A method of and apparatus for facilitating enhanced computed tomography (“CT”) scanning is provided including a scanned object (130) disposed on a translating table (120) capable of rotating the object (130) and moving the through the CT system (100). Certain values regarding the scanning system geometry and a target metric are provided (510 and 520). Given these values and the target metric, the system determines (530) a scanning procedure as a predetermined function of the target metric and the scanning system geometry dependant values. Further, the system may resample (720) the scanning data into an output array according to a predetermined sampling algorithm.

Computed tomography ("CT" or "CAT") scanning systems are generally known in the art. The first CT scanners used a source of X-rays directed as a beam and a single detector to detect the amount of X-rays passing through the scanned object. During a scan of an object, the source and detector are passed through a line on the object, then the source and detector are moved relative to the object and scanned through another line on the object.
So called "second-generation" CT scanners use a fan-shaped X-ray beam and a corresponding plurality of detectors arranged along the fan. Similar to earlier CT scanners, a second-generation CT scanner may be moved relative to the scanned object to collect a full set of readings on the object. In between scans, the object may be rotated to expose a different portion of the object to the X-ray source. Usually, this rotation amount is close to or equal to the total angle spanned by the X-ray fan. In other prior scanners, the object may be rotated during translation or movement across the scanner.
So called "third-generation" CT scanners also use a fan-shaped (or cone-shaped) X-ray beam and a corresponding plurality of detectors arranged along the fan. In contrast to second-generation CT scanners, a third-generation CT scanner collects data many times during a full rotation of the scanned object, typically without translation or movement of the object across the scanner.
For any typical CT scanner, data is collected from each scan or view of the scanned object into an array that is manipulated by a computer to provide a variety of images of the object. These provided images are called reconstructions or reconstructed images. Several known algorithms exist for creating the reconstructed images of an object scanned by CT scanners. These algorithms use various geometric values relating to the physical CT scanning system to manipulate the collected scan data into the reconstructed images.
A common goal for imaging systems, such as CT scanning systems, is to provide images with the highest resolution possible. The resolution of a given system is limited by the effective beam width, which is dependant on the geometry of the system, and on the X-ray sampling. When the beam width is large, the image appears smeared and high-frequency detail is reduced. When the sample spacing is large, the high-frequency detail is lost altogether. Nyquist's criterion, applied to CT, says that to prevent losing any information due to sampling, the sample spacing should be less than half of the reciprocal of the highest frequency left in the data after it has been blurred by the beam width. To a first-degree approximation, this means that for good sampling, the sample spacing should be at most half the effective beam width, though to a lesser extent performance can be further improved by having even finer sampling. Conventional third-generation scanners inherently violate Nyquist's criterion and therefore have especially poor X-ray sampling. The reason for this is because for third generation, the sample spacing is the same as the detector pitch, and the detector pitch is inherently at least as large as the effective beam width.
One known method to get good X-ray sampling is to use second-generation scanning, where one can get good sampling by choosing the translation increment to be smaller than the effective beam width by an arbitrary amount. Second-generation scanning, however, is fairly inefficient because during much of the scan time the scan object is in positions where a significant portion of the X-ray beam does not intersect the scan object.
There are also several known methods for improving the sampling of a third-generation scan. One known method is to position the rotation-axis in such a place that the projection of the rotation axis onto the detector is exactly one quarter of the way between two neighboring detector elements. This method, however, requires that when changing slice positions, the rotation axis does not move from side to side. For medical geometries, where the source and detector are on a rotating assembly and the patient is fed through the middle, it is feasible to keep the rotation axis at a fixed location relative to the source and detector. For industrial geometries where the table rotates relative to a fixed source and detector, however, the table may shift from side-to-side as it is raised or lowered. Thus, the position of the rotation axis within the scanning plane may change with table height, and it is rather difficult to maintain the quarter-detector constraint on the rotation axis for all table elevation-positions. Furthermore, even if the position of the rotation axis can be forced to remain constant, this method can at best double the sampling of conventional CT—it typically cannot be extended to give further improvement.
Another known method to improve the sampling of a third generation scan is to use multiple X-ray sources, either by switching between multiple independent sources, or by moving the focal spot of a single source between multiple positions by means of electromagnetic deflection. X-ray sources with multiple focal spots, however, can be prohibitively expensive, and care must be taken to synchronize the source-switching with the detector sampling times.
Another known method to improve the sampling of a third generation scan is to take multiple scans, each with the detector in a slightly shifted position relative to the scanned object, then interleave the data from the scans. Many scanners, however, are not built with a detector motion axis, and for interleaving to produce mathematically correct data, the detector must be kept focused on the source.
Another known method to increase the X-ray sampling in a third-generation CT scanning system is to interleave data from two or more scans where the object has been rotated and/or translated effectively a fraction of a beam width. Interleaving, however, fails to provide mathematically correct data arrays in the case of translating the object with a flat detector array, with or without rotation, or, in the case of translating the object with a curved detector array, without rotation. For these cases when interleaving does not produce mathematically correct images, only a small number of scans may be interleaved before the maximum benefit of doing so is realized. The case where interleaving is indeed mathematically correct is where the object is shifted while simultaneously rotating it a fraction of an angular detector pitch. For systems with heavy objects, dense detector arrays, and/or a small fan angle, mechanical limitations can make the required small precise rotation rather difficult to achieve physically.
Another goal of CT scanning systems is to perform scans at the highest possible speed to improve the throughput of the scanner when scanning objects or to decrease the time for the scanning of a patient. Often, speed and resolution are incompatible goals where speed must be sacrificed for higher resolution and vice versa. Typically, third-generation scanning is used when high speed is the top priority, whereas second-generation scanning is often used when high resolution is the top priority. Ideally, the benefits of both scanning methods should be realized.
Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and/or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present invention. It will further be appreciated that certain actions and/or steps may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrence while those skilled in the arts will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence is not actually required. It will also be understood that the terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions with respect to their corresponding respective areas of inquiry and study except where specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.

