Abstract: Cotton waste is transferred to a heated reactor and mixed with a pigment in the presence of steam. Cotton waste is converted to mulch by a plurality of rotating mixing elements disposed in the reactor and which mix, cut and/or chop the cotton waste therein. In particular, the reactor includes a cylindrical wall section and a longitudinal drive shaft extending through the reactor. A series of radial arms extend from the drive shaft. Mounted on the terminal ends of the radial arms is a first set of mixing elements. As the drive shaft is driven, these mixing elements move adjacent the inner surface of the cylindrical wall section. Further, there is provided a second set of mixing elements disposed adjacent the inner face of the cylindrical wall section. These rotary mixing elements are secured to a shaft that extends through the cylindrical wall section at an angle to the longitudinal drive shaft.

Abstract: In order to provide a simple and economical method for the production of a flowable powder of a fluoropolymer compound, there is proposed a method for the production of a flowable powder of a fluoropolymer compound from a dry mixture, which contains at least one fluoropolymer material and at least one filler, which comprises the following method steps: pressing the dry mixture into lumps; crushing the lumps to form the flowable powder.

Abstract: A system for recycling reusable resin mold products recovered from discarded apparatuses is disclosed. This recycling system includes a crushing system for crushing resin mold products one kind by one kind into crushed resinous pieces and packing the same in a bag, a classification system for irradiating a light beam to the resin in the bag and classifying the bags into respective kinds of resins based on a reflected beam therefrom, a cleaning system for separately cleaning the respective kind of crushed resinous pieces taken out of the bag to remove foreign matters adhered onto the surfaces of the crushed resinous pieces therefrom, and a recovery system for recovering the cleaned crushed resinous pieces.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for the separation, recovery and recycling of municipal solid waste (MSW) in which hot water 48 is added to shredded and homogenized MSW 2 as it enters a rotating feed preparation drum 34 equipped with internal lifter blades 36. The blades 36 and rotation of the drum 34 cause mixing and pulping of the MSW before discharge into a rotating thermal processor 56 also equipped with lifter blades 58 and cone section 64, and in which the moist MSW 2 is heated by heating the hot gases in the processor by a flame from burner 62 which converts the moisture in the MSW to steam. The steam permeates through the MSW as it is turned and lifted in the thermal processor 56, causing further pulping. The now cooked and treated MSW 2 is then fed to a conveyor 68 for transportation to a trommel screen for the separation of recyclable components.

Abstract: This invention discloses a high pressure media mill (HPMM) and processes for use thereof.

Abstract: The invention provides methods of disintegrating or reducing the particle size of elemental materials, such as various forms of carbon, and organic crystals that contain minerals and that do not contain minerals. The method include the steps of entraining the material in a gas flow through an inlet of a housing, subjecting the flowing material to a plurality of alternating pressure increases and decreases within the housing, disintegrating the flowing material with the pressure increases and decreases, thereby reducing the mean particle size of the material, and discharging the disintegrated material though an outlet of the housing.

Abstract: A method of recycling aluminum alloy wheels, the method comprises providing a feed of aluminum alloy wheels of a particular alloy; fragmenting the aluminum alloy wheels into a plurality of pieces; subjecting the pieces to magnetic separation to produce pieces having a reduced iron content; and, subjecting the pieces having a reduced iron content to shot blasting to produce shot blasted pieces. An optional eddy treatment step may be used.

Abstract: Porous ceramic particles can be fragmented by generating a gas inside the pores at a sufficient pressure to cause the particles to be fragmented. The preferred way of generating the pressure is by immersing the particles in a liquid that at ambient temperatures and pressures is a gas until the liquid is absorbed into the pores and thereafter rapidly changing the conditions such that the liquid becomes a gas resulting in explosive fragmentation of the ceramic particles.

