Abstract: A resistivity adjustment device includes: a hollow fiber membrane module that is divided by a hollow fiber membrane into a liquid phase side area; a liquid supply pipe that communicates with the liquid phase side area; a liquid discharge pipe that communicates with the liquid phase side area; a gas supply pipe that communicates with the gas phase side area; a gas discharge pipe that communicates with the gas phase side area; a bypass pipe that communicates with the liquid supply pipe and the liquid discharge pipe to bypass the hollow fiber membrane module; and a first on-off valve that is connected to the gas discharge pipe and opens or closes a first passage inside the gas discharge pipe, wherein the first on-off valve opens the first passage to discharge water accumulated in the gas phase side area.

Abstract: An NO-accumulation apparatus, method and use, comprising: a container (120) defining a cavity for accommodating a liquid (105), an inlet (150) for feeding the liquid into the container (120) and an outlet (151) for delivering the liquid from the container (120) to a bath unit; an NO-gas dissolving unit (140) for dissolving gaseous NO in the liquid (105) to produce an NO-containing liquid, wherein the NO-gas dissolving unit (140) is arranged in the container (120) and/or forms a part of the container (120); and an NO-gas port (110) in fluid communication with the NO-gas dissolving unit (140), wherein the NO-gas port (110) is adapted for coupling, particularly for releasably coupling, with an NO-gas supply, whereby the apparatus further comprises means for decoupling the inflow of NO to the liquid (105) within the container from the removal of the NO-containing liquid (NO-decoupling means), so that the removal of the NO-containing liquid is inhibited, when the NO is flowing into the liquid, and also the NO infl

Abstract: A method and apparatus for significantly extending the shelf life of an inert gas infused fluid. Air that has been subjected to a high electrical potential corona and then mixed with a fluid in a constant differential pressure venturi is delivered to an improved container apparatus wherein an inert gas is infused into the fluid such that the resultant stabilized fluid demonstrates significantly improved usable life. Alternatively, an additive may be combined to provide application specific characteristics. The combination of the method and apparatus, taken together, provide substantially increased shelf life of an inert gas infused fluid.

Abstract: A vane swirl mixer for exhaust aftertreatment includes: a vane swirl mixer inlet; a vane swirl mixer outlet; a first flow device including: a Venturi body; a plurality of upstream vanes positioned within the Venturi body; a plurality of upstream vane apertures interspaced between the plurality of upstream vanes; a plurality of downstream vanes positioned within the Venturi body; and a plurality of downstream vane apertures interspaced between the plurality of downstream vanes. At least one of the upstream vane hub and the downstream vane hub is radially offset from a Venturi center axis, thereby causing individual ones of the plurality of vanes coupled to the radially offset vane hub to differ in their geometry.

Abstract: A jet-mixer for a fluid mixing system includes a housing including a mixer port formed in an inner surface of the housing, and a rotor rotatably disposed in the housing, the rotor including a rotor blade, wherein the rotor includes a first angular position in the housing restricting fluid flow through the mixer port, and a second angular position allowing fluid flow through the mixer port, wherein, in response to rotation of the rotor in the housing, the jet-mixer is configured to inject a first fluid jet through the mixer port into the passage of the fluid conduit that has a pulsed velocity profile.

Abstract: A device for enhanced generation of microbubbles in a more efficient manner is provided. The device is smaller, quieter, and more energy-efficient than prior microbubble-generating devices, and is suitable for use with liquid dispensing devices such as hydrotherapy jets, shower heads, liquid nozzles, and bathtub faucets. Methods of use of the enhanced microbubble system are also disclosed.

Abstract: A peanut butter mixer system including: a screw-mixer formed as a continuous rod member having sequential looped coils along a length of said continuous rod member and terminating with a cutting edge; wherein said screw-mixer is powered via a motor and a powerer as manipulated by a user-operator to re-mix peanut butter in a provided container. The screw-mixer is powered via the motor and powerer as manipulated by a user-operator.

Abstract: A rechargeable blender with offset blades is disclosed. Exemplary implementations may include a base assembly, a container assembly, control circuitry, and/or other components. The blender includes a set of blades that is offset from the center.

