Abstract: Adsorbent material for use in pressure swing adsorption (PSA) related processing can provide improved purification processing with reduced temperature differentials between adsorption and desorption processing of the bed of adsorbent material. Embodiments can be configured so that adsorbent material has occluded micropores or macropores. The occlusion of the micropores or macropores can be up to 42% of the micropores the adsorbent material in some embodiments. At least one metal acetate can be utilized for the occlusion of the micropores or macropores. Utilization of the adsorbent material having occluded micropores or macropores was surprisingly found to increase the yield for purification of a product gas in spite of the occlusion of the micropores or macropores.

Abstract: An adsorption system having at least one adsorber retaining a bed of adsorbent material can be configured to provide enhanced purification of fees having relatively low concentrations of hydrogen or helium. Embodiments can utilize an activated carbon layer between at least one upstream layer and at least one downstream layer. The activate carbon layer can include activated carbon can have a pre-selected surface area (SA), bulk density, total open pore volume (TOPV), and/or ratio of TOPV to surface area (TOPV/SA).

Abstract: An apparatus and process for the activation of catalyst material utilized in ammonia cracking can include an initial use of hydrogen and heat to perform an initial stage of catalyst activation and a subsequent use of ammonia and heat to perform a subsequent state of catalyst activation. The subsequent use of ammonia can be configured so that different catalytic material at different plant elements are activated in a pre-selected sequence to provide activation of the catalytic material utilized in different plant elements. Some embodiments can be configured to avoid excess temperatures that can be detrimental to equipment that can be positioned upstream of a furnace in some embodiments while also avoiding sintering of the catalytic material.

Abstract: A process for combusting a high-moisture fuel to generate steam, the process comprising heating a high-moisture solid fuel while contacting the high-moisture solid fuel with an oxygen-depleted gas stream to produce a dried solid fuel and a moist oxygen-depleted gas stream; combusting the dried solid fuel with a combustion air stream to produce a combustion products stream; transferring heat to generate steam by indirect heat exchange with the combustion products stream; dividing the combustion products stream into a first portion and a second portion; transferring heat to the recirculating thermal fluid by indirect heat exchange with the first portion of the combustion products stream; and transferring heat to preheat the combustion air stream by indirect heat exchange with the second portion of the combustion products stream; and recombining the first portion of combustion products stream and the second portion of the combustion products stream.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for producing a liquefied methane product from a methane- and carbon dioxide-containing feed stream, in which a plurality of membrane stages comprising gas separation membranes that are more permeable to carbon dioxide than methane are used to remove carbon dioxide from the feed and form a retentate stream that is enriched in methane, said retentate stream being then cooled and liquefied to provide the liquefied methane product. In particular, the disclosed methods and systems may be used for producing liquefied biomethane from a biogas feed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the atmosphere of a multizone calcination (firing) furnace for production of high-quality nickel-rich cathode material for lithium-ion and solid-state batteries. A high-quality oxygen-rich atmosphere is maintained to ensure the quality of the cathode material. An atmosphere control system continuously measures and analyzes the composition of the calcination furnace atmosphere in different zones and adjusts the flowrate of oxygen-rich atmosphere into the furnace to optimize the calcination process.

Abstract: A heat exchanger apparatus can be configured so that there is at least one “U” or “C” shape configured manifold in combination with at least one “Z” or “S” shape configured manifold for the heat exchanger apparatus for the input and output of fluid into and out of the heat exchangers of the heat exchanger apparatus. In some embodiments, downstream and/or upstream lines can be connected to the manifolds at a center or off-center point for conveying inlet fluid and outlet fluid. A method of retrofitting a pre-existing plant, building a new plant, or designing a new plant that utilizes an embodiment of the heat exchanger apparatus can help provide an improved heat exchanger arrangement without significantly increasing the footprint needed for the arrangement so that a plant can be improved with an embodiment of the apparatus without requiring an enlarged footprint for the plant.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses, controllers, and processes that are configured to facilitate controlling visual information provided via a display at a dispenser while a vehicle is being fueled can be adapted so no use of communication protocols is needed for control of the display. For instance, a controller can be connected with a payment terminal having a screen via multiple different physical connections (e.g. wiring for conveying electricity, optical fiber cables, etc.). One or more of these connections can be activated while others are deactivated in an accordance with a pre-defined scheme to indicate to the payment terminal which of a number of different pre-defined display graphics should be displayed during fueling. Embodiments can be adapted so no payment information or other information is shared between a payment processing device and a fuel dispensing controller and no communication protocol is needed for transport of data between such devices.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for distillation column fabrication can include forming multiple distillation column packing units that are positionable in a column to define a single packing section so that multiple columns of packing can be positioned in parallel with each other within a single distillation pressure vessel. Each of these multiple columns can have a pre-selected cross-sectional shape, such as a hexagonal shape, and each packing unit can have the same cross-sectional shape (e.g. hexagonal). Each column can include a riser, or distributor, attached to its upper or top portion. A plurality of outer jigsaw seal elements can be arranged between the outer portion of the columns and the inner wall of the pressure vessel. Each packing unit can include a plurality of layered corrugated sheets that are provided in a pre-selected arrangement to facilitate gas and liquid separation via the packing.

