Abstract: A biogas collection system and method for collecting and utilizing biogas that is produced as a byproduct of anaerobic digestion in a wastewater treatment system having one or more wastewater sources. The biogas collection system comprises an interceptor or septic tank hydraulically connected to the wastewater sources to receive wastewater therein and to generate effluent and biogas from the anaerobic digestion of the wastewater. The system has a wastewater treatment facility hydraulically connected to the interceptor tank by one or more effluent lines and a biogas processing facility hydraulically connected to the interceptor tank by one or more biogas pipelines. Biogas inside the effluent lines is compressed and transported to the biogas processing facility to be utilized as a fuel for power generation or processed to reduce the greenhouse gas effect of the biogas. The biogas collection is a closed system that does not vent biogas to the atmosphere.

Abstract: Excess sludge production in a bioreactor of a wastewater treatment plant in which excess sludge is being produced is reduced by adding an activated sludge material having a chitinase specific activity of at least 150 Units/g-MLSS and a pectinase specific activity of at least 120 Units/g-MLSS to the bioreactor. After the addition of the activated sludge material, the bioreactor is controlled by adding the activated sludge material when any one of the chitinase activity, the pectinase activity, and the protease specific of the sludge in the bioreactor drops below the lower limits of 50 Units/L, 40 Units/L, and 0.3 Units/L, respectively.

Abstract: There are provided a method and an apparatus for treating organic matter-containing water, the method and apparatus being capable of inhibiting the multiplication of microorganisms in an activated carbon column and a reverse osmosis membrane separator and performing stable treatment over long periods of time in a process including active carbon treatment and subsequent RO membrane separation treatment with an ultrapure water production system for use in electronic device manufacturing plants.

Abstract: Fluid treatment arrangements and methods for making and using fluid treatment arrangements are disclosed. A ribbon including a permeable fluid treatment medium may be spirally wound in a plurality of windings to form a fluid treatment element having a disk-shaped body. For some embodiments, the ribbon may comprise a composite having first and second layers. At least two and as many as many as fifty or more fluid treatment elements may be positioned along a core assembly with spaces between at least some of the adjacent fluid treatment elements. Many, most, or substantially all of the spaces may be substantially free of structure. A fluid treatment arrangement may be contained in a housing to form a fluid treatment assembly. The housing may include an inlet port and an outlet port and may define a fluid flow path between the inlet port and the outlet port. The fluid treatment arrangement may be positioned in the housing across the fluid flow path.

Abstract: The present invention relates to semipermeable membranes with nanotubes dispersed therein, and the methods of preparing the same.

Abstract: The invention concerns separation methods and systems comprising a continuous chromatographic simulated moving bed integrated with vapor compression distillation to create a high efficiency separations platform applicable to a broad range of separation functions.

Abstract: A chromatography column and method for use in a liquid chromatography process includes a telescoping chromatography and piston tubes, with the piston tube having a porous layer partially obstructing flow therethrough. A chromatography clamp is selectively movable between open and closed positions, and configured to extend substantially 360 degrees about the periphery of the chromatography tube when closed. The chromatography clamp is configured to releasably maintain the chromatography tube and piston tube in fluid communication with one another. In particular embodiments, the chromatography clamp includes a ledge extending at an oblique angle relative to the transverse direction, which is configured to cam the clamp towards the closed position upon application of greater than atmospheric pressure within the chromatography column.

Abstract: A system for selectively removing at least one undesirable ion from an acidic solution including a tank receiving the acidic solution, a chiller in fluid communication with the tank, the chiller being configured to reduce a temperature of the acidic solution, and an ion exchanger in fluid communication with the chiller, the ion exchanger including an ion exchange resin that is selective for the undesirable ion.

Abstract: A method for disinfecting hot water, in recirculating systems, includes producing monochloramine directly in hot water, at a temperature higher than 30° C. in a hot water circulating system The method is implemented by an apparatus for disinfecting hot water, in recirculating systems, having a main hot water circuit, one or more water delivery points and a water feed point, adapted to maintain the circulating water volume constant, a drawing point, where a portion of water of the main circuit is drawn and an intake point where water added with monochloramine is reintroduced into the main circuit; and an adding circuit formed between the drawing point and the intake point; the adding circuit has a control and adding system, adapted to add monochloramine producing reagents to the hot water.

