Abstract: A gas burner including a gas distribution element and a metal foam matrix burner covering the distribution element. A heat sink partially surrounds, and is spaced apart from, the metal foam matrix. The heat sink has an open end to vent exhaust emissions. The gas burner provides reduced nitrous oxide and carbon monoxide emissions and effective heat transfer modes (conduction, convection and radiation) compared to state-of-the-art burner technologies.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for separating diluted tailings containing a hydrocarbon diluent into a recovered diluent component and a diluent recovered tailings component. The method includes introducing the diluted tailings into a diluent recovery vessel so that they form a tailings pool in the diluent recovery vessel, introducing an amount of stream directly into the tailings pool, mixing the diluted tailings which are contained in the tailings pool, and maintaining the diluted tailings in the diluent recovery vessel for a residence time. The apparatus includes a diluent recovery vessel having a tailings pool section, a steam distributor located in the tailings pool section, and a mixing device associated with the tailings pool section.

Abstract: A gas burner including a gas distribution element and a metal foam matrix burner covering the distribution element. A heat sink partially surrounds, and is spaced apart from, the metal foam matrix. The heat sink has an open end to vent exhaust emissions. The gas burner provides reduced nitrous oxide and carbon monoxide emissions and effective heat transfer modes (conduction, convection and radiation) compared to state-of-the-art burner technologies.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for separating diluted tailings containing a hydrocarbon diluent into a recovered diluent component and a diluent recovered tailings component. The method includes introducing the diluted tailings into a diluent recovery vessel so that they form a tailings pool in the diluent recovery vessel, introducing an amount of stream directly into the tailings pool, mixing the diluted tailings which are contained in the tailings pool, and maintaining the diluted tailings in the diluent recovery vessel for a residence time. The apparatus includes a diluent recovery vessel having a tailings pool section, a steam distributor located in the tailings pool section, and a mixing device associated with the tailings pool section.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for separating diluted tailings containing a hydrocarbon diluent into a recovered diluent component and a diluent recovered tailings component. The method includes introducing the diluted tailings into a diluent recovery vessel so that they form a tailings pool in the diluent recovery vessel, introducing an amount of stream directly into the tailings pool, mixing the diluted tailings which are contained in the tailings pool, and maintaining the diluted tailings in the diluent recovery vessel for a residence time. The apparatus includes a diluent recovery vessel having a tailings pool section, a steam distributor located in the tailings pool section, and a mixing device associated with the tailings pool section.

Abstract: A fuel processing system for heavier sulfur-laden hydrocarbon fuels, such as JP-8 and diesel fuels, having a fuel processor in which the sulfur-laden hydrocarbon fuels are reformed using steam reforming, an integrated desulfurization/methanation unit, and a solid oxide fuel cell. The heart of the system is the desulfurization/methanation unit which has a first reactor vessel and a second reactor vessel disposed within the first reactor vessel, forming an enclosed reaction space between the first reactor vessel and the second reactor vessel. A methanation catalyst is provided in the enclosed reaction space or the second reactor vessel. A desulfurization material is provided in the other of the enclosed reaction space and the second reactor vessel. During the normal course of operation, the desulfurization material will reach a saturation point at which it is no longer able to adsorb the sulfur-containing compounds.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for separating diluted tailings containing a hydrocarbon diluent into a recovered diluent component and a diluent recovered tailings component. The method includes introducing the diluted tailings into a diluent recovery vessel so that they form a tailings pool in the diluent recovery vessel, introducing an amount of steam directly into the tailings pool, mixing the diluted tailings which are contained in the tailings pool, and maintaining the diluted tailings in the diluent recovery vessel for a residence time. The apparatus includes a diluent recovery vessel having a tailings pool section, a steam distributor located in the tailings pool section, and a mixing device associated with the tailings pool section.

