Abstract: A plant for the production of sulfur trioxide from a feed stream containing sulfur-containing compounds and dissolved metals and alkali metals by a process, which involves gas quenching, comprises an incineration furnace, a mixing device and/or a dilution air heater, a dust removal device and an SO2 converter. The plant may further comprise a condenser for the purpose of producing sulfuric acid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel cost efficient method for carbonizing lignocellulosic material to carbonized particles or agglomerates, preferably carbon powder. Also uses of said particles or agglomerates are disclosed.

Abstract: A low temperature carbonizable material and the method for making the same, wherein polyester polymer material, biomass material, and phosphorous catalyst are used as raw materials for making low temperature carbonization material, the phosphorous catalyst catalyzes polyester polymer fracture to produce alcohol group and acid group, which forms a catalytic chain reaction to further catalyze the carbonization reaction of the biomass material. Besides, the catalytic chain reaction can also effectively lower the carbonization temperature, which allows the carbonization process to be completed within 30 minutes at a temperature of 170 to 250° C., and the obtained product can be more easily processed into desired shaped or pressed into films.

Abstract: An environmental waste water filtering system, including a bucket, the inside of which tapers into a funnel portion that leads to a strainer. The funnel has an exit tube that extends 3 inches below the bucket wall and may be inserted into a drain such as a toilet drain pipe. The inside of the bucket and funnel portion forms a fluid debris chamber. When fluid containing particulate matter is poured into the fluid debris chamber, the particulate matter is removed from the fluid portion as the fluid passes through the strainer and then into the toilet drain pipe. Once all fluid drains from the fluid debris chamber, the captured debris may be poured into a trash bag and disposed of. Optionally, a disposable straining filter bag may be positioned in the fluid debris chamber so that even finer particulate matter is removed from the fluid for disposal with the bag.

Abstract: A heat exchange system having at least one closed compartment containing in a first portion a first liquid having a first temperature at or near the first liquid's boiling point; a first thermally conductive conduit, containing a first fluid having a second temperature higher than the first temperature, submerged in the first liquid, causing at least a portion of the first liquid to absorb latent heat and boil within the at least one closed compartment, and convert to vapors; and a second thermally conductive conduit, containing a second fluid having a third temperature lower than the first temperature, passing through a second portion of the at least one closed compartment where the vapors contact the second thermally conductive conduit containing the second fluid, causing the vapors to lose latent heat and condense, and join the first liquid in the first portion of the at least one closed compartment.

Abstract: A system for producing potable water, including a primary water harvester including a non-potable water source, gas heating chamber, wherein the gas heating chamber includes a gas directing tube having a gas located within the gas directing tube such that the gas heating chamber is used to heat the gas located within the gas directing tube, a gas mover operatively connected to the gas directing tube for moving the heated gas contained within the gas directing tube, an evaporator operatively connected at one end to the gas directing tube, wherein the heated gas located within the gas directing tube contacts non-potable from the non-potable water source such that a water vapor in the heated gas is increased, and a condenser operatively connected to the other end of the evaporator, wherein the condenser causes the water vapor to condense out of the heated gas to produce potable water.

Abstract: An integrated system that comprises a solar power subsystem, an absorption refrigeration subsystem to provide a cooling effect, a desalination subsystem to produce freshwater, an expander to generate shaft work and electricity, and also a reverse osmosis desalination subsystem to further produce freshwater, wherein the absorption refrigeration subsystem, the desalination subsystem, the expander, and the reverse osmosis desalination subsystem are powered by a solar energy that is supplied by the solar power subsystem.

Abstract: Methods and nanocomposites for the adsorptive removal of aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, ethyl benzene and xylene from contaminated water sources and systems are provided. The nanocomposites contain carbon nanotubes and metal oxide nanoparticles such as Al2O3, Fe2O3 and ZnO impregnated on a surface and/or in pore spaces of the carbon nanotubes. Methods of preparing and characterizing the nanocomposite adsorbents are also provided.

