Abstract: A process for making a NH4+OOC—R—COOH compound from a clarified NH4+OOC—R—COO?NH4+ compound-containing fermentation broth includes (a) distilling the broth to form an overhead that includes water and ammonia, and a liquid bottoms that includes a NH4+OOC˜R˜COOH compound, at least some of a NH4+QOC—R—COO?NH4+ compound, and at least about 20 wt % water; (b) cooling the bottoms to a temperature sufficient to cause the bottoms to separate into a NH4+OOC—R˜C00?NH4+ compound-containing liquid portion in contact with a NH4+OOC—R—COOH compound-containing solid portion that is substantially free of the NH4+OOC—R—COO?NH4+ compound; (c) separating the solid portion from the liquid portion; and (d) recovering the solid portion.

Abstract: Processes include providing a clarified diammonium succinate (DAS)- or monoammonium succinate (MAS)- containing fermentation broth; distilling the broth of an overhead that includes water and ammonia, and a liquid bottoms that includes SA, and at least about 20 wt % water; cooling the bottoms to a temperature sufficient to cause the bottoms to separate into a liquid portion in contact with a solid portion that is substantially pure SA; separating the solid portion from the liquid portion; and converting the solid portion to produce nitrogen containing compounds such as diamino butane (DAB), succinic dinitrile (SDN), succinic amino nitrile (SAN) or succinamide (DAM) and downstream products.

Abstract: Processes for making pyrrolidones include making MAS and/or SA from a clarified DAS- and/or MAS-containing fermentation broth and converting the MAS or SA to the pyrrolidones, typically with catalysts at selected temperatures and pressures.

Abstract: A flexible, closed loop device that includes at least one indecomposable knot formed that helps define a plurality of adjustable loops. The knot can be easily loosened so that the loop sizes can be adjusted. The knot is easily tightened and locked. In some embodiments, the device includes at least two indecomposable knots. The device is useful in the practice of yoga, Pilates, and other personal training exercises. The device is flexible and easily adjustable, allowing the user to more effectively target specific muscle groups. The device may additionally or alternately be used as a securing and carrying strap for items. Still further, the device may be used as a connecting device to link items together for towing, hoisting, etc.

Abstract: Processes for producing caprolactam (CL) and derivatives thereof from adipic acid (AA) obtained from fermentation broths containing diammonium adipate (DAA) or monoammonium adipate (MAA).

Abstract: Processes for making caprolactam (CL) from monoammonium adipate (MAA) and/or adipic aicd (AA) obtained from a clarified diammonium adipate-containing (DAA-containing) fermentation broth or MAA-containing fermentation broth and converting the MAA or AA to the CL with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst at selected temperatures and pressures.

Abstract: A process for making a hydrogenated product includes providing a clarified DAS-containing fermentation broth, distilling the broth to form an overhead that includes water and ammonia, and a liquid bottoms that includes MAS, at least some DAS, and at least about 20 wt % water, cooling and/or evaporating the bottoms, and optionally adding an antisolvent to the bottoms, to attain a temperature and composition sufficient to cause the bottoms to separate into a DAS-containing liquid portion and a MAS-containing solid portion that is substantially free of DAS, separating the solid portion from the liquid portion, recovering the solid portion, hydrogenating the second solid portion in the presence of at least one hydrogenation catalyst to produce the hydrogenated product comprising at least one of THF, GBL or BDO, and recovering the hydrogenated product.

Abstract: A two-stage, gas phase process for manufacturing alkylene glycol (e.g., ethylene glycol) from an alkene (e.g., ethylene), oxygen and water, the process comprising the steps of: (A) Contacting under gas phase, oxidation conditions gaseous alkene and oxygen over a heterogeneous oxidation catalyst to produce a gaseous oxidation product comprising alkylene oxide, water and unreacted alkene; (B) Contacting under gas phase, hydrolysis conditions the gaseous oxidation product of (A) with added water over a heterogeneous hydrolysis catalyst to produce a gaseous alkylene glycol and unreacted alkene; and (C) Recycling the unreacted alkene of (B) to (A). The hydrolysis catalyst is selected from the group consisting of hydrotalcites, metal-loaded zeolites, phosphates, and metal-loaded ion-exchanged molecular sieves.

