Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system for pressurizing liquid hydrogen (LH2). The system has a pressure vessel for containing an initial quantity of LH2, with the pressure vessel containing an inlet orifice and an outlet orifice. A vaporizer is used which has an inlet and an outlet. A supply tube is used to couple the outlet orifice of the pressure vessel with the inlet of the vaporizer. A discharge tube couples the discharge outlet of the vaporizer with the inlet orifice of the pressure vessel. The vaporizer receives LH2 from the pressure vessel via the supply tube during a pressurization operation, warms the LH2 using an ambient environment, and discharges heated and pressurized H2 back to the pressure vessel through the supply tube.

Abstract: A safety system for a heating apparatus includes an inlet for receiving input gases for combustion and a flue for expelling flue gases. A carbon monoxide sensor is also included for monitoring carbon monoxide content in the heating apparatus. The safety system also includes a pressure switch which permits the input gases to mix with the flue gases based on the information from the carbon monoxide sensor.

Abstract: A device and method for shutting off fluid-flow in a pipe. The device includes a moveable sealing member inside a pipeline, a longitudinal spring configured to bias against the sealing member in a first direction, and a lateral spring at an angle to the longitudinal spring wherein the lateral spring is configured to bias against the sealing member in a second direction. The device includes a housing with a passage configured to be positioned inline with a pipeline, and a sealing seat. A locking element is biased against the sealing member using the lateral spring to maintain an open position with the sealing member off of the sealing seat. The locking element is configured to move from the sealing member upon a fluid overpressure in the passage, whereby the sealing member extends into the seal seat to close off the pipeline upon the overpressure.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to improvements in the flexibility with which oxygen and hydrogen, for example from electrolysis, may be supplied to processes having both gasification and methanation steps, as well as improvements in how such processes may be operated in response to variations in carbonaceous feeds. Offsets, between the ideal quantity of hydrogen and the quantity available from a given source may be compensated for by adjusting one or more operations of the process, and in particular such operation(s) that ultimately impact the quantity of CO and/or CO2 available downstream of the gasifier for conversion to methane in an RNG product stream.

Abstract: Processes and catalysts for producing hydrogen by reforming methane are disclosed, which afford considerable flexibility in terms of the quality of the reformer feed. This can be attributed to the robustness of the noble metal-containing catalysts described herein for use in reforming, such that a number of components commonly present in methane-containing process streams can advantageously be maintained without conventional upgrading (pretreating) steps, thereby improving process economics. This also allows for the reforming of impure reformer feeds, even in relatively small quantities, which may be characterized as complex gas mixtures due to significant quantities of non-methane components. A representative reforming catalyst comprises 1 wt-% Pt and 1 wt-% Rh as noble metals, on a cerium oxide support.

Abstract: Processes and catalyst systems are disclosed for performing Fischer-Tropsch (FT) synthesis to produce C4+ hydrocarbons, such as gasoline boiling-range hydrocarbons and/or diesel boiling-range hydrocarbons. Advantageously, catalyst systems described herein have additional activity (beyond FT activity) for in situ hydroisomerization and/or hydrocracking of wax that is generated according to the distribution of hydrocarbons obtained from the FT synthesis reaction. This not only improves the yield of hydrocarbons (e.g., C4-19 hydrocarbons) that are useful for transportation fuels, but also allows for alternative reactor types, such as a fluidized bed reactor.

Abstract: A method and system for an enhanced reforming process employing a pressure swing absorber. An off-gas from the pressure swing absorber is divided with a first portion sent back into a reforming reactor and a second portion sent to a heat generator for the reforming process. The first off-gas portion from the pressure swing absorber can be pressurized by a compressor and reintroduced into a fluidized bed reactor.

Abstract: Processes for converting methane and/or other hydrocarbons to synthesis gas (i.e., a gaseous mixture comprising H2 and CO) are disclosed, in which at least a portion of the hydrocarbon(s) is reacted with CO2. At least a second portion of the methane may be reacted with H2O (steam), thereby improving overall thermodynamics of the process, in terms of reducing endothermicity (?H) and the required energy input, compared to “pure” dry reforming in which no H2O is present. Catalysts for such processes advantageously possess high activity and thereby can achieve significant levels of methane conversion at temperatures below those used conventionally under comparable conditions. These catalysts also exhibit high sulfur tolerance, in addition to reduced rates of carbon (coke) formation, even in the processing (reforming) of heavier (e.g., naphtha boiling-range or jet fuel boiling-range) hydrocarbons. The robustness of the catalyst translates to high operating stability.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to improvements in the flexibility with which oxygen and hydrogen, for example from electrolysis, may be supplied to processes having both gasification and methanation steps, as well as improvements in how such processes may be operated in response to variations in carbonaceous feeds. Offsets, between the ideal quantity of hydrogen and the quantity available from a given source may be compensated for by adjusting one or more operations of the process, and in particular such operation(s) that ultimately impact the quantity of CO and/or CO2 available downstream of the gasifier for conversion to methane in an RNG product stream.

Abstract: A hybrid solar system including a hybrid solar collector using non-imaging optics and photovoltaic components and a heat transfer and storage system in thermal communication with the hybrid solar collector, the heat transfer and storage system using particle laden gas as thermal media to simultaneously generate and store electricity and high temperature dispatchable heat.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention are associated with the discovery of approaches for the conversion of sour natural gas streams, by conversion to liquid hydrocarbons. Particular processes and their associated apparatuses advantageously combine (i) dehydroaromatization (DHA) of methane in a gaseous feedstock, to produce aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, with (ii) the reaction of H2S and methane in this feedstock, to produce organic sulfur compounds such as carbon disulfide (CS2) and thiophene (C4H4S). A gaseous product having a reduced concentration of H2S is thereby generated. The aromatic hydrocarbons and organic sulfur compounds may be recovered in a liquid product. Both the gaseous and liquid products may be easily amenable to further upgrading. Other advantages of the disclosed processes and apparatuses reside in their simplicity, whereby the associated streams, including a potential gaseous recycle, generally avoid high partial pressures of H2S.

