Abstract:
The invention relates to microorganisms which normally do not ferment pentose sugar and which are genetically altered to ferment pentose sugar to produce ethanol, and fermentation processes utilizing the same. Examples include Zymomonas mobilis which has been transformed with combinations of E. coli genes for xylose isomerase, xylulokinase, transaldolase, transketolase, L-arabinose isomerase, L-ribulokinase, and L-ribulose 5-phosphate 4-epimerase. Expression of the added genes are under the control of Zymomonas mobilis promoters. These newly created microorganisms are useful for fermenting pentoses and glucose, produced by hydrolysis of hemicellulose and cellulose, to produce ethanol.
Abstract:
A hybrid combined cycle power plant including a solar central receiver (7) for receiving solar radiation and converting it to thermal energy. The power plant includes a molten salt heat transfer medium (8) for transferring the thermal energy to an air heater (9). The air heater (9) uses the thermal energy to preheat the air from the compressor (12) of the gas cycle. The exhaust gases from the gas cycle are directed to a steam turbine (16) for additional energy production.
Abstract:
Active heterodimers are described which are prepared by connecting molecules of beta-glucosidase and cellobiohydrolase with a bifunctional reagent (i.e., a crosslinking agent) or by genetic fusion of the two polypeptide chains. The ability of the beta-glucosidase to catalyze hydrolysis of cellobiose to glucose, and the ability of cellobiohydrolase to bind to crystalline cellulose and to catalyze the cleavage of cellobiosyl residues from the non-reducing ends of the cellulose chains, are all retained in the combined molecule.
Abstract:
A metallized polymer mirror construction having improved durability against delamination and tunneling, comprising: an outer layer (25) of polymeric material; a metal oxide layer (24) underlying the outer layer (23) of polymeric material; a silver reflective layer (23) of silver covering underneath the metal oxide layer; and a layer (20) of adhesive attaching the silver layer (23) to a substrate (20).
Abstract:
A method is described for producing silicon carbide particles using a silicon source material and a hydrocarbon. The method is efficient and is characterized by high yield. Finely divided silicon source material is contacted with hydrocarbon at a temperature of 400 DEG to 1000 DEG C where the hydrocarbon pyrolyzes and coats the particles with carbon. The particles are then heated to 1100 DEG C to 1600 DEG C to cause a reaction between the ingredients to form silicon carbide of very small particle size. No grinding of silicon carbide is required to obtain small particles. The method may be carried out as a batch process or as a continuous process.
Abstract:
A jet excitation system (10) includes a pulsator mechanism (20) positioned in a fluid delivery duct (12) upstream from a nozzle. The pulsator mechanism (20) imparts periodic pressure pulsations to a fluid stream in a manner than enhances spreading and increases entrainment and mixing of the jet (60) exiting the nozzle. The jet excitation system (10) when employed in heating, ventilation and air condition (HVAC) systems increases the entrainment, mixing and spreading of an air stream exiting a nozzle into an enclosure.
Abstract:
A compact vacuum insulation panel (10) comprising a chamber (15) enclosed by two sheets of metal (12, 14), glass-like spaces (16) disposed in the chamber (15) between the sidewalls (12, 14), and a high-grade vacuum in the chamber includes apparatus and methods for enabling and disabling, or turning "on" and "off" the thermal insulating capability of the panel (10). One type of enabling and disabling apparatus and method includes a metal hydride (14, 54) for releasing hydrogen gas into the chamber (15) in response to heat, and a hydrogen grate (26, 56) between the metal hydride (24, 54) and the chamber (15) for selectively preventing and allowing return of the hydrogen gas to the metal hydride (24, 54). Another type of enabling and disabling apparatus and method includes a variable emissivity coating (170, 190) on the sheets of metal (12, 14) in which the emissivity is controllably variable by heat or electricity. Still another type of enabling and disabling apparatus and method includes metal-to-metal contact devices (110, 120, 130, 140) that can be actuated to establish or break metal-to-metal heat paths or thermal short circuits between the metal sidewalls (12, 14). Disabling means for selectively and reversibly disabling the capability of said combination of sidewall sheets and evacuated chamber to inhibit heat transfer.
Abstract:
A direct contact condenser (10) having a downward vapor flow chamber (18) and an upward flow vapor chamber (20), wherein each of the vapor chambers includes a plurality of cooling pipes (22, 24) and a vapor-liquid contact medium (28, 29), which may comprise a plurality of adjacent sheets, and which define a substantially straightforward vapor flow path, disposed thereunder. The upward flow chamber includes a second set of cooling liquid supply pipes (26) and pressure controlled valve means (54). The condenser further includes separate condensate collection wells (30, 32). A computational model may be used to perform calculations to predict the performance of the condenser.
Abstract:
A method for charging a sample of either a permanent or reversible getter material with a high concentration of hydrogen while maintaining a base pressure below 10-4 torr at room temperature involves placing the sample of hydrogen getter material (11), overcharging the sample of getter material through conventional charging techniques to a high concentration of hydrogen (12), and then subjecting the sample of getter material to a low temperature vacuum bake-out process (14). Application of the method results in a reversible hydrogen getter which is highly charged to maximum capacities of hydrogen and which concurrently exhibits minimum hydrogen vapor pressures at room temperatures.
Abstract:
A multi-function process is described for the hydrolysis and fractionation of lignocellulosic biomass to separate hemicellulosic sugars from other biomass components such as extractives and proteins; a portion of the solubilized lignin; cellulose; glucose derived from cellulose; and insoluble lignin from said biomass.