The methods and systems of the invention include the use of automated solution dispensers in laboratory environment. The automated solution dispensers can be controlled locally or remotely within a network. The usage of the instruments can be followed and procurement of supplies can be automated.

Digester (1) having an agitating device (10) and an agitating device (10) and a method for manufacturing an agitating device (10), the agitating device (10) comprising multiple agitator blades (21-29) which agitator blades (11-13) comprise a plurality of blade sections (21-29) angled relative to one another. The blade sections (21-29) of the agitator blade (11-13) are angled relative to one another such that the agitator blade gradient (11-13) decreases with the distance (30) from a central rotational axis (19) increasing to configure the agitator blade in a flow-optimized three-dimensional shape.

A module includes a housing, a sealing feature, a locking feature, and an agitator. The housing has an opening separating inner and outer surfaces and a boss that extends through the housing such that part of the outer surface forms an inner bore of the boss having a terminus pointing toward the opening. The agitator has a base, a shaft, and a mixing element coupled to the base such that the base, in cooperation with the sealing feature, circumferentially seals the opening of the housing to form a cavity defined by the inner surface. The shaft passes through the inner bore. The locking feature when engaged permits independent or simultaneous translational and rotational movement of the shaft while an area between the terminus of the boss and the shaft remains mechanically sealed during the movement against liquid or powder encroachment into a clean area of the inner bore.

The invention relates to a stirring member (9) for using in a system for preparing a food product, the product being prepared by the stirring member (9) moving inside a container (8), the stirring member (9) being configured in such a way that it can adopt different configurations depending on its direction of rotation inside the container (8). Preferably, the stirring member (9) can adopt a spoon configuration or a whisk configuration. The invention further relates to a method for using such a stirring member (9) in a system for preparing a food product, the method varying the direction of rotation of the stirring member (9) so that it adopts a different configuration depending on the type of product prepared in the container (8).

A fluid processing method with which processing properties of fluids to be processed can be effectively controlled. Processing surfaces which are capable of being brought closer to each other and being separated from each other, and which rotate relatively are provided. A fluid to be processed is made to pass from inside to outside in a processing area between the processing surfaces to obtain a fluid thin film, and the resultant fluid thin film of the fluid to be processed is subjected to processing. Processing properties are controlled by changing the ratio of the distance to an outer peripheral end from a centre of rotation.

A system and process for defining, blending and monitoring fresh water with subterranean produced formation fluids, with particular constituents of the blended waters being controlled for proper use in gel-type hydraulic fracturing operations. On-site measurements and calculations of clay stabilization replacement, through a Potassium Chloride (KCl) Equivalency calculation, provide feedback on water constituent adjustments that may be needed just prior to the gel-based hydraulic fracturing process. This assures adequate gel cross-linking times, delayed gel cross-linking times, and clay stabilization in the formation to be fractured.

A microfluidic module for co-encapsulation in droplets of two populations of particles may include first and second modules for sorting the two populations. The modules may have their first outlets including first obstructive valves configured to at least partially obstruct the first outlets. The first outlets may be fluidly connected to a fusion module, including a fusion module means for merging at least one droplet from the first droplet population and at least one droplet from the second droplet population into a merged droplet comprising the two population of particles, and a control unit for controlling the first obstructive valves from information originating from a first and second module detection portion located upstream of the first outlets.

A mixing device (1) for cyclically imparting a force on an external surface (A) of a bag (B) for agitating a content (C) of the bag (B), the mixing device (1) comprising a lever (2) supported so as to be able to pivot about a pivot (3), a weight (4) provided on a first side of the lever (2), a driver (5) arranged to cooperate with the lever (2), a motor (6) for moving the driver (5) to lift the first side of the lever (2) with the weight (4) against gravity and to drop the first side against the external surface (A) of the bag (B), and a holder (7) for supporting the mixing device (1) such that the first side of the lever (2) can contact the external surface (A) of the bag (B) in the drop motion.

A mixing device includes a container for receiving mixing material, with an emptying opening being arranged in the bottom thereof, and a closure cover for closing the emptying opening. The mixing device includes an emptying opening that can be easily and space-savingly opened and closed. The closure cover includes two closure cover portions which can be reciprocated relative to each other between a closed position in which the two closure cover portions are in contact with each other and together form the closure cover and an opened position in which the two closure cover portions are spaced from each other so that an opening is formed between the two closure cover portions for removal of the mixing material from the container.

A slurry mixing device includes an installation frame, a slurry mixing tank, a slurry feeding tank, a cooling mechanism and a slurry discharging mechanism. The slurry feeding tank is movably arranged under the slurry mixing tank, the cooling mechanism and the slurry discharging mechanism. A mass scale is arranged under the slurry feeding tank. A stirring cavity is formed in the slurry mixing tank, and a stirring paddle is arranged in the stirring cavity. A stirring motor is arranged on the slurry mixing tank. An outlet is arranged on the bottom of the stirring cavity. An oil bath cavity is formed between the slurry mixing tank and the stirring cavity. The cooling mechanism includes a lifting cylinder and a lifting base. The lifting base is provided with a rotating paddle and a rotating motor. The lifting cylinder is arranged on the installation frame.