Gerotor apparatus having outer gerotor with strengthening members

According to one embodiment of the invention, a gerotor apparatus includes a first gerotor, a second gerotor, and a synchronizing system operable to synchronize a rotation of the first gerotor with a rotation of the second gerotor. The synchronizing system includes a cam plate coupled to the first gerotor, wherein the cam plate includes a plurality of cams, and an alignment plate coupled to the second gerotor. The alignment plate includes at least one alignment member, wherein the plurality of cams and the at least one alignment member interact to synchronize a rotation of the first gerotor with a rotation of the second gerotor.

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONVERTING PRINT MEDIA COUPONS TO VIRTUAL COUPONS AND REDEEMING SAME

A print media coupon may be converted to a virtual print media coupon by a device which captures an image of information on the print media coupon and which creates the virtual print media coupon based on the captured image. The virtual print media coupon may be stored in a virtual coupon repository associated with a customer of a retail enterprise that controls the repository, and/or may be stored in another memory. Alternatively or additionally, a virtual print media coupon displayed on a mobile device may be stored in the virtual coupon repository after scanning during the purchase transaction. 1. A device for converting a print media coupon to a virtual print media coupon , the device comprising:a camera to capture an image of coupon information on the print media coupon, anda virtual print media coupon generation module to extract the coupon information from the captured image, to create the virtual print media coupon from the extracted coupon information and to store the created virtual print media coupon in a memory.2. The device of further comprising the memory.3. The device of wherein the memory is part of an external device or system that is separate from the device claim 1 , and wherein the device is coupled to the external device or system via a network.4. The device of wherein the memory is a virtual coupon repository in a system that is separate from the device.5. A method for converting a print media coupon to a virtual print media coupon claim 1 , the method comprising:capturing an image of coupon information on the print media coupon,extracting the coupon information from the captured image,creating the virtual print media coupon from the extracted coupon information, andstoring the created virtual print media coupon in a memory.6. The method of wherein storing the created virtual print media coupon comprises storing the created virtual print media coupon in a memory that is one of on-board a device that captures the image and part of a device or ...

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONVERTING PRINT MEDIA COUPONS TO VIRTUAL COUPONS AND REDEEMING SAME

A print media coupon may be converted to a virtual print media coupon by a device which captures an image of information on the print media coupon and which creates the virtual print media coupon based on the captured image. The virtual print media coupon may be stored in a virtual coupon repository associated with a customer of a retail enterprise that controls the repository, and/or may be stored in another memory. Alternatively or additionally, a virtual print media coupon displayed on a mobile device may be stored in the virtual coupon repository after scanning during the purchase transaction. 1. A system for redeeming print media coupons at a retail enterprise , the system comprising:a database having stored therein a plurality of virtual coupon repositories and a plurality of customer accounts each for a different customer member of a coupon service hosted by the retail enterprise, each customer account including a customer identifier identifying the customer associated with that customer account and linked to one of the plurality of virtual coupon associated only with that customer,communication circuitry to send and receive wireless communication signals,a point-of-sale terminal,a processor communicatively coupled to the database, the communication circuitry and the point-of-sale terminal, anda memory having instructions stored therein which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to wirelessly receive, via the communication circuitry, a signal wirelessly transmitted from a customer mobile device and carrying information relating to an image of a print media coupon captured by a camera on-board the customer mobile device and to a specified one of the plurality of virtual coupon repositories, to process the wirelessly received information to determine therefrom a corresponding virtual print media coupon, to store the virtual print media coupon in the specified one of the plurality of virtual coupon repositories, to receive, via the point-of-sale ...

