Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing building materials, such as bricks, lightweight aggregates and concrete, which building materials comprise digestate obtained from municipal solid waste (MSW) which has been added one or more enzymes to liquefy the organic fraction of MSW.

Abstract: The present invention aims to provide a method for producing a trans-polyisoprenoid which can increase trans rubber production. The present invention is directed to a method for producing a trans-polyisoprenoid in vitro, which involves the use of a gene coding for a trans-prenyltransferase (tPT) family protein and further involves the use of rubber particles bound to a protein encoded by the gene, or a method for producing a trans-polyisoprenoid, which includes introducing into a plant a vector including a promotor having a promoter activity that drives laticifer-specific gene expression and a gene coding for a tPT family protein linked to the promotor to express a protein encoded by the gene specifically in laticifers.

Abstract: According to the present invention, organic material is converted to biogas through anaerobic digestion and the biogas is purified to yield a combustible fluid feedstock comprising methane. A fuel production facility utilizes or arranges to utilize combustible fluid feedstock to generate renewable hydrogen that is used to hydrogenate crude oil derived hydrocarbons in a process to make transportation or heating fuel. The renewable hydrogen is combined with crude oil derived hydrocarbons that have been desulfurized under conditions to hydrogenate the liquid hydrocarbon with the renewable hydrogen or alternatively, the renewable hydrogen can be added to a reactor operated so as to simultaneously desulfurize and hydrogenate the hydrocarbons. The present invention enables a party to receive a renewable fuel credit for the transportation or heating fuel.

Abstract: A method for preparing biochar and hydrogen by utilizing anaerobic fermentation byproducts, the method including: (1) mixing a first straw, seeding sludge and distilled water, and then carrying out anaerobic fermentation to obtain a mixed product after fermentation; (2) performing separation on the mixed product to obtain a second straw and biogas slurry; and (3) carbonizing the second straw to obtain biochar, and collecting gas after a pressurized catalytic reaction on the biogas slurry to obtain hydrogen.

Abstract: Control methods are disclosed for continuous, unmodulated, multiple catalytic conversion step processes using at least two catalysts, a first catalyst and a second catalyst, that accommodate changes in the performance of each catalyst and the relative performances of the catalysts. In the methods, certain process parameters are used in a manner that is indicative of changes in catalyst performance, and the control methods provide for adjustment of at least one of: the absolute amount of catalytically active species and relative amounts of each of the first catalyst and second catalyst and at least one of the rate of feed or concentration of the raw material to the reaction zone.

Abstract: According to the present invention, organic material is converted to biogas through anaerobic digestion and the biogas is purified to yield a combustible fluid feedstock comprising methane. A fuel production facility utilizes or arranges to utilize combustible fluid feedstock to generate renewable hydrogen that is used to hydrogenate crude oil derived hydrocarbons in a process to make transportation or heating fuel. The renewable hydrogen is combined with crude oil derived hydrocarbons that have been desulfurized under conditions to hydrogenate the liquid hydrocarbon with the renewable hydrogen or alternatively, the renewable hydrogen can be added to a reactor operated so as to simultaneously desulfurize and hydrogenate the hydrocarbons. The present invention enables a party to receive a renewable fuel credit for the transportation or heating fuel.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a sludge composite conditioner based on iron-containing sludge pyrolysis residue as well as a preparation method and use thereof. The sludge composite conditioner comprises iron-containing sludge pyrolysis residue and an oxidant used in combination with the iron-containing sludge pyrolysis residue, in which the iron-containing sludge pyrolysis residue is pyrolysis residue obtained by dewatering iron-containing sludge to obtain an iron-containing sludge cake and then pyrolyzing the iron-containing sludge cake, the iron-containing sludge being obtained from an advanced oxidation technology involving an iron-containing reagent.

