- Email: [email protected]
Desalination in Israel
News & Views t h a t will c o m p l i m e n t its existing cross-flow microfiltration (CMF) s y s t e m s . According to Memtec Asia p r e s i d e n t , J o h n F. Crapper, the new G a r r a technology, which is a t the b e t a - t e s t i n g stage, "is a leap in the cost (reduction) area," a n d would s u b s t a n t i a l l y lower o p e r a t i n g a n d c a p i t a l costs of its purification e q u i p m e n t . Full details of the technology have y e t to be released, b u t Memtec have said t h a t G a r r a is a n extension of the existing CMF technology with a simplified m e t h o d of p e r f o r m i n g an a i r s c o u r of the m e m b r a n e s . According to Memtec, the G a r r a Technology allowed u p to 40% b e t t e r s p a c e efficiency a n d the ability to be fitted to existing s a n d filtration plants, s o m e t h i n g t h a t Memtec h o p e will greatly i n c r e a s e m a r k e t p o t e n t i a l in the US. C o m m e r c i a l release of this new technology is likely to be t o w a r d s the end of 1 9 9 7 / 1 9 9 8 financial year.
S t o p press: M e m t e c a c c e p t US Filter bid. S e e Page I
software, available on CD-ROM, provides the m o s t c o m p r e h e n s i v e , u p - t o - d a t e i n f o r m a t i o n n e e d e d to m a k e reliable filtration decisions. P a r k e r r e p o r t t h a t t h e e a s y - t o - u s e f o r m a t walks u s e r s t h r o u g h p r o d u c t selections, p e r f o r m s m a t h s c a l c u l a t i o n s , c o m p a r e s costs, g e n e r a t e s complete drawings, a n d p r i n t s c u s t o m selection s u m m a r i e s , detailing i n p u t s a n d inPhorm-calculated values. In addition, the p a c k a g e allows u s e r s to i n s t a n t l y a c c e s s P a r k e r ' s c o m p l e t e filtration reference library, r e q u e s t drawings a n d quotes, a n d a d d p a r t n u m b e r s to orders.
For further information contact: Parker Hannifin Corp., 6035 Parkland Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44124-4141, USA. Tel: +1 216 896 3000;fax: +1 216 896 4000.
Memtec pays U S $ 1 8 M for Schumacher Takeover t a r g e t Memtec Ltd recently a n n o u n c e d t h a t it h a s a c q u i r e d all of the i s s u e d a n d o u t s t a n d i n g s h a r e s of the S c h u m a c h e r Umwelt u n d T r e n n t e c h n i k GmbH ("Schumacher") for a n a p p r o x i m a t e cost of US$18 million. S c h u m a c h e r p r o d u c e s a r a n g e of filtration p r o d u c t s t h a t i n c l u d e p o r o u s c e r a m i c filters, cross flow m e m b r a n e s , p o r o u s a n d p o l y m e r filters in a d d i t i o n to a s y s t e m s , h o u s i n g s , service a n d p a r t s b u s i n e s s . S c h u m a c h e r e m p l o y s over 200 p e r s o n n e l worldwide with h e a d q u a r t e r s s i t u a t e d in Crailsheim, G e r m a n y ; p r i m a r y m a r k e t s i n c l u d e h o t gas, brine, food a n d beverage, s e w a g e / a e r a t i o n a n d the c h e m i c a l s industry. A l t h o u g h Memtec are at p r e s e n t embroiled in a hostile t a k e o v e r bid with US Filter Corp., the c o m p a n y recently took time out to reveal s o m e new technology
M e m b r a n e T e c h n o l o g y No. 9 2
For further information contact: Memtec Ltd, 1 Parkway, South Windsor, N S W 2756, Australia. Tel: +61 45 77 6800;fax: +61 45 77 6804.
Parker m e m b r a n e can handle 3000 psig The Finite filter division of P a r k e r Hannifin Corp., h a s unveiled a filter which u s e s a c e r a m i c m e m b r a n e to clean up corrosive gases at p r e s s u r e s u p to 3000 psig. P a r k e r s t a t e t h a t the Ultra series high p u r i t y gas filter is designed specifically for the m i c r o e l e c t r o n i c s i n d u s t r y , a n d i n c l u d e s a 316L s t a i n l e s s steel case containing the ceramic m e m b r a n e filter media. According to Parker, the filters provide 99.99% filtration efficiency of inert, corrosive, oxidizing, flammable, a n d toxic p r o c e s s gases. Not only will they h a n d l e p r e s s u r e s to 3000 psig b u t will tolerate t e m p e r a t u r e s u p to 2000C. Nominal 3 in., 5 in., a n d 11 in. l e n g t h s are available.
