Biomass feedstocks (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) are processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, novel systems, methods and equipment for conveying and/or cooling treated biomass are described.

Biomass feedstocks (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) are processed to produce useful products, such as fuels. For example, novel systems, methods and equipment for conveying and/or cooling treated biomass are described.

The invention relates to a process for producing a fuel, in particular a liquid fuel, or another organic product, from a carbon-based matter feedstock, comprising the following steps: a/ gasification of the carbon-based matter feedstock in a first reactor, termed gasifier (1), b/ downstream of the gasification, fermentation of the synthesis gas produced according to step a/, by means of microorganisms, water and nutrients in a second reactor, termed fermenter (2), c/ recovery, downstream of the fermenter, of the microorganisms and of the water, d/ injection of at least a part of the recovered microorganisms and, where appropriate, of at least a part of the recovered water at the inlet (10) of the gasifier.

The invention relates to a process for producing a fuel, in particular a liquid fuel, or another organic product, from a carbon-based matter feedstock, comprising the following steps: a/ gasification of the carbon-based matter feedstock in a first reactor, termed gasifier (1), b/ downstream of the gasification, fermentation of the synthesis gas produced according to step a/, by means of microorganisms, water and nutrients in a second reactor, termed fermenter (2), c/ recovery, downstream of the fermenter, of the microorganisms and of the water, d/ injection of at least a part of the recovered microorganisms and, where appropriate, of at least a part of the recovered water at the inlet (10) of the gasifier.

There is provided a method of oxidising at least one organic substance in aerobic conditions to produce at least one alcohol, amine, acid, aldehyde, and/or ketone, the method comprising: (a) producing ethanol and/or acetate from a carbon source in aerobic conditions, comprising (i) contacting the carbon source with a reaction mixture comprising a first acetogenic microorganism in an exponential growth phase; free oxygen; and a second acetogenic microorganism in a stationary phase, wherein the first and second acetogenic microorganism is capable of converting the carbon source to the acetate and/or ethanol; and (b) contacting the acetate and/or ethanol from step (a) with the organic substance and with a third microorganism capable of oxidising the organic substance to produce the alcohol, amine, acid, aldehyde, and/or ketone and wherein the acetate is a co-substrate.

There is provided a method of oxidising at least one organic substance in aerobic conditions to produce at least one alcohol, amine, acid, aldehyde, and/or ketone, the method comprising: (a) producing ethanol and/or acetate from a carbon source in aerobic conditions, comprising (i) contacting the carbon source with a reaction mixture comprising a first acetogenic microorganism in an exponential growth phase; free oxygen; and a second acetogenic microorganism in a stationary phase, wherein the first and second acetogenic microorganism is capable of converting the carbon source to the acetate and/or ethanol; and (b) contacting the acetate and/or ethanol from step (a) with the organic substance and with a third microorganism capable of oxidising the organic substance to produce the alcohol, amine, acid, aldehyde, and/or ketone and wherein the acetate is a co-substrate.

Methods and systems for producing short carbon chain weak organic acids (e.g., acetic acid) from a gas stream rich in carbon dioxide. The systems include a liquid-gas contact unit a flue gas desulfurization unit), and a bacterial strain disposed in the liquid-gas contact unit. The bacterial strain reduces a concentration of carbon dioxide in the gas stream, and produces one or more organic acids (e.g., acetic acid, butyric acid, propionic acid, lactic acid, or combinations thereof). Related methods include providing a gas stream rich in carbon dioxide, introducing the gas stream into a liquid-gas contact unit, preparing an inoculum comprising a bacterial strain adapted to produce organic acid(s) from the carbon in the gas stream,and inoculating the liquid-gas contact unit with first amount of the inoculum such that the bacteria therein consume carbon dioxide from the gas stream, producing the organic acid(s).

Methods and systems for producing short carbon chain weak organic acids (e.g., acetic acid) from a gas stream rich in carbon dioxide. The systems include a liquid-gas contact unit a flue gas desulfurization unit), and a bacterial strain disposed in the liquid-gas contact unit. The bacterial strain reduces a concentration of carbon dioxide in the gas stream, and produces one or more organic acids (e.g., acetic acid, butyric acid, propionic acid, lactic acid, or combinations thereof). Related methods include providing a gas stream rich in carbon dioxide, introducing the gas stream into a liquid-gas contact unit, preparing an inoculum comprising a bacterial strain adapted to produce organic acid(s) from the carbon in the gas stream,and inoculating the liquid-gas contact unit with first amount of the inoculum such that the bacteria therein consume carbon dioxide from the gas stream, producing the organic acid(s).

The invention relates to a method for oxidizing an alkane, comprising contacting the alkane with a type alkB oxidoreductase and using a type alkB oxidoreductase to prepare a mixture of oxidation products of an alkane, wherein the ratio of carboxylic acid to alcohol in the oxidation products is preferably greater than 1:1.

The invention relates to a method for oxidizing an alkane, comprising contacting the alkane with a type alkB oxidoreductase and using a type alkB oxidoreductase to prepare a mixture of oxidation products of an alkane, wherein the ratio of carboxylic acid to alcohol in the oxidation products is preferably greater than 1:1.