Method and apparatus for facilitating enhanced CT scanning

Varian Medical Systems Technologies, Inc.


An imaging fire detector is used to detect a fire from a recorded image sequence. Either a video camera or an infrared camera is used as an imaging device. Characterizing parameters of a fire are either analyzed individually or in combination. In order to detect changes, an object analysis, a pattern analysis or a spatial-frequency analysis of the recorded image sequences is conducted. Using a threshold value for the duration of the changes, short-term changes are detected and discarded. In a further embodiment, the fire detector may also be used as a burglar alarm. With the aid of communication means, the fire detector transmits a fire alert to a master station.

Japanese Published Patent Application No. 082 029 67 describes use of a fire detector having a video camera as an imaging device. The video camera is placed in a tunnel, and the recording signals of the video camera are converted into a digital signal via an analog-digital converter. The digital signals are stored, and a processor implements a brightness histogram. A determination as to whether a fire exists or not is made by comparing the pixel number to a particular brightness value.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,289,275 describes a comparison of edge images with a reference image. In this context, individual images are compared to the reference image. Furthermore, it is described that radiant energy is derived from one image to recognize a fire. The fire is detected by an image in this case. In doing so, the extent of the flames is analyzed in order to subsequently estimate the radiant energy in conjunction with a temperature measurement, which leads to a decision as to whether a fire exists or not. In the process, transitions in the radiant energy are also taken into account from sample to sample.


The invention provides a process for the production of mainly C5+ hydrocarbons, which process involves contacting carbon monoxide and hydrogen at a temperature in the range of from about 180xc2x0 C. to about 270xc2x0 C. and elevated pressure in the presence of a catalyst composition having cobalt, manganese and at least one of rhenium and/or ruthenium on a titania carrier. The invention also relates to a catalyst composition having cobalt, manganese and rhenium on a titania carrier.

