Sorbent components containing halogen, calcium, alumina, and silica are used in combination during coal combustion to produce environmental benefits. Sorbents such as calcium bromide are added to the coal ahead of combustion and other components are added into the flame or downstream of the flame, preferably at minimum temperatures to assure complete formation of the refractory structures that result in various advantages of the methods. When used together, the components: reduce emissions of elemental and oxidized mercury; increase the level of Hg, As, Pb, and/or CI in the coal ash; decrease the levels of leachable heavy metals (such as Hg) in the ash, preferably to levels below the detectable limits; and make a highly cementitious ash product.

Apparatus for separating ash particles from a flue gas. The apparatus includes a screen that has a plurality of semi-elliptical cylinder surfaces. The semi-elliptical cylinder surfaces having holes through which said flue gas flows and through which the ash particles will not pass. The screen has a single layer for performing the separation in a manner such that the ash particles fall away from the screen and collect outside of the screen. A method of reducing velocity of a flue gas passing through screening apparatus for separating flue gas from ash particles. The method includes replacing a first screen of the screening apparatus with a second screen that has a plurality of semi-elliptical cylinder surfaces.

This invention provides a system and method for efficiently and completely combusting oil in mixture with particulate solids. A furnace (kiln) having a feed nozzle with a lead screw drives the mixture from a feed hopper. This nozzle includes forced-air jets/ports at its tip providing makeup air and allowing atomization of the mixture. The nozzle thereby directs the mixture into a rotating combustion chamber that is tilted downwardly from the front toward a solid waste outlet port at the rear. Uncombusted fuel and air backflow to an upper, secondary chamber near the primary chamber front, and are completely combusted at a high temperature. Gasses exit a flue that can include a heat exchanger. This heat exchanger can be operatively connected to a heating device or other mechanism that converts the heat into usable energy. The nozzle can include a cone with axially tilted air ports about its perimeter.

An apparatus for synergistically combining a plasma with a comminution means such as a fluid kinetic energy mill (jet mill), preferably in a single reactor and/or in a single process step is provided by the present invention. Within the apparatus of the invention potential energy is converted into kinetic energy and subsequently into angular momentum by means of wave energy, for comminuting, reacting and separation of feed materials. Apparatuss of use of the apparatus in the practice of various processes are also provided by the present invention.

A method for phase modulation of a carrier signal from a transmitter to a contactless transponder in which data is coded as consecutive symbols, each corresponding to a predefined number of carrier cycles, and in which a symbol time is at least two cycles of the carrier signal includes, at the transmitter, spreading a phase jump of a symbol in relation to a preceding symbol over a first part of the symbol time. The establishment of the phase jump is completed in the first part of the symbol time. The periods of the cycles are constant during a second part of the symbol time.

A method for producing a continuous web of printed material for use in creating mailpieces. The continuous web has a width and a length, the length comprised of a series of attached sheets. The series of attached sheets are comprising envelope sheets and rectangular content pages. The content pages are rectangular in shape and may be oriented relative to the envelope sheets in a number of different configurations. In some configurations, two sets of content pages and/or envelope sheets can be printed across the width of the web. Sheets for forming business return envelopes may be printed in series with the content pages and envelope sheets. BREs may include individualized return addresses. A control code may be printed on one or more of the sheets for a given mailpiece, providing information for controlling assembly of the mailpiece. Two sets of sheets may be printed across the width of the web by printing content pages onto the continuous web such that two end-to-end content pages are printed across the width of the web. Positioning of mail content pages and envelope sheets for a given mailpiece may be optimized based on respective processing times determined for the system.

There is disclosed an apparatus and method for forming curved and pointed needle blanks from a coiled length of wire needle stock material. The apparatus includes an inner mandrel having a circumferential wire receiving groove and at least one longitudinally extending broach receiving channel formed in the outer surface. The apparatus also includes an outer member having an inner surface defining a bore sized to receive the inner mandrel wrapped with wire needle stock. The outer member includes at least one longitudinal broach receiving channel formed in the outer member inner surface. The outer mandrel further includes a circumferential wire receiving groove formed in the inner surface such that, when wrapped with the length of wire needle stock material, the inner mandrel is threaded into the outer member. The apparatus further includes at least one broach which is movable within the channels to cut the length of wire needle stock into curved and pointed needle blanks. The method includes wrapping a length of wire needle stock around an inner mandrel and inserting the wire wrapped mandrel within an outer member. The method further includes moving at least one broach within a longitudinal channel formed in at least one of the mandrel and outer member to cut the length of wire needle stock into needle blanks. A needle blank formed by the apparatus and method is disclosed.

