Abstract: Horizontal adiabatic reactor (1) for heterogeneous catalytic reactions, comprising an outer cylindrical shell (2), an inlet (6) for reagent gases and an outlet (7) for gaseous products, a basket (10, 13) containing a catalytic bed (5a, 5b) positioned horizontally inside said reactor, wherein said reactor is configured in such a way that the gases cross said catalytic bed in a radial or axial-radial manner, said shell (2) has a cover (4) which can be opened and which defines an opening (20), and said basket (10, 13) is extractable horizontally from said opening.

Abstract: The present application provides a self-healing material which comprises silica sol as self-healing agent encapsulated by a polymeric shell. The self-healing material may be further embedded in a concrete mixture to heal micro-cracks in concrete. A method for preparing the self-healing material is also provided.

Abstract: In methods of separating, moving, and detecting a vesicle of the present invention, either a vesicular-shaped lipid membrane structure containing a membrane-fusogenic lipid capable of being fused with a vesicle having a lipid bilayer membrane, or a lipid-membrane-structure-immobilization carrier, in which a lipid membrane structure containing a membrane-fusogenic lipid capable of being fused with a vesicle having a lipid bilayer membrane is immobilized on a carrier, is brought into contact with a sample containing the vesicle such that membrane fusion occurs between the lipid membrane structure and the vesicle.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide automated parameter assurance features and results for consumables used in bioprocessing and particularly for purifying, filtering, harvesting and collecting bioprocessing fluids. Consumables having these features are sized, shaped, configured and constructed to interface with and be a component of such a bioprocessing system that includes a multi-use component or device with which it operatively engages such as by docking, engagement with a connector or other approach that allows for insertion and removal of the consumable. The consumable may be a component having a single-use life or a limited life. Each consumable has a median by which information, which can include use limits and specifications, is associated with that specific consumable, and those limits and specifications are communicated to the multi-use component which indicates any inappropriateness for use with the multi-use component.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of systems for generating large volumes of plasma activated liquids are disclosed herein. An exemplary system for creating a large volume of plasma-activated liquid includes a gas pump that moves a gas and liquid entrained in the gas, one or more plasma generators for generating plasma to activate at least one of the gas and the liquid entrained in the gas, a supply of liquid to be activated, a liquid aerator for creating an aerated liquid to be entrained in the gas, an activation chamber for activating the aerated liquid by contacting at least one of the aerated liquid or aerated liquid entrained in gas with plasma or plasma activated gas to form an activated liquid gas mixture. The exemplary system also includes a liquid gas separator positioned downstream of the activation chamber. The liquid gas separator separates at least a portion of the activated liquid gas mixture into an activated liquid and the gas.

Abstract: The present invention describes a photochemical hydrogenation process for heavy fractions of hydrocarbon streams where the aromatic and polyaromatic compounds present in that fraction selectively react in the presence of an alkoxide, when subjected to electromagnetic irradiation.

Abstract: A promoted carbon and/or non-carbon base sorbent are described that are highly effective for the removal of mercury from flue gas streams. The promoted sorbent comprises a carbon and/or non-carbon base sorbent that has reacted with and contains forms of halogen and halides. Optional components may be added to increase and/or preserve reactivity and mercury capacity. These may be added directly with the base sorbent, or in-flight within a gas stream (air, flue gas, etc.), to enhance base sorbent performance and/or mercury capture. Mercury removal efficiencies obtained exceed conventional methods. The promoted sorbent can be regenerated and reused. Base sorbent treatment and preparation methods are also described. New methods for in-flight preparation, introduction, and control of the active base sorbent into the mercury contaminated gas stream are described.

Abstract: A process for preparing hollow particles of aluminosilicates having a spherical shape of allophane type which are hybrid at the core, comprising: (a) having, at ambient temperature, an aqueous medium containing at least one aluminum precursor and one silicon alkoxide in an Al/Si molar ratio varying from 1 to 3, (b) carrying out, with stirring, the alkaline hydrolysis of said medium with gradual addition of at least one base in a base/Al molar ratio of 2.3 to 3, (c) maintaining, on conclusion of the addition of all of said base, stirring at ambient temperature until said medium is obtained in the clear state, and (d) heating the solution obtained at a temperature varying from 50 to 150° C. for 2 to 8 days, the combined stages (a) to (d) are carried out within a reactor consisting of a material which is chemically inert with respect to the reactants and expected aluminosilicate.

