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: Systems and methods for processing and sorting a municipal solid waste stream are described herein. A system can include a processing sub-system configured to receive a municipal solid waste stream and to remove the non-processable waste, a processing apparatus configured and disposed to receive constituents of the municipal solid waste stream from the processing sub-system and reduce the size of the constituents of the waste stream to an average particle size of less than about ¾ inch, and separators configured to sort the waste stream into constituents based on density.

Abstract: A method for micronization of a dispersion of particles including a protein having a predetermined level of biological activity, is provided. The method includes introducing the dispersion into a vortex chamber milling apparatus under milling conditions which result in a protein powder having a particle size distribution of 5 to 100 ?m and/or exhibiting a 30 to 400 fold size reduction of the protein particle dispersion from its original size, and retaining at least 80% of the predetermined level of biological activity of the protein. The milling conditions include one or more parameters selected from the following: input pressure between 1 and 7 Bars; injector pressure between 0.2 and 5 Bars; loading rate between 0.1 and 5 kg/hour; and gas flow between 30 and 100 m3/hour.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method to process compostable waste. The apparatus includes a shredding module, a grinding module, and a bagging module. The shredding module may operate to shred non-food compostable waste into shredded waste. The grinding module may operate to combine the shredded waste with food waste into combined waste, add water to the combined waste if an insufficient moisture condition exists for further processing, and grind the combined waste into particulate waste. The bagging module may operate to bag the particulate waste into a compostable bag.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of continuous precipitation and isolation of an amorphous solid particulate form of 3-[2-(3-tert-Butyl-ureido)-3,3-dimethyl-butyryl]-6,6-dimethyl-3-aza-bicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2-carboxylic acid (2-carbamoyl-1-cyclobutylmethyl-2-oxo-ethyl)-amide having controlled physical properties. The present invention provides also pharmaceutical formulations comprising the precipitated compound.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for preparing an impregnating pitch which is used for the manufacture of carbon-carbon composites having excellent mechanical properties at an ultra high temperature, abrasion resistance and the like, wherein the impregnating pitch having a low viscosity and an improved carbonization yield is provided by facilitating cross-linking reactions between the aromatic compounds in the pitch, while eliminating heat treatment.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for producing a silicon powder, which comprises the steps of: powderizing a silicon ingot having a grade of 99.999% or more into a crude silicon powder having a particle diameter of 3 mm or less by means of high-pressure purified-water cutting; and reducing the crude silicon powder into a silicon powder having a particle diameter ranging from 0.01 to 10 [mu]m inclusive by means of at least one method selected from jet milling, wet granulation, ultrasonic wave disruption and shock wave disruption. The process is a technique for producing a silicon powder rapidly from a silicon ingot without reducing purity.

Abstract: A knife that can be used as a shredding tool for a shredding roll or as a stationary knife for a shredding machine. Grooves are provided within lateral surfaces connecting the main surfaces of said knife, said grooves forming recessed sections of a cutting edge at the cutting points with the main surfaces.

Abstract: A method of making frac sand having a selected grade from a naturally occurring, mined sand having a SiO2 content of at least about 80 percent and having a particle size range where the maximum particle size is less than about 8.

Abstract: A process for industrial disposal for electro-waste. The process contains steps for separating material that are contained in such waste, for re-introducing material into a re-using process in order to save resources and to meet ecologic and economic interests.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention generally provide processes for recovering and/or using one or more constituent components of carpeting. More specifically, various embodiments provide processes for reclaiming a filler material from carpet as well as processes for using the recovered filler material in subsequent carpet manufacturing processes. The present filler recovery processes can provide recycled filler material, which can be extracted at various stages of processing, and in different purities, depending on the subsequent need or use for the recovered filler material. In some instances, the filler recovery processes described herein can be implemented as sub-processes for recycling other carpet components.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for conditioning biomass. The methods generally include flash dessicating the biomass to reduce a particle size of the biomass; mixing the biomass with a liquid carrier; and exposing the biomass and the liquid carrier to a mechanical hydrodynamic cavitation process. The methods can be employed during ethanol production from grain based feedstock.

Abstract: A method for the removal of wood pulp and other adhering substances from waste plastics in the recycling of all types of waste plastics, of mixed plastics (MKS) in particular, in which foils and pieces from thicker plastic parts of if necessary pre-sorted waste plastics are mechanically pre-shredded into flakes or particles up to a preset size, wherein oversizes are sorted out, the shredded product is charged into a disc refiner together with water, wherein the proportion of flakes and other particles is at least 10% of the total volume, substances adhering on the flakes are rubbed down by the co-operating discs of the refiner to a large extent, and are then present as separate substances, and the substances rubbed down are separated from the plastic particles by a suitable separation method.

