Abstract: Methods are disclosed for conditioning biomass. The methods generally include flash dessicating the biomass to reduce a particle size of the biomass; mixing the biomass with a liquid carrier; and exposing the biomass and the liquid carrier to a mechanical hydrodynamic cavitation process. The methods can be employed during ethanol production from grain based feedstock.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to formulations of genistein and methods for making and using the same. In particular embodiments, the formulations described herein include suspension formulations of nanoparticulate genistein.

Abstract: A system for reducing environmental contamination from structure demolition can include a fluid first aqueous composition having an alginic acid or alginate dissolved in water, and a fluid second aqueous composition having a calcium salt dissolved in water. The system can be used in a method for reducing environmental contamination from structure demolition. The method can be conducted by: applying the first aqueous composition to a structure to be demolished; applying the second aqueous composition to the first composition on the structure such that the alginic acid or alginate undergoes gelation into a gel; and demolishing the structure such that the gel captures particles and inhibits environmental contamination from the particles.

Abstract: Disclosed is a feed system for a gasifier including a grinding mechanism capable of grinding a feedstock into particles of desired particle sizes. The particle sizes include solids particles larger than a first threshold size and raw fines particles smaller than a second threshold size. At least one solids separation device is capable of separating the solids particles from the fines particles and at least one solids conduit conveys the solids particles to a gasification plant while the fines particles are also conveyed to the gasification plant. Further disclosed is a method for feeding stock into a gasifier including conveying a feedstock into a grinding mechanism and grinding the feedstock into particles of desired sizes. Solids particles larger than a first threshold size are separated from fines particles smaller than a second threshold size and the solids particles and the fines particles are conveyed toward the gasification plant.

Abstract: A method for the removal of wood pulp and other adhering substances from waste plastics in the recycling of all types of waste plastics, of mixed plastics (MKS) in particular, in which foils and pieces from thicker plastic parts of if necessary pre-sorted waste plastics are mechanically pre-shredded into flakes or particles up to a preset size, wherein oversizes are sorted out, the shredded product is charged into a disc refiner together with water, wherein the proportion of flakes and other particles is at least 10% of the total volume, substances adhering on the flakes are rubbed down by the co-operating discs of the refiner to a large extent, and are then present as separate substances, and the substances rubbed down are separated from the plastic particles by a suitable separation method.

Abstract: A seashell collecting and crushing apparatus includes a collection device having a hollow body and an inlet for introducing seashells into the hollow body. A fan assembly is operable to provide a suction airstream for drawing seashells into the hollow body. A crusher is positioned to receive seashells from an outlet of the collection device and pulverize the seashells received from the collection device into a fine particulate matter releasable through an outlet of the crusher. The fan assembly and the crusher are driven by a common driving arrangement. A method includes using the apparatus for removing seashells from the beach using the suction airstream to introduce seashells through the inlet into the hollow body, separating the seashells entering the hollow body from the suction airstream, pulverizing the seashells into a fine particulate matter using the crusher and exhausting the fine particulate matter through the outlet of the crusher.

Abstract: A mixing system for a fluid tank is described herein, the system having a drive motor, an impeller capable of being submersed, a shroud having a sidewall enclosing the impeller, and a cutter mounted on the shroud and cooperating with a blade of the impeller to cut solids within the shroud. The shroud is open at both an inlet end and a discharge end for drawing in and discharging fluid from the tank. A recess is provided on the internal surface of the shroud, wherein the cutter is adjustably positioned within the recess. Additionally, the cutter is also detachable from the recess so that it may be replaced when worn.

