Ultrafine bubbles with a diameter of less than 1.0 m are generated in liquid by causing film boiling in liquid by means of a heater.

A co-precipitation reactor for manufacturing a positive electrode active material precursor for a secondary battery, the co-precipitation reactor including a reaction chamber having a plurality of suppliers configured to direct a reaction material and a pH adjusting material into the reaction chamber, a stirrer configured to be disposed in the reaction chamber, a drive motor configured to rotate the stirrer, a stirring shaft configured to receive power from the drive motor and rotate the stirrer, a first heater configured to heat an outside of the reaction chamber to heat the reaction material and the pH adjusting material, and a second heater configured to heat an inside of the reaction chamber to heat the reaction material and the pH adjusting material.

A heating and stirring device is described herein that comprises a base configured to removably attach to one of a beverage container and a beverage container lid, the base containing a power supply, a controller, and a motor, and an agitator having a body and a length with a first end portion configured to be supported by the base, and a second end portion, wherein the first terminal end is configured to be outside of the beverage container and the second end portion is configured to be inside of the beverage container. Corresponding systems and methods also are disclosed.

A heating and stirring device is described herein that comprises a base configured to removably attach to one of a beverage container and a beverage container lid, the base containing a power supply, a controller, and a motor, and an agitator having a body and a length with a first end portion configured to be supported by the base, and a second end portion, wherein the first terminal end is configured to be outside of the beverage container and the second end portion is configured to be inside of the beverage container. Corresponding systems and methods also are disclosed.

According to one aspect, a method of producing a product having mixed constituents comprises the step of providing a mixing apparatus including a main housing having an inlet and an outlet opposite the inlet wherein the outlet is disposed at a lower portion of the main housing, a mixing drum disposed in the main housing wherein the mixing drum includes an opening that is movable between a first position aligned with the inlet and a second position aligned with the outlet, and an agitator disposed inside the mixing drum. The method further includes the step of providing first and second materials, positioning the mixing drum at the first position, and introducing the first and second materials into the mixing drum through the aligned opening and inlet. Still further, the method includes the steps of operating the agitator to mix the first and second materials to produce a human-edible product, moving the mixing drum to the second position, and removing the human-edible product from the mixing drum through the aligned opening and outlet. A mixing apparatus is also disclosed.

A production plant for processing a suspension and a method for dispersing suspensions. The production plant comprises an extractor or a planetary roller mixer (1), a conveying device and a metering device. The planetary roller mixer (1) comprises at least one central spindle (2) with a toothing (3), at least one planetary spindle (4) with a toothing (5) and a housing (6) with an inner toothing (7) or a housing comprising at least one bushing (8) with an inner toothing (7). The planetary roller mixer (1) further comprises at least one product inlet (9) and at least one product outlet (10). During normal operation, the product outlet (10) is above the product inlet (9) and/or comprises an overflow (14) in the product discharge line (13) provided at the product outlet (10) so that the processing zone of the planetary roller mixer (1) can be substantially completely filled with the suspension.

High thermal transfer, hollow core extrusion screws (50, 52, 124, 126, 190) include elongated hollow core shafts (54, 128, 130, 192) equipped with helical fighting (56, 132, 134, 194) along the lengths thereof. The fighting (132, 134, 194) may also be of hollow construction which communicates with the hollow core shafts (54, 128, 130, 192). Structure (88, 90) is provided for delivery of heat exchange media (e.g., steam) into the hollow core shafts (54, 128, 130, 192) and the hollow fighting (132, 134, 194). The fighting (56, 132, 134, 194) also includes a forward, reverse pitch section (64, 162, 216). The extrusion screws (50, 52, 124, 126, 190) are designed to be used as complemental pairs as a part of twin screw processing devices (20), and are designed to impart high levels of thermal energy into materials being processed in the devices (20), without adding additional moisture.

High thermal transfer, hollow core extrusion screws (50, 52, 124, 126, 190) include elongated hollow core shafts (54, 128, 130, 192) equipped with helical fighting (56, 132, 134, 194) along the lengths thereof. The fighting (132, 134, 194) may also be of hollow construction which communicates with the hollow core shafts (54, 128, 130, 192). Structure (88, 90) is provided for delivery of heat exchange media (e.g., steam) into the hollow core shafts (54, 128, 130, 192) and the hollow fighting (132, 134, 194). The fighting (56, 132, 134, 194) also includes a forward, reverse pitch section (64, 162, 216). The extrusion screws (50, 52, 124, 126, 190) are designed to be used as complemental pairs as a part of twin screw processing devices (20), and are designed to impart high levels of thermal energy into materials being processed in the devices (20), without adding additional moisture.

Apparatus and methods for food production including a food preconditioner (228) operable to heat and partially pre-cook food ingredients, and a twin screw extruder (20) operable to further cook the preconditioned ingredients to create final food products. The extruder (20) includes a pair of hollow core extrusion screws (50, 52, 124, 126, 190) having elongated hollow core shafts (54, 128, 130, 192) equipped with helical fighting (56, 132, 134, 194) along the lengths thereof. The fighting (132, 134, 194) is also of hollow construction which communicates with the hollow core shafts (54, 128, 130, 192). The flighting (56, 132, 134, 194) also includes forward, reverse pitch sections (64, 162, 216). The extrusion screws (50, 52, 124, 126, 190) are designed to impart high levels of thermal energy into materials being processed in the extruders (20), without adding additional moisture.

A capsule for mixing multiple substances, comprising: a main chamber having a main chamber bottom and a main chamber top opening; at least two repository tubular chambers, each: adapted to contain substance, mechanically connected to the main chamber and having a repository tubular chamber top opening; at least two passages, each fluidly connecting one of the at least two repository tubular chambers to the main chamber; a main piston fitted in the main chamber; and a mixer rod having a mixer element disposed at a distal end and a torque adapter disposed at a proximal end for transferring a torque to the mixer element, the mixer rod is fitted to pass along the main piston such that the mixer element is mounted in the main chamber between the main chamber bottom and a distal end of the main piston when the main piston is in the outward position.