Abstract: A system for processing oil from algae is disclosed. Specifically, the system recycles byproducts of the process for use as nutrients during algae growth and oil production. The system includes a conduit for growing algae and an algae separator that removes the algae from the conduit. Also, the system includes a device for lysing the algae and an oil separator to remove the oil from the lysed matter. Further, the system includes a biofuel reactor that receives oil from the oil separator and synthesizes biofuel and glycerin. Moreover, the algae separator, oil separator and biofuel reactor all recycle byproducts back to the conduit to support further algae growth.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for producing algae with high oil content. The system includes a chemostat formed with a conduit for growing algae, an input port for feeding a medium into the conduit, and an output port for passing an effluence from the conduit. Further, the chemostat includes a paddlewheel or other device that moves the medium around the conduit. Also, the system includes a plug flow reactor for receiving the effluence from the chemostat. In order to trigger high oil production in the algae, a modified nutrient mix is added to the effluence in the plug flow reactor. Specifically, the modified nutrient mix comprises a limited amount of a selected constituent to trigger oil production in the algae. Further, the system includes an algae separator for removing high oil content algae from the plug flow reactor.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for growing algae with improved photoefficiency. The system includes a bioreactor formed with a conduit for growing algae cells in a medium. Further, the system is provided with a means for moving the medium through the conduit at a predetermined fluid flow velocity. In order to ensure that algae cells are efficiently converting light energy to chemical energy, a plurality of barriers is positioned in the fluid stream. Specifically, the barriers are separated by predetermined distances to create von Karman vortices in the medium. As a result, algae cells are sequentially flowed to the surface of the fluid stream to receive light energy for predetermined intervals of time.

Abstract: A system for chemically disposing energetic material enclosed in assembled devices includes a porous basket. The porous basket forms an enclosed chamber for receiving the assembled devices. Further, the basket is supported by a rotatable basket arm that is, in turn, connected to a lifting arm. In addition to these structures, the system includes a tank that holds a hydrolysis solution. The tank is positioned to allow the lifting arm to submerge the basket into the solution. After submersion, the basket arm rotates the basket in the solution to flow the hydrolysis solution into contact with the assembled devices therein. As a result, the assembled devices react with the solution so that the solution penetrates the assembled devices, allowing the solution to contact and react with the energetic material to render the energetic material non-energetic.

Abstract: A system and method for performing hydrothermal treatment includes a reactor vessel having a pressure bearing wall. The surface of the pressure bearing wall that faces the reactor chamber is covered by a liner to protect the wall from exposure to temperature extremes, corrosives and salt deposits. The liner is formed with a porous layer and a non-porous, corrosion resistant layer. The corrosion resistant layer is positioned adjacent to the porous layer to seal the porous layer between the corrosion resistant layer and the wall of the vessel. Connectors extend through the wall of the reactor vessel to allow for fluid communication between the porous layer and an externally located pump. A heat transfer fluid can be selectively passed through the porous layer to maintain the temperature of the liner.

Abstract: A system for treating a feedstock for the purposes of waste destruction, energy generation, or the production of useful chemicals is disclosed and includes a reactor vessel. A heating lance is configured to outflow the products of a partial oxidation reaction into a reaction chamber in the vessel. The hot reaction products heat and pyrolyze the feedstock in the chamber generating a process effluent which typically includes gases (e.g. syn-gas) and carbon solids. Glasses and metals in the feedstock accumulate in the chamber in a molten state. The molten materials store thermal energy and provide thermal stability to the treatment system. A recycle loop uses carbon solids from the process effluent as an input to the lance for reaction with an oxidant therein.

Abstract: A method and system for using plastic material as a fuel includes dissolving the plastic material in biodiesel to form a solution. After the solution is created, it is filtered to remove insoluble contaminants and is then fed to a generator that oxidizes the solution to create power and/or heat. Heat from the oxidation of the solution can be utilized to facilitate the further dissolution of plastic material in biodiesel and to reduce the viscosity of the resulting solution.