GEROTOR APPARATUS HAVING OUTER GEROTOR WITH STRENGHTHENING MEMBERS

According to one embodiment of the invention, a gerotor apparatus includes a first gerotor, a second gerotor, and a synchronizing system operable to synchronize a rotation of the first gerotor with a rotation of the second gerotor. The synchronizing system includes a cam plate coupled to the first gerotor, wherein the cam plate includes a plurality of cams, and an alignment plate coupled to the second gerotor. The alignment plate includes at least one alignment member, wherein the plurality of cams and the at least one alignment member interact to synchronize a rotation of the first gerotor with a rotation of the second gerotor. 1259.-. (canceled)260. A gerotor apparatus , comprising:a housing;a rotatable outer gerotor disposed at least partially within the housing, the outer gerotor at least partially defining an outer gerotor chamber;a rotatable inner gerotor disposed at least partially within the outer gerotor chamber; anda seal formed between the housing and at least one of the outer gerotor and the inner gerotor, wherein the seal is configured to restrict passage of fluid between the housing and the at least one of the outer gerotor and the inner gerotor. This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/978,220 filed Dec. 23, 2010, entitled “SEALING SYSTEM FOR GEROTOR APPARATUS”, which claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/041,011, filed Jan. 21, 2005, entitled “GEROTOR APPARATUS FOR A QUASI-ISOTHERMAL BRAYTON CYCLE ENGINE,” which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/538,747, entitled “QUASI-ISOTHERMAL BRAYTON CYCLE ENGINE,” filed Jan. 23, 2004.The present invention relates to a gerotor apparatus that functions as a compressor or expander. The gerotor apparatus may be applied generally to Brayton cycle engines and, more particularly, to a quasi-isothermal Brayton cycle engine.For mobile applications, such as an automobile or truck, it is generally desirable to use a heat engine that has the ...

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRACKING EMPLOYEE ATTENDANCE AND MANAGING EMPLOYEE ACCESS TO COMPANY ASSETS

In a system and method for tracking employee time and attendance, device codes stored in a database are each associated with a corresponding identity of one of a plurality of enterprise facilities, employee codes stored in a database are each associated with a different employee of the business enterprise, and in response to wirelessly received information including a device code and an employee code, one of the plurality of device codes in the database is identified that matches the wirelessly received device code, the enterprise facility associated in the database with the matching device code is identified, the employee code that matches the wirelessly received employee code is determined, and in an employee attendance record identified with the matching employee code, the identified of facility, a calendar date and time of day at which the wirelessly received information was wirelessly received are logged. 1associating, with a processor in a first database, each of a plurality of device codes stored in the first database with a corresponding identity of one of a plurality of enterprise facilities,associating, with a processor in the first or a second database, each of a plurality of employee codes with a different one of a plurality of employees of the business enterprise, andin response to wirelessly received information including a device code and an employee code, determining with the processor the one of the plurality of device codes in the first database that matches the wirelessly received device code, identifying with the processor the one of one or more of the plurality of enterprise facilities associated in the first database with the matching device code, determining with the processor the one of the plurality of employee codes in the first or second database that matches the wirelessly received employee code, and logging in an employee attendance record in the first or the second database identified with the matching employee code the identified one ...

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR LINKING POS PURCHASES TO SHOPPER MEMBERSHIP ACCOUNTS

A system and method that links point-of-sale purchases to shopper membership accounts includes a database in which each of one or more electronic payment systems specified by a customer is associated with one of a plurality of enterprise membership service identification codes stored in the database that uniquely identifies the customer as one of a plurality of shopper members of an enterprise membership service program associated with a retail enterprise. In response to tender of an electronic payment system to the point-of-sale system as part of a transaction for the purchase of items, information about the items is stored in one of a plurality of purchase histories that is associated with the one of the plurality of enterprise membership service identification codes that is associated with one of at least two specified electronic payment systems that matches the tendered electronic payment system. 1. A method of linking POS purchases to shopper membership accounts , the method comprising:associating, with a processor in a database, each of one or more electronic payment systems specified by a customer with one of a plurality of enterprise membership service identification codes stored in the database that uniquely identifies the customer as one of a plurality of shopper members of an enterprise membership service program associated with a retail enterprise, andin response to tender of an electronic payment system to a point-of-sale interface of the retail enterprise as part of a transaction for the purchase from the retail enterprise of one or more items, storing, with the processor, information about the one or more items in the transaction in one of a plurality of purchase histories contained in the database that is uniquely identified by the one of the plurality of enterprise membership service identification codes associated with the one or more specified electronic payment systems if the tendered electronic payment system matches one of the one or more ...

System and method for effecting payment for pos purchases

A system and method effecting payment for POS purchases includes a database in which a unique code is associated with one of one or more electronic payment systems specified by a customer having one of a plurality of enterprise membership service identification codes stored in the database that uniquely identifies the customer as one of a plurality of shopper members of an enterprise membership service program associated with a retail enterprise. In response to receipt by an input device of a point-of-sale system of the retail enterprise of a manually-supplied code as part of a transaction for the purchase of one or more items, a processor processes payment for the one or more items using the one of the one or more electronic payment systems if the manually-supplied code matches the unique code associated with the one of the one or more electronic payment systems in the database.

