Abstract: The barley-based biorefinery process comprises a method of optimizing the production of ethanol and value-added products from barley feedstock. Specifically, the biorefinery process is an integrated barley treatment process that utilizes essentially all components of barley (including the barley hulls) to efficiently produce ethanol and other value-added liquids and solids.

Abstract: A portable, motorized apparatus for winding flexible hoses, lines, cables and the like into spools for storage. The apparatus includes a motor assembly that drives a spool. The apparatus can receive hoses from either side, and can be mounted on a vehicle hitch receiver at different heights to accommodate different operators and terrains.

Abstract: A process for recovering corn germ and corn coarse fiber from corn in a dry grind process, involving soaking corn kernels in water to produce soaked corn kernels, grinding the soaked corn kernels to produce a ground corn slurry, and incubating the ground corn slurry with at least one enzyme (amylase(s), protease(s), cell wall degrading enzyme(s), or mixtures thereof, and optionally other enzyme(s)) to increase the specific gravity of the slurry to about 10-about 16 Baume so that the corn germ and corn coarse fiber floats to the top of the slurry, recovering the corn germ and the corn coarse fiber, and optionally producing ethanol from the slurry no longer containing the corn germ and corn coarse fiber. The process does not involve the addition of starch, a salt, a sugar syrup, or mixtures thereof to the slurry.

Abstract: A method for obtaining starch from maize involving soaking maize kernels in water to produce soaked maize kernels, grinding the soaked maize kernels to produce a ground maize slurry, and incubating the ground maize slurry with enzyme (e.g., protease).

Abstract: A method for obtaining starch from maize involving soaking maize kernels in water to produce soaked maize kernels, grinding the soaked maize kernels to produce a ground maize slurry, and incubating the ground maize slurry with enzyme (e.g., protease).

Abstract: A low cost, modular plant irrigation system using any convenient container as a reservoir to hold water, including a detachable manifold connected to the reservoir, one or more detachable dripper devices to produce by gravity droplets of water to flow through detachable tubing of selectable sizes and lengths from the manifold to a variable number and types of plant sites, and additional control devices at either or both the dripper devices and the plant sites to individually control selectively and variably the amount of water flowing to each plant site.

Abstract: A shelter for protecting young plants comprising a shell made from a resilient resin material, formed of two substantially identical mating sections integrally formed with connecting snaps and selectively closable openings for providing air and irrigation to the plants.

Abstract: A shelter for protecting young plants has a shell (10) made from a translucent resin material. Windows (28) are formed through a peripheral wall (16) on one side of the shell (10) for controlling the admission of light and air into the shelter. A hood (30) made from a transparent film of resin material covers the windows (28) to conserve heat and moisture within the shelter. The young plants are acclimated to their surroundings by progressively removing the hood (30) from the windows (28).