Abstract: The present invention is directed to a top surface of a workpiece surface influencing device and a method of using the same. The top surface of the workpiece surface influencing device is adapted for use in an electrochemical mechanical processing apparatus in which a solution becomes disposed onto a conductive surface of a workpiece and electrochemical mechanical processing of the conductive surface is performed while relative movement and physical contact exists between the top surface and the conductive surface. The top surface comprises a ceramic material that presents a substantially planar contact area to the conductive surface, the ceramic material having a hardness greater than that of the conductive surface. A plurality of channels are formed through the top surface.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for treating plate-like workpieces with a designated chemical solution, including printed circuit boards, includes: (1) a tray for holding the chemical solution, with the tray having an open top which is configured to receive a horizontally-oriented workpiece, with the tray having a top edge with a portion of the edge forming a dam over which the solution may flow and an opening in its lower portion where the solution can enter the tray, (2) a reservoir tank situated below the tray, (3) a feed line connecting the reservoir tank and tray opening, (4) a drain that returns the solution that overflows the tray top edge to the reservoir tank, and (5) a pump that circulates the solution from the tank to the tray and over the horizontally situated workpiece.

Abstract: Disclosed is a capping board for use to support anodes and cathodes within adjacent electrolytic cells, which has a plurality of individual seats positioned in spaced apart relationship all along its length to receive and support hanging legs projecting from these anodes and cathodes. This capping board is improved in that it has at least one sheet or wire of electrically conductive material embedded therein. This sheet or wire extends over the length of the board and is shaped and positioned so that part of its extends externally within at least some of the seats so as to allow electrical contact of the legs of either the anodes or the cathodes and to allow fast dissipation of heat in the case of a short circuit.

Abstract: A contact ring for use in electroplating of a substrate material is constructed such that fluid (e.g., electrolyte) is allowed to flow radially away from the axis of a toroidal support ring, thus preventing the trapping of fluids between the substrate and the toroidal support ring. The contact ring is constructed with a series of openings arranged about the circumference of the ring and wherein an electrical contact is placed in the path of each opening so any fluid passing through the opening also passes around the associated electrical contact. Further, the electrical contacts are also placed such that a substrate (e.g., a semiconductor wafer) can be placed inside the support ring so as to electrically contact the electrical contacts. The toroidal support ring has an aerodynamically streamlined cross-section at the openings, such that fluid flows through the openings with reduced aerodynamic drag.

Abstract: A vacuum apparatus which can easily regenerate plasma is provided. A matching box used in the vacuum apparatus can vary the impedance thereof by varying the magnitudes of the inductance of variable inductance elements. Controlling the magnitude of direct current makes it possible to control the magnitudes of inductance of the variable inductance elements so that it is possible to carry out matching operation at high speed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for the electrophoretic separation of particles, especially of macromolecules, comprising the steps of applying the particles to be separated on a substrate supported membrane, such that the particles are mobile across the surface of the substrate supported membrane; providing an electrical field such that electrical fields are formed along the surface across which the particles are mobile; and temporarily modifying the electrical field and/or adding a substrate supported membrane having a structured surface, wherein the direction and/or the strength of the electrical field are temporarily modified and/or wherein the substrate supported membrane is structured so that a force is acting on the particles that leads to a movement depending on the length of the particles. Moreover, a substrate is provided, in particular, for supporting a membrane during the performing of the inventive methods, that comprises an optically transparent material.