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING MEMBER CUSTOMERS OF A RETAIL ENTERPRISE MEMBERSHIP SERVICE AT ENTERPRISE POINT-OF-SALE SYSTEMS

Disclosed is a system and method for effecting payment for purchases at point-of-sale systems of a retail enterprise. Each point-of-sale system is associated with a different stored identification code, and a stored first code is associated with a stored electronic payment system preauthorized by a customer member of the retail enterprise for automatic payment processing during purchase transactions carried out by the customer member at any of the plurality of point-of-sale systems. In response to a wirelessly received identification code, the point-of-sale system associated with the stored identification code that matches the wirelessly received identification code is identified, and in response to a wirelessly received second code, payment for one or more items in a current purchase transaction at the identified point-of-sale system is automatically processed using the stored, preauthorized electronic payment system if the wirelessly received second code matches the stored first code. 1. A method of effecting payment for purchases at any of a plurality of point-of-sale systems of a retail enterprise , the method comprising:associating, with a first processor in a first database, each of the plurality of point-of-sale systems with a different identification code,associating, with the first processor in the first or a second database, a first code and an electronic payment system preauthorized by a customer member of the retail enterprise for automatic payment processing during purchase transactions carried out by the customer member at any of the plurality of point-of-sale systems,in response to a wirelessly received identification code, identifying with the first processor the one of the plurality of point-of-sale systems associated in the first database with the identification code that matches the wirelessly received identification code, andin response to a wirelessly received second code, automatically processing with the first processor payment for one or more ...

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CUSTOMIZING A PRODUCE SCALE MENU AT A RETAIL ENTERPRISE BASED ON CUSTOMER PURCHASE HISTORY

Disclosed is a system and method for customizing produce scale menus. Produce scales located in a brick-and-mortar store are associated in a database with different device codes, and customer purchase histories are associated in a database with different customer codes each identifying a different customer. Each purchase history contains items previously purchased by a corresponding customer. In response to receipt of a device code and a customer code, the device code in the database that matches the received device code is identified, the customer code in the database that matches the received customer code is identified, and if the purchase history associated in the database with the identified customer code contains one or more produce items, a produce menu displayed by the produce scale associated in the database with the identified device code is modified to display the at least one of the produce items in the purchase history. 1. A method of customizing a produce scale menu at a retail enterprise , the method comprising:associating, with a processor in a first database, each of a plurality of produce scales with a different one of a plurality of device codes, each of the plurality of produce scales located in a brick-and-mortar store of the retail enterprise,associating, with the processor in the first or a second database, each of a plurality of customer codes with a different one of a plurality of purchase histories and also with a different one of a plurality of customers of the retail enterprise, each of the plurality of purchase histories containing information relating to items previously purchased by a corresponding one of the plurality of customers,in response to receipt of a device code, identifying with the processor the one of the plurality of device codes in the first database that matches the received device code,in response to receipt of a customer code, identifying with the processor the one of the plurality of customer codes in the first or the ...

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR NOTIFYING CUSTOMERS OF CHECKOUT QUEUE ACTIVITY

A system and method for notifying customers of a retail enterprise of checkout queue activity includes a stored identification code identifying a location in or near a customer entry area to multiple point-of-sale systems grouped together in a brick-and-mortar outlet of the retail enterprise, and customer codes associated in a database with various customers of the retail enterprise, monitoring purchase transaction activity at each of the plurality of point-of-sale systems. An operating state of each of the point-of-sale systems is determined based on the monitored purchase transaction activity thereof. In response to a wirelessly received customer code and identification code, a notification message is wirelessly transmitted to a mobile communication device identified by a matching one of the customer codes in the database if the wirelessly received identification code matches the stored identification code. The notification message includes information identifying the operating state of at least one point-of-sale system. 1. A method of notifying customers of a retail enterprise of checkout queue activity , the method comprising:storing an identification code, with a processor in a first database, the identification code identifying a location in or near a customer entry area to a plurality of point-of-sale systems grouped together in a brick-and-mortar outlet of the retail enterprise,associating, with the processor in the first or a second database, each of a plurality of customer codes with a different one of a plurality of customers of the retail enterprise,monitoring, with the processor, purchase transaction activity at each of the plurality of point-of-sale systems,determining, with the processor, an operating state of each of the plurality of point-of-sale systems based on the monitored purchase transaction activity thereof, andin response to a wirelessly received customer code and identification code, identifying with the processor the one of the plurality ...