Abstract: A tap apparatus including a container coupling portion including a liquid inlet portion, a body portion, and a plug valve portion. The body portion includes a liquid outlet portion, wherein the liquid outlet portion is in fluid communication with the liquid inlet portion of the container coupling portion. The plug valve portion is configured and arranged to be seated within the body portion, wherein the plug valve portion is configured and arranged to be moved relative to the body portion between an open position, in which a liquid is free to flow from the liquid inlet portion and out through the liquid outlet portion, and a closed position, in which liquid from the liquid inlet portion is prevented from flowing out through the liquid outlet portion. The body portion also includes a plurality of flow channels provided in an interior surface thereof.

Abstract: A surfactant composition is disclosed comprising branched alkyl sulfate having 8 to 12 carbon atoms; optionally a linear alkyl sulfate having 8 to 12 carbon atoms; and optionally an alkyl ether sulfate having 8 to 13 carbon atoms. A gypsum slurry or gypsum board core is disclosed comprising gypsum, water, and a surfactant composition as described above. The foam voids in the core have a greater median diameter than foam voids made with corresponding linear alkyl sulfate. A method of controlling the median foam void diameter in a gypsum board is disclosed. A first foam water composition is provided comprising a linear alkyl sulfate surfactant. A second foam water composition is also provided comprising a branched alkyl sulfate surfactant. The proportions of the first and second foam water compositions employed in a gypsum composition are selected, or if desired changed, to provide the desired median foam void diameter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a composition comprising a fluorine-containing surfactant having a cationic group, a divalent sulfur-containing group and a fluorinated group, further comprising an anion that corresponds to the cationic group of the fluorine-containing surfactant, the cationic group being an N-alkylated heterocyclic group.

Abstract: A process for preparing granules is disclosed. The process comprises the steps of feeding the input material for granulation in a processor using one or more powder feeders, introducing steam as a granulation activating agent in the processor, granulating the input material in presence of the steam to form granules, and collecting the granules from a discharge zone of the processor. A co-rotating twin-screw processor for preparing granules is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a distributor and a down flow catalytic reactor comprising same, and according to one aspect of the present invention, provides a distributor comprising: an inside downcomer which has a first flow space; an outside downcomer which is disposed so as to surround at least some area of the inside downcomer, and has a second flow space partitioned from the first flow space of the inside downcomer; and a cap which has a plurality of slots and is mounted on the inside or the outside downcomer so as to enable a fluid that has passed through the slots to flow to at least one flow space among the first flow space and the second flow space.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cover system (5) for a solid particle lining (3) comprising an articulated structure (11) and an annular casing (13) covering the articulated structure (11), the casing (13) being formed by metal plates (16, 17) sealingly mounted so as to be movable relative to each other, the articulated structure (11) having metal skirts (31) forming articulated concentric circles (33) for supporting the plates (16, 17) of the casing (13) and adapting to the deformations of the lining (3), and metal elements (35) forming articulated spacers (37) making it possible to maintain a spacing between the articulated concentric circles (33) and to adapt to the deformations of the lining (3).

Abstract: A fluid is fed into a polymer bed of a fluidized bed gas phase polymerization reactor by introducing the fluid into the polymer bed through a distributor protruding into the fluidized bed zone of the reactor and terminating with a discharge end positioned so that the following equation is fulfilled: d/D>0.002 wherein d is the distance of the distributor's discharge end from the wall of the reactor, and D is the diameter of the reactor in the fluidized bed zone.

Abstract: Droplet generation devices and systems that parallelize droplet generation devices are provided. The droplet generation devices can include a symmetric block-and-break system and a tapered droplet generation zone. The symmetric block-and-break system can include a pair of break channels and a pair of bypass channels symmetrically arranged with respect to the dispersed-phase input channel and the output channel. The droplet generation devices can generate monodisperse droplets with a predefined volume over a range of flow rates, pressures, and fluid properties. The droplet generation devices are therefore capable of parallelization to achieve large-capacity droplet generation, e.g. greater than 1 L/hr, with small overall coefficients of variation.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure relate to reconfigurable chemical synthesis systems and related components and methods. In one aspect, a fluidic system comprises a plurality of fluid outlets, a plurality of fluid inlets, a plurality of tensioners, and a plurality of flexible conduits associated with the plurality of tensioners, wherein at least one flexible conduit of the plurality of flexible conduits is configured to fluidically connect a fluid outlet of the plurality of fluid outlets and a fluid inlet of the plurality of fluid inlets. Another aspect relates to a method in which ends of a plurality of flexible conduits are physically moved along paths, one after the other, prior to flowing material through the flexible conduits, after which the ends of the flexible conduits are again physically moved.

