Abstract: The present invention relates to an antibubble generator and a preparation method. The antibubble preparation method includes: generating a jet flow or droplets in a discrete phase from a first fluid through a gas phase; and under the action of an external force, the jet flow or droplets passing through a liquid membrane and moving towards a second fluid in a continuous phase, to form antibubbles. The present invention can generate a large number of antibubbles in a simple and convenient way, and can meet the needs of large-scale industrial applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the extraction of analyte compounds from a sample comprising one or more analytes in a donor phase into an acceptor phase, comprising the steps of: a) providing an electrically conductive donor phase comprising the compounds in a first electrically conductive solvent or solvent blend, and an electrode arranged in electrically conductive contact with the donor phase, b) providing an electrically conductive acceptor phase in electrically conductive contact with a second electrode; and c) providing an insulator phase in fluid communication with at least one of the donor phase and the acceptor phase, wherein the insulator phase is immiscible with the donor phase and/or the acceptor phase, and d) (d) applying an electrical field between the first and the second electrode.

Abstract: A low energy water treatment system and method is provided. The system has at least one electrodialysis device that produces partially treated water and a brine byproduct, a softener, and at least one electrodeionization device. The partially treated water stream can be softened by the softener to reduce the likelihood of scale formation and to reduce energy consumption in the electrodeionization device, which produces water having target properties. At least a portion of the energy used by the electrodeionization device can be generated by concentration differences between the brine and seawater streams introduced into compartments thereof. The brine stream can also be used to regenerate the softener.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of redistributing magnetically responsive beads in a droplet. The method may include conducting on a droplet operations surface one or more droplet operations using the droplet without removing the magnetically responsive beads from the region of the magnetic field. The droplet operations may in some cases be electrode-mediated. The droplet operations may redistribute and/or circulate the magnetically responsive beads within the droplet. In some cases, the droplet may include a sample droplet may include a target analyte. The redistributing of the magnetically responsive beads may cause target analyte to bind to the magnetically responsive beads. In some cases, the droplet may include unbound substances in a wash buffer. The redistributing of the magnetically responsive beads causes unbound substances to be freed from interstices of an aggregated set or subset of the magnetically responsive beads.

Abstract: A carbon based material produced from the consolidation of amorphous carbon by elevated temperature compression. The material having unique chemical and physical characteristics that lend themselves to a broad range of applications such as in electrical, electrochemical and structural fields.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for electrophoretic and electro-osmotic densification, decontamination and dewatering of suspensions includes the use of high electrical capacitance electrodes for capacitive generation of electric fields. Polarity reversals between the capacitor electrodes prevent faradic electrolysis and corrosion reactions at the electrodes, and water wettable, flexible linings for the electrodes, having drainage and filtering capabilities, can also be used as interceptor drains positioned adjacent and in full electric contact with the electrodes, as well as within the suspension as flow path dividers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for purifying a slurry comprising cellulose, such as microfibrillated cellulose, wherein the process comprises the following steps: —providing a slurry comprising cellulose and liquid, —subjecting the slurry to an electric field inducing the liquid of the slurry to flow, —separating the liquid from the cellulose thus obtaining a liquid depleted slurry, —adding a washing liquid, such as an organic solvent, to the liquid depleted slurry—subjecting the liquid depleted slurry to an electric field inducing the washing liquid of the slurry to flow and—separating the washing liquid from the cellulose, thus obtaining a purified cellulose. The invention also relates to cellulose such as microfibrillated cellulose obtainable from said process.

Abstract: There are provided apparatuses for increasing dryness of a substance. The apparatuses comprise at least one module, each of the module(s) comprising at least two electrodes adapted to submit the substance to an electric current. The electrodes are also adapted to compress the substance. There are also provided processes for increasing dryness of a substance.

