text:
|Publication number
|Publication type
|Application number
|Publication date
|Dec 23, 1997
|Filing date
|Dec 29, 1995
|Priority date
|Dec 29, 1995
|Fee status
|Also published as
|Publication number
|Reid Henry Bowman, H. Robert Goltz
|Original Assignee
|Mg Generon, Inc.
|Export Citation
|BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan
|Patent Citations (25), Referenced by (35), Classifications (18), Legal Events (5)
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet
Membranes for the separation of gas mixtures by selective permeability are well known and have been in commercial use for a considerable period of time. These membranes are commonly sold as modules designed to present a large membrane surface area to the flowing gas. The modules are used on-site by plants or operations where a gas stream rich in a particular gaseous component is needed and where the available on-site source is a mixture of gases containing the desired component in insufficient concentration. Examples of the types of separations that can be performed by these membranes are nitrogen and oxygen from air; helium from a mixture of helium and nitrogen; hydrogen and carbon dioxide from a hydrogen/carbon dioxide mixture; hydrogen and methane from natural gas; carbon dioxide and methane from natural gas and similar mixtures; and argon from mixtures of argon and nitrogen.
The membranes have been used in a variety of configurations and dimensions, the most prominent of which are hollow fibers and sheets. Hollow fiber membranes are comparable in diameter to the human hair. Modules of these fibers contain several hundred thousand or more such fibers arranged in bundles for parallel flow, the modules containing passages to direct the flow of incoming gas through the membranes and to collect the permeate and remainder streams from separate outlets. In modules designed for boreside feed, the incoming gas is directed to the fiber lumens, whereas in modules designed for shellside feed, the incoming gas is directed to the fiber exteriors, the permeate being drawn from the shellside or boreside, respectively. In the typical module of a sheet-form membrane, the membrane is wound in a spiral wrap around a central pipe, the spiral further containing one or more spacer sheets interleaved with the membrane sheet. The incoming gas is fed to the spiral either from its outside surface to permeate inward or from the central pipe to permeate outward, with the permeate in either case flowing radially through the spiral and either the permeate, the remainder, or both being collected accordingly.
Forcing the incoming gas across these membranes requires a pressure differential which is typically from about 2 (13.8 kPa) to about 10 pounds per square inch (69 kPa). The inlet pressure will be selected to meet this differential while achieving the desired delivery pressures (the pressures of the permeate and the remainder leaving the module), which will generally range from about 25 psia (75 kPag, 175 kPa) to about 190 psia (1210 kPag, 1310 kPa). Inlet pressures will most often range from about 60 psia (314 kPag, 414 kPa) to about 200 psia (1,280 kPag, 1,380 kPa). The abbreviation "psia" denotes pounds per square inch absolute, "kPa" denotes kilopascals, and "kPag" denotes kilopascals gauge (i.e., kilopascals in excess of atmospheric pressure).
The inlet pressure is frequently raised to these levels by compressors, which can introduce lubricating oils in both liquid and vapor form into the gas stream, contaminating the membrane and lower its separation efficiency. To avoid interfering with the membrane operation, the oil content must be reduced to the parts per billion range before the air stream reaches the membrane system. Much of the liquid oil can be removed by relatively coarse units such as coalescing filters, which lower the liquid oil content from an initial 5 to 10 ppm to 1 ppm or less (all such concentrations are on a weight basis). Further reduction of the liquid oil and oil vapor is presently achieved by the use of granular activated carbon, which can lower the oil content to less than 10 ppb.
Many gas mixtures however, particularly compressed air, have a high relative humidity, which is incompatible with activated carbon since the carbon loses its adsorption capability at relative humidities exceeding 50%. Using air as an example, one presently used method of lowering the humidity, after the bulk of the moisture is removed in the compressor unit itself, is to pass the compressed air through a refrigerated dryer and a heater before the air reaches the coalescing filters. The dryer condenses out more water by cooling the air to about 2� C., and the heater returns the air to room temperature so that the resulting air has a relative humidity of about 30%. The refrigerated dryer and heater are cumbersome units that are expensive to run and to maintain, and despite their use, the activated carbon still requires frequent replacement or regeneration. In addition, activated carbon creates dust which can add to the impurities of the air stream and can present an environmental hazard by causing the release of particulate matter into the atmosphere.
For air as well as gas mixtures in general, both cost efficiency and continuity of operation would be improved with a system which did not require lowering the humidity below 50%, which did not require frequent regeneration of the adsorbent, and which can easily be handled without presenting an environmental hazard due to the risk of discharging particulate matter into the atmosphere. These and other goals are met by the present invention.
It has now been discovered that the level of lubricating oil in a compressed gas from a gas compressor can be reduced to a range which is not detrimental to a gas separation membrane system by passing the compressed gas through a macroporous polymeric adsorbent of the type previously used for adsorption of low molecular weight volatile organic compounds from gas and liquid streams. The adsorbent retains its sorption capacity at humidities as high as 90%, and maintains its sorption capacity at a functional level for periods of time at least several times longer than activated carbon. The adsorbent further has high crush resistance and is available in forms susceptible to easy handling with little or no risk of dust formation.
In the system described in the "Background" section of this specification, replacement of the activated carbon bed with the macroporous polymeric adsorbent eliminates the need to achieve a low relative humidity and hence the need for the refrigerated dryer and heater. Compressed gas upon leaving the condensate separator in the compressor can be heated by as little as 5� C. to 10� C., then sent directly to the coalescing filters. In a preferred procedure, the gas emerging from the coalescing filters is heated again by a small increment, then passed through the macroporous polymeric adsorbent. The gas leaving the adsorbent is used to heat the gas entering the coalescing filters in a cross heat exchanger. The adsorbent is similarly effective in other flow schemes.
In general, however, this invention lies in the discovery that macroporous polymeric adsorbents previously known only for their ability to extract volatile organic compounds of low molecular weight from gases or liquids are in fact capable of extracting oils of higher molecular weight such as lubricating oils, and can do so for an extended period of time without losing their sorption capacity. These and other features, embodiments and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the description in the succeeding sections of this specification.
The drawing attached to this specification depicts one example of a flow scheme for an air separation process embodying this invention.
The mechanism at the molecular level by which the macroporous polymeric adsorbent extracts the oil from the gas stream, i.e., whether the mechanism is technically adsorption, absorption, or both, is not precisely known. The dominating mechanism at least is believed to be adsorption. Accordingly, the terms "adsorption" and "adsorbent" are used throughout this specification, although this is done primarily for convenience. The invention is not considered to be limited to any particular mechanism.
The term "macroporous" is used in the art interchangeably with "macroreticular," and refers in general to porous polymers having regions of densely packed polymer chains separated by void spaces that constitute the macropores. The macropores generally have diameters of about 100 Å or greater. Pores of considerably smaller size, frequently referred to as "micropores," exist in the regions of the packed polymer chains. The separation giving rise to the micropores can be achieved in various ways, including forming the polymer in the presence of an inert diluent or other porogen to cause phase separation.
Examples of monomers that can be polymerized to form macroporous polymeric adsorbents useful are styrene, alkylstyrenes, halostyrenes, haloalkylstyrenes, vinylphenols, vinylbenzyl alcohols, vinylbenzyl halides, and vinylnaphthalenes. Included among the substituted styrenes are ortho-, meta-, and para-substituted compounds. Specific examples are styrene, vinyltoluene, ethylstyrene, t-butylstyrene, and vinyl benzyl chloride, including ortho-, meta-, and para-isomers of any such monomer whose molecular structure permits this type of isomerization. Further examples of monomers are polyfunctional compounds. One preferred class is polyvinylidene compounds, examples of which are divinylbenzene, trivinylbenzene, ethylene glycol dimethacrylate, divinylsulfide and divinylpyridine. Preferred polyvinylidene compounds are di- and trivinyl aromatic compounds. Polyfunctional compounds can also be used as crosslinkers for the monomers of the first group.
One preferred method of preparing the polymeric adsorbent is by swelling the polymer with a swelling agent, then crosslinking the polymer in the swollen state, either as the sole crosslinking reaction or as in addition to crosslinking performed prior to swelling. When a swelling agent is used, any pre-swelling crosslinking reaction will be performed with sufficient crosslinker to cause the polymer to swell when contacted with the swelling agent rather than to dissolve in the agent. The degree of crosslinking, regardless of the stage at which it is performed, will also affect the porosity of the polymer, and can be varied to achieve a particular porosity. Given these variations, the proportion of crosslinker can vary widely, and the invention is not restricted to particular ranges. Accordingly, the crosslinker can range from about 0.25% of the polymer to about 45%. Best results are generally obtained with about 0.75% to about 5% crosslinker relative to the polymer, the remaining (noncrosslinking) monomer constituting from about 95% to about 99.25% (all percentages are by weight).
Other macroporous polymeric adsorbents useful in the practice of this invention are copolymers of one or more monoaromatic monomers with one or more nonaromatic monovinylidene monomers. Examples of the latter are methyl acrylate, methyl methacrylate and methylethyl acrylate. When present, these nonaromatic monomers preferably constitute less than about 30% by weight of the copolymer.
The macroporous polymeric adsorbent is prepared by conventional techniques, examples of which are disclosed in various United States patents. Examples are Meitzner et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,297,220; Meitzner et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,382,124; Harris et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,564,644; Schneider et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,079,274; Goltz et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,288,307; Stringfield et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,950,332; and Norman et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,965,083. The disclosures of each of these patents are incorporated herein by reference for all legal purposes to be served thereby.
For polymers that are swollen and then crosslinked in the swollen state, the crosslinking subsequent to swelling can be achieved in a variety of ways, which are further disclosed in the patents cited above. One method is to first haloalkylate the polymer, then swell it and crosslink by reacting the haloalkyl moieties with aromatic groups on neighboring chains to form an alkyl bridge. Haloalkylation is achieved by conventional means, an example of which is to first swell the polymer under non-reactive conditions with the haloalkylating agent while including a Friedel-Crafts catalyst dissolved in the haloalkylating agent. Once the polymer is swollen, the temperature is raised to a reactive level and maintained until the desired degree of haloalkylation has occurred. Examples of haloalkylating agents are chloromethyl methyl ether, bromomethyl methyl ether, and a mixture of formaldehyde and hydrochloric acid. After haloalkylation, the polymer is swelled further by contact with an inert swelling agent. Examples are dichloroethane, chlorobenzene, dichlorobenzene, ethylene dichloride, methylene chloride, propylene dichloride, and nitrobenzene. A Friedel-Crafts catalyst can be dissolved in the swelling agent as well, since the catalyst will be used in the subsequent crosslinking reaction. The temperature is then raised to a level ranging from about 60� C. to about 85� C. in the presence of the catalyst, and the bridging reaction proceeds. Once the bridging reaction is complete, the swelling agent is removed by solvent extraction, washing, drying, or a combination of these procedures.
The pore size, distribution and related properties of the finished adsorbent can vary widely, and no particular ranges are critical to the invention. In most applications, best results will be obtained at a porosity (total pore volume) within the range of from about 0.5 to about 1.5 cc/g of the polymer. A preferred range is about 0.7 to about 1.3 cc/g. Within these ranges, the mount contributed by macropores (i.e., pores having diameters of 100 Å or greater) will preferably range from about 0.025 to about 0.6 cc/g, and most preferably from about 0.04 to about 0.5 cc/g. The surface area of the polymer, as measured by nitrogen adsorption methods such as the well-known BET method, will in most applications be within the range of about 150 to about 2100 m2 /g, and preferably from about 400 to about 1400 m2 /g. The average pore diameter will most often range from about 10 Å to about 100 Å.
The form of the macroporous polymeric adsorbent is likewise not critical and can be any form which is capable of containment and contact with a flowing compressed air stream. Granular particles and beads are preferred, ranging in size from about 50 to about 5,000 microns, with a range of about 500 to about 3,000 microns particularly preferred. Contact with the adsorbent can be achieved by conventional flow configurations of the gas, such as those typically used in fluidized beds or packed beds. The adsorbent can also be enclosed in a cartridge for easy removal and replacement and a more controlled gas flow path such as radial flow.
The macroporous polymeric adsorbent can function effectively under a wide range of operating conditions. The temperature will preferably be within any range which does not cause further condensation of vapors or any change in physical or chemical form of the adsorbent. Preferred operating temperatures are within the range of from about 5� C. to about 75� C., and most preferably from about 10� C. to about 50� C. In general, operation at ambient temperature or between ambient temperature and 10� to 15� C. above ambient will provide satisfactory results. The pressure of the compressed air entering the adsorbent bed can vary widely as well, preferably extending from about 2 psig (115 kPa) to about 1000 psig (7000 kPa). The pressure will generally be dictated by the needs of the membrane system and of the plant unit where the product gas will be used. A typical pressure range is from about 100 psig (795 kPa) to about 300 psig (2170 kPa). The residence time of the compressed gas in the adsorbent bed will most often range from about 0.01 second to about 5 seconds, and preferably from about 0.3 second to about 3.0 seconds. The space velocity of the compressed gas through the bed will most often fall within the range of about 0.1 foot per second to about 5 feet per second, with a range of about 0.3 foot per second to about 3 feet per second preferred. Finally, the relative humidity can have any value up to 100%, although for convenience, the preferred range of relative humidity is about 25% to about 90%.
Liquid oil and oil vapor removable from compressed gases in accordance with this invention include both mineral oil-derived and petroleum-derived lubricating oils, and generally have widely varying molecular weights, viscosities and droplet sizes. Oils of particular interest in .connection with this invention are those having molecular weights of about 300 or above, preferably from about 300 to about 2500, and most preferably from about 350 to about 700. Compression of the gas can be achieved by using conventional compressors. Examples are centrifugal compressors, rotary screw compressors, reciprocating piston compressors, and diaphragm compressors.
The gas stream leaving the macroporous polymeric adsorbent is described herein as "substantially oil-free." This term means having an oil content low enough to avoid having a detrimental effect on the separation capability of the membrane to which the gas stream is fed. While there is no exact figure or range, in most cases membrane fouling will be avoided at oil contents of about 100 ppb or less, preferably about 50 ppb or less, and most preferably about 10 ppb or less.
In the preferred practice of this invention, much of the oil in the compressed gas is removed upstream of the macroporous polymeric adsorbent, leaving the adsorbent bed to remove oil mists entering at levels of approximately 1 ppm or less as well as oil vapor. Prominent among the various types of filters for lowering the oil content to this level are coalescing filters which are available from various suppliers such as, for example, Zander Filter Systems Inc., Norcross, Ga., USA; Wilkerson Corp., Englewood, Colo., USA; Pall Process Filtration Co., East Hills, N.Y., USA; and Domnick Hunter Inc., Charlotte, N.C., USA.
Membranes and membrane systems to be protected by the macroporous adsorbents in accordance with this invention are well known and widely varied. Examples of the various polymers from which these membranes are made are polyimides, copolyimides, polyamides, polyarylates, poly-4-methyl-1-pentene, polytrimethylsilylpropyne, asymmetric aromatic polysulfones, sulfonated polysulfones, his A-polysulfones, polyether-sulfones, fluorinated polyether-sulfones, polyethylene terephthalate, polycyanoarylethers, and hisphenol polycarbonates, as well as some of these polymers supplemented with coatings and additives. Descriptions of some of these polymers and the membranes formed from them are found in the following patents, listed by assignee:
Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., Allentown, Pa., USA:
Rao, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,104,425 (Apr. 14, 1992); Anand, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,073,175 (Dec. 17, 1991), Burgoyne, Jr., et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,061,298 (Oct. 29, 1991); Meier, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,045,093 (Sep. 3, 1991); Sorensen, U.S. Pat. No. 5,043,067 (Aug. 27, 1991); Meier, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,042,993 (Aug. 27, 1991); Tien, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,034,027 (Jul. 23, 1991); Anand, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,013,338 (May 7, 1991); Surnamer, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,013,332 (May 7, 1991); Angus, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,009,679 (Apr. 23, 1991); Tien, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,007,945 (Apr. 16, 1991); DiMartino, Sr., et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,006,132 (Apr. 9, 1991);
Permen, Inc., St. Louis, Mo., USA:
Rice, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,030,251 (Jul. 9, 1991); Malon, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,013,767 (May 7, 1991); Malon, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,992,221 (Feb. 12, 1991);
Union Carbide Industrial Gases Technology Corporation, Danbury, Conn., USA:
Prasad, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,122,355 (Jun. 16, 1992); Prasad, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,102,432 (Apr. 7, 1992); Prasad, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,084,073 (Jan. 28, 1992); Schaub, U.S. Pat. No. 5,077,029 (Dec. 31, 1991); Bikson, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,071,448 (Dec. 10, 1991); Bikson, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,067,971 (Nov. 26, 1991); Kawakami, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,055,114 (Oct. 8, 1991); Handley, U.S. Pat. No. 5,041,149 (Aug. 20, 1991); Bikson, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,026,479 (Jun. 25, 1991); Haas, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,004,482 (Apr. 2, 1991); Kawakami, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,994,095 (Feb. 19, 1991);
E. I. duPont de Nemours & Company, Wilmington, Del., USA:
Ekiner, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,085,676 (Feb. 4, 1992); Feiring, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,084,548 (Jan. 28, 1992); Kritzan, U.S. Pat. No. 5,080,698 (Jan. 14, 1992); Hayes, U.S. Pat. No. 5,076,817 (Dec. 31, 1991); Arthur, U.S. Pat. No. 5,073,176 (Dec. 17, 1991);
Ube Industries, Ltd., Yamaguchi, Japan:
Makino, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,474,858 (Oct. 2, 1984); Makino, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,460,526 (Jul. 17, 1984); Makino, et at., U.S. Pat. No. 4,378,400 (Mar. 29, 1983); Makino, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,370,290 (Jan. 25, 1983);
The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, Mich., USA:
Mahon, U.S. Pat. No. 3,228,876 (Jan. 11, 1966); Mahon, U.S. Pat. No. 3,228,877 (Jan. 11, 1966); McLain, U.S. Pat. No. 3,422,008 (Jan. 14, 1969); Caskey, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,929,259 (May 29, 1990); Gaskey, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,961,760 (Oct. 9, 1990); Edwards, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,013,331 (May 7, 1991); Trimmer, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,013,437 (May 7, 1991); Trimmer, U.S. Pat. No. 5,211,728 (May 18, 1993).
The relevant portions of each of these patents are incorporated herein by reference for all legal purposes which may be served thereby.
This invention is applicable to the use of membranes for gas mixture separations in general. As indicated above, examples of gas separations covered by this invention are the extraction of nitrogen-rich and/or oxygen-rich streams from air; the extraction of an enriched helium stream from a mixture of helium and nitrogen; the extraction of hydrogen-rich and/or carbon dioxide-rich streams from hydrogen/carbon dioxide mixtures or other gas mixtures that include these components; the extraction of hydrogen-rich, carbon dioxide-rich, and/or methane-rich streams from natural gas or similar mixtures; and the extraction of an argon-rich stream from a mixture of argon and nitrogen or from other mixtures containing argon. Membrane materials suitable for each of these separations are disclosed in the patents listed above, and will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art of gas separation membrane technology.
