Abstract: A system and process forms supercritical or near-supercritical mixtures of organic waste and water, and then combusts the mixture with an oxygen-containing gas at a relatively moderate pressure. Production of nitrogen oxides, carbon oxides and soot are greatly reduced compared to most conventional methods for combustion of organic wastes.

Abstract: There is provided a water-hydrocarbon mixture. In one example, the mixture includes low-molecular weight hydrocarbon and between about 5% and about 70% water. The mixture is in the gaseous state, and is at a pressure that is below the critical pressure of the mixture. The mixture temperature is above about 28° C. less than the boiling point temperature of water at the mixture pressure and is below about 450° C. The mixture provides a local environment of water molecules, tending to limit hydrocarbon polymerization and other undesirable side reactions and keeping the hydrocarbon from precipitating from the mixture, for a faster, more complete combustion cycle characterized by lower emissions of carbon monoxide, unburned hydrocarbons, and volatile organic and polyaromatic hydrocarbons. The hydrocarbon preferably includes hydrocarbon micro-droplets of a diameter of no more than about 1 &mgr;m.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and systems for extracting hydrocarbon gases from hydrates, and more particularly relates to methods and systems for maximizing the efficiency of energy transfer of electromagnetic (EM) radiation of specified frequencies to the hydrate mass and the dissociation of methane and other trapped hydrocarbon gases from their hydrate cages through a unique EM-induced collective molecular vibronic process.

Abstract: A method for forming a water/fuel mixture includes heating a water stream to a temperature of at least about 260° C. (500° F.) and a pressure of at least about 150 psig (10.2 atmospheres gauge) and combining it with a fuel stream, optionally heated to a temperature less than about less than about 177° C. (350° F.). Preferably, the energy for heating the water stream and optionally the fuel stream or, for further heating the water/fuel mixture is recovered from a hot stream generated in a turbine system or diesel engine system. A combustion system suitable for forming the water/fuel mixture includes a combustor, means for heating a stream of water, means for combining the stream of heated water with a fuel stream having a temperature less than about 177° C. (350° F.), to form the mixture and means for directing the mixture to the combustor. Preferably, the combustion system includes a turbine system or a diesel engine.