Abstract: A continuous-flow filter/concentrator for separating and/or concentrating particles in a fluid is disclosed. The filter is a three-port device an inlet port, an filter port and a concentrate port. The filter separates particles into two streams by the ratio of their dielectrophoretic mobility to their electrokinetic, advective, or diffusive mobility if the dominant transport mechanism is electrokinesis, advection, or diffusion, respectively. Also disclosed is a device for separating and/or concentrating particles by dielectrophoretic trapping of the particles.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for forming a conductive film with uniform properties on a wafer surface that has features or cavities. During the process, the workpiece is rotated and laterally moved while an electrodeposition solution is delivered onto the wafer surface at a predetermined flow rate, and a potential difference is applied between the workpiece surface and the electrode. The workpiece is rotated about an axis at predetermined revolutions per minute so that an edge region of the workpiece has a first predetermined linear velocity due to the rotation. The workpiece has a second predetermined linear velocity due to the lateral motion. The second predetermined velocity may be larger than the first predetermined velocity. Further, the wafer may not be rotated.

Abstract: A structure and a method of preventing electrolytic corrosion for a magnesium alloy member (20), the structure wherein a first coated layer (11) formed by electro deposition and a second coated layer (12) formed by distributing PTFE particles on the first coated layer (11) are covered on the surface of a tightening member (1) at least on a surface coming into contact with the magnesium alloy member (20), whereby, the electrolytic corrosion of the magnesium alloy member can be prevented at a low cost by insulating a tightening member such as a steel bolt and a washer from the magnesium alloy member, and an adhesiveness therebetween can be sufficiently assured.

Abstract: A tandem blisk is mounted in a multiaxis electrochemical machine. A first row of blades is electrochemically machined in sequence. A second row of blades is then electrochemically machined in sequence while the blisk is still mounted in the machine. The machine is initially set up for machining both stages without removal of the blisk between the machining sequences.

Abstract: A treatment for accelerating the settling of finely divided solids in hydrocarbon fluids, including adding to the hydrocarbon a sufficient settling amount of a combination of at least two of (a) a quaternary fatty ammonium compound, (b) a hetero-atom punctuated fatty polymer and (c) an alkylphenol-formaldehyde resin alkoxylate.

Abstract: A process for the fractional distillation of crude oil, which comprises the steps of: feeding a continuous current of crude oil at 310–400° C. into a turbomixer comprising a tubular cylindrical body (1) provided with a rotor (9) formed with helically oriented paddles (10) and rotatably supported inside the body, along with a continuous current of steam; subjecting both currents to the mechanical action of the paddled rotor (9), so as to create a thin tubular dynamic turbulent layer, which is discharged and fed continuously into a fractioning column, at a predetermined height level in the column, to produce an upward-flowing vapor current and a downward-flowing liquid current therein; and optionally discharging the downward-flowing liquid current continuously from the column bottom, and feeding it continuously into the turbomixer in the same direction as the crude oil current.

Abstract: Method of treating an aqueous effluent containing organic matters in solution, comprising the following successive steps: the effluent is rendered basic; the effluent rendered basic is mineralized by being brought into contact with a gaseous oxidizing agent; the mineralized basic effluent is rendered acidic; and the effluent rendered acidic is again mineralized by being brought into contact with the gaseous oxidizing agent.

Abstract: An oxidation filtration system for cleaning groundwater, the system having an aeration tower and a filtration tank. Within the filtration tank is an upper chamber and a lower chamber. Contained within the lower chamber is a plurality of Styrofoam™ filter media. Separating the upper chamber from lower chamber is a filter media mash which keeps the filter media from entering into the upper chamber. The aerated water from the aeration tower enters into the base of the lower filter chamber and rises through the filter media into the upper filter chamber. As the water passes through the filter media, the dissolved solvents fallout of the groundwater and attach themselves to the Styrofoam™ media. An automated back flushing and clarifying process is also provided using a back flush port and a clarification port, a higher level water sensor in the aeration tower and a programmable logic controller.

Abstract: A storable, stable composition that provides the effective antimicrobial benefits of halogenated agents is presented. The invention includes a water-soluble biocidal composition. The composition includes: about 0.01 to about 10 wt. % of a water-soluble inorganic halide; about 5 to about 60 wt. % of an oxidizing agent which, in aqueous solution, reacts with the inorganic halide to generate hypohalite ions; about 1 to about 15 wt. % of N-succinimide; and about 1 to about 30 wt. % of a pH buffering agent. The invention also includes a method of producing the above composition.