Abstract: A method for producing submicron polytetrafluoroethylene (“PTFE”) powder in a free-flowing, readily dispersible form. The irradiated PTFE starting material is placed in a desired solvent and undergoes grinding until the PTFE particles reach submicron size. The submicron particles are subsequently recovered from the solvent and dried to form a powder that may have particles less than 1.00 ?m in size. The dry PTFE powder may then be readily dispersed to submicron size into a desired application system. The submicron PTFE powder of this method is free-flowing, readily dispersible in various application systems, tends not to “dust” or self-agglomerate. Improved aqueous and organic dispersions of submicron PTFE particles may also be formed that display increased stability and require much less agitation than other processes of forming such dispersions. Such improved PTFE dispersions may be formed with or without the addition of surfactants, wetting agents, rheology modifiers, pH-adjusting agents, and the like.

Abstract: The present invention relates to phosphated derivatives of castor oil and hydrogenated castor oil as well as phosphated esters of ricinoleic acid. The inclusion of the phosphate group results in improved water solubility and a series of dispersants and emulsifiers that provide excellent particulate dispersing properties.

Abstract: An apparatus 10 for compacting and baling leaves, grass clippings, sticks, pine straw and other debris on lawns, yards, or fields is provided. The apparatus 10 may have diagonal brushes 26 to gather debris for processing though a crusher 28, a conveyor belt 30 to transport the crushed debris, and a baler 32 to compact and bale the debris. The baler 32 may compact the debris by rotating the debris in a continuous band 52, into which baling material 72 may be inserted to bale the debris. Alternatively, the debris may be gathered and feed into a crusher 28 that deposits the crushed debris directly into the baler 32 for compacting and baling. Further still, the apparatus 10 may gather the debris with brushes 26 and feed it onto a conveyor mechanism 30 that then introduces it into a crusher 28. The crushed debris may then be feed into a baling mechanism 32 that compacts and bales the debris for easy removal and disposal.

Abstract: An insulation box unit and a refrigerator of the present invention employs i) rigid urethane foam with a 8.0 MPa-or-greater bending modulus, and a 60 kg/m3-or-lower density, and ii) a vacuum insulation material. The proper bending modulus provides the insulation box unit with a substantial strength, even in the case that the coverage of the vacuum insulation material with respect to the surface of the outer box exceeds 40%. The proper density prevents the insulation box unit from poor insulation efficiency due to undesired solid thermal conductivity. Despite of an extended use of the vacuum insulation material, the insulation box unit offers an excellent insulation efficiency and therefore accelerates energy saving. According to the recycling method of the present invention, rigid urethane foam formed of tolylene di-isocyanate composition, which was separated from refrigerator wastes, is recycled as a material of rigid urethane foam.

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: Relative coarse flakes fabricated from used and manufacturing scrap asphalt shingle material are finish processed into ground cover and/or erosion control products. Processing of the flakes include (i) softening the surface of the flakes, (ii) embedding a surface treatment material into the softened surface of the flakes, and either (iii) supplying the flake as loose ground cover, or (iv) compressing the flakes into a portable mat.

Abstract: An alloy powder containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of the Group 14 elements exclusive of C and the Group 13 elements exclusive of Tl is subjected to a mechanical milling treatment, to obtain a negative electrode active material. Alternately, a raw material including a powder containing at least one element selected from the group consisting of the Group 14 elements exclusive of C and the Group 13 elements exclusive of Tl is subjected to a mechanical alloying treatment at a reaction temperature of below 90° C., to obtain a negative electrode active material.

Abstract: The method of the present invention for handling scrap tires, includes a step of providing a compacting apparatus to a scrap tire generator, such as a tire retailer. Before compacting the tires, the tire can be marked with a unique identifier assigned to every tire generator. By marking the scrap tires with a unique identifier, the scrap tires can be tracked on their way to the final destination. The compacting apparatus provides volume reduction of the scrap tires individually into a form that can have a reduction of at least fifty percent of original cubic volume. The tires can be pinched to maintain the compacted tire in the compacted form and prevent the compacted tire from regaining its original shape. The compacted scrap tires can be accumulated inside a tire collection enclosure, such as a trailer or dumpster. The collected tires can be transported with much more weight efficient loads of the tires to a transfer station, a recycling facility, or an end user.

