Abstract: An apparatus for efficient targeting or removal of weeds or other plants. The apparatus may include a vehicle having a frame, a motor and a plurality of ground engaging members adapted to propel the vehicle over a surface. It may also include a robotic arm comprising a distal portion and a proximal portion coupled to the frame, and an implement, such as a tool or hoe connected to the distal portion of the robotic arm. The implement can be raised and lowered, and also moved relative to the surface by the robotic arm by pivoting or rotating the robotic arm at or near the proximal portion.

Abstract: A saline wastewater treatment method is provided. Raw water is pretreated to obtain pretreated raw water. The pretreated raw water is pressurized to a preset pressure, injected with zone, separated and filtered by a filtering device with a hollow fiber nanofiltration membrane or a hollow fiber reverse osmosis membrane inside to obtain a concentrate and a permeate. A pressure of the concentrate is controlled such that ozone in the concentrate is released to form micro-nano bubbles. The concentrate is partially injected into the pretreated raw water. A pressure of the permeate and a pressure of the raw water are respectively controlled such that ozone in the permeate and the raw water is released inside the filtering device to form micro-nano bubbles to flush the hollow fiber nanofiltration membrane or the hollow fiber reverse osmosis membrane. A saline wastewater treatment system is also provided.

Abstract: A method for controlling a hollow fiber nanofiltration membrane system with controllable power consumption, including the following steps. A filtration flow rate is determined by the program control system according to preset working conditions and the electricity price and the inlet water temperature obtained by a first monitoring module when the hollow fiber nanofiltration membrane assembly is started to perform a filtration process. The inlet water pressure change and the permeability change are monitored and recorded by a second monitoring module during the filtration process. A flushing mode and a flushing intensity of the cleaning system are determined by the program control system according to the inlet water pressure change and the permeability change during the filtration when the filtration process is completed.

Abstract: A hollow fiber nanofiltration membrane system and its control method are provided. The system includes a water feeding system, a return system, a hollow fiber nanofiltration membrane group, a water production system, a cleaning system, a dosing system and a program control system. Through the self-matching, self-adaptation and self-adjustment functions of the program control system, an intelligent and accurate operation control is formed according to water quality and operation condition. In the control method, the program control system presets an operation mode according to a preset working condition and an inlet water quality, automatically selects whether to add the scale inhibitor or perform concentrated water return at a beginning of filtration, automatically outputs a dosage of the scale inhibitor or the concentrated water return flow, and monitor a change of the inlet water quality, and the feedwater pressure or a transmembrane pressure in real time.

Abstract: A wall panel includes a frame provided with vertical battens. The frame defines a plurality of holes. A connecting plate is formed by a mixture of a curable material in which organic plant-derived elements are embedded. The wall panel includes a thermal insulation layer. A facing layer is separated from the connecting plate by the frame and thermal insulation layer. A plurality of connectors are fixed to the frame. Each connector has a salient area spaced apart from the frame and embedded in the connecting plate. The connecting plate partially overlaps the vertical battens in the thickness direction, the connecting plate forming wood-concrete studs that partially fill the plurality of holes.

Abstract: A plant extract for alleviating pulmonary fibrosis, and a preparation method and a use thereof are provided. The preparation method includes the following steps: (1) crushing Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliott berries after drying, mixing the crushed berries with ethanol for soaking and extraction, and filtering the mixture to obtain an extract solution of Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliott; (2) crushing Cynara scolymus L. buds after drying, mixing the crushed buds with ethanol for extraction, and filtering the mixture to obtain an extract solution of Cynara scolymus L.; (3) crushing Brassica oleracea var. albiflora Kuntze roots after drying, and mixing the crushed roots with ethanol for ultrasonic extraction to obtain an extract solution of Brassica oleracea var. albiflora Kuntze; (4) mixing the extract solutions of Aronia melanocarpa (Michx.) Elliott, Cynara scolymus L. and Brassica oleracea var. albiflora Kuntze to obtain the plant extract for alleviating pulmonary fibrosis.

Abstract: A construction includes a supporting structure made from concrete reinforced by metal rods. The supporting structure has at least two levels, each level having a slab. A plurality of façade panels is fixed to the supporting structure to form at least a part of a façade of the construction. The plurality of façade panels has at least a top façade panel mounted above a bottom façade panel. Each façade panel is made from a mixture containing a curable material in which organic plant-derived elements are embedded. The mixture in the cured state has a density of less than 1000 kg/m3 and a compressive strength comprised between 3 and 6 MPa. Each façade panel is mounted movable with respect to the supporting structure with a vertical functional clearance.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a drinking water purification system with a backwashable filter cartridge and a nanofiltration system. The drinking water purification system includes a backwashable pre-filtration unit, a nanofiltration unit and a cleaning unit. The backwashable pre-filtration unit is provided with a backwashable filter cartridge. The nanofiltration unit is provided with a nanofiltration filter cartridge. A water outflow side of the backwashable filter cartridge is connected to a water inflow side of the nanofiltration filter cartridge. The cleaning unit is connected to the water outflow side of the backwashable filter cartridge.

Abstract: A solid avocado oil is characterized in that its palmitic acid content in relation to total fatty acids is between 15 and 35% and its complete melting point is within a range of from 20 to 50° C., the avocado oil being obtained from avocado of a variety selected from the list consisting of Hass, Fuerte, Bacon, Pinkerton, Ettinger, Lula, Ryan, Barker, and/or Peruano. A cosmetic or pharmaceutical composition is characterized in that it comprises, in a cosmetically or pharmaceutically acceptable vehicle, a solid avocado oil according to the invention. A method for obtaining a solid avocado oil is characterized in that it is carried out on fresh or dehydrated fruit, crude avocado oils, or co-products from the refining or dewaxing of crude avocado oils.

