Abstract: An adhesive material is used for connecting a protuberant electrode of an electronic component to a terminal electrode of a circuit board for carrying said electronic component through the adhesive material containing at least one curable resin and inorganic particles. The adhesive material is characterized in that as to the inorganic particles, their specific surface area S (m2/g) satisfies Equation (1) below, their mean particle size D1 (&mgr;m) and maximum particle size D2 (&mgr;m) respectively satisfy Equations (2) and (3) below, 3<S<17  (1) D1≦5  (2) D2≦0.5(h1+h2)  (3) (wherein h1 represents the height of the protuberant electrode in the electronic component, and h2 represents the height of the terminal electrode in the circuit board), and the content of said inorganic particles is 10 to 60 vol %.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring, measuring and/or controlling the etch rate in a dry etch semiconductor wafer processing system. The wafer processing system has a monitoring assembly which comprises an electromagnetic radiation source and detector which interferometrically measures the etch rate. The actual rate of change of the etch as it progresses is measures by this technique and is compared to a model of a desired rate of change in a controller. The error between the actual rate of change and the desired rate of change is then used to vary at least one of the process parameters of the system in a direction tending to null the difference.

Abstract: A component delivery mechanism for distributing a component inside a process chamber is disclosed. The component is used to process a work piece within the process chamber. The component delivery mechanism includes a plurality of component outputs for outputting the component to a desired region of the process chamber. The component delivery mechanism further includes a spatial distribution switch coupled to the plurality of component outputs. The spatial distribution switch is arranged for directing the component to at least one of the plurality of component outputs. The component delivery mechanism also includes a single component source coupled to the spatial distribution switch. The single component source is arranged for supplying the component to the spatial distribution switch.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for treating a workpiece using a plasma are disclosed in the present invention. In treating a workpiece using a plasma, the apparatus includes at least one pin electrode for receiving a power source, a dielectric body having first and second sides, wherein the first side is coupled to the pin electrode and the second side has at least one capillary extending to a direction of the first side of the dielectric body, and each capillary is substantially aligned with each pin electrode, and a counter electrode electrically coupled to the pin electrode for generating the plasma from each capillary.

Abstract: A plasma system for processing large area substrates. In one embodiment the system includes a plurality of radiofrequency (rf) plasma sources removably attached to the rf transparent windows of a processing chamber. The number and distribution of sources is varied to provide the size and uniformity of the plasma field required to treat the substrate. A plurality of plasma probes, such as Langmuir probes, Faraday cups and optical sensor are positioned within the chamber and in electrical communication with the plasma sources adjust the rf field produced by the individual sources to maintain the desired degree of field uniformity.

Abstract: An article having a protective coating for use in semiconductor applications and method for making the same is provided. In one embodiment, a method of coating an aluminum surface of an article utilized in a semiconductor deposition chamber includes the steps of heating a coating material to a semi-liquidous state, the coating material comprising at least one material from the group consisting of aluminum fluoride and magnesium fluoride and depositing the heated coating material on the aluminum surface. The protective coating has a beta phase grain orientation of less than about 10 percent that has good adhesion to aluminum and resists cracking, flaking and peeling. Some articles that may be advantageously coated include showerheads, blocker plates, support assemblies and vacuum chamber bodies, among others.

Abstract: The present invention's modifying method for wood elements includes a step for soaking wood elements in one or a mixture of acetic anhydride, acetic acid, or chloroacetic acid; and a step for acetylating the impregnated wood elements in a gaseous phase. This method makes it possible to reduce the time required for the step of acetylating the wood elements, simplifies the process, reduces fabrication costs, and enables fabrication of a wood fiberboard having high dimensional stability.

Abstract: A water soluble, surface active, polymeric agent is mixed with digestion liquor, preferably with an additional surface active defoamer coagulant agent prior to or during acidification of the alkaline digestive liquor. This results in an easily separable, non-gelatinous, non-gummy, coagulated lignin as a solids, particulate fraction that tends to float on a clarified liquid fraction containing recoverable salts. The solids fraction and the liquid frictions are easily separated, one from the other, by a gravity separation step.

Abstract: A method for bleaching unbleached softwood or hardwood pulps using hydrogen peroxide without added alkali for activation is described. The aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution contains an alkaline earth metal carbonate, preferably magnesium carbonate and can be used at elevated temperatures. Bleached hardwood or softwood mechanical pulps with high brightness, low yellowness (b*) and reduced reversion properties are produced.