Abstract: A composition for substrate materials according to the present invention includes 70-95 wt. % of inorganic powder and 5-30 wt. % of thermosetting resin composition and is in a finely crushed condition. The composition for substrate materials is prepared, for example, by crushing into fine pieces and mixing the inorganic powder and the thermosetting resin composition. A heat conductive substrate is provided with an insulator body formed by heating and pressurizing said composition for substrate materials and a wiring pattern is provided in such a condition that it is exposed on the surface of the insulator body. A process for manufacturing the heat conductive substrate comprises forming said composition for substrate materials into the insulator body by casting the above mentioned composition for substrate materials into a metal mold to be heated and pressurized so that said thermosetting resin is cured.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for recycling a fabric containing high performance fibers having a tenacity of at least 10 grams per dtex and a tensile modulus of at least 150 grams per dtex, to make a yarn from the fabric. In the process, and the fabric is cut into pieces where the largest dimension is no larger than 15 centimeters. From 30 to 99 weight percent staple fibers are added to the fabric pieces to make a blend and the fibers of the blend are separated and aligned into a sliver, and the sliver is formed into a twisted yarn. This yarn may be used to make a fabric or any other useful article.

Abstract: The present invention provides a water-absorbent resin powder and its production process and use, wherein the water-absorbent resin powder has high liquid permeability and high water absorbency. The production process for a water-absorbent resin powder, according to the present invention, comprises the step of obtaining water-absorbent crosslinked polymer particles by an aqueous solution polymerization step, and grinding the resultant crosslinked polymer particles until the bulk density thereof increases to not lower than 0.72 (g/ml). The water-absorbent resin powder is characterized by being arbitrarily pulverized and having a bulk density of not lower than 0.74 (g/ml) and a water absorption capacity of not lower than 20 (g/g) for 0.9 weight % physiological saline under a load of 0.7 psi (4.83 kPa). In addition, the absorbent structure comprises the above water-absorbent resin powder and a fibrous material. The absorbent article comprises an absorbent layer including the above absorbent structure.

Abstract: Mulberry leaves washed in a washing water are soaked in a soaking liquid containing sodium bicarbonate and salt, then the leaves soaked in the soaking liquid are put into a steam blanching machine to blanch them with steam, the leaves steam blanched are put into a drying machine to dry them, the dried leaves are charged to a pulverizing machine pulverizing the leaves and obtaining mulberry leaves powder.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing an epoxy resin molding material for semiconductor encapsulation, which is very low in voids generation; a molding material produced by the process; and a semiconductor device obtained by encapsulation with the molding material.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for separating all categories of polymer materials derived from waste characterised by successive steps and phases, implemented in the following order: sequentially, a grinding step is followed by a cylindrical drum form factor mechanical separation step, which is followed by a first density separation step in parallel steps, followed by energetic cleaning of the polymer materials and ending with a second density separation step in parallel steps. Said polymer materials can, if required, be extruded. The method enables to obtain different categories of polymer materials, and in particular PE, PP, PS, ABS, PP filled at 20 to 40% with PA, PMMA, Xenoy™, PVC.

Abstract: The main theme of the invention is to provide a method for manufacturing industrially, by mechanically comminuting silk yarn, crystalline silk fibroin powder below 3 &mgr;m in an average particle diameter, which can be used for various applications. A silk substance such as cocoon filament, silk yarn, or raw silk is brought into an alkali aqueous solution under a pressure of 1 through 5 atmospheric pressure at temperatures from 100° C. through 150° C. to reduce the tensile strength of the silk substance to around 0.02 g/d or less. Thereafter, the resultant silk substance is subjected to dealkalization and drying. Subsequently, the resultant dried silk substance is comminuted into powder below 3 &mgr;m in an average particle diameter. Thus, the crystalline silk fibroin powder below 3 &mgr;m in an average particle diameter is manufactured.

