Abstract: A blister pack for dispensing pills that is childproof yet senior-friendly. The blister pack includes a housing, which may be substantially tear-resistant, that encloses one or more blisters contained on a blister sheet. In one embodiment, the cavities of the blisters are positioned such that pills or other objects are dispensed into a chamber. A neck extends outward from the chamber to permit a childproof cap to be removably attached thereto to permit the selective dispensing of the pills in a controlled fashion. In another embodiment, the blister pack may include a chamber for dispensing a first type of pill and a plurality of blisters not aligned with the chamber for dispensing a second type of pill.

Abstract: A packaging tray for sausage links includes a bottom having side edges joined by arcuate end edges. A side wall extends upwardly from each of the side edges. An end wall extends upwardly from each of the arcuate end edges. One of the arcuate end walls is convex and the other of the arcuate end walls is concave. Advantageously, the arcuate end walls secure nested sausages on the tray from shifting and eliminates empty space on the tray.

Abstract: A process for reducing sulfur, nitrogen, metals and asphaltene contents, while increasing the yield of distillable fractions in heavy hydrocarbons, by using a cooled light fraction as a liquid quench stream. The light fraction is obtained by splitting heavy hydrocarbons into a heavy fraction, and a light fraction which may be injected at spaced locations along a system of fixed-bed reactors series that comprises a first hydrodemetallization (HDM)/hydrodeasphaltenization (HDAs) step, followed by a second hydrodesulfurization (HDS)/hydrodenitrogenation (HDN)/hydrocracking step. The metal and asphaltene rich heavy fraction have contact with the entire catalyst system, while the light fraction is injected as side feed and quench stream(s) into the second reactor, where it is treated in admixture with the heavy fraction for elimination of the impurities of the light fraction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the cracking of a petroleum oil feedstock to produce a desulfurized full-range gasoline product. The petroleum oil feedstock is contacted with a base cracking catalyst and an FCC additive in an FCC unit, wherein the catalyst includes a stable Y-type zeolite and a rare-earth metal oxide and the additive includes a shape selective zeolite. The catalyst, additive and petroleum oil feedstock can be contacted in a down-flow or riser fluid catalytic cracking unit, that can also include a regeneration zone, a separation zone, and a stripping zone. The FCC unit includes an integrated control and monitoring system that monitors at least one parameter selected from FCC operating parameters, feed rate, feedstock properties, and product stream properties, and adjusts at least one parameter in response to the measured parameter to increase production of desulfurized products.

Abstract: There is provided a process for removing oil from particulate matter comprising mixing an aqueous slurry of the particulate matter with at least one stream of water applied at a pressure of from 0.5 to 100 Mpa, wherein the one or more high pressure water streams expand adiabatically when mixed with the aqueous slurry.

Abstract: An oil sands flotation circuit wherein a feed stream is fed to a bank comprising at least one rougher flotation cell producing a rougher concentrate stream and a rougher tailings stream, said rougher concentrate stream being fed to a bank comprising at least one cleaner flotation cell producing a cleaner concentrate stream and a cleaner tailings stream.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for the classification of a transparent component of a material flow using an optical detector unit, with allocatable optical axis which is directed toward the material flow, at least one illumination unit for illuminating the material flow from a space over the material flow, in which the optical detector unit is also contained, and a classifier, which classifies the component based on information which is recorded from the component using the optical detector unit, and a decision criterion. A retroreflector is provided at least longitudinally relative to the optical axis of the detector unit, downstream from the material flow in the viewing direction of the detector, the illumination unit provides at least two light sources, with first light source emitting light of a first type and a second light source emitting light of a second type, The light of at least the first light source is incident on the material flow longitudinally relative to the optical axis.

