Formation of low-crystallinity phytosterol nanoparticles via cooling-controlled supercritical carbon dioxide (SC—CO.sub.2) impregnation of phytosterols into biodegradable nanoporous starch aerogels and methods of preparing these aerogels are disclosed. The nanoporous starch aerogels increase water dissolution and bioaccessibility of the phytosterols, thereby making them available for preparation of high nutraceutical value foods.

In a substrate processing apparatus in which a substrate is transported into multiple chambers by using multiple transport mechanisms, while a first transport unit is responsible for the transport of the substrate into the first chamber and the transport of the substrate out from the second chamber, the second transport unit is responsible for the transfer of the substrate from the first chamber to the second chamber. With respect to a transfer zone which is a transport route of the substrate from the first chamber to the second chamber, the first transport unit is arranged above and the second transport unit is arranged below. Since entry into the transfer zone is exclusively allowed, the two transport units can operate individually while avoiding mutual interference.

The composition for drying an uneven pattern of the present invention includes a sublimable substance, and a solvent whose boiling point at 1 atm is lower than a boiling point or a sublimation point of the sublimable substance by 5° C. or more and whose boiling point at 1 atm is 75° C. or lower.

An upper surface of a substrate is supplied with a pre-drying processing liquid which is a solution of a sublimable substance and a solvent. Thereafter, the solvent is evaporated from the pre-drying processing liquid on the substrate and a solid of the sublimable substance is precipitated in the pre-drying processing liquid on the substrate. Thereafter, at least a portion of the solid of the sublimable substance is dissolved in the pre-drying processing liquid on the substrate. Thereafter, the solvent is evaporated from the pre-drying processing liquid in which the solid of the sublimable substance has been dissolved and the solid of the sublimable substance is precipitated onto the substrate. Thereafter, the solid of the sublimable substance is sublimated and removed from the upper surface of the substrate.

A method for treating a substrate, including a solvent processing step of supplying an organic solvent onto the substrate to treat the substrate, a drying step of drying the substrate to remove the organic solvent on the substrate, and a bake step of heating the substrate to thermally decompose an impurity adhering to the substrate, where the drying step and the bake step are performed in different chambers.

The present invention allows the production of nanocellulose in dry form, enabling incorporation into a wide variety of end-use applications. Some variations provide a nanocellulose-slurry dewatering system comprising: a nanocellulose slurry feed sub-system; a pre-concentration unit (e.g., a centrifuge) to remove at least a portion of the water from the nanocellulose slurry; an inlet for a dispersion/drying agent; a twin-screw extruder in flow communication with the nanocellulose slurry feed sub-system, wherein the twin-screw extruder intimately mixes the nanocellulose slurry and the dispersion/drying agent, wherein the twin-screw extruder shears the nanocellulose slurry, and wherein the twin-screw extruder is configured with one or more extruder vents to remove water from the nanocellulose slurry; and an extruder outlet for recovering a nanocellulose-dispersion concentrate. A milling device may be employed to generate a fine powder of the nanocellulose-dispersion concentrate. Methods of making and using the dewatered or dried nanocellulose are also described.

Methods and systems for treating tailings at an elevated pH using lime are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the method comprises (i) providing a tailings stream comprising bicarbonates and a pH less than 9.0, (ii) adding a coagulant comprising calcium hydroxide to the tailings stream to form a mixture having a pH of at least 11.5 and a soluble calcium level no more than 800 mg/L, and (iii) dewatering the mixture to produce a product having a solids content of at least 40% by weight. In some embodiments, the pH and soluble calcium level of the mixture cause chemical modification of clay materials of the mixture via pozzolanic reactions. In some embodiments, the undrained shear strength of the product increases over a period of time of at least two days.

Devices and methods related to drying absorbent articles with water reactive materials are generally described.

The present invention discloses a spray drying process characterized by continuous preparation and immediate spray drying of a solution comprising at least one active pharmaceutical ingredient and/or at least one excipient, and at least one solvent. The said active pharmaceutical ingredient(s) and solvent(s) are combined, alone or along with one or more excipients to form a first suspension. Said suspension is continuously fed to an intensifier pump that pushes said suspension through at least one micro-reaction chamber and/or at least one micro-channel where the suspension's solid(s) component(s) is(are) dissolved into said solvent(s) by means of high energy mixing I forced contact at micro, nano and molecular level to form a solution stream. The said solution stream is then immediately and continuously fed to the spray dryer through at least one atomization nozzle, drying said atomized stream to obtain solid particles and collecting said solid particles. Single component particles or multi-component particles, particulate amorphous solid dispersion and pharmaceutical compositions are also disclosed. The present invention also discloses amorphous solid dispersions obtained by the method of the invention as well as pharmaceutical compositions containing the same.

Methods and systems for treating tailings at an elevated pH using lime are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the method comprises (i) providing a tailings stream comprising bicarbonates and a pH less than 9.0, (ii) adding a coagulant comprising calcium hydroxide to the tailings stream to form a mixture having a pH of at least 11.5 and a soluble calcium level no more than 800 mg/L, and (iii) dewatering the mixture to produce a product having a solids content of at least 40% by weight. In some embodiments, the pH and soluble calcium level of the mixture cause chemical modification of clay materials of the mixture via pozzolanic reactions. In some embodiments, the undrained shear strength of the product increases over a period of time of at least two days.