Abstract: A method for using a washer press for washing and dewatering a wide range of solids concentrations of pulp in liquid suspensions includes multiple distinct displacement wash zones about a drum with multiple nips.

Abstract: The present invention provides formulations for papermaking and methods for their use. In embodiments, the formulations include a treatment agent and a fluid carrier, where the treatment agent includes a volatile debonder or a polymer composition exhibiting a lower critical solution temperature. Methods for treating a paper product to increase its bulk or its stiffness are also disclosed, in addition to paper products formed from such methods.

Abstract: Process for the production of paper, board and cardboard having high dry strength by addition of (a) at least one trivalent cation in the form of a salt, (b) at least one water-soluble cationic polymer and (c) at least one water-soluble amphoteric polymer to the paper stock, draining of the paper stock with sheet formation and subsequent drying of the paper products, the water-soluble cationic polymer (b) being selected from the group consisting of the (i) polymers comprising vinylamine units and (ii) polymers comprising ethylenimine units.

Abstract: A method includes passing a web of material over a deflector having a backstep, where the backstep causes the web to deflect towards the deflector. The method also includes capturing measurements of one or more characteristics associated with the web at one or more locations downstream of the backstep. In addition, the method includes identifying a cross direction (CD) profile of machine direction (MD) tension on the web using the measurements. The method could further include generating a Coanda airflow between the web and the deflector. The measurements could include pressure measurements identifying air pressures in a space between the web and the deflector and/or deflection distance measurements identifying distances by which the web is deflected towards the deflector.

Abstract: A feed distribution device in separation columns and a method of operation for such a device. In particular, distillation columns in which the feed stream is substantially liquid phase, or a mixture of gas and liquid upstream of the column, but where the feed vaporizes or partially vaporizes prior to or as it enters the column. More specifically, the feed distribution device contains a plurality of opening which allow the feed to vaporize prior to or as it enters the column and where the openings are maintained in critical condition during operation. Significant advantage is achieved through the implementation and use of the present feed distribution devices.

Abstract: A device for compensating deviations from a coaxial arrangement of components of a regulating organ, said regulating arrangement being comprised of a regulating organ, a crown pipe, and an immersion cup which serve for controlling the gas pressure of a coke oven chamber, with the regulating arrangement being comprised of an immersion cup with a water immersion that seals the gas space of a coke oven chamber versus the gas collecting main and/or plant units downstream, and wherein the height of the water level of the water immersion represents a regulating means to control the gas pressure, and wherein said regulating arrangement is furthermore comprised of an immersion pipe that configures a specially shaped crown pipe at its end submerging into the water of the immersion cup, and that is comprised of a regulating organ to regulate the water level.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods of production of chemical bonds and subsequent molecules by electrospray ionization and the design of an electrospray chemical synthesizer, for use in chemical synthesis and expedited organic chemical reactions.

Abstract: A steel reinforced concrete protector in an anode cavity such as a cored hole, drilled hole or cut chase is disclosed. The protector includes a sacrificial anode assembly and a separate backfill. The sacrificial anode assembly includes a sacrificial metal element and an activator to maintain an activity of the sacrificial metal element and at least one spacer. The spacer prevents the sacrificial metal element and the activator from contacting the surface of the anode cavity. The spacer and the sacrificial metal element have a coupling mechanism which facilitates connection of the sacrificial metal element to the spacer. The backfill is a pliable and viscous material which contains an electrolyte and fills the spaces between the sacrificial anode assembly and the anode cavity wall. The invention also relates to a pre-packaged sacrificial anode assembly to increase the shelf life of the assembly.

Abstract: It is an object of this disclosure to provide high productivity, low cost-of-ownership manufacturing equipment for the high volume production of photovoltaic (PV) solar cell device architecture. It is a further object of this disclosure to reduce material processing steps and material cost compared to existing technologies by using gas-phase source silicon. The present disclosure teaches the fabrication of a sacrificial substrate base layer that is compatible with a gas-phase substrate growth process. Porous silicon is used as the sacrificial layer in the present disclosure. Further, the present disclosure provides equipment to produce a sacrificial porous silicon PV cell-substrate base layer.

