Abstract: An electrochemical process is provided for producing hydrogen for use in a hydrotreatment process. Hydrogen sulfide and ammonia that are produced during the hydrotreatment process are subjected to electrolysis using electrolysis cells and select catalysts to produce hydrogen which then can be used in the hydrotreatment process instead of using outside sources of hydrogen.

Abstract: A process for removing Pb2+, Hg2+ and other heavy metal toxins from bodily fluids is disclosed. The process involves treating a patient with a small molecule heavy metal chelator to remove these toxins from bones and soft tissue cells into the blood or other bodily fluid. Then an ion exchange composition is used to ion exchange the heavy metal toxins from bodily fluids either within the body or by treatment outside the body such as by dialysis. The ion exchange compositions may be supported by porous networks of biocompatible polymers such as carbohydrates or proteins.

Abstract: A process is provided for making a polymer comprising providing a mixture of at least one furandicarboxylic acid, at least one diol, and at least one C2-C3 dicarboxlic acid, ester derivatives of C2-C3 dicarboxylic acid, hydroxy fatty acid or ester derivative of a hydroxy fatty acid; adding a catalyst and processing said mixture at reaction conditions until a polymer product is produced. The polymer consists of random units based upon the starting materials that are used.

Abstract: A process is provided for making a polymer comprising providing a mixture of at least one furandicarboxylic acid, at least one diol, and at least one C2-C3 dicarboxlic acid, ester derivatives of C2-C3 dicarboxylic acid, hydroxy fatty acid or ester derivative of a hydroxy fatty acid; adding a catalyst and processing said mixture at reaction conditions until a polymer product is produced. The polymer consists of random units based upon the starting materials that are used.

Abstract: A method is presented for biological removal of contaminants like sulfide from ground waters and industrial waters. Sulfide oxidizing bacteria by biological oxidation oxidizes sulfides in 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: Methods for removing contaminants from algal oil are provided. In an embodiment, a method comprises the steps of combining a sulfuric acid-aqueous solution that has a pH of about 1 or less with a contaminant-containing algal oil at treatment conditions effective to form an effluent. The effluent comprises a treated algal oil phase and contaminants in an acidic aqueous phase. The contaminants comprise metals, phosphorus, or combinations thereof. The acidic aqueous phase is removed from the effluent to form a contaminant-depleted algal oil.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for treating biomass are provided herein. In an embodiment, an exemplary method of treating biomass includes providing a biomass stream that includes a lipid component or a derivative thereof and a contaminant component that includes nitrogen, phosphorous, ammonia, or a combination thereof. The contaminant component is extracted from the biomass stream with a wash composition that includes water to produce a washed biomass stream that includes the lipid component and a waste water stream that includes the contaminant component. The waste water stream is contacted with a substrate that includes a bound microorganism to remove the contaminant component from the waste water stream.

Abstract: Methods for deoxygenating a biomass-derived pyrolysis oil are provided. A method for deoxygenating a biomass-derived pyrolysis oil comprising the steps of combining a biomass-derived pyrolysis oil stream with a heated low-oxygen-pyoil diluent recycle stream to form a heated diluted pyoil feed stream is provided. The heated diluted pyoil feed stream has a feed temperature of about 150° C. or greater. The heated diluted pyoil feed stream is contacted with a first deoxygenating catalyst in the presence of hydrogen at first hydroprocessing conditions effective to form a low-oxygen biomass-derived pyrolysis oil effluent.

Abstract: Methods for processing algal oils are provided. In an embodiment, a method for removing a contaminant from an oil includes contacting the oil with a base to form an intermediate solution. Further, the method includes contacting the intermediate solution with an acid to form an acidic solution. The method separates the acidic solution into an oil portion and an aqueous waste portion including the contaminant.

Abstract: Methods for removing contaminants from algal oil are provided. In an embodiment, a method comprises the steps of combining a sulfuric acid-aqueous solution that has a pH of about 1 or less with a contaminant-containing algal oil at treatment conditions effective to form an effluent. The effluent comprises a treated algal oil phase and contaminants in an acidic aqueous phase. The contaminants comprise metals, phosphorus, or combinations thereof. The acidic aqueous phase is removed from the effluent to form a contaminant-depleted algal oil.

Abstract: A technique of forming a carbon-carbon composite material may include infusing pyrolysis oil into a porous preform, polymerizing at least some components of the pyrolysis oil infused in the preform to form a phenolic resin, and pyrolyzing the phenolic resin to form a partially densified preform. Carbon-carbon composites formed from porous preforms in which pyrolysis oil comprising a phenolic compound and at least one of an aldehyde or ketone compound is disposed in pores of the preform are also described.

