Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing mineral particles grinding a mineral material in the presence of a specific anionic polymer. The polymer used is obtained by means of polymerisation in the presence of sodium hypophosphite, disodium dipropionate trithiocarbonate and at least one radical-generating compound. The invention also relates to an aqueous composition comprising particles of ground mineral material and such a polymer, in particular a paper coating slip composition.

Abstract: A method of increasing the throughput and/or decreasing the energy usage of a pulping process includes the steps of providing a plurality of lignocellulosic chips, providing a refining composition, applying the refining composition to the plurality of lignocellulosic chips, and mechanically refining the plurality of lignocellulosic chips to form pulp. The refining composition includes water and a lubricating additive including the reaction product of a sugar and an alcohol. The step of applying the refining composition to the lignocellulosic chips is conducted less than 5 minutes prior to, or concurrently with, the step of mechanically refining the wood chips to form pulp.

Abstract: A mechanical ball-milling method for preparing a polydopamine-modified montmorillonite nanomaterial is disclosed. The method includes dispersing a montmorillonite material in an aqueous solution, stirring, concentrating and collecting a concentrated montmorillonite solution for use; adding dopamine hydrochloride to a buffer solution to prepare a dopamine hydrochloride solution, with a concentration of 0.2-1 g/mL, and adjusting the pH value of the dopamine hydrochloride solution; and adding the dopamine hydrochloride solution and the concentrated montmorillonite solution simultaneously into a ball mill jar to form a mixture, and then subjecting the mixture to a ball milling for 0.3-6 hours, pouring the mixture out of the ball mill jar, and subjecting to a solid-liquid separation by a centrifugation, and then washing a solid product with deionized water for 3-6 times, and removing water from the solid product, to obtain the polydopamine-modified montmorillonite nanomaterial.

Abstract: Aromatic polyester particles which are formed from an aromatic polyester having a flow starting temperature of 400° C. or higher and have a circularity of a projected image of 0.80 or more and 1.00 or less.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of a chipper shredder are provided. In some exemplary embodiments, the chipper shredder can include a rotor disc having an obverse side and a reverse side, one or more chipper blades provided on the obverse side, one or more impeller blades provided on the reverse side, the one or more impeller blades being perpendicular to the rotor disc, one or more hammer blades on the reverse side, the one or more hammer blades being substantially parallel to the rotor disc, and one or more L-blades on the reverse side that extend outwardly and upwardly from a center of the rotor disc.

Abstract: A system is disclosed. The system includes an impact processor comprising an inlet and an outlet, a secondary classifier comprising an inlet and an outlet, the secondary classifier being downstream of and coupled to the impact processor, a recirculation mixer valve downstream of and coupled to the outlet of the secondary classifier, and a recirculation line coupling the outlet of the first secondary classifier to the inlet of the impact processor.

Abstract: Nano-thick flakes that are either flat, and specularly-reflective in visible light or that have microroughness intentionally controlled to disperse or interfere with visible light. Coatings and inks utilizing such flakes. Method for fabrication of such flakes in partial vacuum includes the repeated multiple times deposition of a release layer over a substrate surface and a flake layer over the release layer to form a multilayer structure further reduced to individual flakes. Reactive metal is passivated inline with the deposition of the flake layer for superior corrosion resistance. Chemically-functional materials are optionally added to the release material to transfer their functionality to the surface of flake layer to create unique functional properties on a flake surface before the multilayer structure is removed from the substrate.

Abstract: A system is disclosed. The system includes an impact processor comprising an inlet and an outlet, a secondary classifier comprising an inlet and an outlet, the secondary classifier being downstream of and coupled to the impact processor, a recirculation mixer valve downstream of and coupled to the outlet of the secondary classifier, and a recirculation line coupling the outlet of the first secondary classifier to the inlet of the impact processor.

Abstract: A coating composition comprising an aqueous dispersion of submicron natural ground calcium carbonate particles contained in a liquid binder, wherein the resultant coating may constitute either a clear coat or a glossing and opacifying coating, depending upon the presence of certain additives such as a mineral pigment (e.g., TiO2). The composition is characterised in that comprises, in the case of a clear coating, at least one ground natural calcium carbonate having a median diameter of between 0.05 and 0.15 ?m, while in the case of a glossing and opacifying coating, at least one ground natural calcium carbonate having a median diameter of between 0.05 and 0.3 ?m and at least one pigment having a refractive index of greater than or equal to 2.5.