Abstract: An improved method is provided for fabricating a polarisation rotator in a rib waveguide having a propagation axis and opposite side walls. The method includes etching a pit in the substrate surface to form a recess in one of the side walls of the waveguide, during formation of the waveguide on the substrate surface, so as to provide an asymmetric waveguide section for imparting polarisation rotation to radiation propagated along the propagation axis. Preferably the pit is formed by a wet etching step forming an upper side surface within the recess that is inclined relative the waveguide side walls, and the waveguide side walls are formed by a dry etching step to extend perpendicularly to the substrate surface. In addition the dry etching step forms a lower side surface adjoining the upper side surface within the recess and tilted relative to the upper side surface.

Abstract: Pillars are formed in a fully integrated thermal inkjet printhead to prevent particles from entering into a nozzle chamber along an ink refill channel. The pillars are formed after a step of applying a thin film structure to a substrate. At one step, pits are etched through the thin film structure. At another step, material for an orifice layer is deposited into the pits. At another step, a firing chamber is etched into the orifice layer. At another step, a trench is etched into the backside of the wafer in the vicinity of the filled pits. The material filling each pit is not removed and remains in place to define the respective pillars. Two or more pillars are formed within the trench for each inkjet nozzle chamber. Alternatively pillars are formed by depositing material into the underside trench and performing photoimaging processes.

Abstract: A method for processing recess etch operations in substrates is provided including forming a hard mask over the substrate and etching a trench in the substrate using the hard mask, and forming a dielectric layer over the hard mask and in the trench, where the dielectric layer lines the trench. A conductive material is then applied over the dielectric layer such that a blanket of the conductive material lies over the hard mask and fills the trench, and the conductive material is etched to substantially planarize the conductive material. The etching of the conductive material triggers an endpoint just before all of the conductive material is removed from over the dielectric layer that overlies the bard mask. The conductive material is recess etched to remove the conductive material over the dielectric layer that overlies the hard mask and removes at least part of the conductive material from within the trench.

Abstract: A method of etching a metallic film on a substrate. This method operates to inject an oxidizing agent through the use of a carrier gas to etch a source metal in the presence of a reducing agent such that the rate of etching can be controlled by controlling the flow rate of the carrier gas, the substrate temperature, the pulse widths of the oxidizing and reducing agents, and the number of etching phases.

Abstract: A polishing composition comprising 0.03 to 0.5% by weight of an organic acid or a salt thereof, an abrasive and water, wherein the abrasive has a surface potential of from ?140 to 200 mV; a roll-off reducing agent comprising an inorganic compound having a property of controlling a surface potential of an abrasive in a polishing composition, wherein a surface potential of the abrasive in a standard polishing composition is controlled to ?110 to 250 mV by the presence of the inorganic compound, wherein the standard polishing composition is prepared which comprises 20 parts by weight of an abrasive, the abrasive being high-purity alumina having Al2O3 purity of 98.0% by weight or more composed of ?-type corundum crystal, 1 part by weight of citric acid, 78 parts by weight of water and 1 part by weight of an inorganic compound. The polishing composition or the roll-off reducing agent composition can be favorably used in polishing the substrate for precision parts.

Abstract: This invention relates to metal oxides dispersant compositions comprising (a) certain a metal oxides dispersant, and (b) an oxime. The invention also relates to a process for dispersing metal oxides in an aqueous system that involves adding the dispersant composition to the aqueous system.

Abstract: An optically anisotropic film based on a two-phase polymeric material, and a method for the fabrication is provided. The two-phase polymeric material comprises a polymer matrix and a partially crystalline film of ordered, immobilized, organic molecules. The polymer matrix provides desired mechanical properties while the crystalline film provides desired optical properties of the fabricated material.

