Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a computerized optimization system configured to optimize the operations of a hydrogen generation, processing, and delivery network. Such a network typically includes a complex of physical equipment, plants, and pipelines, including both production and distribution facilities. A hydrogen optimization system provides a software system that optimizes the production and distribution of hydrogen over such a hydrogen network. The hydrogen optimization system may use both a genetic algorithm configured to “evolve” a population of solutions to improve the quality of solutions over time as well as directed heuristics to identify a superior operating state for the hydrogen pipeline network.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for producing power, heat and steam employing: a cogeneration unit comprising: a gas turbine producing power and combustion gases and a heat recovery unit fed with water and heating said water by recovering the heat from the combustion gases from the gas turbine; and a steam production unit heating water by combustion of a fuel with air, and in which the air for the steam production unit is preheated at least partly by heat exchange with the water that feeds the heat recovery unit of the cogeneration unit.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for controlling an electronic manometer for measuring pressure (p) inside a pressurized gas receptacle. The manometer comprises at least one pressure sensor, an electronic unit designed for the acquisition, storage and processing of data, and at least one information device device capable of transmitting at least one item of information (p).

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for combined production of hydrogen and carbon dioxide from a mixture of hydrocarbons wherein the residual PSA is treated to produce a carbon dioxide-enriched fluid, and wherein: the residual PSA is compressed to a pressure such that the partial pressure of the CO<SUB>2</SUB> contained ranges between about 15 and 40 bar; the residue is subjected to one or more condensation/separation steps with production of CO<SUB>2</SUB>-rich condensate(s) and a purge of noncondensable gas; the purge of noncondensable gas is preferably treated to produce a H<SUB>2</SUB>-rich permeate which is recycled to the PSA, and a residue which is recycled to syngas generation, Preferably, the condensate(s) are purified by cryogenic distillation to produce food grade CO<SUB>2</SUB>. The invention also concerns an installation for implementing the method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reciprocating installation (1) for the compression of a current gas, comprising: at least one cylinder (2) which defines a compression chamber (3); a piston (4) which co-operates with the cylinder, an actuation rod (6) extending from said piston; a cylinder base (7) comprising a passage (8) for the linear and reciprocating displacement of the piston rod; and a stuffing box-type sealing device (9) between the piston rod (6) and the cylinder base (7).

Abstract: Method of tracking the performance of an industrial appliance (E), in which an estimate (We) of the quantity representing the electrical power consumed is calculated, in real-time, using the model (M), based on the values of the set (F) of operating parameters of the industrial appliance (E), the difference between the measured value (W) of the electrical power consumed (W) and the estimated value (We) provided by the model (M) is calculated, to obtain the overconsumption value, based on a statistical test on the overconsumption variable, using the distribution of this variable, an overconsumption score is deduced from this corresponding to a probability of overconsumption (p1) and an alarm is triggered if the probability of overconsumption (p1) exceeds a given overconsumption probability threshold (sp1), so constituting an overconsumption indicator.

Abstract: An evaporator including a lower drum, an upper drum, and at least one tube extending between the lower drum and the upper drum. The plurality of tubes have fluid passageways therein extending from the lower drum to the upper drum. A duct is provided having a heating gas passageway provided therein. The at least one tube extends through the heating gas passageway. The fluid passageways define an overall flow path from the lower drum to the upper drum extending in a direction substantially counter-current to an overall flow path defined by the heating gas passageway extending from a gas inlet of the heating gas passageway to a gas outlet thereof.

Abstract: Methods of production planning, including a novel method of optimized production planning for a plurality of production plants producing a product for delivery to a plurality of customers using a common distribution network, wherein the product consumption by customers can vary, and the variable cost of producing the product can vary between production plants, over time, and production quantity. The method maximizes profitability by characterizing raw material costs over varying production rates and minimizing variable cost across the network for any given production demand. The method considers the variable cost of producing product in varying production quantities, the variable cost structure of raw material supplies, and how these variable costs vary between production plants. The method also considers the variable cost impact of purchasing product from outside sources.

Abstract: In a process for supplying a pressurized gas, a pressurized gas at a high production pressure is produced as an end product by separating a gaseous mixture in a separator apparatus (3, 5), a liquid to be pressurized is stored in a store (9), storing liquid is tapped, and it is pressurized with a pump (11) and at least part of the pressurized liquid is sprayed in a sprayer (27) to produce the pressurized backup gas (29) having substantially the same pressure or a pressure higher than the pressurized gas to be produced, liquid is circulated in a substantially vertical duct (13), optionally within the cold box (33) of the separator apparatus, and at least part of the duct length is at a level above the sprayer and before and/or after starting up the pump (11), liquid is sent from the duct to the sprayer where the liquid is sprayed to provide pressurized backup gas having substantially the same purity or a purity higher than the pressurized gas to be produced (31).

Abstract: A method for recovering hydrocarbons from a reservoir includes separating air into a nitrogen-rich gas and an oxygen-rich gas, oxidizing a hydrocarbon fuel with at least part of the oxygen-rich gas to produce steam and a CO2-rich gas, injecting at least part of the steam through an injection well into the reservoir to heat the hydrocarbons, purging the injection well with at least part of the nitrogen-rich gas, and injecting at least part of the CO2-rich gas into the reservoir containing the heated hydrocarbons.