Abstract: A CT value controller includes a storage means, an input means, and a computing means. The storage means stores a function expressing a relative humidity and a CT value regarding a degradation degree of an anticancer agent, an assumed relative humidity, and a CT setting. The input means inputs a measured relative humidity and a measured ozone concentration at a time of degradation treatment of the anticancer agent. The computing means calculates a corrected CT value increment based on a difference between the measured relative humidity and the assumed relative humidity at every input of the relative humidity and the ozone concentration by using the function. The computing means determines a termination of the degradation treatment of the anticancer agent when an integrated CT value of the corrected CT value increments reaches the CT setting.

Abstract: Coating composition providing gloss and opacity on application, having a pigment volume concentration of from 5% up to the critical pigment volume concentration and characterised in that comprises at least one ground natural calcium carbonate having a volume median diameter of between 0.05 and 0.3 ?m, and at least one pigment having a refractive index of greater than or equal to 2.5.

Abstract: A process for enhancing mining processes and in particular to the combination of anionic grinding aids with cationic flocculating agents, an anionic flocculant containing sulphonated and/or carboxylated groups, a terpolymer and combinations thereof at the flocculating stage in mineral ore processing applications, thereby enhancing the effectiveness of mining processes particularly in the grinding and flocculating of the mineral ore slurry.

Abstract: A surface treated high aspect ratio talc may be surface treated with a surface treatment agent including a polymeric species including one or more ether linkages. Functional compositions including a surface treated high aspect ratio talc may be polymer compositions. A process for preparing a surface treated high aspect ratio talc may include mixing the high aspect ratio talc and surface treatment agent. A process for preparing a polymer composition may include combining a high aspect ratio talc with a polymer in an amount of at least about 30% by weight, based on the total weight of the polymer composition.

Abstract: The compositions and methods herein relate to stable dispersions of long chain carboxylic acid-stabilized magnetite nanoparticles dispersed in alcohol. These compositions are useful in advanced biomedical applications.

Abstract: A method for preparing an aqueous suspension may include providing a fibrous substrate comprising cellulose having a Canadian Standard freeness equal to or less than 700 cm3, and microfibrillating the fibrous substrate in an aqueous environment by grinding in the presence of a grinding medium which is to be removed after completion of grinding. The grinding may be carried out in the absence of grindable inorganic particulate material, wherein the grinding medium is present in an amount of at least about 10% by volume of the aqueous environment, and wherein the microfibrillated cellulose has a fiber steepness of from about 20 to about 50.

Abstract: Solid-state shear pulverization of semi-crystalline polymers and copolymers thereof and related methods for enhanced crystallization kinetics and physical/mechanical properties.

Abstract: Provided is a cardboard conversion line including a wet cyclone dust collector for removing dust laden air from the conversion line. The wet cyclone dust collector has a swirl chamber in which air containing particles swirls in a rotational direction and a plurality of circumferentially spaced nozzles located within the swirl chamber to direct a spray of fluid within the swirl chamber in the rotational direction to wet the air containing particles, and the wetted particles are separated from the air in the swirl chamber. In this way, a system may be provided to clean high volumes of air containing particles without having to provide an explosion vent and without having to provide additional fans, motors, and compressed air.

Abstract: Nanothick flakes that are either flat and specularly-reflective in visible light or that have microroughness intentionally controlled to disperse or interfere with visible light. Coatings and inks utilizing such flakes. Method for fabrication of such flakes in partial vacuum includes the repeated multiple times deposition of a release layer over a substrate surface and a flake layer over the release layer to form a multilayer structure further reduced to individual flakes. Reactive metal is passivated inline with the deposition of the flake layer for superior corrosion resistance. Chemically-functional materials are optionally added to the release material to transfer their functionality to the surface of flake layer to create unique functional properties on a flake surface before the multilayer structure is removed from the substrate.

