Abstract: A carbon structure comprising a mixture and a polymer. The mixture has a base carbon and a catalytic carbon. The polymer has a first binder with a median diameter of less than 10 microns and a second binder with a median diameter between 10 and 70 microns.

Abstract: A production system for manufacturing composite porous solid articles is provided wherein the color of such articles is monitored to confirm that the articles, which are produced by heating and compressing mixtures of poly(vinylidene fluoride) binder powder (such as Kyblock® resin from Arkema) and activated carbon powder, are fully cured. Adjustments to the processing conditions are made when a region of the article appears blue (indicative of incomplete curing).

Abstract: The invention relates to a solid porous article containing sub-micron functional additive particles held together using discrete sub-micron polymer binder particles. The porous article preferably also contains a majority of primary active particles in the 1 to 300 micron range. The solid porous articles are used to separate, precipitate, and/or trap components of a fluid that passes through the porous article. The solid porous articles are used to separate and trap components of a fluid that passes through the porous article. Preferred binders are polyvinylidene fluoride resins, such as Kyblock® resins from Arkema Inc.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solid porous article containing sub-micron functional additive particles held together using discrete sub-micron polymer binder particles. The porous article preferably also contains a majority of primary active particles in the 1 to 300 micron range. The solid porous articles are used to separate, precipitate, and/or trap components of a fluid that passes through the porous article. The solid porous articles are used to separate and trap components of a fluid that passes through the porous article. Preferred binders are polyvinylidene fluoride resins, such as Kyblock® resins from Arkema Inc.

Abstract: A production system for manufacturing composite porous solid articles is provided wherein the color of such articles is monitored to confirm that the articles, which are produced by heating and compressing mixtures of poly(vinylidene fluoride) binder powder (such as Kyblock® resin from Arkema) and activated carbon powder, are fully cured. Adjustments to the processing conditions are made when a region of the article appears blue (indicative of incomplete curing).

Abstract: A method of producing a scale-control resin including combining in an aqueous solution a cation-exchange resin and a weak-acid anion mineral or salt having a multivalent cation to allow ion exchange between the resin and the multivalent cation. The cation-exchange resin may be a weak-acid ion exchange resin. The method may further include adding a strong-acid salt having the same multivalent cation as the weak-acid anion mineral or salt to the aqueous solution.

Abstract: A block product comprising a thermoplastic binder having an average particle size of less than 20 micrometers fused with active particles to form a generally coherent porous structure. In some cases, the average particle size of the binder is less than 12 micrometers. In some cases, the active particles are activated carbon particles. In some cases, the block product may include one or more of poly(vinylidene difluoride) binders, nylon-11, and nylon-12 or other odd-numbered polyamides having such small particle size.

Abstract: An apparatus for extruding a block product from a feed material. A barrel includes an output end. A screw is at least partially disposed within the barrel. The screw flows the feed material in the barrel towards the output end. A die is in fluid communication with the output end of the barrel. The die receives the feed material and heats the feed material to produce the block product. At least one electrically conductive element passes electric current through the feed material to heat the feed material by resistive heating. The feed material may include activated carbon and at least one binder, to produce a carbon block product.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming particles from a liquid, including a rotor assembly having at least one surface sized and shaped so as to define at least one capillary. Each capillary has an inner region adjacent an axis of rotation of the rotor assembly, an outer region distal from the axis of rotation, and an edge adjacent the outer region. The rotor assembly is configured to be rotated at an angular velocity selected such that when the liquid is received in the inner region of the at least one capillary, the liquid will move from the inner region to the outer region, adopt an unsaturated condition on the at least one surface such that the liquid flows as a film along the at least one surface and does not continuously span the capillary, and, upon reaching the edge, separates from the at least one surface to form at least one particle.

Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated paper wherein the paper has capabilities and functionalities provided by both the fiber and the active agent ingredients, and a method of immobilizing the active agents within the integrated paper. The tight pore structure of the integrated paper of the present invention, a mean pore diameter of less than about 2 microns, provides short diffusion distances from a fluid to the surface of the paper ingredients by adsorption or diffusive interception making it an excellent medium for fluid filtration. The integrated paper of the present invention can further include a microbiological interception enhancing agent. The integrated paper can be formed using, preferably, wet laid paper-making processes for speed and efficiency. Also disclosed are devices utilizing the integrated paper useful in fluid filtration.

