Abstract: A method for the pretreatment of biomass solids includes hydrating the biomass solids to form a biomass slurry, shear treating the biomass solids, and hydrolyzing the biomass solids in the presence of reactive enzymes in a pressure hydrolysis zone. Shear treatment of the biomass solids reduces the particle size of the biomass solids, modifies the particle or slurry morphology, and/or ruptures the cell walls of the biomass solids. The pressure hydrolysis zone includes a high-shear, high-pressure, low-temperature heat exchange and reaction zone and a low-pressure, low-temperature polishing zone. Sugars formed from the biomass solids treated in accordance with the methods described above may be used to produce various biofuels.

Abstract: A device and process for crystallizing a compound using hydrodynamic cavitation comprising the steps of mixing at least one stream of a feed solution of such compound to be crystallized with at least one stream of an anti-solvent in a nucleating section via collision of the feed solution and the anti-solvent, passing the mixed streams at an elevated pressure through at least one local constriction of flow to create hydrodynamic cavitation thereby causing nucleation and the production of seed crystals, passing the fluid stream containing the seed crystals through an intermediate section to a crystal growth section, passing the fluid stream containing the seed crystals through the crystal growth section at an elevated pressure through at least one local constriction of flow to create hydrodynamic cavitation thereby causing further crystallization of the compound contained in the solution.

Abstract: A device and process for crystallizing a compound using hydrodynamic cavitation comprising the steps of mixing at least one stream of a feed solution of such compound to be crystallized with at least one stream of an anti-solvent in a nucleating section via collision of the feed solution and the anti-solvent, passing the mixed streams at an elevated pressure through at least one local constriction of flow to create hydrodynamic cavitation thereby causing nucleation and the production of seed crystals, passing the fluid stream containing the seed crystals through an intermediate section to a crystal growth section, passing the fluid stream containing the seed crystals through the crystal growth section at an elevated pressure through at least one local constriction of flow to create hydrodynamic cavitation thereby causing further crystallization of the compound contained in the solution.

Abstract: A resin for use in molding, sintering, or extruding finished parts, the resin comprising a plurality of polymeric particles and a coating of at least one additive covering each of the polymeric particles. The method of preparing the resin comprises the steps of combining at least one additive, a plurality of polymeric particles, and at least one liquid to form a suspension; and removing at least a portion of the liquid from the suspension to thereby form at least a partial additive coating on each polymeric particle.

Abstract: A removable bushing for slidably and sealably supporting a mandrel within the bore of a well conduit comprises an outer tubular body insertable in the well conduit in series relation. Said outer tubular body defines an internal seal bore and an annular latching recess adjacent the seal bore. An internal tubular body assembly is telescopically inserted in the well conduit and carries external seals engagable with the seal bore and an internal seal stack. The internal tubular body further comprises a collet having a plurality of peripherally spaced locking arms terminating in locking heads which are engagable with the annular recess in the outer tubular body. A mandrel is inserted within the bore of the outer tubular body in sealing engagement with the internal seal stack.

Abstract: A sealing assembly comprising a casing bore receptacle, an annular packoff member, and a tubing carried mandrel for use in establishing sealing integrity between a fluid transmission conduit or tubing and an outer conduit or casing, is disclosed. The casing bore receptacle is incorporable in the casing and the annular packoff member is initially carriable on the mandrel. Seals on the interior and exterior of the packoff member establish a seal with the mandrel and the casing. Upon abutting engagement of the packoff member with the casing bore receptacle, a collet on the packoff member is released from the mandrel and cammed radially outward into engagement with the casing bore receptacle to anchor the packoff member to the casing bore receptacle. The mandrel can then move relative to the packoff member and the casing. A lock support sleeve is positioned intermediate the mandrel and the latching arms of the collet.

Abstract: An annular packoff assemblage is provided for selective engagement with any one of a plurality of casing seal bore receptacles spaced along a casing string. The packoff assemblage includes an upper latching assemblage for cooperation with an upwardly facing no-go shoulder providing in the selected seal bore receptacle, an intermediate annular sealing assemblage for establishing sealing integrity between an inner mandrel and the polished internal bore of the selected seal bore receptacle, and a lower latching assemblage movable into latching engagement with the downwardly facing surface provided at the end of the seal bore of the casing receptacle. In two embodiments of the invention, upward movement of the tubing string, followed by a turning movement and a downward movement will effect the releasing of both the upper and lower latching elements to move outwardly into latching engagement with the respective surfaces in the selected casing receptacle.

Abstract: An assembly for use in establishing sealing integrity between an inner and outer conduit in a subterranean well is disclosed. A multi-component seal assembly having a plurality of individual seal units is assembled on the exterior of an inner tubular conduit for insertion into the bore of an inplace tubular seal receptacle located in a subterranean well. The tubular conduit and associated seal assembly can be inserted into the bore and axial reciprocation of the tubular conduit relative to the seal receptacle is possible without damage to vee-shaped primary elastomeric sealing elements during insertion, while sealing integrity is maintained within the seal receptacle and during unloading and removal of the seals from the seal receptacle.

Abstract: The invention relates to an annular seal system designed for high pressure applications in subterranean wells. The annular seal system comprises a vertical stack of subassemblies. Each subassembly incorporates an annular sealing element formed from an elastomeric material, such as a perfluoroelastomer, which is provided with a truncated pear-shaped cross-sectional configuration having reversely curved axial side surfaces. The sealing element is abutted on each axial side by a uniform thickness annular bearing element formed from a thermoplastic such as a polyphenylene sulfide resin having good bearing properties. Each of the thermoplastic bearing elements is in turn abutted by an annular metallic restraining element having correspondingly shaped reversely curved axial side surfaces and defining an inverted truncated pear-shaped cross-sectional configuration.