Abstract: A drink vending apparatus comprises a housing, one or more ingredient cartridges removably coupled to the housing, a mixing container, a dispensing nozzle, and a control unit. A user provides user commands from a smart device to the control unit that comprises drink requests from the user. In response thereto, ingredients are dispensed from one or more of the ingredient cartridges into the mixing container, and the mixed ingredients are dispensed from the mixing container into a receptacle.

Abstract: A closure for a keg comprises a housing and at least one valve element that is movable with respect to the housing, inwardly into an open state and outwardly into a closed state. The closure also comprises a lock mechanism having a locking element that is movable with respect to the housing and is capable of holding the valve element in the open state. The lock mechanism includes first and second couplings at which the locking element and the valve element are mutually engageable. The lock mechanism is arranged such that when the locking element and the valve element are engaged at the first coupling, the locking element moves with the valve element as the valve element moves from the open state into the closed state.

Abstract: A tap to pour beer foam onto a liquid has a flow path through which the beer foam flows. A folded section and a second extension section of the flow path are curved along a liquid surface of the liquid.

Abstract: Fuel management systems for a fuel dispensing facility including a fuel delivery system are disclosed. The fuel delivery system includes at least one storage tank configured to contain a fuel, at least one dispenser configured to receive the fuel from the at least one storage tank, and a fuel handling system which is configured to one of (1) deliver the fuel to the at least one storage tank, (2) receive the fuel from the at least one storage tank, (3) monitor for a leak within the fuel delivery system, and (4) monitor for a fuel inventory within the fuel delivery system. The fuel management system may include installation records of the fuel handling components. The fuel management system may monitor cameras positioned in sumps of the fuel delivery system. The fuel delivery system may include a camera positioned to monitor an interior of a sump, the interior of the sump being provided by a sump basin and a sump cover. The sump cover may be a sump lid. The sump cover may be a dispenser.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing device is provided. The fluid dispensing device includes a dispensing cylinder and a first inlet and a second inlet configured to facilitate intake of one of or more fluids into the dispensing cylinder. The first inlet is disposed within a first container on which the fluid dispensing device is mounted. The first inlet and the second inlet are configured to facilitate intake of only one fluid into the dispensing cylinder at a given point in time. The fluid dispensing device also includes a first outlet and a second outlet configured to dispense the one or more fluids. The first outlet and the second outlet are configured to dispense only one fluid out of the dispensing cylinder at a given point in time. The fluid dispensing device further includes a valve assembly fluidically coupled to the first inlet and the second inlet, and to the first outlet and the second outlet. The valve assembly is configured to control flow of the fluids within and/or out of the dispensing cylinder.

Abstract: A bulk windshield washer fluid vending system.

Abstract: Systems are described for delivery of a wide variety of materials in which liquid and gas or vapor states are concurrently present, from a package preferably including a fluid-containing collapsible liner. Headspace gas is removed from a pressure dispensing package prior to liquid dispensation therefrom, and ingress gas is removed thereafter during dispensation operation. At least one sensor senses presence of gas or a gas-liquid interface in a reservoir or gas-liquid separation region. A gas removal system including an integral reservoir, at least one sensor, and at least one flow control elements may be included within a connector adapted to mate with a pressure dispensing package, for highly efficient removal of gas from the liquid being dispensed from the container.

Abstract: A saddle tree for a saddle, especially a Western saddle, has a fork, a cantle and with two rigid bars, which are joined to one another via the fork and cantle and each of which has not only at least one positive curvature but also a twist on the underside along its centerline in a longitudinal direction. In order to distribute the weight of the rider over the surface of the horse's back and nevertheless permit adequate shoulder freedom for the horse, the bars are each positively curved along their centerline in a longitudinal direction from the front bar end to the rear attachment of the fork, then are curvature-free or negatively curved up to the front attachment of the cantle and then are positively curved up to the rear bar end.

Abstract: A method of fabrication of one or more ultra-miniature piezoresistive pressure sensors on silicon wafers is provided. The diaphragm of the piezoresistive pressure sensors is formed by fusion bonding. The piezoresistive pressure sensors can be formed by silicon deposition, photolithography and etching processes.

