Abstract: A dual phase re-circulating extraction apparatus comprises at least one extraction vessel, at least one separation chamber, and a circulation conduit configured to direct a process fluid into the extraction vessel, where it may come into contact with a source material to form a mixture, and is then passed to the separation chamber, where the process fluid separates from the extracted material, and the process fluid is recirculated back to the extraction vessel. The apparatus includes a gas pump, at least one heat exchanger, and a liquid pump, each connected to the conduit, to efficiently convert a relatively low pressure gas after separation to a relatively high pressure liquid or supercritical fluid for extraction. The apparatus can be configured to enable a batch mode process allowing continuous flow to the separators while the extractors are cycled online and offline in a sequence to enable servicing and reloading.

Abstract: A closed loop contaminant control system for an evaporative water purification process at an oil recovery facility includes an evaporator having a water inlet, a distilled water discharge, and an oil and brine water discharge. A sump in the evaporator is divided by an oil skimming weir into a main sump and a blowdown sump, with the oil and brine water discharge located proximate the blowdown sump and the steam discharge located above the oil and brine discharge. A distillate tank receives distilled water from the evaporator and discharges the distilled water. The distillate tank has a level controller, other controllers provided for the system include a distilled water flow meter, a blowdown flow meter, a cycle controller, a total flow controller, a hardness controller, and a silica controller.

Abstract: Contacting arrangements adapted to be installed within a liquid-liquid extraction column, and including pairs of disk and doughnut plates.

Abstract: A system to control the salinity of an industrial pasta cooker. The system uses a model predictive estimator to estimate the state of the salt content, and predict an amount of salt to add to the system, in order to reach and maintain the target salinity. Salt may be added in short bursts, or gradually and continually to maintain the proper salt levels. Rather than use a human to taste, the system employs at least one sensor (conductivity, temperature and potentially a water level sensor) and a-priori knowledge of the system dynamics to estimate the system state using a state-estimating filter, such as a Kalman filter. This allows the system to reject noise from the sensor, and distinguish between NaCl and other compounds added to the water that effect the conductivity.

Abstract: A fractional extraction apparatus comprises one or more extraction vessel configured to receive a process fluid, allow the process fluid to come into contact with a source material within the extraction vessel under either of a selectively configured first predetermined pressure and a first predetermined temperature to remove a first predetermined extracted material from the source material to form a first mixture or a second predetermined pressure and a second predetermined temperature to remove a second predetermined extracted material from the source material to form a second mixture. The apparatus further comprises one or more separation chamber and a circulation conduit, the conduit including a separation portion configured to receive the first or second mixture and permit a portion of the first or second predetermined extracted material to separate from the mixture within the separation chamber.

Abstract: Fluid injection system for dispensing a solution into a fluid flow in a flow line, the fluid injection system including a storage tank having product to be dispensed therein; an inlet connection diverting fluid from the flow line into the tank; an outlet connection returning a mixture of fluid/product back into the flow line; a metering gauge in fluid communication with the inlet connection measuring water flowing into the tank; and a tank head connected to the storage tank and having multiple ports for connection to the inlet connection depending on whether the product to be dispensed is in liquid dry form. The inlet connection includes an inlet probe having an opening defined by an arc at a downstream side. The outlet connection includes an outlet probe having an opening having an angled cut facing downstream, such that a pressure differential is created between the inlet and outlet probes.

Abstract: An industrial cleaning system that produces and distributes an aqueous ozone solution is described. The system provides a centralized system for producing the aqueous ozone solution and distributing the aqueous ozone solution to different application points at different flow rates and concentrations. The system includes an ozone generator for generating ozone gas, which is injected into a supply of water to form the aqueous ozone solution. A reaction vessel receives the aqueous ozone solution from the injector. The reaction vessel reduces the bubbles of ozone gas in the aqueous ozone solution to increase the oxidation reduction potential of the aqueous ozone solution.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for producing low sulfur propane and butane. The method includes reacting a mercaptan in a washed feed stream with a caustic stream to produce a mercaptan salt in a rich caustic stream and a hydrocarbon treated stream. The mercaptan salt in the rich caustic stream is reacted with oxygen and water to produce a mixed caustic/disulfide stream, and the caustic and disulfides in the mixed caustic/disulfide stream are separated to produce a disulfide stream and the caustic stream. The hydrocarbon treated stream is fractionated to produce a propane stream, a butane stream, and a C5+ stream.