Abstract: A sorbent material is disclosed for the one-step separation of bio-macromolecules in a single pass extraction of DNA from complex mixtures of molecules and chemicals. In one embodiment, the sorbent material comprises a silanized material at least partially coated or formed with a polymer selected from the group consisting of a poly(aryl methacrylate), a poly(aryl acrylate), a poly(heteroaryl methacrylate, a poly(heteroaryl acrylate) and a copolymer thereof.

Abstract: A structure includes a base material; a surface layer that contains a binder resin and a titanium compound particle having absorption at 450 nm and 750 nm in a visible absorption spectrum and a BET specific surface area within a range of 100 m2/g to 1200 m2/g.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of isobutylene preparation. Disclosed are a catalyst and preparation method thereof, and method for preparing isobutylene by applying the same; the catalyst has a core-shell structure, the core an amorphous silica-alumina particle and/or an aggregate molding thereof, and the shell aluminum oxide comprising silicon and tin; the weight ratio of aluminum oxide comprising silicon and tin to amorphous silica-alumina is 1:60-1:3; in the aluminum oxide comprising silicon and tin, on basis of the weight of aluminum oxide comprising silicon and tin, the content of silicon is 0.5-2 wt %, and of tin is 0.2-1 wt %. The catalyst of the present invention is used to catalyze a mixture of MTBE and TBA to prepare isobutylene, enabling the MTBE cleavage and TBA dehydration reactions to be conducted simultaneously to generate isobutylene, achieving higher conversion rates of TBA and MTBE, and higher selectivity for generating isobutylene.

Abstract: A method for producing an oxide catalyst containing Mo, V, Sb, and Nb, the method including: a raw material preparation step including sub-step (I) of preparing an aqueous mixed liquid (A) containing Mo, V, and Sb, sub-step (II) of adding hydrogen peroxide to the aqueous mixed liquid (A), thereby facilitating oxidation of the aqueous mixed liquid (A) and obtaining an aqueous mixed liquid (A?), and sub-step (III) of mixing the aqueous mixed liquid (A?) and a Nb raw material liquid (B), thereby obtaining an aqueous mixed liquid (C); a drying step of drying the aqueous mixed liquid (C), thereby obtaining a dried powder; and a calcination step of calcining the dried powder under an inert gas atmosphere, wherein a time elapsed from addition of the hydrogen peroxide to the aqueous mixed liquid (A) to mixing the Nb raw material liquid (B) therewith is less than 5 minutes and the aqueous mixed liquid (A?) before being subjected to the sub-step (III) has an oxidation-reduction potential of 150 to 350 mV.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catalyst that comprises a mesoporous oxide matrix, with said matrix comprising at least one oxide of an element X that is selected from among silicon and titanium, taken by itself or in a mixture, with said catalyst comprising at least the tantalum element and the niobium element, with the tantalum mass representing between 0.1 to 30% by weight of the mass of the mesoporous oxide matrix, the niobium mass representing between 0.02 to 6% by weight of the mass of the mesoporous oxide matrix, the content by mass of the tantalum element being greater than or equal to the content by mass of the niobium element. The invention also relates to the use of this catalyst in a method for the production of 1,3-butadiene from a feedstock that comprises at least ethanol.

Abstract: An electride, which is more stable and can be more easily obtained, is provided or is made available, and as a result, a catalyst particularly useful for chemical synthesis, in which the electride is particularly used, is provided. A transition metal-supporting intermetallic compound having a transition metal supported on an intermetallic compound represented by the following formula (1): A5X3 . . . (1) wherein A represents a rare earth element, and X represents Si or Ge.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to catalyst compositions including gallium and a zirconium-based mixed oxide support, to methods for making such catalysts, and to methods for dehydrogenating hydrocarbons with such catalysts. For example, in one embodiment, a catalyst composition includes a mixed oxide support comprising at least about 50 wt. % of zirconium oxide, the mixed oxide support being present in the composition in an amount within the range of about 40 wt. % to about 99.9 wt. %; and disposed on the support, gallium, present in the composition in an amount within the range of about 0.1 wt. % to about 30 wt. %, calculated as Ga2O3 on a calcined basis.

Abstract: A method for oxidizing carbon monoxide (CO) and volatile organic compounds (VOCS) comprises contacting a gas containing water vapor and said CO and VOCs with a catalyst composition comprising at least one base metal promoter and at least one base metal catalyst supported on an oxide support material comprising one or more of alumina, silica, zirconia, ceria, and titania, wherein the VOCs comprise one or more of methyl acetate, methane, methyl bromide, benzene, methanol, methyl ethyl ketone, butane, and butene.

