Abstract: A char containing less than 5% volatile matter is produced by pryolyzing shredded scrap vehicle tires and other rubber scrap material in an externally heated retort until the rubber is completely decomposed and until the temperature of the gases produced by the pyrolysis process reaches at least 500° C. The char is then subjected to resonance disintegration of an intensity sufficient to produce an unltrafine, particulate carbon product. In a preferred embodiment, essentially 100% of the individual carbon product particles are smaller than about 8 microns, and that product displays a dispersion coefficient in rubber of greater than 87%. The surface properties of the carbon product particles may be further modified by reacting or coating the carbon with chemical compounds or coating agents during or immediately after the resonance disintegration to tailor the properties of the carbon product to its use.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the disintegration and tribochemical activation of especially inorganic materials having a crystalline structure, wherein the starting materials are comminuted (disintegrated) to a particle size of less than 1 ?m by the effect of impacting pressure fronts at a pulse duration of less that 10 ?s and a sequence frequency of more than 8 kHz. A conglomerate of activated mixed crystals is then obtained. Said conglomerate has an increased aptitude for the formation of modified crystals when water is added. The duration of the effect of the impacting pressure fronts continues until the crystal lattice structure of the particles (30) is destroyed. A device for the disintegration and tribochemical activation of said materials is based on rotating disks whereon molded bodies with aerodynamical profiles are arranged, said molded bodies being continuously displaced in a transonic speed range and impacting pressure fronts being produced on the outflow surfaces thereof.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method and apparatus for breaking mineral particles comprising suspending the particles in a liquid flowing in a conduction path, the liquid comprising a dielectric constant higher than the particles and wherein an electric voltage pulse is sent to electrodes to pass an electric field in the mineral particles with sufficient stress to fracture the mineral particles.

Abstract: A combined process for the conversion of solid starting particles into solid intermediate particles and reducing the median diameter of the intermediate particles to obtain product particles. This process involves flowing a suspension of starting particles through a series of at least two conversion vessels, thereby converting at least part of the starting particles into intermediate particles, adding a supercritical fluid to one or more of the conversion vessels, thereby forming a supercritical suspension, and releasing pressure from the supercritical suspension, thereby expanding the suspension and converting the intermediate particles into product particles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing solid or semi-solid material from within a container, for example removing an energetic material from the casing of an explosive shell. The method is applicable to the demilitarization of aged or obsolete explosive ordnance, for example mortar rounds, and uses ultrasonic energy rather than heat like previous methods. An item to be demilitarized and cleaned is immersed in a fluid contained within a vessel. An ultrasonic probe or wand is inserted into the submerged item, in proximity with the material to be removed. The fluid is the medium for transmitting sonic energy from the probe to the material to fracture and mobilize the material. Mobilized particulates are expelled from the casing, and settle to the bottom of the fluid vessel for collection. At the conclusion of the process, the emptied container shell, now relatively clean, is retrieved from the vessel and salvaged as desired.

Abstract: A method of producing a medicinal nanoparticle suspension is provided, wherein a medicinal ingredient added in a suspending solution is ground to form nanoparticles of the medicinal ingredient by irradiating the suspending solution with a laser. The process is implemented after adding a poorly water-soluble or water-insoluble medicinal ingredient of a drug in a poor solvent to form the suspending solution.

Abstract: A venturi receives incoming material through an inlet tube and subjects the material to pulverization. The material, as it undergoes pulverization, is further subject to moisture extraction and drying. An airflow generator, coupled to the venturi, generates a high speed airflow to pull the material through the venturi and into an inlet aperture in the airflow generator. The airflow generator directs the received pulverized material to an outlet where the material may be subsequently separated from the air.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fullerene suspension and a method for producing a fullerene suspension having high dispersion stability without any chemical compound. Also, the fullerene suspension and its producing method makes it possible to be applied in various fields including the field of medical and pharmaceutical science and the field of foods and environment, in which the fullerene suspension obtained by the prior methods had not been applied. The fullerene is ground to form nanoparticles by irradiating a fullerene in a poor solvent with a laser. The pulse laser having a width of several-ten femtoseconds to several-hundred nanoseconds is appropriately applied.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and method for processing solid waste products. The invention features periodic removal of water preferably while the contents are under pressure. The apparatus comprises a rotatably mounted cylindrical vessel having a first end, a second end and an interior surface, at least one end terminating in a hatch that may be opened to allow access to the interior of the vessel and sealably closed to allow pressurization of the vessel; a steam inlet for injecting stem disposed at one or both ends; and one or more valves for exhausting water periodically as the waste mass is being processed.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method and apparatus for breaking mineral particles comprising suspending the particles in a liquid flowing in a column, the liquid comprising a dielectric constant higher than the particles and wherein an electric voltage pulse is sent to electrodes to pass an electric field in the mineral particles with sufficient stress to fracture the mineral particles.