Abstract: The present invention aims to inhibit water adsorption onto the surface of a blue phosphor(blue fluorescent material), decrease luminance degradation and chromaticity shift of a phosphor, or improve discharge characteristics thereof. Used in a phosphor for a plasma display is a blue phosphor in which trivalent Eu ions substitute for part of divalent Eu ions. This substitution eliminates oxygen vacancy in the vicinity of layers containing Ba atoms (Ba—O layers) in the blue phosphor, and thus inhibits water adsorption onto the surface of the blue phosphor, decreases luminance degradation and chromaticity shift of the phosphor, or improves discharge characteristics thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed are polymer-based coatings and materials comprising (i) a polymeric composition including a polymer having side chains along a backbone forming the polymer, at least two of the side chains being substituted with a heteroatom selected from oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, and phosphorus and combinations thereof; and (ii) a plurality of metal species distributed within the polymer. At least a portion of the heteroatoms may form part of a chelation complex with some or all of the metal species. In many embodiments, the metal species are present in a sufficient concentration to provide a conductive material, e.g., as a conductive coating on a substrate. The conductive materials may be useful as the thin film conducting or semi-conducting layers in organic electronic devices such as organic electroluminescent devices and organic thin film transistors.

Abstract: The present invention provides an IR-absorbing dye suitable for formulating a water-based inkjet ink, said dye being of formula (I): wherein: M is selected from Ni, Pd or Pt; R10 and R11 are independently selected from C1-30 hydrocarbyl, or R10 and R11 together are joined to form a C2-30 hydrocarbylene group; R12 and R13 are independently selected from C1-30 hydrocarbyl, or R12 and R13 together are joined to form a C2-30 hydrocarbylene group; wherein at least one of R10, R11, R12 or R13 comprises a hydrophilic group. Dyes of this type are especially suitable for use in NETPAGE and Hyperlabel systems.

Abstract: The method of making a high quality fluoride crystalline optical microlithography lens element blank includes crystallizing a fluoride crystalline member with dimension ?200 mm from a melt, annealing the fluoride crystalline member and qualifying the resulting member for use as an optical microlithography lens element blank The fluoride crystalline optical lithography lens element blanks have multiple adjoining abutting crystalline subgrains with low boundary angles. The crystalline members made by the method are qualified for use as lens element blanks by a testing method including measuring their absorption spectra at 200 to 220 nm to determine absorbance at 205 nm and/or by making measurements of radiation diffracted by them.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for handling parts ejected from an injection molding machine (10). More particularly, in one aspect, the invention is directed to a system (20) whereby data molded into the ejected part is used to provide useful feedback for the molding process. In another aspect, molded parts formed in a multiple molding die (12) are ejected from the die in a manner to maintain the relative sequential or matrix organization so that useful feedback information can be generated. This system is particularly useful with subsequent machine vision and inspection applications.

Abstract: A process for creating color effects in extrudable material, such as plastic. The process includes the steps of providing a first flow of viscous material of a first color and a second flow of viscous material of a second color, the second color being different from the first color. Next, the first and second flows are combined to form a stream of viscous material, where the stream is characterized by a first band of the first color and a second band of the second color, the second band being adjacent to the first band. The stream of viscous material is fed through a static mixer such that, upon exiting the static mixer, the stream is further characterized by a third band of a third color, the third color being different from the first and second colors, the third band being located between the first and second bands.

Abstract: Strands of molten polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from a PET polycondensation reactor are solidified, pelletized, and cooled only to a temperature in the range of 50° C. to a temperature near the polymer Tg by contact with water. The still hot pellets are conveyed, optionally followed by drying to remove water, to a PET crystallizer. By avoiding cooling the amorphous pellets to room temperature with water and cool air, significant savings of energy are realized.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a golf ball or components of a golf ball is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes the steps of forming a die having an opening having a perimeter comprising plurality of inwardly convex surfaces; preparing a golf ball component material; extruding the golf ball component material through the opening of the die to form a component prep; placing the component prep into a mold cavity; and molding the golf ball component. An apparatus for forming a golf ball may be configured in accordance with this method.

