Abstract: The present document describes a process for production of hydrogen gas (H2) from fermentation of crude glycerol with a hydrogen producing microorganism in a bioreactor. The process comprises the step of introducing a volume of crude glycerol in a fermentation mixture which comprises a fermentation medium comprised of crude glycerol and hydrogen producing microorganisms under a fermentative hydrogen production condition, and then removing a volume of the fermentation mixture equal to the second volume of the crude glycerol, to maintain constant the total volume of the fermentation mixture.

Abstract: An efficient, rapid ex-situ detoxification has been developed to reduce inhibitor concentration and enhance acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) production from brewery industry liquid waste (BLW) and brewery spent grain (BSG). About 80±2.0% extraction of furan derivative and more than 95±2.0% extraction of phenolic compounds and almost no extraction of reducing sugar from simulated synthetic media as well as real waste hydrolysate have been obtained. Ex-situ extraction of microbial inhibitors from BLW and BSG hydrolysates using bis-(2-ethylhexyl) sebacate as solvent leads to high production of ABE of 12.67 g/L and 11.23 g/L respectively. Lower power consumption (0.081 W/L) and reuse of the extracting solvent made this detoxification technique extremely useful for improving production of bio-butanol from agro-industrial waste.

Abstract: A system for trussing slaughtered birds comprises a conveyer provided with at least one bird holder for transporting a bird to at least one working position along the transport path of the conveyer, a bird trussing station located at the working position, which station includes a trussing module defining a working zone, and a mechanical arrangement for bringing the bird within the working zone in predetermined position and orientation relative thereto to allow for operation of the trussing module according to a trussing pattern by which a trussing element catches and maintains the bird in a trussed condition. The system further comprises a controller operatively connected to the conveyer and the bird trussing station. The system may also comprise a bird's legs crossing station located at a working position upstream the trussing station where the trussing of bird's legs is desired.

Abstract: A system and method for preparing a shelled crustacean body part for meat extraction are provided. The method involves capturing an image of said body part, evaluating the thickness of the shell from the image, determining from the thickness evaluation at least one laser parameter for forming a line of weakness within the shell, the line of weakness being dimensioned to facilitate meat extraction, while preserving the sensory characteristics of the meat, and sweeping a laser beam on the body part in accordance with the laser parameter to form the line of weakness within the shell. The method and system provide the advantage of facilitating meat extraction without compromising the quality or commercial value of the meat all while increasing productivity and performance in comparison with completely manual extraction techniques.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting and controlling the quality of debarking at the surface of a wooden log provide information on main parameters related to the debarking quality of the log surface, including fiber loss and residual bark. The debarking quality detecting method and system involve measurement of three-dimensional profile of at least a portion of the log surface to generate corresponding profile image data, which is processed to generate data indicative of the texture of the log surface. The texture data is then analyzed to generate resulting data on the debarking quality parameters. That quality indicative information can be generated on a continuous basis to provide an objective assessment of the quality performance in real-time in view of target productivity, and may then be used to perform optimal adjustments of the debarker operating parameters, either manually by the operator or automatically through feedback control.

Abstract: An optical apparatus and a method for color scanning a surface of an article moving along a travel path axis make use of an imaging sensor unit including a digital color camera capable of generating highly focused color images, even when distance from surface to camera varies, by providing the camera with an objective defining an optical plane disposed in Scheimpflug configuration. A beam of collimated polychromatic light of an elongated cross-section is directed within a Scheimpflug scanning plane of focus and toward a scanning zone to form a reflected linear band of light onto the article surface of an intensity substantially uniform within the depth of sensing field. The reflected linear band of light is captured by the digital camera to generate a two-dimensional color image thereof, from which a single line color image data is extracted. The line data extraction is repeated as the article moves to generate successive line color image data, from which a two-dimensional color image of the article is built.