Abstract: An active solid state fermentation bioreactor for producing gases, liquid(s) or solids from gaseous or gaseous and liquid starting materials and a fermentation process using the reactor are disclosed, The bioreactor includes three major phases; a solid phase including the porous solid support, a liquid phase comprising liquid, and a gaseous phase. The solid phase includes a porous solid support, in which at least 20% of the pore volumes have a size resulting in a liquid suction of about 0.01 to about 0.1 bars if these pores are filled with liquid, the porous solid support is inoculated with desired micro-organisms, the volume of the gaseous phase is 20% to 60% of the volume of the bioreactor, and the liquid phase is at least 20% of the reactor volume, The unsaturated capillary conductivity of filling/packing solid material of the bioreactor is at least 0.1 cm/ h.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a process to convert a sulphur compound to bisulphide by direct or indirect transfer of electrons from a cathode of a bio-electrochemical cell to the sulphur compound under anaerobic conditions and in the presence of mixed culture comprising methanogens and suitably also a anaerobic or facultative anaerobic bacteria. The sulphur compound may be a thiol like methanethiol or ethanethiol or a polysulphide, like dimethyl disulphide.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide a self-contained sealed apparatus that captures, filters, compresses and stores methane gas produced by the decomposition of bio-degradable organic materials. The system includes a rotatable and sealable chamber with an intermittent drive unit that mixes moist bio-degradable material during an anaerobic reaction, and captures methane gas generated by anaerobic decomposition. A filter to remove impurities, a low-pressure storage tank, a compressor and a high-pressure storage tank are interconnected and controlled by a system that monitors system parameters, that may include gas flow rate, temperature, and gas volume, and controls system parameters, that may include drive unit activation, generator operation, and compressor operation.

Abstract: A system for high-value utilization of organic solid waste includes an anaerobic digestion unit, a biogas measurement and collection unit and a methane purification and liquefaction unit. The anaerobic digestion unit includes an organic solid waste pretreatment system and an anaerobic digestion device. The biogas measurement and collection unit includes a gas flow meter and a high-pressure biogas collection device. The methane purification and liquefaction unit includes a high-pressure separation tank, a liquefaction pretreatment system, a heavy hydrocarbon and benzene removal device, a two-stage rectification system, a low-temperature pressure liquid storage tank device and a buffer storage tank. The organic solid waste undergoes an anaerobic digestion treatment to produce methane followed by collection, purification and liquefaction.

Abstract: Provided is a method for evaluating a bioavailability of organic solid waste by an anaerobic conversion based on fractal dimension, relating to anaerobic digestion of organic solid waste. Organic solid waste is broken up and dried, and the organic solid waste is analyzed using a laser particle size analyzer, so as to measure a wave vector Q and a scattering intensity I. The wave vector Q and the scattering intensity I are analyzed using a data processing software, and a two-dimensional fractal dimension Df is obtained based on a fractal theory. A volatile fatty acid maximum VFAmax and a biochemical methane potential BMP of the organic solid waste are predicted according to the two-dimensional fractal dimension Df, so as to evaluate a bioavailability of organic solid waste by an anaerobic conversion.

Abstract: Methods for increasing carbon-based chemical product yield in an organism by genetically modifying one or more genes involved in a stringent response and/or in a regulatory network, nonnaturally occurring organisms having increased carbon-based chemical product yield, and methods for use in production of carbon-based chemical products are provided.

Abstract: A method of producing a synthetic diamond is disclosed, the method comprising: (a) capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere; (b) conducting electrolysis of water to provide hydrogen; (c) reacting the carbon dioxide obtained from step (a) with the hydrogen obtained from step (b) to produce methane; and (d) using the hydrogen obtained from step (b) and the methane obtained from step (c) to produce a synthetic diamond by chemical vapour deposition (CVD).

Abstract: A facility for the recycling of biomaterial with a fermentation stage, whereby the fermentation stage has a fermentation chamber for the production of biogas through anaerobic fermentation of the biomaterial, and with a hygiene stage that is positioned downstream from the fermentation stage, whereby the hygiene stage has a hygienization chamber for the reception and the thermal hygienization of biomaterial discharged from the fermentation stage. A process for the recycling of biomaterial by zymosis is also provided, whereby biogas is produced in a fermentation stage through anaerobic fermentation of the biomaterial, whereby the biomaterial is, after flowing through the fermentation stage, conveyed to a hygiene stage in which the biomaterial thermal is hygienized, and whereby the biomaterial is, after flowing through the hygiene stage, made available as recyclable agricultural, hygienized fermentation residue.