Abstract: A fluid container with an output of drinkable activated and vitalized fluids, preferably activated and vitalized water, preferably for fluid intake, includes a hollow body with an opening for filling fitted with a connector connecting an openable cap. An outlet for the bottle is provided for dispensing the fluid. The outlet is fitted with a galvanic processing device for galvanic fluid treatment of the fluid and to produce a swirling motion of the fluid.

Abstract: An electroplating apparatus and method for depositing a metallic layer on the surface of a wafer is provided wherein said apparatus and method do not require physical attachment of an electrode to the wafer. The surface of the wafer to be plated is positioned to face the anode and a plating fluid is provided between the wafer and the electrodes to create localized metallic plating. The wafer may be positioned to physically separate and lie between the anode and cathode so that one side of the wafer facing the anode contains a catholyte solution and the other side of the wafer facing the cathode contains an anolyte solution. Alternatively, the anode and cathode may exist on the same side of the wafer in the same plating fluid. In one example, the anode and cathode are separated by a semi permeable membrane.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a physical vapor deposition system configured to heat a semiconductor substrate or wafer. In some embodiments the disclosed physical vapor deposition system comprises at least one heat source having one or more lamp modules for heating of the substrate. The lamp modules may be separated from the substrate by a shielding device. In some embodiments, the shielding device comprises a one-piece device or a two piece device. The disclosed physical vapor deposition system can heat the semiconductor substrate, reflowing a metal film deposited thereon without the necessity for separate chambers, thereby decreasing process time, requiring less thermal budget, and decreasing substrate damage.

Abstract: To uniformly perform processing such as deposition on a processing object such as a large, heavy substrate for optics, the large, heavy substrate for optics is accurately, reliably attached to a holder.

Abstract: An electrochemical paper-immunosensor and method for detecting aminoglycoside antibiotics is developed in the present invention. Single-walled carbon nanotubes are coated on the common filtration paper by dip-dry cycles. With antibody against neomycin adding to the coating solution, a high sensitive biosensor for specific detection of neomycin is prepared, satisfying to the rigid authority regulations. The sensor is not only sensitive but also rapid, comparing with the classic ELISA method, with LOD of 0.04 ng mL?1 and the whole detection process lasting less than 30 min. Another notable advantage of this invention is the versatility of the sensor, similar method is engaged to prepare the versatile sensor for other aminoglycoside antibiotics, replacement with relevant antibodies.

Abstract: An eye-mountable device includes an electrochemical sensor embedded in a polymeric material configured for mounting to a surface of an eye. The electrochemical sensor applies a stabilization voltage between a working electrode and a reference electrode to allow the amperometric current to stabilize before powering measurement electronics configured to measure the amperometric current and communicate the measured amperometric current. The electrochemical sensor consumes less power while applying the stabilization voltage than during the measurement. The measurement is initiated in response to receiving a measurement signal at an antenna in the eye-mountable device.

Abstract: A reference electrode, especially for a potentiometric measuring cell, comprising: a housing, which surrounds a housing interior, which contains a reference electrolyte and at least a part of a sensing system for sensing a potential of the reference electrode. The reference electrolyte is in contact with a medium surrounding the housing, especially a measured medium, via at least one bore traversing through a housing wall of the housing, and wherein the bore has an inner diameter of no more than 50 ?m at its narrowest point and a length of no more than 200 ?m.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for performing heat-exchanging reactions on an electro wetting-based micro fluidic device. The apparatus provides one or multiple thermal contacts to an electro wetting-based device, where each thermal contact controls the part of the electro wetting-based device it communicates with to a designed temperature. The electrowetting-based device can be used to create, merge and mix liquids in the format of droplets and transport them to different temperature zones on the micro fluidic device. The apparatus and methods of the invention can be used for heat-exchanging chemical processes such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and other DNA reactions, such as ligase chain reactions, for DNA amplification and synthesis, and for real-time PCR.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cell-based transparent sensor capable of the real-time optical observation of cell behavior, to a method for manufacturing same, and to a multi-detection sensor chip using same. More particularly, the present invention relates to a cell-based transparent sensor capable of the real-time optical observation of cell behavior, to a method for manufacturing same, and to a multi-detection sensor chip using same, wherein the sensor can sense the ionic concentration of an electrolyte in accordance with the variation in the metabolic activity of cells using an ion-selective field effect transistor (ISFET) sensor and an electrochemical sensor, and the sensor is made of a transparent material which enables real-time observations of optical phenomenon for measurement of cell behavior.

