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At least 775 records · Page 43

Determination of Total, Organic, and Inorganic Carbon and Total Nitrogen in Biological Cultures and Liquid Fraction Process Samples: Laboratory Analytical Procedure (LAP)

This Laboratory Analytical Procedure (LAP) describes the quantitative determination of total organic carbon, inorganic carbon in whole suspended biological samples and in the cell-free supernatant, by combustion and CO 2 detection with a non-dispersive infrared (NDIR) detector. This allows for distinct reporting of soluble and insoluble organic and inorganic carbon. In addition, this procedure covers the quantitative determination of soluble nitrogen in the cell-free supernatant.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗

Enzyme-assisted liquefaction for different fractions of corn stover pellets

With an increase in population, the world will depend on renewable sources to meet the increasing energy needs. The use of lignocellulosic biomass as a renewable source has been proven efficient for conversion to cellulosic ethanol and capable of contributing to thresholds for energy demand while reducing greenhouse gases by 90% when compared with fossil fuels. However, limitations in feeding and flow within biorefineries are encountered when system plugging occurs due to biomass compaction and a high yield stress for slurries formed during its processing. Furthermore, differences in the biomass source present a challenge to the continuity of operations and reliability in the process. This work explores enzyme-assisted liquefaction for solid loadings up to 30% as an alternative for the creation of slurry from two different types of biomass (pelleted corn stover and cobs) that were liquefied in a fed-batch process using commercial enzymes Celluclast 1.5L or Ctec-2 at 1FPU/g or 3 FPU/g of dry solids in a 10 mM sodium citrate buffer solution (pH 4.8). Pellets were fed into a 1 L stirred bioreactor according to a predefined fed-batch protocol during the first 5 hours until 30% solid loading was reached. After 6, 24 and 96 hours, samples were taken and characterized with respect to their composition, rheology, and water absorption. Successful slurry creation with dramatically reduced yield stress was achieved for corn stover for both enzymes assessed. Yield stresses of 178±7 Pa (3 FPU, Celluclast 1.5L) and 79±6 Pa (3 FPU, Ctec-2) were measured for corn stover at 24 hours, compared to 6,000 Pa for samples without enzyme. Yield stress was 155± 29 Pa (3FPU, Ctec-2) and 257 ± 72 Pa (1 FPU, Celluclast 1.5L) for corn cobs at 24 hours. A profile for 6, 24 and 96h of yield stress measurements and sugar conversion is presented.

Gutierrez, Diana↗

Liquefaction of different corn stover fractions assisted by enzyme-biomass deconstruction

Recalcitrant properties of different sources of lignocellulosic biomass represent challenges in materials processing within a biorefinery, as well as enzyme efficient deconstruction to fermentable sugars. Limitations include lignin derived enzyme inhibitors, enzyme inhibition by hydrolysis products, and resistance to mixing due to rheological properties of lignocellulosic particulates at high solids loadings. Consequently, we examined conditions that might be used to achieve liquid slurries (i.e., liquefaction) at solids loadings of 300 g/L before the material enters the biorefinery through a pretreatment step. This work explores enzyme-assisted liquefaction in a fed-batch process using the commercial enzymes Celluclast 1.5L or Ctec-2 at 1FPU/g or 3 FPU/g of dry solids, basis. Corn stover pellets were fed into a 1 L stirred bioreactor containing enzyme solution over a 5-hour period until reaching 30% solids loading (dry wgt / vol basis). After 6, 24 and 96 hours from the start of the run, samples were taken and characterized with respect to their sugar composition, rheology, water absorption and enzyme activity. Slurries with dramatically reduced yield stresses were achieved for corn stover. Yield stresses of 178±7 Pa (3 FPU, Celluclast 1.5L) and 79±6 Pa (3FPU, Ctec-2) were measured for corn stover at 24 hours, compared to 6,000 Pa for samples without enzyme.Yield stress was 155± 29 Pa (3FPU, Ctec-2) and 257 ± 72 Pa (1 FPU, Celluclast 1.5L) for corn cobs at 24 hours.A profile based on 6, 24 and 96h of yield stress measurements and sugar conversion is presented. Enzyme activity is measured and the impact of liquefaction on an integrated processing in a biorefinery operation is discussed.

Gutierrez, Diana↗

Hydrogen isotope fractionation – Fundamental insights leaving to process scaleup

This final report summarizes the PhD research of Dr. Mayura Silva who was supported on the project from inception in August 2021 to his graduation in December 2023. Dr. Silva undertook a detailed examination of the eGicacy of graphene interlayers on H/D selectivity in electrochemical proton / deuteron pump cells. His work focused on the role of impurity cations (especially NH 4 * and Cu 2+ which are resident in membranes as a residual from the ammonium persulfate treatment used to remove copper backing from the graphene during membrane preparation), and on the composition of evolved gases from hydrogen / deuterium pump cells that were fed a 50:50 mixture of H 2 and D 2 gas. The key finding is that previous reports of very high H/D selectivity in hydrogen pump cells having Nafion | graphene | Nafion membranes installed were not reproduced.

08 HYDROGEN↗

Electrochemical hydrogen isotope fractionation - fundamental insights leading to process scale up

Introduction Deuterium and tritium, the two isotopes of hydrogen besides protium, are utilized in many industries. Deuterium is routinely used as a nuclear reactor moderator and molecular labeling agent, while tritium is used as an autoradiography label in medical imaging, and in an emerging market for self-powered lighting for watches, exit signs, firearm night-sights and future fusion fuel. Tritium is produced naturally at very low steady-state levels due to cosmic rays, natural nuclear decay reactions, as well as commercial nuclear fission reactors, and terrestrial nuclear testing conducted primarily in the mid-twentieth century. Tritium often accumulates in the heavy water used in nuclear fission reactors and sometimes appears in groundwater near nuclear reactors due to slight leakage from water sources in the reactor. Because of the health and environmental impacts from tritium leaking into the water sources, as well as the value of this precious material, it is desirable to remove and recover as much tritium as reasonably possible from contaminated water.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