Abstract: In alternative embodiments, provided are non-natural or genetically engineered vinylisomerase-dehydratase enzymes, including alkenol dehydratases, linalool dehydratases and crotyl alcohol dehydratases. In alternative embodiments, provided are non-natural or genetically engineered polypeptides having an activity comprising, for example, a vinylisomerase-dehydratase, an alkenol dehydratase, a linalool dehydratase and/or a crotyl alcohol dehydratase activity, or a combination thereof. In alternative embodiments, also provided are non-natural or genetically engineered nucleic acids (polynucleotides) encoding polypeptides described herein, expression or cloning vehicles comprising or having contained therein nucleic acids as described herein, and non-natural or genetically engineered cells comprising or having contained therein nucleic acids as described herein. In alternative embodiments, also provided are methods for making various organic compounds, including methyl vinyl carbinol and butadiene.

Abstract: This disclosure discloses an apparatus of treating a river, comprising a river bed sludge suction device, a container-type sand-stone refuse separation device, a container-type dehydration device, a container-type pulverization device, a storage container, a container-type drying device, a container-type carbonization device, a container-type flocculation device, a container-type precipitation device, a container-type activated coke filtration and adsorption device, a container-type power generation device, a container-type operation and control chamber, and a cleaning ship for floating debris and river bank refuse. This disclosure discloses a method of treating a river using the apparatus described above where a biochar is produced from the separated, dehydrated and dried sludge.

Abstract: The present disclosure is intended to identify a substitution mutation that improves enzyme activity of a decarbonylase. An amino acid corresponding to an amino acid 90, 107, 163, or 171 in SEQ ID NO: 2 is to be substituted with an amino acid exhibiting a higher degree of hydrophobicity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a novel dry-state anaerobic digestion method comprising pretreatment of the input with an additive selected from among zeolite, clay, pozzolan and biochar.

Abstract: A method which enables olefin compound production with a high productivity and an enzyme used in the method, a mutation involving amino acid substitution has been introduced into various sites of diphosphomevalonate decarboxylase (MVD), thus preparing a large number of MVD variants. Next, the result of evaluating the variants for the catalytic activity related to the production of olefin compounds such as isoprene has revealed that MVD whose threonine at position 209 is substituted with a different amino acid has the catalytic activity, and that MVD whose arginine at position 74 is further substituted with a different amino acid in addition to position 209 has the catalytic activity at higher levels.

Abstract: The present invention describes a recombinant yeast cell functionally expressing one or more heterologous nucleic acid sequences encoding for ribulose-1,5-phosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (EC4.1.1.39; Rubisco), and optionally one or more molecular chaperones for Rubisco, and one or more phosphoribulokinase (EC2.7.1.19; PRK), wherein the phosphoribulokinase is under control of a promoter (the “PRK promoter”) that enables higher expression under anaerobic conditions than under aerobic conditions.

Abstract: Described is a method for the conversion of 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA into 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyric acid comprising the steps of: (a) enzymatically converting 3-methylcrotonyl-CoA into 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyryl-CoA; and (b) further enzymatically converting the thus produced 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyryl-CoA into 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyric acid wherein the enzymatic conversion of 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyryl-CoA into 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyric acid according to step (b) is achieved by first converting 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyryl-CoA into 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyryl phosphate and then subsequently converting the thus produced 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyryl phosphate into 3-hydroxy-3-methylbutyric acid.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method that has been devised to overcome the two most important limitations for sustained biological hydrogen production, namely contamination of the microbial hydrogen-producing cultures with methane-producing cultures necessitating frequent re-start-up and/or other methanogenic bacteria inactivation techniques, and the low bacterial yield of hydrogen-producers culminating in microbial washout from the system and failure. The method includes biological hydrogen production, followed by a gravity settler positioned downstream of the CSTR, which combination forms a biohydrogenator. The biomass concentration in the hydrogen reactor is kept at the desired range through biomass recirculation from the bottom of the gravity settler and/or biomass wastage from the gravity settler's underflow.

