5171592 Biomass refining process

PATENT ABSTRACTS openings in each of a plurality of groups of openings are spaced at varying intervals to vary the amount of air flow from the air tubes into the tube at each of the fermentation stages. In one embodiment, the air tubes are affixed to the agitating vanes. In the use of the apparatus, the environment within the digester tube is controlled to optimize microbial growth and aerobic activity. A fan is provided to flow air over the exterior of the digester tube to control the temperature of the tube and its contents, particularly in the thermophilic stage of the fermentation process.

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An improved biomass refining process is disclosed which is considerably more efficient and cost effective than conventional refining processcs. The apparatus and method of the present invention employs superheated steam to dry the solid components and uses the excess steam generated in the drying step to concentrate the liquid components, solidify soluble components and expel noncondensible components. The present invention further employs improved Ammonia Freeze Explosion technology to further enhance the food value of biomass and the solid fiber components separated from the biomass during refining.

5171434 EFFLUENT RECYCLING SANITATION SYSTEM Charles "Anderson, Stephen C Cline, George Cranfill assigned to Outdoor Sanitation An effluent recycling sanitation system. A first container forms a placid waste separator connected in series to a second container forming an effluent recycling chamber. Both containers are located below ground and are formed from reinforced concrete having a fiberglass liner separated by insulation preventing outward flow of heat energy. The first container is sealed relative to the atmosphere providing for biodegradation of incoming sewage with a vertically extending screen allowing only liquid sewage to flow outwardly into the second container. An air inlet tube extends into the second container allowing fresh air to move into the container with gases then being withdrawn via a second tube extending out of the second container and powered by an air turbine. A solar converter plus auxiliary heat coils located within the second container rinse the temperature within the second container. Liquid within the second container is evaporated via the outlet tube. Ground water agricultural run-offs and landfill leachage may be drained into this system for re-cycling and treatment purposes as well.

5171592 BIOMASS REFINING PROCESS Mark Holtzapple, Richard R Davison, Earnest D Stuart assigned to Afex Corporation

5171687 APPARATUS FOR CULTURING AND DELIVERY OF MICROBE FOR WASTE TREATMENT IN A FLOW SYSTEM Erik Moiler, Ralph O Moiler A apparatus for injecting a solid microbial matter suspended in a liquid into a flow system utilizing a container having first and second chambers. The contents of the first chamber flows through an outlet and into a second chamber. The source microbial matter is supported in the first chamber and water is directed to the first chamber at a predetermined rate. The first chamber is maintained as a nutrient rich environment for the microbial matter while the second chamber is nutrient deficient. The outlet of the second chamber is directed to a flow system benefiting from the activity of the microbial matter.

5176573 CORN HARVESTING Paul W Dow assigned to Byron Enterprises Inc A corn harvesting system integrates automatic separation and removal of ears of corn from a plurality of rows of corn plants (the stalks thereof), the husking of the ears, the cutting or the kernels and the deposit thereof into a container from which the kernels can be removed for canning or other processing. A tracked vehicle has a structure on which mechanisms for corn ear from stalk separation (picking), husking,