There is disclosed an apparatus for forming curved and rectangular bodied needle blanks from a length of needle stock which includes a generally cylindrical inner mandrel having a plurality of longitudinal channels formed in an outer surface thereof, the mandrel being dimensioned and configured for insertion within the length of needle stock. The apparatus also includes a plurality of broaches insertable into the longitudinal channels such that an edge of each broach projects radially outwardly of the mandrel to form a plurality of inner grooves on an inner surface of the length of needle stock. There is also provided structure for forming outer grooves in an outer surface of the length of needle stock to form a substantially grooved length of needle stock, cutters for cutting the grooved length of needle stock to form rings of curved rectangular bodied needle blanks interconnected by web portions and structure for dividing the rings at the web portions to form a plurality of curved rectangular bodied needle blanks. There is also disclosed a method of forming needle blanks from a length of needle stock having a longitudinal cavity therethrough and defining a longitudinal axis by forming at least two inner grooves in an inner surface of the length of needle stock and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, forming a number of outer grooves, equal to the number of inner grooves, in an outer surface of the length of needle stock and in substantial radial alignment with the at least two inner grooves to form a grooved length of needle stock and sectioning the grooved length of needle stock to form individual needle blanks.

There is disclosed an apparatus for forming curved and rectangular bodied needle blanks from a length of needle stock which includes a generally cylindrical inner mandrel having a plurality of longitudinal channels formed in an outer surface thereof, the mandrel being dimensioned and configured for insertion within the length of needle stock. The apparatus also includes a plurality of broaches insertable into the longitudinal channels such that an edge of each broach projects radially outwardly of the mandrel to form a plurality of inner grooves on an inner surface of the length of needle stock. There is also provided structure for forming outer grooves in an outer surface of the length of the needle stock to form a substantially grooved length of needle stock, cutters for cutting the grooved length of needle stock to form rings of curved rectangular bodied needle blanks interconnected by web portions and structure for dividing the rings at the web portions to form a plurality of curved rectangular bodied needle blanks. There is also disclosed a method of forming needle blanks from a length of needle stock having a longitudinal cavity therethrough and defining a longitudinal axis by forming at least two inner grooves in an inner surface of the length of needle stock and substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis, forming a number of outer grooves, equal to the number of inner grooves, in an outer surface of the length of needle stock and in substantial radial alignment with the at least two inner grooves to form a grooved length of needle stock and sectioning the grooved length of needle stock to form individual needle blanks.

Disclosed is a method and apparatus for charging electrically powered devices. In accordance with the invention, the device is powered by two storage or charge receiving devices. One of these devices is capable of receiving a substantial charge very rapidly while the other device requires a longer time to receive a charge. The advantage is that the powered device can be used almost instantly and continually while at the same time rebuilding electrical charge. The present invention further relates to a system for protecting the charging device from being damaged from an electrical surge, such as from a lightening strike.

A railroad coupler knuckle includes a single, solid rib at a horizontal centerline of the knuckle that passes through a pivot pin hub thereof. The single, solid rib extends generally from a flag hole of a finger cavity of the knuckle to an opposite side of the knuckle from the flag hole. In another aspect, a railcar coupler knuckle includes a tail section, a hub section, and a nose section. The tail, hub, and nose sections define internal cavities including (i) a combined void that defines a pivot pin hub cavity and a kidney cavity and (ii) an isolated finger cavity. The combined void is formed using a first internal core during manufacturing of the coupler knuckle. The isolated finger cavity is formed using a second internal core during manufacturing of the coupler knuckle, such that molten alloy substantially separates the combined void and the isolated finger cavity.

Methods of reclaiming plastic from plastic medical waste containers containing medical waste and manufacturing recycled medical devices are described. Recycled medical devices made from plastic medical waste containers containing medical waste are also described.

