Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a vapor-compression evaporation system includes a plurality of vessels in series each containing a feed having a nonvolatile component. A first set of the plurality of vessels includes vapor-compression evaporators and a second set of the plurality of vessels includes multi-effect evaporators. A mechanical compressor is coupled to the last vessel in the series of vapor-compression evaporators and is operable to receive a vapor therefrom. A turbine is coupled to, and operable to drive, the mechanical compressor. A pump is operable to deliver a cooling liquid to the mechanical compressor, and a tank is coupled to the mechanical compressor and is operable to separate liquid and vapor received from the mechanical compressor. A plurality of heat exchangers is coupled inside respective ones of the vessels, wherein the heat exchanger in the first vessel in the first set is operable to receive the vapor from the tank, and at least some of the vapor condenses therein.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a gerotor apparatus includes an outer gerotor having an outer gerotor chamber, an inner gerotor, at least a portion of which is disposed within the outer gerotor chamber, and a synchronizing apparatus operable to control the rotation of the inner gerotor relative to the outer gerotor. The inner gerotor includes one or more entrance passages operable to communicate a lubricant into the outer gerotor chamber.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a system for processing biomass comprises a chamber, a biomass input device, a fluid input device, and a retrieval device. The chamber is defined by at least a bottom, at least one wall, and a cover supported by the at least one wall. The biomass input device operable to deliver biomass into the chamber to form a biomass pile. The fluid input device is operable to deliver fluid into the chamber to the biomass pile. The retrieval device operable to receive fluid from the chamber.

Abstract: A process for solubilization of protein including application of an alkali, such as lime, and heating. The process may also involve lime recovery and may be accomplished in a single stage or two stages to separate protein solubilized from labile and recalcitrant sources. Systems and devices for use in such process, including a continuous stirred tank reactor and a plug flow reactor are also involved.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a vapor-compression evaporation system includes a plurality of vessels in series each containing a feed having a nonvolatile component. A first set of the plurality of vessels includes vapor-compression evaporators and a second set of the plurality of vessels includes multi-effect evaporators. A mechanical compressor is coupled to the last vessel in the series of vapor-compression evaporators and is operable to receive a vapor therefrom. A turbine is coupled to, and operable to drive, the mechanical compressor. A pump is operable to deliver a cooling liquid to the mechanical compressor, and a tank is coupled to the mechanical compressor and is operable to separate liquid and vapor received from the mechanical compressor. A plurality of heat exchangers is coupled inside respective ones of the vessels, wherein the heat exchanger in the first vessel in the first set is operable to receive the vapor from the tank, and at least some of the vapor condenses therein.

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a vapor-compression evaporation system includes a plurality of vessels in series each containing a feed having a nonvolatile component, a mechanical compressor coupled to the last vessel in the series and operable to receive a vapor from the last vessel in the series, a pump operable to deliver a cooling liquid to the mechanical compressor, a tank coupled to the mechanical compressor and operable to separate liquid and vapor received from the mechanical compressor, a plurality of heat exchangers coupled inside respective ones of the vessels, the heat exchanger in the first vessel in the series operable to receive the vapor from the tank, at least some of the vapor condensing therein, whereby the heat of condensation provides the heat of evaporation to the first vessel in the series, and wherein at least some of the vapor inside the first vessel in the series is delivered to the heat exchanger in the next vessel in the series, whereby the condensing, evaporating, a

Abstract: According to one embodiment of the invention, a jet ejector method includes providing a primary jet ejector having a primary inlet stream, coupling one or more secondary jet ejectors to the primary jet ejector such that all of the jet ejectors are in a cascaded arrangement, bleeding off a portion of the primary inlet stream and directing the portion of the primary inlet stream to the secondary jet ejector that is closest to the primary jet ejector in the cascaded arrangement, and directing a motive fluid into the secondary jet ejector that is farthest from the primary jet ejector in the cascaded arrangement. The method further includes, at each secondary jet ejector, receiving at least some of the portion of the primary inlet stream and at least some of the motive fluid to create respective mixtures within the secondary jet ejectors, and at each secondary jet ejector, directing at least a portion of the respective mixture to adjacent jet ejectors in the cascaded arrangement.