Abstract: An endoscopic video system for correcting a video image of an object to be studied has a processing unit controlling an electronic image recorder which has a multiplicity of image elements, each generating an output signal upon illuminating a known test object. The processing unit has a learning mode of operation, wherein it determines and records a correction value corresponding to a difference between an output signal of the known test object and a generated one by each of the image elements, and a recording mode, wherein an output signal generated by each image element upon illuminating an object to be studied is adjusted at the correction value.

Abstract: A method for the temperature control of a liquid and an apparatus to effect such a method wherein the heating of the liquid is carried out by irradiation with acoustic ultrasonic waves. Temperature measurement is effected by a probe immersed in the liquid or by contact-free measurement of infra-red radiation from the liquid. Temperature control is effected by comparison of the measured temperature with a predetermined desired temperature. Since the acoustic ultrasonic heating is thermally inertialess, extreme accuracy of temperature control is possible.

Abstract: A process for continuous rectification of a liquid mixture containing alcohols, particularly a liquid fermate, employs a plurality of distillation columns to which the liquid mixture is fed in parallel, and which have successively reduced operating pressures and temperatures from an initial one to a final one thereof. The top vapor distillate from the higher-pressure columns supplies driving heat to the sumps of the next successively lower-pressure columns. Direct steam at 130.degree. C. to 160.degree. C. is fed to the sump of the column operated at the highest pressure. Direct steam is generated by indirect heat exchange of water with the top vapor withdrawn from the columns, and the resulting direct steam is fed to the sumps of the next-lower-pressure columns. The apparatus can also include a section for the production of absolute alcohol.

Abstract: A continuous process for the production of alcohol and yeast biomass by reaction in a uniform fermenting mixture of a sugar-bearing, aqueous slurry, starter yeast, yeast nutrients and an oxygen-bearing gas, wherein the yeast is a flocculating, bottom yeast, the portion of the wort which remains after separation of the alcohol-bearing medium therefrom, is recycled to the fermenting mixture, the oxygen-bearing gas is dispersed homogeneously throughout the fermenting mixture, and is introduced to maintain a mean-free oxygen concentration not greater than 1 ppm in the aqueous phase, and the process is controlled to maintain the measurable free sugar concentration in the fermenting mixture at a level which does not exceed 0.1 percent by weight, and to maintain the active yeast concentration in the fermenting mixture between 100 and 110 percent of the specific degree of fermentation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and an apparatus for dispersing a gas in a liquid flowing within a vertical cycle through two reaction zones arranged in parallel within a reactor, the liquid/gas mixture flowing upwards in the first reaction zone due to the air-lift pump effect and being degassified at the transition from the first reaction zone to the second reaction zone and the completely or partly degassified liquid flowing down and the liquid being remixed with gas (preferably air) at the transition from the second to the first reaction zone below the two reaction zones.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a biomass is disclosed by cultivation of bacteria of the genus Methylomonas under aerobic conditions in a nutrient medium containing methanol as the sole carbon source, nitrogen sources and essential mineral salts, which comprises using a strain of the species Methylomonas clara ATCC 31226. The single cell protein thus obtained has a low content of nucleic acids, fats and carbohydrates and is especially suitable to prepare food and feed.

Abstract: An apparatus for the fermentative conversion of a nutrient mixture by means of microorganisms in the presence of a gas containing oxygen. The nutrient mixture and gas are mixed to yield a phase state with a relative density of less than 0.3 referred to water. The process is carried out in a closed reaction vessel having inlet and outlet pipes for the nutrient mixture, its components and the product. The vessel is also provided with inlet and outlet pipes for the oxygen-bearing gas. A paddle wheel within the vessel provides the distribution device.