An apparatus and a method are for separating a plastic-based insulation material from a concrete-based constructional element, to which the insulation material is attached. The apparatus has at least one fluid-jetting device which is in fluid communication with a pressure-generating device to produce a fluid jet with a pressure sufficient to release the insulation material from the constructional element. The apparatus is configured to allow relative motion between the fluid-jetting device and the constructional element.

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 device and method for preparing a nano-fragmented product. A polysaccharide slurry is circulated in a polysaccharide supply path (3) via a chamber (2). Specifically, using a pump (8), the polysaccharide slurry in a tank (7) is circulated in a circulation path (9) which is formed using a vinyl hose, a rubber hose or the like. On the other hand, another slurry than the polysaccharide slurry is circulated through a second fluid medium supply path (4) as another circulation path via the chamber (2). Specifically, using a pump (11), the slurry other than the polysaccharide slurry in a tank (10) is caused to pass through a heat exchanger (12) and a plunger (13) and thereby circulate in the other circulation path. The slurry other than the polysaccharide slurry circulated in the second fluid medium supply path (4) is orifice-injected against the polysaccharide slurry circulated in the polysaccharide slurry supply path (3) and flowing through the chamber (2).

A jet milling mechanism includes an impeller with a plurality of rotating members mounted for rotation in a housing. Each rotating member has multiple negative pressure blades formed thereon for producing multiple negative pressure zones therebetween and multiple positive pressure blades formed thereon for producing multiple positive pressure zones between the positive pressure blades. The pressure blades define at least four grinding areas each distributed circumferentially about the rotating member. Each of the negative and positive pressure blades has a straight portion and an arcuate portion, and upon rotation of the impeller, the pressure blades divert material-containing air to flow into corresponding grinding areas sequentially in one direction by way of the negative pressure zone and in another direction by way of the positive pressure zone to define a two-phase flow. The jet milling mechanism is installed on a motor shaft of a jet mill.

Apparatus 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 apparatus includes a piston in a barrel for 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. There is an impact surface at the end of each section on which the flowing material impacts. The sections can be between a sleeve having sections of different diameters and a bobbin the outer surface of which is stepped to match the inner surface of the sleeve.

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.

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.

Various wear resistance designs may be applied to a reactor configured to facilitate chemical reactions, and/or comminution using shockwaves created in a supersonic gaseous vortex. The reactor may include a rigid chamber having a substantially circular cross-section. A first gas inlet may be configured to introduce a high-velocity gas stream into the chamber. A first replaceable wear part may be disposed in the chamber to absorb wear impact caused by the gas stream. In some implementations, the first replaceable wear part may be a cylindrical rod continuously fed into the chamber. In some implementations, the first replaceable wear part may be coated with, or composed of, a catalytic material, and/or may be electrically isolated from the rest of the reactor. In some implementations, a second gas inlet may be disposed to steer the gas stream to a desired area within the chamber to even out the wear impact.

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; 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.