Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for producing an organic compound using fermentation wherein multiple components of the system are recycled within the system. The system and method allow for extraction of a high concentration of the organic compound from the fermentation broth in a continuous system that allows recycling of the biomass, aqueous fermentation broth and extraction solvents. The system and method are particularly well adapted for producing and extracting ethanol.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for producing an organic compound using fermentation wherein multiple components of the system are recycled within the system. The system and method allow for extraction of a high concentration of the organic compound from the fermentation broth in a continuous system that allows recycling of the biomass, aqueous fermentation broth and extraction solvents. The system and method are particularly well adapted for producing and extracting ethanol.

Abstract: Methods of recovering butanol, and preferably increasing the rate and/or yield of its production, from the fermentation of material derived from the digestion of non-cellulosic biomass.

Abstract: A method of removing a fermentation inhibitor from an aqueous mixture of hydrolysis products from cellulosic biomass is disclosed. The method includes providing an aqueous mixture of hydrolysis products from cellulosic biomass, the hydrolysis products comprising at least one of pentose or hexose sugars and a fermentation inhibitor that inhibits a microorganism otherwise capable of fermenting pentose or hexose sugars; and at least partially extracting the fermentation inhibitor from the aqueous mixture with a first extractant by a first liquid-liquid extraction through a first porous membrane to provide a first extract and a raffmate, the first extractant having a water solubility of less than one percent by weight. In some embodiments, the aqueous mixture contains an insufficient amount of the microorganism to ferment the aqueous mixture. In some embodiments, the aqueous mixture is a fermentation broth. A membrane solvent extraction system for carrying out the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Liquid-liquid extraction elements are described. A liquid-liquid extraction element includes a first layer pair and a second layer pair disposed adjacent the first layer pair forming a stack of layers. The first layer pair includes a first polymeric microporous membrane, and a first flow channel layer oriented in a first flow direction having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet disposed on first opposing sides of the extraction element. The second layer pair includes a second polymeric microporous membrane and a second flow channel layer oriented in a second flow direction different than the first flow direction and having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet disposed on second opposing sides of the extraction element. The first microporous membrane is disposed between the first flow channel and the second flow channel. Methods of extracting a dissolved solute from a first liquid to a second liquid are also described.

Abstract: A method of extracting ethanol from a feed solution using a liquid-liquid extraction system including an outer chamber and an inner chamber. The outer chamber is adapted to contain one of a feed solution and a liquid extractant and defines a containment region. The inner chamber is adapted to contain the other of the feed solution and the liquid extractant within a lower portion of the inner chamber. The inner chamber is defined by a microporous membrane sleeve that internally maintains a frame. Upon final assembly, at least the lower portion of the inner chamber is positioned within the containment region of the outer chamber such that the microporous membrane sleeve establishes an extraction interface between contents of the inner and outer chambers.

Abstract: A method for obtaining ethanol from a feed solution utilizes an extractant comprising a mixture of at least one alkane and at least one aliphatic alcohol having the formula wherein R1, R2, R3, R4, R5, and R7 each independently represent H or a straight chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; R6 represents a straight chain alkyl group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms, or taken together R3 and R6 represent an alkylene group having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms; and m and n independently represent 0, 1, 2, or 3, with the proviso that if R4 represents H, then at least two of R1, R2, and R3, or at least one of R5 and R7, are straight chain alkyl groups having from 1 to 4 carbon atoms.

Abstract: A liquid-liquid extraction system including an outer chamber and an inner chamber. The outer chamber is adapted to contain one of a feed solution and a liquid extractant and defines a containment region. The inner chamber is adapted to contain the other of the feed solution and the liquid extractant within a lower portion of the inner chamber. The inner chamber is defined by a microporous membrane sleeve that internally maintains a frame. Upon final assembly, at least the lower portion of the inner chamber is positioned within the containment region of the outer chamber such that the microporous membrane sleeve establishes an extraction interface between contents of the inner and outer chambers. In one embodiment, the flow region of the microporous membrane sleeve is immersed within a feed solution otherwise contained within the outer chamber.

