Abstract: Electric-powered, closed-loop, continuous-feed, endothermic energy-conversion systems and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, the presently disclosed energy-conversion system includes a shaftless auger. In another embodiment, the presently disclosed energy-conversion system includes a drag conveyor. In yet another embodiment, the presently disclosed energy-conversion system includes a distillation and/or fractionating stage. The endothermic energy-conversion systems and methods feature mechanisms for natural resource recovery, refining, and recycling, such as secondary recovery of metals, minerals, nutrients, and/or carbon char.

Abstract: An investment company, acting as a guarantor of a purchase price for power to be produced by a renewable energy facility, issues a plurality of shares on a private or public financial exchange, and obtains capital from the issuance of the shares. At least a majority portion of the capital is held as collateral for the investment company's future obligations as the guarantor of the purchase price for power to be produced by the renewable energy facility. A computing system of the investment company hosts a browser accessible application and services for the shareholders, e.g., to track cash distributions and/or renewable energy certificate (REC) distributions by the investment company to the shareholders. The browser accessible application and services of the computing system further allow shareholders to input a selection to receive REC distributions or cash equivalent REC distributions from the investment company.

Abstract: A computing system hosts a browser accessible application and services for a plurality of shareholders of an investment company, wherein the investment company acts as a guarantor of a purchase price for carbon dioxide removal credits (CRUs) to be produced by a carbon dioxide removal (CDR) system. The computing system determines and tracks shareholder account information and shareholder distributions. The computing system obtains shareholder distribution elections to receive CRU distributions or monetary equivalent CRU distributions from the investment company. the computing system. The computing system generates recommendations on companies and number of shares for purchase to meet requested CRU parameters from a shareholder.

Abstract: Systems and methods for employment in a Zero Waste (ZW) treatment system are disclosed. The ZW treatment system includes a ZW process employing the following individual processes: a separation and extraction process, a blend-heat process, a hydrolysis and acidification process, first-in, first-out (FIFO) anaerobic digestion process, an aerobic boost-blend process, and smart delivery process. A separation and extraction system, a blend-heat system, hydrolysis and acidification system, and a FIFO system performing the ZW treatment process may include a variety of tanks, where each tank may be placed in an enclosure comprising a modular container which, in turn, comprises a modular container system designed for mobility and transportable to remote sites as part of the smart delivery process.

Abstract: Electric-powered, closed-loop, continuous-feed, endothermic energy-conversion systems and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, the presently disclosed energy-conversion system includes a shaftless auger. In another embodiment, the presently disclosed energy-conversion system includes a drag conveyor. In yet another embodiment, the presently disclosed energy-conversion system includes a distillation and/or fractionating stage. The endothermic energy-conversion systems and methods feature mechanisms for natural resource recovery, refining, and recycling, such as secondary recovery of metals, minerals, nutrients, and/or carbon char.

Abstract: A gas processing system for recovering methane gas from a landfill includes a high pressure main absorber plus a relatively low pressure one. The low pressure absorber receives a gas stream from an equally low pressure flash tank. This low pressure gas stream consists mostly of carbon dioxide and methane. The methane would normally be lost due to the high cost of recompressing the carbon dioxide, but by running this mixture of carbon dioxide and methane through the low pressure absorber with a slip stream of cold absorbent, a large portion of the carbon dioxide can be removed with negligible methane losses. The remaining methane can be recycled through the high pressure main absorber without having to recompress the removed portion of carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A process for a reactive separation of organic molecules from biomass includes a reaction step for the biomass, a simultaneous extraction step using a solvent, and a filtration step to recover products, wherein the products comprise ferulic acid and/or coumaric acid. The products are extracted from the biomass in a pressurized stirred batch reactor using a liquid extraction solvent and a base in which the ferulate and the coumarate remain.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for the conversion of poultry waste into useful products. Some embodiments are directed to a process for forming a product solution from poultry waste. The process includes providing a feedstock that contains greater than 60 percent poultry waste, and anaerobically digesting the feedstock to produce a digestate that has a solids content of about 5% to about 15% by weight. The process also includes separating and classifying the digestate into multiple high solids fractions and a first filtrate. The process also includes adding the high solids fractions to an acid solution to form a slurry that is then separated and classified into multiple second solids fractions and a second filtrate. The process also includes clarifying the first and second filtrates to produce a first and a second centrate. The process also includes mixing the first centrate with the second centrate to form the product solution.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and systems for the conversion of poultry waste into useful products. Some embodiments are directed to a process for forming a product solution from poultry waste. The process includes providing a feedstock that contains greater than 60 percent poultry waste, and anaerobically digesting the feedstock to produce a digestate that has a solids content of about 5% to about 15% by weight. The process also includes separating and classifying the digestate into multiple high solids fractions and a first filtrate. The process also includes adding the high solids fractions to an acid solution to form a slurry that is then separated and classified into multiple second solids fractions and a second filtrate. The process also includes clarifying the first and second filtrates to produce a first and a second centrate. The process also includes mixing the first centrate with the second centrate to form the product solution.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method to reduce the formation of high molecular weight compounds and catalyst coking in the production of renewable diesel. Renewable diesel is produced using hydrogenation, decarboxylation, decarbonylation, and/or hydrodeoxygenation of renewable feedstocks such as animal and/or plant fats, oils, and/or greases (FOG). By first reacting the most reactive species in the FOG in an initial reaction zone prior to the main reaction zone, maximum reaction temperatures and side reactions that lead to the formation of high molecular weight compounds are reduced. This reduces catalyst coking (extends catalyst life) and improves product quality.

