The present invention provides an apparatus for the production of Graphene and similar atomic scale laminar materials by the delamination of a bulk laminar material, such as graphite. This apparatus provides prolonged head life and avoids catastrophic head wear in an isolated region. Overall product quality over time is better maintained. Also, the benefit of a self-unblocking delamination apparatus can be achieved whilst maintaining high product quality and consistency. Relatively small variation in gap size being sufficient to avoid blockage, such as occurs by the aggregation of large particles or groups of particles in the high shear gap used for delamination.

A method for algae disruption includes: a thermal treatment of microalgae belonging to Heterokontophyta at a pH of 3.5 or more and 9.5 or less and a temperature of 40° C. or more and 65° C. or less; and a physical treatment of the microalgae using a high pressure dispersion apparatus, the physical treatment following the thermal treatment.

An apparatus for production of Graphene and similar atomic scale laminar materials by the delamination of a bulk laminar material, such as graphite; comprising: a pump for pumping a fluid being a suspension of solid particles of the bulk laminar material, at a pressure of greater than 1 MPa, along a fluid conduit and against; an impact head having an impact face substantially perpendicular to the trajectory of incoming fluid to form a narrow variable gap. Variation is mediated by pneumatic pressure directly or indirectly in opposition to the force applied to the impact head along the principle axis by, in use, the pressure applied by the fluid. This provides a self-unblocking delamination apparatus maintaining high product quality and consistency. Relatively small variation in gap size being sufficient to avoid blockage, such as occurs by aggregation of large particles or groups of particles in the high shear gap used for delamination.

An apparatus and process mechanically remove hydrocarbons and other contaminants from solids through high energy slurry impact with a stationary plate or through high energy slurry impact of two or more slurry streams. In addition to the mechanical process, a gas additive, such as CO.sub.2, in solid, liquid or gas form, can be introduced into the slurry stream. The presence of gas additive can aid in the liberation of the contaminant. The process can increase efficiencies, reduce costs and improve thoroughness of contaminate cleaning in conjunction with aqueous pressure and sheer energy.

Method for processing organic material is disclosed which breaks down the inedible components of fruit and vegetables (core, skin, pips, pithy material) into an edible substance with a cream-like consistency. The method includes pressurizing the material and forcing it through a passage having a number of end-to-end sections which are at right angles to one another. The material as it emerges from each section impacts on the impact surface at the end of each section and changes direction and flows into the next section of the series.

A comminution system for heterogeneous materials includes pumps, a source of liquid in fluid communication with the pumps, a source of heterogeneous material, a mixer to combine the heterogeneous material and the liquid, and nozzles in fluid communication with the pumps, respectively. The pumps are in straight-line alignment with the nozzles. The nozzles receiving the heterogeneous material combined with the liquid direct the combined slurry to an impact zone where the fractions of the heterogeneous material are disassociated.

The present invention provides an apparatus for the production of Graphene and similar atomic scale laminar materials by the delamination of a bulk laminar material, such as graphite; the apparatus comprising: a pump (112) for pumping a fluid, the fluid being a suspension of solid particles of the bulk laminar material, at a pressure of greater than 1 MPa, along a fluid conduit (12) and against; an impact head (16) having an impact face perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the trajectory of the incoming fluid, so as to form a narrow and variable gap (20) and wherein that variation is mediated by means of a pneumatic pressure directly or indirectly in opposition to the force applied to the impact head along the principle axis by, in use, the pressure applied by the pumped fluid. This apparatus provides a self-unblocking delamination apparatus whilst maintaining high product quality and consistency. Relatively small variation in gap size being sufficient to avoid blockage, such as occurs by the aggregation of large particles or groups of particles in the high shear gap used for delamination.

The present invention provides an apparatus for the production of Graphene and similar atomic scale laminar materials by the delamination of a bulk laminar material, such as graphite. This apparatus provides prolonged head life and avoids catastrophic head wear in an isolated region. Overall product quality over time is better maintained. Also, the benefit of a self-unblocking delamination apparatus can be achieved whilst maintaining high product quality and consistency. Relatively small variation in gap size being sufficient to avoid blockage, such as occurs by the aggregation of large particles or groups of particles in the high shear gap used for delamination.

A system and method for dry ablation beneficiation of ore. The system comprises a nozzle to emit an air stream, and a feeder to provide ore particles for entraining in the air stream and colliding. The ore comprises gangue grains bound together with a cementing material. The cementing material comprises a desired material. The collisions are controlled to help preferentially break the cementing material over breaking the bonds holding a gangue grain together. The system also comprises a classifier to separate broken cementing material from the remaining material (which includes gangue grains) based on size. The method comprises entraining the ore particles in an air stream and colliding to preferentially break the cementing material. The ore particles may be collided with each other or a surface. The broken cementing materials are then separated from the remaining materials (which includes gangue grains). The enriched ore is the separated cementing material.

The present invention provides an apparatus for the production of Graphene and similar atomic scale laminar materials by the delamination of a bulk laminar material, such as graphite; the apparatus comprising a pump (112) for pumping a fluid, the fluid being a suspension of solid particles of the bulk laminar material, at a pressure of greater than 1 MPa, along a fluid conduit (12) and against an impact head (16) having an impact face perpendicular or substantially perpendicular to the trajectory of the incoming fluid, being the principal axis relative to the proximal end of the conduit (24) so as to form a narrow and variable gap (20) and where in the impact head is symmetric about a longitudinal axis which is in line with the principal axis and such that the symmetry allows rotation of the head. This apparatus provides prolonged head life and avoids catastrophic head wear in an isolated region. Overall product quality over time is better maintained. Also, the benefit of a self-unblocking delamination apparatus can be achieved whilst maintaining high product quality and consistency. Relatively small variation in gap size being sufficient to avoid blockage, such as occurs by the aggregation of large particles or groups of particles in the high shear gap used for delamination.