Abstract: A process for making nanofibers includes preparing a fluid suspension of fibers, shear refining the fibers to create fibrillated fibers, and subsequently closed channel refining or homogenizing the fibrillated fibers to detach nanofibers from the fibrillated fibers. The shear refining of the fibers in the fluid suspension generates fiber cores having attached nanofibers. The closed channel refining or homogenizing of the fibrillated fibers is initially at a first shear rate and, subsequently, at a second, higher shear rate, to detach nanofibers from fiber cores and to create additional nanofibers from the fiber cores. The fiber suspension may flow continuously from the shear refining to the closed channel refining or homogenizing, and include controlling the rate of flow of the fiber suspension from the shear refining to the closed channel refining or homogenizing.

Abstract: A method of forming an absorbent product, including providing a base layer and co-forming a plurality of fibers and an absorbent material and then depositing the fibers and absorbent material onto the base layer. At least some of the fibers serve as a matrix for supporting the absorbent material, and the fibers and absorbent material generally cooperate so as to form an absorbent core of the absorbent product.

Abstract: A method of producing a scale-control resin including combining in an aqueous solution a cation-exchange resin and a weak-acid anion mineral or salt having a multivalent cation to allow ion exchange between the resin and the multivalent cation. The cation-exchange resin may a weak-acid ion exchange resin. The method may further include adding a strong-acid salt having the same multivalent cation as the weak-acid anion mineral or salt to the aqueous solution.

Abstract: An apparatus for mass transfer of a gas into a liquid, including a tank that defines a chamber for receiving the gas, and at least one surface provided within the chamber. Each surface has an inner region, an outer region and an edge adjacent the outer region. Each surface is configured to receive the liquid at the inner region and rotate such that the liquid flows on the surface from the inner region to the outer region, and, upon reaching the edge of the surface, separates to form liquid particles that move outwardly through the gas in the chamber. The liquid particles are sized so that the gas is absorbed by the liquid particles to produce a mixed liquid saturated with the gas during a brief flight time of the liquid particles through the chamber.

Abstract: A system for gassing a liquid beverage, including a carbonator configured to output a highly gassed fluid and a mixer configured to receive the highly gassed fluid and the liquid beverage and output a carbonated liquid beverage.

Abstract: A method for monitoring consumption of at least one consumable in a mass transfer system. The method includes providing at least one accurate mass transfer apparatus configured to provide mass transfer of a gas into a liquid to generate a liquid output, wherein the relative amounts of liquid and gas are set, and for each mass transfer apparatus: measuring the amount of liquid output, and determining, based on the amount of liquid output and the relative amounts of liquid and gas, a quantity of at least one of the gas and liquid consumed in that mass transfer apparatus.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a system for controlling mass transfer of a gas into a liquid. The system includes a mass transfer apparatus configured to provide the mass transfer of the gas into the liquid, a temperature sensor configured to monitor the temperature of the liquid provided to the mass transfer apparatus, a pressure sensor configured to monitor the pressure within the mass transfer apparatus, and a control unit configured to communicate with the temperature sensor and the pressure sensor. In response, the control unit adjusts the pressure within the mass transfer apparatus to encourage reaching an equilibrium condition within the mass transfer apparatus and provide for consistent gas absorption into the liquid.

Abstract: An apparatus for mass transfer of a gas into a liquid, including a tank that defines a chamber for receiving the gas, and at least one surface provided within the chamber. Each surface has an inner region, an outer region and an edge adjacent the outer region. Each surface is configured to receive the liquid at the inner region and rotate such that the liquid flows on the surface from the inner region to the outer region, and, upon reaching the edge of the surface, separates to form liquid particles that move outwardly through the gas in the chamber. The liquid particles are sized so that the gas is absorbed by the liquid particles to produce a mixed liquid saturated with the gas during a brief flight time of the liquid particles through the chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for mass transfer of a gas into a liquid, including a tank that defines a chamber for receiving the gas, and at least one surface provided within the chamber. Each surface has an inner region, an outer region and an edge adjacent the outer region. Each surface is configured to receive the liquid at the inner region and rotate such that the liquid flows on the surface from the inner region to the outer region, and, upon reaching the edge of the surface, separates to form liquid particles that move outwardly through the gas in the chamber. The liquid particles are sized so that the gas is absorbed by the liquid particles to produce a mixed liquid saturated with the gas during a brief flight time of the liquid particles through the chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming particles from a liquid, including a rotor assembly having at least one surface sized and shaped so as to define at least one capillary. Each capillary has an inner region adjacent an axis of rotation of the rotor assembly, an outer region distal from the axis of rotation, and an edge adjacent the outer region. The rotor assembly is configured to be rotated at an angular velocity selected such that when the liquid is received in the inner region of the at least one capillary, the liquid will move from the inner region to the outer region, adopt an unsaturated condition on the at least one surface such that the liquid flows as a film along the at least one surface and does not continuously span the capillary, and, upon reaching the edge, separates from the at least one surface to form at least one particle.