Abstract: Systems and methods related to preparing foamed cement for laboratory analysis are provided. A prepared cement slurry is placed in a cement reservoir cell configured to pressurize the cement slurry contained within the cement reservoir cell to a capture pressure. After pressurization, the cement slurry and a compressed gas are introduced into a foam generator. Foamed cement generated in the foam generator is introduced from the tee into a foam capture cell where it can cure prior to analysis.

Abstract: A concrete mixer vehicle includes a mixer drum, an additive admixture system, and a controller. The additive admixture system includes an air inlet valve, a fluid valve, an air valve, and a pump. The controller is configured to operate the additive admixture system to transition the additive admixture system between an additive addition mode, a drain mode, and a system clear mode. The controller transitions the additive admixture system into the additive addition mode and operates the pump until a desired amount of an additive is added to the mixer drum, transitions the additive admixture system into the drain mode for a predetermined amount of time in response to the desired amount of additive being added to the mixer drum, and transitions the additive admixture system into the system clear mode for a predetermined amount of time to clear stagnant fluid or built up mixture from the additive admixture system.

Abstract: An insertable flow meter assembly includes a flow measuring device configured to be inserted into a flow passage of a receiving structure. The flow measuring device is configured to enable determination of a flow rate of fluid through the flow passage, the flow measuring device is formed as a single continuous structure, and an outer cross-section of at least a portion of the flow measuring device is configured to be substantially the same as an inner cross-section of the flow passage. The insertable flow meter assembly also includes an end cap configured to engage an exterior surface of the receiving structure and to couple to the receiving structure at an end of the flow passage. The end cap is configured to block movement of the flow measuring device out of the end of the flow passage.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a compressor with an oil equalizing pipe, a parallel compressor set, and an oil equalizing method. The compressor includes at least one oil equalizing pipe, an opening at one end of the oil equalizing pipe is formed in a target oil level of an oil sump, and the opening at the other end of the oil equalizing pipe is formed in a suction port; and when the oil level of the oil sump of the compressor is higher than the target oil level, the extra oil enters the suction port through the oil equalizing pipe.

Abstract: A vibratory fluidized bed dryer includes a deck with a surface on which a bed of materials is formed, the deck having apertures through which air passes to fluidize the bed of materials on the deck, a source of air coupled to the apertures in the deck to supply air to the bed through the apertures in the deck, and a vibration generator coupled to the deck. The deck has at least two zones, each zone having a different open area percentage, such that the air passing through each zone produces a different superficial velocity.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus (100) for preparing a food puree comprising a chamber (102) for containing food ingredients and a steam supply (104) for supplying steam to the chamber for steaming the food ingredients. A liquid supply (106) supplies a liquid to the chamber and an agitator (108) purees the steamed food ingredients in the presence of the liquid to obtain the food puree. A user interface (110) permits user selection of a texture of the food puree. A controller determines a steam parameter and a liquid amount to be supplied by the liquid supply according to the user selection. The controller further controls the steam supply and the liquid supply according to the determined steam parameter and liquid amount. Further provided is a method for preparing the food puree.

Abstract: A method for preparing a latent hardener includes, in the order recited, introducing a hardener into a dry mixer that is a high-energy-type mixer; injecting carbon dioxide gas or an inert gas into the dry mixer; and mechanochemically deactivating only a surface of the hardener using the dry mixer. The hardener may be an amine-based adduct, an imidazole-based adduct, dicyandiamide, a dihydride-based compound, a dichlorophenyl dimethylurea compound and combinations thereof. The inert gas may be helium, nitrogen, argon, neon, krypton, and combinations thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering particulate material to a frozen confectionery material to provide a single serving to a consumer. The apparatus comprises a chamber for storing the particulate material, and a supply of frozen confectionery. The chamber has an open exit, wherein the chamber is adapted to be rotatable in use such that the open exit follows a pathway having both an upper region and a lower region, and arranged to pass through the lower region at a non-zero speed a plurality of times during a single serving. The open exit is sized to allow a portion of stored particulate material to fall out of the chamber via the open exit under gravity each time the open exit passes through the lower region of the pathway. The apparatus also is arranged to bring particulate material that has left the chamber into contact with the supply of frozen confectionery.

