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A process for treating natural gas or other methane-rich gas to remove excess nitrogen and optionally excess carbon dioxide, water vapor or hydrogen sulfide. The invention relies on gas separation by membranes, using nitrogen/methane selective membranes. The membranes are characterized by having the

A process for treating natural gas or other methane-rich gas to remove excess nitrogen and optionally excess carbon dioxide, water vapor or hydrogen sulfide. The invention relies on gas separation by membranes, using nitrogen/methane selective membranes. The membranes are characterized by having the capability to exhibit a nitrogen/methane selectivity between about 2 and 5 at a temperature higher than about -25° C. The gas may be brought to pipeline specification for nitrogen, and acid gases if present, without requiring the use of amine scrubbing or other acid gas removal technique.

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A process for treating natural gas or other methane-rich gas to remove excess nitrogen and optionally excess carbon dioxide, water vapor or hydrogen sulfide. The invention relies on gas separation by membranes, using nitrogen/methane selective membranes. The membranes are characterized by having the

A process for treating natural gas or other methane-rich gas to remove excess nitrogen and optionally excess carbon dioxide, water vapor or hydrogen sulfide. The invention relies on gas separation by membranes, using nitrogen/methane selective membranes. The membranes are characterized by having the capability to exhibit a nitrogen/methane selectivity between about 2 and 5 at a temperature higher than about -25° C. The gas may be brought to pipeline specification for nitrogen, and acid gases if present, without requiring the use of amine scrubbing or other acid gas removal technique. than 1% by volume of a hydrogen containing species. 11. The process of claim 10 wherein said protective atmosphere contains less than 0.1% by volume of a hydrogen containing species. and said binder is a cellulose binder. 12. A sintered metal object, comprising: (a) a jewelry-metal, and (b) second particles comprising a refractory stain, in said jewelry-metal, wherein said refractory stain provides color to said jewelry-metal and comprises metal oxides that are fired for color stability and ground into a fine powder having an average particle diameter of at most 50 mesh. 13. The sintered metal object of claim 12, wherein said second particles are in a subsurface of said metal object. 14. The sintered metal object of claim 13, wherein said second particles are present throughout said metal object. 15. The sintered metal object of claim 12, wherein said jewelry-metal is selected from the group consisting of silver, gold, and platinum. 16. The sintered metal object of claim 15, wherein said jewelry-metal comprises at least one metal selected from the group consisting of fine silver, sterling silver, 24 karat gold, 18 karat gold, 14 karat gold, and 10 karat gold. 17. The sintered metal object of claim 12, further comprising (g) third particles comprising another refractory stain, wherein said refractory stain comprises metal oxides that are fired for color stability and ground into a fine powder having an average particle diameter of at most 50 mesh. 18. The sintered metal object of claim 12, wherein said second particles have an average particle diameter of at most 300 μm. 19. The sintered metal object of claim 12, wherein said refractory metal oxide is stable in air at a temperature of at least 1976° F. 20. The sintered metal object of claim 12, wherein said jewelry-metal and said refractory stain are not an alloy. 21. The sintered metal object of claim 12, wherein said sintered metal object is shaped with hand tools, machine, or die. 22. The sintered metal object of claim 12, wherein said sintered metal object is hammered or drawn into a wire. No. 4, Oct. 1999: 438-441. Zweig et al., Histopathology of Tissue Samples Removed Using the Microdebrider Technique, American Journal of Rhinology, vol. 14, No. 1, Jan.-Feb. 2000: 27-32. Brandborg et al., Is Exfoliative Cytology Practical for more General Use in the diagnosis of Gastric Cancer?, (Source not legible) 1960's: 1074-1080. Cameron, A Cytological Method of Diagnosis of Carcinoma of the Colon, Thesis abridgement presented to Columbus Surgical Society, Columbus, OH, Jan. 1960: 230-236. Cameron et al., Recovery of Malignant Cells from Enema Returns in Carcinoma of the Colon, Surgical Forum, undated:30-33. Anonymous, Summary of Safety and Effectiveness Data: AngioJet Rheolytic Thrombectomy System, (undated), pp. 1-14. Black et al., Simple Method for Polyp Retrieval During Colonoscopy, Dis Colon Rectum, vol. 37, 1994, 949. Anonymous, Understanding the Importance of Tissue Pathology, Internet www.prometheus-labs.com, Jan. 17, 2001: 3 pages. Drasler et al., A rheolytic system for percutaneous coronary and peripheral plaque removal, Abstract, Angiology, vol. 42, No. 2, Feb. 1991: 90-98. Anonymous, Mucoid Specimens (Respiratory and Gastrointestinal Specimens), Internet, www.cytyc.com, Jan. 17, 2001: 1 page. Anonymous, Cytorich Preservatives, Internet www.tripathimaging.com, Jan. 17, 2001, 1 page. Green et al.; The Use of Gastric Salvage Cytology in the Diagnosis of Malignancy: A Review of 731 Cases; Diagn. Cytopathol. 1990;6:1-4. Dabbs et al.; Immunocytochemistry on the ThinPrep Processor; Diagn. Cytopathol. 1997;17:388-392. Linder; Recent Advances in Thin-Layer Cytology; Diagn. Cytopathol. 1998;18:24-32. Lapen et al.; Performance Optimization of the ThinPrep Processor: Effect of Microscope Slides; Diagn. Cytopathol. 1998; 19:388-391. Gary et al.; Cell Block Preparation on Residual ThinPrep Sample; Diagn. Cytopathol. 1999;21:427-431. Kochhar et al.; Crush Preparations of Gastroesophageal Biopsy Specimens in the Diagnosis of Malignancy; Acta Cytologica 1990 vol. 34 No. 2; pp. 214-216. Darragh et al.; Comparison of Conventional Cytologic Smears and ThinPrep Preparations from the Anal Canal; Acta Cytologica 1997 vol. 41 No. 4; pp. 1167-1170. Ferguson et al.; Quantitat