Abstract: A process for processing an electroactive mesoporous material into a cathode, or an anode or a supercapacitor material using one or more of the steps of: (a) modifying the material to remove impurities or substitute materials in the powder by a hydrothermal process; (b) intercalating the material by injecting the material with the charge carrier ion using a hydrothermal process or supercritical CO2 fluid process where the solvent fluid contains a soluble material of the charge carrier ion; (c) sintering the intercalated material; (d) providing a layer of a conducting material within the material pores; (e) filling the pores and interparticle spaces with an electrolyte generally comprising the charge carrier ion and a solvent; and for solid state materials, (f) polymerizing the solvent to encapsulate the powders.

Abstract: A system for the calcination of powder materials comprising a plurality of vertical reactor tubes in which a falling powder is heated about a heating zone by radiation from the externally heated walls of the reactor tubes, in which the calcination process of the powder may be a reaction which liberates a gas, or induces a phase change; wherein the average velocity of the particles of falling powder during its transit through the reactor tubes is 1.0 m/s or less; the powder material flux for each tube is preferably in the range of 0.5-1 kg m-2 s-1, and wherein the length of the heating zone is in the range of 10 to 35 m.

Abstract: The invention provides a process for manufacturing ceramics and refractories comprising the steps of producing a porous powder comprising nanograin sized particles wherein the particles have a Young’s modulus value that is smaller in value compared to the same crystalline material; compacting and processing the powder such that the powder forms a stable homogeneous composite; and sintering the composite for a time and temperature to lead to uniform shrinkage of the composite to make a dense homogenous material.

Abstract: A process for producing a cathode or anode material adapted for use in the manufacture of fast rechargeable ion batteries. The process may include the steps of Selecting an precursor material that, upon heating in a gas stream, releases volatile compounds to create porous materials to generate a material compound suitable for an electrode in an ion battery. Grinding the precursor material to produce a powder of particles with a first predetermined particle size distribution to form a precursor powder. Calcining the precursor powder in a flash calciner reactor segment with a first process gas at a first temperature to produce a porous particle material suitable for an electrode in an ion battery, and having the pore properties, surface area and nanoscale structures for applications in such batteries.

Abstract: A method and system for producing nano-active powder materials. The method can be used with a reactor system comprising stages in which input particles flow under gravity progressively through stages of the reactor. A powder injector first stage in which ground input precursor powder is injected into the reactor. An externally heated preheater stage may be in the reactor, in which the precursor powder is heated to a temperature of calcination reaction. An externally heated calciner stage in the reactor, in which primary precursor volatile constituents can be rapidly removed calcination reactions as a high purity gas stream to produce the desired nano-active product. A post-processing reactor stage in which there is a change of the gas stream composition to produce the desired hot powder product by virtue of the nano-activity of the first powder material. A powder ejector stage in which the hot powder product is ejected from the reactor.

Abstract: A process for producing a cathode or anode material adapted for use in the manufacture of fast rechargeable ion batteries. The process may include the steps of Selecting an precursor material that, upon heating in a gas stream, releases volatile compounds to create porous materials to generate a material compound suitable for an electrode in an ion battery. Grinding the precursor material to produce a powder of particles with a first predetermined particle size distribution to form a precursor powder. Calcining the precursor powder in a flash calciner reactor segment with a first process gas at a first temperature to produce a porous particle material suitable for an electrode in an ion battery, and having the pore properties, surface area and nanoscale structures for applications in such batteries.

Abstract: A method and system for producing nano-active powder materials. The method can be used with a reactor system comprising stages in which input particles flow under gravity progressively through stages of the reactor. A powder injector first stage in which ground input precursor powder is injected into the reactor. An externally heated preheater stage may be in the reactor, in which the precursor powder is heated to a temperature of calcination reaction. An externally heated calciner stage in the reactor, in which primary precursor volatile constituents can be rapidly removed calcination reactions as a high purity gas stream to produce the desired nano-active product. A post-processing reactor stage in which there is a change of the gas stream composition to produce the desired hot powder product by virtue of the nano-activity of the first powder material. A powder ejector stage in which the hot powder product is ejected from the reactor.