Abstract: An under-sink waste processing appliance includes a waste separator which extracts liquid from organic waste and passes such extracted liquid to a residential drain line. The remaining solid, in the form of organic pulp, is dried in a dryer and deposited in a removable collection receptacle.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the comminuting of natural or synthetic mineral products having a size of 10 nm to 30 mm, which are obtained from the upstream process in pre-comminuted form for example in a roller mill for inter-particle comminution, wherein these solids are further comminuted in a working process initially dry then wetted with liquid and in this liquid are comminuted so as to obtain a suspension that can be pumped, which suspension is subsequently ground to the desired final fineness by means of agitating mills.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for dry milling a material containing a carbonate ore. The method comprises the following steps: (a) dry milling the material in at least one milling unit: (i) in the presence of at least one polyalkylene glycol polymer having monomer units forming a backbone, where at least 90% of the monomer units forming the backbone of the polymer are constituted by ethylene oxide, propylene oxide or their mixtures, and where the polymer has a molecular weight of at least equal to 400 g/mole, (ii) such that the milling unit contains a quantity of water that is less than 10% in dry weight of the material in the milling unit; (b) optionally classifying the material from step a) with at least one classification unit; and (c) optionally repeating steps a) and/or b) with all or part of the material from step a) and/or step b).

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing a silane-modified nano-corundum, wherein nano-corundum agglomerates are disagglomerated in the presence of an organic solvent and simultaneously or afterwards treated by silane.

Abstract: Installation for flocculation of water or sludge loaded with suspended matter comprising in succession: a polymer storage hopper, a polymer grinding device, and a line, pipe or other conveyor for transferring the polymer solution to the water or the sludge to be treated. The grinder device includes a wetting cone in which the polymer is poured, and at the bottom end of the cone: a chamber for grinding and removing the dispersed polymer comprising: a rotor, a stator, and a ring fed by a secondary water circuit. A method implementing the installation is also provided.

Abstract: A sterilizable particle-size reduction apparatus, component parts thereof and a method of sterilizing and validating sterility thereof are provided. Also provided is use thereof to prepare sterile suspensions of drugs.

Abstract: A process of forming a semiconductive carbon nanotube structure includes imposing energy on a mixture that contains metallic carbon nanotubes and semiconductive carbon nanotubes under conditions to cause the metallic carbon nanotubes to be digested or to decompose so that they may be separated away from the semiconductive carbon nanotubes.

Abstract: For use in a basket mill having a process vessel in which particles are ground so as to reduce their size, a basket for retaining a grinding medium, having an opening in its top and a screen at its bottom. A first shaft extends into the basket and has a grinding assembly extending from the shaft. A first drive apparatus rotates the first shaft at a first rotational rate. A second shaft is coaxial with the first shaft and has an impeller for causing material to be ground to move into the basket through the opening and out of said basket through the screen. A second drive apparatus rotates the second shaft at a second rotational rate independent of the first rotational rate. The first shaft may be a tube. A tube may be disposed within the first shaft, and have at its end a bushing for receiving for rotation the second shaft. The bushing may be located outside of a region of the basket where grinding media is disposed. Methods for operating the apparatus.

Abstract: A process and method transforms solid waste into fuel. The system uses a pressure vessel; a condenser tank to permit selective addition of water to and evacuation of steam from the vessel; a heater to increase the temperature of the vessel; a vacuum pump to selectively reduce pressure within the vessel and to help evacuate steam from the vessel to the condenser tank; and a water pump to selectively add water from the condenser tank to the interior volume of the vessel.

Abstract: A pulper to pulverize and suspend paper stock. The pulper includes a container open at the top with a cylindrical side wall and a driven rotor that is arranged in an off-center manner to the center of the container. The base of the container can be inclined toward the side wall.

Abstract: A mixing system for a fluid tank is described herein, the system having a drive motor, an impeller capable of being submersed, a shroud having a sidewall enclosing the impeller, and a cutter mounted on the shroud and cooperating with a blade of the impeller to cut solids within the shroud. The shroud is open at both an inlet end and a discharge end for drawing in and discharging fluid from the tank. A recess is provided on the internal surface of the shroud, wherein the cutter is adjustably positioned within the recess. Additionally, the cutter is also detachable from the recess so that it may be replaced when worn.