Abstract: A material wetting system for wetting a powder material includes a liquid supply system, a material mixing unit, a material supply system, and a shroud assembly. The liquid supply system includes a supply line. The material mixing unit is in fluid communication with the supply line and includes a central cavity having an open upper end configured to receive a supply of powder material. The material mixing unit is configured to receive liquid from the supply line and is operatively connected to a reduced pressure source to draw air into the central cavity. The material supply system includes an orifice and is configured to feed powder material through the orifice, with the orifice disposed above the central cavity of the material mixing unit. The shroud assembly is disposed about the open upper end of the central cavity of the material mixing unit and the orifice of the material supply system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing fluid concrete include a first mixer configured to mix at least water and cement so as to make a low fluidity concrete having consistency class ?S2, a truck mixer that can be configured to mix the low fluidity concrete with further water so as to make a fluid concrete having consistency class ?S2, and a water supply and at least a cement supply configured so that the apparatus or method can produce fluid concrete. The apparatus and method include a control and adjustment unit, connected to the water supply and at least to the cement supply, configured to selectively control and adjust the introduction of water and cement into the first mixer and the introduction of further water into the cement mixer.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to preparing foamed cement for laboratory analysis are provided. A prepared cement slurry is placed in a cement reservoir cell configured to pressurize the cement slurry contained within the cement reservoir cell to a capture pressure. After pressurization, the cement slurry and a compressed gas are introduced into a foam generator. Foamed cement generated in the foam generator is introduced from the tee into a foam capture cell where it can cure prior to analysis.

Abstract: Disclosed are dosing methods for mitigating the deleterious effect of clays, which are born or conveyed by sand aggregates, crushed rock, gravel, and other aggregates used in the manufacture of concrete, upon the dosage efficiency of cement dispersants added into concrete. Instead of introducing the entire clay mitigation agent (CMA) into the aggregate material before or during batching in the cement batch plant in a singular, upfront dose, the present invention comprises administering CMA doses on at least two instances in a rotatable truck-mounted mixer drum, wherein at least 21%-100% of the total CMA added into the concrete is added after initial batching of water, cement binder, and clay-bearing aggregates in the rotatable truck-mounted mixer drum during the transit portion of the delivery between initial batching at the cement batch plant and the pour event at the job site.

Abstract: Disclosed are a system and a method for dissolving water-soluble gas such as oxygen into water, employing microporous membrane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a reaction device with air-lift type internal circulation which includes: a vertical cylindrical volume (1), more than one draft tube vertical element (2) positioned within the cylindrical volume (1) in such a manner as to form an gap with the walls of said volume, more than one gas distributor (3), each of which is positioned on the bottom of said device; wherein: each vertical internal element (2) has an internal diameter which increases along the vertical axis of said element, and the ratio between the total height of the reaction device and the internal diameter of the reaction device is less than 1.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and compositions for carbonation of cement mixes using pressurized carbon dioxide delivered to the mix.

Abstract: A bioreactor includes a flexible container and an impeller assembly having a hollow tube. The impeller assembly is coupled to the flexible container. At least one mixing element is removably disposed on the hollow tube. A drive shaft is adapted to engage the hollow tube of the impeller assembly and facilitate rotational movement of the hollow tube.

Abstract: A mug including a stirring unit connected to the liquid space of the mug, for stirring a beverage contained in the liquid space of the mug simultaneously by the same hand in which the mug is held, and in which mug the stirring unit includes a pumping space separate from the liquid space, and a pumping device connected to the pumping space, configured to increase and to decrease the pressure of air inside the pumping space in an alternating manner. In the mug according to the invention, a flow channel extends from the pumping space to the liquid space, enabling the flow of the beverage contained in the liquid space from the liquid space to the pumping space and from the pumping space to the liquid space, whereby a liquid flow can be formed in the flow channel, for stirring the beverage in the liquid space by the pumping device.

