An example method for refining lactose may include washing lactose crystals in a lactose stream in an upstream wash stream including an upstream recirculating wash medium. Washed lactose crystals may be sieved from the upstream recirculating wash medium. The upstream recirculating wash medium may be recirculated back to the upstream wash stream. The washed lactose crystals may be discharged to a downstream wash stream comprising a downstream recirculating wash medium. An example system may include a plurality of refining stages. At least one refining stage may include a washing tank including a lactose crystal inlet and a crystal slurry outlet. The refining stage may include a pump to recirculate a wash stream from the crystal slurry outlet back to the washing tank at a predetermined flow rate. The refining stage includes a screen to separate washed lactose crystals from the wash stream.

An example method for refining lactose may include washing lactose crystals in a lactose stream in an upstream wash stream including an upstream recirculating wash medium. Washed lactose crystals may be sieved from the upstream recirculating wash medium. The upstream recirculating wash medium may be recirculated back to the upstream wash stream. The washed lactose crystals may be discharged to a downstream wash stream comprising a downstream recirculating wash medium. An example system may include a plurality of refining stages. At least one refining stage may include a washing tank including a lactose crystal inlet and a crystal slurry outlet. The refining stage may include a pump to recirculate a wash stream from the crystal slurry outlet back to the washing tank at a predetermined flow rate. The refining stage includes a screen to separate washed lactose crystals from the wash stream.

A filtering system (10) includes a filtering apparatus having a filter unit for receiving liquid to be filtered, a receptacle for receiving filtered liquid, and an adapter (14) for coupling the filter unit to the receptacle, and also includes a base (12) having a cradle (26) for receiving the filtering apparatus and a base vacuum delivery port (28). The adapter includes an adapter vacuum receiving port (22) coupled to the vacuum delivery port for driving the liquid through the filter and—as filtered liquid—into the receptacle. The cradle and the adapter have an interlocking mechanism (52, 54) that locks the filtering apparatus to the cradle in a locking position in which the vacuum receiving port is sealingly coupled to the base vacuum delivery port. The base vacuum delivery port has a vacuum valve (30) constituted as a normally-closed valve automatically forced open when the filtering apparatus locks to the cradle.

A method for preparing a Hovenia dulcis Thunb extract rich in dihydromyricetin includes the following steps: (1) crushing Hovenia dulcis Thunb seeds to obtain a Hovenia dulcis Thunb powder; (2) adding a 10-95% ethanol solution in an amount of 3-15 times of an amount of the Hovenia dulcis Thunb powder, stirring and extracting at 20° C.-80° C. twice; (3) filtering to obtain an extract solution; (4) concentrating the extract solution by evaporating ethanol under reduced pressure to obtain a crude extract, the crude extract having a solid content of 10%-40%; (5) placing the crude extract at −20° C. to 8° C. for 0.5 to 12 hours; (6) centrifuging the crude extract to obtain a supernatant; and (7) spray-drying the supernatant to obtain the Hovenia dulcis Thunb extract.

A method for preparing a Hovenia dulcis Thunb extract rich in dihydromyricetin includes the following steps: (1) crushing Hovenia dulcis Thunb seeds to obtain a Hovenia dulcis Thunb powder; (2) adding a 10-95% ethanol solution in an amount of 3-15 times of an amount of the Hovenia dulcis Thunb powder, stirring and extracting at 20° C.-80° C. twice; (3) filtering to obtain an extract solution; (4) concentrating the extract solution by evaporating ethanol under reduced pressure to obtain a crude extract, the crude extract having a solid content of 10%-40%; (5) placing the crude extract at −20° C. to 8° C. for 0.5 to 12 hours; (6) centrifuging the crude extract to obtain a supernatant; and (7) spray-drying the supernatant to obtain the Hovenia dulcis Thunb extract.

Provided is a process, including: extracting one or more hydrophobic active ingredients of a plant material using a first extraction solvent; and transferring the one or more hydrophobic active ingredients from the first extractant solution filtrate to a carrier solvent; encapsulating the one or more hydrophobic active ingredients in one or more nanoparticles; dispersing the one or more nanoparticles in an aqueous suspension; and adding the second eluant from the plant material to the aqueous suspension.

Provided is a process, including: extracting one or more hydrophobic active ingredients of a plant material using a first extraction solvent; and transferring the one or more hydrophobic active ingredients from the first extractant solution filtrate to a carrier solvent; encapsulating the one or more hydrophobic active ingredients in one or more nanoparticles; dispersing the one or more nanoparticles in an aqueous suspension; and adding the second eluant from the plant material to the aqueous suspension.

A filter monitor system (“FMS”) module is installed on the engine/vehicle and is connected to the filter systems, sensors and devices to monitor various performance parameters. The module also connects to the engine control module (“ECM”) and draws parameters from the ECM. The FMS module is capable of interfacing with various output devices such as a smartphone application, a display monitor, an OEM telematics system or a service technician's tool on a computer. The FMS module consists of hardware and software algorithms which constantly monitor filter systems and provide information to the end-user. FMS module provides necessary inputs and outputs for electronic sensors and devices.

A filter monitor system (“FMS”) module is installed on the engine/vehicle and is connected to the filter systems, sensors and devices to monitor various performance parameters. The module also connects to the engine control module (“ECM”) and draws parameters from the ECM. The FMS module is capable of interfacing with various output devices such as a smartphone application, a display monitor, an OEM telematics system or a service technician's tool on a computer. The FMS module consists of hardware and software algorithms which constantly monitor filter systems and provide information to the end-user. FMS module provides necessary inputs and outputs for electronic sensors and devices.

Embodiments described herein relate generally to plant extract compositions and methods to isolate cutin-derived monomers, oligomers, and mixtures thereof for application in agricultural coating formulations, and in particular, to methods of preparing plant extract compositions that include functionalized and non-functionalized fatty acids and fatty esters (as well as their oligomers and mixtures thereof), which are substantially free from accompanying plant-derived compounds (e.g., proteins, polysaccharides, phenols, lignans, aromatic acids, terpenoids, flavonoids, carotenoids, alkaloids, alcohols, alkanes, and aldehydes) and can be used in agricultural coating formulations.