Abstract: Processes for making SA from either a clarified DAS-containing fermentation broth or a clarified MAS-containing fermentation broth that include distilling the broth under super atmospheric pressure at a temperature of >100° C. to about 300° C. to form an overhead that comprises water and ammonia, and a liquid bottoms that includes SA, and at least about 20 wt % water; cooling the bottoms to a temperature sufficient to cause the bottoms to separate into a liquid portion and a solid portion that is substantially pure SA; and separating the solid portion from the liquid portion. A method also reduces the broth distillation temperature and pressure by adding an ammonia separating and/or water azeotroping solvent to the broth.

Abstract: Processes for making monoammonium succinate (MAS) and/or succinic acid (SA) from either a clarified diammonium succinate (DAS)-containing fermentation broth or a clarified MAS-containing fermentation broth include (a) distilling the broth to form an overhead that includes water and optionally ammonia and a liquid bottoms that includes MAS or SA; (b) cooling and/or evaporating the bottoms and optionally adding an antisolvent to the bottoms to attain a temperature and composition sufficient to cause the bottoms to produce a solid portion that contains MAS or SA in contact with a liquid portion; (c) separating the solid portion from the liquid portion; and (d) recovering the solid portion.

Abstract: A process for making a hydrogenated product includes providing a clarified DAS-containing fermentation broth, distilling the broth to form an overhead that includes water and ammonia, and a liquid bottoms that includes MAS, at least some DAS, and at least about 20 wt % water, cooling and/or evaporating the bottoms, and optionally adding an antisolvent to the bottoms, to attain a temperature and composition sufficient to cause the bottoms to separate into a DAS-containing liquid portion and a MAS-containing solid portion that is substantially free of DAS, separating the solid portion from the liquid portion, recovering the solid portion, hydrogenating the second solid portion in the presence of at least one hydrogenation catalyst to produce the hydrogenated product comprising at least one of THF, GBL or BDO, and recovering the hydrogenated product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to post-treatment compositions and methods useful for modifying the distribution of metal biocide(s) in biodegradable substrates such as wood, other cellulosic products, starch-based products, and the like that are vulnerable to decay due to insects, fungi, microbes, and the like. The compositions include complexing agents of moderate strength that are able to facilitate mobilization and redistribution of metal biocide(s) in substrates without undue leaching. The compositions can be used, for example, to redistribute the metal biocide(s) into depleted regions of a substrate by redistribution of metal biocide from other regions of the substrate. Post-treatment compositions that include additional metal biocide can also replenish these regions with the freshly supplied, additional biocide. Thus, the depleted regions can be restored by redistribution and/or replenishment mechanisms. Service life of substrates in the field benefits by these post-treatments as a consequence.

Abstract: Processes for making SA from either a clarified DAS-containing fermentation broth or a clarified MAS-containing fermentation broth that include distilling the broth under super atmospheric pressure at a temperature of >100° C. to about 300° C. to form an overhead that comprises water and ammonia, and a liquid bottoms that includes SA, and at least about 20 wt % water; cooling the bottoms to a temperature sufficient to cause the bottoms to separate into a liquid portion and a solid portion that is substantially pure SA; and separating the solid portion from the liquid portion. A method also reduces the broth distillation temperature and pressure by adding an ammonia separating and/or water azeotroping solvent to the broth.

