Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods for selectively removing contaminants from a crude product mixture. In an embodiment the invention includes a method for removing organic acids from a crude product mixture including contacting the crude product mixture with a metal oxide substrate, wherein free organic acids in the crude product mixture bind to the metal oxide substrate, thereby removing free organic acids and forming a refined product mixture; separating the refined product mixture from the metal oxide substrate; and removing the organic acids bound to the metal oxide substrate by contacting the metal oxide substrate with an alkyl ester composition at a temperature of greater than about 100 degrees Celsius. Other embodiments are also described herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods of using fatty acid alkyl ester solutions to refine feed stocks before converting the feed stocks into fatty acid fatty acid alkyl esters. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for producing fatty acid alkyl esters. The method can include mixing a crude lipid feed stock with a refining solution to form a crude product mixture, the refining solution comprising greater than about 10 wt. % fatty acid alkyl esters. The method can include extracting the liquid phase from the crude product mixture to obtain a purified lipid feed stock. The method can also include reacting the purified lipid feed stock with an alcohol to form a product mixture comprising fatty acid alkyl esters. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of making a fatty acid alkyl ester composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for producing alkyl esters from lipid feed stocks, such as plant oils and/or animal fats, and systems including the same. In an embodiment, the invention includes a process for producing alkyl esters including mixing a lipid feed stock with an alcohol to form a reaction mixture; and contacting the reaction mixture with a catalyst under supercritical conditions for the alcohol, the catalyst comprising an unmodified metal oxide selected from the group consisting of alumina, titania, zirconia, and hafnia, and removing residual free fatty acids from the reaction mixture. Other embodiments are included herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods of using fatty acid alkyl ester solutions to refine feed stocks before converting the feed stocks into fatty acid fatty acid alkyl esters. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for producing fatty acid alkyl esters. The method can include mixing a crude lipid feed stock with a refining solution to form a crude product mixture, the refining solution comprising greater than about 10 wt. % fatty acid alkyl esters. The method can include extracting the liquid phase from the crude product mixture to obtain a purified lipid feed stock. The method can also include reacting the purified lipid feed stock with an alcohol to form a product mixture comprising fatty acid alkyl esters. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of making a fatty acid alkyl ester composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for producing and/or refining alkyl ester compositions. In an embodiment the invention includes a method of producing a refined fatty acid alkyl ester composition. The method can include contacting a fatty acid feedstock and an alcohol with a first metal oxide catalyst at a temperature of greater than 200 degrees Celsius and a pressure of greater than 500 psi to form an unrefined fatty acid alkyl ester composition. The method can further include combining the unrefined fatty acid alkyl ester composition with dimethyl carbonate to form a refining mixture. The method can also include contacting the refining mixture with a second metal oxide catalyst at a temperature of greater than 100 degrees Celsius to form a refined fatty acid alkyl ester composition. Other embodiments are also described herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for producing alkyl esters from lipid feed stocks, such as plant oils and/or animal fats, and systems including the same. In an embodiment, the invention includes a process for producing alkyl esters including mixing a lipid feed stock with an alcohol to form a reaction mixture; and contacting the reaction mixture with a catalyst under supercritical conditions for the alcohol, the catalyst comprising an unmodified metal oxide selected from the group consisting of alumina, titania, zirconia, and hafnia, and removing residual free fatty acids from the reaction mixture. Other embodiments are included herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for producing fuels and fuel precursors from carbohydrates. In an embodiment the invention includes a method of producing 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF), including contacting a saccharide with a metal oxide catalyst at a temperature of greater than about 100 degrees Celsius. In an embodiment the invention includes a method of producing a biofuel including contacting a saccharide with a metal oxide catalyst at a temperature of greater than about 100 degrees Celsius. Other embodiments are also described herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for producing fuels. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of producing a diesel-equivalent fuel, including pyrolyzing biomass to form a pyrolysis oil and contacting the pyrolysis oil and an alcohol with a metal oxide catalyst at a temperature of greater than about 60 degrees Celsius. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of refining pyrolysis oil including contacting pyrolysis oil and an alcohol with a metal oxide catalyst at a temperature of greater than about 60 degrees Celsius.

Abstract: The invention is related to compositions including sulfide binding agents and related methods. In an embodiment, the invention includes a composition including saponins, and a sulfide binding agent, the sulfide binding agent comprising a metal containing compound. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of processing animal feed including contacting an animal feed material with a composition, the composition comprising a sulfide binding agent, the sulfide binding agent comprising a metal containing compound. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of treating animals for dietary sulfur overload including administering to an animal an effective amount of a composition comprising a sulfide binding agent, the sulfide binding agent comprising a metal containing compound.