Abstract: A method of forming an engineering component comprising the steps of: subjecting a workpiece or blank formed from polyolefin to gamma radiation at a total dose sufficient to cause a predetermined degree of crosslinking, wherein the total dose is applied at a dosage rate of less than 5 kGy/hour to cause crosslinking of the polymer and forming an engineering component from the crosslinked material.

Abstract: On an application stage of resin are provided two (2) sets of dispensers 20 and 40. The one dispenser 20 supplies the resin directing to an upper side corner on a liquid crystal cell 1, while the other dispenser 40 directing to a lower side corner thereon. The dispenser 40 has a syringe 41 and a needle-like nozzle 42, and the needle-like nozzle 42 emits the resin, directing upward obliquely, onto the lower side corner. Thereby, the resin can be supplied between an edge portion of a lower substrate and a lower surface of a connecting board, but without turning over the panel for display, such as, a liquid crystal cell, etc.

Abstract: A manufacturing method of a plastic laminate body, the plastic laminate body having at least one plastic laminate member that is laminated on a plastic substrate, which plastic substrate is pre-processed in advance so as to have a substantially final configuration, the manufacturing method includes softening the plastic laminate member when a transfer surface of a mold member, which is pre-processed in advance so as to have a desired configuration, is transferred to a surface of the plastic laminate member, so that an excessive part of the plastic laminate member is moved to an escape part which is pre-formed at the plastic substrate.

Abstract: A seamless collapsible container has a molded finish, configured and adapted for sealing with a closure and, optionally, for attachment to a dispensing apparatus, and a seamless, blow molded body portion, comprising an inner surface, an outer surface, and a wall, where the wall is sufficiently thin to allow the body portion to collapse, and the molded finish and at least an inner layer of the body portion together comprise a seamless, single piece of thermoplastic material. The seamless collapsible container may be used in such applications as a bag-in-box, a carton liner, and a beverage pouch.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a composite structure is disclosed herein. The process uses a frame and selectively pressurizable forms. The forms define the interior members of the composite structure and frames define the exterior surface of the composite structure. Composite material is wrapped around the forms and the forms and composite material are placed in the frame. Selective forms are then pressurized and the composite material is co-cured together. A single piece co-cured fuselage incorporating a plurality of stiffeners is also disclosed in the application. The stiffeners are co-cured to the fuselage and may be in various patterns. The patterns may include an iso-grid pattern, and ortho-grid pattern, and a hoop-grid pattern.

Abstract: Vacuum carburizing of ferrous workpieces is performed at low pressure in a vacuum furnace using a carburizing hydrocarbon as the carburizing medium. The furnace is constructed to be generally transparent to the carburizing hydrocarbon so that cracking tends to occur at the workpiece which functions as a catalyst to minimize carbon deposits. The carburizing hydrocarbon is supplied in liquid form to an injector which injects the liquid carburizing hydrocarbon as a vapor to produce a uniform dispersion of the carburizing hydrocarbon about the workpiece, resulting in uniform carburizing of the workpieces.

Abstract: A cooling plate (1) made of copper or a copper alloy for blast furnaces has a plurality of bore holes (6) for accommodating a cooling medium. The bore holes (6) are connected to a cooling medium intake (12) and a cooling medium outlet via connecting pipes (9) that are welded onto the cold side of the plate (5). Connecting pipes (9), at their plate ends (14), are furnished with flanges (15) that are formed by being flanged open. These flanges (15) are set into recesses (17) in the cold side of the plate (5), and are welded at their circumference by V seams (19) to the cold side of the plate (5).