Abstract: An organic release agent is vacuum deposited over a substrate and surface treated with a plasma or ion-beam source in a gas rich in oxygen-based functional groups to harden a very thin layer of the surface of the deposited layer in passivating environment. Aluminum is subsequently vacuum deposited onto the hardened release layer to form a very flat and specular thin film. The film is exposed to a plasma gas containing oxygen or nitrogen to passivate its surface. The resulting product is separated from the substrate, crushed to break up the film into aluminum flakes, and mixed in a solvent to separate the still extractable release layer from the aluminum flakes. The surface treatment of the release layer greatly reduces wrinkles in the flakes, improving the optical characteristics of the flakes. The passivation of the flake material virtually eliminates subsequent corrosion from exposure to moisture.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for shearing well drilling fluid mixtures containing an emulsifier, and utilizing pumping the fluids through a plurality of nozzles, reducing the size of the fluid droplets as they pass through the nozzles, discharging the fluid droplets into a output chamber where the emulsifier surrounds the smaller droplets with the nozzle discharges aligned to intersect in the stabilization chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing a compound that comprises a pseudolaminar silicate of natural origin, which is at least one clay of the paligorskite-sepiolite group, characterized in that said method comprises the following steps: defibrillating the microfiber bundles of the at least one clay in water; dispersing the defibrillated clay in an organic or inorganic liquid solvent until a stable gel is formed; adding to the dispersion at least one clay-surface-modifying agent; removing the solvent from the dispersion by means of a solid-liquid separation process and/or drying process; and deagglomerating the final compound until a powdered product is obtained. A further object of the present invention is the compound that can be obtained using said method, as well as the use of the compound as an additive or filler in composite polymeric materials in order to enhance the properties thereof, the composite polymeric material likewise being encompassed within the present invention.

Abstract: A method for preparing a pigment dispersion includes milling a starting pigment dispersion containing a pigment and optionally a carrier and a dispersant with milling media having an average particle size of about 100 ?m or less, until a final pigment dispersion having at least one of a desired pigment average particle size and a desired pigment particle size distribution is obtained; optionally separating the milling media from the final pigment dispersion; and optionally diluting the final pigment dispersion to obtain a desired pigment particle concentration.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for casting inorganic materials are provided. The inorganic materials include metals, metal alloys, metal hydrides and other materials. Thermal control zones may be established to control the propagation of a freeze front through the casting. Agitation from a mechanical blade or ultrasonic energy may be used to reduce porosity and shrinkage in the casting. After solidification of the casting, the casting apparatus may be used to anneal the cast part.

Abstract: An organic release agent is vacuum deposited over a substrate and surface treated with a plasma or ion-beam source in a gas rich in oxygen-based functional groups to harden a very thin layer of the surface of the deposited layer in a passivating environment. Aluminum is subsequently vacuum deposited onto the hardened release layer to form a very flat and specular thin film. The film is exposed to a plasma gas containing oxygen or nitrogen to passivate its surface. The resulting product is separated from the substrate, crushed to brake up the film into aluminum flakes, and mixed in a solvent to separate the still extractable release layer from the aluminum flakes. The surface treatment of the release layer greatly reduces wrinkles in the flakes, improving the optical chracteristics of the flakes. The passivation of the flake material virtually eliminates subsequent corrosion from exposure to moisture.

Abstract: Compositions and methods for increasing grinding efficiency of cement, cement clinker, raw materials for cement, and other inorganic particles. Use of biomass-derived polyols such as diols, triols, or mixtures thereof, optionally with a conventional grinding aid, cement quality improver, and/or hexavalent chromium reducer, are believed to provide less risk of sludging when compared to glycerides obtained from fossil fuel sources.

Abstract: According to an implementation of the present subject matter, a method for producing stable nanofluids is described. The method includes mixing of a base fluid with a dispersant and a metal oxide powder to form a primary mixture. The base fluid is a heat transfer fluid and the metal oxide powder includes particles of size greater than 100 nm. The method further includes grinding the primary mixture to obtain a concentrated nanoparticle suspension where the dispersant is added to the primary mixture during the grinding after every pre-determined time period.