The present invention relates to a catalyst and process for the preparation of hydrocarbons from synthesis gas.
The preparation of hydrocarbons from a gaseous mixture comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen (synthesis gas) by contacting the mixture with a catalyst at elevated temperature and pressure is well known in the art and is commonly referred to as Fischer-Tropsch synthesis.
Catalysts that may be suitably used in a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis process typically contain one or more catalytically active metals from Groups 8 to 10 of the Periodic Table of the Elements. In particular, iron, nickel, cobalt and ruthenium are well known catalytically active metals for such catalyst and may be optionally combined with one or more metal oxides and/or metals as promoters. Cobalt has been found to be the most suitable for catalysing a process in which synthesis gas is converted to primarily paraffinic hydrocarbons containing 5 or more carbon atoms. In other words, the C5+ selectivity of the catalyst is high.
Similar catalyst compositions are also known in other fields including JP-A-404122454 which describes an exhaust gas purification catalyst comprising an active platinum group element such as ruthenium, rubidium, palladium and platinum or a metal oxide such as chromium, manganese, cobalt and nickel on an alumina, silica, titania, silica-titania or alumina-titania carrier. Catalysts of the invention are fitted in an exhaust gas purification catalytic converter and may be used in controlling emissions from gasoline engines.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,134,109 provides a catalyst for the steam reforming of hydrocarbons, which comprises at least one metal from rhodium and ruthenium and at least one metal from cobalt and manganese deposited on a carrier which is preferably zirconia or stabilised zirconia.
JP-A-60064631 discloses a catalyst comprising an iron group metal such as cobalt and iron, a platinum group metal such as ruthenium, rhodium, palladium, platinum and iridium, and manganese oxide, supported on a carrier comprising titanium oxide. JP-A-60064631 further discloses a method for the production of high calorie gas containing hydrocarbons of 1-4 carbons for use as fuels, from low calorie gas containing a mixture of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and optionally carbon dioxide.
JP-A-60064631 is primarily concerned with a method for the production of methane and C2-4 hydrocarbons and does not concern itself in any way with increasing % C5+ selectivity during the conversion of low calorie gas. Indeed, it can seen from Example 2 therein, which is the only example of conversion of a simple CO/H2 mixture, that the treatment of a mixture of 3 parts H2 and 1 part CO in the presence of a catalyst composition comprising 10%. Co, 6% Mn2O3 and 2% Ru on a titanium carrier, results in 74.6% CH4, 7.3% C2H6, 5.5% C3H8, 2.6% C4H10 and 10.0% CO2 (by % volume), i.e. the presence of C5+ hydrocarbons was not detected. This conversion was effected at 320xc2x0 C., and although the broadest temperature range disclosed for the process is 150 to 400xc2x0 C., it is stated that the preferred range is 260 to 350xc2x0 C.
Although, U.S. Pat. No. 4,568,663 describes a rhenium-promoted cobalt catalyst on an inorganic oxide support which is preferably titania, which catalyst may be employed in production of hydrocarbons by both FT synthesis and the conversion of methanol, as being highly active, this disclosure is discussed in column 2, lines 19 to 35, of U.S. Pat. No. 4,857,559, and contrasted with the corresponding alumina-supported catalyst, which has significantly higher activity.
Much research effort has been directed to finding catalysts having a higher C5+ selectivity than known catalysts at the same or higher activity.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,857,559 concerns the addition of rhenium to cobalt on a number of common supports including alumina, silica, titania, chromia, magnesia and zirconia and a process for the FT synthesis of hydrocarbons using said catalyst. However, it is recognised therein (e.g. column 4, lines 54 to 59 and column 15, lines 51-55) that whilst supports other than alumina may be used, such supports produce catalysts with much lower activities. It is found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,857,559 that the hydrocarbon yield obtained by the addition of rhenium to alumina-supported cobalt catalyst is greater than the corresponding titania-supported catalyst. In particular, the FT conversion of synthesis gas into hydrocarbons show lower % CH4 selectivity, higher % CO conversion and higher C2+ selectivity for rhenium-promoted cobalt catalysts on alumina, than for similar catalysts on titania (Table 1).
Based on the above disclosure, the person skilled in the art would clearly deduce that TiO2 should be avoided as catalyst carrier for rhenium/cobalt combinations in favour of Al2O3.
Fischer-Tropsch synthesis of hydrocarbons produces a number of by-products such as carbon dioxide, water and gaseous C1-4 hydrocarbons.
As well as improving % CO conversion, it is of prime importance to be able to adjust the product slate in any given Fischer-Tropsch reaction, to satisfy individual requirements such as increased % C5+ selectivity and reduced CH4 and CO2 production.
It is highly desirable to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide evolved during Fischer-Tropsch synthesis of hydrocarbons for both economic and environmental reasons. It is particularly desirable to restrict the level of carbon dioxide by-product in such process to less than 2% v/v, preferably less than 1% v/v.
Of prime importance is that any methodologies employed for a reduction in carbon dioxide selectivity in Fischer-Tropsch synthesis, do not cause a concomitant reduction in C5+ hydrocarbon selectivity.
It can be seen from Table 1, that whilst the addition rhenium to a cobalt catalyst on titania gives a modest increase in activity from 11% carbon monoxide conversion to 17% carbon monoxide conversion, the C2+ selectivity is reduced and the CO2 selectivity is equal or increased compared to the corresponding unpromoted catalyst.
WO-A-97/00231 relates to a catalyst comprising cobalt and manganese and/or vanadium supported on a carrier wherein the cobalt: (manganese+vanadium) atomic ratio is at least 12:1.
Said catalyst exhibits higher C5+ selectivity and higher activity when used in the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis of hydrocarbons, compared to catalysts containing cobalt only, or containing a relatively higher amount of manganese and/or vanadium. Preferred carriers include titania, zirconia and mixtures thereof.
It is highly desirable not only to increase further the C5+ selectivity of such cobalt manganese catalysts, but also to reduce their carbon dioxide selectivity.
It has now been surprisingly found that the addition of small quantities of rhenium and/or ruthenium to cobalt-manganese catalyst compositions can not only cause reductions in carbon dioxide selectivity, but can also have dramatic effects on the product slate obtained from FT hydrocarbon synthesis reactions.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a process for the production of mainly C5+ hydrocarbons comprising contacting carbon monoxide and hydrogen at a temperature in the range of from about 180xc2x0 C. to about 270xc2x0 C. and elevated pressure in the presence of a catalyst composition comprising cobalt, manganese and at least one of rhenium and/or ruthenium on a titania carrier.
According to another aspect, the present invention provides a catalyst composition comprising cobalt, manganese and rhenium on a titania carrier.
By xe2x80x9cmainlyxe2x80x9d in the present invention is meant an amount greater than about 80 wt. % based on the paraffinic hydrocarbon and carbon dioxide distribution.
By xe2x80x9cproduct slatexe2x80x9d in the present invention is meant the overall product distribution resulting from Fischer-Tropsch synthesis of hydrocarbons, i.e. the relative amounts of C1-4 hydrocarbons, C5+ hydrocarbons, water and carbon dioxide present in the product mixture.
The rutile:anatase weight ratio in the titania carrier is not limited in the present invention, however said ratio may conveniently be less than about 2:3, as determined by ASTM D 3720-78.
The titania carrier may be prepared by any method known in the art, however it is particularly preferred that the titania carrier is prepared in the absence of sulphur-containing compounds. An example of such a preparation method involves flame hydrolysis of titanium tetrachloride. It will be appreciated that the titania powder derived from such a preparation method may not be of the desired size and shape. Thus, usually a shaping step is required to prepare the carrier. Shaping techniques are well known to those skilled in the art and include pelletising, extrusion, spray-drying, and hot oil dropping methods.
Titania is available commercially and is well-known as a material for use in the preparation of catalysts or catalyst precursors.
As an alternative or in addition to titania, the mixture may comprise a titania precursor. Titania may be prepared by heating titanium hydroxide. As the heating progresses, titanium hydroxide is converted via a number of intermediate forms and the successive loss of a number of water molecules into titania. For the purpose of this specification, the term xe2x80x9ctitania precursorxe2x80x9d is to be taken as a reference to titanium hydroxide or any of the aforementioned intermediate forms.
Catalysts that may be used in the process of present invention preferably contain from about 5 wt. % to about 30 wt. % of Co based on the total weight of the catalyst composition, more preferably from about 10 wt. % to about 25 wt. % of Co based on the total weight of the catalyst composition, and most preferably about 15 wt. % to about 25 wt. % of Co based on the total weight of the catalyst composition.
Catalysts that may be used in the process of present invention preferably contain from about 0.01 wt. % to about 5 wt. % of Mn based on the total weight of the catalyst composition, more preferably from about 0.01 wt. % to about 1.5 wt. % of Mn based on the total weight of the catalyst composition.
Catalysts that may be used in the process of present invention preferably contain from about 0.01 wt. % to about 5 wt. % each of rhenium and/or ruthenium based on the total weight of the catalyst composition, more preferably from about 0.01 wt. % to about 1 wt. % each of rhenium and/or ruthenium based on the total weight of the catalyst composition, and most preferably from about 0.01 wt. % to about 0.5 wt. % each of rhenium and/or ruthenium based on the total weight of the catalyst composition.
Catalysts that may be used in the process of the present invention may further comprise up to about 20 wt. % of a binder material such as alumina or silica based on the total weight of the catalyst composition, preferably up to about 10 wt. % of a binder material such as alumina or silica based on the total weight of the catalyst composition.
