Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing aerogels, in particular silica aerogels, by way of a sol-gel process.

Abstract: A hydrogel is dried by a critical point drying technique. The hydrogel may include indicator molecules embedded therein and may be part of a hydrogel-based device, such as, for example, an analyte sensor.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods for non-cryogenic vitrification of biological materials that include the steps of providing one or more capillary channels of which a first opening is operably in contact with a moisture containing vitrification mixture made of a biological material and a vitrification agent. The capillary absorbs and transports the moisture to the second opening through capillary action, and the moisture is subsequently evaporated into a surrounding low humidity atmosphere until the vitrification mixture enters into a vitrified state.

Abstract: A hydrogel is dried by a critical point drying technique. The hydrogel may include indicator molecules embedded therein and may be part of a hydrogel-based device, such as, for example, an analyte sensor.

Abstract: Process for producing a clean burning coal from low grade coal, having a higher heating value per unit mass, as compared to the feed stock coal. The clean coal may be used in coal-fired power plants, industrial boilers, and homes since it produces fewer to none of the emissions commonly associated with coal burning devices. The process treats coal prior to its combustion and removes about 90 percent of the pollutants. These pollutants are removed within 6 to 18 minutes, many of which may be recycled into products such as roofing tar, chemical feed stocks, and light hydrocarbons that can be used as gaseous fuels. The product may be used for cooking and heating, and improves the health of persons exposed to toxic fumes from burning uncleaned coal. The process is fueled by its own by-products, recycles heat, and reduces coal weight, thereby saving energy in transportation to the user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a continuous process for heat treatment of a particulate thermoplastic material comprising a thermoplastic semi-crystalline polymer in the solid state in a single flow-through installation comprising one or more heating zones, wherein each heating zone comprises a contact heater consisting of an array of heating plates, the granulate material is transported as a moving packed bed in the flow-through installation, the process comprises one or more heating steps and in each heating step the particulate material is heated through contact heating via the contact heater, or one of the contact heaters, and optionally a flow of inert gas is applied in one or more heating zones with a mass ratio G/M of at most 2, wherein G is the inert gas flow in kg/hour and M is the particulate material flow in kg/hour.

Abstract: Disclosed is a substrate processing apparatus capable of drying a substrate to be processed while suppressing the pattern collapse or the occurrence of contamination. A substrate is held in a liquid bath while being immersed in a liquid, and the liquid bath is disposed in a processing space of a processing vessel. A processing of drying the substrate is performed by replacing the liquid in the liquid bath with a supercritical-state fluid. A predetermined mechanism moves liquid bath between a processing location in the processing case and a stand-by location outside the processing case. A heater installed in the processing case changes the fluid to a supercritical state or maintains the supercritical state while cooling mechanisms cool down the liquid bath moved to the stand-by location outside the processing vessel.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions for, and methods of, delivering treatment compounds to lignocellulosic substrates, wherein the solvent is recovered using RF energy.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for drying a plate-like article; the method including rinsing with an aqueous rinsing liquid with subsequent rinsing with an organic solvent, wherein the organic solvent has a water content of below 20 mass-% wherein the organic solvent is supplied at a solvent temperature, which is at least 30° C. and not higher than 60° C.

Abstract: A process for removing water from solid material using liquid-solid extraction and liquid-liquid extraction. In most embodiments, multiple solvents are used to remove the water from the solids and obtain dry solids. Multiple solvents facilitate the removal of the water from the solids, by replacing the water with a solvent, replacing that solvent with a different solvent, and then eventually removing the second solvent from the solids. The process utilizes a lesser amount of thermal energy to dry the solids and separate the solvents than conventionally used in drying processes. The first solvent selected has a lower heat of vaporization, enthalphy of vaporization, boiling point, or other such physical property, than water. Each additional solvent can have a still lower heat of vaporization, enthalphy of vaporization, boiling point, or other such physical property.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a supercritical drying method comprises cleaning a semiconductor substrate with a chemical solution, rinsing the semiconductor substrate with pure water after the cleaning, changing a liquid covering a surface of the semiconductor substrate from the pure water to alcohol by supplying the alcohol to the surface after the rinsing, guiding the semiconductor substrate having the surface wetted with the alcohol into a chamber, discharging oxygen from the chamber by supplying an inert gas into the chamber, putting the alcohol into a supercritical state by increasing temperature in the chamber to a critical temperature of the alcohol or higher after the discharge of the oxygen, and discharging the alcohol from the chamber by lowering pressure in the chamber and changing the alcohol from the supercritical state to a gaseous state. The chamber contains SUS. An inner wall face of the chamber is subjected to electrolytic polishing.

