Abstract: Processes and systems applying day cycle temperature changes in conjunction with cool storage are provided. A thermal energy storage material is placed in heat transfer communication with lower temperature nighttime air resulting in a cooled thermal energy storage material. The cooled thermal energy storage material is subsequently utilized to cool an item such as a supply of higher temperature air, such as daytime air, or a cooling medium.

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 system and method for producing ammonia at high conversion rates. The system having a fluidized bed reactor with a fluidized zone with catalyst particles. The fluidized bed reactor is preferably configured to receive a continuous flow of solid sorbent particles, nitrogen, and hydrogen, with the catalyst particles being at least ten times larger than the sorbent particles. The method allows for the nitrogen and hydrogen react on a surface of the catalyst in order to generate ammonia that is adsorbed by the sorbent particles. The method extracts the adsorbed ammonia from the sorbent particles with a sorbent regenerator to product a pure ammonia product.

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 hydraulic fracturing system and method for enhancing effective permeability of earth formations to increase hydrocarbon production, enhance operation efficiency by reducing fluid entry friction due to tortuosity and perforation, and to open perforations that are either unopened or not effective using traditional techniques, by varying a pump rate and/or a flow rate to a wellbore.

Abstract: Systems and methods for generating power using hydrogen fuel, such as derived from natural gas, are provided. Feed materials are introduced into a compact hydrogen generator to produce carbon dioxide and hydrogen gas. Sorbent material within the compact hydrogen generator acts to absorb carbon dioxide, forming a used sorbent. The hydrogen gas is separated from the used sorbent and passed to a power generator such as a hydrogen turbine to produce power. The used sorbent is introduced into a calciner and heated to desorb carbon dioxide and form a regenerated sorbent which can be recycled to the compact hydrogen generator.

Abstract: A mixer for separate streams of gas includes a center stream of a first gas and a co-axial stream of a second gas injected at an angle to the center stream and filling an annulus around the center stream. The mixer may further include a feed zone wherein the first gas is introduced into the mixer as the center stream and the second gas is introduced into the mixer as the co-axial stream filling the annulus around the center stream; a mixing zone wherein the first gas and the second gas mix with no recirculation zones to form a mixture; and a diffusion zone for advancing the mixture from the mixing zone. Corresponding or associated methods for mixing materials are also provided.

Abstract: An integrated combustor-thermoelectric generator and method for producing electrical power and/or for operating a pneumatic device. A thermoelectric generator includes a fuel and air mixture chamber with a combustor connected to the mixture chamber. The combustor including a longitudinal centerbody comprising a varying cross-sectional area along an axial length of the centerbody and a plurality of thermoelectric couples and/or modules disposed axially along sides of the centerbody. The thermoelectric generator can be paired with a DC air compressor for operating a pneumatic device by directing heated gases from the combustor to a plurality of thermoelectric couples and/or modules, and powering the air compressor with the thermoelectric couples and/or modules. The thermoelectric generator and DC compressor can be installed to a natural gas source at a well pad for operating a pneumatic device at the well pad.

Abstract: A hydraulic fracturing system and method for enhancing effective permeability of earth formations to increase hydrocarbon production, enhance operation efficiency by reducing fluid entry friction due to tortuosity and perforation, and to open perforations that are either unopened or not effective using traditional techniques, by varying a pump rate and/or a flow rate to a wellbore.

Abstract: A multi-stage process for recovering acid gas from natural gas having high acid gas contents utilizes two or more membrane absorption contactors arranged in series. The first membrane absorption contactor uses a physical solvent to remove a high volume of acid gas transferred across a membrane, and to reduce the acid gas content in the natural gas to a lower level that can be managed using chemical solvents. The second and, if needed, subsequent membrane absorption contactors can use a chemical solvent to remove acid gas transferred across the respective membranes and reduce the acid gas content in the natural gas to very low levels, if needed, depending on product specifications.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention are associated with the discovery of processes for converting methane (CH4), present in a methane-containing feedstock that may be obtained from a variety of sources such as natural gas, to higher hydrocarbons (e.g., C4+ hydrocarbons) such as gasoline, diesel fuel, or jet fuel boiling-range hydrocarbons, which may optionally be separated (e.g., by fractionation) for use as transportation fuels, or otherwise as blending components for such fuels. Particular aspects of the invention are associated with advantages arising from maintaining reaction conditions that improve the yield of C4+ hydrocarbons. Further aspects relate to the advantages gained by integration of the appropriate reactions to carry out the methane conversion, with downstream separation to recover and recycle desirable components of the reaction effluent, thereby improving process economics to the extent needed for commercial viability.