Abstract: Systems and methods using intelligent barcodes for processing mail, packages, or other items in transport are provided. Systems and methods allowing end-to-end visibility of a mail stream by uniquely identifying and tracking mail pieces are also provided. Systems and methods include the use of standardized intelligent barcodes on mail pieces, a seamless process for mail acceptance, continuous mail piece tracking, and feedback on mail quality in real time. In one embodiment, systems and methods using intelligent barcodes allow a mailing service to provide enhanced acceptance, sorting, tracking, address correction, forwarding, and delivery services. In another embodiment, systems and methods using intelligent barcodes allow a mailing service to identify a mail piece as undeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) and determine a final disposition for the mail piece.

Abstract: An improved system and method for separating combustible organic particles from noncombustible inorganic particles in coal, in preparation for combustion. The coal is size-reduced and size-graded to small pieces which are then supplied to input ends of water-immersed descending slides having ultrasonic transducers for vibratory separation of inorganic and organic particles. The slides have different longitudinal lengths with angles of declination configured to achieve time-differential exposure to the ultrasonic vibratory energy, with smaller coal pieces being subjected to shorter time ultrasonic vibratory exposure. In one preferred form, longitudinally spaced turbidity sensors along the slide provide signals used to control selected ultrasonic transducers upon substantially complete cleaning of the coal pieces.

Abstract: A system for pre-processing material into groups of different sizes comprising three levels. The second level is positioned above the third level and below the first level. The first level comprising a feeding mechanism, one or more first screens coupled to ducts and having apertures, blowers and vacuum ducts, dust collectors and a diverter. The screens transport the material along the first level in a first direction while a portion is sifted away before being diverted to the second level. The second level comprising one or more second screens coupled to ducts and having apertures, blowers and vacuum ducts and a takeaway device. The screens transport the material along the second level in a second direction different than the first while a portion is sifted away before falling to the third level. The third level comprising blowers and vacuum ducts and takeaway devices for receiving a portion of the material.

Abstract: An aggregating agent injector (13) injects into raw water an aggregating agent for aggregating solids in raw water, a first aggregation aid injector (16) injects into raw water with the aggregating agent injected therein an aggregation aid for hardening or consolidating flocs formed by the aggregating agent, and a centrifugal separator (18) has a flocculator portion for causing raw water with the aggregation aid injected therein to whirl therein to flocculate solids in raw water, and a solid collector portion for causing raw water to swirl at higher speeds than in the flocculator portion to separate flocs from raw water.

Abstract: An adsorption apparatus for wastewater, having a reaction tank configured to allow adsorption of a resource substance contained in wastewater on an adsorbent to be carried out therein, a supplying device configured to supply wastewater containing the resource substance to the reaction tank, a charging device configured to charge the adsorbent into the reaction tank, a water discharging device configured to discharge a treated water, obtained after the wastewater is removed of the resource substance by the adsorption, from the reaction tank, a adsorbent discharging device configured to discharge the adsorbent having the resource substance adsorbed thereon, from the reaction tank, and an adsorbent flow out preventing device configured to prevent flow out of the adsorbent from the reaction tank during the adsorption.

Abstract: The amount of sealant needed as an odor barrier in a wastewater cartridge is reduced. The cartridge inlet compartment (78) has a ceiling (90) of given area. The ceiling is spaced from the cartridge upper wall (60) and from the wastewater-receiving opening (64) therein. A throat (88), which communicates the inlet compartment with the wastewater-receiving opening, has an area which is less than the area of the ceiling, so that the amount of the sealant acting as the barrier, as contained within the throat, is less than any further amount of the sealant (under the ceiling) which floats on the wastewater in the inlet compartment. Also, should sealant not be present within the throat to act as an odor barrier, only a small area of wastewater present within the throat would be exposed to the air external to the cartridge and, thus, present a lesser opportunity of odor to emanate to the outside environment.

