Abstract: A method for biogas production includes feeding a receiving structure with a feed containing biomass that comprises lignocellulose and directing the feed from the receiving structure into an anaerobic secretome bioreactor (ASB) reactor environment which includes a synthetic microbial community consisting of at least one selected from extremophile thermophilic anaerobic microorganisms that are essentially acidogens and acetogens, the synthetic microbial community producing a secretome of exozymes. The ASB treated biomass is further directed to an aerobic digestion (AD) reactor environment, the ASB treated biomass being pasteurized so as to be essentially free of non-thermophilic microorganisms, the ASB treated biomass comprising liquid effluent containing solubilized biomass products and metabolized biomass products, and solid effluent. Contents or heat are recycled through a conduit between the ASB reactor environment and the AD reactor environment.

Abstract: An anaerobic digestion system for producing biogas from biomass, particularly biomass that is lignocellulosic, and includes two separate and interacting anaerobic reactor environments to solubilize lignocellulosic materials and make them available for conversion to biogas.

Abstract: An anaerobic digestion system for producing biogas from biomass, particularly biomass that is lignocellulosic, and includes two separate and interacting anaerobic reactor environments to solubilize lignocellulosic materials and make them available for conversion to biogas.

Abstract: A system for degrading biomass with anaerobic digestion that includes a biological pretreatment with organisms that break down lignocellulosic materials before anaerobic digestion or for use as feedstock for other reactions.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining thermograms of blood plasma or serum includes two or more reaction vessels that each comprise a temperature sensing coil and a heating coil that is coaxial with and exterior to, or interleaved with, the temperature sensing coil. The apparatus also includes a heat conductive body having two or more cavities formed therein for receiving the reaction vessels. A corresponding method includes activating the heating coils of the reaction vessels and collecting temperature data for the reaction vessels with the temperature sensing coils.

Abstract: A human waste treatment system is disclosed that includes at least one waste receptacle such as an airline-style toilet, an anaerobic digester such as an induced bed reactor, and a gas conditioner. Human waste may be moved by a macerator pump. Inside the digester, bacteria digests organic solids to form biogas. The anaerobic digester may be operated at thermophilic temperatures to kill pathogenic bacteria in the waste and produce treated water. The gas conditioner purifies the biogas which may be used to power an electric generator. Treated water may be used to flush the system. The system may be mounted on a semi-truck trailer and transported. The system may be self-contained.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining thermograms of blood plasma or serum includes two or more reaction vessels that each comprise a temperature sensing coil and a heating coil that is coaxial with and exterior to, or interleaved with, the temperature sensing coil. The apparatus also includes a heat conductive body having two or more cavities formed therein for receiving the reaction vessels. A corresponding method includes activating the heating coils of the reaction vessels and collecting temperature data for the reaction vessels with the temperature sensing coils.

Abstract: A process for converting organic waste materials into usable products and products thereof is disclosed. According to the process, organic waste materials are contacted with an oxidant to form a product and then an amount of the oxidant is removed from the product to form a reactor-ready feedstock. The oxidant is removed by various means, including washing, photolysis, catalytic means, oxidation of the oxidant, reduction of the oxidant, and heat. The reactor-ready feedstock may then be introduced into a reactor, such as a digester or incubator, and the reactor-ready feedstock is converted by microorganisms into biofuel or other products.

Abstract: A human waste treatment system is disclosed that includes at least one waste receptacle such as an airline-style toilet, an anaerobic digester such as an induced bed reactor, and a gas conditioner. Human waste may be moved by a macerator pump. Inside the digester, bacteria digests organic solids to form biogas. The anaerobic digester may be operated at thermophilic temperatures to kill pathogenic bacteria in the waste and produce treated water. The gas conditioner purifies the biogas which may be used to power an electric generator. Treated water may be used to flush the system. The system may be mounted on a semi-truck trailer and transported. The system may be self-contained.