Abstract: The present invention relates to catalysts, systems, and methods for producing products such as fuels and fuel additives from polyols. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of producing a fuel additive, including combining a polyol and a component selected from the group consisting of alcohols and organic acids to form a reaction mixture and contacting the reaction mixture with a metal oxide catalyst at a temperature of greater than about 150 degrees Celsius. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: The present invention relates to devices and methods for selectively removing contaminants from a crude product mixture. In an embodiment the invention includes a method for removing organic acids from a crude product mixture including contacting the crude product mixture with a metal oxide substrate, wherein free organic acids in the crude product mixture bind to the metal oxide substrate, thereby removing free organic acids and forming a refined product mixture; separating the refined product mixture from the metal oxide substrate; and removing the organic acids bound to the metal oxide substrate by contacting the metal oxide substrate with an alkyl ester composition at a temperature of greater than about 100 degrees Celsius. Other embodiments are also described herein.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to algae cultivation systems that include light sources and related methods. In an embodiment, the invention includes an algae cultivation system including a tank configured to hold a liquid medium and a rotor disposed within the tank. The rotor can be configured to be rotated while disposed within the tank. The system can also include a light source coupled to the rotor such that the light source rotates within the tank when the rotor rotates within the tank. Other embodiments are also described herein.

Abstract: The invention is related to methods and compositions for reducing protozoa populations in animals. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for reducing protozoal populations including administering a first composition comprising an effective amount of saponins to the animal, and administering a second composition comprising an effective amount of a preservative to the animal. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for killing protozoa comprising contacting protozoa with a composition comprising an effective amount of saponins and an effective amount of ethoxyquin. Other embodiments are included herein.

Abstract: The invention is related to methods and compositions for increasing milk production in animals using a saponin containing composition. In an embodiment, the invention is a method for increasing milk production of an animal comprising administering an initiation dose of a saponin-containing composition to the animal within five days before or after the time of freshening of the animal, and administering a plurality of maintenance doses of the saponin-containing composition to the animal.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to algae cultivation systems and methods. In an embodiment, an algae cultivation system is included. The algae cultivation system can include a cultivation tank, a plurality of light transmitting elements configured to be at least partially submerged in a liquid medium disposed within the cultivation tank, wherein the light transmitting elements increase the effective surface area of the liquid medium exposed to light, and a plurality of gas injectors configured to emit gas into the liquid medium. In an embodiment a method of culturing algae is included. The method can include measuring the amount of carbon dioxide in a cultivation system and modulating the amount of light being supplied to the cultivation system based on the measured amount of carbon dioxide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods of using fatty acid alkyl ester solutions to refine feed stocks before converting the feed stocks into fatty acid fatty acid alkyl esters. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for producing fatty acid alkyl esters. The method can include mixing a crude lipid feed stock with a refining solution to form a crude product mixture, the refining solution comprising greater than about 10 wt. % fatty acid alkyl esters. The method can include extracting the liquid phase from the crude product mixture to obtain a purified lipid feed stock. The method can also include reacting the purified lipid feed stock with an alcohol to form a product mixture comprising fatty acid alkyl esters. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of making a fatty acid alkyl ester composition.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods and catalysts for synthesizing ethers. In an embodiment, the invention includes a process for synthesizing ethers from an alcohol feedstock including heating the alcohol feedstock to a temperature greater than about 100 degrees Celsius; and contacting the alcohol feedstock with a catalyst comprising a metal oxide selected from the group consisting of titania and alumina. Other embodiments are also described herein.

Abstract: The invention is related to methods and compositions for controlling microorganism populations in the digestive system of an animal. In an embodiment, the invention is a composition for reducing the bacterial load in the digestive tract of an animal including a saponin containing composition and an anti-microbial agent. Other embodiments are included herein.

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to systems and methods for applying liquid feed additives to a feed composition. In one embodiment, the system has a spray housing defining a spray chamber located adjacent a mix housing carrying a material composition. The mix housing defines a mix chamber, which contains an actuating device, such as an auger, that moves the material stream through the mix chamber. The mix chamber and spray chamber are in fluid communication. A spray nozzle is coupled to the spray housing and in fluid communication with an air source and liquid additive tank. The spray nozzle sprays a fog of air and liquid additive through the spray chamber and into the mix chamber, which gets deposited on the passing feed stream.

Abstract: The invention is related to methods and compositions for controlling microorganism populations in the digestive system of an animal. In an embodiment, the invention is a method for reducing protozoa populations in the digestive system of an animal including administering an effective amount of a saponin containing composition to the animal, and administering an effective amount of an anti-microbial agent to the animal. In an embodiment, the invention is a composition for reducing the bacterial load in the digestive tract of an animal including a saponin containing composition and an anti-microbial agent. In an embodiment, the invention is a method for reducing the bacterial load in the digestive system of an animal including administering an effective amount of a saponin containing composition to the animal.