One application of interest for the practice of this invention is the extraction of nitrogen-rich and/or oxygen-rich streams from air. Preferred membrane materials for this type of separation are bisphenol polycarbonates, particularly those represented by the following formula ##STR1## In this formula, the R1 groups are either the same or different within any single bisphenol subunit (the bracketed portion of the formula) and similarly either the same or different among different bisphenol subunits in a single polymeric chain or among different polymeric chains. Likewise, the R2 units are either the same or different among different bisphenol subunits in a single polymeric chain or among different polymeric chains. The R1 groups are defined as H, Cl, Br, or C1 -C4 alkyl. The R2 groups are defined as carbonyl (--C(O)--), thio (--S--), sulfonyl (--SO2 --), oxy (--O--), a C1 -C6 divalent hydrocarbon radical, a C1 -C6 divalent halo-substituted hydrocarbon radical, or an inertly substituted C1 -C6 divalent hydrocarbon radical. Within these definitions, "halo-substituted" is preferably fluoro-, chloro- or bromo-substituted, and "inertly substituted" is preferably (C1 -C3 alkoxy)-substituted, (C1 -C3 alkylthio)-substituted, or hydroxy-substituted. The index n is a positive integer such that the polymer has sufficient molecular weight to prepare a membrane with suitable characteristics as a gas separation membrane. The polymer most often has a number average molecular weight of about 50,000 or greater, and most preferably from about 100,000 to about 300,000. In terms of the value of n, preferred polymers are those in which n has a number average of 50 or greater, and most preferably 100 to 1,000.
In most of these membranes, at least 25 weight percent of the bisphenol subunits in the polymer are those whose R1 groups are exclusively Br, Cl or mixtures of Br and Cl. More preferred are those in which at least 35%, and preferably at least 75% by weight, of the bisphenol subunits have R1 groups that are exclusively Br, Cl or mixtures of Br and Cl. Particularly preferred are those in which the R1 groups are all either Br, Cl, or mixtures of the two. Polymers in which the R1 groups are either all Cl or all Br in substantially all of the bisphenol subunits, such as those prepared from tetrachlorobisphenols or tetrabromobisphenols, are even more preferred. Polymers prepared from tetrabromobisphenols are the most preferred. When R1 groups which are not halogens are included, preferred such groups are H and methyl.
Preferred groups for R2 are C1 -C6 divalent hydrocarbon radicals, particularly C1 -C6 alkylidene (saturated hydrocarbon) radicals, with isopropylidene (--C(CH3)2 --) the most preferred.
Preferred bisphenol subunits within the formula are those prepared from 2,2-bis(3,5-bromo-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane or 2,2-bis(3,5-chloro-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane. Of these, 2,2-bis(3,5-bromo-4-hydroxyphenyl)propane is the most preferred.
The preparation of bisphenol polycarbonates is known in the polymer industry. Any of several conventional processes may be used.
One method of preparation is the direct reaction method in which phosgene is reacted with a bisphenol appropriately substituted with the substituents of the desired polymer product to produce the polymer in solution. The reaction can be conducted in solution with a polymer solvent such as methylene chloride and an acid acceptor such as pyridine. The polymer is then recovered as an organic solution after multiple aqueous washes to remove excess acid acceptor and the reaction by-product which is the hydrochloride of the acid acceptor. A modified version of this method is one in which the bisphenol and 1-3 mole percent of the corresponding monofunctional phenol are dissolved or slurried in aqueous sodium hydroxide. The polymer solvent is then added, together with a catalytic quantity of a tertiary amine, and the resulting mixture is rapidly stirred while phosgene gas is added. Upon completion of the reaction, the phases are separated and the polymer solution is washed with water and extracted with acid to remove the catalyst.
Another method is transesterification. According to this method, phosgene is reacted with an appropriately substituted phenol to produce the corresponding diphenyl carbonate by passing the phosgene through an aqueous caustic solution of the phenol or by using a two-phase reaction medium as in the modified version of the direct reaction method. In either case, the crude diphenyl carbonate is purified by extraction with dilute base to hydrolyze and remove residual phenyl chloroformates, followed by distillation. Polymerization is then performed by combining the diphenyl carbonate with an appropriately substituted bisphenol in the presence of a basic catalyst such as calcium acetate or sodium, potassium or lithium carbonate under appropriate polymerization conditions.
Polymer resulting from either of these manufacturing methods is formed into membranes by methods known to those skilled in the art. Typically, the polymer is combined with a liquid solvent and a liquid non-solvent to form a mixture, which is then heated to form a homogeneous extrudable fluid. The fluid is then extruded into the configuration desired for the membrane, and passed through a quench zone in which the membrane is contacted with a liquid having a very low solubility for the polymer, to remove most of the solvent and non-solvent. Liquids useful as solvents include glycol ethers, dialkyl ketones, substituted morpholines, pyrrolidinones and substituted benzenes. A particularly preferred solvent is N-methylpyrrolidone. The non-solvent is a liquid which does not dissolve the polymer to any significant degree at extrusion temperatures and which thereby aids in the formation of the pores in the finished polymer. Liquids useful as non-solvents include glycols and glycol ethers, esters, alkanols, cyclohexanes, alkanes, dialkyl ketones, amides, nitriles and aldehydes. Particularly preferred non-solvents are triethylene glycol and polyethylene glycols with molecular weights up to about 400. The spin composition (extrusion mixture) generally contains from about 30% to about 60% by weight of the polymer, and preferably from about 50% to about 55% by weight. The weight ratio of solvent to nonsolvent is preferably between about 2.0 and about 2.4. Methylene chloride is frequently included as a further solubilizing agent.
While the membrane can assume any of a wide variety of configurations, including flat sheets, hollow tubes and hollow fibers, the most preferred configurations are sheets and hollow fibers. Preferred membrane materials for spiral-rolled sheets are asymmetric aromatic polysulfones, sulfonated polysulfones, bis A-polysulfones, polyether-sulfones, fluorinated polyether-sulfones. Preferred membrane materials for fibers are bisphenol polycarbonates.
The fiber shape is imparted to the membrane in the extrusion stage as indicated above. During the quench stage, the fiber is prevented from collapsing by passing a core fluid through the hollow core of the fiber. The quench stage consists of an air quench zone followed by a liquid quench zone, the core fluid being applied in the air quench zone. The core fluid is generally a gas such as air, nitrogen or argon, and is applied at a pressure of about 0.1 to about 0.5 inches of water. The liquid quench zone uses a low-solubility liquid, preferably water. The membrane may be dried by exposure to flowing air or an inert gas at a temperature between about 20� C. and about 80� C.
Preferred hollow fibers for use in this invention are those having an outside diameter of from about 50 microns to about 400 microns, more preferably from about 75 microns to about 250 microns. The outer-to-inner diameter ratio is preferably between about 1.15 and about 2.5, more preferably between about 1.25 and about 1.70. The separation factor (also referred to as "alpha") for oxygen and nitrogen at 30� C. is preferably about 3.0 or greater, most preferably about 5.0 or greater, with about 7.0 particularly preferred. The separation factor is defined as the ratio of the permeability or flux of the faster permeating gas (oxygen) to the permeability or flux of the slower permeating gas (nitrogen). The gas permeability for oxygen is preferably at least about 0.5 Barrers, most preferably at least about 4.0 Barrers. Preferred membranes also have a flux of about 3.0�10-6 sec/cm2 -(cm Hg)-sec or greater, more preferably about 8.0�10-6 sec/cm2 -(cm Hg)-sec or greater, still more preferably at least about 10.0�10-6 see/cm2 -(cm Hg)-sec or greater, still more preferably at least about 15.0�10-6 sec/cm2 -(cm Hg)-sec or greater, and most preferably within the range of about 15.0�10-6 to about 100.0�10-6 sec/cm2 -(cm Hg)-sec.
Hollow fibers suitable for use in the present invention and the polymers from which they are made are disclosed in Sanders, Jr., et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,772,392 (Sep. 20, 1988); Anand, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,818,254 (Apr. 4, 1989); Anand, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,840,646 (Jun. 20, 1989); Jeanes, U.S. Pat. No. 4,851,014 (Jul. 25, 1989); Jeanes, U.S. Pat. No. 4,874,401 (Oct. 17, 1989); Sanders, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,955,993 (Sep. 11, 1990); and Trimmer, U.S. Pat. No. 5,211,728 (May 18, 1993). The relevant portions of each of these patents are incorporated herein by reference for all legal purposes which may be served thereby.
Hollow fibers of the type described above are generally used in modules in which the fibers are arranged in a bundle encased in a vessel which directs an incoming air stream either through or around the fiber lumens and separates the oxygen-rich permeate passing through the fiber walls from the oxygen-depleted remainder stream in separate exit ports. Modules directing incoming air into the fiber lumens are referred to as boreside feed modules, while those directing incoming air to the exterior of the fibers are referred to as shellside feed modules.
In either case, the modules are preferably used with inlet pressures ranging from about 40 psia (276 kPa) to about 1000 psia (6900 kPa), more preferably from about 60 psia (413 kPa) to about 200 psia (1252 kPa). The pressure differential across the fiber membranes will vary with the membrane density and with the inlet pressure, but will preferably be between about 0.5 psia (3.5 kPa) and about 20 psia (138 kPa), and more preferably between about 2 psia (13.8 kPa) and about 10 psia (69 kPa). The total active surface area of the fibers in the bundle will range from about 30 to about 3000 square meters, preferably from about 100 to about 1000 square meters.
Modules suitable for use in the present invention are disclosed in Mahon, U.S. Pat. No. 3,228,876 (Jan. 11, 1966); Mahon, U.S. Pat. No. 3,228,877 (Jan. 11, 1966); McLain, U.S. Pat. No. 3,422,008 (Jan. 14, 1969); Caskey, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,929,259 (May 29, 1990); Gaskey, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,961,760 (Oct. 9, 1990); Edwards, et at., U.S. Pat. No. 5,013,331 (May 7, 1991); Trimmer, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,013,437 (May 7, 1991); and Trimmer, U.S. Pat. No. 5,211,728 (May 18, 1993). The relevant portions of each of these patents are incorporated herein by reference for all legal purposes which may be served thereby.
The Figure attached to this specification shows one example of a flow scheme for an operation producing nitrogen-rich gas from air in accordance with this invention. An air compressor 11 draws atmospheric air and feeds it at elevated pressure to an air receiver tank 12 from which condensate 13 is drawn off. Further moisture 14 is removed by a moisture separator 15, from which the emerging compressed air is at about 28� C. and about 100% relative humidity. The emerging air passes through a plate-and-frame-type cross heat exchanger 16 where it is heated slightly by warmer air from downstream. The heated air is then passed through a pair of coalescing filters arranged in series, the first being a coarse coalescing filter 17 and the second a fine coalescing filter 18. Air emerging from the latter is heated 19, raising the temperature to about 35�-40� C,. then passed through a packed bed of macroporous polymeric adsorbent particles 20. Oil-free air (less than 1 ppb of oil) emerging from the packed bed 20 is returned to the cross heat exchanger 16 where it serves to heat the air emerging from the moisture separator 15. Upon leaving the cross heat exchanger 16, the oil-free air passes through a particle filter 21, and from there to a module 22 of hollow fiber membranes. The module contains a side port 23 from which oxygen-rich permeate emerges, while the nitrogen-rich remainder 24 leaves as a separate stream.
The following examples are offered as illustration only.
An apparatus was assembled by which compressed air at approximately 20�-25� C., approximately 150 psig (1,136 kPa)(range: 125-170 psig, 965-1275 kPa), and with a relative humidity of approximately 28% (range: 18-40%) was fed to a packed bed of macroporous polymeric adsorbent in stainless steel tubing 12 inches (30.5 cm) in length and standard 1/2-inch diameter (internal diameter 0.44 inch, 1.12 cm). Air leaving the packed bed entered a particle filter and then a laboratory fiber membrane unit containing about 100 fibers of 2,2-bis(3,5-bromo-4-hydroxypheny)propane polycarbonate, each of approximately 12 to 18 inches in length. Flow and pressure meters were installed on both the inlet and outlet of the fiber membrane unit.
Two macroporous polymeric adsorbents were tested in separate experiments, while in still further experiments, the adsorbent was replaced by four types of granular activated carbon. The two polymeric adsorbents were DOWEX� OPTIPORE� V493 and V502, products of The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, Mich., USA, both described as methylene bridged copolymers of styrene and divinylbenzene with the following properties (quoted by the supplier):
TABLE I______________________________________Polymeric Adsorbents V493 V502______________________________________Particle Size 20-50 Mesh 1.5 mmBET Surface Area (m.sup.2 /g) 1100 1080Total Porosity (cc/g) 1.16 0.94Average Pore Diameter (Å) 46 34Apparent Density (g/cc) 0.34 0.4Crush Strength (g/bead) >500 >1000______________________________________
The activated carbons were Calgon Xtrasorb 700, Calgon Centaur, and Calgon BPL 4�6 coconut, all from Calgon Carbon Corporation, Catlettsburg, Ky., USA, and Pittsburgh, Pa., USA; and Barneby Sutcliffe 208C from Barneby and Sutcliffe, Columbus, Ohio, USA.
The flow rate through the adsorbent bed was selected to provide the compressed air with a residence time of 1.0 second and a space velocity of 1 foot per second (30.5 cm/sec). The change in flux, alpha (separation factor), and pressure drop (ΔP) across the membrane module were measured as a function of time.
The results are shown in Tables II, III, IV, V, and VI below. These results show that both polymeric adsorbents caused less than a 4% drop in flux and slightly over a 3% increase in alpha over a period of twelve months. This compares with the activated carbons, each of which caused more than an 8% drop in flux and (with the exception of Calgon Xtrasorb) an increase in alpha of 5-9%.
TABLE II______________________________________Membrane Module Performance Over TimeUsing Upstream Polymeric AdsorbentsUsing V493 Adsorbent: Using V502 Adsorbent:Measurements on Membrane Measurement on MembraneHours Flux.sup.(a) Alpha.sup.(b) ΔP.sup.(c) Flux.sup.(a) Alpha.sup.(b) ΔP.sup.(c)______________________________________0.0 20.98 7.19 0.00 20.98 7.19 0.00326.5 19.95 7.11 5.00 20.44 7.17 0.50492.7 20.27 7.03 3.60 20.39 7.19 0.50636.9 26.03 7.12 2.50 19.45 7.24 0.40830.9 19.88 7.15 3.00 19.73 7.30 0.50991.4 19.97 7.15 2.80 19.77 7.26 0.301164.4 19.14 7.25 2.30 19.22 7.40 0.501333.4 20.09 7.12 2.70 20.02 7.26 0.501501.4 19.96 7.12 2.50 19.95 7.24 0.401645.4 20.00 7.09 2.20 20.09 7.25 0.301837.4 20.17 7.08 2.20 20.12 7.21 0.402005.4 19.54 7.21 2.60 19.49 7.27 0.402173.4 20.13 7.01 2.10 20.09 7.14 0.302317.4 20.43 6.98 20.29 7.052509.4 19.41 7.15 2.00 19.31 7.25 0.302677.4 20.13 6.94 20.20 7.08 0.202845.4 20.18 6.92 2.20 20.28 7.08 0.403013.4 20.22 6.98 20.17 6.873181.4 19.53 7.10 19.56 7.173349.4 19.96 7.13 19.89 7.283517.4 20.15 6.97 19.96 7.034021.4 20.37 6.87 18.92 6.974189.4 20.24 6.97 1.90 20.26 7.17 0.204357.4 20.95 6.83 3.70 20.95 6.93 0.304693.4 20.52 7.83 7.00 20.50 6.94 0.204861.4 20.06 6.97 1.90 20.05 7.14 0.205029.4 20.04 7.14 4.20 19.94 7.17 0.205533.4 19.76 7.04 2.40 19.67 7.11 0.305701.4 20.87 6.98 3.90 20.81 7.06 0.305869.4 20.05 3.30 20.02 0.306037.4 20.64 7.19 4.30 20.56 7.316709.4 20.21 7.30 6.50 20.13 7.426877.4 17.25 7.53 20.03 7.357021.4 20.05 7.37 20.09 7.477885.4 19.85 7.15 19.63 7.468413.4 20.18 7.43 20.15 7.548653.4 20.40 7.20 20.34 7.37Last 19.54 7.34 20.09 7.44MonthAver-age:First 20.27 7.12 20.39 7.21MonthAver-age:Percent -3.59% +3.04% -1.46% +3.11%Change:______________________________________ .sup.(a) Units: 10.sup.-6 sec/cm.sup.2 - (cm Hg) - sec .sup.(b) Dimensionless .sup.(c) Units: inches of water (multiply by 1.87 to convert to mm of Hg and by 0.249 to convert to kilopascals)
TABLE III______________________________________Membrane Performance Using CALGON Xtrasorb 700Activated Carbon Membrane PerformanceHours Flux.sup.(a) Alpha.sup.(b) ΔP.sup.(c)______________________________________0 17.24 7.14 0327 16.47 6.87 0493 16.25 6.92 0637 15.40 6.93 0831 15.52 6.96 0991 15.62 6.98 01164 15.19 7.05 01333 15.66 6.99 01501 15.31 6.98 01645 15.33 7.26 01837 15.32 7.32 02005 14.98 7.38 02173 15.33 7.30 02317 15.59 7.152509 14.56 7.42 02677 15.24 7.352845 15.16 7.30 0Change Over -12.06% +2.24%Test Duration______________________________________ .sup.(a) Units: 10.sup.-6 sec/cm.sup.2 - (cm Hg) - sec .sup.(b) Dimensionless .sup.(c) Units: inches of water (multiply by 1.87 to convert to mm of Hg and by 0.249 to convert to kilopascals)
TABLE IV______________________________________Membrane Perforniance Using CALGON CENTAURActivated Carbon Membrane PerformanceHours Flux.sup.(a) Alpha.sup.(b) ΔP.sup.(c)______________________________________0 17.24 7.14 0327 15.24 7.51 0493 15.39 7.48 0637 14.93 7.45 0831 15.18 7.48 0991 15.19 7.57 01164 14.82 7.59 01333 15.34 7.81 01501 15.46 7.3 01645 15.55 7.97 0.11837 15.67 7.67 02005 15.18 7.74 0.12173 15.58 8 02317 15.83 7.92509 14.86 7.94 0.12677 15.62 82845 15.71 7.64 0Change Over -8.93% +7.00%Test Duration______________________________________ .sup.(a) Units: 10.sup.-6 sec/cm.sup.2 - (cm Hg) - sec .sup.(b) Dimensionless .sup.(c) Units: inches of water (multiply by 1.87 to convert to mm of Hg and by 0.249 to convert to kilopascals)
TABLE V______________________________________Membrane Performance Using CALGON BPL 4 � 6Activated Carbon Membrane PerformanceHours Flux.sup.(a) Alpha.sup.(b) ΔP.sup.(c)______________________________________0 20.98 7.19 0327 14.73 7.57 0493 15.21 7.52 0.1637 14.60 7.64 0.1831 14.93 7.53 0991 14.83 7.49 0.11164 14.65 7.57 01333 15.19 7.72 0.11501 15.34 7.66 0.11645 15.43 7.79 0.11837 15.42 7.78 0.12005 15.18 7.74 0.12173 15.45 7.82 0.12317 15.60 7.67 0.12509 14.58 7.89 0.12677 15.40 7.9 0.12845 15.33 7.83 0.1Change Over -26.93% +8.90%Test Duration______________________________________ .sup.(a) Units: 10.sup.-6 sec/cm.sup.2 - (cm Hg) - sec .sup.(b) Dimensionless .sup.(c) Units: inches of water (multiply by 1.87 to convert to mm of Hg and by 0.249 to convert to kilopascals)
TABLE VI______________________________________Membrane Performance Using Barneby Sutcliff 208CActivated Carbon Membrane PerformanceHours Flux.sup.(a) Alpha.sup.(b) ΔP.sup.(c)______________________________________0 17.24 7.14 0327 17.34 7.24 0493 17.35 6.95 0637 16.90 7.11 0831 17.12 6.99 0991 17.01 7.02 01164 16.99 7.03 01333 16.83 7.01 01501 16.13 7.63 01645 16.84 6.95 01837 17.03 6.82 02005 15.84 7.5 0Change Over -8.12% +5.04%Test Duration______________________________________ .sup.(a) Units: 10.sup.-6 sec/cm.sup.2 - (cm Hg) - sec .sup.(b) Dimensionless .sup.(c) Units: inches of water (multiply by 1.87 to convert to mm of Hg and by 0.249 to convert to kilopascals)
The foregoing is offered primarily for purposes of illustration. It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the flow schemes, operating conditions, materials, procedural steps and other parameters of the system described herein may be further modified or substituted in various ways without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
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|U.S. Classification
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|International Classification
|Cooperative Classification
|European Classification
|Dec 23, 1996
Owner name: DOW CHEMICAL COMPANY, THE, MICHIGAN
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text:
Hundreds of Shahid Afridi's fans have started to assemble at the Karachi airport to receive the former captain who returns home from London to resolve his bitter dispute with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB).
Afridi's fans, together with local cricket organisers, were planning to take out a rally on Sunday night in a bid to put pressure on the government to bring about sweeping changes in the PCB and reinstate Afridi as Pakistan's One-day captain.
Afridi was sacked after the One-day series against the West Indies that Pakistan won 3-2. Afridi, who spearheaded Pakistan to the World Cup semi-finals in March, spoke about differences within the team management after returning from the Caribbean. The PCB responded by sacking him as the captain.
Ten days later, Afridi lambasted the PCB for its "ill-treatment" towards him, after which the Board suspended his central contract. It also revoked all NOCs granted to Afridi, meaning that the all-rounder was stopped from featuring in the ongoing English Twenty20 event for Hampshire.
The Board has summoned Afridi to appear Wednesday before its three-man disciplinary committee in Lahore. There are indications that Afridi might boycott the hearing. But a formal announcement will only be made by the player when he addresses a press conference at the Karachi Press Club on Monday.
All arrangements have been made to give Afridi a tumultuous welcome on his arrival in Karachi. His fans have erected giant hoardings in praise of the all-rounder.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Friday, September 9, 2005 - Page updated at 12:00 AM
FEMA says it will end debit card plan
The Associated Press
WASHINGTON – The federal government's relief agency said today it will discontinue its program to distribute debit cards worth up to $2,000 to hurricane victims, two days after hastily announcing the novel plan to provide quick relief.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency said it will scrap the program once officials finish distributing cards this weekend at shelters in Dallas, Houston and San Antonio, where many of the evacuees were moved. No cards will be issued to victims in other states.
Hurricane victims at other locations will have to apply for expedited aid through the agency's traditional route — filling out information on FEMA's Web site to receive direct bank deposits, FEMA spokeswoman Natalie Rule said.
"We tried it as an innovative way to get aid to evacuee populations in Texas. We decided it would be more expeditious with direct deposits," she said, citing the large staffing operation that would be required to replicate the Texas operation in other states.
FEMA's decision capped two days of confusion in which evacuees expressed frustration with the program, which was announced by Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff in a conference call Wednesday with governors of states with evacuees.
The program was initially introduced this week at the Astrodome in Houston, but it was immediately beset with confusion and questions as to who would be eligible.
Some governors and lawmakers raised concerns about the risk of abuse by people falsely claiming to be hurt by the disaster without the full documentation.
"The question is, How do you separate the needy from those who just want a $2,000 handout," said Alaska Gov. Frank Murkowski, a Republican.
On Thursday, confusion arose at the Astrodome in Houston following reports that the first FEMA cards would be distributed that day. Red Cross cards were distributed, but those seeking the government cards were told they would have to return Friday and provide documentation such as a Social Security number and the address of the damaged property.
On Friday, Ed Conley, a FEMA spokesman in Houston, said evacuees were receiving the cards at a rate of about 500 an hour, many of whom had filled out the proper documentation and applications through FEMA's Web site.
Applicants were being asked to provide Social Security numbers as well as the address of their damaged homes, for verification against aerial photographs of devastated areas.
A FEMA spokeswoman had said Friday there were enough cards to cover the families of the estimated 7,000 people registered at three shelters in the Astrodome complex.
Copyright © 2005 The Seattle Times Company


