A dispensing system (2000), includes a container (900) containing a flowable base formulation (910) to be dispensed, an additive mixing device (2004), and an actuable pump engine (2002) which draws the flowable base formulation from the container and pumps it through the mixing device. The additive mixing device includes a body (2022) with an internal cavity (2052), an additive ingredient (2054) within the cavity, and a flow path/mixing chamber (2058) between an input and an output. With each pump of the device (2004) the additive ingredient is introduced into, and mixed with, a flow of the base formulation traveling through the mixing device. Multiple additive mixing devices (2004) may be interchangeable for different formulations, and the mixing devices may be refillable.

A method of reducing the pressure of a liquid includes the steps of providing a conduit containing a packing material, such that a large number of small passages are formed in the packing material, and passing the liquid through the conduit and the packing material. The amount of packing material through which the liquid flows can be varied to vary the pressure drop experienced by the liquid passing through the packing material. The reduction in pressure achieved may be stepwise (discrete) or continuous. The method may be used to reduce the pressure of an aqueous polymer solution for use in a polymer flood technique for oil extraction, and allows the pressure to be reduced without damage to the polymer.

A dispensing system includes a container containing a flowable base formulation to be dispensed, an additive mixing device, and an actuable pump engine which draws the flowable base formulation from the container and pumps it through the mixing device. The additive mixing device includes a body with an internal cavity, an additive ingredient within the cavity, and a flow path/mixing chamber between an input and an output. With each pump of the device the additive ingredient is introduced into, and mixed with, a flow of the base formulation traveling through the mixing device. Multiple additive mixing devices may be interchangeable for different formulations, and the mixing devices may be refillable.

The invention relates to a self-setting porous cement foam (2) comprising a protein foam as the structuring agent, the cement foam (2) having pores when set, and the cement foam has a water absorption coefficient of between 0.5 and 7 kg/(m.sup.2.Math.h0.5).

Ancillary embodiments and modifications to a homogenizer unit (“PPH”), and methods of use directed to purification of biogas or other raw methane streams. The apparatus includes a homogenizer body, one or more stream inlets (for the raw methane), one or more chilled water inlets, a mixing zone where the water stream is commingled with the raw methane stream, and a venturi immediately downstream from the mixing zone such that the commingled streams are pulled into the venturi resulting in homogenization. The PPH components are insulated to maintain the chilled water of the various streams at a cooled, below ambient temperature, increasing dissolution of the contaminant gases into the chilled water, and producing a purified methane stream including little or no H.sub.2S and CO.sub.2.

A dispensing system includes a container containing a flowable base formulation to be dispensed, an additive mixing device, and an actuable pump engine which draws the flowable base formulation from the container and pumps it through the mixing device. The additive mixing device includes a body with an internal cavity, an additive ingredient within the cavity, and a flow path/mixing chamber between an input and an output. With each pump of the device the additive ingredient is introduced into, and mixed with, a flow of the base formulation traveling through the mixing device. Multiple additive mixing devices may be interchangeable for different formulations, and the mixing devices may be refillable.

A dispensing system includes a container containing a flowable base formulation to be dispensed, an additive mixing device, and an actuable pump engine which draws the flowable base formulation from the container and pumps it through the mixing device. The additive mixing device includes a body with an internal cavity, an additive ingredient within the cavity, and a flow path/mixing chamber between an input and an output. With each pump of the device the additive ingredient is introduced into, and mixed with, a flow of the base formulation traveling through the mixing device. Multiple additive mixing devices may be interchangeable for different formulations, and the mixing devices may be refillable.

A method of reducing the pressure of a liquid includes the steps of providing a conduit containing a packing material, such that a large number of small passages are formed in the packing material, and passing the liquid through the conduit and the packing material. The amount of packing material through which the liquid flows can be varied to vary the pressure drop experienced by the liquid passing through the packing material. The reduction in pressure achieved may be stepwise (discrete) or continuous. The method may be used to reduce the pressure of an aqueous polymer solution for use in a polymer flood technique for oil extraction, and allows the pressure to be reduced without damage to the polymer.

A dispensing system (2000), includes a container (900) containing a flowable base formulation (910) to be dispensed, an additive mixing device (2004), and an actuable pump engine (2002) which draws the flowable base formulation from the container and pumps it through the mixing device. The additive mixing device includes a body (2022) with an internal cavity (2052), an additive ingredient (2054) within the cavity, and a flow path/mixing chamber (2058) between an input and an output. With each pump of the device (2004) the additive ingredient is introduced into, and mixed with, a flow of the base formulation traveling through the mixing device. Multiple additive mixing devices (2004) may be interchangeable for different formulations, and the mixing devices may be refillable.

A tower packing element (100), a tower packing (300), a packing tower, and a mixer including the tower packing element (100) are provided. The tower packing element (100) are manufactured by a deformed plate and includes a plurality of strip assemblies (10) arranged along a longitudinal direction of the tower packing element (100) and a connecting plate portion (20) connected between adjacent strip assemblies (10). Each of the strip assemblies (10) defines a central passage (30) therein, and the central passage (30) is extended in a lateral direction of the tower packing element (100). The connecting plate portion (20) is extended along the lateral direction of the tower packing element (100). The adjacent strip assemblies (10) and the connecting plate portion (20) connected therebetween define a side passage (40) parallel to the central passage (30).