Abstract: A solid particulate pump includes a plurality of segments linked to each other in a serial, closed loop arrangement with gaps between neighboring pairs of the segments. A flexible seal extends across the gaps and seals an interior of the closed loop arrangement from an exterior of the closed loop arrangement.

Abstract: A hydropyrolysis process comprises feeding both (i) hydrogen and (ii) a biomass-containing feedstock or a biomass-derived feedstock, to a hydropyrolysis reactor vessel. The process comprises producing a CO2-containing vapor stream and at least one liquid product. A CO2 product, separated from the CO2-containing vapor stream, is advantageously used for at least one inertization function of the hydropyrolysis process. Representative inertization functions include operation of solids transport equipment, blanketing of liquid containers, drying of biomass-containing feedstock or biomass-derived feedstock, conveying or separating solids, and combinations thereof. Importantly, CO2 products utilized for these inertization functions may be obtained predominantly, if not completely (depending on the nature of the feedstock), from renewable carbon in biomass.

Abstract: A pump system includes a particulate consolidator pump that has a pump outlet. A duct is coupled to the pump outlet. The duct has a wall that is coupled with an oscillator. The oscillator is operable to oscillate the wall at a controlled frequency. The controlled frequency is selected with respect to breaking static bridging of particulate in the duct due, at least in part, to consolidation of the particulate from a downstream check valve.

Abstract: An entrained-flow gasifier reactor includes a vessel and a first liner within the vessel. The first liner extends around a reaction zone in the vessel and has an inlet end and an exit end with respect to the reaction zone. The first liner includes a drip lip at the exit end. An isolator is arranged near the drip lip. The isolator is operable to thermally isolate the drip lip from a quench zone downstream from the reaction zone such that molten slag at the drip lip remains molten.

Abstract: A system for the production of carbonized biomass that includes an infeed for accepting biomass feed material and an associated twin screw extruder. A water heater is connected with respect to at least one inlet along a length of the twin screw extruder and a pressure sustaining valve is connected at an outlet of the twin screw extruder.

Abstract: Methods and systems of power generation that integrate SCO2 Brayton and Rankin steam power cycles with fossil fuel combustion, One such method involves combusting a fuel material with an oxidizer material in a combustor to produce heat and a combustion exhaust. At least a portion of the combustion exhaust and a first portion of heat produced by the combustion processing are fed to a SCO2 Brayton power cycle to produce power and a second exhaust. At least a portion of the second exhaust and a second portion of heat produced by the combustion processing are feed to a steam Rankine power cycle to produce additional power and a third exhaust.

Abstract: A process for removing carbon dioxide from a carbon dioxide-loaded solvent uses two stages of flash apparatus. Carbon dioxide is flashed from the solvent at a higher temperature and pressure in the first stage, and a lower temperature and pressure in the second stage, and is fed to a multi-stage compression train for high pressure liquefaction. Because some of the carbon dioxide fed to the compression train is already under pressure, less energy is required to further compress the carbon dioxide to a liquid state, compared to conventional processes.

Abstract: A linear motor compressor including a compressor housing and a cylinder housing having a plurality of opposing compression chambers. A piston freely reciprocates within the cylinder housing using a linear electric motor. A piston position feedback control system provides adaptive current output as a function of position feedback and/or velocity feedback from the piston and/or the electric motor, to directly power and control the electric motor, wherein the piston reciprocates without assistance from a mechanical spring or other equivalent centering force.

Abstract: Methods and devices for combusting a carbonaceous fuel in an oxy-combustion fluidized bed reactor involving controlling the local oxygen content within the oxy-combustion reactor to specified levels. The carbonaceous fuel and an oxygen-containing gas are introduced into a fluidized bed reactor and eluted through a fluidized bed of an inert material, dolomite or a combination thereof to combust the fuel and oxygen to produce at least CO2 and steam. The oxygen-containing gas is a mixture of oxygen, recycled CO2 and steam and has sufficient oxygen added to the recycled CO2 and steam that the mixture contains 7-20 mole % oxygen. The carbonaceous fuel and the oxygen-containing gas are introduced into the fluidized bed at a location in sufficiently close proximity to each other to avoid producing a reducing atmosphere at the location. At least a portion of the produced CO2 and steam are recycled to the reactor.