Abstract: A filter unit for separating target materials from microparticles using an eluent includes: an inlet; a separator unit which separates the target materials from the microparticles using the eluent; an outlet; and a filter which is interposed between the outlet and the separator unit and filters the microparticles. A volume of the separator unit is less than a volume of the eluent provided to the separator unit.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods related to centrifugal liquid chromatography are described. An angular velocity can be simultaneously imparted to a large number of chromatographic enclosures. Via centrifugal forces, a mobile phase fluid including a sample can be driven through a stationary phase within the chromatographic enclosure to perform a chromatographic separation process on components of the sample. The use of centrifugation as a driving force can allow significantly smaller stationary phase particles to be employed as compared to high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Further, for an equivalent chromatographic separation process, the use of centrifugation can provide much greater separation efficiencies than HPLC.

Abstract: A pool skimming device comprising an outer body with an outlet to the pool pump line, a hollow mating member which floats within the outer body so that its top rim is at the surface of the pool and a litter basket which fits within the floating member. The device has an inlet to attach a pool suction device and the outer body has a backing plate which fits over the opening of the pool skimmer box which provides access to the pool pump line.

Abstract: A water tank apparatus comprising a first tank (100) for wastewater collection; a second tank (200) for collection of rainwater and groundwater; a third tank (300) connected on the downstream side of the first tank (100) and second tank (200); and a fourth tank (400) disposed at a high position above the ground and connected on the downstream side of the third tank (300) so as to supply any reserved water as a usable water, wherein the first tank (100) and second tank (200) are individually partitioned into first sections (102,202) and second sections (103,203), and wherein the second sections (103,203) are provided with ramps for water flowform its upstream side superior area toward inferior area, the ramps furnished with a multiplicity of projections.

Abstract: The present invention is a storm water filter system for filtering floatable debris and non-floating pollutants from storm, water passing through a storm water drain system vault. The storm water filtering system has a vault having chamber having a floating skimmer panel between the inlet thereto and the outlet therefrom. The skimmer panel has a filter passageway therethrough for filtering the storm water while the floatable skimmer panel captures floatable debris and trash from the storm water. Storm water entering the vault inlet passes through a filter element in the skimmer panel and out the vault outlet and also can pass under the floating skimmer panel when the floatable skimmer panel is floated to a raised position to thereby prevent storm water from accumulating on the inlet side of the wall.

Abstract: A chiral particulate material and method of making the same are provided. The material includes a fibrous protein or chiral synthetic polymer, optionally crosslinked, organized into a multilayered chiral structure including nanoscale chiral pores or channels. The particles are useful for performing chiral separations, including in chromatographic applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sealing assembly for use in chromatography columns and methods for forming a seal in such columns. The assembly comprises a sealing element composed of a material having a low coefficient of friction and a separate resilient member co-operating therewith. The seal provided is stable over a temperature range of +2° C. to +30° C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a semi-continuous chromatographic method for the separation of binary and multi-component mixtures and corresponding devices.

Abstract: The invention concerns a filter element as well as a liquid filter wherein the filter element is axially insertable into the filter housing (10, 11). The filter element (21) effects after mounting the closure of a non-return device for the raw liquid to be filtered with at least one non-return diaphragm (27). The non-return diaphragm (27) is attached to a terminal disk (24) of the filter element (21) in such a way that it effects an axial and/or a radial sealing action of the raw side (32) relative to the clean side (33) in the filter housing (10, 11). On the filter housing (10, 11) a drainage opening (18) for liquid is provided that is closed off by an additional sealing surface (31, 49) of the non-return diaphragm (27) when the filter element (10, 11) is installed.

Abstract: A water treatment apparatus includes a first treatment tank forming thereon a first, fixed bed includes a powdery phosphorus adsorbent includes an inorganic layered compound, wherein the first bed separates phosphorus and solid matter from the water, and recovers the phosphorus in a state adsorbed on the phosphorus adsorbent in the first bed, a second treatment tank forming a second, fluidized or fixed bed includes the phosphorus adsorbent, wherein the second bed separates phosphorus from the water received from the first treatment tank, and recovers the phosphorus in a state adsorbed on the phosphorus adsorbent in the second bed, and a transferring line configured to transfer the phosphorus adsorbent, having phosphorus adsorbed thereon in the second treatment tank, from the second treatment tank to the first treatment tank.

