Abstract: An apparatus includes a chamber and an intake device configured to control a flow of fluid into the chamber. The fluid comprises particles; a resonance device is configured to resonate the chamber to provide an acoustic standing wave within the chambers. The frequency of the standing wave is selected to cause particles above a specific size to collect at a node of the standing wave.

Abstract: A gas-liquid separator includes a fluid inlet, a shell including an inside surface enclosing an interior space, an outlet structure with fingers converging toward a longitudinal axis, and a dripper including a dripper tip. The fingers terminate at fingertips located proximate to an outside surface of the dripper. Gas exit ports are defined between adjacent fingers, and by the dripper. The gas-liquid separator defines a liquid flow path from the fluid inlet, along the inside surface, along one or more of the fingers, converging along the dripper outside surface, and to the dripper tip. The gas-liquid separator also defines a gas flow path from the fluid inlet, through the interior space, and through the gas exit ports. The gas-liquid separator may be utilized in fluid separation systems such as liquid chromatography or supercritical fluid chromatography/extraction systems.

Abstract: A breather including desiccant for humidity control includes an electronic end of life detection system. A temperature sensor and humidity sensor provide a temperature and humidity of the desiccant to a controller. The controller determines the relative humidity of the desiccant. The controller determines that the desiccant, and thus breather, has reached its end of life (i.e., end of useful life) when the relative humidity reaches a predetermined relative humidity (e.g., 40%). Optionally, a pressure sensor provides a pressure of the reservoir to the controller. The controller determines a fault condition or end of life condition of the breather when the pressure exceeds a predetermined pressure.

Abstract: Process for retrofitting existing processing units for natural gas fee streams. A portion of the dehydration adsorbent is removed from the vessels of the dehydration unit and is replaced with an adsorbent for heavy hydrocarbons. In operation the vessels are operated in thermal swing adsorption processes with reduced cycle times compared to the original design.

Abstract: A low-cost process for cleansing a liquid of volatile contaminants can be accomplished by cross flowing a liquid through a contactor vessel. As the liquid to be cleansed of contaminates cross flows through the horizontal contactor vessel, a radial flow pattern is induced in the liquid and the liquid is contacted with a cleansing gas introduced cross current to the flow of the liquid through the contactor vessel. As the liquid moves through the contactor vessel, contaminants enter the cleansing cross current gas percolating through the liquid. The cross current gas may then be collected and cleansed of the contaminates it collected. The cleaned cleansing gas may then be recycled back into the contactor vessel. The liquid to be cleansed may by any liquid or liquefied hydrocarbon, such as liquefied petroleum gas, gasoline, diesel, refinery component streams, distillates, gas oils, crude oils and/or emulsions.

Abstract: A tray (100) for a gas/liquid contact column, comprising a plurality of chimneys (108) jutting over a portion (101) of the upper face of the tray for the exclusive passage of gas through the tray; they are substantially parallelepipedal and mutually parallel. At least one of the chimneys (108) is surmounted by an elevated hat (108?) with a streamlined profile which prevents the passage of liquid through the chimney. The hat comprises a lower body (180) which is substantially semi-cylindrical, elongated along the longitudinal axis Y and open towards the top, extended laterally by two planar fins (181, 182) inclined towards the axis of revolution (R) of the lower body at an angle ? in the range 0° to 30° with respect to the axis Z passing through the chimneys, aligned with their height.

Abstract: A multi-stage membrane system is provided to separate helium from a gas stream such as a natural gas stream. There are at least two permeate streams from a first membrane module. One of the permeate streams is compressed and sent to a second membrane module while one of the permeate streams bypasses the compressor. There are control means provided to determine the flow for these two permeate streams based on factors including the compressor capacity, the concentration of the target component in the combined permeate streams and the capacity of the second membrane module.

Abstract: An absorbent apparatus is provided for an air dryer purge air cleaner. The absorbent apparatus comprises a volume for containing absorbent material. The absorbent apparatus also comprises absorbent material that is both oleophilic and hydrophobic and is packed in the volume to provide a packed bed of absorbent material with a predetermined packing density.

Abstract: A liquid desiccant system including a high desorber, a low desorber, and an absorber that are in fluid communication with a working solution, where the high desorber provides rejected water vapor from the working fluid for condensation in a condenser of the low desorber that provides heat for rejection of additional water from the working solution in the low desorber effectively multiplying the heat provided for desorption. The low desorber provided the concentrated working solution to the absorber where water from ambient air is condensed into the concentrated working solution to provide a dilute working solution within a working solution conduit of the absorber that is thermally coupled to an internal cooler of the absorber. In some embodiments, the working solution can be an aqueous solution of at least one ionic liquid.

