Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods useful for power production. In particular, a power production cycle utilizing CO2 as a working fluid may be combined with a second cycle wherein a compressed CO2 stream from the power production cycle, which can be heated and expanded to produce additional power and to provide additional heating to the power production cycle.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods, assemblies, and systems for power production that can allow for increased efficiency and lower cost components arising from the control, reduction, or elimination of turbine blade mechanical erosion by particulates or chemical erosion by gases in a combustion product flow. The methods, assemblies, and systems can include the use of turbine blades that operate with a blade velocity that is significantly reduced in relation to conventional turbines used in typical power production systems. The methods and systems also can make use of a recycled circulating fluid for transpiration protection of the turbine and/or other components. Further, recycled circulating fluid may be employed to provide cleaning materials to the turbine.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods that are useful for controlling one or more aspects of a power production plant. More particularly, the disclosure relates to power production plants and methods of carrying out a power production method utilizing different fuel chemistries. Combustion of the different fuel mixtures can be controlled so that a defined set of combustion characteristics remains substantially constant across a range of different fuel chemistries.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for the production of molten metals direct oxidative combustion of one or more solid fuels. The systems and methods may be combined with coal gasifiers and related components for reducing overall energy requirements as well as external fuel sources, e.g., through the use of endogenously-generated hydrogen. In beneficial aspects, components of the carbonaceous exhaust produced in accordance with the disclosed systems and methods, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), may be isolated using carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) for reducing associated greenhouse gas emissions.

Abstract: Presently disclosed is a power production plant that is operable to store and generate power. In a “charge mode” (when electricity price is low), an air separation unit (ASU) cools and liquefies ambient air into liquid oxygen (LOx), which is then stored in a storage vessel. In a “discharge mode” (when electrical price is high), the stored LOx is used by the power production plant to combust a fuel and form a combustion product stream that can be expanded in a turbine to generate power. The power production plant particularly can utilize carbon dioxide as a recycled, circulating or working fluid so that substantially all carbon dioxide produced in the power production can be captured.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods useful for providing one or more chemical compounds in a substantially pure form. In particular, the systems and methods can be configured for separation of carbon dioxide from a process stream, such as a process stream in a hydrogen production system. As such, the present disclosure can provide systems and method for production of hydrogen and/or carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A diverged beam optical transmitter is provided that includes a laser source configured to emit a light beam, and one or more lenses. The diverged beam optical transmitter also includes a diffuser placed between the laser source and the one or more lenses, and configured to increase an intrinsic divergence of the light beam and to fill some portion of the one or more lenses such that the light beam is eye safe after the one or more lenses.

Abstract: Systems and methods for direct air capture of carbon dioxide or other gases utilize a calcium sorbent in a manner that allows for wide scale, relatively low cost implementation. In particular, a calcium sorbent may be provided as a substantially thin coating on one or more substrates and utilized for direct air capture of carbon dioxide through chemisorption. The carbonated sorbent may be disposed of for sequestration of the carbon dioxide or regenerated with capture of carbon dioxide released from the carbonated sorbent during the regeneration process.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods for controlling volumetric flows of streams into a combustor, and particularly in a combustor utilized in a power production method. A controller can be used to receive a variety of inputs, carry out calculations, and output one or more signals that adjust one or more parameters of one or more of the streams entering the combustor. Such adjustments can be effective to normalize a volumetric flow rate between the combustor and a turbine immediately downstream from the combustor without requiring direct measurement of the volumetric flow rate between the combustor and the turbine immediately downstream from the combustor.

Abstract: Systems and methods for direct air capture of carbon dioxide or other gases utilize a calcium sorbent in a manner that allows for wide scale, relatively low cost implementation. In particular, a calcium sorbent may be provided as a substantially thin coating on one or more substrates and utilized for direct air capture of carbon dioxide through chemisorption. The carbonated sorbent may be disposed of for sequestration of the carbon dioxide or regenerated with capture of carbon dioxide released from the carbonated sorbent during the regeneration process.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for improving flame propagation in a combustor, particularly in a combustor for use in a power production system and method. At least one stream being passed into the combustor (e.g., a fuel, an oxidant, a diluent, a coolant, a working fluid, water, or steam) can be independently heated to a temperature that is about the autoignition temperature of the fuel or greater. Further, flame stabilization, including promoting ignition, can be improved as described herein through controlled addition of one or more NOx species into the combustor or combustion chamber.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a launch system and method. The launch system and method can include at least a preliminary accelerator tube system (PAT) that can be combined with a main accelerator tube system (MAT). The PAT alone or combined with the MAT can be used for launch of a vehicle for testing and/or for delivery of a payload.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for separation of sulfurous material(s) from a multi-component feed stream. The systems and methods can comprise contacting the multi-component feed stream with a solvent in a contacting column so that at least a portion of the sulfurous material(s) is transferred from the multi-component feed stream to the solvent. A stream of a substantially purified gas can thus be provided along with a liquid stream comprising at least a majority of the sulfurous material. In particular, the solvent can comprise liquid carbon dioxide, which can be particularly beneficial for removing sulfurous materials from multi-component feed streams.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for hydrogen production as well as apparatuses useful in such systems and methods. Hydrogen is produced by steam reforming of a hydrocarbon in a gas heated reformer that is heated using one or more streams comprising combustion products of a fuel in an oxidant, preferably in the presence of a carbon dioxide circulating stream.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for hydrogen production as well as apparatuses useful in such systems and methods. Hydrogen is produced by steam reforming of a hydrocarbon in a gas heated reformer that is heated using one or more streams comprising combustion products of a fuel in an oxidant, preferably in the presence of a carbon dioxide circulating stream.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and system for power generation using a high efficiency combustor in combination with a CO2 circulating fluid. The methods and systems advantageously can make use of a low pressure ratio power turbine and an economizer heat exchanger in specific embodiments. Additional low grade heat from an external source can be used to provide part of an amount of heat needed for heating the recycle CO2 circulating fluid. Fuel derived CO2 can be captured and delivered at pipeline pressure. Other impurities can be captured.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods for separation of sulfurous material(s) from a multi-component feed stream. The systems and methods can comprise contacting the multi-component feed stream with a solvent in a contacting column so that at least a portion of the sulfurous material(s) is transferred from the multi-component feed stream to the solvent. A stream of a substantially purified gas can thus be provided along with a liquid stream comprising at least a majority of the sulfurous material. In particular, the solvent can comprise liquid carbon dioxide, which can be particularly beneficial for removing sulfurous materials from multi-component feed streams.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for controlling a power production plant and optionally providing a one or more product streams for an end use thereof. Control of a power production plant specifically can include executing one or more functions effective for adjusting a heat profile of a heat exchange unit (HEU) operating with a plurality of streams passing therethrough. This can include implementing a control function that alters a flow of one or more of the plurality of streams by adding flow to or withdrawing flow one or more of the plurality of streams at an intermediate temperature range within the HEU at a point that is positioned between a first end and a second end of the HEU.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to cogeneration of power and one or more chemical entities through operation of a power production cycle and treatment of a stream comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen. A cogeneration process can include carrying out a power production cycle, providing a heated stream comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen, cooling the heated stream comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen against at least one stream in the power production cycle so as to provide heating to the power production cycle, and carrying out at least one purification step so as to provide a purified stream comprising predominately hydrogen.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to systems and methods useful for providing one or more chemical compounds in a substantially pure form. In particular, the systems and methods can be configured for separation of carbon dioxide from a process stream, such as a process stream in a hydrogen production system. As such, the present disclosure can provide systems and method for production of hydrogen and/or carbon dioxide.