A method and apparatus of sanitizing drinking water to be dispensed from a water dispenser having a reservoir includes the steps of providing the ozone gas generator that generates an ozone gas stream, transmitting the ozone gas stream from the generator to the water dispenser reservoir, mechanically breaking up the ozone gas stream inside the reservoir to produce ozone gas bubbles, and using the ozone gas bubbles to disinfect water in the reservoir. The ozone gas stream can be mechanically broken up using a pump such as, for example, an impeller type pump.

A method and apparatus for the separation of C4 olefins (butene-1, trans-2-butene, cis-2-butene, etc.) and C4 paraffins (normal butane, isobutane, etc) from a C4 hydrocarbon mixed gas including butene-1, trans-2-butene, cis-2-butene, normal butane, isobutane, etc. is provided. The apparatus includes several adsorption towers loaded with an adsorbent which selectively adsorb olefins and two distillation towers for the separation of the mixture gases of olefins/desorbents and paraffins/desorbents respectively. The basic operating process of the adsorption tower comprises an adsorption step of selectively adsorbing C4 olefin from the feeding mixture, a C4 olefin rinse step of removing a small amount of C4 paraffins adsorbed together with C4 olefins, and a desorption step of desorbing C4 olefins by using a desorbent, and further comprises pressure equalization step, concurrent depressurization step, and accumulation pressure step to increase the yield and concentration of olefins depending on the operation pressure of the adsorption tower.

An apparatus for providing magnetic fluid treatment is described. The apparatus includes a serial coupling of conduit segments forming a conduit. At least two of the conduit segments are constructed of a magnetically conductive material and at least one of the conduit segments is constructed of a non-magnetically conductive material and positioned in between the conduit segments constructed of the magnetically conductive material to establish a non-magnetically conductive region. At least one electrical conductor encircles at least a section of the outer surface of the serial coupling of conduit segments. Energizing the electrical conductor establishes a magnetic field having lines of flux directed along a flow path of the conduit and concentrated in the non-magnetically conductive region of the conduit.

A pourable aqueous cement composition is disclosed. The cement composition comprises a hydraulic cement, water and a selectively removable material comprising a plurality of selectively corrodible metal powder particles dispersed within the cement or a nanomatrix powder compact, or a combination thereof. An article, including a downhole article, and more particularly a reconfigurable downhole article is disclosed. The article includes a hydraulic cement, wherein the hydraulic cement has at least partially set into a permanent form. The article also includes a selectively removable material dispersed within the cement, the selectively removable material comprising a plurality of selectively corrodible metal powder particles dispersed within the cement or a nanomatrix powder compact, or a combination thereof, wherein the selectively removable material is configured for removal in response to a predetermined wellbore condition.

A system for diverting fluids from a wellhead in a subsea environment has a capping stack with a connector suitable for connection or interconnection to the wellhead, a flow base fixedly positioned in the subsea environment, and a conduit connected to the outlet of a diverter line of the capping stack and connected to the inlet of an interior passageway of the flow base. The conduit is suitable for passing fluids from the capping stack toward the flow base. The flow base is a modified horizontal Christmas tree. The interior passageway within the horizontal Christmas tree has a plug therein located a level below the level of the inlet to the flow base. The flow base can be attached to a wellhead or to an anchor pile in the subsea environment.

A method for selective removal and recovery of silica and silicon containing compounds from solutions that include silica and silicon containing compounds, including geothermal brines. Also included are methods of preventing silica scale buildup in the geothermal power equipment and processes employing geothermal brines by the selective removal of silica.

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.

This invention relates to a high efficiency apparatus for manufacturing an aqueous wood smoke solution in the form of a liquid smoke desired concentration by burning wood, wooden chips or sawdust in a limited amount of air. Wood consumption per unit of liquid smoke is significantly smaller comparing to conventional methods, while the air pollution is reduced to a negligible level.

