Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for a continuous analyte sensor, such as a continuous glucose sensor. One such system utilizes first and second working electrodes to measure additional analyte or non-analyte related signal. Such measurements may provide a background and/or sensitivity measurement(s) for use in processing sensor data and may be used to trigger events such as digital filtering of data or suspending display of data.

Abstract: A system and method for producing a packaged food article or beverage may include processing a first food source including a spoilage microorganism along a first processing path, which may limit temperature of the first food source to be below a temperature level that causes the spoilage microorganism to be inactivated. A second food source may be processed along a second processing path, which may heat the second food source to be in a predetermined temperature range that causes spoilage microorganisms in the second food source to be substantially inactivated when in the predetermined temperature range for a predetermined period of time. A package may be filled with the first and the second food sources. The second food source, when mixed with the first food source, may be in the predetermined temperature range for the predetermined period of time in the package to inactivate the spoilage microorganism.

Abstract: A process provides for reducing agglomerate formation during thermal decomposition of a carbonaceous material feedstock. A non-catalytic thermal decomposition process includes providing generally solid feedstock to a thermal decomposition unit and moving the feedstock through at least one gasification zone in the thermal decomposition unit with a moving device. The process includes providing oxygen and optionally an additional gas to the gasification zone. In one aspect, the process includes moving feedstock through the gasification zone and providing oxygen to the gasification zone at rates effective for maintaining a material bed temperature not exceeding about 2300° F. at any point in the material bed, and for maintaining a material bed temperature of about 500° F. to about 2000° F.

Abstract: A process for fermenting syngas is provided which is effective for decreasing an amount of time needed to inoculate a main reactor. The process includes propagating a culture of acetogenic bacteria to provide an incoulum for a main reactor and fermenting syngas in the main reactor.

Abstract: A process for stable fermentation of CO-containing substrates and improved ethanol productivity includes providing medium components in amounts needed by microorganisms in the fermentation. The process includes determining a potassium concentration in the fermentation medium and providing a first medium and a second medium to the fermentation, the first medium provided at a rate effective for maintaining the potassium in the fermentation medium in a range of about 20 to about 200 mg/L until reaching a target cell density.

Abstract: A method of repeatedly indicating to a user of an appliance that a water filter unit operably connected to the appliance has passed its useful life and a filter unit configure for use in connection with the method where the filter unit includes a fluid flow impeding system within a housing of the filter unit; engaging the filter unit with the appliance; measuring the volume of water treated by the filter unit; activating a fluid flow impeding system contained within the housing of the filter unit; and repeatedly indicating to a user that the maximum volume of water the filter unit has been designed to treat has been surpassed and the filter unit should be replaced by repeatedly delivering a normal flow rate of water from the dispenser of the appliance and thereafter slowing the flow of water from the dispenser of the appliance.

Abstract: The present application provides an aseptic dosing system for dispensing a micro-ingredient. The aseptic dosing system may include a micro-ingredient source adapted to dispense the micro-ingredient, a sterilizer downstream of the micro-ingredient source configured to sterilize the micro-ingredient, and a nozzle downstream of the sterilizer configured to reconstitute the micro-ingredient in or downstream thereof.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing syngas that is effective for use in downstream processes. The process for producing syngas includes operating a gasification apparatus in a start-up mode until the gasification apparatus and equipment downstream of the gasification apparatus are adequately warmed up to a first target temperature. Upon reaching a first target temperature, the process is then operated in a production mode to produce a second syngas with a higher CO/CO2 molar ratio. Operation in a start-up mode until reaching a first target temperature, provides a process that is effective for reducing fouling in downstream equipment and for providing a second syngas can be more effectively cooled and cleaned.

Abstract: A process and system provide for processing inorganic matter-containing residue in a thermal decomposition process. The process and system are effective for reducing pressures which can occur during processing of inorganic matter-containing residue. A process for processing inorganic matter-containing residue in a thermal decomposition process includes conveying inorganic matter containing residue from a thermal decomposition unit to a burn-out section and conveying the inorganic matter containing residue from the burn-out section through a transition section to an ash sump. The inorganic matter containing residue is cooled to remove about 10% or more of heat in the inorganic matter containing residue before reaching the ash sump. The process further includes contacting the inorganic matter containing residue with a cooling medium in the gas sump and venting gaseous material generated back to the thermal decomposition unit.

