A substantially continuous stream of aqueous fluid and a substantially continuous stream of gel having a first concentration are combined to form a substantially continuous stream of gel having a second concentration. The second concentration is substantially lower than the first concentration. The gel having the second concentration may thereafter be utilized in conjunction with a well fracturing operation.

Provision of a manufacturing apparatus that can perform steps including a kneading step to a granulating step in one apparatus, can achieve a reduced size of the apparatus as a whole, and can reduce the variation in the diameter of kneaded granules. A manufacturing apparatus comprises: a kneading section feeding a kneaded material to a downstream side in the carrying direction while kneading a raw material; a granulating section performing granulation from the kneaded material generated in the kneading section.

The present disclosure provides a cell separation apparatus for a bioreactor, which comprises: a cell separation component, which is arranged in a tank and immersed below the liquid level of the mixture and includes a filter membrane and a liquid guiding groove; and a tangential flow driving component, which includes one or more blades. The cell separation apparatus implements a low shear force and the filter membrane is not blocked easily. The present disclosure also provides a stirring system including a central shaft and a multi-layer paddle component. The multi-layer paddle component includes an upper paddle component, an intermediate paddle component and a bottom paddle component arranged around the central shaft.

A system for applying a building material, including: a first component of the building material, including a first constituent and a second constituent; a second component of the building material; a first mixer for mixing the first constituent and the second constituent; a supply device for supplying the first constituent to the mixer; a movement device for modifying a site of application in a space; and a second mixer for mixing the first component and the second component.

A melting kettle for processing of thermoplastic material. The kettle disclosed herein obtains heat transfer by use of an oil jacketed tank with an adjoining main tank for storage of hot oil and a hose tank for recovery of the hot oil. Oil expelled from the oil jacket is directed to the main tank through an opening. Spillage of oil from the hose tank is directed to the main tank through an aperture. The melting kettle reduces the space needed for oil storage, and increases operator safety by eliminating additional transfer lines. Dual kettles benefit by having the adjoining main tank placed therebetween.

A melting kettle for processing of thermoplastic material. The kettle disclosed herein obtains heat transfer by use of an oil jacketed tank with an adjoining main tank for storage of hot oil and a hose tank for recovery of the hot oil. Oil expelled from the oil jacket is directed to the main tank through an opening. Spillage of oil from the hose tank is directed to the main tank through an aperture. The melting kettle reduces the space needed for oil storage, and increases operator safety by eliminating additional transfer lines. Dual kettles benefit by having the adjoining main tank placed therebetween.

An agitator includes a central shaft, a radially spaced array of vanes and a shroud encircling the central shaft so as to intersect the vanes perpendicular to the vanes' depth and along their length, thus defining an inner passageway between the shroud and the central shaft and an outer passageway between the vanes, radially extending outwardly of the shroud.

Apparatus and methods for a mixing device are presented. The mixing device comprises a shaft and a plurality of blades attached to the shaft. The blades include a variable pitch angle configured to create axial fluid flow and radial fluid flow within a container. The apparatus includes a hub and a cage located at ends of the apparatus. The cage includes an open end configured to mate with a structure attached to the container. In further examples of the apparatus, the upper blade is configured to create axial flow in a substantially downward direction. The lower blade is configured to create axial flow in a substantially upward direction. The lower blade can create an axial flow that encounters the upper blade. A method includes locating a mixing apparatus within the container, inserting fluid within the container, rotating the mixing apparatus, and mixing the fluid.

A fluid transfer assembly for single use bioreactors includes a fluid transfer housing that can be mounted to the impeller shaft using a bearing that places the fluid transfer assembly directly below the lowest impeller but allows the impeller shaft to spin inside independently of the fluid transfer assembly. A fluid conduit connects the fluid transfer housing to a port in the single use bag wall which allows fluids to be introduced into the sparger and which also helps prevent the fluid transfer assembly from rotating with the impeller shaft.

A filling apparatus comprises a filling material reservoir and a filling chamber that is connected to the filling material reservoir with a filling opening configured to dispense filling material into cavities in the rotary press. A first rotatably driven stirrer blade wheel with one or more stirrer blades and a second rotatably driven stirrer blade wheel with one or more stirrer blades are arranged in the filling chamber. The first rotatably driven stirrer blade wheel has at least one of a different geometry, a different direction of rotation, or a different rotary speed, than the second rotatably driven stirrer blade wheel.