Described is a macerator and process for using the macerator to reduce the particle size of a particulate containing slurry that is introduced to the macerator. The macerator comprises a housing that defines a chamber an inlet and an outlet, the inlet configured to receive a flow of slurry, two or more elongate concentric bodies located within the chamber to define a gap between the surface of the outer body and the inner surface of the housing, the bodies having a first end and a second end, at least one of the bodies rotatable about an axis, and each body comprising a plurality of apertures to define a flow path through each body, from the housing inlet to the housing outlet, a baffle or baffles that extend substantially the width of the gap from the first end to the second end of the bodies to define a first portion that contains the inlet, and a second portion that contains the outlet, and wherein the baffle or baffles substantially inhibit passage of slurry between the two portions via the gap such that the slurry is directed through the body apertures, a motor to drive the rotating body or bodies, one or more injectors that inject liquid into the gap, wherein at least one of the injectors is located in the first portion. The particle size of the outlet slurry is less than the particle size of the inlet slurry.

A method for separating composite materials and mixtures, in particular solid-material mixtures and slags, and to a device for carrying out said method. The method for separating composite materials and mixtures comprises the step of transporting the composite material or the mixture through a separating device. The composite material to be separated or the mixture to be separated is excited by mechanical impulses as it passes through the separating device and is thereby separated. The device (1) for carrying out the method comprises a drive unit (21) for driving a rotor element (32), which is connected to a bearing/shaft unit (22) and which is part of a rotor unit (31). The rotor element itself has at least one rotor tool (33) and each rotor tool has at least one rotor tool component (34) and is surrounded by a stator element (42), which is part of a stator unit (41). The stator element itself has at least one stator tool (43) and each stator tool has at least one stator tool component (44). The rotor element and the stator element are substantially cylindrical.

The invention relates to macerator for processing a slurry, the macerator comprising an inlet configured to receive a flow of inlet slurry comprising particles having an average particle size of less than 20 mm, an outlet, two or more bodies that rotate relative to each other, each body comprising a plurality of apertures to define a flow path through each body, wherein the slurry traverses the flow path from the macerator inlet to the macerator outlet via the at least one aperture of each body to produce an outlet slurry.

Provided is a method of processing a plastic, the method comprising introducing a plastic slurry having particles with a particle size of less than 20 mm into a macerator, the macerator comprising an inlet configured to receive a flow of plastic slurry, an outlet, three or more concentric bodies that rotate relative to each other, each body comprising a plurality of apertures to define a flow path through each body, wherein the plastic slurry traverses the flow path from the inlet to the outlet via the at least one aperture of each body to produce an outlet plastic slurry. Also provided are systems for processing plastic, comprising the macerator. Also provided are methods of manufacturing a composite wood product that comprises plastic particles.

The invention relates to macerator for processing a slurry, the macerator comprising an inlet configured to receive a flow of inlet slurry comprising particles having an average particle size of less than 20 mm, an outlet, two or more bodies that rotate relative to each other, each body comprising a plurality of apertures to define a flow path through each body, wherein the slurry traverses the flow path from the macerator inlet to the macerator outlet via the at least one aperture of each body to produce an outlet slurry.

In this method of producing recycled fibers by removing superabsorbent polymers from fibers containing superabsorbent polymers, recycled fibers are efficiently produced while the superabsorbent polymers are suitably removed from the fibers. This method produces recycled fibers from a mixture of fibers and superabsorbent polymers. This method involves a continuous treatment step (S36) in which, in a treatment tank (31) having a treatment solution that can dissolve superabsorbent polymers, superabsorbent polymers are dissolved while a mixed solution (51) that contains water and fibers containing superabsorbent polymers is continuously supplied at a first flow rate, and the treatment solution (52) containing the removed fibers is continuously discharged to outside of the treatment tank at a second flow rate.

A macerator includes a housing that defines a chamber, an inlet and an outlet, the inlet to receive a flow of slurry; two or more elongate concentric bodies located within the chamber defining a gap between the surface of the outer body and the inner surface of the housing, at least one of the bodies rotatable about an axis, and each body comprising a plurality of apertures defining a flow path through each body; a baffle(s) that extend substantially the width of the gap to define a first portion containing the inlet, and a second portion containing the outlet, baffle(s) substantially inhibiting passage of slurry between the two portions via the gap such that the slurry is directed through the body apertures; a motor to drive the rotating body(ies); one or more injectors that inject liquid into the gap, at least one injector located in the first portion.

A method for separating composite materials and mixtures, in particular solid-material mixtures and slags, and to a device for carrying out said method. The method for separating composite materials and mixtures comprises the step of transporting the composite material or the mixture through a separating device. The composite material to be separated or the mixture to be separated is excited by mechanical impulses as it passes through the separating device and is thereby separated. The device (1) for carrying out the method comprises a drive unit (21) for driving a rotor element (32), which is connected to a bearing/shaft unit (22) and which is part of a rotor unit (31). The rotor element itself has at least one rotor tool (33) and each rotor tool has at least one rotor tool component (34) and is surrounded by a stator element (42), which is part of a stator unit (41). The stator element itself has at least one stator tool (43) and each stator tool has at least one stator tool component (44). The rotor element and the stator element are substantially cylindrical.