Abstract: Devices and methods for detecting the length of analytes, and/or sequencing analytes are provided in which two or more electrical signals are obtained as an analyte traverses a fluidic channel. Detection of the relative position of probes hybridized to a biopolymer and/or the length of the analyte (e.g., a biopolymer) does not rely on the absolute time between detection events of a given electrical signal to determine a distance associated with the biopolymer. Instead, multiple signals are obtained as functions of time) corresponding to a plurality of detector volumes at known locations along a fluidic channel through which the biopolymer passes, and the distances are determined from the multiple signals.

Abstract: This invention relates to environment protection, and discloses apparatus and method for electrokinetic in-situ leaching remediation of contaminated soil. The apparatus includes a DC electrical source, electrode chambers, electrodes, permeable reactive barriers (PRBs), electrode solution pH testers, electrode solution extraction tubes, a heating pipe network, a heat exchanger, leacheate sprayers, acid-base adjusting solution sprayers, a multichannel peristaltic pump, automatic control devices, an electrode solution storage tank, an electrode solution treatment pond, an in-line pump, single-channel peristaltic pumps, a flowmeter, a time control device, a leacheate storage tank, an acid solution storage tank, an alkali solution storage tank, and soil pH testers.

Abstract: Method for the selection or the processing of first particles sensitive to the application of an external stimulus including the step of producing, through the application of the external stimulus, the permeabilization of at least a selected first particle, consisting in the organization of the first particles through a first force field, to generate a second force field substantially placed in proximity of at least a selected first particle to be permeabilized.

Abstract: Systems and methods for trapping and moving individual particles of a target material of a suspension are disclosed. In one aspect, a system includes a tube and an electronically addressable float. The float includes one or more arrays of electrodes in which each electrode can be independently addressed to create non-uniform electric fields that trap and isolate target particles near the float. The electrodes can be dynamically operated to move the target particles to particular locations on the float for analysis and collection.

Abstract: An electrophoretic notch filter apparatus including a gel cartridge having at least one sample channel, an electrode and a counter electrode each engagable with the sample channel, a user interface for programming one or more steps for a sample channel into a processor to form a programmed sequence and an electrophoretic controller for implementing the programmed sequence.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the deionization of liquids through the use of electrodeionization methods and apparatuses. The apparatuses are configured to produce purified liquids having an ion content at a level of parts-per-trillion or less, and to provide continuous regeneration of the ion exchange materials. The apparatuses may be configured according to the desired levels of deionization for anions, cations, or both. Finally, methods are presented for various uses of the claimed apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electro-penetrative type sludge weight reducing apparatus, which can uniformly dehydrate sludge by gradually applying the same pressure over an entire surface of the sludge and applying the same voltage to the sludge and includes a sludge supplier, which can minutely and precisely control a compression height for the sludge according to characteristics and a thickness of the sludge and maximize a moisture reducing efficiency of the sludge by uniformly supplying the sludge having a desired thickness to an entire width of a conveyor belt and an electrode plate with improved insulation safety.