text:
Gel electrophoresis, what is it? How do enzymes work in relation to it? Thank you !
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Gel electophoresis is a method or process that uses a gel matrix to separate molecules of differing size and charge. There is an electric current that is conducted through the gel matrix, and the molecules migrate to the anode if they are negative and migrate to the cathode if they are positive. This process can be used to separate strands of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA), ribonucleic acid (RNA), amino acids, enzymes, and other related molecular substances. This migration that occurs through the gel matrix is dependent on the size and charge of the respective molecules. Gel phoresis is a technique used in DNA technology to identify persons of interest by DNA samples. It is also used extensively in various areas of genetic engineering, as scientists try to isolate and extrapolate various DNA sections they wish to insert or delete into the genetic sequence of organisms they are trying to cultivate specific desirable traits in.


text:
Arts of the Sung and Yuan; Papers prepared for an international symposium organized by The Metropolitan Museum of Art in conjunction with the exhibition Splendors of Imperial China: Treasures from the National Palace Museum, Taipei
1996 · New York
by HEARN, Maxwell K. and SMITH, Judith G.
New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1996. paperback. fine. Illustrated. 373pp., tall, thick 8vo, stiff pictorial wrappers. New York: Department of Asian Art, The Metropolitan Museum of Art, (1996). A fine copy. (Inventory #: 269182)


