927results about "Biological synthesis" patented technology

Certain embodiments and aspects of the present invention relate to photobioreactor apparatus (100) designed to contain a liquid medium (108) comprising at least one species of photosynthetic organism therein, and to methods of using the photobioreactor apparatus (100) as part of a gas-treatment process and system able to at least partially remove certain undesirable pollutants from a gas stream (608). In certain embodiments, the disclosed photobioreactor apparatus (100 can be utilized as part of an integrated combustion method and system, wherein photosynthetic organisms utilized within the photobioreactor (100) at least partially remove certain pollutant compounds contained within combustion gases, e.g. CO2 and / or NOX, and are subsequently harvested from the photobioreactor (100), processed, and utilized as a fuel source for a combustion device (e.g. an electric power plant generator and / or incinerator).

Certain embodiments and aspects of the present invention relate to photobioreactor apparatus designed to contain a liquid medium comprising at least one species of photosynthetic organism therein, and to methods of using the photobioreactor apparatus as part of a hydrogen production process and system configured to generate hydrogen with and / or from biomass produced in the photobioreactor apparatus. In certain embodiments, the disclosed hydrogen production systems and methods, photobioreactor apparatus, methods of using such apparatus, and / or gas treatment systems and methods provided herein can be utilized as part of an integrated combustion and hydrogen production method and system, wherein photosynthetic organisms utilized within the photobioreactor are used to at least partially remove certain pollutant compounds contained within combustion gases, e.g. CO2 and / or NOx, and are subsequently harvested from the photobioreactor, processed, and utilized as a fuel source for generating hydrogen and / or as a fuel source for a combustion device (e.g. an electric power plant generator and / or incinerator).

Integrated systems including a photobioreactor system designed to contain a liquid medium comprising at least one species of phototrophic organism therein, and a facility associated with extracting and / or processing oil extracted from mixtures of oil and solid material, such as an oil sands facility, are described. Processes for using a photobioreactor system as part of a gas-treatment process and system able to at least partially remove certain undesirable pollutants from a byproduct gas stream produced by an oil sands facility are also described. Examples of such pollutants that may be removed include compounds contained within combustion gases, e.g., CO2 and / or NOx. These pollutants processed with the photobioreactor system, and, in some embodiments, biomass produced with the photobioreactor system may be utilized to produce a fuel source (e.g., biodiesel) and cutting stock for further operation of or use in the oil sands facility. Such uses of certain embodiments can provide an efficient means for recycling carbon, thereby reducing CO2 emissions, fuel, and / or cutting stock requirements for a given quantum of energy produced. In addition, in some cases the photobioreactor can be integrated with a holding pond and waste heat from the oil extraction process can be used to maintain the photobioreactor temperature and / or provide energy for other processes. Accordingly, embodiments described herein can improve the overall environmental and economic profile of the oil sands facility.

Certain embodiments and aspects of the present invention relate to a photobioreactor including covered photobioreactor units through which a liquid medium stream and a gas stream flow. The liquid medium comprises at least one species of phototrophic organism therein. Certain methods of using the photobioreactor system as part of fuel generation system and / or a gas-treatment process or system at least partially remove certain undesirable pollutants from a gas stream. In certain embodiments, a portion of the liquid medium is diverted from a photobioreactor unit and reintroduced upstream of the diversion position. In certain embodiments, the disclosed photobioreactor system, methods of using such systems, and / or gas treatment apparatus and methods provided herein can be used as part of an integrated combustion method and system, wherein photosynthetic organisms used within the photobioreactor are harvested from the photobioreactor, processed, and used as a fuel source for a combustion system such as an electric power plant.

A method and apparatus for sequestering CO2 using algae comprises a plurality of vertically suspended bioreactors, each bioreactor being translucent and including a flow channel formed by a plurality of baffles. A culture tank contains a suspension of water and at least one algae and includes a plurality of gas jets for introducing a CO2-containing gas into the suspension. The culture tank is in fluid communication with an inlet in each channel for flowing the suspension through the channel in the presence of light. A pump pumps the suspension into the channel inlet.

