Abstract: Method for the production of ethanol from corn fibres. Invention relates to a process for the preparation of ethanol from a corn fibre containing feedstock by using a set of process steps specifically identified for the treatment of the said feedstock. It particularly relates to the use of a soaking followed by mix acid and enzyme treatment that release fermentable C5 and C6 sugars from said feedstock. It further relates to using a recombinant yeast to convert both C5 and C6 sugars to ethanol.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the purification of crude rice bran wax using an alcohol as a purifying solvent under high pressure conditions. It particularly relates to the use of ethyl alcohol as said solvent for efficient and economic purification of crude rice bran wax into economically valuable high purity wax products.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the preparation of industrially useful strains of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae and the strain prepared by the method. In particular the invention relates to the creation of double mutant strains of the yeast that shows high ethanol conversion efficiency and substantially reduced acetic acid and glycerol production during fermentative production of ethanol from a sugar-based feedstock.

Abstract: A method of treatment of an aqueous effluent stream obtained during production of furfural is disclosed. The aqueous effluent stream containing organic solvents, furfural, and water is subjected to azeotropic distillation to obtain a distillate stream and a treated effluent stream having lower BOD and COD values which can be further reduced by biomethanation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the purification of crude rice bran wax using an alcohol as a purifying solvent under high pressure conditions. It particularly relates to the use of ethyl alcohol as said solvent for efficient and economic purification of crude rice bran wax into economically valuable high purity wax products.

Abstract: A method of treatment of an aqueous effluent stream obtained during production of furfural is disclosed. The aqueous effluent stream containing organic solvents, furfural, and water is subjected to azeotropic distillation to obtain a distillate stream and a treated effluent stream having lower BOD and COD values which can be further reduced by biomethanation.

Abstract: Processes for the preparation of furfural from a xylose containing feedstock and more particularly to an elevated temperature conversion of a xylose containing feedstock to furfural in acidic conditions are described. The described process uses a mixture of two solvents in which the humins are formed and solubilized. The described process is operated in continuous mode with no significant amounts of solid by-products formation.

Abstract: Processes for the preparation of furfural from a xylose containing feedstock and more particularly to an elevated temperature conversion of a xylose containing feedstock to furfural in acidic conditions are described. The described process uses a mixture of two solvents in which the humins are formed and solubilized. The described process is operated in continuous mode with no significant amounts of solid by-products formation.

Abstract: Use of a specific combination of catalysts for the first and second steps of the process for the conversion of CHP to BPA provides high yields of BPA and low impurity yields, without a requirement for the intermediate purification steps. In the first step, CHP is cleaved in the presence of an acid treated clay such as acid treated Montmorillonite clay to produce phenol and acetone. In the second step, the phenol and acetone produced is reacted, preferably without intermediate purification, in the presence of a cation exchange resin catalyst that includes a cation exchange resin and a mercaptan or mercaptoalkanoic acid promoter to produce BPA.

Abstract: Use of a specific combination of catalysts for the first and second steps of the process for the conversion of CHP to BPA provides high yields of BPA and low impurity yields, without a requirement for the intermediate purification steps. In the first step, CHP is cleaved in the presence of a sulfated metal oxide catalyst such as sulfated Zirconia to produce phenol and acetone. In the second step, the phenol and acetone produced is reacted, preferably without intermediate purification, in the presence of a cation exchange resin catalyst that includes a cation exchange resin and a mercaptan or mercaptoalkanoic acid promoter to produce BPA.

Abstract: A process for producing a phenol product generally comprises a first step comprising reacting in a first reactor a feed stream comprising cumene hydroperoxide and water with an acid catalyst to produce an effluent comprising the phenol product, acetone, and at least 1% by weight residual cumene hydroperoxide, and a second step comprising passing the effluent into a second reactor and decomposing the residual cumene hydroperoxide, wherein during said process the ratio of phenol to acetone is maintained at a molar ratio of greater than 1:1, and wherein the water in each of the first and second steps is present in an amount more than 0 and less than or equal to 5 weight percent based on the total weight of the feed stream or effluent, and wherein the process is continuous.

Abstract: Use of a specific combination of catalysts for the first and second steps of the process for the conversion of CHP to BPA provides high yields of BPA and low impurity yields, without a requirement for the intermediate purification steps. In the first step, CHP is cleaved in the presence of an acid treated clay such as acid treated Montmorillonite clay to produce phenol and acetone. In the second step, the phenol and acetone produced is reacted, preferably without intermediate purification, in the presence of a cation exchange resin catalyst that includes a cation exchange resin and a mercaptan or mercaptoalkanoic acid promoter to produce BPA.

Abstract: Use of a specific combination of catalysts for the first and second steps of the process for the conversion of CHP to BPA provides high yields of BPA and ow impurity yields, without a requirement for the intermediate purification steps. In the first step, CHP is cleaved in the presence of a sulfated metal oxide catalyst such as sulfated Zirconia to produce phenol and acetone. In the second step, the phenol and acetone produced is reacted, preferably without intermediate purification, in the presence of a cation exchange resin catalyst that includes a cation exchange resin and a mercaptan or mercaptoalkanoic acid promoter to produce BPA.

Abstract: Apparatus for sensing the weight of an object and providing a digital representation of a weight range within which the sensed weight falls, and apparatus for controlling the deployment of a vehicular air bag in accordance with the weight of a passenger seated in a vehicle seat adjacent the air bag. A number of two-position switches 28 normally assume a first position and are responsive to a force of at least a predetermined amount to assume a second position. The first position represents a first weight range, and the second position represents a second weight range. A support surface 58, 60 overlies the switches to support an object to be weighed. A decoding circuit 30 monitors the positions of each of the two-position switches and provides a digital representation of the weight range within which the weight of the object falls. In the vehicular air bag system, a number of groups of the two-position switches 28 are mounted in a passenger seat 52 adjacent the air bag.