Abstract: A process for removing water from solid material using liquid-solid extraction and liquid-liquid extraction. In most embodiments, multiple solvents are used to remove the water from the solids and obtain dry solids. Multiple solvents facilitate the removal of the water from the solids, by replacing the water with a solvent, replacing that solvent with a different solvent, and then eventually removing the second solvent from the solids. The process utilizes a lesser amount of thermal energy to dry the solids and separate the solvents than conventionally used in drying processes. The first solvent selected has a lower heat of vaporization, enthalphy of vaporization, boiling point, or other such physical property, than water. Each additional solvent can have a still lower heat of vaporization, enthalphy of vaporization, boiling point, or other such physical property.

Abstract: The invention relates to compositions for, and methods of, delivering treatment compounds to lignocellulosic substrates, wherein the solvent is recovered using RF energy.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a bio-mass processing system, and method of processing waste bio-mass, wherein one or more mixers mixes a bed of bio-mass material such as manure at substantially any and all locations in a defined length and width portion of the bed, in a dryer. Heated air percolates upwardly through the bed. Separation apparatus separates a relatively dryer fraction of the bio-mass material from the dryer. The separated finished product from the dryer is optionally fed to a boiler where the dried bio-mass material is burned. Heat of combustion from the boiler is used as dryer heat for drying the bio-mass feed material in the dryer. Excess heat is optionally used to produce steam, which powers a turbine, which powers an electrical generator. Residual ash from the combustion process comprises about 2% by weight of the solids content of e.g. a feed stream coming into the dryer.

Abstract: A method of treating wet or dry fabrics in a dryer having a drum capable of tumbling, a liquid delivery system, an air inlet, an air current provider, an air outlet having a lint screen and optionally a venting system, the method comprising the steps of: a) placing the fabrics into the drum; b) delivering a treatment solution into the drum to deposit onto the fabrics either when the drum is stationary or when the drum is tumbling and either in the absence or presence of an air current; and c) optionally tumbling and/or passing a current of air though the drum.

Abstract: A substrate treating apparatus for drying substrates with a solvent vapor after treating the substrates with a treating liquid.

Abstract: A method and a system for removing water from high water content solid such as high water content coal, which enables dewatering with small energy consumption. A liquefied material which is a gas at 25° C. under 1 atm. (hereinafter referred to as material D) is contacted with a solid containing water to allow the liquefied material D to dissolve the water contained in the solid, and to produce a liquefied material D having a high water content and simultaneously remove the water from the solid, and by vaporizing the material D in the liquefied material having a high water content, to thereby separate the water from the resulting gaseous material D, recovering the separated gaseous material D, and liquefying the recovered gaseous material by pressurizing, cooling or a combination thereof, to reuse the resulting liquefied material for removing water from a solid containing water.

Abstract: When chuck pins are in a releasing state, support pins for supporting a lower surface of a substrate at respective heights different from each other support the substrate in an inclined position. When the chuck pins are in a gripping state, substrate gripping parts grip a substrate sidewise to separate the substrate upwardly from a substrate rest part, thereby holding the substrate in a horizontal position at a predetermined gripping height. After a liquid mass covering the substrate is formed, the chuck pins are changed from the gripping state to the releasing state to support the substrate having been gripped in the horizontal position into an inclined position, thereby draining the liquid mass from the surface of the substrate. The substrate with the liquid mass drained from the surface thereof is held and rotated in a horizontal position. Thus, the substrate is dried.

Abstract: A method for drying lumber in a short time with less use of energy. The method of drying lumber includes: enclosing lumber in a batch container having a pressure release valve; filling fluid into the batch container under pressure; maintaining a temperature and a pressure at or above a critical point of the fluid for a certain period of time; and then opening the pressure release valve of the batch container to reduce the internal pressure to atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A process for removing ruthenium or ruthenium-containing compounds from a reaction mixture comprising a compound of the following formula I in an organic solvent using supercritical fluid processing techniques: wherein RA, R3, R4, D and A are as defined herein. This invention has particular application for removing ruthenium-containing catalyst and ruthenium-containing catalyst by products from reaction mixtures that result from ring-closing olefin metathesis (RCM) reactions.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a rotatable chuck for supporting a substrate and a splash guard. The splash guard surrounds the chuck and surrounds a substrate mounted on the chuck. The splash guard has a portion that deflects fluid being flung off the substrate by centrifugal action in a manner so as to not splash back onto the substrate. The splash guard is moveable between a process position in which the upper annular edge of the splash guard extends above the chuck and a substrate on the chuck, and a load/unload position in which the splash guard is tilted so that one side of the upper annular edge is below an upper edge of the chuck. The movement of the splash guard facilitates loading and unloading of a substrate.

