Abstract: An arthropod trapping device having a housing including a base and a shade coupled to the base. The base includes a convex outward-facing wall and an opposing rear-facing wall, electrically conductive prongs, a circuit board, and a first and second LED electrically connected to the circuit board. The shade includes an outward-facing surface and a LED-facing surface. A first end region of the shade is adjacent to the outward-facing wall of the base such that the first end region of the shade overlaps at least a portion of the outward-facing wall of the base. The LED-facing surface that overlaps the base is spaced apart from the outward-facing wall of the base such that an opening is defined between the LED-facing surface of the shade and the outward-facing wall of the base. The opening extends from a first side edge of the base to a second side edge of the base.

Abstract: Torpedo cars for use with granulated iron production, and associated systems, devices, and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments of the present technology, a torpedo car includes a tilting mechanism, a body rotatably coupled to the tilting mechanism, and a controller operably coupled to the tilting mechanism to control tilting of the body. The body can include (i) an inner surface defining a cavity and a channel, and (ii) an outer surface defining an opening to the cavity and a channel outlet of the channel spaced apart from the opening. The channel can extend between the channel outlet and a channel inlet interfacing the cavity. The inner surface can include a slag dam configured to prevent slag from exiting the opening while the torpedo car tilts. The controller can control the tilting mechanism to control molten metal flow out of the cavity through the channel.

Abstract: A low-sulfur granulated metallic unit having a mass fraction of sulfur between 0.0001 wt. % and 0.08 wt. % is disclosed herein. Additionally or alternatively, the granulated metallic unit can comprise a mass fraction of phosphorous of at least 0.025 wt. %, a mass fraction of silicon between 0.25 wt. % and 1.5 wt. %, a mass fraction of manganese of at least 0.2 wt. %, a mass fraction of carbon of at least 0.8 wt. %, and/or a mass fraction of iron of at least 94.0 wt. %.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using a liquid hot metal processing unit to produce granulated metallic units (GMUs) are disclosed herein. In some embodiments of the present technology, a liquid hot metal processing system for producing GMUs comprises a liquid hot metal processing unit including a granulator unit. The granulator unit can include a tilter positioned to receive and tilt a ladle, a controller operably coupled to the tilter to control tilting of the ladle, a tundish positioned to receive the molten metallics from the ladle, and a reactor positioned to receive the molten metallics from the tundish. The reactor can be configured to cool the molten metallics to form granulated metallic units (GMUs).

Abstract: Processing granulated metallic units within electric arc furnaces (EAFs) and associated systems, devices, and methods are disclosed herein. A representative method can include receiving granulated metallic units in an EAF, wherein the granulated metallic units comprise no more than 0.05 wt. % of sulfur and at least 50% of particles in the granulated iron material have a particle size of at least 6 millimeters. The method can include applying electrical energy to the granulated iron via electrodes and melting the granulated iron material to form a molten steel product. The method can also include tapping the EAF to remove the molten steel product from the EAF.

Abstract: Systems for continuous granulated metallic unit (GMU) production, and associated devices and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a continuous GMU production system includes a furnace unit, a desulfurization unit, a plurality of granulator units, and a cooling system. The furnace unit can receive input materials such as iron ore and output molten metal. The desulfurization unit can reduce a sulfur content of the molten metallics received from the furnace unit. Each of the plurality of granulator units can include a tundish that can control the flow of molten metallics and a reactor that can granulate the molten metallics to form GMUs. The cooling system can provide cooled water to the reactor. Continuous GMU production systems configured in accordance with embodiments of the present technology can produce GMUs under continuous operations cycles for, e.g., at least 6 hours.

Abstract: A low-carbon granulated metallic unit having a mass fraction of carbon between 0.1 wt. % and 4.0 wt. % is disclosed herein. Additionally or alternatively, the granulated metallic unit can comprise a mass fraction of phosphorous of at least 0.025 wt. %, a mass fraction of silicon between 0.25 wt. % and 1.5 wt. %, a mass fraction of manganese of at least 0.2 wt. %, a mass fraction of sulfur of at least 0.0001 wt. %, and/or a mass fraction of iron of at least 94.0 wt. %.

Abstract: Railcars for transporting granulated metallic units, and associated systems, devices, and methods are disclosed herein. For example, a reinforced railcar apparatus includes a container envelope and a reinforcement liner. The container envelope includes side walls and end walls extending from a floor of the railcar. The side walls are a first length and the end walls are a second length less than the first length. Top portions of the rigid side walls and end walls define an opening of the container envelope through which granulated metallic units are discharged into the railcar assembly. The railcar assembly includes angled interior walls coupled to the bottom surface and extending from a top portion of the end walls to the bottom surface. The reinforcement liner is disposed over a portion of the bottom surface and the angled interior walls. In some embodiments, the railcar assembly includes an open-topped box layered with impact-absorbing material.

