Abstract: A biosolvent for cleansing surface that provides bactericidal and bacteriostatic activity such that the bacteriostatic activity continues to inhibit bacterial growth on the surface even after rinsing. The biosolvent comprises C2 to C4 alcohols and lactate esters of C2 to C4 alcohols. The bactericidal and bacteriostatic activity are especially useful for cleaning active biological surfaces and in particular for sanitizing hands.

Abstract: A method for removing infection-caused nail discoloration is disclosed that contemplates the steps of a) contacting a fingernail and/or toenail in need removal of infection-caused nail discoloration with a composition containing a mixture of two major components, A and B. Component A is a C2-C4 alcohol present at about 90% to about 20% (w/w), and Component B is a lactate ester of the same or different C2-C4 alcohol(s) present at about 10% to about 80% (w/w). A contemplated composition optionally contains up to about 5% (w/w) each of one or more of a monoterpene or monoterpene mixture, thickening agent and C1-C4 alcohol C12-C20 carboxylate. That contact is maintained for a time period sufficient for the composition to be sorbed by the nail and/or evaporate, step b). Steps a) and b) are repeated about 5 to about 14 times per week until the nail discoloration is no longer observable.

Abstract: An enhanced diluent (EDIL) composition used to prepare a transportable dense crude oil composition is disclosed. An EDIL composition contains a usually used dense crude hydrocarbon diluent (DIL) plus an additive (ADD) composition that permits the amount of EDIL used in the resulting diluted transportable dense crude (EDIL:DC) to be lessened by about 20 to about 60 percent, while maintaining the viscosity and other properties of the usually used DC:DIL composition. A contemplated ADD composition is a mixture of three components, a solvent mixture, a diol and a surfactant. A contemplated EDIL composition contains about 1 to about 20 percent by weight of the ADD composition. Admixture of EDIL with a dense crude at about 80 to about 40 percent by volume of the amount of DIL usually used provides an easily transportable enhanced dense crude composition. A method of preparing a transportable dense crude composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: An enhanced diluent (EDIL) composition used to prepare a transportable dense crude oil composition is disclosed. An EDIL composition contains a usually used dense crude hydrocarbon diluent (DIL) plus an additive (ADD) composition that permits the amount of EDIL used in the resulting diluted transportable dense crude (EDIL:DC) to be lessened by about 20 to about 60 percent, while maintaining the viscosity and other properties of the usually used DC:DIL composition. A contemplated ADD composition is a mixture of three components, a solvent mixture, a diol and a surfactant. A contemplated EDIL composition contains about 1 to about 20 percent by weight of the ADD composition. Admixture of EDIL with a dense crude at about 80 to about 40 percent by volume of the amount of DIL usually used provides an easily transportable enhanced dense crude composition. A method of preparing a transportable dense crude composition is also disclosed.

Abstract: High conversion efficiency processes are disclosed for the anaerobic bioconversion of syngas to alcohol. The processes use bioreactors that have a non-uniform gas composition and a substantially uniform liquid composition such as deep tank bioreactors. By maintaining certain electron to carbon mole ratios in the syngas feed to the bioreactors and certain partial pressures of carbon dioxide in the off gas from the bioreactors, at least about 80 percent of the hydrogen and at least about 95 percent of the carbon monoxide in the feed can be consumed.

Abstract: A mixture of ethanol and lactate esters have enhanced cleaning properties for food and biological processing applications and this mixture retains bacteriostatic properties during the cleaning process as well as in the used cleaning solutions after rinsing and dilution with water.

Abstract: Integrated processes are disclosed for the anaerobic bioconversion of syngas to alcohol.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and systems for the production of propanol. Specifically, the methods and systems of the present invention use symbiotic co-cultures for the production of propanol from syngas.

Abstract: High conversion efficiency processes are disclosed for the anaerobic bioconversion of syngas to alcohol. The processes use bioreactors that have a non-uniform gas composition and a substantially uniform liquid composition such as deep tank bioreactors. By maintaining certain electron to carbon mole ratios in the syngas feed to the bioreactors and certain partial pressures of carbon dioxide in the off gas from the bioreactors, at least about 80 percent of the hydrogen and at least about 95 percent of the carbon monoxide in the feed can be consumed.