Abstract: A settling system may be used to separate and/or remove solid particles, such as sand, from fluids produced by wells. The container of the settling system may be cleaned without need for manned-entry.

Abstract: A settling tank for dewatering a thin slurry is provided in a lined portable container and with a disposable filtering means. A novel method of processing the slurry by settlement of the solid phase and removal of the liquid phase in cycles avoids the clogging of the filtering means. The settling tank can be easily transported and dumped without requiring the transferring of residue sludge or the cleaning of equipment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to semiconductor processing. In particular, it relates to a tunable ultrasonic filter and a method of using the same for more effective separation of large particles from slurry. In one embodiment a standing wave is produced in the filter and large particles are accumulated at the nodes of the standing waves while the slurry is flowed out of the filter.

Abstract: Fluid treatment arrangements and elements and methods for making and using fluid treatment arrangements and elements are disclosed. A ribbon including a permeable fluid treatment medium may be spirally wound in a plurality of windings to form a fluid treatment element having a disk-shaped body. The disk-shaped body may have first and second opposite end surfaces, e.g., an inflow surface and an outflow surface, and an outer rim. One or both of the end surfaces may be an uneven surface. At least two and as many as many as fifty or more fluid treatment elements may be positioned along a hollow core assembly. Fluid may be directed to or from the interior of the core assembly through each fluid treatment element. In each fluid treatment element, fluid flows from the inflow surface to the outflow surface generally edgewise through the permeable fluid treatment medium.

Abstract: Fluid treatment arrangements having at least first and second radially displaced sets (12,13) of fluid treatment elements and methods for making and using them are disclosed: A ribbon including a permeable fluid treatment medium may be spirally wound in a plurality of windings to form a fluid treatment element of either set. At least two and as many as fifty or more fluid treatment elements (14?, 14?) may be positioned along a hollow core assembly (11) in each set. Fluid may be directed to or from the interior of the core assembly through a fluid treatment element of the first set and a fluid treatment element of the second set. In each fluid treatment element, fluid flows generally edgewise through the permeable fluid treatment medium.

Abstract: A process for purifying removal of a chemical target compound from a suspension of crystals thereof in mother liquor in a wash column with forced transport of the crystal bed from the top downward, in which crystals are removed from the lower end of the crystal bed with a rotating removal device and melted, and a portion of the crystal melt is conducted back toward the crystal bed as wash melt, the removal device being secured with a drive shaft conducted into the wash column from the bottom through an inlet having a seal, said drive shaft being driven about its longitudinal axis by a drive unit for rotation and being mounted so as to be rotatable about its longitudinal axis in more than one bearing, such that the mounting in one of the bearings absorbs the downward force acting on the drive shaft, the mounting in two or more bearings absorbs forces acting radially outward from the drive shaft, and the mounting in one bearing is additionally capable of absorbing an upward force acting on the drive shaft.

Abstract: The invention describes a process for the separation of an oil/water mixture into an oil rich phase and a water rich phase using an inline separation device, an inlet, a vortex generating chamber, a central separation chamber, and an outlet and providing an oil rich phase discharge pipe and a water rich phase discharge pipe. The process further also comprising a) the provision of an additional tangential or axial inlet into the vortex generating chamber or the central separation chamber and introducing an additional amount of oil/ater mixture tangentially and/or axially into the vortex generating chamber or the central separation chamber, or b) adjusting the vortex generating means to control the rotation of the vortex, or a combination of a) and b). The invention further relates to a device for carrying out the above process and to the use of such a device in the separation of oil/water mixtures.

Abstract: A filter cloth of long pile fiber bundles is used as a tertiary filter in a wastewater processing method. The filter may be backwashed by a rotating suction head which does not touch the filter cloth. A combination of countercurrent and horizontal flow dislodges entrained solids from the filter cloth. Mounting of the filter media as modular components permits increased capacity within a single tank while avoiding down time in changeover of filter media.

