Abstract: An anti-collision system for railcars and locomotives provides a distance ranging and worker coupling protection system utilizing remote-sensing radar techniques for use with a locomotive and railcar. The anti-collision system may include an object detector device attached to a railcar or a locomotive that detects objects in a path of the railcar and the locomotive and a train display device electrically connected to the object detector device. The anti-collision system may also include an emergency action device which enables a crew member to stop the railcar or locomotive without communication to a locomotive operator when a hazard is recognized. The object detector device may include a remote sensor, a radio, and a microprocessor programmed to include data-logging to record and log all data from the anti-collision system.

Abstract: A method for treating biomass including lignocellulosic polymers. The biomass is treated in a mixture of water with at least one oxidizing agent and steam at a temperature in a range of from about 130° C. to about 220° C. for a period from about 5 seconds to about 10 hours. The pH of the mixture is periodically measured for substantially an entire duration of the treating step. As necessary, based on the measured pH of the mixture, adjusting the pH of the mixture into a range of from about pH 4.5 to about pH 7.5 by adding a base to the mixture.

Abstract: A method for treating biomass including lignocellulosic polymers. The biomass is treated in a mixture of water with at least one oxidizing agent and steam at a temperature in a range of from about 130° C. to about 220° C. for a period from about 5 seconds to about 10 hours. The pH of the mixture is periodically measured for substantially an entire duration of the treating step. As necessary, based on the measured pH of the mixture, adjusting the pH of the mixture into a range of from about pH 4.5 to about pH 7.5 by adding a base to the mixture.

Abstract: A growth medium for fungus is obtained by: (a) treating a mixture of lignocellulosic biomass and water with at least one oxidizing agent and steam at a temperature in a range of from about 130° C. to about 220° C. for a period from about 5 seconds to about 10 hours; (b) periodically measuring a pH of the mixture for substantially an entire duration of the treating step; and (c) as necessary, based on the pH of the mixture measured in step (b), adjusting the pH of the mixture into a range of from about pH 4.5 to about pH 7.5 by adding a base to the mixture. A method for producing the growth medium for fungi and a method for cultivating fungi are also provided.

Abstract: A growth medium for fungus is obtained by: (a) treating a mixture of lignocellulosic biomass and water with at least one oxidizing agent and steam at a temperature in a range of from about 130 C to about 220 C for a period from about 5 seconds to about 10 hours; (b) periodically measuring a pH of the mixture for substantially an entire duration of the treating step; and (c) as necessary, based on the pH of the mixture measured in step (b), adjusting the pH of the mixture into a range of from about pH 4.5 to about pH 7.5 by adding abase to the mixture. A method for producing the growth medium for fungi and a method for cultivating fungi are also provided.

Abstract: A growth medium for fungus is obtained by: (a) treating a mixture of lignocellulosic biomass and water with at least one oxidizing agent and steam at a temperature in a range of from about 130 C to about 220 C for a period from about 5 seconds to about 10 hours; (b) periodically measuring a pH of the mixture for substantially an entire duration of the treating step; and (c) as necessary, based on the pH of the mixture measured in step (b), adjusting the pH of the mixture into a range of from about pH 4.5 to about pH 7.5 by adding abase to the mixture. A method for producing the growth medium for fungi and a method for cultivating fungi are also provided.

Abstract: A method for treating biomass including lignocellulosic polymers. The biomass is treated in a mixture of water with at least one oxidizing agent and steam at a temperature in a range of from about 130° C. to about 220° C. for a period from about 5 seconds to about 10 hours. The pH of the mixture is periodically measured for substantially an entire duration of the treating step. As necessary, based on the measured pH of the mixture, adjusting the pH of the mixture into a range of from about pH 4.5 to about pH 7.5 by adding a base to the mixture.

Abstract: A method for solubilizing a carbonaceous feedstock. The method includes steps of reacting a mixture of the carbonaceous feedstock with a metal oxide including a metal at a first, higher oxidation state to reduce the metal of the metal oxide to a second, lower oxidation state by releasing at least one oxygen atom from the metal oxide. The released oxygen from the metal oxide is used to oxidize the carbonaceous feedstock. At least a portion of the metal or metal oxide containing the metal at the second, lower oxidation state is then oxidized to the metal oxide containing the metal at the first, higher oxidation state for reuse in the reaction step.

Abstract: A method for treatment of a lignocellulosic biomass using an oxidizing agent selected from an oxygen-containing gas, hydrogen peroxide, ozone and oxidizing acids. The treatment products may be subjected to microbial digestion in order to generate one or more desirable products from the carbonaceous feedstock. The solid portion of the reaction products may be further processed to be used in the paper industry.

Abstract: A method for treatment of a lignocellulosic biomass using an oxidizing agent selected from an oxygen-containing gas, hydrogen peroxide, ozone and oxidizing acids. The treatment products may be subjected to microbial digestion in order to generate one or more desirable products from the carbonaceous feedstock. The solid portion of the reaction products may be further processed to be used in the paper industry.

Abstract: A method for treatment of a carbonaceous feedstock such as coal or biomass. The method comprises adsorbing an oxidizing agent selected from an oxygen-containing gas, hydrogen peroxide, ozone and oxidizing acids from a liquid phase of an aqueous mixture comprising water and the carbonaceous feedstock onto the carbonaceous feedstock to produce an aqueous mixture with the liquid phase having a reduced content of the oxidizing agent and the carbonaceous feedstock having oxidizing agent adsorbed on a surface thereof, and heating this aqueous mixture to a temperature and for a sufficient time to partially oxidize and solubilize at least a portion of the carbonaceous feedstock. The reaction products may be chemically or physically separated, recycled to the heating step and/or subjected to microbial digestion in order to generate one or more desirable products from the carbonaceous feedstock. The solid portion of the reaction products may be further processed to be used in the paper industry.

