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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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: 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 and systems are provided for propelling a vehicle. In an embodiment, by way of example only, a method includes flowing a decomposed hydroxylammonium nitrite (HAN)-based propellant into a chamber, introducing an aspirated non-polar fuel into the chamber, and combusting the decomposed HAN-based propellant and the aspirated non-polar fuel to produce an exhaust gas.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for propelling a vehicle. In an embodiment, by way of example only, a method includes flowing a decomposed hydroxylammonium nitrite (HAN)-based propellant into a chamber, introducing an aspirated non-polar fuel into the chamber, and combusting the decomposed HAN-based propellant and the aspirated non-polar fuel to produce an exhaust gas.

Abstract: A gas generation system includes a fuel source, an oxidizer source, and a combustion chamber. The fuel source is operable to supply a flow of a lithium fuel, and the oxidizer source is operable to supply a flow of a fluorinated carbon oxidizer. The combustion chamber is coupled to receive the flow of lithium fuel and the flow of the fluorinated carbon oxidizer and, upon receipt thereof, supplies a combustion gas. The combustion chamber is formed, at least partially, of a carbon material.

Abstract: A method for producing a coated carbon composite material is provided. The resulting coated composite is useful for applications such as rocket nozzles and valve bodies that encounter the high temperature and high flow rates in rocket propulsion and control. A carbon substrate such as graphite is first coated with rhenium. A layer of ruthenium is then deposited on the rhenium. The materials are heated at high temperature so as to melt the ruthenium. The ruthenium melts and penetrates through the rhenium layer and into pores of the carbon substrate. The rhenium and ruthenium are mutually soluble and further form a rhenium/ruthenium alloy. Upon solidification of the rhenium/ruthenium alloy interlayer, a further rhenium coating may be deposited thereon. The rhenium/ruthenium interlayer provides a high strength bond between the carbon substrate and the rhenium coating.

Abstract: A diffusion bonding process for bonding one rhenium-coated carbonaceous body to another. The rhenium-coat surfaces 18,20 of the bodies are coated with ruthenium, and the bodies are diffusion bonded at the interface formed by adjoining ruthenium coats 22,24.