In a method for producing pyrolysis oil, pyrolysis gas and pyrolysis coke, a starting material substantially comprising biomass is supplied to the upper region of a pyrolysis reactor. The latter has a substantially vertically arranged reactor chamber, which is substantially tubular. The reaction chamber then contains a bed of bulk material that comprises the starting material to be pyrolyzed and, optionally, the pyrolysis coke. This bulk material is thermally treated in the pyrolysis reactor, where the pyrolysis coke, the pyrolysis gases and the pyrolysis vapors are formed from the starting material to be pyrolyzed, and where the bulk material, the pyrolysis gases and the pyrolysis vapors are guided through the reaction chamber from top to bottom. The movement of the bulk material is caused substantially by gravity and the movement of the pyrolysis gases and pyrolysis vapors by the gas pressure building up.

Fusion proteins containing a targeting sequence, an exosporium protein, or an exosporium protein fragment that targets the fusion protein to the exosporium of a Bacillus cereus family member are provided. Recombinant Bacillus cereus family members expressing such fusion proteins are also provided. Genetically inactivated Bacillus cereus family members and recombinant Bacillus cereus family members that overexpress exosporium proteins are also provided. Seeds coated with the recombinant Bacillus cereus family members and methods for using the recombinant Bacillus cereus family members (e.g., for stimulating plant growth) are also provided. Various modifications of the recombinant Bacillus cereus family members that express the fusion proteins are further provided. Fusion proteins comprising a spore coat protein and a protein or peptide of interest, recombinant bacteria that express such fusion proteins, seeds coated with such recombinant bacteria, and methods for using such recombinant bacteria (e.g., for stimulating plant growth) are also provided.

Methods and systems for generating a highly energized fluid formula for use in tempering grains and other foodstuffs is described. The temper fluid described herein is capable of reducing pathogens and/or pesticide residues on grains and other foodstuffs. The tempering fluid may include chlorine dioxide with an oxidative carrier solution, and may further include carboxylic acids. The methods described herein may include an alkaline fluid pre-rinse prior to treatment of the grain with the energized fluid formula.

A process for treating rice bran utilizing a shear pump to circulate a solution comprising an enzyme, an acid and water with rice bran in a mixing tank, then after a first predetermined period transferring a portion of the solution to a feed tank, and then over a second predetermined period filtering the solution in the feed tank through multiple filtration units each having a pre-selected pore size to obtain pre-determined value-added by-products from the rice bran.

Aqueous wastewater from hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) systems is typically high in chemical oxygen demand (COD), which renders classic aerobic wastewater treatment to be prohibitively expensive. HTL wastewater can be processed using thermochemical wet oxidation in a manner that is not only cost efficient but also contributes more heat than is required for the energetically demanding HTL process. Provided are methods and devices for integrated hydrothermal liquefaction of biomass and treatment of resulting wastewater.

A cleaning system includes a planar material beneath a soiled grow table. The planar material is non-porous except for a drain. Above the planar material is a plate layer including at least two layers of runners arranged in a grid where each successive layer is offset at an angle with respect to the grid of a previous layer. The plate layer rests upon the non-porous material. An upper layer covers the plate layer and has a plurality of holes. A roller table is provided for slideably supporting the grow table. Nozzles are positioned over the grow table and is/are interfaced to a pump for receiving and spraying liquid from the pump downwardly towards the grow table. The liquid and impurities (e.g., soil, leaves) fall to the upper layer and through the plurality of holes for cleaning and filtering the liquid before the liquid is returned to the pump.

Methods and systems for recovering nutrient-enriched products from wastewater are provided. Liquid permeate streams recovered from a membrane-type bioreactor may be further treated to remove carbonate species, and then contacted with at least one calcium-containing coagulant. The resulting solids-containing product may be enriched in one or more nutrients, such as phosphorous, and can be used in subsequent applications. such as fertilizers. The resulting liquid stream may also be treated to provide a treated water stream. Methods and systems described herein provide energy-efficient, sustainable processes for treating wastewater and recovering valuable products therefrom.

The present invention relates to a modular and scalable system for intelligent vertical farming infrastructure, using the latest in water recycling sciences, and artificial-intelligence based automation. This helps to combat the issue of sustainable Agriculture+its minimizing usage of water, energy, and space. It combines a vertical farming structure with multiple levels of cultivation with an irrigation and drainage system to achieve recirculation of water. The water recycling unit consists of rainwater harvesting, wastewater collection and multi-stage treatment subsystems, which can guarantee a continuous supply of high-quality recycled water for irrigation. The invention also combines a network of Internet of Things (IoT)-enabled sensors and AI-based control circuitry to track and manage environmental conditions (e.g. light intensity, humidity, temperature, and nutrient levels).

Fusion proteins containing a targeting sequence, an exosporium protein, or an exosporium protein fragment that targets the fusion protein to the exosporium of a Bacillus cereus family member are provided. Recombinant Bacillus cereus family members expressing such fusion proteins are also provided. Genetically inactivated Bacillus cereus family members and recombinant Bacillus cereus family members that overexpress exosporium proteins are also provided. Seeds coated with the recombinant Bacillus cereus family members and methods for using the recombinant Bacillus cereus family members (e.g., for stimulating plant growth) are also provided. Various modifiations of the recombinant Bacillus cereus family members that express the fusion proteins are further provided. Fusion proteins comprising a spore coat protein and a protein or peptide of interest, recombinant bacteria that express such fusion proteins, seeds coated with such recombinant bacteria, and methods for using such recombinant bacteria (e.g., for stimulating plant growth) are also provided.

A nitrate-reducing electrode, and methods of making the nitrate-reducing electrode are disclosed. The nitrate reducing electrode includes catalyst particulates disposed on water permeable substrates with the use of electrodeposition, electroless deposition, electrospinning, or thermal treatment. The catalyst particles include metals and metal oxides. The water permeable substrates are preferably made of carbonaceous materials using electrospinning and thermal treatment.