The pore size and volume of the catalyst composition prior to activation are not limited in the present invention. The pore volume may conveniently be in the range of from about 0.1 cm3/g to about 0.8 cm3/g, preferably in the range of from about 0.15 cm3/g to about 0.7 cm3/g, more preferably in the range of from about 0.2 cm3/g to about 0.5 cm3/g.
The catalyst of the present invention may be prepared by methods known to those skilled in the art, such as by precipitating the catalytically active compounds or precursors onto the carrier; spray-coating, kneading and/or impregnating the catalytically active compounds or precursors onto the carrier; and/or extruding one or more catalytically active compounds or precursors together with carrier material to prepare catalyst extrudates.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the most preferred method of preparation may vary, depending e.g. on the desired size of the catalyst particles. It belongs to the skill of the skilled person to select the most suitable method for a given set of circumstances and requirements.
Extrusion may be effected using any conventional, commercially available extruder. In particular, a screw-type extruding machine may be used to force the mixture through the orifices in a suitable dieplate to yield extrudates of the desired form. The strands formed upon extrusion may be cut to the desired length.
After extrusion, the extrudates are dried. Drying may be effected at an elevated temperature, preferably up to about 500xc2x0 C., more preferably up to about 300xc2x0 C. The period for drying is typically up to about 5 hours, more preferably from about 15 minutes to about 3 hours.
The extruded and dried catalyst composition may be calcined. Calcination is effected at elevated temperature, typically in the range of from about 200xc2x0 C. to about 900xc2x0 C., preferably at a temperature in the range of from about 400xc2x0 C. to about 750xc2x0 C., more preferably in the range of from about 500xc2x0 C. to about 650xc2x0 C. The duration of calcination treatment is conveniently from about 5 minutes to several hours, preferably from about 15 minutes to about 4 hours.
Conveniently, the calcination treatment is carried out in an oxygen-containing atmosphere, preferably air. It will be appreciated that, optionally, the drying step and the calcining step may be combined.
A preferred method of preparing the catalyst according to the present invention is by impregnating the catalytically active compounds or precursors onto a carrier. Thus, typically the carrier is impregnated with a solution of a cobalt compound, a solution of a rhenium and/or ruthenium compound and a solution of a manganese compound. Preferably, the carrier is impregnated simultaneously with the respective metal compounds. Thus, according to a preferred embodiment, the process for preparing the catalyst for use in the process of the present invention comprises co-impregnating the carrier with a solution of a cobalt compound, a solution of a rhenium and/or ruthenium compound and a solution of a manganese compound.
A further preferred method of preparing the catalyst according to the present invention is by mixing some of the catalytically active compounds or precursors with the carrier, followed by extruding the resulting mixture, followed by drying and calcining the extrudate, followed by impregnating with further catalytically active compounds or precursors to prepare catalyst extrudates for use in the process of the present invention.
Thus, typically the carrier is mixed with a cobalt compound and a manganese compound and water followed by extrusion of the resulting mixture, and after drying and calcining, followed by impregnation with a solution of a rhenium and/or ruthenium compound to prepare catalyst extrudates for use in the process of the present invention. Preferably, the carrier is mixed simultaneously with the cobalt and manganese compounds.
Thus, according to a preferred embodiment, the process for preparing the catalyst for use in the process of the present invention comprises co-extruding the carrier with a cobalt compound and a manganese compound, followed by impregnating the extrudate with a solution of a rhenium and/or ruthenium compound.
Examples of suitable cobalt compounds that may be used in the preparation of said catalyst include one or more of cobalt hydroxide, cobalt oxide, cobalt carbonyl, halides such as cobalt chloride (hexahydrate or anhydrous), inorganic acid salts such as cobalt sulphate, cobalt nitrate or cobalt carbonate, and organic acid salts such as cobalt acetate and cobalt formate. Preferred cobalt compounds include cobalt hydroxide, cobalt carbonate and cobalt nitrate.
Examples of suitable rhenium compounds that may be used in the preparation of said catalyst include one or more of rhenium oxide, rhenium chloride, rhenium carbonyl, ammonium perrhenate and perrhenic acid. The preferred rhenium compound is ammonium perrhenate.
Examples of suitable ruthenium compounds that may be used in the preparation of said catalyst include one or more of a ruthenium halide such as ruthenium chloride or ruthenium iodide, a ruthenic halide or salt thereof, for example ruthenic chloride, ammonium ruthenic chloride, sodium ruthenic chloride, potassium ruthenic chloride, a ruthenium oxide such as ruthenium di or tetraoxide, a ruthenic acid salt such as potassium ruthenate or sodium ruthenate, an organic ruthenium compound such as ruthenium carbonyl, ruthenium nitrosyl nitrate. The preferred ruthenium compound is ruthenium nitrosyl nitrate.
Examples of suitable manganese salts that may be used in the preparation of said catalyst include one or more of manganese hydroxide, manganese oxide, halides such as manganese chloride, inorganic acid salts such as manganese sulphate, manganese nitrate or manganese carbonate, and organic acid salts such as manganese acetate and manganese formate. Preferred manganese compounds include manganese hydroxide, manganese nitrate and manganese acetate.
The impregnation treatment is typically followed by drying and, optionally, calcining. Drying is typically carried out at a temperature in the range of from about 50xc2x0 C. to about 300xc2x0 C. for up to about 24 hours, preferably from about 1 to about 4 hours.
Calcination is typically carried out at a temperature in the range of from about 200xc2x0 C. to about 900xc2x0 C., preferably, in the range of from about 250xc2x0 C. to about 700xc2x0 C. The duration of the calcination treatment is typically from about 0.5 to about 24 hours, preferably from about 1 to about 4 hours. Suitably, the calcination treatment will normally be higher than the average temperature during the drying treatment.
When in use, the catalyst for the process of the present invention may contain at least part of the cobalt in its metallic form.
Therefore, it is normally advantageous to activate the catalyst prior to use by a reduction treatment, in the presence of hydrogen at elevated temperature. Typically, the reduction treatment involves treating the catalyst at a temperature in the range of from about 100xc2x0 C. to about 450xc2x0 C. for about 1 to about 48 hours at elevated pressure, typically from about 0.1 MPa to about 20.0 MPa (1 to 200 bar abs.). Pure hydrogen may be used in the reduction treatment, but it is usually preferred to apply a mixture of hydrogen and an inert gas, such as nitrogen. The relative amount of hydrogen present in the mixture may range from between 0% to about 100% by volume.
According to one preferred embodiment, the catalyst is brought to the desired temperature and pressure level in a nitrogen gas atmosphere and subsequently, the catalyst is contacted with a gas mixture containing only a small amount of hydrogen gas, the rest being nitrogen gas. During the reduction treatment, the relative amount of hydrogen gas in the gas mixture is gradually increased up to about 50% or even about 100% by volume.
If possible, it is preferred to activate the catalyst in situ i.e. inside the reactor. WO-A-97/17137 describes an in situ catalyst activation process which comprises contacting the catalyst in the presence of hydrocarbon liquid with a hydrogen-containing gas at a hydrogen partial pressure of at least about 1.5 MPa (15 bar abs.), preferably at least about 2.0 MPa (20 bar abs.), more preferably at least about 3.0 MPa (30 bar abs.). Typically, in this process the hydrogen partial pressure is at most about 20 MPa (200 bar abs.).
It is advantageous to rejuvenate spent catalyst, i.e. catalyst that has lost at least part of the initial activity of an activated fresh catalyst, by subjecting it to a hydrogen strip or an ROR treatment. Conveniently, the ROR treatment involves the steps, in sequence, of reduction with a hydrogen-containing gas, oxidation with an oxygen-containing gas, and reduction with a hydrogen-containing gas.
The process of the present invention is preferably carried out at a temperature in the range of from about 200xc2x0 C. to about 250xc2x0 C. The pressure is typically in the range of from about 0.5 MPa to about 15.0 MPa (5 to 150 bar abs.), preferably in the range of from about 1.0 Mpa to about 8.0 MPa (10 to 80 bar abs.), in particular from about 1.0 Mpa to about 6.0 MPa (10 to 60 bar abs.).
Hydrogen and carbon monoxide (synthesis gas) may be conveniently fed to the process at a molar ratio in the range of from 1 to 2.5.
The gas hourly space velocity (GHSV) of the synthesis gas in the process of the present invention may vary within wide ranges and is typically in the range of from about 400 to about 10000 N1 lxe2x88x921hxe2x88x921, for example from about 400 to about 4000 N1 l31 1hxe2x88x921. The term GHSV is well known in the art, and relates to the volume of synthesis gas in N1, i.e. litres at standard temperature and pressure (STP) conditions (0xc2x0 C. and 1 bar abs.), which is contacted in one hour with one litre of catalyst particles, i.e. excluding interparticular void spaces for slurry reactions. In the case of a fixed catalyst bed, the GHSV may also be expressed as per litre of catalyst bed, i.e. including interparticular void space.
The process of the present invention for the preparation of hydrocarbons may be conducted using a variety of reactor types and reaction regimes, for example a fixed bed regime, a slurry phase regime or an ebullating bed regime. It will be appreciated that the size of the catalyst particles may vary depending on the reaction regime they are intended for. It belongs to the skill of the skilled person to select the most appropriate catalyst particle size for a given reaction regime.
Further, it will be understood that the skilled person is capable of selecting the most appropriate conditions for a specific reactor configuration and reaction regime. For example, the preferred gas hourly space velocity may depend upon the type of reaction regime that is being applied. Thus, if it is desired to operate the hydrocarbon synthesis process with a fixed bed regime, preferably the gas hourly space velocity is chosen in the range of from about 500 to about 2500 N1 lxe2x88x921hxe2x88x921. If it is desired to operate the hydrocarbon synthesis process with a slurry phase regime, preferably the gas hourly space velocity is chosen in the range of from about 1500 to about 7500 N1 lxe2x88x921hxe2x88x921.
The present invention is illustrated by the following Examples, which should not be regarded as limiting the scope of the invention in any way.

