Abstract: Systems and methods for the treatment of plants, including decarboxylation, photo-oxidation, oxidation and/or combinations thereof, of cannabis and hemp plants and oils for biosynthesizing THCA, CBDA, and CBCA from CBGA are disclosed. A cannabinoid compound solution is fed into a cavitation zone of a controlled cavitation apparatus where the cannabinoid compound solution is subjected to cavitation and interaction with UV light for conversion of the cannabinoid compound solution to form a synthesized cannabinoid THC, CBD, CBC, CBG, CBNA, CBEA, CBLA product, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: An extreme acceleration of the process of aging spirits to obtain aged liquors includes circulating the spirits through a cavitation zone within a controlled cavitation reactor and exposing the spirits therein to high energy cavitation induced shockwaves. Sources of flavor and color such as charred wood chips may be added to the spirits to provide the color and flavor of liquors aged for years in traditional charred oak barrels. The method and apparatus of the present invention obtains the same conversion of undesirable alcohols, flavor extraction, and color as years of aging in an oak barrel but does so in a matter of minutes or hours. The apparatus and method also can be used in conjunction with traditional aging techniques and methods and the total aging time is still reduced dramatically.

Abstract: A method of hydrating a dry powdered viscosifier such as a powdered polymer is disclosed. The method includes mixing the powdered viscosifier with a solvent such as water to form a mixture; moving the mixture through a cavitation zone; inducing energetic shock waves and pressure fluctuations in the mixture by mechanically inducing cavitation events within the mixture, the shock waves and pressure fluctuations untangling, separating, and straightening polymer molecule chains and distributing the chains throughout the mixture, and extracting the resulting hydrated viscosifier from the cavitation zone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of inducing chemical reactions such as hydrogenation of a fluidized substance includes mixing hydrogen with the substance, passing the mixture through a cavitation zone, and inducing intense shockwaves in the cavitation zone by continuously generating high energy cavitation events within the mixture. In one embodiment, the treatment zone is the interior of a controlled cavitation reactor. Interior surfaces of the reactor may be coated with a catalyst required for the desired chemical reaction so that the catalyst need not be added directly to the mixture and need not be recovered after the reaction is complete.

Abstract: A controlled cavitation reactor is disclosed that is particularly suited to the treatment of abrasive fluids and slurries with a minimum of erosion and mechanical failure caused by abrasion. The reactor includes a generally cylindrical housing having a peripheral wall that extends between end plates. A rotor is rotatably disposed in the housing and has at least one outer peripheral surface spaced from the peripheral wall to define a cavitation zone therebetween. A plurality of bores extends through the peripheral surface of the rotor. The rotor may be formed with a central void zone between two lobes of the rotor with each lobe defining a separate cavitation zone with the peripheral wall of the housing. One or more inlet ports is arranged to introduce fluid to the housing tangentially and within one or more void zones. One or more exit ports is arranged to receive fluid from the housing tangentially within another void zone.

Abstract: A device and process for crystallizing a compound using hydrodynamic cavitation comprises the steps of mixing at least one stream of a feed stock solution containing the compound to be crystallized. The feed stock solution is caused to flow through the cavitation zone of a rotor-stator type hydrodynamic cavitation device. Cavitation events and resulting shock waves generated in the cavitation zone cause nucleation and the production of seed crystals within the solution. Possible recirculation of the solution through the cavitation device promotes crystallization at the sites of the seed crystals resulting in increasing larger crystals. The resulting crystalized compound can be extracted from the solution and used in product manufacturing and industrial processes. The rotor-stator design allows for high flow rates, high applied energy and robust service with minimized wear.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating impurities from a liquid stream includes a feed tank for containing an untreated liquid, a mixer for generating and mixing bubbles throughout the wastewater, and a settling tank for allowing the wastewater to settle for removal of impurities through dissolved gas floatation. The mixer includes a housing and a rotor rotatably mounted within the housing. The rotor is electrically isolated and the peripheral wall of the housing is electrically isolated and the rotor preferably has bores formed in its peripheral surface to produce cavitation to aid in mixing of fluid within the mixer. A power supply is coupled to establish a relatively positive electrical charge on the rotor and a relatively negative electrical charge on the wall of the housing. The charge causes electrolysis to occur within the fluid, which forms small low surface tension gas bubbles on the rotor and housing wall.

Abstract: A method of extracting sugar, starch, and/or carbohydrates from feed material such as corn or corn stover is disclosed. The feed material is mixed with liquid and perhaps accelerants to form a mixture. The mixture is pumped through a controlled cavitation reactor, where it is exposed to shockwaves from cavitation events. The shockwaves open pores in the feed material and force liquid in and out of the pores to liberate trapped sugars and starches, which are dissolved in the liquid for subsequent removal.

Abstract: A controlled cavitation device for mixing and heating of fluids in industries where sanitary conditions must be maintained. The device is easily disassembled for thorough cleaning and then easily assembled for continued operation. All internal surfaces are devoid of angles and are polished to food industry standards to maintain sanitary operation. The controlled cavitation device includes a cylindrical bearing housing for supporting a drive shaft that extends through each end of the bearing housing. An interior end plate is mounted to a C-face mount adjacent to the bearing housing and has a plurality of threaded bores around a periphery. A rotor is mounted adjacent to the interior end plate on the C-face mount. A housing assembly includes a cylindrical housing wall and is mounted on a swing arm assembly that is secured in place adjacent to the rotor.