Abstract: A chip package includes a semiconductor chip, an interposer, a polymer adhesive supporting layer, a redistribution layer and a packaging layer. The semiconductor chip has a sensor device and a conductive pad electrically connected to the sensing device, and the interposer is disposed on the semiconductor chip. The interposer has a trench and a through hole, which the trench exposes a portion of the sensing device, and the through hole exposes the conductive pad. The polymer adhesive supporting layer is interposed between the semiconductor chip and the interposer, and the redistribution layer is disposed on the interposer and in the through hole to be electrically connected to the conductive pad. The packaging layer covers the interposer and the redistribution layer, which the packaging layer has an opening exposing the trench.

Abstract: A method includes forming a bump on a lower surface of an interposer. A first insulation layer is formed to cover the lower surface and bump. A trench is formed extending from the lower towards an upper surface of the interposer. A polymer supporting adhesive layer is formed to surround the bump and couples between the interposer and a semiconductor chip. The semiconductor chip has at least a sensing component and a conductive pad electrically connected to the sensing component, and the bump is connected to the conductive pad. A via is formed extending from the upper towards the lower surface. A second insulation layer is formed to cover the upper surface and the via. A redistribution layer is formed on the second insulation layer and in the via. A packaging layer is formed to cover the redistribution layer and has a second opening.

Abstract: A microelectromechanical (MEMS) structure is provided. In one embodiment, the MEMS structure includes a glass substrate layer containing at least one embedded stress isolation feature. The glass substrate also includes at least one bump bond site configured for coupling the MEMS structure to a package. The MEMS structure also includes a semiconductor device layer, formed on the glass substrate layer, that includes a MEMS sensor.

Abstract: A sealed package having a device disposed on a wafer structure and slid structure boned to the device wafer. The device wafer includes: a substrate; a metal ring disposed on a surface portion of substrate around the device and a bonding material disposed on the metal ring. The metal ring extends laterally beyond at least one of an inner and outer edge of the bonding material. A first layer of the metal ring includes a stress relief buffer layer having a higher ductility than that of the surface portion of the substrate and a width greater than the width of the bonding material. The metal ring extends laterally beyond at least one of the inner and outer edges of the bonding material. The stress relief buffer layer has a coefficient of thermal expansion greater than the coefficient of expansion of the surface portion of the substrate and less than the coefficient of expansion of the bonding material.

Abstract: A semiconductor device having multiple MEMS (micro-electro mechanical system) devices includes a semiconductor substrate having a first MEMS device and a second MEMS device, and an encapsulation substrate having a top portion and sidewalls forming a first cavity and a second cavity. The encapsulation substrate is bonded to the semiconductor substrate at the sidewalls to encapsulate the first MEMS device in the first cavity and to encapsulate the second MEMS device in the second cavity. The second cavity includes at least one access channel at a recessed region in a sidewall of the encapsulation substrate adjacent to an interface between the encapsulation substrate and the semiconductor substrate. The access channel is covered by a thin film. The first cavity is at a first atmospheric pressure and the second cavity is at a second atmospheric pressure. The second air pressure is different from the first air pressure.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a multiple MEMS device includes providing a semiconductor substrate having a first and second MEMS device, and an encapsulation wafer with a first cavity and a second cavity, which includes at least one channel. The first MEMS is encapsulated within the first cavity and the second MEMS device is encapsulated within the second cavity. These devices is encapsulated within a first encapsulation environment at a first air pressure, and encapsulating the first MEMS device within the first cavity at the first air pressure. The second MEMS device within the second cavity is then subjected to a second encapsulating environment at a second air pressure via the channel of the second cavity.

Abstract: A MEMS device and fabrication of MEMS device is disclosed. The method includes providing a device layer, disposing a sacrificial layer over a first surface of the device layer, forming at least one MEMS feature in the device layer, wherein the formed MEMS feature is attached to the sacrificial layer. Selective portions of the sacrificial layer are removed so as to permit movement of the formed MEMS feature.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method for producing hydrogen gas comprising the steps of reacting steel slags with H2O at a temperature ranging from 150° C. to 500° C., cooling down the reaction product of step (a) to separate hydrogen gas from water steam and collecting hydrogen gas.

Abstract: For producing a synthesis gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide from a starting gas containing hydrocarbons, the starting gas is split up into a first partial stream and a second partial stream, wherein the first partial stream is supplied to a steam reformer in which it is catalytically converted together with steam to obtain a gas stream containing hydrogen and carbon oxides, wherein after the steam reformation the first partial stream is again combined with the second partial stream, and wherein the combined gas stream is supplied to an autothermal reformer in which the combined gas stream together with an oxygen-containing gas is autothermally reformed to a synthesis gas. The first partial stream is guided directly into the steam reformer and the second partial stream is guided through a pre-reformer before passing through the autothermal reformer.

