Abstract: An improved device is provided for generating controlled formation and collapse of cavitation bubbles in a fluid. The device includes a rotor having a plurality of bore holes and a stator having a plurality of bore holes. Fluid flows into the device and passes through a space between the stator and rotor to expose the fluid to the bore holes of each component. The rotor can be rotated relative to the stator to pass the rotor bore holes across the openings of the stator bore holes to generate and collapse cavitation bubbles in the stator bore holes. The rotor bore holes may have the same diameter as the stator bore holes and the rotor bore holes preferably have depth equal to or less than the depth of the stator bore holes.

Abstract: A multi-stage homogenization method for degumming triglyceride oil is used to increase oil yield and reduce impurities. Two high-pressure homogenizers are used in series. The homogenizers have multiple flow constrictions to finely disperse reagents in the oil while simultaneously suppressing cavitation in the fluid. A separation step can be used to remove the phosphatides and other impurities from the treated oil to form a purified oil product.

Abstract: An improved process for dispersing filler particles in a resin composition is disclosed. The filler particles, for instance electrically conductive or metal particles, are mixed with a resin material or blend of materials including a resin material to form a mixture that is subjected to an acceleration force. The acceleration force can be generated by passing the mixture through a static nozzle having particular dimensions to generate an acceleration of the mixture in the nozzle in excess of 400,000 m/sec2. The treated particles become uniformly dispersed in the resin composition and a reduction in average particle size of the filler material can be achieved.

Abstract: Processes and systems are provided for effectively degumming vegetable oils with the use of an acid and base pretreated mixture of vegetable oil. The pretreated mixture is subjected to compression and one or more intervals of explosive decompression of the compressed mixture to form a degummed vegetable oil. Also provided are compression and decompression rates and conditions that can be used to effectively degum vegetable oil to achieve reduced levels of phosphorus and metals such as iron, calcium and magnesium.

Abstract: A multi-stage agitation system is used for degumming vegetable oil to increase yield and reduce phosphatides. A high-shear mixing phase, that can include multiple stages, subjects an oil mixed with acid and base to a shear rate of greater than 15,000 s?1 to form a neutralized oil mixture. A low-shear mixing phase is further used to disperse water into the neutralized oil mixture. A separation step can be used to remove the phosphatides from the treated oil to form a degummed oil product.

Abstract: A process for upgrading hydrocarbon oil including mixing hydrocarbon oil with hydrogen gas and heating the hydrogen-enriched hydrocarbon oil before passing the oil through a cavitation apparatus to induce hydrotreating. Hydrotreating is achieved by hydrodynamically generating hydrogen-filled cavitation bubbles and collapsing the bubbles in the hydrocarbon oil under static pressure. The hydrotreating process can increase the API gravity of the hydrocarbon oil and reduce the viscosity of the hydrocarbon oil.

Abstract: A reactor is used for degumming vegetable oil to increase yield and reduce phosphatides. The reactor includes an annular obstruction with multiple circumferential spacers that form ring gaps around a center body having a tapered surface. The circumferential spacers and ring gaps form decompression stages for explosively mixing the oil with degumming agents. Impurities are transferred to the degumming agents and further separation of the components can be carried out to produce a refined oil product.

Abstract: Processes and systems are provided for effectively degumming vegetable oils with the use of an acid and base pretreated mixture of vegetable oil. The pretreated mixture is subjected to compression and one or more intervals of explosive decompression of the compressed mixture to form a degummed vegetable oil. Also provided are compression and decompression rates and conditions that can be used to effectively degum vegetable oil to achieve reduced levels of phosphorus and metals such as iron, calcium and magnesium.

Abstract: Described herein are method for conducting sonochemical reactions and processes in a liquid. The liquid is passed through a device that generates a liquid jet containing cavitation bubbles and collides the liquid jet with an impact body or other liquid jet to force the collapse of the cavitation bubbles at a select compressive stagnation pressure. The compressive stagnation pressure of the liquid is between 50 and 99 percent of the static pressure of the liquid upon entry of a constriction that generates the liquid jet containing cavitation bubbles.

