Abstract: A process for preparing a toner including the step of pulverizing a resin composition with a jet type pulverizer comprising a venturi nozzle and an impact member arranged so as to face the venturi nozzle, wherein r2/r1 is 0.3 or less, wherein r1 is a radius of the largest circle R1 among the circles formed with 3 points including any given 2 points located on the outer circumference of the impact side of the above impact member, and one point located on a line connecting the 2 points in the shortest distance on the impact side; and r2 is a radius of the largest circle R2 among the circles formed with 3 points including 2 points located on an outer circumference of the impact side, intersecting with a line perpendicularly at a given point with the line connecting the 3 points forming the circle R1, and one point located on a line connecting the 2 points in the shortest distance on the impact side; and a pulverization member and a jet type pulverizer, each being used in the process.

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 fluid-energy mill for size reduction of a material includes a manifold defining a grinding chamber having a first radius extending from a center of the grinding chamber, a gas inlet, a feed inlet, and an outlet. The feed inlet is positioned such that the material enters the grinding chamber tangent to a second radius extending from the center and larger than the first radius. The fluid-energy mill includes a cover for enclosing the grinding chamber. The manifold defines a non-circular groove around the grinding chamber, and a seal is positioned within the groove. The grinding chamber is cycloid-shaped. The manifold defines a protective pocket and a barrier at a region where the material enters the grinding chamber. The feed inlet includes a feed gas inlet, a material funnel, and a venturi. An intersection of the feed gas inlet and the material funnel form an elliptical hole. The feed inlet is oriented at an angle of about 30 degrees or more to a horizontal.

Abstract: A method includes processing a guar dispersion including guar particles and a fluid via an intensifier pump system and a fluid processing device that breaks up at least some of the guar particles to reduce an average particle size of the guar particles. The method may further include combining an aqueous fluid with the guar dispersion to hydrate the guar, mixing a proppant with the hydrated guar to produce a fracture fluid, and hydraulic fracturing a well using the fracture fluid. The invention may allow for reduced hydration time of guar particles in the guar dispersion.

Abstract: This invention provides a polytetrafluoroethylene powder capable of giving moldings which are improved in surface roughness Ra tensile strength and/or tensile elongation as compared with the prior art ones and can be excellent in dielectric breakdown strength and, further, can be excellent, if desired, in apparent density and/or powder flowability as well, and a method of producing a polytetrafluoroethylene molding powder. The present invention is a PTFE powder wherein a surface roughness Ra of molded articles a1 for measurement is less than 0.92 ?m.

Abstract: A material to be treated containing solid particles in a liquid is stirred together with milling media, and irradiated with ultrasonic waves during stirring to finely mill the solid particles to nanometer size and disperse the solid particles in the liquid. The ultrasonic waves create cavitation in the liquid and upon decay of the cavitation, shock waves are produced that cause the solid particles to vigorously collide with one another and with the milling media and these collisions, together with the shearing forces created by collision of the milling media, can produce on a commercial scale nano particles having an average particle size of at most 100 nm.

Abstract: An improved process for preparing tackifiers and adhesives is an improved energy efficient process for preparing tackifiers, adhesives and dispersions of low-molecular weight polymers and other materials in water. Fine grinding of a low molecular weight polymer is performed to provide the low molecular weight polymer reduced to a selected average particle size in a range between approximately 2.5 ?m and approximately 7.5 ?m with a maximum particle size of less than 10 ?m.

Abstract: A method of providing a controlled batch of micrometer-sized or nanometer-sized coal material. This method includes the steps of: (a) specifying at least one desired physical and/or chemical parameter of the controlled batch of coal material; (b) specifying the desired range of the physical and/or chemical parameter in the controlled batch of coal material; (c) obtaining a feedstock batch of coal material; and (d) processing a feedstock batch of coal material to obtain the controlled batch of coal material having the at least one specified physical and/or chemical parameter in the specified range thereof. In a further step, the controlled batch of coal material can be activated.

Abstract: Methods and systems for enhancing fluidization of nanoparticle and/or nanoagglomerates are provided. A fluidization chamber is provided with a fluidizing medium (e.g., a fluidizing gas) directed in a first fluidizing direction, e.g., upward into and through a bed containing a volume of nanoparticles and/or nanopowders. A second source of air/gas flow is provided with respect to the fluidization chamber, the secondary air/gas flow generally being oppositely (or substantially oppositely) directed relative to the fluidizing medium. Turbulence created by the secondary gas flow, e.g., a jet from a micro-jet nozzle, is advantageously effective to aerate the agglomerates and the shear generated by the jet is advantageously effective to break apart nanoagglomerates and/or reduce the tendency for nanoagglomerates to form or reform. A downwardly directed source of secondary gas flow located near the main gas distributor leads to full fluidization of the entire amount of powder in the column.