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING IN-PERSON RETAILER ASSISTANCE TO CUSTOMERS IN A RETAIL ENVIRONMENT

A system and method of providing in-person retailer assistance to customers of a retail enterprise includes associating locations within a brick-and-mortar outlet of the retail enterprise with different identification codes, associating customer codes with various customers of the retail enterprise, and associating employee codes with various employees of the brick-and-mortar outlet, and in response to a wirelessly received help request, customer code and one or more identification codes, one of the customer codes is identified that matches the wirelessly received customer code, each of the locations is identified that matches one of the one or more wirelessly received identification codes, a customer location within the brick-and-mortar outlet is determined based on the identified locations, and the help request, the identity of the customer and the customer location within the brick-and-mortar outlet are wirelessly transmitted to one or more employee mobile communication devices. 1. A method of providing in-person retailer assistance to customers of a retail enterprise , the method comprising:associating, with a processor in a first database, each of a plurality of locations within a brick-and-mortar outlet of the retail enterprise with a different identification code,associating, with the processor in the first or a second database, each of a plurality of customer codes with a different one of a plurality of customers of the retail enterprise, and associating each of a plurality of employee codes identifying a different one of a plurality of employees of the brick-and-mortar outlet with a mobile communication device associated with the different one of the plurality of employees, andin response to a wirelessly received help request, customer code and one or more identification codes, identifying with the processor the one of the plurality of customer codes in the first or second database that matches the wirelessly received customer code, identifying with the ...

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING CUSTOMERS WITH ORDERED ITEMS AT A RETAIL ENTERPRISE

A system and method for identifying customers with ordered items at a retail enterprise may associate in a database each of a plurality of departments within a brick-and-mortar outlet with a different identification code, and also one of a plurality of customer codes identifying a customer with an order code identifying an order placed by the customer for an item to be delivered thereto by one of the departments. In response to a wirelessly received identification code and customer code, a display monitor at one of the plurality of departments is controlled to display a notification message if the received identification code matches the identification code associated with the one of the departments and the received customer code matches the customer code associated in the database with the order code. The notification message may include information relating to at least one of the customer and the order. 1. A method of identifying customers with ordered items at a retail enterprise , the method comprising:associating, with a first processor in a first database, each of a plurality of departments within a brick-and-mortar outlet of the retail enterprise with a different identification code,associating, with the first processor in the first or a second database, one of a plurality of customer codes identifying one of a plurality of customers of the retail enterprise and an order code identifying an order placed by the identified customer for an item to be delivered to the identified customer by the one of the plurality of departments, andin response to a wirelessly received identification code and customer code, controlling, at least in part with the first processor, a display monitor at one of the plurality of departments to display a notification message if the wirelessly received identification code matches the one of the plurality of identification codes associated in the first database with the one of the plurality of departments and the wirelessly received ...

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROCESSING ITEMS ORDERED FOR CUSTOMER PICKUP AT A BRICK-AND-MORTAR STORE OF A RETAIL ENTERPRISE

A system and method for processing items ordered for customer pickup from a brick-and-mortar store of a retail enterprise may determine that a customer has entered one of a plurality of geographic boundaries based on GPS tracking of the customer's mobile communication device, in response thereto, determine whether the entering customer has a completed order for pickup of at least one ordered item at the brick-and-mortar store associated with the geographic boundary, and in response thereto, control a display monitor located at an order pickup department of the store to display a message indicating that the customer has entered the one of the plurality of geographic boundaries and that the completed order to be picked up by the customer is complete. 1. A method of processing items ordered for customer pickup from a brick-and-mortar store of a retail enterprise , the method comprising:with a processor, storing in a database a plurality of brick-and-mortar store identification codes and associated geographic boundaries each identifying a different one of a plurality of brick-and-mortar stores of the retail enterprise and an associated geographic boundary defined at least partially about the one of the plurality of brick-and-mortar stores or an order receiving area adjacent thereto,with the processor, storing in the database a plurality of customer codes each identifying a different one of a plurality of customers of the retail enterprise,with the processor, associating in the database with at least one of the plurality of customer codes (a) an order status code identifying a status of an order placed for at least one associated item for pickup by a corresponding one of the plurality of customers, and (b) one of the plurality of brick-and-mortar identification codes identifying the one of the plurality of brick-and-mortar stores from which the order for the at least one associated item was placed,with the processor, determining that one of the plurality of customers ...