For further information contact: Finite Filter Div., Parker-Hannifin Corp., 500 Glaspie Street, PO Box 599, Oxford, MI 48371, USA. Tel: +1 248 628 6400;fax: +1 248 628 1850.
D e s a l i n a t i o n in Israel With w a t e r c o n s u m p t i o n i n c r e a s i n g a n d shortfalls expected in the next few y e a r s the Israeli g o v e r n m e n t h a s reportedly decided to e m b a r k on a n a m b i t i o u s s e a
3
News & Views
w a t e r d e s a l i n a t i o n p r o g r a m t h a t will p r o d u c e i 0 0 million mS/day by the year 2001 using reverse osmosis. At present, a lone plant at Eilat supplies less than a million cubic metre/day. The national water supply company Mekorot e s t i m a t e s t h a t I s r a e l a n d t h e P a l e s t i n i a n s will n e e d 2 0 0 m i l l i o n m 3 of d e s a l i n a t e d w a t e r a n n u a l l y b y 2005, and 250-500 million by 2015. Making more water a v a i l a b l e a l o n g t h e c o a s t w o u l d free w a t e r e l s e w h e r e in I s r a e l for t r a n s f e r to J o r d a n in line w i t h p r e s e n t I s r a e l i commitments. R e c e n t a d v a n c e s in d e s a l i n a t i o n t e c h n o l o g y h a v e reduced costs by up 40% in the last decade. Mekorot b e l i e v e t h a t if w a t e r is d e s a l i n a t e d u s i n g RO, a n d if t h e d e s a l i n a t i o n p l a n t is h o o k e d u p to a n e l e c t r i c i t y generating station, the cost can be reduced by a f u r t h e r 25%. M e k o r o t a n d its p a r t n e r L y o n n a i s e d e s E a u x h a v e j u s t a g r e e d to s p e n d U S $ 6 m i l l i o n in j o i n t R&D to p e r f e c t d e s a l i n a t i o n t e c h n o l o g y . For f u r t h e r information contact: L y o n n a i s e des Eaux, 72, a v e n u e de la Liberte, Nanterre, France. Tel: +33 1 46 95 50 O0; f a x : + 33 1 46 95 51 86.
Ionics results up, b u t b a c k l o g down M a s s a c h u s e t t s - b a s e d m e m b r a n e s p e c i a l i s t , Ionics Inc., has again reported record revenues, net income, and e a r n i n g s p e r s h a r e for t h e q u a r t e r a n d n i n e m o n t h s e n d e d S e p t e m b e r 30, 1997. F o r t h e q u a r t e r , r e v e n u e s of U S $ 8 5 . 1 m i l l i o n i n c r e a s e d f r o m U S $ 8 4 . 5 m i l l i o n in t h e t h i r d q u a r t e r of 1996, w h i l e n e t i n c o m e of U S $ 7 . 2 m i l l i o n w a s u p 5.0%. However, I o n i c s r e p o r t s t h a t b a c k l o g o n 3 0 S e p t e m b e r w a s d o w n 14.5% a t U S $ 1 6 4 . 3 m i l l i o n f r o m r e c o r d b a c k l o g o n e y e a r earlier. F o r t h e n i n e - m o n t h p e r i o d , r e v e n u e s of U S $ 2 5 9 . 3 m i l l i o n w e r e u p 9 . 3 % c o m p a r e d to t h e first n i n e m o n t h s of 1996, w h i l e n e t i n c o m e of U S $ 2 1 . 4 m i l l i o n w a s u p 10.6%. For f u r t h e r information contact: lonics Inc., PO Box 9131, Watertown, MA 02272-9131, USA. Tel: +i 617 926 2 5 0 0 ; f a x : +1 6 1 7 926 4304.
