Abstract: Methods of producing renewable materials may include consuming a fermentation feedstock with a fermentation organism to produce a renewable material in fermentation broth; water may then be separated from the feedstock or broth using one or more phase separations, or the renewable material may be concentrated from the feedstock or broth using one or more phase separations. Methods of producing biofuel components may include consuming a lignocellulosic or sugar fermentation feedstock with a fermentation organism to produce either ethanol or butanol in fermentation broth; cooling the feedstock or broth to solidify at least some water therein; and separating the solidified water from the feedstock or broth using a solid-liquid phase separation.

Abstract: Processes for chemical conversion of volatile organic compounds to value added products using multiphasic membrane reactors are described. More particularly the multiphasic materials comprising two or more phases bound to one another which in the form of a solid state membrane demonstrate an ability to selectively convey electrons, hydrogen and oxygen between different gaseous mixtures. Characteristics of such multiphasic materials provide independent, controllable, counter-current transport of hydrogen, electrons and oxygen.

Abstract: Polymerization processes having as constituent parts high conversion membrane reactors, that provide a source of monomer, and subsequent polymerization of the monomer, without passing products of the conversion through an alkane/alkene splitter, are disclosed. Polymers of light alkene hydrocarbons, such as ethylene, propylene and alkenes consisting of up to 6 carbon atoms, are prepared from gaseous feedstreams consisting predominantly of volatile alkane compounds substantially free of dihydrogen and/or dioxygen. Equipment required for separation of alkene products from unreacted alkanes in conventional plants is eliminated because of the high alkane conversions provided in the membrane reactors. Particularly useful are flow reactors comprising dense membranes of multiphasic materials that provide independent, controllable, counter-current transport of hydrogen, electrons and oxygen.

Abstract: The present invention includes an apparatus and method for use of distillation packing material made from a non-selective meso/microporous membrane that separates light hydrocarbon mixtures.