Abstract: A membrane filtration system with reverse osmosis (RO) or nanofiltration (NF) elements is adapted to provide high recovery from difficult wastewater. The system has a plurality of stages. The system is configured to provide concentrate staging. The last stage also has concentrate recirculation. The valves and pumps of the system are arranged such that the order of flow and a recirculation pump may be switched between the first stage and the last stage at some times.

Abstract: A composite containing carbon nitride and a mixed metal sulfide. The composite is useful as a photocatalyst. A method of making the composite and a method of photocatalyzing the degradation of pollutants are described herein.

Abstract: Aeration discs used in water treatment and methods of using same are disclosed. According to one or more embodiments, an aeration disc may comprise projections and depressions located on at least one of its surfaces. The aeration discs may be incorporated into aeration devices and water treatment systems.

Abstract: The water filtration system may include a support base. A first receptacle may be detachably disposed on the support base and configured to store source water. A second receptacle may be detachably disposed on the support base and configured to store supply water. A filter system may be disposed between the first receptacle and the second receptacle.

Abstract: A process for removing water from particulate material slurries produced by horizontal drilling, vertical drilling and from dredging of bodies of water is disclosed. The process comprises a first step of water removal accomplished by diffusing a chemical reagent into the particulate material source stream that results in separating out a clean water fraction and a second step of reacting the sludge with a demulsifier and a superabsorbent polymer that locks onto the water in the remaining slurry thus turning the slurry into a solid crust. The crust is ground into a particulate form and disposed in a landfill. The combined effect of the treatments is the thickening of the particulate material slurry from about 10% solids to about 25% solids. The removed water may be used for further drilling and drinking. Another benefit is the reduced volume of the particulate material that needs to be disposed in landfills.

Abstract: Gyroscopes are sensors that measure angular rate and angular orientation. A three-dimensional fused silica micro shell rate-integrating gyroscope is presented. One aspect of the gyroscope includes the use of optical sensors to detect motion of the resonator. The proposed gyroscope is attractive because it achieves several magnitudes higher accuracy as well as high vibration and shock insensitivity from a novel resonator design as well as other unique manufacturing processes.

Abstract: In order to improve the yield of an optical fiber base material, provided is a manufacturing apparatus for manufacturing an optical fiber base material by forming a soot deposition body on a surface of a target rod, including a main burner that generates glass microparticles to be deposited on the target rod while moving in a longitudinal direction of the target rod; a pair of side burners that are arranged outside a movement range of the main burner and heat both ends of the soot deposition body formed on the surface of the target rod; and a shielding member that prevents the glass microparticles generated by the main burner from being deposited on the target rod farther outward than a segment of the target rod sandwiched by the pair of side burners.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a matted object capable of achieving both a lower range of glossiness and an antifouling property. A matted object includes a substrate, and a glassy layer provided on the surface of the substrate. The surface of the glassy layer has a 60°-glossiness of 20 or less, a skewness Rsk of ?0.5 or more, and a maximum height roughness Rz more than 2.5 ?m and less than 5.7 ?m, the skewness Rsk and the maximum height roughness Rz being specified in JIS B0601 (2001).

Abstract: A lightweight composite pane is provided that includes a mineral glass or glass-ceramic pane and an organic layer. The weight per unit area of the lightweight composite pane is in the range from 0.5 kg/m2 to 5.5 kg/m2, the ratio of the thickness of the mineral glass pane to the thickness of the organic layer is 1:0.01 to 1:1, and the thickness of the organic layer is less than or equal to 500 ?m. The lightweight composite pane meets the thermal safety requirements of aerospace authorities and has a “Total Heat Release,” measured in compliance with JAR/FAR/CS 25, App. F, Part IV & AITM 2.0006, of less than 65 kW×min/m2 and a flame time, after removal of the flame in the “Vertical Bunsen Burner Test”, measured in compliance with FAR/JAR/CS 25, App. F, Part 1 & AITM 2.0002A, is less than 15 seconds.

