68results about "Separation processes" patented technology

The invention provides amino acid sequence motifs (e.g., biomolecule partition motifs) that can direct targeting of intracellular polypeptides to and through membranes, including cell surface membranes.

Novel methods of treating a Fischer-Tropsch derived hydrocarbon stream with an active filtering catalyst are disclosed. Such methods are capable of removing soluble (and ultra-fine particulate) contamination, fouling agents, and / or plugging precursors from the Fischer-Tropsch derived hydrocarbon stream such that plugging of the catalyst beds of a subsequent hydroprocessing process is substantially avoided.

A control system (FIG. 4) for controlling regeneration of a DPF comprises a favorable-condition-based control section (52), a regular control section (54), and a regeneration termination control section (56). Section (54) initiates regeneration when the actual soot loading of the DPF becomes sufficiently large to mandate initiation of regeneration. Section (52) initiates regeneration when the actual soot loading reaches an amount less than the amount at which section (54) mandates regeneration, provided that selected engine operating conditions disclose conditions favorable for regeneration. Section (56) terminates regeneration when soot loading is reduced to some minimum amount or when conditions for continuing regeneration become unfavorable. By burning trapped soot during favorable conditions, the mandatory regeneration is postponed. This can lower the average amount of trapped soot in the CDPF, thereby lowering the average back-pressure on the engine.

A gas storage and dispensing system, including multi-vessel arrays of gas dispensing vessels that require successive change-over to provide ongoing supply of gas to a gas-consuming process, with a pump coupled in gas flow communication with the array. The system is provided with capability for time delay auto-switchover sequencing of the switchover operation in which an endpoint limit sensing of an on-stream gas dispensing vessel is responsively followed by termination of gas flow to the pump, inactivation of the pump, autoswitching of vessels, reinitiation of gas flow to the pump and reactivation of the pump. The system minimizes the occurrence of pressure spikes at the pump outlet in response to pressure variation at the pump inlet incident to switchover of gas supply from one vessel to another in the multi-vessel array.

Polyurethane polymers bearing multiple reactive groups are readily prepared from easily accessible precursors. The reactive groups of the polymers are then derivatized with binding functionalities for analytes, energy absorbing molecules for matrix assisted laser desorption / ionization mass spectrometry, fluorescent moieties and the like. The reactive groups can also be converted to different reactive groups having a desired avidity or specificity for a selected reaction partner. The polymers are incorporated into devices of use for the analysis, capture, separation, or purification of an analyte. In an exemplary embodiment, the invention provides a substrate coated with a polymer of the invention, the substrate being adapted for use as a probe for a mass spectrometer.

A chemical storage and dispensing vessel having associated therewith a colorimetric member that is effective to change color in exposure to leakage of a gas contained in the vessel. The colorimetric member may be constituted by a film, e.g., of a shrink-wrap character, that contains or is otherwise associated with a calorimetric agent undergoing color change in exposure to fluid leaking from the vessel. Such shrink-wrap film may be applied to a portion of the vessel susceptible to leakage, or alternatively to the entire vessel, so that the film is calorimetrically effective to indicate the occurrence of a leakage event by visually perceptible change of color.

A gas storage and dispensing system, including multi-vessel arrays of gas dispensing vessels that require successive change-over to provide ongoing supply of gas to a gas-consuming process, with a pump coupled in gas flow communication with the array. The system is provided with capability for time delay auto-switchover sequencing of the switchover operation in which an endpoint limit sensing of an on-stream gas dispensing vessel is responsively followed by termination of gas flow to the pump, inactivation of the pump, autoswitching of vessels, reinitiation of gas flow to the pump and reactivation of the pump. The system minimizes the occurrence of pressure spikes at the pump outlet in response to pressure variation at the pump inlet incident to switchover of gas supply from one vessel to another in the multi-vessel array.