Abstract: A homopolar machine which exhibits reduced wear and prolonged brush life. Current collectors or brushes are mounted so as to maintain substantially constant contact pressure and so that all of them are polarized negative. Brush holders are provided which facilitate the application of precise and constant contact pressure in a region of very high magnetic forces.

Abstract: A homopolar machine which exhibits reduced wear and prolonged brush life. Current collectors or brushes are mounted so as to maintain substantially constant contact pressure and so that all of them are polarized negative. Brush holders are provided which facilitate the application of precise and constant contact pressure in a region of very high magnetic forces.

Abstract: A system and method for performing hydrothermal treatment includes a scraper formed as a hollow cylinder. The scraper is positioned in the reactor vessel with the scraper axis substantially co-linear with the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical reactor vessel. A mechanism is provided to rotate the scraper about the longitudinal axis of the reactor vessel. One or more elongated scraper bars are positioned inside the reactor vessel between the scraper and the longitudinal axis of the reactor vessel. Each scraper bar may be held stationary with respect to the reactor vessel, or each scraper bar may rotated relative to an axis passing through the scraper bar to remove any solids that have accumulated on the scraper or on the scraper bar. To prevent accumulation of precipitating solids on the scraper bar itself, each scraper bar may have internal cooling channels or the capability of releasing a purging fluid.

Abstract: A system and method for performing hydrothermal treatment includes reactor vessel formed with a pressure bearing wall surrounding a reactor chamber. A liner protects the wall from exposure to temperature extremes, corrosives and salt deposits. The liner is formed with three layers: a non-porous, corrosion resistant primary layer; a porous layer; and a non-porous, secondary layer. The porous layer is sealed between the primary layer and the secondary layer. The liner is positioned in the reactor chamber with the secondary layer facing the pressure bearing wall of the reactor chamber and the primary layer facing the reactor chamber. Connectors extend through the wall of the reactor vessel and the secondary layer to allow a fluid to be pumped through the porous layer to maintain the temperature of the liner. The connectors also allow for sampling of the fluid within the porous layer to detect leaks in the primary layer.

Abstract: A system and method for performing hydrothermal treatment includes a scraper formed as a hollow cylinder. The scraper is positioned in the reactor vessel with the scraper axis substantially co-linear with the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical reactor vessel. A mechanism is provided to rotate the scraper about the longitudinal axis of the reactor vessel. One or more elongated scraper bars are positioned inside the reactor vessel between the scraper and the longitudinal axis of the reactor vessel. Each scraper bar may be held stationary with respect to the reactor vessel, or each scraper bar may rotated relative to an axis passing through the scraper bar to remove any solids that have accumulated on the scraper or on the scraper bar. To prevent accumulation of precipitating solids on the scraper bar itself, each scraper bar may have internal cooling channels or the capability of releasing a purging fluid.

Abstract: A system for processing organic material to produce energy includes a reactor vessel for hydrothermally treating the organic material with water to produce an effluent. In the reactor vessel, the organic material is gasified to produce an effluent containing combustible gases, steam, particulates, salts and corrosive species. The effluent is passed to a heat exchanger for cooling to a temperature sufficient to condense any water vapor in the effluent. The cooled effluent is subsequently separated into a relatively clean gaseous portion and a residual portion containing the condensed water, particulates, salts, and other corrosive species. The gaseous portion is fed into the combustion chamber of a gas turbine, along with air, to produce energy. The heat extracted from the effluent and the waste heat from the gas turbine can be used to preheat the organic material before hydrothermal treatment or to drive a steam turbine.

Abstract: A system for processing organic material to produce energy includes a reactor vessel for hydrothermally treating the organic material with water to produce an effluent. In the reactor vessel, the organic material is gasified to produce an effluent containing combustible gases, steam, particulates, salts and corrosive species. The effluent is passed to a heat exchanger for cooling to a temperature sufficient to condense any water vapor in the effluent. The cooled effluent is subsequently separated into a relatively clean gaseous portion and a residual portion containing the condensed water, particulates, salts, and other corrosive species. The gaseous portion is fed into the combustion chamber of a gas turbine, along with air, to produce energy. The heat extracted from the effluent and the waste heat from the gas turbine can be used to preheat the organic material before hydrothermal treatment or to drive a steam turbine.

