Abstract: A bio-oil production process involving torrefaction pretreatment, catalytic esterification, pyrolysis, and secondary catalytic processing significantly reduces yields of reactor char, catalyst coke, and catalyst tar relative to the best-case conditions using non-torrefied feedstock. The reduction in coke as a result of torrefaction was 28.5% relative to the respective control for slow pyrolysis bio-oil upgrading. In fast pyrolysis bio-oil processing, the greatest reduction in coke was 34.9%. Torrefaction at 275° C. reduced levels of acid products including acetic acid and formic acid in the bio-oil, which reduced catalyst coking and increased catalyst effectiveness and aromatic hydrocarbon yields in the upgraded oils. The process of bio-oil generation further comprises a catalytic esterification of acids and aldehydes to generate such as ethyl levulinate from lignified biomass feedstock.

Abstract: A bio-oil production process involving torrefaction pretreatment, catalytic esterification, pyrolysis, and secondary catalytic processing significantly reduces yields of reactor char, catalyst coke, and catalyst tar relative to the best-case conditions using non-torrefied feedstock. The reduction in coke as a result of torrefaction was 28.5% relative to the respective control for slow pyrolysis bio-oil upgrading. In fast pyrolysis bio-oil processing, the greatest reduction in coke was 34.9%. Torrefaction at 275° C. reduced levels of acid products including acetic acid and formic acid in the bio-oil, which reduced catalyst coking and increased catalyst effectiveness and aromatic hydrocarbon yields in the upgraded oils. The process of bio-oil generation further comprises a catalytic esterification of acids and aldehydes to generate such as ethyl levulinate from lignified biomass feedstock.

Abstract: A system and method for culturing algae are presented. The system and method utilize a fog of growth medium that is delivered to an algal mat generator along with a stream of CO2 to promote growth of algal cells contained in the generator.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to biological optimization systems for enhancing photosynthetic efficiency and methods of use.

Abstract: The present disclosure includes algal floway (AGF) systems for continuous, specific, economical, and efficient harvesting of algae biomass.

Abstract: Biological optimization systems for enhancing photosynthetic efficiency and methods of use. Specifically, methods for enhancing photosynthetic efficiency including applying pulsed light to a photosynthetic organism, using a chlorophyll fluorescence feedback control system to determine one or more photosynthetic efficiency parameters, and adjusting one or more of the photosynthetic efficiency parameters to drive the photosynthesis by the delivery of an amount of light to optimize light absorption of the photosynthetic organism while providing enough dark time between light pulses to prevent oversaturation of the chlorophyll reaction centers are disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for biochar impregnated with microbes, methods of making biochar impregnated with microbes, methods of using biochar impregnated with microbes, methods of using biochar to produce gas, reactors using biochar and/or biochar impregnated with microbes, methods of using the reactors, and the like.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for novel strategies to harvest algal lipids using mollusks which after feeding algae from the growth medium can convert algal lipids into their biomass or excrete lipids in their pseudofeces which makes algae harvesting energy efficient and cost effective. The bioconverter, filter-feeding mollusks and their pseudofeces can be harvested and converted to biocrude using an advanced thermochemical liquefaction technology. Methods, systems, and materials are disclosed for the harvest and isolation of algal lipids from the mollusks, molluscan feces and molluscan pseudofeces.

Abstract: The disclosure encompasses, among other aspects, mixed algal populations able to survive and proliferate on culture media that have a high proportion of an industry wastewater. In particular, at least one strain of an alga in the algal population proliferates mixotrophically. Embodiments further encompass methods of cultivating mixed populations of freshwater and marine alga comprising a plurality of genera and species to provide a biomass from which may be extracted lipids, or converted into biodiesel by such procedures as pyrolysis. Lipid material extracted from the algae may be converted to biodiesel or other organic products. Native algal strains were isolated from industrial and in particular agricultural wastewater inoculated with mixed populations derived from environments exposed to such wastewater. Both fresh water and marine algae showed good growth in wastewaters. About 65% of the algal oil obtained from the algal consortium cultured on an industry wastewater could be converted into biodiesel.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to biological optimization systems for enhancing photosynthetic efficiency and methods of use.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for novel strategies to harvest algal lipids using mollusks which after feeding algae from the growth medium can convert algal lipids into their biomass or excrete lipids in their pseudofeces which makes algae harvesting energy efficient and cost effective. The bioconverter, filter-feeding mollusks and their pseudofeces can be harvested and converted to biocrude using an advanced thermochemical liquefaction technology. Methods, systems, and materials are disclosed for the harvest and isolation of algal lipids from the mollusks, molluscan feces and molluscan pseudofeces.

Abstract: The disclosure encompasses, among other aspects, mixed algal populations able to survive and proliferate on culture media that have a high proportion of carpet industry wastewater. Embodiments further encompass methods of cultivating mixed populations of freshwater and marine alga comprising a plurality of genera and species to provide a biomass from which may be extracted lipids, or converted into biodiesel by such procedures as pyrolysis. Lipid material extracted from the algae may be converted to biodiesel or other organic products. A combined stream of carpet industry untreated wastewater with 10-15% sewage was found to be a good growth medium for cultivation of microalgae and biodiesel production. Native algal strains were isolated from carpet wastewater inoculated with mixed populations derived from environments exposed to such wastewater. Both fresh water and marine algae showed good growth in wastewaters.