Abstract: A venturi receives incoming material through an inlet tube and subjects the material to pulverization. The material, as it undergoes pulverization, is further subject to moisture extraction and drying. An airflow generator, coupled to the venturi, generates a high speed airflow to pull the material through the venturi and into an inlet aperture in the airflow generator. The airflow generator directs the received pulverized material to an outlet where the material may be subsequently separated from the air.

Abstract: Polysaccharide is wet pulverized by ejecting a liquid dispersion of polysaccharide from a pair of nozzles under a high pressure of 70 to 250 MPa to form a pair of jets so that the jets collide against each other. The nozzles are oriented to define a collision angle of 95-178° and the number of pulverizing cycles is adjusted such that the polysaccharide is pulverized to an average particle length which is equal to or less than ¼ of the initial average particle length while undergoing a reduction in degree of polymerization of less than 10%.

Abstract: A method and device that comminutes particulate organic substances in suspensions of microorganisms in mediums such as wastewaters or sludges of biological sewage treatment plants, whereby the organic substances are subjected to inertial forces in an active chamber as a result of short-term acceleration, immediately followed by deceleration of a carrier medium flowing in a closed flow channel. To generate these inertial forces, the carrier medium is evaporated and subsequently condensed in the active chamber, whereby this change in the carrier medium's aggregate state is achieved by changing the flow speed. Because of the enormous increase of the liquid phase volume upon its transition into the vapor state, the flow speed of the medium concomitantly increases. As a result, extreme acceleration forces are exerted on the loading of the liquid phase, which immediately after condensation of the vapor into the liquid phase revert back into deceleration forces.

Abstract: In a process reactor and a method for the electro-dynamic fragmentation of lumpy mineral materials by pulsed high voltage discharges, including a reaction chamber with a funnel-like bottom having a central outlet, an axially movable high-voltage electrode extending from the top into the reaction chamber and having a front end disposed opposite the central outlet where another electrode which is at an electric reference potential is disposed, the outlet converges into a tailback tube below which a transport unit for the controlled removal of the processed fragmented material sinking down through the tailback tube is disposed, a material supply arrangement extends to an opening in the wall of the reaction chamber and a material flow blocking structure is disposed in the reaction in front of the material inlet opening for controlling the material admission to, and the fill level in, the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A process for preparing ground resin particles is provided by modifying a jet mill with opposed fluidized bed. By using a jet mill having a plurality of jet nozzles disposed at predetermined positions in a barrel of a grinding chamber toward the injection point of the grinding chamber and a bottom wall having a flat surface in part or in whole, parallel to the jet nozzles, or having a conical projection immediately below the injection point, resin particles to be ground are jetted with or without water, thereby being ground to obtain ground resin particles of an intended particle size.

Abstract: This is a method for working and processing different materials, mainly elastomers, in different manufacturing processes. Moving cutting tools act upon the material to create ultrasonic-frequency oscillations of the material in a working zone. The power of the drive units is set at no less than 100–300 kW. The revolution speed of the tool is set in the range of 3,000–12,000 rev/min. The quantity of cutting edges for the tool is selected according to the relation ?×n is less than 800, where ? is equal to the angular velocity of the tool and n is equal to the number of cutting edges of tool. The attach angles of the tool are set in the range of 85–95 degrees. Separate particles of material embedded to the cutting portion of the tool are removed using a fluid flow containing gas and/or liquid. The effect is an enhanced efficiency of method, increased disposition degree and uniformity of ready product structures.

Abstract: A method for treating vulcanized rubber, the method including the steps of (i) providing an aqueous stream that includes vulcanized rubber particles suspended in water, (ii) feeding the aqueous stream to the top of a hydraulic downdraft column, (iii) conducting the aqueous stream to the bottom of the hydraulic downdraft column, (iv) conducting the aqueous stream into an ultrasonic treatment zone, (v) subjecting the aqueous stream to ultrasonic energy and, (vi) conducting the aqueous stream up a hydraulic updraft column.