Abstract: An electroplating apparatus including a plating tank for containing a plating electrolyte. A counter electrode, e.g., anode, is present in a first portion of the plating tank. A cathode system is present in a second portion of the plating tank. The cathode system includes a working electrode and a thief electrode. The thief electrode is present between the working electrode and the counter electrode. The thief electrode includes an exterior face that is in contact with the plating electrolyte that is offset from the plating surface of the working electrode. In one embodiment, the thief electrode overlaps a portion of the working electrode about the perimeter of the working electrode. In one embodiment, a method is provided of using the aforementioned electroplating apparatus that provides increased uniformity in the plating thickness.

Abstract: The invention relates to the use of diazonium salts for the formation of thick layers on at least one surface of a substrate. The diazonium salts used in the invention have the following formula (I): wherein R is a group that can be electrochemically reduced in a reversible manner to a cathodic potential between 0 and ?1.5 V, E is a spacer chain consisting of at least one aromatic cyclic group having between 5 and 6 links, optionally containing at least one heteroatom preferably selected from N, S, O or P and optionally substituted by at least one group selected from the C1-C5 alkyls and the halogens, r is 1 or 2, m is a whole number between 1 and 5 inclusive, p is a whole number between 1 and 5, and B is a counter-ion. The invention can be especially applied to the field of gas sensors.

Abstract: An integrated sensing device is capable of detecting analytes using electrochemical (EC) and electrical (E) signals. The device introduces synergetic new capabilities and enhances the sensitivity and selectivity for real-time detection of an analyte in complex matrices, including the presence of high concentration of interferences in liquids and in gas phases.

Abstract: A system and method for generating and collecting data to detect and evaluate corrosion in a conductive metal beneath a protective coating is disclosed. A semi-integrated electrode having a reference electrode and a counter electrode is connected to a portable hand held device, such as a portable potentiostat generator. That device is also connected electrically to the metal being evaluated with the metal forming a working electrode. The counter electrode is physically and electrically separate from the metal, and a signal or voltage potential is provided therebetween through an electrolyte solution, such as sea water. The system and method is practiced without need for a container for an electrolyte solution. Data are collected and displayed indicating corrosion.

Abstract: The invention describes a process for the conversion of heavy carbon-containing fractions having an initial boiling point of at least 300° C. to upgradable lighter products, said process comprising passage of said feed through a hydrorefining reaction zone comprising at least one moving-bed reactor, and passage of at least a portion of the effluent from stage a) through a hydroconversion reaction zone comprising at least one three-phase reactor, in the presence of hydrogen, said reactor containing at least one hydroconversion catalyst and operating in ebullating-bed mode, with an ascending current of liquid and gas and comprising at least one means of withdrawing said catalyst out of said reactor and at least one means of adding fresh catalyst into said reactor, under conditions making it possible to obtain a liquid feed with a reduced content of Conradson carbon, metals, sulphur and nitrogen.

Abstract: Methods for removing sulfur from hydrocarbon streams using the sequential application of hydrodesulfurization, fractionation and oxidation. The hydrodesulfurization step is operative to remove easily-hydrogenated sulfur species, such as sulfides, disulfides and mercaptans. The resultant stream is then fractionated at a select temperature range to generate a sub-stream that is sulfur-rich with the sulfur species resistant to removal by hydrodesulfurization. The sub-stream is then isolated and subjected to an oxidative process operative to oxidize the sulfur species to sulfones or sulfoxides, which may then be removed by a variety of conventional methods, such as absorption. Alternatively, the methods may comprise using the sequential application of fractionation to generate a sulfur-rich sub-stream followed by oxidation and subsequent removal of the sulfur species present in the sub-fraction. The latter methods are ideally suited for transmix applications.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for hydroprocessing hydrocarbons in liquid full reactors with one or more independent liquid recycle streams. The process operates as a liquid-full process, wherein all of the hydrogen dissolves in the liquid phase and one or more of the recycle streams may actually be zero. Hydrocarbons can be converted in the process to provide liquid products such as clean fuels with multiple desired properties.

Abstract: A process for reforming a hydrocarbon stream is presented. The process involves splitting a naphtha feedstream to at least two feedstreams and passing each feedstream to separation reformers. The reformers are operated under different conditions to utilize the differences in the reaction properties of the different hydrocarbon components. The process utilizes a common catalyst, and common downstream processes for recovering the desired aromatic compounds generated.