Abstract: An ingredient blending apparatus is disclosed which blends a plurality of ingredients into a homogeneous blend. The apparatus includes a container which receives various ingredients in a prescribed amount. A vacuum motor has its intake side in communication with the interior of the container to suck the ingredients from the container and blow the same into a blending chamber. The ingredients blown into the blending chamber are mixed and recycled into the vacuum motor and the blending chamber until the ingredients are properly mixed or blended. When the ingredients are properly mixed or blended, they may be sent to an ingredient collection apparatus.

Abstract: A homogenization device having an inlet valve, a flow-through chamber and a discharge valve. A baffle element reciprocatingly moves between an upstream portion and a downstream portion of the flow-through chamber. When the baffle element moves downstream, the inlet valve opens and liquid is admitted into the upstream portion. When the baffle element moves upstream, the inlet valve closes, the liquid in the upstream portion is pressurized and forced to flow downstream through a gap or local constriction between the outer perimeter of the baffle element and the inner surface of the chamber, causing cavitation bubbles to form and collapse.

Abstract: Disclosed is a powdery material filling device with a redundant (i.e., excess or waste) powdery material recovering mechanism. The powdery material filling device may be used in a rotary compression molding machine. In certain aspects, the redundant powdery material recovering mechanism is capable of actively recovering and reusing a redundant (i.e., excess or waste) powdery material even upon production of multi-layer tablets.

Abstract: In a method for preparing nanofibrillar cellulose, fibrous dispersion of ionically charged cellulose is repeatedly passed through a mechanical process of disrupting fibers into fibrils until the viscosity starts to decrease. The number average diameter of the nanofibrillar cellulose after the mechanical process is in the range of 2-10 nm, and the zero-shear viscosity is below 10 Pa·s, preferably below 1 Pa·s, when measured in the concentration of 0.5 wt-%. The nanofibrillated cellulose is low aspect ratio nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC-L).

Abstract: In a method for preparing nanofibrillar cellulose, fibrous dispersion of ionically charged cellulose is repeatedly passed through a mechanical process of disrupting fibers into fibrils until the viscosity starts to decrease. The number average diameter of the nanofibrillar cellulose after the mechanical process is in the range of 2-10 nm, and the zero-shear viscosity is below 10 Pa·s, preferably below 1 Pa·s, when measured in the concentration of 0.5 wt-%. The nanofibrillated cellulose is low aspect ratio nanofibrillated cellulose (NFC-L).

Abstract: A proportionate automated blending system for aqueous mixtures has a plurality of liquid additive control modules which each provide a desired amount of additive to a dedicated mixing injector to blend each additive with water to provide a precise mixture of additive and water. The system has the capability, in between blending cycles, of purging the components of the additive control modules with air and water to displace any residue additive which may remain in the control module. The system is controlled by a controller which controls an actuated control valve to achieve the desired flow rate of liquid additive to acquire the desired proportion of liquid additive to water.

Abstract: In accordance with one embodiment, a system for storing commodities is provided. The system may include a tarpaulin. The tarpaulin may further have an internal strapping. In accordance with one embodiment, a method for storing commodities is provided. The method may include providing a tarpaulin. In one embodiment, the method for storing commodities may include configuring the tarpaulin to provide internal strapping.

Abstract: Steam heating used with conventional heating techniques achieves a rapid boiling point. An intelligent electronic control system which uses sensors placed at various points in the system to monitor and/or control cooking, interacts with the Internet to determine cooking steps, powers embedded electronics in vessels by RF energy, and adjusts the heating temperatures of the contents of the vessel as a function of time. A stove will provide configurable tubes with a coupling unit at their end to attach various steam wands easily moved into position that provide this steam to vessels placed on a grill. Delicate cooking of comestibles can be achieved by maintaining a controlled temperature or cycling the temperature to maximize cooking without losing significant nutrients of the comestibles. Small coupling holes introduce steam at the bottom surface of a vessel to efficiently cook comestibles. The coupling holes have a radius which stratifies the Young-Laplace equation.

