Abstract: A reactor device for the release of a gas from a starting material includes a reactor housing having a longitudinal axis and at least one single reactor arranged in the reactor housing, the single reactor including a base plate oriented transversely to the longitudinal axis, a starting material flow channel defining a starting material flow direction, a catalyst arranged in the starting material flow channel, a heating unit for heating the catalyst and/or the starting material and a gas collection chamber arranged above the starting material flow channel for collecting the gas released from the starting material.

Abstract: A liquid/gas reactor includes a bulk catalyst bed and means for supplying fresh feed and recycled at least partially converted liquid product stream to the bulk catalyst bed. The reactor also includes means for collecting an at least partially converted liquid product stream from the bulk catalyst bed and recycling at least a portion thereto. A minor catalyst bed extends substantially vertically through the bulk catalyst bed. Means for supplying recycled at least partially converted product stream only to the minor catalyst bed is also provided. A separating wall is disposed between the bulk catalyst bed and the minor catalyst bed.

Abstract: A gas-to-liquids process and plant for treating natural gas, in which the natural gas is subjected to expansion through a flow restrictor so as to undergo cooling through the Joule Thomson effect, enables liquids to be separated from the gas stream. The natural gas may be cooled before it reaches the flow restrictor by heat exchange with fluid that has passed through the flow restrictor. This decreases the proportion of longer-chain hydrocarbons in the natural gas, which may simplify subsequent processing, and may enable the size of the plant to be decreased.

Abstract: A system for the production of conversion products from synthesis gas, the system including a mixing apparatus configured for mixing steam with at least one carbonaceous material to produce a reformer feedstock; a reformer configured to produce, from the reformer feedstock, a reformer product comprising synthesis gas comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide from the reformer feedstock; a synthesis gas conversion apparatus configured to catalytically convert at least a portion of the synthesis gas in the reformer product into synthesis gas conversion product and to separate from the synthesis gas conversion product a tailgas comprising at least one gas selected from the group consisting of carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen and methane; and one or more recycle lines fluidly connecting the synthesis gas conversion apparatus with the mixing apparatus, the reformer, or both.

Abstract: Systems and methods for thermally decomposing hydrocarbon feedstock may comprise a hydrocarbon feedstock, a non-oxidizing carrier gas, one or more heat exchangers, and a reaction chamber. The carrier gas may be used to transfer heat to the hydrocarbon feedstock. The heat exchanger(s) may be configured to heat the carrier gas. And the reaction chamber may be configured to receive hydrocarbon feedstock and heated carrier gas. Inside the reaction chamber, the hydrocarbon feedstock and the heated carrier gas may mix with one another causing the thermal decomposition reaction. The thermal decomposition reaction occurs in a substantially oxidant-free environment thereby eliminating or greatly reducing the production of carbon oxide byproducts. Hydrogen gas may be separated from a gaseous product stream that is thereafter collected from the reaction chamber. A portion of the gaseous product stream may be thermally coupled to the carrier gas and may thereafter be recycled through the system.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for thermal processing of slurry, the slurry is combined with a bio-mass to produce a mixture which is then subjected to a cracking temperature in a receiving tank, thereby liquefying and allowing the mixture to catalytically undergo a cracking reaction. The cracking reaction which the liquefied mixture undergoes is continued in a mixer pump to thereby produce a reaction mixture. The reaction mixture is outgased in an intermediate tank to separate an outgased fraction from a non-outgased fraction. Subsequently, the outgased fraction is allowed to cool down, thereby producing fuel, while the non-outgased fraction is returned to the receiving tank and subjected again to the cracking temperature. Residual matter of the non-outgased fraction settles in the intermediate tank and is periodically removed.

Abstract: A reactor in the form of an essentially horizontal cylinder for carrying out an autothermal gas-phase dehydrogenation of a hydrocarbon-comprising gas stream by means of an oxygen-comprising gas stream to give a reaction gas mixture over a heterogeneous catalyst configured as monolith is disclosed herein. The interior of the reactor is divided by a detachable, cylindrical or prismatic housing which is arranged in the longitudinal direction of the reactor, gastight in the circumferential direction and open at two end faces of the housing into an inner region, having one or more catalytically active zones. In each case, a packing composed of monoliths may be stacked on top of one another, next to one another, and above one another and before each catalytically active zone. Also in each case, a mixing zone having solid internals and an outer region arranged coaxially to the inner region are provided.