Abstract: An apparatus including: a grinder adapted to grind toner particles; a classifier in communication with the grinder adapted to separate sized toner particles from unsized toner particles; a conduit in communication with the classifier which conduit is adapted to convey the sized toner particles away from the grinder; a heater adapted to heat and smooth the surface of the sized toner particles received from the conduit; and a particle separator adapted separate the resulting mixture of smooth surface toner particles and debris particles received from the heater.

Abstract: Fibers to be introduced into a mixture are initially pelletized or granulated at a compacting station. The pellets or granules are then transported to a user station where they are stored, and then re-fiberized as required ready for use and introduced into a mixer where they are mixed with other ingredients to provide a mixture with the required properties which is then ready for delivery.

Abstract: A method of handling scrap tires is disclosed, including providing a satellite tire collection enclosure constructed of baled tires and sized to receive at least about 2400 scrap tires, collecting scrap tires inside the tire collection enclosure until the enclosure is at or near capacity, volume reducing the scrap tires by baling the scrap tires using a mobile tire baler having a baler and a boom on a mobile platform at a minimum of about 2,400 whole tires into about 24 bales to achieve a volume reduction of about 80 percent by volume, and transporting baled scrap tires to a home base, a recycling center, or directly to an end-user. In one aspect, a mobile tire baler includes a baler and a boom on a mobile platform, a cutter for over-size tires, and a crusher for tire rims.

Abstract: Carpet scrap containing mixtures of polyesters and/or polyamides and polyolefins are compatiblized with ultralow density polyethylene (ULDPE) to make homogeneous thermoplastic blends having useful properties.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for impact pulverization by directing at least one high-velocity gas or vapor jet exiting from a nozzle into a fluidized bed of milling material, wherein the gas or vapor jet is jointly accelerated with a portion of the milling material and thereafter directed into the fluidized bed of milling material.

Abstract: A method and product to replace asbestos in brake pads and other molded friction materials. Conductive fibers and non-conductive fibers, both of small diameter and an average length less than two inches (5 cm), are mixed together in predetermined ratio to facilitate uniform suspension of friction materials in a moldable mixture. Steel, copper, or brass are preferred for the conductive fibers; aramid and acrylic resins are preferred for the non-conductive fibers.

Abstract: A polymeric blend formed from recycled carpet scrap and selected compatibilizing agents and/or a poly(ethylene-co-omylacetate) and the products produced from such blend.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for chemically and physically stabilizing contaminated soil is disclosed. The soil is homogenized in a homogenizer; dropped into a mixer below the homogenizer and mixed with an additive; then dropped to a processing terminus located below the mixer. The apparatus and method are useful for processing highly clumped and/or acidic soil, e.g., soil contaminated with mining waste.

Abstract: A clean refractory metal sponge fines product is made from refractory metal sponge fines free of refractory metal oxides, carbides, nitrides and binary iron alloys; silicon carbide, oils, greases and organic compounds; salt; dust; dirt; pieces of iron, iron alloy and tungsten carbide; and light contaminants. The sponge fines are vigorously washed and rinsed with a displacement wash to remove the bulk of the wash fluid and subject to a counter-current wash to yield clean refractory metal sponge fines. The clean sponge fines can be pressed into briquettes and sintered at elevated pressures, or mixed with an alkali metal refractory metal halide slat, pressed at elevated pressures into sponge fines/salt briquettes and dried or pressed into briquettes, dried and packaged, or pressed into briquettes and stored wet. The briquettes are non-pyrophoric.

Abstract: A polymeric blend formed from recycled carpet scrap and selected compatibilizing agents and/or a poly(ethylene-co-omylacetate) and the products produced from such blend.

