Abstract: A process for increasing alcohol yield from biomass (the form or agro- or forest residue, grains, hops, etc.), involving multiple hydrodynamic cavitation treatments of biomass filtrate—both before and after fermentation. Carbohydrates extracted from biomass are subjected to a first cavitation treatment to promote additional conversion into carbohydrates. The carbohydrates are then combined with bacterial species and nutrients, and allowed to ferment. The fermentation product is subjected to a second hydrodynamic cavitation treatment to promote further conversion of carbohydrates into bioalcohol. After distillation, the bioalcohol is subjected to a second hydrodynamic cavitation treatment to increase its purity.

Abstract: A process for increasing alcohol yield from biomass (the form or agro- or forest residue, grains, hops, etc.), involving multiple hydrodynamic cavitation treatments of biomass filtrate—both before and after fermentation. Carbohydrates extracted from biomass are subjected to a first cavitation treatment to promote additional conversion into carbohydrates. The carbohydrates are then combined with bacterial species and nutrients, and allowed to ferment. The fermentation product is subjected to a second hydrodynamic cavitation treatment to promote further conversion of carbohydrates into bioalcohol. After distillation, the bioalcohol is subjected to a second hydrodynamic cavitation treatment to increase its purity.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for manipulating petroleum, non-conventional oil and other viscous complex fluids made of hydrocarbons that comprise enforcement of fluid in a multi-stage flow-through hydrodynamic cavitational reactor, subjecting said fluids to a controlled cavitation and continuing the application of such cavitation for a period of time sufficient for obtaining desired changes in physical properties and/or chemical composition and generating the upgraded products. The method includes alteration of chemical bonds, induction of interactions of components, changes in composition, heterogeneity and rheological characteristics in order to facilitate handling, improve yields of distillate fuels and optimize other properties.

Abstract: A process for extracting carbohydrates from biomass and creating bioalcohol from the extracted carbohydrates. Subjecting the biomass to acid or alkali hydrolysis in a first hydrodynamic cavitation process. Filtering the first cavitated biomass to separate a first filtrate containing extracted carbohydrates. Fermenting the first filtrate to create a bioalcohol and separating the bioalcohol by distillation or similar process. Subjecting the biomass to enzymatic hydrolysis in a second hydrodynamic cavitation process. Filtering the second cavitated biomass to separate a second filtrate containing extracted carbohydrates. Fermenting the second filtrate to create a bioalcohol and separating the bioalcohol by distillation or similar process. The first and second filtrates may be combined and fermented in a single step.

Abstract: A method for degumming and/or refining crude oil containing impurities involving mixing the crude oil with degumming agents, i.e., water or acid, and subjecting the mixture to flow-through, hydrodynamic cavitation processing. The cavitational processing transfers impurities in the crude oil to a water phase for easier separation. The water phase may be separated from the oil phase by commonly available separation methods.

Abstract: A method and device for manipulating alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages to obtain desirable changes in the beverages, comprising subjecting said beverages to a flow-through hydrodynamic cavitation process and continuing the application of such process for a period of time sufficient to produce a consumable product. In the case of wine, the method includes altering the composition and accelerating the conversion of ingredients to obtain wine with a superior homogeny, an extended shelf life and a mouth feel, flavor, bouquet, color and body resembling those of wine that was subjected to a traditional oak barrel maturation. The system provided implements the described method.

Abstract: A process for removing impurities from a crude vegetable oil. The process involves mixing the crude vegetable oil with removal reagents and pumping the mixture through a multi-stage, hydrodynamic cavitation device. The mixture is subjected to hydrodynamic cavitation processes, which result in the repeated generation and collapsing of vapor bubbles of volatile components in the process fluid, leading to the formation of an emulsion of vegetable oil and a water-phase from the process fluid into an emulsion. The water-phase contains the impurities. The vegetable oil and water-phase are then separated. Lecithin may be made from the phospholipids in the water-phase after appropriate drying processes.