Abstract: A host material may be used for the separation of elements or compounds, wherein the host material is an organic molecular solid with suitable cavities for accommodating a guest material to be separated, and with interconnections between the cavities to allow the guest material to diffuse through the host material, and wherein said interconnections are closed for a proportion of the time or have a static pore limiting diameter which is smaller than the static dimension of the guest material. Applications include separations of rare gases, chiral molecules, and alkanes. One class of suitable host materials may be made by imine condensation.

Abstract: A method for producing an activated carbon material comprises the steps of producing a hot flue gas stream from a combustion process in a first reactor; routing a first part of said flue gas stream to a second reactor that is substantially vertical; routing a second part of said flue gas stream to eventual venting; injecting and suspending a carbonaceous starting material into said second reactor to devolatilize and activate the carbonaceous starting material to produce an activated carbon material; separating the activated carbon material in a separating device; and routing the gas stream from said separating step to the first reactor for incineration of the volatile contents released from said injecting and suspending step. The activated carbon material is suited for the removal of vapor phase air toxics, such as mercury, from the flue gas of a coal fired power plant. An apparatus for producing the activated carbon material for the same purpose is also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a supported catalyst that comprises an oxide substrate that is for the most part calcined aluminum and an active phase that comprises nickel, with the nickel content being between 5 and 65% by weight of said element in relation to the total mass of the catalyst, with said active phase not comprising a metal from group VIB, the nickel particles having a diameter that is less than or equal to 20 nm, said catalyst having a median mesopore diameter of between 8 nm and 25 nm, a median macropore diameter of greater than 200 nm, a mesopore volume that is measured by mercury porosimetry that is greater than or equal to 0.30 mL/g, and a total pore volume that is measured by mercury porosimetry that is greater than or equal to 0.34 mL/g. The invention also relates to the method for preparation of said catalyst and its use in a hydrogenation method.

Abstract: The present disclosure features a method of making an engine aftertreatment catalyst, where the engine aftertreatment catalyst includes a metal oxide, a metal zeolite, and/or vanadium oxide when the metal oxide is different from vanadium oxide, each of which can be independently surface-modified with a surface modifier. The method includes providing a solution including an organic solvent and an organometallic compound; mixing the solution with a metal oxide, a metal zeolite, and/or a vanadium oxide to provide a mixture; drying the mixture; and calcining the mixture to provide a surface-modified metal oxide catalyst, a surface-modified metal zeolite catalyst, and/or a surface-modified vanadium oxide catalyst. The organometallic compound can be, for example, a metal alkoxide, a metal carboxylate, a metal acetylacetonate, and/or a metal organic acid ester.

Abstract: The present invention provides an exhaust gas treatment system comprising an oxidation catalyst and an SCR catalyst, wherein the oxidation catalyst comprises an inert ceramic or metal honeycomb body and a catalytically active coating comprising a platinum group metal supported on a refractory support oxide and lanthanum wherein lanthanum is present in an amount of at least 13% by weight calculated as La2O3 and based on the weight of the refractory support material.

Abstract: The present specification relates to hollow metal nanoparticles, a catalyst including the same, and a method for manufacturing hollow metal nanoparticles.

Abstract: An oxidic composition comprising vanadium, tungsten, phosphorus, oxygen and optionally tin, where the molar ratio of phosphorus to the sum total of vanadium, tungsten and any tin in the oxidic composition is in the range from 1.4:1 to 2.4:1.