Catalyst and process for the preparation of hydrocarbons


A method for operating an output subassembly in which a first driver module is operated between a power supply connection on the output subassembly, and an output and is actuated via a first control input to connect the voltage to the output, wherein a second driver module is operated in parallel with the first driver module and is actuated, via a second control input, to connect a voltage to an output, where at an initial time a control circuit receives a command to switch the voltage to the output and the control circuit thereupon initially actuates the second control input for a predefined first length of time, so that the second driver module is operated with current limitation up to a maximum current and, after a predefined second length of time, measured from the initial time, the control circuit actuates the first control input when the command is in effect.

1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a method for operating an output subassembly having an output circuit with which a voltage is switched through to a load connected to an output, which results in a current, by which a first driver module is operated between a power supply connection on the output subassembly and the output and is actuated via a first control input for connecting the voltage through to the output.
2. Description of the Related Art
For switching, for example, capacitive loads using a digital output subassembly, preferably of a fail-safe type, in a programmable logic controller, use is generally made of electronic power subassemblies for switching the positive output voltage in an output subassembly.
In particular, when capacitive loads with a low series resistance are switched on, a high switch-on current, arises at initial moments. In the case of power subassemblies that have a switch-off facility for the short-circuit situation, this high current can lead to the activation of over-current monitoring or short-circuit monitoring, and thus to the switching off of the power subassembly.
DE 10 2006 030 448 A1 discloses an output circuit for an output subassembly used for switching at least one connected load.
Because the physical size of output subassemblies, in particular in automation technology, is becoming steadily smaller, a solution is sought for restricting the heating to permissible values, or for keeping the loss power as low as possible, with a reduced physical size of the output subassembly and additionally increased packing density of electronic components on a circuit board in the output subassembly.