Abstract: Methods for comminuting the pozzolanic material include (i) providing a comminuting apparatus including a rotatable drum and an agitation medium positioned within the rotatable drum and configured to slidably move along the interior surface of the drum when the drum is rotated (ii) introducing a pozzolanic material into the comminuting apparatus and operating the comminuting apparatus so as to create a static charge on the agitation medium; and (iii) comminuting the pozzolanic material in the comminuting apparatus by rotating the rotatable drum without causing the media to crush the pozzolanic material so as to yield a reduced-size pozzolanic material comprising a majority of particles having a substantially globular shape.

Abstract: A first object of the present invention is a process for dry grinding of one or more mineral materials which include at least one calcium carbonate, characterized in that the said process includes the stages of: 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; b) possibly improving the material crushed according to stage a); c) dry grinding the material crushed according to stage a) and/or b) in at least one grinding unit: (i) in the presence of at least one comb-type hydrophilic polymer containing at least one polyalkylene oxide function grafted on to at least one unsaturated ethylene monomer, (ii) in such a manner that the quantity of liquid in the said grinding unit is less than 15% by dry weight of the said material crushed in the said crushing unit; d) possibly classifying the material dry ground according to stage c) with at least one classification unit; e) possibly repeating stages c) and/or d) on all

Abstract: Provided is a method for drying and comminution of moist, mineral raw materials, including at least one of chalk, marl or clay. The moist, mineral raw material is dried and comminuted in a drier crusher while simultaneously supplying hot gases from a kiln system to form a dried material. The dried material in suspended form is directed to a first separator in which the dried material is separated into a coarse fraction and into a fine fraction. The fine fraction is directed to a separation cyclone and then to the kiln system. The coarse fraction is directed to a dosage means. The dosage means directs a first portion of the coarse material to the drier crusher and a second portion of the coarse material to a separate grinding unit where any hard material components, including at least one of flint, sand or marble, are subjected to grinding to form a ground material. At least a portion of the ground material from the separate grinding unit is supplied to the drier crusher.

Abstract: A corn milling process comprising fracturing corn kernels into relatively large particles, and passing the fractured particles between a pair of counter-rotating rollers, each of which presents fine corrugations of the type that normally characterizes the end of a differential corn milling process. The ratio of the roll speeds between the differential rollers is between approximately 1.1-1.4:1. The rollers are spaced apart a distance to grind the endosperm portion of the corn kernel particles while avoiding substantial penetration of the roller corrugations into the germ portion of the particles thereby separating the germ and endosperm portions without reducing the size of the germ.

Abstract: Methods of recycling carpet components are disclosed. Usable compositions containing recycled carpet components, and carpets and carpet components containing recycled carpet components are also disclosed.

Abstract: This invention relates to a paper shredder. A first stage shredder accepts paper from a hopper. The first stage shredder comprises two knife shaft assemblies with a plurality of sequentially oriented knives and spacers on hexagonal shafts. A second stage shredder accepts the output of the first stage shredder. The second stage shredder has two counter rotating shafts with saw tooth disk knives and separating spacers and cuts the paper finer than that of the first stage shredder. A third stage shredder may be connected to the second stage shredder providing even further paper size reduction. Each of the second stage shredder and third stage shredder may be disengaged from the shredding process. The first stage, second stage and third stage shredders are interlocked electronically so that if any stage suffers a jam the preceding stages are stopped. The jammed stage is reversed to remove the jam and all preceding stages stop until a signal is provided to restart.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the comminuting of natural or synthetic mineral products having a size of 10 nm to 30 mm, which are obtained from the upstream process in pre-comminuted form for example in a roller mill for inter-particle comminution, wherein these solids are further comminuted in a working process initially dry then wetted with liquid and in this liquid are comminuted so as to obtain a suspension that can be pumped, which suspension is subsequently ground to the desired final fineness by means of agitating mills.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for crushing material, particularly mined material, are disclosed. In one embodiment two or more pairs of crushing rolls successively crush mined material. The pairs of crushing rolls are arranged and operated so that an upstream pair of rolls produces a feed, preferably a pressurized feed, for a downstream pair of rolls. In another embodiment, at least an upstream pair of rolls is driven intermittently, for example, by means of a stepping motor to provide stepped rotational movement of the rolls.