Abstract: Methods for production of a bioproduct with a microorganism and selective extraction of bioproducts from a fermentation broth. The methods may include mixing a carbon source, a nitrogen source, and an extractant-depleted raffinate to form a fermentation medium, and fermenting the medium with a microorganism to form a fermentation broth having at least one bioproduct. The bioproduct may be extracted from the fermentation broth with an extractant comprising an olefin to form an extract and a raffinate, and the extract may be further separated from the raffinate. The bioproduct may then be separated from the extract, and the extractant may be separated from the raffinate to regenerate the extract-depleted raffinate.

Abstract: A method for breaking down a pallet of plastic, paper, cardboard, and organic material to produce bio-gas, fertilizer, and water includes a step of maintaining a negative pressure during the steps of removing, separating, recycling, feeding, and converting to clean odorous air. The step of maintaining the negative pressure is further defined as removing the odorous air generated during the steps of separating, recycling, feeding, and converting. The chamber of the biofilter is maintained at a predetermined humidity of at least 80% and a predetermined temperature of between 70° F. and 80° F. A biofilter for removing odorous air includes a filter media having a mixture of woodchips having hardwood chips being present between 30 wt. % and 50 wt. %, softwood chips being present between 50 wt. % and 70 wt. %, and microorganisms disposed therein.

Abstract: The invention provides non-naturally occurring microbial organisms having a butadiene pathway. The invention additionally provides methods of using such organisms to produce butadiene.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and bacterial strains for making terpene and terpenoid products, the bacterial strains having improved carbon pull through the MEP pathway and to a downstream recombinant synthesis pathway.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the biosynthesis of ?-olefins. In particular, the invention provides methods for the production of medium-chain ?-olefins, more particularly C11 ?-olefins, using a polypeptide with decarboxylase activity on free fatty acids with 8 to 14 carbons, in particular on C8-C12 free fatty acids, more particularly on C12 free fatty acids, or a genetically engineered host cell expressing or overexpressing said polypeptide.

Abstract: A method and system are described that may be used for exploration, production and development of hydrocarbons. The method and system may include analyzing a sample for a geochemical signature, wherein the geochemical signature includes a multiply substituted isotopologue signature and/or a position specific isotope signature. Then, alteration timing may be determined from the signature(s) and used to develop or refine an exploration, development or production strategy.

Abstract: Improved methods for anaerobic digestion of organic matter to produce biogas. Among the improvements given are including ferric iron in a hydrolysis reactor to increase the rate and efficiency of anaerobic hydrolysis to provide substrates for methanogenesis. A solids separation step is added after hydrolysis and before methanogenesis to improve the efficiency of the methanogenesis step. Other improvements involve using separate tanks for the hydrolysis and methanogenesis stages and using two (or more) methanogenesis tanks in sequence, and switching the order of the two (or more) methanogenesis tanks periodically.

Abstract: A method for producing hydrogen from organic material. Organic material and hydrogen-producing microorganisms are provided in a completely mixed bioreactor for breaking down the organic material into H2, CO2, fatty acids, and alcohols. H2, CO2, and a first liquid effluent are recovered from the completely mixed bioreactor. The first liquid effluent includes hydrogen-producing microorganisms, fatty acids, and alcohols. The first liquid effluent is provided into a gravity settler for separating the first liquid effluent into a concentrated biomass (including hydrogen-producing microorganisms) and a second liquid effluent (including at least a portion of the fatty acids and the alcohols). The concentrated biomass is provided into the completely mixed bioreactor. An input voltage is applied to at least one of the completely mixed bioreactor and the gravity settler for facilitating an electrohydrogenesis process therein.

