Abstract: A pyrolytic reactor comprising a fuel injection zone, a combustion zone adjacent to the fuel injections zone, an expansion zone adjacent to the combustion zone, a feedstock injection zone comprising a plurality of injection nozzles and disposed adjacent to the expansion zone, a mixing zone configured to mix a carrier stream and feed material and disposed adjacent to the feedstock injection zone, and a reaction zone adjacent to the mixing zone. The plurality of injection nozzles are radially distributed in a first assembly defining a first plane transverse to the feedstock injection zone and in a second assembly transverse to the feedstock injection zone.

Abstract: A system for preventing a catalyst from overheating is provided. The system includes: a first reactor filled with a catalyst at least in part and configured to receive reaction gas and produce product gas; and a second reactor configured to cool a catalyst discharged from the first reactor. The catalyst is circulated between the first reactor and the second reactor by injecting the catalyst cooled in the second reactor into the first rector.

Abstract: A feedstock conversion system including an integrated two-stage fluid bed thermochemical reaction apparatus (50) has first and second reaction chambers (110, 120) side-by-side and physically separated from one another in one vessel (100) by a partition (130). One or more clusters of heat pipes (400) pass through the partition (130) between the first and second chambers (110, 120) for efficient indirect heat transfer between first and second fluid bed reaction stages (200, 300) and materials therein. The system includes devices for solids transfer between the two reaction chambers (110, 120) to enhance feedstock conversion.

Abstract: A gasifier start-up method for a gasifier capable of preventing or inhibiting a temporary occurrence of black smoke when a gasifier is started-up. A gasifier start-up method for a gasifier, in which a gasifying agent and a solid carbonaceous fuel are supplied and gasified, includes a start-up burner igniting step of supplying a start-up fuel and oxygen-containing gas to a start-up burner and igniting the start-up fuel and oxygen-containing gas, under an inert atmosphere in which an inside of the gasifier around the start-up burner is filled with inert gas; and an oxygen-containing-gas supply adjusting step of adjusting the supply of the oxygen-containing gas such that combustion gas obtained after the combustion reaction of the start-up fuel and the oxygen-containing gas becomes the inert gas, which contains little oxygen.

Abstract: A waste to fuel system is disclosed that provides for simplified pyrolysis and cracking of useful hydrocarbons from waste by using molten salt as a heat transfer medium in the pyrolysis stage and using molten salt mixed with catalyst in the cracking stage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a four-component catalyst and a seven-component catalyst and refractory supports for use in the thermoneutral reforming of petroleum-based liquid hydrocarbon fuels.

Abstract: Particles of cathodic materials are coated with polymer to prevent direct contact between the particles and the surrounding electrolyte. The polymers are held in place either by a) growing the polymers from initiators covalently bound to the particle, b) attachment of the already-formed polymers by covalently linking to functional groups attached to the particle, or c) electrostatic interactions resulting from incorporation of cationic or anionic groups in the polymer chain. Carbon or ceramic coatings may first be formed on the surfaces of the particles before the particles are coated with polymer. The polymer coating is both electronically and ionically conductive.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for converting methane in a feed stream to acetylene. A hydrocarbon stream is introduced into a supersonic reactor and pyrolyzed to convert at least a portion of the methane to acetylene. The reactor effluent stream may be treated to convert acetylene to another hydrocarbon process.

Abstract: Methods are disclosed for extracting hydrogen from a biomass compound comprising carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen. The biomass may include cellulose, lignin, and/or hemicellulose. Water is combined with the compound to produce a wet form of the compound. The wet form of the compound is transferred into a reaction processing chamber. The wet form of the compound is heated within the reaction chamber such that elements of the compound dissociate and react, with one reaction product comprising hydrogen gas. The hydrogen gas is processed to generate electrical power.

Abstract: A reactor comprising a thermal barrier surrounding a combustion zone. The reactor further comprises a cooling jacket inner wall and a binder disposed between the cooling jacket inner wall and the thermal barrier, and a cooling jacket outer wall, wherein the cooling jacket inner wall and the cooling jacket outer wall define a cooling channel. The reactor further comprises an outer reactor wall disposed over the cooling jacket outer wall, wherein the outer reactor wall is impermeable and is configured to contain high pressure gas within the reactor.

Abstract: A gasification system includes a gasifier configured to gasify a feedstock and an oxidant to generate a producer gas, a steam generator configured to supply steam to the gasifier, and a combustion system configured to supply an exhaust gas to the steam generator to produce the steam. The system also includes an exhaust gas injection system located upstream of the gasifier and fluidly coupled to the gasifier. The exhaust gas injection system is configured to supply a portion of the exhaust gas from the combustion system to the gasifier.

