Separation method and apparatus for monomolecular layers

Disclosed is method of separating a mixture of graphite and nano-platelets including graphene by suspending the mixture in a liquid 15 with a density of 1.5-2.5 g/cm3. This allows for selective movement of at least one of the graphite and the nano-platelets toward a specific portion of the liquid which can be settling of the graphite or floatation of the nano-platelets. The liquid can have a density in the range of 98-99 % the density of graphite and can be an aqueous solution of NaCl, CaCl2 or KCl. A gas 14 may be bubbled through the liquid, preferably being introduced from the bottom of the liquid. There may also be present a further layer of immiscible liquid 16, such that one of the graphite or nanoplatelets move into the further liquid. Optionally this may be of lower density than the liquid of the mixture.

Flaking method and apparatus for monomolecular layers

Alignment method and apparatus for monomolecular layers

Disclosed is a method of aligning nano-platelets in a suspension. The method involves providing a suspension of the nano-platelets 20-1 in a liquid 15, bubbling a gas 22 through the suspension and providing a second liquid layer (fig 9 16) that is immiscible with the liquid of the suspension. The gas bubbles orientate the nano-platelets which then, at least partially move into the second liquid. Preferably the nano-platelets self-assemble into an ordered structure at the interface 13 of the liquid of the suspension. This self-assembled structure may be in a vertical (fig 9 20-3) or horizontal configuration 20-2. Also disclosed is an apparatus (Fig 1 3) for aligning nanoplatelets in solution by bubbling a gas through a suspension of nanoplatelets with a second, immiscible, liquid layer that allows nano-platelets to at least partially move into it. Also disclosed is a metamaterial. The metamaterial is formed by aligning nano-platelets in an orientation in a suspension and fixing the orientated ...

Method and apparatus for water processing

A method of dissolving an insoluble substance in a liquid, e.g. water, comprises forming a flow with toroidal vortices in the liquid such that the liquid is exposed to alternating flow velocities and alternating pressures, thereby initiating dissolution of the insoluble substance. Suitably, the insoluble substance is a gas, such as air or oxygen. The method may generate singlet oxygen. The method can disinfect or purify contaminated water. The water treated by the method can be provided into a deep point of a body of water, e.g. a lake, pond, tailing pond, holding pond, reservoir, well, river, stream, wetland, ocean or sea. The flow may comprise high-frequency alternating flow velocities and/or high-frequency alternating pressures, preferably wherein the high frequency is at least 500 Hz. An apparatus for dissolving an insoluble substance in a liquid is also claimed, which comprises a flow generator adapted to perform the method. Suitably, the flow generator comprises a notched rotor 108 ...

Method and apparatus for water processing

A method of precipitating salt out of an aqueous solution comprises the step of forming a flow with toroidal vortices in the aqueous solution such that the aqueous solution is exposed to alternating flow velocities and alternating pressures, thereby initiating precipitation of salts from the solution. The flow may comprise high-frequency alternating flow velocities and/or high-frequency alternating pressures, preferably wherein the high frequency is at least 500 Hz. An apparatus for precipitating salt out of an aqueous solution is also claimed, which comprises a flow generator adapted to perform the method. Suitably, the flow generator comprises a notched rotor 108 rotatable in cooperation with a notched stator 114 to block and open cyclically a plurality of passages for a fluid to form the flow. A method of forming salt particles, e.g. nanocrystalline particles, and a method of dissolving a water-insoluble substance in water are also claimed. In a further aspect, a method of reacting a ...

Method and apparatus for hydrocarbon processing

A method of processing hydrocarbons is provided. The method comprises steps of: providing a liquid comprising hydrocarbons (preferably a gasoline or diesel fraction, aviation fuel, heating fuel etc. obtained from the processing of crude oil) and water; forming a flow with toroidal vortices in the liquid, such that the hydrocarbons and water are exposed to alternating flow velocities and alternating pressures; thereby initiating reactions of the hydrocarbons and water. A corresponding apparatus including a refinery is also provided.

Aquacracking - method and apparatus for oil refining

Alignment method and apparatus for monomolecular layers

Aquacracking - method and apparatus for oil refining

An aquacracking method of cracking hydrocarbons is provided. The method comprises steps of providing a liquid comprising hydrocarbons (e.g. crude oil); and forming a flow with toroidal vortices in the liquid comprising hydrocarbons, such that the liquid comprising hydrocarbons is exposed to alternating flow velocities and alternating pressures, thereby initiating cracking of the hydrocarbons. The liquid containing hydrocarbons may be at a temperature up to 400 degrees C.

Separation method and apparatus for monomolecular layers

Flaking method and apparatus for monomolecular layers

A method of preparing nano flakes from particles of a laminar material comprising providing an initial suspension of the laminar material in a liquid, forming a flow with toroidal vortices in the suspension such that the particles are exposed to alternating flow velocities and alternating pressures. Preferably the flow comprises local pressures of at least 10 MPa, more preferably at least 25 MPa more preferably at least 50 MPa. Preferably the flow also comprises local pressures of at least up to 1 mPa, pore preferably up to 0.1mPa, most preferably up to 0.01 mPa. The suspension may be in water, deionised water, de-mineralised water, surfactant-free water, ultrapure water, ethanol, THF, chloroform, acetone or toluene. Preferably the method may involve the formation of graphene from graphite.

Method and apparatus for water processing

A method of evaporating a fluid, for example water, comprises the step of forming a flow with toroidal vortices in the fluid such that the fluid is exposed to alternating flow velocities and alternating pressures, thereby increasing evaporation of the fluid. The flow may comprise high-frequency alternating flow velocities and/or high-frequency alternating pressures, preferably wherein the high frequency is at least 500 Hz. An apparatus for evaporating a fluid is also claimed, which comprises a flow generator adapted to perform the method. Suitably, the flow generator comprises a notched rotor 110 rotatable in cooperation with a notched stator 114 to block and open cyclically a plurality of passages for a fluid to form the flow. Water which is activated according to the current invention can boil at a lower temperature than water prior to activation. At standard pressure ordinarily water boils at 100 °C. Activated water is in a higher energetic state and requires a lower heat input to change ...

Method and apparatus for producing hydrogen

A method of producing hydrogen from water is disclosed. The method comprises steps of forming a flow with toroidal vortices in the water, such that the aqueous solution is exposed to alternating flow velocities and alternating pressures, thereby initiating dissociation of the water into hydrogen and oxygen. The flow may comprise a first local pressure of at least 10 MPa and a second local pressure of less than 0.1 MPa.