Abstract: A relocatable oil sand slurry preparation system is provided for preparing an aqueous oil sand slurry amenable to pipeline conveyance while producing minimum overall rejects, comprising (a) a relocatable rotary digester for slurrying oil sand and water and digesting oil sand lumps to form a pumpable slurry, the rotary digester having a feed end for receiving oil sand and water, a slurrying chamber comprising a plurality of lifters for slurrying the oil sand and water, and a trommel screen end for screening out oversize rejects from the oil sand slurry which falls through the trommel screen; and (b) a relocatable rejects recirculation unit operably associated with the rotary digester for receiving oversize rejects and delivering the rejects back to the rotary digester for further digestion. In a preferred body, relocatable oil sand slurry preparation system further comprises a rejects crusher for crushing oversize rejects prior to delivering rejects back to the rotary digester.

Abstract: Material to be processed, such as sludge, is deposited into the trough having an auger operating at a rotational speed and direction so as to force the material received within the trough upstream against a rigid surface for breaking up the sludge. A cutting fluid is added to the trough for diluting the sludge and enhancing a flow of the broken up sludge downstream under a force of gravity, allowing the sludge to enter a chopper, where it is chopped to a desired consistency before being pumped to a desired location. The diluted sludge may be filtered prior to chopping. A hopper and cutter may be used to receive the unprocessed sludge for cutting prior to being deposited into the trough. As a result, sludge in ranges from soft to hard states is converted to a fluid form capable of being pumped.

Abstract: A method for preparing biomass for slurry processing. The method includes solubilizing the solid material into either a dissolved state or a suspended solid in a liquid phase, and processing the liquid phase to produce chemicals and fuels.

Abstract: A refiner plate assembly and method includes an annular arrangement of adapter subplates that mount to a refiner disk of a disk refiner using a conventional mounting technique, such as bolted in a standard pattern associated with the particular disk refiner. The adapter subplate arrangement remains mounted to the disk and provides a universal mounting surface for an annular arrangement of individual removable refiner segments. A steam and/or accept evacuation channel is provided in this assembly via filter passages at a radially intermediate location in one or more refiner segments which communicate with a recess or channel in one or more associated adapter subplates that direct the steam and/or accepts through outlet ports in the outer rim of the adapter subplate(s). Refining efficiency is provided in a universal refiner plate assembly by eliminating steam volume and already refined pulp from outer portions of the refining zone.

Abstract: A fragmentation system including a reaction vessel with processing fluid and fragmentation product and a pair of electrodes. Two respective ends of the pair of electrodes are arranged at a distance to each other inside the reaction vessel and can be admitted with pulsed high-voltage to grind the fragmentation product positioned in a reaction zone. The system also including a solid/fluid separation device, a suspension device to keep the fragmentation product continually suspended in the processing fluid, and a transfer device to transfer processing fluid and a first share of the fragmentation product out of the reaction vessel to the solid/fluid separation device. A second share of the fragmentation product returns to the reaction zone. The system includes at least one return-flow line coupled to the solid/fluid separation device and the reaction vessel to empty the processing fluid from the solid/fluid separation device into the reaction vessel.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a process to obtain a calcium carbonate material comprising GCC and PCC, presenting a fraction of particles finer than 1 ?m of greater than 80%, preferably of greater than 85%, more preferably of greater than 90%, and even more preferably of greater than 95%, and a specific surface area of less than 25 m2/g, in a cost efficient manner, wherein GCC and PCC are co-ground, possibly with at least another mineral material. An other object of the present invention lies in the co-ground calcium carbonate material in the form of an aqueous suspension and in the form of a dry product. An other object of the present invention lies in the uses of such products in any sector making use of mineral material, and notably in the paper, paint and plastic industries.

Abstract: An absorbent paper sheet for tissue or towel includes from about 99 percent to about 70 percent by weight of cellulosic papermaking fiber and from about 1 percent to about 30 percent by weight fibrillated regenerated cellulose microfiber which was regenerated form a cellulosic dope utilizing a tertiary amine N-oxide solvent or an ionic liquid.