Osmonics names Eykamp as d i r e c t o r F o r m e r p r e s i d e n t a n d d i r e c t o r of K o c h M e m b r a n e S y s t e m s Inc., Bill E y k a m p h a s b e e n n a m e d to
4
O s m o n i c s " B o a r d of D i r e c t o r s . E y k a m p is a m a n a g e m e n t c o n s u l t a n t a n d a n a d j u n c t p r o f e s s o r of C h e m i c a l E n g i n e e r i n g a t T u f t s U n i v e r s i t y in Medford, MA, USA. Bill E y k a m p is a v e r y well r e s p e c t e d figure in t h e membrane industry, and has won several professional h o n o u r s a n d a w a r d s for h i s s c i e n t i f i c a c h i e v e m e n t s , l e c t u r e d on u l t r a f i l t r a t i o n a n d m e m b r a n e t e c h n o l o g y , a n d is w i d e l y p u b l i s h e d i n t e c h n i c a l j o u r n a l s . His 4 0 year career includes a professorship at the University of California, B e r k e l e y , w h e r e h e t a u g h t c o u r s e s in m e m b r a n e s e p a r a t i o n a n d m a n a g e m e n t of i n n o v a t i o n . O n h i s a p p o i n t m e n t , Mr E y k a m p c o m m e n t e d , "As a l o n g - t i m e f o r m e r c o m p e t i t o r , I've followed O s m o n i c s s i n c e its f o u n d i n g . I ' m l o o k i n g f o r w a r d to h e l p i n g t h e C o m p a n y c o n t i n u e its a d m i r a b l e s u c c e s s a s it g r o w s to a d o m i n a n t p o s i t i o n in t h e m e m b r a n e a n d fluid purification business." For f u r t h e r information contact: Osmonics Inc., 5951 Clearwater Drive, Minnetonka, MN 55343-8995, USA. Tel: +1 612 933 2 2 7 7 ; f a x : +1 612 933 0141.
R o c h e m provides deep-water refreshment R o c h e m r e c e n t l y a n n o u n c e d t h a t it h a s w o n a m a j o r c o n t r a c t to s u p p l y r e v e r s e o s m o s i s s y s t e m s for two n e w A g o s t a s u b m a r i n e s for t h e P a k i s t a n Navy. T h e D i s c / T u b e d e s a l i n a t i o n u n i t s will p r o v i d e 3 m s of d r i n k i n g w a t e r / d a y for t h e crew. T h e c o n t r a c t w a s a w a r d e d to R o c h e m R / O W a s s e r b e h a n d l u n g G m b H of H a m b u r g b y t h e n a v a l s h i p y a r d D C N / D G A of Cherbourg, France. R o c h e m r e p o r t t h a t over 1800 of t h e c o m p a n y ' s patented Disc/Tube systems have been installed w o r l d - w i d e , w i t h over 4 0 0 s y s t e m s i n s t a l l e d on n a t i o n a l a n d NATO n a v a l v e s s e l s in 2 5 c o u n t r i e s . R o c h e m m a i n t a i n t h a t o n e of t h e r e a s o n s w h y R o c h e m ' s d e s a l i n a t i o n p l a n t s a r e u s e d in n a v a l a p p l i c a t i o n s is t h e i r reliable, fail s a f e o p e r a t i o n . T h i s is p a r t i c u l a r l y i m p o r t a n t for u s e in s u b m a r i n e s w h e r e t h e s y s t e m m u s t b e a b l e to o p e r a t e a t d e p t h s of u p to 4 0 0 m e t r e s a n d a t v e r y low s e a w a t e r t e m p e r a t u r e s . R o c h e m s y s t e m s a u t o m a t i c a l l y c o m p e n s a t e for t h i s s u b s t a n t i a l d i f f e r e n t i a l in i n l e t p r e s s u r e f r o m s e a level to 4 0 0 m e t r e s d e p t h . A n o t h e r k e y a d v a n t a g e a c c o r d i n g to R o c h e m , is t h e u n i t ' s a b i l i t y to p r o v i d e a h i g h r e c o v e r y r a t e of drinking water without chemical pre-treatment. Made u p of m o d u l e s c o m p r i s e d of a c o l u m n of d i s c s i n t e r l e a v e d b y r o b u s t m e m b r a n e c u s h i o n s , it o p e r a t e s b y p a s s i n g s e a w a t e r t h r o u g h a c o n t r o l l e d feed c h a n n e l u n d e r h i g h p r e s s u r e . As t h e s e a w a t e r p a s s e s over t h e m e m b r a n e s , t h e p u r i f i e d w a t e r is s e p a r a t e d from s a l t a n d o t h e r c o n t a m i n a n t s o n t h e b a s i s of m o l e c u l a r weight, r e s u l t i n g in t h e flow of p u r e w a t e r a n d i m p u r i t i e s into two s e p a r a t e exit c h a n n e l s , o n e of pure, safe and palatable drinking water quality, the