Abstract: Described are compositions and catalytic articles comprising both a first molecular sieve promoted with copper and a second molecular sieve promoted with iron, the first and second molecular sieves having a d6r unit and the first molecular sieves having cubic shaped crystals with an average crystal size of about 0.5 to about 2 microns. The weight ratio of the copper-promoted molecular sieve to the iron-promoted molecular sieve can be about 1:1 to about 4:1. The catalytic articles are useful in methods and systems to catalyze the reduction of nitrogen oxides in the presence of a reductant.

Abstract: The present invention provides machines, compositions and methods for producing bionanocatalysts (BNCs) comprising one or more enzymes selected from a broad spectrum of industrially and medically important enzymes. The BNCs are self-assembled and magnetically immobilized enzymes. The machines, compositions, and methods are fully scalable from bench top to industrial manufacturing volumes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of preparing an ultra-light metal oxide-silica composite aerogel having high specific surface area and high pore volume and a metal oxide-silica composite aerogel prepared thereby. The preparation method according to the present invention may not only have good economic efficiency because production costs are relatively reduced in comparison to the related art, but may also effectively prevent the collapse of a pore structure by suppressing a shrinkage phenomenon during drying, and thus, a metal oxide-silica composite aerogel having ultra-light properties as well as high porosity characteristics, such as high specific surface area and high pore volume, may be prepared.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to olefin metathesis catalyst compounds, to the preparation of such compounds, compositions comprising such compounds, methods of using such compounds, articles of manufacture comprising such compounds, and the use of such compounds in the metathesis of olefins and olefin compounds. The invention has utility in the fields of catalysts, organic synthesis, polymer chemistry, and industrial and fine chemicals industry.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods to rejuvenate a deactivated hydroformylation catalyst solution wherein the solution comprises rhodium, polydentate phosphine ligands, and polydentate phosphine ligand degradation products. In one embodiment, such methods comprise adding a peroxide to the deactivated hydroformylation catalyst solution.

Abstract: An emissions control substrate for treating exhaust from an engine including a plurality of hexagonal cells extending between a first end and a second end of the substrate. Wash coats are at an interior of the hexagonal cells. At an inner region of the substrate through which a longitudinal axis of the emissions control substrate extends, for every group of three adjacent hexagonal cells of the plurality of hexagonal cells two are plugged at the first end and open at the second end, and one is open at the first end and plugged at the second end. At an outer region of the substrate surrounding the inner region, for every group of three adjacent hexagonal cells of the plurality of hexagonal cells, one is plugged at the first end and open at the second end, and two are open at the first end and plugged at the second end.

Abstract: Proteins are purified by a mixed-mode chromatography system formed by attaching a ligand comprising benzamidoacetic acid to a large-pore support matrix, the only linkage between the ligand and the support matrix being a chain having a backbone of no more than three atoms between a phenyl ring and the support matrix.

Abstract: A dispenser device includes: a valve system, a dispensing head for dispensing liquid and connected with a transfer tube to the valve system, a dispensing pump connected to the valve system, a first inlet port for conducting rinse liquid to the valve system, and a second inlet port for conducting rinse gas to the valve system. The device includes control equipment for operating the valve system so that the flow via the transfer tube towards the dispensing head includes both the rinse liquid and the rinse gas. The rinse gas is capable of collecting gas bubbles formed on the inner walls of the transfer tube to larger amounts of gas. Thus, the rinse gas facilitates the removal of the gas bubbles with the aid of the rinse liquid.

Abstract: A non-displasive pipette is provided. The non-displasive pipette is configured for connection to a tip having a fluid therein. The tip includes an orifice to allow for the discharge of the fluid therefrom. The non-displasive pipette includes a body defining a chamber therethrough and having first and second opposite ends. The second end of the body is configured for connection to the tip. A plunger is slidably received in the chamber at the first end of the body. The plunger is moveable in the chamber between an extended position and a discharge position wherein the fluid is urged from tip through the orifice. An air discharge arrangement is configured to allow air from the chamber to escape therefrom and to maintain the fluid in the tip in response to connection of the second end of the body to the tip.

Abstract: This invention provides microfluidic devices with graphene films as architectural materials and methods of fabrication and use thereof in X-ray analysis.