Abstract: Embodiments of a glass-based article including a first surface and a second surface opposing the first surface defining a thickness (t) of about 3 millimeters or less (e.g., about 1 millimeter or less), and a stress profile, wherein all points of the stress profile between a thickness range from about 0·t up to 0.3·t and from greater than 0.7·t, comprise a tangent that is less than about ?0.1 MPa/micrometers or greater than about 0.1 MPa/micrometers, are disclosed. In some embodiments, the glass-based article includes a non-zero metal oxide concentration that varies along at least a portion of the thickness (e.g., 0·t to about 0.3·t). In some embodiments, the concentration of metal oxide or alkali metal oxide decreases from the first surface to a point between the first surface and the second surface and increases from the point to the second surface. The concentration of the metal oxide may be about 0.05 mol % or greater or about 0.5 mol % or greater throughout the thickness.

Abstract: Portable apparatus for identifying and mitigating defects in electronic devices disposed on substrates or windows are disclosed herein. Such defects can be visually perceived by the end user. The substrates or windows may include flat panel displays, photovoltaic windows, electrochromic devices, and the like, particularly electrochromic windows.

Abstract: A Zr-based composite ceramic material, a preparation method thereof and a shell or a decoration are provided. The Zr-based composite ceramic material includes a zirconia matrix and a cubic SrxNbO3 stable phase dispersed within the zirconia matrix, where 0.7?x?0.95.

Abstract: A cubic boron nitride sintered body has between 50% and 75% cubic boron nitride by volume and between 25% and 50% binder phase by volume, and inevitable impurities. The binder phase contains an Al compound and a Zr compound. The Al compound contains Al and one or more of N, O and B; and the Zr compound contains Zr and one or more of C, N, O and B. At a polished surface of the cubic boron nitride sintered body, 40% or more of the Zr compounds satisfy the ratio 0.25?n/N?0.8, where: N represents the number of line segments drawn radially at equal intervals from a center of gravity of a given Zr compound to a boundary with a non-Zr compound; and n represents the number among those N line segments which intersect a boundary between the given Zr compound and cubic boron nitride.

Abstract: A sintered material includes a first material and a second material, the first material being partially stabilized ZrO2 having a crystal grain boundary or crystal grain in which 5 to 90 volume % of Al2O3 is dispersed with respect to a whole of the first material, the second material including at least one of SiAlON, silicon nitride and titanium nitride, the sintered material including 1 to 50 volume % of the first material.

Abstract: A method for producing a composite of cubic boron nitride dispersed in a SiAlON ceramic. This method involves mixing silicon nitride nanoparticles, aluminum nitride nanoparticles, silica nanoparticles, calcium oxide nanoparticles, and cubic boron nitride microparticles to produce a mixture. The cubic boron nitride may be coated with nickel. The mixture is sintered to produce the composite, and this sintering may involve spark plasma sintering and/or sintering at a relatively low temperature. The composite may comprise a mixture of Ca-?-SiAlON and ?-SiAlON ceramic reinforced by boron nitride in either or both cubic and hexagonal phases.

Abstract: A precursor material is provided for additive manufacturing of a low-density, high-porosity ceramic part. The precursor material includes a body of refractory fibers and a binder in admixture with the body of refractory fibers. The precursor material further includes a viscosity control additive in admixture with the binder and the body of refractory fibers to provide an overall mixture with a viscosity between about 0.3 centipoise and about 150,000 centipoise.

Abstract: A method of preparing a concrete composition for downhole injection includes utilizing a controller to control a process including circulating process water in a process water supply loop for a predetermined period while monitoring and controlling the temperature and flow rate of the process water, circulating aqueous-based air entrainment solution in an aqueous-based air entrainment solution supply loop for the predetermined period and controlling the flow rate of the aqueous-based air entrainment solution and after the predetermined period of time in which the flow of process water and aqueous-based air entrainment solution have stabilized, simultaneously actuating valves to divert and mix the process water, the aqueous-based air entrainment solution and compressed air to produce an air-entrained foam and mixing the foam with a concrete composition to be deployed downhole.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for the production of gypsum board using starch pellets. In accordance with the present disclosure, the starch necessary for board formation is provided in the form of starch pellets. These pellets are mixed with a gypsum slurry in a mixer. The pellets are initially insoluble and do not dissolve. However, during subsequent drying stages, the pellets become soluble and dissolve into the gypsum phase. This both provides the desired starch component and also results in the formation of voids within the set gypsum.