M e m b r a n e T e c h n o l o g y No. 9 2
S t o p press: M e m t e c a c c e p t US Filter bid. S e e Page I
software, available on CD-ROM, provides the m o s t c o m p r e h e n s i v e , u p - t o - d a t e i n f o r m a t i o n n e e d e d to m a k e reliable filtration decisions. P a r k e r r e p o r t t h a t t h e e a s y - t o - u s e f o r m a t walks u s e r s t h r o u g h p r o d u c t selections, p e r f o r m s m a t h s c a l c u l a t i o n s , c o m p a r e s costs, g e n e r a t e s complete drawings, a n d p r i n t s c u s t o m selection s u m m a r i e s , detailing i n p u t s a n d inPhorm-calculated values. In addition, the p a c k a g e allows u s e r s to i n s t a n t l y a c c e s s P a r k e r ' s c o m p l e t e filtration reference library, r e q u e s t drawings a n d quotes, a n d a d d p a r t n u m b e r s to orders.
For further information contact: Parker Hannifin Corp., 6035 Parkland Blvd, Cleveland, OH 44124-4141, USA. Tel: +1 216 896 3000;fax: +1 216 896 4000.
Memtec pays U S $ 1 8 M for Schumacher Takeover t a r g e t Memtec Ltd recently a n n o u n c e d t h a t it h a s a c q u i r e d all of the i s s u e d a n d o u t s t a n d i n g s h a r e s of the S c h u m a c h e r Umwelt u n d T r e n n t e c h n i k GmbH ("Schumacher") for a n a p p r o x i m a t e cost of US$18 million. S c h u m a c h e r p r o d u c e s a r a n g e of filtration p r o d u c t s t h a t i n c l u d e p o r o u s c e r a m i c filters, cross flow m e m b r a n e s , p o r o u s a n d p o l y m e r filters in a d d i t i o n to a s y s t e m s , h o u s i n g s , service a n d p a r t s b u s i n e s s . S c h u m a c h e r e m p l o y s over 200 p e r s o n n e l worldwide with h e a d q u a r t e r s s i t u a t e d in Crailsheim, G e r m a n y ; p r i m a r y m a r k e t s i n c l u d e h o t gas, brine, food a n d beverage, s e w a g e / a e r a t i o n a n d the c h e m i c a l s industry. A l t h o u g h Memtec are at p r e s e n t embroiled in a hostile t a k e o v e r bid with US Filter Corp., the c o m p a n y recently took time out to reveal s o m e new technology
M e m b r a n e T e c h n o l o g y No. 9 2
For further information contact: Memtec Ltd, 1 Parkway, South Windsor, N S W 2756, Australia. Tel: +61 45 77 6800;fax: +61 45 77 6804.
Parker m e m b r a n e can handle 3000 psig The Finite filter division of P a r k e r Hannifin Corp., h a s unveiled a filter which u s e s a c e r a m i c m e m b r a n e to clean up corrosive gases at p r e s s u r e s u p to 3000 psig. P a r k e r s t a t e t h a t the Ultra series high p u r i t y gas filter is designed specifically for the m i c r o e l e c t r o n i c s i n d u s t r y , a n d i n c l u d e s a 316L s t a i n l e s s steel case containing the ceramic m e m b r a n e filter media. According to Parker, the filters provide 99.99% filtration efficiency of inert, corrosive, oxidizing, flammable, a n d toxic p r o c e s s gases. Not only will they h a n d l e p r e s s u r e s to 3000 psig b u t will tolerate t e m p e r a t u r e s u p to 2000C. Nominal 3 in., 5 in., a n d 11 in. l e n g t h s are available.
For further information contact: Finite Filter Div., Parker-Hannifin Corp., 500 Glaspie Street, PO Box 599, Oxford, MI 48371, USA. Tel: +1 248 628 6400;fax: +1 248 628 1850.