Abstract: The invention relates to a container for a contact lens storage solution, in particular having contact lenses in said contact lens storage solution. The container has a vessel (14), which has a filling opening (20), and a first closing element (24), which can be attached to the vessel (14) and which closes the filling opening (20). The first closing element (24) has a gas supply channel (42) for a cleaning and/or sterilizing gas, which extends from at least one inlet (40) on an outer face of the first closing element (24) to at least one outlet (48) on an inner face of the first closing element (24) facing the interior of the vessel (14). On the outer face of the first closing element, said first closing element (24) has at least one venting opening (50) for the escape of gas from the vessel (14).

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture provide for resuspending and/or collecting blood or other types of cells from used surgical sponges and/or other types of surgical articles.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, methods, and articles of manufacture provide for resuspending and/or collecting blood and/or other types of cells in solution. In one embodiment, cells may be recovered from used surgical sponges and/or other types of surgical articles.

Abstract: A system for generating and purifying hydrogen. To generate hydrogen, the system includes inlets configured to receive a hydrogen carrier and an inert insulator, a mixing chamber configured to combine the hydrogen carrier and the inert insulator, a heat exchanger configured to apply heat to the mixture of hydrogen carrier and the inert insulator, wherein the applied heat results in the generation of hydrogen from the hydrogen carrier, and an outlet configured to release the generated hydrogen. To purify hydrogen, the system includes a primary inlet to receive a starting material and an ammonia filtration subassembly, which may include an absorption column configured to absorb the ammonia into water for providing purified hydrogen at a first purity level. The ammonia filtration subassembly may also include an adsorbent member configured to adsorb ammonia from the starting material into an adsorbent for providing purified hydrogen at a second purity level.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment can be a process for removing one or more sulfur compounds in a gas hydrocarbon stream. The process may include feeding the gas hydrocarbon stream to a prewash zone containing an alkali stream and passing the gas hydrocarbon stream from the prewash zone to an extraction zone. Usually, the gas hydrocarbon stream includes one or more sulfur compounds and the prewash zone includes a hollow fiber membrane.

Abstract: A system includes an ion separation unit that may receive dilute hydrochloric acid and may generate a concentrated hydrochloric acid and a chamber fluidly coupled to the ion separation unit. The chamber may receive the concentrated hydrochloric acid and may separate the concentrated hydrochloric acid into a liquid concentrated hydrochloric acid and a vapor containing vaporized hydrochloric acid. The system also includes a scrubber fluidly coupled to the chamber. The scrubber may receive the vapor from the chamber, and the scrubber is may remove at least a portion of the vaporized hydrochloric acid from the vapor via a purified condensate to generate a purified vapor and the dilute hydrochloric acid. The system also includes a condenser fluidly coupled to the scrubber The condenser may receive the purified vapor from the scrubber to condense the purified vapor into the purified condensate, and to output the purified condensate to the scrubber.

Abstract: Methods and systems for on-site, continuous generation of peracid chemistry, namely peroxycarboxylic acids and peroxycarboxylic acid forming compositions, are disclosed. In particular, an adjustable biocide formulator or generator system is designed for on-site generation of peroxycarboxylic acids and peroxycarboxylic acid forming compositions from sugar esters. Methods of using the in situ generated peroxycarboxylic acids and peroxycarboxylic acid forming compositions are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods, devices, systems and compositions for detecting nucleic acids in polymerase chain reaction assays, such as droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR) assays. The present disclosure provides methods, devices, systems and compositions for detecting nucleic acids in ddPCR assays using intercalating dyes. A dual surfactant system with at least one fluorosurfactant and at least one non-ionic non-fluorosurfactant may be employed for droplet generation and nucleic acid detection.

Abstract: Systems and methods for conditioning synthetic crude oils are provided herein. The systems and methods described herein subject the synthetic crude to one or more process solutions to provide conditioned synthetic crude exhibiting, for example, a reduced TAN.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method are described. In one embodiment, the system is generates ions for use in treating vegetation to optimize growth of the vegetation. The system includes an ion generation region having a pair of dissimilar metal plates. The ion generation chamber receives a liquid and routes the liquid past the dissimilar metal plates to capture ion transfer between the dissimilar metal plates. The ions form a charged solution. The system also includes a collection region having a collection bed for storing the charged solution, and a fertigation region for dispersing the liquid. Other embodiments of the system are also described.

