Abstract:
Biomass feedstocks (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) are processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems are described that can convert feedstock materials to a sugar solution, which can then be fermented to produce ethanol. Biomass feedstock is saccharified in a vessel by operation of a jet mixer, the vessel also containing a fluid medium and a saccharifying agent.
Abstract:
Biomass feedstocks (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) are processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, systems are described that can convert feedstock materials to a sugar solution, which can then be fermented to produce ethanol. Biomass feedstock is saccharified in a vessel by operation of a jet mixer, the vessel also containing a fluid medium and a saccharifying agent.
Abstract:
A sprayer which inhibits or prevents clogging from occurring in a nozzle when a liquid is ejected from the nozzle at least one liquid flow path through which a liquid passes, a gas flow path connectable to a source of gas and along which a gas passes for ejecting the liquid, a first liquid supply connected to the at least one liquid flow path, and a gas permeable film including a plurality of through holes disposed along at least a portion of a wall defining the at least one liquid flow path, the gas permeable film being impermeable to the liquid and permeable to the gas such that the gas introduced into the gas flow path flows through the gas permeable film and into the at least one liquid flow path, thereby atomizing the liquid.
Abstract:
According to various embodiments, a method is provided that comprises washing an array of DNA-coated beads on a substrate, with a wash solution to remove stacked beads from the substrate. The wash solution can include inert solid beads in a carrier. The DNA-coated beads can have an average diameter and the solid beads in the wash solution can have an average diameter that is at least twice the diameter of the DNA-coated beads. The washing can form dislodged DNA-coated beads and a monolayer of DNA-coated beads. In some embodiments, first beads for forming an array are contacted with a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) solution comprising a PEG having a molecular weight of about 350 Da or less. In some embodiments, slides for forming bead arrays are provided as are systems for imaging the same.
Abstract:
A process and system mixes drinking water stored in large water tower type storage tanks, preventing stratification of the water, by generating large mixing bubbles in the tank's standpipe, causing mixing of layers of water in the tank through turbulence created as the bubbles rise through the tank. Embodiments of the present invention, adapted for use in storage tanks in which the standpipe serves as both water inlet and outlet, detect flow in the standpipe and provide mixing only when the standpipe is not serving as a water outlet.
Abstract:
A ship or floating support for carrying or storing liquid consisting of a liquefied gas, preferably chosen from methane, ethylene, propane, and butane, cooled in a large tank that is preferably cylindrical and of polygonal cross-section, that is thermally insulated, and of large size with at least its smallest dimension in the horizontal direction, in particular its width, being greater than 20 m and preferably in the range 25 m to 50 m, and presenting a volume greater than 10,000 m3 the reservoir is equipped with at least one attenuation device for attenuating movements of the liquid and having a mechanism for moving the liquefied gas liquid inside the reservoir so as to form a horizontal stream immediately below the free surface of the liquefied gas at least locally over a depth of at least 0.5 m, and preferably at least 2 m.
Abstract:
A microfluidic device including a reaction chamber, a first gas providing unit and a liquid providing unit. The reaction chamber includes an inlet through which gas or liquid flows into the reaction chamber. The first gas providing unit and a liquid providing unit are connected to the inlet of the reaction chamber in a fluid communicable manner.
Abstract:
In a state where liquids are contained in a plurality of liquid container portions which are formed in a first layer and a second layer of a cartridge and which have predetermined volumes determined depending on liquids to be contained, and where the reaction vessel is connected to any one of communicating ports, when pressure is applied to act upon one of the liquid container portions which is communicated with the communicating port connected to the reaction vessel, the atmosphere is supplied to the one liquid container portion through a atmosphere flowing passage communicating with the outside, and the liquid contained in the one liquid container portion is supplied to the reaction vessel. The cartridge is rotated to connect another communicating port to the reaction vessel such that plural liquids are eventually supplied to the reaction vessel. On that occasion, since the atmosphere supplied through the atmosphere flowing passage is further supplied to the reaction vessel through the communicating port connected to the reaction vessel and the one liquid container portion, the plural liquids contained in the reaction vessel are stirred by the inflow of the atmosphere.
Abstract:
Method and apparatus for controlling the temperature of one or more reaction vessels in a bio-chemical analyzer comprises a heat-exchange block, preferably made of cast aluminum or the like, and a thermoelectric device for heating or cooling the block to within a desired temperature range. The heat-transfer block cradles one or more reaction vessels in a thermal energy-transferring relationship, and further supports, in a thermal energy-transferring relationship, one or more fluid conduits serving to transmit a liquid or gas to the interior of the reaction vessels. Preferably, the heat-transfer block is cast from aluminum, and the fluid conduits are disposed inside the casting. By supporting the reaction vessel(s) and fluid conduit(s) in a common block, a single thermoelectric device and controller can be used to simultaneously control the respective temperatures of multiple fluid reagents and/or gases, as well as one or more reaction vessels, thereby reducing the power requirements of the thermal control system.