Abstract: The present invention provides compositions and methods for removing water from a sealant composition. This includes the addition of a particularly selected anhydride to a sealant composition and further addition of an acrylic acid, in order to remove water from a sealant composition.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a micromachined component includes using a first liquid to etch a first layer (140) located underneath a second layer (150), exposing the second layer to a second liquid that is inorganic and miscible in carbon dioxide, and supercritical drying the micromachined component with carbon dioxide.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying a generally flat substrate that has been cleaned has a rotatable support for supporting the substrate, a substrate drying assembly, and a controller. The substrate drying assembly includes a substrate drying assembly support arm, an outlet for applying liquid to an upper surface of the substrate, and an outlet for applying a drying vapor to the upper surface of the substrate. The substrate drying assembly is configured to position the liquid applying outlet and to position the vapor applying outlet above a portion of the substrate. The controller causes the substrate drying assembly to be retracted over the upper surface of the substrate at a faster rate near a center of the substrate than near a periphery of the substrate.

Abstract: A method is described for enhancing mass and heat transport of fluids in a fine pore structure through an appropriate modulation of the fluid pressure. For example, in an air drying process for a porous material that contains liquid, the air pressure is modulated throughout the volume of the drying chamber. Alternatively, the fluid pressure is modulated in a process stream. As an example, this method can be used for rapid drying of any open porous substances ranging from small pored materials such as aerogels and xerogels, to larger pored substances or articles such as industrial articles, agricultural articles (e.g., densely stacked vegetables, coffee beans, hops and other grains), paper-based products, thin films, pharmaceuticals, cloth, and clothing.

Abstract: A critical point drying apparatus for sample preparation in electron microscopy and semiconductor wafer production includes a computer system to automate the operational modes in drying the specimen. These operational modes controlled by the computer system are: cooling, in which a drying chamber is cooled; starting, in which the specimen chamber is filled with a transitional fluid; purging, in which the transitional fluid purges an intermediary fluid from the drying chamber and the purged intermediary fluid is collected by a collector condenser; heating, in which the drying chamber is heated to elevate the transitional fluid to its critical point temperature and pressure; and bleeding, in which the drying chamber is depressurized to atmospheric pressure at a very slow rate until the drying chamber is completely vented, which signals the end of the drying operation. The computer system interfaces with a remote client terminal to update the status of the operation of the critical point drying apparatus.

Abstract: A drying system for drying a semiconductor substrate is provided. The drying system includes: a chamber for housing a vapor distributor and a fluid bath, said fluid bath being disposed in a lower portion of the chamber and said distributor being disposed in an upper portion of the chamber for distributing vapor for drying the substrate; and a fluid flow system for supplying fluid flow into said fluid bath for cleaning and drying the substrate and for draining said fluid from the fluid bath, wherein the chamber includes a plurality of exhaust vents disposed at the upper portion for venting the vapor.

Abstract: A unit for sterilizing strip packaging material for a pourable food product packaging machine, and having a sterilizing chamber for containing a liquid sterilizing agent and along which the packaging material is fed; a control circuit for controlling the sterilizing agent, and in turn having a collecting tank, input means for feeding the sterilizing agent from the tank to the chamber, and a drain assembly for draining the sterilizing agent from the chamber into the tank; a control system for controlling the temperature in the chamber; and preheating system for preheating the sterilizing agent in the tank, and which may be activated prior to feeding the sterilizing agent from the tank into the chamber; the preheating system for preheating the sterilizing agent may be activated independently of the control system for controlling the temperature in the chamber to bring the sterilizing agent to a temperature at least equal to that of the chamber before the sterilizing agent is fed into the chamber.

Abstract: In this invention, resist patterns formed by development are dried using a supercritical fluid such that no moisture enters the patterns.