A tool for removing a spindle and/or elastomeric bearing from a hub generally includes a coupler, an arm, and a weight slidably engaged with the arm. The weight is slidable with respect to the arm along a predetermined stroke that limits the travel of the weight. The coupler may be secured to a spindle, which spindle is in turn secured to a bearing, or the coupler may be secured directly to the bearing. An operator may slide the weight between a first position adjacent the coupler and a second position opposite the coupler to impart kinetic energy to the spindle and/or bearing, thereby removing the bearing from or the bearing installing into a hub, depending on whether the kinetic energy is in an inboard or outboard direction.

An assembly for moving wire from one point to a second point distant from the first point. The assembly comprises a first unit comprising a wire straightener and a second unit that moves the wire through the assembly.

A double-magazine (“Dmag”) able to house projectile ammunition for a projectile launcher having a first ammunition channel, a second ammunition channel, and a flexible projectile control bar (“FPCB”) is disclosed. In one embodiment, the first ammunition channel contains a first set or column of projectiles and the second ammunition channel which is situated in parallel to the first ammunition channel is configured to house a second set of projectiles. Dmag also includes a follower with a follower lock capable of moving along the first ammunition channel. The follower is configured to push the first set of projectiles toward a first ammunition supply port of the first ammunition channel. The FPCB has a first flexible flap which keeps the first set of projectiles from reaching the loading port of the launcher until the follower lock is released.

A spark plug includes a center electrode, a ceramic insulator provided with an axial hole, a metal shell, and a ground electrode having a facing surface that faces a leading end surface of the center electrode. An annular space is formed between an outer peripheral surface of the center electrode and an inner peripheral surface of the axial hole and is opened toward a leading end side, and when C (mm) is a distance between the outer peripheral surface of the center electrode and the inner peripheral surface of the axial hole in the opening of the annular space, C≧0.2 mm is satisfied. In a cross-section which includes the axial line and is orthogonal to the center axis of the ground electrode, a contour line of lateral surfaces of the ground electrode has a curved shape convexed outward.

Measurement data is received from first and second seismic sensors, where the first and second seismic sensors are oriented in opposite directions. Each of the first and second seismic sensors has a sensing element responsive to pressure and particle motion. The signals can be combined to remove the particle motion component of the measurement data and obtain pressure-only data. Alternatively, the signals can be combined to deghost the received measurement data.

Systems and methods for optimizing low frequency output of marine sources are described. The marine source arrangements and associated methods disclosed herein seek to fully frequency lock bubbles emitted by airguns in close proximity to one another. In this manner, larger effective bubble volumes can be achieved, thus increasing low frequency output.

A protective enclosure for an electronic device can include a waveguide to direct and enhance sound waves emanating from a speaker of an electronic device when installed in the protective enclosure. The waveguide can include a first end and a second end. The first end of the waveguide can be located proximate the speaker of the electronic device. The waveguide can increase in cross-sectional area between the first end and the second end.

A protective enclosure for an electronic device can include a waveguide to direct and enhance sound waves emanating from a speaker of an electronic device when installed in the protective enclosure. The waveguide can include a first end and a second end. The first end of the waveguide can be located proximate the speaker of the electronic device. The waveguide can increase in cross-sectional area between the first end and the second end. The second end of the waveguide can be located proximate a front surface of the protective enclosure and can direct sound waves toward a user of the electronic device.

A multi-reel, line-handling apparatus can include a housing, a shaft located within the housing, the shaft defining a shaft axis, a first reel located within the housing, the first reel rotatably mounted to the shaft about a first reel axis angled with respect to the shaft axis, and a second reel located within the housing, the second reel rotatably mounted to the shaft about a second reel axis angled with respect to the shaft axis. The first reel and the second reel can be rotatable with respect to the housing about the shaft axis.

A process for the controlled gasification of a carbonaceous feedstock includes pyrolizing the feedstock by conveying the feedstock through a retort surrounded by a plurality of successive heating chambers each comprising an axially adjustable chamber separation wall and each operated at a predetermined temperature, wherein a predetermined dwell time of the feedstock in each of the plurality of successive heating chambers is controlled by a conveyance rate of the feedstock through the retort and a position of each of the axially adjustable chamber separation walls to produce a gas product and a solid product. The gas product includes methane and noxious chemicals and the solid product includes carbon, and the pyrolizing step is controlled using feedback related to constituents of the gas product.

