Abstract: Methods and systems to control flexible gas fermentation platforms for improved conversion of CO2 into products is developed and particularly relates to a control process and system to control a ratio of feedstock gases and maximize the concentration of inert components in a bioreactor tail gas stream and or bioreactor headspace. Improved carbon utilization results though providing the most beneficial ratio of substrates to the bioreactor of the fermentation process.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods to improve the economics of the gas fermentation process. A fermentation process is integrated with an industrial or syngas process and an reverse water gas shift process. An intermittent supply of reverse water gas shift process feedstock from the reverse water gas shift process is provided to the bioreactor for fermentation. The reverse water gas shift process feedstock may supplement or partially displace the C1 feedstock from the industrial or syngas process. Whether the reverse water gas shift process feedstock supplements or displaces the C1 feedstock may be based upon a function of the cost per unit of the C1 feedstock, the cost per unit of the reverse water gas shift process feedstock, and the value per unit of the fermentation product, or may depend upon the target gas ratio of the feedstock to the gas fermentation process.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for the integration of a fermentation process with at least one electrolysis process, a CO2 to CO conversion unit, and a C1-generating industrial process. In particular, the disclosure provides process and a system for utilizing electrolysis products, for example H2 and/or O2 in a CO2 to CO conversion unit to improve the process efficiency of at least one of the fermentation processes or the C1-generating industrial process. More particularly, the disclosure provides a process in which H2 generated by electrolysis is passed to a CO2 to CO conversion unit to improve the substrate efficiency for a fermentation process, and the O2 generated by electrolysis process is used to improve the composition of the C1-containing tail gas generated by the C1-generating industrial process.

Abstract: The disclosure provides for methods and a system for storing energy in the form of a biopolymer. The method comprises intermittently processing electric energy generated from a renewable and/or non-renewable energy source in an electrolysis process to produce at least H2, Oor CO; intermittently passing H2, O2, or CO from the electrolysis process to a bioreactor containing a bacterial culture capable of producing a biopolymer; and fermenting the culture. The disclosure further provides a system for storing energy in the form of biopolymer comprising an electrolysis process in intermittent fluid communication with a renewable and/or non-renewable energy source for producing at least one of H2, O2, or CO; a bioreactor, in intermittent fluid communication with the electrolysis process and/or in continuous fluid communication with an industrial plant, comprising a reaction vessel suitable for intermittently growing, fermenting, and/or culturing and housing a microorganism capable of producing a biopolymer.

Abstract: A fermentation unit and a method of carrying out fermentation are described. The fermentation unit can be transported from one facility to another to carry out a fermentation process. The fermentation unit and method allow for the fermentation of a C1-containing substrate from a source at a particular facility to produce products such as alcohols and acids. Examples of the source of the C1-containing substrate include without limitation steel manufacturing processes, coal and biomass gasification processes, coke manufacturing processes, etc. The fermentation unit can be housed within a container having a volume of less than about 6 m3.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to methods of capturing carbon by microbial fermentation of a gaseous substrate comprising CO into one or more first products which, in turn, may be incorporated into an article of manufacture or one or more second products. Further, the disclosure relates to improving carbon capture and/or efficiency.

Abstract: Apparatuses and associated methods are described for the efficient evaluation of C1-containing substrates, and especially for such evaluation conducted locally, or on-site, at a prospective facility for implementation of a biological conversion process for desired end product using a C1 carbon source. The exact composition of a given, industrial C1-containing substrate, as well as the range in composition fluctuations, are generally difficult to reproduce at a remote facility (e.g., a laboratory or a pilot-scale or demonstration-scale process), as required for the accurate prediction/modeling of commercial performance to justify large capital expenditures for commercial scale-up.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods and systems to produce lipid products from a gaseous substrate using a two-stage fermentation process. The method comprises providing a gaseous substrate comprising CO, CO2 or H2 or mixtures thereof, to a first bioreactor containing a culture or one or more microorganisms and fermenting the substrate to produce acetate. The acetate from the first bioreactor is then provided to a second bioreactor, where it is used as a substrate for fermentation to lipids by one or more microalgae. Tail gas from the second bioreactor is recycled to the first bioreactor.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and systems for the production of lipid products from a gaseous substrate using a two stage fermentation process. The method comprises providing a gaseous substrate comprising CO, CO2 or H2 or mixtures thereof, to a first bioreactor containing a culture or one or more microorganisms, and fermenting the substrate to produce acetate. The acetate from the first bioreactor is then provided to a second bioreactor, where it is used as a substrate for fermentation to lipids by one or more microalgae.

Abstract: The invention provides for methods by which the economics of the gas fermentation process are improved. The invention provides for the integration of a fermentation process, with an industrial process and an electrolyzer process. The invention provides for the intermittent supply of electrolyzer feedstock from the electrolyzer process to the bioreactor for fermentation. The electrolyzer feedstock may displace at least a portion of the C1 feedstock from the industrial process. The electrolyzer feedstock may supplement the C1 feedstock from the industrial process. Whether or not the electrolyzer feedstock supplements or displaces the C1 feedstock with electrolyzer feedstock may be based upon a function of the cost per unit of the C1 feedstock, the cost per unit of the electrolyzer feedstock, and the value per unit of the fermentation product.

