A biological fluid sample analysis cartridge is provided. The cartridge includes a housing, a fluid module, and an analysis chamber. The fluid module includes a sample acquisition port and an initial channel, and is connected to the housing. The initial channel is sized to draw fluid sample by capillary force, and is in fluid communication with the acquisition port. The initial channel is fixedly positioned relative to the acquisition port such that at least a portion of a fluid sample disposed within the acquisition port will draw into the initial channel. The analysis chamber is connected to the housing, and is in fluid communication with the initial channel.

A process for extracting carbohydrates from biomass and creating bioalcohol from the extracted carbohydrates. Subjecting the biomass to acid or alkali hydrolysis in a first hydrodynamic cavitation process. Filtering the first cavitated biomass to separate a first filtrate containing extracted carbohydrates. Fermenting the first filtrate to create a bioalcohol and separating the bioalcohol by distillation or similar process. Subjecting the biomass to enzymatic hydrolysis in a second hydrodynamic cavitation process. Filtering the second cavitated biomass to separate a second filtrate containing extracted carbohydrates. Fermenting the second filtrate to create a bioalcohol and separating the bioalcohol by distillation or similar process. The first and second filtrates may be combined and fermented in a single step.

A method of entraining gas in a flowable food product comprising the steps of accelerating the flowable food product in a flow direction through a flow channel that includes a ramp. Gas is injected into the flowable food product transverse to the flow direction through a porous surface or plate while the food product traverses the ramp to generate a froth. An apparatus for entraining gas in a food product, comprises a source of flowable food product and a food product pump to accelerate the food product through a flow channel. A ramp is disposed in the flow channel as well as a porous surface forming a wall of the flow channel opposite the ramp. A source of gas is in communication with the porous surface, wherein gas is entrained in the food product as it passes by the ramp and the porous surface.

A biological fluid sample analysis cartridge is provided. The cartridge includes a housing, a fluid module, and an analysis chamber. The fluid module includes a sample acquisition port and an initial channel, and is connected to the housing. The initial channel is sized to draw fluid sample by capillary force, and is in fluid communication with the acquisition port. The initial channel is fixedly positioned relative to the acquisition port such that at least a portion of a fluid sample disposed within the acquisition port will draw into the initial channel. The analysis chamber is connected to the housing, and is in fluid communication with the initial channel.

A system and method for introducing a slurry mixture for making gypsum board is disclosed. The system includes, for example, a mixer, a foam injector, and a canister for mixing and moving a slurry mixture of foam and gypsum slurry. Also included in the system is an apparatus having a funnel body constructed and arranged to further mix the slurry mixture. The funnel body includes a number of baffles projecting from its inner wall towards a center and that are spaced around the inner wall. The baffles induce turbulence into the slurry mixture as the slurry mixture moves towards its outlet, thus further mixing the mixture and reducing the flow rate of the slurry mixture before its exits from the outlet for forming the gypsum board.

A dissolution device comprising a tubular body comprising an inlet, an outlet and a side duct, said tubular body further comprising a first chamber fluidly connected to the side duct, and a second chamber fluidly connected to said first chamber through a chamber junction conduit; and a central body comprising an inlet portion and an outlet portion, said central body being located within the tubular body and attached to said tubular body; wherein the tubular body and the central body define a passage therebetween through which fluid can flow, wherein the first chamber is further fluidly connected to the passage through a first inner conduit and to an exterior of the tubular body through the side duct, and the second chamber is fluidly connected to the passage through a second inner conduit, and wherein the dissolution device comprises two gas dissolution zones. A dissolution system comprising said the dissolution device and a stabilizer tank fluidly connected to the dissolution device.

Multiphase mixing systems and methods for creating homogenous mixtures of solid and liquid components. A system includes an inlet pump tube configured to be disposed within a mixing vessel. The system includes a pump in fluid communication with the inlet pump tube, wherein the pump extracts a solution from the mixing vessel when the inlet pump tube is disposed within the mixing vessel. The system includes a three-way valve in fluid communication with the pump. The system includes a differential pressure outlet configured to be disposed within the mixing vessel, wherein the differential pressure outlet is in fluid communication with the pump and the three-way valve. The system is such that the extracted solution is processed through the pump and ejected into the mixing vessel through the differential pressure outlet.

A mixer for fluid is described. The mixer comprises a housing. The housing comprises an inlet and an outlet, wherein the housing further comprises first and second portions, the first portion being of a substantially cylindrical internal shape of constant radius R.sub.1, and the second portion being of a substantially conical frustum internal shape of varying radius between R.sub.1 and R.sub.2, wherein R.sub.1<R.sub.2. A spindle is rigidly fixed within the housing, and comprises first and second portions, the first portion being of a substantially conical frustum shape of varying radius between r.sub.1 and r.sub.2, where r.sub.1<r.sub.2, and the second portion being of a substantially cylindrical shape of radius r.sub.2. At least part the first portion of the spindle is housed within the first portion of the housing, and at least part of the second portion of the spindle is housed within the second portion of the housing.