Abstract: A liquid-liquid extraction system including an outer chamber and an inner chamber. The outer chamber is adapted to contain one of a feed solution and a liquid extractant and defines a containment region. The inner chamber is adapted to contain the other of the feed solution and the liquid extractant within a lower portion of the inner chamber. The inner chamber is defined by a microporous membrane sleeve that internally maintains a frame. Upon final assembly, at least the lower portion of the inner chamber is positioned within the containment region of the outer chamber such that the microporous membrane sleeve establishes an extraction interface between contents of the inner and outer chambers. In one embodiment, the flow region of the microporous membrane sleeve is immersed within a feed solution otherwise contained within the outer chamber.

Abstract: A method for obtaining ethanol from a feed solution utilizes an extractant comprising a mixture of at least one alkane and at least one aliphatic alcohol having the formula 1

Abstract: Channel flow filtration media possessing high efficiency and low pressure drop is formed from a plurality of filtration layers at least some of which include a multi-dimensional channel pattern having a plurality of continuous, tortuous channels and a multi-dimensional edge at each end of the plurality of channels formed therein. The filtration medium is configured as a stack with the multi-dimensional edge of the channel pattern forming a plurality of inlets open through a first face of the stack, a plurality of outlets open through a second face of the stack, and a corresponding plurality of disruptive fluid pathways passing from the inlets through the stack to the outlets. The filtration layers may be formed from a non-woven material, such as a carbon loaded multi-layer BMF web capable of adsorption of undesired vapors and odors from a fluid.

Abstract: Multilayered film and film based assembly which are environmentally-compatible, and which exhibit one or more desirable characteristics of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film and film based assemblies, such as clarity, flexibility and toughness, but without the environmental and health hazards associated with PVC materials, are provided. Also provided is a method of preparing such film and film based assembly.

Abstract: Multilayered film and film based assembly which are environmentally-compatible, and which exhibit one or more desirable characteristics of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film and film based assemblies, such as clarity, flexibility and toughness, but without the environmental and health hazards associated with PVC materials, are provided. Also provided is a method of preparing such film and film based assembly.

Abstract: Multilayered film and film based assembly which are environmentally-compatible, and which exhibit one or more desirable characteristics of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) film and film based assemblies, such as clarity, flexibility and toughness, but without the environmental and health hazards associated with PVC materials, are provided. Also provided is a method of preparing such film and film based assembly.

Abstract: Multilayered tubing which exhibits one or more desirable characteristics of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) tubings, such as clarity, flexibility and toughness, but without the environmental and health hazards associated with PVC materials, is provided. Also provided is a method of preparing such tubing.

Abstract: An extremely simple cervical tissue or mucus sampling device comprising an outer protective sleeve, a guard means, a telescoping insertion tube, a stop means and a tissue or mucus sampling member is disclosed which enables a woman to obtain a sample of cervical tissue or mucus for examination and testing.

Abstract: A tanning blanket for reflecting a large portion of the solar radiation which is otherwise scattered in directions away from the person using the blanket, towards the flanks of the person, the blanket having a plurality of incremental reflectors in a Fresnel pattern on a flexible substrate, which reflectors reflect incident solar radiation toward the person and distribute the reflected radiation across the flanks of the person.

Abstract: Photochromic aziridines of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 separately are hydrogen, lower alkyl, phenyl, or ortho or para lower alkyl or lower alkoxy substituted phenyl, and together are alkylene having 4 to 7 carbon atoms inclusive, are coated onto a substrate to provide a microcrystalline deposit thereon preferably followed by application of a barrier coating which is substantially oxygen-impermeable. In this manner, a thermally stable optically erasable imaging medium is provided.

Abstract: Photochromic aziridines of the formula ##STR1## wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 taken separately are hydrogen, lower alkyl, phenyl, or ortho or para lower alkyl or lower alkoxy substituted phenyl, and wherein R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 taken together are alkylene having 4 to 7 carbon atoms, inclusive, are vapor deposited on a substrate, followed by application of a barrier coating which is substantially oxygen-impermeable to thereby provide a thermally stable optically erasable recording medium.

Abstract: An integrating, reusable device for monitoring exposure to actinic radiation is disclosed. The device comprises a substrate having deposited thereon at least one photochromic aziridine compound which is sealed in an oxygen barrier to stabilize the color developed by the aziridine compound in response to actinic radiation. The device includes a spectral response shaping filter to transmit only actinic radiation of the type being monitored. A color standard is also provided with which to compare the color developed by the aziridine compound.