Abstract: A granular material grinder and method of use includes a hammer mill for reducing incoming granular material into particulate material, a microgrinder for reducing the particulate matter into microground powder by particulate matter to particulate matter collisions, and a product collector to collect the microground powder portion. The granular material grinder having the feature of being operated in a closed system to facilitate efficient recovery of grain into microground powder and operable in a cooled inert gas to prevent any compound degradation due to temperature or oxygen.

Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention relate to improvements in the fluid-energy mills. Particularly, the fluid-energy mill of the present invention includes a deeper chamber for grinding of particulate material, wherein the discontinuities defining the stepped chamber are located at a distance of about 0.59 to 0.62 R, and preferably 0.61 R, from the axis of the chamber, wherein R is the radius of the grinding chamber measured from the axis to the inside wall of the chamber. In another improvement, providing interlocking joints in the liner discharge tube and extending the liner into the port for the feed tube, as well as providing a packing gland for the feed tube mitigate the problem of wear of the ceramic liner inside the fluid-energy mill.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for reducing the average size of metallic compound particles or agglomerates suspended in a fluid by flowing one or more times said fluid having metallic compound particles or agglomerates suspended therein through one or more magnetic fields to reduce the average size of a substantial portion of the metallic compound particles or agglomerates by at least 25%.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for fining powders and an apparatus employing the same. By fast rotating the collision plates in a chamber, the powders can be continuously pulverized at high velocity. The chamber is maintained in a stable low pressure, so that gas flows are generated by planes of the rotating collision plates and the powders can be sorted. The present invention can perform functions of both pulverizing powders of D50<20 ?m to D50<2.0 ?m and sorting them with advantages of dry, low temperature, saving-energy, less consumed-material and high efficiency. The present invention is particularly suitable for oxides unable to be fined by high-temperature pyrolysis, powders having problems of changing properties at high temperature or aggregation. The present invention also provides a low-cost technology for certain powders such as cement.

Abstract: Disclosed are fine powder of waste polyurethane foam and a manufacturing method thereof. According to this invention, fine powder of waste polyurethane foam can be manufactured using a crushing process including primary and secondary coarse crushing steps and a fine grinding step and a classification process, thereby solving conventional problems of the deterioration of the properties and the difficulty forming a desired cell structure, due to the use of waste polyurethane powder having a large particle diameter, and widening the range of waste polyurethane that can be recycled.

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 shrouded attrition nozzle for use in fluidized bed jet attrition. The nozzle comprises a shroud surrounding the nozzle and extending upwardly from the nozzle tip. The shroud is sized so as not to interfere with the periphery of the jet emitted from the nozzle and may be cylindrical or inverted frustoconical in shape. When a desired spacing is achieved between the periphery of the jet and the shroud, fluidizable material enters the interior of the shroud from the open end, moving countercurrently towards the nozzle tip. A disengagement of fluidization gas from fluidizable material occurs and an increased entrainment of solids in the jet leads to improvements in grinding efficiency. The result is a reduction in jet flowrate and fluidization gas wastage, which reduces overall energy requirements for attrition. A method of causing attrition of a fluidizable material using the shrouded nozzle is also disclosed.

Abstract: A pulverization/classification apparatus includes a plurality of air nozzles, a milling chamber as a space for pulverizing particles by compressed air jetted by the air nozzles, and a rotor installed at an upper part of the milling chamber that classifies powder materials flowing into the rotor from the milling chamber with centrifuging into fine particles and coarse particles. The rotor includes plural blade members, and a width of the blade members within the rotor are set to be 1/50- 2/25 of the rotor's diameter.

Abstract: A method of crushing material includes the steps of feeding a first flow of material to be crushed to a rotor rotating around a vertical axis, the rotor accelerating the first flow of material towards an impact wall section, and feeding a second flow of material to be crushed into the path of the accelerated first flow of material. The second flow of material is fed in a direction having a substantially tangential component in relation to the rotor, such that the second flow of material will have a substantially tangential component of movement in relation to the rotor when reaching the path of the first flow of material. A crusher is adapted to feed the second flow of material such that it will have a substantially tangential component of movement in relation to the rotor when reaching the path of the first flow of material.