Abstract: Nanoparticles comprising a core including transition metal carbide, nitride, phosphide, sulfide, or boride and a noble metal shell can be made by transforming metal oxide core/noble metal shell materials coated in a ceramic material in a controlled environment. The noble metal shell can be a single monolayer. The self-assembly of metal carbide nanoparticles coated with atomically-thin noble metal monolayers results in a highly active, stable, and tunable catalytic platform.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an SCM-11 molecular sieve, a process for producing same and use thereof. The molecular sieve has an empirical chemical composition as illustrated by the formula “the first oxide·the second oxide”, wherein the ratio by molar of the first oxide to the second oxide is more than 2, the first oxide is silica, the second oxide is at least one selected from the group consisting of germanium dioxide, alumina, boron oxide, iron oxide, gallium oxide, titanium oxide, rare earth oxides, indium oxide and vanadium oxide. The molecular sieve has specific XRD pattern, and can be used as an adsorbent or a catalyst for converting an organic compound.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a hydrocracking catalyst, a method for preparing the same and a use of the same, and a method for hydrocracking catalytic diesel oil. The catalyst comprises a support, an active metal component, and carbon, wherein, based on the total weight of the catalyst, the content of the support is 60 to 90 wt %, the content of the active metal component calculated in metal oxides is 15 to 40 wt %, and the content of carbon calculated in C element is 1 to 5 wt %; measured with an infrared acidimetric estimation method, the acid properties of the hydrocracking catalyst are: the total infrared acid amount is 0.4 to 0.8 mmol/g, wherein, the infrared acid amount of strong acid with desorption temperature greater than 350° C. is 0.08 mmol/g or lower, and the ratio of the total infrared acid amount to the infrared acid amount of strong acid with desorption temperature greater than 350° C. is 5 to 50.

Abstract: A method of preparing an aromatization catalyst comprising contacting a zeolitic support with a metal-containing compound and a boron-containing compound to produce an impregnated support, and contacting the impregnated support with an activating composition to produce an aromatization catalyst, wherein the activating composition comprises a chlorine-containing compound and a fluorine-containing compound, and wherein the impregnated support is heated in the presence of the activating composition to a temperature in the range of from about 100° C. to about 500° C.

Abstract: A novel method for synthesizing AEI zeolites is provided which results in high relative yields of AEI based on the weight of the reaction mixture and on the structure directing agent. The method also provides for the reduced use of water in the reaction mixture.

Abstract: A cold start catalyst is disclosed. The cold start catalyst comprises a zeolite catalyst and a supported platinum group metal catalyst. The zeolite catalyst comprises a base metal, a noble metal, and a zeolite. The supported platinum group metal catalyst comprises one or more platinum group metals and one or more inorganic oxide carriers. The invention also includes an exhaust system comprising the cold start catalyst. The cold start catalyst and the process result in improved NOx storage and NOx conversion, improved hydrocarbon storage and conversion, and improved CO oxidation through the cold start period.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an SCM-10 molecular sieve, a process for producing same and use thereof. The molecular sieve has an empirical chemical composition as illustrated by the formula “the first oxide·the second oxide”, wherein the ratio by molar of the first oxide to the second oxide is less than 40, the first oxide is at least one selected from the group consisting of silica and germanium dioxide, the second oxide is at least one selected from the group consisting of alumina, boron oxide, iron oxide, gallium oxide, titanium oxide, rare earth oxides, indium oxide and vanadium oxide. The molecular sieve has specific XRD pattern and can be used as an adsorbent or a catalyst for converting an organic compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a molecular sieve having the SFE structure, a process for producing same and use thereof. The process includes a step of crystallizing a mixture comprising a first oxide source, a second oxide source, an organic template and water to obtain a molecular sieve having the SFE structure, wherein the organic template is preferably 4-dimethylamino pyridine. As compared with the prior art, the process exhibits such merits as significantly reduced crystallization duration.

Abstract: A catalyst composition including: (a) a chromium compound; (b) a ligand of the general structure R1R2P—N(R3)—P(R4)—NR5R6 or??(A) R1R2P—N(R3)—P(XR7)R8 or R1R2P—N(R3)—P(XR7)2, with X=O or S,??(B) wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, R6, R7 and R8 are independently C1-C10-alkyl, C6-C20-aryl, C3-C10-cycloalkyl, aralkyl, alkylaryl, or trialkylsilyl, or any cyclic derivatives of (A) and (B), wherein at least one of the P or N atoms of the PNPN-unit or PNP-unit is a member of the ring system, the ring system being formed from one or more constituent compounds of structures (A) or (B) by substitution; and (c) an activator or co-catalyst; and a process for tri- and/or tetramerization.

