Abstract: Embodiments disclosed relate to systems and methods for detecting a cryogenic fluid level in a container. In an embodiment, a system includes a plurality of sensors and a controller. Each sensor of the plurality of sensors is configured to detect a property relating to a phase of cryogenic fluid. The plurality of sensors are coupled together and vertically spaced from one another when positioned in the container. The controller coupled to the plurality of sensors and configured to determine an approximate cryogenic fluid level in the container based on a single measurement derived from the plurality of sensors.

Abstract: A process for improving the yield and efficiency of an ethanol fermentation plant that receives organic fermentable feedstock material, prepares the feedstock for fermentation, ferments the feedstock with yeast to produce ethanol, and produces stillage as a byproduct of ethanol fermentation. The process steps which can be operated independently or in combination, may include, but are not limited to, degrading fatty acids in the fermentable feedstock material prior to fermentation; degrading cellulose and hemicellulose present in the feedstock prior to fermentation; adding a surfactant to the fermentable feedstock; separating a liquid fraction from the stillage; recycling the liquid fraction to be combined with the fermentable feedstock; recovering a solid fraction from the stillage; and introducing at least a portion of the solid fraction to an anaerobic digester to produce methane.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning and shutting down a part-time wastewater treatment system is disclosed. The wastewater treatment system has a water input to receive an influent flow of wastewater to be treated, a water output to discharge treated clean water effluent, and a water treatment capacity volume. An effluent external tank receives the clean water effluent and has a size greater than or equal to the capacity volume. Influent flow of wastewater is terminated. Clean water effluent is pumped through a fluid pathway from the effluent external tank to the water input. A sufficient volume of clean water effluent is passed through the wastewater treatment system to complete treatment of the wastewater within the wastewater treatment system, purge wastewater from the wastewater treatment system, and fill the wastewater treatment system with clean water effluent. The wastewater treatment system is thus prepared to be shut down.

Abstract: A process of extracting carotenoids from a source of fruit or vegetable processing waste including the steps of: admixing the source, a first organic solvent and a surfactant to form a slurry, whereby surface tension in tissue cell structure of the source is decreased, enhancing penetration of the surfactant into the tissue cell structure so that the carotenoids and the surfactant may form a combination; treating the slurry with a second organic solvent which solubilizes the combination; separating the treated slurry into a liquid fraction and a solid fraction; and separating a first portion from the liquid fraction, the first portion including a solution of the second organic solvent and the combination.

Abstract: A process for improving the yield and efficiency of an ethanol fermentation plant that receives organic fermentable feedstock material, prepares the feedstock for fermentation, ferments the feedstock with yeast to produce ethanol, and produces stillage as a byproduct of ethanol fermentation. The process steps which can be operated independently or in combination, may include, but are not limited to, degrading fatty acids in the fermentable feedstock material prior to fermentation; degrading cellulose and hemicellulose present in the feedstock prior to fermentation; adding a surfactant to the fermentable feedstock; separating a liquid fraction from the stillage; recycling the liquid fraction to be combined with the fermentable feedstock; recovering a solid fraction from the stillage; and introducing at least a portion of the solid fraction to an anaerobic digester to produce methane.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning and shutting down a part-time wastewater treatment system is disclosed. The wastewater treatment system has a water input to receive an influent flow of wastewater to be treated, a water output to discharge treated clean water effluent, and a water treatment capacity volume. An effluent external tank receives the clean water effluent and has a size greater than or equal to the capacity volume. Influent flow of wastewater is terminated. Clean water effluent is pumped through a fluid pathway from the effluent external tank to the water input. A sufficient volume of clean water effluent is passed through the wastewater treatment system to complete treatment of the wastewater within the wastewater treatment system, purge wastewater from the wastewater treatment system, and fill the wastewater treatment system with clean water effluent. The wastewater treatment system is thus prepared to be shut down.

Abstract: A process of extracting carotenoids from a source of fruit or vegetable processing waste including the steps of: admixing the source, a first organic solvent and a surfactant to form a slurry, whereby surface tension in tissue cell structure of the source is decreased, enhancing penetration of the surfactant into the tissue cell structure so that the carotenoids and the surfactant may form a combination; treating the slurry with a second organic solvent which solubilizes the combination; separating the treated slurry into a liquid fraction and a solid fraction; and separating a first portion from the liquid fraction, the first portion including a solution of the second organic solvent and the combination.

Abstract: The method of the invention corrects for a color shift in a color scan mechanism. The method initially senses plural component color data that is derived from the color scan mechanism. A determination is made of whether at least one color component value exhibits a value that exceeds a first threshold. The method also determines if another color component exhibits a value that exceeds a second threshold. If it is determined that both of the color components exceed the respective thresholds, then the one color component value is altered to a predetermined desired color value, so as to correct for color shift.