Abstract: Described herein, is a method of dewatering a slurry, the slurry being tailings from bitumen extraction of mined oil sand. The slurry is passed through at least one electro-kinetic thickener having a voltage gradient to separate water from the slurry to produce a dewatered slurry. The electro-kinetic thickener may comprise an auger to move the slurry downstream. The auger has a conductive component in the form of a wire, ribbon or rod as an anode (positive electrode) to attract negatively-charged slurry particles and to repel the positively-charged cations and associated water. The auger is shafted or shaftless. The electro-kinetic thickener may also comprise a porous drum having the auger disposed therein. The porous drum is a cathode (negative electrode) to repel the negatively-charged slurry particles, attract the positively-charged cations and associated water, and allow the water to pass through the porous drum.

Abstract: An electrolytic method and apparatus for the concentration and collection of suspended particulates from solutions is disclosed. In one embodiment, the solution is an aqueous solution and the suspended particles are algae particles. The electrolytic cell contains at least an anode and a cathode, and in one embodiment contains a plurality of anodes and cathodes. While not bound by theory, the electrolytic method and apparatus is based on the electrophoretic movement of algae particles suspended in an aqueous solution under the influence of an electric field. In one embodiment the electric field is a pulsed wavefrom with unidirectional voltage or current pulses. In another embodiment, the electric field is a pulsed waveform with bidirectional voltage or current pulses.

Abstract: A method of treating an invert emulsion drilling fluid, the method including pumping the drilling fluid to an electrophoresis unit that includes a positively charged electrode and a negatively charged electrode, applying a voltage between 200 V and 5000 V across the two electrodes to deposit water and solids on one of the charged electrodes, and removing deposited solids and water from the collection electrode is disclosed. An apparatus for treating an invert emulsion drilling fluid, the apparatus including a bath, a drum disposed in the bath, a power supply capable of applying a voltage between the housing and the drum in the range of 200 V to 5000 V, a motor coupled to the drum to rotate the drum at a predetermined speed, and a scraper having a first position in which the scraper contacts the rotating drum to remove deposited solids and water and a second position in which the scraper is retained away from the drum is also disclosed.

Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved method of electro-dewatering substances by increasing the efficiency with which water is removed from the substances, thus permitting substances to attain higher dryness levels with the same energy input and surface area, or to attain similar dryness levels with less energy input or less surface area.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing contaminant species from water by electrocoagulation are described. Alternating grounded, rotating, planar circular electrodes and stationary planar electrodes function as a Tesla fluid pump when placed in contact with the contaminated water, causing the water to flow between the rotating and stationary electrodes. An insoluble abrasive material introduced into the water removes scale from the electrodes while the water is pumped thereby. A direct electric current is caused to flow between each pair of rotating and stationary electrodes, thereby producing electrocoagulation of the contaminants in the water flowing therebetween. The electrocoagulated materials may be separated from the treated water by filtration or by permitting the treated water to stand for a chosen period.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method of treating sludges which includes the steps of applying an electric field to the sludge to effect dewatering prior to further dewatering of the sludge. Typically the sludge comprises dilute phase sludge, and the electric field is a DC electric field. The pH of the sludge may be adjusted to between substantially 5 and substantially 6 prior to applying the electric field.

Abstract: A method for performing electrophoretic separation of ionic compounds which involves varying a bulk fluid flow though a separation path into which ionic species are continuously introduced and separated. The method can also include the introduction of a leading electrolyte into the separation path to form an ionic interface with the sample and an optional terminating electrolyte to enrich ionic species for higher detection resolution.

Abstract: A microfluidic apparatus and method for performing electrophoretic separation of compounds. The apparatus comprises: a) A first container for containing a sample fluid; b) a second container for containing a separation buffer fluid; c) a channel of a first length having an inlet end and an outlet end, the inlet end connected to the first container and the outlet end connected to the second container; d) a voltage device electrically connected to the first container and the second container, the voltage device facilitating adjustment of the amount of voltage to the first container and the second container; e) a controller for controlling the velocity flow of the sample fluid through the channel from the first container towards the second container; and f) a measuring device for measuring the current through the channel.

