Systems and methods for converting biomass to biocrude via hydrothermal liquefaction

Systems and processes of providing novel thermal energy sources for hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) reactors are described herein. According to various implementations, the systems and processes use concentrated solar thermal energy from a focused high-energy beam to provide sufficient energy for driving the HTL biomass-to-biocrude process. In addition, other implementations convert biowaste, such as municipal biosolids and grease and food waste, to biocrude using anaerobic digesters, and a portion of the biogas generated by the digesters is used to produce the thermal and/or electrical energy used in the HTL reactor for the biomass-to-biocrude process. Furthermore, alternative implementations may include a hybrid system that uses biogas and solar radiation to provide sufficient thermal energy for the HTL reactor.Board of Regents, University of Texas Syste

The role of nitric oxide in pancreatic acinar cell signal transduction

Includes bibliographical references (pages [130]-149).NO signaling is linked to numerous physiological and pathological conditions including apoptosis, angiogenesis, wound repair, reproduction, smooth muscle relaxation, and sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium release. Recently it has been suggested that NO may mediate specific control of cellular signaling and digestive enzyme secretion in pancreatic acinar cells. Thus, the pancreas serves as an excellent model to characterize NO’s divergent effects on signaling components related to secretion. This dissertation provides the first convincing evidence that acinar cells endogenously produce NO via NOS(III), as well as its downstream mediator, cGMP, in response to stimulation with the hormone cholecystokinin (CCK). NO was shown to promote both secretion of digestive enzymes and activation of the ERK-signaling cascade in a cGMPdependent and -independent manner. Furthermore, the results of this dissertation are consistent with the assembly of a complex of proteins that likely modify the efficiency of signal transduction and physiological outcome, rather than a linear cascade with a fixed outcome. CCK and NO were shown to stimulate multiple signaling pathways that culminate in the dynamic assembly of a Ras/ERK signaling complex involving the participation of at least calcium, cGMP, p52Shc, Ras, Raf, Mek, ERK1/2, P13K, PKCa, PKCδ, PKCζ, and NOS(III). Specifically, in the 5 minutes following CCK receptor activation, (1) NO and cGMP are generated, (2) p52Shc is recruited to the complex in a cGMP-, and possibly PKCa-, dependent manner where it is subsequently phosphorylated, (3) NO nitrosylates Ras to enhance GDP/GTP exchange, (4) PKCζ is recruited to the complex, possibly in a P13K-dependent manner where it likely enhances Raf activation, (5) Raf, Mek, and ERK1/2 are maximally phosphorylated, and (6) PKCδ arrives at the complex. Shortly thereafter, (7) NOS(III) dissociates from the complex, possibly via a feedback mechanism involving nitrosyiation, (8) p52Shc dissociates from the complex, and (9) phospho- Raf, -Mek and -ERK1/2 either dissociate from the complex or are dephosphorylated. In conclusion, this dissertation defines several novel roles for NO in pancreatic acinar cell secretion and signal transduction and thus provides a foundation that may be useful for the further characterization of NO signaling dynamics in this and other cell types.Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy

Non-dispersive process for insoluble oil recovery from aqueous slurries

The development and application of a novel non-polar oil recovery process utilizing a non-dispersive solvent extraction method to coalesce and recover oil from a lysed or non-lysed Yeast slurry using a microporous hollow fiber (MHF) membrane contactor.Board of Regents, University of Texas Syste

Energy return on investment for algal biofuel production coupled with wastewater treatment

This study presents a second-order energy return on investment analysis to evaluate the mutual benefits of combining an advanced wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) (with biological nutrient removal) with algal biofuel production. With conventional, independently operated systems, algae production requires significant material inputs, which require energy directly and indirectly, and the WWTP requires significant energy inputs for treatment of the waste streams. The second-order energy return on investment values for independent operation of the WWTP and the algal biofuels production facility were determined to be 0.37 and 0.42, respectively. By combining the two, energy inputs can be reduced significantly. Consequently, the integrated system can outperform the isolated system, yielding a second-order energy return on investment of 1.44. Combining these systems transforms two energy sinks to a collective (second-order) energy source. However, these results do not include capital, labor, and other required expenses, suggesting that profitable deployment will be challenging.Mechanical Engineerin

