Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080197052 | DEVICES AND METHODS FOR SELECTIVE REMOVAL OF CONTAMINANTS FROM A COMPOSITION - The present invention relates to devices and methods for selectively removing contaminants from a crude product mixture. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for removing free organic acids from a crude product mixture including contacting the crude product mixture with a metal oxide substrate, the metal oxide substrate having properties sufficient to bond with free organic acids in the crude product mixture, thereby removing free organic acids and forming a refined product mixture, and separating the refined product mixture from the metal oxide substrate. In an embodiment, the invention includes a device for removal of free organic acids from a crude product mixture including a first housing defining an interior volume, an input port, and an output port, and metal oxide media disposed within the first housing, the metal oxide media comprising a metal oxide selected from the group consisting of zirconia, alumina, hafnia, and titania. Other embodiments are also described herein. | 08-21-2008 |
20080274211 | Methods and Compositions for Controlling Micororganism Populations in the Digestive System of Animals - The invention is related to methods and compositions for controlling microorganism populations in the digestive system of an animal. In an embodiment, the invention is a composition for reducing the bacterial load in the digestive tract of an animal including a saponin containing composition and an anti-microbial agent. Other embodiments are included herein. | 11-06-2008 |
20080319236 | CATALYSTS, SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ETHER SYNTHESIS - The present invention relates to methods and catalysts for synthesizing ethers. In an embodiment, the invention includes a process for synthesizing ethers from an alcohol feedstock including heating the alcohol feedstock to a temperature greater than about 100 degrees Celsius; and contacting the alcohol feedstock with a catalyst comprising a metal oxide selected from the group consisting of titania and alumina. Other embodiments are also described herein. | 12-25-2008 |
20090126265 | ALGAE CULTIVATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Embodiments of the present invention relate to algae cultivation systems and methods. In an embodiment, an algae cultivation system is included. The algae cultivation system can include a cultivation tank, a plurality of light transmitting elements configured to be at least partially submerged in a liquid medium disposed within the cultivation tank, wherein the light transmitting elements increase the effective surface area of the liquid medium exposed to light, and a plurality of gas injectors configured to emit gas into the liquid medium. In an embodiment a method of culturing algae is included. The method can include measuring the amount of carbon dioxide in a cultivation system and modulating the amount of light being supplied to the cultivation system based on the measured amount of carbon dioxide. In an embodiment, a method of culturing algae can include measuring the amount of light being input into a cultivation system and modulating the amount of carbon dioxide being supplied to the cultivation system based on the measured amount of light. Other embodiments are also described herein. | 05-21-2009 |
20090181111 | Saponin And Preservative Compositions For Reduction of Protozoa - The invention is related to methods and compositions for reducing protozoa populations in animals. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for reducing protozoal populations including administering a first composition comprising an effective amount of saponins to the animal, and administering a second composition comprising an effective amount of a preservative to the animal. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for killing protozoa comprising contacting protozoa with a composition comprising an effective amount of saponins and an effective amount of ethoxyquin. Other embodiments are included herein. | 07-16-2009 |
20100132815 | Fuel Vapor Retention System and Methods - Embodiments of the present invention relate to fuel tanks including features for capturing vapors displaced during a filling process. In an embodiment, the invention includes a fuel tank including a housing defining an interior volume; an inflow conduit providing fluid communication between the outside of the housing and the interior volume; a check-valve coupled to the inflow conduit, the check-valve configured to allow fuel to flow through the check-valve into the interior volume but prevent the flow of gases from the interior volume to the outside of the housing; an expansion member configured to reversibly change in volume; and a vent conduit providing fluid communication between the expansion member and the interior volume of the housing. Other embodiments are also described herein. | 06-03-2010 |
20100147771 | SYSTEMS FOR SELECTIVE REMOVAL OF CONTAMINANTS FROM A COMPOSITION AND METHODS OF REGENERATING THE SAME - The present invention relates to devices and methods for selectively removing contaminants from a crude product mixture. In an embodiment the invention includes a method for removing organic acids from a crude product mixture including contacting the crude product mixture with a metal oxide substrate, wherein free organic acids in the crude product mixture bind to the metal oxide substrate, thereby removing free organic acids and forming a refined product mixture; separating the refined product mixture from the metal oxide substrate; and removing the organic acids bound to the metal oxide substrate by contacting the metal oxide substrate with an alkyl ester composition at a temperature of greater than about 100 degrees Celsius. Other embodiments are also described herein. | 06-17-2010 |