Abstract: A system including a collapsible, recyclable, cost-effective module for transporting, loading and unloading slabs or tiles. The module comprises two lateral U-shaped members with each U-shaped member defining a top portion, bottom portion, proximal arm and distal arm. The member bottom portions are attached to one another and corresponding releasable connectors close each U-shaped member. The module is attached to a stabilizing base which in turn is secured to a transport ship or vehicle. Multiple modules are interconnected for the purpose of stabilization.

Abstract: A merchandise display hook for supporting and displaying items of merchandise includes a universal adapter and a mounting bracket for mounting the display hook to a generally vertical support, for example slatwall. The universal adapter includes one of a pair of attachment tracks and attachment rails for engaging the other of a pair of attachment tracks and attachment rails on the mounting bracket to attach the universal adapter to the mounting bracket from a generally lateral direction. The universal adapter may further include a lower portion for engaging the support to prevent the display hook from being tilted in a downwards direction. The mounting bracket may include flanges on upper and lower portions of a rear wall for engaging a channel formed in the support. Alternatively, the mounting bracket may include a body portion and a mounting plate movably disposed on the body portion for engaging the channel formed in the support.

Abstract: An outdoor storage rack includes a set of supports mounted to a base through a respective hinge assembly such that said rack is movable between an extended and a stored position.

Abstract: A garment hanging device includes an elongated bar, having a plurality of receptacles defined in the bar, configured to receive a garment hanger. Each receptacle has a receiving portion open at the top edge of the bar, and a retaining portion between the top and bottom edges in communication with receiving portion. At least one hook is provided, having a coupling end pivotably coupled to the bar, a hooking portion extending from the coupling end through an apex portion opposite the coupling end to a terminal end. A distance between the hook's pivot point on the bar and a corresponding receptacle corresponds to a distance between the coupling end and the apex portion such that the hook is pivotable into a stowed position wherein the apex portion is disposed within the corresponding receptacle, and into a deployed position wherein the apex portion is removed from the corresponding receptacle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rotatable shelf bottom that has a tablet function (1) and is composed of a shell which is rotatably mounted on the bottom side (5b) of a bottom part (5). The shell comprises a bottom part (5) and a frame (1a) which are positively glued together by means of an adhesive duct that is filled with an adhesive. A frame (1a) is substantially L-shaped, forms part of the bottom side (5) of the bottom part (5) at the outer edge, and is removably placed on the top side of horizontal furniture components (30) located inside or outside a furniture carcass.

Abstract: A product display includes an elongated member having at least one channel extending in a direction substantially parallel with the length of the member, a product support engaged with the elongated member, and a product divider engaged with the elongated member. At least one of the product support and the product divider is at least partially received within the channel. The product support and the product divider are independently movable relative to one another along the length of the elongated member to adjust the respective positions of the product support and the product divider relative to the elongated member.

Abstract: There is provided a heavy construction installation method which does not need a secondarily transport in a construction field even if an installation position of a heavy construction is apart from a berthing position of a transport ship. A movable area where a ground plane is reinforced so that a heavy hoisting machine for installing a heavy construction in a building is movable is constructed so as to include a circle drawn around an installation position in the building with a maximum operating radius of the heavy hoisting machine relative to a weight of the heavy construction being as a radius, and a circle drawn around a loaded position of the heavy construction at a transport ship coming alongside a landing place with the maximum operating radius being as a radius.

Abstract: A control and regulation arrangement for protection of a conveyor or other hoisting or crane device that assures a safe reaction to overloading. A brake apparatus is provided that acts on the conveyor under control of an overload sensor. If the load approaches a predetermined threshold, a signal is emitted from the overload sensor and transmitted to a speed sensor that limits the conveyor speed. Simultaneously the control transmits a signal to the brake apparatus to actuate and stop the conveyor. Upon receipt of a subsequent signal that a load relief state is to be established, the control brakes the conveyor in accord with the speed signal such that the object in transport moves toward a safe position at a constant speed. A conveyor with multiple hoisting devices may include duplicate control and regulation arrangements for each hoisting device.