Abstract: A clean refractory metal SWARF particle product is made from refractory metal SWARF. The SWARF particles are produced with coolant at a temperature less than 650.degree. C. to prevent formation of refractory metal oxides and nitrides. The SWARF particles are comminuted to reduce the particle size of the SWARF slivers and to liberate residual coolant The comminuted SWARF slivers are washed with a displacement wash to remove the bulk of the coolant and subject to a counter current wash to remove substantially all of the coolant components to produce to clean SWARF particles. The clean SWARF particles can be pressed into briquettes and sintered at elevated pressures or mixed with an alkali metal refractory metal halide salt, pressed at elevated pressures into SWARF/soft briquettes and dried. The briquettes are non-pyrophoric.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for chemically and physically stabilizing contaminated soil is disclosed. The soil is homogenized in a homogenizer; dropped into a mixer below the homogenizer and mixed with an additive; then dropped to a processing terminus located below the mixer. The apparatus and method are useful for processing highly clumped and/or acidic soil, e.g., soil contaminated with mining waste.

Abstract: A device for dispersing and metering fibers which includes a frame, a hopper mounted on the frame and having an inlet opening for receiving fibers therein. A screen is provided through which the fibers from the inlet opening must pass for separating any existing fiber clumps into a size not exceeding a size predetermined by the screen. A primary fluffing device is provided for creating a uniform dispersion of fibers within the hopper. An outlet opening is provided for allowing the fibers to exit the hopper. A controllable metering device is provided in the outlet opening for transporting a metered quantity of fibers out of the hopper through the outlet opening. A housing structure is connected to an outlet end of the metering device, the housing structure including an air inlet opening into the housing and a secondary fluffing device inside of the housing for further reducing in size any fiber clumps to separated discreet fibers.

Abstract: A guidance system and method for positively guiding a tank sludge-removal unit or the like around the inside of a tank, including a plurality of winch assemblies mounted at radially spaced locations on the top perimeter of the tank each having a control line which extends into the tank for connecting either directly to the unit or indirectly to a lifting line via a pulley device used for raising and lowering the unit within the tank, thereby enabling the position and/or the direction of movement of the unit to be positively controlled by selective operation of the winch assemblies and/or lifting line. A line-forwarding device is also provided for use in forwarding control lines of the winch assemblies to an access opening in the tank.

Abstract: For preparing plastic waste composed of different plastics, possibly combined with other materials, for further processing, for example, as additives for construction. A method of the invention comminutes the waste, metals are separated out, the plastic waste is agglomerated, and the agglomerated waste is comminuted further. A device according to the invention for performing the method uses comminution devices, metal separators, and at least one agglomerator. The entire device is completely mobile and equipped with its own power supply.

Abstract: A solid waste recycling system for use in recycling containers containing residual liquids. The recycling system includes a housing having an inlet for receiving the containers. Two pluralities of oppositely rotating rotary knives shred the containers into shreds. A conveyor transports the shreds toward a drying zone. One plurality of spray heads washes the containers with cold or hot water during shredding and another plurality of spray heads washes the shreds with cold or hot water while the shreds are being conveyed toward the drying zone. The hot water and residual liquids are drained off in the drainage zone. The washed shreds are dried in the drying zone. The dried shreds are then stored in the storage receptacle, which is slidably removable from the housing. The rotary knives, drainage zone, dryer and conveyor are all located inside the housing, which is optionally mounted on rollers to provide a portable system.

Abstract: Manganese dry cells sorted out of used-up dry cells are crushed and sieved to obtain a mixture composed predominantly of anodic substances, which is in turn used for ferrite production. The invention is preferable for a saving of resources and preservation of the environment, and enables ferrites on a practical-enough level to be obtained.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a shredding machine utilizing a lubrication process to increase the shredding capacity and service life of the machine. More specifically, the invention discloses a distribution manifold containing a plurality of uniformly dispersed pores which discharge fluid across the cutting elements of the shredding machine in a precise and even manner. The pore diameter and length can be chosen to provide for variable fluid discharge rates. Additionally, this invention relates to a lubrication discharge system which utilizes an actuating means that controls the discharge intervals over which the porous manifold releases the fluid. Provisions are included which allow for the lubrication discharge system to operate by use of a pump, or by the mere force of gravity in combination with a control valve.