Abstract: Provided are surfaces comprising particles, which particles may possess, for example, antimicrobial or biosensing properties. Also provided are related methods for fabrication of the inventive articles. Also provided are systems and methods for treating fluids, objects, and targets with the inventive surfaces.

Abstract: A water kettle includes a kettle body having a receiving space, a cover unit, a hollow receiving member, and a filtering unit. The cover unit includes a cover body mounted on the kettle body, and a valve movable relative to the cover body for controlling flow of water from a water outlet in the cover body. The receiving member is attached to the cover body, and includes a filtering space in fluid communication with the water outlet, and a plurality of openings in fluid communication with the filtering space and the receiving space. The filtering unit is disposed within the receiving member for filtering impurities from the water flowing from the receiving space into the water outlet through the hollow receiving member.

Abstract: A sorbent polymer is provided that interacts or reacts with aqueous urea to aid the regeneration of a dialysate liquid. The sorbent polymer may include one or more specific functional groups bonded thereto. Such specific functional groups are selected from carboxylic acids, carboxylic acid esters, carboxylates, amides, dicarboxylic acids, dicarboxylic acid esters, and dicer boxylates to produce the desired urea sorbent.

Abstract: Apparatus for managing layers of different density includes an enclosed tank for holding the liquids so that they stratify into separate layers of different levels in the tank. A conduit for liquid in the tank is open at an inner end to the tank interior, and is open at an outer end to the tank exterior. A drive moves the inner end of the conduit to different levels within tank so liquid can be transferred into or out of different levels in the tank. The drive preferably being a gear mechanism employing woodruff-type tabs.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention provides a wastewater treatment method for treating wastewater containing ammonium nitrogen, including the steps of: oxidizing the ammonium nitrogen in the wastewater to nitrite with nitrifying bacteria in a treatment tank in which the nitrifying bacteria and anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria having a half-saturation constant of 6.1 mgN/L or more with respect to nitrite coexist; and denitrifying the nitrite formed through the oxidation of the ammonium nitrogen, with the anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria in the treatment tank, while using the ammonium nitrogen contained in the wastewater as a hydrogen donor.

Abstract: A unit comprising the components necessary for performing waste water treatment renders it simple and cheap to establish purification of water in small scale at remote locations.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for treating selenium-containing wastewater, in which wastewater containing hexavalent selenium is subjected to reduction treatment, selenium can be effectively removed at a small amount of metal leached, and, preferably, sludge produced during treatment is white, thereby facilitating the disposal of the sludge. The selenium-containing wastewater is brought into contact with an alloy or a mixture of metallic titanium and a first metal other than metallic titanium to partially leach the first metal, thereby subjecting selenium in the wastewater to reduction treatment.

