The invention provides an integrated separator system for the preconcentration of a material comprising one or more grizzly bars and one or more electrodes which provide a high voltage pulse (HVP) discharge to the material. The invention also provides a process for preconcentration of a material preferably a mineral within a rock which comprises: providing the material into an integrated separator system comprising one or more grizzly bars and one or more electrodes which are capable of providing at least one high voltage pulse discharge(s) to the material; applying one or more high voltage pulse discharge(s) to the material as the material is travelling along the grizzly bar(s) to preferentially disintegrate the particles containing mineral grains of high conductivity/permittivity; separating the disintegrated particles by way of the grizzly bar(s) resulting in the separation of the feed material into low grade (oversize) and high grade (undersize) products; and wherein the disintegrated particles from step b) pass through a screening element for further treatment. The present invention also relates to a process for comminution of a material.

Disclosed is an apparatus and method for facilitating an estimation of comminution energy consumption for rock comminution. The apparatus comprises a pulsed laser source for ablating rock material to generate laser-induced plasma shock waves, a focusing lens system for focusing the pulsed lased source for ablating the rock material and a microphone for capturing the laser-induced plasma shock waves for estimating the comminution energy consumption for the rock material.

A composite material is produced from carpet waste and a binding agent, in intimate association, and may also include wood fiber or chips and/or other additives. A method of manufacturing a composite material includes shredding carpet waste, coating the carpet waste with a binding agent, and subjecting the shredded, coated carpet waste to elevated heat and pressure. As an additional step, the composite material may be actively cooled to prevent deformation of the material.

A microwave applicator box for breakdown of medical waste materials is provided, including: an interior defined by at least one wall; a plurality of inclined grates in an alternating arrangement, including: a first grate extending from a first direction, and a second grate extending from a second direction and underlapping the first grate; vibration devices connected to the grates by arms; wherein the area above the first grate is defined as a Zone A and wherein the area below the first grate and above the second grate is defined as a Zone B; wherein a first waveguide is connected to an opening in the wall in the area of the Zone A; wherein a second waveguide is connected to an opening in the wall in the area of the Zone B; and wherein the interior of the waveguides is in communication with the interior of the microwave applicator box.

A microwave applicator box for breakdown of medical waste materials is provided, including: an interior defined by at least one wall; a plurality of inclined grates in an alternating arrangement, including: a first grate extending from a first direction, and a second grate extending from a second direction and underlapping the first grate; vibration devices connected to the grates by arms; wherein the area above the first grate is defined as a Zone A and wherein the area below the first grate and above the second grate is defined as a Zone B; wherein a first waveguide is connected to an opening in the wall in the area of the Zone A; wherein a second waveguide is connected to an opening in the wall in the area of the Zone B; and wherein the interior of the waveguides is in communication with the interior of the microwave applicator box.

A particle size reducing method using a ball mill, a vortexer, a Taylor-Couette flow-inducing device (TCFID), a homogenizer, and a dryer. A feedstock with a first particle size is provided to the processing system. In the ball mill, the particle size of the feedstock is reduced to a second particle size. The feedstock is mixed with a carrier fluid to create a working fluid, wherein particles of the feedstock are suspended within the carrier fluid. The particle size is reduced to a third particle size in the vortexer, producing a second reduced working fluid. The third particle size is reduced with the TCFID to a fourth particle size, producing a third reduced working fluid. Using the homogenizer, the distribution of particles in the third reduced working fluid is normalized. In the dryer, the carrier fluid of the working fluid is separated from the particles to produce a granular material.

A particle size reducing method using a ball mill, a vortexer, a Taylor-Couette flow-inducing device (TCFID), a homogenizer, and a dryer. A feedstock with a first particle size is provided to the processing system. In the ball mill, the particle size of the feedstock is reduced to a second particle size. The feedstock is mixed with a carrier fluid to create a working fluid, wherein particles of the feedstock are suspended within the carrier fluid. The particle size is reduced to a third particle size in the vortexer, producing a second reduced working fluid. The third particle size is reduced with the TCFID to a fourth particle size, producing a third reduced working fluid. Using the homogenizer, the distribution of particles in the third reduced working fluid is normalized. In the dryer, the carrier fluid of the working fluid is separated from the particles to produce a granular material.

The invention is an aero-acoustic comminution apparatus which includes an aero-acoustic comminution machine 10 having a cyclone chamber 12 with an inlet 14 for the material to be comminuted and an inlet 16 for the air. An electric motor 18 coupled to a shaft 20 to which an impeller 22 is coupled rotates the impeller 22 within an impeller housing 24 to draw the air and the entrained material to be comminuted into the cyclone chamber 12 and through an axial inlet system 26 into the impeller 22 and impeller housing 24 and to expel the comminuted material through the impeller housing 24 radially through a transverse outlet. The invention extends to a method of comminuting an ore material using said aero-acoustic comminution apparatus as well as an organic material. The invention further extends to aero-acoustic materials processing plant including said aero-acoustic comminution apparatus and further comprising an enclosure surrounding the aero-acoustic including sound attenuation panels having 4 or more layers which include a plasticised film.

The invention is an aero-acoustic comminution apparatus which includes an aero-acoustic comminution machine 10 having a cyclone chamber 12 with an inlet 14 for the material to be comminuted and an inlet 16 for the air. An electric motor 18 coupled to a shaft 20 to which an impeller 22 is coupled rotates the impeller 22 within an impeller housing 24 to draw the air and the entrained material to be comminuted into the cyclone chamber 12 and through an axial inlet system 26 into the impeller 22 and impeller housing 24 and to expel the comminuted material through the impeller housing 24 radially through a transverse outlet. The invention extends to a method of comminuting an ore material using said aero-acoustic comminution apparatus as well as an organic material. The invention further extends to aero-acoustic materials processing plant including said aero-acoustic comminution apparatus and further comprising an enclosure surrounding the aero-acoustic including sound attenuation panels having 4 or more layers which include a plasticised film.

A process for converting spent grain into flour by drying and milling is disclosed. The process includes the steps of introducing a quantity of wet spent grain into a container for removing moisture by the action of gravity. After the gravity drying, the wet spent grain is transferred to a press to mechanically remove additional moisture. The wet spent grain is placed in a fluid bed processor where the grain additional moisture is removed through heating and fluidization. Some embodiments may include a dust collection system in connection with the fluid bed processor, wherein the dust collection system incorporates a separator for separating the grains. Once dried, the dry spent grain is introduced into a mill to be ground into the proper flour consistency. The resulting flour product can then be used for a variety of foodstuff applications.