Abstract: A process is used to remove suspended and dissolved material from fruit and vegetable wastewater. The steps of the process include adding a coagulant polymer to the wastewater. The steps also include the adding of a synthetic organic polymer to the wastewater. During the process, solid particles are produced having a specific definable and controllable size and weight. Another step includes the filtering of the solid particles having a specific definable and controllable size and weight from the wastewater. Additionally, a product for consumption by animals is rendered from the solid particles.

Abstract: A process of extracting carotenoids from a source of fruit or vegetable processing waste including the steps of: admixing the source, a first organic solvent and a surfactant to form a slurry, whereby surface tension in tissue cell structure of the source is decreased, enhancing penetration of the surfactant into the tissue cell structure so that the carotenoids and the surfactant may form a combination; treating the slurry with a second organic solvent which solubilizes the combination; separating the treated slurry into a liquid fraction and a solid fraction; and separating a first portion from the liquid fraction, the first portion including a solution of the second organic solvent and the combination.

Abstract: The method of the invention corrects for a color shift in a color scan mechanism. The method initially senses plural component color data that is derived from the color scan mechanism. A determination is made of whether at least one color component value exhibits a value that exceeds a first threshold. The method also determines if another color component exhibits a value that exceeds a second threshold. If it is determined that both of the color components exceed the respective thresholds, then the one color component value is altered to a predetermined desired color value, so as to correct for color shift.

Abstract: The method of the invention corrects for a color shift in a color scan mechanism. The method initially senses plural component color data that is derived from the color scan mechanism. A determination is made of whether at least one color component value exhibits a value that exceeds a first threshold. The method also determines if another color component exhibits a value that exceeds a second threshold. If it is determined that both of the color components exceed the respective thresholds, then the one color component value is altered to a predetermined desired color value, so as to correct for color shift.

Abstract: A reproduction device includes a reproduction unit and a generally flexible cover. The generally flexible cover enables high quality image capture of three-dimensional objects. In particular, when placed over a three-dimensional object that is supported on the reproduction unit, the generally flexible cover insures that light directed onto the object from the reproduction unit is reflected onto the object and/or back to the reproduction unit. Light reflected back to the object illuminates the edges of the object to improve image capture of the object while light reflected back to the reproduction unit conserves media marking fluid and/or yields a neutral background for the image. The flexible cover has a very low profile, being generally flat prior to covering an object. In addition, the flexibility of the cover allows the cover to drape over and/or conform about the object so that the reflective surface of the cover hangs close to, or contacts, the reproduction surface.

Abstract: A live AC mains power selector for a disk storage system having electrical redundancy comprises first and second AC mains, first, second and third power supplies, and switching means. The first and second power supplies are connected, respectively, to the first and second AC mains. The switching means is powered by the first AC main and connects the first AC main to the third (redundant) power supply in the event the first AC main is energized. The switching means automatically connects the second AC main to the third power supply in the event the first AC main is de-energized. In alternate embodiments, all three power supplies remain operational in the event of a failure of the first AC main. With the addition of a second switching means, all three power supplies remain operational in the event of a failure of either AC main. In yet further alternate embodiments, a live AC mains selector is included in a system having equal inputs and outputs.

Abstract: A data processing system preserves the contents of a volatile memory in the event of a power-loss and restores the contents upon a power-up. The system includes an AC line monitor which signals when a power loss is imminent; volatile memory modules; and a central processor which executes programs in conjunction therewith. At any specific time during program execution, the volatile memory stores data indicative of the system's state. A backup disk drive is connected to each volatile memory module and is associated with a backup battery. The backup battery is of limited capacity and only enables sufficient operation of the disk drive and volatile memory to enable a memory dump onto the disk drive from the volatile memory. A logic circuit is responsive to a signal from the line monitor to activate the backup battery and to control the volatile memory module and the backup disk drive to effect a transfer of all stored data in the volatile memory.

Abstract: A disk drive package includes read/write circuits, a disk drive mechanism and a microprocessor. The microprocessor has a dedicated function input and an interrupt input. The dedicated function input is accessible through an external connector in the disk drive package, but the interrupt input has no direct external access. The microprocessor is programmed to examine the dedicated function input only upon power-up to determine if it has been enabled. The disk drive package is modified to include a circuit that couples the dedicated function input to the interrupt input to the microprocessor. A power supply provides a power fail imminent signal to the dedicated function input, and because the dedicated function input is connected to the interrupt input, such signal causes an interrupt to occur in the operation of the disk drive whereby any write to disk in progress is completed prior to a power fail event.