Abstract: Techniques for converting a portion of a carbonate to hydroxide include receiving an alkaline carbonate solution that includes between 0.1M (moles per liter of solution) to 4.0M hydroxide and between 0.1M to 4.1M carbonate; reacting, in a slaking process, quicklime (CaO) and a low carbonate content fluid to yield a slurry of primarily slaked lime (Ca(OH)2); and reacting the Ca(OH)2 slurry and the alkaline carbonate solution to grow calcium carbonate (CaCO3) crystal aggregates of 0.0005 mm3 to 5 mm3 in volume in a fluidized-bed reactive crystallizer.

Abstract: Enhancing growth of algae in an algaculture facility includes contacting a growth medium with a gas including carbon dioxide, transferring some of the carbon dioxide to the growth medium to yield an enriched growth medium, and providing the enriched growth medium to the algaculture facility. The concentration of dissolved carbon dioxide in the enriched growth medium exceeds the concentration of dissolved carbon dioxide in the growth medium, where dissolved carbon dioxide includes ions formed by the reaction of carbon dioxide with a species in solution. The growth medium may be obtained from the algaculture facility, and may be filtered or otherwise processed before or after contacting the growth medium with the gas. Providing the enriched growth medium to the algaculture facility increases the concentration of dissolved carbon dioxide in the bulk growth medium of the algaculture facility.

Abstract: Capturing a target gas includes contacting a gas mixture including a target species with an aqueous solution including a buffer species, and transferring some of the target species from the gas mixture to the aqueous solution. The target species forms a dissolved target species in the aqueous solution, and the aqueous solution is processed to yield a first aqueous stream and a second aqueous stream, where the equilibrium partial pressure of the target species over the second aqueous stream exceeds the equilibrium partial pressure of the target species over the first aqueous stream. At least some of the dissolved target species in the second aqueous stream is converted to the target species, and the target species is liberated from the second aqueous stream. The target species can be collected and/or compressed for subsequent processing or use.

Abstract: Techniques for converting a portion of a carbonate to hydroxide include receiving an alkaline carbonate solution that includes between 0.1M (moles per liter of solution) to 4.0M hydroxide and between 0.1M to 4.1M carbonate; reacting, in a slaking process, quicklime (CaO) and a low carbonate content fluid to yield a slurry of primarily slaked lime (Ca(OH)2); and reacting the Ca(OH)2 slurry and the alkaline carbonate solution to grow calcium carbonate (CaCO3) crystal aggregates of 0.0005 mm3 to 5 mm3 in volume in a fluidized-bed reactive crystallizer.

Abstract: Techniques for converting a portion of a carbonate to hydroxide include receiving an alkaline carbonate solution that includes between 0.1M (moles per liter of solution) to 4.0M hydroxide and between 0.1M to 4.1M carbonate; reacting, in a slaking process, quicklime (CaO) and a low carbonate content fluid to yield a slurry of primarily slaked lime (Ca(OH)2); and reacting the Ca(OH)2 slurry and the alkaline carbonate solution to grow calcium carbonate (CaCO3) crystal aggregates of 0.0005 mm3 to 5 mm3 in volume in a fluidized-bed reactive crystallizer.

Abstract: Capturing a target gas includes contacting a gas mixture including a target species with an aqueous solution including a buffer species, and transferring some of the target species from the gas mixture to the aqueous solution. The target species forms a dissolved target species in the aqueous solution, and the aqueous solution is processed to yield a first aqueous stream and a second aqueous stream, where the equilibrium partial pressure of the target species over the second aqueous stream exceeds the equilibrium partial pressure of the target species over the first aqueous stream. At least some of the dissolved target species in the second aqueous stream is converted to the target species, and the target species is liberated from the second aqueous stream. The target species can be collected and/or compressed for subsequent processing or use.

Abstract: Multi-ply tissue products are disclosed. The multi-ply tissue products contain tissue webs that have raised areas and depressed areas. The tissue webs may be constructed so as to be relatively non-compressive and may have a resilient three-dimensional structure. During production, in one embodiment, the tissue webs may be produced without being subjected to any substantial compression, such as a calendering process. Although not necessary in all applications, in one embodiment, the tissue webs may be combined such that the depressed areas contact each other to form the multi-ply product. The tissue webs, for instance, may comprise a through-air dried web in which the raised areas and the depressed areas are molded into the web. Tissue products made according to the present invention have enhanced absorption characteristics. For instance, the tissue products can have an interply absorbency of greater than about 3 g/g after 30 seconds.

Abstract: Multi-ply tissue products are disclosed. The multi-ply tissue products contain tissue webs that have raised areas and depressed areas. The tissue webs may be constructed so as to be relatively non-compressive and may have a resilient three-dimensional structure. During production, in one embodiment, the tissue webs may be produced without being subjected to any substantial compression, such as a calendering process. Although not necessary in all applications, in one embodiment, the tissue webs may be combined such that the depressed areas contact each other to form the multi-ply product. The tissue webs, for instance, may comprise a through-air dried web in which the raised areas and the depressed areas are molded into the web. Tissue products made according to the present invention have enhanced absorption characteristics. For instance, the tissue products can have an interply absorbency of greater than about 3 g/g after 30 seconds.

Abstract: Multi-ply tissue products are disclosed. The multi-ply tissue products contain tissue webs that have raised areas and depressed areas. The tissue webs may be constructed so as to be relatively non-compressive and may have a resilient three-dimensional structure. During production, in one embodiment, the tissue webs may be produced without being subjected to any substantial compression, such as a calendering process. Although not necessary in all applications, in one embodiment, the tissue webs may be combined such that the depressed areas contact each other to form the multi-ply product. The tissue webs, for instance, may comprise a through-air dried web in which the raised areas and the depressed areas are molded into the web. Tissue products made according to the present invention have enhanced absorption characteristics. For instance, the tissue products can have an interply absorbency of greater than about 3 g/g after 30 seconds.

