The disclosure is directed to a method for recovering products from a fermentation broth. The disclosure relates to the use of extractive distillation to recover products which have close boiling points, such as ethanol and isopropanol, from a fermentation broth. In an embodiment, the recovery of product is completed in a manner that minimizes stress on the microbial biomass, such that it remains viable, at least in part, and may be recycled and reused in the fermentation process, which may result in increased efficiency in the fermentation process. The extractive distillation vessel reactor may be used downstream of a distillation vessel. To minimize stress on the microbial biomass the distillation vessel may be under vacuum. The extractive distillation vessel may be used alongside a separation vessel such that the separation vessel is capable of recycling extractive distillation agent.

The disclosure is directed to a method for recovering products from a fermentation broth. The disclosure relates to the use of extractive distillation to recover products which have close boiling points, such as ethanol and isopropanol, from a fermentation broth. In an embodiment, the recovery of product is completed in a manner that minimizes stress on the microbial biomass, such that it remains viable, at least in part, and may be recycled and reused in the fermentation process, which may result in increased efficiency in the fermentation process. The extractive distillation vessel reactor may be used downstream of a distillation vessel. To minimize stress on the microbial biomass the distillation vessel may be under vacuum. The extractive distillation vessel may be used alongside a separation vessel such that the separation vessel is capable of recycling extractive distillation agent.

A metal powder manufacturing apparatus for a metal 3-dimensional (3D) printer includes a driving unit which generates a rotational force, a metal beam connected to the driving unit to receive the rotational force from the driving unit and having one end disposed in a vacuum chamber, and a shaft support which supports an outer circumference of the metal beam using a magnetic force for relative movement of the metal beam in a lengthwise direction of the metal beam, wherein the shaft support is disposed such that an inner side is spaced apart a predetermined distance from the outer circumference of the metal beam, and can support the metal beam at an adjusted relative distance from the metal beam.

Methods and system for increasing the water solubility and availability of zinc in granular fertilizers using acid treatments. The treatment of granular fertilizers with an acidic solution increases an amount of water-soluble zinc, which in turn, increases the efficiency of zinc uptake and reduces the costs and equipment otherwise needed to mitigate zinc deficiencies.

Biochar aggregate particles are provided that are less than 5 mm and are comprised of biochar fines that are less than 1 mm and a binding agent. The binding agent may be clay, starch, a lignin, a polymer and/or a lipid. The biochar aggregate particles may also include additives and/or surfactants. The biochar fines may further be treated with a surfactant solution, a vacuum, ultrasonics or infused with any number of additives.

Biochar aggregate particles are provided that are less than 5 mm and are comprised of biochar fines that are less than 1 mm and a binding agent. The binding agent may be clay, starch, a lignin, a polymer and/or a lipid. The biochar aggregate particles may also include additives and/or surfactants. The biochar fines may further be treated with a surfactant solution, a vacuum, ultrasonics or infused with any number of additives.

A method for producing biochar aggregate particles that comprising the steps of (i) collecting or producing treated biochar fines less than 1 mm, (ii) adding a binding agent to the fines, (iii) forming the fines and binding agent into solid aggregate particles. The steps may further include, for example, adding additives to the fines, drying the solid aggregate particles, activing the binder after forming the solid aggregate particles with heat or cold temperatures and/or treating the biochar fines prior to forming the aggregate particles.

A method for producing biochar aggregate particles that comprising the steps of (i) collecting or producing treated biochar fines less than 1 mm, (ii) adding a binding agent to the fines, (iii) forming the fines and binding agent into solid aggregate particles. The steps may further include, for example, adding additives to the fines, drying the solid aggregate particles, activing the binder after forming the solid aggregate particles with heat or cold temperatures and/or treating the biochar fines prior to forming the aggregate particles.

The production method includes: a gel-crushing step of grinding a crosslinked hydrogel polymer to obtain a particulate crosslinked hydrogel polymer; a heating drying step of obtaining dried particles from the particulate crosslinked hydrogel polymer by using a continuous stirring drying machine; a post-crosslinking step of post-crosslinking the particulate crosslinked hydrogel polymer or the dried particles; and a sizing step of adjusting a particle size of the dried particles or the post-crosslinked dried particles to obtain water-absorbent resin powder. The particulate crosslinked hydrogel polymer contains a gel fluidizer. A gel temperature of the particulate crosslinked hydrogel polymer containing the gel fluidizer, the gel temperature being measured by a contact thermometer, is not lower than 50 C. In the production method, the dried particles or the post-crosslinked dried particles is forcedly cooled before the sizing step.

The production method includes a drying step of drying a particulate crosslinked hydrogel polymer obtained by polymerizing a monomer, which is a material of a water-absorbent resin, using a heating device to obtain dried particles. The heating device includes: a rotary container that contains the particulate crosslinked hydrogel polymer therein and rotates; and a plurality of heating tubes that are located within the rotary container, extend in an axial direction of the rotary container, and rotate together with the rotary container. A gel temperature of the particulate crosslinked hydrogel polymer to be subjected to the drying step, the gel temperature being measured by a contact thermometer, is not lower than 50 C.