Abstract: The jib is made up of at least two jib elements connected by a pivot pin, the furling device includes an actuating cylinder one end of which is permanently articulated to the first jib element and, secured to the second jib element, a set of attachment points laid out on one and the same circle centred on the pin, the other end of the actuating cylinder is selectively and detachably connected to one of the attachment points so that the jib can be furled or unfurled through a succession of rotations corresponding to the angular spacing between two consecutive attachment points, where means temporarily immobilize one jib element with respect to the other in intermediate furling positions when the actuating cylinder has been detached from one attachment point in order to be attached to the next one.

Abstract: A thermal bottle including an outer body wall defining a shape of the thermal bottle having a top opening and a bottom end, an inner body wall having an inner volume for a storage area disposed within the inner body and selectively connected to the outer body wall wherein the storage area is accessible through the top opening, a thermal area defined therebetween the outer body wall and the inner body wall, a cover configured to be attachable to at least one of the top opening that prevents removal of a material placed within the storage area, and a securing element located at the bottom end of the outer body wall which is configured to hold the cover when the cover is detached from the top opening.

Abstract: The disclosed invention relates to a reaction bottle comprising a container with a container opening and a container interior, a septum associated with the container and configured to releasably seal the container opening, a needle holder associated with the container, the needle holder defining a holder cavity, a needle associated with the needle holder, the needle disposed at least partially within the holder cavity, wherein the septum is deformable between a sealing rest state and a punctured state, and the septum is deformable into puncturable impingement with an end of the needle when the septum is in the punctured state.

Abstract: A stopper for an opening of a container such as a thermos. The stopper includes a pushbutton, a fluid flow channel extending between an inlet and an outlet, and a movable plug portion positioned adjacent the inlet. A biasing member biases the plug portion into sealing engagement with the inlet thereby preventing the contents of the container from flowing into the channel. A cam follower is disposed upon a cam surface opposing the biasing member. The cam follower is rotatable by the pushbutton relative to the cam surface from a closed position to an open position and when so rotated, exerts a biasing force on the cam surface sufficient to overcome the biasing force exerted by the biasing member on the plug portion and space the plug portion from the inlet allowing the contents of the container to flow into the channel and out the outlet.

Abstract: There is provided a rubber stopper used to seal an opened portion of vials and syringes for keeping medical liquid and, in particular, to a rubber stopper in which stoppering properties can be improved without damaging sealing properties in the absence of silicone coating. A vial rubber stopper 1 comprises a disc-like top portion 3 and a cylindrical leg portion 2 of smaller diameter compared with that of the disc-like top portion, which is protruded from a bottom surface of the disc-like top portion 3 to shape into a flange 2A upward. An under-flange ring portion 3A connected to a flange bottom surface 2B is divided on an outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical leg portion 2, and the first ring-like raised portion 3B and the second ring-like raised portion 3C are formed downward of the under-flange ring portion 3A in the circumferential direction.

Abstract: A one-piece plastic hot-fill container may employ a shoulder portion, a base portion and a sidewall portion, which may be integrally formed with and extend from the shoulder portion to the base portion. The container may further employ a plurality of compression ribs molded into the sidewall portion—a first of the plurality of compression ribs intersecting a second of the plurality of compression ribs to form a rib interface, at least the first and the second of the plurality of compression ribs changing from a first shape to a second shape in response to cooling of the liquid.

Abstract: A one-piece plastic hot-fill container may employ a shoulder portion, a base portion and a sidewall portion, which may be integrally formed with and extend from the shoulder portion to the base portion. The container may further employ a plurality of contour ribs molded into the sidewall portion—each of the plurality of contour ribs operable to change from a first shape to a second shape in response to cooling of the liquid and further extending outwardly from the container.

Abstract: According to a bottle of the present invention, grooves are formed at each of an upper and a lower end portions of a column; the grooves extend along a circumferential direction; both end portions of each of the grooves in the circumferential direction are in contact with each of both end edges of the column in the circumferential direction, whereby occurrence of local deformation in the column can be suppressed.

Abstract: A substantially planar micro-fluid ejection device, where the micro-fluid ejection head is covalently bound to a substantially planar support material, and a method of making the same.

Abstract: A method and system of etching a metal nitride, such as titanium nitride is described. The etching process comprises introducing a process composition having a halogen containing gas, such as Cl2, HBr, or BCl3, and a hydrocarbon gas having the chemical formula CxHy, where x and y are equal to unity or greater.