Abstract: A method for refining inorganic short fibers at a high yield rate. In the refining method of inorganic short fibers according to the present invention, an electric field is applied to dielectric liquid in which inorganic short fibers that include impurities are dispersed. The inorganic short fibers to which the electric field is applied are polarized and bonded with each other. The inorganic short fibers in the dielectric liquid are caused to fall. The falling inorganic short fibers are collected separately from the falling impurities utilizing the difference between the falling rate of the bonded inorganic fibers and the falling rate of the impurities.

Abstract: A closed loop biomass energy system includes at least one agricultural facility that produces agricultural waste; a waste processing system operable to convert the waste into biomass; a wastewater treatment system operable to treat wastewater created by the waste processing system and an energy production system operable to utilize the biomass to produce energy and provide the energy to an energy end-user. In one form, the energy is steam and the energy end-user is a biofuel production facility that utilizes the steam to power production of a biofuel. In a further aspect of this form, wastewater created as a byproduct of the biofuel production is transferred to and treated by the wastewater treatment system. However, additional forms, embodiments, features and aspects are contemplated as discussed in further detail in this document.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for treating sludge comprising electrodes including at least one anode and at least one cathode. The electrodes define therebetween a space adapted to receive the sludge so as to submit the sludge disposed within the space to an electric current, thereby dehydrating the sludge and generating an effluent. The apparatus also comprises an inlet for receiving the sludge and an outlet for evacuating the treated sludge. The inlet and the outlet are in communication with the space. The apparatus also comprises compression means for compacting the sludge so as to permit a contact substantially constant between the electrodes and the sludge when the sludge is submitted to the electric current and rotated around a rotation axis. The invention also relates to a process for treating sludge. The invention is useful for treating various types of sludge in order to dehydrate and decontaminate the sludge.

Abstract: A system and method for dewatering particulate materials employs an improved dewatering probe generally including a single non-conducting pipe having a plurality of holes or slots, an anode mounted on the pipe adjacent one end of the pipe, and a cathode mounted on the pipe adjacent the opposite end of the pipe. The pipe serves as both a sonde for mounting the anode and cathode and as a well for extracting water that collects around the outside of the pipe and flows into the interior of the pipe through the holes or slots via gravitational and electro-osmotic forces. A pump may be used to extract both collected water and accumulated electrolytic gases from the pipe's interior. In embodiments, an array of guide electrodes is mounted on the pipe in addition to the anode and the cathode in order to deflect the major current flow out into the body of surrounding particulate materials. The guide electrodes also facilitate rapid depolarization of the probe.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for suppressed ion analysis in which a sample solution of analyte (e.g., anion) in an eluent of electrolyte counterions (e.g., sodium), is chromatographically separated. Then, the counterions are suppressed in a suppression zone and removed and used to convert the analyte ions to salt form in a salt-converting zone. The suppression and salt-converting zones may be contiguous or remote, and may be performed in devices of the membrane suppresser type. Thereafter, the salts or acids or bases formed from them (e.g., in membrane suppressor devices) are detected. Also, salt conversion can be performed using two ion exchange packed bed salt convertors in which one bed is on-line while the other is regenerated, followed by a reversal of flow.

Abstract: Systems and methods for the electronic sample preparation of biological materials utilize the differential charge-to-mass ratio and/or the differential affinity of sample constituents to separation materials for sample preparation. An integrated system is provided for performing some or all of the processes of: receipt of biological materials, cell selection, sample purification, sample concentration, buffer exchange, complexity reduction and/or diagnosis and analysis. In one embodiment, one or more sample chambers adapted to receive a buffer solution are formed adjacent to a spacer region which may include a trap or other affinity material, electrophoretic motion of the materials to be prepared being effected through operation of electrodes. In another aspect of this invention, a transporter or dipstick serves to collect and permit transport of materials, such as nucleic acids, most preferably DNA and/or RNA.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for pressing a material selected from materials of vegetable and animal origin. The process includes the steps of mechanically compressing the material of vegetable or animal origin while simultaneously vibrating the material at an ultrasonic frequency. The ultrasonic frequency going through the material modifies the material's internal state so as to considerably reduce resistance offered by the material to mechanical compression.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an apparatus for concentrating an aqueous PTFE emulsion in which a raw, aqueous PTFE emulsion containing fluorinated surfactants is concentrated by an electrodialysis technique using at least one nonionic surfactant as an anti-flocculation agent and a volatile electrolyte such that the formation of floccules is prevented.

