A nanoparticle cluster reduction method yields a new composition of matter including a large percentage (e.g., 75% or higher percentage) of primary nanoparticles in the new composition of matter. The particle reduction method reduces the size of nanoparticle clusters in material of the new composition of matter, allows particle reduction of specific nanoparticle cluster sizes, and allows particle reduction to primary nanoparticles. This new composition of matter can include a high permittivity and high resistivity dielectric compound. This new composition of matter, according to certain examples, has high permittivity, high resistivity, and low leakage current. In certain examples, the new composition of matter constitutes a dielectric energy storage device that is a battery with very high energy density, high operating voltage per cell, and an extended battery life cycle. An example method can include a controlled gas evolution reaction to reduce the size of nanoparticle clusters.

A nanoparticle cluster reduction method yields a new composition of matter including a large percentage (e.g., 75% or higher percentage) of primary nanoparticles in the new composition of matter. The particle reduction method reduces the size of nanoparticle clusters in material of the new composition of matter, allows particle reduction of specific nanoparticle cluster sizes, and allows particle reduction to primary nanoparticles. This new composition of matter can include a high permittivity and high resistivity dielectric compound. This new composition of matter, according to certain examples, has high permittivity, high resistivity, and low leakage current. In certain examples, the new composition of matter constitutes a dielectric energy storage device that is a battery with very high energy density, high operating voltage per cell, and an extended battery life cycle. An example method can include a controlled gas evolution reaction to reduce the size of nanoparticle clusters.

An airflow separator of the present invention includes: a first column into which gas is introduced from a lower portion and inside which a sample is made to flow; a heavy particle recovery device provided at the lower portion of the first column; and a control device configured to control a wind speed by an amount of gas to be introduced into the first column. The first column has a weak rotational airflow generation mechanism to smooth wind speed distribution in a cross-section of a tube of the first column by making it substantially W-shaped from a portion of a wall of the tube to the center of the tube to another portion of the wall of the tube. The heavy particle recovery device recovers from the sample, heavy particles falling down. The airflow separator recovers emission gas, intermediate and light particles from an upper portion of the first column.

An airflow separator of the present invention includes: a first column into which gas is introduced from a lower portion and inside which a sample is made to flow; a heavy particle recovery device provided at the lower portion of the first column; and a control device configured to control a wind speed by an amount of gas to be introduced into the first column. The first column has a weak rotational airflow generation mechanism to smooth wind speed distribution in a cross-section of a tube of the first column by making it substantially W-shaped from a portion of a wall of the tube to the center of the tube to another portion of the wall of the tube. The heavy particle recovery device recovers from the sample, heavy particles falling down. The airflow separator recovers emission gas, intermediate and light particles from an upper portion of the first column.

A method is provided for pre-treating biomasses, more particularly, for pre-treating biomasses intended for a biorefinery or similar facility for producing biofuels. The method comprises the steps of shredding the biomasses, removing foreign bodies contained in the biomasses upstream of the step of shredding, and soaking the biomasses by immersing the biomasses in water upstream or downstream of the shredding step. A plant for pre-treating biomasses is also provided. The plant comprises a shredding station for shredding biomasses, a station for removing foreign bodies from the biomasses upstream of the shredding station, and a soaking station for soaking the biomasses upstream or downstream of the shredding station.

A method is provided for pre-treating biomasses, more particularly, for pre-treating biomasses intended for a biorefinery or similar facility for producing biofuels. The method comprises the steps of shredding the biomasses, removing foreign bodies contained in the biomasses upstream of the step of shredding, and soaking the biomasses by immersing the biomasses in water upstream or downstream of the shredding step. A plant for pre-treating biomasses is also provided. The plant comprises a shredding station for shredding biomasses, a station for removing foreign bodies from the biomasses upstream of the shredding station, and a soaking station for soaking the biomasses upstream or downstream of the shredding station.

An apparatus for separating usable crop from intermixed debris. The apparatus has: a) a conveying system configured to convey usable crop in a processing path from an upstream input location to a downstream output location; and b) a first separating system configured to cause separation of debris intermixed with usable crop as usable crop is conveyed in the processing path. A vacuum system downstream of the preliminary separating system is configured to: a) generate a low pressure volume which causes additional debris intermixed with usable crop to be drawn away from usable crop by vacuum; and b) cause drawn debris to be directed towards a collection location spaced from the output location while allowing usable crop to advance toward the output location.

An apparatus for separating usable crop from intermixed debris. The apparatus has: a) a conveying system configured to convey usable crop in a processing path from an upstream input location to a downstream output location; and b) a first separating system configured to cause separation of debris intermixed with usable crop as usable crop is conveyed in the processing path. A vacuum system downstream of the preliminary separating system is configured to: a) generate a low pressure volume which causes additional debris intermixed with usable crop to be drawn away from usable crop by vacuum; and b) cause drawn debris to be directed towards a collection location spaced from the output location while allowing usable crop to advance toward the output location.

A separator attachment for use with a vibratory apparatus, the attachment including a housing mountable to a vibratory apparatus below a material-conveying surface of the vibratory apparatus, the housing defining a pressure chamber with an inlet and an outlet. The housing has at least one wall with a wall surface having a first end disposed proximate to the outlet of the pressure chamber and a second end. The attachment also includes a deflector plate with a deflector plate surface having a first end disposed proximate to the outlet of the pressure chamber and a second end, the deflector plate surface facing the wall surface. The deflector plate is translatable relative to the at least one wall to vary the spacing between the deflector plate surface and the wall surface. A system including a vibratory apparatus and the attachment may also be defined.

Power plant boiler sand comprising a clay-based binder film (3) on the surface of a grain of sand (2). In addition, a method and apparatus for producing power plant boiler sand.