Abstract: In a method for the computer-based process control of a fragmentation apparatus having an energy storage device which is discharged via a spark gap to a load consisting of fragmentation goods submerged in a process liquid and disposed in a space between two electrodes which is filled with a process liquid, electrical operating parameters are determined during at least one discharge of the spark gap, whereby, in the space between the electrodes, a discharge channel is formed, and the point in time TD when such a discharge channel is formed and the electric resistance RE of the discharge channel are used as control values for controlling the fragmentation apparatus.

Abstract: A venturi receives incoming material through an inlet tube and subjects the material to pulverization. The material, as it undergoes pulverization, is further subject to moisture extraction and drying. An airflow generator, coupled to the venturi, generates a high speed airflow to pull the material through the venturi and into an inlet aperture in the airflow generator. The airflow generator directs the received pulverized material to an outlet where the material may be subsequently separated from the air. An acoustic emission sensor receives the resonant frequencies generated by material passing through the airflow generator. The resonant frequencies reflect a material flow rate that is adjusted to avoid an overload situation. An automatic balancer system couples to an axel rotating the airflow generator to provide balance, improve efficiency, and eliminate cavitation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for comminuting particles. The apparatus comprises at least one tube for collecting a given amount of particles, the particles forming a plug inside the tube. The apparatus further comprises at least one pressure pulse unit for generating pressure pulses, in which context the plug, subjected to a pressure pulse, is propelled from an exit aperture of the tube to hit a baffle located downstream of the tube and comprising apertures. Finally, the apparatus comprises a collection chamber following on to the baffle, in which the particles, comminuted by the impact against the baffle and passing through the apertures, are collected.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for modifying the surface of a polymer powder utilizes a rotational ultrasonic treatment that pulverizes polymer materials, such as rubber, waste rubber, and plastics, and modifies the surface, so that the polymer materials can be recycled more efficiently. A hopper feeds the pulverized polymer powder. A rotor which is linked to the bottom of the hopper as an integrated body, is linked to a driving mechanism through a power transfer device, and rotates drive. A rotating disk is linked to the bottom of the rotor as an integrated body, and is provided with a downsloped plane. A shaft extends through the hopper, the rotor, and the rotating disk, and discharges the polymer powder fed from the hopper out of the bottom of the rotating disk. An ultrasonic vibrator is positioned at the bottom of the rotating disk, and modifies the polymer powder fed by the shaft using ultrasonic waves.

Abstract: A venturi receives incoming material through an inlet tube and subjects the material to pulverization. The material, as it undergoes pulverization, is further subject to moisture extraction and drying. An airflow generator, coupled to the venturi, generates a high speed airflow to pull the material through the venturi and into an inlet aperture in the airflow generator. The airflow generator directs the received pulverized material to an outlet where the material may be subsequently separated from the air.

Abstract: A venturi receives incoming material through an inlet tube and subjects the material to pulverization. The material, as it undergoes pulverization, is further subject to moisture extraction and drying. An airflow generator, coupled to the venturi, generates a high speed airflow to pull the material through the venturi and into an inlet aperture in the airflow generator. The airflow generator directs the received pulverized material to an outlet where the material may be subsequently separated from the air. An acoustic emission sensor receives the resonant frequencies generated by material passing through the airflow generator. The resonant frequencies reflect a material flow rate that is adjusted to avoid an overload situation. An automatic balancer system couples to an axel rotating the airflow generator to provide balance, improve efficiency, and eliminate cavitation.

Abstract: An apparatus for disintegrating waste matter preferably comprising a holding area for holding waste matter; and a fluid delivery mechanism for applying high pressure fluid to the holding area, wherein the high pressure fluid disintegrates the waste matter and applies a force sufficient to hydromechanically sever the waste matter. The holding area preferably includes a container bin having a bottom surface and an outer wall. Alternatively, the apparatus is a hand held device. An outlet port coupled to the bottom surface, wherein the disintegrated waste material exits the container bin via the outlet port. A fluid source coupled to the fluid delivery mechanism. The fluid delivery mechanism comprises at least one nozzle for applying a stream of highly pressurized fluid to the waste. The nozzle preferably includes a zero degree nozzle tip The fluid delivery mechanism comprises a column or a disk manifold, wherein the nozzle extends therefrom.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for treating tyres, belts, inflatable boats, boots and other manufactured articles containing rubber, polymers and reinforcing elements, which is a close circuit system consisting in immersing the waste materials to be treated in a hot alkaline hydroxide bath, followed by neutralization of the resulting materials with a weak mineral acid solution for industrial re-use of said materials.

