Abstract: A water-soluble container containing a composition, said container comprising a member having at least two openings positioned on different sides of the member, each opening being closed by a film.

Abstract: A top frame assembly having an upper member having a central opening defined therethrough and a generally planar upper wall, a first plurality of ribs extending downwardly therefrom, and a first mating surface. Also included is a bottom member having a central opening defined therethrough and a generally planar lower wall, a second plurality of ribs extending upwardly therefrom, and a second mating surface, wherein the first and second mating surfaces are attached to each other. Also included is at least one insert member disposed between the upper wall and the lower wall.

Abstract: A child resistant pill package assembly comprising a base member and a top member spaced apart to define a hollow interior. A dial is mounted on a platform for an annular pill pack assembly having a lower portion. The dial projects through an opening in the top. A plurality of radially outwardly circumferentially spaced teeth are formed on the lower portion of the dial. A series of complementary teeth which project radially inwardly from the circular opening in the top and mesh with the teeth on the lower portion of the dial when aligned therewith. Flexible spring fingers normally bias the dial outwardly so that the dial teeth and top teeth are in meshing relationship. Application of pressure on the dial downwardly displaces the spring fingers so that the teeth are disengaged and confront the upper portion to permit rotation of the dial and pill pack.

Abstract: A packaging system for shipping liquid or particulate material comprises a cardboard carton, a plastic materials storage liner shaped and sized to fit in the carton, and a sleeve that surrounds and is adapted to support the liner at its top end. The liner is formed with an open top and a removable and replaceable cover is provided for the liner to prevent loss of material stored in the liner.

Abstract: A container including a rigid plastic pallet and a tubular sleeve positioned in upstanding fashion on the pallet to form the container. The pallet includes a platform portion adapted to receive a lower edge of the tubular sleeve and a plurality of peripherally spaced hollow legs downstanding from the platform portion and each including a bottom wall. The bottom wall of each leg has an outboard upper level portion and an inboard lower level portion. The upper level portion of each leg has an upper face sized to receive a seat section of the lower edge of the upstanding sleeve and a lower face sized to seat a section of an upper edge of the tubular sleeve of a lower container in a stack of containers. The inboard lower level portions are sized to fit within the upper edge of the lower container sleeve to maintain successive sleeves in a stack of containers in alignment and insure that compressive loading in the sleeves in transferred downwardly to the support surface for the stack.

Abstract: A fixing structure is employed to secure a stylus in a portable computer. The fixing structure has a storage slot, an attachment means, a latch and an elastic apparatus. An attachment means mounted on a stylus has an engraved notch. The latch embedded in the storage slot fits in the engraved notch of the attachment means to prevent the stylus from slipping out of the storage slot. The latch is pushed by the elastic apparatus.

Abstract: A lubricating base oil composition having at least 95 wt % saturates, of which saturates fraction between 10 and 30 wt % are cyclo-paraffins and the remainder being n- and iso-paraffins, having a viscosity index of above 120 and a pour point of below −15° C.

Abstract: A novel apparatus for producing sweet synthetic crude from a heavy hydrocarbon feed comprising: an upgrader for receiving said heavy hydrocarbon feed and producing a distillate fraction including sour products, and high-carbon content by-products; a gasifier for receiving the high-carbon content by-products and producing synthetic fuel gas and sour by-products; a hydroprocessing unit for receiving the sour by-products and hydrogen gas, thereby producing gas and sweet crude; and a hydrogen recovery unit for receiving said synthetic fuel gas and producing further hydrogen gas and hydrogen-depleted synthetic fuel gas, said further hydrogen gas being supplied to said hydroprocessing unit.