Abstract: A process for producing a high bulk density granular detergent involving the steps of:(1) milling a solidified detergent material;(2) classifying the milled detergent material obtained in step (1) into fine powders and coarse powders;(3) granulating the fine powders classified in step (2);(4) mixing the granulation product of fine powders obtained in step (3) with the course powders classified in step (2); and(5) surface modifying the mixture obtained in the step (4).

Abstract: A system and a process for treating solid waste are disclosed. The system includes a facility having one or more treatment lines for processing the solid waste to recover recyclable and useful materials such as corrugated paper, ferrous metals, plastic products, paper, and glass and to form various fractions which can be converted to a compost material. The facility is a substantially zero discharge facility having a minimal environmental impact.

Abstract: This invention relates to process and apparatus for recovering and cleaning lead shot, bullets and slugs of various sizes from shooting range backstops and similar sites. The process involves excavating the site material and delivering same to a surge hopper from which the material is metered substantially uniformly to a vibratory feeder. The material is delivered by the feeder to a shredder which serves to condition and de-agglomerate the material for uniform flowability and separation. The shredded material is delivered to a trommel screen for initial separation into two major fractions, returning the larger particle fraction to the excavation site and delivering the smaller particle fraction to a sizing screen.

Abstract: A process for preparing an X-ray phosphor comprising the steps of:(a) mixing a predetermined ratio of phosphor precursors;(b) grinding the mixture in a fluid grinding mill to obtain particles of a predetermined size;(c) firing the mixture; and(d) recovering the phosphor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to apparatus for crushing brittle material for grinding, in which the material for grinding is first of all crushed in a roller mill under high pressure so that agglomerates are formed, then undergoes treatment to break up the agglomerates and afterwards is classified on a screen classifier, the oversize fraction is returned to the roller mill and the proportion of the product passing through the screen classifier is passed to a closed-circuit grinding arrangement. Such a method is distinguished by a uniform grinding operation in both crushing stages, requires low energy consumption for conveying the material for grinding from the first crushing stage to the second crushing stage and thus permits a greater spatial distance between the two crushing stages.

Abstract: A system and a process for treating solid waste are disclosed. The system includes a facility having one or more treatment lines for processing the solid waste to recover recyclable and useful materials such as corrugated paper, ferrous metals, plastic products, paper, and glass and to form various fractions which can be converted to a compost material. The facility is a substantially zero discharge facility having a minimal environmental impact.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mixing solid or semi-solid waste materials with one or more additives to produce a solid or semi-solid end product includes a separator with paddle-type chopper augers for receiving the solid or semi-solid waste material. The chopper augers reduce the size of lumps contained in the waste material and discharges the material into an homogenizer. The homogenizer is equipped with pin mixers to form a substantially homogeneous mass of waste material for loading into a blender unit where the mass is blended with selective additive(s).

Abstract: The apparatus to put the process of the invention into practice comprises a silo 1 to dispense fat (oil), a duct 2 to feed in lime and optionally inert additives, a mixer 3 provided with a stirrer, at least a charging pot 4, a pocket vessel 5, a hopper provided with a distribution blade 6, a conveyor belt 7 continuously operating internally of the baking furnace, a baking furnace 8, a grid-type conveyor belt 9, a first crusher 10 and a mill 11. The powder lubricant obtained by said continuous process also has the advantage of exhibiting a better morphological appearance, more hardness and improved adhesion to the substrate to be lubricated.

Abstract: A material treating apparatus is used for treating powdery, granular and conglomerate materials. The material treating apparatus includes a material supply apparatus for transferring the materials to a predetermined position, particularly for supplying the materials to an automatic crusher. The material treating apparatus includes a crushing system having a crushing vessel transferring unit. The material treating apparatus further includes an analysis sample transferring apparatus particularly suitable for transferring samples formed by a press to a fluorescent X-ray analyzing apparatus. The material treating apparatus includes a fluorescent X-ray analyzing system which is capable of automatically analyzing samples of various kinds. An analyzing method is carried out by the use of the above material treating apparatus. The analyzing method includes a method of vitrifying an inorganic material, which is preferably used for obtaining samples to be analyzed by the X-ray fluorescence analysis.