Abstract: An ozone generator includes a transformer, a direct current power supply unit connected to a primary side of the transformer, a reactor connected to a secondary side of the transformer, a semiconductor switch connected between at least one end of a primary winding of the transformer and the direct current power supply unit, and a control circuit for implementing ON-OFF control of the semiconductor switch to thereby apply alternating current voltage to the reactor. The control circuit implements control of a frequency of the alternating current voltage applied to the reactor, so as to minimize electric signal on the primary side of the transformer.

Abstract: An ozone generator includes a transformer, a direct current power supply unit connected to a primary side of the transformer, a reactor connected to a secondary side of the transformer, a semiconductor switch connected between one end of a primary winding of the transformer and the direct current power supply unit, and a control circuit for implementing ON-OFF control of the semiconductor switch to thereby apply alternating current voltage to the reactor. The control circuit implements control to minimize electric signal on the primary side of the transformer by updating a switching frequency by a fixed change width from a reference frequency, and determines that a failure has occurred if the number of updates by the fixed change width exceeds a threshold value.

Abstract: A continuous reaction system (CRS) allows a method to prepare quantum dots (QDs) in a continuous manner with high precision. The CRS pumps a plurality of reagent fluids into one or more mixing sites to form a reaction fluid that is carried through a heating chamber at elevated pressures to carry out hydrothermal growth of the QDs. The pumps and heating chamber are controlled with a high precision by employing a detector downstream of the heating chamber to provide a signal that is dependent on the composition and size of the QDs. The signal is provided to a signal processor that provides a signal that control the flow rates and temperature parameters in the system. The QDs produced in this manner are consistent in size and composition and can be of a single semiconductor composition or can be core-shell QDs with a shell semiconductor formed on a core semiconductor.

Abstract: A system suitable for oxidizing ammonia with oxygen in the presence of catalysts is described. The system includes a reactor equipped with at least one supply line for a reactant gas mixture and at least one discharge line for a process gas; a catalyst comprising at least one transition metal oxide that is not an oxide of a platinum metal; and a device for adjusting a molar ratio of oxygen to ammonia of less than or equal to 1.75 mol/mol in the reactant gas mixture by mixing an oxygen-containing gas stream having an O2 content of <20% by volume with a chosen amount of ammonia. The oxygen-containing gas stream is produced by a device for: diluting an air stream with a gas stream comprising less than 20% by volume oxygen; or depleting oxygen from an oxygen-containing gas mixture, preferably from air; or by a combination thereof.

Abstract: A nitrous acid generator includes a treatment vessel having an inner space being capable of holding a liquid; a gas supplier supplying a gas to the inner space such that the gas forms a bubble in the liquid, the gas containing oxygen and nitrogen; a plasma generator including a first electrode, a second electrode, and a power supply for applying a voltage therebetween, the plasma generator generating plasma in the bubble, the plasma producing nitrogen oxide including nitrogen monoxide and nitrogen dioxide; a gas-liquid contact member to which the nitrogen oxide and the liquid are introduced from the treatment vessel, the gas-liquid contact member causing the nitrogen oxide to be dissolved in the liquid while the nitrogen oxide and the liquid pass through the gas-liquid contact member; and a cooler cooling the nitrogen oxide and the liquid while the nitrogen oxide and the liquid pass through the gas-liquid contact member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new fullerene derivatives of formulae 1a-d, 2 and 3: method of synthesizing said derivatives, and applications thereof in organic photovoltaics, e.g., organic solar cells. In particular, the fullerene derivatives of the present invention are soluble in non-halogenated solvents such that an environmental-friendly and low-cost fabrication method for industrialization of solar cell based on the new fullerene derivatives is provided. An ink formulation for forming a thin film on a substrate of organic photovoltaics comprising at least one of the fullerene derivatives of the present invention is also provided. Greater than 3% power conversion efficiency of the organic solar cells (area=0.16 cm2) formed based on the fullerene derivatives of the present invention with less pollution and lower cost in fabrication can be achieved in the present invention.