Abstract: The invention relates to an hydrophilic membrane comprising a membrane carrier and a hydrophilic coating with good properties. The coating may comprise covalently bound inorganic-organic hybrid material; or the coating may comprise ring-opening polymerized components like epoxy resins. The coating composition preferably is applied in a solvent, the solvent is evaporated, and the coating is cured with UV radiation. The hydrophilic membrane is very useful in water purification, and in other applications.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis system and method for operating the same includes a pressure tank having a first end and a second end, the pressure tank has a first volume adjacent to the first end and a second volume adjacent to the second end and a third volume between the first volume and the second volume and a fluid passage fluidically coupling the second volume to the first volume. The reverse osmosis system also includes a plurality of membranes disposed within the third volume generating permeate and a permeate manifold receiving permeate from the membranes and fluidically communicating permeate out of the pressure tank. A feed line couples feed fluid into the pressure tank. A first pump pressurizes the feed line. A second pump is disposed within the tank and circulates brine fluid from the second volume through the fluid passage.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods related to centrifugal liquid chromatography are described. An angular velocity can be simultaneously imparted to a large number of chromatographic enclosures. Via centrifugal forces, a mobile phase fluid including a sample can be driven through a stationary phase within the chromatographic enclosure to perform a chromatographic separation process on components of the sample. The use of centrifugation as a driving force can allow significantly smaller stationary phase particles to be employed as compared to high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Further, for an equivalent chromatographic separation process, the use of centrifugation can provide much greater separation efficiencies than HPLC.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods related to centrifugal liquid chromatography are described. An angular velocity can be simultaneously imparted to a large number of chromatographic enclosures. Via centrifugal forces, a mobile phase fluid including a sample can be driven through a stationary phase within the chromatographic enclosure to perform a chromatographic separation process on components of the sample. The use of centrifugation as a driving force can allow significantly smaller stationary phase particles to be employed as compared to high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Further, for an equivalent chromatographic separation process, the use of centrifugation can provide much greater separation efficiencies than HPLC.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods related to centrifugal liquid chromatography are described. An angular velocity can be simultaneously imparted to a large number of chromatographic enclosures. Via centrifugal forces, a mobile phase fluid including a sample can be driven through a stationary phase within the chromatographic enclosure to perform a chromatographic separation process on components of the sample. The use of centrifugation as a driving force can allow significantly smaller stationary phase particles to be employed as compared to high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Further, for an equivalent chromatographic separation process, the use of centrifugation can provide much greater separation efficiencies than HPLC.

Abstract: A composition of matter for rehabilitating a fluidic substance, comprising: a) at least one decolorizing ingredient constituting at least 58% by volume of the whole composition; and, b) at least one acidity reducing ingredient constituting at least 5% by volume of the whole composition.

Abstract: This application relates to processes for selectively removing anionic phosphate molecules from contaminated hydrocarbon oil using the ion exchange activity of acid activated clay. The methods are particularly applicable to the removal of volatile phosphates from hydrocarbons contaminated during fracturing operations.

Abstract: An oil adsorbent includes a plurality of particles, each being constituted from at least one of an inorganic particle and an organic particle as a core and a polymer covering the core. The plurality of particles are aggregated to form an aggregate so that a porosity of the aggregate is 70% or more.

Abstract: The invention is directed generally to a porous and durable ceramic filter monolith coated with one or more rare earth-containing compositions for removing contaminants from a fluid, particularly for removing one or more contaminants from water.

Abstract: A novel anion adsorbent with extremely high anion adsorptive power, composed mainly of iron as a metal excellent in biosafety, is provided. The anion adsorbent contains, as an active ingredient, amorphous ferric hydroxide produced under such conditions that a ferrous species is present.

Abstract: A mercury absorbent comprising a metal sulphide, a support material, a first binder and a second binder, wherein the first binder is a cement binder and the second binder is a high aspect ratio binder having an aspect ratio >2. A mercury removal process comprises contacting a mercury containing feed stream with the absorbent.

Abstract: A fluid purification system and method thereof, the system comprising a plurality of components serially coupled and in fluid communication. A pipe or conduit introduces a fluid into the system and communicates with a charging device that removes surface charge(s) from the fluid. The fluid is then transferred to a heater for raising the temperature of the fluid and providing the conditions for precipitating mineral material that generally causes build-up and/or corrosion within such a system. The fluid is then carried to a tank or tanks for precipitation of the mineral material. The resulting supernate and precipitate are transferred to a separator and further separated, with the precipitate withdrawn and the filtered fluid transferred for additional filtering downstream.

Abstract: A sulfurous acid treated wastewater disposal method employing soil aquifer treatment (SAT) for artificial recharge of groundwater through infiltration basins allowing fully or partially-treated sewage effluent to infiltrate into the soil and move down to the groundwater through a “vadose” zone, which acts as a natural filter to remove essentially all suspended solids, biodegradable materials, bacteria, viruses, and other microorganisms.