Abstract: A bead mill for performing wet comminuting comprising a stationary vessel having an internal wall and forming a milling chamber to be filled at least partly with milling bodies, raw particles and a carrying liquid to form a suspension within the milling chamber; an activator shaft, rotatable around an axis concentric with the stationary vessel and a rotating activator connected to the activator shaft, to comminute said raw particles to produce milled particles; characterized in that said bead mill further comprises a separator, containing a separator chamber disposed substantially vertically, a laminarization portion providing an upward laminar suspension flow within the separator chamber, to separate the milled particles from the milling beads and raw particles depending on the flow velocity of said upward laminar suspension flow.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method for the production of a tissue paper web, which is produced from a pulp suspension having fibers. The method according to the present invention is characterized in that the pulp suspension is formed, at least partly by, a pulp suspension fraction obtained through the treatment of old paper, has a refining degree of less than 30° SR and is of such condition that a laboratory sheet according to TAPPI 205 SP 95 (Rapid Köthen), whose breaking length measured according to TAPPI 220 and TAPPI 494 is 4.0 km or more, is produced therefrom.

Abstract: A process for capturing undesirable combustion products produced in a high temperature combustion system. Very finely sized particles of alkaline earth carbonates or hydroxides, with or without added ground fly ash, are provided in slurry form and are injected into the high temperature zone of a furnace. The particles flash calcine to provide substantially unagglomerated particles having a particle size of less than about 0.5 microns to capture and neutralize SOx, NOx, and toxic chemicals.

Abstract: The first invention aims to provide a method for preparing stiffer bulky pulp at a freeness level comparable to that obtained by mechanical treatments to improve the bulkiness of product paper by searching for a method capable of adjusting freeness while suppressing damage to pulp fibers and internal fibrillation in a process for producing pulp. The second invention aims to strip contaminants deposited on pulp fibers and/or inorganic particles to reduce adhesion of the contaminants and decrease microorganisms in a treatment of process water containing long pulp fiber fractions used in a process for producing pulp and paper, thereby clarifying process water and thus preparing high-quality pulp and paper.

Abstract: A to-be-treated body, which contains raw material particles 5 of a substance and with which a solvent 4 of a to-be-treated liquid 2 is made solid, is used, and a laser light source 10, which supplies a laser light of a predetermined wavelength to a treatment chamber 3 that contains the to-be-treated body, is provided to arrange a production apparatus 1A. The laser light from the laser light source 10 is illuminated onto the to-be-treated body to microparticulate the substance in solvent 4. As the to-be-treated body of solid form, a solidified body 6, with which water 4 is solidified by a cooling device 50 and the solidified state is maintained by a thermally insulating layer 30, may be used. Or, as the to-be-treated body, a gel body, with which the solvent is gelled, may be used. The substance can thereby microparticulated efficiently by photo-pulverization.

Abstract: Method for producing hydrometallurgical zinc oxide powder having characteristics equivalent to that derived from a French process, comprising formation of an aqueous pulp from a starting zinc oxide having particles of nodular structure, wet milling of this aqueous pulp, separation in this milled pulp between a liquid phase and a solid phase containing the zinc oxide, and drying of said solid phase, coupled with a mechanical deagglomeration of the particles during drying, to obtain a dry zinc oxide powder with particles of nodular structure having a particle size distribution where the particles have an average size (d50) between 0.02 and 20 ?m.

Abstract: A method for reducing particle size of a particulate comprising feeding a feed material to a grinding mill having a power of at least 500 kW, the mill having a specific power draw of at least 50 kW per cubic meter of grinding volume of the mill and the grinding mill including a grinding media comprising particulate material having a specific gravity of not less than 2.4 tons/m3 and a particle size falling in the range of from about 0.8 to 8 mm, grinding the feed material in the grinding mill and removing a product from the grinding mill, the product having a particle size range such that D80 of the product is at least about 20 microns.

Abstract: The asphalt roofing material is delivered into a treatment chamber of a processor. Hot oil is passed through a jacket surrounding the treatment chamber. Heated asphalt forms a hot solid and/or a liquefied slurry. The hot solid and/or the liquefied slurry is then removed from the treatment chamber. The asphalt roofing material in the treatment chamber can be agitated to promote mixing. The asphalt is heated to a temperature in the range from 200 degrees Fahrenheit to 650 degrees Fahrenheit within the treatment chamber. The solid and/or liquefied slurry is milled after it has been removed from the treatment chamber. The solid and/or the liquefied slurry is cooled after it exits the treatment chamber, preferably to a temperature in the range of approximately 90 degrees Fahrenheit to 110 degrees Fahrenheit. The hot solid and/or the liquefied slurry is passed through a hammer mill after the hot solid and/or the liquefied slurry exits the treatment chamber to reduce the particle size of the solid particles.

