Abstract: A unique point absorber type wave energy conversion device is disclosed that includes a Power Take Off (PTO) which uses a torsion spring to return a vertical shaft to its original position after being rotated by a rope or cord that pulls a reel via a guide system. This spring return allows the PTO and housing to stay stationary under the wave energy while a buoy at the surface provides an oscillating linear movement. The oscillating rotary motion caused by the interaction of the buoy and spring is converted into a one directional motion via a one-way clutch and is transmitted to generators using a gearbox that increases rotational speed.

Abstract: A unique point absorber type wave energy conversion device is disclosed that includes a Power Take Off (PTO) which uses a torsion spring to return a vertical shaft to its original position after being rotated by a rope or cord that pulls a reel via a guide system. This spring return allows the PTO and housing to stay stationary under the wave energy while a buoy at the surface provides an oscillating linear movement. The oscillating rotary motion caused by the interaction of the buoy and spring is converted into a one directional motion via a one-way clutch and is transmitted to generators using a gearbox that increases rotational speed.

Abstract: An AUV/UUV docking station is provided that is tethered to a wave energy converter that is in turn tethered to a flotation buoy. The AUV/UUV docking station has a cone for directing an AUV/UUV into a charging dock that is rotatable between a horizontal docking position and a vertical charging position such that in the vertical position the docking station and docked AUV/UUV have a reduced profile so as not to interfere with the operation of the wave energy converter. Energy from the wave energy converter is directed to the dock to charge the AUV/UUV.

Abstract: A process for producing a fuel from lignocellulosic biomass is disclosed. The process includes obtaining a feedstock comprising lignocellulosic biomass, pretreating a slurry containing the lignocellulosic feedstock, sulfur dioxide, and optionally a bisulfite salt, at temperatures between 110° C. and 160° C. for at least 30 minutes. The pretreatment includes subjecting the slurry to a pH adjustment, which includes adding alkali to the slurry, removing lignosulfonic acid from the slurry, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A process for producing a fuel from lignocellulosic biomass is disclosed. The process includes obtaining a feedstock comprising lignocellulosic biomass, feeding the feedstock and sulfur dioxide into a pretreatment reactor, wherein a total amount of sulfur dioxide in the pretreatment reactor is greater than 70 wt % based on dry weight lignocellulosic biomass, and heating the feedstock and sulfur dioxide in the pretreatment reactor at one or more temperatures between 110° C. and 150° C. for more than 60 minutes.

Abstract: A process for converting lignocellulosic biomass to glucose or ethanol includes subjecting the lignocellulosic biomass to a lignosulfonic acid pretreatment, wherein the lignosulfonic acid has a concentration of sulfonate groups in acid form that is greater than 0.02 mol/L and a total amount of sulfur dioxide is greater than 15 wt % based on dry weight of lignocellulosic biomass.

Abstract: A process for converting lignocellulosic biomass to glucose or ethanol includes subjecting the lignocellulosic biomass to a SO2 pretreatment within the temperature range 110° C.-150° C. Good glucose yields have been achieved when the SO2 pretreatment is conducted for more than 90 minutes and when the total amount of SO2 available is greater than 20 wt % based on dry weight of lignocellulosic biomass.

Abstract: A process for producing a fuel from a softwood. A feedstock containing softwood is pretreated, where the pretreating includes heating the feedstock in a pretreatment liquor containing sulfur dioxide and bisulfite salt. The heating is conducted between 110° C. and 160° C. The pretreatment liquor has a sulfur dioxide concentration that is greater than 6.5 wt % on liquor and a pH at 25° C. that is less than 1.3. The cellulose in the pretreated material is hydrolysed to glucose. The glucose may be fermented to a fermentation product such as ethanol.

Abstract: Point absorbing wave energy converters that do not require a rigid structure, are easy to deploy and are economically viable for a variety of deployments are disclosed herein below. The system includes a point absorber wave energy converter and a flexible component and ballast combination, where the flexible component and ballast combination includes a ballast subsystem and a flexible linear component extending from the point absorber wave energy converter to the ballast subsystem and operatively connected at one end to the ballast subsystem and at another end to the point absorber wave energy converter. The flexible component and ballast combination configured to provide a strong drag force when moving upward in a water column and a weak drag force when sinking in the water column.