Porous-material-supported polymer sorbents and process for removal of undesirable gases such as H2S, COS, CO2, N2O, NO, NO2, SO2, SO3, HCl, HF, HCN, NH3, H2O, C2H5OH, CH3OH, HCHO, CHCl3, CH2Cl2, CH3Cl, CS2, C4H4S, CH3SH, and CH3—S—CH3 from various gas streams such as natural gas, coal / biomass gasification gas, biogas, landfill gas, coal mine gas, ammonia syngas, H2 and oxo-syngas, Fe ore reduction gas, reformate gas, refinery process gases, indoor air, fuel cell anode fuel gas and cathode air are disclosed. The sorbents have numerous advantages such as high breakthrough capacity, high sorption / desorption rates, little or no corrosive effect and are easily regenerated. The sorbents may be prepared by loading H2S—, COS—, CO2—, N2O, NO—, NO2—, SO2—, SO3—, HCl—, HF—, HCN—, NH3—, H2O—, C2H5OH—, CH3OH—, HCHO—, CHCl3—, CH2Cl2—, CH3Cl—, CS2—, C4H4S—, CH3SH—, CH3—S—CH3-philic polymer(s) or mixtures thereof, as well as any one or more of H2S—, COS—, CO2—, N2O, NO—, NO2—, SO2—, SO3—, HCl—, HF—, HCN—, NH3—, H2O—, C2H5OH—, CH3OH—, HCHO—, CHCl3—, CH2Cl2—, CH3Cl—, CS2—, C4H4S—, CH3SH—, CH3—S—CH3-philic compound(s) or mixtures thereof on to porous materials such as mesoporous, microporous or macroporous materials. The sorbents may be employed in processes such as one-stage and multi-stage processes to remove and recover H2S, COS, CO2, N2O, NO, NO2, SO2, SO3, HCl, HF, HCN, NH3, H2O, C2H5OH, CH3OH, HCHO, CHCl3, CH2Cl2, CH3Cl, CS2, C4H4S, CH3SH and CH3—S—CH3 from gas streams by use of, such as, fixed-bed sorbers, fluidized-bed sorbers, moving-bed sorbers, and rotating-bed sorbers.

This process is unique in photosynthetic carbon sequestration. An on-site biological sequestration system directly decreases the concentration of carbon-containing compounds in the emissions of fossil generation units. In this process, photosynthetic microbes are attached to a growth surface arranged in a containment chamber that is lit by solar photons. A harvesting system ensures maximum organism growth and rate of CO2 uptake. Soluble carbon and nitrogen concentrations delivered to the cyanobacteria are enhanced, further increasing growth rate and carbon utilization.

The invention discloses a comprehensive treating system for domestic wastes. Reutilizing comprehensive treatment for mixed wastes is realized by the system according to a comprehensive sorting technology and a combined anaerobic fermentation technology, wherein the advanced sorting techniques, such as, crushing, magnetic separating, sieving, air classifying, and the like, are adopted in the comprehensive sorting technology; reutilized products, such as metal, plastics, organic matters, and the like, are screened out; the screened organic matters are prepared into slurry together with sludge and excrements and are then subjected to the combined anaerobic fermentation; the reutilized products, such as methane, organic fertilizer, and the like, can be produced under the action of anaerobic fermentation; and after the methane is purified, the methane is used for generating power, domestic fuel or vehicle-mounted fuel. According to the technology, the intensified treatment for organic wastes, such as domestic wastes, sludge, excrements, kitchen wastes, and the like, can be realized. The comprehensive treating system is high in mechanical and automated degree. Compared with the prior art, the comprehensive treating system has the advantages of simplification, effectiveness, less labor power, and the like.

The present invention is directed to a process for the production of ethanol and energy. The process includes the steps of fermenting a corn mash in an aqueous medium to produce a beer. Next, the beer is distilled to produce ethanol and a whole stillage. The whole stillage is anaerobically digested to produce a biogas and a residue. The biogas is combusted to produce electricity and steam. The electricity and steam are used during the fermentation and distillation process. The residue may further be separated into a liquid fertilizer and top soil residue.

The present invention relates to the selective separation of carbon dioxide (“CO2”) from methane (“CH4”) in streams containing both carbon dioxide and methane utilizing a zeolitic imidazolate framework (“ZIF”) material. Preferably, the stream to be separated is fed to the present process in a substantially gaseous phase. In preferred embodiments, the current invention is utilized in a process to separate carbon dioxide from natural gas streams preferably for sequestration of at least a portion of the carbon dioxide present in the natural gas.