Abstract: Fibrous materials and composites are disclosed.

Abstract: A sterilizable particle-size reduction apparatus, component parts thereof and a method of sterilizing and validating sterility thereof are provided. Also provided is use thereof to prepare sterile suspensions of drugs.

Abstract: The method for nickel concentration processing, which is low cost, simple and convenient, as well as having low environmental load, which is capable of enhancing nickel content of a saprolite ore with low nickel content, which was not conventionally used effectively as a raw material of ferronickel smelting due to having low nickel content, to a level to be utilized economically as a raw material of ferronickel smelting.

Abstract: Material to be processed, such as sludge, is deposited into the trough having an auger operating at a rotational speed and direction so as to force the material received within the trough upstream against a rigid surface for breaking up the sludge. A cutting fluid is added to the trough for diluting the sludge and enhancing a flow of the broken up sludge downstream under a force of gravity, allowing the sludge to enter a chopper, where it is chopped to a desired consistency before being pumped to a desired location. The diluted sludge may be filtered prior to chopping. A hopper and cutter may be used to receive the unprocessed sludge for cutting prior to being deposited into the trough. As a result, sludge in ranges from soft to hard states is converted to a fluid form capable of being pumped.

Abstract: The present invention provides a control method for superfine powder grinding industrial waste slag in an energy-saving and environmental-friendly type of closed cycle with high yield and the apparatus for the same. The method combines a drying process and a powder grinding process, adopts an in-line monitoring process, automatically adjusts and controls the operating parameters. Therefore, the invention changes the conventional open cycle into a closed cycle, shortens the cycle, achieves the automatic control and adjustment of the operating parameters, and obtains the superfine product with high yield. So the invention enhances the application value of industrial waste slag, extends the applicable field of industrial waste slag, and increases the extra value of final product.

Abstract: A machine comprising two rollers for ovalising a nuclear fuel cladding to crush the content thereof allowing its easy release even if the pellets are arranged in the cladding with little clearance. The opposite inclinations of the rollers promote automatic forward travel of the claddings. The opening and the inclination of the claddings lead to release of the crushed fuel. The rollers are biconical, with an input portion of increasing diameter and an output portion of decreasing diameter, to apply sufficient ovalisations to crush the fuel whilst restoring rotundity to the cladding when it leaves the machine, to facilitate the outflow of debris.

Abstract: A process and system for producing sterilized shredded material such as mulch or compost introduces a sterilant during a grinder stage for forming the shredded material, wherein the sterilant is presented by introduction with water via a spray bar at the grinder stage. The grinder stage may have a preliminary first (initial) grinder stage. The process may include shearing wood parts to a uniform size prior to the first grinder stage. The resulting shredded material can be irradiated or subjected to external heat. Testing of the resulting output shredded material can be conducted to determine the presence of mold spores, or the like and, if found, for redirecting the shredded material to the grinder stage associated with the sterilant.

Abstract: A wet ball mill method for fabricating copper/indium/gallium/selenium (CIGS) nanoparticles, comprising an individual milling process, a homogeneously mixing process, a primary milling process, and an advanced milling process, wherein in the individual milling process, the individual particles or compound particles including copper, indium, gallium and/or selenium are milled to the individual milled materials with a particle size 500 nm to 600 nm; in the homogeneously mixing process, the individual milled materials are mixed to a mixed homogenate; in the primary milling process, the mixed homogenate is milled to the primary milled materials with particle size 100 nm to 200 nm; and in the advanced milling process, the primary milled materials are milled to the advanced milled materials with particle size less than 50 nm which are the CIGS nanoparticles for fabricating the absorption layer of CIGS solar cell.

Abstract: A method for reprocessing used PET bottles having the step of shredding the bottles to form plastic flakes, sorting the plastic flakes according to at least one criterion into at least two partial quantities, and performing an individual processing treatment including a decontamination treatment. The device permits performing the method whereby it is possible to separate the plastic flakes produced from the threaded part of a PET bottle, these flakes being more difficult to purify, from the lighter plastic flakes from the wall of the bottle, which have a thin wall and are easier to purify, and treating them further in separate reprocessing steps.