A peach sorting system (110) conveys peaches (114) on a conveyor belt (112) past an inspection zone (126) that is lighted by an illumination source (90) radiating a number of emission peaks over visible and infrared portions of the spectrum. The illumination source generates the radiation from an Indium Iodide lamp (92) that is reflected off a parabolic reflector (94) and through a "soda straw" collimator (100) to illuminated the peaches. A detector system (118) employs line scanning visible and infrared cameras (142, 140) to sense visible and IR wavelength reflectance value differences existing between peach meat (124) and peach pit or pit fragments (126). Because there is a reversal in the reflectance values between the visible and infrared wavelengths, a data subtraction technique (150) is employed to enhance the detection contrast ratio. The data subtraction technique also cancels "glint" caused by specular reflections of the illumination source off the peaches and into the cameras.

The invention relates to a package (1) for use in a peritoneal dialysis treatment and a method for manufacturing of such a package. The package includes a line set (1), which comprises a first tubular line element (1a), a second tubular line element (1b) and at least one component (2, 5, 7, 4, 8a, b, c) connected to the tubular line elements (1a, b, c). The package comprises organizing means (9) arranged to organize the line set (1) such that no part of the line set (1) extends across another part of the line set (1).

A method is described for the extraction of products having a pharmacological activity, in particular an anti-tumoral activity, from spermatophyte plants. Said products, which are to be used in the pharmaceutical field, consist of complex mixtures of compounds characterized by one or more stilbene groups, variously hydroxylated and / or glucosidated, and of compounds derived from said group by natural enzymatic biosynthetical processes (stilbenoids). The following compounds are preferred: C-Res, glucosidated C-Res, epsilon-viniferine, H-gnetine, r-2-viniferine, r-viniferine, hopeaphenol, Ampelopepsin A and glucosidated T-Res.

A hydrophilic semipermeable membrane can include a porous polymeric structure containing a blend of PVDF and hydroxyalkylcellulose. The membrane may be used for ultrafiltration. A method of making a hydrophilic semipermeable membrane can include providing a blend containing PVDF and hydroxyalkylcellulose, forming the blend into a porous polymeric structure, and purifying the porous polymeric structure.

The methods of the invention employ electrostatic atomization to form a compound droplet of at least two miscible fluids. The compound droplet comprises a core of a first fluid and a layer of a second fluid completely surrounding the core. The first fluid contains the agent to be encapsulated and the second fluid contains an encapsulating agent. The first and second liquids are miscible. The encapsulated droplets can contain a variety of materials including, but not limited to, polynucleotides such as DNA and RNA, proteins, bioactive agents or drugs, food, pesticides, herbicides, fragrances, antifoulants, dyes, oils, inks, cosmetics, catalysts, detergents, curing agents, flavors, fuels, metals, paints, photographic agents, biocides, pigments, plasticizers, propellants and the like and components thereof. The droplets can be encapsulated by a variety of materials, including, but not limited to, lipid bilayers and polymer shells. An additional complete or partial layer of a third fluid can be formed on the outside of the second fluid layer. The third fluid can contain a targeting or steric stabilizing agent.

A gas cabinet including an enclosure containing at least one gas supply vessel and flow circuitry coupled to the gas supply vessel(s). The flow circuitry is constructed and arranged to flow dispensed gas from an on-stream gas supply vessel to multiple sticks of the flow circuitry, with each of the multiple sticks being joined in gas flow communication to a respective gas-utilizing process unit. The flow circuitry is valved to enable sections of the flow circuitry associated with respective ones of the multiple sticks to be isolated from other sections of the flow circuitry, so that process gas can be flowed to one or more of the sticks, while other sticks are being evacuated and purged, or otherwise are closed to dispensed gas flow therethrough.