Abstract: A flexible, closed loop device that includes at least one indecomposable knot formed that helps define a plurality of adjustable loops. The knot can be easily loosened so that the loop sizes can be adjusted. The knot is easily tightened and locked. In some embodiments, the device includes at least two indecomposable knots. The device is useful in the practice of yoga, Pilates, and other personal training exercises. The device is flexible and easily adjustable, allowing the user to more effectively target specific muscle groups. The device may additionally or alternately be used as a securing and carrying strap for items. Still further, the device may be used as a connecting device to link items together for towing, hoisting, etc.

Abstract: Processes for making SA from either a clarified DAS-containing fermentation broth or a clarified MAS-containing fermentation broth that include distilling the broth under super atmospheric pressure at a temperature of >100° C. to about 300° C. to form an overhead that comprises water and ammonia, and a liquid bottoms that includes SA, and at least about 20 wt % water; cooling the bottoms to a temperature sufficient to cause the bottoms to separate into a liquid portion and a solid portion that is substantially pure SA; and separating the solid portion from the liquid portion. A method also reduces the broth distillation temperature and pressure by adding an ammonia separating and/or water azeotroping solvent to the broth.

Abstract: Processes for making monoammonium succinate (MAS) and/or succinic acid (SA) from either a clarified diammonium succinate (DAS)-containing fermentation broth or a clarified MAS-containing fermentation broth include (a) distilling the broth to form an overhead that includes water and optionally ammonia and a liquid bottoms that includes MAS or SA; (b) cooling and/or evaporating the bottoms and optionally adding an antisolvent to the bottoms to attain a temperature and composition sufficient to cause the bottoms to produce a solid portion that contains MAS or SA in contact with a liquid portion; (c) separating the solid portion from the liquid portion; and (d) recovering the solid portion.

Abstract: Processes for making SA from either a clarified DAS-containing fermentation broth or a clarified MAS-containing fermentation broth that include distilling the broth under super atmospheric pressure at a temperature of >100° C. to about 300° C. to form an overhead that comprises water and ammonia, and a liquid bottoms that includes SA, and at least about 20 wt % water; cooling the bottoms to a temperature sufficient to cause the bottoms to separate into a liquid portion and a solid portion that is substantially pure SA; and separating the solid portion from the liquid portion. A method also reduces the broth distillation temperature and pressure by adding an ammonia separating and/or water azeotroping solvent to the broth.

Abstract: Processes for making AA from either a clarified DAA-containing fermentation broth or a clarified MAA-containing fermentation broth that include distilling the broth under super atmospheric pressure at a temperature of >100° C. to about 300° C. to form an overhead that comprises water and ammonia, and a liquid bottoms that includes AA, and at least about 20 wt % water; cooling the bottoms to a temperature sufficient to cause the bottoms to separate into a liquid portion and a solid portion that is substantially pure AA; and separating the solid portion from the liquid portion. A method also reduces the broth distillation temperature and pressure by adding an ammonia separating and/or water azeotroping solvent to the broth.

Abstract: A process for making MAA from a clarified DAA-containing fermentation broth includes (a) distilling the broth to form an overhead that includes water and ammonia, and a liquid bottoms that includes MAA, at least some DAA, and at least about 20 wt % water; (b) cooling the bottoms to a temperature sufficient to cause the bottoms to separate into a DAA-containing liquid portion in contact with a MAA-containing solid portion that is substantially free of DAA; (c) separating the solid portion from the liquid portion; and (d) recovering the solid portion.

Abstract: Processes for making monoammonium succinate (MAS) and/or succinic acid (SA) from either a clarified diammonium succinate (DAS)-containing fermentation broth or a clarified MAS-containing fermentation broth include (a) distilling the broth to form an overhead that includes water and optionally ammonia and a liquid bottoms that includes MAS or SA; (b) cooling and/or evaporating the bottoms and optionally adding an antisolvent to the bottoms to attain a temperature and composition sufficient to cause the bottoms to produce a solid portion that contains MAS or SA in contact with a liquid portion; (c) separating the solid portion from the liquid portion; and (d) recovering the solid portion.