| Patent application number | Description | Published |
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| 20120010436 | Separation of Vapor Crude Alcohol Product - Recovery of alcohol, in particular ethanol, by separating a vapor crude alcohol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid using a low energy process. The vapor crude ethanol product is separated in a column to produce a distillate stream comprising ethanol and at least one non-condensable gas. The vapor crude ethanol product may pass through a membrane before the first distillation column to separate the at least one non-condensable gas from the ethanol. The ethanol product is subsequently recovered from the distillate stream. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120010438 | Reduced Energy Alcohol Separation Process - Recovery of alcohols, in particular ethanol, from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid using a reduced energy process. The crude ethanol product may be fed to a distillation column in which a substantial portion of the water is removed with the acetic acid in the residue. The ethanol product is obtained from the distillate. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120010440 | Separating Ethanol and Ethyl Acetate Under Low Pressure Conditions - A crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid comprises ethanol and ethyl acetate. Using a distillation column operated at a pressure of from 0.1 to 100 kPa, the ethyl acetate and ethanol may be effectively separated. In addition, maintaining the amount of water that is fed to the distillation column to an amount less than 10 wt. %, based on the weight of all components fed to the distillation column, provides an energy benefit. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120010445 | Low Energy Alcohol Recovery Processes - Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid using various combinations of membranes and/or distillation columns. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120010446 | Hydrogenolysis of Ethyl Acetate in Alcohol Separation Processes - Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid and by reacting a portion of the crude ethanol product or one or more derivative streams containing ethyl acetate obtained therefrom in the presence of hydrogen, via hydrogenolysis. The one or more derivative streams comprise ethyl acetate that are reacted in via hydrogenolysis form additional ethanol that may be directly or indirectly fed to the separation zone or the hydrogenation reactor. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120010447 | Weak Acid Recovery System for Ethanol Separation Processes - Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid and recovery of unreacted acetic acid from a weak acid stream. The unreacted acetic acid may be recovered as a dry acetic acid composition and may be directly or indirectly fed to the hydrogenation reactor. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120010448 | Finishing Reactor for Purifying Ethanol - A process for purifying ethanol by using a finishing reactor to remove impurities, such as ethyl acetate, acetaldehyde, acetic acid, and diethyl acetal, present in ethanol after distilling a crude product from a hydrogenation reactor. The finishing reactor may reduce the impurities in the presence of hydrogen and a catalyst or may hydrolyze the impurities. | 01-12-2012 |
| 20120036769 | INTEGRATED PROCESS FOR PRODUCING ALCOHOLS FROM A MIXED ACID FEED - Processes for producing alcohols such as ethanol and propanol from a mixed acid feedstock in an integrated process. In one embodiment, the process comprises the step of carbonylating methanol in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst to form a mixed acid feedstock comprising acetic acid and one or more higher acids, preferably comprising propionic acid. The mixed acid feed is hydrogenated in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst to form a crude alcohol product comprising ethanol and one or more higher alcohols, preferably including propanol. | 02-16-2012 |
| 20120046501 | Hydrogenolysis of Ethyl Acetate in Alcohol Separation Processes - Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid and by reacting a portion of the crude ethanol product or one or more derivative streams containing ethyl acetate obtained therefrom in the presence of hydrogen, via hydrogenolysis. The one or more derivative streams comprise ethyl acetate that are reacted via hydrogenolysis to form additional ethanol that may be directly or indirectly fed to the separation zone or the hydrogenation reactor. | 02-23-2012 |
| 20120238785 | Process For The Production of Ethanol From An Acetic Acid Feed and A Recycled Ethyl Acetate Feed - The present invention produces ethanol in a reactor that comprises a catalyst composition and a feed stream comprising acetic acid and a recycled liquid stream comprising ethyl acetate. The catalyst composition comprises a first catalyst comprising platinum, cobalt, and/or tin and a second catalyst comprising copper. The crude ethanol product may be separated and ethanol recovered. | 09-20-2012 |
| 20120238786 | Reduction of Acid Within Column Through Esterification During the Production of Alcohols - Purifying and/or recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. Separation and purification processes of crude ethanol mixture are employed to allow recovery of ethanol and remove impurities. In addition, the process involves the esterification of acetic acid in a column used for recovering the ethanol. | 09-20-2012 |