Abstract: An alcohol product composition is provided that may be used directly for blending with existing fuel sources. More specifically, the alcohol product composition includes ethanol and organic compositions which act as a denaturant.

Abstract: A process provides for reducing agglomerate formation during thermal decomposition of a carbonaceous material feedstock. A non-catalytic thermal decomposition process includes providing generally solid feedstock to a thermal decomposition unit and moving the feedstock through at least one gasification zone in the thermal decomposition unit with a moving device. The process includes providing oxygen and optionally an additional gas to the gasification zone. In one aspect, the process includes moving feedstock through the gasification zone and providing oxygen to the gasification zone at rates effective for maintaining a material bed temperature not exceeding about 2300° F. at any point in the material bed, and for maintaining a material bed temperature of about 500° F. to about 2000° F.

Abstract: A laser device for treating skin is provided which includes a handholdable housing; a laser member arranged within the housing emitting an output beam; a capacitance sensor arranged at the first end of the housing which includes a plate surrounding and defining a window through which the output beam exits, the plate having at least three segments with each flexibly movable in and out of a common plane, each of the segments being connected to an electrode, the electrodes operating to determine dielectric constants of a skin surface; a signal and control storage device communicating with the sensor comparing input signals of measured dielectric constant values to a stored standard dielectric constant value, and wherein emission of the output beam is activated to fire only when all of the at least three segments align in a plane and sense the stored standard dielectric constant value.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for reducing content of tar in a tar containing syngas. The process includes contacting the tar containing syngas with a molecular oxygen containing gas in a first reaction zone to produce a gas mixture. The gas mixture is passed through a heat treatment zone maintained at a temperature between about 900° C. to about 2000° C. for a contact time of about 0.5 to about 5 seconds. In this aspect, at least a portion of the tar undergoes at least partial oxidation and/or cracking to produce a hot syngas.

Abstract: Process for the conversion of carbon oxide(s) and hydrogen containing feedstocks into alcohols in the presence of a particulate catalyst.

Abstract: A system and method for producing a packaged food article or beverage may include processing a first food source including a spoilage microorganism along a first processing path, which may limit temperature of the first food source to be below a temperature level that causes the spoilage microorganism to be inactivated. A second food source may be processed along a second processing path, which may heat the second food source to be in a predetermined temperature range that causes spoilage microorganisms in the second food source to be substantially inactivated when in the predetermined temperature range for a predetermined period of time. A package may be filled with the first and the second food sources. The second food source, when mixed with the first food source, may be in the predetermined temperature range for the predetermined period of time in the package to inactivate the spoilage microorganism.

Abstract: A packaged food article or beverage may include a consumer package, a processed food composition including a spoilage microorganism, and a liquid being at a temperature in a predetermined range applied to the processed food composition to form a first mixture in the consumer package that, as a result of the liquid being in the predetermined range, causes the spoilage microorganism to be substantially inactivated.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for a continuous analyte sensor, such as a continuous glucose sensor. One such system utilizes first and second working electrodes to measure additional analyte or non-analyte related signal. Such measurements may provide a background and/or sensitivity measurement(s) for use in processing sensor data and may be used to trigger events such as digital filtering of data or suspending display of data.

Abstract: Process are provided which are effective for controlling medium conductivity during fermentation of a CO-containing gaseous substrate while providing an STY of about 10 g ethanol/(L·day) or more. The process includes balancing medium conductivity, specific carbon uptake or cell density levels.

Abstract: A process is provided for fermenting CO-containing gaseous substrates in a low phosphate medium. The process includes blending a liquid medium that includes at least one transition metal element with a liquid medium that includes at least at least one other transition metal element and one non-metal element to provide a fermentation medium. The process is effective for preventing precipitation of one or more transition metal elements with one or more non-metal elements. The fermentation medium used in the process is prepared in a way that requires significantly lower amounts of water and reduced levels of phosphate.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a host. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for transcutaneous measurement of glucose in a host.