Abstract: A safe, efficient and repetitively operable coke vessel decoking system is disclosed. In a preferred embodiment the closed system comprises a coker vessel pressure-tightly sealed to a top head system, which includes a closure housing with a laterally moveable horizontal closure member therein and a cutting head enclosure, which further comprises a drill stem guide, an access door, and a cutting assembly mounted therein. A novel feature of the invention is a steam purge/blocking system whereby steam pressure is maintained in the closure housing during the coking cycle to maintain seal integrity. Personnel safety during decoking operations is greatly enhanced by eliminating dangerous manual tasks associated with the prior art such as unbolting and removing top head devices. The system can be remotely and repetitively operated through numerous coking/decoking cycles without removal of any system element.

Abstract: Desulfurization reactors, and fuel desulfurization systems incorporating them, comprise monolithic sulfur-adsorbent reactor packings having internal void spaces bounded by internal fuel contacting surfaces that support or contain active sulfur adsorbents for sulfur trapping, the reactors providing efficient fuel feed desulfurization at high liquid and/or gas feed rates and low pressure drops.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the removal of nitrogen and sulfur containing impurities from high molecular weight petroleum feedstock obtained from fluid cracking catalyst or distillation zone of a petroleum treatment plant. The present process comprises first treating C12 and higher hydrocarbon petroleum feedstock having nitrogen and sulfur containing compounds therein with a porous, particulate adsorbent comprising a silica matrix having an effective amount of metal atoms therein to cause the adsorbent to have Lewis acidity of at least 500 &mgr;mol/g and then treating the resultant feedstock to catalytic hydrodesulfurization to produce a hydrocarbon fuel having low sulfur and nitrogen content.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to the removal of nitrogen and sulfur containing impurities from high molecular weight petroleum feedstock obtained from fluid cracking catalyst or distillation zone of a petroleum treatment plant. The present process comprises first treating C12 and higher hydrocarbon petroleum feedstock having nitrogen and sulfur containing compounds therein with a porous, particulate adsorbent comprising a silica matrix having an effective amount of metal atoms therein to cause the adsorbent to have Lewis acidity of at least 500 &mgr;mol/g and then treating the resultant feedstock to catalytic hydrodesulfurization to produce a hydrocarbon fuel having low sulfur and nitrogen content.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the production of refinery transportation fuel or components for refinery blending of transportation fuels having a reduced amount of sulfur and/or nitrogen-containing impurities. The process involves contacting a hydrocarbon feedstock containing the above impurities with an immiscible phase containing hydrogen peroxide and acetic acid in an oxidation zone to selectively oxidize the impurities. After a gravity phase separation, the hydrocarbon phase containing any remaining oxidized impurities, is passed to an extraction zone wherein aqueous acetic acid is used to extract a portion of any remaining oxidized impurities. A hydrocarbon stream having reduced impurities can then be recovered. The acetic acid phase effluents from the oxidation and the extraction zones can then be passed to a common separation zone for recovery of the acetic acid and for optional recycle back to the oxidation and extraction zones.

Abstract: A novel hydrocarbon feedstream catalyst bed for the desulfurization of a gas or a liquid hydrocarbon feedstream and a process comprising passing a hydrocarbon feedstream over the catalyst bed is described. The bed comprises at least two catalysts having different sulfur compound affinities and/or specificities thereby improving the overall amount of sulfur compound removal. The process reduces the sulfur content in a gas hydrocarbon feedstream from up to about 300 ppm to less than about 500 ppb, and in a liquid hydrocarbon feedstream from up to about 3% to less than about 500 ppb.

Abstract: A separator that provides a convergent conical flow path for a mixture introduced into the separator at fairly high velocity. Within the convergent flow path, the angular velocity of the spiraling mixture increases such that heavier species are segregated from lighter species. The convergent flow path transitions into a substantially uniform flow path where the spiraling mixture maintains a fairly uniform velocity and further separation occurs. The uniform flow path then transitions to a divergent conical exhaust flow path where some or all of the heavier species are exhausted from the separator. Within the substantially uniform flow path, a retrograde flow of the lighter species is created with an interaction with a diffuser surface arranged in the exhaust flow path. As such, the lighter species are channeled to a separate exit port to provide some degree of separation of the mixture.

