System and method for nanoparticle and nanoagglomerate fluidization

US7658340B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• New Jersey Institute of Technology · US

Inventors

• Robert Pfeffer · Bad Homburg vor der Höhe, DE
• Caroline H. Nam · Newark, US
• Rajesh Dave · Short Hills, US
• Guangliang Liu · Changli, CN
• Jose A. Quevedo · Brick, US
• Qun Yu · Beijing, CN
• Chao Zhu · Lo Wu, CN

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 28, 2006
• Grant date: Feb 9, 2010
• Expiry date: Jun 6, 2028

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B01J2208/00681
• WIPO field: Chemical engineering
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

With the coupling of an external field and aeration (or a flow of another gas), nanoparticles can be smoothly and vigorously fluidized. A magnetic force and/or pre-treatment may be employed with the fluidizing gas and, when coupled with a fluidizing medium, provide excellent means for achieving homogenous nanofluidization. The magnetic force interacts with non-fluidizing magnetic particles and helps to break channels as well as provide enough energy to disrupt the strong interparticle forces, thereby establishing an advantageous agglomerate size distribution. Enhanced fluidization is reflected by improved performance-related attributes. The fluidized nanoparticles may be coated, surface-treated and/or surface-modified in the fluidized state. In addition, the fluidized nanoparticles may participate in a reaction, either as a reactant or a catalyst, while in the fluidized state.