Abstract: A fuel blend consisting of a hydrocarbon-containing fuel component; and ethyl acetate is provided. The hydrocarbon-containing fuel component may be gasoline, diesel, bioethanol or biodiesel.

Abstract: A process that employs hydrolysis of fats and oils as a pretreatment step to prevent or drastically reduce the formation of glycerin decomposition products that occur in systems that use fixed bed or heterogeneous catalysts for simultaneous trans-esterification and esterification of fats and oils to alkyl esters of fatty acids for use as Biofuels, soaps, detergents, solvents or other applications of fatty acid alkyl esters. The pretreatment step is particularly effective for processes using fixed bed catalytic reactors operating at elevated temperatures and pressures sufficient to cause formation of decomposition products of glycerin which is known to be a problem associated with these processes. The pretreatment hydrolysis step allows the formation, separation and recovery of better quality glycerin by-product and minimizing the formation of glycerin decomposition products in the reactors.

Abstract: A method for cleaning exchangers including providing a heat exchanger with a liquid contact side and a vapor contact side, providing acid to clean the liquid contact side, and providing caustic to clean the vapor contact side is provided. In the method, the exchanger may be a beer preheater. In the method, the acid may be sulfamic acid. In the method, the liquid contact side may be the beer side. In the method, the exchanger may be a plate-in-frame heat exchanger or a a shell-and-tube heat exchanger. In the method, the acid may be provided from a central storage tank. In the method, there may be a recirculation pump. In the method, the acid may be provided from a local storage tank.

Abstract: An apparatus including an ethanol stream, wherein said ethanol stream contains greater than 5% of water; a dehydration means, wherein the water content of said ethanol stream is reduced to less than 5%; a desiccation means, wherein the water content of said ethanol stream is reduced to less than about 1%; a 200 proof receiver, wherein said 200 proof receiver comprises a sample port or a sensor to allow the percentage of water in the ethanol to be determined, and wherein said 200 proof receiver comprises an outlet; a heat exchanger to heat said ethanol stream with less than 1% water, and a mixing manifold downstream of said heat exchanger, wherein said heated ethanol stream with less than 1% water is combined with fusal oils from a fusal oil decanter is provided.

Abstract: A method for preheating beer including providing a first heat exchanger, comprising a first outlet stream at a first temperature; providing a second heat exchanger, comprising a hot heat transfer stream, a first flow control valve situated within said hot heat transfer stream, a second outlet stream at a second temperature, a temperature sensor situated within said second outlet stream; wherein said first outlet fluid comprises a first inlet stream, and a second flow control valve situated within said first inlet stream; determining said second temperature with said temperature sensor; comparing said second temperature to a predetermined temperature range; performing an operation selected from the group consisting of: maintaining said first flow control valve in a closed position, and maintaining said second flow control valve in an open position, if said second temperature is within said predetermined temperature range, modulating said first flow control valve in order to effect heat transfer between said ho

Abstract: A method for improving rectifier column performance including positioning a temperature controller on the rectifier column feed tray, wherein said temperature controller is outside the fusel draw region, and controlling distillate composition or temperature, wherein said control is cascaded to the rectifier column flow control is provided.

Abstract: A method for preventing ethanol buildup in a column including providing a column with a bottom temperature and a next temperature above the bottom; providing a first advisory, wherein said first advisory comprises a temperature difference between said bottom temperature and said next temperature above the bottom that exceeds a first predetermined value, wherein a first action is taken should this first advisory occur; providing a second advisory, wherein said second advisory comprises a temperature depression of said bottom temperature of a second predetermined value, wherein a second action is taken should this second advisory occur, and providing a third advisory, wherein said third advisory comprises a temperature depression of said bottom temperature of a third predetermined value, wherein a third action is taken should this third advisory occur is provided.

Abstract: A method for on-line cleaning of a heat exchanger in an ethanol plant, including providing heat exchanger, wherein said heat exchanger has an inlet, and an internal surface, wherein said internal surface has accumulated undesired solids; providing an antifoaming agent to said inlet, during normal operation; providing a caustic to said inlet, during normal operation, and cleaning the internal surface of said accumulated undesired solids, during normal operation is provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of utility conservation control methodology within a fluid pumping distribution system. With fluid flowing through a distribution grid, the pressure at any given point becomes a function of system flow. At a specific flow rate, the pressure at this point is a function of flow rate. This invention is a process that continuously adjusts the pressure requirement for the pumping system by varying the pump speed according to the system head curve details. This invention produces several benefits for a fluid distribution system including reducing utility costs and equipment aging.

Abstract: Zein is recovered from gluten meal prepared by wet milling procedures by washing the gluten with clean water to remove water-soluble components; separating the water-soluble components and recovering the water-insoluble components; extracting the water insoluble components with hydrous ethanol solvent to extract zein; recovering the crude zein extract; treating the crude zein extract with an adsorbent that adsorbs at least one of color, odor, oil and fatty acid; and to yield a purified zein extract.

Abstract: An improved safety utility knife has a hollow handle and a blade which is normally retracted within the handle, but can be extended by squeezing an operating lever. The lever is connected to the blade holder by a toggle linkage having a rearmost pin secured in a discrete support whose position is adjustable. A thumbscrew threaded into the support enables one to adjust the position of the support from outside the handle, and thus change how far the blade protrudes from the handle when the operating lever is fully depressed.

Abstract: An improved safety utility knife has a hollow handle and a blade which is normally retracted within the handle, but can be extended by squeezing an operating lever. The lever is connected to the blade holder by a toggle linkage having a rearmost pin secured in a discrete support whose position is adjustable. A thumbscrew threaded into the support enables one to adjust the position of the support from outside the handle, and thus change how far the blade protrudes from the handle when the operating lever is fully depressed.