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: Systems and methods for hydrogen generation via ammonia decomposition that utilize a fixed bed reactor configured to receive inflows of NH3 and oxidant and to produce an outflow of high purity H2. The fixed bed reactor contains a fixed bed of a NH3 decomposition catalyst wherewith the NH3 decomposes to form N2 and H2; a plurality of ceramic hollows fibers with a high surface to volume ratio disposed in the fixed bed, the hollow fibers having an H2 selective membrane disposed thereon for extracting H2 from N2 and to form a permeate of the high purity H2 and a retentate of primarily N2; and a catalytic H2 burner also disposed in the fixed bed, the catalytic H2 burner for burning a portion of the H2 with the oxidant to provide thermal energy for the NH3 decomposition.

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 cooling system and method including a cooling chamber with an air inlet, a water inlet, and a cooling fill disposed between the air inlet and the water inlet. The cooling fill configured to put more water surface area in contact with air. The cooling system also including a basin disposed on a side of the cooling fill that is opposite the water inlet, the basin configured to collect the water from the cooling fill. A precooler is included in combination with the basin, the precooler including a heat-mass exchanger in combination with the basin, a blower configured to provide pressurized air through the heat-mass exchanger, and an expansion device configured to depressurize the air after the heat-mass exchanger.

Abstract: A method and software-implemented system that provides a situational awareness tool for infrastructure operators and government agencies to assess vulnerabilities, and optimize the deployment of prevention and mitigation technologies. The invention automatically obtains current supply information from each of more than one participating utility provider. The supply information from the different sources is standardized and combined with geographic information to provide a building level map of utility service and outages. The service locations, e.g., residential and commercial buildings, are represented as building polygons corresponding to building footprint, and can be color-coded to indicate service status.

Abstract: An injector mixer for a gasification reactor system that utilizes reactants includes an injector body that extends between a first face and a second face. The injector body includes a first passage that extends between the first face and the second face and has a first central axis. At least one second, impinging passage extends between the first face and second face and has an associated second central axis that has an angle with the first axis. The angle satisfies mixing efficiency Equation (I) disclosed herein.

Abstract: A gas-fired instantaneous water heater including a thermoelectric generator (TEG) and a heat pump that is powered by the TEG to improve efficiency compared to existing water heaters. Water to be heated is circulated through the heat pump, TEG heat exchanger, and primary heat exchanger to produce a stream of heated water. An adjustable firing rate permeable matrix radiant burner is included, in which natural gas and air are combusted to produce combustion products, including heat. The combustion products are condensed in a condensing system to produce cooled and dry exhaust gas.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting and quantifying proppant for optimized fracture treatment design in in-fill and new wells. Proppant is isolated from drilling fluids and then analyzed to determine whether a formation within the well has been properly stimulated based on the analysis. Placement of an in-fill well may be based upon the determination of whether the well has been properly stimulated.

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: A system and method for desalinating and removing pollutants from water produced during oil and gas development that includes a discharge directing produced water from a well and a direct contact steam generator positioned downstream of the discharge. A filter is positioned downstream of the direct contact steam generator to separate solid waste from the produced water and a condenser is positioned downstream of the filter, the condenser separating combustion exhaust from clean water.

Abstract: A method and system for heat recovery and/or power plant cooling, incorporating an ejector configured to transfer vapor from a generator to a condenser. The ejector includes a converging-diverging nozzle to create a low pressure zone that entrains a fluid. The ejector is within a cooling fluid cycle line in heat exchange combination with an exhaust flue gas. Two fluid flows of the fluid cycle line are mixed via the ejector into a combined fluid, wherein the ejector adjusts a temperature and/or pressure of the combined fluid. Condensing the combined fluid provides a cooling medium.

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: An automated and intelligent quantitative system and method for assessing risk in infrastructure systems including, but not limited to, gas, electric, water, sewer, transportation, and/or telecommunication systems. The invention incorporates a graph-based data structure of multiple infrastructure systems. The graph-based data structure includes a multi-layered structure with each layer having nodes for components of one of the multiple infrastructure systems, and edge links between related pairs of the nodes. A spatio-temporal and ontological reasoner performs spatial and temporal reasoning on the graph-based data structure to identify nodes of the graph-based data structure likely affected by the new activity event.

Abstract: Methods and systems to decarbonize natural gas using sulfur to produce hydrogen and polymers are provided. Sulfur can be introduced in elemental form or as hydrogen sulfide, as may be desired. Decarbonization of natural gas involves introducing natural gas and H2S to a first reactor to produce first reactor products including CS2 and H2. The CS2 can subsequently be polymerized and the H2 recovered in a purified form with little or no carbon emissions.

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: A pump for transporting particulate material that includes a first conveyor and a second conveyor together defining a passage, wherein a working surface of each of the conveyors are canted with respect to each other. The pump includes an inlet for introducing the particulate material into the passage and an outlet for expelling the particulate material from the passage, wherein the outlet is positioned out of line with the inlet.

Abstract: A system and method for the treatment and disposal of condensate, particularly acidic combustion condensate, are provided. A neutralizer connected with respect to a condensate flow can be used to treat the condensate flow to provide a supply of neutralized condensate to a transfer chamber. Neutralized condensate can be conveyed from the transfer chamber to an ultrasonic atomizer such as via capillary action by way of a wicking assembly. The ultrasonic atomizer is used to produce an atomized neutralized condensate that can be directly discharged or released at a controlled rate, decoupled from condensate generation, and appropriately disposed or utilized (e.g., humidification).

Abstract: A biomass-derived thermosetting polymer material being a product of processing a biomass feed material via a twin screw extruder having a length extending between an inlet and an outlet. Hot water from a water heater is injected into at least one inlet along the length of the twin screw extruder, the at least one inlet generally corresponding with a pressure boundary within the twin screw extruder. A pressure-sustaining valve is connected between the length of the twin screw extruder and the outlet, with the valve being adjusted to produce the biomass-derived thermosetting polymer material.