Abstract: A wet desulfurization apparatus includes a chamber enclosing a space for passing flue gas and including a tubular barrier partitioning the space into an inner chamber region having a first volume and an outer chamber region surrounding the inner chamber region and having a second volume, a flue gas inlet to introduce raw flue gas into the outer chamber region, and a flue gas outlet to discharge desulfurized flue gas from the inner chamber region; a slurry reservoir disposed under the chamber to receive and store an alkaline slurry; first and second sprayers to spray the alkaline slurry into the outer and inner chamber regions, respectively, in order to remove sulfur from the flue gas in the corresponding chamber region; and a demister disposed in the inner chamber region between the second sprayer and the flue gas outlet to remove mist from the flue gas in the inner chamber region.

Abstract: A wet desulfurization apparatus includes a chamber enclosing a space for passing flue gas and including a first barrier partitioning the space into first and second chamber regions, a flue gas inlet to introduce raw flue gas into the first chamber region, and a flue gas outlet to discharge desulfurized flue gas from the second chamber region; a second barrier partitioning a slurry reservoir into a first reservoir part to store a first pH alkaline slurry and a second reservoir part to store a second pH alkaline slurry; a first sprayer to spray the alkaline slurry from the first reservoir part into the first chamber region to remove sulfur from the flue gas in the first chamber region; and a second sprayer to spray the alkaline slurry from the second reservoir part into the second chamber region to remove sulfur from the flue gas in the second chamber region.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cleaning a contaminated gas, the method comprising passing the contaminated gas through at least two cleaning stages of rubber material through which water flows, wherein the gas and the water pass cocurrently though the at least two stages of rubber material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an SCR-active material, comprising a small-pore zeolite, aluminum oxide and copper, characterized in that it contains 5 to 25 wt-% of aluminum oxide in relation to the entire material and that the copper is present on the aluminum oxide in a first concentration and on the small-pore zeolite in a second concentration.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis system and method of operating the same includes a membrane housing comprising a reverse osmosis membrane therein. The membrane housing has a feed fluid input, a brine outlet and a permeate outlet; The system further includes a charge pump, a plurality of valves and a tank having a volume comprising a movable partition dividing the volume into a first volume and a second volume. The plurality of valves selectively couples the charge pump to the first volume or the second volume and the brine outlet to the second volume or the first volume respectively.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a floating type membrane distillation module for collecting sunlight to heat raw water and supplying the heated raw water to a membrane distillation separation membrane, to ensure effective heating of raw water and supply of the uniformly heated raw water to a membrane distillation separation membrane.

Abstract: The invention is directed to preparation of hollow fiber membrane devices that exhibit improved durability and mechanical strength in air separation operations such as generation of nitrogen enriched air on board aircraft. In particular the invention provides for preparation of hollow fiber membrane modules with terminal tubesheets of superior mechanical properties and improved long term durability in air separation operations.

Abstract: The present disclosure discusses a system and method that includes a microfluidic device that can be used in either an extracorporeal or implantable configuration. The device supports efficient and safe removal of carbon dioxide from the blood of patients suffering from respiratory disease or injury. The microfluidic device can be a multilayer device that includes gas channels and fluid channels. Distensible membranes within the device can affect a cross-sectional area of the blood channels.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon a clogging location determination program for a separation membrane module, in which, in order to determine a clogging location of a separation membrane module in a fresh water generation system for obtaining treated water by filtrating water to be treated by a separation membrane module having a separation membrane, a computer is caused to function as a clogging location determination means for determining a clogging location of the separation membrane module from a resistance in a lower part of the separation membrane module, a filtration resistance of a hollow-fiber membrane, and a resistance in an upper part of the separation membrane module.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a water extraction system comprising a flow cell comprising a membrane; said membrane comprising an active layer comprising immobilized aquaporin water channels and a support layer, and said membrane having a feed side and a non-feed side; and an aqueous source solution in fluid communication with the feed side of the membrane.

Abstract: A gas separation membrane containing a matrix resin and hyperbranched polymer- or dendrimer-bound, heteromorphous shaped silica nanoparticles, which are formed of heteromorphous shaped silica nanoparticles having surfaces onto which a hyperbranched polymer or a dendrimer is chemically added.

