Abstract: A method is provided in which pretreated and densified cellulosic biomass particulates can be hydrolyzed at a high solids loading rate as compared with the solids loading rate of loose hydrolysable cellulosic biomass fibers. The resulting high concentration sugar-containing stream can be easily converted to biofuels or to an entire suite of other useful bioproducts.

Abstract: A gravity driven water filter having: a housing with at least one upwardly extending sidewall that extend upwardly from a bottom of the housing and define an interior volume of the housing; a filter media retention screen covering treated water outlets on a bottom of the housing; and a lid closing a top of the housing and enclosing the interior volume of the housing where the lid includes a plurality of water inlet holes, an upwardly extending vent stack, and finger actuated tabular members radially extending from the vent stack and engaged with the vent stack and a top surface of the lid to permit a rotational force to be applied to the housing.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for treating biomass. The biomass is treated with a biomass swelling agent within the vessel to swell or rupture at least a portion of the biomass. A portion of the swelling agent is removed from a first end of the vessel following the treatment. Then steam is introduced into a second end of the vessel different from the first end to further remove swelling agent from the vessel in such a manner that the swelling agent exits the vessel at a relatively low water content.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for treating biomass. The biomass is treated with a biomass swelling agent within the vessel to swell or rupture at least a portion of the biomass. A portion of the swelling agent is removed from a first end of the vessel following the treatment. Then steam is introduced into a second end of the vessel different from the first end to further remove swelling agent from the vessel in such a manner that the swelling agent exits the vessel at a relatively low water content.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for treating biomass. The biomass is treated with a biomass swelling agent within the vessel to swell or rupture at least a portion of the biomass. A portion of the swelling agent is removed from a first end of the vessel following the treatment. Then steam is introduced into a second end of the vessel different from the first end to further remove swelling agent from the vessel in such a manner that the swelling agent exits the vessel at a relatively low water content.

Abstract: A method is provided in which pretreated and densified cellulosic biomass particulates can be hydrolyzed at a high solids loading rate as compared with the solids loading rate of loose hydrolysable cellulosic biomass fibers. The resulting high concentration sugar-containing stream can be easily converted to biofuels or to an entire suite of other useful bioproducts.

Abstract: this invention is directed to a process for treating biomass. The biomass is treated with a biomass swelling agent within the vessel to swell or rupture at least a portion of the biomass. A portion of the swelling agent is removed from a first end of the vessel following the treatment. Then steam is introduced into a second end of the vessel different from the first end to further remove swelling agent from the vessel in such a manner that the swelling agent exits the vessel at a relatively low water content.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a process for treating biomass. The biomass is treated with a biomass swelling agent within the vessel to swell or rupture at least a portion of the biomass. A portion of the swelling agent is removed from a first end of the vessel following the treatment. Then steam is introduced into a second end of the vessel different from the first end to further remove swelling agent from the vessel in such a manner that the swelling agent exits the vessel at a relatively low water content.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for separating gas components from a gas stream. The methods are particularly advantageous in that an environmentally friendly biomass absorbent is used to assist in the separation process. The invention is particularly suited to separate water soluble gas components from a gas stream. The water soluble gas components can be used to condition the biomass for additional use, such as a conditioned feed for a biofuel. In general, the conditioned biomass will have increased enzyme digestibility, making the conditioned biomass highly suitable as feedstock for biofuel production.

Abstract: This invention provides methods for separating gas components from a gas stream. The methods are particularly advantageous in that an environmentally friendly biomass absorbent is used to assist in the separation process. The invention is particularly suited to separate water soluble gas components from a gas stream. The water soluble gas components can be used to condition the biomass for additional use, such as a conditioned feed for a biofuel. In general, the conditioned biomass will have increased enzyme digestibility, making the conditioned biomass highly suitable as feedstock for biofuel production.

Abstract: A distillate fuel steam reformer system in which a fuel feed stream is first separated into two process streams: an aliphatics-rich, sulfur-depleted gas stream, and an aromatics- and sulfur-rich liquid residue stream. The aliphatics-rich gas stream is desulfurized, mixed with steam, and converted in a reforming reactor to a hydrogen-rich product stream. The aromatics-rich residue stream is mixed with air and combusted to provide heat necessary for endothermic process operations. Reducing the amounts of sulfur and aromatic hydrocarbons directed to desulfurzation and reforming operations minimizes the size and weight of the overall apparatus. The process of the invention is well suited to the use of microchannel apparatuses for heat exchangers, reactors, and other system components, which may be assembled in slab configuration, further reducing system size and weight.

Abstract: A fluid processor, suitable for the production of sterile water for injection, having a processor assembly and a process control system comprising a pump, a flow splitter, flow restrictors and a pressure relief valve. In a preferred embodiment, the processor assembly comprises a heat exchanger, a reactor and a heater arranged in a nested configuration. The preferred embodiment of the present invention also include a treatment assembly having a combination of filter, reverse osmosis and ion exchange devices and further incorporates an assembly and method allowing for the in situ sanitization of the fluid processor during cold start and shutdown to prevent bacteria growth during storage of the fluid processor. The fluid processor may include an electronic control system comprising a touch screen operator interface, a programmable logic controller and sensors for measuring temperature, pressure, flow rate, conductivity and endotoxin level.