Abstract: Process for milling a substance selected from sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate and sodium sesquicarbonate or trona, in which a cleaning agent is introduced into a mill for the purpose of obtaining a powder with a mean diameter of less than 100 ?m and of inhibiting the formation of incrustations in the mill.

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 method and a device is for the dilution of dewatered cellulose pulp that maintains a consistency of 20-30% or greater. By shredding of the pulp to a finely divided dry-granulate, dilution to a homogeneous consistency in the medium consistency range can take place exclusively through hydrodynamic effects from the addition of dilution fluid. The dilution fluid is added to granulate at a position at which granulate is in free fall in a standpipe and above a level LiqLEV of diluted pulp in the standpipe. A number of nozzles are arranged around the periphery of the stand pipe, directed in towards the centre of the stand pipe, obliquely downwards in the direction of fall of the granulate. It is possible through this simplified procedure to avoid completely the conventional dilution screws, and this reduces the investment costs and operating costs, while at the same time unnecessary mechanical influence of the pulp fibres can be avoided.

Abstract: The containment wall of a basket media mill is constructed of a sintered porous metal having porous openings each of a pore size less than the predetermined size of the media for confining the media within the bed in the basket as feedstock is passed through the porous openings in the containment wall. The containment wall extends over an overall area and the porous openings provide an open area through which the feedstock flows as the feedstock passes through the containment wall, and the open area is at least about twenty-one percent of the overall area of the containment wall for enabling a concomitant increased volumetric flow of feedstock through the containment wall. A substantially flat sheet of sintered porous metal having porous openings is formed into a cylindrical configuration to construct a cylindrical containment wall with porous openings each increasing in pore size from the interior of the cylindrical wall toward the exterior of the cylindrical wall.

Abstract: A slurry dividing apparatus is configured to divide a main slurry stream into smaller constituent slurry streams, wherein each stream contains a desired proportion of suspended solids. The dividing apparatus includes a main flow channel and a plurality of branch flow channels extending upward from a flow divider that terminates an upper end of the main flow channel. The main slurry stream enters the main flow channel, at an inlet opening thereof, and is decelerated, by an upward extension and expanding cross-section of the main flow channel, before reaching the flow divider and being divided into the smaller constituent slurry streams flowing within the plurality of branch flow channels. Each of the smaller streams flows up and then over a weir, which extends across an upper portion of each of the branch flow channels, and then down into a corresponding discharge flow channel of the apparatus.

Abstract: The process of the present invention includes obtaining a feed material having an initial median particle size. A solution of a polycarboxylate dispersant in water is formed, then the feed material is added to the solution to form a slurry. The slurry is wet-ground to reduce the median particle size of the feed material. Optionally, the total amount of polycarboxylate dispersant is divided into a plurality of doses that are added periodically over the total grinding time.

Abstract: Useful byproducts are recovered through the pyrolytic processing of biomass material such as vegetation, paper, or worn tires. The process is conducted in a sealed enclosure under vacuum or other controlled atmosphere. The biomass material is ablated and burned by crunching between counter-rotating rollers whose inner walls have been exposed to a highly heated fluid. The biomass material is preheated by injecting into the feeding duct super-heated dry steam. A condenser within the enclosure reduces resulting vapors into oils that can be drained from the enclosure pan. Solid combustion residue is abstracted from the enclosure by an Archimedes screw.

Abstract: The invention discloses a process for refining yarn or sliver having a length of at least 1 meter, including the step of feeding the yarn or sliver and a liquid into a refiner, which includes refiner fillings having a body surrounding a central hole (7), and at least one inlet (1) for the yarn or sliver, and the thus obtained pulp-like materials and its use for making friction materials, paper, and gaskets. In particular, the refiner has a refiner filling (8), wherein the yarn or sliver is fed through an inlet positioned in the refiner filling. The present invention further relates to the refiner filling including at least one, preferably eccentric, inlet for yarn or sliver. The inlet comprises an inlet hole which includes an inclined slope (2) on the outflow side of the inlet, the inclined slope serving to guide the yarn or sliver from the inlet hole to the surface of the refiner filling. The invention further relates to a refiner including such refiner filling.