Output subassembly and method of operating the output subassembly


A new leaver""s attachment to a conventional round or oval shape type door knob, an effect for easy turning of any round or oval shape of knobs, the easy to install and remove attachment is for use primarily or portably by disabled persons and child to open a door.

The present invention relates to round and oval shape conventional door knob, which are a removable handle to door knobs to accomplish an easier turning function, thereof are intended to assist the person with difficult by turning on a round and oval shape conventional door knob and to open that door.
a. Human Factors Appreciation
Elderly, persons with arthritis, children or person carrying thing with both hands quite frequently have difficultly in turning a conventional rotation type door knobs. In many cases, it becomes necessary for such people to replace the door knobs and related fastener hardware due to their experienced difficulty in opening and closing a door.
b. Commercially Availability
At present, there are no commercially available items which could be easily attached to an existing door knob, where such device could be more easily to manage during a rotation action. There appears to be such a need for a device which can be attached to conventional door knobs, the present invention significantly will fulfills this need.


According to an aspect of the present invention, the first filters, which correspond to the two or more first colors that contribute to obtaining a brightness signal more than the second colors, are disposed within each pixel line in first direction to the fourth direction of the color filter arrangement, and it is configured so that the ratio of the number of pixels of the first colors corresponding to the first filters is larger than the ratio of the number of pixels of each color of the second colors corresponding to the second filters of two or more colors other than the first colors. Accordingly, the degree of reproducibility of the synchronization processing in a high-frequency wave area can be increased and the aliasing can be suppressed.

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a color imaging element and an imaging apparatus, particularly to a color imaging element and an imaging apparatus capable of reducing generation of color moire and achieving high resolution.
2. Description of the Related Art
In a color imaging element of a single plate, since each pixel is provided with a unicolor color filter thereover, each pixel has only unicolor color information. Therefore, since the image which is output from the single-plate color imaging element is a RAW image (mosaic image), a multi-channel image is obtained by performing processing (synchronization processing) in which a missing color pixel is interpolated from a pixel in a surrounding area. In this case, there is a problem in a reproduction characteristic of a high-frequency image signal; i.e. compared to a monochrome imaging element, a color imaging element tends to cause an aliasing more easily in a taken image. Therefore, there is a critical problem to achieve a high resolution by increasing reproduction band while suppressing the occurrence of color moire (false color).
In a primary color Bayer arrangement, which is a color arrangement of color filters most widely used in a color imaging element of a single plate, since green (G) pixels are disposed checkerwise and pixels of red (R) and blue (B) are disposed line-sequentially, there is a problem of reproducibility degree when generating a high-frequency signal in an oblique direction for G-signal and in a horizontal direction and in a vertical direction for R-signal and B-signal.
When a monochrome vertically-striped pattern (high-frequency image) as shown in FIG. 23A enters a color imaging element which has color filters of Bayer arrangement as shown in FIG. 23B, the resultant images are as described below. That is, when the resultant images are compared for each color while sorting the images based on the color arrangement of the Bayer, R results in a thin flat image; B results in a dark flat image; and G results in a thin and dark mosaic color image as shown in FIGS. 23C to 23E, respectively. In the image, which is an originally monochrome image in which no concentration difference (level difference) occurs among R, G and B, the resultant image is colored depending on the color arrangement and the input frequency.
Likewise, when an image, which is a high-frequency oblique monochrome image as shown in FIG. 24A, enters an imaging element which has color filters of Bayer arrangement shown in FIG. 24B, the resultant images are as described below. That is, when the resultant images are compared for each color while sorting the images based on the color arrangement of the Bayer, R and B result in a thin flat color image; and G results in a dark flat color image as shown in FIGS. 24C to 24E. Assuming that the value of black is 0 and the value of white is 255, since only G is 255, the high-frequency monochrome oblique image results in a green image. As described above, the high-frequency oblique image cannot be correctly reproduced using the Bayer arrangement.
In an imaging apparatus which uses a color imaging element of a single plate, optical low-pass filter of a birefringent material such as a crystal is generally disposed in front of the color imaging element, thereby the problem is eliminated by optically reducing high-frequency waves. However, in this method, although the coloring due to a reflection of the high-frequency signal can be reduced, a problem is that the resolution is decreased accordingly.
In order to solve the above problems, there is proposed a color imaging element, in which a color filter arrangement of the color imaging element is configured in a three-color random array satisfying the following arrangement restriction conditions. That is, an arbitrary given pixel abuts on any one of three color pixels including a color of the given pixel at any one of four sides of the given pixel (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-308080).
Also, there is proposed an image sensor (color imaging element), in which a color filter arrangement includes a plurality of filters each having different spectral sensitivity; and a first filter and a second filter are alternately disposed at a first predetermined cycle in one diagonal direction of a grid of pixel of the image sensor and alternately disposed at a second predetermined cycle in the other diagonal direction (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-136766).
Further, there is proposed a color arrangement in color solid-state imaging elements (color imaging elements) of three primary colors of R, G and B, which is configured so that a set of 3 pixels of R, G and B are disposed flatly in a zigzag manner in a vertical direction to thereby uniform the appearance frequency of R, G and B; and an arbitrary line on an imaging area (flat line, vertical line and oblique line) passes through every color (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-285012).
Furthermore, there is proposed a color imaging element, in which R and B in three primary colors of R, G and B are disposed at intervals of 3 pixels in a horizontal direction and in a vertical direction; and G is disposed between the R and B (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-23543).