Abstract: A system and process for converting a digital media file into a digital token is disclosed. The embodiments modify a digital media file so that a set of rules are attached to the digital media file creating a digital token, which can be used to persist the digital media file through a network. In an exemplary embodiment, the network is a distributed ledger or blockchain based network that securely tracks distribution of the digital media file. The digital token may have a value added to it or value may intrinsically exist as the digital token is persisted through the network. The value associated with distribution of the digital media file may be used to reward the owner of the digital media file, distributors of the token, or as an incentive program for commercial transactions and non-commercial transactions.

Abstract: A method of protecting an air vehicle against lightning strikes includes inserting a fastener through a hole in conjoined structures, the fastener defining an axis along its length and having a threaded end and a sleeve, and installing a washer assembly over the threaded end and the sleeve, the washer assembly having a metallic washer and a polymer seal radially inward of the metallic washer. The seal includes a lower seal portion defining a counter-bore, and an upper seal portion extending axially from the lower seal portion. The method includes installing a counter-bored nut on the threaded end, and applying torque to the nut to compress the lower seal portion against a surface of the conjoined structures and around the sleeve at the counter-bore of the seal, and to compress the upper seal portion of the seal into a counter-bore of the nut and around the threaded end.

Abstract: A system and process for converting a digital media file into a digital token is disclosed. The embodiments modify a digital media file so that a set of rules are attached to the digital media file creating a digital token, which can be used to persist the digital media file through a network. In an exemplary embodiment, the network is a distributed ledger or blockchain based network that securely tracks distribution of the digital media file. The digital token may have a value added to it or value may intrinsically exist as the digital token is persisted through the network. The value associated with distribution of the digital media file may be used to reward the owner of the digital media file, distributors of the token, or as an incentive program for commercial transactions and non-commercial transactions.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to the combination of a primary fermentation that converts gas to acetate with a secondary fermentation that converts acetate to a target product. Preferably, the gas contains carbon dioxide, such that the disclosure enables the fixation of carbon dioxide into useful products. The fermentations may be any combination of aerobic and anaerobic, batch and continuous. The fermenting microorganisms may typically be bacterial or fungal.

Abstract: A washer assembly including a metallic washer and a polymer seal. The metallic washer defines a cylindrical void and an axis therethrough. The polymer seal is attached to the metallic washer and is positioned radially inward thereof. The polymer seal includes a lower seal portion positioned at least partially within the cylindrical void and defining a counter-bore, and an upper seal portion extending axially from the lower seal portion. The lower seal portion is configured to engage, at the counter-bore, a fastener to form a seal to reduce escape of energized particles. The upper seal portion is configured to engage a counter-bore of a counter-bored nut to form a seal inside the counter-bored nut to reduce escape of energized particles.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and systems for the production of lipid products from a gaseous substrate using a two stage fermentation process. The method comprises providing a gaseous substrate comprising CO, CO2 or H2 or mixtures thereof, to a first bioreactor containing a culture or one or more microorganisms, and fermenting the substrate to produce acetate. The acetate from the first bioreactor is then provided to a second bioreactor, where it is used as a substrate for fermentation to lipids by one or more microalgae.

Abstract: A washer assembly including a metallic washer and a polymer seal. The metallic washer defines a cylindrical void and an axis therethrough. The polymer seal is attached to the metallic washer and is positioned radially inward thereof. The polymer seal includes a lower seal portion positioned at least partially within the cylindrical void and defining a counter-bore, and an upper seal portion extending axially from the lower seal portion. The lower seal portion is configured to engage, at the counter-bore, a fastener to form a seal to reduce escape of energized particles. The upper seal portion is configured to engage a counter-bore of a counter-bored nut to form a seal inside the counter-bored nut to reduce escape of energized particles.

Abstract: A method of protecting an air vehicle against lightning strikes includes inserting a fastener through a hole in conjoined structures, the fastener defining an axis along its length and having a threaded end and a sleeve, and installing a washer assembly over the threaded end and the sleeve, the washer assembly having a metallic washer and a polymer seal radially inward of the metallic washer. The seal includes a lower seal portion defining a counter-bore, and an upper seal portion extending axially from the lower seal portion. The method includes installing a counter-bored nut on the threaded end, and applying torque to the nut to compress the lower seal portion against a surface of the conjoined structures and around the sleeve at the counter-bore of the seal, and to compress the upper seal portion of the seal into a counter-bore of the nut and around the threaded end.

Abstract: The invention provides methods and systems for the production of lipid products from a gaseous substrate using a two stage fermentation process. The method comprises providing a gaseous substrate comprising CO, CO2 or H2 or mixtures thereof, to a first bioreactor containing a culture or one or more microorganisms, and fermenting the substrate to produce acetate. The acetate from the first bioreactor is then provided to a second bioreactor, where it is used as a substrate for fermentation to lipids by one or more microalgae.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of capturing carbon by microbial fermentation of a gaseous substrate comprising CO into one or more first products which, in turn, may be incorporated into an article of manufacture or one or more second products.