text:
I'm really not sure if this is true but the roaches I saw crawling out of the half crushed can in a huge recycling bin today had no complaints. To be fair there were some Coke cans too but the gnats were so bad I didn't have time to take a survey.
A lot of people recycle cans and unfortunately this can be the source of many pest infestations. Roaches, ants, earwigs, gnats and even mice can be attracted to stored cans and from there they are able to easily move into the house. Many people store the cans in their garages in bags or garbage containers but seldom think to look at this source when they have sudden invasions. It almost always amazes homeowners when their pest control professional lifts the lid to one of these containers and a hoard of gnats fly out. The same gnats that have been plaguing them for weeks but they could never find just where they were coming from.
Although I see this problem in residential homes all the time I rarely get the call for large community facilities. Obviously you can imagine that if problems develop in these huge dumpsters they can grow way out of control. Today was one of those days and I did just exactly what I would do for a small garbage can filled with aluminum cans only on a larger scale.
If you should experience a pest problem in your recycling container here are some quick steps you can take to eliminate the problem;
- Double bag the cans and just throw them away.
This gets rid of the source quickly and depending on the bug you may not have any further sightings.
- Treat the container with a non residual pyrethrum aerosol
I use this type of aerosol because it creates a fog when sprayed rather than a jet type spray. If that's not handy you can use Raid or something similar but it will be quite messy and you won't want to handle the cans afterwards. Place the lid back on the container to seal the bugs in and leave it for several hours.
Of course to prevent this from happening it's always a good idea to rinse your soon to be crushed cans but just as important is to let them dry before storing. Simply place them upside down in the sink after rinsing and allow enough time for the water to drain. Keeping the storage bin clean is also a must as huge populations of gnats can emerge from tiny spills and build up of scum that accumulates at the bottom.
The job I was called out for today was just a build up of the same kind of food source that you get in your recycling bins or cans. Although the dumpster was well away from any homes the gnats were so bad that the people in the community were complaining they couldn't even get close enough to drop in their bags of cans. The infestation had also spread to the newspaper bin and was really getting out of hand. Roaches were also getting in on the free lunch and had all the comforts of home until I showed up. Hopefully the results will be the same as if I were treating a home but I have a feeling they couldn't find bags big enough to double and judging by the smell of cans I'm sure I'll be back.