| 20120245395 | Reduced Energy Alcohol Separation Process Having Water Removal - The present invention relates to the recovery of alcohols, in particular ethanol, from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid using a reduced energy process. The crude ethanol product may be fed to a distillation column in which a substantial portion of the water is removed with the acetic acid in the residue. Additional water may be removed by using a pressure swing adsorption unit, molecular sieve, and/or membrane. Ethanol extraction may also be used to reduce the ethanol concentration in the recycle streams. | 09-27-2012 |
| 20120245396 | Recovering Ethanol Sidedraw By Separating Crude Product From Hydrogenation Process - A process for producing ethanol is disclosed, comprising the steps of hydrogenating acetic acid in a reactor in the presence of a catalyst to form a crude ethanol product, separating at least a portion of the crude ethanol product in a column into a first distillate comprising ethanol and a first residue comprising acetic acid and water, wherein a substantial portion of the water in the crude ethanol product that is fed to the column is removed in the first residue, and separating a portion of the ethanol mixture stream to the second distillation column to yield an ethanol product sidedraw, second residue comprising water and a second distillate comprising ethyl acetate. The water content of the ethanol product sidedraw may be further reduced to yield a stream having reduced water content. | 09-27-2012 |
| 20120273338 | Process for Removing Water From Alcohol Mixtures - A process for removing water from an alcohol mixture, such as an ethanol mixture in the production of ethanol by hydrogenating acetic acid. The water is removed from a distillate of a first column using an adsorption unit, membrane, extractive column distillation, or a combination thereof. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120273339 | Water Separation from Crude Alcohol Product - Recovery of alcohol, in particular ethanol, from a crude product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid using various combinations of membranes and/or distillation columns. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120277463 | Extractive Distillation of Crude Alcohol Product - Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid using an extractive distillation column. The column yields a first residue that comprises ethanol, ethyl acetate, acetic acid, and water. The first residue is separated in a second column to yield a second distillate comprising ethanol and ethyl acetate. The second distillate is then separated in a third column to yield a third distillate comprising ethyl acetate and a third residue comprising ethanol. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120277480 | Separation Process Having an Alcohol Sidestream - Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. The crude ethanol product is fed to a distillation column to yield an ethanol sidestream. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120277481 | INTEGRATED PROCESS FOR PRODUCING ACETIC ACID AND ALCOHOL - The present invention relates generally to processes for producing ethanol and acetic acid and, in particular, to a process for integrating an ethanol production process with an acetic acid production process. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120277482 | Removing Water from an Acetic Acid Stream in the Production of Alcohols - A process for removing water from an acetic acid stream in the production of alcohols, such as ethanol produced by hydrogenating acetic acid. Water is removed from the acetic acid stream using an adsorption unit, membrane, molecular sieves, or a combination thereof, to form a return stream. The return stream may be recycled to the hydrogenation reactor. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120277484 | Using A Dilute Acid Stream As An Extractive Agent - Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid using an extractive distillation column. A diluted acid stream, comprising less than 30 wt. % acetic acid, is used as the extractive agent and is fed at a point above the crude feed stream. The column yields a residue that comprises ethanol, acetic acid, and water. The diluted acid stream may be separated from the residue and returned to the extractive distillation column. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120277485 | Process to Recover Alcohol From an Acidic Residue Stream - Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid using a low energy process. The crude ethanol product is separated in a column to produce a distillate stream comprising ethyl acetate and a residue stream comprising ethanol, acetic acid, and water. The ethanol product is recovered from the residue stream. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120277486 | PROCESS FOR REDUCING THE CONCENTRATION OF ACETIC ACID IN A CRUDE ALCOHOL PRODUCT - A process for producing ethanol and, in particular, to a process for reducing the concentration of acetic acid in a crude ethanol product by esterifying unreacted acetic acid with an alcohol. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120277487 | Process for Removing Aldehydes from Ethanol Reaction Mixture - A process for purifying an ethanol stream that comprises byproduct, such as aldehyde, acetals, and/or esters, but withdrawing a sidestream comprising ethanol from a distillation column. The sidestream may have a reduced concentration of aldehyde that reduces the formation of acetals in subsequent purification of the ethanol stream. