Abstract: A method of adapting a centrifugal machine that is a dual asymmetric centrifugal mixer or a planetary mill, used for mixing materials, for grinding one or more materials; it includes positioning in a container of the machine, non-spherical grinding media, and securing a lid on the opening of the container, wherein the bases of the units of the non-spherical grinding media are prevented from toppling by having a shortest distance between the center of mass of the unit of non-spherical grinding media and a base be less than half of the width of the base; or securing the lid sufficiently near the top of the units of the non-spherical grinding media such that when a unit of the non-spherical grinding media tilts, the unit of the non-spherical grinding media contacts the lid, the lid acting as an obstacle preventing the unit of the non-spherical grinding media from toppling.

Abstract: A method of producing graphene powder includes the heat treatment of a graphitizable polymer film to at least 2000 degrees C. to form a heat treated film having a substantially turbostratic graphitic structure. The heat treated film is then sheared along a plane substantially parallel to a major surface of the heat treated film to form a particulate having a thickness less than 100 nanometers.

Abstract: A stirred ball mill assembly includes multiple vessels each having a body supporting sets of magnets rotatable with respect to the body. Each vessel defines an enclosed milling chamber, and has a stirring arm assembly extending in the respective enclosed milling chamber and connected for rotation with the respective sets of magnets. The sets of magnets and the stirring arm assembly are completely enclosed within the respective vessel. The vessels are configured to be stacked with one another so that adjacent ones of the sets of magnets are magnetically coupled with one another. A drive motor assembly has another set of magnets magnetically coupled with one of the sets of magnets of the stacked vessels. The drive motor can rotate the stirring arm assemblies within the milling chambers of the milling chambers of the stacked vessels via magnetic coupling of the magnets.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for combinatorial (i.e., high-throughput) materials research, such as catalysis research, that involves parallel apparatus for simultaneously effecting mechanical treatments such as grinding, mixing, pressing, crushing, sieving, and/or fractionating of such materials are disclosed. The methods and apparatus are useful for mechanically treating catalysis materials and other solid materials, including without limitation, electronic materials such as phosphors, colorants such as pigments, and pharmaceuticals such as crystalline drugs or drug candidates. The simultaneous protocols and parallel apparatus offer substantial improvements in overall throughput for preparing arrays of materials, such as catalysis materials.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus for comminuting a material. The apparatus comprises a support (4) which is rotatable about a primary axis, and a grinding vessel (17), defining a grinding chamber, which is mounted on the support (4) for rotation about a secondary axis which is substantially parallel to the primary axis. The grinding vessel (17) is provided with an inlet (34) for a feed suspension of particulate solid material and an outlet (36) for a suspension for a fine product. In the first embodiment the grinding vessel (17) communicates with the outlet (36 ) through a screen (35 ). In the second embodiment, the inlet (34) comprises means for regulating the flow rate of the feed suspension. The invention also relates to a process for comminuting a material in a planetary mill, in which process the material is either ground autogenously or is ground in the presence of a grinding medium consising of particles not larger than 1mm.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus for comminuting a material. The apparatus comprises a support (4) which is rotatable about a primary axis, and a grinding vessel (17), defining a grinding chamber, which is mounted on the support (4) for rotation about a secondary axis which is substantially parallel to the primary axis. The grinding vessel (17) is provided with an inlet (34) for a feed suspension of particulate solid material and an outlet (36) for a suspension for a fine product. In the first embodiment the grinding vessel (17) communicates with the outlet (36) through a screen (35). In the second embodiment, the inlet (34) comprises means for regulating the flow rate of the feed suspension. The invention also relates to a process for comminuting a material in a planetary mill, in which process the material is either ground autogenously or is ground in the presence of a grinding medium consisting of particles not larger than 1 mm.