Abstract: An air gap pattern is created for backend of line (BEOL) interconnects. The method includes designing a nano-island pattern, and etching through the designed nano-island pattern to create at least one air gap between wire connects.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an arrangement for restoring strength and wear resistant of a metallic matrix ceramic (1) comprising a metallic binder (2) and ceramic filler (3) particles, which metallic matrix ceramic (1) has been exposed for long term high temperature and pressure cycling, for example in a gas exhaust nozzle (6), whereby micro cracks (4) are developed in the outer layer (5) of the metallic binder (2) According to the invention this is achieved by virtue of the fact that the outer layer (5) of the metallic binder (2), partly or fully, is removed from the MMC part (1) by a chemical operation, where after the outer layer (5) is compressed by a compression operation for achieving a dense outer layer (5), in which filler (3) particles are close to each other.

Abstract: A method of fabricating a PTFE seal element and rotary shaft seal assembly therewith. The method includes providing a PTFE seal element and a vacuum chamber having electrodes therein. Next, placing the PTFE seal element on one electrode and drawing a vacuum pressure in the chamber and introducing a first process gas into the chamber. Further, applying a high frequency signal to the electrodes and producing a discharge plasma and etching and chemically modifying a surface of the PTFE seal element with the discharge plasma. Then, purging the vacuum chamber with a second process gas and restoring the vacuum chamber to an atmospheric pressure. Thereafter, rinsing the seal element and applying an adhesion promoter to the etched and chemically modified surface. Lastly, attaching the etched and chemically modified surface of the PTFE seal element to the carrier by molding an elastomeric material between the seal element and the carrier.

Abstract: The invention provides a plasma processing apparatus and a method for purging the apparatus, capable of preventing damage of components caused by pressure difference during purging operation of a vacuum reactor, and capable of preventing residual processing gas from remaining in the vacuum reactor. Inert gas is introduced through an inert gas feed port 233 on a side wall of a depressurized processing chamber (V1) 226 of a plasma processing apparatus, and the interior of the processing chamber (V1) 226 is brought to predetermined pressure by the inert gas, and thereafter, the inert gas is supplied to processing gas supply paths 213 and 216 (V2) communicated to a plurality of through holes 224 for introducing processing gas, so as to introduce the inert gas through the plurality of through holes 224 into the processing chamber (V1) 226.

Abstract: A substrate processing apparatus that can appropriately carry out desired plasma processing on a substrate. The substrate is accommodated in an accommodating chamber. An ion trap partitions the accommodating chamber into a plasma producing chamber and a substrate processing chamber. High-frequency antennas are disposed in the plasma producing chamber. A process gas is introduced into the plasma producing chamber. The substrate is mounted on a mounting stage disposed in the substrate processing chamber, and a bias voltage is applied to the mounting stage. The ion trap has grounded conductors and insulating materials covering surfaces of the conductors.

Abstract: A plasma chamber for activating a process gas, including at least four legs forming a toroidal plasma channel, each leg having a cross-sectional area, and an outlet formed on one leg, the outlet having a greater cross-sectional area than the cross-sectional area of the other legs. The plasma chamber further includes an inlet for receiving the process gas and a plenum for introducing the process gas over a broad area of the leg opposing the outlet to reduce localized high plasma impedance and gas flow instability, wherein the leg opposing the outlet defines a plurality of holes for providing a helical gas rotation in the plasma channel.

Abstract: A method for production of a pole part of a medium-voltage switching device, and a pole part are provided. To obviate costly pressure reinforcements at least on the switching contact side of the vacuum interrupt chamber in the area of the mold core, while also achieving an optimum injection-molded result, a compensation ring is positioned, before the encapsulation process, as a separate injection-molded seal on or close to the external circumferential line of a vacuum interrupt chamber cover, between the lower cover of the vacuum interrupt chamber and the mold core. The positioned compensation ring is also encapsulated so as to remain in the encapsulation, and the mold core is then removed.