Abstract: A container does not need a member such as a stoke and the like that are exposed to the molten metal therein, thus the necessity to replace the parts such as the stoke and the like can be eliminated. In addition, there is no structure like the stoke in the container, the operability for the preheating is improved thus the preheating can be performed effectively. In addition, since a flow passage is formed inside the lining with high heat conductivity, inner heat of the container is easily conducted to the flow passage. Thus, the decrease in temperature of the molten metal that flows inside the flow passage can be suppressed to the utmost.

Abstract: A casting ladle has a body (2) with a base (3) and walls (4, 6, 8) made of a laminated composite ceramic material that includes multiple layers of a woven fiber reinforcing fabric embedded in a ceramic matrix. A rigid support element (20) for attaching the ladle to a handling device is embedded within the composite ceramic material. In a preferred form, the reinforcing fabric is made of woven glass and the matrix material includes calcium silicate and silica.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling the operation of such a heat-disinfecting device for waste, viz. biologically hazardous waste, on the one hand, including a mold inside which is placed waste and, on the other hand, being designed capable of ensuring compacting, heating and cooling this waste in this mold. This control method is characterized in that during compacting and before applying heating the presence of a non-compactable object in the mold is checked, in order to either complete compacting if no such non-compactable object is detected or to interrupt the process in the event such a non-compactable object is detected.

Abstract: A handle-sheath may be molded for of a flexible material and may be shaped and dimensioned so as to be stretched over a conventional handle, thereby permitting the sheath to be conveniently removed and replaced. An internal flushing mechanism is preferably provided for sanitizing the interior of the sheath without requiring the sheath to be removed from the handle. The handle sheath may be molded from a tear-resistant, soft touch, elastic polymer such as thermoplastic elastomer (otherwise known as “TPE”). The interior may be provided with inwardly facing support studs and/or channel walls which define a plurality of individual-contact areas between the sheath and the handle, each of which providing a respective localized intimate contact area for frictionally securing the sheath to the handle, and at the same time defining channels which facilitate the maintenance of a sanitary condition between the handle sheath and the underlying structure, as will be described in more detail hereinafter.

Abstract: A disposable, integrated extracorporeal blood circuit employed during cardiopulmonary bypass surgery performs gas exchange, heat transfer, and microemboli filtering functions in a way as to conserve volume, to reduce setup and change out times, to eliminate a blood reservoir, and to substantially reduce blood-air interface. Blood from the patient or prime solution is routed through an air removal device that is equipped with air sensors for detection of air. An active air removal controller removes detected air from blood in the air removal device. A disposable circuit support module is used to mount the components of the disposable, integrated extracorporeal blood circuit in close proximity and in a desirable spatial relationship to optimize priming and use of the disposable, integrated extracorporeal blood circuit. A reusable circuit holder supports the disposable circuit support module in relation to a prime solution source, the active air removal controller and other components.

Abstract: According to an aspect of the invention, a polymerized form of formaldehyde is available in granular form containing a polymerized form of formaldehyde, such as paraformaldehyde, a buffer, such as sodium phosphate dibasic anhydrous, and a stabilizer, such as hydroxymethyl cellulose, or hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose. When added to an aqueous solvent, the paraformaldehyde can dissolve in alkaline solution, and depolymerizes into a formaldehyde solution containing a stabilizer. Optionally a second member of the buffer pair or another buffer or pH adjuster can be used The stabilized depolymerized formaldehyde solution is then ready for use, or can be modified by addition of other substances, such as sodium phosphate monobasic monohydrate. Additionally, an additional buffer may be included in the granular mixture to increase the rate at which the solid dissolves and depolymerizes.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for calibrating a dispensing system. A dispenser dispenses a controlled quantity of material into a container for receiving material. A system, preferably a vision system comprising an image capturing device and an imaging system, is adapted to capture an image of a physical dimension of a quantity of dispensed material in a given time. The physical dimension may be a width of a top surface area, a height or a cross-sectional area of the dispensed material. A calibrating system is adapted to calculate a volume of the quantity of material based upon said physical dimension.

