Abstract: The present disclosure provides tunable catalytic gasifier systems suitable for gasifying coal, biomass, and other fuel sources. The gasifier reactors of the disclosed systems may be heated by, e.g., a catalytic tube or other jacket that generates heat by catalytically combusting syngas, which syngas may be syngas produced by the gasifier system.

Abstract: A method for controlling the peak temperature of a fluid gasification zone used for the gasification of carbonaceous materials to a syngas. Pulsed oxygen is used to control the peak temperature of the gasification zone and to avoid hot spots in the gasifier.

Abstract: A power generating system for operating below a surface of a body of water includes a fuel cell stack configured to react hydrogen and oxygen to produce electricity. An oxygen source is configured to provide oxygen to the fuel cell stack. A hydrogen source is configured to provide hydrogen to the fuel cell stack. The hydrogen source is at least partially submerged in water and incorporates a non-hydride metal alloy that reacts with water to produce hydrogen from the water.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cyclonic gasifier and cyclonic gasification method. The cyclonic gasifier and cyclonic gasification method involve a chamber having a first portion proximal to a first end and a second portion proximal to a second end, introducing a first fuel to the first portion of the chamber, introducing a second fuel to the chamber; and introducing a first oxidant to accelerate the velocity of the first fuel and swirl the first fuel from the first portion toward the second portion.

Abstract: Methods and systems for a gasifier having a partial moderator bypass are provided. The gasifier includes a partial oxidation reactor including an inlet and an outlet and a primary reaction zone extending therebetween, the partial oxidation reactor configured to direct a flow of products of partial oxidation including fuel gases, gaseous byproducts of partial oxidation, and unburned carbon, and a secondary reaction chamber coupled in flow communication with the partial oxidation reactor, the secondary reaction chamber is configured to mix a flow of moderator with the flow of gaseous byproducts of partial oxidation and unburned carbon such that a concentration of fuel gases is increased.

Abstract: An entrained bed gasifier for operation with particulate or liquid fuels is provided. A reaction chamber defined by a cold screen and a quenching chamber connected to the reaction chamber using a crude gas and slag outlet, wherein at least the cold screen is enclosed by a pressure-resistant pressure mantle. The annular gap between the cold screen and pressure jacket may be filled with a fluid, for example, water or heat transfer oil. A rough pressure equalization between the gasification chamber and the annual gap may be guaranteed using a connection between the annular gap and the quenching chamber or the crude gas line, hence the pressure in the gasification chamber normally remains slightly higher than in the inner water jacket.

Abstract: A process is described for generating hydrogen through the oxidation of fuels that contain chemically bound hydrogen, in particular hydrocarbons, having the following process steps: a) introducing the fuel (1) as well as the oxidation agent (2) into a reactor (3) having a porous material (4?) that is embodied in such a way that flame propagation in a direction opposite the direction of flow is prevented, and b) reacting the fuel with the oxidation agent in partial oxidation so that hydrogen is obtained in gaseous form. In addition, an apparatus for generating hydrogen that has a reactor that contains a porous material (4, 4?), and the reactor (3) is embodied as a tubular reactor that has a central chamber (5) to introduce the fuel and the oxidation agent that extends in the axial direction and is delimited radially toward the outside by a first wall that has porous material (4), and the first wall is delimited radially toward the outside by a second wall that contains the porous material (4?).

Abstract: Two types of cells (first cells and second cells) are used to constitute a honeycomb structure. The first cells and second cells differ in the catalyst supporting position. The first cells and second cells are alternately arranged. The catalyst supporting position of the second cells is shifted in the direction of the downstream side of the flow of an air-fuel mixture from the catalyst supporting position of the first cells so that when an exothermic reaction occurs on the second cell side of a partition wall for separating a first cell from a second cell, an endothermic reaction occurs on the opposing first cell side of the partition wall.

Abstract: A system for production of hydrogen comprises at least one steam reforming zone configured to receive a first fuel and steam to produce a first reformate gas stream comprising hydrogen using a steam reforming process. The system further comprises a mixed reforming zone configured to receive an oxidant to produce a second reformate gas stream comprising hydrogen, wherein the first reformate gas stream is sent to the mixed reforming zone to complete the reforming process.