Abstract: Systems and methods for regasifying liquefied natural gas (LNG) are provided. The LNG is regasified by transferring heat from a steam methane reforming reaction to the LNG. In one embodiment, heat is transferred to the LNG from a synthesis gas produced in a steam methane reforming reaction. In another embodiment, heat is transferred to the LNG from a flue gas provided from a furnace heating a steam methane reforming reactor. By using excess heat from the steam methane reforming process, less energy may be consumed to regasify LNG.

Abstract: An improved process for the separation of carbon dioxide from the flue gas of an oxy-combustion power plant is provided. At least a first product stream and a second product stream are separated from a flue gas stream, wherein the pressure of the first product stream and the pressure of the second product stream are different. The first product stream is warmed and vaporized. The second product stream is then warmed and vaporized.

Abstract: A method for utilizing a combustible gas product collected in the seal device of a compressor of the combustible gas produce, in particular a method in which combustible gases, or gas mixtures containing combustible gases, are compressed, is provided. The method is particularly advantageous in applications in the field of the production and/or processing of synthesis gas, for producing and/or processing combustible gases or gas mixtures containing combustible gases including in particular H2, CO, CH4, natural gas and CO2.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of adjusting a unit that is used to control an installation for the adsorption treatment of a gas, comprising: at least a first member and a second member (2, 5, R0, . . . , R9) which receive a gas; a connection conduit (3, 4, 6, 7) which connects the first and second members to one another; and a valve on the connection conduit, which is closed and opened selectively in accordance with a variable valve-opening parameter. The control unit controls the opening of the valve according to the opening parameter on the basis of: an earlier opening parameter for the valve, a provisional valve opening parameter and at least one correction parameter. The inventive method comprises a step (a) in which the correction parameter is adjusted as a function of the installation and flow parameters.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for simultaneously producing hydrogen and carbon monoxide consisting in generating a synthesis gas and in processing it by decarbonising and removing water and remaining carbon dioxide by passing said gas through a bed of adsorbents, in separating remaining components by forming at least one H2 rich flow, a CO flow containing at least one type of impurity selected from nitrogen and argon, a methane-rich purge gas flow and a flash gas flow. The inventive method also consists in regenerating the bed of adsorbents by passing a regeneration gas comprising at least one non-zero proportion of the formed H2 flow and in recycling at least the purge and flash gases for feeding the synthesis gas generation stage.

Abstract: A process for separating carbon dioxide from a fluid containing carbon dioxide, NO2, and at least one of oxygen, argon, and nitrogen comprises the steps of separating at least part of the fluid into a carbon dioxide enriched stream, a carbon dioxide depleted stream comprising CO2 and at least one of oxygen, argon, and nitrogen and a NO2 enriched stream and recycling said NO2 enriched stream upstream of the separation step.

Abstract: A method of producing hydrogen and extracting heavy oil from underground reserves is provided. This method includes providing a carbon monoxide source stream and a water vapor stream to a first reactor, wherein the first reactor comprises a water shift reactor and a membrane-type separation device. This method also includes separating the products of the water shift reactor, thereby producing at least a hydrogen-rich stream, and a high pressure off-gas stream. This method also includes providing the high pressure off-gas stream and an oxidant stream to a combustion chamber. This method also includes combusting the oxidant stream and the high pressure off-gas stream as at least part of a combustion cycle thereby producing a hot injection gas stream. This method also includes combining the hot injection gas stream with a liquid water stream, wherein the combined stream may be used to heat the underground reserve sufficiently to release petroleum hydrocarbons therefrom.

Abstract: Methods and systems for producing hydrogen are provided. In one embodiment, a method of producing hydrogen comprises reacting a feed source with steam to produce a gas mixture containing hydrogen and a residue gas; introducing the gas mixture into a purification unit; adsorbing the residue gas; and discharging at least a portion of the hydrogen. The method further comprises depressurizing the purification unit; discharging at least a portion of the residue gas during the depressurization; recycling the residue gas to the feed source; and discharging the residue gas remaining in the purification unit. In another embodiment, the method includes discharging a portion of the residue gas during the depressurization such that the residue gas discharged has a higher hydrocarbon content than the secondary product remaining in the purification unit.

Abstract: A decision support system and method is provided for responding to a deregulated electrical energy environment for use in making decisions related to supplying and purchasing electrical power. In a preferred embodiment, the decision support system comprises a plurality of interconnected models that produce information related to various business operations. A contract valuation model produces a value of energy contracts based upon timely data such as contract terms, real-time commodity pricing, and forecasted commodity pricing. A potential action valuation model generates value for potential, predefined operational actions at a given production facility in response to a particular opportunity. A forecasting and planning model provides forecasting services related to energy based upon historical and current real-time data for use in other models.

Abstract: The gas separation apparatus comprises a flexible wall which is maintained in a placed position on an upper end of an adsorbant material; the volume between the wall and an upper dome communicates with one of inner and outer chambers on both sides of the adsorbant (4). The invention can be used to separate air components.