A method for encapsulating active ingredients in liposomes having an active ingredient solution encapsulated with a bilayer composed of two monomolecular layers of amphiphilic compounds comprises: (a) providing the active ingredient solution; (b) providing an emulsion by emulsifying the active ingredient solution in a first liquid in the presence of the amphiphilic compound; (c) providing a liquid phase; (d) contacting the emulsion with the liquid phase to form a phase boundary; and (e) centrifuging the emulsion and the liquid phase that are in contact with one another via the phase boundary, wherein, on passage of the phase boundary, the amphiphilic compound enriched there is added onto the monomolecular inner layer to form a monomolecular outer layer, in order to create the bilayer.
The first liquid of the emulsion is chosen such that the solubility of the amphiphilic compound in the first liquid is not more than 1×10.sup.−4 mol/l.

A process for blending a hydrocarbon-based composition that includes combining a first heated water stream with a first hydrocarbon-based composition comprising asphaltene to create a first combined feed stream and allowing the first heated water stream and the first hydrocarbon-based composition to interact such that the second combined feed stream comprises micelles and reverse micelles, thereby preventing asphaltene aggregation. The process further includes similarly combining a second heated water stream with a second hydrocarbon-based composition to form a second combined feed stream. The process further includes introducing the first combined feed stream and the second combined stream into a supercritical blending vessel operating at a temperature greater than a critical temperature of water and a pressure greater than a critical pressure of water, and blending the first combined feed stream and the second combined stream to form a blended hydrocarbon-based composition.

Various examples of systems and methods for making microspheres, microparticles, and emulsions are provided. In one example, a system and method for forming microspheres comprises: pumping a dispersed phase liquid and a continuous phase liquid into a levitating magnetic impeller pump to subject the dispersed phase liquid and continuous phase liquid to a high shear environment within the impeller pump's pump chamber. In another example, a system and method for forming an emulsion comprises: pumping a dispersed phase liquid and an inner aqueous phase liquid into a levitating magnetic impeller pump to subject the dispersed phase and the inner aqueous phase to a high shear environment within the impeller pump's pump chamber.

Devices, systems, and apparatuses for heating a liquid are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a heater includes a base comprising a generally planar surface and at least two heater pillars and a sensor pillar configured on the base. The at least two heater pillars each comprise heating elements. The sensor pillar includes a thermal sensor. A mixing element is configured on the generally planar surface of the base and is coupled to a mixing motor. When powered, the heating elements of the heater pillars are configured to generate heat and the mixing motor is configured to cause the mixing element to rotate.

A solvent mixing system includes a mixing tee, a centrifugal mixing path, and a low frequency blending mixer. The mixing tee has at least two solvent input ports and a solvent output port in fluid communication with one another. The centrifugal mixing path has a mixing path inlet in fluid communication with the solvent output port of the mixing tee. The centrifugal mixing path includes at least one coiled segment between the mixing path inlet and a mixing path outlet. The low frequency blending mixer is in fluid communication with the outlet of the centrifugal mixing path.

An apparatus and system for dispensing a food and beverage product where a flowable product is extracted from a flexible pouch and where an opening exists through which the flowable product evacuates the flexible pouch. The opening has a lock seal that locks the flowable product within the flexible pouch when a pressure is applied to the flexible pouch. There is also a zip seal located in the opening that is configured to lock the flowable product within the flexible pouch after the lock seal has been removed when pressure is applied to the flexible pouch.

An apparatus and system for dispensing a food and beverage product where a flowable product is extracted from a flexible pouch and where an opening exists through which the flowable product evacuates the flexible pouch. The opening has a lock seal that locks the flowable product within the flexible pouch when a pressure is applied to the flexible pouch. There is also a zip seal located in the opening that is configured to lock the flowable product within the flexible pouch after the lock seal has been removed when pressure is applied to the flexible pouch.

A plug valve including a valve body defining an internal cavity, a first passage, and a second passage, a plug defining a third passage and being rotatable within the internal cavity, and an insert extending within the internal cavity between the valve body and the plug. The insert defines an interior surface and an opening aligned with the first passage of the valve body. The insert may also define a sealing surface extending around the opening and standing in relief against the interior surface to sealingly engage the plug. In addition to, or instead of, the sealing surface, the insert may define a projection at least partially defining the interior surface. In addition, a boot may be connected to the valve body and interlocked with the projection to prevent, or at least reduce, rotation of the insert relative to the valve body when the plug rotates within the internal cavity.

A plug valve including a valve body defining an internal cavity, a first passage, and a second passage, a plug defining a third passage and being rotatable within the internal cavity, and an insert extending within the internal cavity between the valve body and the plug. The insert defines an interior surface and an opening aligned with the first passage of the valve body. The insert may also define a sealing surface extending around the opening and standing in relief against the interior surface to sealingly engage the plug. In addition to, or instead of, the sealing surface, the insert may define a projection at least partially defining the interior surface. In addition, a boot may be connected to the valve body and interlocked with the projection to prevent, or at least reduce, rotation of the insert relative to the valve body when the plug rotates within the internal cavity.

A mixer for mixing a mobile phase in a sample separation device for separating a fluidic sample, wherein the mixer includes a fluid inlet for supplying the mobile phase to be mixed to a mixing volume, a movable body configured for rotating and axially moving in the mixing volume to thereby mix the mobile phase, and a fluid outlet for supplying the mixed mobile phase to a mobile phase consumer.