Abstract: An enhanced cellulose nanofibrils (CNF) (or enhanced CNF binder), methods of making the enhanced CNF binder, methods of making wet-laid, dry-laid, or molded articles with the enhanced CNF binder by incorporating the enhanced CNF with the furnish in the wet-end of a paper-making process, methods of coating cellulose-based materials, intermediate formed fiber articles, and/or molded articles with the enhanced CNF binder, and cellulose-based articles obtained by all of these methods, wherein the enhanced CNF includes a saccharide fatty acid ester-, glyceride-, fatty acid salt-, natural wax- and/or cellulose crosslinker-(SGF) blend bound to the CNF.

Abstract: Commercially beneficial carbon-containing fractions can be recovered from hydrothermal liquefaction reactions in various types of processors. Feedstock slurry from waste solids is placed into a pressurized processor where it is maintained at temperature and pressure for a predetermined period. On discharge from the processor the processed discharge is separated into liquid and solid fractions. Gaseous fractions including carbon dioxide can also be removed or off-taken from the processor. New molecular structures are created in this reaction, resulting in fractions including biogas, biofuels, biosolids and biocrude. Silica, phosphates, potash and low concentration nitrogen based fertilizer, along with carbonaceous material can also be recovered.

Abstract: A total nitrogen (TN) removal device for sewage and its operation method. The TN removal device includes a denitrification tank, a supplementary reaction zone filled with aerobic granular sludge and a sedimentation and separation zone. The supplementary reaction zone and the sedimentation and separation zone are arranged inside the denitrification tank, and communicated through a three-phase separator. The sedimentation and separation zone is located above the supplementary reaction zone. A top of the sedimentation and separation zone is greater than its bottom. A membrane aerated biofilm reactor (MABR) assembly is arranged in a space formed by outer walls of the sedimentation and separation zone and supplementary reaction zone and an inner chamber of the denitrification tank. A side wall of the denitrification tank is provided with a chemical oxygen demand (COD) detector and a nitrate nitrogen detector.

Abstract: A system and method for treating reverse-osmosis (RO) concentrated water with high temporary hardness. The system includes a crystallization unit, a precipitation unit, a dewatering unit, and a programmable logic controller (PLC) system. The crystallization unit, precipitation unit and dewatering unit are connected in series, and the PLC system is configured to control pumps, valves, and displays in the crystallization unit, precipitation unit and dewatering unit. The crystallization unit includes a storage tank and a crystallization reactor communicated therewith. The crystallization reactor is provided with a pH meter, a liquid-level gauge, and a stirrer. A connection pipe between the crystallization reactor and the RO concentrated water is provided with an inlet pump and a inlet valve. A connection pipe between the crystallization reactor and the storage tank is provided with a feeding pump and a feeding valve.

Abstract: A system for treating printed circuit board wastewater (PCB) includes a production system, a pretreatment system, a biochemical system, a recovery system and a concentrated water treatment system. The production system is configured for producing process water and auxiliary water from tap water. The pretreatment system is configured to pretreat different wastewater samples separately. The biochemical system is configured to decompose the pretreated wastewater. The recovery system is configured to treat wastewater from the pretreatment system and the biochemical system to obtain process water and feed concentrated water to the concentrated water treatment system. The concentrated water treatment system is configured to treat the concentrated water to meet a discharge standard. A treatment method for the PCB wastewater is also provided.

Abstract: Methods of treating materials, such as cellulose-based materials, to provide barrier properties like water resistance and lipid resistance (OGR), separately or in combination, and particularly at high temperatures, by using bio-based coatings and/or compositions containing a water insoluble, high melting point saccharide fatty acid ester and products obtained by the methods.

Abstract: Panel for a floor or wall comprising a first board (2), a second board (3) and an intermediate third board (4) fitted between the first and second boards (2, 3), the intermediate third board (4) comprising a thermal insulating material, the first and second boards (2, 3) comprising a material that is able to harden in which organic elements of vegetal origin (5) are sunk.

Abstract: Panel designed for making a wall, including a monobloc part made from concrete inside which pieces of wood are sunk, at least one through aperture being formed inside the monobloc part, the panel including at least one reinforcement element providing a bending resistance and housed inside said at least one through aperture, said at least one reinforcement element being formed by an armature coated with a hardening product including a binder.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes methods of treating cellulosic materials with compositions that allow greater retention of inorganic particles on cellulosic substrates. The methods as disclosed provide combining saccharide fatty acid esters (SFAE) with such inorganic particles and applying such combinations on cellulosic materials to eliminate or reduce the use of retention aids or binders for filler in the paper making process. Compositions comprising such combinations of SFAE and inorganic particles are also disclosed.

Abstract: Commercially beneficial carbon-containing fractions can be recovered from hydrothermal liquefaction reactions in various types of processors. Feedstock slurry from waste solids is placed into a pressurized processor where it is maintained at temperature and pressure for a predetermined period. On discharge from the processor the processed discharge is separated into liquid and solid fractions. Gaseous fractions including carbon dioxide can also be removed or off-taken from the processor. New molecular structures are created in this reaction, resulting in fractions including biogas, biofuels, biosolids and biocrude. Silica, phosphates, potash and low concentration nitrogen based fertilizer, along with carbonaceous material can also be recovered.

Abstract: The present disclosure is in the field of ‘pharmacognosy’ and ‘chemistry of natural products’. The present disclosure generally relates to a process of isolation and purification of Biochemical Constituents from algae. The present disclosure particularly relates to a process of isolation and purification of Biochemical Constituents from a biomass of cyanobacteria. The present disclosure provides a process for isolating and extracting phycocyanins, chlorophylls, proteins and polysaccharides from the spirulina biomass.