A method for removing contaminants from a natural gas stream such as a biogas / landfill gas stream. The natural gas stream is fed to a first adsorption unit for removal of certain contaminants and then to a second adsorption unit for the removal of additional contaminants. Alternatively, a membrane stage may be employed between the adsorption units. The method utilizes the external purge to enhance pressure swing adsorption working capacity so that the vacuum level required for regeneration is not as high.

The present invention relates to the selective separation of carbon dioxide (“CO2”) from methane (“CH4”) in streams containing both carbon dioxide and methane utilizing a zeolitic imidazolate framework (“ZIF”) material. Preferably, the stream to be separated is fed to the present process in a substantially gaseous phase. In preferred embodiments, the current invention is utilized in a process to separate carbon dioxide from natural gas streams preferably for sequestration of at least a portion of the carbon dioxide present in the natural gas.

A bioreactor apparatus in which a container has sidewalls, a floor and a ceiling defining a chamber that contains a slurry of water, nutrients and photosynthetic microorganisms. A plurality of optical fibers, each of which has a first end disposed outside the chamber and a second end in the mixture. A light collector spaced from the container has light incident on it and focuses the light onto the first ends of the plurality of optical fibers, thereby permitting the light to be conveyed into the mixture to promote photosynthesis. At least one nozzle is in fluid communication with a source of gas, such as exhaust gas from a fossil-fuel burning power plant containing carbon dioxide. The nozzle is disposed in the mixture beneath the second ends of the optical fibers for injecting the gas into the mixture.

The invention relates to a technological method of comprehensive utilization of separation and pyrolysis treatment of garbage, which solves the problem of comprehensive utilization of separation pretreatment and pyrolysis gas in the process of separation treatment of garbage. The method comprises the following steps: separating and crushing the garbage for secondary classification; classifying the available components in the garbage into three classes, wherein the first class comprises paper, plastic and the like which are used as pyrolysis raw materials 1, the second class comprises the mixture of soil, kitchen wastes and the like, and the third class comprises the mixture of rag, fresh branches, vines and the like; chopping the mixture of the third class, and mixing the chopped mixture of the third class with the mixture of the second class; treating the mixture of the second class and the mixture of the third class by aerobic fermentation, and using penetrant for direct back-spraying and evaporation in high-temperature regions; treating the obtained product by secondary sieving to obtain pyrolysis raw materials 2; mixing and drying the pyrolysis raw materials 1 and the pyrolysis raw materials 2; condensing the generated steam to obtain hot water which back flows into a waste heat boiler of a power generating system to be used as supplemental water; commercializing and recovering the pyrolysis raw materials; and burning the obtained combustible gas for power generation. The invention has the advantages of high recovery rate, low energy consumption and no pollution caused by discharge.

The invention provides devices and methods for the growth of photoautotrophic organisms. The devices and methods address issues related to the design of bioreactors, selection of a photoautotrophic organism, growth of the photoautotrophic organisms, extraction of biomass products, and / or use of the biomass products as a renewable energy source.

A process purifies raw biogas created from a renewable source into pipeline grade natural gas and / or D.O.T. specification, or other predetermined specification, gas. The automated scrubbing processed employed and the particular attributes of the system allow the system to function under extreme weather conditions by employing specific tools to control the temperature of the scrubbing water to allow for efficient and effective removal of the carbon dioxide gas. The system also employs specific measures to use recycled scrubbing water, thus eliminating the need for excessive water generally needed to economically employ this type of scrubbing process. The recycled water is continuously de-carbonated to allow the recycled water stream to effectively scrub the raw biogas. Treated gas from the process is then dried, and compressed for introduction into storage tanks or a natural gas pipeline delivery system.

The biphase anaerobic fermentation process of kitchen refuse to produce hydrogen and methane includes the following steps: 1. sorting kitchen refuse and mixing with water in certain amount; 2. mixing with sludge from sewage treating yard and heat treatment; 3. heat exchange between heat treated mixture and mixture without through heat treatment; 4. anaerobic fermentation of the heat treated mixture in the first phase to produce hydrogen; 5. anaerobic fermentation of the residue from the first phase fermentation in the second phase to produce methane; and 6. using the residue from the second phase fermentation as fertilizer or returning to replace sludge serving as hydrogen producing bacteria source. The process is simple, can recover the biomass energy from kitchen refuse effectively, and has no secondary pollution.