Abstract: A method and system for improving the quality and quantity of a soluble salt recovered from the supernatant produced when concentrated solutions are mixed to precipitate an insoluble salt are disclosed. Liquid residual, or supernatant, contains salt that is reusable in the regeneration solution of ion removal devices such as ion exchange or electrodialysis metathesis (EDM). The disclosed embodiments include a method for concentration and purification of salt. NaCl is recovered in a truly Zero Discharge Desalination (i.e., ZDD) process. The ZDD process utilizes reverse osmosis (RO) or nanofiltration (NF) for the primary desalination of groundwater that has high concentration of CaSO4 and utilizes EDM to separately remove calcium and sulfate ions from the RO or NF concentrate so that water recovery can be improved. The recovered NaCl is reused in the EDM.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing solid or liquid water-conditioning/treating agents into a body of water (such as a pool, hot tub, or the like) comprises a hollow body adapted to receive water treating agent which can be solid (tablet form), granular, powder or liquid. The dispenser has an overall specific gravity such that, when the dispenser is substantially empty of water-conditioning/treating agent(s), the dispenser will float, but when the dispenser contains water-conditioning/treating agents, the dispenser will sink.

Abstract: The invention relates to improved bitumen recovery processes and systems. One process provides for operation of a bitumen froth treatment plant at optimum shear rates in the feed pipe carrying the bitumen froth to the froth settling unit. Another process provides for optimizing the design of a bitumen froth treatment plant by optimizing the diameter of the feed pipe to impart an optimum shear rate to the bitumen froth mixture and further optimizing the volume of the feed pipe to impart an optimum residence time for the bitumen froth stream in the feed pipe. An optimal plant design is also disclosed, the plant including optimal diameter and volume of the feed pipe.

Abstract: Continuous extraction units are constructed having a plurality of extraction chambers containing extractable material. Without disruption of total fluid flow in the unit: an extraction chamber completely depleted of extract can be evacuated of solvent and replaced with an extraction chamber containing fresh extractable material. The extract is continuously separated from the solvent in an expansion chamber where it is continuously or periodically removed from the unit. All solvent can be retained within the unit. One or more compressors can be used to circulate the fluid through the extraction chambers, the expansion chamber, and a condenser, where the expansion chamber and the condenser can be coupled as a heat exchanger.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be a process for extracting one or more sulfur compounds. The process may include mixing a hydrocarbon stream containing the one or more sulfur compounds with an alkaline stream in at least one vessel. Often, the at least one vessel includes a member forming a perimeter about an interior space and having a first side and a second side forming a passageway communicating at least one of the hydrocarbon stream and the alkaline stream from an outer surface of the member to the interior space, and a frustum. The frustum can be positioned proximate to the passageway and abutting the member for facilitating contacting of the hydrocarbon stream and the alkaline stream.

Abstract: The present invention describes a liquid-liquid extraction column with perforated plates and downpipes, having a majority of so-called “open” plates and a minority of so-called “closed” plates, the two types of plates differing in the degree of perforation. Application of the said column to the treatment of liquid-liquid systems with time-variable coalescence.

Abstract: A method for the evaporative production of phenol-BPA adduct crystals in a crystallizer is provided. First, a supersaturated BPA solution is introduced into a crystallizer that includes a cylindrical vessel and a concentrically-disposed draft tube that defines an annular space between the vessel and tube. Next, the BPA solution is circulated through the draft tube and annular space while a coolant is uniformly distributed in the circulating flow by radially injecting a volatile hydrocarbon compound at between about 30% and 60% of a radial extent of the annular space of to form a BPA mixture. Phenol-BPA adduct crystals are produced in the vessel by evaporating the volatile hydrocarbon compound out of the BPA mixture. The method provides a consistent and uniform concentration of coolant across the surface of the boiling zone that prevents or at least reduces unwanted crystal nucleation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems, apparatus and methods for creating derivatives of at least one form of HDL without substantially affecting LDL. These derivatives of HDL are particles with reduced lipid content, particularly reduced cholesterol content. These particles have the capacity to bind cholesterol and are administered to a patient to enhance cellular cholesterol efflux and reduce cholesterol levels in cells, tissues, organs, and blood vessels. The present method is useful for treating atherogenic vascular disease and may be combined with other therapies such as statins, inhibitors of cholesterol absorption, niacin, anti-inflammatories, exercise and dietary restriction.