Abstract: In a reforming apparatus, for use in a fuel cell, for reforming a raw fuel into a hydrogen-rich reformed gas, a reformer generates the reformed gas from the raw fuel. A shift reactor reduces carbon monoxide contained in the reformed gas through a shift reaction. A selective oxidation unit reduces the carbon monoxide contained in the reformed gas that has passed through the shift reactor by performing selective oxidation on the carbon monoxide. A reforming reaction tube houses linearly the reformer, the shift reactor and the selective oxidation unit in this order.

Abstract: A hydrogen production system (X1) according to the present invention includes a reforming apparatus (Y1) having a vaporizer (1) and a reforming reactor (2), and a PSA apparatus (5). In the vaporizer (1) a mixed material (hydrocarbon-based material, water, and oxygen) is heated and vaporized. In the reforming reactor (2), steam reforming reaction and partial oxidation reaction of the hydrocarbon-based material take place at a time, so that reformed gas (containing hydrogen) is led out from the vaporized mixed material. In the PSA apparatus (5), the reformed gas is introduced into an adsorption tower loaded with an adsorbing agent, so that an unnecessary component in the gas is adsorbed by the adsorbing agent and hence hydrogen-rich gas is led out of the tower, while the unnecessary component is desorbed from the adsorbing agent, so that hydrogen-containing desorbed gas that contains the unnecessary component and hydrogen remaining in the tower is discharged out of the tower.

Abstract: Reactors for conducting thermochemical processes with solar heat input, and associated systems and methods. A representative system includes a reactor having a reaction zone, a reactant source coupled in fluid in communication with the reactant zone, and a solar concentrator having at least one concentrator surface positionable to direct solar energy to a focal area. The system can further include an actuator coupled to the solar concentrator to move the solar concentrator relative to the sun, and a controller operatively coupled to the actuator. The controller can be programmed with instructions that direct the actuator to position the solar concentrator to focus the solar energy on the reaction zone when the solar energy is above a threshold level, and point to a location in the sky having relatively little radiant energy to cool an object when the solar energy is below the threshold level.

Abstract: A combined hydrothermal liquefaction (HTL) and catalytic hydrothermal gasification (CHG) system and process are described that convert various biomass-containing sources into separable bio-oils and aqueous effluents that contain residual organics. Bio-oils may be converted to useful bio-based fuels and other chemical feedstocks. Residual organics in HTL aqueous effluents may be gasified and converted into medium-BTU product gases and directly used for process heating or to provide energy.

Abstract: Method of producing hydrogen from methanol comprising providing a feed mixture of methanol and water at high pressure, delivering the feed mixture to a reactor chamber (5) equipped with an internal heat exchanger, wherein said feed mixture is heated by heat exchange with an outgoing reformed mixture from the reactor chamber, and wherein said outgoing reformed mixture is simultaneously cooled by said feed mixture.

Abstract: Disclosed is a micro-macro channel reactor comprising: a top end plate and a bottom end plate assembled on the outskirts of the micro-macro channel reactor; a heat exchanging plate by which a heat exchanging material passes through passages thereof so that heat is transferred between the heat exchanging material and such a fluid as a reactant, a product, or a mixture thereof that passes through a catalyst plate; a catalyst plate stacked and assembled together with the heat exchanging plate and including a catalyst section containing a reaction catalyst necessary to perform a catalytic reaction of the reactant while the reactant is passing through the catalyst section; and a support plate stacked and assembled together with the catalyst plate and configured to provide passages that allows the reactant to pass through the catalyst section of the catalyst plate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for converting hydrocarbons into unsaturated products such as acetylene and/or ethylene. The invention also relates to converting acetylene to olefins such as ethylene and/or propylene, to polymerizing the olefins, and to equipment useful for these processes.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products are disclosed that overcome the deficiencies of traditional steam engines and internal combustion engines. In an embodiment, a system is disclosed for generating reaction products having elevated temperature and pressure. The system comprises a first chamber including a reactor to decompose hydrogen peroxide to generate oxygen and water vapor. The system further comprises a second chamber including a reactor to catalytically combust a mixture of the generated oxygen and a fuel to generate reaction products having elevated temperature and pressure. The system further comprises a passageway to receive reaction products exiting the second chamber and to channel the reaction products to come into contact with external surfaces of the first and second chambers to thereby transfer heat to the first and second chambers, and an outlet to allow the reaction products to exit the system.