Abstract: A bench-top pill counter accurately and automatically counts a wide variety of shapes and sizes of pharmaceutical pills and capsules, having a variety of coatings. A rotating bowl, periodically shaken during rotation, is combined with a fixed, flared spiral guide ramp causing pills to distribute individually on an annular ledge in the bowl. The pills are dispensed from the bowl onto a sloped slide and counted at the bottom of the slide by an optical counter. The micro-computer determines an optimum speed and shake algorithm for the bowl, based on the characteristics such as the size and shape of the pills, so that the pills distribute individually and only one pill at a time passes the counter.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing seed or seed samples includes an autonomous sorter which sorts seed by pre-programmed criteria. Optional features can include a counter to autonomously ensure the correct number of seeds to a seed package, a cleaning device, a sheller, and a label applicator. A conveyance path, controlled automatically, can move the seed to appropriate and desired stations during the processing while maintaining the sample segregating from other samples. Validation of the sample can be pre-required and information about the sample can be derived and stored for further use.

Abstract: A water filtration system incorporating a fluid flow meter has a modular turbine casing assembly in which a turbine is located between upstream and downstream casing elements of identical shape and formed to be stacked so as to trap the turbine in between. The turbine is magnetized and rotation of the turbine is monitored electronically with a reed switch having a lead wire which is positioned proximate to the turbine to sense fluctuations in a magnetic field created by the turbine on rotation of the turbine. The reed switch housing itself is disposed at a location remote from the turbine. The system further includes processing means for calculating an adjusted accumulated count data for low volumetric flow rates which are less than a predetermined threshold value. Advantageously, the invention can be used to reliably measure very low flow rates with very little power drawn.

Abstract: A filter module for an automotive fuel supply system includes a housing, a filter mounted in the housing, a pressure regulator conduit mounted in the housing, and a pressure regulator. The housing includes a module inlet and a module outlet. The filter is in fluid communication with the module inlet and the module outlet. The pressure regulator conduit includes a regulator inlet in fluid communication with the filter, regulator outlet, and a receptacle in fluid communication with the regulator inlet and the regulator outlet. The receptacle includes a first surface surrounding an axis, and a second surface surrounding the axis and the first surface to provide a void between the first surface and the second surface. The pressure regulator is mounted in the receptacle to selectively open fluid communication between the regulator inlet and the regulator outlet. The pressure regulator extends into the void between the first surface of the receptacle and the second surface of the receptacle.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for separating, immobilizing, and quantifying biological substances from within a fluid medium. Biological substances are observed by employing a vessel (6) having a chamber therein, the vessel comprising a transparent collection wall (5). A high internal gradient magnetic capture structure may be on the transparent collection wall (5), magnets (3) create an externally-applied force for transporting magnetically responsive material toward the transparent collection wall (5). The magnetic capture structure comprises a plurality of ferromagnetic members and has a uniform or non-uniform spacing between adjacent members. There may be electrical conductor means supported on the transparent collection wall (5) for enabling electrical manipulation of the biological substances. The chamber has one compartment or a plurality of compartments with differing heights. The chamber may include a porous wall.

Abstract: An absolute measurement scale 18 comprises an incremental scale 10 with light reflecting lines 12 alternating with non-light reflecting lines 14 in which absolute data, in the form of discrete codewords, is embedded in the incremental scale by removing light reflecting lines 22. The codewords are arranged such that the scale is palindromic and cyclic. A look-up table is used to determine a coarse absolute position by comparing absolute position data extracted from the scale with absolute codewords in the look-up table. The absolute position is determined by combining the coarse absolute position with the position of the start of the first codeword in the data extracted. The absolute position may be determined to within a scale pitch by combining the absolute position with the incremental position.

