An apparatus (100) for mixing a liquid (160) containing particulates (106, 108) comprising: a vessel (102) for containing the liquid (160) with a sidewall (120) and bottom (124); an impeller (300) rotates about a substantially vertical axis (X-X), the impeller submerging below the liquid surface (162) by a distance approximately one-tenth to one-half of the liquid (129) height; at least two spaced apart blades (310) extending radially outwardly of the vertical axis, the blades including back-swept blades pitched substantially parallel to the vertical axis, at least 50% of the length of each blade comprising an angled section (312) extending through a chord angle of 20 to 60 degrees to produce: an inner, upward flow region (164) along said vertical axis, a transition flow region (166) around the impeller in which liquid moves radially outwardly toward the vessel sidewall, and an outer, downward flow region (168) along the sidewall.

A device for mixing powders by a cryogenic fluid, characterised in that it comprises: a chamber for mixing the powders, comprising a cryogenic fluid, provided with means for forming a fluidised powder bed; a chamber for supplying powders in order to allow the powders to be introduced into the mixing chamber; a chamber for supplying cryogenic fluid in order to allow the cryogenic fluid to be introduced into the mixing chamber; a system for generating vibrations in the fluidised powder bed; and a system for controlling the system for generating vibrations.

An analysis unit formed by an analysis body housing an analysis chamber and having a sample inlet and a supply channel configured to fluidically connect the sample inlet to the analysis chamber. Dried assay reagents are arranged in the analysis chamber and are contained in an alveolar mass. For instance, the alveolar mass is a lyophilized mass formed by excipients and by assay-specific reagents.

A method for devatting the grape harvest and a device for devatting a grape harvest via the pressurized injection of air or other gases in a controlled manner into self-emptying wine making vats or similar, for the purpose of emptying the grape harvest once the maceration thereof has been completed, after the homogenization of the mixture, transferring the liquid portion to another tank and the crushed grape pulp to the press, thereby obtaining a solid phase (pomace) as a waste product which can be used to produce associated products.

A catalyst loading system comprising: a vessel comprising at least one gas distribution nozzle at or near the bottom of the vessel, a top fluid distributor located at or near the top of the vessel, a catalyst inlet through which catalyst is introduced into the vessel, a first contact point at which catalyst introduced into the vessel first contacts the contents of the vessel, and a discharge outlet whereby catalyst exits the vessel. Methods of preparing catalyst slurry for introduction into a downstream reactor or in-situ activation within the vessel utilizing the catalyst loading system are also disclosed.

A method for testing a biological sample wherein the sample is divided into a plurality of sample portions, is fed to a sensor arrangement in a first conveying direction and is carried away in a second conveying direction which is opposite to the first conveying direction, and/or a sensor cover is lowered onto a sensor apparatus multiple times. Furthermore, a cartridge for testing a biological sample wherein different fluidic circuits can be formed by actuating valves in the cartridge, and the sample or another fluid can be conveyed in the fluidic circuits by means of a pump apparatus.

In a submerged membrane bioreactor (MBR or SMU), diffusers are used to eject air bubbles, primarily to facilitate the movement of mixed liquor past the membrane surfaces, cleaning and scouring the surfaces of the membranes with the mechanical energy of the combined air/liquid/solids movement. Oxygen transfer from the bubbles into the mixed liquor is often a secondary goal, for supplying oxygen to biological processes. The invention involves the use of a specific bubble diffuser, oriented at a selected upward angle, to enable a single style diffuser to accomplish simultaneous generation of mid-size and fine bubble aeration, with adjustment of the tilt angle varying the percentages of mid-size and fine bubble aeration. The angle selection, along with the number of diffusers and air volume selected, allows achievement of target liquid movement through the MBR.

A container system includes a collapsible bag having an interior surface at least partially bounding a chamber, the chamber being adapted to hold a fluid. A sparger is disposed within the chamber of the bag, the sparger bounding a compartment and having an inside edge that encircles an opening passing through the sparger. At least a portion of the sparger is gas permeable. A tubular member is coupled to the sparger and is in communication with the compartment. A shaft passes into the chamber of the bag and through the opening of the sparger. A mixing element is secured to the shaft and is disposed within the chamber of the bag.

A container system includes a bag comprised of one or more sheets of flexible polymeric material, the bag having an interior surface at least partially bounding a chamber, the chamber being adapted to hold a fluid. A flexible sparging sheet is secured to the interior surface of the bag so that a compartment is formed between the interior surface of the bag and the sparging sheet, at least a portion of the sparging sheet allowing gas to pass therethrough. A tubular port or tube is secured to the bag so that a passage bounded by the tubular port or tube communicates with the compartment. A mixing element is disposed within the chamber of the bag, the mixing element being spaced apart from the flexible sparging sheet.

Biomass feedstocks (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) are processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems are described that can convert feedstock materials to a sugar solution, which can then be fermented to produce ethanol. Biomass feedstock is saccharified in a vessel by operation of a jet mixer, the vessel also containing a fluid medium and a saccharifying agent.