The disclosure is directed to a method for recovering products from a fermentation broth. The disclosure relates to the use of dehydration 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 present in the fermentation broth, 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 dehydration reactor may be used downstream of a distillation vessel and converts products such as ethanol and isopropanol into ethylene and propylene. The ethylene and propylene can be used to prepare a component of a fuel or can be polymerized. To minimize stress on the microbial biomass the distillation vessel may be under vacuum.

The invention refers to a distillation apparatus (100) for extraction of volatile components from biological material (50), especially from plants, comprising a housing (10) defining a sample chamber (S), a drum (30) arranged in the sample chamber (S), the drum (30) defining a receiving chamber (R) for receiving the biological material (50), and at least one microwave generator (70) for irradiating the biological material (50) with microwave radiation when received in the drum (30); wherein the drum (30) is rotatably arranged in the sample chamber (S) about a rotation axis (H) which is oriented substantially horizontally.

The invention refers to a distillation apparatus (100) for extraction of volatile components from biological material (50), especially from plants, comprising a housing (10) defining a sample chamber (S), a drum (30) arranged in the sample chamber (S), the drum (30) defining a receiving chamber (R) for receiving the biological material (50), and at least one microwave generator (70) for irradiating the biological material (50) with microwave radiation when received in the drum (30); wherein the drum (30) is rotatably arranged in the sample chamber (S) about a rotation axis (H) which is oriented substantially horizontally.

A method and system for pretreating waste plastics and a method and system for producing an automotive fuel from waste plastics are provided. The method for pretreating waste plastics includes the steps of: 1) contacting a waste plastic with a pretreating agent and a solvent oil for impurity removal; and 2) subjecting the effluent from step 1) to solid-liquid separation to obtain an insoluble material and an impurity-removed plastic-containing solution. The impurity-removed plastic-containing solution obtained by the method and system for pretreating waste plastics has very low metal content, chlorine content and silicon content.

A method and system for pretreating waste plastics and a method and system for producing an automotive fuel from waste plastics are provided. The method for pretreating waste plastics includes the steps of: 1) contacting a waste plastic with a pretreating agent and a solvent oil for impurity removal; and 2) subjecting the effluent from step 1) to solid-liquid separation to obtain an insoluble material and an impurity-removed plastic-containing solution. The impurity-removed plastic-containing solution obtained by the method and system for pretreating waste plastics has very low metal content, chlorine content and silicon content.

Various aspects of the disclosure relate to methods and systems for extracting plant oil from plant material. A system may comprise a microwave emitter, an extraction chamber, and a cooling chamber. Microwave radiation emitted by the microwave emitter may dielectrically heat a microwave absorbing agent, which may heat the plant oil of the plant material. Plant oil of the plant material may be volatized in the extraction chamber and may be directed into the cooling chamber to be condensed.

Various aspects of the disclosure relate to methods and systems for extracting plant oil from plant material. A system may comprise a microwave emitter, an extraction chamber, and a cooling chamber. Microwave radiation emitted by the microwave emitter may dielectrically heat a microwave absorbing agent, which may heat the plant oil of the plant material. Plant oil of the plant material may be volatized in the extraction chamber and may be directed into the cooling chamber to be condensed.

An apparatus and method for extraction of oils from botanical material using high-pressure hydrocarbons such as propane, or butane, or mixtures thereof are described. A high-pressure propane or butane saturated liquid/vapor mixture formed by pressure reduction through a valve placed before an extraction column, thereby serving as an expansion port was employed. The apparatus is capable of both continuous liquid extraction or batch-style liquid operation through the use of a manifold valve, which directs the solvent liquid/vapor in the system to either a supply tank or an extraction column.

A method for preparing a purified styrene composition with a styrene yield of at least 80%. The method comprises providing a crude composition containing styrene, and subjecting the crude composition to at least one crystallization step. The at least one crystallization step comprises at least one static crystallization stage and at least one dynamic crystallization stage.

A method for preparing a purified styrene composition with a styrene yield of at least 80%. The method comprises providing a crude composition containing styrene, and subjecting the crude composition to at least one crystallization step. The at least one crystallization step comprises at least one static crystallization stage and at least one dynamic crystallization stage.