Color imaging element and imaging apparatus


The present disclosure relates to a communication method and system for converging a 5th-Generation (5G) communication system for supporting higher data rates beyond a 4th-Generation (4G) system with a technology for Internet of Things (IoT). The present disclosure may be applied to intelligent services based on the 5G communication technology and the IoT-related technology, such as, one or more of: a smart home, a smart building, a smart city, a smart car, a connected car, health care technologies, digital education technologies, smart retail technologies, and security and safety services. A method and apparatus for handling of multiple active bandwidth parts (BWPs) are provided.

To meet the demand for wireless data traffic having increased since deployment of fourth generation (4G) communication systems, efforts have been made to develop an improved fifth generation (5G) or pre-5G communication system. The 5G or pre-5G communication system may also be called a 'Beyond 4G Network' or a 'Post long term evolution (LTE) System'. The 5G wireless communication system may be considered to be implemented not only in lower frequency bands but also in higher frequency (mmWave) bands, e.g., 10 GHz to 100 GHz bands, so as to accomplish higher data rates. To mitigate propagation loss of the radio waves and increase the transmission distance, one or more of: beamforming, massive multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO), full dimensional MIMO (FD-MIMO), array antenna, analog beam forming, or large scale antenna techniques are being considered in the design of the 5G wireless communication system. In addition, in 5G communication systems, development for system network improvement is under-way based on one or more of: advanced small cells, cloud radio access networks (RANs), ultra-dense networks, device-to-device (D2D) communication, wireless backhaul, moving network, cooperative communication, coordinated multi-points (CoMP), reception-end interference cancellation, and the like. In the 5G system, frequency and quadrature amplitude modulation (FQAM), which is a combination of hybrid frequency shift keying (FSK) and quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM), and sliding window superposition coding (SWSC) as an advanced coding modulation (ACM), have also been developed. Filter bank multi-carrier (FBMC), non-orthogonal multiple access (NOMA), and sparse code multiple access (SCMA) as an advanced access technology, have also been developed.
In a similar regard, the Internet, which is a human centered connectivity network where humans generate and consume information, is now evolving to the Internet of Things (IoT) where distributed entities, such as things (e.g., IoT devices, smart devices), exchange and process information without human intervention. The Internet of Everything (IoE), which is a combination of IoT technology and big data processing technology through connection with a cloud server, has also emerged. As technology elements, such as "sensing technology," "wired/wireless communication and network infrastructure," "service interface technology," and "security technology" have been demanded for IoT implementation, a sensor network, a machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, machine-type communication (MTC), and so forth have been recently researched. Such an IoT environment may provide intelligent Internet technology services that create a new value to human life by collecting and analyzing data generated among connected things (e.g., connected smart devices). In this case, IoT may be applied to a variety of fields including a smart home, a smart building, a smart city, a smart car or smart connected cars, a smart grid, health care, smart appliances, and advanced medical services through convergence and combination between existing information technology (IT) and various industrial applications.
In line with this, various attempts have been made to apply 5G communication systems to IoT networks. For example, technologies, such as a sensor network, MTC, and M2M communication may be implemented by beamforming, MIMO, and array antennas. Application of a cloud RAN as the above-described big data processing technology may also be considered to be an example of convergence between the 5G technology and the IoT technology.
In recent years several broadband wireless technologies have been developed to meet the growing number of broadband subscribers and to provide more and better applications and services such as these. The second generation (2G) wireless communication system has been developed to provide voice services while ensuring the mobility of users. Third generation (3G) wireless communication system supports not only the voice service, but also data service. The 4G wireless communication system has been developed to provide high-speed data service. However, the 4G wireless communication system currently suffers from lack of resources to meet the growing demand for high-speed data services. Therefore, the 5G wireless communication system is being developed to meet the growing demand of various services with diverse requirements, e.g., high-speed data services, support ultra-reliability and low latency applications.
In addition, the 5G wireless communication system is expected to address different use cases having quite different requirements in terms of one or more of data rate, latency, reliability, mobility, etc. However, it is expected that the design of the air-interface of the 5G wireless communication system would be flexible enough to serve user equipments (UEs) having quite different capabilities depending on the use case and market segment in which the UE caters service to the end customer. Example use cases the 5G wireless communication system is expected to address includes enhanced mobile broadband (eMBB), massive machine type communication (m-MTC), ultra-reliable low latency communication (URLL), etc. The eMBB requirements like tens of Gbps data rate, low latency, high mobility so on, address the market segment representing the conventional wireless broadband subscribers needing internet connectivity everywhere, all the time and on the go. The m-MTC requirements like very high connection density, infrequent data transmission, very long battery life, low mobility address so on, address the market segment representing the Internet of Things (IoT)/Internet of Everything (IoE) envisioning connectivity of billions of devices. The URLL requirements like very low latency, very high reliability and variable mobility and so on and so forth address the market segment representing the Industrial automation application, vehicle-to-vehicle/vehicle-to-infrastructure communication that is foreseen as one of the enablers for autonomous vehicles (e.g., autonomous cars).

Method and apparatus of handling multiple active BWPs


A rapid method of volatile analysis and interpretation is taught enabling inferences on the surrounding environment as sophisticated as commonly achieved by dogs via olfaction. The method is based on rapid analysis of vapors released by persons or other organisms into a gas, correction of said analysis due to competing ambient volatiles, extraction of abundance patterns of certain preselected metabolites present in said vapor analysis, and classification of said persons or organisms by comparison of said abundance patterns with preestablished standard metabolite patterns. A preferred approach for rapid analysis involves an atmospheric pressure ionization, such as an electrospray cloud, followed by a mass spectrometer with an atmospheric pressure source. A preferred method for background correction is subtraction of the background signal from the sample signal when both are ionized at similar humidity levels. A preferred comparison pattern involves the abundance of fatty acids and other common metabolites. Preferred classification criteria include recognition of individuals, or species, or health state.

