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: 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: A system and method for communicating operation failure of a remote pipeline pneumatic device. A flow detector is used in combination with the pipeline pneumatic device. A controller in combination with the flow detector and a long range communication transmitter communicates an alarm upon detecting a predetermined flow, such as outside an expected amount. The controller can initiate a flow timer upon the actuation of the pneumatic device, and transmit an alarm upon the flow timer exceeding a predetermined value representing the expected amount.

Abstract: Process are disclosed for converting plastics, and especially thermoplastic oxygenated polymers, by hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) to hydrocarbons, such as aromatic hydrocarbons including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene isomers. These hydrocarbons may be recovered as chemicals and/or fuels, depending on the particular chemical structures of the starting materials, including the presence of oxygen in the polymer backbones. Advantageously, using a sufficiently active catalyst, only moderate conditions, such as in terms of hydrogen partial pressure, are required, in comparison to known hydrotreating processes. This leads to the formation, with fewer non-selective side reactions, of desired liquid hydrocarbons from substantially all carbon in the oxygenated polymer, as well as water from substantially all oxygen in the oxygenated polymer. In some cases, the liquid hydrocarbons obtained are platform chemicals that can be used for a number of specialized purposes.

Abstract: A rotating packed bed reactor and method of use. The rotating packed bed reactor includes a hollow central shaft having two separate concentric liquid pathways therein. The rotating packed bed reactor includes at least two rotating packed beds configured to rotate with the central shaft, and each connected to a different one of the two separate concentric liquid pathways. The central shaft has a first section connected to a first rotating packed bed and a second section connected to a second rotating packed bed, and the second section includes an annular opening to continue a central pathway of the two separate concentric liquid pathways.

Abstract: An integrated combustor-thermoelectric generator and method for producing electrical power and/or for operating a pneumatic or electric device. The apparatus includes a burner tube, a tubular heat exchanger extending along and around the burner tube, a plurality of thermoelectric generators disposed along sides of the heat exchanger, and a heat sink on an opposite side of the thermoelectric generators from the burner and heat exchanger. The thermoelectric generators can be paired with an electric valve or a DC air compressor for operating a pneumatic device by directing heated gases from the combustor through the heat exchanger to thermoelectric couples and/or modules for powering the air compressor. 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 seal clamp, such as for gas lines, includes a handle assembly having a handle, a transfer or drive assembly cooperable with the handle, and a clamping assembly including first and second claws or clamps and a seal member. The first and second claws or clamps are cooperable with the transfer assembly. The seal member is structured to seal a puncture in a gas line. Responsive to movement of the handle, the first and second claws or clamps move from an OPEN position to a CLOSED position, such as to engage a pipe and create a clamping force which forces the seal member into engagement with the pipe, such as a puncture, to seal the pipe.

Abstract: A system and method for optimizing operation of a rotating packed bed desorber or regenerator wherein a rich solvent is input and CO2 product and lean solvent are output includes collecting condensed water from a regeneration section of a rotating packed bed desorber system. The collected condensed water is then repressurized and reheated to generate steam and the steam is injected into the rotating packed bed desorber or regenerator as stripping vapors while heating rich solvent.

Abstract: A system and method for removing a component from a gas stream. The method includes absorbing the component from a gas stream in a solvent, separating the component from the solvent, and recycling the solvent back to the absorbing step. The absorbing is desirably performed by a counter-current contact between the solvent and the gas stream, such as using a rotating packed bed absorber. The rotating packed bed absorber is paired with a multistage solvent regeneration system configured to receive a rich solution from the rotating packed bed absorber and return a recycled lean solution to the rotating packed bed absorber.

Abstract: A method and system of recovering heat from geothermal energy with a curved producing well extending around an injection well. The injection well is substantially vertical, and the producing well is helical about the injection well. The producing well extends through a plurality of geologic fractures about the injection well formed by multiple injections made through the injection well.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering distilled water from wastewater. The method and apparatus evaporates water vapor from a wastewater stream into a moving airflow, collects collecting distilled water from the water vapor, and powers the moving airflow and the collecting distilled water with a thermoelectric generator. The apparatus includes a self-regenerative distillation unit, with an evaporating channel, a condensing channel, and a distilled water outlet. The thermoelectric generator includes a hot shoe side in combination with the wastewater stream, and a cold shoe side in combination with the distilled water outlet. The thermoelectric generator powers a fan or blower connected to the evaporating channel and/or a water pump connected to the distilled water outlet.

Abstract: A system and method for producing hydrogen and/or power at scale. A partial combustion of a carbonaceous gaseous and/or liquid feed with an oxygen-containing feed generates heat for pyrolyzing non-combusted carbonaceous gaseous and/or liquid feed materials to produce an effluent including hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, water, and nitrogen. Electrolysis powered by a renewable energy source converts water to hydrogen and oxygen for the oxygen-containing feed. Hydrogen is collected from the electrolysis, and also from the effluent, and sent to a hydrogen-based power generator.

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: A method for processing proppant from a well. A plurality of proppant samples are collected during drilling of a well for imaging analysis. In addition to imaging analysis a further correction factor is determined for the samples using additional analysis on a portion of the samples. Determining and applying the correction factor to the imaging results provides a more accurate proppant log. The additional analysis can be by scanning electron microscopy, such as for differentiating the silicon proppant particles from other elemental particles resulting from the drilling.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating operation failure of a remote pipeline pneumatic device. A flow detector is used in combination with the pipeline pneumatic device. A controller in combination with the flow detector and a long range communication transmitter communicates an alarm upon detecting a predetermined flow, such as outside an expected amount. The controller can initiate a flow timer upon the actuation of the pneumatic device, and transmit an alarm upon the flow timer exceeding a predetermined value representing the expected amount.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering distilled water from wastewater. The method and apparatus evaporates water vapor from a wastewater stream into a moving airflow, collects collecting distilled water from the water vapor, and powers the moving airflow and the collecting distilled water with a thermoelectric generator. The apparatus includes a self-regenerative distillation unit, with an evaporating channel, a condensing channel, and a distilled water outlet. The thermoelectric generator includes a hot shoe side in combination with the wastewater stream, and a cold shoe side in combination with the distilled water outlet. The thermoelectric generator powers a fan or blower connected to the evaporating channel and/or a water pump connected to the distilled water outlet.

Abstract: An integrated combustor-thermoelectric generator and method for producing electrical power and/or for operating a pneumatic or electric device. The apparatus includes a burner tube, a tubular heat exchanger extending along and around the burner tube, a plurality of thermoelectric generators disposed along sides of the heat exchanger, and a heat sink on an opposite side of the thermoelectric generators from the burner and heat exchanger. The thermoelectric generators can be paired with an electric valve or a DC air compressor for operating a pneumatic device by directing heated gases from the combustor through the heat exchanger to thermoelectric couples and/or modules for powering the air compressor. 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.