Abstract: A distillation apparatus is provided with a distillation tower, a reboiler, a bottom outflow pipe for drawing a liquid from the bottom of the distillation tower, and a pot provided between the bottom of the distillation tower and the bottom outflow pipe. A part of the drawn liquid is discharged to the outside of the distillation apparatus while the rest is flowed to the reboiler. The pot has a cross-sectional area smaller than a cross-sectional area of the distillation tower and larger than a cross-sectional area of the bottom outflow pipe.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of substantially pure alkyl alkanoate, such as ethyl acetate, from an impure feedstock. The impure feedstock is contacted with a selective hydrogenation catalyst in the presence of hydrogen in a selective hydrogenation zone maintained under selective hydrogenation conditions effective for selective hydrogenation of impurities containing reactive carbonyl groups thereby to hydrogenate the impurities to the corresponding alcohols. After recovery from the selective hydrogenation zone of a selectively hydrogenated reaction product mixture including the alkyl alkanoate and the corresponding alcohols, this is distilled in one or more distillation zones so as to produce substantially pure alkyl alkanoate therefrom which is recovered.

Abstract: Aldehyde compounds contained in polycyclic diols as impurities are effectively removed by distilling the polycyclic diols in the presence of an alkali metal compound and/or a alkaline earth compound. The distilled polycyclic diols are useful as a diol component of a polymer such as polycarbonate with less yellowing.

Abstract: A method is provided for enhancing the catalytic reaction, by disposing a semiconductor catalyst in a fluid which includes charged particles and generating a magnetic field in the space where the semiconductor catalyst is disposed so as to impart electromagnetic induction energy to the charged particles. This method is capable of carrying out the reduction of nitrogen oxides, dechlorination of organic chlorine compounds and other reactions efficiently.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for separating metal deposit from a mother plate used as a cathode in an electrolytic process, as metal electrorefining or metal electrowinning, in which device there is a supporting member for supporting the cathode to be treated, a member for releasing at least partly a metal deposit grown during the electrolytic process on a surface of the mother, and a member for support the released metal deposit. According to the invention the mother plate of a cathode (1, 21, 31, 41, 51) is provided with a growth affecting means (16, 24, 36, 43, 53) for creating an irregularity in the growth of the metal deposit (4) to be used as a hinged member when the metal deposit (4) is tilted to the mother plate of the cathode (1, 21, 31, 41, 51) in order to break the metal deposit (4) in two separate pieces along the irregularity in the growth.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing microelectronic workpieces. The apparatus can include a housing at least partially enclosing a process environment, with a first processing chamber and a second processing chamber positioned within the housing. The first processing chamber can have a first electrically powered device, such as a first anode and/or a first cathode, and the second processing chamber can have a second electrically powered device, such as a second anode and/or a second cathode. A first power supply is electrically coupled to the first processing chamber to provide electrical power to at least one of a first anode and a first cathode, and a second power supply is electrically coupled to the second processing chamber to provide electrical power to at least one of the second anode and the second cathode.

Abstract: A plating method and apparatus for a substrate fills a metal, e.g., copper, into a fine interconnection pattern formed in a semiconductor substrate. The apparatus has a substrate holding portion 36 horizontally holding and rotating a substrate with its surface to be plated facing upward. A seal material 90 contacts a peripheral edge portion of the surface, sealing the portion in a watertight manner. A cathode electrode 88 passes an electric current upon contact with the substrate. A cathode portion 38 rotates integrally with the substrate holding portion 36. An electrode arm portion 30 is above the cathode portion 38 and movable horizontally and vertically and has an anode 98 face-down. Plating liquid is poured into a space between the surface to be plated and the anode 98 brought close to the surface to be plated. Thus, plating treatment and treatments incidental thereto can be performed by a single unit.

Abstract: A portable acidic water atomizer includes a casing; a source liquid tank provided within the casing; an electrolytic bath, for electrolyzing the supplied source liquid into acidic water and alkaline water; a pump for supplying source liquid within the source liquid tank to the electrolytic bath; an atomizing unit for spraying acidic water created in the electrolytic bath to outside of the casing; a waste liquid pipe, connecting the electrolyte bath and the waste liquid tank, for drawing alkaline liquid created by the electrolytic bath to a waste liquid tank; a control unit for controlling operation of the atomizing unit, the electrolytic bath, and the pump; and a power supply for driving the pump, electrolytic bath, atomizing unit and control unit.