Abstract: Processes for converting methane and/or other hydrocarbons to synthesis gas (i.e., a gaseous mixture comprising H2 and CO) are disclosed, in which at least a portion of the hydrocarbon(s) is reacted with CO2. At least a second portion of the methane may be reacted with H2O (steam), thereby improving overall thermodynamics of the process, in terms of reducing endothermicity (?H) and the required energy input, compared to “pure” dry reforming in which no H2O is present. Such dry reforming (reaction with CO2 only) or CO2-steam reforming (reaction with both CO2 and steam) processes are advantageously integrated with Fischer-Tropsch synthesis to yield liquid hydrocarbon fuels. Further integration may involve the use of a downstream finishing stage involving hydroisomerization to remove FT wax.

Abstract: Hydropyrolysis processes that accompany the generation of activated carbon as an end product, as well as processes for the production of activated carbon from hydropyrolysis char, are described. Representative processes comprise upgrading, by steam activation, char that is formed from solid biomass-containing feedstocks and/or solid biomass derived feedstocks, such as lignocellulosic feedstocks (e.g., wood). Such processes are associated with a number of advantages in terms of achieving operating synergies, obtaining desirable intermediate material and end product properties, reducing environmental impact, and significantly improving economic attractiveness.

Abstract: Various techniques are disclosed for pretreating municipal solid waste (MSW) and other biomass-containing feedstocks that may be of a poorer quality and consequently more difficult, or even impossible, to convert to higher value liquid products (e.g., transportation fuels) using conventional processes. Such conventional processes may otherwise be satisfactory for the conversion of the biomass portion of the feedstock alone. The pretreatment of biomass-containing feedstocks may generally include steps carried out prior to a hydropyrolysis step and optionally further steps, in order to change one or more characteristics of the feedstock, rendering it more easily upgradable.

Abstract: An apparatus and system for a combination space and water heater including a controller device and a method for control. The controller device is a self-contained system that can be added to, or in combination with, existing water heaters and hydronic air heating systems using standard plumbing connections, and provides a potable water system without any need of an intermediary heat exchanger. The controller device automatically monitors a heating capacity of the water heater and the hydronic heating coil over time, and correlates measured heating loads with one or more environmental temperatures, thermostats, user settings, and/or a supplemental heating system.

Abstract: Hydropyrolysis processes are described, in which differing types of feedstocks, including at least one biorenewable feedstock, namely a biomass-containing feedstock, may be co-processed to allow enhancements in operating conditions and/or product properties, depending on changing customer requirements and/or overall market demands. According to specific embodiments, an aliphatic hydrocarbon precursor or an aromatic hydrocarbon precursor is co-processed with the biomass-containing feedstock to enhance an operating condition (e.g., a reactor temperature profile) of the hydropyrolysis process and/or a property (e.g., cetane number) of a liquid product (e.g., a diesel boiling range fraction) obtained from a substantially fully deoxygenated hydrocarbon liquid.

Abstract: Methods and devices for gas mixture combustion on a surface of a permeable matrix are provided which produce or result in surface stabilized combustion (SSC) with increasing amounts of radiation energy emitted by the matrix surface and decreasing concentrations of pollutant components in the combustion products. The gas mixture is fed to a burner that includes a permeable matrix material having a first thermal conductivity and configured to preheat the combustible gas mixture as it travels through the matrix. The burner includes a plurality of thermal elements having a thermal conductivity higher than and disposed in thermal transfer communication with the matrix base material. The permeable matrix base material forms a combustion surface with at least a portion of the thermal elements exposed above the combustion surface. The gas mixture is combusted at or near exit pores and channels formed at the permeable matrix material combustion surface.

Abstract: Devices and methods for sewer system cleanouts such as provide increased cross bore safeguard during sewer system cleanouts. A sewer system cleanout safety device includes a housing for placement at a sewer cleanout opening to prevent passage of gas out through the sewer cleanout opening during the sewer system cleanout. The housing includes opposed inner and outer cleanout opening surfaces, and a peripheral surface extending between said inner and outer cleanout opening surfaces. The housing includes a cavity extending between the inner and outer cleanout opening surfaces to permit passage of a sewer system cleanout implement therethrough. The housing further includes a cavity lining surface to seal with the sewer system cleanout implement passing therethrough.

Abstract: A method for staged combustion in a combustor assembly includes introducing an oxidant stream and a fuel stream at a first location into a combustion chamber to produce a heated stream. A Liquid water stream and an additional oxidant stream, fuel stream or both are then introduced into the heated stream in at least one location along the heated stream downstream from the first location. The additional oxidant stream, fuel stream or both react in the heated stream to generate additional heat that vaporizes liquid water from the liquid water stream to water vapor.

Abstract: A method for purifying water involves heating impure water in a first reboiler, a second reboiler and a combustion steam generator to ultimately produce about 3 parts by weight of clean water and about 1 part by weight of clean steam for every 4 parts by weight of the impure water. A water treatment system includes a gas-fired combustion steam generator that is operable to produce a hot steam stream. A reboiler is connected in receiving communication with the gas-fired combustion steam generator to receive the hot steam stream. A separator is connected with the reboiler and is operable to separate an output stream from the reboiler.