Abstract: A liquid-hydrocarbon fuel is used to produce thermal energy by introducing the liquid-hydrocarbon fuel and air to a vaporizer. The liquid-hydrocarbon fuel is vaporized in the vaporizer to produce hydrocarbon-fuel vapor, and the hydrocarbon-fuel vapor and air are blended to form a hydrocarbon-fuel-vapor-and-air mixture. Then, hydrocarbon-fuel-vapor-and-air mixture is introduced to a catalytic combustor including a catalyst, wherein the catalyst promotes oxidation of the hydrocarbon-fuel vapor to form a carbon-dioxide- and water-vapor-containing exhaust and to generate thermal energy. The carbon-dioxide- and water-vapor-containing exhaust and air is then introduced to a recuperator, wherein the recuperator transfers thermal energy from the carbon-dioxide- and water-vapor-containing exhaust to the air to produce heated air.

Abstract: A membrane for fluid species transport includes a porous substrate and a selective-transport layer comprising 2-D-material flakes. The porous substrate defines surface pores with dimensions larger than 2 microns, and the selective-transport layer coats the porous substrate and spans across the surface pores. The porous substrate can be contacted with a liquid or coating to fill or coat the surface pores of the porous substrate. Next, a 2-D-material-flake solution is deposited on the porous substrate. Evaporation of solvent from the deposited 2-D-material-flake solution forms the selective-transport layer.

Abstract: A membrane for purifying a liquid stream includes a porous substrate and alternating layers of positively charged material and negatively charged material adhered to the porous substrate, wherein at least two of the layers of charged materials possess free ion exchange capacity.

Abstract: A fibrous catalytic filter can be used for treating a fluid stream containing particulate matter. The fluid stream is contacted with fibers comprising a catalytic composition. The particulate matter deposits on the fibers and undesirable species within the fluid stream are converted into more desirable species via the catalytic action of the fibers.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing hydrocarbon fuel (e.g., gasoline, kerosene, jet fuel, diesel and heating oil) to generate hydrogen (H2), which can be used in fuel cells, includes a desulfurization reactor for removing sulfur from the fuel; a catalytic reactor for forming a reformate from the fuel; and, optionally, a separator for separating a light fraction of the fuel from a heavy fraction of the fuel. The fuel is first exposed to the desulfurization reactor and then, if present, to the separator. Finally, the fuel is exposed to the catalyst in the catalytic reactor; and the hydrogen gas generated there from is collected for use in the fuel cell.

Abstract: Sulfur is removed from a hydrocarbon fuel via contact with a desulfurization agent; the desulfurization agent is then regenerated (wherein sulfur is released) by exposing it to oxygen. The sulfur removal and regeneration processes each can be carried out at relatively moderate temperatures, e.g., from 300 to 600° C., and pressure, e.g., about 0.79 to about 3.5 MPa; and the desulfurization agent can include a transition metal oxide, such as molybdenum oxide. The process can also include the additional steps of cracking the hydrocarbon, separating high-boiling and low-boiling fractions from the reaction product and contacting the lower-boiling fraction with a secondary desulfurization agent.