text:
Fiber optic connectors are a substantial fragment of the global telecommunication industry. Optical fibers are joined using fiber optic connectors, which allow the light conduction between two consecutive optical fibers. An additional im…
Production, means the output of Gastric Cancer Drugs
Revenue, means the sales value of Gastric Cancer Drugs
This report studies Gastric Cancer Drugs in Global market, especially in North America, Europe, China, Japan, Southeast Asia and India, focuses on top manufacturers in global market, with Production, price, revenue and market share for each manufacturer, covering
- Hoffmann-La Roche
- Eli-lilly
- Sanofi
- Otsuka Holdings
- Novartis
- Amgen
- Boston Biomedical
- AROG Pharmaceuticals
- ARIAD Pharmaceuticals
- Roche
- Merck
- Eli Lilly
- AB Science
- Bayer HealthCare
- Boehringer Ingelheim
- Bristol-Myers Squibb
- Five Prime
- BIND Therapeutics
- Ipsen Biopharmaceuticals
- Eddingpharm
Market Segment by Regions, this report splits Global into several key Regions, with production, consumption, revenue, market share and growth rate of Gastric Cancer Drugs in these regions, from 2011 to 2021 (forecast), like
- North America
- Europe
- China
- Japan
- Southeast Asia
- India
Split by product type, with production, revenue, price, market share and growth rate of each type, can be divided into
- Type I
- Type II
- Type III
Split by application, this report focuses on consumption, market share and growth rate of Gastric Cancer Drugs in each application, can be divided into
- Application 1
- Application 2
- Application 3