Abstract: A decanter arranged to permit storage of wine or other beverage while isolated from ambient air and employing a variable size beverage storage volume. A valve may control flow past a piston as the piston is moved relative to a container to adjust a size of the beverage storage volume.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method to maintain a suspended state of particles in an ink, liquid, or paste. The system includes one or more cartridge caddies to hold cartridges containing the particles in the ink, liquid, or pastes therein, and a drive roller and support roller configuration operable to rotatingly support the one or more cartridge caddies at predetermined speeds. Each caddy includes a shaft and at least two plates disposed on the shaft, each plate including one or more corresponding sockets configured to hold the cartridge therebetween.

Abstract: A device and method for counter collision treatment. The device includes: first and second nozzle means oppositely disposed so as to inject jets of a highly pressurized fluid into a body protective ring; the injection directions of the first and second nozzle means are determined so as to intersect with an angle at one point located in front of the nozzle orifices thereof. Further, the jets from the first and second nozzle means are caused to collide with each other to thereby effect homogenization of the fluid by impact-fragmentation. Yet further, one of the first and second nozzle means is provided with a turning mechanism for enabling the nozzle to turn around the fixed injection direction as the axis of the turn while keeping the injection direction unchanged.

Abstract: A flow shifter baffle for mixing a fluid flow having at least two components, a static mixer, and method of mixing are described. The flow shifter baffle includes a double divider wall element adjacent to a leading edge and a plurality of occluding walls coupled to the double divider wall element. The double divider wall element includes first and second generally parallel walls which extend across the entire transverse flow cross-section. The double divider wall element is configured to divide the fluid flow into a central flow portion and first and second peripheral flow portions. This division of the fluid flow using the double divider wall element and the plurality of occluding walls improves the mixing of separate components by producing a greater number of layers with less jumbling of the layers, when a layered composition of multiple components is delivered into the flow shifter baffle.

Abstract: A mixer is adapted to include: a flow path forming member formed with an internal flow path; and an insertion member inserted into the internal flow path, in which: the inner circumferential surface forming the internal flow path in the flow path forming member or the outer circumferential surface of the insertion member is formed with a first groove and a second groove merging with the first groove and branching from the first groove, and the inner circumferential surface and the outer circumferential surface are fitted to each other; and the first groove and the second groove are formed as a mixing flow path for, between the flow path forming member and the insertion member, branching and merging fluid flowing from one side of the internal flow path and guiding the fluid to the other side of the internal flow path.

Abstract: The invention comprises a novel modular, generalizable meso-micro-nano-fluidic platform apparatus, design and methodology which in exemplary embodiments may be applied in conjunction with a novel external triggering and automation/feedback loop control mechanism deployed via computer to explore the phase space of single or double emulsification for applications including the encapsulation of hydrophilic active pharmacological ingredients (APIs). End use applications include the mass production of particulate encapsulation of hydrophobic or hydrophilic APIs with automatic or user-supervised feedback methodology to control and discover mass production or per-drug customized settings of interest for the manufacture of novel or extant therapeutics.

Abstract: A modular stirrer having a drive unit, a stirrer unit, and a magnetic coupling. The magnetic coupling is arranged between the drive unit and the stirrer unit and has a cylindrical cavity, drive magnets as well as stirrer unit magnets, and the drive magnets are connected to the drive unit and the stirrer unit magnets are connected to the stirrer unit and arranged radially about the cavity. The cavity is open at the opposite end in the opened state of the magnetic coupling, and the drive magnets may be inserted into the cavity of the magnetic coupling for closing the magnetic coupling for coupling of drive unit and stirrer unit and may be arranged in a plane one with the stirrer unit magnets. The magnetic coupling has a quick-release closure, which closes the cavity upon closing the magnetic coupling and creates a connection of drive unit and stirrer unit.

Abstract: An assembly is provided. The assembly comprises a single-use sterilizable bag for containing a biological material, wherein the single-use sterilizable bag comprises at least one insertion opening; and at least one insertable component configured to be inserted into the single-use sterilizable bag via the at least one insertion opening, wherein the at least one insertable component comprises: a positioning unit for positioning the insertable component with respect to the single-use sterilizable bag; and at least one of a processing unit and a sensing unit for handling the biological material.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and a method for producing a play compound and the play compound itself which, in one embodiment is a compound which sufficiently fluid to be pliable and is typically cold and slimy to the touch. The apparatus and a method provide a powder and liquid to a user, which can be a non-skilled person and thereby allow the mixing of the powder and liquid together by that person to form the play compound outside of a factory environment whilst ensuring that the play compound which is formed has the desired characteristics. Most typically the user which performs the mixing can be the end user, such as a child, who will play with the compound and so the formation of the play compound forms a new part of the play experience.