Non-dispersive process for insoluble oil recovery from aqueous slurries

The development and application of a novel non-polar oil recovery process utilizing a non-dispersive solvent extraction method to coalesce and recover oil from a bio-cellular aqueous slurry is described herein. The process could apply to recovery of algal oil from a lysed or non-lysed algae slurry, recovery of Omega fatty acids from a bio-cellular aqueous feed, recovery of Beta-carotene from a bio-cellular aqueous feed and for the removal from produced water in oil production and similar type applications. The technique of the present invention utilizes a microporous hollow fiber (MHF) membrane contactor. The non-polar oil recovery process described herein can be coupled to a collecting fluid (a non-polar solvent such as heptane, a biodiesel mixture or the previously extracted oil) that is circulated through the hollow fiber membrane. In cases where the biodiesel mixture or the previously extracted oil is used the solvent recovery step (e.g. distillation) can be eliminated.Board of Regents, University of Texas Syste

Time course of nitric oxide synthases, nitrosative stress, and poly(ADP ribosylation) in an ovine sepsis model

Introduction: Different isoforms of nitric oxide synthases (NOS) and determinants of oxidative/nitrosative stress play important roles in the pathophysiology of pulmonary dysfunction induced by acute lung injury (ALI) and sepsis. However, the time changes of these pathogenic factors are largely undetermined. Methods: Twenty-four chronically instrumented sheep were subjected to inhalation of 48 breaths of cotton smoke and instillation of live Pseudomonas aeruginosa into both lungs and were euthanized at 4, 8, 12, 18, and 24 hours postinjury. Additional sheep received sham injury and were euthanized after 24 hrs (control). All animals were mechanically ventilated and fluid resuscitated. Lung tissue was obtained at the respective time points for the measurement of neuronal, endothelial, and inducible NOS (nNOS, eNOS, iNOS) mRNA and their protein expression, calcium-dependent and -independent NOS activity, 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT), and poly(ADP-ribose) (PAR) protein expression. Results: The injury induced severe pulmonary dysfunction as indicated by a progressive decline in oxygenation index and concomitant increase in pulmonary shunt fraction. These changes were associated with an early and transient increase in eNOS and an early and profound increase in iNOS expression, while expression of nNOS remained unchanged. Both 3-NT, a marker of protein nitration, and PAR, an indicator of DNA damage, increased early but only transiently. Conclusions: Identification of the time course of the described pathogenetic factors provides important additional information on the pulmonary response to ALI and sepsis in the ovine model. This information may be crucial for future studies, especially when considering the timing of novel treatment strategies including selective inhibition of NOS isoforms, modulation of peroxynitrite, and PARP.Center for Electromechanic

Beneficial pulmonary effects of a metalloporphyrinic peroxynitrite decomposition catalyst in burn and smoke inhalation injury

During acute lung injury, nitric oxide (NO) exerts cytotoxic effects by reacting with superoxide radicals, yielding the reactive nitrogen species peroxynitrite (ONOO−). ONOO− exerts cytotoxic effects, among others, by nitrating/nitrosating proteins and lipids, by activating the nuclear repair enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase and inducing VEGF. Here we tested the effect of the ONOO− decomposition catalyst INO-4885 on the development of lung injury in chronically instrumented sheep with combined burn and smoke inhalation injury. The animals were randomized to a sham-injured group (n = 7), an injured control group [48 breaths of cotton smoke, 3rd-degree burn of 40% total body surface area (n = 7)], or an injured group treated with INO-4885 (n = 6). All sheep were mechanically ventilated and fluid-resuscitated according to the Parkland formula. The injury-related increases in the abundance of 3-nitrotyrosine, a marker of protein nitration by ONOO−, were prevented by INO-4885, providing evidence for the neutralization of ONOO− action by the compound. Burn and smoke injury induced a significant drop in arterial Po2-to-inspired O2 fraction ratio and significant increases in pulmonary shunt fraction, lung lymph flow, lung wet-to-dry weight ratio, and ventilatory pressures; all these changes were significantly attenuated by INO-4885 treatment. In addition, the increases in IL-8, VEGF, and poly(ADP-ribose) in lung tissue were significantly attenuated by the ONOO− decomposition catalyst. In conclusion, the current study suggests that ONOO− plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary microvascular hyperpermeability and pulmonary dysfunction following burn and smoke inhalation injury in sheep. Administration of an ONOO− decomposition catalyst may represent a potential treatment option for this injury