Abstract: A method for denitrification of water, in which the water to be denitrified is made to flow over a porous carrier which comprises a transition metal, preferably palladium, used in an amount between 0.01 and 5% by weight on the carrier and on which denitrifying bacterial strains capable of surviving in the presence of hydrogen are made to adhere, and in which hydrogen is used as a reducing agent and the pH of the reaction is adjusted to values of 4.5 to 7.8 preferably by using carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A device for separating debris and other material from rainwater as it flows into a downpipe from a roof gutter is disclosed. The device has a compartment for fitting to the upper end of a downpipe. The compartment has a horizontally pivoted perforated drum which rotates when rainwater and entrained debris from an overhead gutter impinges on it such that the rainwater passes through the perforations in the drum into the associated downpipe and the debris is ejected outside of the device by the rotation of the drum.

Abstract: A fluid filtration system includes a filter receiver located in a fluid reservoir housing and a replaceable filter module adapted to mount in the filter receiver. Fluid to be filtered is exposed to a filter media included in the filter module and mounted in a filter chamber provided in the filter receiver. The filtered fluid is discharged into a fluid reservoir located in the fluid reservoir housing and outside the filter receiver. Low-pressure fluid is then pumped from the fluid reservoir to a fluid user and fluid discharged from the filter user is conducted to the filter chamber for filtration in the filter media.

Abstract: Packing materials useful in applications such as liquid chromatography and solid phase extraction, as well as processes for producing such packing materials are described. The packing materials are based on chemically modified diamond powders. The surfaces of the diamond powders are attached with hydrocarbon, amino, carboxylic acid, or sulfonic acid groups through C—C, C—N, or C—S single bonds. The residual groups can be solely hydroxyl groups or solely hydrogen atoms. The stability of the packing materials allows regeneration of columns at pH>14 for protein separation. With hydrogen atoms as the residual groups for reverse phase diamond packings, the non-specific interaction associated with silica, polymeric, or graphitic packings can be largely eliminated. With hydroxyl groups as the residual groups for ion exchangers based on diamond powders, the non-specific interaction associated with hydrophobic sites can be largely eliminated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a swimming pool filter that includes a filter body (1) being formed by a casing (2) with a top cover (3), and the cover (3) forms a water distributor (4), this latter being compartmented (6, 7, 8, 9 and 10), upperly open (11) and provided with lateral openings (12, 13, 14 and 15) for a selected water inflow and outflow, the distributor (4) being closed by a rotatable (24), compartmented (20, 21, 22 and 32) sealing subcover (19). The subcover (19) is apt to be stabilized in its different positions by means of peripheral projections (27) being apt to selectively fit into a socket (28) being integral with the cover (3) in the vicinity of its open top (11). A receiver (32) is inferiorly fitted to the casing (2) and is made up of a grid-like plate conforming to the periphery of the casing (2).

Abstract: Often in diesel engines, there are two or more fuel filters that provide intense filtration of the fuel prior to injection of the fuel into the engine. However, the two or more fuel filters consume a considerable amount of space within the vehicle which may prevent all of the fuel filters from being attached to the engine. The present invention is a multiple fuel filter pump module that includes a module housing. The module housing is formed to include a pump housing and a dual fuel filter head portion. A fuel pump is positioned within the pump housing, and more than one detachable fuel filter assemblies are attached to the multiple fuel filter head portion. The module housing can be attached to an engine housing.

Abstract: The present invention provides a deep gradient-density filter device capable of effectively filtering a fluid containing a distribution of particles in the range of approximately 25 microns to approximately 0.2 micron at a fluid velocity of at least approximately 100 cm/hr and an initial hydraulic permeability of greater than approximately 10 cm/hr/psi. The deep gradient-density filter device comprises several layers of filtration material, each having specific predetermined particle retention properties. In one product embodiment of the present invention, the deep gradient-density filter device uses “loose” fibrillated cellulose fiber material as a primary filter element. In a method aspect of the invention, the deep gradient-density filter device is used for either the secondary clarification of industrial-scale cultured or fermented protein-containing biopharmaceutical fluids or the primary clarification of pilot-scale volumes of said fluids.

