Abstract: A microgrid comprising a utility interconnect connecting the microgrid to an electric utility power distribution system; an underground power distribution system wherein the underground power distribution system is configured to have a feature selected from redundant power distribution capabilities and being wired as a loop distribution system with sectionalizing switches; a first set of loads comprising all nonresilient mission critical loads in the microgrid; a second set of loads comprising all resilient mission critical loads in the microgrid not contained in the first set of loads; a combined mission critical load comprising the first set of loads and the second set of loads; a first power generation source; and a second power generation source wherein the second power generation source is a renewable energy power generation source is disclosed herein. Also disclosed herein are methods of protecting microgrids by implementing similar features.

Abstract: The compounds disclosed herein are isoxazole derivatives that are useful as antimicrobial compounds, particularly as anti-bacterial compounds. The disclosed methods comprise incubating at least two different substrates in the presence of at least one oxygenase to provide the disclosed compounds, or to prepare and identify compounds that have antimicrobial activity.

Abstract: A gasification system and method for converting organic materials into a usable syngas are provided. The gasification system includes a kiln for receiving a feedstock; a means for heating the kiln; a steam reforming reactor; and means for inductively heating the steam reforming reactor to drive the gasification reactions. In one preferred embodiment, the fuel processing system includes a steam reforming reactor that is at least partially filled with thermal transmitters which receive electromagnetic energy and generate heat within the steam reforming reactor. The organic material to be used as feedstock may include but will not be limited to petrochemical streams, refinery streams, natural gas, crude oil, coal, plastics, municipal wastes, toxic and hazardous wastes, biomass, medical wastes, and automobile wastes. The syngas that is produced in this process may consist primarily of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and methane.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring stem nut wear in a valve having a threaded valve stem that is positioned to engage the threads of a stem nut. In a preferred embodiment, a tool is mounted on the stem nut, wherein the tool rotates when the stem nut rotates. The tool indicates a measurement of stem nut rotation. An indicator indicates stem movement. The stem nut is rotated and the amount of percent wear is observed. Rotation continues until the stem begins to move. The tool provides a reading when the stem begins to move that indicates an amount of stem nut wear.

Abstract: The compounds disclosed herein are isoxazole derivatives that are useful as antimicrobial compounds, particularly as anti-bacterial compounds. The disclosed methods comprise incubating at least two different substrates in the presence of at least one oxygenase to provide the disclosed compounds, or to prepare and identify compounds that have antimicrobial activity.

Abstract: A method of producing a biofuel from biomass is provided. In one embodiment, the biofuel production process is an ethanol production process. Various embodiments of the invention include features such as application of a shock wave to biomass, variations in composition of biomass feed stock, continuous fermentation, and anaerobic digestion of stillage to produce a methane based fuel.

Abstract: A probe for measuring mercury emissions in a flue gas. The probe contains a novel cartridge for holding one or more sorbent traps, which cartridge is easily removed and inserted on-site with reduced danger of sorbent trap damage.

Abstract: A system is provided for separating biomass from media in a fluidized bed reactor containing an aqueous suspension of biomass and media. A lift, configured to extend within the reactor, has an inlet for receiving aqueous suspension and an outlet spaced from the inlet for delivering the aqueous suspension from the lift. A shield is disposed about the lift. The system further includes a biomass separator body, including an inner member disposed about the shield and an outer member. Three annular passageways are defined between the lift, the shield, the inner member, and the outer member, and are positioned to receive aqueous suspension from each other. A barrier extends between the inner member and the outer member at an end portion of the third annular passageway. The barrier of the biomass separator body is configured to direct biomass from the third annular passageway toward an excess biomass discharge.

Abstract: A method of treating a solid matrix containing organic contaminants is provided. The method comprises the steps of a) injecting ozone into the solid matrix for a period of time known as the pulse duration; b) interrupting the injection of ozone into the solid matrix for a period of time known as the gap duration; and c) repeating step a) at least one additional time. Gap durations of from about 2 hours to about 48 hours are disclosed. Pulse durations of from about 0.25 hours to about 8 hours are also disclosed. Recalcitrant organic contaminants are treated.

Abstract: A system is provided for separating biomass from media in a fluidized bed reactor containing an aqueous suspension of biomass and media. A lift, configured to extend within the reactor, has an inlet for receiving aqueous suspension and an outlet spaced from the inlet for delivering the aqueous suspension from the lift. A shield is disposed about the lift. The system further includes a biomass separator body, including an inner member disposed about the shield and an outer member. Three annular passageways are defined between the lift, the shield, the inner member, and the outer member, and are positioned to receive aqueous suspension from each other. A barrier extends between the inner member and the outer member at an end portion of the third annular passageway. The barrier of the biomass separator body is configured to direct biomass from the third annular passageway toward an excess biomass discharge.

Abstract: The specification discloses a method for treating and digesting organic wastes in a wastewater stream. A first wastewater influent stream is mixed with an activated sludge biomass in an aerobic digestion zone, so that least a portion of the organic wastes in the first wastewater influent stream are digested by activated sludge biomass. The first wastewater influent stream is separated from the activated sludge biomass in a first separation zone to recover activated sludge biomass and to provide a wastewater effluent stream. The second wastewater influent stream is mixed with recovered activated sludge biomass from the aerobic digestion zone in a substantially anaerobic adsorption zone so that at least a portion of the organic wastes in the second wastewater influent stream are adsorbed by the activated sludge biomass.

Abstract: A bioreactor system having improved temperature control wherein heat is directly removed from the bioreactor liquid to maintain temperature balance in the bioreactor. The present invention also relates to a method for maintaining a desired temperature range of thermophilic and mesophilic bioreactors wherein ambient air is brought into direct contact with droplets of bioreactor liquid. Heat is transferred from the droplets of bioreactor liquid to the air, which is then evacuated from the bioreactor.

Abstract: A non-extractive optical particulate monitor for measuring particulate matter entrained in a flow within a smokestack, the monitor includes a light emission system which projects a beam of light into the smokestack, a light detection system positioned in a non co-linear relationship with the light emission system to receive and detect light scattered by the particulate matter in the smokestack, and a calibration system located between the light emission system and the light detection system to selectively enable light from the light emission system access to the light detection system without traveling through the flow structure for calibration of the monitor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining the thermal capacity of overhead power lines is disclosed. The apparatus includes two rods of similar diameter and material properties to the line to be rated. One of the rods has a heater inside that dissipates a known amount of energy approximately equal to what the line loses during operation at the static rating. The rods are oriented parallel to the line and the temperature of each is measured. Using this information and standard equations governing the cooling of power lines, a very accurate, real-time reading of the line's thermal capacity is generated.