Abstract: A room air conditioner is provided which includes a compressor, a condenser coil, an evaporator coil, a wall positioned between the condenser coil and the evaporator coil, a chassis for supporting said compressor, condenser coil and wall, with the evaporator coil being secured to and supported by the wall, and at least a portion of the evaporator coil extending forwardly of a front edge of the chassis. The chassis is preferably formed of metal while the wall is preferably formed at least partially of plastic, in an upper and a lower mating piece. A plastic front panel may be positioned in front of the evaporator coil and secured to the wall. A series of air conditioners can be provided with a single sized chassis, but differing sized evaporator coils, to provide models with different cooling capacities utilizing a single sized chassis, with smaller cooling capacity air conditioners having a smaller size than larger capacity air conditioners of the series.

Abstract: A fluid processor, suitable for the production of sterile water for injection, having a processor assembly and a process control system comprising a pump, a flow splitter, flow restrictors and a pressure relief valve. In a preferred embodiment, the processor assembly comprises a heat exchanger, a reactor and a heater arranged in a nested configuration. The preferred embodiment of the present invention also include a treatment assembly having a combination of filter, reverse osmosis and ion exchange devices and further incorporates an assembly and method allowing for the in situ sanitization of the fluid processor during cold start and shutdown to prevent bacteria growth during storage of the fluid processor. The fluid processor may include an electronic control system comprising a touch screen operator interface, a programmable logic controller and sensors for measuring temperature, pressure, flow rate, conductivity and endotoxin level.

Abstract: A distillate fuel steam reformer system in which a fuel feed stream is first separated into two process streams: an aliphatics-rich, sulfur-depleted gas stream, and an aromatics- and sulfur-rich liquid residue stream. The aliphatics-rich gas stream is desulfurized, mixed with steam, and converted in a reforming reactor to a hydrogen-rich product stream. The aromatics-rich residue stream is mixed with air and combusted to provide heat necessary for endothermic process operations. Reducing the amounts of sulfur and aromatic hydrocarbons directed to desulfurzation and reforming operations minimizes the size and weight of the overall apparatus. The process of the invention is well suited to the use of microchannel apparatuses for heat exchangers, reactors, and other system components, which may be assembled in slab configuration, further reducing system size and weight.

Abstract: A room air conditioner is provided which includes a compressor, a condenser coil, an evaporator coil, a wall positioned between the condenser coil and the evaporator coil, a chassis for supporting said compressor, condenser coil and wall, with the evaporator coil being secured to and supported by the wall, and at least a portion of the evaporator coil extending forwardly of a front edge of the chassis. The chassis is preferably formed of metal while the wall is preferably formed at least partially of plastic, in an upper and a lower mating piece. A plastic front panel may be positioned in front of the evaporator coil and secured to the wall. A series of air conditioners can be provided with a single sized chassis, but differing sized evaporator coils, to provide models with different cooling capacities utilizing a single sized chassis, with smaller cooling capacity air conditioners having a smaller size than larger capacity air conditioners of the series.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for simultaneously monitoring the fluid flux, and the dissolved contaminants fluxes, in a flow field is provided comprising the use of a permeable unit containing an insoluble sorbent matrix that retains dissolved contaminants. The matrix may also contain tracers that can be displaced by the fluid flow. The method of monitoring comprises placing permeable units in contact with the contaminated flow field, thereby allowing contaminants to flow through the permeable unit and be sorbed on the insoluble sorbent matrix. Sufficient time is allowed for the contaminant concentrations in the flow field to reach equilibrium. The permeable unit is then removed from contact with the flow field and analyzed to determine cumulative contaminant fluxes and cumulative fluid fluxes.

Abstract: A room air conditioner which is easily assembled by virtue of a base pan having a plurality of vertically oriented fasteners secured thereto for retaining various components of the air conditioner including the compressor, condenser assembly, evaporator assembly and a barrier wall. A novel motor mount is provided which is also secured to a plurality of the vertically oriented fasteners of the base pan. A separate control box assembly is secured to the evaporator assembly via vertically oriented fasteners and is kept clear of any air flow path through the air conditioner.

Abstract: A room air conditioner which is easily assembled by virtue of a base pan having a plurality of vertically oriented fasteners secured thereto for retaining various components of the air conditioner including the compressor, condenser assembly, evaporator assembly and a barrier wall. A novel motor mount is provided which is also secured to a plurality of the vertically oriented fasteners of the base pan. A separate control box assembly is secured to the evaporator assembly via vertically oriented fasteners and is kept clear of any air flow path through the air conditioner.