Abstract: A process for making furfural, derivatives of furfural, or both from biomass is described. The biomass feed is optionally conditioned to obtain a moisture content of 25 wt % or less. The biomass feed is ground to form particles having a particle size in a range of 0.02 mm to 7 mm with 5 wt % or less being 75 microns or less, and an average aspect ratio of 0.4 or more. The ground biomass feed is blanketed with an inert gas having an oxidant or oxygen content of 5 mol % or less. The ground biomass feed is reacted in the presence of water, a water-immiscible organic solvent, and an acid catalyst to form a reaction product mixture comprising furfural, derivatives of furfural, or both.

Abstract: Processes for increasing an affinity of a filter media to airborne viral particles. A fiber substrate comprising borosilicate is provided. The fiber substrate may comprise acidic functional groups. A metal salt solution is introduced to the fiber substrate to form a treated substrate. The metal salt solution includes divalent and/or trivalent metal cations. The pH of the metal salt solution is adjusted, and a divalent and/or trivalent metal cation is exchanged with a proton from the acidic functional groups. The metal may be present in an amount ranging from about 0.001 to about 3.0 wt. % of the treated fiber substrate. The treated fiber substrate is incorporated into a filter media before or after the deposition of the metal onto the fiber substrate.

Abstract: Processes for treating a fiber substrate are disclosed. A fiber substrate comprising borosilicate with acidic functional groups. A metal salt solution is introduced to the fiber substrate. The metal salt solution includes cations having an ionic charge of +2 or greater. The pH of the metal salt solution may be adjusted, and the cations are deposited on the glass fibers. The treated fiber substrate may be utilized to form a filter media.

Abstract: Processes for increasing a viricidal activity of a fiber substrate. The fiber substrate is provided. The fiber substrate may comprise acidic functional groups and may be acid leached to provide additional acidic groups. Metal ions may thereafter be exchanged with a proton from the acidic functional groups. A divalent metal is introduced to the fiber substrate. An antiviral metal is introduced and deposited onto the fiber substrate by galvanic displacement. Subsequently, a further antiviral metal is introduced and deposited on the fiber substrate by an electroless process. The treated fiber substrate is washed and dried. The deposition of antiviral metals onto the fiber substrate to form a treated fiber substrate may occur before or after the fiber substrate is incorporated into a filter media in a wet-laid paper making process.

Abstract: Processes for increasing a virucidal activity of a fiber substrate are disclosed. A fiber substrate comprising borosilicate is provided. The fiber substrate may comprise acidic functional groups. An antiviral metal salt solution is introduced to the fiber substrate to form an antiviral substrate. The pH of the antiviral metal salt solution is adjusted, and an antiviral metal ion is exchanged with a proton from the acidic functional groups. The antiviral metal is present in an amount ranging from about 0.001 to about 3.0 wt. % of the antiviral fiber substrate. The antiviral fiber substrate is incorporated into a filter media before or after the deposition of the antiviral metal onto the fiber substrate.

Abstract: Processes for increasing the viricidal activity of a fiber substrate. The fiber substrate is provided. An antiviral treatment containing a quaternary ammonium or phosphonium compound is introduced to the fiber substrate to form an antiviral substrate. The treated fiber substrate is washed and dried. The antiviral treatment may occur before or after the fiber substrate is incorporated into the HEPA filter media in a papermaking process. Also a filter made from treated fiber substrates.

Abstract: A method is presented for biological removal of contaminants like sulfide from ground waters and industrial waters. A fixed film compartmentalized bioreactor or bioreactors are used to convert sulfide to elemental sulfur and the subsequent conversion of the elemental sulfur to sulfates. The present invention uses a packed bed bioreactor configuration that uses packing material to maximize the concentration of sulfide oxidizing bacteria.

Abstract: A method is presented for biological removal of contaminants like sulfide from ground waters and industrial waters. A portion of the bioreactor effluent water is recycled to the bioreactor and the sulfide oxidizing bacteria by biological oxidation oxidizes sulfides in the water to produce soluble sulfates. The present invention uses a packed bed bioreactor configuration that uses packing material to maximize the concentration of sulfide oxidizing bacteria.