Abstract: This invention relates to polymeric compositions for application onto natural stone in order to provide for long-term chemical, stain, and water resistance, along with antimicrobial properties. Many natural, unsealed stones do not have stain, etch, or water resistance. The described compositions were developed using a technology of chemical grafting that involves the use of prepolymers, monomers, catalysts, graft initiators, wetting agents, antimicrobial agents, and other ingredients. The composition, when thus applied to the stone surface allows it to obtain a graft polymerization, thereby forming a polymer film that is chemically attached to the natural stone, rather than typical physical bonding of other sealer compositions. The natural stones react with a graft initiator in the composition, which creates the reaction sites on the natural stone surface via free radical mechanisms.

Abstract: Methods and equipment to generate oxidized cellulosic nanomaterials (NMs) from natural organic materials by nanotechnological reactions and reactive oxygen species (ROS) oxidation for the coordination of nutrients to form organomineral nanofertilizers, and for the coordination of pesticides and herbicides to generate slow-release pesticide/herbicide products, as well as from organic types of waste materials by dissolution reactions, ROS oxidation and product refining processes for the coordination of nutrients and pesticides/herbicides to generate high quality solid and liquid organomineral fertilizers and slow-release pesticides/herbicides products.

Abstract: An organic fertilizer/plant food with a natural ingredient providing a desirable smell to mask the unwanted odors of organic fertilizer. The desirable smelling ingredient to be mixed thoroughly throughout the organic fertilizer such that as the outer layers of the organic fertilizer are processed by microorganisms, the desirable smelling ingredient is revealed at each new layer to create a persistent pleasant smell above the unwanted fertilizer smell.

Abstract: Manufacture is carried out in a continuous manner while simultaneously loading the blast holes in a device with mixing capability where (a) a less sensitive or non-explosive water-based matrix containing a cross-linkable polymer, (b) a cross-linking agent for cross-linking the polymer contained in the matrix, (c) a gas-generating agent, are mixed. The presence of the polymer distributed uniformly in the matrix together with the cross-linking agent results in a three-dimensional network formed by molecular polymer chains bound to one another in a short period of time after mixing. The process can be performed in trucks for loading explosives in blast holes having compartments for the different components of the mixture and one or several mixing devices allowing the manufacture of the final mixture which would be unloaded into the blast holes either by means of a pump or an auger.

Abstract: A non-energetic smoke fill composition including a resin, a curing agent, a metallic filler, and a non-metallic filler, wherein the smoke fill composition is configured to be inserted into any of an artillery shell, a mortar cartridge, a gun cartridge, and in general an ogive of a projectile, and wherein the smoke fill composition is configured to be disseminated by a fuze and a supplemental charge to produce a signal visible in both day or night conditions.

Abstract: The present invention discloses catalyst and method for producing light olefins directly from synthesis gas by a one-step process, and particularly relates to method and catalyst for directly converting synthesis gas into light olefins by a one-step process. The provided catalysts are composite materials formed of multicomponent metal oxide composites and inorganic solid acids with hierarchical pore structures. The inorganic solid acids have a hierarchical pore structure having micropores, mesopores and macropores. The metal composites can be mixed with or dispersed on surfaces or in pore channels of the inorganic solid acid and can catalyze the synthesis gas conversion to a C2-C4 light hydrocarbon product containing two to four carbon atoms. The single pass conversion of CO is 10%-60%. The selectivity of light hydrocarbon in all hydrocarbon products can be up to 60%-95%, wherein the selectivity of light olefins (C2?—C4?) is 50%-85%.