Abstract: A method and system for converting intermittent renewable energy and renewable carbonaceous feedstock to non-intermittent renewable electrical and thermal energy, storing it as fuels and chemicals and using it to capture and re-use or dispose of CO2 emissions. The system in a preferred embodiment is realized through the generation of non-intermittent renewable electricity utilizing intermittent renewable energy sources along with gaseous fuel from renewable carbonaceous feedstock, producing oxygen and hydrogen from non-intermittent renewable electricity and utilizing the oxygen and hydrogen as required for gasification of renewable carbonaceous feedstock to produce gaseous fuel stream and gaseous intermediate stream, utilizing the gaseous intermediate stream to produce renewable fuels and renewable chemicals, and utilizing oxygen for oxy-rich combustion for concentrating CO2 emissions for easy processing, re-use and disposal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing torrefied lignocellulosic material in a commercially suitable process.

Abstract: A reactor is described for the production of C2 to C8 olefins from gaseous oxygenate and H2O and one or more material flows containing C2 C4, C5, C6, C7, C8 olefin and paraffin at 400° to 470° C., wherein several reaction stages which the material flow can pass through from the top to the bottom, each consisting of a support base with a catalyst layer situated on it, are arranged in a closed, upright container.

Abstract: Reactor vessels with pressure and heat transfer features for producing hydrogen-based fuels and structural elements, and associated systems and methods. A representative reactor system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a first reaction zone and a heat path positioned to direct heat into the first reaction zone, a reactant source coupled to the first reaction zone, and a first actuator coupled to cyclically pressurize the first reaction zone. The system can further include a second reaction zone in fluid communication with the first, a valve coupled between the first and second reaction zones to control a flow rate therebetween, and a second actuator coupled in fluid communication with the second reaction zone to cyclically pressurize the second reaction zone.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system and process for producing liquid hydrocarbons from a calcium carbonate feed-stock involving (i) liberation of a carbon dioxide gas from the heated calcium carbonate feedstock; (ii) filtering impurities from the extracted carbon dioxide of step (i); (iii) reacting the extracted carbon dioxide obtained in step (i) with a dihydrogen gas to form a methanol feedstock; (iv) isolating the cooled methanol feedstock formed in step (iii); (v) catalytically converting at least part of the methanol feedstock obtained in step (iii) at elevated temperature and pressure into aliphatic and aromatic liquid hydrocarbons; and (vi) isolating the decompressed liquid hydrocarbon product obtained in step (v).

Abstract: A process for producing metal oxide from metal salts includes cleaning a metal salt in a filter. After cleaning, the metal salt is dried in a drying apparatus. Steam is formed in the drying apparatus. The metal salt is preheated in at least one preheating stage. The metal salt is calcined to metal oxide in a fluidized-bed reactor. The metal oxide is cooled. The steam formed in the drying apparatus is recirculated into the filter.

Abstract: A combustor for oxidizing a combustion fuel and pre-heating one or more reactants for fuel reforming. The combustor includes an elongated housing having an inlet for receiving a combustion fuel and an outlet for exhausting combustion products. The elongated housing further includes a cylindrical side wall, a bottom wall, and a top wall. Inert particles are disposed within the housing adjacent the inlet. A combustion catalyst bed is disposed within the housing above the inert particles that is a mixture of inert particles and combustion catalyst. The inert particles and the combustion catalyst preferably have a volumetric ratio of inert particles to catalyst between about 2:1 and about 4:1. The combustor has at least one heat exchanger within the combustion catalyst bed for heating a reformer reactant and generating steam. Preferably, the combustor includes at least two heat exchangers within the combustion catalyst bed, the heat exchanging elements have different surface areas.

Abstract: The invention relates to a plate (10a) intended to be integrated in a stack of plates in a heat exchanger system, the plate comprising a plurality of channels (38) distributed in rows (40), each row comprising side walls (42) arranged opposite one another and spaced apart from one another in a first direction (44), so that two directly consecutive side walls delimit one of the channels (38), the rows being arranged opposite one another and spaced apart from one another in a second direction (46) which is perpendicular to the first. Furthermore, in the fluid circulation zone (20) of the plate incorporating the channels (38), only the latter are coated with a catalyst allowing a chemical reaction.

Abstract: A process and system for producing hydrocarbon compounds or fuels that recycle products of hydrocarbon compound combustion—carbon dioxide or carbon monoxide, or both, and water. The energy for recycling is electricity derived from preferably not fossil based fuels, like from nuclear fuels or from renewable energy. The process comprises electrolysing water, and then using hydrogen to reduce externally supplied carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide, then using so produced carbon monoxide together with any externally supplied carbon monoxide and hydrogen in Fischer-Tropsch reactors, with upstream upgrading to desired specification fuels—for example, gasoline, jet fuel, kerosene, diesel fuel, and others. Energy released in some of these processes is used by other processes. Using adiabatic temperature changes and isothermal pressure changes for gas processing and separation, large amounts of required energy are internally recycled using electric and heat distribution lines.