Abstract: Heat-exchangers and biogas conditioners including a heat exchange member disposed between upper and lower flanges of the apparatus in which at least the heat exchange member is formed of a highly thermally conductive material (e.g., at least 50 W/m?K) such as aluminum or aluminum alloy. A bed of zeolite is loaded within the apparatus so as to be in contact with the heat exchange member. The heat exchange member is shaped and configured so that any given location of the zeolite bed is no more than about 3 inches from the heat exchange member comprising the highly thermally conductive material.

Abstract: A process for converting organic waste materials into usable products and products thereof is disclosed. According to the process, organic waste materials are contacted with an oxidant to form a product and then an amount of the oxidant is removed from the product to form a reactor-ready feedstock. The oxidant is removed by various means, including washing, photolysis, catalytic means, oxidation of the oxidant, reduction of the oxidant, and heat. The reactor-ready feedstock may then be introduced into a reactor, such as a digester or incubator, and the reactor-ready feedstock is converted by microorganisms into biofuel or other products.

Abstract: Heat-exchangers and biogas conditioners including a heat exchange member disposed between upper and lower flanges of the apparatus in which at least the heat exchange member is formed of a highly thermally conductive material (e.g., at least 50 W/m?K) such as aluminum or aluminum alloy. A bed of zeolite is loaded within the apparatus so as to be in contact with the heat exchange member. The heat exchange member is shaped and configured so that any given location of the zeolite bed is no more than about 3 inches from the heat exchange member comprising the highly thermally conductive material.

Abstract: A method of determining the critical vapor pressure of a hygroscopic material, such as a drug. A drug sample is placed in a substantially isothermal environment. A vapor, such as water vapor, at a given pressure is then placed in the ambient air over the drug. The rate of heat production from this sample at the given water vapor pressure, or the humidity of the air above the sample, is then measured. The water vapor pressure over the drug is gradually increased. Simultaneously, the rate of increase in heat production from the drug sample, or the rate of change of the relative humidity of the air above the drug sample, is measured. A marked increase in the rate of heat production generated by the drug, or a marked change in the relative humidity of the air over the sample, signals the attainment of the critical water vapor pressure.

Abstract: Foamed elastomeric compositions are produced by a process comprising the steps of (A) forming a blend comprised of (1) a foamable, curable elastomer; (2) a curative; and (3) a blowing agent composition consisting essentially of (i) azodicarbonamide and (ii) at least one member selected from the group consisting of zinc salt of C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 organic acids and C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 carboxamides; and (B) heating such blend to between about 130.degree. C. and about 170.degree. C. for a period of time sufficient to foam and cure such blend.

Abstract: A blowing agent composition, comprising: (i) azodicarbonamide; (ii) zinc oxide and/or zinc carbonate; and (iii) at least one member selected from the group consisting of zinc salts of C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 organic acids, and C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 organic carboxamides characterized by a high gas evolution rate. The blowing agent composition may be used in effective amounts in formulations containing a foamable polymer to yield an efficiently gas expanded polymeric composition upon exposure to heat. Suitable C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 organic acids for said zinc salts include straight-chain carboxylic acids, and useful organic carboxamides include formamide.

Abstract: A blowing agent composition, comprising: (i) azodicarbonamide; (ii) zinc oxide and/or zinc carbonate; and (iii) at least one member selected from the group consisting of zinc salts of C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 organic acids, and C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 organic carboxamides characterized by a high gas evolution rate. The blowing agent composition may be used in effective amounts in formulations containing a foamable polymer to yield an efficiently gas expanded polymeric composition upon exposure to heat. Suitable C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 organic acids for said zinc salts include straight-chain carboxylic acids, and useful organic carboxamides include formamide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to apparatus for and a method of instrumental detection. The apparatus comprises in combination (a) an instrumental detector such as a chromatographic, spectrophotometric, fluorimetric, electrometric determination detector, and the like for analyzing an analyte and (b) a hollow dialysis fiber for eliminating such materials as insoluble and soluble polymeric materials and polymer bonded portions from the sample to be detected that would foul the instrumental detector so that the material delivered to the eluent stream flowing to the instrumental detection means is essentially free of such contaminating materials.