Abstract: Composition and use of milling medium to prepare a polishing medium to be used in chemical and mechanical polishing applications.

Abstract: A media-agitation type wet disperser is provided which eliminates the group motion of media, attains high dispersion efficiency, and avoids wear problem. A cylindrical vessel having a feed opening for the treating material and a discharge opening for the treated material is equipped with a cylindrical separator and a rotor rotating while being fixed to a rotary shaft. The rotor is composed of pluralities of small rotors each having a cylindrical agitation part and a disk-shaped holding part. The agitation part has pluralities of throughholes connecting the inside and the outside thereof.

Abstract: The containment wall of a basket media mill is constructed of a porous synthetic polymeric material having porous openings each of a pore size less than the predetermined size of the media for confining the media within the bed in the basket as feedstock is passed through the porous openings in the containment wall. The containment wall extends over an overall area and the porous openings provide an open area through which the feedstock flows as the feedstock passes through the containment wall, and the open area is at least about fifteen percent of the overall area of the containment wall for enabling a concomitant increased volumetric flow of feedstock through the containment wall. A substantially flat sheet of porous synthetic polymeric material having porous openings is formed into a cylindrical configuration to establish a cylindrical containment wall with porous openings each increasing in pore size from the interior of the cylindrical wall toward the exterior of the cylindrical wall.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing animal byproduct materials is disclosed. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a grinder for grinding the byproduct materials; a mixer for mixing the ground byproduct materials with an oil absorbing material and a backmix material; and a dryer for drying the mixed materials. In some embodiments, the apparatus also includes a cyclone for separating an air stream from the dried materials. The dried materials are transported to one or more presses for pressing the dried materials, thereby reducing oil content. The one or more presses includes a first opening for delivering pressed oil to a centrifuge and a second opening for sending the pressed materials to a screener. A portion of the screened material is sent back to the mixer (and/or the grinder) and the balance of the screened material are sent to storage as a finished product.

Abstract: Installation for enhanced oil recovery comprising in succession: a polymer storage hopper, a grinding device and a pressurized injection pump. The grinding device has a chamber for grinding and draining the dispersed polymer comprising a rotor and a stator, and on all or part of the periphery of the chamber, a ring fed by a secondary water circuit. The ring communicates with the chamber for spraying of pressurised water on the blades of the stator. A method implementing the installation is also provided.

Abstract: A manually operable device and a method for separating solid waste materials from liquid to be disposed of through a drain, and for reducing the size of pieces of such solid waste materials for more efficient disposal through the drain. A size reduction assembly is manually movable with respect to a stationary body and may include perforated material for catching solid material from a liquid flowing into the drain, and at least one cutting or ripping or abrasion component for reducing the size of pieces of the solid material into smaller pieces that may then pass downward through the drain. In some embodiments the size reduction assembly may be driven downward by pressure from a hand or foot. The reduced-size pieces of material are flushed from the device by liquid draining through the device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for preparing a suspension of micronised particles of a solid organic compound, which method comprises subjecting the solid organic compound to size reduction by wet grinding under pH conditions wherein the intrinsic surface charge of the size-reduced organic compound is sufficient to keep the suspension stable.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for conditioning biomass. The methods generally include flash dessicating the biomass to reduce a particle size of the biomass; mixing the biomass with a liquid carrier; and exposing the biomass and the liquid carrier to a mechanical hydrodynamic cavitation process. The methods can be employed during ethanol production from grain based feedstock.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for controlling the partial pressure of oxygen when mutually separating minerals in the different process steps of the separation process. In order to control the partial pressure of oxygen, the gases fed in the different process steps are recirculated in an essentially closed gas circulation created around the equipment used in the different process steps, so that the gas recirculation is controlled by measuring the potential of the slurry containing valuable minerals.