A mixer apparatus for mixing a high-viscosity fluid has a mixer shaft with a plurality of blades affixed thereto, a hydraulic motor drivingly connected to the mixer shaft so as to rotate the mixer shaft, a hydraulic pump connected by a fluid circuit to the hydraulic motor so as to deliver hydraulic fluid under pressure to the hydraulic motor, an electric motor drivingly connected to the hydraulic pump, and a hydraulic fluid reservoir connected to the fluid circuit so as to supply hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic pump. The plurality of blades are pivotally mounted to the mixer shaft.

A mixer apparatus for mixing high viscosity fluids has a mixer shaft with a plurality of sets of blades affixed thereto. A lowermost set of blades is pivotally mounted so as to be movable between a first position pivoted upwardly and a second position pivoted outwardly. The mixer apparatus has a hydraulic motor drivingly connected to the mixer said shaft so as to rotate the mixer shaft, a hydraulic pump connected by fluid circuit to the hydraulic motor, and electric motor connected to the hydraulic pump, and a hydraulic fluid reservoir connected to the fluid circuit so as to supply hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic pump. The mixer shaft has a base at the lowermost end thereof.

Provided in one implementation is a method that includes introducing a volume of raw material into a chamber of a cavitation machine. The raw material can include a mixture comprising a powder and a solvent. The powder can have a first average particle size in the raw material. The method includes applying a hydrodynamic cavitation process to the raw material to produce a product material. The powder can have a second average particle size, smaller than the first average particle size, in the product material. The method includes causing the product material to exit the cavitation chamber and drying the product material to remove the solvent. Apparatus employed to apply the method are also provided.

An asphalt production apparatus (APA) (14) and process for utilizing a substantial fraction of RAP (Recycled Asphalt Product) (10) in producing a renewed amalgam (12) for paving. The APA (14) is formed about an inclined central axis (18) and includes core components (16), namely: a non-rotating ignition cylinder (24); a rotating mixing drum (26) having a hollow interior (16) with radially spaced combustion tubes (52) longitudinally extending therethrough; and a stationary capture trap (28) for receiving renewed amalgam (12) and redirecting some spent gases (54) back through the a mixing drum (26) in a second pass. The ignition cylinder (24) receives combustion fuel (32) delivered to an igniter (34) and directs flaming gas (36) through the combustion tubes (52) at a flow rate such that the flaming gas (36) becomes spent gases (54) within the tubes (52) short of the capture trap (26) and no flaming gas (36) contacts RAP (10) in the interior of the mixing drum (26).

An asphalt shingle coating system that includes a coater, a mixer, a viscosity gauge, a wax supply, a wax pump and a control system. The coater applies a layer of a coating asphalt mixture on an asphalt shingle substrate. The mixer mixes the coating asphalt mixture and is positioned upstream of the coater. The viscosity gauge may be positioned between the coater and the mixer, and it measures the viscosity of said coating asphalt mixture before it is delivered to the coater. The wax supply is in fluid communication with the mixer and a wax pump may deliver a volume of wax from the wax supply to the mixer, and the control system may selectively adjust the operation of the wax pump to substantially maintain a desired viscosity of said coating asphalt mixture.

A method of forming an asphalt mixture includes mixing a polyol with a bio-source material to form a bio-asphalt. The method can further include mixing the bio-asphalt with a bitumen source different from the bio-asphalt to form an asphalt mixture. The bio-source material can include an oil, such as a vegetable oil, an animal fat, or any combination thereof. The bitumen source can include a petroleum-based asphalt. The method can further include adding a modifier, such as a fatty acid, a polycarboxylic acid, a polyacrylic acid, a polyacrylate comprising a copolymer, or any combination thereof. Moreover, a roofing grade asphalt mixture includes a bio-asphalt. The bio-asphalt includes an alkyd, wherein the alkyd is a reaction product of a polyol and a bio-source material. The roofing grade asphalt mixture further includes a bitumen source material and particles.

Bone cement applicators and methods apply a bone cement dough in the region of the spine. The applicators and method have at least one tubular cartridge with an internal space, containing starting components of the bone cement, at least one dispensing plunger that is mobile in longitudinal direction on the inside of the at least one cartridge, a hose, an application opening through which the bone cement dough is applicable, a three-way valve being arranged in the hose or on a side of the hose facing the at least one cartridge and in fluid connection with the opening of the at least one cartridge and/or a collecting container arranged on the three-way valve for accommodation of bone cement dough. The three-way valve is appropriately designed and/or arranged in the bone cement applicator such that it, being in a first position, provides a fluid connection between the application opening and the opening of the at least one cartridge and closes a passage to the collecting container and, being in a second position, provides a fluid connection between the application opening and the collecting container and closes a passage to the opening of the at least one cartridge.

Apparatus that mixes non-homogenous fluid. A threaded shaft within a housing circulates fluid within a container to effect mixing. In one embodiment, when placed in a container of fluid, the housing the fluid is recirculated through opposing ends of the housing. In an embodiment of a related method for mixing, a pump housing containing a screw journaled for rotation receives fluid within a container and conveys the fluid therethrough to circulate a fluid portion in the container along an exterior surface of the housing for mixing with another fluid portion to improve fluid homogeneity. After mixing, the portion of the fluid which first circulates through the housing may recirculate through the housing with said another portion of the fluid. The fluid may be continuously mixed and recirculated through the housing.

Systems and methods for processing one or more waste fluids by measuring one or more properties of a waste fluid and adjusting the flow and/or flowability of the waste fluid based on the measurement are disclosed. The one or more properties of the waste fluid can include a viscosity of the waste fluid, a pressure of the waste fluid, and/or or a difference in pressure of the waste fluid. Adjusting the flow and/or flowability of the waste fluid can include adjusting the one or more properties of the waste fluid and/or affecting the direction of flow of the waste fluid in a manner which changes the destination of the waste fluid.

Systems and methods for processing one or more waste fluids by measuring one or more properties of a waste fluid and adjusting the flow and/or flowability of the waste fluid based on the measurement are disclosed. The one or more properties of the waste fluid can include a viscosity of the waste fluid, a pressure of the waste fluid, and/or or a difference in pressure of the waste fluid. Adjusting the flow and/or flowability of the waste fluid can include adjusting the one or more properties of the waste fluid and/or affecting the direction of flow of the waste fluid in a manner which changes the destination of the waste fluid.