Abstract: A system and method for performing hydrothermal treatment includes a reactor vessel having a pressure bearing wall. The surface of the pressure bearing wall that faces the reactor chamber is covered by a liner to protect the wall from exposure to temperature extremes, corrosives and salt deposits. The liner is formed with a porous layer and a non-porous, corrosion resistant layer. The corrosion resistant layer is positioned adjacent to the porous layer to seal the porous layer between the corrosion resistant layer and the wall of the vessel. Connectors extend through the wall of the reactor vessel to allow for fluid communication between the porous layer and an externally located pump. A heat transfer fluid can be selectively passed through the porous layer to maintain the temperature of the liner.

Abstract: A system and method for performing hydrothermal treatment includes reactor vessel formed with a pressure bearing wall surrounding a reactor chamber. A liner protects the wall from exposure to temperature extremes, corrosives and salt deposits. The liner is formed with three layers: a non-porous, corrosion resistant primary layer; a porous layer; and a non-porous, secondary layer. The porous layer is sealed between the primary layer and the secondary layer. The liner is positioned in the reactor chamber with the secondary layer facing the pressure bearing wall of the reactor chamber and the primary layer facing the reactor chamber. Connectors extend through the wall of the reactor vessel and the secondary layer to allow a fluid to be pumped through the porous layer to maintain the temperature of the liner. The connectors also allow for sampling of the fluid within the porous layer to detect leaks in the primary layer.

Abstract: A system (10) and method for hydrothermal treatment of a feed material (11) includes a reaction chamber (14) in a reactor (12). Importantly, an additive (16) is added with the feed material (11) to the reaction chamber (14). The additive (16) causes a reaction medium (18) in the reaction chamber (14) to include phosphate compounds. The phosphate compounds allow precipitating salts to be transported through the reactor (12) without plugging and inhibiting the build-up of precipitating salts in the reaction chamber (14).

Abstract: A system and method for treatment of a feed material includes a reactor chamber in a reactor vessel. The reactor vessel has a longitudinal axis which is vertically oriented so that gravitational forces act generally in a direction along the axis between a top and a bottom of the vessel. A feed material is introduced by a nozzle into the reactor chamber as a jet stream through the top end of the vessel. This jet stream causes back-mixing in the reactor chamber, contributing to rapid initiation of reaction and general down flow of material through the reactor chamber. The material in the reactor chamber can be quenched to dissolve sticky solids in the effluent before the effluent is discharged from the lower end of the vessel. Further, the reactor vessel can include a plug flow section to carry out additional reaction of the feed material.

Abstract: A supercritical water oxidation reactor is alternately supplied with a feed stream and a flushing stream. The feed stream contains organic and inorganic materials. The organic materials are oxidized under supercritical conditions in the reactor and the inorganic materials precipitate out of solution under the same conditions. The flushing stream is a solution in which the inorganic material is soluble. More than one supercritical water oxidation reactor may be connected so that the feed stream is alternately supplied to each reactor. During the period when the feed stream is being supplied to a reactor the effluent from the reactor is cooled to a temperature at which inorganic precipitates are soluble and is then supplied as a flushing stream to one or more of the remaining connected supercritical water oxidation reactors.

Abstract: A supercritical water oxidation reactor is alternately supplied with a feed stream and a flushing stream. The feed stream contains organic and inorganic materials. The organic materials are oxidized under supercritical conditions in the reactor and the inorganic materials precipitate out of solution under the same conditions. The flushing stream is a solution in which the inorganic material is soluble. More than one supercritical water oxidation reactor may be connected so that the feed stream is alternately supplied to each reactor. During the period when the feed stream is being supplied to a reactor the effluent from the reactor is cooled to a temperature at which inorganic precipitates are soluble and is then supplied as a flushing stream to one or more of the remaining connected supercritical water oxidation reactors.