Abstract: The thermal reformer system (1) is provided that compromises a planar assembly including a reformer zone (5), a combustion zone (6), and various inlet and outlet manifolds with associated fluid flow passages (11, 20). The reformer system further compromises an inlet combustion fluid flow passage (31) connecting an inlet combustion fluid manifold (30) and the combustion zone (6), and an outlet combustion fluid flow passage (41) connecting the combustion zone (6) and the outlet combustion fluid manifold (40). In the thermal reformer system the heat transfer and recuperation from outlet fluid flows is efficiently transferred to inlet fluid flows, in order to minimize heat loss and insulation requirements.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing syngas are provided. A first hydrocarbon can be partially oxidized in the presence of an oxidant and one or more first catalysts at conditions sufficient to partially combust a portion of the first hydrocarbon to provide carbon dioxide, non-combusted first hydrocarbon, and heat. The non-combusted first hydrocarbon can be reformed in the presence of the heat generated in the partial oxidation step and the one or more first catalysts to provide a first syngas. Heat can be indirectly exchanged from the first syngas to a second hydrocarbon to reform at least a portion of the second hydrocarbon in the presence of steam and one or more second catalysts to provide a second syngas. A syngas, which can include the at least a portion of the first syngas, at least a portion of the second syngas, or a mixture thereof can be converted to provide one or more Fischer-Tropsch products, methanol, derivatives thereof, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: A flammable gas generating device includes a casing in which a mixing tank is received, the mixing tank has an inner space. A hydrogen input pipe connected to a hydrogen source, an oxygen input pipe connected to an oxygen source and a coolant pipe connected to a coolant source are respectively connected to the mixing tank and in communication with the inner space. Hydrogen and oxygen are mixed in the mixing tank and sent out via an output pipe to appliance such as a burner.

Abstract: A method for the autothermal reforming of a hydrocarbon, in particular of diesel, includes introducing a combustible mixture of the hydrocarbon to be reformed and an oxygen-containing medium into a first reaction zone of a reformer, A gas-phase reaction is ignited. After an operating temperature required for the autothermal reforming process is reached, water or a water-containing medium is introduced into the first reaction zone, and the water content is increased until the conditions for the reforming process of the hydrocarbon prevail. The reforming process then takes place predominantly in a second reaction zone.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for producing hydrogen are provided. The methods and apparatus utilize reforming catalysts in order to produce hydrogen gas. The reforming catalysts may be platinum group metals on a support material, and they may be located in a reforming reaction zone of a primary reactor. The support material may an oxidic support having a ceria zirconia promoter. The support material may be an oxidic support and a neodymium stabilizer. The support material may also be an oxidic support material and at least one Group IA, Group IIA, manganese, or iron metal promoter. The primary reactor may have a first and second reforming reaction zones. Upstream reforming catalysts located in the first reforming reaction zone may be selected to perform optimally under the conditions in the first reforming reaction zone. Downstream reforming catalysts located in the second reforming reaction zone may be selected to perform optimally under the conditions in the second reforming reaction zone.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon fuel reformer that is supplied with water vapor extracted from the reformer's effluent stream.

Abstract: A slotting cutter including a support disc rotatable in a predetermined direction on a central axis. The support disc is of a generally cylindrical shape having a first side and a second side, and an outer periphery. A plurality of pockets are staggered about the outer periphery of the support disc and includes a cutting insert secured in each pocket. Each cutting insert includes at least one cutting edge. The cutting insert extends laterally outwardly beyond the first side of the support disc and is spaced from the second side of the support disc such that the cutting edge of adjacent inserts are positioned to laterally overlap thereby providing an increased effective cutting path width.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the production of reformed gases. Natural gas and/or liquid hydrocarbons and oxygen are combusted in a first stage to produce carbon dioxide and water. The products of combustion are conveyed to a second stage. Reforming gas or atomized liquid hydrocarbons and oxygen are injected into the second stage and mixed with the products of combustion to react with the carbon dioxide and water to produce carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The process and apparatus are particularly adapted for use in supplementing the reform gases produced in a Direct Reduced Iron plant wherein iron ore is reduced to iron inside a shaft furnace. The process and apparatus may also be used to provide heated enrichment natural gas or liquid hydrocarbons for use as a source of carbon in the shaft furnace to provide for carburization of the iron. Additionally, the process and apparatus may be used as a process control device for controlling the temperature of the reformed gases flowing to the shaft furnace.

