An optical switch includes an optical waveguide to route an input optical beam. The process comprises reacting a decanter heavy, organic phase of an acetic acid production process with acetic anhydride to convert acetaldehyde in the decanter heavy, organic phase to ethylidene diacetate and separating it from the decanter heavy, organic phase. The invention is directed to an interface for a database node comprising: a port for receiving a request for information from a network node; a processor for determining if the database node can respond to said request; and a transmitter for forwarding the request to another database node if the particular database node cannot respond. Also, the control unit controls the time interval of the intermittent activation control circuit.