Abstract: An absorbent article can have a topsheet, a backsheet, and an absorbent core disposed between the topsheet and the backsheet. In some aspects, at least one of the topsheet, backsheet, and absorbent core is stretchable. In other aspects, the absorbent core can comprise layers, at least one of which includes substantially the superabsorbent material and at least one of which includes substantially fluff. In some aspects, the article includes superabsorbent material which has a centrifuge retention capacity of at least about 25 g/g, a free swell gel bed permeability of at least 200 Darcies, and a gel integrity of at least 2. In some aspects, the superabsorbent material is coated with a polyvinylamine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to water swellable, water insoluble superabsorbent materials having controlled variable gel-bed friction angles. Controlling the gel-bed friction angle of the superabsorbent materials may allow control of the swelling of the material, the absorbency of the material, and/or the absorbency, resiliency, and porosity of the absorbent composite containing the superabsorbent material. The present invention relates to treatments for superabsorbent materials to manipulate friction angle and new superabsorbent materials having the desired friction angle characteristics. The present invention also relates to absorbent composites employing superabsorbent materials having the desired friction angle characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fiber having controlled dry fiber-bed friction angles and/or cohesion values. Controlling the dry fiber-bed friction angle and/or cohesion value of the fiber may allow control of the swelling of the material, the absorbency of the material, and/or the bending, buckling, porosity, and the compressibility and/or tension characteristics of the absorbent composite containing the fiber. The present invention relates to treatments for fiber to manipulate dry fiber-bed friction angle and cohesion value as well as new fiber materials having the desired dry fiber-bed friction angle and/or cohesion value characteristics. The present invention also relates to composites and products employing fibers have controlled dry fiber-bed friction values and/or cohesion values, alone or with other ingredients, including, for example, superabsorbent materials.

Abstract: The present invention related to fibers having controlled peak load values to achieve 50% compression of the fibers, compressive load at 50% compression of the fibers, and/or compressive energy value to achieve 50% compression of the fibers. The present invention relates to treatments for fibers to manipulate these values and new fibers having the desired peak load values to achieve 50% compression of the fibers, compressive load at 50% compression of the fibers, and/or compressive energy value to achieve 50% compression of the fibers. The present invention also relates to absorbent composites employing superabsorben materials having the desired peak load values to achieve 50% compression of the fibers, compressive load at 50% compression of the fibers, and/or compressive energy value to achieve 50% compression of the fibers.

Abstract: A device is provided for simulating a human skin microclimate and for measuring conditions such as temperature and humidity in the simulated microclimate. The microclimate is formed, for example, with fluids, gases and/or heat in a chamber of the device or between a surface of the device and a material disposed about the surface. In one aspect, a sensor is placed in the chamber to sense the microclimate. Methods of using the device and measuring microclimate conditions are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to composites having controlled composite-bed friction angles and/or controlled composite-bed cohesion values. Controlling these composite-bed properties may allow control of the swelling of ingredients in the composite, such as a superabsorbent material; and/or the absorbency, resiliency, and porosity of the absorbent composite. Composites having controlled composite-bed friction angles and/or controlled composite-bed cohesion values may be obtained by employing: superabsorbent material having controlled gel-bed friction angles and/or controlled gel-bed cohesion values; fiber having controlled fiber-bed friction angles and/or controlled fiber-bed cohesion values; or some combination thereof.

Abstract: The present invention relates to water swellable, water insoluble superabsorbent materials having controlled cohesions and controlled variable gel-bed friction angles. Controlling the cohesion and gel-bed friction angle of the superabsorbent materials may allow control of the swelling of the material, the absorbency of the material, and/or the absorbency, resiliency, and porosity of the absorbent composite containing the superabsorbent material. The present invention relates to treatments for superabsorbent materials to manipulate cohesion and/or friction angle and new superabsorbent materials having the desired cohesion and/or friction angle characteristics. The present invention also relates to absorbent composites employing superabsorbent materials having the desired cohesion and/or friction angle characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to water swellable, water insoluble superabsorbent materials having controlled variable gel-bed friction angles. Controlling the gel-bed friction angle of the superabsorbent materials may allow control of the swelling of the material, the absorbency of the material, and/or the absorbency, resiliency, and porosity of the absorbent composite containing the superabsorbent material. The present invention relates to treatments for superabsorbent materials to manipulate friction angle and new superabsorbent materials having the desired friction angle characteristics. The present invention also relates to absorbent composites employing superabsorbent materials having the desired friction angle characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to fiber having controlled fiber-bed friction angles and/or cohesion values. Controlling the fiber-bed friction angle and/or cohesion value of the fiber may allow control of the swelling of the material, the absorbency of the material, and/or the absorbency, resiliency, and porosity of the absorbent composite containing the fiber. The present invention relates to treatments for fiber to manipulate friction angle and cohesion value as well as new fiber materials having the desired friction angle and/or cohesion value characteristics. The present invention also relates to composites and products employing fibers have controlled fiber-bed friction values and/or cohesion values, alone or with other ingredients, including, for example, superabsorbent materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to water swellable, water insoluble superabsorbent materials having controlled variable gel-bed friction angles. Controlling the gel-bed friction angle of the superabsorbent materials may allow control of the swelling of the material, the absorbency of the material, and/or the absorbency, resiliency, and porosity of the absorbent composite containing the superabsorbent material. The present invention relates to treatments for superabsorbent materials to manipulate friction angle and new superabsorbent materials having the desired friction angle characteristics. The present invention also relates to absorbent composites employing superabsorbent materials having the desired friction angle characteristics.