Abstract: A method to determine an unknown, current pre-tension force in a pre-tensioned securing member having an exposed portion comprises coupling a pulling member to the exposed portion of the pre-tensioned securing member, generating pulling forces with the pulling member on the pre-tensioned securing member, measuring pulling force displacements of the pre-tensioned securing member in response to first and second applied pulling forces that are different from each other, measuring pulling force displacements of the pre-tensioned securing member in response to third and fourth pulling forces that are different from each other, determining a first relationship between the first and second pulling force displacements, determining a second relationship between the third and fourth pulling force displacements, and determining the current pre-tension in the pre-tensioned securing member by setting the first relationship and the second relationship equal to each other.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and methods for coupling adjacent solar canopies into a unitized structure to reduce wind loads on and increase the structural integrity of the solar canopies. In one embodiment, an array of two or more solar canopies may be divided into pairs of adjacent canopies, which are structurally coupled together.

Abstract: A switch extension device comprises an elongate extension member and an actuation member. The elongate extension member has a distal end shaped to couple with an electrical switch and a proximal end for positioning remote from the electrical switch. The actuation member is coupleable to the proximal end of the elongate extension member. The actuation member is movable to move the extension member to actuate the electrical switch. Methods of operation are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus for harvesting rhizomes includes a chassis to move in a field. Coulter disks mounted on a forward end of the chassis break up soil on a top surface of the field. Digger blades aft of the coulter disks scoop clusters of rhizomes from the field with adhered soil. An inclined ramp on the chassis has a live bottom that pushes the rhizome clusters up the ramp in the aft direction including upright posts that force the clusters of rhizomes against depending obstructers extending downward from superstructure bars toward the live bottom. As the clusters encounter the obstructers, the clusters are broken to reduce their size and to loosen and separate soil from the rhizomes. A collector aft of the live bottom collects rhizomes falling from an aft end of the inclined ramp.

Abstract: In one representative embodiment, a method of detecting position relative to a wind turbine can comprise detecting a condor within a detection area, determining a first position of the condor relative to the wind turbine, assigning the condor to a first predetermined zone of a plurality of predetermined zones based on the first position, determining a second position of the condor relative to the wind turbine, assigning the condor to a second predetermined zone of the plurality of predetermined zones based on the second position, predicting a trajectory of the condor based on a relationship between the first position and the second position.

Abstract: A switch extension device comprises an elongate extension member and an actuation member. The elongate extension member has a distal end shaped to couple with an electrical switch and a proximal end for positioning remote from the electrical switch. The actuation member is coupleable to the proximal end of the elongate extension member. The actuation member is movable to move the extension member to actuate the electrical switch. Methods of operation are also described.

Abstract: The present invention provides hybrid diesel fuels and methods for manufacturing hybrid diesel fuels. In embodiments, fuel compositions comprise at least one petrochemical fuel, at least one biosynthetic oil and at least one stabilizer mixture. The percentage by volume of the petrochemical fuel can be greater than 0% and less than 100%, and the percentage by volume of the stabilizer mixture can be between about 0.001% and about 0.5%.

Abstract: A modular oversized solar array with a support structure is provided that reduces land costs as a percentage relative to the production of electrical energy from solar installations. Components of the solar racking array may be manufactured using existing steel manufacturing facilities. The array may be configured to be temporarily held in place at a first position to allow workmen to perform panel installation work from ground level. The array may then be lifted, via a crane, to a second position (or a final tilted position) to allow for further assembly. The array may accommodate various topographical features or span over other structures, be lifted to higher than normal array heights or span over greater distances. The solar racking structure design has elevated minimum heights allowing for dual use of the underlying ground, as well as more efficient dismantling, decommissioning and relocation of the solar array.

Abstract: The present invention provides hybrid diesel fuels and methods for manufacturing hybrid diesel fuels. In embodiments, fuel compositions comprise at least one petrochemical fuel, at least one biosynthetic oil and at least one stabilizer mixture. The percentage by volume of the petrochemical fuel can be greater than 0% and less than 100%, and the percentage by volume of the stabilizer mixture can be between about 0.001% and about 0.5%.