Abstract: This invention concerns a novel method to produce thermosets such as epoxies and polyurethanes comprising nano-cellulose. The method comprises contacting primarily water-bourne dispersed nano-cellulose with liquid thermoset precursors, specifically epoxy or amine in the case of epoxies, or glycols or similar in the case of polyurethanes. Nano-cellulose transfers to the organic phase, and water is removed at temperatures below 100° C. Thereafter the organic phase comprising nano-cellulose can be mixed with the reactive counterpart to yield nano-composites with improved properties. The products can be used for composite articles, coatings, adhesives, sealants, and other end-uses. Preferred embodiments are described in detail.

Abstract: A heat recovery system arranged to be used together with a first closed loop system (S1) configured as a first closed-loop thermodynamic Rankine cycle system, to convert heat from a heat generating unit (1) into electrical energy (E). Said heat recovery system comprising a second closed loop system (S2) comprising a second system working medium (W2) configured as a second closed-loop thermodynamic Rankine cycle system arranged to convert the heat in at least one heat stream (HS1) generated by the heat generating unit (1) into a first batch (E1) of electrical energy (E) and a third closed loop system (S3) comprising a circulating third system working medium (W3).

Abstract: Expansion machines in thermodynamic cycles operate at low pressures, i.e. below 10 bar. The interplay among components including gas generator, expansion machine, heat exchangers and pressure reduction device (absorber or condenser) is optimized, resulting in configurations operating at the lowest achievable cost level. A single stage radial turbine characterized by a pressure ratio of 5-10, a dimensionless speed of about 0.7 and a loading coefficient of 0.7 is a preferred expansion machine for certain thermodynamic cycles involving CO2 gas to permit such radial turbines to operate close to their optimum design specification and highest efficiency level. Methods to handle liquids which may condense within or inside the turbine are also disclosed, as well as methods to handle axial pressure on bearings and methods to protect lubricant in bearings.

Abstract: A method for producing electrical energy is disclosed which uses a heat source, such as solar heat, geothermal heat, industrial waste heat or heat from power production processes, providing heat of 150° C. or below, further comprising an absorber system in which a working gas, primarily carbon dioxide CO2, is absorbed into an absorbent, typically an amine, further comprising a reactor which receives heat from said heat source and in which the absorbent-CO2 mixture is split into CO2 and absorbent, further comprising an expansion machine, an electricity generator and auxiliary equipment such as pumps, pipes and heat exchangers. The system according to the method allows the cost-efficient production of electrical energy and cooling using low value heat source.

Abstract: Expansion machines in thermodynamic cycles operate at low pressures, i.e. below 10 bar. The interplay among components including gas generator, expansion machine, heat exchangers and pressure reduction device (absorber or condenser) is optimized, resulting in configurations operating at the lowest achievable cost level. A single stage radial turbine characterized by a pressure ratio of 5-10, a dimensionless speed of about 0.7 and a loading coefficient of 0.7 is a preferred expansion machine for certain thermodynamic cycles involving CO2 gas to permit such radial turbines to operate close to their optimum design specification and highest efficiency level. Methods to handle liquids which may condense within or inside the turbine are also disclosed, as well as methods to handle axial pressure on bearings and methods to protect lubricant in bearings.

Abstract: A method for producing electrical energy is disclosed which uses a heat source, such as solar heat, geothermal heat, industrial waste heat or heat from power production processes, providing heat of 150° C. or below, further comprising an absorber system in which a working gas, primarily carbon dioxide CO2, is absorbed into an absorbent, typically an amine, further comprising a reactor which receives heat from said heat source and in which the absorbent-CO2 mixture is split into CO2 and absorbent, further comprising an expansion machine, an electricity generator and auxiliary equipment such as pumps, pipes and heat exchangers. The system according to the method allows the cost-efficient production of electrical energy and cooling using low value heat source.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method is provided which allows the generation of high temperatures, e.g. above 120° C. and maximum 200° C. and low temperatures, e.g. below minimum minus 20° C., from waste heat or geothermal heat or similar heat sources having a temperature of between 20 and 70° C. The method may use essentially pure carbon dioxide as primary working fluid in an essentially closed loop as described in previous disclosures, alternatively low boiling solvents are employed. The common feature of different embodiments is that the system operates at least partly, specifically in the absorber or cold side of the process, below atmospheric pressure (1 bar). In the method a heat pump or heat transformer is realized within the technical boundaries mentioned above. The invention also relates to the use of the method in combination with a district heating system for elevating the temperature of the district heating medium or for electricity production on demand.

Abstract: A method is provided which allows the facile deicing of a surface of a structure in general. Electromagnetic induction or IR/Microwave radiation is used to heat up a layer or a coating on said surface of the structure in general whereby said layer preferably contains conductive particles such as carbon nano particles, such as graphite, carbon nano tubes, carbon nano cones, metal in powder form, metalized glass beads, carbon fibers, chopped or as woven structure, etc all collectively named Carbon Nano Tubes (CNTs) or cones or metallic particles at concentrations above 0.01% by weight. Heat conductors such as boron nitride may be used to improve the heat transfer to the surface. Constructions are disclosed which shield the microwave emitters from lightning receiving elements, and which protect the complete structure during lightning events. Radiation can be supplied both from the inside of the structure as well as from the outside.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing an article comprising an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) and an IPN comprising article e.g. obtainable by this method. The method comprises providing a polymer substrate e.g. shaped to provide the desired article and applying it in a reaction chamber, providing at least one monomer for an interpenetrating polymer, exposing said polymer substrate in said reaction chamber to said at least one monomer in the presence of an impregnation solvent comprising CO2 under conditions wherein said CO2 is in its liquid or supercritical state and polymerizing and optionally cross linking said at least one monomer to form an interpenetrating polymer in the presence of a polymerization solvent under conditions wherein at least a part of said at least one monomer is dissolved in said polymerization solvent.

