Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating a biomass material to produce a torrefied fuel comprising the steps of preheating the biomass material with a hot liquid flowing counter to the direction of travel of the biomass material at a temperature up to 200° C., superheating the preheated biomass material with a liquid flowing counter-current to the direction of travel of the biomass material to a temperature ranging up to 300° C. for a period sufficient to obtain full torrefaction of the biomass material, and cooling the torrefied biomass material with liquid flowing counter to the direction of travel of the torrefied biomass material.

Abstract: A method of treating a biomass material to produce a fuel comprising the steps of preheating the biomass material to a temperature ranging from about 80° C. to about 100° C. and drying the biomass material until the biomass material has a maximum water content of no more than 3%. Microwave radiation is applied to the pre-dried biomass material in a range of 3.0 to 8.0 GHz to heat the biomass material to a temperature ranging from about 230° C. to about 280° C. resulting in torrefaction of the biomass material. The biomass material is then cooled.

Abstract: A process for the extraction of ethanol from a solution by bringing the solution into contact with a bed of salt consisting of Mg3(PO4)2, whereby the salt adsorbs ethanol from the solution, removing the solution from the salt bed, heating of the salt bed in order to release the ethanol adsorbed thereby as vapor and collecting the ethanol vapor. The use of particles of the salt for adsorption of ethanol from a solution.

Abstract: A process for the extraction of ethanol from a solution by bringing the solution into contact with a bed of salt consisting of Mg3(PO4)2, whereby the salt adsorbs ethanol from the solution, removing the solution from the salt bed, heating of the salt bed in order to release the ethanol adsorbed thereby as vapour and collecting the ethanol vapour. The use of particles of the salt for adsorption of ethanol from a solution.