Abstract: A method for producing fatty acid alkyl esters from biolipids through transesterification and/or esterification reactions uses a flow-through cavitation device for generating cavitation bubbles in a fluidic reaction medium. The fluidic medium is passed through sequential compartments in the cavitation device having varying diameters and inner surface features to create localized reductions in fluid pressure thus vaporizing volatile alcohols and creating an increased surface area and optimized conditions for the reaction to occur at the gas-liquid interface around the bubbles.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process to remove impurities from triacylglycerol oil including mixing the oil and a fluidic agent, pumping the mixture through a flow-through hydrodynamic cavitation apparatus at a pre-determined inlet pump pressure, creating hydrodynamic cavitation in the mixture, maintaining the hydrodynamic cavitation for a pre-determined period of time, moving the impurities from the oil to the fluidic agent, and then separating the fluidic agent from the oil. The impurities can include phytosterols, sterol glucosides, acylated sterol glucosides, in which case the fluidic agent is water, an alkali hydroxide, an inorganic base, an organic base, phosphoric acid, citric acid, acetic acid or a mixture thereof. The impurities may also include phosphatides, in which case and the fluidic agent comprises water and an enzyme such as phospholipase, a lipid acyltransferase or a mixture thereof.

Abstract: A method for degumming and/or refining crude oil containing impurities involving mixing the crude oil with degumming agents, i.e., water or acid, and subjecting the mixture to flow-through, hydrodynamic cavitation processing. The cavitational processing transfers impurities in the crude oil to a water phase for easier separation. The water phase may be separated from the oil phase by commonly available separation methods.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatuses, systems, and methods for the treatment of contaminated fluids, in particular water. The system is generally a continuous flow system including a multi-stage cavitation device, an electrocoagulation device, and an air flotation unit. The electrocoagulation device includes a plurality of interweaved cathode and anode plates. The anode plates are coated with an oxygen generating mixed-metal oxide coating. The air flotation unit includes a cavitation aerator and electrode blocks to introduce air bubbles into the fluid. Contaminants attach to the air bubbles and float to the fluid surface where they are removed as sludge. Treated fluid is passed through a final filtration system. The methods involve the processes imparted by the various apparatuses on the fluid.

Abstract: A device and method for processing an algae medium containing algae microorganisms to produce algal oil and by-products thereof. The method comprises pumping the algae medium through a flow-through hydrodynamic cavitation device, generating localized zones of reduced fluid pressure, creating cavitational features in the algae medium, collapsing those cavitation features, and disintegrating cell walls and intracellular organelles to produce algal oil and by-products.

Abstract: A process for extracting carbohydrates from biomass and creating bioalcohol from the extracted carbohydrates. Subjecting the biomass to acid or alkali hydrolysis in a first hydrodynamic cavitation process. Filtering the first cavitated biomass to separate a first filtrate containing extracted carbohydrates. Fermenting the first filtrate to create a bioalcohol and separating the bioalcohol by distillation or similar process. Subjecting the biomass to enzymatic hydrolysis in a second hydrodynamic cavitation process. Filtering the second cavitated biomass to separate a second filtrate containing extracted carbohydrates. Fermenting the second filtrate to create a bioalcohol and separating the bioalcohol by distillation or similar process. The first and second filtrates may be combined and fermented in a single step.