Abstract: In one aspect, methods of milling carbide are described herein. A method of milling carbide comprises placing a particulate composition comprising carbide in a vessel containing milling media and placing an additive in the vessel, the additive undergoing evaporation or sublimation to provide a non-oxidative atmosphere in the vessel. The carbide particles are comminuted with the milling media in the non-oxidative atmosphere.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing an aqueous suspension of calcium carbonate by grinding in an aqueous medium in the presence of an acrylic grinding aid agent and of an alkali carbonate salt. These salts enable the quantity of grinding aid agent used to be reduced, for an equivalent level of performance in terms of rheology and granulometry of the suspensions. The method includes a first step of manufacture of the alkali carbonate salt within the aqueous solution of acrylic polymer itself, through the addition of alkali hydroxide and bubbling of carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A process extracts and reclaims the components of an asphalt-based material having as constituents at least asphalt and one or more solid materials. A solvent for asphalt dissolves the asphalt constituent to form a slurry of asphalt-solvent liquid and the solid materials. The liquid and the solids in the slurry are then separated. The liquid is separated into solvent and asphalt. The solids, when of more than one type, are separated into at least one pure constituent solid. In a preferred embodiment, the process runs in a continuous mode with the various materials flowing as streams into spaces where steps of the process operate. The process can be used for both worn roofing shingles and for asphalt paving.

Abstract: A composition comprising a fluid, and a material dispersed in the fluid, the material made up of particles having a complex three dimensional surface area such as a sharp blade-like surface, the particles having an aspect ratio larger than 0.7 for promoting kinetic boundary layer mixing in a non-linear-viscosity zone. The composition may further include an additive dispersed in the fluid. The fluid may be a thermopolymer material. A method of extruding the fluid includes feeding the fluid into an extruder, feeding additives into the extruder, feeding a material into the extruder, passing the material through a mixing zone in the extruder to disperse the material within the fluid wherein the material migrates to a boundary layer of the fluid to promote kinetic mixing of the additives within the fluid, the kinetic mixing taking place in a non-linear viscosity zone.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a powder includes a mixing step in which a powder and a liquid additive are mixed together, a drying step in which the powder mixed in the mixing step is dried, a loading step in which the powder dried in the drying step is loaded into a pulverizer, a heating step in which a high-pressure gas is heated, a supplying step in which the high-pressure gas heated in the heating step is supplied to the pulverizer, and a pulverizing step in which the powder is pulverized by the pulverizer.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a calcium carbonate containing material having increased bulk density at equal or improved flowability, and a method of producing such a material. The inventive process comprises the step of contacting a calcium carbonate containing mineral powder with a solution or emulsion or dispersion of a binder.

Abstract: A method of processing a heterogeneous material includes entraining heterogeneous particles into a fluid stream. Each of the heterogeneous particles comprises a liquid portion and a solid portion. The fluid stream is passed through at least one adjustable nozzle, and is impacted to dissociate the liquid from the solid. A method of separating oil from solid particles includes mixing oil-coated solid particles with water to form a slurry, passing a first portion of the slurry through a first nozzle, and passing a second portion of the slurry through a second nozzle such that the second portion of the slurry intersects the first portion of the slurry to separate the oil from the particles.

Abstract: A method of treating tough inorganic fiber bundles including opening a plurality of the tough inorganic fiber bundles such that tough inorganic fibers can be dispersed in a liquid slurry to lay down a homogenous fiber aggregate, wherein the tough inorganic fibers have a crush settle volume of greater than 250 ml, optionally greater than 450 ml. Also, a method of treating tough inorganic fiber bundles including dispersing a plurality of the tough inorganic fiber bundles in a slurry with a dilution of about 0.1% to about 2%, optionally about 0.1% to about 1%, effective to lay down a homogenous fiber aggregate, wherein the tough inorganic fibers have a crush settle volume of greater than 250 ml, optionally greater than 450 ml.

