Abstract: A continuous process for converting metal compound particles into a mixture of elemental metals. Metal compound particles and a reductant are introduced into an ultra-high temperature reaction zone having a temperature greater than 2,700° C. and an oxygen content less than 3 vol. %. The metal compound particles have particle sizes of d90 500 ?m. The metal compound particles have a residence time less than 1 minute in the ultra-high temperature reaction zone sufficient to mix with and react with the reductant to reduce the metal compound particles to form a mixture of elemental metals. The mixture of elemental metals is removed from the ultra-high temperature reaction zone. One or more elemental metals are separated or concentrated from the mixture of elemental metals within one or more separation zones based on differential size and density of the one or more elemental metals and the remaining mixture of elemental metals.

Abstract: A continuous hydrocarbon pyrolysis process to produce hydrogen gas and carbon includes exposing a hydrocarbon feedstock to an oxygen depleted combustion gas within a hydrocarbon pyrolysis zone. A valveless pulse combustor produces the combustion gas at a temperature greater than 2,400° C. The hydrocarbon feedstock and combustion gas have a residence time within the hydrocarbon pyrolysis zone less than 30 seconds to cause pyrolysis of the hydrocarbon feedstock and produce gas comprising hydrogen and solid particles comprising carbon. The gas and solid particles exit the hydrocarbon pyrolysis zone at a temperature greater than 1,200° C. A heat exchanger cools the gas and solid particles to a temperature less than 200° C. A gas absorber removes unwanted gas molecules from the gas and produce H2 containing gas having an H2 concentration greater than 80 vol. % H2. The H2 containing gas is continuously introduced to a H2 consuming facility.

Abstract: A process for comminuting particles of heterogeneous material. The particles of heterogeneous material are fragmented and broken into smaller particle size by breaking them against each other. Heterogeneous material means two or more different solid materials or phases in the same solid. The component materials may have different specific gravity and/or hardness. In the process, a slurry of particles of heterogeneous material is pumped through an agitated mixture of impingement media, wherein the impingement media has a size greater than a size of the particles, wherein adjacent impingement media interact to create impingement zones through which the particles pass and impinge each other to cause the particles to fracture and break into smaller particles. The impingement media may be from 5 to 10 times larger than the particles. The impingement media may be harder than the particles. The heterogeneous material may be coal.

Abstract: A process for fracturing and devolatilizing coal particles rapidly exposes coal particles to a high temperature, oxygen-depleted work zone for a sufficient time period to cause volatile matter within the coal particles to vaporize and fracture the coal particles. The work zone has a temperature in the range from 600° C. to 2000° C. The coal particles are exposed to the high temperature, oxygen-depleted work zone for a time period less than 1 seconds, and preferably less than 0.3 second. The vaporized volatile matter is condensed and recovered as microcarbon particles.

Abstract: A gaseous combustible fuel includes a gaseous hydrocarbon fuel feedstock and solid fuel particles suspended in the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel feedstock. The solid fuel particles have a sufficiently small particle size so that they remain suspended during transportation. The hydrocarbon fuel feedstock may include natural gas, ethane, propane, butane, and gaseous derivatives and mixtures thereof. The solid fuel particles may include coal-derived solid carbonaceous matter. Other examples of solid fuel particles include biomass, refined bioproducts, and combustible polymer particles. The gaseous combustible fuel has an energy density at atmospheric pressure which is at least 25% greater than the volumetric energy density of the gaseous hydrocarbon fuel feedstock. Improvements in volumetric energy density of 50%, 100%, and even 500% are disclosed. The gaseous combustible fuel may be pressurized to a pressure in the range from 2 to 100 atmospheres.

Abstract: A structural insulated building unit is provided for constructing a building. The structural insulated building unit includes an insulating core, first and second cementitious panels, and a connecting portion. The insulating core is defined by multiple sides and opposing first and second faces. The first and second cementitious panels are coupled to the first and second faces of the insulating core. The connecting portion is provided on one of the sides of the insulating core, and aligns the structural insulated building unit with an adjacent structural insulated building unit having a complementary connecting portion when constructing a building.

Abstract: A transportable and combustible gaseous suspension includes solid fuel particles suspended in a gaseous carrier. The solid fuel particles have a sufficiently small particle size so that they remain suspended during transportation. The gaseous carrier may include reactive and inert gases. The solid fuel particles may include coal-derived solid carbonaceous matter. Other examples of solid fuel particles include biomass, refined bioproducts, and combustible polymer particles. The combustible gaseous suspension can be tailored to have an energy density at atmospheric pressure which is comparable to conventional gaseous hydrocarbon fuels. The gaseous combustible fuel may be pressurized to a pressure in the range from 2 to 100 atmospheres.