Abstract: An electrode for the electrochemical fine-boring of workpieces includes an electrode tube for an electrolyte to pass through to reach a workpiece which is to be machined, and an electrical conductor which is connected to the electrolyte, in which electrode the tube, for the purpose of boring bores with the smallest possible diameter, consists of a metal with a substantially amorphous structure, is electrically conductive and is provided on its outer surface, at least in sections, with a nonconductive insulating layer.

Abstract: A second protective layer is a ceramic porous protective layer comprising coarse particles and fine particles structurally arranged in such a manner that interparticle cavities formed between the coarse particles are filled with the fine particles. At least either of the coarse particles and the fine particles contain at least one selected from the group consisting of &ggr;-Al2O3, &thgr;-Al2O3, &dgr;-Al2O3 and solid solution having the same crystal structure as those of &ggr;-Al2O3, &thgr;-Al2O3, &dgr;-Al2O3.

Abstract: Polypeptides which have been separated by gel electrophoresis can be identified by electroblotting them through a “sandwich” comprising in order: a) the separation gel; b) at least one hydrophilic membrane, e.g. of carboxyl-modified PVDF, on which is immobilized at least one reagent capable of cleaving a polypeptide, e.g. trypsin; c) a hydrophobic layer, typically a membrane, e.g. of PVDF. Preferably a biased alternating current or discontinuous direct current is used for electroblotting. The resulting fragments, usually peptides, are identified, preferably by MALDI-TOF MS.

Abstract: A precast slab gel for use in submerged (“submarine”) horizontal electrophoresis is formed in a tray that includes a flat base and two raised walls on opposing sides of the base, the walls containing one or more tabs on their outer surfaces, the tabs mating with grooves in the interior walls of the tank. The mating of the tabs with the grooves prevents movement and floating of the tray within to the electrophoresis cell during use. The tabs are designed to mate with grooves that are present in the tank for other purposes, which adds to the versatility of the design. Further versatility is achieved by joining the tabs to the tray walls by thin webs, which make the tabs readily removable, thereby rendering the tray usable in cell tanks that do not contain grooves.

Abstract: Described is a process for producing a self-supporting metal foil (40), in particular copper foil, which by virtue of its constitution has a low shearing strength and which can be structured in a sharp-edged configuration. In this case a base layer of the metal foil (40) is galvanically deposited on a roller cathode (22). A cauliflower structure (60) comprising the metal is deposited in firmly adhering relationship on the metal base layer (58) by means of an additional anode (32) provided between the roller cathode (22) and the anode cage (24). The metal foil (40) comprising the metal base layer (58) and the cauliflower structure (60) is detached from the roller cathode (22), rinsed and dried. The dried foil (40) comprising the metal base layer (58) provided with the cauliflower structure (60) is moved through a black oxide bath (46). There then follows a rinsing operation and a drying operation.

Abstract: In a method of fabricating an array of microstructures, a substrate with an electrically-conductive portion is provided, an insulating mask layer is formed on the electrically-conductive portion of the substrate, a plurality of openings are formed in the insulating mask layer to expose the electrically-conductive portion, and a first plated or electrodeposited layer is deposited in the openings and on the insulating mask layer by electroplating or electrodeposition. A second plated layer is further formed on the first plated or electrodeposited layer and on the electrically-conductive portion by electroless plating to reduce a size distribution of microstructures over the array.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electrolytic plating of selected areas of printed circuit board traces is disclosed. The method is characterized by its elimination of the need for plating bus bars and plating contacts on the printed circuit board to facilitate a spot-plating process. In one embodiment, a printed circuit board substrate is provided which is at least partially conductive, such that a plating voltage may be applied to any one or more points on the substrate during a spot plating operation. In another embodiment, the substrate material is initially partially conductive, but following the spot-plating operation, is subjected to a curing treatment or the like to cause degeneration of the substrate's conductivity. Carbon-impregnated polyimide, partially-cured polyimide, FR4 or FR5, with appropriate contaminants introduced therein are contemplated as materials suitable for a printed circuit board substrate in accordance with the invention.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process for electroplating a non-conducting surface such as through-hole walls within a printed circuit board substrate. The process comprises formation of a conductive oxide coating over a substrate, preferably by immersion of said substrate in an aqueous oxidative desmear solution for a time sufficient to form a coating containing conductive dielectric oxidation residue and then, in the absence of a step of forming an additional conductive coating over the residue coating or removing the coating, electroplating metal onto said surface by immersion of the substrate having the coating in an electroplating solution.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a process for applying a metal to a workpiece is set forth. The workpiece initially includes a seed layer deposited on at least a portion of a surface thereof that is generally unsuitable for bulk electrochemical deposition. The process starts with this workpiece and repairs the seed layer by depositing a metal using a first electrochemical deposition process to provide a repaired seed layer that is suitable for subsequent bulk electrochemical deposition. After the seed layer has been repaired, a bulk metal deposition over the repaired seed layer is executed by electrochemically depositing a bulk amount of a metal onto the repaired seed layer using a second electrochemical deposition process. The processing parameters of the second electrochemical deposition process are different from processing parameters used in the first electrochemical deposition process. A corresponding apparatus is also set forth.

