Abstract: The present invention relates generally to processes for preparing an inorganic sodium and/or chlorine contaminated low-rank coal feedstock for combustion in a fluidized fuel combustor to generate steam and, desirably, co-generate electricity.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to processes for preparing agglomerated particulate low-rank coal feedstocks of a particle size suitable for reaction in a fluidized-bed reactor and certain other gasification reactors and, in particular, for coal gasification and combustion applications. The present invention also relates to an integrated coal hydromethanation process including preparing and utilizing such agglomerated particulate low-rank coal feedstocks.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to processes for preparing agglomerated particulate low-rank coal feedstocks of a particle size suitable for reaction in a fluidized-bed reactor and certain other gasification reactors and, in particular, for coal gasification and combustion applications. The present invention also relates to integrated coal gasification and combustion processes including preparing and utilizing such agglomerated particulate low-rank coal feedstocks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes and apparatuses for generating electrical power from certain non-gaseous carbonaceous feedstocks through the integration of catalytic hydromethanation technology with fuel cell technology.

Abstract: Particulate compositions are described comprising an intimate mixture of a biomass, such as switchgrass or hybrid poplar, a non-biomass carbonaceous material, such as petroleum coke or coal, and a gasification catalyst, where the gasification catalyst is loaded onto at least one of the biomass or non-biomass for gasification in the presence of steam to yield a plurality of gases including methane and at least one or more of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and other higher hydrocarbons are formed. Processes are also provided for the preparation of the particulate compositions and converting the particulate composition into a plurality of gaseous products.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes and apparatuses for generating light olefins, methane and other higher-value gaseous hydrocarbons from “liquid” heavy hydrocarbon feedstocks.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes and apparatuses for generating electrical power from certain non-gaseous carbonaceous feedstocks through the integration of catalytic hydromethanation technology with fuel cell technology.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes and continuous processes for preparing gaseous products, and in particular, methane via the catalytic gasification of carbonaceous feedstocks in the presence of steam. In one aspect of the invention, the processes comprise at least partially combusting a first carbonaceous feedstock with an oxygen-rich gas stream in an oxygen-blown gasifier, under suitable temperature and pressure, to generate a first gas stream comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and superheated steam; and reacting a second carbonaceous feedstock and the first gas stream in a catalytic gasifier in the presence of a gasification catalyst under suitable temperature and pressure to form a second gas stream comprising a plurality of gaseous products comprising methane, carbon dioxide, hydrogen, carbon monoxide and hydrogen sulfide.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for hydromethanating a nickel-containing (and optionally vanadium-containing) carbonaceous feedstock while recovering at least a portion of the nickel content (and optionally vanadium content) originally present in the carbonaceous feedstock.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes and apparatuses for hydromethanating a vanadium-containing carbonaceous feedstock while recovering at least a portion of the vanadium content originally present in the carbonaceous feedstock.

Abstract: The invention provides processes for generating a methane-enriched gas from a gas mixture comprising carbon monoxide and hydrogen such as gas streams generated by gasification of an alkali metal catalyst-loaded carbonaceous feedstock, and a char methanation catalyst useful in such processes.

Abstract: An enhanced oil recovery process that is integrated with a synthesis gas generation process, such as gasification or methane reforming, involving combined capture and recycle of carbon dioxide from both processes.

Abstract: An enhanced oil recovery process that is integrated with a synthesis gas generation process, such as gasification or methane reforming, involving combined capture and recycle of carbon dioxide from both processes.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to processes for hydromethanating a carbonaceous feedstock in a hydromethanation reactor to a methane product stream and a char by-product, and more specifically to removal of the char by-product from the hydromethanation reactor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for hydromethanating a carbonaceous feedstock to a methane product stream and electrical power, in which heat energy from the hot methane-enriched synthesis gas is used to generate a dry saturated steam stream, the dry saturated steam stream is converted into a superheated steam stream via pressure drop for feeding into the hydromethanation reactor to satisfy the steam demand of the hydromethanation reaction, and heat generated from a downstream gas methanation processing is recovered to produce a superheated process steam stream which is used to generate the electric power.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for hydromethanating a carbonaceous feedstock to a hot methane-enriched synthesis gas, in which heat energy from the hot methane-enriched synthesis gas is used to generate a dry saturated steam stream, and the dry saturated steam stream is converted into a superheated steam stream via pressure drop for feeding into the hydromethanation reactor to satisfy the steam demand of the hydromethanation reaction.

Abstract: Particulate compositions are described comprising a carbonaceous material, such as petroleum coke and/or coal, treated or otherwise associated with a gasification catalyst, where the catalyst is at least in part derived from a leachate from a biomass char, for gasification in the presence of steam to yield a plurality of gases including methane and at least one or more of hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and other higher hydrocarbons are formed. Processes are also provided for the preparation of the particulate compositions and converting the particulate composition into a plurality of gaseous products.

Abstract: Processes for the generation of steam are provided for use in an integrated catalytic gasification process for converting carbonaceous materials to combustible gases, such as methane. Generally, the exhaust gas from a steam generating reactor is provided along with steam, a carbonaceous feedstock, and a gasification catalyst, to a catalytic gasifier, wherein under appropriate temperature and pressure conditions, the carbonaceous feedstock is converted into a plurality of product gases, including, but not limited to, methane, carbon monoxide, hydrogen, and carbon dioxide. As substantially all the carbon dioxide produced from the steam generation process and the gasification process are subsequently directed though gas purification and separation processes, substantially all the carbon dioxide may be recovered, yielding a process having a near zero carbon footprint.

Abstract: Processes are provided for capturing and recycling carbonaceous fines generated during a gasification process. In particular, the recycled fines are processed into a particulate composition which is useable as a carbonaceous feedstock and is conversion into a gas stream comprising methane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for preparing gaseous products, and in particular, methane via the catalytic gasification of carbonaceous feedstocks in the presence of steam and an oxygen-rich gas stream. The processes comprise using at least one catalytic methanator to convert carbon monoxide and hydrogen in the gaseous products to methane and do not recycle carbon monoxide or hydrogen to the catalytic gasifier.