The present invention provides a process and apparatus for converting feedstock comprising biomass and/or carbon-containing solid waste material to synthesis gas. The process comprises supplying the feedstock to a gasifier comprising a fluidized bed zone and a post-gasification zone and contacting the feedstock with a gasification agent at a plurality of different operating temperatures based on the ash softening temperature of the feedstock and finally recovering the synthesis gas. The apparatus is configured to perform the process and comprises a plurality of nozzles arranged at an acute angle relative to a horizontal plane of the gasifier.

The invention provides genetically engineered microorganisms and methods for the biological production of ethylene glycol and precursors of ethylene glycol. In particular, the microorganism of the invention produces ethylene glycol or a precursor of ethylene glycol through one or more of 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate, oxaloacetate, citrate, malate, and glycine. The invention further provides compositions comprising ethylene glycol or polymers of ethylene glycol such as polyethylene terephthalate.

The present invention relates to a method for defibrating a lignocellulosic material in a steam explosion process, the method comprising: —supplying (1001) lignocellulosic material to a reactor (8), —treating (1002) the lignocellulosic material in the reactor (8) at a first pressure (P1), —discharging (1003) the lignocellulosic material from the reactor (8) to a vessel (13), wherein the vessel (13) is at a second pressure (P2) that is lower than the first pressure (P1) so that the lignocellulosic material is defibrated through steam explosion as it passes from the reactor (8), wherein lignocellulosic material is continuously supplied to and discharged from the reactor (8) in such a way that the first pressure (P1) is constant. The invention also relates to a defibration system for defibrating a lignocellulosic material in a steam explosion process.

The reactor is for manufacturing biogas from organic raw material using anaerobic digestion. The reactor includes a tubular reaction chamber with a substantially rectangular cross-section composed of a bottom, walls and a ceiling for processing raw material into end products. Agitation and transfer equipment are arranged in the reaction chamber and an external support frame structure is arranged on the outer surface included in the reaction chamber for stiffening and supporting the reaction chamber externally against forces generated by the raw material.

Disclosed herein is a method for making hydrogen with carbon sequestration. The method may comprise using a biomass hydroconverter product to fuel a steam reformer that converts a hydrocarbon fuel stream into a gas mixture that contains at least hydrogen and carbon dioxide. The gas stream is separated to form a hydrogen-enriched gas stream and at least one hydrogen-depleted stream. The hydrogen-depleted stream may be stored or further processed to sequester the carbon contained therein. Additionally, or alternatively, the solid residue from the biomass hydroconverter also may be stored for further sequester carbon generated by the method.

A waste treatment, pyrolysis and gasification and concerns an apparatus for syngas bio-methanation include a unit for pyrolysis/gasification receiving organic material, the unit for pyrolysis/gasification generating syngas, comprising at least one membrane reactor inside a liquid bath comprising at least one bacteria population, the membrane reactor comprising at least one hollow fiber in contact with the liquid bath, around which a biofilm is formed and into which the syngas from the unit for pyrolysis/gasification flows, so as to convert the syngas into methane. A method for bio-methanation of syngas comprising a step of providing syngas from a unit for pyrolysis/gasification to a membrane reactor inside a liquid bath comprising at least one suitable bacteria population, the membrane reactor comprising at least one hollow fiber in contact with the liquid bath, around which a biofilm is formed and into which the output syngas of the unit for pyrolysis flows, so as to convert the syngas into methane.

Chemical recycling facilities for processing mixed waste plastic are provided herein. Such facilities have the capability of processing mixed plastic waste streams and utilize a variety of recycling facilities, such as, for example, solvolysis facility, a pyrolysis facility, a cracker facility, a partial oxidation gasification facility, an energy recovery facility, and a solidification facility. Streams from one or more of these individual facilities may be used as feed to one or more of the other facilities, thereby maximizing recovery of valuable chemical components and minimizing unusable waste streams.

The present invention is directed to production of granular carbon, prepared from lignin. The process comprises the steps of providing agglomerated lignin, heating the agglomerated lignin to obtain thermally stabilized lignin and subjecting the thermally stabilized agglomerated lignin to heat treatment to obtain granular carbon.

Disclosed herein is a process, comprising: combining one or more additives with a feedstock to obtain a first mixture, the feedstock comprising a fibrous material and water, the fibrous material comprising lignin, cellulose, and hemicellulose; and conditioning the first mixture to obtain a liquid product and a dry pulp product. Also disclosed herein are condition processes and machines for use with the same. Also disclosed herein are liquid products, dry pulp products, and fibrous pellets made by the disclosed processes, and methods of using the same.

The present invention relates to a method for enhancing deep degradation of proteins in sludge. The method includes the following steps: an anaerobic digestion product of excess sludge as a substrate is treated by Van Soest's washing method to obtain the sludge free of easily degradable organics and containing degradation-resistant proteins; then, with the anaerobic digestion product of excess sludge as an inoculum and the sludge free of easily degradable organics and containing degradation-resistant proteins as a substrate, a first-stage microbial electrolytic cell coupled anaerobic digestion system is started for treatment to obtain a microbial mixture related to targeted degradation of the degradation-resistant proteins; with the microbial mixture related to targeted degradation of the degradation-resistant proteins as an inoculum and the anaerobic digestion product of excess sludge as a substrate, a second-stage microbial electrolytic cell coupled anaerobic digestion system is started to obtain the sludge with deeply degraded proteins.