Abstract: A direct carbon fuel cell having an anode electrode of carbon particles pre-wetted with carbonate, a cathode electrode, and an electrolyte layer disposed between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode and containing a molten carbonate. The fuel cell includes a wicking feature whereby excess carbonate produced during the operation of the fuel cell is removed. The use of carbonate pre-wetted carbon particles as the anode provides a network of empty voids, facilitating the removal of CO2 gas from the cell, thereby enhancing fuel cell performance.

Abstract: A hydrogen-selective membrane material having a dense inner membrane layer composed of a Group VB alloy and no Pd disposed between two porous outer membrane support layers composed of the same Group VB alloy and no Pd or other noble metal, the amount of the Group VB alloy being greater than about 90 atomic % of each layer.

Abstract: A direct carbon fuel cell having an anode electrode of carbon particles pre-wetted with carbonate, a cathode electrode, and an electrolyte layer disposed between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode and containing a molten carbonate. The fuel cell includes a wicking feature whereby excess carbonate produced during the operation of the fuel cell is removed. The use of carbonate pre-wetted carbon particles as the anode provides a network of empty voids, facilitating the removal of CO2 gas from the cell, thereby enhancing fuel cell performance.

Abstract: A generally planar, rectangular solid oxide fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cell units, each of the fuel cell units having an anode, a cathode and an electrolyte disposed there between, at least one bipolar separator plate disposed between the anode electrode of one fuel cell unit and the cathode electrode of an adjacent fuel cell unit, an oxidant manifold for delivering oxidant to the cathode electrode, a fuel manifold for delivering fuel to the anode electrode, an anode exhaust gas removal manifold for removing anode exhaust gases from the solid oxide fuel cell stack, and a cathode exhaust gas removal manifold for removing cathode exhaust gases from the solid oxide fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A generally planar, rectangular solid oxide fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cell units, each of the fuel cell units having an anode, a cathode and an electrolyte disposed there between, at least one bipolar separator plate disposed between the anode electrode of one fuel cell unit and the cathode electrode of an adjacent fuel cell unit, an oxidant manifold for delivering oxidant to the cathode electrode, a fuel manifold for delivering fuel to the anode electrode, an anode exhaust gas removal manifold for removing anode exhaust gases from the solid oxide fuel cell stack, and a cathode exhaust gas removal manifold for removing cathode exhaust gases from the solid oxide fuel cell stack.

Abstract: A fuel cell power system having at least one fuel cell stack, at least one fuel processor in fluid communication with the at least one fuel cell stack and heat exchangers for transferring heat between the at least one fuel cell stack and the at least one fuel processor in which the at least one fuel cell stack and the at least one fuel processor are circumferentially surrounded by a plurality concentric heat exchanger shell assemblies.

Abstract: A fuel cell power system having at least one fuel cell stack, at least one fuel processor in fluid communication with the at least one fuel cell stack and heat exchangers for transferring heat between the at least one fuel cell stack and the at least one fuel processor in which the at least one fuel cell stack and the at least one fuel processor are circumferentially surrounded by a plurality concentric heat exchanger shell assemblies.

Abstract: A reactor for CO control having a reactor vessel having a water-gas shift catalyst zone, a mixed catalyst zone downstream of the water-gas shift catalyst zone, and a methanation catalyst zone disposed downstream of the mixed catalyst zone, at least one water-gas shift catalyst disposed in the water-gas shift catalyst zone, at least one methanation catalyst disposed in the methanation catalyst zone, and a mixture of the water-gas shift catalyst and the methanation disposed in the mixed catalyst zone.

Abstract: A molten carbonate fuel cell having an anode electrode, a cathode electrode, and an electrolyte matrix disposed between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. An electrode support constructed of a high porosity reticulated foam material is disposed on an anode electrode face of at least one of the anode electrode and the cathode electrode facing away from the electrolyte matrix and forming a plurality of pores. An electrolyte is disposed within at least a portion of the plurality of pores, whereby at least a portion of the electrolyte flows into the electrolyte matrix during initial conditioning of the fuel cell.