Abstract: A method of jet milling silicon powder in which silicon pellets are fed into a jet mill producing a gas vortex in which the pellets are entrained and pulverized by collisions with each other or walls of the milling chamber. The chamber walls are advantageously formed of high-purity silicon as are other parts contacting the unground pellets or ground powder. The pellets and chamber parts may be formed of electronic grade silicon but polycrystalline silicon may be used for chamber parts. Additionally, the particle feed tube in which the particles are entrained in a gas flow and the vortex finder operating as the outlet at the center of the vortex may be formed of silicon. The milling and feed gas may be nitrogen supplied from a liquid-nitrogen tank lined with stainless steel. The feed pellets may be formed by chemical vapor deposition.

Abstract: A method of milling a powder comprising introducing a gas stream containing a cryogenic liquid and a drug carrier gas into a jet mill, and milling a powder with the jet mill in one or more milling passes. A product produced by the method. A milling apparatus comprising a cryogenic gas input system, a powder feeder, a main jet-mill, and at least one output port for collecting the powder.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing magnetic paint or non-magnetic paint, which can produce a magnetic recording medium having excellent surface smoothness by appropriately setting the condition of a dispersion process for improving the dispersibility of the paint, and a magnetic recording medium are provided. The magnetic paint or the non-magnetic paint is produced by performing a dispersion process of a mixed solution, in which a magnetic powder or a non-magnetic powder is mixed into a binder solution containing a binder and a solvent, with a medium dispersion device. The method includes the steps of adjusting the viscosity of the mixed solution to 1,500 cP or less on a BL type viscometer at 20 rpm basis, and performing a dispersion process with the medium dispersion device using dispersion media having an average particle diameter of 0.5 mm or less at a dispersion circumferential speed of 8 to 15 m/s.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating fibrous material is disclosed. The apparatus may include a fiber separator, a de-liquefier, a dry-to-wet blender and a flash dryer. The fiber separator may be a liquid-based fiber separator. The de-liquefier is for removing liquid from the fibrous material. The blender downstream, which may be a dry-to-wet blender, is for adding a dry material to the de-liquefied fibrous material. The de-liquefier and a dry-to-wet blender are downstream from the fiber separator and the dry-to-wet blender may be downstream from the de-liquefier. The flash dryer, which is even further downstream, is for drying the treated fibrous material.

Abstract: A particle feed apparatus is combined with a jet mill and has a particle feeder for feeding particles to an air injector that injects particles together with particle carrying air into the jet mill. The particle feed apparatus is a closed structure isolated from the environment. The use of the closed particle feed apparatus prevents the backflow of dust-loaded air that occurs in a milling system formed by combining a jet mill and an open particle feed apparatus. The use of the closed particle feed apparatus improves the working environment, enhances the milling ability of the jet mill and facilitates operations.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved process for the production of finely divided blowing agent powders.

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 method and apparatus for treating fluids, a pump delivers a fluid flow from a fluid source to a manifold. The manifold divides the fluid flow into first and second fluid flows, which are delivered from the manifold to a housing. The housing includes therein a first vortex nozzle positioned in opposed relationship to a second vortex nozzle. The first fluid flow enters the first vortex nozzle to create a first rotating fluid flow, and the second fluid flow enters the second vortex nozzle to create a second rotating fluid flow. The first and second vortex nozzles impinge the first and second rotating fluid flows in a collision chamber, thereby treating the fluid.

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: A method is described for the manufacture of hydrotalcites by using at least one compound of a bivalent metal (Component A) and at least one compound of a trivalent metal (Component B), wherein at least one of these components is not used in the form of a solution, characterized in that a) at least one of the Components A and/or B which is not used in the form of a solution, shortly before or during mixing of the components, and/or b) the mixture containing the Components A and B is subjected to intensive grinding until an average particle size (D50) in the range of approx. 0.1 to 5 ?m is obtained, and optionally, after aging treatment or hydrothermal treatment, the resulting hydrotalcite product is separated, dried, and optionally calcinated.

Abstract: A grinder is disclosed which has a housing (12) in which a rotatable disc (60) is mounted. The disc (60) is rotated by a motor (40)and the disc (60) has a periphery which is adjacent an inner stationary wall (102) of the housing (12 ). An air inlet (108) is arranged below the disc and the disc carries vanes (100) so that when the disc rotates, an annular air stream is created at the periphery of the disc in which a grinding zone is established between the periphery of the disc and the stationary wall (102) for grinding material into small particles. The grinding zone includes an annular flow of heavy gas R1. A material inlet (20) is provided for allowing material to enter the housing (12). Large material is grounded by energy intensification after it hits the disc (60) and collides with the inner wall (40) of the housing so as to break down the material into smaller particle size, which can then move to the grinding zone at the periphery of the disc (60) to be further ground into small particles.

