Abstract: A process for capturing CO2 includes contacting a CO2-containing gas with an absorption mixture optionally within a packed reactor is provided. The absorption mixture includes a liquid solution and micro-particles. The micro-particles include a support material and biocatalyst supported by the support material and are sized and provided in a concentration such that the absorption mixture flows through the packed reactor and that the micro-particles are carried with the liquid solution to promote dissolution and transformation of CO2 into bicarbonate and hydrogen ions. The absorption mixture and micro-particles may be provided in an absorption reactor so as to be pumpable. Furthermore, a process for desorbing CO2 gas from an ion-rich aqueous mixture includes providing biocatalytic micro-particles and feeding the mixture to a desorption reactor, to promote transformation of the bicarbonate and hydrogen ions into CO2 gas and water.

Abstract: The bioreactor is for use in performing biological and/or biochemical reactions and includes a vessel, an agitator, a reaction assembly, and a harvesting outlet. The vessel of the bioreactor includes several ports including a mixing port, a reaction port, and a harvesting port. The agitator extends through the mixing port into the vessel while the harvesting outlet extends through the harvesting port and permits the withdrawal of reaction medium to another vessel. The reaction assembly extends through the reaction port into the vessel and has multiple components including a gas conduit adapted to introduce gas into a reaction medium in the vessel, a sampling device adapted to remove a portion of the reaction medium from the vessel without contamination of the remaining reaction medium, and an introduction conduit permitting the introduction of at least the reaction medium into the vessel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a nucleic acid extracting apparatus, and the nucleic acid extracting apparatus can include a pipe-shaped tube having an open outlet at one side thereof, and a hydrogel supporting member that is provided inside the tube and filters impurities excluding an extraction target material.

Abstract: The invention provides a photo bioreactor comprising an aqueous liquid comprising a photosynthetic culture and light distributors (30). Each light distributor has a surface arranged to receive light and a tapered surface arranged to emit at least part of the received light. At least part of the tapered surface is submerged in the aqueous liquid comprising the photosynthetic culture. Light may be distributed efficiently in the aqueous liquid comprising the photosynthetic culture by relatively simple and cheap means. The reactor allows a high illuminated volume fraction.

Abstract: The proposed invention is an in-situ system for aerobic heat treatment of biodegradable organic waste, comprising a bioreactor made up of a dish-shaped decomposition chamber. The decomposition chamber has a lid at the top through which an air extraction device is connected. The air extraction device enables fresh air to enter the decomposition chamber and a preparation for a device supplies the biodegradable organic waste. The decomposition chamber is also connected to a system of pipes which convey a hot fluid from the supply tank into a plurality of minitubes located longitudinally on the inner perimeter of the decomposition chamber, and into a shaft that forms part of the mixing mechanism. A centrifugal pump conveys the same fluid, which is now “cold”, from inside the minitubes and shaft to a solar collector, to heat it, before delivering it to a storage tank for subsequent recirculation.

Abstract: A photobioreactor system for mass production of microorganisms is disclosed. Water with microorganisms suspended therein is sprayed through a nozzle to create droplets. These droplets have a high surface area to volume ratio enabling efficient light transfer and gas diffusion. The water may also be passed through channels between two transparent plates, wherein superior mixing is achieved along with a high surface to volume ratio. The water is preferably circulated through a dark holding tank Active and passive flashing lights of different wavelengths are used to promote growth of the microorganisms when the water is sprayed and/or passing through the transparent plates.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for recovering thermal energy from boiler stack exhaust gases and using the thermal energy in biomaterial processing. The apparatus and method include means to improve the boiler's operation and reduce emission of certain regulated compounds.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for generating short tandem repeat (STR) profiles on each of a plurality of samples comprising, for each sample: a) isolating DNA from the sample; b) amplifying STR markers in the isolated DNA and c) analyzing the amplification product by electrophoresis.

Abstract: An air purifier with a tub capable of containing a liquid. Reactor plates are in the tub wherein the reactor plates provide a curvilinear path for air flow with abrupt directional change. A pump is situated to distribute the liquid onto the reactor plates to form a moist surface. An air inlet brings contaminated air into contact with biocatalyst on the moist surface thereby forming purified air. An air outlet discharges said purified air from the air purifier.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for growing genetically enhanced aquatic photoautotrophic organisms in a stable culture, causing the organisms to produce ethanol, and then separating, collecting, and removing the ethanol in situ.

Abstract: A process for converting a feed gas containing at least one of CO, CO2, and/or H2 to a liquid product using biomass that grow on the surface of carriers suspended in a fermentation broth within the vessel of a moving bed bioreactor (MMBR). An injector is used to at least partially dissolved the feed gas in the fermentation broth, at least partially entrain the gas in the broth as microbubbles and to introduce the mixture of the entrained gas and broth into the vessel in a substantially horizontal direction. The injection of the mixture creates eddy current in the surrounding liquid for thoroughly mixing the fermentation broth in the vessel and for keeping the biomass carrier moving to provide sufficient shear so as to maintain a biofilm thickness on the carrier in a desirable range.