Abstract: An apparatus for subjecting a rare earth alloy block to a hydrogenation process includes a casing, gas inlet and outlet ports, a member arranged to produce a gaseous flow, and a windbreak plate. The casing defines an inner space for receiving a container. The container includes an upper opening and stores the rare earth alloy block therein. A hydrogen gas and an inert gas are introduced into the inner space through the gas inlet port, and are exhausted from the inner space through the gas outlet port. The gaseous flow is produced by a fan, for example, in the inner space. The windbreak plate is disposed upstream with respect to the gaseous flow that has been produced inside the inner space. Also, the windbreak plate reduces a flow rate of the gaseous flow that has been produced near the upper opening of the container.

Abstract: Methods for changing the surface area of nanomaterials to improve properties, processing and product manufacturing. These methods are useful for oxides, nitrides, carbides, borides, metals, alloys, chalcogenides, and other compositions.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of disintegrating or reducing the particle size of elemental materials, such as various forms of carbon, and organic crystals that contain minerals and that do not contain minerals. The method include the steps of entraining the material in a gas flow through an inlet of a housing, subjecting the flowing material to a plurality of alternating pressure increases and decreases within the housing, disintegrating the flowing material with the pressure increases and decreases, thereby reducing the mean particle size of the material, and discharging the disintegrated material though an outlet of the housing.

Abstract: A process of selectively removing layers of a thermal barrier coating system from a surface of a component. A thermal barrier coating system of interest comprises an inner metallic bond coat layer, an outer metallic bond coat layer that is less dense than the inner metallic bond coat layer, and a ceramic topcoat having vertical cracks therethrough. The process involves directing a jet of liquid at the component to simultaneously remove the topcoat and the outer metallic bond coat layer without removing the inner metallic bond coat layer.

Abstract: A method and device for performing lysing on a cell-containing fluid, in which the fluid flows through a vibrating micromachined tube to physically rupture the cell walls (mechanical lysis), and/or to mix, agitate or homogenize the fluid during chemical lysis, and/or to mix, agitate or homogenize the lysate for analysis or other processing after lysing. The tube includes a freestanding portion spaced apart from a surface of a substrate on which the tube is formed. The device further includes means for vibrating the freestanding portion of the tube at a level sufficient to rupture the walls of cells in a fluid flowing through the freestanding portion (for mechanical lysing) or to mix the fluid and a chemical lysing additive within the freestanding portion (for chemical lysing).

Abstract: Porous ceramic particles can be fragmented by generating a gas inside the pores at a sufficient pressure to cause the particles to be fragmented. The preferred way of generating the pressure is by immersing the particles in a liquid that at ambient temperatures and pressures is a gas until the liquid is absorbed into the pores and thereafter rapidly changing the conditions such that the liquid becomes a gas resulting in explosive fragmentation of the ceramic particles.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mincing a gel includes a gel mincing tube and a mesh material. The mesh material extends across the end of the tube. To subdivide a gel using the mincing apparatus, a gel is placed upon the mesh material in the mincing tube, the mincing tube, mesh material and the gel are spun in a centrifuge, forcing the gel through the mesh material so that the gel is subdivided into generally uniform smaller fragments. The mesh material may be secured to a tube in the form of a nesting tube. The nesting tube nests within the opening of a recovery vessel. The mesh material may be placed in series with a conditionally porous membrane in the nesting tube. Centrifuging the nesting tube and the recovery vessel subdivides gel material into fragments by forcing the gel through the mesh material. The gel subsequently falls upon the membrane, and may be treated on the membrane to extract or otherwise treat analytes in the gel material.

Abstract: A method of fracturing or breaking rock includes the step of directing high intensity white light (radiation) at the rock to induce thermal stress sufficient to fracture the rock. The intensity of the energy source may be varied to control the manner in which the rock fractures. An approach for generating high intensity white light includes an elongate arc chamber and an elongate concave reflector. The arc chamber and reflector may be shielded from airborne particulate matter by an air shield or a rotating or reciprocating translucent shield.

