Methods and systems for using encapsulated microbubbles to process biological samples are disclosed. According to one aspect, a method for using encapsulated microbubbles to process a biological sample includes creating a mixture comprising encapsulated microbubbles mixed with a biological sample and adding activation energy to the mixture to cause at least some of the microbubbles to oscillate or burst and thereby process the sample, including effecting cell lysis, shearing DNA, and/or performing tissue dispersion.

A system of controllable separation between recyclable organic waste and graywater sewage is described; a respective method for controllable separating recyclable organic waste from graywater sewage is further described; the system includes: a garbage disposal unit, and a separation module; the method includes: draining both the graywater sewage and the recyclable organic waste; processing the organic waste into a semiliquid mixture or slurry of round organic matter and fluid; discharging the semiliquid mixture or slurry of ground organic matter and fluid and the graywater sewage; and releasing the semiliquid mixture or slurry of ground organic matter and fluid; releasing the graywater sewage; and separating the semiliquid mixture or slurry of ground organic matter and fluid from the graywater sewage.

An integrated two-phase anaerobic dry fermentation reactor based on a biomimetic principle of rumen includes a reactor body; wherein the reactor body includes a dry fermentation chamber, a secondary fermentation chamber, and a liquid storage chamber. The dry fermentation chamber is arranged at an upper portion of the reactor body. The liquid storage chamber is arranged at a bottom of the reactor body. The secondary fermentation chamber is arranged between the dry fermentation chamber and the liquid storage chamber in the reactor body. The dry fermentation chamber is connected to the secondary fermentation chamber by a porous structure.

An anaerobic digestion device based on self-sustained air flotation includes an anaerobic digestion tank unit, a self-sustained air flotation screening unit and a biogas measurement and collection unit. The self-sustained air flotation screening unit includes an air flotation screening part, a material sedimentation part, a reflux part and a three-phase separation part connected sequentially from bottom to top. A digested material in the anaerobic digestion tank unit is pumped into the air flotation screening part, overflows into the material sedimentation part, and then is raised to the reflux part. Gas passing through the three-phase separation part and gas produced in the anaerobic digestion tank unit enter the biogas measurement and collection unit to be measured and collected.

Microorganisms present within a plurality of microorganism clusters immobilized in a porous support material may collectively define a supported bio-catalyst. When the microorganisms are effective to convert methane into one or more oxidized carbon compounds (e.g., methanotrophic bacteria), the supported bio-catalysts may be utilized to remove methane from methane-containing gas streams, such as those obtained from mining ventilation. Methods for processing a methane-containing gas stream may comprise interacting the gas stream with the supported bio-catalyst in substantial absence of a liquid phase, and obtaining a methane-depleted gas stream downstream from the supported bio-catalyst. Systems for processing a methane-containing gas stream may comprise the supported bio-catalysts housed in one or more vessels fluidly coupled to a source of methane-containing gas stream. A gas concentration in the methane-containing gas stream and/or the methane-depleted gas stream may be used to determine a current state or anticipated remaining lifetime of the supported bio-catalyst.

The invention essentially concerns a method for storing a biogas in a tank, said method comprising the following steps:

direct contacting of the biogas with a hydrocarbon of the C.sub.3 to C.sub.7 family under conditions allowing at least partial liquefaction of the biogas to obtain a biogas-hydrocarbon mixture that is at least partly liquid, and

storing (S260) the biogas-hydrocarbon mixture in the tank.

A methane generating device includes: a culture tank in which methane generating bacteria are cultured with a culture liquid; a gas feed device that feeds carbon dioxide and hydrogen gas required by the methane generating bacteria to the culture tank; and a generated gas extraction device that extracts methane generated by the methane generating bacteria.

An apparatus is described which includes at least one reactor, at least one linear piston pump, the or each piston pump including a tube, a piston and an arm coupled to the piston, the or each piston pump arranged to inject feedstock to a respective reactor, a beam or plate coupled to the arm(s) of the piston pump(s) configured to linearly drive the piston(s) and a linear actuator for driving the beam or plate. The piston pump has a volume of at least 50 milliliters and an output port having a diameter of at least 5 mm.

A system comprising a collocated thermal plant, water source, CO.sub.2 source and biomass growth module is disclosed. A method of improving the environment by utilizing the system is disclosed.

The invention integrates electromethanogenesis, which uses electric energy to produce fuel, with a method to capture and recycle the carbon dioxide generated when the fuel is used to release energy.