A foam control agent and method of controlling foam for bioethanol processing by use of a foam control agent, wherein the agent comprises at least a (poly)glycerol ether.

Compositions, systems, and methods of using alkaline-producing Aluminate salts in the sludge collection and digestion steps of wastewater processing to reduce acidity and/or build alkalinity, reduce hydrogen sulfide release, and reduce phosphate in the effluent.

A wetting agent according to Formula (I): ##STR00001## wherein R.sup.1 is selected from a branched alkyl group or linear alkyl group or a cycloaliphatic group or an aromatic group, each having 6 to 15 carbon atoms; R.sup.2 is selected from hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl; R.sup.3 is selected from hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl; R.sup.4 is selected from hydrogen, methyl, or ethyl; R.sup.5 is selected from methyl or ethyl; x ranges from 0 to 5; y ranges from 0 to 10; z ranges from 1 to 10; with the proviso that when x ranges from 1 to 5, R.sup.2 is different from R.sup.3; and with the proviso that when x=0, R.sup.3 is different from R.sup.4. The wetting agent also imparts anti-foam properties to aqueous solutions while reducing surface tension.

The invention comprises one or more gas volume fraction measurement devices operatively connected to one or more controllers and one or more deaeration mechanisms which receive control signals from said one or more controllers and perform an act on the system, such as by controlling a level of deaeration chemistry into some portion of the fermentation system. In one embodiment, the deaeration mechanism is an antifoam feed pump which pumps antifoam chemistry into a feed line of the fermenter in response to the measured gas volume fraction in the fermenter's recirculation loop, in an amount determined by the controller to be effective to reduce foaming and lower column height in the fermenter.

The invention comprises one or more gas volume fraction measurement devices operatively connected to one or more controllers and one or more deaeration mechanisms which receive control signals from said one or more controllers and perform an act on the system, such as by controlling a level of deaeration chemistry into some portion of the fermentation system. In one embodiment, the deaeration mechanism is an antifoam feed pump which pumps antifoam chemistry into a feed line of the fermenter in response to the measured gas volume fraction in the fermenter's recirculation loop, in an amount determined by the controller to be effective to reduce foaming and lower column height in the fermenter.

A wastewater evaporation system for spray evaporating water comprising: a wastewater feed inlet; a pump, wherein the wastewater feed inlet is fluidly connected to the pump and wherein the pump is fluidly connected to a manifold; a drip orifice, wherein the manifold is fluidly connected to the drip orifice; a container, wherein an upper portion of the container is enclosed with a demister element; a packing and/or tray system disposed within the container, wherein the drip orifice discharges water droplets onto the packing and/or tray system; a discharge outlet, wherein a bottom of the container is fluidly connected to the discharge outlet; and an air system, wherein the air system discharges air flow counter to the water droplets from the drip orifice. A method of spray evaporating water while limiting emission of particles regulated as pollutants is also disclosed.

A wastewater evaporation system for spray evaporating water comprising: a wastewater feed inlet; a pump, wherein the wastewater feed inlet is fluidly connected to the pump and wherein the pump is fluidly connected to a manifold; a drip orifice, wherein the manifold is fluidly connected to the drip orifice; a container, wherein an upper portion of the container is enclosed with a demister element; a packing and/or tray system disposed within the container, wherein the drip orifice discharges water droplets onto the packing and/or tray system; a discharge outlet, wherein a bottom of the container is fluidly connected to the discharge outlet; and an air system, wherein the air system discharges air flow counter to the water droplets from the drip orifice. A method of spray evaporating water while limiting emission of particles regulated as pollutants is also disclosed.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a method for deoxygenation of a first liquid, which method comprises contacting said first liquid with a membrane, which membrane is on its filtrate side in contact with a second liquid comprising an oxygen scavenger.

There is provided a second method for deoxygenation of a first liquid which method comprises contacting said first liquid with a membrane, which membrane is on its filtrate side in contact with an oxygen-lean sweep gas.

The invention is also directed to an apparatus for carrying out these methods.

The present invention provides a very efficient means to deoxygenate liquids of all sorts, such as CO.sub.2 scrubbing solutions and beverages.

There is disclosed an antifoam component which includes at least one acrylamide polymer for use in a diesel fuel. Acrylamide polymers prepared by polymerizing a (meth)acrylamide monomer to yield a homopolymer or, alternatively, the acrylamide polymer may be prepared by polymerizing a (meth)acrylamide monomer and a (meth)acrylate monomer to yield a heteropolymer.

A foam control agent and method of controlling foam for bioethanol processing by use of a foam control agent, wherein the agent comprises at least a branched alcohol.