This invention relates to a system for obtaining hydrocarbons from organic or inorganic solid waste, wherein said system comprises: an inlet chamber, within which is a mixer assembly which mixes and conveys the waste through said chamber, which is also at ambient temperature, thus avoiding any thermal shock to the solid waste for processing; a dehydration chamber with a mixing assembly therein, and the upper part of this chamber contains an expansion chamber for promoting more efficient molecular breakdown; the thermal breakdown is carried out in two reactors which are operated at different temperatures, the first thermal disassociation reactor which has inside a mixer unit, and which in its upper part houses an expansion chamber, the second thermal breakdown reactor, therein has a mixer unit, and in the upper portion thereof houses an expansion chamber and at the top end thereof a vertical expansion tower; wherein the thermolytic steam is homogenized, a separator of heavy hydrocarbons, which does not require an additional cooling system, a multiple valve determines the temperature and oxygen content of the vapors and conveys them to the expansion tower in order to optimize the production of hydrocarbons, and to obtain a liquid hydrocarbon with high heating value.

A method and apparatus for pyrolytic destruction of polymer products including whole vehicle vulcanised rubber tires is disclosed. The apparatus 111 has a reaction chamber 153 into which a tire can be placed, and immersed for pyrolytic decomposition in a molten alloy of zinc with a minor proportion of aluminium. The apparatus 111 has a heated reservoir 155 in which the alloy is maintained in a molten state, and from where it can be transferred to the reaction chamber 153 to immerse the tire. Fluid hydrocarbon byproducts are drawn off for condensation and recovery, and solid zinc sulphides are also recovered. Where steel belted tires are processed, carbon and steel residues are also recovered.

A system and method for processing biomass into hydrocarbon fuels that includes processing a biomass in a hydropyrolysis reactor resulting in hydrocarbon fuels and a process vapor stream and cooling the process vapor stream to a condensation temperature resulting in an aqueous stream. The aqueous stream is sent to a catalytic reactor where it is oxidized to obtain a product stream containing ammonia and ammonium sulfate. A resulting cooled product vapor stream includes non-condensable process vapors comprising H2, CH4, CO, CO2, ammonia and hydrogen sulfide.

Techniques, systems, apparatus and material are described for generating renewable energy from biomass waste while sequestering carbon. In one aspect, a method performed by a reactor to dissociate raw biomass waste into a renewable source energy or a carbon byproduct or both includes receiving the raw biomass waste that includes carbon, hydrogen and oxygen to be dissociated under an anaerobic reaction. Waste heat is recovered from an external heat source to heat the received raw biomass waste. The heated raw biomass waste is dissociated to produce the renewable fuel, carbon byproduct or both. The dissociating includes compacting the heated raw biomass waste, generating heat from an internal heat source, and applying the generated heat to the compacted biomass waste under pressure.

A green process and system are disclosed for utilizing a biomass filter aid in the filtration of a bio-oil. The process comprises filtering a bio-oil containing residual solids from a conversion reaction in the presence of the biomass filter aid to produce a filtered bio-oil. The biomass filter aid facilitates efficient removal of residual solids from the bio-oil. The spent biomass filter aid containing the residual solids may be recycled as a conversion feedstock or used as a combustion heat source in the biomass conversion system.

Techniques, systems, apparatus and material are disclosed for generating renewable energy from biomass waste while sequestering carbon. In one aspect, a method performed by a reactor to dissociate raw biomass waste into a renewable source energy or a carbon byproduct or both includes receiving the raw biomass waste that includes carbon, hydrogen and oxygen to be dissociated under an anaerobic reaction. Waste heat is recovered from an external heat source to heat the received raw biomass waste. The heated raw biomass waste is dissociated to produce the renewable fuel, carbon byproduct or both. The dissociating includes compacting the heated raw biomass waste, generating heat from an internal heat source, and applying the generated heat to the compacted biomass waste under pressure.

