Bio-combustibles que llevan hidrógeno: Restringiendo combustibles fósiles en un mundo limitado en carbono

Debido a una amplia disponibilidad, el uso de recursos lignocelulósicos como materia prima para producir combustibles y otros productos químicos es muy prometedor. Para hacer de esto una realidad, 18 años de investigación en la Universidad de Texas A&M han resultado en el desarrollo de un proceso novedoso denominado MixAlco.TM Este artículo compara este proceso con otras tecnologías y provee algunos detalles del proceso. Por último, se presenta un breve análisis económico

Comparison of mechanistic models in the initial rate enzymatic hydrolysis of AFEX-treated wheat straw

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Different mechanistic models have been used in the literature to describe the enzymatic hydrolysis of pretreated biomass. Although these different models have been applied to different substrates, most of these mechanistic models fit into two- and three-parameter mechanistic models. The purpose of this study is to compare the models and determine the activation energy and the enthalpy of adsorption of <it>Trichoderma reesei </it>enzymes on ammonia fibre explosion (AFEX)-treated wheat straw. Experimental enzymatic hydrolysis data from AFEX-treated wheat straw were modelled with two- and three-parameter mechanistic models from the literature. In order to discriminate between the models, initial rate data at 49°C were subjected to statistical analysis (analysis of variance and scatter plots).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>For three-parameter models, the HCH-1 model best fitted the experimental data; for two-parameter models Michaelis-Menten (M-M) best fitted the experimental data. All the three-parameter models fitted the data better than the two-parameter models. The best three models at 49°C (HCH-1, Huang and M-M) were compared using initial rate data at three temperatures (35°, 42° and 49°C). The HCH-1 model provided the best fit based on the F values, the scatter plot and the residual sum of squares. Also, its kinetic parameters were linear in Arrhenius/van't Hoff's plots, unlike the other models. The activation energy (<it>Ea</it>) is 47.6 kJ/mol and the enthalpy change of adsorption (Δ<it>H</it>) is -118 kJ/mol for <it>T. reesei </it>enzymes on AFEX-treated wheat straw.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Among the two-parameter models, Michaelis-Menten model provided the best fit compared to models proposed by Humphrey and Wald. For the three-parameter models, HCH-1 provided the best fit because the model includes a fractional coverage parameter (ϕ) which accounts for the number of reactive sites covered by the enzymes.</p

Ablation of prion protein immunoreactivity by heating in saturated calcium hydroxide

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Prions, the infectious agents that cause transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSEs), are relatively resistant to destruction by physical, enzymatic, and chemical treatments. Hydrolysis in boiling saturated calcium hydroxide (limewater) utilizes inexpensive chemicals to digest protein components of offal. The purpose of this work was to determine if incubating brain material from scrapie-infected sheep in near-boiling saturated calcium hydroxide solution (Ca(OH)₂) would abolish immunoreactivity of the infectious prion (PrP^Sc) as determined by western blot.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>After incubating for as few as 10 minutes in saturated calcium hydroxide at 99°C, immunoreactivity of protease resistant bands by western blot analysis is completely lost.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Boiling in limewater may offer an alternative for disposal of carcasses and enable alternative uses for rendered products from potentially infected carcasses.</p

Mesophilic and Thermophilic Conditions Select for Unique but Highly Parallel Microbial Communities to Perform Carboxylate Platform Biomass Conversion

The carboxylate platform is a flexible, cost-effective means of converting lignocellulosic materials into chemicals and liquid fuels. Although the platform's chemistry and engineering are well studied, relatively little is known about the mixed microbial communities underlying its conversion processes. In this study, we examined the metagenomes of two actively fermenting platform communities incubated under contrasting temperature conditions (mesophilic 40°C; thermophilic 55°C), but utilizing the same inoculum and lignocellulosic feedstock. Community composition segregated by temperature. The thermophilic community harbored genes affiliated with Clostridia, Bacilli, and a Thermoanaerobacterium sp, whereas the mesophilic community metagenome was composed of genes affiliated with other Clostridia and Bacilli, Bacteriodia, γ-Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria. Although both communities were able to metabolize cellulosic materials and shared many core functions, significant differences were detected with respect to the abundances of multiple Pfams, COGs, and enzyme families. The mesophilic metagenome was enriched in genes related to the degradation of arabinose and other hemicellulose-derived oligosaccharides, and the production of valerate and caproate. In contrast, the thermophilic community was enriched in genes related to the uptake of cellobiose and the transfer of genetic material. Functions assigned to taxonomic bins indicated that multiple community members at either temperature had the potential to degrade cellulose, cellobiose, or xylose and produce acetate, ethanol, and propionate. The results of this study suggest that both metabolic flexibility and functional redundancy contribute to the platform's ability to process lignocellulosic substrates and are likely to provide a degree of stability to the platform's fermentation processes

Method and apparatus for vapor compression refrigeration and air conditioning using liquid recycle

A high efficiency evaporative intercooler/compressor assembly in which compressed refrigerant vapors are desuperheated by the introduction of a selected liquid refrigerant is disclosed. Additionally, the present invention relates to a method of introducing a refrigerant having a high latent heat of vaporization, such that the overall system efficiency is increased.U

Method and apparatus for vapor compression refrigeration and air conditioning using liquid recycle

A high efficiency evaporative intercooler/compressor assembly in which compressed refrigerant vapors are desuperheated by the introduction of a selected liquid refrigerant is disclosed. Additionally, the present invention relates to a method of introducing a refrigerant having a high latent heat of vaporization, such that the overall system efficiency is increased.U

Method and apparatus for vapor compression refrigeration and air conditioning using liquid recycle

A high efficiency evaporative intercooler/compressor assembly in which compressed refrigerant vapors are desuperheated by the introduction of a selected liquid refrigerant is disclosed. Additionally, the present invention relates to a method of introducing a refrigerant having a high latent heat of vaporization, such that the overall system efficiency is increased.U

Concepts in Engineering

xiv + 274 hlm., 23 cm