Abstract: A microfluidic device can include a base an outer surface of which forms one or more enclosures for containing a fluidic medium. The base can include an array of individually controllable transistor structures each of which can comprise both a lateral transistor and a vertical transistor. The transistor structures can be light activated, and the lateral and vertical transistors can thus be photo transistors. Each transistor structure can be activated to create a temporary electrical connection from a region of the outer surface of the base (and thus fluidic medium in the enclosure) to a common electrical conductor. The temporary electrical connection can induce a localized electrokinetic force generally at the region, which can be sufficiently strong to move a nearby micro-object in the enclosure.

Abstract: A microfluidic chip that can have a body defining a microfluidic network including a test volume, one or more ports, and one or more channels in fluid communication between the port(s) and the test volume. Gas can be removed from the test volume before a sample liquid is introduced therein by reducing pressure at a first one of the port(s), optionally while the liquid is disposed in the port. Liquid in the first port can be introduced into the test volume by increasing pressure at the first port. The microfluidic network can define one or more droplet-generating regions in which at least one of the channel(s) defines a constriction and/or two or more of the channels connect at a junction. Liquid flowing from the first port can pass through at least one of the droplet-generating region(s) and to the test volume.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for propelling a liquid droplet in a Leidenfrost state. A microfluidic device embodiment includes, but is not limited to, a solid structure having a patterned surface, the patterned surface including at least a first patterned region having a first Leidenfrost temperature with respect to a fluid material and a second patterned region having a second Leidenfrost temperature with respect to the fluid, the first patterned region adjacent to the second patterned region, the first patterned region defining a path over which a droplet of the fluid is configured to travel in a Leidenfrost state.

Abstract: A device includes a first structure with a sheet layer with a plurality of discrete through-holes and a second structure coupled to the first structure. At least a portion of a first surface of the sheet layer of the first structure is exposed from the second structure. A top portion of the sheet layer, including the exposed portion of the first surface of the sheet layer, includes fluorocarbon. The second structure includes a material of a higher surface tension than the top of the sheet layer. A second surface of the sheet layer, opposite to the first surface of the sheet layer, is embedded in the second structure. The second structure extends at least partially into the plurality of discrete through-holes of the first structure.

Abstract: An automated low-temperature storage for storing laboratory samples includes a storage zone for storing the samples that is maintainable at a first temperature below ?20° C.; a handling zone located above the storage zone that is maintainable at a second temperature above the first temperature and below 0° C.; a chamber laterally adjacent to the storage zone and the handling zone for storing the samples at a third temperature that is higher than the first temperature and below 0° C.; and a vertical wall separating the chamber from the handling zone and storage zone. A first opening arranged in said vertical wall connects the handling zone and the chamber; and an automated transport device is arranged at least partially in the handling zone and is configured to move the samples between the storage zone, the handling zone, and the chamber.

Abstract: A hammer assembly that will mount in a grinder/shredder/hammer mill type machine. A tool holder is milled with dovetail/angular slots along each side of the hammer tool holder, which allows milled blade to slide in to place and be securely held in position. The simple milled slot located in the middle of each blade that allows a single mounting block/bolt to securely hold each blade in position. This results in the ability to rotate and/or interchange blades. The tool holder allows single or multiple blade/hammer inserts to be installed without having to remove a hammer pin, so the tool holder stays in the machine, and the blades can be easily removed. This arrangement allows the tool holder to stay in place, and enables the simple removal of a single bolt and retention block and then flip or rotate the hammer to get additional wear surfaces or install new blades.

Abstract: An impact bar for installation in an axis-parallel impact bar mount of a rotor of an impact crusher includes front-side and backside holding regions between end faces, and longitudinal ribs projecting beyond the end faces. Each holding region is bordered by two longitudinal ribs which have a trapezoidal cross section to define a base and a topside at a distance to the base, with the base being wider than the topside. The longitudinal ribs have each an inner inclined flank and an outer flank, with the inner and outer flanks extending between the base and the topside and with the inner flank extending at a flank angle of 20° to 27° in relation to the x direction and configured such that only the inner flank is supportable in the installation position for transmission of a force into the impact bar mount at the rotor.