Abstract: An electrode includes a network of compressed interconnected nanostructured carbon particles such as carbon nanotubes. Some nanostructured carbon particles of the network are in electrical contact with adjacent nanostructured carbon particles. Electrodes may be used in various devices, such as capacitors, electric arc furnaces, batteries, etc. A method of producing an electrode includes confining a mass of nanostructured carbon particles and densifying the confined mass of nanostructured carbon particles to form a cohesive body with sufficient contacts between adjacent nanostructured carbon particles to provide an electrical path between at least two remote points of the cohesive body. The electrodes may be sintered to induce covalent bonding between the nanostructured carbon particles at contact points to further enhance the mechanical and electrical properties of the electrodes.

Abstract: Embodiments described are directed to methods for the functionalization of asphaltene materials and to compositions made from functionalized asphaltenes. Disclosed is a method for synthesizing graphene derivatives, such as 2D single crystalline carbon allotropes of graphene and functional materials, such as sulfonic acid and its derivatives. Also disclosed is a method for the transformation of asphaltene into a source of graphene derivatives and functional materials, such as, 0D, 1D, 2D and combinations of 0D and 1D by utilizing chemical substitution reaction mechanism, such as, electrophilic aromatic substitution, nucleophilic aromatic substitution and Sandmeyer mechanism. Also disclosed are novel graphene materials comprising: acetylenic linkage and hydrogenated graphene. These novel materials, which may be produced by these methods, include, e.g.

Abstract: A method of dispersing graphene and graphitic nanomaterials uses multiphase fluid dynamic technique. The method includes a device, incorporating high intensity fluid dynamics technique (10), controlling the expansion and compression ratio of the working stream that leads to an effective dispersion of the nanomaterial in the matrix. The condensation of the injected steam creates high intensity and controllable cavitation, leading to effective dispersion of the graphitic nanomaterial. The dispersion is most preferably done in a medium that creates a repulsive potential to balance the attractive inter-graphitic layer potential.

Abstract: The present description relates to activated carbon and methods of making and using the same. The activated carbon is produced from textile and plastic waste materials. The activated carbon may further include graphitic fibers, carbon fibers, CNTs, metals and metal oxides dispersed in the activated carbon matrix. The activated carbon can be in the form of granular manufactures, powder manufactures, nanoparticles, sheets and any other form.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for preparation of polychlorosilanes from monomeric chlorosilanes, by subjecting the chlorosilanes to a thermal plasma.

Abstract: Provided are methods of preparing silica particles having two maximum values in number particle size distribution, wherein in the two maximum values, a particle size ratio (a maximum value of a small-size side/a maximum value of a large-size side) between a maximum value of a large-size side and a maximum value of a small-size side is from 0.02 to 0.3, and a number ratio (a number of silica particles having a maximum value of the small-size side/number of silica particles having a maximum value of the large-size side) is from 1 to 100, and particles within a range of 10% from the large-size side of the silica particles have an average circularity of from 0.65 to 0.90 and an average shrinkage ratio of from 10 to 50.

Abstract: A multistage thermal desalination system, together with its associated method of use, allows de-scaling of subsystems exposed to saturated saltwater by alternating the saturation stage of the process between two neighboring physical desalination stages. The desalination system is provided with at least one transfer conduit, at least one pump, and valving to permit saltwaters being desalinated by higher and lower stage desalination subsystems to be swapped. By replacing the saturated saltwater in a higher salt concentration desalination subsystem with lower salt concentration saltwater, the scaling in higher salt concentration desalination subsystem is reduced while the saturation load is placed on another of the desalination subsystems.

Abstract: A vessel for treating an oil-in-water inlet stream houses an inlet flow distributor arranged to direct an inlet flow toward a perforated baffle of a coalescing section, the coalescing section housing a packing and being arranged upstream of a second baffle; a flotation section arranged to receive a flow exiting the coalescing section and being divided by one or more perforated baffles; and an outlet water collecting pipe arranged to receive a flow exiting the flotation section, the outlet water collecting pipe having one or more openings located along its length. The coalescing section may be divided into two sections, with one section preferably housing a different pre-selected sized packing than the other section. The flotation section may include one or more gas-inducing devices. A solid baffle may be arranged downstream of the second baffle and ahead of the flotation section to provide single or dual flow through that section.

Abstract: Improved systems and processes for forward osmosis water purification or desalination are herein disclosed. According to one embodiment a process for purifying contaminated water is provided wherein a contaminated feed solution stream comprising water and with a first osmotic pressure is passed through a semipermeable membrane to a draw side having a draw solution stream with a second osmotic pressure on a draw side of the semipermeable membrane. The diluted draw solution stream is heated, agglomerated and cooled to produce a cooled single phase water rich stream that is purified to produce a water product stream.

