A space efficient photo-bioreactor. The bioreactor grows microalgae in a tall array of transparent flooded tubes. A nutrient media is circulated through the tubes. The array is configured to maximize the amount of sunlight falling upon each tube so that growth of the microalgae is as uniform as possible. A vertically-oriented gasser tube is provided. Gas is injected into this gasser tube along with the liquid nutrient medium. A bubble-size limiter is employed in the gas injector. The flow rates are configured so that the liquid nutrient medium and injected gas remain within the vertical gasser tube for 30 seconds or more.

The presently disclosed subject matter relates to an industrial system for processing various plant materials to produce marketable materials. Particularly, the system integrates subcritical water extraction technology and includes a pre-processing module and a two-stage extractor (processing module) with constant control of temperature, pressure, and/or residence time. In some embodiments, the final product of the disclosed system can include feedstock constituents for biofuel production (sugars and/or oil), biochar, raw materials for various industries (such as pulp for manufacturing paper or cellulose for use in various industries). The disclosed system can be modular or non-modular, stationary or mobile, and can include prefabricated elements with programmed automatic or manual operation so that it can be easily moved and/or assembled on site.

A method for producing products, advantageously solvents, is by fermentation, advantageously multi-stage fermentation. The fermentation is complemented with pervaporation as in situ product recovery technology, combined with a multistage condensation of the permeate. The condensates are separately introduced in the downstream processing to recover the produced products, advantageously solvents. The method for producing products, advantageously solvents, by fermentation is simplified and has an overall improved energy efficiency. A related system uses method for producing products, advantageously solvents, is by fermentation.

According to present disclosure, there is disclosed an algae growth and cultivation system that provides a cost-efficient means of producing algae biomass as feedstock for algae-based products, such as, biofuel manufacture, and desirably impacts alternative/renewable energy production, nutrient recovery from waste streams, and valued byproducts production. The system as discussed herein is an integrated systems approach to wastewater treatment, algal strains selection for byproducts production, and recycle of algal-oil extraction waste or additional algae harvested as feedstock for fertilizer production. Embodiments of a system as discussed herein present an economically viable algae production system and process that allows algae-derived products such as biofuels, fertilizer, etc. to compete with petroleum products in the marketplace.

The presently disclosed subject matter relates to an industrial system for processing various plant materials to produce marketable materials. Particularly, the system integrates subcritical water extraction technology and includes a pre-processing module and a two-stage extractor (processing module) with constant control of temperature, pressure, and/or residence time. In some embodiments, the final product of the disclosed system can include feedstock constituents for biofuel production (sugars and/or oil), biochar, raw materials for various industries (such as pulp for manufacturing paper or cellulose for use in various industries). The disclosed system can be modular or non-modular, stationary or mobile, and can include prefabricated elements with programmed automatic or manual operation so that it can be easily moved and/or assembled on site.

A system for the production of ethanol is disclosed. The system comprises a system for recycling water in an ethanol production process. The system may comprise: a water supply that supplies water to the ethanol production process, a cooling tower system that supplies water to the ethanol production process, and a treatment system that supplies water to the ethanol production process. The treatment system may be a reverse osmosis system that supplies a retentate stream to the ethanol production process.

The present invention belongs to the technology field of microbial fermentation of the sugar-containing raw materials for producing fuel ethanol. It specifically relates to a continuous separation device and process for producing fuel ethanol. The device is continuous distillation device, and is improvement of the distillation device in the prior art. The present invention utilizes a continuous ethanol separation process, which can make full use of fermentable sugar of the sweet sorghum straw (or sugar cane, sugar beet), increase ethanol yield, change the traditional mode of production, truly realize continuous ethanol separation process; and the waste materials produced in the procedure of distillation can be used either as fuel, or as animal feed, and this not only saves the cost, but also is greatly significant in environmental protection.

The presently disclosed subject matter relates to an industrial system for processing various plant materials to produce marketable materials. Particularly, the system integrates subcritical water extraction technology and includes a pre-processing module and a two-stage extractor (processing module) with constant control of temperature, pressure, and/or residence time. In some embodiments, the final product of the disclosed system can include feedstock constituents for biofuel production (sugars and/or oil), biochar, raw materials for various industries (such as pulp for manufacturing paper or cellulose for use in various industries). The disclosed system can be modular or non-modular, stationary or mobile, and can include prefabricated elements with programmed automatic or manual operation so that it can be easily moved and/or assembled on site.

An autonomous control system can be used with one or more systems or components to improve the operation of the systems or components. For example, an autonomous control system can be used in combination with a biorefinery system to improve the operation of the biorefinery system.

An integrated facility for the co-production of ethanol and biodiesel fuel is provided. Ethanol and corn oil, the primary product and a by-product from the ethanol plant, are utilized as feedstocks for a biodiesel plant operating within the same general facility as the corn ethanol plant. By-products of the biodiesel plant, principally crude liquid glycerol and gaseous ethanol or methanol, are recycled to various parts of the ethanol plant.