Sealing system for gerotor apparatus

According to one embodiment of the invention, a gerotor apparatus includes a first gerotor, a second gerotor, and a synchronizing system operable to synchronize a rotation of the first gerotor with a rotation of the second gerotor. The synchronizing system includes a cam plate coupled to the first gerotor, wherein the cam plate includes a plurality of cams, and an alignment plate coupled to the second gerotor. The alignment plate includes at least one alignment member, wherein the plurality of cams and the at least one alignment member interact to synchronize a rotation of the first gerotor with a rotation of the second gerotor.

GEROTOR APPARATUS

According to one embodiment of the invention, a gerotor apparatus includes a first gerotor, a second gerotor, and a synchronizing system operable to synchronize a rotation of the first gerotor with a rotation of the second gerotor. The synchronizing system includes a cam plate coupled to the first gerotor, wherein the cam plate includes a plurality of cams, and an alignment plate coupled to the second gerotor. The alignment plate includes at least one alignment member, wherein the plurality of cams and the at least one alignment member interact to synchronize a rotation of the first gerotor with a rotation of the second gerotor. 1. A gerotor device comprising:an inner gerotor;an outer gerotor; andwherein said inner gerotor and said outer gerotor are driven so that said inner gerotor and said outer gerotor do not touch.2. The gerotor device of claim 1 , wherein the gerotor device is part of an expander.3. The gerotor device of claim 1 , wherein the gerotor device is part of a compressor. This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/978,220 filed Dec. 23, 2010, entitled “SEALING SYSTEM FOR GEROTOR APPARATUS”, which claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/041,011, filed Jan. 21, 2005, entitled “GEROTOR APPARATUS FOR A QUASI-ISOTHERMAL BRAYTON CYCLE ENGINE,” which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/538,747, entitled “QUASI-ISOTHERMAL BRAYTON CYCLE ENGINE,” filed Jan. 23, 2004.The present invention relates to a gerotor apparatus that functions as a compressor or expander. The gerotor apparatus may be applied generally to Brayton cycle engines and, more particularly, to a quasi-isothermal Brayton cycle engine.For mobile applications, such as an automobile or truck, it is generally desirable to use a heat engine that has the following characteristics: internal combustion to reduce the need for heat exchangers; complete expansion for improved efficiency; isothermal compression and expansion; high power ...

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRESENTING VIRTUAL DISCOUNT COUPONS TO CUSTOMERS OF A RETAIL ENTERPRISE BASED ON SHOPPING HISTORY

A system and method for presenting virtual discount coupons to customers of a retail enterprise accesses a virtual coupon repository stored in a database and containing a plurality of virtual discount coupons each redeemable against at least one item purchasable from the retail enterprise, accesses a purchase history stored in the database and identifying items previously purchased by the customer from the retail enterprise, for each virtual discount coupon in at least a subset of the plurality of virtual discount coupons in the virtual coupon repository, determines a prediction value based on the purchase history, which corresponds to a likelihood that the customer will purchase an item from the retail enterprise against which the virtual discount coupon is redeemable, and identifies for the customer in the virtual coupon repository at least one of the virtual discount coupons based on the prediction value thereof. 1. A method for presenting virtual discount coupons to customers of a retail enterprise , the method comprising:accessing with a processor a virtual coupon repository stored in a database and associated in the database with a customer of the retail enterprise, the virtual coupon repository containing a plurality of virtual discount coupons each redeemable by the retail enterprise against at least one item purchasable from the retail enterprise,accessing with the processor a purchase history stored in the database and associated in the database with the customer, the purchase history identifying items previously purchased by the customer from the retail enterprise,for each virtual discount coupon in at least a subset of the plurality of virtual discount coupons in the virtual coupon repository, determining with the processor a prediction value based on the purchase history, the prediction value corresponding to a likelihood that the customer will purchase an item from the retail enterprise against which the virtual discount coupon is redeemable by the ...

