1. A method for converting organic material into bio-ethanol, the method comprising
a fermentation process fermenting the organic material, thereby providing a fermentation broth comprising bio-ethanol,
a separation process separating the fermented material into bio-ethanol and a residual product
a conversion process at least partly converting the residual product into energy,
energy distribution process distributing at least some of the energy provided by the conversion process to the fermentation process,
wherein
the fermentation process, the conversion process, and the separation process are conducted in a bio-ethanol production chemical plant,
said conversion process is conducted in a high pressure fluid at a pressure of at least 50 bar, wherein said fluid isare selected among: water andor alcohols,
said conversion process includes a hydrothermal andor solvothermal conversion.
2. A The method according to claim 1, wherein said conversion into energy includes a conversion into thermal energy such as heat.
3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising one or more pre-treatment process producing a mash from the organic material for the fermentation process.
4. The method according claim 1, wherein said pre-treatment process further comprises a liquefaction step, wherein enzymes are added to the pulp in the liquefaction process.
5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said pre-treatment process further comprises a saccharification step, wherein enzymes are added.
6. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least 50% of the energy required for said pre-treatment process being supplied by said energy distribution process.
7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the fermentation process takes place in a fluid, preferably being water.
8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the fermentation process comprises converting sugar(s) by use andor addition of micro organism(s), such as yeast, andor bacterias such as thermolabile bacterias directly andor indirectly into the fermentation broth comprising hydrocarbon fuel(s).
9. The method according to claim 1, wherein the fermentation process takes place at a temperature between 24-36\xb0 C. for 24-96 hours in an environment with a pH around 4-5.
10. The method according to claim 1, wherein the separation process comprises distilling the fermentation broth whereby at least a part of the hydrocarbon fuel is separated from the fermentation broth.
11. The method according to claim 10, wherein substantially all of the hydrocarbon fuel and residual products present in the fermentation broth is separated subsequent to the fermentation process, and wherein substantially all of the hydrocarbon fuel present in the fermentation broth is distilled off.
12. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least 50% of the energy required for said separation process is being supplied by said energy distribution process.
13. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least 50% of the energy required for said pre-treatment process, fermentation process, and separation process is being supplied by said energy distribution process.
14. The method according to claim 1, wherein the conversion process involves a combustion process.
15. The method according to claim 1, wherein the said conversion process is conducted in a high pressure fluid such as in a fluid at a pressure of at least 100 bar and preferably at a pressure of at least 150 bar such at a pressure of at least 200 bar such as at a pressure of at least 250 bar.
16. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one homogeneous andor heterogeneous catalyst is present in said high pressure fluid.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A wheelchair having a seat portion, a frame and a pair of rear wheels, each of said pair of rear wheels having a width, comprising:
a) a pair of front caster forks, extending downwardly from said frame;
b) a pair of front caster assemblies, removably attached to said pair of front caster forks; and
c) a means for quickly releasing and installing said pair of front caster assemblies on said front caster forks, attached to said pair of front caster assemblies, said means for quickly releasing including at least one cam lock, operably installed on said each of said pair of front caster assemblies.
2. The wheelchair of claim 1 wherein each of said pair of caster assemblies includes a caster wheel having a width less than the width of one of said pair of rear wheels.
3. The wheelchair of claim 1 wherein each of said pair of caster assemblies includes a caster wheel having a width greater than the width of one of said pair of rear wheels.
4. The wheelchair of claim 1 wherein each of said pair of caster assemblies includes a ski.
5. The wheelchair of claim 1 wherein each of said front caster assemblies comprises:
a) a caster;
b) a caster arm, said caster arm having an end piece into which the caster is secured, and an extension piece caster away from the wheelchair frame; and
c) a quick release mechanism, attached to said caster arm.
6. The wheelchair of claim 5 wherein the quick release mechanism comprises:
a) a first hinge section, attached to said extension arm;
b) a second hinge section, hingably attached to said first hinge section;
c) wherein said first and second hinge sections each have an open end having at least one hole therein;
d) said at least one cam lock having an extension handle and a curved cam piece;
e) a bolt, secured to the curved cam piece, wherein said bolt is passed through the at least one hole in said open ends of both said first and second hinge sections; and
f) an adjusting nut, secured to said bolt.
7. A wheelchair having a seat portion, a frame and a pair of rear wheels, each of said pair of rear wheels having a width, comprising:
a) a pair of front caster forks, extending downwardly from said frame; and
b) a pair of front caster assemblies, removably attached to said pair of front caster forks, wherein each of the front caster assemblies has
i) a caster retainer;
ii) an extension piece, attached to said caster retainer, and extending outward therefrom;
iii) a quick release mechanism, attached to said extension piece, including at least one cam lock, operably installed on said each of said pair of front caster assemblies; and
iv) a caster wheel rotatably attached to said caster retainer.
8. The wheelchair of claim 7 where each caster wheel has a width less than the width of one of said pair of rear wheels.
9. The wheelchair of claim 7 where each caster wheel has a width greater than the width of one of said pair of rear wheels.
10. The wheelchair of claim 7 where each caster wheel is a ski.
11. The wheelchair of claim 7 wherein the quick release mechanism comprises:
a) a first hinge section, attached to said extension arm;
b) a second hinge section, hingably attached to said first hinge section;
c) wherein said first and second hinge sections each have an open end having at least one hole therein;
d) said at least one cam lock having an extension handle and a curved cam piece;
e) a bolt, secured to the curved cam piece, wherein said bolt is passed through the at least one hole in said open ends of both said first and second hinge sections; and
f) an adjusting nut, secured to said bolt.
12. The wheelchair of claim 11 further comprising:
a) a second cam lock having an extension handle and a curved cam piece;
b) a second bolt, secured to the curved cam piece, wherein said bolt is passed through a second hole formed in said open ends of both said first and second hinge sections; and
c) a second adjusting nut, secured to said second bolt.