Abstract: A critical point drying apparatus for sample preparation in electron microscopy and semiconductor wafer production includes a computer system to automate the operational modes in drying the specimen. These operational modes controlled by the computer system are: cooling, in which a drying chamber is cooled; starting, in which the specimen chamber is filled with a transitional fluid; purging, in which the transitional fluid purges an intermediary fluid from the drying chamber and the purged intermediary fluid is collected by a collector condenser; heating, in which the drying chamber is heated to elevate the transitional fluid to its critical point temperature and pressure; and bleeding, in which the drying chamber is depressurized to atmospheric pressure at a very slow rate until the drying chamber is completely vented, which signals the end of the drying operation. The drying chamber incorporates concave surfaces for pressure dispersal and to facilitate purging the intermediary fluid completely.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for drying protein crystals starting from an aqueous protein crystal suspension, which comprises drying the protein crystal suspension in a centrifugal dryer, where the protein crystals, after they have been filtered off from the protein crystal suspension, are brought into contact with a drying medium which consists of a mixture of water and a nonaqueous solvent which is miscible with water in any ratio and which has a lower vapor pressure than water. In the process, a drying gas which has been moistened with water is advantageously used. The protein crystal suspension is advantageously converted into a fluidized bed for the purpose of drying.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a method for the sub-critical drying of lyogels to produce aerogels. The method for the sub-critical drying of lyogels to produce aerogels provides for the lyogel particles to be disposed as a fixed bed and for a drying gas to be passed through them.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fabricating and drying wafers, including micro-electro-mechanical system (MEMS) structures, in a second, supercritical processing fluid environment. The apparatus utilizes an inverted pressure vessel connected to a supercritical processing fluid supply and recover system, with an internal heat exchanger connected to external heating and cooling sources, which is closed with a vertically movable base plate. A wafer cassette configured for supporting multiple wafers is submerged in a first processing fluid within a container, which is installed on the base plate for insertion into the pressure vessel. Vessel inlet and outlet tubes extend vertically downward from the ceiling of the pressure vessel to nearly the base plate. Container inlet and outlet tubes extend vertically downward from the ceiling of the pressure vessel to inside the container and nearly to the bottom of the container.

Abstract: Methods for removing soluble material from confined spaces within substrates such as containers, capsules and porous powders comprising extraction with supercritical fluids, the pressure of which is preferably modulated between an upper level and a lower level within a relatively narrow range of fluid pressure and density. The method permits enhanced extraction efficiency, catalytic reaction rates and ability to maintain catalyst activity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of heating or cooling a charge of a solid material are disclosed. The method includes the steps of supplying a charge of the material to form a packed bed of solids in a process vessel having one or more passageways through which a heat transfer fluid can flow, passing a heat transfer fluid through the one or more passageways and supplying a working fluid to said vessel. The method is characterized by circulating the working fluid through the bed, the circulation step including removing at least part of the working fluid from one or more sections of the vessel and then returning the working fluid to other sections of the vessel.

Abstract: Hard shelled capsules and dry, powdered pharmaceutical formulations are treated with supercritical fluids to remove impurities such as mold lubricants and moisture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating or cooling a solid material (93) in a process vessel (80) is disclosed. The Method includes supplying a working fluid to a vessel which holds a packed bed (93) of the solid material. The method is characterised by reversing the flow of the working fluid to enhance heat transfer between a heat exchange fluid and the solid material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the sub-critical drying of a lyogel to form an aerogel, in which the lyogel is treated with a heat-conveying fluid at a temperature above the boiling point of the pore liquid of the lyogel under system pressure and the dried aerogel is then separated from the heat-conveying fluid.

Abstract: A method of drying a green particulate article includes the steps of:a. Providing a green article which includes a particulate material and a pore phase material, the pore phase material including a solvent; andb. contacting the green article with a liquid desiccant for a period of time sufficient to remove at least a portion of the solvent from the green article, the pore phase material acting as a semipermeable barrier to allow the solvent to be sorbed into the liquid desiccant, the pore phase material substantially preventing the liquid desiccant from entering the pores.

Abstract: A process for the subcritical drying of a lyogel to give an aerogel comprises treating the lyogel with a heat transfer liquid which has a temperature above the boiling point of the pore liquid of the lyogel under the pressure of the system and subsequently separating the dried aerogel from the heat transfer liquid.