Abstract: This invention provides a process for making ammonia from biomass. The biomass may be first reacted with oxygen and steam to generate a biosyngas comprising hydrogen (H2) and carbon monoxide (CO) as the active components. The gasification step may be regulated to reduce the amount of methane in the biosyngas that may leave the gasifier.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for converting biomass into syngas using a pressurized multi-stage progressively expanding fluidized bed gasifier to eliminate or reduce the formation of methane, volatiles such as BTX, and tars. The gasifier may include a reactive stage that may receive a biomass feed through a feed line and oxygen through an oxygen feed line. The gasifier may also include a fluidized bed section that may be configured to receive the reaction products from the first stage, mix them and perform fluidized bed activity. A gasifier may also have a disengagement section that may be configured to separate fluidized media and particulate matter from syngas product. A gasification system may also include oxyblown catalytic autothermal reactor and a cryogenic air separation unit.

Abstract: This invention provides a process for making ammonia from biomass. The biomass may be first reacted with oxygen and steam to generate a biosyngas comprising hydrogen (H2) and carbon monoxide (CO) as the active components. The gasification step may be regulated to reduce the amount of methane in the biosyngas that may leave the gasifier.

Abstract: A method and apparatus determines an inbound traffic intensity of a visitable site, wherein the inbound traffic intensity factor is representative of a measure of meaningful visits to a visitable site in a given time period. The inbound traffic intensity factor is determined by obtaining visitor information including the number of visits to the visitable site during the given time period as well as the duration of each visit and using both the number visits and the time spent during each visit to quantify the traffic to the site during the time period.

Abstract: This invention relates to thermo-chemical remediation and decontamination of sediments and soils contaminated with organic contaminants as well as inorganic materials with subsequent beneficial reuse. Novel environmentally stable products of commercial value are produced when certain additives such as calcium and metal oxides are mixed with the contaminated materials. In the process, the mixture is heated to 1150.degree. C..about.1500.degree. C. to produce a molten reaction product with at least part of an excess amount of oxygen mixture or air is continuously bubbled through the melt in order to provide mixing and achieve high thermal destruction and removal efficiencies of the organic contaminants. The melt is then quickly quenched in moist air, steam, or water to avoid the transformation of the amorphous material into crystals. The inorganic contaminants such as chromium, nickel, zinc, etc. are incorporated and completely immobilized within the amorphous silicate network.

Abstract: This invention relates to thermo-chemical remediation and decontamination of sediments and soils contaminated with organic contaminants as well as inorganic materials with subsequent beneficial reuse. Novel environmentally stable products of commercial value are produced when certain additives such as calcium and metal oxides are mixed with the contaminated materials. In the process, the mixture is heated to 1150.degree. C..about.1500.degree. C. to produce a molten reaction product with at least part of an excess amount of oxygen mixture or air is continuously bubbled through the melt in order to provide mixing and achieve high thermal destruction and removal efficiencies of the organic contaminants. The melt is then quickly quenched in moist air, steam, or water to avoid the transformation of the amorphous material into crystals. The inorganic contaminants such as chromium, nickel, zinc, etc. are incorporated and completely immobilized within the amorphous silicate network.

Abstract: An improved double tube reactor having a plurality of inner and outer tube assemblies each of the assemblies having a reaction annular volume between the inner tube and outer tube and a closed center plug within the inner tube forming an annular thermal exchange volume between the center plug and the inner tube to obtain desired temperature control of exothermic and endothermic catalytic chemical reactions. In one embodiment of the invention, the improved double tube reactor is used in a process for production of high purity methanol from process gas produced by steam reforming hydrocarbon feedstocks in a tube type reformer followed by removing substantially all CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 O from the process gas, adjusting the H.sub.2 /CO molar ratio to about 2 when necessary, and feeding the adjusted process gas to a methanol synthesis reactor contacting a methanol forming catalyst not requiring CO.sub.2 activation at about 200.degree. to about 300.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for production of methanol from process gas produced by steam reforming hydrocarbon feedstocks in a tube type reformer followed by removing substantially all CO.sub.2 and H.sub.2 O from the process gas, adjusting the H.sub.2 /CO molar ratio to about 2 when necessary, and feeding the adjusted process gas to a methanol synthesis reactor contacting a methanol forming catalyst not requiring CO.sub.2 activation at about 200.degree. to about 300.degree. C. to produce product gas comprising methanol, and recovering liquid methanol having purity greater than about 99.85% pure by cooling the product gas to a temperature below the boiling point of methanol and separating the liquid methanol from gaseous components of the product gas. In a preferred embodiment, process gas of H.sub.2 /CO molar ratio of about 2.0 to about 2.