Abstract: The present process for electrodepositing a zinc oxide film comprises the steps of immersing a substrate and an opposing electrode in an electrodeposition bath which contains zinc nitrate and is kept heated, and forming the zinc oxide film on the substrate by passing a current between the substrate and the opposing electrode, wherein the process further includes a step of trapping the particles of zinc oxide precipitated in the electrodeposition bath by circulating or stirring the bath before the formation of the zinc oxide film, whereby the present process can prevent the generated zinc oxide powder from depositing on the surfaces of the substrate and the zinc oxide film formed by electrodeposition when restarting or starting the formation of a zinc oxide film by the electrodeposition using an electrodeposition apparatus, and hence the formation of a uniform zinc oxide film free from defects.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the electrochemical treatment of an aqueous solution in an electrolytic cell is described. Output solution having a predetermined level of available free chlorine is produced by applying a substantially constant current across the cell between an anode and a cathode while passing a substantially constant throughput of chloride ions through the cell.

Abstract: A device and method for etching a wire to manufacture it into a tip for a scanning probe microscope or the like. The wire etching device generates a voltage signal for determining the level of a wire etching voltage, and applies the etching voltage of the level determined depending on the generated voltage signal to the wire to primarily etch it. The wire etching device measures the amount of etching current generated during the primary etching process and controls the level of the voltage signal according to the measured etching current amount so as to control the level of the etching voltage. Then, the device secondarily etches the wire with the level-controlled voltage signal. Therefore, the wire etching device can manufacture the tip while controlling its curvature radius and aspect ratio and reducing the amount of oxide on its surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and method for measuring hemoglobin in a fluid sample. The device comprises a disposable electrochemical cell, such as a thin layer electrochemical cell, containing a reagent capable of being reduced by hemoglobin. A suitable fluid sample that may be analyzed according the present invention is whole blood. If the hemoglobin to be analyzed is present in red blood cells, a lysing agent may be added to the sample to release the hemoglobin prior to analysis.

Abstract: A hydrocarbonaceous feed is hydroprocessed in a single vessel containing two reaction stages and a stripping stage. The feed is fed into the first reaction stage to produce a vapor and liquid effluent which are separated, and the liquid stripped. The stripped liquid is passed as feed into the second stage, in which it meets with fresh hydrogen to produce a hydroprocessed liquid product and a hydrogen-rich vapor. The vapor is passed into the first stage, to provide the hydrogen for that stage. The use of a single vessel provides an efficient and economical addition to, or replacement for, a vessel for an existing hydroprocessing facility.

Abstract: A crude oil feedstock or crude oil fractions containing pitch feedstock is pyrolyzed in a pyrolysis furnace.

Abstract: The present invention provides a convenient way to filter water in a body of water. The invention combines an encloseable container with an internal pump producing cyclonic action, with two different types of filters. One type of filtering consists of layers of varied porosity, one layer filtering only very fine debris, while the other layers blocking progressively large debris. The other type of filtering involves stacked discs placed to aid in further filtering of the water in the chamber of the cylinder. Water flows around the bottom disc, through holes in the second disc, and around the third disc before approaching the stacked filters of varied porosity. An internal ultra-violet light helps control algae in the water.

Abstract: A process and device for chromatography, such as preparative and analytical supercritical fluid chromatography, or supercritical fluid extraction for a liquid phase SFC collection system that separates and retains eluted components from sample injections. The process efficiently separates liquid and gas phases in the flow stream upstream of a collection vessel and without additional pressure schemes or solvent extractions imposed on the flowstream. Sample fractions are collected from sample component concentration peaks based upon the chromatographic elution of the sample components. Samples are repeatedly the injected into the mobile phase flow stream and collected into large volume collection containers, thereby allowing longer unattended run times and cost-efficient sample purification and recovery.

