Abstract: A process of producing a distillate fuel from coal includes: preparing a biomass-derived coal solvent; dissolving the coal in the biomass-derived solvent; and separating undissolved coal and mineral matter to produce a syncrude. In certain embodiments, the process further includes subjecting the syncrude to a hydrotreatment/hydrogenation process to produce a distillate fuel. In certain embodiments, the biomass-derived solvent is a hydrogen-donor solvent. A method to improve direct coal liquefaction includes: using a non-hydrogenated lipid in a direct coal liquefaction process to facilitate coal depolymerization. In certain embodiments, the lipid is a polyunsaturated biobased oil. A method for using a biomass-derived feedstock as a hydrogen donor includes: providing a biomass-derived feedstock; modifying the feedstock to improve its usefulness as a hydrogen donor; and conducting a transfer hydrogenation process using the modified feedstock as a hydrogen donor.

Abstract: A process of producing a distillate fuel from coal includes: preparing a biomass-derived coal solvent; dissolving the coal in the biomass-derived solvent; and separating undissolved coal and mineral matter to produce a syncrude. In certain embodiments, the process further includes subjecting the syncrude to a hydrotreatment/hydrogenation process to produce a distillate fuel. In certain embodiments, the biomass-derived solvent is a hydrogen-donor solvent. A method to improve direct coal liquefaction includes: using a non-hydrogenated lipid in a direct coal liquefaction process to facilitate coal depolymerization. In certain embodiments, the lipid is a polyunsaturated biobased oil. A method for using a biomass-derived feedstock as a hydrogen donor includes: providing a biomass-derived feedstock; modifying the feedstock to improve its usefulness as a hydrogen donor; and conducting a transfer hydrogenation process using the modified feedstock as a hydrogen donor.

Abstract: A nontoxic deicing/anti-icing fluid includes a biobased freezing point depressant, a surfactant, an antioxidant, and water. The fluid has an LD50 greater than about 10,000 mg/L. Another deicing/anti-icing fluid includes a biobased freezing point depressant, a vinylpyrrolidone polymer having a molecular weight between about 10,000 and about 700,000, and water. Another deicing/anti-icing fluid includes a biobased freezing point depressant, a nonionic surfactant selected from the polyoxyalkylene ethers, an antioxidant, and water. Another deicing/anti-icing fluid includes a biobased freezing point depressant, a surfactant, a food grade material that functions as an antioxidant, and water. A further deicing/anti-icing fluid includes a biobased freezing point depressant, a material that functions as both a buffer and a freezing point depressant, and water.

Abstract: A nontoxic deicing/anti-icing fluid includes a freezing point depressant selected from short chain polyols having 3 to 5 carbons atoms, and mixtures thereof, a wetting agent, an antioxidant/preservative, and water. The fluid has an LD50 greater than about 10,000 mg/L. Another deicing/anti-icing fluid includes the freezing point depressant, a vinylpyrrolidone polymer having a molecular weight between about 10,000 and about 700,000, and water. A runway deicing fluid includes glycerol, a buffer, an antioxidant/preservative, and water. Another deicing/anti-icing fluid includes a freezing point depressant having hydrophobic character, a wetting agent comprising an organophosphorus compound capable of producing an organic wettable surface, and water.

Abstract: In a process for producing a deicing/anti-icing fluid, a byproduct stream is obtained from a process that produces monoalkyl esters of long chain fatty acids. The stream includes water, glycerol, and an alkali-containing compound. The stream is converted to a deicing/anti-icing fluid by adding an acid to the stream to neutralize the alkali-containing compound to produce an alkali salt that functions as a supplemental freezing point depressant.

Abstract: A nontoxic deicing/anti-icing fluid includes a biobased freezing point depressant, a surfactant, an antioxidant, and water. The fluid has an LD50 greater than about 10,000 mg/L. Another deicing/anti-icing fluid includes a biobased freezing point depressant, a vinylpyrrolidone polymer having a molecular weight between about 10,000 and about 700,000, and water. Another deicing/anti-icing fluid includes a biobased freezing point depressant, a nonionic surfactant selected from the polyoxyalkylene ethers, an antioxidant, and water. Another deicing/anti-icing fluid includes a biobased freezing point depressant, a surfactant, a food grade material that functions as an antioxidant, and water. A further deicing/anti-icing fluid includes a biobased freezing point depressant, a material that functions as both a buffer and a freezing point depressant, and water.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for removing a pollutant from a fluid stream. A nested array of fibers (1) is provided in a substantially confined region (2). The pollutant-containing fluid stream (4) is passed through a substantial portion of the nested array (1) from an inlet area (7) therein to a fluid-outlet area (8) that is spaced apart substantially from the inlet area (7). A substantial fraction of the pollutant (9) is separated from the fluid stream (4) in a portion of the nested array (1) generally nearer to the inlet area (7) than to the fluid-outlet area (8), and a substantial fraction of the separated pollutant (9) is removed from the nested array (1) at a pollutant-outlet area (12) that is spaced apart from the inlet area (7) and from the fluid-outlet area (8), while the fluid stream (4) may continue to pass through the nested array (1).