Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for the depolymerization of polyethylene-based plastics. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed that comprises combining a polyethylene-based plastic with a solvent in a reactor to generate a plastic solvent mixture, heating the plastic solvent mixture in the reactor, and fractionating the plastic solvent mixture into a gas phase product, a solid phase product, and a liquid phase product. In another embodiment, a system is disclosed that comprises a solvent, and a reactor configured to receive the polyethylene-based plastic and the solvent and convert the polyethylene-based plastic into a gas phase product, a solid phase product, and a liquid phase product, the reactor being configured to operate at a temperature greater than 275° C. and at a pressure greater than 2 megapascals.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for the depolymerization of polyethylene-based plastics. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed that comprises combining a polyethylene-based plastic with a solvent in a reactor to generate a plastic solvent mixture, heating the plastic solvent mixture in the reactor, and fractionating the plastic solvent mixture into a gas phase product, a solid phase product, and a liquid phase product. In another embodiment, a system is disclosed that comprises a solvent, and a reactor configured to receive the polyethylene-based plastic and the solvent and convert the polyethylene-based plastic into a gas phase product, a solid phase product, and a liquid phase product, the reactor being configured to operate at a temperature greater than 275° C. and at a pressure greater than 2 megapascals.

Abstract: Biochar can be used as an additive for bitumen. A bitumen composite includes bitumen and biochar. The biochar can include biochar from one or more of algae, food waste, animal waste, and cellulose-containing material (e.g., palm sheath). The biochar typically comprises 1 wt % to 20 wt % of the weight of the bitumen composite. The bitumen composite can be combined with aggregate to yield asphalt.

Abstract: Processing algae includes liquefying algae to yield a mixture including biocrude oil, biochar, and an aqueous component, and treating the biochar to yield a nutrient composition including ammoniacal nitrogen and phosphate.

Abstract: A composite including a polymeric material or emulsion and biochar. The composite includes 1 wt % to 20 wt % of the biochar. Making the composite includes combining biochar with a polymeric material or emulsion to yield a modified polymeric material or emulsion, and homogenizing the modified polymeric material or emulsion to yield the composite. Functionalizing biochar includes removing contaminants from the biochar to yield decontaminated biochar, oxidizing the decontaminated biochar to yield oxidized biochar, and functionalizing the oxidized biochar. Making nitrogen-doped biochar includes combining urea and wood residue to form a mixture, and heating the mixture in an oxygen-free environment to form the nitrogen-doped biochar.

Abstract: Separating oxygen from a gas includes contacting an oxygen-selective sorbent with a gas stream, adsorbing oxygen in the gas stream with the sorbent, heating the sorbent to greater than 400° C., and desorbing a majority of the oxygen. The sorbent is selective for oxygen, and adsorbing occurs at a temperature between 275-325° C. An oxygen separation system includes a sorption bed, a heater configured to heat the sorption bed, an oxygen analyzer, a first conduit configured provide an input gas to the sorption bed, a second conduit configured to provide processed input gas from the sorption bed to the oxygen analyzer, a third conduit configured to provide a purge gas to the sorption bed, and a fourth conduit configured to provide processed purge gas to the oxygen analyzer. The first and third conduits are configured to flow the input gas and the purge gas flow in opposite directions through the sorption bed.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for the depolymerization of polyethylene-based plastics. In one embodiment, a method is disclosed that comprises combining a polyethylene-based plastic with a solvent in a reactor to generate a plastic solvent mixture, heating the plastic solvent mixture in the reactor, and fractionating the plastic solvent mixture into a gas phase product, a solid phase product, and a liquid phase product. In another embodiment, a system is disclosed that comprises a solvent, and a reactor configured to receive the polyethylene-based plastic and the solvent and convert the polyethylene-based plastic into a gas phase product, a solid phase product, and a liquid phase product, the reactor being configured to operate at a temperature greater than 275° C. and at a pressure greater than 2 megapascals.

Abstract: A biorejuvenator includes a bio-oil formed from a mixture including a first biomass component and a second biomass component. A nitrogen content of the first biomass component exceeds a nitrogen content of the second biomass component, and a lipid content of the second biomass component exceeds a lipid content of the first biomass component. Preparing the biorejuvenator includes combining a first biomass component and a second biomass component, and co-liquefying the first biomass component and the second biomass component to yield the biorejuvenator. The biorejuvenator can be used as an asphalt modifier in an asphalt composition or as a coating for asphalt pavement.

Abstract: A new generation elastomeric biopolymer produced by yeast belonging to the family Saccharomycetaceae, and an isolated yeast belonging to the genus Williopsis that produces and secretes the biopolymer.

Abstract: A new generation elastomeric biopolymer produced by yeast belonging to the family Saccharomycetaceae, and an isolated yeast belonging to the genus Williopsis that produces and secretes the biopolymer.

Abstract: A new generation elastomeric biopolymer produced by yeast belonging to the family Saccharomycetaceae, and an isolated yeast belonging to the genus Williopsis that produces and secretes the biopolymer.

Abstract: Methods of lipid extraction from biomass, in particular wet algae, through conventionally heated subcritical water, and microwave-assisted subcritical water. In one embodiment, fatty acid methyl esters from solids in a polar phase are further extracted to increase biofuel production.

Abstract: A method and system for providing direct conversion of algal biomass. Optionally, the method and system can be used to directly convert dry algal biomass to biodiesels under microwave irradiation by combining the reaction and combining steps. Alternatively, wet algae can be directly processed and converted to fatty acid methyl esters, which have the major components of biodiesels, by reacting with methanol at predetermined pressure and temperature ranges.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention preferably relate to a method and apparatus for a two-stage membrane-based production of gas, preferably hydrogen gas or the like, from solid biological materials, preferably organic waste materials or the like, comprising anaerobic hydrolysis and fermentation and photofermentation using microorganisms.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention preferably relate to a method and apparatus for a two-stage membrane-based production of gas, preferably hydrogen gas or the like, from solid biological materials, preferably organic waste materials or the like, comprising anaerobic hydrolysis and fermentation and photofermentation using microorganisms.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention preferably relate to a method and apparatus for a two-stage membrane-based production of gas, preferably hydrogen gas or the like, from solid biological materials, preferably organic waste materials or the like, comprising anaerobic hydrolysis and fermentation and photofermentation using microorganisms.

Abstract: A process for removing impurities from a gaseous feed stream is disclosed. Impurities such as hydrogen, water, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide are removed from the gaseous feed stream in a vessel in a reaction zone having layers of adsorbent materials and oxidation catalysts. Preferably, the process is a pressure swing adsorption process prior to a cryogenic distillation unit.

Abstract: A process for producing a purified gaseous product from a gaseous feedstream such as air containing impurities is disclosed. The impurities such as hydrogen, water vapor, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide are removed from the gaseous feedstream in a vessel having layers of adsorbents and oxidation catalysts. The placement of the hydrogen to water vapor conversion catalyst downstream of the step of contacting the feedstream with a catalyst to convert the carbon monoxide to the carbon dioxide and the step of removing the carbon dioxide from the feedstream improves not only performance but also the economies of the purification system.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a pressure swing adsorption process for separating carbon dioxide and water vapor from a gas stream. By passing the gas stream through an adsorbent bed which has been subjected to a bake out process either prior to beginning the pressure swing adsorption process or intermittently during the pressure swing adsorption process, an improved separation of carbon dioxide and water vapor is achieved.

Abstract: The present invention provides for methods and compositions for gas separation and purification utilizing a metallo-organic polymer adsorbent in processes for separating carbon dioxide, water, nitrogen oxides and hydrocarbons from gas streams.