Halloysite microtubule processes, structures, and compositions
First Claim
1. A process for separating an inlet stream of a liquid slurry of suspended particles flowing into a cross-flow filter into a decantate stream and a filtrate stream, said suspended particles comprised of microtubular particles, and said process comprised of the steps of:
- a. comminuting said suspended particles in said inlet stream, thereby releasing said microtubular particles into said inlet stream by using at least a first sonicator to sonicate said inlet stream, thereby producing a sonicated inlet stream;
b. causing said sonicated inlet stream to flow along a filter medium of said cross-flow filter; and
c. applying high frequency oscillatory energy to said filter medium of said cross-flow filter while a portion of said slurry flows through said filter medium to produce a filtrate, wherein the concentration of said microtubular particles in said filtrate is greater than the concentration of said microtubular particles in said sonicated inlet stream.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A processes for the separation and purification of microtubules of halloysite clay by separating an inlet stream of a liquid slurry of suspended clay particles flowing into a cross-flow filter into a decantate stream and a filtrate stream, the filtrate stream having a higher concentration of microtubular particles than the inlet stream. Also disclosed are subsequent preparations of novel structures and compositions of matter that include microtubules of halloysite clay.
120 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A process for separating an inlet stream of a liquid slurry of suspended particles flowing into a cross-flow filter into a decantate stream and a filtrate stream, said suspended particles comprised of microtubular particles, and said process comprised of the steps of:
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a. comminuting said suspended particles in said inlet stream, thereby releasing said microtubular particles into said inlet stream by using at least a first sonicator to sonicate said inlet stream, thereby producing a sonicated inlet stream;
b. causing said sonicated inlet stream to flow along a filter medium of said cross-flow filter; and
c. applying high frequency oscillatory energy to said filter medium of said cross-flow filter while a portion of said slurry flows through said filter medium to produce a filtrate, wherein the concentration of said microtubular particles in said filtrate is greater than the concentration of said microtubular particles in said sonicated inlet stream. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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- 11. A microchannel structure comprised of a lower substrate and an upper substrate separated by a filler material disposed therebetween, and a longitudinal channel formed in said filler material, wherein at least a portion of said longitudinal channel is bounded by at least one material comprised of nanotubules.
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22. A microvascular network comprised of a plurality of microchannel structures, wherein at least one of said microchannel structures is comprised of a longitudinal channel bounded by at least one material comprised of nanotubules.
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23. A microchannel structure comprised of an open longitudinal channel including a bottom surface, a first side wall, and a second side wall formed in a substrate, and at least one microtubule disposed in and aligned with said longitudinal channel.
Specification