Computerized system for managing communications between a buyer, seller, and lender

A computerized system and method are presented for exchanging information between a buyer, a seller, and a lender. The system permits sellers and lenders to input buyers that are then submitted for activation. The buyers use the system to obtain information about items, while the sellers and lenders make consistent contact with the buyer in order to work with the buyer. Information about the buyers is shared with both the sellers and the lenders. A business plan is also input into the computerized system by the financial institution employing the lender. This business plan includes goals for numbers of sellers and buyers using the system, and for loan officer candidates to be recruited. Activity on the computerized system is calculated for compliance with the business plan. Feedback is provided to management relating to whether the business plan is being met.

Armored cab for vehicles

An armored cab (50) for a vehicle is provided, the cab (50) including multiple layers of armoring material, and having a shape to assist in the deflection of radar and the various types of ordinance which may be fired or exploded against the armored cab.

System and method for processing items ordered for customer pickup at a brick-and-mortar store of a retail enterprise

A system and method for processing items ordered for customer pickup from a brick-and-mortar store of a retail enterprise may determine that a customer has entered one of a plurality of geographic boundaries based on GPS tracking of the customer's mobile communication device, in response thereto, determine whether the entering customer has a completed order for pickup of at least one ordered item at the brick-and-mortar store associated with the geographic boundary, and in response thereto, control a display monitor located at an order pickup department of the store to display a message indicating that the customer has entered the one of the plurality of geographic boundaries and that the completed order to be picked up by the customer is complete.

Gerotor apparatus for a quasi-isothermal brayton cycle engine

A gerotor apparatus includes a first gerotor (16a), a second gerotor (14a), and a synchronizing system (18a) operate to synchronize a rotation of the first gerotor with a rotation of the second gerotor. The synchronizing system (18a) includes a cam plate (22a) coupled to the first gerotor (16a), wherein the cam plate (220) includes a plurality of cams (24a), and an alignment plate (26a) coupled to the second gerotor (14a). The alignment plate (260) includes at least one alignment member (28a), wherein the plurality of cams (24a) and the at least one alignment member (28a) interact to synchronize a rotation of the first gerotor with a rotation of the second gerotor.

Sealing system for gerotor apparatus

According to one embodiment of the invention, a gerotor apparatus includes a first gerotor, a second gerotor, and a synchronizing system operable to synchronize a rotation of the first gerotor with a rotation of the second gerotor. The synchronizing system includes a earn plate coupled to the first gerotor, wherein the cam plate includes a plurality of cams, and an alignment plate coupled to the second gerotor. The alignment plate includes at least one alignment member, wherein the plurality of cams and the at least one alignment member interact to synchronize a rotation of the first gerotor with a rotation of the second gerotor.

Gerotor apparatus for a quasi-isothermal brayton cycle engine

A gerotor apparatus includes a first gerotor (16a), a second gerotor (14a), and a synchronizing system (18a) operate to synchronize a rotation of the first gerotor with a rotation of the second gerotor. The synchronizing system (18a) includes a cam plate (22a) coupled to the first gerotor (16a), wherein the cam plate (220) includes a plurality of cams (24a), and an alignment plate (26a) coupled to the second gerotor (14a). The alignment plate (260) includes at least one alignment member (28a), wherein the plurality of cams (24a) and the at least one alignment member (28a) interact to synchronize a rotation of the first gerotor with a rotation of the second gerotor.

Verfahren und anlage zur herstellung von organischen säuren

Method and apparatus for producing organic acids

A continuous process and apparatus for preparing organic acids and their salts from biomass. Biomass flows from a region of fresh biomass and high acid and acid salt concentration to a region of digested biomass and low acid and acid salt concentration in a fermentation apparatus under anaerobic conditions. Organic acids and acid salts produced by the process of the present invention are volatile fatty acids such as acetic, butyric and propionic acids and their salts such as calcium acetate, calcium propionate, and calcium butyrate. The apparatus of the present invention contains at least two fermentation reactors in series to increase the biomass residence time in the reactors. The fermentation reactors of the present invention are imbedded in the ground with earthen berms as support for sides having three layers. The core of the reactors are covered with a flexible covering to maintain an anaerobic environment.

Metodo e aparelho para a producao de acidos organicos