Abstract: Preparing solid biomass particles for catalytic conversion includes agitating solid biomass particles and providing a biomass-catalyst mixture to a conventional petroleum refinery process unit. The biomass-catalyst mixture includes the solid biomass particles and a catalyst. Agitating solid biomass particles includes flowing a gas to provide a velocity to at least a portion of the solid biomass particles sufficient to reduce their sizes. Co-processing a biomass feedstock and a conventional petroleum feedstock includes liquefying at least a portion of a biomass-catalyst mixture and co-processing at least a portion of the liquefied biomass feedstock and a conventional petroleum feedstock in a conventional petroleum refinery process unit. The biomass feedstock includes a plurality of solid biomass particles and a catalyst, which is liquefied to produce a liquefied biomass feedstock.

Abstract: A method for treatment of a carbonaceous feedstock such as coal or biomass. The method comprises adsorbing an oxidizing agent selected from an oxygen containing gas, hydrogen peroxide, ozone and oxidizing acids from a liquid phase of an aqueous mixture comprising water and a carbonaceous feedstock onto the surface of the and the carbonaceous feedstock to produce an aqueous mixture with the liquid phase having a reduced content of the oxidizing agent carbonaceous feedstock having oxidizing agent adsorbed on a surface thereof, and heating this aqueous mixture to a temperature and for a sufficient time to partially oxidize and solubilize at least a portion of the carbonaceous feedstock. The reaction products may be chemically or physically separated, recycled to the heating step and/or subjected to microbial digestion in order to generate one or more desirable products from the carbonaceous feedstock. The solid portion of the reaction products may be further processed to be used in the paper industry.

Abstract: A method for solubilizing a carbonaceous feedstock. The method includes steps of reacting a mixture of the carbonaceous feedstock with a metal oxide including a metal at a first, higher oxidation state to reduce the metal of the metal oxide to a second, lower oxidation state by releasing at least one oxygen atom from the metal oxide. The released oxygen from the metal oxide is used to oxidize the carbonaceous feedstock. At least a portion of the metal or metal oxide containing the metal at the second, lower oxidation state is then oxidized to the metal oxide containing the metal at the first, higher oxidation state for reuse in the reaction step.

Abstract: A process for biomass catalytic cracking is disclosed herein. More specifically, the process is in presence of is a mixed metal oxide catalyst represented by the formula (X1O).(X2O)a.(X3YbO4) wherein X1, X2 and X3 are alkaline earth elements selected from the group of Mg, Ca, Be, Ba, and mixture thereof, and Y is a metal selected from the group of Al, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cr, Ga, B, La, P and mixture thereof, wherein the catalyst is formed by calcining at least one compound comprising at least one alkaline earth element and a metal element.

Abstract: Catalyst compositions comprising a phosphorous-promoted ZSM-5 component and a silica-containing binder, and methods for making and using same, are disclosed. More, specifically, processes for making a catalyst for biomass conversion are provided. The process includes: treating a ZSM-5 zeolite with a phosphorous-containing compound to form a phosphorous-promoted ZSM-5 component; preparing a slurry comprising the phosphorous-promoted ZSM-5 component and a silica-containing binder; and shaping the slurry into shaped bodes. Such catalysts can be used for the Thermocatalytic conversion of particulate biomass to liquid products such as bio-oil, resulting in higher bio-oil yields and lower coke than conventional catalysts.

Abstract: A process for producing catalyst for biomass catalytic cracking is disclosed herein. The process includes modifying a phyllosilicate to produce a modified phyllosilicate having an improved yield of a pyrolysis reaction. The modification of the phyllosilicate includes leaching the clay with an acid or basic solution to form a leached clay preparation, calcining the leached clay and contacting the treated clay with a suspension comprising metal ions for ion-exchange. The modified clay catalyst can then be mixed with inorganic materials such as zeolites and dried to form fluidizable microspheres.

Abstract: A method for treatment of a carbonaceous feedstock such as coal or black liquor is disclosed. The method comprises heating a mixture of the carbonaceous feedstock, with or without a solubilizing agent, water, and an oxidizing agent to solubilize and oxidize carbonaceous materials. In case of oxidation of black liquor, at least one organic compound comprising from about 2 to about 20 carbon atoms may be obtained. The reaction products may be chemically or physically separated, recycled to the heating step and/or subjected to microbial digestion in order to generate one or more desirable products from the carbonaceous feedstock.

Abstract: A process involving a microorganism consortium for converting at least one component in a carbon-bearing material to a different product comprising at least one hydrocarbon. In the process, a microorganism consortium is contacted with a composition that causes an increase or decrease of a relative population of at least one species of microorganism in said microorganism consortium, to enhance a yield or selectivity or alter a rate of said process. The composition may be selected from a composition that affects an intracellular pathway of said at least one species of microorganism, a composition that affects an intercellular signaling pathway that involves said at least one species of microorganism and at least one antisense RNA. Also, the microorganism consortium can be exposed to signals such as sound waves or electromagnetic signals or a condition of the environment of the microorganism consortium can be altered.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for biomass conversion which includes co-processing the biomass with thermoplastic and non-thermoplastic polymer based materials in a catalytic pyrolysis reactor to convert such to liquid hydrocarbons; wherein hydrogen atoms originating with the polymer materials can remove oxygen from oxygenated hydrocarbons produced in the conversion of the biomass in the reactor.