Abstract: A process for increasing alcohol yield from grain that includes adding cellulase enzymes or a mixture of cellulase enzymes to break down cellulostic feedstock, which is typically discarded. The cellulase enzymes or a mixture of cellulase enzymes may be added to a conventional alcohol production process either through a joint or separate fermentation process.

Abstract: Described herein are processes for increasing biogas yield and reducing volatile solids in biosolids sludge. The biosolids sludge is passed through a controlled flow, hydrodynamic cavitation apparatus and further subjected to anaerobic digestion. The biosolids sludge can be treated with hydrodynamic cavitation prior to or after the sludge is exposed to a thermal hydrolysis step to hydrolyze the sludge.

Abstract: A multi-stage reactor system for preparing biodiesel is used to increase efficiency and yield and reduce impurities. A three-stage transesterification reaction for preparing biodiesel can include one high-shear cavitation reactor and two low-shear cavitation reactors, preferably in series, and optionally one or more separation vessels for removing waste and recycling triglyceride feedstock, catalyst and alcohol to the high-shear cavitation reactor.

Abstract: A process for increasing oil yield from grain that includes passing a grain-based liquid stream of an alcohol production process through a cavitation apparatus to apply cavitational energy to the grain-based liquid stream, wherein the cavitational energy is applied to the grain-based liquid stream prior to a distillation phase of the alcohol production process.

Abstract: A process for preparing biodiesel having improved filterability characteristics including inducing transesterification of a triglyceride feedstock with cavitation to form an intermediate reaction product. Glycerol by product is separated from the intermediate reaction product before finishing the transesterification reaction in a pressurized reaction tank to yield a biodiesel reaction product. The biodiesel reaction product can be further purified by removing glycerol.

Abstract: A process for increasing alcohol yield from grain that includes adding cellulase enzymes or a mixture of cellulase enzymes to break down cellulostic feedstock, which is typically discarded. The cellulase enzymes or a mixture of cellulase enzymes may be added to a conventional alcohol production process either through a joint or separate fermentation process.

Abstract: A process for increasing ethanol yield from grain that includes mixing grain, water and cavitated enzymes to form a grain-based liquid medium wherein the cavitated enzymes have increased activity and promote increased ethanol yield form the grain. The enzymes are passed individually through a cavitation apparatus at a velocity and pressure capable of generating a cavitation activation energy of at least 0.4 kJ per kilogram of liquid medium to enhance enzyme activity and increase ethanol yield.

Abstract: A process for treating hydrocarbon oil including passing heated oil through a cavitation apparatus to statically induce cavitation treatment of the oil. The oil is passed through the cavitation apparatus in the absence on non-hydrocarbon oil substances such as hydrogen, water or other organic materials and solvents. The cavitation treatment process can increase the API gravity of the hydrocarbon oil and reduce the viscosity of the hydrocarbon oil.

Abstract: A process for upgrading hydrocarbon oil including mixing hydrocarbon oil with hydrogen gas and heating the hydrogen-enriched hydrocarbon oil before passing the oil through a cavitation apparatus to induce hydrotreating. Hydrotreating is achieved by hydrodynamically generating hydrogen-filled cavitation bubbles and collapsing the bubbles in the hydrocarbon oil under static pressure. The hydrotreating process can increase the API gravity of the hydrocarbon oil and reduce the viscosity of the hydrocarbon oil.

Abstract: A multi-stage reactor system for preparing biodiesel is used to increase efficiency and yield and reduce impurities. A three-stage transesterification reaction for preparing biodiesel can include one high-shear cavitation reactor and two low-shear cavitation reactors, preferably in series, and optionally one or more separation vessels for removing waste and recycling triglyceride feedstock, catalyst and alcohol to the high-shear cavitation reactor.

Abstract: A method comprising applying a controlled flow cavitation apparatus to an alcohol production process in order to increase alcohol yield. A grain-based liquid medium comprising grain and a liquid carrier can be passed through a controlled flow cavitation apparatus at a velocity capable of generating a hydrodynamic cavitation zone where the grain size can be reduced. One or more controlled flow cavitation apparatuses can be applied at various points of an alcohol production process, such as a starch-to-ethanol production process.