Abstract: A needleless injection device and method for injecting a food subject is disclosed in which one or more types of liquid food additive are individually and/or simultaneously delivered to a food subject within a sealed injection chamber or compartment. The needleless injection device and method of the present invention utilizes rapid, high pressure injection bursts to completely and uniformly inject the food subject, allowing different food subjects or different food additives to be sequentially injected in an efficient and instant manner. The needleless injection device and method for injecting minimizes contamination by totally enclosing the injection process within a sealed chamber, and by eliminating the need for the injection nozzles to contact, or be placed immediately adjacent to the food subject.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a biomass enriched with hydrogen-producing bacteria or spores includes providing a biomass comprising a hydrogen-producing bacteria and a competing bacteria and treating the biomass with a sufficient amount of a chemical agent for a period of time such that the treatment (i) kills, inhibits or injures substantially all of the competing bacteria and (ii) does not kill or inhibit the hydrogen-producing bacteria or causes the hydrogen-producing bacteria to form spores that are not destroyed during the chemical treatment. The method also includes digesting an enriched biomass with a non-sterile organic substrate. The enriched biomass includes hydrogen-producing bacteria or spores that are mixed in sufficient quantities with the organic substrate such that the hydrogen-producing bacteria can overcome the competing bacteria to consume the organic substrate and produce hydrogen.

Abstract: A machine for injecting liquids is disclosed including use of at least one air pump in fluid communication with at least one injection head having apertures for nozzles. High-pressure injectate flows from the air pump into the head, preferably through a threadlessly mounted filter located within the injection head. To further minimize contamination, fluid that enters the injection head will not contact any threading present in either the head or the nozzles. An air pressure regulator is included to ensure a steady stream of injectate of a desired pressure is delivered to an injection subject via each injection head and also helping to eliminate hesitation in delivery of the fluid by the air pump. Cleaning of the machine is simplified by moving sensitive components into a sealed enclosure, removing them from a wet working environment.

Abstract: An induced sludge bed anaerobic reactor includes a vessel in which a septum or other partition is positioned to maintain solids in wastewater being treated toward a lower zone in the reactor. A gas trap, which may also comprise an overpressure protection device, may be arranged at an outlet of the vessel. A distribution plate may be located at an inlet. A central aperture is formed in the septum into which a plug control mechanism, such as an auger, may be positioned to force solids to the lower zone of the reactor or, alternatively, pull solids up above the septum so that they can be removed from the vessel, if desired. A mixer may be utilized in connection with the bioreactor to mix the contents and prevent a crust from forming at the top of the bioreactor. Still further, a wall may be positioned to extend above the septum around its perimeter to assist in separating solids from the wastewater.

Abstract: An induced sludge bed anaerobic reactor includes a vessel in which a septum or other partition is positioned to maintain solids in wastewater being treated toward a lower zone in the reactor. A central aperture is formed in the septum into which a sludge blanket control mechanism, such as an auger, is positioned to force solids to the lower zone of the reactor or, alternatively, pull solids up above the septum so that they can be removed from the vessel, if desired. A mixer may be utilized in connection with the bioreactor to mix the contents and prevent a crust from forming at the top of the bioreactor. Still further, a wall may be positioned to extend above the septum around its perimeter to assist in separating solids from the wastewater. The various types of bacteria used in the anaerobic process may also be separated, according to the present invention, in either a single vessel or multiple vessels so that the conditions of each respective vessel can be altered as desired.