Abstract: Methods for processing algal oils are provided. In an embodiment, a method for removing a contaminant from an oil includes contacting the oil with a base to form an intermediate solution. Further, the method includes contacting the intermediate solution with an acid to form an acidic solution. The method separates the acidic solution into an oil portion and an aqueous waste portion including the contaminant.

Abstract: Methods for removing contaminants from algal oil are provided. In an embodiment, a method comprises the steps of combining a sulfuric acid-aqueous solution that has a pH of about 1 or less with a contaminant-containing algal oil at treatment conditions effective to form an effluent. The effluent comprises a treated algal oil phase and contaminants in an acidic aqueous phase. The contaminants comprise metals, phosphorus, or combinations thereof The acidic aqueous phase is removed from the effluent to form a contaminant-depleted algal oil.

Abstract: Methods for deoxygenating a biomass-derived pyrolysis oil are provided. In an embodiment, a method for deoxygenating a biomass-derived pyrolysis oil comprises the steps of combining a biomass-derived pyrolysis oil stream with a heated low-oxygen-pyoil diluent recycle stream to form a heated diluted pyoil feed stream. The heated diluted pyoil feed stream has a feed temperature of about 150° C. or greater. The heated diluted pyoil feed stream is contacted with a first deoxygenating catalyst in the presence of hydrogen at first hydroprocessing conditions effective to form a low-oxygen biomass-derived pyrolysis oil effluent.

Abstract: Methods are provided for producing low oxygen biomass-derived pyrolysis oil from carbonaceous biomass feedstock. The carbonaceous biomass feedstock is pyrolyzed in the presence of a steam reforming catalyst to produce char and pyrolysis gases. During pyrolysis, a portion of the oxygenated hydrocarbons in the pyrolysis gases is converted into hydrocarbons by steam reforming also yielding carbon oxides and hydrogen gas. The hydrogen gas at least partially deoxygenates a residual portion of the oxygenated hydrocarbons. Additional hydrogen gas may also be produced by water-gas shift reactions to deoxygenate the residual portion of the oxygenated hydrocarbons in the pyrolysis gases. Deoxygenation may occur in the presence of a hydroprocessing catalyst. A condensable portion of the pyrolysis gases is condensed to form low oxygen biomass-derived pyrolysis oil.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for the treatment of feedstocks comprising a fatty acid- or triglyceride-containing component to remove contaminants that are detrimental to the conversion of such feedstocks to hydrocarbons, and especially biofuel fractions such as diesel or aviation biofuels. Contaminants contributing to the presence of trace elements in animal fats and/or plant oils, as components of feedstocks, hinder the ability to catalytically convert these feedstocks, for example by hydroprocessing, to biofuels.

Abstract: Methods are provided for producing low oxygen biomass-derived pyrolysis oil from carbonaceous biomass feedstock. The carbonaceous biomass feedstock is pyrolyzed in the presence of a steam reforming catalyst to produce char and pyrolysis gases. During pyrolysis, a portion of the oxygenated hydrocarbons in the pyrolysis gases is converted into hydrocarbons by steam reforming also yielding carbon oxides and hydrogen gas. The hydrogen gas at least partially deoxygenates a residual portion of the oxygenated hydrocarbons. Additional hydrogen gas may also be produced by water-gas shift reactions to deoxygenate the residual portion of the oxygenated hydrocarbons in the pyrolysis gases. Deoxygenation may occur in the presence of a hydroprocessing catalyst. A condensable portion of the pyrolysis gases is condensed to form low oxygen biomass-derived pyrolysis oil.

Abstract: A chemical munition hydrolysate treatment system pretreats agent hydrolysate with irradiation in the presence of an oxidant and processes the pre-treated chemical agent and energetic materials through a series of treatment processes until a preselected level of destruction is achieved. The treatment process includes a biological treatment of the aqueous wastestreams and catalytic oxidation of the air exhaust streams.

Abstract: A composition comprising a binder and a residue wherein the residue comprises a blend of polypropylene, styrene butadiene rubber and calcium carbonate. The residue is a novel material derived as a coproduct from the medium-pressure depolymerization of nylon 6 carpet. The compositions are useful as road asphalt, asphalt roof membranes, molding compounds, and plastic lumber such as palisades and spacers.

Abstract: A composition comprising a binder and a residue wherein the residue comprises a blend of polypropylene, styrene butadiene rubber and calcium carbonate. The residue is a novel material derived as a coproduct from the medium-pressure depolymerization of nylon 6 carpet. The compositions are useful as road asphalt, asphalt roof membranes, molding compounds, and plastic lumber such as palisades and spacers.