| abstract |
A method and apparatus for processing flowable material is described in which a first surface on a rotor faces a second surface on a stator. The first and second surfaces have indentations therein and the rotor is rotated relative to the stator so as to mix and/or granulate and/or encapsulate the flowable material. Functionalised (eg sulphonated, phosphated or nitrated) polyHIPE polymers and their salts are also described, as is a process for preparing the functionalised polyHIPE polymers and their salts. Uses for these polyHIPE polymers are further described, these including the separation of oil and water from an oil/water emulsion (eg oil-in-water and water-in-oil emulsions), as water absorbers, as growth media in promoting the growth of plants or crops and in separating gas/liquid mixtures. |