Abstract: An apparatus for optimizing water purification profile, has a front processing unit, a booster pump having a water inlet, a rear processing unit, a waterflow control unit, an emission control unit, a control circuit, and a temperature sensing probe. The front processing unit is connected to the water inlet via a pipe. The control circuit corresponds to the emission control unit. The temperature sensing probe senses water temperature. The control circuit is connected to the temperature sensing probe whereby automatically adjusting time of producing purified water in a periodic cycle. The apparatus implements a constant water utilization rate as water temperature changes.

Abstract: A system and method for maintaining a body of water in a sanitized condition with use of a halogen and a source of silver ions wherein the halogen is maintained at 50% to 75% less than a recommended halogen level for maintaining the body of water in a sanitized condition by adding a compound containing a hydantoin ring to a recreational body of water containing a halogen and a source of metal ions.

Abstract: A method for decreasing the dissolved oxygen content in water used for extracting oil from rocks includes directing water and gas into a housing containing at least one hydrophobic membrane such that the water contacts only a first surface of the membrane and the gas contacts only a second surface of the membrane. The pressure of the gas is decreased thereby causing the oxygen in the water to pass through the first side of the membrane to the second side of the membrane and mix with the gas. A system for decreasing the dissolved oxygen content in water used for extracting oil from rocks includes a plurality of membrane modules. Each module contains at least one hydrophobic membrane. A water supply inlet and a gas supply inlet direct water over the first and second surface respectively of each of the hydrophobic membranes. A water outlet and a gas outlet direct water and gas respectively out of the plurality of membrane modules.

Abstract: The liquid treatment device comprises the nozzle with the throat, the confuser inlet chamber and the diffuser outlet chamber. The vortex cylinder with end-to-end cyclonic ports is coupled to the confuser chamber. The cavitation generator, the shaped head part of which is inserted in the nozzle, is secured axially to the said cylinder with possibility of axial travel. Axisymmetrical internal and external shells and correspondingly are built in the diffuser outlet chamber forming the annular channel in between. During treatment the liquid homogeneous mixture while passing through the cavitation zone is “heterogenized” by both wave slamming, generated with cavitation bubbles collapse, and by bubble generation. Partial “micro-cracking” takes place—bond opening with highly active radical and decreased molecular weight hydrocarbon generation.

Abstract: A display stand for displaying hats having a plurality of rotatable sections which rotate about a central support wherein each section may comprise a plurality of downwardly sloped trays wherein the central support is fixed to a surrounding structure which is enclosed by panels and a door which may be lockable.

Abstract: An adjustable product display system includes a plurality of pusher mechanisms each positionable on a planar support surface in a coextensive spaced-apart manner for defining therebetween a product area with front and rear ends, wherein the product area is adapted to hold one or more products in a continuous arrangement. Each pusher mechanism is configured for magnetic engagement to the planar support surface, and includes a pusher having a contact portion, and a partition fixedly attached thereto proximate the pusher. The pusher is configured for applying a force via said contact portion on the one or more products to advance the products toward the front end of the corresponding product area. The system further includes means for retaining the one or more products against the contact portion of the pusher within the corresponding product area.

Abstract: The present invention represents a procedure for compensating the heave movement of offshore cranes. The dynamic model of the compensation actuator (hydraulically operated winch) and the load hanging on a rope are derived. Based on this model, a path-tracking control unit is developed. To compensate the movement of the ship/watercraft caused by waves, the heave movement is defined as a time-varying disturbance and is analyzed with respect to uncoupling conditions. With a model expansion, these conditions are satisfied, and an inversion-based uncoupling control law is formulated. To stabilize the system, an observer is used for reconstructing the unknown state by means of a force measurement. Furthermore, the compensation efficiency can be improved by predicting the heave movement. There is proposed a prediction method in which no ship/watercraft models or properties are required. The simulation and measurement results validate the heave compensation method.