Abstract: Techniques for opening a target tissue using nanodroplets are provided. An exemplary method can include targeting a region of tissue for opening, delivering a plurality of nanodroplets to the region, and applying an ultrasound beam at the region such that the nanodroplets cavitate, or convert to microbubbles that cavitate, thereby causing the target tissue to open.

Abstract: Organic matter digesting apparatus and methods are provided that can include a digestion tank operatively coupled to a vertically aligned gas collection tower and methods that can include providing a biodigesting apparatus; inputting organic matter into the biodigesting apparatus; initiating the biodigesting apparatus; and outputting water, methane gas, and solid carbon-based material.

Abstract: This document describes biochemical pathways that include the production of 3-oxopent-4-enoyl-CoA by condensation of acryloyl-CoA and acetyl-CoA using a ?-ketothiolase with a SER-HIS-HIS catalytic triad. These pathways described herein rely on enzymes such as, inter alia, dehydrogenases, dehydratases and ?-ketothiolases.

Abstract: This present invention relates to cultured recombinant cells comprising a heterologous phosphoketolase (PKL) polypeptide that are capable of increased production of acetyl coenzyme A-derived metabolites, as well as methods for producing and using the same. In some embodiments, the recombinant cells further comprise one or more mevalonate (MVA) pathway polypeptides for the production of isoprenoid precursors, isoprene and isoprenoids.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and a system of treating biomass wastes by biochemistry-thermochemistry multi-point interconnection. The present invention applies solid, gas and liquid products of the thermochemical treatment subsystem to the biochemical treatment subsystem and applies heat produced by the biochemical treatment subsystem to the thermochemical treatment subsystem, forming multi-point and two-way interconnection between the biochemical treatment subsystem and the thermochemical treatment subsystem, thereby increasing the yield and stability of energy gas of the biochemical treatment subsystem and reducing pollution and energy consumption of the thermochemical treatment subsystem respectively. The present invention is suitable for treating biomass wastes with high and low water contents at the same time, producing soil amendment, liquid fuel and biogas, having properties of low secondary pollution and significant reduction of greenhouse gas emission and so on.

Abstract: A host cell includes a heterogeneous expression unit including: (a) a polynucleotide encoding a mevalonate kinase derived from a microorganism belonging to a genus selected from Methanocella, Corynebacterium, Methanosaeta, and Nitrosopumilus, and (b) a promoter operatively linked to the polynucleotide. The host cell is used to produce mevalonate kinase, mevalonate-5-phosphate, and isoprenoid compounds.

Abstract: The invention features compositions and methods for the increased production of mevalonate, isoprene, isoprenoid precursor molecules, and/or isoprenoids in microorganisms by engineering a microorganism for increased carbon flux towards mevalonate production in the following enzymatic pathways: (a) citrate synthase, (b) phosphotransacetylase, (c) acetate kinase, (d) lactate dehydrogenase, (e) malic enzyme, and (f) pyruvate dehydrogenase such that one of more of the enzyme activity is modulated. In addition, production of mevalonate, isoprene, isoprenoid precursor molecules, and/or isoprenoids can be further enhanced by the heterologous expression of the mvaE and mvaS genes (such as, but not limited to, mvaE and mvaS genes from the organisms Listeria grayi DSM 20601, Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus gallinarum EG2, and Enterococcus casseliflavus).

Abstract: Described are alkenol dehydratase variants having improved activity in catalyzing the conversion of prenol into isoprene, methods for the production of isoprene using such enzyme variants and their uses in the production of isoprene from prenol.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to microorganisms that comprise one or more polynucleotides coding for enzymes in one or more pathways that catalyze a conversion of a fermentable carbon source to butadiene. Also provided are methods of using the microorganisms in industrial processes including, for use in the production of butadiene and products derived therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods for preparing patchoulol, ?-santalene, and sclareol in transgenic moss cells that include heterologous nucleic acid molecules encoding a polypeptide or synthase capable of using FPP or GGPP as a substrate. Methods for producing the transgenic moss cell, as well as the transgenic moss cell itself are also disclosed.