Abstract: A cell-type filter unit having two or more filter media layers and/or zones, at least one of the layers/zones having a different particle retention capability disposed on each side of a non-filtering separator element. The filter media are preferably positioned such that each succeedingly distal filter layer or zone from the separator has a decreased particle retention capability than each proceeding filter layer or zone. The filter media layer most proximal to the separator element may be separated from the separator by a support material for supporting such filter media element and preventing collapsing of the media into any separator conduit.

Abstract: A membrane filtration device has a multiplicity of hollow fiber membranes, or fibers, unconfined in a shell of a module; a first header and a second header disposed in vertically spaced-apart relationship; said first header and said second header having opposed ends of each fiber sealingly secured therein, all open ends of said fibers open to a permeate-discharging face of at least one header; permeate collection means to collect said permeate, sealingly connected in open fluid communication with a permeate-discharging face of at least one of said headers; means to withdraw said permeate; said fibers, said headers and said permeate collection means together forming an integrated combination wherein said fibers are essentially vertically disposed and ends of individual fibers are potted in closely spaced-apart relationship in cured resin; with opposed faces at a fixed distance; each of said fibers having a length from 0.1% to less than 5% greater.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved distributor including a conduit having an inlet end to receive incoming slurry and an outlet end to feed slurry onto a treatment apparatus such as a filter. A plurality of spaced apart diverter rows are arranged within the conduit between the inlet and outlet ends including a first diverter row comprising one adjustable diverter that is selectively adjustable to divide incoming slurry into either two slurry streams or into three slurry streams. A last diverter row is provided adjacent the outlet end, and the last row includes a plurality of spaced apart non-adjustable diverters make a last division of the slurry before it is discharged onto the filter.

Abstract: The ICE-TRAP is an invention that makes the drinking process a much more enjoyable and profitable experience. This is because the ICE-TRAP adds quality to existing drinking products, while at the same time making them more efficient for the consumer and the producer. The effectiveness of the ice trap can be seen not only in its design but also in the simplicity of the principles the ICE-TRAP is based on. Ice floats in liquid because of its density, ice cools the liquid, liquid comes through the end of the straw. The ICE-TRAP utilizes the buoyancy of the ice to trap it at the end of the straw where the liquid flows through. The effect of this product will be seen in the fact that drinks will last for a longer period of time, people will not have to sacrifice their drink with too much ice. And the temperature of their drink will be much cooler for a longer period of time.

Abstract: Phase inversion microporous membranes including at least two different pore size regions are provided, wherein two membrane sheets are placed, back-to-back, such that the qualifying pore zones are positioned internally within the structure. Exemplary membranes according to the present disclosure provide excellent thermal stability and retention characteristics. Methods for fabricating and using the disclosed membrane structures are also provided according to the present disclosure.

Abstract: A coating system (66, 68), winding system (158), finishing system (274, 276) and manufacturing system (FIGS. 6,7, 22-29) is provided for spiral-wound fluted filter media (74, 130).

Abstract: A porous multilayered hollow fiber for outer side pressed filtration is made of a multilayer comprising a supporting layer constituted of the thickness of an expanded porous polytetrafluoroethylene tube, and a filtration layer provided on the outer surface of the supporting layer, wherein pores surrounded by fibrous frameworks in the filtration layer are smaller than those of the supporting layer, and the mean of the maximum fibril length (L) of the fibrous frameworks surrounding each pore in the outer surface of the filtration layer is designed to be small such that (X) and (Y) fall within the range on the XY plane, where (X) is a particle diameter of particles captured when the particle trapping ratio is equal to or more than 90% in the case where the filtration is done under an elevated pressure of 0.1 MPa, and (Y) is a value designated as RFL obtained by dividing (L) by (X).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a membrane comprising a bridged polymer which is produced by a selected process. The membrane of the invention displays a significantly improved fracture toughness (elongation at break/tensile strength) with virtually unchanged swelling behavior.

