Abstract: In one embodiment, a gas hydrate conversion system is provided comprising a floating factory, an appendage for harvesting a gas hydrate from an oceanic hydrate deposit, and one or more storage tanks. The floating factory comprises one or more heat exchange assemblies, one or more heat pump assemblies and an engine. In another embodiment, a method for harvesting hydrocarbon hydrate deposits is provided, the method comprising providing a gas hydrate conversion system; inducing release of methane from an oceanic hydrate deposit; capturing the methane from a primary methane capture zone and/or a secondary methane capture zone; and converting the methane to hydrogen and carbon.

Abstract: Reactor vessels with pressure and heat transfer features for producing hydrogen-based fuels and structural elements, and associated systems and methods. A representative reactor system includes a first reaction zone and a heat path, a reactant source coupled to the first reaction zone, and a first actuator coupled to cyclically pressurize the first reaction zone. A second reaction zone is in fluid communication with the first, a valve is coupled between the first and second reaction zones to control a flow rate therebetween, and a second actuator is coupled in fluid communication with the second reaction zone to cyclically pressurize the second reaction zone. First and second heat exchangers direct heat from products to reactants in the reaction zones. A controller controls the first and second actuators in a coordinated manner based at least in part on a flow rate of the second product from the second reaction zone.

Abstract: Inserts and insert kits for converting internal combustion engines to multi-stage compressors are disclosed herein. An insert kit in accordance with present technology can include a first insert configured to be positioned at least partially within a first compression cylinder of an engine to reduce the volume by a first amount. A second insert can be configured to be positioned at least partially within a second compression cylinder of the engine to reduce the volume of the second compression cylinder by a second amount, greater than the first amount. Additionally, a first compression piston can be configured to be positioned within the first insert to compress a gas to a first volume. A second compression piston can be configured to be positioned within the second insert to compress the gas to a second volume, smaller than the first volume.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for adjusting the operation of a gasoline-fueled engine based on monitored conditions within a combustion chamber of the engine. In some cases, the system monitors regions within the combustion chamber, identifies or determines a satisfactory condition, and applies an ionization voltage to a fuel injector to initiate a combustion event during the satisfactory condition. In some cases, the system monitors the conditions within the combustion chamber, determines a monitored condition is associated with an adjustment, and adjusts a parameters of a combustion event in order to adjust ionization levels within a combustion chamber.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to integrated injector/igniters providing efficient injection, ignition, and complete combustion of various types of fuels. One example of such an injectors/igniter can include a body having a base portion opposite a nozzle portion, and a fuel passageway extending from the base portion to the nozzle portion. A force generator and a first valve are carried by the base portion. The first valve is movable in response to actuation from the force generator to move between closed and open positions. The injector/igniter also includes a second valve at the nozzle portion that is deformable in response to pressure in the fuel passageway to deform between a closed position and an open position.

Abstract: Dynamic filtration systems and associated methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, for example, a filtration system can include a filter device having a body portion positioned between first and second end portions and a filter media in a cavity defined by the body portion. The filter media can be configured to filter a predetermined substance from a ferrofluid. The filter device can further include a coil at the body portion, a first magnetic plate proximate the first end portion and a second magnetic plate proximate the second end portion. The coil can generate a first magnetic field across the body portion, and the first and second magnetic plates interact to form a second magnetic field across the body portion. The first and second magnetic fields can be configured to drive filtration of the ferrofluid.

Abstract: Fluid distribution filters having spiral filter media and associated systems and methods are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, for example, a filter assembly can include a canister having a body portion positioned between a first opening and a second opening. The filter assembly can further include a filter media positioned in the body portion of the canister. The filter media can include at least one channel in fluid communication with the first and second openings. The channel can have a spiral-like shape and be configured to distribute incoming fluid across the filter media and move the fluid at a substantially equal velocity across the filter media.

Abstract: Systems and methods for extracting and processing gases from submerged sources are disclosed. A system for removing and processing a gas from a submerged area in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a membrane or other open-bottom structure having a port and being disposed over at least a portion of the submerged area so as to at least partially enclose a volume of the gas. The system can further include a chemical reactor coupled to the open-bottom structure to receive the gas, and positioned to conduct a non-combustion reaction to dissociate a constituent from a donor substance of the gas.

Abstract: The present technology relates generally to amplification for fuel injectors. In some embodiments, an injector for introducing gaseous or liquid fuel into a combustion chamber includes an injector body having a base portion configured to receive fuel into the body and a valve coupled to the body. The valve can be movable to an open position to introduce fuel into the combustion chamber. The injector further includes a valve operator assembly. The valve operator assembly can include a valve actuator coupled to the valve and movable between a first position and a second position upon receipt of an initial motion. The valve operator assembly can also include an amplifier configured to receive the initial motion from the valve actuator, amplify the initial motion, and transfer the amplified motion to the valve.

Abstract: Mobile transport platforms for producing hydrogen and structural materials, and associated systems and methods are disclosed. A system in accordance with a particular embodiment includes a mobile transport platform and a chemical reactor carried by the mobile transport platform. The chemical reactor is configured to dissociate a donor into first and second constituents in a non-combustion reaction. The reactor has a donor entrance port, a first constituent exit port, and a second constituent exit port. A donor supply is carried by the mobile transport platform and is coupled to the donor entrance port to deliver the donor to the reactor. A first collector is coupled to the first constituent exit port to receive the first constituent from the reactor. A second collector is coupled to the second constituent exit port to receive the second constituent.