Abstract: Provided is a method for purifying wastewater containing an oil component, a salt component, and an organic matter produced when extracting petroleum from a stratum or a bedrock layer, including performing membrane distillation using a fluorine-based resin hydrophobic porous membrane made of PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), PVDF (polyvinylidene difluoride) or PCTFE (polychlorotrifluoroethylene) and having a practical maximum operating temperature exceeding 100° C., and simultaneously removing the oil component, the salt component and the organic matter contained in the wastewater.

Abstract: An electrolytic system for treating wastewater by electrocoagulation, electroflotation or a combination of both is disclosed. The electrolytic system comprises a first electrolytic reactor adapted for receiving the wastewater to be treated, the first electrolytic reactor comprising at least one cathode and at least one anode to perform a first electrolytic treatment for eliminating organic matter and calcium present in the wastewater that impact on nucleation of struvite; and a second electrolytic reactor downwardly connected to the first electrolytic reactor, the second electrolytic reactor comprising at least one cathode and at least one magnesium anode to perform a second electrolytic treatment for producing Mg2+ ions which react with NH4+ and orthophosphates from said wastewater to form a struvite precipitate. The electrolytic system allows eliminating simultaneously orthophosphate and ammonium from the wastewater while enabling the production of struvite.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to reliably prevent the precipitation of scale during a reclamation step in a deionization treatment. A water reclamation system and a deionization treatment device of the present invention each comprises a deionization section, a supply section which supplies a scale inhibitor to a water to be treated, and a control section. The control section acquires a supply start time and a supply stop time for at least one of the scale inhibitor and a low ion concentration water based on the concentration of a scale component in the deionization section, and causes the supply section to supply at least one of the scale inhibitor and the low ion concentration water in the interval between the supply start time and the supply stop time.

Abstract: A novel method and device for treating a liquid are provided, wherein a concentrated liquid recovered using a centrifugal separation method can be utilized as ballast water. The present disclosure relates to a method for treating a liquid that comprises a storage step including carrying out a physical treatment using a centrifugal force with respect to a supply liquid to be supplied to a storage means located inside a housing, wherein the method comprises carrying out an aquatic organism-inactivating treatment contained in a concentrated liquid obtained by the physical treatment using a centrifugal force and supplying to the storage means the concentrated liquid subjected to the aquatic organism-inactivating treatment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for treating ballast water, and an exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a ballast water treatment apparatus including: a tank; a spray nozzle which supplies ballast water in the form of droplets into the tank; and a gas circulation unit which supplies inert gas to the spray nozzle, and sucks inert gas that is not dissolved in the ballast water in the tank.

Abstract: A pressure cycling wastewater treatment apparatus can include a confined chamber which encloses an interior volume. The confined chamber can have a wastewater inlet through which wastewater can flow into the confined chamber. In addition, an expansion 5 fluid inlet can receive an expansion fluid into the confined chamber. A treated water outlet can allow treated water to flow out of the confined chamber. Within the interior volume of the confined chamber, a mechanical pressurizing element can be configured to move in a cyclical pattern. Motion of the mechanical pressurizing element can cyclically compress and decompress a mixture of wastewater and expansion fluid inside the confined chamber. 10 The motion of the mechanical pressurizing element can be driven by a driving unit connected to the mechanical pressurizing element through a crankshaft.

Abstract: A device for generating high pressure ozone water by using a low pressure ozone gas source includes an ozone gas and water mixture bucket. A water inlet of the ozone gas and water mixture bucket is connected with a tap water inlet through a pipe system and a water inlet solenoid valve. A water outlet of the ozone gas and water mixture bucket is connected with a water outlet through the pipe system and a water outlet one-way valve. An ozone gas inlet of the ozone gas and water mixture bucket is connected with an ozone inlet through the pipe system and an ozone gas inlet one-way valve. The ozone gas and water mixture bucket is provided with an off-gas outlet. The off-gas outlet is connected with a discharge outlet through the off-gas destruct bucket. The water inlet solenoid valve is connected with a power control unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to improved wastewater treatment systems and methods. In one embodiment, the present invention utilizes biologics and the final effluent of the treated wastewater is remarkably clean, and has low levels of hazardous chemicals, unwanted nutrient values and/or total solids. Advantageously, the wastewater treatment system and method of the present invention reduces the use of chemical compounds in the treatment process. Further, valuable biomasses can be produced or metals recovered from the wastewater using the treatment process of the present invention.

