Abstract: A method for producing a fuel includes transporting one or more pressure vessels containing pressurized biogas from a first location to a second location, and removing biogas from the one or more pressure vessels at the second location. The fuel production process is improved by controlling the decanting flow rate to provide a total decant time greater than 30-40 minutes, by actively heating biogas contained within the one or more pressure vessels, or some combination thereof.

Abstract: A computer system for assisting searching of a database of a plurality of attributes, measures and content in order to answer analytical queries, the system comprising an input device for receiving word queries requesting information and/or metrics from the database a processor configured to process word queries requesting information and/or metrics from the database; and a storage memory containing a plurality of responses to word queries which responses contain and/or correspond to attributes, content and/or measures of the database, and containing one or more ordered combinations of attributes wherein the attributes of the ordered combinations are in a set order, the processor configured to match one or more words in a received word query with one or more attribute, content and/or measure in or corresponding to the stored responses, to provide relevant responses to the input word query based on the matching, and to rank the relevant responses, wherein the ranking of each relevant response is based at least

Abstract: A computer apparatus is provided for use with a database management system. The computer apparatus is instructed to carry out a first task and a second task in series on a section of data, by: (a) instructing the first task process to begin the first task on a first part of the section of data in the database, and (b) after the first task process on the first part of the section of the data is complete, instructing the first task process to carry out the second task on the first part of the section of data on which the first task has already been carried out, or carry out the first task on the second part of the data, or pipeline the second task to a third task process, or carry out the first task on a second part of the section of data.

Abstract: A method is provided for hydrolyzing polysaccharides in a lignocellulosic feedstock to produce monosaccharides or pretreating a lignocellulosic feedstock, in which an aqueous slurry of the lignocellulosic feedstock is fed into a pressurized dewatering zone wherein the feedstock is partially dewatered and then is compressed into a plug. The plug is introduced into a reaction zone that operates at a pressure (Pr) equal to greater than about 90 psia and under suitable temperature and pH conditions to hydrolyze the polysaccharides or pretreat the feedstock. The plug provides a pressure seal between the outlet of the dewatering zone and the reaction zone. The pressure (Pdwi) of the aqueous slurry of the lignocellulosic feedstock at the inlet of the dewatering device is related to Pr as follows: 0??P<the lesser of [(Pr?20 psia) and 220 psia], and where ?P is the absolute difference in pressure between Pr and Pdwi in psia.

Abstract: A system for encrypting data comprising a computer configured to encrypt a plurality of data entries using at least one encryption algorithm and a system memory, wherein the computer is configured to use different keys with the encryption algorithm(s) for each data entry and the system is configured to store in the system memory or transmit for storage in an external memory the encrypted data corresponding to each entry along with an identifier corresponding to at least part of the key used to encrypt that entry, such that when decrypting a data entry in the system or external memory the associated identifier can be used to locate at least part of the correct key.

Abstract: A system for collecting ligno-cellulosic biomass over a large area to enable the commercial refining of biomass from 2,500 to in excess of 50,000 tons of biomass per day to produce ethanol or other products. The biomass is collected at a series of collection points and then transported through a network of conduit “loops” interconnecting each of the collection points and the central refining plant. The water used to transport the biomass, as a slurry, is recovered and sequentially recycled in the same pipeline system to push the biomass slurry around the system in a “loop”.

Abstract: A system for collecting ligno-cellulosic biomass over a large area to enable the commercial refining of biomass from 2,500 to in excess of 50,000 tons of biomass per day to produce ethanol or other products. The biomass is collected at a series of collection points and then transported through a network of conduit “loops” interconnecting each of the collection points and the central refining plant. The water used to transport the biomass, as a slurry, is recovered and sequentially recycled in the same pipeline system to push the biomass slurry around the system in a “loop”.

