The present invention relates to a method and installation for loading boreholes with bulk water-based suspension or watergel type explosives characterized by the sensitization of the product by mixing a non-explosive or low sensitivity suspension matrix with compressed gas (e.g. air) at the end of the delivery hose.

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.

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.

Some variations provide a system for producing a functionalized powder, comprising: an agitated pressure vessel; first particles and second particles contained within the agitated pressure vessel; a fluid contained within the agitated pressure vessel; an exhaust line for releasing the fluid from the agitated pressure vessel; and a means for recovering a functionalized powder containing the second particles disposed onto surfaces of the first particles. A preferred fluid is carbon dioxide in liquefied or supercritical form. The carbon dioxide may be initially loaded into the pressure vessel as solid carbon dioxide. The pressure vessel may be batch or continuous and is operated under reaction conditions to functionalize the first particles with the second particles, thereby producing a functionalized powder, such as nanofunctionalized metal particles in which nanoparticles act as grain refiners for a component ultimately produced from the nanofunctionalized metal particles. Methods for making the functionalized powder are also disclosed.

A cleaning device for ponds (1) for interaction with at least one pond filter for removal of solids (2) from the pond (1) has a sediment swirling device (3) with a pump (11) which sucks in a swirling medium and discharges the latter through at least one ejector channel (4, 5) in the area of sedimented solids (2). The cleaning device is self-floating and is provided with a motion drive (14) and a location determination device for the purpose of directional control.

A system for performing a gas-liquid mass transfer includes a container bounding a compartment and having a top wall, a bottom wall, and an encircling sidewall extending therebetween. A tube has a first end and an opposing second end, the first end of the tube being disposed within the compartment of the container. A nozzle is disposed within the compartment of the container and has at least one outlet, the nozzle being coupled with the tube so that a gas can be passed through the tube and out the at least one outlet of the nozzle. The nozzle is sufficiently buoyant so that when a fluid is disposed within the compartment of the container, the nozzle floats on the fluid.

The present invention provides method for separating contaminants from a liquid mixture comprising the steps of a) providing a feed of said liquid mixture to be purified, b) adding a separation aid to the liquid mixture to be purified, wherein said separation aid is capable of binding said contaminants and c) supplying a flow of compressed air into said feed after step b) has been performed to provide a feed comprising air. The method further comprises steps d) removing air from said feed comprising air to provide a deaerated feed; and e) supplying said deaerated feed to a separator, and f) separating a phase comprising contaminants and said separation aid from said liquid mixture in said separator, wherein the separation aid added in step b) is insoluble in said liquid mixture at the separation conditions in step f). The present invention further provides a system for separating contaminants from a liquid mixture.

A sample introduction system provides mixing of a sample and a diluent within the container via gas injection. In one or more implementations, the sample introduction system causes a probe of an autosampler to be inserted into a container containing a sample and a diluent so that an end of the probe is submerged beneath a surface of the diluent and the sample. Gas is then injected through the probe to mix the sample and the diluent within the container. An aliquot of the mixed sample and diluent is then withdrawn through the probe.

A system for performing a gas-liquid mass transfer includes a container bounding a compartment and having a top wall, a bottom wall, and an encircling sidewall extending therebetween. A tube has a first end and an opposing second end, the first end of the tube being disposed within the compartment of the container. A nozzle is disposed within the compartment of the container and has at least one outlet, the nozzle being coupled with the tube so that a gas can be passed through the tube and out the at least one outlet of the nozzle. The nozzle is sufficiently buoyant so that when a fluid is disposed within the compartment of the container, the nozzle floats on the fluid.

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.