A novel apparatus for producing sweet synthetic crude from a heavy hydrocarbon feed comprising: an upgrader for receiving said heavy hydrocarbon feed and producing a distillate fraction including sour products, and high-carbon content by-products; a gasifier for receiving the high-carbon content by-products and producing synthetic fuel gas and sour by-products; a hydroprocessing unit for receiving the sour by-products and hydrogen gas, thereby producing gas and sweet crude; and a hydrogen recove...

The method for applying dry toppings to baked goods includes the steps of pre-treating a surface of the baked goods, after baking, with an adhesive substance such as a pregelatinized wheat starch suspended in a solution and thereafter applying the dry toppings to the treated surface. Such an application has been shown to decrease wastage of such items as sesame seed topping from as much as 50% to as little as 5%.

A method and device for electronically controlling inventory utilizing multiple modularized integrated load cell weight indicating devices. An inventory monitoring system is provided having a central system controller and one or more modules. Each module includes a master integrated load cell weight indicating device having a microprocessor based controller, a communications controller, a A/D converter, and a weight indicating device. Connected to each master integrated load cell is one or more ...

An improved scored reverse buckling rupture disk assembly is provided. The assembly includes a reverse buckling rupture disk having one or more scores on a surface thereof forming lines of weakness which define a blow-out portion connected by a hinge area in the rupture disk. An annular rupture disk support member is positioned adjacent the concave side of the rupture disk, and a supporting member for preventing the blow-out portion from fragmenting or tearing away from the rupture disk at the h...

A novel apparatus for producing sweet synthetic crude from a heavy hydrocarbon feed includes: an upgrader for receiving the heavy hydrocarbon feed and producing a distillate fraction including sour products, and high-carbon content by-products; a gasifier for receiving the high-carbon content by-products and producing synthetic fuel gas and sour by-products; a hydroprocessing unit for receiving the sour by-products and hydrogen gas, thereby producing gas and sweet crude; and a hydrogen recovery ...

Employing an asymmetric protocol, multiple sources reliably broadcast dynamically changing routing tables incrementally across multiple consumers from a single distributor. Each of multiple sources sends current tables to the distributor using a snapshot mechanism. Messages are buffered, segmented, paced by timers, and broadcast to the consumers repetitively at the distributor. Negative acknowledgments from the consumer request missing messages from the distributor after receipt of a keepalive m...

A method of installing trim rings to headliner trims systems in motor vehicles comprising a trim ring, a headliner, and a sonic horn and stack. The sonic horn vibrates to bond/weld headliner to trim ring. Energy directors can be added to facilitate bonding/welding process. Fasteners can also be added for attachment to the vehicle body. This bonding/welding of the headliner to trim ring creates a smooth, molded look for the trim ring and does so without gapping to or sliding within the headliner.

A recumbent cycling apparatus is provided that includes a frame structure, wheels rotatably attached to supporting the frame structure, and a central frame element configured to absorb and reduce the forces transmitted through the frame structure to a user. The frame structure has a front frame section and a back frame section that are substantially parallel to the ground. The central frame element is a curved elongated member composed of chromoly steel that is attached to the front frame sectio...

A shrouded flexible package is provided with an improved continuous laser score line. The score line has end portions adjacent the side seals of the package, which are located above fastener tracks which are enclosed by a shroud portion of the package. The score line contains downwardly and inwardly converging segments joined to a medial score line segment extending along side and generally below the fastener tracks. The score line is preferably formed with a laser energy source.

An integrated diagnostic system includes interface connectors to connect to a plurality of instruments/instrument modules, including engine analyzers, gas analyzers, oscilloscopes, scanners, network connections, and/or other desired peripheral modules. These modules advantageously interface to the system through diverse parts, connections and with various protocols. The system may connect to a network, wired or wireless, for interfacing among processors and modules, and with an internet connecti...