Abstract: The present invention relates to an environmentally acceptable synthesis method of polyol esters that produces no toxic by-products methods during the synthesis. The present invention also provides for the use of these esters as safe and effective insecticides.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a family of novel compositions to serve as substrates that release hydroxy acid slowly over time. Preferably the hydroxy acid is an &agr;-hydroxy acid, more preferably it is lactic acid. The compositions are preferably made by reaction of poly(lactic acid) with multifunctional alcohols. Also disclosed are formulations based on the compounds and methods of use for both the compositions and the formulations. The preferred use of the compositions and formulations of the present invention is for bioremediation purposes wherein they provide a time-release source of lactic acid to support the growth and reductive activity of microbes present in a system or medium, such as an aquifer, bioreactor, soil, industrial process, wastestream, body of water, river or well.

Abstract: The preferred embodiments provide for a family of novel compositions to serve as substrates that release hydroxy acid slowly over time. Preferably the hydroxy acid is an &agr;-hydroxy acid, more preferably it is lactic acid. The compositions are preferably made by reaction of poly(lactic acid) with multifunctional alcohols. Also disclosed are formulations based on the compounds and methods of use for both the compositions and the formulations. The preferred use of the compositions and formulations is for bioremediation purposes wherein they provide a time-release source of lactic acid to support the growth and reductive activity of microbes present in a system or medium, such as an aquifer, bioreactor, soil, industrial process, wastestream, body of water, river or well. The microbes destroy or inactivate compounds which are capable of being reduced, such as nitrogen-containing organic compounds, oxygen-containing organic compounds, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, and halogen-containing organic compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an environmentally acceptable method of producing glycine betaine esters that produces no toxic by-products during the synthesis. The method produces only product, recyclable material for reuse in the process, and recovered material which can be sold for uses, such as fertilizer.

Abstract: The present invention describes a process of using agricultural biomass to make particle or fiberboards. The preferred biomass is selected with high cellulose and hemicellulose concentration and low silica content. The process utilizes short refining time and low steam pressure.

Abstract: A method of producing dehydration products from one more 5-carbon or 6-carbon sugars includes reacting said one or more sugars at 40-240.degree. C. for 1 to 96 hours in the presence of 5-90% sulfuric acid, separating the reaction products, and recovering levulinic acid. The sugars are can be generated from strong acid hydrolysis of biomass, such as rice straw, paper, cotton and other cellulosic materials.

Abstract: A method of producing dehydration products from one or more 5-carbon or 6-carbon sugars includes reacting said one or more sugars at 40.degree.-240 .degree. C. for 1 to 96 hours in the presence of 10-90% sulfuric acid, separating the reaction products, and recovering levulinic acid. The sugars can be generated from strong acid hydrolysis of biomass, such as rice straw, paper, cotton and other cellulosic materials.

Abstract: A economically viable method for producing sugars using concentrated acid hydrolysis of biomass containing cellulose and hemicellulose is disclosed. The cellulose and hemicellulose in the biomass is first decrystallized and then hydrolyzed to produce a hydrolysate containing both sugars and acid. Silica present in the biomass can then be removed for further processing. The remaining solids are then subjected to a second decrystallization and hydrolyzation to optimize the sugar yields. An improved method for separating the sugars from the acid in the hydrolysate is also disclosed. The resulting sugar stream can then be fermented, using an improved method which allows both hexose and pentose sugars to be fermented simultaneously.

Abstract: A method of removing silica or silicates from solids results from the acid hydrolysis of materials containing cellulose and hemicellulose is disclosed. The method includes the steps of treating the solids with a metal hydroxide solution to produce an extract, reducing the pH of the extract to produce silicic acid, and removing the silicic acid from the extract.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for manufacturing an sugar ester product of a sugar and a fatty acid. First, a fatty acid and methyl or ethyl alcohol is reacted in the presence of sulfuric acid catalyst to produce a fatty acid ester and water. The sulfuric acid catalyst is neutralized with a metal carbonate to make a metal sulfate, with the fatty acid ester being separated from the metal sulfate, the alcohol and the water. The recovered fatty acid ester is reacted in the presence of a metal carbonate catalyst with sugar dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide to produce the sugar ester product and alcohol. The dimethyl sulfoxide is separated from the reaction mixture by vacuum distillation, and then water is added to emulsify the sugar ester product and unreacted fatty acid ester. The unreacted sugar and the metal carbonate is dissolved in the water.