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120277488 | Recovering Ethanol with Sidestreams to Regulate C3+ Alcohols Concentrations - This invention relates to purification and/or recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. Separation and purification processes of a crude ethanol mixture are employed to allow recovery of ethanol and remove impurities. In particular, the process involves one or more sidestreams to regulate C | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120277490 | Process to Recover Alcohol From An Ethyl Acetate Residue Stream - Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid using a low energy process. The crude ethanol product is separated in a column to produce a distillate stream comprising acetaldehyde and a residue stream comprising ethanol, acetic acid, ethyl acetate and water. The ethanol product is recovered from the residue stream. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120277491 | REDUCING ETHYL ACETATE CONCENTRATION IN RECYCLE STREAMS FOR ETHANOL PRODUCTION PROCESSES - Recycle streams in an ethanol production process are hydrolyzed to reduce ethyl acetate concentration. In the process, acetic acid is hydrogenated to form a crude ethanol product, which undergoes a separation or purification process. Ethyl acetate is formed as a byproduct of the hydrogenation of acetic acid. The hydrolysis of recycle steams from the separation process can reduce the concentration of ethyl acetate, converting some or all of the ethyl acetate to acetic acid and ethanol. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120277492 | Reduced Energy Alcohol Separation Process Having Controlled Pressure - The present invention is directed to processes for the recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid using a low energy process. The crude ethanol product is separated in one or more columns. At least one of the columns is operated at a controlled pressure to enhance separation of ethanol and organics. In one embodiment, there are at least two columns that operate at controlled pressures. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120277493 | Process to Recover Alcohol with Secondary Reactors for Hydrolysis of Acetal - A process for recovering ethanol obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. The crude ethanol product is separated in a column to produce a distillate stream comprising acetaldehyde and ethyl acetate and a residue stream comprising ethanol, acetic acid and water. Acetal byproduct can be reduced or removed through configurations of hydrolysis secondary reactors. The ethanol product is recovered from the residue stream. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120277494 | Process to Reduce Ethanol Recycled to Hydrogenation Reactor - The present invention is directed to processes for recovering ethanol obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. Acetic acid is hydrogenated in the presence of a catalyst in a hydrogenation reactor to form a crude ethanol product. The crude ethanol product is separated in one or more columns to recover ethanol. In some embodiments, less than 10 wt. % ethanol is recycled to the hydrogenation reactor. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120277495 | Process For Controlling A Reboiler During Alcohol Recovery and Reduced Ester Formation - The present invention is related to processes for the separation of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. The crude ethanol product is separated in one or more columns. A reboiler is used following one or more of the columns for reducing ester formation. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120277496 | Process for Producing Ethanol and Reducing Acetic Acid Concentration - A process for producing ethanol and, in particular, to a process for reducing the concentration of acetic acid in a crude ethanol product by esterifying unreacted acetic acid with an alcohol. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120277497 | Process to Recover Alcohol with Reduced Water From Overhead of Acid Column - A process for recovering ethanol obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. The crude ethanol product is separated in a column to produce a distillate stream comprising acetaldehyde and ethyl acetate and a residue stream comprising ethanol, acetic acid, ethyl acetate and water. The ethanol product is recovered from the residue stream. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120323049 | Distillation of Crude Alcohol Product Using Entrainer - Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid using a low energy process and an entrainer. The crude ethanol product is separated in an distillation column to produce a distillate stream comprising the entrainer. The ethanol product is recovered from the residue stream. | 12-20-2012 |
| 20120323050 | Extractive Distillation of Crude Alcohol Product - Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid using an extractive distillation column. The column yields a residue that comprises ethanol, acetic acid, and the extractive agent. The extractive agent may be water and may be separated from the residue and returned to the extractive distillation column. | 12-20-2012 |
| 20130032466 | ETHANOL SEPARATION PROCESS HAVING STRIPPING SECTION FOR REDUCING ACETALS - To reduce acetal concentrations when separating ethanol from a crude product in one or more distillation column, at least one of the columns has a stripping section that comprises at least 40 stages to favor hydrolysis of the acetal. The crude product may comprise ethanol, acetaldehyde, water and one or more acetals, such as diethyl acetal. The acetal concentration may be reduced thus reducing the need to separate acetal from the crude product. | 02-07-2013 |