Abstract: A process for recovering butadiene from a C4 fraction is disclosed. The process may include: contacting a mixed C4 stream comprising butane, butene, and butadiene, with a solvent comprising an organic solvent and water in a butadiene pre-absorber column to recover an overheads fraction comprising at least a portion of the butane, butene, and water, and a first bottoms fraction comprising the organic solvent, butadiene, and at least a portion of the butene; and feeding the first bottoms fraction to a butadiene extraction unit to recover a butene fraction, a crude butadiene fraction, and a solvent fraction.

Abstract: Embodiments of this device or method repeatedly apply droplets of two or more liquids by means of nozzles of fixed relative direction in an alternate or sequential manner to a target location on a surface for removing material from the surface, adding material to the surface, or using the surface to biphasically catalyze a reaction of components of the liquids. The droplets have essentially no contact with one another before reaching the surface (FIG. 12A thru 13H). The effect of the droplets on the target surface can be modified by a continuous or interrupted flow of air or other gas to the target surface (FIG. 27A thru 29H), or by application of radiations such as sonic or ultrasonic radiation, or various frequencies of electromagnetic radiation, to the target surface, or some combination of these. Means may be included for adjusting the temperature of the liquids and gasses.

Abstract: A method includes a first step of, with a CO2.H2S stripper maintained to have a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure, from the ammonia-containing wastewater, discharging CO2 and H2S in a form of gas having a low moisture concentration from a tower top of the CO2.H2S stripper while discharging an ammonia-containing solution from a tower bottom of the CO2.H2S stripper; a second step of introducing the ammonia-containing solution obtained after the first step into an ammonia stripper which is maintained to have a lower pressure than that of the CO2.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process and an apparatus for transferring a solute from a first fluid to a second fluid immiscible in each other.

Abstract: A cassette for a radioactive isotope handling apparatus includes a substrate including a plurality of holders capable of attaching piping; and piping attached to the substrate by some of the plurality of holders. The substrate may be provided with a plurality of through holes for opening and closing the piping. The plurality of holders have a plurality of first holders capable of attaching the piping along a first direction; and a plurality of second holders capable of attaching the piping along a second direction intersecting the first direction.

Abstract: Gradual-release dosing device for at least one substance in a domestic-use apparatus comprises the presence of a water based work fluid, characterised in that it comprises a casing (2) within which a plurality of doses of said substances (3) is contained, necessary for the corresponding plurality of operation cycles of said apparatus. Said casing (2) being at least partly defined by a material perrreable to said work fluid and capable of releasing at least a dose of said substance (3) at each operation cycle of the apparatus. The substance comprises at least one washing-active, dishwashing-active or cleaning-active preparation from the group consisting of surfactants, builders, water softening agents, zeolites, silicates, polymers, carbonates, carboxylates, sulphonates, bleaching agents, bleach activators, bleach stabilizers, bleach catalysts, cobuilders, alkalizing agents, acidifYing agents, redeposition inhibitors, dyes, fragrances, optical is brighteners, UV filters, fabric softeners, and rinse agents.

Abstract: The present invention provides tangential flow filtration devices and methods for enriching a heterogenous mixture of blood constituents for leukocytes by removal of non-leukocyte blood constituents. In one particular embodiment the device can provide a composition enriched in monocytes.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a process and system for recovery of one or more metal values using solution extraction techniques and to a system for metal value recovery. In an exemplary embodiment, the solution extraction system comprises a first solution extraction circuit and a second solution extraction circuit. A first metal-bearing solution is provided to the first and second circuit, and a second metal-bearing solution is provided to the first circuit. The first circuit produces a first rich electrolyte solution, which can be forwarded to primary metal value recovery, and a low-grade raffinate, which is forwarded to secondary metal value recovery. The second circuit produces a second rich electrolyte solution, which is also forwarded to primary metal value recovery. The first and second solution extraction circuits have independent organic phases and each circuit can operate independently of the other circuit.

Abstract: This invention relates to a composition comprising water and at least one ionic liquid, and also to devices capable of executing an absorption cycle using such compositions as a refrigerant pair. This invention also provides a method of cooling using an absorption cycle comprising water as the refrigerant and at least one ionic liquid as the absorbent. The present invention also provides a method of heating using an absorption cycle comprising water as the refrigerant and at least one ionic liquid.