Abstract: A economically viable method for producing sugars using concentrated acid hydrolysis of biomass containing cellulose and hemicellulose is disclosed. The cellulose and hemicellulose in the biomass is first decrystallized and then hydrolyzed to produce a hydrolysate containing both sugars and acid. Silica and silicates present in the biomass can then be removed for further processing. The remaining solids are then subjected to a second decrystallization if necessary and a second hydrolyzation to optimize the sugar yields.

Abstract: An economically viable method of fermenting a mixture of sugars resulting from the acid hydrolysis of material containing cellulose and hemicellulose allows for the simultaneous fermentation of both pentose and hexose sugars. The sugar solution is mixed with a microbial organism known to produce a useful fermentation product, and the fermentation process is allowed to proceed for 3-5 days, during and after which the fermentation products are removed and purified.

Abstract: A economically viable method for producing sugars using concentrated acid hydrolysis of biomass containing cellulose and hemicellulose is disclosed. The cellulose and hemicellulose in the biomass is first decrystallized and then hydrolyzed to produce a hydrolysate containing both sugars and acid. Silica and silicates present in the biomass can then be removed for further processing. The remaining solids are then subjected to a second decrystallization if necessary and a second hydrolyzation to optimize the sugar yields.

Abstract: A economically viable method for producing sugars using concentrated acid hydrolysis of biomass containing cellulose and hemicellulose is disclosed. The cellulose and hemicellulose in the biomass is first decrystallized and then hydrolyzed to produce a hydrolysate containing both sugars and acid. Silica present in the biomass can then be removed for further processing. The remaining solids are then subjected to a second decrystallization and hydrolyzation to optimize the sugar yields. An improved method for separating the sugars from the acid in the hydrolysate is also disclosed. The resulting sugar stream can then be fermented, using an improved method which allows both hexose and pentose sugars to be fermented simultaneously.

Abstract: A economically viable method for producing sugars using concentrated acid hydrolysis of biomass containing cellulose and hemicellulose is disclosed. The cellulose and hemicellulose in the biomass is first decrystallized and then hydrolyzed to produce a hydrolysate containing both sugars and acid. Silica present in the biomass can then be removed for further processing. The remaining solids are then subjected to a second decrystallization and hydrolyzation to optimize the sugar yields. An improved method for separating the sugars from the acid in the hydrolysate is also disclosed. The resulting sugar stream can then be fermented, using an improved method which allows both hexose and pentose sugars to be fermented simultaneously.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for growing living cellular material in a reaction zone having a membrane in contact with an aqueous medium. The concentration of nutrient in samples from the process is measured using a spectrometric instrument to obtain spectral data characteristic of nutrient components. This spectral data is analyzed using a chi-squared mathematical technique to determine the unknown concentration of nutrient components in said samples. Then the rate at which nutrient is fed to the reaction zone is altered based on the determination of concentration of nutrient components as required to optimize the process.

Abstract: Disclosed is the use of oxygen delivery vehicles, including peroxides of calcium, potassium and magnesium, to treat plant media having a negative reduction oxidation potential. The peroxides are preferably intercalated with phosphate ion which prolongs the period of time during which oxygen is released. The peroxides may be mixed with macronutrients, micronutrients or other beneficial additives or amendments, to provide fertilizers or applied direct to the media. Effective amounts of metals are used as bioactive agents for suppressing or enhancing the activity of microorganisms in the soil, depending on whether such microorganisms are detrimental or beneficial to plants. The formulations are useful in treating anaerobic associated disease states such as black layer in turf. The formulations are also useful in controlling post harvest potato soft rot and other microbial infection and disease states in plants.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of decontaminating soil by applying to the soil an oxygen delivery vehicle such as peroxides of calcium, potassium or magnesium or mixture thereof in an amount which substantially increases the population of microorganism in the soil that digest pollutants. Preferably, a surfactant and an oxygen release rate modifier are also included.

Abstract: An on-line method of monitoring and controlling a chemical process is based on measuring the concentration of process reactants and products using spectrometric technology. The spectral data is analyzed using a modified chi-squared processing method to determine the unknown concentration of reactants and products in test samples withdrawn from the process. This method avoids the need for the spectral data to conform to Beer's Law and the best spectral range is determined automatically. The physical parameters of the process are monitored and altered based on this determination as required to optimize the process.

Abstract: A wind turbine rotor blade including NASA LS (1) - 04xx airfoil sections having a twist not greater than 8.degree. and a construction for such a blade which includes no parting line along the leading edge. The bond between a rectangular spar and the outer skin is reinforced by channels of "C" shaped cross section affixed to the skin and the spar. A method for manufacturing a rotor blade of this construction.