Abstract: The disclosed is a carbon fibrous conjunct in a granule form which comprises carbon fibrous structures and a binder by which the carbon fibrous structures are bound together, wherein mean diameter of the carbon fibrous conjunct is in the range of 0.03 mm-5 mm, and density of the carbon fibrous conjunct is in the range of 0.003-0.5 g/cm3, and wherein each of the carbon fibrous structures comprises carbon fibers each having an outside diameter of 15-100 nm and a carbon granular part with which the carbon fibers are bound in the state that the carbon fibers extend outwardly from the granular part to form a three dimensional network of the carbon fibers, and wherein the granular part and the carbon fibers are bound together by carbon-carbon bonds.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a processed asphalt suspension is provided. The method includes dry grinding shingle waste material to a particle size of less than 1 cm, forming ground recycled shingle material, introducing virgin asphalt into a heated slurry tank and mixing the ground recycled shingle material with the virgin asphalt in the heated slurry tank, forming a mixed asphalt slurry, introducing the mixed asphalt slurry into a wet grinding machine, and recovering a processed asphalt suspension comprising particles having a size no greater than about 200 microns. Roofing and paving products manufactured from the processed asphalt suspension are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pulper comprising a supply chamber (2) and a displacement chamber (3) for handling materials in an especially gentle manner, having a diameter between the supply chamber and the displacement chamber that is at most ? of the diameter of the displacement chamber (3).

Abstract: Provided are a method for producing a dispersion in which pulverization and dispersion of inorganic fine particles can be stably performed with high productivity while thickening and gelation are suppressed; a dispersion that provides a cured coating film having high hardness and high transparency; a coating material including the dispersion; a coating film; and a film provided by forming the coating film. By using a wet ball mill including a vessel (p) filled with a medium, a rotational shaft (q), a stirring impeller (r), a slurry supply port (s), a slurry discharge port (t), and a shaft seal device (u), inorganic fine particles (C) are pulverized and dispersed in a slurry containing as essential components an active-energy-ray-curable compound (A), an active-energy-ray-curable compound (B), and the inorganic fine particles (C).

Abstract: The present disclosure provides improved systems and methods utilizing colloidal/ultrafine superdisintegrant-based composite particles for dispersion and/or dissolution of active pharmaceutical agents. In general, the present disclosure utilizes a surfactant-free or near surfactant-free formulation by incorporating a wet milled SDI as a dispersant in the formulation. As such, the present disclosure provides for the preparation of surfactant-free or substantially surfactant-free formulations (e.g., nano-composite micro-particle formulations) by incorporating a wet-milled superdisintegrant (SDI) as the dispersant in the formulations. The advantageous SDI particles (e.g., colloidal/ultrafine SDI particles) of the present disclosure can be used to break-up the aggregates (e.g., nanoparticle aggregates) of the active agents (e.g. poorly water-soluble drugs) in the formulations (e.g.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method comprising reducing the size of elastomeric particles in the presence of a liquid, wherein said liquid comprises an antidegradant and optionally a surfactant. Further provided is a method comprising bringing elastomeric particles into contact with a liquid, wherein said liquid comprises an antidegradant and, optionally, a surfactant. Also provided is an elastomeric particle that is created from an original elastomeric piece, where said elastomeric particle has an antidegradant concentration greater than that of the original elastomeric piece. Further provided is a rubber composition comprising the elastomeric particle. Additionally, the disclosure provides a tire containing a rubber composition that comprises the elastomeric particle.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for dry grinding one or more mineral materials which include at least calcium carbonate. The process includes a) crushing the mineral material or materials in at least one crushing unit until a crushed material is obtained with a d95 of less than 10 cm, and dry grinding the material in at least one grinding unit (i) in the presence of at least one comb-type hydrophilic polymer containing at least polyalkylene oxide function grafted on to at least one unsaturated ethylene monomer, and (ii) in such a manner that the quantity of liquid in the grinding unit is less than 15% by dry weight of the material crushed in the crushing unit, wherein recovered material has a d50 of 0.5 to 500 microns.

Abstract: Provided is a method of producing carbon nanoparticles, involving: applying a mechanical shearing force to a graphite material in a ball mill container combined with a disc, the ball mill container configured to be rotatable in a first direction, and the disc configured to be rotatable in a second direction opposite to the first direction; and separating produced carbon nanoparticles from the graphite material. A method of producing an aluminum-carbon composite material, and an aluminum-carbon composite material obtained by such a method are also provided.

