Methods for preparing a void-free protective coating are disclosed herein. The void-free protective coating is used on a dielectric window having a central hole, which is used in a plasma treatment tool. A first protective coating layer is applied to the window, leaving an uncoated annular retreat area around the central hole. The first protective coating layer is polished to produce a flat surface and fill in any voids on the window. A second protective coating layer is then applied upon the flat surface of the first protective coating layer to obtain the void-free coating. This increases process uptime and service lifetime of the dielectric window and the plasma treatment tool.

Methods for preparing a void-free protective coating are disclosed herein. The void-free protective coating is used on a dielectric window having a central hole, which is used in a plasma treatment tool. A first protective coating layer is applied to the window, leaving an uncoated annular retreat area around the central hole. The first protective coating layer is polished to produce a flat surface and fill in any voids on the window. A second protective coating layer is then applied upon the flat surface of the first protective coating layer to obtain the void-free coating. This increases process uptime and service lifetime of the dielectric window and the plasma treatment tool.

The present invention relates to methods and devices for production of injectable foams, such as those used in the treatment of varicose veins and other venous disorders. The method requires the delivery or supply of foamable liquid sclerosing agent and a suitable gas or a gas mixture to a foam producing structure in which the liquid and gas are combined to produce foam, wherein the liquid is delivered independently of the delivery of gas. Devices for producing injectable foam comprise a foam producing structure in which liquid and gas are combined to produce foam, the structure comprising an inlet for liquid and gas and an outlet for foam; a liquid pathway in communication with the inlet; and a gas pathway in communication with the inlet, characterised in that the liquid pathway comprises a means for delivering liquid through the liquid pathway independently of gas delivery through the gas pathway. In preferred embodiments, the delivery of liquid and/or gas is controlled with volumetric pumps.

The present invention relates to methods and devices for production of injectable foams, such as those used in the treatment of varicose veins and other venous disorders. The method requires the delivery or supply of foamable liquid sclerosing agent and a suitable gas or a gas mixture to a foam producing structure in which the liquid and gas are combined to produce foam, wherein the liquid is delivered independently of the delivery of gas. Devices for producing injectable foam comprise a foam producing structure in which liquid and gas are combined to produce foam, the structure comprising an inlet for liquid and gas and an outlet for foam; a liquid pathway in communication with the inlet; and a gas pathway in communication with the inlet, characterised in that the liquid pathway comprises a means for delivering liquid through the liquid pathway independently of gas delivery through the gas pathway. In preferred embodiments, the delivery of liquid and/or gas is controlled with volumetric pumps.

Methods and systems of operating a pump at an efficiency point during an in-line blending operation. In an embodiment, such a method may include transporting a fluid from a tank to a pump through a first pipe. The method may include discharging, via the pump, the fluid at a specified flow rate through a second pipe. The method may include measuring a flow rate of the first portion of the fluid flowing from the main control valve through the mixing pipe. The method may include measuring a flow rate of the second portion of the fluid flowing through the spillback loop. The method may include determining a current pump efficiency point and operating the pump within a range of percentages of the best efficiency point.

Methods and systems of operating a pump at an efficiency point during an in-line blending operation. In an embodiment, such a method may include transporting a fluid from a tank to a pump through a first pipe. The method may include discharging, via the pump, the fluid at a specified flow rate through a second pipe. The method may include measuring a flow rate of the first portion of the fluid flowing from the main control valve through the mixing pipe. The method may include measuring a flow rate of the second portion of the fluid flowing through the spillback loop. The method may include determining a current pump efficiency point and operating the pump within a range of percentages of the best efficiency point.

Embodiments include systems and methods of in-line mixing of hydrocarbon liquids from a plurality of tanks into a single pipeline. According to an embodiment, a method of admixing hydrocarbon liquids from a plurality of tanks into a single pipeline to provide in-line mixing thereof includes determining a ratio of a second fluid flow to a first fluid flow based on signals received from a tank flow meter in fluid communication with the second fluid flow and a booster flow meter in fluid communication with a blended fluid flow. The blended fluid flow includes a blended flow of the first fluid flow and the second fluid flow. The method further includes comparing the determined ratio to a pre-selected set point ratio thereby to determine a modified flow of the second fluid flow to drive the ratio toward the pre-selected set point ratio. The method further includes controlling a variable speed drive connected to a pump thereby to control the second fluid flow through the pump based on the determined modified flow, the pump being in fluid communication with the second fluid flow.

Methods, systems, and computer storage media for providing a blending flow configuration for a material processing system that blends a material from multiple sources. A blending flow configuration identifies an arrangement of components and settings of the components in the material processing system to support blending a material. The blending flow configuration can support optimizing outcomes of different types of downstream processes. The material properties data are identified based on different types of measurements. For example, block models, lab assays, and on-stream analyzers can be used to determine a composition of the material. Grinding line performance data (or grinding line operation data) that estimates the grinding line performance or capacity can also be accessed. A description of a conveyance network design of the material processing system is generated. The conveyance network design can specifically help identify source nodes, sink nodes, transshipments nodes, and network arcs of the material processing system.

Methods, systems, and computer storage media for providing a blending flow configuration for a material processing system that blends a material from multiple sources. A blending flow configuration identifies an arrangement of components and settings of the components in the material processing system to support blending a material. The blending flow configuration can support optimizing outcomes of different types of downstream processes. The material properties data are identified based on different types of measurements. For example, block models, lab assays, and on-stream analyzers can be used to determine a composition of the material. Grinding line performance data (or grinding line operation data) that estimates the grinding line performance or capacity can also be accessed. A description of a conveyance network design of the material processing system is generated. The conveyance network design can specifically help identify source nodes, sink nodes, transshipments nodes, and network arcs of the material processing system.

Methods and systems of admixing hydrocarbon liquids from a plurality of tanks into a single pipeline thereof. The system may include two or more tanks positioned at a tank farm each containing a hydrocarbon liquid therein. The system may include two or more first main pipes, each connected to one of the tanks. The system may include two or more main valves, each connected to one of the first main pipes. The system may include two or more second main pipes each connected to a corresponding main valve. The system may include two or more mixing jumpers, each connected to a corresponding first main pipe, each mixing jumper to, when a corresponding main valve is closed, control hydrocarbon liquid. The system may include a mixing pipe, connected to the second main pipes and the mixing jumpers, configured to transport hydrocarbon liquid from one or more of the tanks.