Abstract: Provided is a liquid feed apparatus for feeding liquid by operating a diaphragm at a high frequency, in which an inlet valve and an outlet valve are integrally incorporated with a liquid feed chamber, the positions of the valve are shifted into peripheral parts of the liquid feed chamber so as to allow fluid to smoothly flow from the inlet to the outlet in order to prevent air bubbles from causing pressure fluctuation during liquid feed, from remaining in the liquid feed chamber. Further, the valve has a center beam structure in which a protrusion having a height greater than several micron meters, is formed in the seat part of the valve so as to deform a center beam for pressurizing the valve in order to enhance the shut-off ability of the valve, and the center beam has a small surface area in the direction of displacement of the valve.

Abstract: Polybutylene terephthalate having good heat stability and excellent hydrolysis resistance is continuously produced in a series of a first reactor for reacting an aromatic dicarboxylic acid comprising terephthalic acid as a main ingredient or a derivative thereof with a glycol comprising 1,4-butanediol as a main ingredient, thereby producing an oligomer with an average degree of polymerization of 2.2 to 5, a second reactor for polycondensating the oligomer from the first reactor, thereby preparing a low polymerization product with an average degree of polymerization of 25 to 40, and a third reactor for further polycondensating the low polymerization product from the second reactor, thereby producing a high molecular weight polyester with an average degree of polymerization of 70 to 130, or followed by a fourth reactor for further polycondensing the polyester from the third reactor to an average degree of polymerization of 150 to 200, thereby producing a high molecular weight polyester.

Abstract: Chlorosilanes are continuously removed from a gas stream in an apparatus in which the gas stream is treated in a first stage with water vapor in the gas phase, and in a second stage with a liquid, aqueous phase.

Abstract: A fuel cell system is proposed which is provided with a CO oxidizer having a compact agitator executing uniform mixing. The fuel cell system is provided with a reformer (2) performing reformate reactions to produce a hydrogen-rich reformate gas containing CO, a CO oxidizer (1) reducing the CO concentration in the reformate gas produced in the reformer (2), and a fuel cell performing power generation using reformate gas with a reduced CO concentration from the CO oxidizer. The CO oxidizer is provided with a CO removal catalyst (6) promoting oxidizing of CO. An oxidizing agent inlet (5) and an agitator (4) are provided upstream of the CO removal catalyst (6). The oxidizing agent inlet (5) supplies oxidizing agent to the reformate gas and the agitator (4) has a plurality of curved passages (8) having at least two curves.

Abstract: A filter catalyst is for purifying exhaust gases emitted from internal combustion engines and including particulates, and includes a wall-flow honeycomb structure and an upstream-side straight honeycomb structure. The wall-flow honeycomb structure includes inlet cells clogged on the downstream side of the exhaust gases, outlet cells neighboring the inlet cells and clogged on the upstream side of the exhaust gases, filter cellular walls demarcating the inlet cells and the outlet cells and having pores, and a catalytic layer formed on the surface of the filter cellular walls and/or the surface of the pores of the filter cellular walls. The upstream-side straight honeycomb structure is disposed on the upstream side of the exhaust gases with respect to the wall-flow honeycomb structure, is provided integrally with the wall-flow honeycomb structure, and includes upstream-side straight cells in which the exhaust gases flow straight, and upstream-side cellular walls demarcating the upstream-side straight cells.

Abstract: A fired heater is adapted for increasing the output of a plant where the furnace capacity is considerably improved without corresponding increase in the pressure drop. The described technique utilizes a parallel thermal path in contrast to the conventional series thermal path for heating a hydrocarbon fluid. The fluid is divided into at least two paths where the fluid in the first path is heated primarily by radiation heat transfer mechanism and the fluid in the second path is heated primarily by convection heat transfer mechanism. The at least two fluid streams may then be combined to continue with other desired processing of the fluid.