A gas cabinet including an enclosure containing at least one gas supply vessel and flow circuitry coupled to the gas supply vessel(s). The flow circuitry is constructed and arranged to flow dispensed gas from an on-stream gas supply vessel to multiple sticks of the flow circuitry, with each of the multiple sticks being joined in gas flow communication to a respective gas-utilizing process unit. The flow circuitry is valved to enable sections of the flow circuitry associated with respective ones of the multiple sticks to be isolated from other sections of the flow circuitry, so that process gas can be flowed to one or more of the sticks, while other sticks are being evacuated and purged, or otherwise are closed to dispensed gas flow therethrough.

A continuous method for production of a porous hollow fibre membrane having regioselective affinity for compounds in blood or other biologically active fluids to be removed during purification of blood or said fluids is disclosed, as well as a porous hollow fibre membrane produced by said method, an adsorption device containing such a porous hollow fibre membrane, and use of such a porous hollow fibre membrane.

A method for creating a highly breathable and waterproof fabric based on hydrophobic plastic (such as PVDF) as a membrane layer. This new fabric allows higher water vapor throughput and better water resistance than other PVDF and ePTFE membranes. This is achieved through control of pore size, thus creating a spongy porous structure, pre-stressing to make the membrane and subsequent laminated fabric soft, and a microscopically folded structure which increases the surface area for the porous media, thus gaining higher throughput, waterproofness and comfort. In addition, the invention provides a method of controlling pore size distribution, increased porosity and pre-stress relief during the gelation proces.

An electrorefining apparatus is capable of operating in continuous mode, and includes a criticality control mechanism, preferably a geometric criticality control mechanism, for example, to control the dimensions of the apparatus. Electrochemical cells include a large surface area per unit volume, preferably in the form of thin, flat plates. Cells include a crusting liquid cathodes, a cast cathode, a fluidised cell or pulsed bed, a moving belt cathode, a consolidating cathode, or a liquid anode and a plate cathode. A continuous process for the isolation of metals, typically uranium, from spent nuclear fuels includes electrochemically treating the spent nuclear fuels in the apparatus.

In an electrostatic precipitator for filtering particulate matter from a gas, a fan (10) draws the gas (5) through an ioniser section (7) and a collector section (6). Ioniser blades (3) with sawtooth spikes (8) create a corona discharge (4) when charged to a high voltage, so that gas-borne particles are charged when passing through the corona area. The collector section (6) consists of a set of metallic plates (1, 2) of which every other plate (1) is connected to ground, while the remaining plates (2) receive a charge by induction from the ioniser blades (3), and act as repeller plates, pushing charged particles in the gas flow (5) over to the grounded plates (1).

A means and method for preparing vesicles and freestanding two-dimensional assemblies using aqueous two-phase systems (ATPS) is described. The surface tension of the ATPS is sufficient to support the assembly of various types of particles, and provide the advantage of being biocompatible with DNA and other types of biological molecules that may be used in the assembly. Vesicles are formed by mixing chemically dissimilar compounds in appropriate concentrations and at a temperature sufficient to form a monophasic mixture. This mixture is then heated above the temperature at which the polymer mixture is monophasic, added to a lipid film, and allowed to hydrate at this elevated temperature.

The invention relates to a package (1) for use in a peritoneal dialysis treatment and a method for manufacturing of such a package. The package includes a line set (1), which comprises a first tubular line element (la), a second tubular line element (lb) and at least one component (2, 5, 7, 4, 8a, 8b, 8c) connected to the tubular line elements (la, 1b, 1c) . The package comprises organizing means (9) arranged to organize the line set (1) such that no part of the line set (1) extends across another part of the line set (1).

In one aspect of the invention, a charger for use in a system for separating particles from a fluid flow is disclosed. In one embodiment, the charger comprises a body including an inlet for receiving the particles, a chamber in which the particles are received, and an outlet for discharging the particles. A rotor having a generally non-permeable surface is positioned in the chamber and rotated for contacting and charging the particles. In another aspect of the invention, grid electrodes with elongated fingers are proposed for use in a novel separation system. Related methods of charging and separating particles are also disclosed.