Abstract: An antimicrobial composition containing coniferous resin acids and/or their derivates, an antimicrobial polymer composition including coniferous resin acids and/or their derivates and processes for preparing thereof, and the use of the derivates of coniferous resin acids as an antimicrobial agent.

Abstract: A method for producing electrical energy is disclosed which uses a heat source, such as solar heat, geothermal heat, industrial waste heat or heat from power production processes, providing heat of 150 ° C. or below, further comprising an absorber system in which a working gas, primarily carbon dioxide CO2, is absorbed into an absorbent, typically an amine, further comprising a reactor which receives heat from said heat source and in which the absorbent-CO2 mixture is split into CO2 and absorbent, further comprising an expansion machine, an electricity generator and auxiliary equipment such as pumps, pipes and heat exchangers. The system according to the method allows the cost-efficient production of electrical energy and cooling using low value heat source.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method of producing an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) comprising the steps of I) providing a silicone polymer composition; (ii) providing one or more monomers for a polymer; (iii) providing a solvent for the one or more monomers; iv) exposing said silicone polymer composition to said one or more monomers and said solvent to precipitate monomer within said silicone polymer composition and v) polymerizing said monomer to form an IPN, wherein said solvent has a surface tension at the exposing step of about 15 mNZm or less. It is preferred that the solvent, which is preferably CO2, in the exposing step is in or near its supercritical state. The method is fast and simple, and the dispersion of the monomers may be controlled to thereby control the amount and distribution of the interpenetrating network in the silicone material. Further more the method results in new materials, where silicone polymers are used as the basic materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of producing an article comprising an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) and an IPN comprising article e.g. obtainable by this method. The method comprises providing a polymer substrate e.g. shaped to provide the desired article and applying it in a reaction chamber, providing at least one monomer for an interpenetrating polymer, exposing said polymer substrate in said reaction chamber to said at least one monomer in the presence of an impregnation solvent comprising CO2 under conditions wherein said CO2 is in its liquid or supercritical state and polymerizing and optionally cross linking said at least one monomer to form an interpenetrating polymer in the presence of a polymerization solvent under conditions wherein at least a part of said at least one monomer is dissolved in said polymerization solvent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for treating of oil contaminated, metal-containing solids, in particular spent catalysts. The solids are cleaned with a dense phase gas and then metal is recovered from the cleaned solids.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a process for simultaneous or sequential separation of a mixture resulting from an alkoxylation reaction of a) at least one C4-C18 alcohol with b) at least one epoxide, comprising bringing said mixture into contact with pressurized CO2 having a concentration of at least 90% by weight, and collecting at least two fractions which differ in the average number of alkoxy units which are attached to said alcohol(s), at least a part of at least one but not all of said at least two fractions being recycled as raw material for the alkoxylation.

Abstract: A method is provided for processing parts in more than one bath of dense phase carbon dioxide wherein the processing includes transferring dense phase carbon dioxide from a storage tank to a cleaning chamber, processing said parts in said cleaning chamber with said dense phase carbon dioxide, withdrawing at least a part of said dense phase carbon dioxide from said cleaning chamber, distilling said withdrawn dense phase carbon dioxide, and transferring said distilled carbon dioxide back to said storage tank, wherein said distilled carbon dioxide is cooled prior to being transferred to said storage tank and said cooling is carried out depending on the temperature and/or the pressure in the storage tank and/or the cleaning chamber.

Abstract: A method of producing a silicone rubber item. The method includes the steps of i) shaping the silicone rubber item and ii) subjecting the shaped item to a cold curing, wherein the cold curing includes feeding the shaped item into a reactor, and subjecting the shaped item to an extraction treatment using carbon dioxide containing solvent at a pressure between 10 and 50 bars, wherein the item has an initial temperature below 60° C. in the extraction step, and in at least a part of the extraction time the item has a temperature below 25° C. and a pressure so that the carbon dioxide is in its liquid state.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of providing a rubber material from a rubber containing waste material. The method comprises the step of subjecting the waste material to a treatment with an extraction solvent in a reactor at a pressure above atmospheric pressure, wherein the extraction solvent comprises an effective amount of carbon dioxide. The extraction may be performed in one or more dynamic and/or one or more static steps, to provide a sufficient extraction without damaging the material. The rubber containing waste material may further be subjected to an impregnation step, which may be performed simultaneously with the extraction step, after the extraction step or overlapping with the extraction step. The invention also relates to a rubber material comprising low amounts or is essentially free of alkylated aromatic oils and heavy metals in the form of inorganic and organic salts.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method of producing an interpenetrating polymer network (IPN) comprising the steps of I) providing a silicone polymer composition; (ii) providing one or more monomers for a polymer; (iii) providing a solvent for the one or more monomers; iv) exposing said silicone polymer composition to said one or more monomers and said solvent to precipitate monomer within said silicone polymer composition and v) polymerizing said monomer to form an IPN, wherein said solvent has a surface tension at the exposing step of about 15 mNZm or less. It is preferred that the solvent, which is preferably CO2, in the exposing step is in or near its supercritical state. The method is fast and simple, and the dispersion of the monomers may be controled to thereby controle the amount and distribution of the interpenetrating network in the silicone material. Further more the method results in new materials, where silicone polymers are used as the basic materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for modifying a surface of injection-moulded, extruded or pressed polymeric substrates comprising silicone rubbers. The method comprises the steps of removing and/or extracting liquid low molecular weight residues partly or totally from the substrate, and subjecting the substrate to a surface treatment, e.g. flame, corona, and plasma-treatment. An excellent activation of the surface is achieved.