Abstract: A process for removing impurities from a crude vegetable oil. The process involves mixing the crude vegetable oil with removal reagents and pumping the mixture through a multi-stage, hydrodynamic cavitation device. The mixture is subjected to hydrodynamic cavitation processes, which result in the repeated generation and collapsing of vapor bubbles of volatile components in the process fluid, leading to the formation of an emulsion of vegetable oil and a water-phase from the process fluid into an emulsion. The water-phase contains the impurities. The vegetable oil and water-phase are then separated. Lecithin may be made from the phospholipids in the water-phase after appropriate drying processes.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cavitation and electrocoagulation reactor comprising a hollow cylindrical cathode having a cylindrical anode coaxially disposed therein to form an annular interelectrode gap between the contact surfaces. An inlet sleeve and an outlet sleeve disposed in the respective inlet and outlet of the cathode and abutting against opposite ends of the anode seal the interelectrode gap from the respective inlet and outlet of the cathode. A set of channels disposed in the wall of the inlet sleeve connect the inlet to the interelectrode gap. Similarly, a set of openings disposed in the outlet sleeve connect the interelectrode gap to the cathode outlet. An electrical source has first and second terminals respectively connected to the anode and the cathode. The method for removing contaminants from a contaminated fluid flow involves the simultaneous application of hydrodynamic cavitation and electrocoagulation to the contaminated fluid flow.

Abstract: A method for producing fatty acid alkyl esters from biolipids through transesterification and/or esterification reactions uses a flow-through cavitation device for generating cavitation bubbles in a fluidic reaction medium. The fluidic medium is passed through sequential compartments in the cavitation device having varying diameters and inner surface features to create localized reductions in fluid pressure thus vaporizing volatile alcohols and creating an increased surface area and optimized conditions for the reaction to occur at the gas-liquid interface around the bubbles.

Abstract: A method for producing fatty acid alkyl esters from biolipids through transesterification and/or esterification reactions uses a flow-through cavitation device for generating cavitation bubbles in a fluidic reaction medium. The fluidic medium is passed through sequential compartments in the cavitation device having varying diameters and inner surface features to create localized reductions in fluid pressure thus vaporizing volatile alcohols and creating an increased surface area and optimized conditions for the reaction to occur at the gas-liquid interface around the bubbles.

Abstract: A flow-through, chamber-in-chamber, nanocavitation apparatus having an elongated housing with an inlet and an outlet. A working chamber disposed between the inlet and the outlet includes alternating radial and central flow guides disposed concentrically in the working chamber about a central axis. A first radial flow guide is disposed proximate to the inlet and all radial flow guides have a radial opening adjacent to an inner wall of the housing. A first central flow guide is disposed proximate to the outlet and has a central opening about the central axis. The alternating concentric nature of the flow guides promotes alternating generation and collapse of cavitational features, all while promoting the efficient exchange of heat between hot zones and cooler regions of adjacent flow guides.

Abstract: A method for processing a fluidic mixture in a multi-stage hydrodynamic cavitation device is disclosed. The fluidic mixture is introduced to an inlet and passed through a flowpath having at least ten cavitation zones. The fluidic mixture is exposed to cavitation inducing features in each of the at least ten cavitation zones to induce cavitation bubbles, which bubbles are then collapsed between every two adjacent of the at least ten cavitation zones. The multi-stage hydrodynamic cavitation device for processing the fluidic mixture has a generally cylindrical housing with an inlet, an outlet, a flowpath therebetween, and a plurality of cavitation zones along the flowpath. Two or more of the cavitation zones along the flowpath comprise a disk multi-jet nozzle having a plurality of through channels disposed across the surface thereof, wherein each channel includes expansions and contractions of its cross-sectional area along its length.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cavitation and electrocoagulation reactor comprising a hollow cylindrical cathode having a cylindrical anode coaxially disposed therein to form an annular interelectrode gap between the contact surfaces. An inlet sleeve and an outlet sleeve disposed in the respective inlet and outlet of the cathode and abutting against opposite ends of the anode seal the interelectrode gap from the respective inlet and outlet of the cathode. A set of channels disposed in the wall of the inlet sleeve connect the inlet to the interelectrode gap. Similarly, a set of openings disposed in the outlet sleeve connect the interelectrode gap to the cathode outlet. An electrical source has first and second terminals respectively connected to the anode and the cathode. The method for removing contaminants from a contaminated fluid flow involves the simultaneous application of hydrodynamic cavitation and electrocoagulation to the contaminated fluid flow.