Abstract: Certain embodiments and aspects of the invention relate to a photobioreactor including covered photobioreactor units through which a liquid medium stream and a gas stream flow. The liquid medium comprises at least one species of phototrophic organism therein. Certain methods of using the photobioreactor system as part of fuel generation system and/or a gas-treatment process or system at least partially remove certain undesirable pollutants from a gas stream. In certain embodiments, a portion of the liquid medium is diverted from a photobioreactor unit and reintroduced upstream of the diversion position.

Abstract: A method and system for co-production of electric power, fuel, and chemicals in which a synthesis gas at a first pressure is expanded using a stand-alone mechanical expander or a partial oxidation gas turbine, simultaneously producing electric power and an expanded synthesis gas at a second pressure after which the expanded synthesis gas is converted to a fuel and/or a chemical.

Abstract: Certain embodiments and aspects of the invention relate to a photobioreactor including covered photobioreactor units through which a liquid medium stream and a gas stream flow. The liquid medium comprises at least one species of phototrophic organism therein. Certain methods of using the photobioreactor system as part of fuel generation system and/or a gas-treatment process or system at least partially remove certain undesirable pollutants from a gas stream. In certain embodiments, a portion of the liquid medium is diverted from a photobioreactor unit and reintroduced upstream of the diversion position.

Abstract: Certain embodiments and aspects of the present invention relate to a photobioreactor including covered photobioreactor units through which a liquid medium stream and a gas stream flow. The liquid medium comprises at least one species of phototrophic organism therein. Certain methods of using the photobioreactor system as part of fuel generation system and/or a gas-treatment process or system at least partially remove certain undesirable pollutants from a gas stream. In certain embodiments, a portion of the liquid medium is diverted from a photobioreactor unit and reintroduced upstream of the diversion position.

Abstract: A method and system for co-production of electric power, fuel, and chemicals in which a synthesis gas at a first pressure is expanded using a stand-alone mechanical expander or a partial oxidation gas turbine, simultaneously producing electric power and an expanded synthesis gas at a second pressure after which the expanded synthesis gas is converted to a fuel and/or a chemical.

Abstract: The invention relates to integrity testing of porous material using a plurality of gases and to an apparatus and system for performing the same.

Abstract: A system for selective removal of metabolites from an aqueous broth including a bioreactor vessel containing at least one live culture producing at least one metabolite disposed within an aqueous broth, and a membrane module having a mixed matrix membrane suitable for selective removal of the at least one metabolite from the aqueous broth. The membrane is made of mixtures of hydrophobic zeolite and carbon on a porous substrate. In accordance with one particularly preferred embodiment of this invention, the membrane module is integral with the bioreactor vessel.

Abstract: Certain embodiments and aspects of the present invention relate to a photobioreactor including covered photobioreactor units through which a liquid medium stream and a gas stream flow. The liquid medium comprises at least one species of phototrophic organism therein. Certain methods of using the photobioreactor system as part of fuel generation system and/or a gas-treatment process or system at least partially remove certain undesirable pollutants from a gas stream. In certain embodiments, a portion of the liquid medium is diverted from a photobioreactor unit and reintroduced upstream of the diversion position.

Abstract: Integrated systems including a photobioreactor system designed to contain a liquid medium comprising at least one species of phototrophic organism therein, and a facility associated with extracting and/or processing oil extracted from mixtures of oil and solid material, such as an oil sands facility, are described. Processes for using a photobioreactor system as part of a gas-treatment process and system able to at least partially remove certain undesirable pollutants from a byproduct gas stream produced by an oil sands facility are also described. Examples of such pollutants that may be removed include compounds contained within combustion gases, e.g., CO2 and/or NOx. These pollutants processed with the photobioreactor system, and, in some embodiments, biomass produced with the photobioreactor system may be utilized to produce a fuel source (e.g., biodiesel) and cutting stock for further operation of or use in the oil sands facility.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for combusting and/or gasifying a generally viscous liquid or a slurry wherein the liquid or slurry are atomized in a central atomization device within a burner housing the central atomization device using a portion of a gaseous oxidant introduced into the burner to atomize the liquid or slurry as it exits the atomization device.

Abstract: A process is set forth for directly controlling the quantity and particle size distribution of the solid inventory inside a circulating fluidized bed combustor. A portion of the bed ash is withdrawn from the combustor as bottom ash. The particle size distribution of the stream is adjusted, such as by a hammermill, to a specified distribution. Finally, a portion of the adjusted ash is re-injected into the combustor. The process may be facilitated by size classifying the bottom ash prior to size reduction.

Abstract: A process for the stabilization of heavy metals in the ash produced by the combustion of a heavy metals containing fuel, such as municipal solid waste, by introducing into the combustion system a phosphorous oxide specie or elemental yellow phosphorus. The additive can be introduced at any point in the system upstream of the particulate removal device employed in the system. If elemental phosphorus is used, it must be introduced at a point in the system where it will be exposed to an elevated temperature and oxygen, so as to be converted to a phosphorus oxide specie. When elemental phosphorus is introduced into the system downstream of the combustion zone, it is also effective to reduce the NO content of the flue gas.

Abstract: A one-step process is disclosed for the coproduction of dimethyl ether and methanol from synthesis gas containing H.sub.2, CO, and CO.sub.2. The synthesis gas is contacted with a mixture of methanol synthesis and methanol dehydration catalysts suspended in an inert liquid in a three phase reactor system. Maximum dimethyl ether productivity and product energy recovery are realized by controlling the fraction of methanol synthesis catalyst in the range of about 75 to about 90 wt % of the total catalyst mixture. A methanol-rich fuel product containing dimethyl ether can be obtained when this range is about 95 to about 99.9 wt %.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for improving reactor volumetric productivity in the production of methanol wherein a synthesis feed gas stream containing hydrogen and carbon oxides is contacted with a catalyst slurry containing greater than about 25 wt % of a powdered copper-containing catalyst having a porosity of from about 30% to 70%. Volumetric productivity is maximized in the process by controlling a single parameter, gas holdup, wherein holdup is maintained within the range of about 14% to 26%.