20100173040 | Compositions and Methods for Mitigating Dietary Sulfur in Animals - The invention is related to compositions including sulfide binding agents and related methods. In an embodiment, the invention includes a composition including saponins, and a sulfide binding agent, the sulfide binding agent comprising a metal containing compound. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of processing animal feed including contacting an animal feed material with a composition, the composition comprising a sulfide binding agent, the sulfide binding agent comprising a metal containing compound. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of treating animals for dietary sulfur overload including administering to an animal an effective amount of a composition comprising a sulfide binding agent, the sulfide binding agent comprising a metal containing compound. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for reducing ruminal sulfide concentrations including administering to an animal an effective amount of a composition comprising a sulfide binding agent, the sulfide binding agent comprising a metal containing compound. Other embodiments are included herein. | 07-08-2010 |
20110060153 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR REFINING ALKYL ESTER COMPOSITIONS - The present invention relates to systems and methods for producing and/or refining alkyl ester compositions. In an embodiment the invention includes a method of producing a refined fatty acid alkyl ester composition. The method can include contacting a fatty acid feedstock and an alcohol with a first metal oxide catalyst at a temperature of greater than 200 degrees Celsius and a pressure of greater than 500 psi to form an unrefined fatty acid alkyl ester composition. The method can further include combining the unrefined fatty acid alkyl ester composition with dimethyl carbonate to form a refining mixture. The method can also include contacting the refining mixture with a second metal oxide catalyst at a temperature of greater than 100 degrees Celsius to form a refined fatty acid alkyl ester composition. Other embodiments are also described herein. | 03-10-2011 |
20110172450 | METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING ALKYL ESTERS FROM LIPID FEED STOCKS AND SYSTEMS INCLUDING SAME - The present invention relates to methods and apparatus for producing alkyl esters from lipid feed stocks, such as plant oils and/or animal fats, and systems including the same. In an embodiment, the invention includes a process for producing alkyl esters including mixing a lipid feed stock with an alcohol to form a reaction mixture; and contacting the reaction mixture with a catalyst under supercritical conditions for the alcohol, the catalyst comprising an unmodified metal oxide selected from the group consisting of alumina, titania, zirconia, and hafnia, and removing residual free fatty acids from the reaction mixture. Other embodiments are included herein. | 07-14-2011 |
20120264955 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PRODUCING SURFACTANTS AND SURFACTANT INTERMEDIATES - Embodiments of the invention include processing lipid feedstocks into various products. Embodiments of the invention include processing lipid feedstocks into various products. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method of processing a lipid feedstock comprising combining triglycerides from the lipid feedstock with water to form a first reaction mixture, contacting the first reaction mixture with a first metal oxide catalyst at a temperature of greater than 200 degrees Celsius to form a first product mixture including free fatty acids and glycerin, combining the free fatty acids with a diol to form a second reaction mixture, and contacting the second reaction mixture with a second metal oxide catalyst at a temperature of greater than 200 degrees Celsius to form a second product mixture. Other embodiments are also included herein. | 10-18-2012 |
20140046104 | HYDROCARBON SYNTHESIS METHODS, APPARATUS, AND SYSTEMS - Embodiments of the invention include apparatus and systems for hydrocarbon synthesis and methods regarding the same. In an embodiment, the invention includes a process for creating a hydrocarbon product stream comprising reacting a reaction mixture in the presence of a catalyst inside of a reaction vessel to form a product mixture, the reaction mixture comprising a carbon source and water. The temperature inside the reaction vessel can be between 450 degrees Celsius and 600 degrees Celsius and the pressure inside the reaction vessel can be above supercritical pressure for water. In an embodiment, the invention includes an extrusion reactor system for creating a hydrocarbon product stream. The temperature inside the extrusion reactor housing between 450 degrees Celsius and 600 degrees Celsius. Pressure inside the reaction vessel can be above supercritical pressure for water. Other embodiments are also included herein. | 02-13-2014 |
20140115955 | HYDROCARBON SYNTHESIS METHODS, APPARATUS, AND SYSTEMS - Embodiments of the invention include apparatus and systems for hydrocarbon synthesis and methods regarding the same. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for creating a hydrocarbon product stream comprising reacting a reaction mixture in the presence of a catalyst inside of a reaction vessel to form a product mixture, the reaction mixture comprising a carbon source and water. The temperature inside the reaction vessel can be between 450 degrees Celsius and 600 degrees Celsius and the pressure inside the reaction vessel can be above supercritical pressure for water. In an embodiment, the invention includes an extrusion reactor system for creating a hydrocarbon product stream. The temperature inside the extrusion reactor housing between 450 degrees Celsius and 600 degrees Celsius. Pressure inside the reaction vessel can be above supercritical pressure for water. Other embodiments are also included herein. | 05-01-2014 |