Abstract: A crushing method for galvanic cells with high energy densities in which mixture of used cells is placed inside an insulated container and carbon dioxide as dry ice is added to this mixture as a cooling medium. Dry ice is added to the mixture of used galvanic cells at a volumetric ration of 0.5:1 to 2:1. The mixture of used cells with dry ice is cooled down from ?20° C. to ?50° C. and is subsequently fed to the crushing device and subjected to crushing. A stream of used galvanic cells and a stream of dry ice granules are preferably fed simultaneously to the insulated container of the crushing device, and this mixture is forwarded to the working part of the crushing device. At the end of galvanic cell crushing, the mixture of air and gaseous carbon dioxide is returned to the insulated container.

Abstract: A spinning fluids reactor, includes a reactor body (24) having a circular cross-section and a fluid contactor screen (26) within the reactor body (24). The fluid contactor screen (26) having a plurality of apertures and a circular cross-section concentric with the reactor body (24) for a length thus forming an inner volume (28) bound by the fluid contactor screen (26) and an outer volume (30) bound by the reactor body (24) and the fluid contactor screen (26). A primary inlet (20) can be operatively connected to the reactor body (24) and can be configured to produce flow-through first spinning flow of a first fluid within the inner volume (28). A secondary inlet (22) can similarly be operatively connected to the reactor body (24) and can be configured to produce a second flow of a second fluid within the outer volume (30) which is optionally spinning.

Abstract: A spinning fluids reactor, includes a reactor body (24) having a circular cross-section and a fluid contactor screen (26) within the reactor body (24). The fluid contactor screen (26) having a plurality of apertures and a circular cross-section concentric with the reactor body (24) for a length thus forming an inner volume (28) bound by the fluid contactor screen (26) and an outer volume (30) bound by the reactor body (24) and the fluid contactor screen (26). A primary inlet (20) can be operatively connected to the reactor body (24) and can be configured to produce flow-through first spinning flow of a first fluid within the inner volume (28). A secondary inlet (22) can similarly be operatively connected to the reactor body (24) and can be configured to produce a second flow of a second fluid within the outer volume (30) which is optionally spinning.

Abstract: A crude oil simulant is disclosed that is an emulsion of an organic continuous phase, an aqueous dispersed phase, and an emulsifier. To enhance the biodegradability rate of the simulant various strains of bacteria can be added to the aqueous phase. Nutrients can be added to the aqueous phase to increase activity of the bacteria. The components of the simulant of the invention can be mixed under high shear conditions such as 1,000-12,000 reciprocal minutes. The emulsion based oil simulants can be prepared on-site and can be readily tailored to simulant a wide variety of crude oils under various conditions.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing and reacting compounds in a cyclone reactor (10) is disclosed and described. A liquid carrier can be provided which can include solid catalyst particles, liquid catalysts, and/or liquid reactants. The liquid carrier can be formed into a swirl layer (38) within the cyclone reactor (10). A reactant composition including at least one reactant can also be injected through at least a portion of the swirl layer (38) such that at least a portion of the reactant is converted to a reaction product.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing and reacting compounds in a cyclone reactor is disclosed and described. A liquid carrier can be provided which can include solid catalyst particles, liquid catalysts, and/or liquid reactants. The liquid carrier can be formed into a swirl layer within the reactor. A reactant composition including at least one reactant can also be injected through at least a portion of the swirl layer such that at least a portion of the reactant is converted to a reaction product. The cyclone reactor allows for improved contact of reactants and catalyst, with fine temperature control, thus increasing reaction yields and selectivity.

Abstract: A crude oil simulant is disclosed that is an emulsion of an organic continuous phase, an aqueous dispersed phase, and an emulsifier. To enhance the biodegradability rate of the simulant various strains of bacteria can be added to the aqueous phase. Nutrients can be added to the aqueous phase to increase activity of the bacteria. The components of the simulant of the invention can be mixed under high shear conditions such as 1,000-12,000 reciprocal minutes. The emulsion based oil simulants can be prepared on-site and can be readily tailored to simulant a wide variety of crude oils under various conditions.

Abstract: A process for recovering bitumen from tar sands wherein the tar sands are pretreated with a diluent, such as kerosene in the preferred embodiment, to lower the viscosity of the bitumen such that it is in the range of about 5 to about 20 poise at the digestion temperature. The tar sands are then digested at a temperature in the range of about 45.degree. C. to about 60.degree. C. and at a pH of about 7.8 to about 8.6. The tar sands are then transferred to a flotation cell where the bitumen-rich concentrate is separated from the sand.