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TNA Impact Wrestling star Hulk Hogan spoke to TMZ cameras about the alleged sex tape which reportedly features Hogan and an unidentifiable woman. The following is an excerpt from the TMZ article:
Below is the video, and for more details on the story you can click on the above link:
Have a news tip? Attended an event and want to send a live report?


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Harry Potter's Family Tree The Dursleys Hogwarts Family Professors The Weasleys Hermione Granger 4 Privet Dr. Aunt Petunia Dudley Uncle Vernon Lilly Potter Harry Potter James Potter The Potters Harry's mother
Murdered by Voldemort
Muggle-born Harry's Father
Murdered by Voldemort
Wizard-born "The boy who lived"
Lightning scar on his forehead
Learns he's a wizard at age 11; Half-blood
Attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry
Raised by his unpleasant Aunt and Uncle Harry's Uncle (by marriage)
Muggle (non-magic folk)
Wealthy Lilly Potter's Sister
Very conscious of the public eye
Dislikes anything out of the ordinary Vernon and Petunia's son
Harry's cousin
Extremely spoiled
Bully Where the Dursleys live
Muggle neighborhood
Harry's only living family lives here
Left on the doorstep as an infant
Very unpleasant for Harry Professor McGonagall: Observes the Dursleys before Harry's transport; Head of Gryffindor House; Adviser to Harry; Teaches Transfiguration Arthur Weasley:
Works at the Ministry of Magic
Fascinated with all things Muggle
Molly Weasley:
Wife and mother of 7 children (5 are pictured)
Shows Harry how to get on the Hogwarts Express
Becomes a mother-figure to Harry
Ronald Weasley:
Harry's best friend
Met at the train station
Gryffindor house Met on the Hogwarts Express
Harry's other best friend
Muggle born
Smartest girl in school
Gryffindor House Sleeps in the cupboard under the stairs Molly Weasley Ron Weasley Arthur Weasley Fred Weasley George Weasley Percy Weasley Ginny Weasley Hagrid: A Giant; Transported Harry to the Dursley's house after the murder; ground-keeper at Hogwarts; First wizard Harry meets; Helps Harry buy his school supplies Dumbledore: Headmaster of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry; Extremely wise; Puts Harry on his Aunt/Uncle's doorstep "It feels strange to be going home; Doesn't it?"-- --"I'm not going home; not really." THE END
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Martin's pride and sorrow at funeral for little Leana
LOVE and pride shone out of Micheal Martin as he stood on the altar, facing the little white coffin of his daughter.
The minister took us on a heartwarming, heartrending pilgrimage down memory lane as he spoke of his last summer with Leana.
So few years, so many memories of his "little princess".
He dug deep into his precious treasure-trove of the happy days he spent with his seven-year-old daughter who died last Friday from a cardiac condition that had developed suddenly.
He didn't have to travel back that far, just a few short weeks back to summer when the Martins took their annual summer holiday in Courtmacsherry in west Cork.
And digging deep into his own well of courage, Micheal told the packed congregation about that sunlit time, what he called a "beautiful summer".
"The happiest days of all for Leana was Courtmacsherry. She just loved going there. She loved the beaches, the walk through the woods, feeding the horses in the stables, and the ducks, and above all the hot chocolate with Mary in the ice-cream parlour," he said.
He spoke of the early years on holiday with Leana and how he would walk with his baby girl in his backpack. But as she got a little older, father and daughter would set out on Micheal's bike to explore the winding roads of west Cork.
Leana would be perched in the seat on the back, clutching bread to feed the ducks and apples to give to the horses.
"While cycling with Leana, my mind would tend to wander," he said. "On many occasions I would forget that Leana was in the back seat behind me, and I would have a flash of panic and I'd call out, 'Leana, Leana are you still there?' And her lovely little hands would touch me on the back," he remembered, the tenderness so painfully on show.
"Those were the magic moments for me that I will never forget."
The gorgeous image of her small hands reassuringly pressed to her daddy's back almost undid everyone in the church.
The death of a young child is always unbearably sad, but the death of Leana Martin was even harder to bear, knowing that she was the second child her parents had to bury.
For Leana's birth almost eight years ago -- it was to be her eighth birthday in a few weeks -- brought joy and solace back to Micheal and Mary and the family a couple of years after they had buried their three-week old son, Ruairi.
And it was obvious how much joy she had brought to her family, as the littlest one in the clan so often does.
"We, Mary, Micheal Aodh, Aoibhe and Cillian are truly heartbroken at the loss of our darling daughter and sister," said Micheal.
"We have cried many tears, more tears than we thought possible for people to cry, and the reason is obvious. Leana was the beautiful light in all our lives. She was love personified, she radiated love in all directions. Every day was a happy day for Leana; when she smiled the room lit up."
What a beautiful picture Leana's dad painted of her. And all the way through this dignified and loving funeral Mass there were more images crafted of the little girl and shared with both those who knew her and those who wished they had.
Beside her coffin were framed photographs of her and a lovingly-crafted collage of her beaming, baby-chubby face.
There were also poignant heartbreaking items which had been dear to Leana, each carried to the altar by family, including 10-year-old Cillian who carried up a small Cork jersey.
The priest, Fr James McSweeney, spoke of how Leana loved both her county's football and hurling teams, and how thrilled she had been two months ago when the victorious footballers brought the Sam Maguire cup to her school. "She was the most excited girl in the school," he said.
There were other touching mementoes -- a photo album of her holidays in west Cork; an apple to feed her beloved horses; a lead belonging to her adored bichon frise, Setanta; her schoolbag; a well-thumbed 'Horrible Henry' book; and most heartbreakingly, a Jedward T-shirt -- her adulation of the boys a sure sign that the little girl was beginning to grow up.
There was total silence in the church as everyone learned about Leana's happy and sun-filled life.
Across from the grieving family sat President Mary McAleese and her husband Martin, who watched as Leana's so-brave brothers and sisters played their part.
Cillian, who's been minding Setanta for his little sister, carried the shirt. Micheal (16) gave the first reading and Aoibhe opened the service with a reading, 'Farewell my Friends' which included the lines: "I smile and bid you goodbye. No, shed no tears for I need them not. All I need is your smile."
But it was her dad who somehow found the guts and the grace to pay such a loving, moving tribute to his darling daughter.
He talked of her delight in seeing her first snow last year, and he spoke of how important she had been to their close-knit family.
"At home she made us all better people, she enriched us all," he said, explaining how Micheal Aodh, Aoibhe and Cillian had "cared for her, played with her, loved her. She brought the best out in them and they are now better people for it".
And not even in this time of unspeakable sorrow did he forget to thank the staff in both the Crumlin and London hospitals where she fought for life for three weeks.
"Thankfully Leana's brothers and sister and Auntie Anne and Uncle Padraig were present for Leana's final hours and she waited for them to come. We held her in our collective arms the moment before she died," he said softly as the congregation quietly wept.
Micheal kept his composure right to the very end.
Leana's death had left him and his family "in deep shock", he said.
"We didn't expect it. As a family we are heartbroken and we will miss this beautiful light in our lives. The days the weeks, months and years ahead will be difficult."
He ended, just before he and his family carried Leana out of the church and on to her final resting-place, with one last loving vow.
"We will also reflect on Leana's wonderful life, how fulfilling it was, how loving and joyous it was, how full of achievement it was. We had in essence eight golden years with Leana and I hope and pray that the beautiful happy moments we had with Leana will sustain us in the years ahead and that we will learn to live with Leana's spirit by our side."
And they have their box of precious memories, of her smile and her love and of her chocolate-sticky hands on her adored father's back.
Irish Independent


text: I have a beautiful Tacori engagement/wedding ring. The only problem is, I only wear it "out". It is not something I wear around the house. I am really wanting a platinum band ( with or without diamonds) to wear the rest of the time. I miss it when I don't have a ring on!!! Does anyone have any great ideas? I don't want an eternity band, and I don't want any thing too big or to small. I am going for comfort. Probably a 3mm or so size. My rings are solder together because I am hard on my jewelry, or I could just wear my wedding band. It is so pretty, but not an option obviously. Thanks for your ideas!!!!!


