Abstract: An updraft gasifier including a reactor chamber, the chamber adapted to receive an amount of biomass fuel, one or more reaction gas input means, the base portion located below and fluidly connected to the receiving portion of the reactor chamber, a hollow feed tube extending into the receiving portion of the chamber to terminate at a feed tube terminus within the receiving portion of the chamber, one or more product gas output means located at or near the top of the receiving portion of the reactor chamber; and wherein the gasifier further includes a biomass distribution member within the receiving chamber, the biomass distribution member positioned to enable a portion of the distribution member to be moveable beneath the feed tube terminus.

Abstract: This invention describes a method and apparatus for the capture, storage and release of carbon dioxide for use in the horticulture industry, the method including reduction of a transition metal oxide to form a transition metal and carbon dioxide; carburization or partial carburization of the transition metal to form metal carbide; carbonation of an alkaline metal oxide or alkaline earth metal oxide to form an alkaline metal carbonate or alkaline earth metal carbonate; contacting the metal carbide with air to produce a transition metal oxide and carbon dioxide; and calcining the alkaline metal carbonate or alkaline earth metal carbonate to form carbon dioxide and alkaline metal oxide or alkaline earth metal oxide. Also described is a sorbent material for use in the method and apparatus of the invention.

Abstract: A process for the separation of carbon dioxide from gas mixtures is disclosed in which a metal oxide sorbent, which is used to capture and release carbon dioxide, is recycled. The process incorporates the regeneration of the carbon dioxide capture capacity of the metal oxide to maintain a high capture capacity over many cycles. The regeneration involves hydrating the metal oxide and then heating the resulting metal hydroxide under a gas atmosphere that is effective to suppress the dehydration of the hydroxide so that dehydration occurs at an elevated temperature. The regeneration may also be used independently from the carbon dioxide separation process to produce, from a metal hydroxide, a metal oxide having an enhanced resistance to attrition and fragmentation.

Abstract: A process for the separation of carbon dioxide from gas mixtures is disclosed in which a metal oxide sorbent, which is used to capture and release carbon dioxide, is recycled. The process incorporates the regeneration of the carbon dioxide capture capacity of the metal oxide to maintain a high capture capacity over many cycles. The regeneration involves hydrating the metal oxide and then heating the resulting metal hydroxide under a gas atmosphere that is effective to suppress the dehydration of the hydroxide so that dehydration occurs at an elevated temperature. The regeneration may also be used independently from the carbon dioxide separation process to produce, from a metal hydroxide, a metal oxide having an enhanced resistance to attrition and fragmentation.

Abstract: A process for the separation of carbon dioxide from gas mixtures is disclosed in which a metal oxide sorbent, which is used to capture and release carbon dioxide, is recycled. The process incorporates the regeneration of the carbon dioxide capture capacity of the metal oxide to maintain a high capture capacity over many cycles. The regeneration involves hydrating the metal oxide and then heating the resulting metal hydroxide under a gas atmosphere that is effective to suppress the dehydration of the hydroxide so that dehydration occurs at an elevated temperature. The regeneration may also be used independently from the carbon dioxide separation process to produce, from a metal hydroxide, a metal oxide having an enhanced resistance to attrition and fragmentation.

Abstract: Process for the production of hydrogen by the thermochemical route from water, based on the chlorine/cerium cycle, in which, according to a first reaction scheme, the following reactions are carried out: H2O+Cl2=2HCl+½O2;??(A) 8HCl+2CeO2=2CeCl3+Cl2+4H2O;??(B) 2CeCl3+4H2O=2CeO2+6HCl+H2;??(C) or in which, according to a second reaction scheme, the following reactions are carried out: H2O+Cl2=2HCl+½O2;??(A) 8HCl+2CeO2=2CeCl3+Cl2+4H2O;??(B) 2CeCl3+2H2O=2CeOCl+4HCl;??(B?) 2CeOCl+2H2O=2CeO2+2HCl+H2;??(C?) and in which the reaction (B) for the chlorination of cerium oxide is carried out in the liquid phase, the cerium chloride passing into solution.

Abstract: Process for the production of hydrogen by the thermochemical route from water, based on the chlorine/cerium cycle, in which, according to a first reaction scheme, the following reactions are carried out: H2O+Cl2=2HCl+½O2; ??(A) 8HCl+2CeO2=2CeCl3+Cl2+4H2O; ??(B) 2CeCl3+4H2O=2CeO2+6HCl+H2; ??(C) or in which, according to a second reaction scheme, the following reactions are carried out: H2O+Cl2=2HCl+½O2; ??(A) 8HCl+2CeO2=2CeCl3+Cl2+4H2O; ??(B) 2CeCl3+2H2O=2CeOCl+4HCl; ??(B?) 2CeOCl+2H2O=2CeO2+2HCl+H2; ??(C?) and in which the reaction (B) for the chlorination of cerium oxide is carried out in the liquid phase, the cerium chloride passing into solution.