Abstract:
The barley-based biorefinery process comprises a method of optimizing the production of ethanol and value-added products from barley feedstock. Specifically, the biorefinery process is an integrated barley treatment process that utilizes essentially all components of barley (including the barley hulls) to efficiently produce ethanol and other value-added liquids and solids.
Abstract:
A process for the utilization of the methane produced by enteric fermentation, specifically to a process that utilizes methane produced by ruminant animals through enteric fermentation as a source of carbon and/or energy for the directed production of methane-based goods or processes is provided.
Abstract:
A bioprocessing system for protein manufacturing is provided that is compact, integrated and suited for on-demand production and delivery of therapeutic proteins to patients. The system can also be used for efficient on-demand production of any type of protein.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for the removal of contaminants from a liquid culture microalgae and/or cyanobacteria comprise an let tube, a pump, a gas injector, a vertical chamber, and/or a collection container that promotes the production of foam in the microalgae culture, wherein the foam contains the contaminants.
Abstract:
Systems and methods for the removal of contaminants from a liquid culture microalgae and/or cyanobacteria comprise an inlet tube, a pump, a gas injector, a vertical chamber, and/or a collection container that promotes the production of foam in the microalgae culture, wherein the foam contains the contaminants.
Abstract:
A process of producing ethanol from whole stillage, includes obtaining a supply of whole stillage from an ethanol production facility after ethanol has been extracted therefrom; pre-treating the whole stillage to convert hemicellulose portions of the whole stillage into sugars; adding enzymes to the whole stillage to convert cellulose portions of the whole stillage to sugars; fermenting the whole stillage to create a beer mixture; and distilling the beer mixture to separate ethanol therefrom. The pre-treating step may include adding acid to the whole stillage to decrease its pH level; heating and pressurizing the whole stillage; holding the whole stillage under pressure and heat for a dwell time; removing pressure from the whole stillage to cause flashing; and cooling the whole stillage before the enzymes are added.
Abstract:
An integrated plant comprising: (a) one or more lignocellulose processing units producing one or more sugar streams and one or more lignin streams; (b) one or more lignin-processing units processing one or more of said lignin streams into a lignin product; and (c) one or more sugar processing units processing one or more of said sugar streams into a sugar product; (d) at least one transfer mechanism transferring one or more of said sugar stream(s) to one or more of said sugar processing units over a distance of 5 km or less; and (e) at least one transfer mechanism transferring said lignin stream from one or more of said lignocellulose processing units to one or more of said lignin processing units over a distance of 5 km or less.
Abstract:
A method for enhancing the treatment of lignocellulose-containing materials by biotreatment wherein such lignocellulose-containing materials, normally resistant to biotreatment, are first subjected to a low-temperature, long-residence time pyrolysis at about 175° C. to about 325° C. for about 0.1 hour to about 2.0 hours, wherein a substantial portion of the incoming material is distilled into water-soluble compounds amenable to anaerobic biotreatment. Exemplary applications of the method include pyrolytic pre-treatment of wastewater sludges, cellulosic wastes, wood, peat, plant residues, low-grade coal, and the like to enhance methane gas production in anaerobic digestion and/or oxygen-limited or oxygen-starved fermentation to produce ethanol.
Abstract:
This invention is directed to methods for recovery of C3-C6 alcohols from dilute aqueous solutions, such as fermentation broths. Such methods provide improved volumetric productivity for the fermentation and allows recovery of the alcohol. Such methods also allow for reduced energy use in the production and drying of spent fermentation broth due to increased effective concentration of the alcohol product by the simultaneous fermentation and recovery process which increases the quantity of alcohol produced and recovered per quantity of fermentation broth dried. Thus, the invention allows for production and recovery of C3-C6 alcohols at low capital and reduced operating costs.
Abstract:
A method of using electricity to produce methane includes maintaining a culture comprising living methanogenic microorganisms at a temperature above 50° C. in a reactor having a first chamber and a second chamber separated by a proton permeable barrier, the first chamber comprising a passage between an inlet and an outlet containing at least a porous electrically conductive cathode, the culture, and water, and the second chamber comprising at least an anode. The method also includes coupling electricity to the anode and the cathode, supplying carbon dioxide to the culture in the first chamber, and collecting methane from the culture at the outlet of the first chamber.