| 20130032467 | VAPOR SEPARATION IN ALCOHOL PRODUCTION - Two or more vapor-liquid separators are used in a process for removing at least one non-condensable gas from a crude alcohol mixture prepared by hydrogenating alkanoic acid and/or esters thereof. The vapor-liquid separators may comprise flashers or knock-out pots and are suitable for removing non-condensable gas, including those gases that are dissolved in the liquid. The multiple vapor-liquid separators may be in series prior to any separation of organic components. In addition, there may be a vapor-liquid separator before and after a distillation column for treating the feed to the column. | 02-07-2013 |
| 20130035517 | PRODUCTION OF ALCOHOLS - A process is described for producing an alcohol product, in which (a) a first feed composition comprising acetic acid is converted to a product comprising acetone; and (b) a second feed composition comprising at least part of the acetone produced in (a) is hydrogenated in the presence of a catalyst to produce a hydrogenation effluent comprising isopropanol. | 02-07-2013 |
| 20130035518 | REDUCING ACETALS DURING ETHANOL SEPARATION PROCESS USING HIGH PRESSURE DISTILLATION COLUMN - To reduce acetal concentrations when separating ethanol from a crude product in one or more distillation column, at least one of the columns is operated at a higher pressure to increase the equilibrium constant that favors hydrolysis of the acetal. The crude product may comprise ethanol, acetaldehyde, water and one or more acetals, such as diethyl acetal. The acetal concentration may be reduced thus reducing the need to separate acetal from the crude product. | 02-07-2013 |
| 20130035519 | REDUCING ACETALS AND/OR ESTERS DURING ETHANOL SEPARATION PROCESS - To reduce acetal and/or ester concentrations when separating ethanol from a crude product in one or more distillation column, at least one of the columns is operated at a higher pressure to increase the equilibrium constant that favors hydrolysis of the acetal. The crude product may comprise ethanol, acetaldehyde, water, ethyl acetate and one or more acetals, such as diethyl acetal. The acetal and/or ester concentration may be reduced thus reducing the need to separate acetal and/or ester from the crude product. | 02-07-2013 |
| 20130035521 | Process for Separating Ethanol Having Low Acid - A process for operating a distillation column to separate an ethanol mixture comprising ethanol and acetic acid where the recovered ethanol comprises less than 700 wppm acetic acid. The operating conditions for the column may vary depending on the fed composition. In particular the process provides energy efficient recovery of ethanol with low concentration acetic acid. | 02-07-2013 |
| 20130035523 | Reducing Acetals During Ethanol Separation Process - To reduce acetal concentrations when separating ethanol from a crude product in one or more distillation column, at least one of the columns is operated at a higher pressure to increase the equilibrium constant that favors hydrolysis of the acetal. The crude product may comprise ethanol, acetaldehyde, water and one or more acetals, such as diethyl acetal. The acetal concentration may be reduced thus reducing the need to separate acetal from the crude product. | 02-07-2013 |
| 20130035524 | PROCESS FOR RECOVERING ALCOHOL - Recovery of an alcohol such as ethanol from a crude alcohol product, preferably obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid using a low energy process. The crude ethanol product is separated in a column to produce a distillate stream comprising ethyl acetate and a residue stream comprising ethanol, acetic acid, and water. The ethanol product is recovered in a second column as an ethanol side stream. | 02-07-2013 |
| 20130035525 | PROCESS FOR PRODUCING ANHYDROUS ETHANOL USING EXTRACTIVE DISTILLATION COLUMN - The present invention relates to the recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. Separation and purification processes of crude ethanol product are employed to allow recovery of an anhydrous ethanol composition. The process involves separating the crude ethanol product using one or more extractive distillation columns that employ one or more extractive agents. The anhydrous ethanol composition comprises less than 1 wt. % water, based on the total weight of the anhydrous ethanol composition. | 02-07-2013 |
| 20130109891 | Process to Recover Alcohol with Secondary Reactors for Esterification of Acid | 05-02-2013 |
| 20130116476 | Integrated Acid and Alcohol Production Process - An integrated process for producing ethanol, comprising the step of reacting carbon monoxide with at least one reactant in a reactor containing a reaction medium to produce a liquid reaction product comprising acetic acid. The reaction medium comprises water, acetic acid, methyl acetate, a halogen promoter, and a first catalyst. The process further comprises the steps of directly feeding the liquid reaction product from the reactor to a distillation column and withdrawing from it an overhead stream comprising methyl acetate, and/or halogen promoter, a bottoms stream comprising a solution of the first catalyst, and a liquid acetic acid sidestream; and hydrogenating acetic acid of the liquid acetic acid sidestream in the presence of a second catalyst and under conditions effective to form a crude ethanol product comprising ethanol and water. No flashing vessel is used to purify the liquid reaction product. Ethanol is recovered from the crude ethanol product. | 05-09-2013 |