Abstract: A measurement system and method of use include a fluid conduit for routing a base fluid therethrough, a gas conduit in fluid communication with the fluid conduit for mixing a gas into the base fluid to form a foamed bi-phase fluid, a foam conduit in fluid communication with the fluid conduit and the gas conduit to receive the bi-phase fluid therein, a first sensor disposed to measure a characteristic of the base fluid in the fluid conduit, a second sensor disposed to measure a characteristic of the gas in the gas conduit, a third sensor disposed to measure a characteristic of the bi-phase fluid in the foam conduit, and a processor for receiving data representing the measurement from at least one of the first sensor, the second sensor, and the third sensor, analyzing the data, and calculating a parameter of the bi-phase fluid based upon the data.

Abstract: A feed vessel for pneumatically conveying solid particles includes a cylindrical portion, a first conical portion and a second conical portion. The first conical portion extends downward from the cylindrical portion and is configured to be in fluid communication with the cylindrical portion. The second conical portion extends downward from the first conical portion and is configured to be in fluid communication with the first conical portion. The second conical portion is configured to form a mass flow of solid particles therein and defines at least one outlet thereon for discharging the solid particles. A method for pneumatically conveying solid particles is also presented.

Abstract: A method for detecting analytes in a liquid is provided in which the liquid is subjected to a mixing treatment on an area of a support which has in particular immobilized reactants, wherein in the mixing treatment the liquid is impinged upon by a stream of gas that sweeps across at least some areas of the support surface in a scanning manner by means of a jet directed towards the support surface. The invention also concerns a method for mixing a liquid sample comprising an analyte and a device for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A charge-neutralization system is provided. The charge-neutralization system includes a reservoir, a plasma generator and a flow-restricting transfer line. The reservoir is configured to hold matter to be ionized under pressure. The plasma generator is configured and arranged to create a neutral energy plasma on a vehicle from the matter to be ionized. The flow-restricting transfer line provides a fluid communication between the reservoir and the plasma generator.

Abstract: A method and system for achieving a gas-liquid mass transfer includes delivering into a compartment of a container a liquid, the liquid having an exposed top surface disposed within the compartment. A stream of a gas is passed over the top surface of the liquid so that the stream of gas produces turbulence on the top surface that is sufficient to achieve the gas-liquid mass transfer. In one embodiment the liquid is a culture that includes cells or microorganisms and the mass transfer functions to oxygenate the culture sufficient to sustain the cells or microorganisms.

Abstract: A mixing vessel (10) for containing a liquid, comprises a chamber having a lower chamber portion and an upper chamber portion wider than the lower portion, gas inlet means (14) for supplying gas to the lower portion and means for redirecting rising gas (24), such that, in use, rising gas in the form of bubbles, initially rises substantially vertically and is redirected in a substantially horizontal direction by the means for redirecting rising gas.

Abstract: A mixing vessel (10) for containing a liquid, comprises a chamber having a lower chamber portion and an upper chamber portion wider than the lower portion, gas inlet means (14) for supplying gas to the lower portion and means for redirecting rising gas (24), such that, in use, rising gas in the form of bubbles, initially rises substantially vertically and is redirected in a substantially horizontal direction by the means for redirecting rising gas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a source container and to a vapour-deposition reactor. The source container according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a container comprising an inner wall for delimiting a first space for holing a source material, and a second space which is adjacent to the first space and is for the mixing of vapour emitted from the source material and a carrier gas taken into the inside thereof; a carrier gas inflow pathway which connects the outside of the container second space; a mixed gas discharge pathway which connects the outside of the container and the second space; and a flow-limiting member which expands inside the second space, and provides a first flow barrier surface between the inflow port and the discharge port.