Abstract: Processes for treatment of spent alkaline stream is disclosed. The process includes passing a spent alkaline stream comprising one or more sulfide compounds and one or more organic compounds to a sulfide oxidation reactor for partial oxidation of the one or more sulfide compounds to provide an effluent stream comprising one or more thiosulfate compounds. The effluent stream is passed to a biological treatment unit to oxidize the one or more thiosulfate compounds to one or more sulfate compounds and biodegrade the one or more organic compounds to carbon dioxide and water to provide a treated alkaline stream.

Abstract: A method is presented for biological removal of contaminants like sulfide from ground waters and industrial waters. A fixed film compartmentalized bioreactor or bioreactors are used to convert sulfide to elemental sulfur and the subsequent conversion of the elemental sulfur to sulfates. The present invention uses a packed bed bioreactor configuration that uses packing material to maximize the concentration of sulfide oxidizing bacteria.

Abstract: A method is presented for biological removal of contaminants like sulfide from ground waters and industrial waters. A portion of the bioreactor effluent water is recycled to the bioreactor and the sulfide oxidizing bacteria by biological oxidation oxidizes sulfides in the water to produce soluble sulfates. The present invention uses a packed bed bioreactor configuration that uses packing material to maximize the concentration of sulfide oxidizing bacteria.

Abstract: A process for removing a metal from a tallow feed includes contacting the tallow feed comprising the metal with a tallow oil-immiscible ionic liquid to produce a tallow oil and TALLOW-immiscible ionic liquid mixture, and separating the mixture to produce a tallow oil effluent having a reduced metal content relative to the tallow feed. The metals removed include iron, aluminum, calcium, magnesium, sodium, zinc, and potassium.

Abstract: A process for removing a metal from a tallow feed includes contacting the tallow feed comprising the metal with a tallow oil-immiscible ionic liquid to produce a tallow oil and TALLOW-immiscible ionic liquid mixture, and separating the mixture to produce a tallow oil effluent having a reduced metal content relative to the tallow feed. The metals removed include iron, aluminum, calcium, magnesium, sodium, zinc, and potassium.

Abstract: A biological agent detector for detecting predetermined biological agents. The biological agent detector includes an optical fiber, a cladding that clads a length of the optical fiber and a bioindicator disposed within the cladding. The biological agent detector also includes a coherent light source that excites the optical fiber and a biological agent signature detector that detects the presence of a biological agent based upon a change in a resonance characteristic of the optical fiber caused by absorption of the predetermined biological agent into the cladding of the fiber.

Abstract: A biological agent detector for detecting predetermined biological agents. The biological agent detector includes an optical fiber, a cladding that clads a length of the optical fiber and a bioindicator disposed within the cladding. The biological agent detector also includes a coherent light source that excites the optical fiber and a biological agent signature detector that detects the presence of a biological agent based upon a change in a resonance characteristic of the optical fiber caused by absorption of the predetermined biological agent into the cladding of the fiber.

Abstract: Chromium in solid waste residues may be immobilized by reduction of essentially all of the Cr(VI) to insoluble Cr(III). The Cr(VI) is separated from the solids by contacting with an acid to produce an aqueous solution having a pH of about 6.5 to 9.5, then adding sulfate-reducing anaerobic bacteria and, as required, a source of sulfates and nutrients for the growth of the bacteria. Where the solid residues are below the surface of the soil, a continuous recirculation may be established to extract Cr(VI), treat the resulting solution above grade to reduce Cr(VI) to Cr(III), and return the treated solution to the soil.

Abstract: A method of reducing soluble Cr(VI) levels in aqueous wastes from 200 ppm or more to less than 1 ppm, particularly to less than 0.05 ppm, preferably to less than 0.01 ppm, uses fermentative sulfate-reudcing anaerobic bacteria to reduce Cr(VI) to Cr(III) and immobilize the latter as the extememly insoluble hydroxide. The process is readily adapted to operate continuously using a bioreactor containing sludge with sulfate-reducing anaerobic bacteria and operated as a chemostat.