Abstract: A method and system for purifying a carbon dioxide feed stream in which the carbon dioxide feed stream is cooled and partially condensed to remove water upstream of an adsorber to produce a dry carbon dioxide stream. The dry carbon dioxide stream is further cooled and partially condensed in a carbon dioxide purification unit to form a carbon dioxide product stream. Excess refrigeration duty from the carbon dioxide purification unit is used to cool the carbon dioxide feed stream.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods of gas sequestration of carbon dioxide from a fossil-fueled hydrogen production plant. The method includes producing at least hydrogen and carbon dioxide above ground from a fossil-fueled hydrogen production plant, injecting at least a portion of the hydrogen and carbon dioxide produced from the fossil-fueled hydrogen production plant into a geological hydrogen storage unit and a geological carbon dioxide storage unit, respectively, wherein the portion of the carbon dioxide is injected concurrently with the portion of the hydrogen. The injection of the portion of carbon dioxide and hydrogen underground are performed through carbon dioxide injection well(s) and hydrogen injection well(s), respectively, wherein a hydrogen injection wellhead(s) and a carbon dioxide injection wellhead(s) are located on a multi-well pad proximate the fossil-fueled hydrogen production plant.

Abstract: A gasifier for converting a carbonaceous feedstock to produce syngas comprising a cone section and a throat section; wherein the throat section comprises a throat refractory material having an inside surface and a substantially cylindrical cooling element having an inner face and an outer face in a radial direction, and a top face and a bottom face in the vertical direction, wherein the inner, outer, top, and bottom faces define a cooling cavity; and wherein the cooling element is in thermal contact with the throat refractory material on the inner face, the top face, and the outer face.

Abstract: A coil wound heat exchanger utilizing a deformable support system and method for making a tube bundle for the same includes a mandrel, a first tube layer formed by winding one or more tubes around the mandrel, and a plurality of supports and spacers circumferentially-arranged in an alternating pattern on an outer surface of the first tube layer. A second tube layer is formed by winding one or more tubes around the mandrel, whereby the second tube layer contacts an opposite side of the supports. A deforming force is applied to the second tube layer in a direction normal to the outer surface of each support, which causes the one or more tubes forming the second tube layer to deform the outer support surface of each support.

Abstract: A nozzle for a pressure vessel can include a lip design that facilitates an improved reduction in stress at a location at which the nozzle can be joined to the vessel. Embodiments can include a contoured annular lip element for attachment to an end of a vessel to position a nozzle within an opening at an end of the vessel for fluidly connecting the vessel to another plant element. The nozzle can include one or more geometries to position a weld for joining the nozzle to the end of the vessel so that the weld is located at a pre-selected location to experience a pre-selected level of stress during operation of the vessel to facilitate use of a vessel having a reduced overall wall thickness to provide a vessel having an overall lower weight and capital cost while also improving the ease with which maintenance can be performed.

Abstract: A residue stream comprising liquid hydrocarbons and metal-rich solid particles is reacted with an oxidant stream in a gasifier to produce a syngas stream that is quenched in a water bath. The risk of plugging in the water lines is reduced by removing solids from the recycled water streams. Acid gases are stripped from at least a portion of the recycled water to reduce the risk of precipitates forming from the reaction of dissolved acid gases with metal ions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for purifying air via a pre-purification unit (PPU) of an air separation unit (ASU) system can include passing air through a first adsorber of the PPU to purify the air for operation of the ASU system while it is at or below a first pre-selected operational capacity. In response to the operational capacity of the ASU system needing to be increased to a level above the first pre-selected operational capacity threshold, a second adsorber can be brought on-line in parallel with the first adsorber or in series with the first adsorber to provide improved purification capacity to account for the increased demand for purification capacity resulting from the increased operational capacity of the ASU system. This second adsorber can be different from the first adsorber (e.g. different in size, adsorption capacity for impurities within air, and/or configuration, etc.).

Abstract: An apparatus and process for warming a cryogenic liquid and re-cooling gas for recapture and recovery of that cryogenic gas can include recovery cryogenic gas and storing that gas in at least one storage device to avoid venting such gas to atmosphere. The stored gas can be fed to at least one heat exchanger to vaporize a cryogenic liquid being fed from at least one storage tank for dispending of that cryogenic fluid. The stored cryogenic gas can be cooled as a result of its use as a heating medium for vaporization of the cryogenic liquid and can be subsequently fed to one or more cryogenic liquid storage tanks as a cooled cryogenic gas, partially liquefied fluid that includes cryogenic liquid and cryogenic gas, or a fully liquefied cryogenic liquid for storage and subsequent use.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for fog mitigation can be include a mechanism to reduce fog formation and/or condense the fog into water to avoid fog being formed and moving through a site. Embodiments can be configured to utilize at least one fog collection mechanism positioned adjacent a vaporizer utilized to vaporizer a cryogenic liquid so that fog that may form adjacent the vaporizer is removed from air surrounding the vaporizer and prevented from spreading beyond the vaporizer to other areas of a site having the vaporizer (e.g. a hydrogen fueling station, etc.).

Abstract: A method for corrosion control is disclosed, wherein the method includes limiting all components involved in sulfuric acid formation to low levels. The components include, but may not be limited to oxygen, nitrogen oxides, sulfur oxides, and H2S. The method may also include maintaining the H2S level above typical pipeline concentrations to inhibit the reactions to form sulfuric acid in the pipeline.

Abstract: A method for separating a raw feed gas stream utilizes a compressor, a chiller, a membrane drying stage, and a plurality of membrane separation stages. The raw feed gas stream may comprise biogas. In one example, the raw feed gas stream is supplied to the chiller where it is cooled to a target operating temperature to separate out condensed water. The gas stream is then supplied to a membrane drying stage to separate out water vapor. An off-gas from one of the membrane module stages may be recycled as a low pressure sweep gas on the low pressure side of the membrane drying stage to increase the driving force for water permeation within the membrane drying stage. The gas stream is then supplied to the plurality of membrane separation stages where it is upgraded into a high purity methane stream.