Abstract: The present invention relates to recombinant microorganisms comprising at least one nucleic acid molecule encoding a ketol-acid reductoisomerase (KARI) or modified NADH-dependent variant thereof, wherein said KARI is at least about 60% identical to SEQ ID NO: 2. In various aspects of the invention, the recombinant microorganisms may comprise an isobutanol producing metabolic pathway and can be used in methods of making isobutanol.

Abstract: An on-line control and monitoring system for automatically and continuously analyzing key process indicators in a wet lime/limestone flue gas desulfurization process is provided. The on-line control and monitoring system obtains a slurry and/or a slurry flitrate which is directed at selected fluid flow rates to one or more analytical devices each selected to analyze a flue gas desulfurization process indicator. Data is provided to a data acquisition system which processes the analysis results from the analytical devices and provides flue gas desulfurization process control information. This on-line monitoring and control system can be used to monitor and control the addition rate of performance enhancement additives such as organic acids, thiosulfate, oxidation air and the like.

Abstract: A continuous filtration system for supplying an uninterrupted supply of filtrate from a solids-containing industrial process suitable for use by on-line automatic analyzers is provided. The continuous filtration system, which is particularly useful for filtering flue gas desulfurization process slurry to produce a solids-free filtrate for autoanalysis, includes a pair of filters connected in series which concurrently receive a tangential flow of slurry into the filter head that is discharged perpendicularly through a filtrate head. An automatic flushing system is provided to keep the filter membranes free of solid particles. An optional autoanalyzer for unfiltered slurry may also be included in the system.