Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120173023 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING AUTOTROPH CULTIVATION - A method includes receiving at least one measurement of a dissolved carbon dioxide concentration of a mixture of fluid containing an autotrophic organism. The method also includes determining an adjustment to one or more manipulated variables using the at least one measurement. The method further includes generating one or more signals to modify the one or more manipulated variables based on the determined adjustment. The one or more manipulated variables could include a carbon dioxide flow rate, an air flow rate, a water temperature, and an agitation level for the mixture. At least one model relates the dissolved carbon dioxide concentration to one or more manipulated variables, and the adjustment could be determined by using the at least one model to drive the dissolved carbon dioxide concentration to at least one target that optimize a goal function. The goal function could be to optimize biomass growth rate, nutrient removal and/or lipid production. | 07-05-2012 |
20130030715 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MONITORING AUTOTROPH CULTIVATION - A method includes identifying a chlorophyll concentration/optical density (CCpOD) value using a chlorophyll concentration measurement of an autotroph culture and an optical density measurement of the autotroph culture. The method also includes identifying a change in the autotroph culture using the CCpOD value. The change in the autotroph culture can be identified by determining whether the CCpOD value falls outside upper and lower control limits. The upper and lower control limits can be identified using a specified number of previously-determined CCpOD values, which can be calculated when the autotroph culture is in a known healthy state. Multiple CCpOD values can be calculated, and an alarm can be generated if a specified number of the CCpOD values (such as one or more) fall outside the upper and lower control limits. | 01-31-2013 |
20130342844 | SENSOR FOR EARLY DETECTION OF PROBLEMS IN ALGAE CULTURES AND RELATED SYSTEM AND METHOD - A method includes measuring intensities of light passing through a sample of an algae culture at different wavelengths. The method also includes identifying, using the measured intensities, a peak absorption wavelength of at least one type of chlorophyll in the sample and/or an absorption ratio involving multiple types of chlorophyll in the sample. The method further includes determining whether the algae culture has a problem using the peak absorption wavelength and/or the absorption ratio. The peak absorption wavelength could be identified by identifying a specified wavelength at which a smallest amount of light passes through the sample. The absorption ratio could be identified by identifying an average absorption wavelength of first and second types of chlorophyll in the sample and identifying a peak absorption wavelength of the first type of chlorophyll. | 12-26-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120206128 | Electrochemical Corrosion Potential Probe Assembly - An electrochemical corrosion potential (ECP) probe assembly for monitoring ECP in a high velocity reactor line includes an airfoil shaped ECP cover that improves the streamlines over and around an ECP sensor. The airfoil shaped cover includes flow holes drilled normal to the surface of the ECP cover. As such, the direction of flow of reactor water into the ECP probe assembly is altered to reduce the flow rate internal to the ECP cover sufficiently to prevent damage to the ECP probes. To facilitate use as a retrofit component, the ECP cover may have an elliptical section that is contiguous to a circular section that conforms to the geometry of existing probe wells and probe sub-assemblies. | 08-16-2012 |
20150206606 | STEAM SEPARATOR AND NUCLEAR BOILING WATER REACTOR INCLUDING THE SAME - A steam separation system includes a standpipe configured to receive a gas-liquid two-phase flow stream, a first diffuser configured to receive the gas-liquid two-phase flow stream from the standpipe, the first diffuser including a swirler configured to separate the gas-liquid two-phase flow stream, and a separation barrel configured to receive the gas-liquid two-phase flow stream from the swirler, the separation barrel including a rifled channel having orifices along an inner surface thereof. | 07-23-2015 |
20150310944 | STEAM SEPARATION SYSTEM AND NUCLEAR BOILING WATER REACTOR INCLUDING THE SAME - In one embodiment, the steam separation system includes a plurality of steam separators configured to separate liquid from a gas-liquid two-phase flow stream; and a steam dryer system disposed above the steam separators. The steam dryer system includes a plurality of steam dryer bank assemblies and at least one moisture trap. Each of the steam dryer bank assemblies is configured to separate liquid of the gas-liquid two-phase flow stream exiting the steam separators. The moisture trap is disposed next to one of the steam dryer bank assemblies and is configured to remove liquid from the gas-liquid two-phase flow stream. | 10-29-2015 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130034648 | PARTIALLY FROZEN BEVERAGES INCLUDING BETAINE - Reduced-calorie, partially-frozen mixes, concentrates, and beverage products may include betaine and may include a level of natural-caloric sweeteners that may be significantly reduced from that of a full-calorie, partially-frozen beverage. The mixes may be compatible with commercially available machinery for the production of partially-frozen beverages. Reduced-calorie, partially-frozen beverages may include up to about 4% by weight betaine, and may provide a mouthfeel and texture that is desirable, particularly for a beverage that includes solid particles. | 02-07-2013 |
20130101722 | CHOCOLATE BEVERAGE CONTAINING NITROUS OXIDE AND CARBON DIOXIDE - Disclosed herein are beverage compositions containing dissolved gases. The beverage compositions generally contain a mixture of dissolved nitrous oxide and dissolved carbon dioxide. Beverage compositions disclosed herein may include a chocolate flavor. | 04-25-2013 |
20150050413 | BEVERAGES INCLUDING SOLID PARTICULATE MATTER - Beverage products may include an amount of solid material that may include a substantial non-aqueous fraction and may solidify at temperatures of about 25° F. to about 45° F. Particulate matter may include oils and/or a fibrous portion and the particles may provide a perception that the beverage includes crushed ice. | 02-19-2015 |
20150132463 | Reduced-Calorie Partially-Frozen Beverages - The present disclosure provides for a reduced-calorie partially-frozen beverage, concentrate syrup, mix and a method for making a reduced-calorie partially-frozen beverage. The freezing point of the partially-frozen beverage is depressed through the use of an L-sugar, such as, for example, L-hexose monosaccharide alone or in combination with other freezing point depressants. In a particular embodiment, L-glucose is added to a reduced-calorie partially-frozen beverage in a range between about 0.1% to about 10% by weight of the finished beverage. | 05-14-2015 |