Abstract: Described are alkenol dehydratase variants having improved activity in catalyzing the conversion of a compound corresponding to the general formula CnH2nO into CnH2n-2 +H2O with 3<n<7. In particular, described are alkenol dehydratase variants having, e.g., an improved activity in converting but-2-en-1-ol (crotyl alcohol) into 1,3 butadiene and/or an improved activity in converting but-3-en-2-ol into 1,3 butadiene and/or an improved activity in converting 3-methylbut-2-en-1-ol (prenol) or 3-methylbut-3-en-2-ol (isoprenol) into isoprene and/or an improved activity in converting 2,3-dimethyl-but-2-en-1-ol into dimethyl-butadiene.

Abstract: The application describes a method for producing alkenes (for example propylene, ethylene, 1-butylene, isobutylene, isoamylene, butadiene or isoprene) from 3-hydroxycarboxylic acids via 3-hydroxycarboxyl-nucleotidylic acids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the biological production of methane (Biogas) by co-culture in an aerobic atmosphere of a methanogenic bacterium and of an anaerobic bacterium capable of producing hydrogen, in a culture medium comprising or being supplemented with carbohydrate compound(s), notably starch and/or sugars, and supplemented with antioxidant compound(s).

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to the biosynthesis of 1-undecene and related terminal olefins. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to methods of using proteins to produce 1-undecene and related terminal olefins.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a recombinant methanotroph having an ability to produce isoprene and a method for producing isoprene using the same, and more particularly to a recombinant methanotroph having an ability to produce isoprene wherein a gene encoding an isoprene synthase having a homology of at least 70% to the amino acid sequence of Ipomoea batatas isoprene synthase is introduced into the recombinant methanotroph, and a method for producing isoprene using the recombinant methanotroph. The use of a recombinant methanotroph according to the present invention enables isoprene to be produced in high yield by using methane gas or methanol which is obtained from waste such as natural gas, biomass, municipal waste or the like as a carbon source.

Abstract: Improved methods for anaerobic digestion of organic matter to produce biogas. Among the improvements given are including ferric iron in a hydrolysis reactor to increase the rate and efficiency of anaerobic hydrolysis to provide substrates for methanogenesis. A solids separation step is added after hydrolysis and before methanogenesis to improve the efficiency of the methanogenesis step. Other improvements involve using separate tanks for the hydrolysis and methanogenesis stages and using two (or more) methanogenesis tanks in sequence, and switching the order of the two (or more) methanogenesis tanks periodically.

Abstract: The invention provides non-naturally occurring microbial organisms containing an alkene pathway having at least one exogenous nucleic acid encoding an alkene pathway enzyme expressed in a sufficient amount to convert an alcohol to an alkene. The invention additionally provides methods of using such microbial organisms to produce an alkene, by culturing a non-naturally occurring microbial organism containing an alkene pathway as described herein under conditions and for a sufficient period of time to produce an alkene.

Abstract: Improved methods for anaerobic digestion of organic matter to produce biogas. Among the improvements given are including ferric iron in a hydrolysis reactor to increase the rate and efficiency of anaerobic hydrolysis to provide substrates for methanogenesis. A solids separation step is added after hydrolysis and before methanogenesis to improve the efficiency of the methanogenesis step. Other improvements involve using separate tanks for the hydrolysis and methanogenesis stages and using two (or more) methanogenesis tanks in sequence, and switching the order of the two (or more) methanogenesis tanks periodically.

Abstract: A method for developing a subterranean field includes: receiving a representation of a rock surface in the subterranean field, the representation having a boundary; defining a set of grid planes over the representation; defining a plurality of core nodes at intersections of the grid planes that are within the boundary; defining core lines to connect each core node with each adjacent core node along the set of grid planes; defining a plurality of plane nodes on the grid planes where each grid plane intersects the boundary; defining plane lines to connect each plane node with each adjacent plane node along the grid planes; defining outlier nodes at each vertex of the boundary; and defining boundary lines connecting each of the plane nodes and each of the outlier nodes along the boundary. The method further includes operating equipment using at least one definition in order to develop the subterranean field.