Abstract: The invention relates to a jet mill of modular design for the comminution of powdery materials. An inner pulverizing casing made entirely of wear-resistant material is freely mounted in an outer casing pressure vessel.

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: In a method and apparatus for treating fluids, a pump delivers a fluid flow from a fluid source to a manifold. The manifold divides the fluid flow into first and second fluid flows, which are delivered from the manifold to a housing. The housing includes therein a first vortex nozzle positioned in opposed relationship to a second vortex nozzle. The first fluid flow enters the first vortex nozzle to create a first rotating fluid flow, and the second fluid flow enters the second vortex nozzle to create a second rotating fluid flow. The first and second vortex nozzles impinge the first and second rotating fluid flows in a collision chamber, thereby treating the fluid.

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: The present invention has for its object to provide a method of micronizing (E)-4-[2-[2-[N-acetyl-N-(4 -methoxybenzenesulfonyl)amino]phenylethenyl]pyridine 1-oxide while maintaining its crystalline. The present invention relates to a method of micronizing the above compound characterized in that the compound is comminuted, for example, to the extent that the mean particle diameter of the compound will be 1˜25 ?m with 50 ?m and larger particles accounting for 2% or less with a mill of the open-circuit pulverizing type.

Abstract: A finely divided, stable dispersion of a solid is produced by: spraying at least two streams of a preliminary dispersion, each through a separate nozzle by pumps, onto a collision point in a reactor chamber enclosed by a reactor housing; passing water vapor through an opening into the reactor chamber so that a vaporous atmosphere consisting mainly of water vapor prevails in the reactor chamber; and removing the finely divided dispersion and a) vapor, b) partially condensed vapor consisting mainly of water or c) a combination of a) and b) from the reactor chamber by excess pressure of an incoming water vapor on the gas inlet side; wherein the solid has an average particle size of from 10 nm to 10 ?m.

Abstract: A pulveriser is disclosed which comprises a fan which sucks air through a pipe. A hopper receives material which is to be pulverised, the hopper having an open lower end which communicates with the pipe. Between the hopper and the fan there is a venturi. Air flows through the venturi at a speed of Mach 1 or above. Pieces of frangible material dropped into the hopper are sucked to the venturi where they are blown apart and reduced to powder.

Abstract: The method and the device relate to a rotor which rotates about a vertical axis and is fitted in a streamlined mill in which the stationary collision surface is constructed as a smooth (cylindrical) collision ring and is arranged an adequate distance away from the rotor and thus makes it possible to allow the material to collide, optionally several times, in an essentially completely deterministic manner, or at an essentially predetermined collision location, at an essentially predetermined collision velocity and at an essentially predetermined collision angle; by which a high probability of breakage—and thus the degree of comminution—is achieved, the energy consumption is reduced, wear is restricted and a crushed product is produced which has a regular grain size distribution, a restricted amount of undersize and oversize and a very good cubic grain configuration, the effect—i.e.

Abstract: A method of and system for liquefying snow. The system includes a rotor-stator device mounted within a melting reservoir and having a slotted rotor and a slotted stator. Snow and/or ice is deposited in a water bath in the melting reservoir. The rotor rotates at high speed, hurling particles of crystalline snow from the tips of the rotor slots onto the perpendicular faces of the stator, thereby fracturing the crystals and promoting liquefication. The high mechanical forces generated during operation of the rotor-stator device also contribute a significant amount of heat that is applied directly to the snow. The system also includes ancillary assemblies, such as heat-exchangers and snow-transport means. The system is operable as a stationary unit or a mobile unit.

Abstract: A material grinding apparatus (10) includes an annular upper enclosure (12) defining an upper chamber (34) into which material to be ground is introduced from above, a conical lower enclosure (14) defining a lower chamber (36) and supported in tandem with the upper enclosure (12), and one or more angled slots (56) defined in the sidewall of the upper enclosure (12) through which compressed air is introduced relatively circumferentially into the upper chamber (34) so as to generate a circular vortex flow of air and material in the upper enclosure (12) for grinding and drying to take place. The air flow is exhausted by a pipe (92) through an upper end of the upper enclosure (12) and the dried ground material is discharged through an open lower end of the lower enclosure (14). The lower enclosure (14) is a downward continuation and extension of the upper enclosure (12) so as not to extend upwardly into nor past the upper chamber (34) thereof.