Abstract: An apparatus (1) for mixing a paste material with gas includes: a mixing part (2) that mixes the paste material with the gas using a piston pump (10); and a static mixer (3) that is connected to the mixing part to stir a mixture obtained by mixing the paste material with the gas in the mixing part. The static mixer includes one or a plurality of stirring sections through which the mixture passes, the stirring section has a shape that allows a flow of the mixture passing through the stirring section to be stirred. A ratio of a volume of the piston pump to a volume of at least one of the stirring sections of the static mixer is within a range from 1:0.2 to 1:5.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to compositions and methods for forming droplets and/or emulsions. In some embodiments, the compositions and methods comprise two or more components miscible at a first temperature and immiscible at a second temperature, dispersed in an outer phase.

Abstract: Maturation device for uncured polymeric dosage forms, comprising: —an external drum (310) with an upstream inlet (310b) for entrance of a fluid (B) with uncured dosage forms, and a downstream outlet (310c) for discharging cured dosage forms; —a first body (313) inside the drum defining at least one maturation chamber (313a) extending in the body between an upstream chamber inlet, in fluid communication with the inlet for uncured dosage forms, and a chamber downstream outlet; —a first separation element, comprising a solid region, and a passing-through region, able, in an open condition of the chamber downstream outlet, to open the chamber outlet; wherein at least the internal body is rotatable around an own axis to determine the closing/opening condition of a chamber downstream outlet of the internal body.

Abstract: A system and method for producing fine droplets of polysaccharide from a premixed water-in-oil emulsion uses a packed bed (5) comprising hydrophilic beads (7).

Abstract: A lift engager for providing a stream of fluidized catalyst particles with an adjustable conduit and process using the lift engager. The lift engager includes a vessel with an inlet configured to receive catalyst from a reaction zone. A first conduit, within the vessel, is configured to supply lift gas into the lift engager. The first conduit includes a fixed member and a movable member secured to the fixed member and is configured to adjust a length of the first conduit within the vessel. A second conduit inside the first conduit and configured to provide fluidized catalyst to a regeneration zone.

Abstract: A catalyst carrier for insertion in a reactor tube of a tubular reactor, said catalyst carrier comprising: a container for holding catalyst in use, said container having a bottom surface closing the container, and a top surface; a carrier outer wall extending from the bottom surface to the top surface; a seal extending from the container by a distance which extends beyond the carrier outer wall; said carrier outer wall having apertures located below the seal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for detecting and controlling bed height in fluidized bed reactors are disclosed. The systems and methods employ a plurality of radiation sources and a detector array located along the outer surface of a fluidized bed reactor.

Abstract: This present disclosure relates to apparatuses for methylation of aromatics in an aromatics complex for producing a xylene isomer product. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to apparatuses for producing para-xylene by the selective methylation of toluene and/or benzene in an aromatics complex using processed toluene instead of crude toluene.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing particulate matter by exposing the particulate matter to successive surface reactions of at least a first and a second gaseous precursor according to the principles of atomic layer deposition. The apparatus includes a vacuum chamber, a reaction chamber for particulate matter, wherein the reaction chamber is provided inside the vacuum chamber, a vibration mechanism for vibrating particulate matter inside the reaction chamber; and a precursor system arranged to supply the at least first and second gaseous precursors through the reaction chamber for subjecting the particulate matter to the at least first and second gaseous precursors. The method includes the steps of supplying the at least first and second gaseous precursors through the reaction chamber for subjecting the particulate matter to the at least first and second gaseous precursors, and vibrating particulate matter inside the reaction chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed are fragrance compositions containing a microcapsule, a fragrance, a hydrocolloid, and a solvent. Also disclosed is a method of preparing these fragrance compositions.

Abstract: A composition and method to form a composite core material for use as a panel, molded product, sheet, or reinforcing material. The composition generally includes a microsphere discontinuous portion disposed in a continuous encapsulating portion, such as an encapsulating resin. Final products made with the composition may also comprise a mesh assembly on one or both sides of a sheet or panel, and may comprise a scored panel or sheet such that a plurality of reinforcing blocks or sections are formed which allow the cured product to conform to, and reinforce, irregular shapes and surfaces.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes microtips, MicroArrays, MicroArray Patches comprising MicroArrays, delivery devices, and methods of manufacturing and methods of using same. In some embodiments, a substance-loaded MicroArray is prepared by photochemically etching MicroArray outlines in a substrate sheet, the MicroArrays comprising a plurality of microtips, configuring reservoirs in each microtip such as by photochemical half etching, filling each reservoir with a substance to be delivered, and then bending each of the microtips out of planarity such that each microtip comprises a substance-loaded projection disposed an angle relative to the generally planar substrate sheet.