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This plant promo kit includes everything you need to get started blooming.
These Chive Goofy custom plant sets are a great promotion for growing business or for environmentally friendly campaigns. This promotional garden set is made from reclaimed organic materials.
A custom flower pot with herbs is a great promotion for "growing" your business or for eco-friendly campaigns.
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Made from rice hull and corn husk, this promotional planter will bring cheer to any home or office space.
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Promotional Window Thermometer has a temperature gauge with two suction cups to attach to exterior window.
These promotional products from ePromos are ready to ship in 24 hours. Rush promotional items for a last minute event or if you're other supplier fell through.


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In which the InstaFlicka Crew opens and closes their mouths while forcing air over their vocal cords in such a way that they were able to verbally express their feelings about season 2 of Derek. As with season 1, it seems that they might be on opposite sides of the fence, but can they find common ground? Will adding a trinity collaboration beer (Real Ale Brewery, Surly Brewing, & 3 Floyds Blakkr Imperial Black Ale) increase the peace? Find out below!
Download: InstaFlicka Podcast S5E19: Derek Series 2
All Transition music can be found on Freemusicarchive.org.
1. Short Hand 'Death at Your Door'
2. Tarran the Tailor 'Intermission
3. Tardiss 'The Intermission'


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"Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be…"
-Abraham Lincoln
"Most people are about as happy as they make up their minds to be…"
-Abraham Lincoln
Adorable! Of course because they are our boys. Love the Abe Lincoln quote………….I may have to use that one 🙂
LOVE! They are having so much fun and I love the quote.
What fun brothers! Awesome work!
SO CUTE. what fun shots!
They look like they are having a blast! 🙂
Those are fun! Love that hat 🙂
I love leaf shots! Super fun!
Aww, you captured some wonderful moments!
Those boys are adorable! Great job on these!
So cute! That first one is just exploding with life and joy. 😀
love a tumble in the leaves! sweet boys!
I love autumn photos – these are wonderful!
Makes me want to go play in the leaves! I looove #2!
adorable! love fall photos!
It looks like they had lots of fun! Great captures.
What fun fall captures!
what fun! such a great time of year! really fun shots!
Gorgeous fall photos! Cute!
Looks like they are having a fantastic time – great shots! 🙂
What a fun autumn session! Love the leaves!
love that 1st image! so fun!
Great shots..such cute little boys!!
Boys in fall leaves = FUN! Love these!!!


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Should I use the architectural 7 peel away for moulding and trim paint removal. The place was built in the 20s...TONS of paint. Wood will be repainted white!
Get Help from Bob Vila
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Went for a walk today and took some nice shots. I'm still looking for some Fall inspiration. Thinking about some abstract photo's of differently colored leaves or a leaf in the water.. still have to work out the details though :p. Hope to add some new ones in the coming days. Think I'm done with the mushrooms by now though ;).
I took the green bokeh/insect photo a while back and just saw it in my Lightroom database and liked the bokeh.
Until next time!


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The Stayton-Jordan Covered Bridge
Patterned after the Jordan Bridge, which spanned Thomas Creek, east of Scio; it was moved to Pioneer Park in 1988, but burned in 1994. Now beautifully rebuilt. Take 1st Ave. to Marion St. Open year-round to the public for sightseeing, picnicking, and weddings.
Stayton, OR 97383


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Getting Money From Surveys To Paypal
If you would like earn money survey to receive much more info pertaining to Surveys kindly pay a visit to Here.
There are lots of blogs and forums about home based jobs where you can read great reviews of web sites that allow you to receive money taking surveys online. Additionally, they feature donations on the Red Cross just as one option. This is a of the easiest home business jobs around. The total number of post-secondary teaching jobs in mathematics alone was 54,800 in 2008. Wow I had like almost 10 receipt surveys earn money survey to perform today I got it down to 2 I will probably finish them after dinner.
One good resource for creating a survey questionnaire is online survey building tools. If you want to devote your lifetime to online paid surveys online, you earn money survey probably won't be capable of support yourself. Unfortunately, Light - Speed doesn't offer close to many surveys as sendearnings. Most with the advertisements in fact confirm the fact that you can actually earn $70-75 very day using the help from advantageous online paid surveys. These varieties of cascading questions will ultimately help you get the feedback you need in the part of overall job satisfaction.
It looks more orderly and it will decrease the overall length with the survey. The technique doesn't allow assumptions in regards to the data prior to collecting them. To work as a researcher, fulltime or in their free time, in prestigious companies is a huge opportunity in your case. ' Why did you decide to have your photos done at Widget Digital. There are lots of online companies available and in your case to be capable of find a good company, make certain that you do a fantastic research and locate testimonials about the company.
This is a free online or even in home voluntary survey program meant to cut CO2 emissions by increasing energy efficiency within the home. The fact that you will also receive money to do this can be an added bonus. Employee feedback helps organizations in many ways. ' Since everyone is earn money survey able to take up surveys earn money survey in the comforts of their homes, they don't really really mind spending some time for answering the questionnaires. You could search endlessly all within the Internet, but you'll wind up spending more time and effort seeking legitimate paid surveys rather than taking them in order to generate money.
Withdrawing from the become a freelancer site to Payoneer get 2 days. but all things considered it IS market RESEARCH plus it never hurts to perform some additional research into the product, since that's what are the makers of these proposed products do. Most will ask a person's generation, gender, and so forth in order to determine eligibility within the parameters from the demographics they're seeking. You actually talk to offshore company representatives and offer feedback, crisp and short, around the telephone. Each of the charts and tables derive from calculations determined from the first year the CCI was obtained, 1985 or perhaps the 100% benchmark.


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In this episode, Artemishowl, Darkbrew, Delirium, Bendak and RogerBrown discuss the current state of Hunters in Patch 6.2. We examine the Tier 18 set bonuses and the impact they have on rotations and talent choices. We also discuss the effect of the Serpent Sting changes to Survival and look at where that spec stands in the upcoming patch.
Episode 218 will air Sunday, May 31st at 1:30 pm Eastern. Click here to see when the show will air where you live.
The show is broadcast live on Twitch TV. In addition to the live show you can find it at,


text: A young woman patiently folding 1,000 origami cranes before her wedding day is taking part in an ancient Japanese wedding tradition called sembazuru. The person who invests the time and energy into a thousand hand-folded origami cranes is believed to be granted one wish by the Gods. What should it be - long life, six figure salary, a leading actress Academy Award? The crane is thought to be a holy creature, one that lives for one thousand years. That's why 1,000 paper cranes are made, one for each year. They are also believed to mate for life. Just like humans, longing to find a lifetime of happiness with the one we love best.


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Aesthetic Labiaplasty / Labial reduction
For a variety of reasons, women may seek to have their labia reduced, reshaped, balanced or cosmetically improved. Reasons can include too much tissue on one side, labial skin getting trapped in zippers or pulled inward during intercourse or even excess swelling from within bathing suits. Some seek cosmetic labiaplasty simply because they do not like the appearance of their inner labia or feel self-conscious about this area of the body. Dr. Bowers has many years of experience and scores of patients who have benefitted from her expertise in the aesthetic improvements that are possible for the labia. See examples.
The procedure is performed under light general anesthesia in the San Mateo Surgery center as an outpatient. Pain is normally minimal. The procedure takes approximately 1-1.5 hours to perform. The results generally exceed expectations. Recovery is surprisingly quick with most patients able to return to normal activity in one week and resume full activity including intercourse by 6-8 weeks post-op. The final appearance after swelling and bruising have reduced can take up to 6 months. Patients must have someone with them for the first 24 hours after surgery.
Cost is minimal, usually less than $6,000 due to its ideal scheduling as outpatient surgery. Scheduling is possible by calling Robin. For out of town patients, planning a pre-op visit the day prior to surgery followed by three additional days following surgery is recommended.
Complications are few, related mainly to bruising, healing and pain in the region. Scarring is possible although rarely seen. The procedure, due to its nature, is associated with extremely high rates of satisfaction. The procedure is collaborative between patient and doctor. Tell us what bothers you and we can do a generally good job of matching hopes with expectations. Patients are given Dr. Bowers cellphone number following surgery. We want you to do well!


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Sooo, as promised I now share with you the other project I managed to get done at the LOTV workshop back in October, before I had to go home with migraine :-(
This was the first project we actually made that day and I really enjoyed making it. So much so, that I have been hunting the internet to get the die to cut the cracker, but can't find this particular one anywhere. Unfortuantely, it doesn't help that I can't remember what make the die was. I also feel after making this and another upcoming project that I need to invest in some border dies.
The cracker was pretty simple to make. Basically, decorate with the papers before assembling the cracker, and then add the rest of the embellishments. All the papers are from the LOTV Classic Christmas pad.
The little pinecone embellishments were really easy to make and there is a tutorial online somewhere, but because I want to find it I can't! Typical. Basically, it is a scalloped spiral, stained on the edges and then curled up to form something like a pinecone.
The star deocration was made using some die-cut stars, a wooden heart, some ribbon and a teeny tiny red button.
Anyway, I hope you like my cracker. I will track down the die (or something similar at least) before next Christmas to make some of these.
I now intend to get on with the projects I didn't get chance to make, but which Dawny kindly let me have the kits for, so I could do them at home.
As always, I will keep you updated.
Happy Crafting!