Abstract: A liquid-liquid extraction unit includes an extraction/separation tank (10) into which an aqueous phase in bubble form is admitted from an upper inlet (20) in one sidewall and an organic phase in bubble form is admitted from a lower inlet (30) in the one sidewall. The upward moving organic phase is contacted with the downward moving aqueous phase. After contact, the organic phase is discharged through an upper outlet (40) in an opposite sidewall and the aqueous phase is discharged through a lower outlet (50) in the opposite sidewall.

Abstract: A method for producing a carboxylic acid ester is described, particularly an acetic acid ester and specifically an ethyl acetate ester. Also described, is a method by which a carboxylic acid ester goes from an organic phase produced from an esterification reaction between a carboxylic acid and an alcohol. The organic phase can include, at least predominantly, the carboxylic acid ester and also minor amounts of alcohol and water. Further described, is a separation step, during which the organic phase is depleted of alcohol and free of carboxylic acid via a liquid-liquid extraction operation that is performed by placing said organic phase in contact with an aqueous phase, thus enabling the alcohol and the carboxylic acid, that are present in the organic phase, to be extracted to the aqueous phase.

Abstract: A crystallizer for the evaporative production of phenol-BPA adduct crystals is provided that achieves more uniform crystal growth while suppressing undesired crystal nucleation. The crystallizer includes a cylindrical vessel; a draft tube concentrically disposed within the cylindrical vessel such that an annular space is defined between the vessel and tube; an impeller that circulates liquid in the vessel through the draft tube and the annular space, and a plurality of nozzles mounted around an inner wall of said cylindrical vessel that introduce an evaporative coolant into the vessel. Each of the nozzles includes a discharge end disposed between about 30% and 60% of a radial extent of the annular space, and is located below an upper end of the draft tube a distance of between about 50% to 150% of the diameter of the vessel. Such a nozzle arrangement provides a consistent and uniform concentration of coolant across the surface of the boiling zone that prevents or at least reduces unwanted crystal nucleation.

Abstract: Processes and apparatuses are provided for producing a normal paraffin product or a substantially linear paraffin product from a feed including normal hydrocarbons, non-normal hydrocarbons, and contaminants. The contaminants are extracted from the feed through contact with an ionic liquid stream to form a clean stream of hydrocarbons. The desired hydrocarbons are selectively adsorbed from the clean stream of hydrocarbons with a molecular sieve to remove the desired hydrocarbons from the non-desired hydrocarbons. A desorbent recovers the desired hydrocarbons from the molecular sieve. Then the desired hydrocarbons are separated from the desorbent to yield the normal paraffin product.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a chamber where a base concentrate common to at least a first flavored food product and a second flavored food product is formed, the first flavored food product having different flavoring than the second flavored food product, the base concentrate having a first temperature. The apparatus also comprises a process line that receives the base concentrate from the chamber, heated liquid from a heated liquid source, and flavoring from either a first flavor source or a second flavor source to form a mixture of base concentrate, heated liquid and flavoring. The mixture has a has second temperature sufficient to achieve a change in the mixture selected from the group consisting of microbial change, chemical change, biochemical change, and enzymatic change, and combinations thereof. A method is also disclosed for change over from forming a first flavored food product to forming a second flavored food product.

Abstract: Processes and systems for utilizing products from DME synthesis in converting oxygenates to olefins are provided that include removing a DME reactor effluent from a DME reactor, wherein the DME effluent includes DME, water, and methanol; separating carbon dioxide gas from the DME reactor effluent in a liquid gas separator to produce a degassed effluent stream. The processes and systems can include feeding the degassed effluent stream to an oxygenate to olefin reactor to produce an olefin containing effluent, wherein the olefin containing effluent further includes oxygenates.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for liquid-liquid extraction. The apparatus can include a housing having a first section, second section, and third section. One or more sieve trays can be disposed in the first section, and one or more gratings can be disposed in the second section. A hydrocarbon feed inlet can be disposed adjacent the second section, wherein each grating has a plurality of openings formed therethrough. The openings having at least three sides. The first section can be disposed at a first end of the second section, and the third section can disposed at a second end of the second section.

