threshold levels, and providing machine readable test results for facilitating data collection and reporting. The apparatus includes an assaying device comprised of a cup for collecting a fluid specimen and a cap carrying at least one test strip for visually reacting to one or more specified chemical components in the specimen. The cap also carries an aliquot delivery mechanism for forcing an aliquot of the fluid specimen onto the test strip. The assaying device is preferably configured to interact with a reader device capable of reading the reaction of the test strip to produce a data output.

Abstract: A solid state device is formed through thin film deposition techniques which results in a self-supporting thin film layer that can have a precisely defined channel bored therethrough. The device is useful in the chacterization of polymer molecules by measuring changes in various electrical characteristics as molecules pass through the channel. To form the device, a thin film layer having various patterns of electrically conductive leads are formed on a silicon substrate. Using standard lithography techniques, a relatively large or micro-scale aperture is bored through the silicon substrate which in turn exposes a portion of the thin film layer. This process does not affect the thin film. Subsequently, a high precision material removal process is used (such as a focused ion beam) to bore a precise nano-scale aperture through the thin film layer that coincides with the removed section of the silicon substrate.

Abstract: Apparatus or systems which employ luminescence quenching to produce a signal indicative of oxygen concentration. Components of such systems include: an airway adapter, sampling cell, or the like, having a sensor which is excited into luminescence with the luminescence decaying in a manner reflecting the concentration of oxygen in gases flowing through the airway adapter or other flow device; a transducer which has a light source for exciting a luminescable composition in the sensor into luminescence and a light sensitive detector for converting energy emitted from the luminescing composition as that composition is quenched into an electrical signal indicative of oxygen concentration in the gases being monitored; and subsystems for maintaining the sensor temperature constant and for processing the signal generated by the light sensitive detector.

Abstract: A tempering device for laboratory vessels and having a liquid-tight housing formed, at least partially, of a plastic dyed with a heat sensitive dye and filled, at least partially, with a tempering medium, and further having depressions extending into the housing.

Abstract: A processing apparatus includes a sealed vacuum chamber which contains a processing portion; a pressure controlling system which keeps the internal pressure of the sealed vacuum chamber constant at a predetermined level by exhausting the ambient gas in the sealed vacuum chamber; and an ambient gas recirculating system which recirculates the ambient gas exhausted from the sealed vacuum chamber back into the sealed vacuum chamber; wherein the ambient gas recirculated by the ambient gas recirculating system is blown into the sealed vacuum chamber so that a gas flow is generated in a predetermined direction along the processing portion.

Abstract: A high efficiency FCC process obtains the necessary regenerated catalyst temperature for a principally thermal cracking stage by cracking a light feedstock such as naphtha or a middle distillate in a first riser that principally performs thermal cracking and then cracks a heavy FCC feed in a second riser with a blend of catalyst from the principally thermal cracking step and recycle catalyst from the heavy feed to provide the necessary coke content on the catalyst that will produce high regenerated catalyst temperatures. The high temperature of the regenerated catalyst in the first riser provides a convenient means of cracking naphtha under high severity conditions and then using the remaining activity of the contacted catalyst for the principally catalytic reaction of the heavier feed. A separate thermal cracked product may be recovered from an intermediate blending vessel downstream of the first riser.

Abstract: An FCC process provides ultrashort catalyst and feed contacting in an FCC riser by recovering a short contact product stream in an intermediate section of the riser. The remainder of the catalyst and gas mixture continues through the riser along a continuous flow path for further controlled cracking of the heavier adsorbed hydrocarbons and entrained hydrocarbons. Residual catalyst separated from the recovery of the short contact product stream returns to the upstream end of the riser for recycle. The section of the riser downstream of the short contact product recovery may receive additional feed to perform secondary cracking reactions. The riser arrangement greatly simplifies methods for performing ultrashort FCC feed and catalyst contacting.

Abstract: This invention relates to pollution control requirements for fossil fuel burning facilities such as power plants, and, more particularly, to an apparatus for providing a safe and economical supply of ammonia, from a urea feedstock, when ammonia is desired or necessary to initiate, cause and/or supplement the removal of one or more pollutants from an exhaust gas stream.