Abstract: A data storage apparatus, for allowing analysis of stored data, in which data values are stored which belong to a plurality of attributes, the apparatus comprising a computer system including a storage memory, a group of two or more collections of data, the group stored in the storage memory and (belonging) to a base attribute of the plurality of attributes, each collection of data corresponding to the same value of a base attribute comprising, a data value belonging to an attribute associated with the base attribute, an attribute identifier corresponding to the attribute associated with the base attribute, and an identifying data value belonging to the base attribute or being stored in a location relative to one or more other collections of data from which location an identifying data value belonging to the base attribute can be determined, and wherein two or more of the collections of data contain equivalent, and preferably identical, identifying data values, or the identifying values determined by their

Abstract: A method is provided for hydrolyzing polysaccharides in a lignocellulosic feedstock to produce monosaccharides or pretreating a lignocellulosic feedstock, in which an aqueous slurry of the lignocellulosic feedstock is fed into a pressurized dewatering zone wherein the feedstock is partially dewatered and then is compressed into a plug. The plug is introduced into a reaction zone that operates at a pressure (Pr) equal to greater than about 90 psia and under suitable temperature and pH conditions to hydrolyze the polysaccharides or pretreat the feedstock. The plug provides a pressure seal between the outlet of the dewatering zone and the reaction zone. The pressure (Pdwi) of the aqueous slurry of the lignocellulosic feedstock at the inlet of the dewatering device is related to Pr as follows: 0??P<the lesser of [(Pr?20 psia) and 220 psia], and where ?P is the absolute difference in pressure between Pr and Pdwi in psia.

Abstract: Computer apparatus for use with a database management system and database, the apparatus comprising a CPU and a memory, the apparatus configured to provide at least two task processes each process being apportioned a section of the memory when is use, wherein in response to the database management system or apparatus being instructed to carry out a first task, such as reading, and a second task, such as decryption, on a section of data in series, a first task process is configured to begin the first task on a first part of the section of data in the database and (after a the first process on the first part of the section of the data is complete); a second task process is instructed to carry out the first task on a second part of the section of data which begins where the first part ends, and when the first task is complete and the first task process switched to carry out the second task on data on which the first task has already been carried out, or the second process is instructed to carry out the second ta

Abstract: A system for encrypting data comprising a computer configured to encrypt a plurality of data entries using at least one encryption algorithm and a system memory, wherein the computer is configured to use different keys with the encryption algorithm(s) for each data entry and the system is configured to store in the system memory or transmit for storage in an external memory the encrypted data corresponding to each entry along with an identifier corresponding to at least part of the key used to encrypt that entry, such that when decrypting a data entry in the system or external memory the associated identifier can be used to locate at least part of the correct key.

Abstract: A system for collecting ligno-cellulosic biomass over a large area to enable the commercial refining of biomass from 2,500 to in excess of 50,000 tons of biomass per day to produce ethanol or other products. The biomass is collected at a series of collection points and then transported through a network of conduit “loops” interconnecting each of the collection points and the central refining plant. The water used to transport the biomass, as a slurry, is recovered and sequentially recycled in the same pipeline system to push the biomass slurry around the system in a “loop”.

Abstract: An improved pretreatment of cellulosic feedstocks, to enable economical ethanol production by enzyme treatment. The improved pretreatment comprises choosing either a feedstock with a ratio of arabinoxylan to total nonstarch polysaccharides (AX/NSP) of greater than about 0.39, or a selectively bred feedstock on the basis of an increased ratio of AX/NSP over a starting feedstock material, and reacting at conditions that disrupt the fiber structure and hydrolyze a portion of the cellulose and hemicellulose. This pretreatment produces a superior substrate for enzymatic hydrolysis, by enabling the production of more glucose with less cellulose enzyme than any known procedures. This pretreatment is uniquely suited to ethanol production. Preferred feedstocks with an AX/NSP level greater than about 0.39 include varieties of oat hulls and corn cobs.

Abstract: This invention comprises a method for increasing the accessibility of cellulose in lignocellulosic materials to chemical or biochemical reagents. The material is steam cooked for a predetermined time, then rapidly depressurized. A venting sequence is used to remove volatiles from the reactor. Optimal cooking times for normal and acid catalyzed cooking are disclosed, according to the discovery of a novel set of governing equations, wherein optimum cooking times can be determined as a time integration of reactor pressure.

Abstract: A multi-cell silo structure includes an array of vertical reinforced concrete columns. Planar diaphragm panels of either reinforced concrete or steel extend between the columns and define the walls of the cells. The panels are connected to the columns such that vertical loadings on the panels are transmitted laterally to the columns, such loadings then passing down the columns to the silo foundations.

Abstract: A fluid filter is disclosed wherein the in-flow passes through a plurality of beds in the filter in a generally horizontal direction. Means are provided to backwash the beds of the filter with the backwash fluid travelling through the beds in an upwardly vertical direction. Thus, the direction of flow of the in-flow is substantially normal to the direction of flow of the backwash fluid. Each of the beds is separately confined such that each bed may expand upwardly during backwash.