There are numerous examples in nature where individuals from various species obtain valuable information relating to other target individuals of their own or a different species, based on volatile substances released to the environment by the target. Such cues may originate from specialized organs, as those producing insect pheromones, or from more common sources such as breath, skin, urine, etc. Mosquitoes, for instance, use CO2 from breath as well as skin volatiles to identify their preys. Many mammals use also urine cues to mark and monitor their territory. Such olfactive information may be used not only to mark territory, find a mate, or locate a prey. Dogs are able to identify concrete individuals based on the sense of smell, and are used by their masters in a great diversity of functions, such as sensing cancers, explosives or drugs.
Key to the success of biological olfaction are the following characteristics:                1) Sensitivity (the ability to sense a particular vapor present at very small concentration);        2) Selectivity (the ability to distinguish the smell of one vapor from that of another, even when the interfering vapor may be far more abundant);        3) Speed (the ability to sense, recognize, and react rapidly to particular vapors and vapor patterns, ideally in real time);        4) Effective pattern recognition strategies.
Humans have attempted to compensate for their relatively poor sense of smell with a range of olfaction devices. Some have been relatively fast, including desorption electrospray ionization DESI (Takáts et al. 2004), its variant extractive electrospray ionization EESI (aimed at ionizing aerosolized samples; Chen et al. 2006) and so called DART (Cody et al. 2005). These approaches have been applied to the study of skin (or membrane in the case of cells or bacteria) substances. For instance Chen et al. (2007) have used a variant of DESI (EESI) to monitor continuously the release of caffeine from the skin of a person before and after drinking three cups of coffee. Song et al. (2007) have monitored DESI ions from intact bacteria. Their observation of acilium ions (acid minus OH) from hexadecanoic and octadecanoic acids is particularly interesting, given the known possibility to distinguish between various species of bacteria based on lipid analysis. Their direct approach is in interesting contrast with conventional bacterial analysis, involving a complex and destructive process of isolation and methylation of membrane fatty acids (Heller et al. 1987; Cole et al. 1991; Marr et al. 1962; Harrington et al. 1989). But these interesting studies have been used primarily to ionize condensed (rather than vapor) samples, and have neither shown high sensitivity to vapor species, nor revealed a particularly rich olfactive pattern from vapors naturally released into the ambient by either persons or other organisms. Relatively rich odor patterns have been observed in volatiles from breath or skin via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). But GC-MS is not fast, and its most impressive use in skin or breath analysis has required even slower sample collection and preconcentration (Bernier et al. 2000; Gallagher et al. 2008). Another much faster but less sensitive method (in the range of parts-per-billion (ppb); Smith et al. 2005) is so-called selected ion flow tube-mass spectrometry (SIFT-MS). SIFT-MS has provided real-time information on skin emanations on relatively simple molecules of high vapor pressure, such as acetone (Turner et al. 2008). Also, some other relatively light skin species have been detected in vivo with a more sensitive technique (parts-per-trillion, ppt; Lindinger et al. 1998), so-called proton transfer reaction/mass spectrometry (PTR-MS; Steeghsa et al. 2006).
Earlier fast techniques specifically designed to ionize volatiles at atmospheric pressure have been used following pioneering studies based on corona discharges (Lane et al. 1981). An alternative atmospheric charging approach has been based on mixing the vapors of interest with a cloud of small highly charged drops produced by electrospray ionization (ESI). The method, pioneered by Fenn (Whitehouse et al. 1986; Fuerstenau et al. 1999) and Hill (Wu et al. 2000; Tam et al. 2004), and used by Lee and Shiea (1998), has been referred to as secondary ESI (SESI). The inventors herein have used a slight variant of this approach in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/732,770, in a charger embodiment where gas is sampled from the ambient, and mixed with the charged cloud of an electrospray of a solvent/buffer relatively free from involatile solutes. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/732,770 is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Polar volatile species contained in this sampled gas are then ionized, either directly by the charged electrosprayed drops, or by the ions released by evaporation of these drops. The ionized vapors are then analyzed in an atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometer (API-MS) or another analytical instrument having an atmospheric pressure source. This approach has been used to analyze human breath in positive ionization (Martínez-Lozano el al. 2007). The method was clearly shown to be fast and sensitive, and revealed relatively complex mass spectra. However, several difficulties arose precluding the observation of sufficiently rich and clearly interpretable olfactive patterns enabling a sophisticated recognition processes (as those occurring in the biological world). One serious difficulty in investigations of dilute vapors in ambient gas is the great number of volatile species present in the atmosphere, even at large distances from any concrete organism. Distinguishing this rich background from the signal vapors originating from the organism is therefore a large part of the problem. Martínez-Lozano et al. (2007) separated the signal and the background by subtracting the mass spectrum obtained from ambient air from that obtained from exhaled air. However, this subtraction method may lead to false results (Martínez-Lozano and Fernández de la Mora. 2008, 2009). Breath has generally a much higher humidity than ambient air, yet, humidity has a large effect on the probability of ionization of many vapors (particularly many of those released by the skin). In order for the mass-spectrum correction to be effective, the background sample needs to be brought to a humidity level similar to that of the real sample. As a result, no prior work has been able to analyze vapors released into the ambient by any organism under the desired conditions matching the sensitivity, selectivity, and speed of sensing and recognizing typical, for instance, of dogs. Either the pattern obtained was rich but the measurement was slow (as in Bernier et al., or Gallhager et al.), or the measurement was fast but the pattern found was either insufficiently rich, or not rapidly interpretable. Accordingly, the purpose of this invention is to provide a means to sense and classify organisms with characteristics comparable to that of the dog, or even better.

Method to analyze and classify persons and organisms based on odor patterns from released vapors

Sociedad Europea de Analisis Diferencial de Movilidad