Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating a compressed, biologically generated, feed gas stream comprising methane, carbon dioxide, water vapour and impurities including volatile non-methane organic compounds. The method comprises purifying the compressed, biologically generated, feed stream by adsorption to remove the volatile non-methane organic compounds and the water vapour and to form a purified feed stream. The purified feed stream is separated by membranes to produce a first product gas stream enriched in methane and an intermediate gas stream enriched in carbon dioxide. Part of the first product gas stream is withdrawn and mixed with at least part of the intermediate gas stream to form a second product gas stream comprising methane and carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A method for converting biomass into syngas by converting the biomass into a viscous, pumpable pyrolysis liquid and feeding this liquid into a gasifier. The biomass is first fed to a pyrolysis unit which will convert the biomass in part to the viscous, pumpable pyrolysis liquid. This pyrolysis liquid is then fed into a gasifier either by itself or with a solid carbon-containing component where it will react to form syngas.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing gases such as hydrogen gas at cryogenic temperatures. The hydrogen gas is stored in a storage vessel at cryogenic temperatures and those cryogenic temperatures are sustained by a heat exchanger apparatus which provides nearly uniform distribution of a volatile liquid throughout the hydrogen gas being stored.

Abstract: An improved process for the catalytic partial oxidation of hydrocarbons to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide is disclosed. The process also utilizes a novel catalyst configuration apparatus containing a first stage reactor which contains a first layer of a noble or transition metal catalyst on a support and a second layer of a reduced metal catalyst supported on or in a stable inorganic metal oxide washcoated on a support, and a second stage reactor which is a shift reactor.

Abstract: An improved process for the catalytic partial oxidation of hydrocarbons to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide and less than ˜2% carbon dioxide is disclosed. The process further permits the reaction to be initiated at room temperature, and utilizes a metal catalyst deposited on a ceria-coated zirconia monolith support, which exhibits high conversions of hydrocarbons to synthesis gas (hydrogen and carbon monoxide).

Abstract: Multi compressor systems and apparatuses for the manufacture, storage and dispensing of manufactured hydrogen fuel to hydrogen vehicle tanks or remote mobile refuelers are disclosed.

Abstract: A metal catalyst and a method of preparing the metal catalyst are disclosed. The metal catalyst consists essentially of a transition or noble metal supported by a ceria coating disposed on a ceramic monolith. Alternatively, a matrix structure can be provided on the ceramic monolith prior to the formation of the ceria coating. The use of the metal catalyst allows partial oxidation of hydrocarbons to be carried out at low initiation temperatures with high product yields and selectivities.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing hydrogen by passing a hydrocarbon-containing gas over a ceramic monolith at a temperature sufficient to produce hydrogen; and passing an oxygen-containing gas over the ceramic monolith at a temperature sufficient to react with the carbon on the ceramic monolith and to produce carbon monoxide. The process is performed cyclically using one or more beds in a manner such that hydrogen is produced followed by carbon monoxide production.

Abstract: Production of oxygen-enriched gas streams is disclosed herein. Air streams contact an oxygen-selective mixed conductor particularly a perovskite material whereby oxygen is retained or adsorbed on the perovskite and can be employed in a variety of processes such as in combusting a fuel gas, heat recovery and boiler related operations.

Abstract: An improved process for the catalytic partial oxidation of hydrocarbons to produce hydrogen and carbon monoxide is disclosed. The process also utilizes a novel catalyst configuration containing at least two serially aligned layers containing a noble metal or transition metal catalyst supported on a support. Alternatively the process employs only the first layer of a catalytically active metal dispersed on an inert carrier support to partially oxidize hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Supported perovskite-type oxides are described. The perovskite-type oxides have the general formula of AxA?x?ByB?y?O3-?, wherein A is an ion of a metal of Group IIIa or IIIb of the periodic table of elements or mixtures thereof; A? is an ion of a metal of Groups Ia or IIa of the periodic table or mixtures thereof; B and B? are ions of a d-block transition metal of the periodic table or mixtures thereof; x, x?, y and y? vary from 0 to 1; 0.95<x+x?<1.05; 0.95<y+y?<1.05; ? is the deviation from ideal oxygen stoichiometry. This invention also provides for the selection of support materials and the shapes of supported perovskite-type oxides as well as the methods for making them.

Abstract: There is disclosed a one-step process for purifying an inert gas achieved by contacting the inert gas including minute quantities of an impurity selected from the group consisting of CO, CO.sub.2, O.sub.2, H.sub.2, H.sub.2 O and mixtures thereof with a particulate material comprised of nickel in an amount of at least about 5% by weight as elemental nickel distributed over an effective area of surface, typically from about 100 to 200 m.sup.2 /g, thereby forming an inert gas having less than 1 ppm and preferably less than 0.1 ppm of any such impurity.