Abstract: A method for producing a photocatalyst-carrying structure includes coating a carrier with a composition for forming an adhesive layer, followed by drying, to form the adhesive layer; and coating the adhesive layer with a composition for forming a photocatalyst layer. The composition for forming the adhesive layer is formed by mixing an aqueous silicone-modified resin, 2% by weight to 15% by weight of a deposition assistant, 10% by weight to 40% by weight of an organic solvent, and water. The aqueous silicone-modified resin is formed by emulsion polymerization of a monomer in the presence of an emulsifier in an aqueous medium, and by further modification with silicone using a compound having a silicone structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for self-regulation of a system comprising the steps of: (I) utilizing a magnetic field to transport magnetizable and/or magnetic particles out of a control volume or to localize said particles in the control volume, (II) changing magnetic properties of the magnetizable and/or magnetic particles, which are ferromagnetic or paramagnetic, in the control volume by changing a temperature Tp of the magnetizable and/or magnetic particles or by changing the composition of the magnetizable and/or magnetic particles.

Abstract: The present inventions is concerned with an apparatus and a method of improving the accuracy of coating a ceramic or metallic honeycomb body, which can usually be used as a catalyst in automotive exhaust mitigation. The invention achieves to directly test whether the coating slurry in the coating chamber is ready to be submitted to the monolith or needs to be replaced before coating the monolith.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a catalyst and process for hydrocracking of heavy hydrocarbon oils having majority portion boiling above 525° C. in the presence of hydrogen. A process comprising first step of converting heavy oil into lighter products in the presence of catalyst and hydrogen in slurry phase is disclosed. The process further comprises recycling of part of liquid products (HVGO) along with fresh heavy oil for improving the product selectivity. This recycled HVGO is having high concentrations of aromatics compounds. The separation of particles generated during the reaction at reactor exit also avoids the chances of choking of downstream sections.

Abstract: An anion-conducting polymeric membrane comprises a terpolymer of styrene, vinylbenzyl-Rs and vinylbenzyl-Rx. Rs is a positively charged cyclic amine group. Rx is at least one constituent selected from the group consisting Cl, OH and a reaction product between an OH or Cl and a species other than a simple amine or a cyclic amine. The total weight of the vinylbenzyl-Rx groups is greater than 0.3% of the total weight of the membrane. In a preferred embodiment, the membrane is a Helper Membrane that increases the faradaic efficiency of an electrochemical cell into which the membrane is incorporated, and also allows product formation at lower voltages than in cells without the Helper Membrane.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a high-performance ion exchange membrane having a small defect and a sufficient mechanical strength, a method for manufacturing the ion exchange membrane, and a module and a device which include the ion exchange membrane. An ion exchange membrane of the present invention contains a resin having an amino group and a constitutional unit represented by Formula 1, in which the number of amino groups per dry mass is 0.15 to 2.4 mmol/g. In Formula 1, L1 represents an alkylene group or an alkenylene group, Ra, Rb, Rc, and Rd each independently represent an alkyl group or an aryl group, Ra and Rb and/or Rc and Rd may form a ring by being bonded to each other, n1 and n2 each independently represent an integer of 1 to 10, and X1? and X2? each independently represent an organic or inorganic anion.

Abstract: A cylinder tip mounting head includes: a shaft member; a first cylindrical rod having a cylindrical space, which is mounted to a lower end of the shaft member, which is configured to move in the up-down direction integrally with the shaft member; a stationary second cylindrical rod, which has a housing space for housing the first cylindrical rod so that the first cylindrical rod is movable in the up-down direction, the stationary second cylindrical rod including a syringe mounting portion; and a discharge rod housed in the cylindrical space in the first cylindrical rod, the discharge rod including a plunger mounting portion. The discharge rod is configured to coordinate with the movement of the shaft member in the up-down direction so that the plunger mounted to the discharge rod reciprocates in the tubular passage in the syringe to suck the object into the tubular passage and discharge the sucked object.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a centrifugation device, a centrifugation method, and a separation container.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a plasma extraction device for generating fixed, predetermined quantity of plasma and for dry-transport of obtained plasma for automated assay. Plasma extraction device includes a plasma extractor assembly comprising an absorbent probe that wicks a predetermined volume of a liquid sample from a liquid source, a separator that generates plasma from the wicked liquid sample, and an absorbent reservoir that stores fixed, predetermined quantity of the generated plasma for dry-transport and automated assay thereof.