Abstract: A reactor has a reactor unit with a first chamber and a second chamber, with the first chamber being formed by the interior of a housing and the second chamber being formed by the interior of a plurality of hollow fibers arranged in the housing. The hollow fibers are arranged in the housing such that their density in at least one region of the first chamber does not exceed 10 fibers/mm2, based on the cross-sectional area of the first chamber. The reactor unit can include two casting compounds, in which a portion of the hollow fibers are embedded and between which another portion of the hollow fibers extends. The length of at least some or all of the hollow fibers is at least 0.5% greater than the distance of the casting compounds.

Abstract: Articles and methods for growing tissues and organs using bioreactors, including rotating bioreactors, are provided. In some embodiments, a bioreactor is configured to provide a first and second chamber, such as an inner and an outer chamber, respectively. The chambers may be co-axially arranged with respect to each other. A wall of the bioreactor defining the two chambers may be formed at least in part from a scaffold derived from a length of a hollow or tubular tissue or organ. Such a bioreactor can be used to form biocompatible structures for tissue engineering and organ replacement, such as cellular tissues, organ-like structures, and/or complete organs, within the bioreactor.

Abstract: A laboratory dish comprises an incubation container, containing cultured cells, for observation through a microscope, in which a partitioning member partitions an interior of the incubation container into a plurality of incubation chambers by substantially perpendicular walls. The partitioning member tightly fits to a bottom portion of the incubation container, thereby capable of retaining in separation a liquid inputted in each of the incubation chambers from liquids in the other incubation chambers. A cover member covers an upper portion of each of the incubation chambers partitioned by the partitioning member and tightly fitted to the partitioning member. A whole or part of the cover member is formed of a transparent member, and the upper portion of each incubation chamber is formed with an opening via which to input the liquid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a cover for covering one or more sample(s) that are suitable to avoid or minimize evaporation and/or condensation of any vaporizable substance that may be present in the sample(s) or reaction mixture(s), in particular evaporation of substance at the fringes of a vessel or an array of vessels or condensation of a substance on the lid of a reaction vessel or a plate/block containing the sample(s) and/or a cover. This is achieved by providing a device comprising, among others, a force distribution unit that comprises at least one medium or material that is unable to withstand a static shear stress and deforms continuously under the action of a shear force.

Abstract: An aspect of the disclosure is a method and device for the detection of antibiotics in a sample. Embodiments include a microbial culture with growth indicators and sensitivity adjustment reagents. Adjustment reagents include a variety of antibiotic binders that can be added to microbial culture to reduce sensitivity to certain antibiotics. Some embodiments include multiple buffers with a variety of pKa ranges. Some embodiments also include a complete self-contained apparatus for sampling and testing.

Abstract: A process for making a gel comprising combining a silanol species comprising at least two silanol groups per molecule and a hydrophilic hydroxyl species comprising at least two hydroxyl groups per molecule. The gel is capable of being converted to a liquid by application of a mechanical shear force and the liquid is capable of being converted to the gel in the absence of the mechanical shear force.

Abstract: An enhanced apparatus and a method for treating organic sludge is constructed such that the sludge is first dewatered with a first dewatering device; the dewatered sludge is passed through a thermal hydrolysis reactor to hydrolyze polymers contained in the dewatered sludge, the hydrolyzed sludge is passed through a digester to digest the hydrolyzed sludge anaerobically, the digested sludge is passed through a second dewatering device to dewater the anaerobically digested sludge to form dewatered cake, solution generated in dewatering with the second dewatering device is passed through a crystallization reactor to crystallize and the remove phosphorus and nitrogen in the solution, and the dewatered cake by the second dewatering device is passed through an incineration or high temperature melt processing apparatus to incinerate or melt the dewatered cake.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for recycling municipal domestic waste comprises subjecting the waste to steam at 150° C.-200° C. at above atmospheric pressure but less than twice atmospheric pressure, After steam treatment, the resultant material is separated into constituent parts and biomass and/or plastics subjected to further treatment: The further treatment preferably produces bioethanol from the biomass and diesel from the plastics. As an alternative, some or all of the biomass may be gasified in order to produce hydrogen which may, in turn be fed to a fuel cell to produce an electrical output.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for the producing feeds/fertilizers containing died and fermented animal and plant residues. The apparatus includes a fermentation tank, an unobstructed circulation duct connected to the fermentation tank and a blower directly connected to the circulation duct wherein blower supplies air for advancing the residues up the circulation duct.