Various embodiments of the teachings relate to a system or method for sample preparation or analysis in biochemical or molecular biology procedures. The sample preparation can involve small volume processed in discrete portions or segments or slugs, herein referred to as discrete volumes. A molecular biology procedure can be nucleic acid analysis. Nucleic acid analysis can be an integrated DNA amplification/DNA sequencing procedure.

A method of controlling purging in a hydrogen storage system includes determining the internal hydrogen purity of a hydrogen tank and adjusting a hydrogen purging cycle of the hydrogen tank depending on the determined internal hydrogen purity. An apparatus for controlling purging in a hydrogen storage system is also provided.

Cap and cleaning devices antiseptically maintain patient fluid line access valves to minimize the risk of infection via catheters. The devices have a cap that may contain a dry pad impregnated with an antimicrobial agent. The cap covers the access portion of the access valve when not in use. The devices have a hood that contains a wet pad impregnated with a cleaning solution and, optionally, an antimicrobial agent. The wet pad cleans the access portion of the access valve prior to and optionally, after the access valve is utilized to access the patient fluid line.

A ball valve has a purge fluid inlet passage into a cavity between a valve body and a flow control element, and has a purge fluid drain. The inlet passage is oriented at an angle relative to a normal line to the spherical ball surface at the location of the inlet passage, to promote vorticial flow of the purge fluid. A method introduces a purge fluid into a ball valve body cavity; removes the purge fluid from an outlet drain; and induces a vortex in a flow path of the purge fluid through the body cavity. The method can flush debris from the body cavity between operating cycles of the ball valve by at least temporarily opening the inlet and outlet before and/or after operation of the valve.

A powder discharge system is installed in a circulating water tank for collecting powder generated when an exhaust gas is treated in an exhaust gas treatment apparatus. The powder discharge system includes at least one eductor provided in the circulating water tank. The eductor has a nozzle configured to throttle a flow of water supplied from a pump for pumping water in the circulating water tank, a suction port configured to suck water in the circulating water tank into the eductor by utilizing a reduction of pressure generated when the flow of water is throttled by the nozzle, and a discharge port configured to eject the water sucked from the suction port together with the water discharged from the nozzle toward a bottom of the circulating water tank.

Various embodiments of the teachings relate to a system or method for sample preparation or analysis in biochemical or molecular biology procedures. The sample preparation can involve small volume processed in discrete portions or segments or slugs, herein referred to as discrete volumes. A molecular biology procedure can be nucleic acid analysis. Nucleic acid analysis can be an integrated DNA amplification/DNA sequencing procedure.

Methods and apparatus for particle reduction in throttle gate valves used in substrate process chambers are provided herein. In some embodiments, a gate valve for use in a process chamber includes a body having an opening disposed therethrough from a first surface to an opposing second surface of the body; a pocket extending into the body from a sidewall of the opening; a gate movably disposed within the pocket between a closed position that seals the opening and an open position that reveals the opening and disposes the gate completely within the pocket; and a plurality of gas ports disposed in the gate valve configured to direct a gas flow into a portion of the gate valve fluidly coupled to the opening.

An automatic air conditioner condensate drain line clean-out system (1) having a flushing line (6) which is preferably supplied by a home's hot water heater and connected to a condensate drain line (3). A supply valve (10) that supplies the hot water preferably controlled by a timer (11) that allows the system to be activated on a reoccurring basis. A drain valve (13) is located on the condensate drain line subsequent to a point of connection between the flushing line and the condensate drain line to prevent backflow of water from the flushing line into a drain pan (2) of the air conditioning system.

A passive isolation valve equipped with one or more nozzles configured to deliver a flow of gas to an area adjacent the valve seat so as to remove accumulated particulate material from the area of the valve adjacent the valve seat that otherwise may adversely affect closure of the valve in response to an energetic event.

Cap and cleaning devices antiseptically maintain patient fluid line access valves to minimize the risk of infection via catheters. The devices have a cap that may contain a dry pad impregnated with an antimicrobial agent. The cap covers the access portion of the access valve when not in use. The devices have a hood that contains a wet pad impregnated with a cleaning solution and, optionally, an antimicrobial agent. The wet pad cleans the access portion of the access valve prior to and optionally, after the access valve is utilized to access the patient fluid line.