A method for removing SOx (x=2 and/or 3) from gas using a solution having polyethylene glycol as the main ingredient. First, SOx in the gas is absorbed by the solution of polyethylene glycol. Second, the solution of polyethylene glycol which has absorbed SOx is regenerated by one or more of the heating, vacuum, ultrasonic, microwave or radiation methods, thereby releasing the by-products of sulfur dioxide and sulfur trioxide. The regenerated solution of polyethylene glycol is recycled. When the water content of the regenerated solution of polyethylene glycol is high enough to affect the desulfurization, it needs to be removed. Removal methods include heating and rectification, absorption using a water absorbent, or a combination of these methods. The polyethylene glycol solution is recycled after dehydration.

A method for filtration of harmful gas effluents from a nuclear power plant including the steps of providing a gas effluent from a nuclear power plant, the effluent including a mixture of gases; filtering the harmful, notably radioactive elements from the gas effluent by membrane separation through at least one membrane, the membrane separation being achieved by sifting, sorption and/or diffusion; storing the filtered harmful elements in storage reservoirs, and discharging the processed gas effluent to the atmosphere.

The invention includes a process which eliminates or reduces the CO2 emissions from a steam methane reforming and autothermal reforming plant. The process preferentially uses temperature swing adsorption units which are employed to purify the hydrogen stream instead of more conventional solvent based aMDEA plants to remove the CO2 from the gas stream when creating a higher purity hydrogen stream.

A system and method of reducing the net carbon dioxide footprint of an industrial process that generates power from the combustion of hydrocarbon fuels in which ambient air is admixed with up to 50% by volume of an effluent gas from the power generator of the industrial process, in order to substantially increase the CO2 concentration in the air prior to treatment. The treatment comprises adsorbing CO2 from the admixed ambient air utilizing a cooled, porous substrate-supported amine adsorbent, wherein the porous substrate initially contacts the mixed ambient air containing condensed water in its pores, which act as an intrinsic coolant with respect to the exothermic heat generated by the adsorption process. In addition, prior to regenerating the supported adsorbent, air pressure is substantially reduced in the sealed regeneration chamber and the low pressure chamber is placed in fluid connection with a higher pressure regeneration chamber containing steam and carbon dioxide, to preheat the sorbent to be regenerated and to quickly cool the regenerated sorbent prior to use for further CO2 adsorption.

A method and apparatus for recovering a gaseous component from an incoming gas stream is described. The incoming gas stream is contacted with a lean aqueous absorbing medium to absorb at least a portion of the gaseous component from the incoming gas stream to form a lean treated gas stream and a rich aqueous absorbing medium. At least a portion of the gaseous component is desorbed from the rich aqueous absorbing medium at a temperature to form an overhead gas stream and a regenerated aqueous absorbing medium. At least a portion of the overhead gas stream is treated to recover a condensate stream. At least a portion of the condensate stream is used to form a heated stream. At least a portion of the heated stream is recycled back to the desorbing step. Novel absorbing medium compositions to recover carbon dioxide and/or hydrogen sulfide are also described.

A process for winning oil from a vapor gas mixture (VGM) containing a plurality of oil fractions obtained by the pyrolysis of a hydrocarbon containing material includes dedusting and cooling the VGM. The dedusted and cooled VGM are fractionated in at least two electrostatic precipitator stages at respective temperatures corresponding to respective boiling points of the oil fractions so as to separate the oil fractions.

A pressure swing adsorption process for removal of CO2 from natural gas streams through a combination of a selective adsorbent material containing an effective amount of a non-adsorbent filler, adsorbent contactor design, and adsorption cycle design. The removal of contaminants from gas streams, preferably natural gas streams, using rapid-cycle swing adsorption processes, such as rapid-cycle pressure swing adsorption (RC-PSA). Separations at high pressure with high product recovery and/or high product purity are provided through a combination of judicious choices of adsorbent material, gas-solid contactor, system configuration, and cycle designs. For example, cycle designs that include steps of purge and staged blow-down as well as the inclusion of a mesopore filler in the adsorbent material significantly improves product (e.g., methane) recovery. An RC-PSA product with less than 10 ppm H2S can be produced from a natural gas feed stream that contains less than 1 mole percent H2S.

The present invention relates to a process and apparatus for producing a fluid enriched in carbon dioxide starting from a waste gas from a ferrous metallurgy unit.