Abstract: A combined oil filter and magnet apparatus of the invention generally is comprised of an oil filter and a removable and reusable magnet unit attached to the oil filter. The removable and reusable magnet unit attracts and retains ferro-magnetic particles present in the oil flowing inside the oil filter, thereby separating those particles from the flowing oil. Inside the oil filter, an oil flow director is provided to direct oil flow to the vicinity of the removable and reusable magnet unit. With a first embodiment of the invention, the removable and reusable magnet unit is partially received in a centrally located filtered oil flow space inside the oil filter. With a second embodiment of the invention, the removable and reusable magnet unit is completely external to the interior of the oil filter.

Abstract: A filter assembly includes a water filter assembly having a filter element sealingly disposed in a cartridge, and having an inlet and an outlet, the water filter assembly being substantially dripless when charged with water and disposed substantially horizontally. A manifold assembly is fluidly couplable at an inlet to a source of water to be filtered and having a filtered water outlet and having mating members for removably mating to the water filter assembly and having a mounting means attached to said manifold providing rotational travel to the water filter assembly for installation, removal and replacement of the water filter assembly. A cartridge and a water distribution manifold assembly are further included.

Abstract: A separation end cap adapted for connecting adjacent separation elements is provided. The end cap may be located at the distal ends of a separation element and is adapted for connection with a permeate tube located within the separation element. In one embodiment the end cap includes an inner hub for receiving an O-ring to seal against an inner hub of an end cap on an adjacent separation element. The inner hub of the end cap may be spin-welded to the outer surface of the permeate tube. A locking structure on an outer hub of the end cap co-acts with a locking structure on an end cap of an adjacent separation element to releaseably lock the end caps and, therefore, adjacent separation elements. The locking structure preferably provides a predetermined axial force on the O-ring to seal the connection between permeate tubes of adjacent separation elements.

Abstract: A permeable membrane system (10) for the separation of fluid components includes a laminated composition (12) having two sheets (14 and 16) formed from a polymer and positioned adjacent one another to form a fluid passage (18) therebetween. The outside surfaces (20 and 22) of the sheets (14 and 16) are permeable to allow fluid flow from the outside surface (20 and 22) to the fluid passage (18). The outside surface (20 and 22) of the laminated composition (12) includes a plurality of embossed islands spaced from one another to define feed pathways (26) around and between the embossed islands.

Abstract: A hollow fiber membrane cartridge comprises a bundle of a plurality of hollow fiber membranes, both ends of which are fixed by adhesion, a cartridge head fixed at the periphery of the bundle at one end so as not to permit the passage of liquid either in or out, and a bottom ring fixed at the periphery of the bundle at the other end so as not to permit the passage of liquid either in or out, wherein the cartridge head and the bottom ring are not connected and fixed but are separated, the hollow portion at the end of each hollow fiber membrane on the cartridge head side is open, the hollow portion at the end of each hollow fiber membrane on the bottom ring side is sealed, and a plurality of through-holes are provided in an adhesion and fixation layer on the bottom ring side.

Abstract: A blood purifying apparatus having excellent purification performance (elimination of low molecular proteins, etc.) and being contaminated with little endotoxins flowing from the dialyzate side is described. Attention was paid to the solute permeability coefficient &agr; and water permeability performance Lp of blood purifying apparatus and the relation between &agr; and Lp has been examined. As a result, a blood purifying apparatus having excellent purification performance and substantially being free from invasion of endotoxins was obtained by regulating the value &agr;/Lp to 6×10−7 or above, or regulating &agr; within a range of 8×105 to 1.5×10−3, and the value &agr;×Lp to 2.4×10−2 or less. Also, a blood purifying apparatus having excellent purification performance and substantially being free from invasion of endotoxins was obtained by regulating the invasion ratio which is obtained by the polymer invasion test to 10% or less.

Abstract: A device for separating liquid and/or gas components from each other, which device includes a ceramic membrane comprising a porous layer of &ggr;-alumina which is present on top of a porous layer of supporting material, wherein an alkali-free, phosphorous material is provided between said supporting material and said layer of &ggr;-alumina, and wherein said material preferably consists of monoaluminium phosphate.

Abstract: The invention describes hydrophilically acting shaped objects, in particular semipermeable membranes for pyrogen retention, comprising a synthetic polymer component and an additive made from a copolymer made from vinylpyrrolidone and a vinylimidazole compound, and furthermore processes for manufacturing the shaped objects. The shaped objects of the invention exhibit such a high pyrogen retention capacity that the pyrogen concentrations present in the filtrates are in part below the detection limit of the gel clot LAL test.