Abstract: A method of separating at least one cluster of a plurality of clustered particles of a specified material. The method includes: initiating the wetting of at least a portion of the plurality of cluster particles; disaggregating at least a portion of the wetted plurality of cluster particles into a disaggregated material including a plurality of smaller clusters, discrete particles or any combination thereof; and stabilizing at least a portion of the disaggregated material by reducing, eliminating or replacing specified controlling attractive forces. A system and apparatus for separating at least one cluster of a plurality of clustered particles of a specified material are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for dry grinding one or more mineral materials which include at least calcium carbonate. The process includes a) crushing the mineral material or materials in at least one crushing unit until a crushed material is obtained with a d95 of less than 10 cm, and dry grinding the material in at least one grinding unit (i) in the presence of at least one comb-type hydrophilic polymer containing at least polyalkylene oxide function grafted on to at least one unsaturated ethylene monomer, and (ii) in such a manner that the quantity of liquid in the grinding unit is less than 15% by dry weight of the material crushed in the crushing unit, wherein recovered material has a d50 of 0.5 to 500 microns.

Abstract: The present invention provides a product obtained by a method of dry milling a mineral material in at least one milling unit: (i) in the presence of at least one polyalkylene glycol polymer having monomer units forming a backbone, where at least 90% of the monomer units forming the backbone of the polymer are constituted by ethylene oxide, propylene oxide or their mixtures, and where the polymer has a molecular weight of at least equal to 400 g/mole, and (ii) in a quantity of water that is less than 10% in dry weight of the material in the milling unit.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating material includes a pressure vessel and an agitation device for agitating the material received in the pressure vessel. The agitation device may include a drum which may be rotatably arranged inside the pressure vessel and which has an inner space for receiving the material that is introduced into the pressure vessel. The agitation device may include one or more agitation blades mounted in the drum so as to act on the material received in the inner space of the drum as the drum rotates in relation to the pressure vessel. A drive mechanism may rotate the drum in relation to the pressure vessel. Waste, such as garbage, may be treated with steam and pressure using the apparatus.

Abstract: Provided is a coating liquid for forming an undercoat layer of an electrophotographic photoreceptor exhibiting high stability. In the coating liquid for forming an undercoat layer of an electrophotographic photoreceptor containing metal oxide particles and a binder resin, the metal oxide particles have a cumulative volume average diameter D50 of 0.1 ?m or less and a volume particle size distribution width index SD satisfying the following Expression (1) which are measured by a dynamic light-scattering method in the coating liquid for forming an undercoat layer, 0.010?SD?0.040??(1) where SD=(D84?D16)/2, where D84 represents the particle diameter (?m) at a point of 84% in the cumulative volume particle size distribution curve, and D16 represents the particle diameter (?m) at a point of 16% in the cumulative volume particle size distribution curve.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of preparing a composition, comprising a micronized insoluble organic UV absorber, which method comprises grinding the insoluble organic UV absorber, in coarse particle form, in a grinding apparatus comprising yttrium-stabilized zirconium oxide grinding beads, in the presence of alkyl polyglucoside having the formula CnH2n+1O(C6H10O5)xH, in which n is an integer ranging from 8 to 16 and x is the mean polymerisation level of the glucoside moiety (C6H10O5) and ranges from 1.4 to 1.6, or an ester thereof and in the presence of an antifoam agent as dispersingagent auxiliary.

Abstract: The invention consists of the use, during a mineral substance dry-grinding step, of formulations containing glycerol and/or polyglycerols as agents for improving the auto-dispersing characteristic of the said mineral substance in an aqueous composition. The immediate viscosity of the final composition is thus lowered and maintained stable over the course of time. In addition, the amount of foam formed during the dispersion in water step is reduced.

Abstract: A method and device for producing crystalline active ingredient particles. The active ingredient is crystallized from a supersaturated solution on the surface of particles of the active ingredient. A suspension of active ingredient particles is subjected to wet grinding in a supersaturated solution of the active ingredient in a first module. At least a part of the suspension is fed from the first module into the second module where it is cooled and simultaneously subjected to ultrasound. The suspension is fed back into the first module after cooling and being subjected to ultrasound. Active ingredient solution and optionally antisolvent are added to the suspension and active ingredient particles and liquid phase are extracted. A relative supersaturation of the active ingredient in the liquid phase of the suspension, relative to the entire liquid phase, is ?90%, and the extracted active ingredient particles comprise a mean particle size of 10-500 ?m.