The invention relates to a method for recovering energy from the organic fraction of urban solid waste comprising the following steps: a) the organic fraction is pre treated with mineral acids, preferably sulfuric acid, during which the fraction is heated by an outer thermal jacket with no steam injection or steam explosion, thereby producing a first slurry containing an insoluble solid susceptible to enzymatic attack by cellulases; b) a step comprising enzymatic hydrolysis using cellulases and simultaneous fermentation, using an ethanologenic microorganism, of the first slurry in order to obtain a second slurry containing diluted ethanol; and c) distillation of the second slurry such as to obtain wet ethanol, a recyclable liquid effluent and a solid.

The invention discloses a solar spectral photosynthetic bioreactor system for culturing microalgae in high density, which comprises a photosynthetic bioreactor, a solar energy collector, light-guide fibers, a light distribution device arranged in the photosynthetic bioreactor, a residual gas absorption device and a culture solution separation recovery device, wherein the residual gas absorption device and the culture solution separation recovery device are respectively connected with the photosynthetic bioreactor. One end of the light distribution device is connected with a spectral light-intensity adjustment device arranged on the photosynthetic bioreactor; the spectral light-intensity adjustment device is connected to the solar energy collector through the light-guide fibers; and a gas distribution device is arranged between the position below the light distribution device and the bottom of the photosynthetic bioreactor and is connected with the output end of a gas mixing device. The system can effectively improve the utilization ratio of solar energy, reduce the consumption of external electrical energy, solve the problems of solar energy utilization, such as intermittence, instability difficult collection, and ensure the continuous and stable culture of microalgae.

The present invention is directed to aquatic systems and methods for off-shore energy production, and particularly to systems and methods for generating large amounts of methane via anaerobic digestion, purifying the methane produced, and sequestering environmentally deleterious by-products such as carbon dioxide. The energy production systems contain one or more flexible, inflatable containers supported by water, at least one of which is an anaerobic digester containing bacteria which can produce energy sources such as methane or hydrogen from aquatic plants or animals. The containers of the present invention can be large enough to provide adequate amounts of energy to support off-shore activities yet are relatively easy to manufacture and ship to remote production sites. The systems can also be readily adapted to sequester carbon dioxide or recycle nutrients for growing feedstocks on site.

The invention discloses ankistrodesmus sp containing lipid as well as culture and applications of ankistrodesmus sp, wherein the ankistrodesmus strain is SS-B7, the classification name of SS-B7 is Ankistrodesmus sp, and the ankistrodesmus sp SS-B7 is preserved in the China General Microbiological Culture Collection Center (CGMCC) on April 15, 2013, and has the preservation number CGMCC No.7478. The ankistrodesmus sp SS-B7 has tolerance to CO2 and NOx with high concentrations, and has high carbon sequestration efficiency, the content of total lipids in the cells of the obtained biomass accounts for 40% or above of the dry cell weight, and the ankistrodesmus sp SS-B7 can be used for producing biodiesel.

Methods and systems to achieve clean fuel processing systems in which carbon dioxide emissions (1) from fossil fuel consumption sources (2) may be processed in at least one processing reactor (4) containing a plurality of chemoautotrophic bacteria (5) which can convert the carbon dioxide emissions into biomass (6) which may then be used for various products (21) such as biofuels, fertilizer, feedstock, or the like. Sulfate reducing bacteria (13) may be used to supply sulfur containing compounds to the chemoautotrophic bacteria (5).

The invention provides a highly oil-containing monoraphidium and culture and application thereof, the monoraphidium strain is SS-B1, the classification and nomenclature of the monoraphidium is monoraphidium sp, the monoraphidium is preserved in CGMCC (China General Microbiological Culture Collection Center) on April 15, 2013, and the preservation number is CGMCC No.7479. The monoraphidium strain is able to tolerate high concentrations of CO2 and SO2, highly oil-containing biological matters can be obtained by light autotrophic growth by use of CO2 and SO2 containing waste gas or flue gas, the carbon fixation efficiency is high, cell total lipid content accounts for more than 40% of dry cell weight, and biodiesel can be produced.