Abstract: A method for processing polycrystalline silicon workpieces to form size distributions of polycrystalline silicon pieces suitable for use in a Czochralski-type process includes: (1) preparing a polycrystalline silicon workpiece by a chemical vapor deposition process; (2) fracturing the polycrystalline silicon workpiece into a mixture of polycrystalline silicon pieces, where the polycrystalline silicon pieces have varying sizes; and (3) sorting the mixture of polycrystalline silicon pieces into at least two size distributions. Step (2) may be carried out by a thermal shock process. Step (3) may be carried out using a rotary indent classifier.

Abstract: Methods for changing the surface area of nanomaterials to improve properties, processing and product manufacturing. These methods are useful for oxides, nitrides, carbides, borides, metals, alloys, chalcogenides, and other compositions.

Abstract: A process of selectively removing layers of a thermal barrier coating system from a surface of a component. A thermal barrier coating system of interest comprises an inner metallic bond coat layer, an outer metallic bond coat layer that is less dense than the inner metallic bond coat layer, and a ceramic topcoat having vertical cracks therethrough. The process involves directing a jet of liquid at the component to simultaneously remove the topcoat and the outer metallic bond coat layer without removing the inner metallic bond coat layer.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for modifying the surface of a polymer powder utilizes a rotational ultrasonic treatment that pulverizes polymer materials, such as rubber, waste rubber, and plastics, and modifies the surface, so that the polymer materials can be recycled more efficiently. A hopper feeds the pulverized polymer powder. A rotor which is linked to the bottom of the hopper as an integrated body, is linked to a driving mechanism through a power transfer device, and rotates drive. A rotating disk is linked to the bottom of the rotor as an integrated body, and is provided with a downsloped plane. A shaft extends through the hopper, the rotor, and the rotating disk, and discharges the polymer powder fed from the hopper out of the bottom of the rotating disk. An ultrasonic vibrator is positioned at the bottom of the rotating disk, and modifies the polymer powder fed by the shaft using ultrasonic waves.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tool for disintegrating coke, having a housing attached to a drill stem in operation, and at which or in which at least one nozzle for cutting and a nozzle for drilling of coke and at least one valve for closing and opening the nozzles is arranged, wherein said tool is adapted to have two different operating states and wherein said at least one valve closes off said cutting nozzles in the drilling operating state, while the drilling nozzles are closed off by said at least one valve in the cutting operating state, and wherein said housing, said valve and said nozzles are adapted so that water may flow unhindered from said drill stem through said housing and said valve and through the nozzles not closed off by said valve, characterized in that the nozzles to be closed, depending on each chosen operating state, are closed off by the balls of a ball valve. The invention further relates to a tool, wherein the arrangement for operating the valve is arranged above the nozzles.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a method of producing pigment dispersions which can be suitably used in the fields where higher levels of coloring manifesting ability and fluidity are required, such as in ink jet recording liquids or color filter coloring compositions, and in which pigments are dispersed to such a finer particle size that renders them applicable in the field of printing inks or the like as well and, further, which show very good pigment dispersion stability even after the lapse of time.

Abstract: A method of destroying signals stored on a compact disk includes the step of destroying a Start Lead In (SLD) area on a compact disk to ruin lead-in signals recorded on the SLD, such that all other data stored on the compact disk cannot be read. Undesirable disclosure of the data stored on the compact disk is effectively prevented when the compact disk is discarded after the SLD is destroyed.

Abstract: An apparatus for disrupting cells or viruses comprises a container having a chamber for holding the cells or viruses. The container includes at least one flexible wall defining the chamber. The apparatus also includes a transducer for impacting an external surface of the flexible wall to generate pressure waves in the chamber. The apparatus also includes a pressure source for increasing the pressure in the chamber. The pressurization of the chamber ensures effective coupling between the transducer and the flexible wall. The apparatus may also include beads in the chamber for rupturing the cells or viruses.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method of dispersing solid forms of drugs or medications reliably and consistently may generally employ ultrasonic energy. The disclosed embodiments facilitate preparation of a liquid dose from solid medications for administration to a patient.