Abstract: A process for reforming a hydrocarbon stream is presented. The process involves splitting a naphtha feedstream to at least two feedstreams and passing each feedstream to separation reformers. The reformers are operated under different conditions to utilize the differences in the reaction properties of the different hydrocarbon components. The process utilizes a common catalyst, and common downstream processes for recovering the desired aromatic compounds generated.

Abstract: A process for reforming a hydrocarbon stream is presented. The process involves splitting a naphtha feedstream to at least two feedstreams and passing each feedstream to separation reformers. The reformers are operated under different conditions to utilize the differences in the reaction properties of the different hydrocarbon components. The process utilizes a common catalyst, and common downstream processes for recovering the desired aromatic compounds generated.

Abstract: Processes for producing aromatics from a naphtha feedstream are provided. An exemplary process includes passing the feedstream to a fractionation unit, thereby generating a first stream including hydrocarbons having less than 8 carbon atoms and a second stream including hydrocarbons having at least 8 carbon atoms. The first stream is passed to a first reformer operated at a first set of reaction conditions to generate a first product stream. The first set of reaction conditions includes a first temperature and a first pressure. The second stream is passed to a second reformer operated at a second set of reaction conditions to generate a second product stream. The second set of reaction conditions includes a second temperature and a second pressure. The first pressure is lower than the second pressure.

Abstract: A novel process is described which allows selective hydrodesulphurizing gasoline cuts containing sulphur-containing compounds and olefins. The process employs a catalyst comprising a support selected, for example, from refractory oxides such as aluminas, silicas, silica-aluminas or magnesia, used alone or as a mixture, a group VI metal, preferably Mo or W which may or may not be promoted by a group VIII metal, Co or Ni. The catalyst is characterized by a mean pore diameter of more than 22 nm. The process may comprise one or more steps.

Abstract: A method of extracting hydrocarbon-containing organic matter from a hydrocarbon-containing material includes the steps of providing a first liquid comprising a turpentine liquid; contacting the hydrocarbon-containing material with the turpentine liquid to form an extraction mixture; extracting the hydrocarbon material into the turpentine liquid; and separating the extracted hydrocarbon material from a residual material not extracted.

Abstract: A continuous process for upgrading a heavy hydrocarbon includes the steps of: obtaining a heavy hydrocarbon; heating the heavy hydrocarbon; contacting the heavy hydrocarbon with a solvent at upgrading conditions so as to produce a first product comprising a mixture of upgraded hydrocarbon and solvent and a second product comprising asphaltene waste and water; continuously feeding the first product and the second product to a first separator; heating the first product; and continuously feeding the first product to a second separator to separate the upgraded hydrocarbon from the solvent. A system is also provided.

Abstract: A water treatment sensor includes a housing having a bottom with an exterior surface in contact with a flow path of a fluid and an interior surface. First and second probes spaced from one another extend from the exterior surface and into the flow path. A first circuit electrically connects the first and second probes and determines a conductivity from a measured resistivity between the probes. First and second temperature sensors are spaced from one another and are coupled to the interior surface. The first sensor determines a temperature of the fluid. A temperature elevated by a heat source and determined by the second sensor is maintained above the temperature of the fluid. A second circuit determines a flow rate of the fluid based on adjustments to the heat source. Communication circuitry communicates the conductivity, the temperature, and the flow rate of the fluid to a controller.

Abstract: A dialysis machine that includes a valve member having a deformable area configured to deform outwardly away when pressurized fluid is introduced into the valve member. The valve member is configured so that, when a dialysis fluid cassette is disposed in a cassette compartment of the dialysis machine and pressurized fluid is introduced into the valve member, the deformable area obstructs a fluid channel of the dialysis fluid cassette to control dialysis fluid flow therethrough.