The invention provides a method for producing methane by two-phase multi-stage anaerobic fermentation of organic solid wastes and belongs to the field of the treatment of organic solid wastes, namely the field of renewable energy resources. The prior art has the problems that the yield of the methane is unstable, and the continuous operation can not be achieved. The method comprises the following steps that: the organic solid wastes are put in n(n is more than or equal to 2) acidification reactors in parallel connection and subjected to hydrolytic acidification at a pH value of between 5.8 and 6.5 and a temperature of between 50 and 55 DEG C, and the materials in each hydrolytic acidification reactor are changed after the materials are reacted for n*m(m is more than or equal to 1) days; the percolate generated due to acidification is collected, the pH value of the percolate is adjusted to be between 7.0 and 8.0, the percolate is pumped into a methane reactor filled with inoculation sludge in a mode of batch feeding, and the generated gas is collected at the pH value of between 7.0 and 8.0 and at a temperature of between 50 and 55 DEG C; and finally, the water discharged from the methane reactor is pumped into the acidification reactors. The method has the advantages of high gas-producing efficiency, short period, the realization of stable and continuous gas production, no emission of waste water, and the like.

A method of growing algae is described that is part of a cogenerational energy production plant in which solar energy from a solar collecting and concentrating field is used to provide photonic energy for the growth and stress phase of algae as well as to provide heat for driving a turbine. The supplementary energy for the power plant is provided by natural gas and by biomethane that is produced by fermentation of the algal biomass. The carbon dioxide that is a by-product of the combustion of both the natural gas and the biomethane is recycled to provide the carbon source for the algal growth.

The invention relates to a preparation method of erythromycin thiocyanate, which comprises the following steps: adding sodium hydroxide into an erythromycin fermentation liquid to regulate the pH value, filtering, concentrating, and recrystallizing to obtain the erythromycin thiocyanate. The method provided by the invention greatly reduces the consumption of the organic solvent, lowers the production cost, reduces the generation of waste residues, and is beneficial to environmental protection and production safety.

A method and system for hydrolyzing cellulose and / or hemicellulose contained in a biomass into monosaccharides and oligosaccharides by using high-temperature and high-pressure water in a subcritical condition is provided. In hydrolyzing cellulose or hemicellulose into saccharides by using high-temperature and high-pressure water in a subcritical condition, a large amount of slurry is cooled into a condition below the subcritical condition by subjecting the slurry contained in a pressure vessel under a high-temperature and high-pressure condition to flash evaporation in a pressure vessel charged with a slurry of a cellulosic biomass and heated halfway. It is possible to prevent saccharides from degrading into organic acids and to save energy by recovery of thermal energy. The cellulosic biomass is charged into a water-permeable vessel and then the water-permeable vessel is encapsulated into the pressure vessel together with water.

The present invention is directed to a process for the production of ethanol and energy. The process includes the steps of fermenting a corn mash in an aqueous medium to produce a beer. Next, the beer is distilled to produce ethanol and a whole stillage. The whole stillage is anaerobically digested to produce a biogas and a residue. The biogas is combusted to produce electricity and steam. The electricity and steam are used during the fermentation and distillation process. The residue may further be separated into a liquid fertilizer and top soil residue.

The instant invention presents improved means for sequestering COX and / or NOX in the aqueous phase of a gas scrubber. The instant invention presents means for the scrubbing of COX and / or NOX gas by chemically assimilating at least one of COX and NOX. The instant invention presents means for concentrating the COX and / or the NOX in the aqueous phase by creating a metal salt comprising the COX and / or the NOX. To control salt deposition, the instant invention presents means of chemical dispersion so that salt deposition can be controlled and the aqueous phase can become an efficient and effective carrier of the COX and / or the NOX. Means of controlling sulfide and sulfate emissions are presented incorporating sulfur consuming bacteria.

The invention provides a coproduction method and device of hydrogen and electricity by organic wastes. The method comprises the following steps: (1) strain preparation and raw material pretreatment; (2) hydrogen production by anaerobic fermentation; (3) electricity generation by microbial fuel cell; and (4) clear water recycle or discharge. The device comprises a feed device, an anaerobic hydrogen-producing reactor and a microbial fuel cell which are communicated sequentially, wherein the water outlet of the anaerobic hydrogen-producing reactor is communicated with the water inlet of an anode chamber of the microbial fuel cell. According to the method and the device, the energy recovery rate of organic waste can be improved, further treatment of the organic waste can be realized. The method and the device are suitable for treating various organic waste water and solid organic wastes, including but not limited to organic acid waste water, sugar making waste water, starch waste water, wine brewing waste water, food processing waste water and residues, kitchen wastes, fruit and vegetable wastes and crop straws. By the application of the method and device, environmental governance and clean renewable energy source development can be effectively combined.