Abstract: Bundled carbon nanotubes are disentangled and dispersed using the principles of extreme pressure reduction of fluids carrying the bundled nanotubes. They are added to a high pressure fluid upstream of a chamber operated at much lower pressure. These high-low pressure ratios are preferably at least 100:1. As the high pressure fluid enters the lower pressure chamber it violently expands causing separation and disentanglement of the bundled carbon fibers. To further assist in this disentanglement a nozzle may be used at the inlet to the lower pressure chamber to direct the high pressure fluid against a hardened anvil in the chamber. This impact further aids disentanglement. Coating the nanotubes with a dispersant also improves disentanglement.

Abstract: Provided are methods of dry recovering useable fiber from paper making sludge. In the methods, paper making sludge is dewatered and dried. The dewatered and dried sludge is then fiberized using a dry fiberizing machine into a fibrous material consisting of fibers and other material including fiber fines, clay, filler material and the like. The fibers in the fibrous material are then separated out in a sifting process. The separated fibers are then ready for use in paper making without further processing. The fiber fines and filler material separated from the fibers is also collected and can be used as filler material in other composite material applications.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for communicating feed stock in the form of shreds or the like to form a low density particulate product. The shredded feed stock is fed to a material handling rotor that functions as a centrifugal blower. The apparatus includes a housing that defines a cylindrical rotor chamber formed about a horizontal axis and a volute-shaped internal passage having at least one convolution formed around the rotor chamber. Located within the housing is a cylindrical screen with perforations that open into the rotor chamber. The centrifugal blower rotor is mounted in the rotor chamber and has a plurality of radial vanes with rakers attached to the outer ends closely spaced from the inner surface of the screen so that they continuously wipe pass the perforations to prevent clogging or blinding.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fiberizing feed stock in the form of shreds or the like to form a low density cellulosic product. The shredded feed stock is fed to a material handling rotor that functions as a centrifugal blower. The apparatus includes a housing that defines a cylindrical rotor chamber formed about a horizontal axis and a volute-shaped internal passage having at least one convolution formed around the rotor chamber. Located within the housing is a cylindrical screen with perforations that open into the rotor chamber. The centrifugal blower rotor is mounted in the rotor chamber and has a plurality of radial vanes with rakes attached to the outer ends closely spaced from the inner surface of the screen so that they continuously wipe pass the perforations to prevent clogging or blinding.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fiberizing feed stock in the form of shreds or the like to form a low density cellulosic product. The shredded feed stock is fed to a material handling rotor that functions as a centrifugal blower. The apparatus includes a housing that defines a cylindrical rotor chamber formed about a horizontal axis and a volute-shaped internal passage having at least one convolution formed around the rotor chamber. Located within the housing is a cylindrical screen with perforations that open into the rotor chamber. The centrifugal blower rotor is mounted in the rotor chamber and has a plurality of radial vanes with rakes attached to the outer ends closely spaced from the inner surface of the screen so that they continuously wipe pass the perforations to prevent clogging or blinding.