Abstract: Loading granulated metallic units (GMUs) into railcars, and associated systems, devices, and methods, are disclosed here. In some embodiments, an apparatus for loading GMUs into a railcar comprises a housing unit, a weigh bin, a weigh bin gate, a hopper, and an articulating chute. GMUs in the weigh bin are discharged via gravity through the weigh bin gate when the weigh bin gate opens. The hopper is configured to guide GMUs received from the weigh bin to the articulating chute. The articulating chute is angled and rotatable about an axis of the hopper such that, when rotated, the end of the chute is closer to the floor of a railcar. In some embodiments, the chute includes telescoping segments.

Abstract: Treating cooling water in industrial production facilities and associated systems, devices, and methods are disclosed herein. The system can comprise a cooling tower with a first and second cell, each having a housing to receive return water and a sump below to maintain supply water configured to directly contact molten metal. The system includes an inlet and an inlet line to provide return water to the cooling tower and an outlet and an outlet line to direct supply water back to the industrial production facility. The inlet, outlet, and cooling tower form a closed-loop network. Additionally, a blowdown line is fluidically coupled to the outlet to divert a portion of the supply water away from the closed-loop network.

Abstract: Reduced-waste systems and methods for granulated metallic units (GMUs) production are disclosed herein. A representative method can include receiving a first supply of molten iron and producing GMUs by granulating the molten iron poured onto a target material of a reactor. The method can include removing residual fines of the GMUs via a classifier based on a threshold particle size and mixing the residual fines with a second supply of molten iron to produce additional GMUs.

Abstract: An insert for an arthropod trapping device. The insert comprising a substrate and a frame for supporting the substrate, where a surface of the substrate has an adhesive disposed thereon, an optional mounting bracket spaced apart from the adhesive surface of the insert and located at a first end of the insert, and an optional graspable tab extending from the frame at a second end of the insert.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of trapping arthropods by providing a substantially planar, flexible insert having a LED-facing surface having an adhesive for trapping the arthropods disposed thereon. Then, bending the insert into a curved configuration and inserting the insert into an arthropod trapping device. The device includes a housing having a base and a curved shade. The curved shade is configured to receive the insert and comprises a LED-facing surface. A first LED having a peak wavelength of from about 400 nm to about 500 nm is mounted on the base and is configured to emit light in a direction substantially perpendicular to the LED-facing surface of the shade. A second LED having a peak wavelength of from about 350 nm to about 400 nm is mounted on the base and is configured to emit light in a direction substantially parallel to the LED-facing surface of the shade.

Abstract: An arthropod trapping device comprising a housing and an insert. The housing comprises a base and a shade coupled to the base, where the base comprises a light source (e.g., LED) and where the shade is configured to receive an insert that comprises a light source-facing surface with an adhesive disposed thereon.

Abstract: An insert for an arthropod trapping device. The insert comprising a substrate and a frame for supporting the substrate, where a surface of the substrate has an adhesive disposed thereon, an optional mounting bracket spaced apart from the adhesive surface of the insert and located at a first end of the insert, and an optional graspable tab extending from the frame at a second end of the insert.

Abstract: An insert for an arthropod trapping device. The insert comprising a substrate and a frame for supporting the substrate, where a surface of the substrate has an adhesive disposed thereon, an optional mounting bracket spaced apart from the adhesive surface of the insert and located at a first end of the insert, and an optional graspable tab extending from the frame at a second end of the insert.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to an arthropod trapping device, more particularly, to a compact and portable trapping device comprising a housing and an insert.

Abstract: A process for debundling a carbon fiber tow into dispersed chopped carbon fibers suitable for usage in molding composition formulations is provided. A carbon fiber tow is fed into a die having fluid flow openings, through which a fluid impinges upon the side of the tow to expand the tow cross sectional area. The expanded cross sectional area tow extends from the die into the path of a conventional fiber chopping apparatus to form chopped carbon fibers, or through contacting tines of a mechanical debundler. Through adjustment of the relative position of fluid flow openings relative to a die bore through which fiber tow passes, the nature of the fluid impinging on the tow, the shape of the bore, in combinations thereof, an improved chopped carbon fiber dispersion is achieved. The chopped carbon fiber obtained is then available to be dispersed in molding composition formulations prior to formulation cure.

Abstract: The need for a fast acting and broad spectrum antimicrobial composition which does not reduce surface shine and does not leave visible residues on the surface, while also providing greater residuality of the actives can be met by formulating antimicrobial compositions as described herein.

Abstract: A fastening tool has a tool body. A passage has a lower straight section at one orientation, an upper straight section at a different orientation and an interconnecting curvilinear passage section. A fastener driver sliding in the passage has a lower fastener impact segment, an intermediate a flexible driver segment, and an upper hammer segment. The flexible driver segment is constrained by an inside surface of the curvilinear passage section for curvilinear sliding. A leading part of the flexible driver segment and the impact segment are constrained by an inside surface of the lower linear passage section for linear sliding.