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 carbonator for carbonating a beverage in a beverage container. The carbonator comprises a carbonating head with a dissolver nozzle for introducing carbonating medium into the beverage container, a support part for movably supporting the carbonating head between a vertically highest position and a vertically lowest position, a locking mechanism operable between an unlocked state and a locked state in which the carbonating head is retained in the vertically lowest position and a base part connected to the support part and comprising a beverage container stand for the beverage container. The locking mechanism comprises a first locking member arranged on the carbonating head and a second locking member arranged on the base part. A method of carbonating a beverage is also described.

A slurry injection system includes low and high pressure clear fluid manifolds. Low pressure clear fluid is pressurized and communicated to high pressure manifold. A blender unit communicates slurry through a sensor system that generates a flow rate signal and a density signal of the low pressure slurry. The slurry pressurizer is in fluid communication with the high pressure clear fluid manifold through a bypass pump, a mixer, the blender unit and the low pressure clear fluid manifold. The slurry pressurizer forms high pressure slurry that is communicated to the mixer and communicates fluid to the low pressure clear fluid manifold. The mixer mixes the high pressure slurry and high pressure clear fluid from the high pressure clear fluid manifold to form a mixture that is communicated to a slurry injection site. A controller controls the bypass pump using the flow rate and density to control a density of slurry.

A slurry injection system includes low and high pressure clear fluid manifolds. Low pressure clear fluid is pressurized and communicated to high pressure manifold. A blender unit communicates slurry through a sensor system that generates a flow rate signal and a density signal of the low pressure slurry. The slurry pressurizer is in fluid communication with the high pressure clear fluid manifold through a bypass pump, a mixer, the blender unit and the low pressure clear fluid manifold. The slurry pressurizer forms high pressure slurry that is communicated to the mixer and communicates fluid to the low pressure clear fluid manifold. The mixer mixes the high pressure slurry and high pressure clear fluid from the high pressure clear fluid manifold to form a mixture that is communicated to a slurry injection site. A controller controls the bypass pump using the flow rate and density to control a density of slurry.

A beverage containment, carbonation and serving system and method whereby the system is limited dimensionally to be placed and used inside of and fit within a standard shelving space of a conventional refrigerator. The beverage containment, carbonation and serving system and method comprises a horizontally positioned vessel, a vessel base, gas inlet and liquid outlet ports, a liquid dip tube extending from the outlet port of the vessel to the intersecting point of the vessel bottom and the opposite vessel end, an integral faucet with a vertically low-profile activation handle and an interlocking removable drip tray at one end of the vessel for liquid serving purposes.

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.

Bone cement applicators and methods for application of a bone cement dough, the applicators and methods comprise a tubular cartridge with an internal space, a dispensing plunger for expelling the starting components through an opening of the cartridge opposite from the dispensing plunger, wherein the dispensing plunger is mobile in longitudinal direction in the internal space of the cartridge. The applicators and methods further comprise a hose, an application opening, a three-way valve operable from outside and arranged or arrangeable in the hose or on a side of the hose facing the cartridge, and a collecting container arranged on the three-way valve. The three-way valve is designed and arranged or arrangeable in the applicator such that it, being in a first position, provides a fluid connection between the application opening and the opening of the cartridge and closes a feed-through 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 cartridge.

A chemical injection system for connection to a chemical tank and a process line includes a pump box configured to attach to the tank, the pump box including a body defining an interior, a pump assembly disposed within the interior of the body of the pump box, and an injection assembly configured to be fluidly coupled to the pump box. The injection assembly includes an injection lance having a flange and a stem, a first seal abutting a first side of the flange of the injection lance, and a second seal abutting a second side of the flange of the injection lance.

A beverage containment, carbonation and serving system and method whereby the system is limited dimensionally to be placed and used inside of and fit within a standard shelving space of a conventional refrigerator. The beverage containment, carbonation and serving system and method comprises a horizontally positioned vessel, a vessel base, gas inlet and liquid outlet ports, a liquid dip tube extending from the outlet port of the vessel to the intersecting point of the vessel bottom and the opposite vessel end, an integral faucet with a vertically low-profile activation handle and an interlocking removable drip tray at one end of the vessel for liquid serving purposes.

A mixing system includes an eductor, a supply connection connected to a reservoir for a primary fluid, a discharge connection, a storage container for a secondary substance, a centrifugal pump to convey the primary fluid through the supply connection, and a controller to control the centrifugal pump. The eductor includes a primary inlet for the primary fluid, a secondary inlet for the secondary substance, an outlet for a mixed fluid, and a suction chamber to suck the secondary substance, the primary inlet connected to the supply connection so that the primary fluid can flow from the reservoir into the eductor and the outlet connected to the discharge connection so that the mixed fluid can be discharged from the eductor. The secondary inlet is at the suction chamber and connected to the storage container. A closing device is between the suction chamber and the storage container.