Abstract: Collected rainwater is led to a rainwater containing section by an inflow path. A water-permeable tube body extends vertically in the middle of a vertical pipe located immediately before a position at which the rainwater flows into the rainwater containing section. A bag-like filter having an open upper end and a closed lower end is contained in the tube body or covers an outer side of the tube body, and the bag-like filter captures dust in the rainwater while allowing the rainwater to pass through the bag-like filter. A mounting and dismounting means is provided to the vertical tube in order to dismount the tube body and the filter from the vertical pipe and to mount the tube body and the filter to the vertical pipe.

Abstract: A portable cooking oil filtering system comprises: a cart; a supply tank mounted on the cart; a pump mounted on the cart and configured to deliver cooking oil from a fryer to the supply tank; a centrifuge filter mounted on the cart and in fluid communication with the supply tank, such that the centrifuge filter receives the cooking oil from the supply tank, and then separates waste from the cooking oil; a sludge tank mounted on the cart and configured to receive the waste from the centrifuge filter; and a filtered oil tank mounted on the cart and configured to receive the cooking oil from the centrifuge filter.

Abstract: A process for the treatment of contaminated fluid and wastewater containing residuals from food processing and waste and residuals from animal feeding operations and effluent from the digestion of these residuals is disclosed. The process is carried out in an enclosed tank using a separation procedure that maintains the state of the separated solids in the same state as they were upon introduction to the system, i.e., aerobic, anaerobic or anoxic, based on the condition of the solids upon introduction to the system. The system utilizes rotary flow instead of rakes to harvest the solids from the effluent. The process has applications in the recovery of emulsion in wastewater treatment and the operation of digesters for re-feeding to the digester.

Abstract: The present invention describes a device for the distribution of fluids in a multi-stage column operating in simulated moving bed (SMB) mode comprising, in the direction of flow of the principal fluid, a distribution system (6) for auxiliary fluids, and a distributor plate (10) supported by stiffening elements (7) located below said plate (10), said device being interposed between two successive beds of granular solid (2) denoted the upstream and downstream bed, the distribution system and the stiffening elements being immersed in the upstream and downstream granular beds to a slight extent with an upper limit for the degree of immersion.

Abstract: A personal, portable drinking container has a bottle with a side wall, a closed bottom, a neck, a reservoir, and a top opening in the neck providing access to the reservoir. A cap is removably fitted on the neck to close the top opening. A ledge can be on an interior surface of the bottle below the top edge. A filter assembly is supported in the bottle and can be suspended on the ledge. The bottle can have an annular formation in the side wall below the neck to prevent the neck from deforming when the bottle is squeezed. The side wall can have a pair of squeezable sides and a pair of opposed stiff sides below the annular formation, whereby the stiff sides help the bottle to rebound quickly after each squeeze.

Abstract: An organic waste processing system and method for producing a slurry for the production of bio-gas, transportation fuels and chemical products, and a residual solid.

Abstract: A water treatment system using a high pressure advanced oxidation process with unreacted ozone reusing is disclosed, which are able to increase a decomposition speed of a pollutant by reusing a high pressure advanced oxidation process which uses an ozone and photocatalyst and a photo-oxidation reaction of a ultraviolet ray. The capacity of the expensive ozone generator can be reduced as compared to the conventional advanced oxidation process which uses a large capacity ozone generator in which almost ozone is discharged into the air. In addition, it is possible to decrease the load of the off-gas ozone removing apparatus for removing the off-gas ozone which is discharged into the air.

Abstract: A disc filter is provided having a controller for controlling effluent surges that are produced by the disc filter. The method entails sensing one or more process variables that are a function of the effluent, and based at least in part on the sensed process variables, the disc filter controls the flow of effluent in order to control or minimize effluent surges.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing an amount of unwanted living organisms within an algae cultivation fluid are provided herein. According to some embodiments, methods may include subjecting the algae cultivation fluid to an amount of cavitation, the amount of cavitation being defined by a pressure differential between a downstream pressure and a vapor pressure, the pressure differential divided by half of a product of a fluid density multiplied by a square of a velocity of an apparatus throat.