Abstract: A method of mixing two or more dissimilar fluids such a gas and a liquid is provided. The method includes the steps of introducing one fluid into the other to form a mixture, inducing cavitation in the mixture to reduce at least one of the fluids to a large number of relatively small units, and distributing the small units uniformly throughout the mixture. In a preferred embodiment, the step of inducing cavitation comprises introducing the mixture into a chamber having a rotating disk formed with a plurality of irregularities such as bores. The irregularities on the rotating disk induce cavitation in the mixture. The cavitation also breaks down van der Waals attractions within the mixture to enhance mixing.

Abstract: A method of mixing two or more dissimilar fluids such a gas and a liquid is provided. The method includes the steps of introducing one fluid into the other to form a mixture, inducing cavitation in the mixture to reduce at least one of the fluids to a large number of relatively small units, and distributing the small units uniformly throughout the mixture. In a preferred embodiment, the step of inducing cavitation comprises introducing the mixture into a chamber having a rotating disk formed with a plurality of irregularities such as bores. The irregularities on the rotating disk induce cavitation in the mixture. The cavitation also breaks down van der Waals attractions within the mixture to enhance mixing.

Abstract: A method of mixing two or more dissimilar fluids such a gas and a liquid is provided. The method includes the steps of introducing one fluid into the other to form a mixture, inducing cavitation in the mixture to reduce at least one of the fluids to a large number of relatively small units, and distributing the small units uniformly throughout the mixture. In a preferred embodiment, the step of inducing cavitation comprises introducing the mixture into a chamber having a rotating disk formed with a plurality of irregularities such as bores. The irregularities on the rotating disk induce cavitation in the mixture. The cavitation also breaks down van der Waals attractions within the mixture to enhance mixing.

Abstract: A method of mixing two or more dissimilar fluids such a gas and a liquid is provided. The method includes the steps of introducing one fluid into the other to form a mixture, inducing cavitation in the mixture to reduce at least one of the fluids to a large number of relatively small units, and distributing the small units uniformly throughout the mixture. In a preferred embodiment, the step of inducing cavitation comprises introducing the mixture into a chamber having a rotating disk formed with a plurality of irregularities such as bores. The irregularities on the rotating disk induce cavitation in the mixture. The cavitation also breaks down van der Waals attractions within the mixture to enhance mixing.

Abstract: A system for the heating of fluids by causing severe turbulence of the fluid within a cavity of a housing. The device utilizes a rotor closely received within a cavity, the rotor mounted upon a rotatable shaft, with the surface of the rotor provided with a plurality of uniformly-spaced recesses oriented at a selected angle to the surface. The shaft is journalled in bearing assemblies and seal units at end walls of the housing, and the shaft is rotated by any suitable motive means. The heated fluid then is stored in any suitable storage facility, or utilized for any desired purpose. The system is provided for heating liquids, such as water, and high solids, or fluid mixtures having a solid constituent, and processing chemicals such as zinc phosphate.

Abstract: A system for the heating of fluids by causing severe turbulence of the fluid within a cavity of a housing. The device utilizes a rotor closely received within a cavity, the rotor mounted upon a rotatable shaft, with the surface of the rotor provided with a plurality of uniformly-spaced recesses oriented at a selected angle to the surface. The shaft is journalled in bearing assemblies and seal units at end walls of the housing, and the shaft is rotated by any suitable motive means. The heated fluid then is stored in any suitable storage facility, or utilized for any desired purpose. The system is specifically described for the purpose of heating water. This heated water is for standard use in a facility and, if desired, to provide heat input to air within that facility. Several embodiments of the conversion unit are given together with system elements to provide desired control of the heating of the water and of the facility. The preferred conversion unit has readily replaceable bearing assemblies.

Abstract: A unique cleaning method and structure is disclosed which pulses pressurized fluid into a vessel. The pulses clean internal surfaces within the vessel. The internal surfaces may include the internal surfaces of the vessel, or may include items to be cleaned which are placed within the vessel. The pulsed fluid preferably cavitates within the vessel, and impacts upon the surfaces to be cleaned, removing impurities such as scale or other buildup. The fluid may then be directed downstream and recirculated back through the system. Pulses of fluid are cyclically controlled by a control valve to optimize the amount of cavitation within the vessel.

Abstract: A unique heat exchange system is disclosed in which pulses pressurized fluid are directed into a vessel. The pulsed fluid preferably cavitates within the vessel, generating heat in the fluid. That heat is then directed to a downstream heat exchange structure where it heats a second fluid medium. The pulses of fluid are cyclically controlled by a control valve to optimize the cavitation within the vessel.

Abstract: Devices for heating fluids. The devices employ a cylindrical rotor which features surface irregularities. The rotor rides a shaft which is driven by external power means. Fluid injected into the device is subjected to relative motion between the rotor and the device housing, and exits the device at increased pressure and/or temperature. The device is thermodynamically highly efficient, despite the structural and mechanical simplicity of the rotor and other compounds. Such devices accordingly provide efficient, simply, inexpensive and reliable sources of heated water and other fluids for residential and industrial use.

Abstract: A unique heat exchange system is disclosed in which pulses pressurized fluid are directed into a vessel. The pulsed fluid preferably cavitates within the vessel, generating heat in the fluid. That heat is then directed to a downstream heat exchange structure where it heats a second fluid medium. The pulses of fluid are cyclically controlled by a control valve to optimize the cavitation within the vessel.

Abstract: A unique cleaning method and structure is disclosed which pulses pressurized fluid into a vessel. The pulses clean internal surfaces within the vessel. The internal surfaces may include the internal surfaces of the vessel, or may include items to be cleaned which are placed within the vessel. The pulsed fluid preferably cavitates within the vessel, and impacts upon the surfaces to be cleaned, removing impurities such as scale or other buildup. The fluid may then be directed downstream and recirculated back through the system. Pulses of fluid are cyclically controlled by a control valve to optimize the amount of cavitation within the vessel.