Emissions of mercury, NOx, and/or SOx are reduced by enzyme treating coal before combustion, optionally with further treatment of the coal with certain non-bromine containing powder sorbents. y using the steps together, mercury can be reduced by 40% or more, and NOx by 20% or more. Advantageously, no bromine is introduced with the remediation steps.

An emulsion comprising water and an immiscible predominantly hydrocarbon-based liquid, wherein the emulsion further comprises at least one protein for inhibiting the growth of microorganisms, said protein containing or being capable of binding to one of: a monosaccharide and an oligosaccharide. Uses of the invention include, but are not limited to: applications in oil well/fracking operations where it is necessary or desirable to neutralise bacteria in the extracted liquid; as an additive emulsion for bio-diesel to reduce emissions, such as NOx etc.; and as an additive in the water of heating/cooling systems for its biocidal properties.

A fuel additive composition comprising an anthocyanidin; an amino acid; and a catalyst. The anthocyanidin may comprise delphinidin chloride. The amino acid may comprise aspartic acid, leucine acid, glutamic acid, a non-natural amino acid, or a combination thereof. Embodiments of the present invention also relate to a method for making of fuel additive, the method comprising: providing an anthocyanidin; contacting the anthocyanidin with an amino acid to form an anthocyanidin-amino acid mixture; contacting the anthocyanidin-amino acid mixture with a catalyst. The method may further comprise contacting the anthocyanidin-amino acid mixture with ethanol and/or an acid. The method may further comprise adjusting the pH of the anthocyanidin-amino acid mixture to less than 7.

A method for manufacturing a coal additive that is added to coal as a solid fuel to microgranulate and uniformize the coal, thereby increasing the combustion area of the coal, leading to a decrease in combustion time and a reduction in unburned carbon generation. A raw material for the coal additive is prepared as a liquid phase by placing, in a container, a fermented liquid, which is an extract obtained from the incubation of fermenting bacteria (enzyme) in fruit residues, and an emulsion of metal ions and bentonite or gelrite, followed by mixing. Coal may be subjected to microgranulation and uniformization as a solid fuel by addition of the liquefied additive to the coal. The degree of coal powder is improved to increase combustion area, thereby shortening combustion time and reducing generation of unburned carbon, leading to increasing energy efficiency, which is environmentally friendly and safe and has remarkable effects.

The invention provides a method for generating a solid wood-based material and a hemicellulose-derived material from a wood raw material, said method comprising; i) treating the wood raw material under aqueous conditions at elevated temperature and pressure whereby to generate a hemicellulose-containing fluid component and a solid component; ii) separating said fluid component from said solid component; iii) processing at least a part of said solid component into a solid wood-based material; and iv) processing said liquid component into a hemicellulose-derived material. The invention also provides for a wood-derived fuel with a low ash content.

A fuel additive composition comprising an anthocyanidin; an amino acid; and a catalyst. The anthocyanidin may comprise delphinidin chloride. The amino acid may comprise aspartic acid, leucine acid, glutamic acid, a non-natural amino acid, or a combination thereof. Embodiments of the present invention also relate to a method for making of fuel additive, the method comprising: providing an anthocyanidin; contacting the anthocyanidin with an amino acid to form an anthocyanidin-amino acid mixture; contacting the anthocyanidin-amino acid mixture with a catalyst. The method may further comprise contacting the anthocyanidin-amino acid mixture with ethanol and/or an acid. The method may further comprise adjusting the pH of the anthocyanidin-amino acid mixture to less than 7.