Abstract: Techniques, systems, apparatus and material are disclosed for generating oxygenated fuel. In one aspect, a method of producing an oxygenated fuel from biomass waste for use in a combustion system includes dissociating the biomass waste to produce one or more carbon donors. The biomass waste produced carbon donors are reacted with an oxygen donor to produce the oxygenated fuel comprising oxygenated carbon. Reacting the carbon donors with the oxygen donors includes applying waste heat recovered from an external heat source to the reaction of carbon donors and oxygen donor. The oxygenated fuel is combusted in the combustion system.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to integrated injector/igniters providing efficient injection, ignition, and complete combustion of various types of fuels. One example of such an injectors/igniter can include a body having a base portion opposite a nozzle portion. The base portion receives the fuel into the body and the nozzle portion can be positioned adjacent to the combustion chamber. The injector further includes a valve carried by the nozzle portion that is movable between a closed position and an open position to inject the fuel into the combustion chamber. An actuator is coupled the valve and extends longitudinally through the body towards the base portion, and a driver is carried by the body and is movable between a first position and a second position. Thermochemical regeneration of waste heat produced by combustion and associated combustion events is captured and invested in endothermic reactions to improve efficiency of the combustion event.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an infrared emitter welder for fusion welding pipe joints. In one representative embodiment, the welder comprises a fuel tank adapted to contain a fuel under pressure and a heating element in fluid communication with the fuel tank. The heating element includes a pair of porous ceramic plates, each having opposing first and second surfaces, wherein the first surfaces of the ceramic plates are joined together, and wherein at least one of the first surfaces includes fuel distribution channels formed therein. A catalytic material, such as platinum, is disposed on at least one of the second surfaces and is operative to ignite the fuel as it reaches the second surface. A supply conduit interconnects the fuel tank and heating element.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are described to fabricate precursor intermediaries and carbon fiber or graphene materials. In one aspect, a method to fabricate an acryl-modified polymer includes obtaining a hydrocarbon substance from one or both of a waste stream or natural gas, separating gases from the hydrocarbon substance to form hydrogen gas and a carbonaceous gas including one or more of methane, butane, or ethane, dehydrogenating the carbonaceous gas by adding heat to form a dehydrogenated carbon material, and reacting the dehydrogenated carbon material with a nitrogen material including one of ammonia or urea to produce polyacrylonitrile (PAN).

Abstract: Techniques, systems, apparatus and material are described for generating renewable energy from biomass waste while sequestering carbon. In one aspect, a method performed by a reactor to dissociate raw biomass waste into a renewable source energy or a carbon byproduct or both includes receiving the raw biomass waste that includes carbon, hydrogen and oxygen to be dissociated under an anaerobic reaction. Waste heat is recovered from an external heat source to heat the received raw biomass waste. The heated raw biomass waste is dissociated to produce the renewable fuel, carbon byproduct or both. The dissociating includes compacting the heated raw biomass waste, generating heat from an internal heat source, and applying the generated heat to the compacted biomass waste under pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a connection to a conduit may include a first part configured to be threadably attached to a second part. The first part can include a male threaded section spaced axially apart from a ratchet section having radially protruding teeth. The second part can be at least partly formed by an elastically deformable material and includes a female threaded section spaced axially apart from at least one pawl that is configured to engage the radially protruding teeth. When the at least one pawl is engaged with the teeth, relative rotation between the first part and the second part may be allowed in a tightening direction and prevented in a loosening direction or may be allowed in the tightening and loosening directions. When the second part is deformed by at least one radially inward force, the at least one pawl disengages the teeth of the ratchet section.

Abstract: A vehicular fuel system with onboard fuel characterization including an onboard combustion modifier source capable of supplying a combustion modifier agent, such as hydrogen, and a fuel tank capable of storing a fuel. An injector-igniter is operative to direct inject the fuel and a proportionate amount of the modifier agent into a cylinder of an internal combustion engine. An engine control unit is operatively connectable to the combustion modifier source and the injector. The system may further comprise a mixing valve operative to proportionately mix the fuel and modifier agent. The combustion modifier source may be a tank containing hydrogen or a thermo-chemical reactor, for example.

Abstract: Regenerative intensifier systems that can receive fluids from landfills, anaerobic digesters, wastewater treatment plants, animal waste lagoons, swamp gas, decaying permafrost, and oceanic clathrate decomposition interchangeably with natural gas and other available fuels and substances and provide suitably conditioned fuel for operation of an engine, fuel cell, or other industrial and/or chemical processes. Alternatively, gases collected from landfills, waste digesters, bakeries, breweries, ethanol plants, calciners, power plant stacks, electrolyzers, and/or natural gas that may be delivered at relatively low pressures can be converted to high pressure and/or high purity constituents to enable efficient utilization as a transportation fuel and/or industrial feedstock or chemical plant reactant.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention, a method for providing an energy supply using a renewable energy source is provided comprising: providing a first source of renewable energy, wherein the first source of renewable energy is intermittent or does not provide a sufficient amount of energy; providing energy from the first source of renewable energy to an electrolyzer to produce an energy carrier through electrolysis; selectably reversing the electrolyzer for use as a fuel cell; and providing the energy carrier to the electrolyzer for the production of energy.

Abstract: Systems and methods for heating a non-combustion chemical reactor with thermal energy from a geothermal heat source are described. A working fluid is directed from the geothermal heat source to the chemical reactor to transfer heat. The working fluid can be circulated in a closed system so that it does not contact material at the geothermal heat source, or in an open system that allows the working fluid to intermix with material at the geothermal heat source. When intermixing with material at the geothermal heat source, the working fluid can transport donor substances at the geothermal heat source to the chemical reactor.