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Watch Bastards Online - Vidzi
Name: Bastards
Genre: Comedy, Movies, Upcoming
Language: English
IMDB Rating: N/A
Country: USA
Release Date: 27 Jan 2017
Director: Lawrence Sher
Movie Summary:
Upon learning that their mother has been lying to them for years about their allegedly deceased father, two fraternal twin brothers hit the road in order to find him.
Some hosts have deceptive ads. Look for a small X above the ad to close it, and begin watching.


text:
Alphabet Rockers make music that makes change. Join us and find how learning comes alive through the beats, rhymes, moves and community of hip hop.
Alphabet Rockers make music that makes change. Known as the preeminent children's hip hop artists to focus on social change and racial justice, we are consciousness in motion. We spark an intergenerational conversation about the world through music and dance. Partnering with thought leaders on anti-bias and child development, we create empowered, engaging concerts and activities for young children, families, and educators. Each performance, song, video and exchange is an energetic, authentic hip hop experience. Get moving to music that moves you! Engage in the conversation with Alphabet Rockers through community, connection, and hip hop.Download Bio Read more
A Harvard University Graduate in Afro-American Studies, she is a leader in the arts education community in the Bay Area and an award-winning songwriter (John Lennon Songwriting Contest, Parents' Choice Awards). McGaw is a featured speaker and trainer at conferences on arts and integrated learning including California Kindergarten Association, Southern California Kindergarten Association, and the San Francisco Unified School District. Prior to Alphabet Rockers, Kaitlin worked for the GRAMMYs, served as Vice President for West Coast Songwriters, and was a writer for Electronic Musician. On a rainy day, you can find her playing Bananagrams with her family.
A professional actor/writer/musician, Tommy (aka Emcee Soulati) has toured internationally in hip hop theater (Marc Bamuthi Joseph, Campo Santo, Intersection for the Arts). He is a co-founder of the live hip hop collective Felonious, who perform throughout the world and create original, theatrical productions. From the Kennedy Center with the Living Word Project to Wolf Trap Center with Alphabet Rockers, Tommy bridges communities and artforms through his work as a beatboxer, rapper, actor, playwright, and drummer. His favorite bedtime book for his son Tommy III is Uncle Devin's "ABCs of Percussion."
Alphabet Rockers is a fiscally sponsored project of Intersection for the Arts, a 501c3. With support from: Akonadi Foundation, East Bay Community Foundation, City of Oakland, Eventbrite, Clorox Company Foundation, and individual donors + friends like you. Donate to our mission here.


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Iris and a Heritage Story
Posted By Jonathan on May 23, 2013
I find it absolutely amazing when one flower fades another arises in its place. This week our lovely iris have moved to center stage. I love their fluttering shapes and wispy colors. I was absolutely giddy when I began to see the buds bulge at the base of the fans. Quite a site to see — elegance rising like royalty through its guard of closely fit blades. I was also excited to see SO many buds forming. Last year we only had a few and I knew it was only a few colors. In addition, I didn't even KNOW what color iris I had to begin with as I'll explain in a bit.
This post is mainly to debut their beauty!
I received our iris from two places. One was from my God mother's house after she passed and the other was from my cousin who's iris were actually her mother's, my great Aunt Imogene. So, in reality my beautiful blooms are a living ode to my family who is now looking down at them from heaven. Heritage flowers. In fact, most of my flowers are of the heritage type which I find to be a more meaningful remembrance of these wonderful gardeners who were in my life growing up.
Many of my relatives on my mother's side were phenomenal flower (and vegetable) gardeners. My grandmother, Margaret, herself raised some of the most beautiful flowers I've seen. Big and beautiful! The most prized it seems was 'Stepping Out.' I unfortunately do not have that particular color in my collection as of yet. She also grew magnificent gladiolas. My grandfather Byron, her husband, was also active in their sweet garden. I remember he had made what essentially was raised bed on legs that he filled with petunias every year. He would try to get the newest ones for that particular year. The box would give a flashy show every year, and many have commented about it while conversing with me about him and gardening. His vegetables were also something of wonder. Six foot tomato plants, finely tied raspberry trellises, and a cucumber awning to boot. They were making the world a better place with their simple love of the delicate living plants. I suppose this is why in my mind I idealize those two.
My great great Aunt Minnie, who I thankfully got to know a bit, had extensive gardens. I always found her to be a curious lady, but I always knew she had great love for the outdoors. I remember at the age of 90 in near 100 degrees and very high humidity she would be bent over in her garden, tending to it. A bit crazy, but I can understand. Some of the beauties I can remember were the cannas that flanked her vegetable garden, the poofy pampas grass that lined her front yard, the overgrown ferns by her front steps (which no one ever used), her huge lilacs lining the road, and her almost fairy-like garden that flowed around the skirts of her house. If you'd like to see a glimpse of it that's been preserved in history, rent 'The Straight Story.' Her home is seen when the main character leaves town the first time and drives by a mother hanging laundry with her son and his golden retriever.
These three are just a few of my kin who are strong gardeners. However, these are the ones whose memory holds strong in my mind and shaped my love of the earth the most. I'm sorry to any family who reads this and wonders why they are not mentioned in this post. Your time may come another day.
Enjoy all of life's wonders, but cherish the ones that are to fade most.


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If you are among the Modular Smartphone fans who are currently having a bad hangover from Google I/O 2016, them the Blocks Modular Smartwatch might just be the hangover cure you've been looking for. Unlike other modular devices that have not been doing so well to appeal to fans, the team over at BLOCKS seems to […]
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text:
In case you were wondering, no, that's not fast. Not even for a sailboat.
So as noted below, we reached St Barts–formally known as St Barthelemy–which is the third island from the top in the Leewards, after Anguilla and St Martin/Sint Maarten. It is 115 nautical miles ENE from St John in the USVI. In the Caribbean, anything east kinda sucks, because the wind is more or less always coming from there, and so is the ocean current, which can run at about a knot.
Given all that, we had a near perfect passage, almost. We motorsailed as far as the end of Virgin Gorda to escape the cape effect around the islands, then cut the engine and sailed close hauled for nearly 80 miles at a very nice steady 5 knotsish. Then the wind dropped and veered until it was right on our nose and weak, so we motored again, being not that far out.
At some point in the early morning, Otto decided to quit, flouncing off yelling something about "Drivestop!" in unintelligible Euroglish. OK, we can deal with hand steering for a few more miles.
At 0830, as we passed St Martin with only 15 miles to go to St Barts, the engine suddenly lost power and wouldn't rev above 1000rpm. Great. So we started to beat upwind, making very slow progress and concerned at making landfall in an unfamiliar port in coral country under sail. I will gloss over the dramatics; suffice to say that I was manly and rugged and probably dashingly handsome in a Hemingwayesque way. Yeah.
With the current, waves, crappy winds, lack of practice and so on, we were not making a lot of progress, so after making only 8 miles towards St Barty in 6 hours, we decided to heave to for the night and make entry the following day.
Night was boring. They tend to be.
The following morning–this morning, as it happens–was when the awesomeness occurred. We beat up to the entry to Gustavia harbour, which is full of super-, mega-, and probably even giga-yachts. We short-tacked our way between the gajillian dollar manhood extensions like freaking pros, despite winds that backed and veered and gusted from 10 to 35 knots at random, dropped the hook and finally let out our breaths. Paddy from Rita T drove alongside in their RIB like the chase boats at the America's Cup. Oh, yeah, totally like that.
The problem with the engine was immediately apparent in the clear waters of Gustavia–a large nylon fishing net had caught around the prop (I had guessed the previous day that the prop was fouled at first, but it didn't stop me from changing the fuel filters, etc, all at 15° of heel). Because I am so studly and the water would probably boil away on contact with my suaveness, HB "volunteered" to jump in and clear the prop. Props to her for that. Heheh, geddit? Props to . . . eh, n'mind.
Now we are chilling out in Paddy's brother Larry's pool overlooking, well, pretty much everything (seriously, I think one of those islands is Corfu).
Good times.


text:
A multimillion-dollar road project aimed at providing relief on one of Jurupa Valley's busiest corridors has begun.
The $4.7 million project will widen a one-mile section of Limonite Avenue, from Etiwanda Avenue to Bain Street, adding a second lane in each direction and a center turning lane.
Limonite is a major east-west thoroughfare that runs nearly the entire length of the city from the 15 on the city's western edge to the eastern city limits.
"It's a very signficant project – the most significant project the city has taken on in the last five years of being a city," Public Works Director Jim Smith said.
The intersection of Limonite and Etiwanda avenues, where a new traffic signal will be installed as part of the project, is one of the busiest. A traffic report found that Etiwanda, north of Limonite, averages about 10,500 daily vehicle trips. Limonite, east and west of Etiwanda, has about 22,000 daily vehicle trips.
Construction began in September and is expected to end by June. The road will stay open during construction, with work hours generally between 7 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
City Councilman Verne Lauritzen said the thoroughfare has long been a "traffic nightmare" and called improving it a top priority.
"We're finally at a point where we can do it," he said.
The project will improve traffic safety and flow, Lauritzen said.
It is mainly funded with $3.5 million in Measure A sales tax funds from the Riverside County Transportation Commission. The rest is from road bond funds, a state grant and developer and utility company contributions.
City officials plan to improve a hiking and equestrian trail north of Limonite and west of Dodd Street to allow for safer access. Signal boxes will be made equestrian-friendly so those on horseback can reach them.
Contact the writer: 951-368-9558 email@example.com: @ImranGhori1