Abstract: A continuous purification method for removing neutral, as well as ionic, contaminants from liquid toner in an electrostatic printing system is disclosed. This method involves circulating liquid toner from a toner supply tank through a common volume which includes the toning applicator. The liquid toner is introduced to solid and ionic contaminants in the common volume and as the toner is circulated back to the toner supply tank for each toning pass, some contaminants and toner are left in the common volume. Next a wash fluid from a wash fluid supply tank is circulated through the common volume after each toning pass, the wash fluid mixing with the toner and the contaminants. This mixture is then passed through an electrophoretic purifier to remove the contaminants. Then the mixture passes through a porous particulate filter to remove any remaining contaminants before it returns back to the wash fluid supply tank.

Abstract: A dewatering process in which a product comprising water and other materials is simultaneously subjected to compressive mechanical forces and electro-osmosis using a belt (12) having a plurality of connected spiral yarns and, at least in part, electrically conductive material thereon.

Abstract: A method of separating soap fibers from the liquid phase component of grease to prepare the fibers for microscopic analysis includes the steps of admixing a sample of the grease with a solvent to remove the liquid phase component from the fibers and provide a final liquid product having the fibers in suspension therein, contacting the final product with a pair of spaced electrodes, applying a direct voltage across the electrodes to charge the same positive and negative respectively, and withdrawing for analysis a small quantity of the final product from a region thereof proximate the negative electrode after the voltage has been applied for a predetermined energization period. The withdrawn quantity may be deposited on a polished carbon stub and further prepared for analysis by a scanning electron microscope.

Abstract: An electrophoretic purifying system employing a gas/bubble filter is described, with the gas/bubble filter disposed in the path of a single phase liquid flow moving toward an electrophoretic purifier. The gas/bubble filter prevents bubbles, having a predetermined diameter, from entering the electrophoretic purifier. A rotating drum electrophoretic purifier is employed in which a rotating drum is in close proximity to a repelling electrode, defining a gap therebetween. The repelling electrode may be shaped as a cylindrical trough which houses an arcuate portion of the drum. Alternatively, the interior surface of the cylindrical trough may comprise of a repelling electrode. The gap is in fluid communication with a fluid outlet of a supply tank containing liquid having contaminants. The gas/bubble filter is disposed proximate to the fluid outlet, and the liquid flows therethrough to be purified.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for removing a charged substance from a conductive fluid by imposing an electrostatic field on the conductive fluid, the charged substance being drawn to and retained by a charged substance receiving member having a core of a conductive material and a outer surface of a non-conductive material.

Abstract: An alkaline, cyanide, aqueous electroplating composition of copper, tin, and zinc includes a small amount of nickel to enhance the inclusion of tin in the copper-tin-zinc plate deposited from the soltion. The plate resists tarnishing by a corrosion test solution, and retains its bright silvery-colored appearance because the plate preferably includes at least about 10.9 atomic wt % tin. The plating method for enhanced tin alloys through nickel additions to the bath is also described.

Abstract: Compositions are described which are useful particularly in improving the electrodeposition of zinc from aqueous alkaline plating baths. In one embodiment, the new composition comprises the reaction product of(A-1) at least one nitrogen-containing heterocyclic compound with(A-2) at least one hydroxyamine;(A-3) an epihalohydrin, glycerolhalohydrin or mixtures thereof; and(A-4) at least one amino compound containing at least one N--H group to form the desired polymeric composition.Aqueous alkaline zinc electroplating baths containing the compositions of the invention with or without cyanide present, deposit a bright and lustrous zinc coating on metal over a wide range of current densities.