Abstract: A dual nozzle hydro-demolition system is mounted on a robot vehicle having a tower, with the robot vehicle and tower permitting the device to be positioned in any desired location on a vertical wall surface. The robot vehicle includes a plurality of tires and a motive power system allowing it to be moved to a desired location. Bearing pads are mounted on jacks allowing the tires of the robot vehicle to be elevated slightly off the ground to preclude undesired movements. A carriage is slidably mounted on a beam and carries dual nozzles, each of which is connected to a supply of high pressure water via a heavy duty hose. The nozzles are rotated using a hydraulic motor. A coupling is provided within the flow circuit from the source of water to the nozzle allowing a conduit adjacent the nozzle to rotate with respect to a conduit receiving water from the source thereof, so that each nozzle can be rotated without any water leakage.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of disintegrating or reducing the particle size of elemental materials, such as various forms of carbon, and organic crystals that contain minerals and that do not contain minerals. The method include the steps of entraining the material in a gas flow through an inlet of a housing, subjecting the flowing material to a plurality of alternating pressure increases and decreases within the housing, disintegrating the flowing material with the pressure increases and decreases, thereby reducing the mean particle size of the material, and discharging the disintegrated material though an outlet of the housing.

Abstract: A method of accelerated remediation or bioremediation of contaminated material such as manure-contaminated material is provided comprising generating a treated contaminated material entraining air stream at a velocity sufficient for entraining the contaminated material therein. The contaminated material is entrained in the air stream and is then microenfractionated to form a microenfractionated contaminated material. Finally, the microenfractionated contaminated material is treated with a least one chemical amendment and/or one biological amendment thereby facilitating the accelerated remediation or bioremediation. The chemical amendment can comprise either a chemical oxidizing agent, a chelating agent, or a metallic reducing agent. The preferred metallic reducing agents are zero valent iron, zero valent zinc, zero valent tin, zero valent manganese and zero valent aluminum.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mincing a gel includes a gel mincing tube and a mesh material. The mesh material extends across the end of the tube. To subdivide a gel using the mincing apparatus, a gel is placed upon the mesh material in the mincing tube, the mincing tube, mesh material and the gel are spun in a centrifuge, forcing the gel through the mesh material so that the gel is subdivided into generally uniform smaller fragments. The mesh material may be secured to a tube in the form of a nesting tube. The nesting tube nests within the opening of a recovery vessel. The mesh material may be placed in series with a conditionally porous membrane in the nesting tube. Centrifuging the nesting tube and the recovery vessel subdivides gel material into fragments by forcing the gel through the mesh material. The gel subsequently falls upon the membrane, and may be treated on the membrane to extract or otherwise treat analytes in the gel material.

Abstract: A method of separating at least one polymer from a mixture of polymers. The method includes adjusting the temperature of the mixture, either by heating or cooling, to bring the temperature to a temperature at which decombination of the polymer mixture occurs. Mechanical energy is also imparted to the mixture, before, during or after temperature adjustment. The temperature adjustment and application of mechanical energy enable at least one polymer to be separated from the other polymers in the mixture.

Abstract: An apparatus for disrupting cells or viruses comprises a container having a chamber for holding the cells or viruses. The chamber is defined by at least one wall having an external surface for contacting a transducer device. The transducer device has a vibrating surface for contacting the wall and for vibrating at an operating frequency and amplitude sufficient to generate pressure waves or pressure pulses in the chamber. The transducer device is coupled to the wall with a preload force sufficient to create a stress within the wall. The natural frequency of the wall, when the wall is stressed by the preload force, is equal to the operating frequency of the transducer device or differs from the operating frequency by less than 50% of the operating frequency.

Abstract: Methods for making hydrogen storage tanks may include disposing a substantially solid block of hydrogen-absorbing alloy within an activation vessel. Hydrogen gas may then be introduced into the activation vessel under conditions that will cause the hydrogen-absorbing alloy to absorb hydrogen and crack or break apart. Preferably, a substantially powdered hydrogen-absorbing alloy is formed thereby. Thereafter, the substantially powdered hydrogen-absorbing alloy can be transferred from the activation vessel to a hydrogen storage tank without substantially exposing the powered hydrogen-absorbing alloy to oxygen. The hydrogen-absorbing alloy is preferably ingot-shaped when introduced into the activation vessel. Further, the substantially powdered hydrogen-absorbing alloy is preferably produced by continuously breaking the ingot-shaped hydrogen-absorbing alloy within the activation vessel due to volume expansion caused by the hydrogen-absorbing alloy having absorbed hydrogen.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of disintegrating or reducing the particle size of elemental materials, such as various forms of carbon, and organic crystals that contain minerals and that do not contain minerals. The method include the steps of entraining the material in a gas flow through an inlet of a housing, subjecting the flowing material to a plurality of alternating pressure increases and decreases within the housing, disintegrating the flowing material with the pressure increases and decreases, thereby reducing the mean particle size of the material, and discharging the disintegrated material though an outlet of the housing.