Abstract: An iron containing bioreactor for treating explosive compounds and other organics in contaminated surface water is disclosed. The bioreactor can be located either on-ground or in-ground at a location across which contaminated surface water flows. In one configuration the reactor is made up of (i) indigenous microbes, (ii) acetate, (iii) a low density iron-containing bed, and contains anaerobic zones in at least one portion of the flowpath. The reactor reduces the concentration of explosive compounds to below 10 ppb and also maintains this explosive compound reduction level for a period of at least one year without replenishing the microbes or iron.

Abstract: A system and a method comprises a chamber configured to receive a flow of a wastewater mixture from an input. A first baffle wall forms a first channel within the chamber. The wastewater mixture flows from an input to an output of the first channel. A second baffle wall forms a second channel and a third channel within the chamber. The wastewater mixture flows from the output of the first channel to an input of the second channel to an output of the second channel to an input of the third channel to an output of the third channel. The output of the third channel is configured to direct the flow to an output from the first chamber.

Abstract: A device for use in water comprising a carrier having an interior cavity and one or more openings allowing ingress to and egress from the interior cavity; and a moss contained within the interior cavity in which the carrier completely encloses the moss.

Abstract: Hydrogen sulfide and mercaptans may be catalytically removed from a fluid stream by introducing to the fluid stream a sulfide quinone reductase (SQR) enzyme.

Abstract: Described is a system and corresponding method for remediating liquid waste streams. The system includes an electro-oxidation (EO) chamber, an electro-deposition (ED) chamber, and an electro-adsorption (EA) chamber. In the method, a waste stream is subjected to electro-oxidation, followed by electro-deposition and/or electro-adsorption. The method removes both organic and inorganic pollutants, as well as metals present as free ions or bound into organic or inorganic complexes.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing sludge from a reservoir of liquid. A downwardly opening enclosure is positioned atop the floor of a reservoir with the enclosure having inlets for sludge and liquid to flow into the cavity of the enclosure. Gas emitters on the opposite edge portions of the enclosure assist the flow of sludge and liquid into the cavity which is slanted upwardly towards an outlet having a lift pump for pulling the sludge and liquid from the enclosure. An optional additional passage leading from the cavity to a holder beneath the enclosure receives heavy sludge falling there through.

Abstract: Fermentation residue conditioner 1 for conditioning aggregate materials 3 consisting of fermentation residue, sludge, and/or organic residual masses with high water content, particularly of fermentation residues from the fermentation of household waste, bio-waste and/or base materials containing food residues, having a fermentation residue dropping point 4 for introducing the aggregate material 3 and a fermentation residue removal point 5 for removing the aggregate material 3. The fermentation residue conditioner 1 is designed such that the aggregate material 3 is transportable through the fermentation residue conditioner 1 during conditioning. The fermentation residue conditioner 1 has a deposit surface 2 for supporting the aggregate material 3 from the underside, and which is designed such that the transport of the aggregate material 3 can be effected by said deposit surface 2.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for thermal digestion of pumpable biomass, like sewage sludge. The method comprises the steps of supplying fresh biomass, preheating the supplied fresh biomass, hydrolysing the preheated biomass, cooling the hydrolysed biomass and discharging the cooled biomass. The supplied biomass is preheated here in at least two steps, wherein in one of the steps at least apart of the supplied biomass is mixed with at least a part of the hydrolysed biomass, and wherein in another step at least a part of the supplied biomass is brought into head-exchanging contact with a prewarming or preheating medium. At least 25 percent, more preferably at least 75 percent and most preferably substantially 100 percent of the hydrolysed biomass may be mixed with the supplied fresh biomass. The mixture formed during the preheating can optionally be separated again into preheated, fresh biomass and partially cooled, hydrolysed biomass.

Abstract: There are provided a conduit structure for molten glass, a vacuum degassing apparatus using the conduit structure, and a process for vacuum-degassing molten glass by use of the vacuum degassing apparatus, wherein without using a cooling system, solid thermal insulating materials constituting a backup for the conduit are prevented from being corroded by molten glass oozing out of a joint between adjacent fused cast refractories constituting the conduit, and wherein production cost is reduced.