Abstract: A sun-tracking light distributor for a photosynthetic culture in an aqueous liquid, comprising: two light distribution walls made of a transparent material, creating an elongated V-shaped channel adapted to receive the sunlight and to be partly immersed in the aqueous liquid, the sun-tracking light distributor has a center of buoyancy, a vertical passing through the center of buoyancy defines an axis of flotation, and a pivot axis of the sun-tracking light distributor is offset relative to the axis of flotation. Owing to the offset pivot axis, the orientation of the light distributor is changed by varying the level of aqueous liquid, thus allowing a tracking of the sun's altitude.

Abstract: A sun-tracking light distributor system for use in an open-ended photo-bioreactor having an aqueous liquid for a photosynthetic culture, comprising: at least one light distributor each including a concentrator supporting section with a light entry surface adapted to receive sunlight rays, an elongated rod section with a light distribution surface adapted to redirect the received sunlight rays within the aqueous liquid, a light concentrating element provided at the light entry surface which concentrates within the elongated rod at least a portion of the sunlight rays received at the light entry surface; a displacement system operatively connected to the light distributors and adapted to change an orientation of the light entry surface of the light distributors to track a solar position.

Abstract: A system for controlling generation of data by a plurality of sensor units, each being located at a known distance from a reference position on a travel path of a moving object having a target area to be scanned, makes use of a data communication network linked to the sensor units, a trigger module configured to generate a sensor triggering signal specific to each sensor unit, and a controller module configured for assembling the sensor output data generated by the sensor units and associated with the object target area. The trigger module is configured for calculating, from the speed or position profile of the moving object, a displacement of the object target area relative to the reference position, to generate a sensor triggering signal specific to each sensor unit as soon as the displacement corresponds to the associated sensor unit distance, the sensor triggering signal causing the sensor unit to generate output data.

Abstract: Described is a method for the culture of microalgae, comprising: providing a consortium of at least two living species of microalgae; culturing under illumination the consortium in a controllable bioreactor and under non-sterile aqueous culture conditions; and controlling the culture conditions for affecting at least one of the following output: (i) flocculation and/or settling of said consortium of microalgae; and (ii) adhesion of the microalgae to surfaces of the bioreactor; wherein said culture conditions are controlled to promote (i) and/or to minimize (ii), without adversely affecting growth of the consortium of microalgae. It is also possible to control the culture conditions for affecting iii) the protein, carbohydrate, and/or fat content of the said microalgae consortium. A system for carrying out the method is also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and a method for treating waste water using a passive phosphorus-capture filter lined with wood activated by the impregnation of a metal in the form of hydroxide, more specifically aluminum hydroxide or iron hydroxide. This system demonstrates phosphorus removal performances which are very closely linked to the release of iron and which support the observation that iron releases follow a cyclical trend. The method according to the invention also clearly demonstrates the cyclical nature of the reduction of phosphorus, directly linked to the same cycle of iron release at the outlet. When the medium is aerobic, it can precipitate the released iron in the form of hydroxide and thereby limit the release of iron into the outflow water and consequently its residual phosphorus.

Abstract: An optical apparatus and a method for identifying wood species of a raw wooden log involve directing light onto a representative portion of a peripheral surface of the wooden log, sensing light reflected on the illuminated representative log portion to generate reflection intensity image data including color image data, subdividing the reflection intensity image data into a plurality of image data regions each containing a preset number of image pixels, analyzing the image data regions to generate associated texture data, analyzing the color and texture data associated with each image data region to assign thereto a probable one of a plurality of species indications, and selecting a majority species indication for the inspected wooden log.

Abstract: The present document describes a system and a process for the thermochemical treatment a matter containing organic compounds such as biomass, for the production of useful energetic products such as biochar, bio-oil and gases from non-condensed vapors. The system comprises a reactor comprising a feedstock reservoir having entry and exit, a thermochemical reaction chamber having an entrance disposed under and coupled to the reservoir exit, an exit, and a first heating means for thermal treatment of the matter to produce a solid and a vapor. The system also comprises a feeder having at least one substantially vertical auger operatively coupled to the feedstock reservoir and the thermochemical reaction chamber exit to drive the matter downwardly from the feedstock reservoir exit through the thermochemical reaction chamber.