Abstract: A wire bonding apparatus including a bonding control section provided with an electrical non-bonding detector, an optical non-bonding detector, and an optical shape detector, which are for detecting non-bonding between a first bonding point and a bonding wire; and when non-bonding is detected by the electrical non-bonding detector and non-bonding is also detected by the optical non-bonding detector, then the tip end of the bonding wire is reformed by, based on the shape of the tip end of the bonding wire detected by the optical shape detector, a ball formation device into a ball of a prescribed shape, and rebonding is performed at the first bonding point.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for connecting thick-walled metal workpieces by welding. In order to create the weld joint, the cross-sections are provided with a maximum of three weld regions according to wall thickness, the welding being carried out by a combined use of welding methods: the first weld region (root) is welded by means of laser beam welding or hybrid laser-arc welding, the second weld region is welded by means of hybrid laser-arc welding, and the third weld region required occasionally depending on the thickness of the sheet metal is welded by means of hybrid laser-arc welding or simply arc welding. The invention also relates to a seam preparation corresponding to the respective welding method used.

Abstract: A welding observation apparatus is provided to use partial darkening by a telecentric optical system and a photochromic filter (PCF) as an optical system for filtering light emission from arc discharge in order to verify the welding condition under the welding arc discharge, without forming an image on the PCF, so that light reducing performance can be secured even if a focus shifts from on the PCF, with satisfactory monitoring of welding condition. The welding observation apparatus comprises: an arc welding unit 8; an objective optical system (1, 2) for concentrating light from the arc welding unit 8; a telecentric optical system 3 for guiding the light concentrated by the objective optical system (1, 2); a PCF 4 for illuminating with the light guided by the telecentric optical system 3; and a solid state imaging device 9 for receiving the light passing through the PCF 4, wherein the light from the arc welding unit 8 is partial-darkened by the PCF 4.

Abstract: A welding torch 30 has a first tip body 32, a pressurization shaft 43, and a second tip body 50 detachably connected to a distal end of the first tip body 32. A power supply tip 54 is accommodated in an accommodation hole 51 of the second tip body 50. The power supply tip 54 is removable from the accommodation hole 51 of the second tip body 50 after the second tip body 50 is removed from the first tip body 32. The power supply tip 54 is held in contact with the pressurization shaft 43 and urged by a compression spring 44 when the second tip body 50 is connected to the first tip body 32. A tip holder 60 is arranged at a distal end of the second tip body 50 in such a manner as to cover a distal end of the power supply tip 54.

Abstract: A component for use in a plasma arc torch is provided that includes an orifice that defines a continuously changing cross-sectional size along the length of a surface of the orifice from an inlet portion to an outlet portion. The surface extends along the component and directs a flow of shield gas at a predetermined angle to result in a specific pierce or cut location on a workpiece. In one form, the component is a shield cap. The continuously changing surface may be convergent, divergent, or a combination of convergent and divergent according to the principles of the present disclosure. Additionally, the shield cap may comprise a single, unitary piece or alternately a plurality of pieces or components.

Abstract: By irradiating laser light 20 obliquely onto a substrate 6, the laser soldering apparatus reduces the laser light passing through an insertion hole 61a in the substrate 6 and prevents damage to low-heat-resistance portions of a component 62 disposed on the rear surface side of the substrate 6. Moreover, the substrate 6 can be observed from a normal direction with a camera 23. Therefore, even if the insertion hole 61 for inserting a component lead or the like is provided in the substrate 6, the laser light does not leak out to the side of a component mounting surface 17 of the substrate 6.

Abstract: A method of welding a component is provided. The component is welded using a preheating temperature of the component below 550° C. and above 480° C. Further, a laser or a plasma is used for the welding, wherein a power of the laser or plasma is between 500 W and 900 W, and wherein a spot size of the laser beam has a diameter from 3 mm to 5 mm.

Abstract: A laser welding method including a step of welding upper and lower metal plates, a step of picking up an image of a molten pool near a molten hole from the side of the upper metal plate during an execution of the welding step, a step of determining whether a welding state of the metal plates is proper or not by analyzing a generation state of the molten pool based on the image picked up in the picking-up step, and a step of adjusting at least one of a parameter of the irradiated laser beams and a feeding speed of the filler wire so that the welding state of the metal plates becomes proper in case the welding state determined in the determining step is not proper.