| 20130116479 | Integrated Process For Producing Ethanol - In one embodiment, the invention is to a process for producing ethanol, the process comprising the steps of carbonylating methanol in a carbonylation system in the presence of a carbonylation catalyst under conditions effective to form acetic acid; hydrogenating the acetic acid in a hydrogenation system in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst to form a crude ethanol product comprising ethanol and water; separating the ethanol from the water to form an ethanol stream and a water stream; and directing at least a portion of the water stream to the carbonylation system, e.g., for use as an extractant in a permanganate reducing compound removal system. | 05-09-2013 |
| 20130131400 | Hydrogenating Acetic Acid to Produce Ethyl Acetate and Reducing Ethyl Acetate to Ethanol - Disclosed herein are processes for alcohol production by reducing an ethyl acetate produced by hydrogenating acetic acid in the presence of a suitable catalyst. The ethyl acetate is reduced with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst to obtain a crude reaction mixture comprising the alcohol, in particular ethanol, which may be separated from the crude reaction mixture. Thus, ethanol may be produced from acetic acid through an ethyl acetate intermediate without an esterification step. This may reduce the recycle of ethanol in the hydrogenolysis process and improve ethanol productivity. | 05-23-2013 |
| 20130158297 | ESTERIFYING AN ETHANOL AND ACETIC ACID MIXTURE TO PRODUCE AN ESTER FEED FOR HYDROGENOLYSIS - Disclosed herein are processes for alcohol production by hydrogenating acetic acid to obtain a mixture of ethanol and acetic acid, esterifying the mixture to produce an esterification product and reducing the esterification product. The mixture may provide a sufficient amount of ethanol and acetic acid for esterification and reduces the need for additional acetic acid and/or ethanol. This may reduce the recycle of ethanol in the hydrogenolysis process and improve ethanol productivity. | 06-20-2013 |
| 20130158300 | Process For Producing Ethanol By Hydrogenating Mixed Feeds Comprising Water - The processes of the current invention relate to the production of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid and ethyl acetate. Conversion of ethyl acetate may be improved by controlling the water content that may be fed to the vaporizer to form a feed stream that may be fed to the hydrogenation reactor. At least 0.01 wt. % water is fed to the vaporizer. The crude ethanol product is separated two or more columns to yield an ethanol product. | 06-20-2013 |
| 20130172632 | Process for Promoting Catalyst Activity for Ethyl Acetate Conversion - The process of the current invention relates to the production of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid and ethyl acetate in the presence of a catalyst. Conversion of ethyl acetate may be improved by adding water to the reactor. At least 0.01 wt. % water may be added to the reactor. The crude ethanol product is separated in one or more columns to yield an ethanol product. | 07-04-2013 |
| 20130184500 | Process for Acetal Removal In the Purification of a Crude Ethanol Product - Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. Separation and purification processes of the crude ethanol products are employed to allow recovery of ethanol and hydrolyze acetal impurities by the addition of an acid stream. | 07-18-2013 |
| 20130204049 | Process for Producing Ethanol Using a Molar Excess of Hydrogen - The present invention relates to a process for the production of ethanol using a molar excess of hydrogen. A mixed feed of acetic acid and ethyl acetate is fed to a reactor to be converted to ethanol. Hydrogen flow is increased to avoid a negative conversion of ethyl acetate. | 08-08-2013 |
| 20130204050 | Hydrogenation Process with Reduced Residence Time for Vapor Phase Reactants - The present invention is directed to the separation of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the vaporization and hydrogenation of acetic acid using reduced residence time for the vapor phase reactants between exiting the vaporizer and entering the reactor. The crude ethanol product is separated in at least one column to recover an ethanol product. | 08-08-2013 |
| 20130245331 | Separation Process Having An Alcohol Sidestream - Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. The crude ethanol product is fed to a distillation column to yield an ethanol sidestream. | 09-19-2013 |
| 20140142351 | Combined Column for Separating Products of Different Hydrogenation Reactors - Recovery of ethanol from a crude product comprising ethyl acetate obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. The crude product is separated to form an organic stream that may be subjected to hydrogenolysis to form ethanol. The organic phase may comprise ethyl acetate is reacted via hydrogenolysis form ethanol that may be directly or indirectly fed to the separation zone or the hydrogenation reactor. | 05-22-2014 |
| 20140303407 | Extractive Distillation of Crude Alcohol Product - Recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid using an extractive distillation column. The column yields a residue that comprises ethanol, acetic acid, and the extractive agent. The extractive agent may be water and may be separated from the residue and returned to the extractive distillation column. | 10-09-2014 |
| 20150031924 | Recovering Ethanol with Sidestreams to Regulate C3+ Alcohols Concentrations - This invention relates to purification and/or recovery of ethanol from a crude ethanol product obtained from the hydrogenation of acetic acid. Separation and purification processes of a crude ethanol mixture are employed to allow recovery of ethanol and remove impurities. In particular, the process involves one or more sidestreams to regulate C | 01-29-2015 |