Abstract: A liquid reconditioning system separates mixtures of two liquids that are insoluble in one another, such as a coolant and tramp oil from a machining operation. The mixtures of the two liquids are delivered from a sump, or collection basin, to a separator by means of a venturi pump. A tank is provided for holding the two liquids after they are separated whereby they may be individually removed from the holding tank. One of the separated liquids, in the case of a coolant and tramp oil, the coolant, is pumped through the venturi pump to create the vacuum, or negative pressure, that draws the mixtures of the two liquids from the sump to the separator.

Abstract: The reduced water of the present invention is obtained by dissolving hydrogen gas that has been cooled to between −180 and 60 degrees Celsius and pressurized to between 0.5 and 500 atmosphere pressure into water that has been cooled to between 0 and 50 degrees Celsius, then restoring the temperature and pressure of the water obtained to normal.

Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring and/or controlling membrane separation systems or processes are provided. The present invention uses measurable amounts of inert fluorescent tracers and tagged fluorescent agents added to a feed stream to evaluate and/or control one or more parameters specific to membrane separation such that performance thereof can be optimized. The methods and systems of the present invention can be used in a variety of different industrial applications including raw water processing and waste water processing.

Abstract: Waste oily water is concentrated by expelling permeate water away from the oil component through ceramic membranes of a cross-flow filter. The filter is in a circulation ring, and is routinely cleaned in situ. The ring has two sight-glass reservoirs between which the cleaning fluid is see-sawed during cleaning cycles, the reverse, oscillating chemical flow being triggered by sight glass float switches. Large annual throughputs are achieved by linking in more processor rings, under control of a single PLC (Programmable Logic Controller), for automated processing. High membrane filter rates are achieved, in the range of 1 to 2 million litres per year per square meter of filter membrane surface area. The system is fail-safe and environmentally friendly.

Abstract: One method for purifying a chitosan starting material includes contacting it with at least one treatment agent selected from a protein-complexing agent, a metal-chelating agent, and a metal-complexing agent under pH conditions effective for forming a water insoluble chitosan precipitate and at least one water soluble material selected from a water soluble protein complex, a water soluble metal chelate, and a water soluble metal complex. Another variant involves solubilizing the chitosan starting material in an aqueous solution to produce an intermediate chitosan material. The intermediate chitosan material is contacted with a deproteinization agent and/or a demetallization agent under pH conditions effective for forming a water insoluble chitosan precipitate and at least one water soluble material that includes the pre-existing impurity. In both methods, the water insoluble chitosan precipitate and the water soluble material are separated resulting in a purified chitosan material.

Abstract: A unitary water filter assembly and method for removing all microbiological and multiple types of chemical contaminants from water used in an appliance for human consumption are provided. The filter assembly includes a first filter stage fluidly coupled to receive influent water for filtering chemical contaminants therein. A second filter stage is fluidly coupled to the first filter stage for filtering microbiological organisms therein. The filter assembly allows removal of all microorganisms such as cysts, bacteria, bacterial spores and viruses, from the drinking water. The filter assembly may also be configured to remove chemicals, such as chlorine, including associated taste and odor with such chemicals, particulates, and metal contaminants from drinking water. The filter assembly may be further configured to remove volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and other organic and inorganic contaminants from drinking water.

Abstract: A water purification system and method for producing high-purity, laboratory-quality product water from feed water containing a concentration of dissolved ions and other contaminants. The water purification system includes a reverse osmosis unit and a capacitive deionization module positioned in a recirculation path coupling a concentrate outlet of the reverse osmosis unit in fluid communication with a feed water inlet of the reverse osmosis unit. The capacitive deionization unit removes dissolved ions from the concentrate stream, which is admixed with feed water provided to the feed water inlet of the reverse osmosis unit. A permeate outlet of the reverse osmosis unit outputs a stream of the high-purity product water to be, for example, stored in a storage tank.

