Abstract: Methods for synthesizing nano-urea particles are described. The methods involve using a spinning cone reactor, a nano-channel reactor, combustion synthesis or spray drying. Ammonia and carbon dioxide are used as raw materials for producing urea. The methods allow for the production of urea nanoparticles at high conversion rates. The methods allow for better control over the hydrolysis rate of the nano-urea particles. The nano-urea particles can be used as fertilizers and provide for sustained release of ammonia and its conversion to nitrates in the soil. The nano-urea particles have low volatilization rates, low moisture absorption rates and low biuret concentration. The nano-urea particles can be applied to the soil via fertigation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing furfural from xylose comprising: (a) mixing an aqueous xylose solution containing xylose oligosaccharides with sub-critical or near-critical water to form a mixture at a first temperature and a first pressure; (b) maintaining the mixture at the first temperature and the first pressure for a first time period; and (c) rapidly cooling the mixture to a second temperature and a second pressure, wherein furfural is produced by the process (d) process can also be carried out with or without mixing of carbon dioxide with aqueous xylose solution before it is mixed with sub-critical or near-critical water to form a mixture at a first temperature and pressure.

Abstract: Methods for synthesizing nano-urea particles are described. The methods involve using a spinning cone reactor, a nano-channel reactor, combustion synthesis or spray drying. Ammonia and carbon dioxide are used as raw materials for producing urea. The methods allow for the production of urea nanoparticles at high conversion rates. The methods allow for better control over the hydrolysis rate of the nano-urea particles. The nano-urea particles can be used as fertilizers and provide for sustained release of ammonia and its conversion to nitrates in the soil. The nano-urea particles have low volatilization rates, low moisture absorption rates and low biuret concentration. The nano-urea particles can be applied to the soil via fertigation.

Abstract: A method of making cementitious particles using combustion synthesis is described. The method uses less energy and produces lower CO2 emissions than conventional processes. By controlling the process conditions, the morphology and the properties of the particles can be easily tuned for a variety of applications. A batch reactor and a continuous conveyor type reactor that can be used for the combustion synthesis with high viscosity raw materials are also described.

Abstract: Methods of making glucose and/or furfural from biomass require one or more supercritical fluids that may be used to process biomass, cellulose from the biomass, and/or xylose from the biomass. Examples of supercritical fluids for use in processing biomass include ethanol, water, and carbon dioxide at a temperature and pressure above the critical points for ethanol and carbon dioxide but at a temperature and/or pressure below that of the critical point for water. A supercritical fluid containing carbon dioxide and water may be used to convert cellulose to glucose or convert xylose to furfural. The fluid has a temperature and pressure above the critical point of carbon dioxide, but at least one of the temperature and pressure is below the critical point for water.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for hydrolyzing cellulose, comprising: (a) contacting cellulose with a fluid mixture comprising supercritical CO2 and sub-critical or near-critical water to form a reactant mixture at a first temperature and first pressure for a first time period, wherein a reaction occurs and forms one or more hydrolysis products; (b) quenching the reaction; and (c) recovering at least one hydrolysis product.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing xylose and cellulose from a biomass comprising: (a) mixing a biomass with a reactive fluid comprising water and a supercritical C1-C5 alcohol to form a mixture at a first temperature and a first pressure; (b) maintaining the mixture at the first temperature and first pressure for a first time period, wherein a reaction occurs; and (c) quenching the reaction to form at least one reaction product mixture; wherein xylose and cellulose are produced by the process. Lignin may also be produced by the processes of the invention.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing furfural from xylose comprising: (a) mixing an aqueous xylose solution containing xylose oligosaccharides with sub-critical or near-critical water to form a mixture at a first temperature and a first pressure; (b) maintaining the mixture at the first temperature and the first pressure for a first time period; and (c) rapidly cooling the mixture to a second temperature and a second pressure, wherein furfural is produced by the process (d) process can also be carried out with or without mixing of carbon dioxide with aqueous xylose solution before it is mixed with sub-critical or near-critical water to form a mixture at a first temperature and pressure.

Abstract: An automated artificial intelligence method and system for the design and implementation of engineering and manufacturing design services.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a supported liquid membrane carrier liquid with a dielectric constant between approximately 20 and 32, more particularly between 22 and 28, and preferably about 24, and the use of that carrier liquid in a supported liquid membrane device to extract one or more chemical species from a feed liquid. The invention further comprises such a device where a temperature gradient is maintained between any of the feed, carrier, or strip liquids. In another embodiment of the invention, any of the feed, carrier, or strip liquids are conditioned, for example, by passing the liquids through a purifier, or replacing lost carrier liquid. In another embodiment of the invention, two or more devices are connected in series or parallel.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a supported liquid membrane carrier liquid with a dielectric constant between approximately 20 and 32, more particularly between 22 and 28, and preferably about 24, and the use of that carrier liquid in a supported liquid membrane device to extract one or more chemical species from a feed liquid. The invention further comprises such a device where a temperature gradient is maintained between any of the feed, carrier, or strip liquids. In another embodiment of the invention, any of the feed, carrier, or strip liquids are conditioned, for example, by passing the liquids through a purifier, or replacing lost carrier liquid. In another embodiment of the invention, two or more devices are connected in series or parallel.