Abstract: Assay devices are provided including a receptacle having a sample entry port; a plunger disposed within the receptacle; at least one reagent; a membrane attached to a first surface of the plunger; a wick providing capillary force; and a detection zone. The membrane includes a target conjugate zone in which affinity components are disposed. Capture compounds are immobilized in a detection zone, which is located between the target conjugate zone and the wick. A method of detecting a target analyte is also provided, including providing the assay device; providing a sample suspected to contain a target analyte; adding the sample onto the device; allowing the sample to travel along the membrane until the sample reaches the detection zone; immobilizing the target analyte through reaction of the target analyte with the capture compounds; reacting the immobilized target analyte with a reagent to generate a detectable signal; and detecting the generated signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a microfluidic system for processing biological samples comprising a transfer pipette; a platform adapted to provide at least one receiving chamber and configured to receive said transfer pipette, and a distal output chamber wherein a biological sample from the transfer pipette is dispensed into the output chamber when a centrifugal force is applied.

Abstract: The present invention generally pertains to a system for performing droplet inflation, and methods and kits comprising the same. The system comprises at least one microfluidic channel comprising one or more droplets flowing therein, one or more fluid reservoirs, one or more inflators, one or more inflator nozzles, and at least one mechanism for disrupting an interface between a droplet and a fluid. The present invention provides for the inflation of a relatively controlled volume of fluid into a droplet resulting in an increase in the volume of the droplet relative to its volume prior to inflation and, accordingly, dilution of the concentration of species, if any, previously present and emulsified in the droplet.

Abstract: A microfluidic system includes a bubble valve for regulating fluid flow through a microchannel. The bubble valve includes a fluid meniscus interfacing the microchannel interior and an actuator for deflecting the membrane into the microchannel interior to regulate fluid flow. The actuator generates a gas bubble in a liquid in the microchannel when a sufficient pressure is generated on the membrane.

Abstract: An integrated system to isolate and diagnose circulating tumor cells (CTCs) within a cellular sample includes an isolating mechanism to isolate and trap large biological cells at a detection zone from among the cellular sample based on cells size, and includes a diagnosing mechanism to diagnose CTCs among the trapped large biological cells, based on cells electrical impedance.

Abstract: Described are microfluidic devices and methods for providing a predetermined number of microspheres or beads, together with a cell, within a fluid droplet being processed. The system may provide each droplet with a single bead and a single cell, and the bead may contain DNA or other reagents for later identifying the specific cell associated with that bead.

Abstract: Systems, including apparatus and methods, for the microfluidic manipulation, dispensing, and/or sorting of particles, such as cells and/or beads.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a new microfluidic device and the method of using it to sort droplets. The method comprises (a) providing a plurality of droplets flowing in a microfluidic channel, wherein the plurality of droplets comprise desired droplets and undesired droplet (b) identifying desired droplets in the plurality of droplets, (c) changing volume of the desired droplets relative to volume of the undesired droplets such that at least some of the desired droplets have a different volume than the undesired droplets, and (d) passively sorting the desired droplets having the different volume from the undesired droplets.

Abstract: Microfluidic structures and methods for manipulating fluids, fluid components, and reactions are provided. In one aspect, such structures and methods can allow production of droplets of a precise volume, which can be stored/maintained at precise regions of the device. In another aspect, microfluidic structures and methods described herein are designed for containing and positioning components in an arrangement such that the components can be manipulated and then tracked even after manipulation. For example, cells may be constrained in an arrangement in microfluidic structures described herein to facilitate tracking during their growth and/or after they multiply.