Abstract: Provided is a pressure-cycling type of extraction device comprising: an extraction unit for accommodating and extracting an extraction target substance; a compression unit for increasing the pressure inside the extraction unit; and a decompression unit for decreasing the pressure inside the extraction unit; wherein the pressure inside the extraction unit is increased and decreased by alternately operating the compression unit and the decompression unit, and the extraction unit comprises a bubbling nozzle for supplying bubbles into the extraction target substance. Further provided is a pressure-cycling type of extraction method in which a compression process and a decompression process are carried out alternately, and compositions produced by the method. The extraction device and method allow low temperature extraction, permit outstanding extraction efficiency and can prevent colour changes, olfactory changes and thermal denaturation of the extraction target substance.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a chamber where a base concentrate common to at least a first flavored food product and a second flavored food product is formed, the first flavored food product having different flavoring than the second flavored food product, the base concentrate having a first temperature. The apparatus also comprises a process line that receives the base concentrate from the chamber, heated liquid from a heated liquid source, and flavoring from either a first flavor source or a second flavor source to form a mixture of base concentrate, heated liquid and flavoring. The mixture has a has second temperature sufficient to achieve a change in the mixture selected from the group consisting of microbial change, chemical change, biochemical change, and enzymatic change, and combinations thereof. A method is also disclosed for change over from forming a first flavored food product to forming a second flavored food product.

Abstract: The product gas from a dehydrogenation reaction is treated by a downstream gas scrub followed by depressurization in a high-pressure flash vessel equipped with mass transfer elements, wherein a fuel gas flows upwardly through the mass transfer elements in the high-pressure flash vessel countercurrent to depressurized solvent so that absorbed hydrocarbons are taken up by the fuel gas. The fuel gas is the heating gas for heating the dehydrogenation reactor and is, for example, natural gas. To increase efficiency, the hydrocarbon stream which has been separated from the acidic gas can be recirculated to the process gas path upstream of the gas scrub.

Abstract: A liquid-liquid extraction process that uses counterflowing liquid phases, especially in conjunction with a reciprocating plate extraction column, wherein one of the liquid phases has a lower density than the other and is at least partially saturated with a dispersible gas, requires less plate stack height or a smaller column diameter when plate-to-plate spacing is non-uniform rather than uniform and such non-uniform plate-to-plate spacing includes greater plate-to-plate spacing proximate to raffinate liquid discharge than proximate to feed of the lower density liquid phase.

Abstract: A container (1) for releasing a chemical additive (7) in a fluid material selected from a lubricant or hydraulic fluid composition comprises a fluid material-impermeable casing (3) having a hollow interior and an additive composition (7) comprising at least one fluid material-soluble additive. The additive (7) is held within the container (1) by a least one fluid material-permeable element (11) provided at or near an opening (13) in the casing (1) and is effective to provide for release of additive(s) (7) into the fluid material. Methods of releasing additives (7) into fluid material are also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to an amalgam decomposer for mercury cathode chlor-alkali cells. The amalgam decomposer of the invention contains a filling of carbon steel rings whose external surface is provided with a catalytic coating for amalgam decomposition consisting of one or more electrically conductive metals carbides. The internal surface of the rings is free of catalytic coating and wettable by the amalgam, while the external carbide catalytic coating is not wettable by the amalgam thereby favoring hydrogen evolution.

Abstract: Embodiments of this device or method repeatedly apply droplets of two or more liquids in an alternate or sequential manner to a target location on a surface for removing material from the surface, adding material to the surface, or using the surface to catalyze a reaction of components of the liquids. The droplets have essentially no contact with one another before reaching the surface (FIG. 12A thru 13H). The effect of the droplets on the target surface can be modified by a continuous or interrupted flow of air or other gas to the target surface (FIG. 27A thru 29H), or by application of radiations such as sonic or ultrasonic radiation, or various frequencies of electromagnetic radiation, to the target surface, or some combination of these. Means may be included for adjusting the temperature of the liquids and gasses.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, it has been discovered that an additive which is substantially insoluble in, has low solubility in and/or is otherwise incompatible with a functional fluid, may be supplied to the functional fluid by use of a gel composition and/or a solid additive composition containing the additive, such that the functional fluid can receive the benefit of the supplied additive and/or contain levels of the additive not otherwise achievable by conventional delivery method due to the incompatibility of the additive with the functional fluid.