Abstract: An optical apparatus and a method for identifying wood species of a raw wooden log involve directing light onto a representative portion of a peripheral surface of the wooden log, sensing light reflected on the illuminated representative log portion to generate reflection intensity image data including color image data, subdividing the reflection intensity image data into a plurality of image data regions each containing a preset number of image pixels, analyzing the image data regions to generate associated texture data, analyzing the color and texture data associated with each image data region to assign thereto a probable one of a plurality of species indications, and selecting a majority species indication for the inspected wooden log.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and process for combined and simultaneous treatment of methane and of nitrogenous liquid effluent, inter alia, landfill leachates. Principally, the invention provides a biofiltration system and process for the combined and simultaneous treatment of gas containing methane (CH4) and of nitrogenous liquid effluents by virtue of synergy between nitrifying and methanotrophic microorganisms. The use of a single biofiltration system according to the invention avoids recourse to two treatment lines specific to methane and to the effluent. Furthermore, the exothermic reaction for biological oxidation of methane enables temperature regulation of the biofilter even during winter periods.

Abstract: A method for inserting a component through a surface of a workpiece made of a first material uses friction-induced plasticity of the latter to attach the component to the workpiece. The component includes a head portion having a base and a working end being threaded, and an insert portion having a penetrating end and provided with a threaded bore closed at its penetrating end, to initially receive the threaded working end. The outer surface of the insert portion being made of a second material harder than the first material, a rotary tool can be used to insert the component through the workpiece surface, by rotating the rotary tool in a first direction while applying an axial force onto the head portion base to produce substantially full insertion of the insert portion, and by maintaining the axial force during a sufficient setting time without rotation to produce the attachment.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for optically scanning a surface of an object under an adverse external condition to which optical components are subjected, such as cameras and lighting sources sensitive to soiling, make use of a first imaging sensor unit having its optical components subjected to the adverse external condition, and being configured for generating reflection intensity image data associated with a target surface. A second imaging sensor unit having its optical components substantially not subjected to the adverse external condition, is configured for generating reflection intensity image data associated with a reference surface. Correction data are calculated from a comparison between the reflected intensity image data associated with the target and reference surfaces, which correction data are then applied to the reflected intensity image data associated with the target surface to generate corrected intensity image data compensating for the adverse external condition.

Abstract: Augmented reality-based method, apparatus and system for assisting an operator to perform a task on a moving object according to at least one characteristic of the object, uses projection of light onto the object according to object tracking task instruction data as it moves through the working zone to provide a visual instruction for the operator about the task to perform on the object.

Abstract: A component for use with a rotary tool is designed to be inserted through a surface of a workpiece made of a first material showing friction-induced plasticity for attachment to the workpiece. The component has a head portion having a base and a working end being threaded at its outer surface, and further has an insert portion having a penetrating end and extending along an insertion axis. At least an outer surface of the insert portion is made of a second material harder than the first material. The insert portion is provided with a threaded bore closed at its penetrating end and extending along the insertion axis to initially receive the threaded working end.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for filtering noise of low frequency from an image of the surface characteristics of an object expressed with reference to orthogonal first and second axis and obtained with linear light scanning, involve calculating a difference between pixel values of an image column vector along the second axis adjacent a selected reference image column vector and respective pixel values of the selected reference image column vector to obtain a pixel difference vector. The pixel difference values not mainly associated with a corresponding atypical change of surface characteristics as compared with noise are then selected, and a mean value from the selected pixel difference values are calculated as an estimated value of the noise. The estimated noise value are subtracted from the adjacent image column vector to obtain a corrected image column vector.