Abstract: An agitator ball mill comprises agitating discs (18) on an agitating shaft, wherein two adjacent agitating discs (18) are bounding a grinding cell, respectively. The agitating discs (18) comprise grinding material passage openings (28) which are only arranged in the immediate proximity of a grinding chamber inner boundary (19), which connect adjacent grinding cells, and which have a radially outer boundary that has a distance R28 starting from the grinding chamber inner boundary (19) in the radial direction of the agitating disc (18). For the ratio of the distance R28 of the radially outer boundaries of the grinding material passage openings (28) to a radial extension R18 of the agitating discs (18), the following condition applies: 0.05·R18?R28?0.25·R18. Otherwise the agitating discs (18) are closed.

Abstract: A mulching and chipping attachment includes a deck having a top plate. A cutting disk is attached to the deck. The top plate includes an opening that exposes a portion of the cutting disk. A guide chute is attached to the deck, and is disposed over the opening. The guide chute includes a feed system. The feed system includes a first roller, and a reactionary member operable to react against the first roller to secure a log therebetween. The first roller and the reactionary member cooperate together to grasp and controllably feed the log through the opening. The first roller or the reactionary member may be moveable relative to the other, to adjust a throat distance therebetween. An anvil may be disposed at a rearward edge of the opening, and extend downward to define a chip cutting height between the anvil and the cutting disk.

Abstract: The present invention involves a collapsible and disposable container that is inserted into a paper shredder to catch the shredded paper fragments. The disposable container has a relatively narrow slot-shaped opening having a length less than the longest dimension of the top of the container. A pair of counter-rotating rollers is supplied to compact the paper fragments and feed them through the slot and into the waste container. Various sensor systems, some constructed from conductive ink are used with and within the disposable container.

Abstract: A method for processing strands of optic fiber in which a box containing one or more pairs of wheels either crush, cut or bend and break the strands of optic fiber before being transported to a separator. The separator can be positioned to deposit material onto a conveyor belt, into a storage container or into a separate structure known as a step-cleaner. The box can contain a pair of cutting and anvil wheels, a pair of drive wheels or a pair of wheels featuring teeth that cut, crush or bend the strands of optic fiber prior to a suction force removing them from the box and transporting them to the separator. A step cleaner contains one or more rotating wheels with tines that agitate and move the cut, broken or crushed fibers. The suction force is created by a blower operably connected to a passage that communicates with the separator.

Abstract: A jet milling mechanism includes an impeller with a plurality of rotating members mounted for rotation in a housing. Each rotating member has multiple negative pressure blades formed thereon for producing multiple negative pressure zones therebetween and multiple positive pressure blades formed thereon for producing multiple positive pressure zones between the positive pressure blades. The pressure blades define at least four grinding areas each distributed circumferentially about the rotating member. Each of the negative and positive pressure blades has a straight portion and an arcuate portion, and upon rotation of the impeller, the pressure blades divert material-containing air to flow into corresponding grinding areas sequentially in one direction by way of the negative pressure zone and in another direction by way of the positive pressure zone to define a two-phase flow. The jet milling mechanism is installed on a motor shaft of a jet mill.

Abstract: A method for fragmenting and/or weakening of pourable material by means of high-voltage discharges is disclosed. Thereby, a material flow of the pourable material is, immersed in a process liquid, guided past a high-voltage electrode assembly with one or more high-voltage electrodes, while high-voltage punctures through the material are produced by means of charging of the high-voltage electrodes with high-voltage pulses. The zone of the material flow in which the high-voltage punctures through the material are produced is delimited laterally by substantially unmoved zones of the same material as viewed in a guiding-past direction. With the disclosed method, it becomes possible to fragment and/or weaken pourable material in a continuous process by means of high-voltage punctures in a low-wear and low-contamination manner.

Abstract: A disassembling apparatus that shatters an object by means of pulsed discharge includes a container that can be filled with a liquid, an anode that is disposed within the container, a cathode that is disposed such that the object can be placed so as to straddle the anode and the cathode, object scattering prevention means that encloses an object disassembling region above the anode and the cathode, and a pulsed power supply that applies a high voltage pulse between the anode and the cathode.

Abstract: A device for processing thermoplastic plastic includes a storage container for receiving pieces of plastic particles or a conveying line for conveying the pieces of plastic particles, and a conveying screw following the storage container/the conveying line at a transfer opening. The device also includes an extruder following the conveying screw and an air outlet arranged opposite the transfer opening and directed at this opening. In a method for operating the device, an air stream is aligned with the transfer opening. The strength and/or the direction of the air stream is adjusted or controlled as a function of a load on the extruder.