Abstract: A method and system for producing nano-active powder materials. The method can be used with a reactor system comprising stages in which input particles flow under gravity progressively through stages of the reactor. A powder injector first stage in which ground input precursor powder is injected into the reactor. An externally heated preheater stage may be in the reactor, in which the precursor powder is heated to a temperature of calcination reaction. An externally heated calciner stage in the reactor, in which primary precursor volatile constituents can be rapidly removed calcination reactions as a high purity gas stream to produce the desired nano-active product. A post-processing reactor stage in which there is a change of the gas stream composition to produce the desired hot powder product by virtue of the nano-activity of the first powder material. A powder ejector stage in which the hot powder product is ejected from the reactor.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of high-solids hydroxide slurries from caustic calcined carbonate powder is described, whereby the properties of the slurry are its low resistance to shear thinning to facilitate transport, a high stability for transport and storage, ease of reconstitution after long periods of storage, and, as required, a high concentration of chemically reactive species at the particle surface. The method achieves these specifications by mixing caustic calcined carbonate or hydroxide powder with water in an insulated reactor vessel, and agitating the slurry sufficiently such that the hydration reaction causes the water to spontaneously boil, such that the remaining hydration proceeds spontaneously under the fixed conditions of boiling through the water loss. The mixing process is preferably carried out by a shear pump. A viscosity modifier, such as acetic acid, is used to thin the slurry to enable the mixing system to maintain uniform mixing.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of high-solids hydroxide slurries from caustic calcined carbonate powder is described, whereby the properties of the slurry are its low resistance to shear thinning to facilitate transport, a high stability for transport and storage, ease of reconstitution after long periods of storage, and, as required, a high concentration of chemically reactive species at the particle surface. The method achieves these specifications by mixing caustic calcined carbonate or hydroxide powder with water in an insulated reactor vessel, and agitating the slurry sufficiently such that the hydration reaction causes the water to spontaneously boil, such that the remaining hydration proceeds spontaneously under the fixed conditions of boiling through the water loss. The mixing process is preferably carried out by a shear pump. A viscosity modifier, such as acetic acid, is used to thin the slurry to enable the mixing system to maintain uniform mixing.

Abstract: The invention discloses a metal and semi-metal oxide powder that, when applied to an environment, inhibits the growth of colonies of microorganisms, wherein the powder includes particles comprising a particle size distribution between 0.1 to 100 microns, which are formulated as a strongly bonded, porous, composite of nano-scale grains of materials wherein the grains have a surface area of 75 to 300 m2/g and which have less than about 10?4% of free radical species by weight, and wherein the powder is adapted to release reactive oxygen species (ROS) burst when the particles come into contact with a microorganism.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for manufacture of biocide products are described. The biocide properties arise from the caustic calcined powder, from carbonates such as such as magnesite and dolomite, and from hydroxides such as brucite. The method of manufacture is based on the production of high surface area oxide particles using an indirectly heated counterflow reactors for specifically calcining the carbonates and the hydroxides without significant sintering. The biocide products may be a powder or a hydrated slurry. A hydrated slurry is preferred for agricultural applications as a spray. For aquaculture applications, the products have a preferred particle size distribution to impact the aquatic and benthic ecosystems, and a Ca/Mg ratio that promotes the growth of the cultivates species when applied as a powder or a slurry.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for manufacture of biocide products are described. The biocide properties arise from the caustic calcined powder, from carbonates such as such as magnesite and dolomite, and from hydroxides such as brucite. The method of manufacture is based on the production of high surface area oxide particles using an indirectly heated counterflow reactors for specifically calcining the carbonates and the hydroxides without significant sintering. The biocide products may be a powder or a hydrated slurry. A hydrated slurry is preferred for agricultural applications as a spray. For aquaculture applications, the products have a preferred particle size distribution to impact the aquatic and benthic ecosystems, and a Ca/Mg ratio that promotes the growth of the cultivates species when applied as a powder or a slurry.

Abstract: A process for producing a cathode or anode material adapted for use in the manufacture of fast rechargeable ion batteries. The process may include the steps of Selecting an precursor material that, upon heating in a gas stream, releases volatile compounds to create porous materials to generate a material compound suitable for an electrode in an ion battery. Grinding the precursor material to produce a powder of particles with a first predetermined particle size distribution to form a precursor powder. Calcining the precursor powder in a flash calciner reactor segment with a first process gas at a first temperature to produce a porous particle material suitable for an electrode in an ion battery, and having the pore properties, surface area and nanoscale structures for applications in such batteries.