Abstract: A reagent storage and dispensing apparatus comprises a housing, storage wells disposed within an internal volume of the housing, and a valve. The housing comprises a shared outlet chamber. The wells can be selected to be in fluid communication with the shared outlet channel through individual outlet channels. The valve is coupled to the housing and is rotated to select a well to be in fluid communication with the shared outlet channel while preventing the remaining wells from being in fluid communication. As the valve is rotated, the wells and their individual outlet channels remain stationary. To dispense fluid from or draw fluid into the selected well, positive or negative pressure, respectively, is introduced into the internal volume. Pressurization of the internal volume also pressurizes the plurality of wells, though the valve allows only fluid flow for the selected well.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pressure-tight storage vessel containing a liquid, wherein the storage vessel has an inner floor and an upper side and is closed in a pressure-sealing manner by a closure, and wherein the nature of the storage vessel allows pressure-sealing piercing with at least two hollow needles; and to a method for transferring a liquid from a storage vessel to a reaction vessel, the method comprising the following steps: supplying the storage vessel according to the invention, pressure-sealing piercing with a first hollow needle, which is connected to a rinsing-liquid tank, and pressure-sealing piercing with a second hollow needle, which is connected to the reaction vessel, introducing rinsing liquid from the rinsing-liquid tank, via the first hollow needle, into the storage vessel, the liquid being driven out of the storage vessel, via the second hollow needle, into the reaction vessel; and to an apparatus which is suitable for implementing the method according to the invention.

Abstract: A system and method for processing and detecting nucleic acids from a set of biological samples, comprising: a capture plate and a capture plate module configured to facilitate binding of nucleic acids within the set of biological samples to magnetic beads; a molecular diagnostic module configured to receive nucleic acids bound to magnetic beads, isolate nucleic acids, and analyze nucleic acids, comprising a cartridge receiving module, a heating/cooling subsystem and a magnet configured to facilitate isolation of nucleic acids, a valve actuation subsystem configured to control fluid flow through a microfluidic cartridge for processing nucleic acids, and an optical subsystem for analysis of nucleic acids; a fluid handling system configured to deliver samples and reagents to components of the system to facilitate molecular diagnostic protocols; and an assay strip configured to combine nucleic acid samples with molecular diagnostic reagents for analysis of nucleic acids.

Abstract: Provided herein are devices for monitoring nucleic acid amplification, nucleic acid amplification monitors, methods of quantifying nucleic acid amplification, methods of identifying an unknown nucleic acid molecule, and systems for monitoring nucleic acid amplification. The disclosed devices, methods, and systems comprise at least one nuclemeter, comprising at least one sample chamber and at least one reaction-diffusion conduit in fluid communication with the chamber.

Abstract: A flexible and twist-on clip for use with such as a blood vial or specimen tube. The clip includes a plasticized or other suitably constructed body defining an opening which reveals an inner perimeter sized to allow the clip to be twisted during application to the vial and so that the inner perimeter mates with and engages about a corresponding outer perimeter of the vial. Variants of the design may include an additional plurality of secondary apertures for providing additional elasticity to the clip body. Other variants can include outer configured protuberances to assist in exerting an anti-roll effect to the supported vial.

Abstract: A grindstone corresponding to a rotatable grindstone or a stationary grindstone can be incorporated in a grinding device and is used for grinding raw materials. The grindstone includes a main body part and an outer circumferential ring part that can be detached from each other. The main body part has a coarse grinding part in which coarse grinding grooves corresponding to first coarse grinding grooves and second coarse grinding grooves for initially grinding the raw materials are formed. The outer circumferential ring part has a fine grinding part corresponding to a wall part in which fine grinding grooves for further grinding the raw materials ground by the coarse grinding part are formed. When the main body part and the outer circumferential ring part are assembled, the fine grinding part corresponding to the wall part is located at an outer circumference of the coarse grinding part.

Abstract: A low speed low power shredder for biomass material a single drum or two spaced rotary drums supported in a housing having a cylindrical wall with a plurality of outward shear members spaced longitudinally and radially of the cylindrical wall so as to pass a cooperating element in a shearing action. The shear members form ends of a support plate extending diametrically through the wall so as to provide structural support. In the two drum system, a top grate member is mounted in the feed throat and a bottom grate member is provided underneath the plane of closest approach. Each of these grate members provide shearing actions with the shear members. Additionally, a composting machine is arranged to be fed by a shredder, and thus includes an input conveyor supported at a position coaxial with a rotary vessel of the composter and a tubular support member which defines one location at which the rotary vessel is supported in its rotation about its axis.

Abstract: A process of comminution of one or more plant biomass materials having a grain direction to produce a mixture of plant biomass particles, by feeding the plant biomass material(s) in a direction of travel either substantially parallel to or substantially randomly to the grain direction one or more times through a counter rotating pair of intermeshing arrays of cutting discs (D) arrayed axially perpendicular to the direction of plant biomass travel.