Abstract: A mill for comminution comprising a cylinder rotating with its axis perpendicular to a uniform inertial force field that has helical chambers at each end of the cylinder that are coaxial to and connected with the cylinder. The other end of each helix is connected to an external connection such that one feeds into and the other removes material from the mill. The helical chambers have opposite senses of rotation so that when the mill is rotated in one of its two possible directions any media in the mill is dynamically retained in the mill by the screw action of the helices even as material to be ground flows through the mill.

Abstract: A planetary mill adapted for the continuous grinding of granulated material into fine powder is disclosed. A grinding chamber is provided that is continuously orbited in a planetary motion. As the tube undergoes its planetary motion it is caused to undergo a rotation about its own axis at the same rate and in an opposite sense to the planetary rotation. As a result the grinding chamber has no net rotation with respect to an external observer and can be connected to any number of external connections without the use of rotating seals provided the drive for the planetary rotation is external to the locus of points encompassed by the path of the connections as the system rotates. The ratio of the orbit radius of the planetary motion is 2.15 times that of the cylindrical tube so as to cause a cascade angle of about 45 degrees of mill mix and media in the orbiting tube which angle is independent of the rotation rate of the mill at reasonable speeds.

Abstract: A centrifugal mill adapted for the continuous grinding of granulated material into fine powder is disclosed. At least one pair of grinding chambers is provided. The grinding chambers are rotated about their own axes one revolution in the opposite direction to the orbiting direction for each orbit and the orbiting radius is about 1.2 to about 4.0 times the grinding chamber radius. Under these conditions the grinding chambers do not rotate relative to the machine base so that communication with the grinding chamber and any surrounding jacket may be made through flexible hoses or tubes thereby avoiding the need for rotating seals. If desired, the grinding chamber may be subjected to atmospheres of controlled temperature, pressure and composition. As the grinding chamber atmosphere is isolated from the ambient atmosphere, contamination is avoided.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispersion of solids in liquids including two relatively movable elements arranged so as to define a dispersing volume therebetween, a multiplicity of separate generally cylindrical dispersing elements disposed within the dispersing volume, and apparatus for supplying a solid suspended in a liquid to the dispersing volume for dispersing and for removing a solid dispersed in a liquid from the dispersed volume after dispersing, wherein the relatively movable elements are separated at the dispersing volume by a separation distance which is slightly greater than the minimum dimension of the dispersing elements.

Abstract: A high-speed work finishing machine includes a plurality of work finishing units each supported by a high-speed turret for carrying barrel containers to be driven for both orbital and axial rotations. It further includes a circulating transport path for carrying a barrel container from the unloading location where it is to be demounted from a work finishing unit to the loading location where it is to be mounted to the same unit, and various means disposed along the circular transport path between the unloading and loading locations, those means involving the handling of a barrel container and/or the works and abrasive media under the control of a central programmable sequential controller.

Abstract: A grinding system and method for grinding mineral ore which is adapted for use where ore is required to be fed for grinding from a supply source at a substantially constant rate of feed, and in which the grinding characteristics of the ore and the power required to grind a predetermined weight of the ore vary unpredictably during the grinding operation, comprising a primary semi-autogenous grinding mill and a primary fully autogenous grinding mill connected in parallel relation with each other to the ore supply source, first drive means for driving the semi-autogenous grinding mill, power sensing means for measuring the input power required to drive the semi-autogenous grinding mill, and means for varying the ore feed rate to the semi-autogenous grinding mill whereby to maintain the input power to the semi-autogenous grinding mill at a substantially constant value or set point.

Abstract: A ball or tube mill which includes at least one grinding compartment, support means for supporting the grinding compartment, drive means for eccentrically driving the grinding compartment and a plurality of inflatable bellows supporting the support means for oscillating movement. In a preferred form of the invention, the support means is supported on four spaced inflatable bellows inclined with respect to one another such that their central axes intersect at a cone apex above the center of the mill. Means may also be provided for adjusting the pressure within each of the bellows to thereby adjust the height of the bellows individually.