Abstract: A hydrogen generation apparatus according to the present invention includes: a reformer configured to generate a hydrogen-containing gas through a reforming reaction; a combustor configured to heat the reformer; an air supply device configured to supply air to the combustor; a fuel supply device configured to supply a fuel to the combustor; a CO detector configured to detect a carbon monoxide concentration in a flue gas discharged from the combustor; and a controller configured to control at least one of the air supply device and the fuel supply device to increase an air ratio in the combustor such that the CO concentration in the flue gas increases, and then test the CO detector for abnormality.

Abstract: Provided are a current collector for a fuel cell and a stack structure having the same. The fuel cell includes an electrolyte layer, and an air electrode layer and a fuel electrode layer on both surfaces of the electrolyte layer and generates electricity, and the current collector includes an even surface configured to electrically surface-contact with the air electrode layer or the fuel electrode layer; and a plurality of openings punched so that air or a fuel gas directly contacts with the air electrode layer or the fuel electrode layer.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a reactor (1) for the gasification of organic material included in composite raw material and the separation of gasified organic material from inorganic material included in the composite raw material, the reactor comprising at least one reaction chamber (2) and at least one rotor (3), said reaction chamber (2) comprising at least one housing (6, 6a, 6b) that is sealed in relation to the surroundings and has at least one inlet opening (8a, 8b, 8c) and at least one outlet opening (9a, 9b) and said rotor (3) comprising at least one shaft (5). Said housing (6, 6a, 6b) is in heat exchanging contact with at least one channel (20) intended to convey gas for heat exchange between the gas and said housing (6, 6a, 6b).

Abstract: Techniques, systems and material are disclosed for transport of energy and/or materials. In one aspect, a method includes generating gaseous fuel (e.g., from biomass dissociation) at a first location of a low elevation. The gaseous fuel can be self-transported in a pipeline to a second location at a higher elevation than the first location by traveling from the first location to the second location without adding energy of pressure. A liquid fuel can be generated at the second location of higher elevation by reacting the gaseous fuel with at least one of a carbon donor, a nitrogen donor, and an oxygen donor harvested from industrial waste. The liquid fuel can be delivered to a third location of a lower elevation than the second location while providing pressure or kinetic energy.

Abstract: An electrode comprises carbon nanoparticles and at least one of metal particles, metal oxide particles, metalloid particles and/or metalloid oxide particles. A surfactant attaches the carbon nanoparticles and the metal particles, metal oxide particles, metalloid particles and/or metalloid oxide particles to form an electrode composition. A binder binds the electrode composition such that it can be formed into a film or membrane. The electrode has a specific capacity of at least 450 mAh/g of active material when cycled at a charge/discharge rate of about 0.1C.

Abstract: A multiple stage synthesis gas generation system is disclosed including a high radiant heat flux reactor, a gasifier reactor control system, and a Steam Methane Reformer (SMR) reactor. The SMR reactor is in parallel and cooperates with the high radiant heat flux reactor to produce a high quality syngas mixture for MeOH synthesis. The resultant products from the two reactors may be used for the MeOH synthesis. The SMR provides hydrogen rich syngas to be mixed with the potentially carbon monoxide rich syngas from the high radiant heat flux reactor. The combination of syngas component streams from the two reactors can provide the required hydrogen to carbon monoxide ratio for methanol synthesis. The SMR reactor control system and a gasifier reactor control system interact to produce a high quality syngas mixture for the MeOH synthesis.

Abstract: Efficient biomass conversion systems, methods and apparatus utilize a fast pyrolysis unit installed at locations having substantial quantities of biomass, with the biomass fed into the fast pyrolysis unit under pyrolytic reaction conditions, and with exhaust gases containing entrained matter resulting from the pyrolytic reactions being separated into char and bio-fuel constituents.

Abstract: A rechargeable battery pack is disclosed. In one aspect, the rechargeable battery pack includes a holder accommodating a plurality of unit cells, wherein each unit cell includes a rechargeable battery, and a case accommodating the holder. The case includes a bottom portion and a cover placed over the bottom portion and the holder. The holder includes a plurality of protrusions that protrude toward the bottom portion and the bottom portion has a plurality grooves defined to respectively correspond to the protrusions.

Abstract: The present application provides a gasifier for creating a flow of a syngas. The gasifier may include a reaction chamber and a quench chamber. The quench chamber may include a number of integrated scrubber trays therein such that the syngas first enters a quench pool via a dip tube and then passes through the scrubber trays before leaving the quench chamber.