Abstract: A foaming nozzle is connected to a gas generating device for generating a high-pressure gas which has a pressure higher than an atmospheric pressure and spouting the high-pressure gas from the tip of the nozzle, and the foaming nozzle foams, while stirring, a liquid located in the direction of the spouting. The foaming nozzle has formed in the tip thereof at least two kinds of spouting holes for spouting the high-pressure gas. At least one kind of spouting hole is formed in a shape different from the shape of the other kind of spouting hole so as to spout the high-pressure gas at a speed different from the speed of the high-pressure gas spouted from the other kind of spouting hole.

Abstract: A foam generation assembly is provided. The assembly includes a tube having first and second end portions and an interior region. The assembly further includes first and second coupling members coupled to the tube, and a first movable retaining member disposed within the interior region proximate to the first coupling member. The assembly further includes a spring disposed within the interior region proximate to the second coupling member. The assembly further includes a second movable retaining member disposed within the interior region adjacent and against the spring, and a plurality of pellets disposed within the interior region between the first and second movable retaining members. The spring compresses the plurality of pellets between the first and second movable retaining members.

Abstract: An injector mixer for a gasification reactor system that utilizes reactants includes an injector body that extends between a first face and a second face. The injector body includes a first passage that extends between the first face and the second face and has a first central axis. At least one second, impinging passage extends between the first face and second face and has an associated second central axis that has an angle with the first axis. The angle satisfies mixing efficiency Equation (I) disclosed herein.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a fluid circulation apparatus for use as a bioreactor or the like, the apparatus comprising a flexible bag like container within which is disposed a collapsible and at least partially inflatable draft tube which is tethered to a base of the container such that when inflated the draft tube rises off the base and maintains the correct shape as a result of the inflation thereof, and which includes perforations in order to allow the inflation gas to escape and rise upwardly through the draft tube to generate counter current circulation within the container.

Abstract: A modular system for processing an exfoliated aggregate material or a polymer composite material comprising the exfoliated aggregate, utilizing supercritical fluid processing is described. The modular system may provide exfoliated aggregate particulates, polymer composite materials or master batch polymer composite materials.

Abstract: Gas mix installation (5) for use in connection with tanks (1) for biogas reactors wherein the gas mix installation comprises:•—a main pump (8) having respectively a suction side and an injection side, where said pump (8) is arranged externally of the tank (1)•—a liquid suction pipe (6) connecting the interior of the tank to the main pump's (8) suction side;•—an injector pipe (7) connecting the interior of the tank (1) to the pump's injection side;•—a gas pipe (10) connected between the injector pipe and a source of biogas (9); where said gas pipe (10) is connected to the injector pipe (7) externally of the tank (1).

Abstract: The system and method for preventing air leakage from the process side to the bearing side of a mill. The system includes a labyrinth seal ring comprising a series of knives defining first and second labyrinth paths from an air inlet to the process side and the bearing side of the system, respectively. The differences in the two paths such as provided by the number of knives used in each path creates a differential pressure drop which biases air from the air inlet to the process side. The labyrinth seal thus provides a reliable and superior method for reducing the potential for particulate in the process side of the mill from damaging the bearing system.

Abstract: The invention provides a microbubble generation system with increased efficiency and flexibility compared to known systems. Further, the invention provides a method of microbubble generation. In particular, invention relates to increasing the efficiency of a fermentation reaction by reducing bubble size and increasing gas absorption into a liquid fermentation broth.

Abstract: Apparatus for homogenization of multi-phase fluid; the fluid including at least a first phase and a second phase a gaseous phase and a liquid phase; the apparatus including an inner reservoir fluidly communicative with an outer receptacle; the inner reservoir including an inlet for multiphase fluid, an outlet having a smaller cross sectional area than the body for outflow of the first phase and at least one opening into the outer receptacle for outflow of the second phase, the opening being spaced from the first phase outlet; wherein the outer receptacle has an inlet conduit having a neck which at least partially surrounds the inner reservoir outlet.

