Abstract: A process and system for separating a fuel stream containing a low concentration of sulfur compounds from a primary fuel stream is disclosed. The process includes isolating a stage-one permeate stream and a stage-one retentate stream from the primary fuel stream, evaporating the stage-one permeate stream at a vacuum, and isolating a stage-two permeate stream and a stage-two retentate stream from the stage-one permeate stream. The stage-two retentate stream is a fuel stream containing low concentrations of sulfur compounds. The system includes a fuel supply, a stage-one separator for separating a fuel stream into a stage-one permeate stream and a stage-one retentate stream, a stage-two separator, a first supply line connecting a portion of the fuel supply to the stage-one separator, and a second supply line connecting the stage-one separator permeate stream to the stage-two separator.

Abstract: A hydrogen production apparatus for generating hydrogen comprises a first input for mixing a stream of liquid water with a stream of feed gas to produce a feed gas-water mixture stream and a heating mechanism for heating the feed gas-water mixture stream to a temperature sufficient to evaporate the water in the feed gas-water mixture stream to steam to produce a humidified feed-gas stream. A second input is provided for mixing the humidified feed-gas stream with a hydrocarbon fuel to produce a reformer reactant mixture of fuel, oxidant, and steam. A steam-methane reforming component reacts the hydrocarbon fuel and the steam in the reformer reactant mixture in a steam-methane reforming reaction to reform the hydrocarbon fuel in the reformer reactant mixture and produce a hydrogen enriched reformer product gas.

Abstract: An integrated reactor for producing fuel gas for a fuel cell, the integrated reactor comprises an waste gas oxidizer (WGO) assembly having an associated WGO chamber, an inlet, an outlet and a flow path for exothermic gases produced in the WGO chamber. The integrated reactor has an autothermal reactor (ATR) assembly located within the WGO chamber. The ATR assembly has an inlet means and an outlet means for process gases flowing therethrough and a catalyst bed which is intermediate the inlet and outlet means. At least a part of the inlet means of the ATR assembly is located in the flow path of the WGO chamber to facilitate the transfer of thermal energy.

Abstract: In a continuous process for recovery of values from a solid carbonaceous material, the carbonaceous material is pyrolyzed in the presence of a particulate source of heat to yield a particulate carbon containing residue of pyrolysis and volatilized hydrocarbons while simultaneously the volatilized hydrocarbons are hydrogenated. The particulate source of heat is formed by oxidizing carbon in the solid residue to heat the particles. Hydrogen for hydrogenation is obtained by reacting at least a portion of the hot particulate carbon containing residue of pyrolysis with steam prior to feeding the hot particulate residue to the pyrolysis reaction zone. Steam and/or carbon dioxide can be introduced into the pyrolysis reaction zone to react with carbon containing residue contained therein. The particulate source of heat can be introduced to the pyrolysis reaction zone over an overflow weir. The hydrogen and the particulate source of heat can be formed simultaneously in an oxidation-conversion zone.

Abstract: In a continuous process for recovery of values from a solid carbonaceous material, the carbonaceous material is pyrolyzed in the presence of a particulate source of heat to yield a particulate carbon containing residue of pyrolysis and volatilized hydrocarbons while simultaneously the volatilized hydrocarbons are hydrogenated. The particulate source of heat is formed by oxidizing carbon in the solid residue to heat the particles. Hydrogen for hydrogenation is obtained by reacting at least a portion of the hot particulate carbon containing residue of pyrolysis with steam prior to feeding the hot particulate residue to the pyrolysis reaction zone. Steam and/or carbon dioxide can be introduced into the pyrolysis reaction zone to interact with carbon containing residue contained therein. The particulate source of heat can be introduced to the pyrolysis reaction zone over an overflow weir.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new and novel method and apparatus for reacting nongaseous material with a gaseous reactant comprising introducing a first stream containing a nongaseous material into a reaction zone; simultaneously introducing a second stream containing a gaseous reactant into the reaction zone such that the gaseous reactant immediately contacts and reacts with the first stream thereby producing a gaseous product; forming a spiralling vortex within the reaction zone to cause substantial separation of gases, including the gaseous product, from the nongaseous material; forming and removing a third stream from the reaction zone containing the gaseous product which is substantially free of the nongaseous material before a major portion of the gaseous product can react with the nongaseous material; and forming and removing a fourth stream containing the nongaseous material from the reaction zone.

Abstract: In a continuous process for recovery of values contained in a solid carbonaceous material, the carbonaceous material is comminuted and then subjected to flash pyrolysis in the presence of a particulate heat source fed over an overflow weir to form a pyrolysis product stream containing a carbon containing solid residue and volatilized hydrocarbons. After the carbon containing solid residue is separated from the pyrolysis product stream, values are obtained by condensing volatilized hydrocarbons. The particulate source of heat is formed by oxidizing carbon in the solid residue.

Abstract: In a continuous process for recovery of values contained in a solid carbonaceous material, the carbonaceous material is comminuted and then subjected to flash pyrolysis in the presence of a particulate heat source over an overflow weir to form a pyrolysis product stream containing a carbon containing solid residue and volatilized hydrocarbons. After the carbon containing solid residue is separated from the pyrolysis product stream, values are obtained by condensing volatilized hydrocarbons. The particulate source of heat is formed by oxidizing carbon in the solid residue and separating out the fines.

Abstract: In a continuous process for recovery of values contained in a solid carbonaceous material, the carbonaceous material is comminuted and then subjected to flash pyrolysis in the presence of a particulate heat source to form a pyrolysis product stream containing a carbon containing solid residue and volatilized hydrocarbons. After the carbon containing solid residue is separated from the pyrolysis product stream, values are obtained by condensing volatilized hydrocarbons. The particulate source of heat is formed by oxidizing carbon in the solid residue. Apparatus useful for practicing this process are disclosed.