The present disclosure provides a method for redistributing a flake material, in particular a two-dimensional nano flake material, into at least two flake size fractions, each of which having smaller flake size variance than the flake material. The method comprises providing a dispersion of the flake material in a liquid, wherein the flake material is not atomized in the liquid, arranging the dispersion in a container, percolating gas bubbles upwardly through the dispersion, for a time sufficient to allow the flake material to redistribute itself in the liquid with larger sized flakes higher up in the liquid and smaller sized flakes lower down in the liquid, and extracting at least one of the flake fractions from a limited vertical level of the container.

The present invention provides methods and devices for the rapid isolation of monocot plant embryos suitable for transformation or tissue culture. The invention includes mechanical devices for substantially isolating plant embryos for use as transformable explants. Media suitable for isolating plant embryos and methods for their preparation are also provided.

A separation system is disclosed for separating selected particles from a mixture of particles in a fluid. The system includes a froth flotation vessel into which in use the mixture of particles and fluid are subjected to an upward flow of an introduced gas to form a froth layer which rises above an interface formed between the froth layer and the mixture of particles and fluid, such that a quantity of the selected particles is conveyed out of the vessel by the froth layer to become a first product of the system. The vessel also has a first outlet arranged in use for receiving a flow of some of the mixture of particles and fluid from the vessel, an entry to the first outlet being located in a region proximate to, but below, the interface. The vessel also has a second outlet arranged in use for receiving a flow of some of the mixture of particles and fluid from a region of the vessel which is located below the first outlet. In use the first outlet receives a quantity of the selected particles which were not conveyed out of the vessel by the froth layer, and the second outlet receives a quantity of the selected particles in a first by-product of the system. The first by-product comprises a relatively higher percentage of solids compared to the flow of particles and fluid in the first outlet. The flow of the mixture of particles and fluid from the vessel via the first outlet passes to a classification device, which separates the flow into two or more fractions on the basis of their size or density or a combination of the two.

Disclosed herein is a flocculation basin inclusion ion type water treatment apparatus using dissolved air floatation which includes: a flocculation basin which forms flocs by mixing a coagulant inserted into feed water and grows up the flocs; a contact zone to which fine bubbles are induced through a nozzle disposed at a lower part; and a separation zone which removes the flocs when the fine bubbles are attached to the flocs and the flocs float on the surface of water, the flocculation basin inclusion type water treatment apparatus including: a fine bubble forming part configured to separate a portion of the feed water at an upstream side of the flocculation basin by piping, configured to form saturated water using the separated portion of the feed water and configured to supply the saturated water to the nozzle.

Disclosed herein is a flocculation basin inclusion ion type water treatment apparatus using dissolved air floatation which includes: a flocculation basin which forms flocs by mixing a coagulant inserted into feed water and grows up the flocs; a contact zone to which fine bubbles are induced through a nozzle disposed at a lower part; and a separation zone which removes the flocs when the fine bubbles are attached to the flocs and the flocs float on the surface of water, the flocculation basin inclusion type water treatment apparatus including: a fine bubble forming part configured to separate a portion of the feed water at an upstream side of the flocculation basin by piping, configured to form saturated water using the separated portion of the feed water and configured to supply the saturated water to the nozzle.

An apparatus (12) for treating water, in particular for removing surfactants from waste water, includes a vessel (14), defining an inlet (16) for receiving waste water containing air bubbles, and an outlet (20) for the exit of water, following treatment. Inside the vessel there is at least one tubular member (50) having a lower open end (52) into which the flow of waste water from the inlet may be directed in use. The tubular member (50) extends from the inlet towards a top of the vessel where an upper exit (54) from the tubular member is defined. In use, most un-aerated water entering the vessel through the inlet can exit the tubular member at the lower open end. Foam formed in the water by the air bubbles may travel up the tubular member to the upper exit, which is preferably located above the water level (60) in the vessel.

A device and method for cleaning contaminated solid-liquid mixtures by removing impurities and contaminants from an aqueous paper fiber suspension by flotation. Apparatus includes a first conduit (2) for a liquid, a second conduit (3) for a solid-liquid mixture, a third conduit (4) connecting first and second conduit (2, 3), a Venturi mixing element (5) with cones (7, 11), having small through-opening into chamber (9) which forms a cavity with small through-opening (12, 13) of the cones; the through-opening of first cone (7) connected with first conduit (2) and the rough-opening connected to second conduit (2), the small through-opening (12) of first cone (7) and the non-conical conduit sections arranged in longitudinal axial alignment, a fourth conduit (6) for conveying gas, wherein the fourth conduit (6) opens to the Venturi mixing element (5), and a fractionator arranged downstream of the second conduit (3) for removing the foam produced by flotation.

The methods and systems provide for the improvement in the separation of different portions of solids particles, such as bacteria, from a process stream. The methods use gas and control of fluid flow within a tank zone to provide for separation that is more selective.

The methods and systems provide for the improvement in the separation of different portions of solids particles, such as bacteria, from a process stream. The methods use gas and control of fluid flow within a tank zone to provide for separation that is more selective.

The present invention comprises a process and apparatus for separation of hydrocarbons from hydrocarbon-containing produced water, wherein in stage 1 the hydrocarbon-containing produced water is supplied with a gas-containing component, whereupon a gas- and hydrocarbon-containing produced water mixture is fed to an inlet tube (22, 27) in the center of a tank, whereupon the said mixture is tangentially distributed via at least one nozzle (7) and at least one baffle plate (8.1), whereupon separated hydrocarbons are conveyed to at least one outlet from the tank and cleaned water is conveyed to an outlet (12) from the tank.