Abstract: A plasmatron-catalyst system. The system generates hydrogen-rich gas and comprises a plasmatron and at least one catalyst for receiving an output from the plasmatron to produce hydrogen-rich gas. In a preferred embodiment, the plasmatron receives as an input air, fuel and water/steam for use in the reforming process. The system increases the hydrogen yield and decreases the amount of carbon monoxide.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided which comprises two burner zones using a single igniter separated by a heat transfer zone for use in low-cost hydrogen generation units. When used in conjunction with a control system which limits the effluent temperature to less than about 700° C., the apparatus can be constructed of materials such as carbon steel and stainless steel rather than more exotic materials. This simplified structure and the use of less exotic materials provides an efficient, low-cost combined partial oxidation reactor for small-scale hydrogen production systems, especially for hydrogen production systems associated with fuel cell operation for the production of electricity.

Abstract: A hydrogen fuel system including an engine is mounted on a vehicle and is operable when the engine is running, for generating and storing hydrogen on the vehicle. The system includes a hydrogen gas tank, a chemical reactor with catalyst, a heat exchanger, an alcohol tank and an acetic ether tank. The alcohol from the alcohol tank is vaporized in the heat exchanger, reacts with the catalyst in the chemical reactor and forms hydrogen which passes to the hydrogen gas tank and acetic ether, which is stored in the acetic ether tank.

Abstract: A gasification reactor comprising of a slow turning rotation chamber (1) with tapered end pieces (7) and sealed by stationary closures (8, 9). The chamber is divided by rings (3, 3') into three sections (4, 5, 6). The first section (4) is used to dry and pre-heat the combustible material (12). Section (5) is the gasification zone and section (6) is used to collect and transport the ash to the outside of the chamber. In order to obtain a better insulation against loss of heat an inner cylinder (24) is fitted into the chamber. The feed stock material (12) is brought into the chamber with a hollow piston (13) through the stationary closure (8) and inside the chamber the material is moved along by the rotation of the chamber. Fresh air supply is introduced into the chamber through special form parts (25), and the combustible gas is collected and returned to the outside with the pipe (31). Ash and slag are lifted and deposited in a collector (21) from where they are brought to the outside.

Abstract: Production of fuel gas which generates little nitrogen oxides on combustion, has a prolonged combustion period for unit volume, and presents a high combustion temperature.Alcohol or other liquid fuel is burnt in a fuel layer 20 in a combustion chamber 18 to generate a primary fuel gas, which is mixed in a gas pipe 14 with pressurized air ejected by an air nozzle 16, where spiral flow of air is formed around the ejected air. The ratio of the cross section of the primary fuel gas flow to that of air ejected from the air nozzle 16 is first decreased and then increased, so that vortices are formed in the area where the cross section changes to react the primary fuel gas with air and decompose hydrocarbons in the primary fuel gas into carbon and hydrogen with high reactivity, thus producing a fuel gas capable of high temperature combustion with low amount of nitrogen oxides generated.

Abstract: A fuel gas generator for lean gas generation by gasification of organic, inorganic, or fossil fuel substances. The triple shell structure of the generator includes a frame casing, a shaft jacket, and a reactor shaft. A fuel feeder including a fuel feed container is located substantially at the top of the reactor shaft and has a gas-tight entry lock. Reaction gas feed and ash discharge are located substantially at the base of the reactor shaft. Preheating, degassing, oxidation, and reduction zones and lean gas take-off orifices having at least one lean gas removal pipe connected thereto are arranged one after another in the shaft. The reactor shaft is gas-tight except for the lean gas take-off orifices. A firebox defined by a conical constriction is located in a middle region of the reactor shaft substantially below the preheating and degassing zones.

Abstract: A hydrogen generator provides hydrogen rich product gases which are mixed with the fuel being supplied to an internal combustion engine for the purpose of enabling a very lean mixture of that fuel to be used, whereby nitrous oxides emitted by the engine are minimized. The hydrogen generator contains a catalyst which must be heated to a pre-determined temperature before it can react properly. To simplify the process of heating up the catalyst at start-up time, either some of the energy produced by the engine such as engine exhaust gas, or electrical energy produced by the engine, or the engine exhaust gas may be used to heat up air which is then used to heat the catalyst.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are described for producing hydrogen-rich product gases by mixing a spray of liquid hydrocarbon with a stream of air in a startup procedure and the mixture is ignited for partial oxidation, then the stream of air is heated by the resulting combustion to reach a temperature such that a signal is produced. The signal triggers a two way valve which directs liquid hydrocarbon from a spraying mechanism to a vaporizing mechanism with which a vaporized hydrocarbon is formed. The vaporized hydrocarbon is subsequently mixed with the heated air in the combustion chamber where partial oxidation takes place and hydrogen-rich product gases are produced.