Abstract: A device and method for use with the transportation of materials including a tank that is configured to hold the material and an inlet/outlet configured on the tank to allow the flow of the material therethrough. At least one inlet is arranged on the tank to allow the flow of the material into the tank to agitate the material in the tank.

Abstract: A gas injection heating probe, where the probe has a hollow injection channel, a heating media inlet, a heating media outlet, a gas injection fitting and heat exchange area. The gas injection heating probe is connectable to a heated media and a source of gas, so that when connected and inserted into a container having product, the probe provides for gas injection and heating of the product to assist in mixing the product for discharge.

Abstract: Provided is a method of mixing first and second liquids having mutual solubility inside a mixing flow channel formed by a micro flow channel. This method includes: causing the first and second liquids to be joined to each other inside the mixing flow channel; and forming a slug flow, in which mixing subject cells (60) formed by the joined liquid and insoluble fluid cells (63) formed by an insoluble fluid are alternately arranged, inside a flow channel at the downstream side of an insoluble fluid supply position in a manner such that the insoluble fluid having insolubility with respect to both mixing subject liquids is supplied to the joined liquid flowing through the flow channel in a direction intersecting the flow channel so that the joined liquid is divided with a gap therebetween, thereby mixing the first mixing subject liquid and the second mixing subject liquid contained in each mixing subject cell inside the downstream flow channel.

Abstract: Process for increasing mixing in a fluidized bed. A slide, which may be in the form of a tube or trough, transports particles from an upper zone downward to a lower zone at a different horizontal position, thereby changing the horizontal position of the particle and creating lateral mixing in the fluidized bed. Increased mixing may improve efficiency for an apparatus using a fluidized bed. For example, increased lateral mixing in a regenerator may increase temperature and oxygen mixing and reduce stagnation to improve efficiency. A slide may be relatively unobtrusive, inexpensive, and simple for a retrofit or design modification and may improve combustion efficiency at high rates by enhancing the lateral blending of spent and regenerated catalyst.

Abstract: The mixing device for mixing a powder with a pressurized gas, comprising a mixing chamber (20) with an inlet area (22), which has at least one inlet opening (24), by way of which powder and/or pressurized gas and/or a mixture thereof may be introduced into the mixing chamber (20), and at least one outlet area (26), which is designed for withdrawing from the mixing chamber (20) a main flow (HR) of a gas or powder or a powder and gas mixture directed along the mixing chamber (20) which essentially extends from the inlet area (22) to the outlet area (26), characterized in that a regulating device (10) is arranged along and/or in continuation of the main flow (HR), regulating the main flow (HR) of the gas or powder or powder and gas mixture.

Abstract: A container system includes a bag having of one or more sheets of flexible polymeric material, the bag having an interior surface at least partially bounding a chamber that is adapted to hold a fluid. A sparger is secured to the interior surface of the bag so that a compartment is formed between the interior surface of the bag and the sparger. At least a portion of the sparger includes a sparging sheet formed from a flexible sheet of a gas permeable material. A tubular port or tube is coupled with the bag so that a passage bounded by the tubular port or tube communicates with the compartment.

Abstract: The present invention addresses the problem of: providing an apparatus and method for generating fine bubbles in a plurality of processing surfaces in a plurality of processing members disposed in opposition so as to be capable of being brought together and moved apart, at least one being capable of relative rotation with respect to the other; as well as providing a method for reacting fine bubbles using a method for generating fine bubbles. Provided are: a plurality of processing members disposed in opposition so as to be capable of being brought together and moved apart, at least one being capable of relative rotation with respect to the other; processing surfaces provided in mutually opposed positions in the respective processing members; and at least two independent flow path communicating with the space between the processing surfaces.

Abstract: A process for mixing a liquid stored in a vessel, in which gas is sucked in from the gas phase present above the liquid interface with a suction apparatus present in the liquid, and released into it again for the gas-induced mixing of the liquid.