A method and apparatus for obtaining a product chemistry from a solid block is provided. The product is housed within a dispenser, which utilizes a liquid and a gas to erode the block and produce a concentrate solution. The liquid and gas characteristics can be adjusted in the field to achieve a predetermined concentrate level in the solution. The introduction of air into the dispenser saves water, while producing higher concentrate levels.

This disclosure provides, among other things, a cartridge comprising: (a) a cartridge body comprising a malleable material and having, disposed on a surface of the body, at least one valve body comprising a valve inlet and a valve outlet, each fluidically connected to a fluidic channel; and (b) a layer comprising a deformable material bonded to a surface of the cartridge body and sealing the at least one valve body at points of attachment, thereby forming at least one valve; wherein the at least one valve body is depressed in the cartridge body relative to the points of attachment and wherein the deformable material covering the at least one valve body retains sufficient elasticity after deformation such that in a ground state the valve is open. Also disclosed is an instrument comprising a cartridge interface and a cartridge as described herein engaged with the cartridge interface, wherein (II) the cartridge interface comprises: (A) at least one mechanical actuator, each mechanical actuator positioned to actuate a valve; and (B) at least one motor operatively coupled to actuate a mechanical actuator toward or away from a valve.

Provided is a method for extracting plasmid DNA in bacteria, realizing lysis and neutralization during plasmid production in two mixing assemblies connected in series, and comprising the following steps: (1) mixing, (2) lysing, and (3) neutralizing. Step (1) is completed in a first mixing assembly; step (2) is completed in a lysis helical tube; step (3) is completed in a second mixing assembly; and the first mixing assembly, the lysis helical tube and the second mixing assembly are sequentially connected in series. A device used in the plasmid preparation process is simple, is convenient to operate, is low in costs, can remove a large amount of impurities during cell lysis without professional customized device and expensive device, has safe components, realizes automatic continuous lysis, and facilitates industrial production.

Provided is a method for extracting plasmid DNA in bacteria, realizing lysis and neutralization during plasmid production in two mixing assemblies connected in series, and comprising the following steps: (1) mixing, (2) lysing, and (3) neutralizing. Step (1) is completed in a first mixing assembly; step (2) is completed in a lysis helical tube; step (3) is completed in a second mixing assembly; and the first mixing assembly, the lysis helical tube and the second mixing assembly are sequentially connected in series. A device used in the plasmid preparation process is simple, is convenient to operate, is low in costs, can remove a large amount of impurities during cell lysis without professional customized device and expensive device, has safe components, realizes automatic continuous lysis, and facilitates industrial production.

A fluidized bed mixer for combining a first powder with a second powder for manufacturing a magnet and a method of using the fluidized bed mixer for making the magnet. The first powder material is an alloy powder containing neodymium (Nd), iron (Fe), and boron (B), and the second powder material is an alloy powder or elemental metal powder containing one or more of dysprosium (Dy) and terbium (Tb). The fluidized bed mixer includes a fluidized bed portion in an upper portion of a mixing chamber, a cascading baffle system beneath the fluidized bed portion, and combined powder collection area beneath the cascading baffle system. The fluidized bed mixer is configured to homogenously combine a first powder material with a second powder material in such a way that particles of the second powder material adheres to and covers the outer surfaces of the particles of the first powder material.

A fluidized bed mixer for combining a first powder with a second powder for manufacturing a magnet and a method of using the fluidized bed mixer for making the magnet. The first powder material is an alloy powder containing neodymium (Nd), iron (Fe), and boron (B), and the second powder material is an alloy powder or elemental metal powder containing one or more of dysprosium (Dy) and terbium (Tb). The fluidized bed mixer includes a fluidized bed portion in an upper portion of a mixing chamber, a cascading baffle system beneath the fluidized bed portion, and combined powder collection area beneath the cascading baffle system. The fluidized bed mixer is configured to homogenously combine a first powder material with a second powder material in such a way that particles of the second powder material adheres to and covers the outer surfaces of the particles of the first powder material.

Disclosed herein are powder mixing apparatuses and methods that utilize the deagglomerizing and mixing effects of an air flow that impacts a flowing powder. The resulting powder can have smaller particle sizes and/or exhibit a more homogenous mixture than the premixed powder.

A system and method is described for providing different levels of carbonated water on demand. The system includes a pressurized chamber to hold at least one of water and carbonated water, a gas canister to dispense carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) into the pressurized chamber, a controller to control the dispensing of the CO.sub.2 according to level of carbonation required and a valve to vent excess gas from the pressurized chamber after carbonation.

A method for separating a vapor from a carrier gas is disclosed. An air-sparged hydrocyclone is provided with a porous sparger covered by an outer gas plenum. A cryogenic liquid is provided to the tangential feed inlet at a velocity that induces a tangential flow and a cyclone vortex in the cyclone. The carrier gas is injected into the air-sparged hydrocyclone through the porous sparger. The vapor dissolves, condenses, desublimates, or a combination thereof, forming a vapor-depleted carrier gas and a vapor-enriched cryogenic liquid. The vapor-depleted gas is drawn through a vortex finder while the vapor-enriched cryogenic liquid is drawn through an apex nozzle outlet. In this manner, the vapor is removed from the carrier gas.

A method for separating a vapor from a carrier gas is disclosed. A hydrocyclone is provided with one or more nozzles on the wall of the hydrocyclone. A cryogenic liquid is provided to the tangential feed inlet at a velocity that induces a tangential flow and a cyclone vortex in the hydrocyclone. The carrier gas is injected into the hydrocyclone through the one or more nozzles. The vapor dissolves, condenses, desublimates, or a combination thereof, forming a vapor-depleted carrier gas and a vapor-enriched cryogenic liquid. The vapor-depleted gas is drawn through the vortex finder while the vapor-enriched cryogenic liquid is drawn through the apex nozzle outlet. In this manner, the vapor is removed from the carrier gas.