Abstract: A method for reprocessing used PET bottles having the steps of shredding the bottles to form plastic flakes, sorting the plastic flakes according to at least one criterion into at least two partial quantities, and performing an individual processing treatment including a decontamination treatment. The device permits performing the method whereby it is possible to separate the plastic flakes produced from the threaded part of a PET bottle, these flakes being more difficult to purify, from the lighter plastic flakes from the wall of the bottle, which have a thin wall and are easier to purify, and treating them further in separate reprocessing steps.

Abstract: Methods of making fibrous materials are disclosed that include shearing a fiber source to provide a first fibrous material, and passing the first fibrous material through a first screen. Also, composites are disclosed that includes a fibrous material, a resin and a dye.

Abstract: A system for producing snow incorporates a snow-making machine with ice supplied externally or manufactured on-site. The snow-making machine has one or more multi-bladed impellers fitted blades which impact ice blocks, pieces or tubes fed to the inlet of a snow-making chamber. The impact of the blades with the ice in a velocity range 150-300 Km/h produces artificial snow, with characteristics very similar to natural snow, suitable for ski-fields or other applications for snow. The blades may incorporate serrated or jagged cutter portions the break the latter ice pieces to sizes suitable for conversion to snow.

Abstract: A shredder having a sizing chamber and a reducing chamber for sizing and reducing material.

Abstract: Cellulosic biomass is reduced to a micropowder with particles having average diameters below 5-10 micrometers with a significant fraction of the particles have diameters below 1 micrometer. Biomass (e.g., wood, agricultural waste or other plant materials) is first processed into pieces having a maximum diameter of about 10 mm. This is then dried to reduce its water content to no more than about 15% by weight and introduced into a disruptor which reduces the particle size to about 1 mm. Next the biomass is processed with a disc mill where edges of rotating discs travel along a groove pressing and squeezing the biomass, thereby breaking the biomass pieces into smaller and smaller particles. The resulting micropowder is extremely susceptible to enzymatic or chemical hydrolysis into constituent sugars. In addition, the micropowder can be suspended in an air stream and burned directly to provide heat to boilers and similar devices.

Abstract: The method of converting nepheline syenite particulate feedstock with a grain size profile to an ultra-fine grain finish product for subsequent commercial use, the ultra-fine grain final product has a maximum grain size of less than about 6 microns.

Abstract: A method of preparing a steep particle size inorganic particulate material includes grinding an aqueous suspension of an inorganic particulate material having a solids content of less than 35% and including a sub-effective amount of a dispersant for the inorganic particulate material. The method may further include dewatering the aqueous suspension to a solids content of at least 50% and dispersing the dewatered aqueous suspension by adding an additional amount of dispersant, and wherein, after grinding, the inorganic particulate material has a steepness factor above 35.

Abstract: A wet ball mill method for fabricating copper/indium/gallium/selenium (CIGS) nanoparticles, comprising an individual milling process, a homogeneously mixing process, a primary milling process, and an advanced milling process, wherein in the individual milling process, the individual particles or compound particles including copper, indium, gallium and/or selenium are milled to the individual milled materials with a particle size 500 nm to 600 nm; in the homogeneously mixing process, the individual milled materials are mixed to a mixed homogenate; in the primary milling process, the mixed homogenate is milled to the primary milled materials with particle size 100 nm to 200 nm; and in the advanced milling process, the primary milled materials are milled to the advanced milled materials with particle size less than 50 nm which are the CIGS nanoparticles for fabricating the absorption layer of CIGS solar cell.

Abstract: The invention provides low-cost, non-thermal methods to transform and beneficiate bulk materials, including low rank coals such as peat, lignite, brown coal, subbituminous coal, other carbonaceous solids or derived feedstock. High pressure compaction and comminution processes are linked to transform the solid materials by eliminating interstitial, capillary, pores, or other voids that are present in the materials and that may contain liquid, air or gases that are detrimental to the quality and performance of the bulk materials, thereby beneficiating the bulk products to provide premium feedstock for industrial or commercial uses, such as electric power generation, gasification, liquefaction, and carbon activation. The handling characteristics, dust mitigation aspects and combustion emissions of the products may also be improved.

Abstract: The present invention provides a producing method of powder particles having an average particle diameter on the order of submicrons. Specifically, the producing method is a producing method of powder particles obtained by grinding a product to be ground by using plural grinding media, wherein the grinding media including at least one kind (grinding medium A) having an average particle diameter of 0.01 to 5 times and at least one kind (grinding medium B) having an average particle diameter of 10 to 450 times, with respect to the average particle diameter of the product to be ground before being ground, are used.