A natural gas-containing stream such as biogas from landfills and sewage treatment plants is freed of siloxane contaminants by passing the biogas through a bed containing an adsorbent having a neutral surface, which adsorbs the siloxanes. When the bed of neutral adsorbent is filled to capacity, the adsorbent bed is heated to remove the siloxanes and regenerate the bed. The neutral adsorbent reduces disadvantageous reactions between the adsorbent and siloxane and other impurities in the natural gas-containing stream.

Apparatus and methods for separating volatiles from particulates are provided. The apparatus includes a separator having an internal volume and a fluid discharge outlet, a particulate discharge outlet, a particulate inlet, and a fluid inlet disposed on the separator and in fluid communication with the internal volume. The particulate inlet is disposed toward a first end of the separator and the fluid inlet is disposed toward a second end of the separator. The fluid inlet includes one or more openings disposed through a sidewall of the separator.

In some embodiments, the disclosure includes method for optimizing lumber derived from a log. The method may include the steps of debarking the log and cutting the log to provide a plurality of boards. The plurality of boards are then scanned to determine knot properties and/or warp stability for each of the plurality of boards and a lumber upgrade process is selected based on the knot properties and/or warp stability. Finally, one or more of the plurality of boards are planed after being subjected to the lumber upgrade process.

A method and assembly for separating contaminants from liquids, such as condensates, or vapors at an evaporation plant. The contaminants are separated from liquids by stripping when bringing a contaminant-enriched liquid into direct contact with a vapor by spraying or distributing the liquid into the vapor flowing in a vapor duct or onto wall surfaces in the vapor duct thus reducing the contaminant-content of the sprayed liquid and producing a cleaner liquid. The contaminants are enriched in the vapor. From vapors contaminants are separated by absorption when bringing a contaminant-enriched vapor into direct contact with a cleaner liquid by spraying or distributing the liquid into the vapor flowing in a vapor duct or onto wall surfaces in the vapor duct thus increasing the contaminant-content of the liquid, but producing a cleaned vapor.

The invention relates to a method for obtaining cellulose by separating lignin from a biomass comprising lignocellulose in the form of plants or plant parts, wherein the biomass comprising lignocellulose is solubilized in a boiler in an alkaline medium comprising alkanol amine, and dissolved lignin is separated from the resulting raw cellulose. Said method is characterized in that the biomass comprising lignocellulose is not from a wood source, and is solubilized at a temperature of less than approximately 170° C. in a solubilizing agent based on alkanol amine and water, wherein the weight ratio of alkanol amine to water is set to 80:20 to 20:80, and raw cellulose thus produced is separated from the waste lye using a typical method. Said method is particularly advantageous for obtaining cellulose from annual plants, particularly wheat straw. The method is advantageously improved in that the solubilization takes place in the presence of a catalyst, particularly of anthrachinon. An advantageous bleaching process may be performed subsequently. Said method is characterized by great economic efficiency, particularly due to the high reclamation rates of the alkanol amine used, and leads to lower environmental impact in wastewater, and to reduced disposal costs. The design of the method leads to a greater yield of cellulose and largely prevents degradation of alkanol amine, particularly monoethanol amine (MEA).

Method for production of cellulose and hemicellulose fibers from lignocellulose biomass obtained from sugarcane leaves and buds by applying a process comprising the stages of: a) Diminishing the particle size of the lignocellulose biomass to a range between 3 and 15 mm, b) Subjecting the product obtained to treatment with one or more solvents and/or a mixture of specific catalysts, c) Carry out sudden decompression to an atmospheric pressure, d) Collecting the pretreated material in a cyclone, e) Optionally separating the liquid and solid fractions through washing and filterung f) Optionally, treating the solid fraction in a reactor with a mixture of ethanol and chlorine dioxide, d) Wash the product obtained to achieve cellulose efficiency above 50% and of lignin of 5 to 7%, fiber lengtht in a range to 1,5 to 2,7 mm, breaking length (km) of 7,0 -8,9, Burst index (kPam2/g) of 4,5-7,2 and Tear index (mNm2/g) of 8,2-8, The obtained high-resistance cellulose and hemicellulose is especially suitable for the paper production and polymer-type plastics.