Abstract: A formulation of a pathogen inhibitor or probiotic as a slurry concentrate of a hydrated metal oxide for applications in agriculture, aquaculture, and as an antibiotic in which the bioactivity, when applied by dilution, is controlled by a precursor of Reactive Oxygen Species, and the release rate is controlled by the particle size. The invention may include a means whereby the precursor concentration may be controlled to meet the requirements of the ecosystem, from the maintenance of an aerobic system, to killing pathogenic, anaerobic microbes, or producing sterile ecosystems. In addition, the metal oxide may be selected to provide essential nutrients for growth of the agricultural or aquacultural products.

Abstract: A process for producing a highly calcined and uniformly calcined product from a feedstock. The process comprising the steps of grinding the feedstock to powder, preheating the powder, and calcining the powder in a reactor plant that comprises a number of reactor segments in which a flash calciner is used in each progressive reactor segment to incrementally react the powder by raising the temperature in each segment. The last segment may be a high-temperature reactor that has a controlled residence time and temperature that may allow controlled finishing of the calcination process to achieve a desired degree of calcination and sintering of the product; and cooling of the product.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of high-solids hydroxide slurries from caustic calcined carbonate powder is described, whereby the properties of the slurry are its low resistance to shear thinning to facilitate transport, a high stability for transport and storage, ease of reconstitution after long periods of storage, and, as required, a high concentration of chemically reactive species at the particle surface. The method achieves these specifications by mixing caustic calcined carbonate or hydroxide powder with water in an insulated reactor vessel, and agitating the slurry sufficiently such that the hydration reaction causes the water to spontaneously boil, such that the remaining hydration proceeds spontaneously under the fixed conditions of boiling through the water loss. The mixing process is preferably carried out by a shear pump. A viscosity modifier, such as acetic acid, is used to thin the slurry to enable the mixing system to maintain uniform mixing.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of high-solids hydroxide slurries from caustic calcined carbonate powder is described, whereby the properties of the slurry are its low resistance to shear thinning to facilitate transport, a high stability for transport and storage, ease of reconstitution after long periods of storage, and, as required, a high concentration of chemically reactive species at the particle surface. The method achieves these specifications by mixing caustic calcined carbonate or hydroxide powder with water in an insulated reactor vessel, and agitating the slurry sufficiently such that the hydration reaction causes the water to spontaneously boil, such that the remaining hydration proceeds spontaneously under the fixed conditions of boiling through the water loss. The mixing process is preferably carried out by a shear pump. A viscosity modifier, such as acetic acid, is used to thin the slurry to enable the mixing system to maintain uniform mixing.

Abstract: A method of manufacture of Portland cement clinker is described in a dry process that captures the carbon dioxide emitted from the calcination of carbonate minerals, principally limestone. The process uses an indirectly heated, counter-flow reactor to pre-heat and calcine the cement meal to produce a separate calcined meal and carbon dioxide gas stream, with external heat being provided by the combustion of a secondary fuel stream with pre-heated air. This calcined meal is injected into the conventional rotary kiln, where the hot flue gas from combustion of the primary fuel with pre-heated air is used to fuse, react and sinter the powders to form granules of cement clinker. The clinker and carbon dioxide streams are cooled by the air pre-heaters.

Abstract: A method and system for producing nano-active powder materials. The method can be used with a reactor system comprising stages in which input particles flow under gravity progressively through stages of the reactor. A powder injector first stage in which ground input precursor powder is injected into the reactor. An externally heated preheater stage may be in the reactor, in which the precursor powder is heated to a temperature of calcination reaction. An externally heated calciner stage in the reactor, in which primary precursor volatile constituents can be rapidly removed calcination reactions as a high purity gas stream to produce the desired nano-active product. A post-processing reactor stage in which there is a change of the gas stream composition to produce the desired hot powder product by virtue of the nano-activity of the first powder material. A powder ejector stage in which the hot powder product is ejected from the reactor.