Abstract: High conversion efficiency processes are disclosed for the anaerobic bioconversion of syngas to alcohol. The processes use bioreactors that have a non-uniform gas composition and a substantially uniform liquid composition such as deep tank bioreactors. By maintaining certain electron to carbon mole ratios in the syngas feed to the bioreactors and certain partial pressures of carbon dioxide in the off gas from the bioreactors, at least about 80 percent of the hydrogen and at least about 95 percent of the carbon monoxide in the feed can be consumed.

Abstract: A mixture of ethanol and lactate esters have enhanced cleaning properties for food and biological processing applications and this mixture retains bacteriostatic properties during the cleaning process as well as in the used cleaning solutions after rinsing and dilution with water.

Abstract: This invention provides methods and systems for the production of butanol. Specifically, the methods and systems of the present invention use syntrophic co-cultures for the production of butanol from syngas.

Abstract: Integrated processes are disclosed for the anaerobic bioconversion of syngas to alcohol wherein a gas substrate of carbon monoxide, hydrogen and carbon dioxide is in contact with an aqueous menstruum that continuously contacts the gas substrate with said aqueous menstruum to produce alcohol and a depleted gas phase that is continuously withdrawn from the aqueous menstruum; continuously or intermittently and the gas substrate is made up of at least two gases having different compositions to provide an overall gas substrate having a ratio of electrons to carbon atoms in the range of about 5.2:1 to 6.8:1.

Abstract: Integrated processes are disclosed for reducing the carbon foot print related to the use of non-renewable hydrocarbon gas streams for producing alcohols by anaerobic bioconversion of reformed gas. These processes combine renewable and non-renewable gas sources of hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide to produce alcohol. Thus the invention found a highly a practical way to make use of non-renewable carbon oxide sources while still lowering the carbon footprint of such alcohols produced thereby, especially when combined with corn ethanol production. In the case of motor fuel use, the renewable portion of the alcohol produced in this manner provides a reduction in greenhouse gases by 50% or more when compared to gasoline.

Abstract: Gene sequences of key acetogenic clostridial species were sequenced and isolated. Genes of interest were identified, and functionality was established. Key genes of interest for metabolic catalyzing activity in clostridial species include a three-gene operon coding for CODH activity, a two-gene operon coding for PTA-ACK, and a novel acetyl coenzyme A reductase. The promoter regions of the two operons and the acetyl coA reductase are manipulated to increase ethanol production.

Abstract: This invention provides compositions for the production of butanol. Specifically, the compositions of the present invention use syntrophic co-cultures for the production of butanol from syngas.

Abstract: Gene sequences of key acetogenic clostridial species were sequenced and isolated. Genes of interest were identified, and functionality was established. Key genes of interest for metabolic catalyzing activity in clostridial species include a three-gene operon coding for CODH activity, a two-gene operon coding for PTA-ACK, and a novel acetyl coenzyme A reductase. The promoter regions of the two operons and the acetyl coA reductase are manipulated to increase ethanol production.

Abstract: A method of operating a fermentation zone for the production of ethanol from syngas uses a crotonate-like compound to prevent or reverse the effects of butyrogen contamination. The crotonate-like compound works in continuous fermentation processes to reduce or eliminate contamination from butyrate and butanol in the syngas derived ethanol product.

Abstract: Ethanol and other liquid products are produced by contacting syngas components such as CO or a mixture of CO2 and H2 with a surface of a membrane under anaerobic conditions and transferring these components into contact with a biofilm on the opposite side of the membrane. These steps provide a stable system for producing liquid products such as ethanol, butanol and other chemicals. The gas fed on the membrane's gas contact side transports through the membrane to form a biofilm of anaerobic microorganisms that converted the syngas to desired liquid products. The system can sustain production with a variety of microorganisms and membrane configurations.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for the production of n-propanol. Specifically, the methods and systems of the present invention use symbiotic co-cultures operating in a membrane supported bioreactor for the production of n-propanol from syngas.