A feedstock processing system extracts a product from a solid using a CTSE system comprising a plurality of continuous stirred tank extraction stages arranged in fluid communication with each other in series such that effluent from one stage flows to a next stage in the series. One of the stages has an inlet to allow a measured amount of liquid solvent and the solid to be introduced to the continuous stirred tank extraction stage. The stage mixes the solid with the introduced solvent to form a homogeneous slurry to enable the product associated with the solid to be extracted with the solvent. A solid-liquid separator is arranged in fluid communication with the continuous stirred tank extraction stages, and receives an effluent from one of the stages and separates the liquid solvent containing the product from the solid to form a product-containing liquid and a product-depleted solid.

An animal shed system includes an animal shed having an animal shed floor with a first and a second surface spaced apart, such that the floor has a thickness different from zero, and multiple flow holes extending from the first to the second surface; a reservoir situated under the animal shed floor, wherein the flow holes open up to the reservoir, and the flow holes allow a fluid flow from the animal shed to the reservoir; a floor opening in the animal shed floor to allow manure to be dumped in the reservoir; an air extraction device for extracting air underneath the floor, out of the reservoir; and a device extending from the floor opening into the reservoir, wherein the device is configured to prevent an airflow from the animal shed to the reservoir through the floor opening when in use.

Separating apparatus, comprising a sedimentation settler and a collection vessel disposed underneath and being in fluid communication with the sedimentation settler, the collection vessel forming a receiving chamber having an outlet at or adjacent to the chamber bottom and having an inlet opening, wherein the collection vessel is arranged such the flow direction of the fluid in the area underneath the sedimentation settler is substantially in line with the direction of the channels of the sedimentation settler.

A monolithic membrane-type filtration structure for filtering liquids, includes a support formed of a porous inorganic material of permeability K.sub.s, the support having a tubular overall shape with a main axis, an upstream base, a downstream base, a peripheral wall delimiting an internal part and a plurality of passages parallel to the main axis of the support, formed in the internal part of the support, a membrane of permeability K.sub.m and of mean thickness t.sub.m covering the internal surface of the passages; the external hydraulic diameter of the structure satisfying the relationship Ø.sub.f=α×[A+B×log.sub.10 (K.sub.s×t.sub.m/K.sub.m)]; in which α is a coefficient between 0.85 and 1.15, and A=−21570×ent.sub.int.sup.2−18.6×D.sub.h+19.0×e.sub.int−2.5×e.sub.ext+0.1244 B=−11760×D.sub.h×e.sub.int+9.7×e.sub.int+3.1×e.sub.ext+0.04517. D.sub.h is the mean hydraulic diameter of the passages, e.sub.int is the minimum thickness of the internal walls between the passages, e.sub.ext is the minimum thickness of the peripheral wall of the filter.

The present invention relates to a separation membrane including an organic polymer resin, in which a volume V1 of fine pores having a pore diameter of 100 nm or more is 0.3 cm.sup.3/g or more and 0.5 cm.sup.3/g or less, a volume V2 of fine pores having a pore diameter of less than 100 nm is 0.02 cm.sup.3/g or more and less than 0.1 cm.sup.3/g, and a ratio V1/V2 of the fine pore volume V1 to the fine pore volume V2 is 3 or more and 60 or less.

The present invention relates to a method of operating a membrane filtration unit including plural hollow fiber membrane modules connected to each other in parallel, the method including: a filtration step; a collection step; and a recovery step, in which a relation of n.sub.1≥n.sub.2>n.sub.3 is satisfied, where n.sub.1 is the number of the hollow fiber membrane modules simultaneously used in executing the filtration step, n.sub.2 is the number of the hollow fiber membrane modules simultaneously used in executing the collection step, and n.sub.3 is the number of the hollow fiber membrane modules simultaneously used in executing the recovery step.

The present invention relates to a separation membrane including an organic polymer resin, in which a volume V1 of fine pores having a pore diameter of 100 nm or more is 0.3 cm.sup.3/g or more and 0.5 cm.sup.3/g or less, a volume V2 of fine pores having a pore diameter of less than 100 nm is 0.02 cm.sup.3/g or more and less than 0.1 cm.sup.3/g, and a ratio V1/V2 of the fine pore volume V1 to the fine pore volume V2 is 3 or more and 60 or less.

An air mover for forcing air through the system, a pre-treating stage with a particulate filter for removing larger contaminants from the air and an antimicrobial (e.g., copper and silver) filter for killing or damaging microorganisms, a UV chamber including an ultraviolet lamp that emits radiation and a catalytic (e.g., TiO.sub.2-coated) device and a reflective (e.g., mirror-finish anodized aluminum) lining for amplifying the UV radiation for killing microorganisms, a post-UV stage including a VOC-reducing (e.g., activated-charcoal) filter for removing odors and VOCs from the air, and optionally a supply of a surface disinfectant (e.g., ClO.sub.2). In example embodiments, the UV lamps and VOC filters are selected and configured for controlling microbial pathogens, and in other example embodiments they are selected and configured for removing ethylene from the air.

A support device is provided to facilitate assembly and/or disassembly of a filtration unit of a membrane filtration apparatus, which may be configured for production of a food product, by supporting a membrane element during the assembly and/or disassembly. The support device includes an engagement portion which is configured to detachably engage an end portion of an elongate housing of the filtration unit. The support device further includes a platform portion that projects from the engagement portion and is configured to support the membrane element during loading and/or unloading of the membrane element through an opening in the end portion.

The present invention relates generally to corn dry-milling, and more specifically, to a method and system for removing insoluble solids mid-evaporation in a corn (or similar carbohydrate-containing grain) dry milling process for making alcohol, such as ethanol, and/or other biofuels/biochemicals. In one example, the method for removing residual insoluble solids in a grain dry milling process includes separating a whole stillage byproduct into an insoluble solids portion and a solubles portion, which includes residual insoluble solids. Then, the solubles portion is subjected to a first evaporation, via one or more evaporators, to remove liquid from the solubles portion to define a concentrated solubles portion. After the first evaporation, the residual insoluble solids are separated from the concentrated solubles portion. And thereafter, the concentrated solubles portion is subjected to a second evaporation, via one or more evaporators, to remove additional liquid from the concentrated solubles portion.