Abstract: A method of cooling hot fluid flowing through a chamber is provided. The method includes channeling cooling fluid through at least one cooling tube that extends through a passage of the chamber, and circulating the hot fluid flowing within the passage around the at least one cooling tube using at least one fluid diverter.

Abstract: A system for cooling and recuperative heating of a slurry in a metallurgical process which includes heat exchangers, pumps and autoclaves is described herein. The heat exchangers use a non-scaling common liquid heat transfer medium. Preferably, the heat exchangers are tube-in-tube heat exchangers with 3 to 7 slurry tubes in each heat exchanger. An advantage of this system is that it does not use flash tanks. To minimize abrasive wear on impinged surfaces, the velocity of the slurry is not more than 5 meters per second. The slurry comprises a solids concentration of 25% to 50%. Preferably, the pumps in the system are float-type pumps in which the driven liquid from the discharge pumps is also used as the drive liquid for the feed pumps.

Abstract: Processing schemes and arrangements are provided for obtaining propylene and propane via the catalytic cracking of a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock and converting the propylene into cumene without separating the propane from the propane/propylene feed stream. The disclosed processing schemes and arrangements advantageously eliminate any separation of propylene from propane produced by a FCC process prior to using the combined propane/propane stream as a feed for a cumene alkylation process. A bottoms stream from the cumene column of the cumene alkylation process can be used and an absorption solvent in the FCC process thereby eliminating the need for a transalkylation reactor and a DIPB/TIPB column.

Abstract: The present application thus provides an integrated gasification combined cycle system. The integrated gasification combined cycle system may include a water gas shift reactor system and a heat recovery steam generator. The water gas shift reactor system may include a recirculation system with a recirculation heat exchanger to heat a flow of syngas. The heat recovery steam generator may include a diverted water flow in communication with the recirculation heat exchanger.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided that include a heat integrated coal treating system having a two-stage coal treating process. In one embodiment, the two-stage treating process may include an HF reactor and an HNO3 reactor coupled to the nitric acid reactor and having a fluid exchanging heat between the hydrofluoric acid reactor and the nitric acid reactor.

Abstract: The disclosure is of a method and apparatus for conversion of disposable hydrocarbons into diesel and heating oil fuels and conversion of biomass into biodiesel fuel. The apparatus comprises a feed stock tank, a preparation tank for first stage warming of the feedstock, a first heat exchanger to separate out water as steam and light ends, a stack to vent steam to the atmosphere, a second heat exchanger to raise the temperature to that necessary for processing the feedstock in a cracking kettle, an oxidizer burning the light ends to generate heat for the first and second heat exchangers, a distillation tower to process the gases from the cracking kettle, a condenser to convert gas to liquid #2 diesel fuel, a filter and chiller unit, and storage tanks to hold the fuels and residuals. Retained heat in the residuals is used to preheat the feedstock to save energy.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a system includes a methanation section generally including a fuel inlet configured to receive a first fuel, a fuel outlet configured to output methane, and a first fuel path configured to route a first flow of the first fuel from the fuel inlet to the fuel outlet. The first fuel path includes a first methanator configured to generate the methane from the first fuel in an exothermic methanation region. The system also includes a second fuel path configured to route a second flow of a second fuel without conversion to methane. The second fuel path is also configured to receive heat from the exothermic methanation region.

Abstract: Processes and systems for synthesizing alkyl bromides to hydrocarbon products, such as high molecular weight hydrocarbons, olefins or mixtures thereof, wherein one or more streams of alkyl bromides may be synthesized in sequential or concurrent stages at different temperatures. The catalyst used in the synthesis stages may be the same or different and at least in one instance is chosen to form hydrocarbon products having a significant C6+ paraffin content. The stages may be conducted in one or more reactors and the catalyst may be deployed in fixed beds or fluidized beds.

Abstract: A method and an equipment for reducing sulphur dioxide emissions of a marine engine, wherein flue gases are scrubbed with a scrubbing solution in a scrubber. Fresh water with added sulphur removal reagent is used as the scrubbing solution.

Abstract: Processing schemes and arrangements are provided for obtaining ethylene and ethane via the catalytic cracking of a heavy hydrocarbon feedstock and converting the ethylene into ethyl benzene without separating the ethane from the feed stream. The disclosed processing schemes and arrangements advantageously eliminate any separation of ethylene from ethane produced by a FCC process prior to using the combined ethylene/ethane stream as a feed for an ethyl benzene process. Further, heat from the alkylation reactor is used for one of the strippers of the FCC process and at least one bottoms stream from alkylation process is used as an absorption solvent in the FCC process.