Abstract: A process for producing ethanol from lignocellulosic biomass includes adding at least one of sulfur dioxide and sulfurous acid to the lignocellulosic biomass to provide an equivalent sulfur dioxide loading of at least 10 wt % sulfur dioxide to dry lignocellulosic biomass. The acidified lignocellulosic biomass is pretreated at a temperature above about 185° C. and for a pretreatment time less than about 10 minutes, to provide a pretreated biomass composition wherein the biomass is readily hydrolyzed by enzymes. Advantageously, sulfur dioxide from at least one of the flash stream and a stream derived from the flash is recovered and recycled back into the process.

Abstract: A process for converting lignocellulosic biomass to glucose or ethanol includes subjecting the lignocellulosic biomass to a lignosulfonic acid pretreatment, wherein the lignosulfonic acid has a concentration of sulfonate groups in acid form that is greater than 0.02 mol/L and a total amount of sulfur dioxide is greater than 15 wt % based on dry weight of lignocellulosic biomass.

Abstract: A process for converting lignocellulosic biomass to glucose or ethanol includes subjecting the lignocellulosic biomass to a SO2 pretreatment within the temperature range 110° C.-150° C. Good glucose yields have been achieved when the SO2 pretreatment is conducted for more than 90 minutes and when the total amount of SO2 available is greater than 20 wt % based on dry weight of lignocellulosic biomass.

Abstract: A process for producing a fuel from lignocellulosic biomass is disclosed. The process includes obtaining a feedstock comprising lignocellulosic biomass, feeding the feedstock and sulfur dioxide into a pretreatment reactor, wherein a total amount of sulfur dioxide in the pretreatment reactor is greater than 70 wt % based on dry weight lignocellulosic biomass, and heating the feedstock and sulfur dioxide in the pretreatment reactor at one or more temperatures between 110° C. and 150° C. for more than 60 minutes.

Abstract: A process for producing alcohol from lignocellulosic biomass includes adding at least one of sulfur dioxide and sulfurous acid to the lignocellulosic biomass to provide an effective sulfur dioxide dosage and/or effective sulfur dioxide slurry concentration, each of which is calculated using the ratio of the volume of the slurry in the pretreatment reactor to the total volume of the pretreatment reactor, within a predetermined range.

Abstract: Point absorbing wave energy converters that do not require a rigid structure, are easy to deploy and are economically viable for a variety of deployments are disclosed herein below. The system includes a point absorber wave energy converter and a flexible component and ballast combination, where the flexible component and ballast combination includes a ballast subsystem and a flexible linear component extending from the point absorber wave energy converter to the ballast subsystem and operatively connected at one end to the ballast subsystem and at another end to the point absorber wave energy converter. The flexible component and ballast combination configured to provide a strong drag force when moving upward in a water column and a weak drag force when sinking in the water column.

Abstract: A process for producing alcohol from lignocellulosic biomass includes adding at least one of sulfur dioxide and sulfurous acid to the lignocellulosic biomass to provide an effective sulfur dioxide dosage and/or effective sulfur dioxide slurry concentration, each of which is calculated using the ratio of the volume of the slurry in the pretreatment reactor to the total volume of the pretreatment reactor, within a predetermined range.

Abstract: A process for producing ethanol from lignocellulosic biomass includes adding at least one of sulfur dioxide and sulfurous acid to the lignocellulosic biomass to provide an equivalent sulfur dioxide loading of at least 10 wt % sulfur dioxide to dry lignocellulosic biomass. The acidified lignocellulosic biomass is pretreated at a temperature above about 185° C. and for a pretreatment time less than about 10 minutes, to provide a pretreated biomass composition wherein the biomass is readily hydrolyzed by enzymes. Advantageously, sulfur dioxide from at least one of the flash stream and a stream derived from the flash is recovered and recycled back into the process.

Abstract: Systems for wave energy conversion that have components that can survive the harsh marine environment and that can be attached to fixed structures, such as a pier, and having the ability to naturally adjust for tidal height and methods for their use are presented.

Abstract: Systems for wave energy conversion that have components that can survive the harsh marine environment and that can be attached to fixed structures, such as a pier, and having the ability to naturally adjust for tidal height and methods for their use are presented.

Abstract: A water discharge system enhances heat transfer to the atmosphere by limiting the mixing of heated discharge water with the ambient water of a receiving water body. The heated water is maintained near the top surface of the receiving water body which increases the transfer of heat to the atmosphere as compared to a system where the discharge water is mixed quickly with the ambient water.