Abstract: An eductor-spike nozzle device includes (a) a first cylindrical member having a first wall including a cowl lip and defining a first hollow interior, and (b) a second cylindrical member mounted within the first hollow interior and having a second wall (i) externally defining an annular flow path with the first wall for flow of a first stream of fluid, and fluid compressing throat region with the cowl lip for creating a high velocity stream, and (ii) internally defining a second hollow interior for flow of a second stream of fluid so as to form the composite stream of high velocity fluid with the first stream of fluid, thereby increasing a probability of the composite stream receiving and entraining particles introduced into the composite stream.

Abstract: An inorganic oxide powder is produced by a method which comprises a step of (i) introducing, into a dry-way pulverizer, an inorganic oxide in an amount of 100 parts by volume and air, nitrogen or a gas mixture thereof in an amount of from about 25,000 to about 160,000 parts by volume to pulverize the inorganic oxide by the dry-way pulverizer, or (ii) introducing, into a medium-stirring-type pulverizer, an inorganic oxide with a BET specific surface area of from about 1 to about 70 m2/g to pulverize the inorganic oxide by the medium-stirring-type pulverizer in a dry way at a specific energy consumption of from about 0.3 to about 1 kWh/kg. The inorganic oxide powder is capable of providing a ceramic with high density and high mechanical strength.

Abstract: The disclosed device is directed toward a pulverizer including a pulverizing chamber formed between a table, a cover, and side walls. The side walls are coupled between the table and the cover. At least three rotary plates are disposed in the table. Each of the rotary plates include a top surface and a bottom surface, the top surface being proximate the pulverizing chamber. At least one hammer is coupled to each rotary plate on the top surface of the rotary plate. A flow slot is formed between each rotary plate and the table, wherein the flow slot is configured to fluidly couple pulverized material through each flow slot to a discharge. A material feeder is coupled to the cover. The material feeder is configured to feed material to be pulverized into the pulverizing chamber through the cover.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary mineral breaker, a rotor and a method of using a rotary mineral breaker.

Abstract: A nanomaterial processing system is constructed to include a compressor adapted to compress a flow of air/liquid into a high-pressure flow of air/liquid, a material feeder adapted to feed a material into the high-pressure flow of air/liquid passing out of the compressor, enabling the fed material to be mixed with the high-pressure flow of air/liquid into a high-pressure material flow; a shunt collider adapted to shunt the high-pressure material flow into two sub-flows and to let the shunt sub-flows to collide into a collided material flow, and a high-speed cutting unit, which uses a diamond coating-coated cutting wheel to cut solid substances the collided material flow.

Abstract: Organic pigments are conditioned by introducing a liquid prepigment suspension into a miniaturized continuous reactor and thermally treating therein.

Abstract: To provide a particle pulverizer capable of suppressing the wear of parts. The particle pulverizer comprises: two flow passages 8a, 8a positioned on an approximately same straight line and having outlets disposed so as to be close and opposed to each other; through-holes 9, 9 provided at any positions of passages and having diameters smaller than the diameters of the flow passages, wherein liquid jetted out of one through-hole 9 does not reach the other through-hole 9.

Abstract: A method for creating ultra-fine particles of material using a high-pressure mill is described. The method includes placing a material in a first chamber and subjecting the material to a high-pressure fluid jet to divide it into particles. These particles are then transferred to a second chamber in which they are subjected to cavitation to further divide the particles into relatively smaller particles. These relatively smaller particles are then transferred to a third chamber, in which the particles collide with a collider to still further divide them into ultra-fine particles of the material. The mill of the present invention includes a first chamber having an high-pressure liquid jet nozzle, first and second slurry nozzles, a second cavitation chamber and a third chamber which houses a collider. In one embodiment, the slurry nozzle has an inner surface and sharp edges that project slightly out from the inner surface.

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 support structure for a vertically arranged combination household appliance, more particularly a front loading dryer assembly arranged above a top loading washer assembly, includes vertical main support members, horizontal members and other members. The structure adequately supports both appliance assemblies of the combination appliance during transportation and usage, provides improved operating performance during off balance washer spin conditions or dryer tumbling, and maintains unitary appliance characteristics by being an integral part of the combination appliance design and by being located entirely interior to the appliance cabinetry.