D e s a l i n a t i o n in Israel With w a t e r c o n s u m p t i o n i n c r e a s i n g a n d shortfalls expected in the next few y e a r s the Israeli g o v e r n m e n t h a s reportedly decided to e m b a r k on a n a m b i t i o u s s e a
3
News & Views
w a t e r d e s a l i n a t i o n p r o g r a m t h a t will p r o d u c e i 0 0 million mS/day by the year 2001 using reverse osmosis. At present, a lone plant at Eilat supplies less than a million cubic metre/day. The national water supply company Mekorot e s t i m a t e s t h a t I s r a e l a n d t h e P a l e s t i n i a n s will n e e d 2 0 0 m i l l i o n m 3 of d e s a l i n a t e d w a t e r a n n u a l l y b y 2005, and 250-500 million by 2015. Making more water a v a i l a b l e a l o n g t h e c o a s t w o u l d free w a t e r e l s e w h e r e in I s r a e l for t r a n s f e r to J o r d a n in line w i t h p r e s e n t I s r a e l i commitments. R e c e n t a d v a n c e s in d e s a l i n a t i o n t e c h n o l o g y h a v e reduced costs by up 40% in the last decade. Mekorot b e l i e v e t h a t if w a t e r is d e s a l i n a t e d u s i n g RO, a n d if t h e d e s a l i n a t i o n p l a n t is h o o k e d u p to a n e l e c t r i c i t y generating station, the cost can be reduced by a f u r t h e r 25%. M e k o r o t a n d its p a r t n e r L y o n n a i s e d e s E a u x h a v e j u s t a g r e e d to s p e n d U S $ 6 m i l l i o n in j o i n t R&D to p e r f e c t d e s a l i n a t i o n t e c h n o l o g y . For f u r t h e r information contact: L y o n n a i s e des Eaux, 72, a v e n u e de la Liberte, Nanterre, France. Tel: +33 1 46 95 50 O0; f a x : + 33 1 46 95 51 86.
Ionics results up, b u t b a c k l o g down M a s s a c h u s e t t s - b a s e d m e m b r a n e s p e c i a l i s t , Ionics Inc., has again reported record revenues, net income, and e a r n i n g s p e r s h a r e for t h e q u a r t e r a n d n i n e m o n t h s e n d e d S e p t e m b e r 30, 1997. F o r t h e q u a r t e r , r e v e n u e s of U S $ 8 5 . 1 m i l l i o n i n c r e a s e d f r o m U S $ 8 4 . 5 m i l l i o n in t h e t h i r d q u a r t e r of 1996, w h i l e n e t i n c o m e of U S $ 7 . 2 m i l l i o n w a s u p 5.0%. However, I o n i c s r e p o r t s t h a t b a c k l o g o n 3 0 S e p t e m b e r w a s d o w n 14.5% a t U S $ 1 6 4 . 3 m i l l i o n f r o m r e c o r d b a c k l o g o n e y e a r earlier. F o r t h e n i n e - m o n t h p e r i o d , r e v e n u e s of U S $ 2 5 9 . 3 m i l l i o n w e r e u p 9 . 3 % c o m p a r e d to t h e first n i n e m o n t h s of 1996, w h i l e n e t i n c o m e of U S $ 2 1 . 4 m i l l i o n w a s u p 10.6%. For f u r t h e r information contact: lonics Inc., PO Box 9131, Watertown, MA 02272-9131, USA. Tel: +i 617 926 2 5 0 0 ; f a x : +1 6 1 7 926 4304.