Abstract: This invention pertains generally to anaerobic digesters, and more particularly to a system and process that extends the range of acceptable biomass feedstock concentrations and provides pH process control of all known digestion processes: by the creation of a vacuum or vacuum retort in or before the digester that essentially acts to boil off excess liquid, thickening the liquor of the digester to an optimum value; and to control the pH of the various phases or stages of digestion by separating the component products of digestion and mixing or diffusing a portion of said component products into the mixing system of each phase of the process. A system and process: that produces a potable water effluent, clean commercially useful by-products, zero environmental emissions, a very positive ecological impact; and, that has the capability of being completely self powered plus providing energy back to the community or industry that supports or owns it.

Abstract: Hydrophobic compositions and methods for using hydrophobic compositions in improving the water quality of water applications. The hydrophobic composition comprising hydrophobic carriers and microbial agents and wherein the hydrophobic composition distributes the microbial agent efficiently and uniformly to the water application and target plants and/or organisms.

Abstract: An in situ method and system for reductive dechlorination, the precipitation of chromium, the precipitation of heavy metals, and microbial denitrification. The invention comprises the formation of in situ anaerobic reactive zones to precipitate and filter out dissolved heavy metals as metallic sulfides, to degrade nitrate to nitrogen gas, to reduce chlorinated hydrocarbons to ethene, and to precipitate and filter out chromium. The invention is comprised of an injection well or wells that extend into a contaminated groundwater. A conduit located within the injection well conveys a reagent to the contaminated groundwater. The reagent may be a carbohydrate rich solution. Microbes digest the carbohydrates to produce sulfate reducing and methanogenic conditions within the reactive zone that include a dissolved oxygen level less than about 0.5 mg/l, a redox potential less than about −250 mv, and a dissolved organic carbon to contaminant ratio of greater than about 50:1.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and installation for the treatment of excess sludge derived from biological wastewater treatment plants. The method is characterized in that it consists of associating at least one digestion step (4) and at least one wet oxidation step (2) of said sludge, said wet oxidation step being conducted at a temperature of between 50° C. and 180° C. and at a pressure of between 2 and 40 bar.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cellulose compound hollow fiber membrane having high mechanical strength and is hardly degraded by microorganisms, wherein a cellulose compound is comprised as a membrane material, the thickness of the membrane is 50 to 500 &mgr;m, a dense membrane surface having an average pore diameter of 0.001 to 0.05 &mgr;m exists on the internal and/or external surface thereof, the inside of the membrane is composed of a three-dimensional network-like porous structure having voids with an average pore diameter of 0.05 to 2 &mgr;m, and 70% by weight or more of the membrane material is cellulose acetate propionate or cellulose acetate butyrate.

Abstract: Isotope water molecules, e.g., HTO and T2O, are separated from contaminated water by conveying the contaminated water through a separation chamber containing a separation material formed of an inorganic substrate with hydration sites having multiple associated waters of hydration, whereby the waters of hydration are preferentially replaced by the isotope water molecules. The discharged water, which is lower in concentration of isotope water molecules due to the preferential replacement, can be conveyed through a second separation chamber containing additional separation material to remove additional isotope water molecules. Following saturation, the separation material is heated to separate the isotope water molecules. The relatively concentrated water driven off by heating is stored or otherwise disposed of, and the separation material is reused.

Abstract: A new method for removing HF and related organic fluorides from fluid streams in which the fluoride species exist as impurities and, in particular, from hydrocarbon fluid streams containing no more than about 1.0% by weight total combined fluorides. The method consists of contacting the fluid stream with an adsorbent consisting essentially of activated alumina that has been treated with a promoter material selected from the oxides and phosphates of alkali metals and alkaline earth metals, and mixtures thereof. This is preferably accomplished by providing a suitable absorber vessel charged with the adsorbent to form a fixed bed, and then conducting the fluoride-contaminated fluid through the fixed bed, either in a downflow or an upflow manner.

Abstract: A collector for use in removing metal ions from a plasma in a vacuum chamber includes a collector plate that is mounted inside the chamber and formed with an internal cooling channel. An injector introduces a dissociated salt into the chamber with a first throughput value, and it introduces a plasma including metal ions into the chamber with a lower second throughput value. A pump is used to pump a liquid coolant through the cooling channel to maintain the collector plate at a temperature that forms a portion of the salt as a protective layer on the collector plate, and causes the salt to thereafter deposit on the layer in a molten condition at a faster rate than evaporation therefrom to trap metal ions therein. The trapped metal ions are then removed with the molten salt from the chamber.