Abstract: The contacting device for countercurrent contacting of fluid streams and having a first pair of intersecting grids of spaced-apart and parallel deflector blades and a second pair of intersecting grids of spaced-apart and parallel deflector blades. The deflector blades in each one of the grids are interleaved with the deflector blades in the paired intersecting grid and may have uncut side portions that join them together along a transverse strip where the deflector blades cross each other and cut side portions that extend from the uncut side portions to the ends of the deflector blades. At least some of the deflector blades have directional tabs and associated openings to allow portions of the fluid streams to pass through the deflector blades to facilitate mixing of the fluid streams.

Abstract: A filtering medium, a method for the production thereof, the use of said filtering medium and a method for reducing the content of multiple contaminants simultaneously in fluids by means of said filtering medium, wherein said filtering medium has or includes at least one of the following: a mixture (A) containing a major part of an iron-based powder and a minor part of a silver powder, an iron-silver powder alloy (B), and an iron-based porous and permeable composite containing silver (C).

Abstract: Processes for removing arsenic compounds from a feed stream using an adsorbent in disclosed. The process includes contacting a feed stream comprising at least arsenic and sulfur compounds with an adsorbent comprising an low-crystallinity manganese oxide, at least one halide and a binder, to provide a treated effluent substantially free of the arsenic and sulfur compounds.

Abstract: The present invention provides an improved sorbent and corresponding device(s) and uses thereof for the capture and stabilization of volatile organic compounds (VOC) or semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOC) from a gaseous atmosphere. The sorbent is capable of rapid and high uptake of one or more compounds and provides quantitative release (recovery) of the compound(s) when exposed to elevated temperature and/or organic solvent. Uses of particular improved grades of mesoporous silica are disclosed.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a material for blood purification having the capability to remove cytokines and activated leukocyte-activated platelet complexes. The present invention provides a material for blood purification, the material containing a water-insoluble material in which a ligand having an amide group(s) and an amino group(s) is bound to a substrate, wherein the content of the amide group(s) is 3.0 to 7.0 mmol per 1 g dry weight of the water-insoluble material; and wherein the content of the amino group(s) is 1.0 to 7.0 mmol per 1 g dry weight of the water-insoluble material.

Abstract: Provided is a packing material for HILIC columns for more accurately and more easily performing oligosaccharide analysis by liquid chromatography; an HILIC column which is filled with the packing material for HILIC columns; and a method for analyzing an oligosaccharide with use of this packing material for HILIC columns A packing material for HILIC columns according to the present invention is composed of particles, each of which is obtained by reacting glycidol to a hydroxyl group of a porous cross-linked polymer base material having the hydroxyl group, and which have a hydrophilicity index of 2.30 or more and a surface-pH index of from 0.95 to 1.05.

Abstract: Proposed is a method of obtaining inorganic sorbents for extracting lithium from lithium-containing natural and technological brines. The method is carried by contacting a soluble niobate (V) with an acid in the presence of at least one zirconium (IV) salt to obtain a precipitate of a mixed hydrated niobium and zirconium oxide. Subsequent steps include granulating the precipitate by freezing, converting the product of granulation into a Li-form, calcining the Li-form, and converting the obtained granulated mixed lithium, niobium, and zirconium oxide into an ion-exchanger in an H-form. In the obtained H-form the inorganic sorbent is ready for use in lithium extraction processes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a support structure of a solid catalyst for preparing a linear alkyl aromatic compound, particularly linear alkylbenzene (LAB), and to a method of preparing an alkyl aromatic compound by alkylating an aromatic compound with an olefin using a solid alkylation catalyst, and of regenerating the deactivated solid alkylation catalyst. The present invention provides an integrated method of preparing an alkyl aromatic compound by alkylating an aromatic compound with an olefin using a filter structure as a solid catalyst carrier for alkylating an aromatic compound with an olefin, and of regenerating the deactivated solid alkylation catalyst, thereby realizing simpler and less expensive processing than conventional processes.

Abstract: A process for preparing a peptized alumina having increased solids and acid contents and a decreased water content. The process comprising mixing a boehmite or pseudoboehmite alumina and acid with a high intensity, high energy mixer at a ratio of 0.16 to 0.65 moles acid/moles alumina for a time period sufficient to form a substantially free-flowing solid particulate having a solids content of 45 to 65 wt %. When used in catalyst manufacture, peptized alumina produced by the process provides an increased rate in catalyst production and decreased costs due to high solids concentration and the presence of less water to be evaporated.