An apparatus for separating fluorescent light from light elastically scattered / reflected from a material illuminated with a broadband illumination source includes a polarization discriminator, which separates the substantially polarized elastically scattered / reflected light from the unpolarized fluorescent light, and a spectrometer to analyze the full and separated reflectance spectra. A linear polarizer may be provided to polarize the illumination source. A method for separating fluorescence light induced in a material by broadband light from an elastic scattering / reflection component includes providing polarization discrimination to separate the components, the fluorescence light being substantially unpolarized, and spectrally analyzing the reflectance components. The method may include linearly polarizing the light source. A fluorescence spectra may be extracted from a minimum reflectance spectra or from a residual polarization reflectance spectra.

Apparatus and methods are described for pharmaceutical grade manufacture extrachromosomal nucleic acids from cell lysates using flotation to separate and eliminate undesired insoluble cellular debris including chromosomal DNA from the lysates. A gas is introduced to controllably generate bubbles that reduce the density of the cell debris and create a buoyant flocculent phase that can be readily separated from, and thus provide, a substantially clarified fluid lysate phase that is enriched in extrachromosomal DNA but substantially depleted of cellular proteins and chromosomal DNA.

A method of detection separation and identification for expressed trace protein / peptide; and a system therefor. There is provided a method of detecting, separating and identifying a minute amount of expressed protein and / or peptide, characterized in that a fluorescent derivative of protein and / or peptide contained in a test subject sample having been labeled with a fluorescence reagent is applied to HPLC; a fluorescent fraction is collected and subjected to enzymatic hydrolysis; mass-spectrometry of the resultant fluorescence-labeled fragments and non-fluorescence-labeled fragments is carried out; and the thus obtained ion molecular weight information on each of the fragments is collated with an available protein and / or peptide fragment database to thereby accomplish a structural analysis. Further, there is provided an identification system therefor.

In an electrostatic precipitator for filtering particulate matter from a gas, a fan (10) draws the gas (5) through an ioniser section (7) and a collector section (6). Ioniser blades (3) with sawtooth spikes (8) create a corona discharge (4) when charged to a high voltage, so that gas-borne particles are charged when passing through the corona area. The collector section (6) consists of a set of metallic plates (1, 2) of which every other plate (1) is connected to ground, while the remaining plates (2) receive a charge by induction from the ioniser blades (3), and act as repeller plates, pushing charged particles in the gas flow (5) over to the grounded plates (1).

A method and apparatus is disclosed for automated on-the-fly dispensing of reagents. The apparatus includes a detachable reagent dispensing module supported by a support frame. The dispensing module includes a self-contained pressurized fluid delivery subsystem that facilitates efficient attachment and detachment of the module, including pressurized reagent containers and associated accessories arranged such that each reagent container has a discrete fluid path terminating at a corresponding discrete reagent dispensing tip. The dispensing tips are supported in a common dispensing head, and are arranged geometrically such that the centers of the dispensing tips are separated by distances corresponding to relevant dimensions of particular assay plates to be used therewith. Such a geometric arrangement allows for dispensing of multiple reagents substantially simultaneously into multiple corresponding target wells of the assay plate, efficiently and precisely.

During normal operation of a truck engine (12), a catalytic partial oxidizer (30) provides syngas (hydrogen and carbon monoxide) to regenerate NOx traps (35), for brief periods of time, or diverted (33) to the inlet (13) of an engine (12) via the EGR system (43-46). Some hydrogen is extracted from syngas by a palladium membrane separator (63) and passed to the fuel inlet (52) of a fuel cell stack (51). The stack (51) provides auxiliary electric power to the truck. Humid air from the air outlet (55) of the stack is provided to a fuel / exhaust / air static mixer (25). A methanator (66) may convert CO, leaked through the palladium membranes, into CH4. Water / gas shift or steam reformer catalyst (76) at the inlet to or inside of the palladium membranes separator may provide some additional H2.