Abstract: Methods for demineralizing bone are provided. In some embodiments, the methods include demineralizing the bone in a demineralization medium and separating the bone into particles during demineralization. In other embodiments, the methods include placing the bone in a demineralization medium and treating the demineralization medium while the bone is in the demineralization medium to optimize the demineralization process.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cooling and processing materials are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of generating cracks in a polycrystalline silicon rod, comprising: heating a polycrystalline silicon rod; and subsequently performing local portion cooling of the polycrystalline silicon rod to apply a refrigerant fluid onto a spot-like area of a surface of the polycrystalline silicon rod.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for producing chaff used in the production of a wood composite material. In accordance with the invention, adhesive laminate waste comprising adhesive material, glue and release material is arranged into chaff in multiple steps and the adhesive properties of the glue are killed.

Abstract: Material reduction apparatus is provided in the form of a staged cascade mill comprising a vertically stacked series of material reduction chambers, each having therein a single motor-driven rotor structure, the chambers being interconnected in a manner such that the material to be reduced in size may be sequentially passed through the chambers from the uppermost chamber to the lowermost chamber. Each of the stacked chambers has an adjustable reduction structure disposed therein and operative in a manner such that the material reduction action from the uppermost chamber to the lowermost chamber progressively changes from a predominantly impact type material reduction action to a predominantly crushing/grinding type material reduction action.

Abstract: A method and a device for producing and/or conditioning powdered material. The aim of the invention is to provide a method and an associated device which are used for producing and/or conditioning powdered material in a spouted bed comprising inert particles and in which a dry, fine powder having a very small particle diameter is produced at a low cost and at adequately large quantities in a continuous operation. This aim is achieved by a method in which the material is treated in several stages in a spouted bed comprising inert particles. In the method, the powdered material that is preprocessed in a first spouted bed and is separated from the larger material particles in an integrated dust collector is fed to a superimposed second spouted bed as a material-gas flow along with the gas flow discharged from the first spouted bed in order to be further reduced in size and be conditioned.

Abstract: A system and method for preparing a sample of seeds or representative seed portions are provided. In various embodiments, the system and method include a force applying member and a seed container that includes at least one compartment containing a seed. The force applying member is configured to apply a force to the seed so as to break the seed into two or more seed particles, which in some embodiments may be collected in a seed particle collector. The present invention improves on the prior art by greatly reducing (and in some embodiments eliminating) the manual processes typically involved in generating tissue samples from seeds and preparing the tissue for genetic analysis. Additionally, the present invention is scaleable, and can be configured to generate samples from many seeds in a short period of time. The present invention also minimizes the risk of contamination and cross-contamination of the seed particles.

Abstract: Method of manufacturing resin particles capable of manufacturing resin particles of controlled particle size stably and efficiently by removing bubbles from the surface of a molten kneaded product as the raw material for resin particles thereby sufficiently ensuring action sites for a surfactant on the surface of the molten kneaded product, is provided. The method includes a coarsely-pulverizing step of pressurizing a mixture of a molten kneaded product containing a synthetic resin and an aqueous medium containing a surfactant to 15 MPa to 120 MPa thereby removing bubbles attached to the molten kneaded product containing the synthetic resin, and a finely-granulating step of finely granulating, by a high pressure homogenizer method, an aqueous slurry containing coarse particles of a molten kneaded product passing through a pressure proof nozzle in the coarsely-pulverizing step and in a state where bubbles attached to the surface are removed.

Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for comminuting a polymeric shaped article to particles having an average particle size smaller than 6 mm by using a grinding apparatus, characterized in that the shaped article prior to grinding is subjected to a milling step in a milling apparatus to substantially fully convert the shaped article into chips, after which the chips are fed into the grinding apparatus for further comminuting giving at least 25 wt. % less particles having a size less than 1 mm than obtained by the grinding step only.

Abstract: A process for obtaining rubber pellets from used tires is described, the process comprises a series of steps which take account of the structure of a tire, and among which are mainly: collecting used tires having a tread and lateral faces, in which the tread includes an inner layer and an outer layer; and each lateral face includes a flange at the inner edge thereof; separating the tread from the lateral faces; cutting the tread transversely through the inner layer and the outer layer in order to form a strip from the tread; cutting the strip in order to form pellets therefrom; detaching the flange from the separated lateral faces; and cutting the flange-less lateral faces in order to form pellets therefrom.