Hydrophobic particles such as coal and hydrophobized mineral fines can be readily separated from hydrophilic impurities by forming agglomerates in water using a hydrophobic liquids such as oil. The agglomerates of hydrophobic particles usually entrap large amounts of water, causing the moisture of the recovered hydrophobic particles to be excessively high. This problem can be overcome by dispersing the hydrophobic agglomerates in a hydrophobic liquid that can be readily recycled. The dispersion can be achieved using specially designed apparatus and methods that can create a turbulence that can help destabilize the agglomerates in a recyclable hydrophobic liquid and facilitate the dispersion.

Hydrophobic particles such as coal and hydrophobized mineral fines can be readily separated from hydrophilic impurities by forming agglomerates in water using a hydrophobic liquids such as oil. The agglomerates of hydrophobic particles usually entrap large amounts of water, causing the moisture of the recovered hydrophobic particles to be excessively high. This problem can be overcome by dispersing the hydrophobic agglomerates in a hydrophobic liquid that can be readily recycled. The dispersion can be achieved using specially designed apparatus and methods that can create a turbulence that can help destabilize the agglomerates in a recyclable hydrophobic liquid and facilitate the dispersion.

A filtration device includes a first channel member, a second channel member, and a filter. The first channel member has a recess recessed inward from an outer wall surface. A groove is formed is the recess and has an opening in a recessed surface of the recess. First and second channels, each defined by a through-hole, are formed in the first channel member and are connected to the groove. A first connection part connects the groove with the first channel. The second channel member has a projection that detachably mates with the recess. The second channel member includes a discharge channel that has an opening in a projecting surface of the projection, the opening being located over the groove. The filter is disposed along the groove, and positioned at the opening of the discharge channel. When the first and second channel members are placed in a operative relationship, a third channel is formed by the projecting surface of the projection and the opening of the groove. The third channel is connected to the first channel via the first connection part. The third channel at which the filter is positioned has a smaller cross-sectional area than the first channel.

A filtration device includes a first channel member, a second channel member, and a filter. The first channel member has a recess recessed inward from an outer wall surface. A groove is formed is the recess and has an opening in a recessed surface of the recess. First and second channels, each defined by a through-hole, are formed in the first channel member and are connected to the groove. A first connection part connects the groove with the first channel. The second channel member has a projection that detachably mates with the recess. The second channel member includes a discharge channel that has an opening in a projecting surface of the projection, the opening being located over the groove. The filter is disposed along the groove, and positioned at the opening of the discharge channel. When the first and second channel members are placed in a operative relationship, a third channel is formed by the projecting surface of the projection and the opening of the groove. The third channel is connected to the first channel via the first connection part. The third channel at which the filter is positioned has a smaller cross-sectional area than the first channel.

Provided is a magnetic filtration apparatus with a simple structure for permitting easy and effective discharge of magnetic substances from the inside of a flow passage to its outside, the magnetic substances being captured by attraction from a liquid to be treated by magnetic separation. The magnetic filtration apparatus includes a treatment container 12 having an inlet 26 and outlet 28 of the liquid, and a discharge port 36 of the separated magnetic substances. A magnetic apparatus 20 attached around the treatment container 12 attracts the separated magnetic substances to an inner wall of the treatment container 12, while cancellation of the effect of the magnetic field generated by the magnetic apparatus 20 allows the attracted magnetic apparatus to flow into a detachable collecting container 14 positioned below the treatment container 12, due to the gravity, through a communication passage 15.

Provided is a magnetic filtration apparatus with a simple structure for permitting easy and effective discharge of magnetic substances from the inside of a flow passage to its outside, the magnetic substances being captured by attraction from a liquid to be treated by magnetic separation. The magnetic filtration apparatus includes a treatment container 12 having an inlet 26 and outlet 28 of the liquid, and a discharge port 36 of the separated magnetic substances. A magnetic apparatus 20 attached around the treatment container 12 attracts the separated magnetic substances to an inner wall of the treatment container 12, while cancellation of the effect of the magnetic field generated by the magnetic apparatus 20 allows the attracted magnetic apparatus to flow into a detachable collecting container 14 positioned below the treatment container 12, due to the gravity, through a communication passage 15.

Methods for making high-purity LiFSI salts and intermediate products using one, the other, or both of a reactive-solvent removal/replacement method and an LiFSI purification method. In some embodiments, the reactive-solvent removal/replacement method includes using non-reactive anhydrous organic solvents to remove and/or replace one or more reactive solvents in a crude LiFSI. In some embodiments, the LiFSI purification method includes using anhydrous organic solvents to remove impurities, such as synthesis impurities, from a crude LiFSI. In some embodiments, crude LiFSI can be made using an aqueous-based neutralization process. LiFSI salts and products made using methods of the disclosure are also described, as are uses of such salts and products and electrochemical devices that include such salts and products.

A solid-liquid separation device performs dehydration or deoiling from a treated object using a substance A that is a gas at normal temperature and pressure and is capable of dissolving water and oil when liquefied. The separation device includes a substance B that circulates while generating phase change in a closed system, a compressor that compresses the substance B, a first heat exchanger that condenses substance B and evaporates of the substance A, an expansion valve that decompresses the condensed substance B, a second heat exchanger that evaporates substance B and condenses substance A, and a treatment tank wherein substance A is mixed with the treated object, substance A is evaporated while separated from the liquid in the first heat exchanger, and condensed in the second heat exchanger. The center of gravity of the first heat exchanger is lower than the second heat exchanger in a vertical direction.

A solid-liquid separation device performs dehydration or deoiling from a treated object using a substance A that is a gas at normal temperature and pressure and is capable of dissolving water and oil when liquefied. The separation device includes a substance B that circulates while generating phase change in a closed system, a compressor that compresses the substance B, a first heat exchanger that condenses substance B and evaporates of the substance A, an expansion valve that decompresses the condensed substance B, a second heat exchanger that evaporates substance B and condenses substance A, and a treatment tank wherein substance A is mixed with the treated object, substance A is evaporated while separated from the liquid in the first heat exchanger, and condensed in the second heat exchanger. The center of gravity of the first heat exchanger is lower than the second heat exchanger in a vertical direction.

A method of exchanging fluids with suspended particles includes providing a microfluidic device with a first inlet channel operatively coupled to a source of particles and a second inlet channel operatively coupled to an exchange fluid. A transfer channel is connected at a proximal end to the first inlet channel and the second inlet channel. First and second outlet channels are connected to a distal end of the transfer channel. The source of particles is flowed at a first flow rate into the first inlet channel while the exchange fluid is flowed at a second flow rate into the second inlet channel wherein the ratio of the second flow rate to the first flow rate is at least 1.5. Particles are collected in one of the first and second outlet channels while fluid substantially free of particles is collected in the other of the first and second outlet channels.