Abstract: A method for converting shale gas to aromatic hydrocarbons includes passing a feedstock comprising ethane gas and methane gas to an aromatization reactor; converting a portion of the methane gas and ethane gas in the feedstock to liquid aromatic hydrocarbons with a zeolite based catalyst at a temperature of 750 C to 900 C; separating unconverted methane gas from liquid aromatic hydrocarbons; separating unconverted methane gas from the unconverted ethane gas; recycling the separated methane gas to the aromatization reactor; recovering aromatic hydrocarbons in a product stream after separation and removal from the aromatization reactor. Less than or equal to 95% of the ethane is converted to aromatic hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Methods for producing butadiene by the oxidative dehydrogenation of butene are provided. Methods for producing butadiene from a feed stream including oxygen and butene in a molar ratio of oxygen to butene (O2/C4H8) from about 0.9 to about 1.5 can include introducing the feed stream to a catalyst in the presence of steam. The molar ratio of steam to butene (H2O/C4H8) can be from about 10 to about 20. Methods can further include reacting the butene to generate a product stream therefrom comprising butadiene and water. Methods can further include separating water from the product stream to generate a butadiene stream including greater than about 85 wt-% butadiene.

Abstract: Herein disclosed is an economical standalone system that replaces conventional monomer purification methods needed to perform chemical reactions that require reactants with a high degree of purity. Chemical reactions, such as anionic polymerization, can produce highly monodisperse homopolymers and block copolymers, however to do so they require very high purity reactants along with a moisture and oxygen free atmosphere. The system and method uses traditional column purification methods, but incorporates them into an economical, standalone, compact, and hazard free system. This method is different in view of safety, cost of cleaning procedure, time commitment, space availability, design and operational ease; helping researchers save time by cutting down the operating commitment by 90% and most importantly making it safer.

Abstract: A production process for the production of E-1-chloro-3,3,3-trifluoropropene, the process including at least one stage during which 1,3,3,3-tetrachloropropene reacts with anhydrous hydrofluoric acid in the liquid phase, in the absence of a catalyst, with an HF/1,1,3,3-tetrachloropropene molar ratio between 3 and 20 inclusive, at a temperature between 50° C. and 150° C. inclusive and an absolute pressure of between 1 and 20 bar inclusive.

Abstract: A method for producing a fluorinated compound comprises: the provision of a gaseous flow comprising hydrofluoric acid; the provision of at least one liquid flow of a chlorinated compound and the vapourisation thereof by mixing with the gaseous flow, the resulting mixture being a gaseous mixture; and the catalytic reaction of the chlorinated compound with hydrofluoric acid in a gaseous phase and the collection of a product flow. The invention also relates to a facility for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A process for the production of propylene glycol from a lactate ester is disclosed. The process comprises supplying a feed comprising a C3-6 alkyl lactate ester. The feed is contacted with a stream of hydrogen containing gas and subjected to hydrogenation in the vapour phase in the presence of a catalyst at a temperature of from about 130° C. to about 185° C., a pressure of from about 20 bar to about 60 bar, and a weight hourly space velocity greater than about 0.3 h?1. The catalyst is a reduced copper catalyst selected from copper alumina, optionally comprising manganese, copper chromite, copper zinc oxide and Raney copper.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for purifying phenol, which comprises: supplying a feed comprising phenol, acetone, hydroxyacetone and water to a distillation column at 60° C. to 95° C.; separating the feed into a first fraction, which comprises the acetone, and separates to the upper part of the distillation column and a second fraction, which comprises the phenol, and separates to the lower part of the distillation column; and recovering the first fraction and the second fraction, respectively.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for directly preparing glycol dimethyl ether and co-producing ethylene glycol from ethylene glycol monomethyl ether. More specifically, the method comprises passing a feedstock containing a raw material of ethylene glycol monomethyl ether and a carrier gas through a reactor loaded with a solid acid catalyst to produce glycol dimethyl ether and ethylene glycol, at a reaction temperature range from 40° C. to 150° C. and a reaction pressure range from 0.1 MPa to 15.0 MPa; wherein a carrier gas is an optional inactive gas; and the feedstock contains water whose volume concentration in the feedstock is in a range from 0% to 95%; and the weight hourly space velocity of the raw material of ethylene glycol monomethyl ether is in a range from 0.05 h?1 to 5.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of alpha, beta unsaturated aldehydes by oxidation of alcohols where the oxidant is oxygen in the presence of a catalyst comprising platinum on a support in the presence of a liquid phase which contains at least 25 weight-% water based on the total weight of the liquid phase.

