Animal litter having up to a sixty percent reduction in bulk density can be produced by combining flat-shaped cellulosic materials and sodium bentonite clay. Not only is the resulting litter lighter, but it also maintains a high clump strength as compared to clay-based animal litters that contain greater than ninety percent by weight sodium bentonite clay.

A liquid processing mixer is provided, comprising a mixing unit and a de-aeration vessel, the mixing unit being separated from the de-aeration vessel and in fluid connection with the de-aeration vessel, and wherein the liquid processing mixer further comprises at least one additive inlet arranged between the de-aeration vessel and a high shear mixing device of the mixing unit for introducing the additive downstream of the de-aeration vessel.

Animal litter having up to a sixty percent reduction in bulk density can be produced by combining flat-shaped cellulosic materials and sodium bentonite clay. Not only is the resulting litter lighter, but it also maintains a high clump strength as compared to clay-based animal litters that contain greater than ninety percent by weight sodium bentonite clay.

The invention relates to a piston system (1) for use in a homogenizer, comprising a piston (2) that is configured and arranged to make a reciprocating movement in use of the piston system, a cylinder (3) that is configured and arranged to receive and guide at least a first part of the piston, a first supply channel (8) that is configured and arranged to supply a lubricating medium (9) to a portion (10) of the first part of the piston that in use is arranged inside the cylinder, and a second supply channel (13) that is configured and arranged to, in use, supply a cooling medium (14) to a second part of the piston outside the cylinder. Also disclosed is a process for the production of an elastomer agglomerate composition forcing a slurry comprising elastomeric particles through an aperture to obtain the elastomer agglomerate composition using the piston system.

The invention relates to a piston system (1) for use in a homogenizer, comprising a piston (2) that is configured and arranged to make a reciprocating movement in use of the piston system, a cylinder (3) that is configured and arranged to receive and guide at least a first part of the piston, a first supply channel (8) that is configured and arranged to supply a lubricating medium (9) to a portion (10) of the first part of the piston that in use is arranged inside the cylinder, and a second supply channel (13) that is configured and arranged to, in use, supply a cooling medium (14) to a second part of the piston outside the cylinder. Also disclosed is a process for the production of an elastomer agglomerate composition forcing a slurry comprising elastomeric particles through an aperture to obtain the elastomer agglomerate composition using the piston system.

Animal litter having up to a sixty percent reduction in bulk density can be produced by combining flat-shaped cellulosic materials and sodium bentonite clay. Not only is the resulting litter lighter, but it also maintains a high clump strength as compared to clay-based animal litters that contain greater than ninety percent by weight sodium bentonite clay.

A stirring-processing apparatus and a processing method are provided to realize excellent processing of a fluid regardless of the properties of the fluid. The stirring-processing apparatus is provided with the stirring blade and the stirring chamber provided with the screen, wherein the apparatus performs, under a state in which the stirring chamber is disposed in a fluid to be processed, a process of applying a shear force to the fluid by a relative rotation between the screen and the stirring blade. The stirring chamber is provided with the suction opening to suck the fluid from outside to inside and the ejecting opening to eject the fluid from inside to outside; these openings being disposed above and below. The suppressing body to control a flow of the fluid is disposed between the suction opening and the ejecting opening. The suppressing body is, for example, in the form of a cylinder, and is interposed between the suction flow and the ejecting flow, thereby suppressing interference between the two flows.

An improved method for the manufacture of an oil-in-water emulsion involves circulation of emulsion components between a first container and a second container via a homogenizer and/or via a microfluidization device. Usefully, all of the emulsion components from the first container are emptied before being returned.

An apparatus for manufacturing nanocomposite-ink, the apparatus comprising, a nanoparticle reservoir, an organic-matrix reservoir, a homogenizer, and a dispenser. The homogenizer combines the nanoparticles and the organic-matrix, dispersing the nanoparticles within the organic-matrix, thereby producing a nanocomposite-ink for dispensement by the dispenser.

An improved method for the manufacture of an oil-in-water emulsion involves circulation of emulsion components between a first container and a second container via a homogenizer and/or via a microfluidization device. Usefully, all of the emulsion components from the first container are emptied before being returned.