Abstract:
Described herein is a material moving apparatus that includes a chamber into which a compressible material is introduced. The chamber includes an input opening for receiving the material, a discharge opening and a sealing mechanism to prevent flow of air or other gasses between the input opening and the discharge opening. In one embodiment, the material moving apparatus can be used to introduce compressible biomass into a gasification reactor.
Abstract:
Methods of preparing polymeric webs include hot melt blending of thermoplastic resins and processing aids. The process aids include hindered amine N-substituted succinimide oligomers. The webs prepared from the blends may be in the form of films or non-woven fibrous webs. Non-woven microfiber webs are useful as filtration media. Among the polymeric webs produced are electret webs. The processing aids also function as charge-enhancing additives for the electret webs.
Abstract:
The reactor pump for hydrolytic splitting of cellulose is configured to pump cellulose, under high pressure, with low availability of sugar into a reactor. The reactor has an upstream transition segment connected to a downstream reaction chamber. The transition segment has an inlet that is smaller than the outlet. The inner walls taper outward. The chamber has an inlet that is larger than the discharge outlet. The inner walls taper inward. The transition segment outlet has an area that is substantially the same as the area of the chamber inlet. Back pressure in the chamber forms a cellulose plug within the inlet of the transition segment. The plug stops cellulose from escaping out the inlet. High pressure pumping forms a cellulose plug within the discharge outlet of the chamber. The plug slows downstream movement of the cooking cellulose giving the cellulose time to cook. Cooking cellulose begins to breakdown under heat and the injection of acid, if required. The outer surface of the plug is cooked faster than the inner core and in the process the faster cooking portion of the plug becomes a liquefied slurry. The slurry lies between the inwardly tapering chamber walls and the less cooked inner core. The slurry slides faster towards the discharge outlet than does the inner core. As the slurry moves downstream in the chamber, the surface of the inner core moves to the walls and in turn is liquefied. Cellulose may be pre-treated prior to entry in the reactor by the addition of water and a weak acid such as sulfuric or ammonium. The cellulose may be granulated to provide more surface area to assist break down in the reactor.
Abstract:
Multilayer articles having acoustical absorbance properties are disclosed. Methods of making and using the multilayer articles are also disclosed.
Abstract:
New fibrous nonwoven webs are taught that comprise a mass of polyethylene terephthalate fibers that exhibit a double melting peak on a DSC plot: one peak is representative of a first molecular portion within the fiber that is in non-chain-extended crystalline form, and the other peak is representative of a second molecular portion within the fiber that is in chain-extended crystalline form and has a melting point elevated over that of the non-chain-extended crystalline form. Webs comprising fibers having such a morphology have a unique combination of durability and dimensional stability. The fibers are generally autogenously bonded at points of fiber intersection.
Abstract:
An on-line device for predicting at least one fluid flow parameter in a process includes structure and/or function whereby a flow domain has disposed therein a pre-determined portion in which a fluid flows. Preferably, the device includes a computer having: (i) a memory for receiving a database, the database including relative information in respect of a plurality of nodes or a plurality of particle pathways in the pre-determined portion; (ii) structure to receive input data from the process, and (iii) structure to calculate the at least one fluid flow parameter from the database and the input data. The device is particularly advantageously employed as a UV dosimeter.
Abstract:
Filter media is provided. The filter media comprises a web of melt blown microfibers having one surface substantially flat and the other surface having periodic wrinkle-like undulations. A method of making the filter media is also provided. The filter media is useful in electret filters when charged.
Abstract:
A microfibrous sorbent article is provided. The microfibrous sorbent article comprises an elongate boom having a substantially oval cross-section. The boom is formed of multiple adjacent microfibers layers, the layers being bonded to each other by entanglement of fibers between adjacent layers. Also provided is a method for making the microfibrous sorbent article.
Abstract:
A liquid separator apparatus to extract liquid, usually water, from a water-solids mixture. The apparatus includes liquid separator device with a housing with an inlet and an outlet separated by a liquid extraction chamber. The housing sidewalls defining the extraction chamber are porous, and are preferably comprised as a plurality of spaced apart slats. The slats can be movable inwardly and outwardly relative to the housing in order to vary the volume of the extraction chamber. A transfer pipe has an outlet end connected to the inlet of the separator device. The transfer pipe is closed-walled and has an inlet end connectable to a solids material moving apparatus such as a solids pump for movement of a water-solids mixture through the transfer pipe into the liquid separator device. A source of air under pressure such as an air compressor introduces compressed air into a side wall of the transfer pipe to accelerate removal of water from the water-solids mixture.