Abstract: This invention relates to novel derivatives of 4-hydroxybutyric acid and prodrugs thereof, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the foregoing. This invention also provides pharmaceutical compositions comprising a compound of this invention and the use of such compositions in methods of treating narcolepsy, fibromyalgia, other disorders or conditions that are beneficially treated by improving nocturnal sleep or by administering sodium oxybate.

Abstract: Dibasic esters (diesters) and their use in plasticizer compositions are generally disclosed. In some embodiments, the diesters are branched-chain esters of long-chain alkanedioic acids, such as octadecanedioic acid. In some embodiments, such plasticizer compositions are used to increase the plasticity of a polymer resin, such as a vinyl chloride resin or poly vinyl butyral. In some other embodiments, such plasticizer compositions are used to lower the glass transition temperature of a polymer resin. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the plasticizer is derived from a renewable source, such as a natural oil.

Abstract: Disclosed are an acetylsalicylic acid derivative, i.e. a 2-(diethylamino)ethyl 2-acetoxy-benzoate hydrochloride crystal, and a preparation method and use thereof. The X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) pattern of the crystal has characteristic peaks at the following 2? angle: 11.0°±0.2°, 20.6°±0.2°, 25.1°±0.2°, 8.2°±0.2°, 16.5°±0.2°, 13.4°±0.2°, 25.4°±0.2°.

Abstract: Here described is a method of delivery of a drug to a stellate cell using a composition comprising a compound of formula I: wherein R1 and R2 are independently selected from C10 to C18 alkyl, C12 to C18 alkenyl, and oleoyl; R3 and R4 are independently selected from C1 to C6 alkyl and C2 to C6 alkanol; X is selected from —CH2—, —S—, and —O—, or X is absent; Y is selected from —(CH2)n, —S(CH2)n—, —O(CH2)n—, -thiophene-, —SO2(CH2)n—, and ester; n?1-4; a?1-4; b?1-4; c?1-4; and Z? is a counterion.

Abstract: The invention provides compounds that inhibit FTO (fat mass and obesity), including pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrides and stereoisomers thereof. The compounds are employed in pharmaceutical compositions, and methods of making and use, including treating a person in need thereof, particularly obesity, with an effective amount of the compound or composition, and detecting a resultant improvement in the person's health or condition.

Abstract: Small molecule compounds derived from ?-sulfophenylacetic amide (SPAA) are provided as novel sulfonic acid based pTyr mimetics. These compounds effectively inhibit a variety of protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs), such as mPTPA, mPTPB, LMWPTP, and Laforin. Use of these compounds as pharmaceutical agents for treating diseases associated with abnormal protein tyrosine phosphatase activity is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a multi-step process for the production of dihydrolipoic acid, which can particularly be carried out as a one-pot reaction and without isolation of intermediates.

Abstract: Phenyldifluoromethyl-substituted prolinamide compounds that have a cathepsin S inhibitory effect, and are usable as active ingredients of pharmaceutical compositions for preventing and/or treating autoimmune diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and lupus nephritis, allergies, or graft rejection of an organ, bone marrow or tissue.

Abstract: This invention provides, among other things, compounds useful for treating viral infections, pharmaceutical formulations containing such compounds, as well as methods of inhibiting the replication of a virus or treating a disease.