Abstract: A continuous simulated moving bed chromatographic focusing process is disclosed for separating and concentrating multiple components from a complex mixture. Said process comprises a number of zones that are connected in series. An eluent flows unidirectionally along the zones and decreases its desorption strength by sequential dilutions zone after zone. Each zone is detachably installed with a chromatographic column and the columns are periodically relocated one zone upstream. Multiple components of a sample are introduced into a downstream zone, absorbed on the column in the zone, brought zone by zone upstream by column relocations, and selectively desorbed from different zones to get separation. A component desorbed from one zone is reabsorbed by the column in the adjacent downstream zone and is again brought back to said zone by column relocation.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for water softening utilising magnetic pulses is provided. The magnetic pulses are presented to a volume of water within a water conduit 6 or water container over a predetermined time period with a relaxation time period between successive predetermined time periods of action upon the volume of water. The magnetic pulses are in the range 1.6 to 6.8 KHz and generally presented in a manner whereby the frequency is ramped in discrete frequency shifts over fixed time periods through the predetermined time period in order to facilitate greater water softening action. Normally, each frequency harmonic is initiated by an initiation spike of enhanced magnetic strength.

Abstract: A water stream containing hardness minerals is subjected to a water treatment process using an alkali agent to precipitate the hardness minerals and to produce a softened water stream is used to create an integrated water treatment and flue gas desulfurization process. Thereafter, the softened, alkaline water stream is utilized in a scrubber to scrub a flue gas containing sulfur dioxide to produce a sulfur-lean flue gas. The invention may be applied to a steam-based bitumen recovery operation where bitumen, sour produced gas or other sulfur containing fuels are burned for producing steam for bitumen recovery. More specifically, the associated produced water from the bitumen recovery process may be softened for re-use and for utilization as a scrubbing agent for high-sulfur containing flue gas arising from the steam generators. The process provides an economically favorable process while minimizing waste disposal requirements.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process and an additive package for removing oil from solid material recovered from a well bore, e.g., drill cuttings and produced sand. In this process, the solid material is passed from the well bore to a separation zone. An aqueous acidic solution containing a polymer substituted with an amino group is introduced to the separation zone containing the solid material along with a halogenating agent and optionally one or more surfactants. The polymer, halogenating agent, and optional surfactant constitute the additive package. The polymer substituted with an amino group is preferably chitosan, and the halogenating agent is preferably a sodium hypochlorite solution. The mixture formed in the separation zone is agitated to cause a product of a reaction between the polymer and the halogenating agent to contact the solid material and remove residual oil therefrom.

Abstract: A photocatalyst which contains at least rhombic tantalum nitride or consists of rhombic tantalum nitride. A photocatalyst wherein said photocatalyst loads a promoter composed of transition metal, in particular, the photocatalyst wherein a transition metal is platinum, further the photocatalyst for decomposition of water comprising any of these photocatalysts.

Abstract: A fluid treatment system for placement in a flanged pipe fluid conveyance system. The fluid treatment system comprises a flanged ductile iron pipe fitting. The ductile iron pipe fitting comprises: a first flanged opening and a second flanged opening in substantial alignment to define a flow axis aligned substantially parallel to a direction of fluid flow through the first opening and the second opening; and a third flanged opening comprising a first cover element. The first cover element has connected thereto at least one radiation source assembly comprising at least one elongate radiation source having a longitudinal axis substantially transverse to the flow axis. In its preferred form, the fluid treatment system may be advantageously utilized to treat fluid such as water, e.g., municipal waste water, municipal drinking water and the like.

Abstract: An isocyanurate stabilizer to the chlorinated pool water includes a tablet of chemically pure isocyanuric acid soluble in the pool water before a chlorinated tablets are added into the pool water.