Osmonics names Eykamp as d i r e c t o r F o r m e r p r e s i d e n t a n d d i r e c t o r of K o c h M e m b r a n e S y s t e m s Inc., Bill E y k a m p h a s b e e n n a m e d to
4
O s m o n i c s " B o a r d of D i r e c t o r s . E y k a m p is a m a n a g e m e n t c o n s u l t a n t a n d a n a d j u n c t p r o f e s s o r of C h e m i c a l E n g i n e e r i n g a t T u f t s U n i v e r s i t y in Medford, MA, USA. Bill E y k a m p is a v e r y well r e s p e c t e d figure in t h e membrane industry, and has won several professional h o n o u r s a n d a w a r d s for h i s s c i e n t i f i c a c h i e v e m e n t s , l e c t u r e d on u l t r a f i l t r a t i o n a n d m e m b r a n e t e c h n o l o g y , a n d is w i d e l y p u b l i s h e d i n t e c h n i c a l j o u r n a l s . His 4 0 year career includes a professorship at the University of California, B e r k e l e y , w h e r e h e t a u g h t c o u r s e s in m e m b r a n e s e p a r a t i o n a n d m a n a g e m e n t of i n n o v a t i o n . O n h i s a p p o i n t m e n t , Mr E y k a m p c o m m e n t e d , "As a l o n g - t i m e f o r m e r c o m p e t i t o r , I've followed O s m o n i c s s i n c e its f o u n d i n g . I ' m l o o k i n g f o r w a r d to h e l p i n g t h e C o m p a n y c o n t i n u e its a d m i r a b l e s u c c e s s a s it g r o w s to a d o m i n a n t p o s i t i o n in t h e m e m b r a n e a n d fluid purification business." For f u r t h e r information contact: Osmonics Inc., 5951 Clearwater Drive, Minnetonka, MN 55343-8995, USA. Tel: +1 612 933 2 2 7 7 ; f a x : +1 612 933 0141.
R o c h e m provides deep-water refreshment R o c h e m r e c e n t l y a n n o u n c e d t h a t it h a s w o n a m a j o r c o n t r a c t to s u p p l y r e v e r s e o s m o s i s s y s t e m s for two n e w A g o s t a s u b m a r i n e s for t h e P a k i s t a n Navy. T h e D i s c / T u b e d e s a l i n a t i o n u n i t s will p r o v i d e 3 m s of d r i n k i n g w a t e r / d a y for t h e crew. T h e c o n t r a c t w a s a w a r d e d to R o c h e m R / O W a s s e r b e h a n d l u n g G m b H of H a m b u r g b y t h e n a v a l s h i p y a r d D C N / D G A of Cherbourg, France. R o c h e m r e p o r t t h a t over 1800 of t h e c o m p a n y ' s patented Disc/Tube systems have been installed w o r l d - w i d e , w i t h over 4 0 0 s y s t e m s i n s t a l l e d on n a t i o n a l a n d NATO n a v a l v e s s e l s in 2 5 c o u n t r i e s . R o c h e m m a i n t a i n t h a t o n e of t h e r e a s o n s w h y R o c h e m ' s d e s a l i n a t i o n p l a n t s a r e u s e d in n a v a l a p p l i c a t i o n s is t h e i r reliable, fail s a f e o p e r a t i o n . T h i s is p a r t i c u l a r l y i m p o r t a n t for u s e in s u b m a r i n e s w h e r e t h e s y s t e m m u s t b e a b l e to o p e r a t e a t d e p t h s of u p to 4 0 0 m e t r e s a n d a t v e r y low s e a w a t e r t e m p e r a t u r e s . R o c h e m s y s t e m s a u t o m a t i c a l l y c o m p e n s a t e for t h i s s u b s t a n t i a l d i f f e r e n t i a l in i n l e t p r e s s u r e f r o m s e a level to 4 0 0 m e t r e s d e p t h . A n o t h e r k e y a d v a n t a g e a c c o r d i n g to R o c h e m , is t h e u n i t ' s a b i l i t y to p r o v i d e a h i g h r e c o v e r y r a t e of drinking water without chemical pre-treatment. Made u p of m o d u l e s c o m p r i s e d of a c o l u m n of d i s c s i n t e r l e a v e d b y r o b u s t m e m b r a n e c u s h i o n s , it o p e r a t e s b y p a s s i n g s e a w a t e r t h r o u g h a c o n t r o l l e d feed c h a n n e l u n d e r h i g h p r e s s u r e . As t h e s e a w a t e r p a s s e s over t h e m e m b r a n e s , t h e p u r i f i e d w a t e r is s e p a r a t e d from s a l t a n d o t h e r c o n t a m i n a n t s o n t h e b a s i s of m o l e c u l a r weight, r e s u l t i n g in t h e flow of p u r e w a t e r a n d i m p u r i t i e s into two s e p a r a t e exit c h a n n e l s , o n e of pure, safe and palatable drinking water quality, the
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