Abstract: Disclosed is method for removing carbonyl sulphide and/or carbon disulphide from a sour gas stream. The method comprises subjecting the gas stream to simultaneous contact with an absorption liquid, such as an aqueous amine solution, and with a catalyst suitable for hydrolyzing carbonyl sulphide and/or carbon disulphide. To this end, the invention also provides a reactor system wherein both an absorption liquid and a catalyst are present. In a preferred embodiment, the catalyst is a heterogeneous catalyst present on or in an absorption column, either coated on the trays of a column with trays, or contained in the packing of a packed column.

Abstract: Disclosed is a catalyst suitable for the catalytic oxidative cracking of a H2S-containing gas stream. The catalyst comprises at least one or more active metals selected from the group consisting of iron, cobalt, and nickel, supported by a carrier comprising ceria and alumina. The active metal is preferably in the form of its sulphide. Also disclosed is a method for the production of hydrogen from a H2S-containing gas stream, comprising subjecting the gas stream to catalytic oxidative cracking so as to form H2 and S2, using a catalyst in accordance with any one of the composition claims.

Abstract: Disclosed is method for removing carbonyl sulphide and/or carbon disulphide from a sour gas stream. The method comprises subjecting the gas stream to simultaneous contact with an absorption liquid, such as an aqueous amine solution, and with a catalyst suitable for hydrolyzing carbonyl sulphide and/or carbon disulphide. To this end, the invention also provides a reactor system wherein both an absorption liquid and a catalyst are present. In a preferred embodiment, the catalyst is a heterogeneous catalyst present on or in an absorption column, either coated on the trays of a column with trays, or contained in the packing of a packed column.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the concurrent production of hydrogen and sulphur from a H2S-containing gas stream, with zero emissions. The method comprises the thermal oxidative cracking of H2S so as to form H2 and S2. Preferably, the oxidation is conducted using oxygen-enriched air, preferably pure oxygen. The ratio H2S/O2 in the feedstock is higher than 2:1, preferably in the range of 3:1-5:1.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for the production of hydrogen from a H2S-containing gas stream also containing ammonia, comprising subjecting both gas stream to catalytic oxidative cracking of both the H2S and the NH3, so as to form H2, S2 and N2. In this method, preferably, an additional amount of oxygen is added as compared to the amount used for H2S catalytic oxidative cracking. Also, preferably, the contact time of the gas stream with the catalyst is increased. The catalyst preferably is provided as a single bed, and then preferably comprises iron and molybdenum supported by a carrier comprising aluminum. The preferred carrier is alumina. The iron and molybdenum preferably are in the form of sulfides.

Abstract: Disclosed is a thermal energy storage system for storing collected solar thermal energy. The system comprises a solar thermal energy collection facility in the form of a field of parabolic troughs, which is in thermal communication with a molten salt circuit. The molten salt circuit is in fluid communication with a molten salt storage facility comprising at least three storage tanks that are each in fluid communication with the molten salt circuit. The multiple tanks set-up allows using cheaper materials, and a more efficient storage of thermal energy.

Abstract: Disclosed is a catalyst suitable for the catalytic oxidative cracking of a H2S-containing gas stream, particularly in the event that the stream also contains methane and/or ammonia. The catalyst comprises iron and molybdenum supported by a carrier comprising aluminum. The carrier preferably is alumina. The iron and molybdenum preferably are in the form of sulphides. Also disclosed is a method for the production of hydrogen from a H2S-containing gas stream, comprising subjecting the gas stream to catalytic oxidative cracking so as to form H2 and S2, using a catalyst in accordance with any one of the preceding claims.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the concurrent production of hydrogen and sulphur from a H2S-containing gas stream, with reduced, and preferably zero, emissions. The method comprises the catalytic oxidative cracking of H2S so as to form H2 and S2. Preferably, the oxidation is conducted using oxygen-enriched air, preferably pure oxygen. The process is conducted in a reaction chamber comprising a bifunctional catalyst material, so as to favor both the partial oxidation of H2S and the dissociation thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and plant for the catalytic dehydrogenation of alkanes, such as propane. The plant is a plant of hybrid architecture wherein one or more membrane-assisted reactor configurations according to open architecture are combined with one or more membrane-containing reactors of closed architecture. Hydrogen remaining in the reaction mixture after separation in the membrane separation unit of a first open architecture configuration, is fed to a first membrane-reactor of the closed architecture type. Also disclosed are methods of modifying plants so as to create the hybrid architecture plant.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the catalytic dehydrogenation of alkanes so as to form the corresponding olefins. The reaction mixture is subjected to membrane separation of hydrogen, in a separate unit. Preferably a plurality of alternating reaction and separation units is used. The process of the invention serves the purpose of reducing coke formation on the catalyst, and also of achieving a higher alkane conversion without a similar increase in coke formation. The process can also be used for the production of hydrogen.

Abstract: Disclosed is method for removing carbonyl sulphide and/or carbon disulphide from a sour gas stream. The method comprises subjecting the gas stream to simultaneous contact with an absorption liquid, such as an aqueous amine solution, and with a catalyst suitable for hydrolyzing carbonyl sulphide and/or carbon disulphide. To this end, the invention also provides a reactor system wherein both an absorption liquid and a catalyst are present. In a preferred embodiment, the catalyst is a heterogeneous catalyst present on or in an absorption column, either coated on the trays of a column with trays, or contained in the packing of a packed column.

Abstract: In the present invention a method for treating algae is disclosed, which method comprises the steps of (a) providing an ionic liquid, which is a conjugate of an organic base with pKa at least 6 and an acid, (b) providing algae, (c) subjecting algae to cell lysis with the ionic liquid, whereby at least two phases are formed, including a hydrophobic phase and a hydrophilic phase, and (d) separating the hydrophobic phase containing lipids.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for increasing the capacity of a urea production complex, the method comprising a step of adding to an existing urea production complex a CO2 production unit, which unit employs a CO2 production method comprising: i) subjecting a hydrocarbon feed to short contact time catalytic partial oxidation (SCT-CPO) to produce a first gas mixture comprising H2, CO and CO2, ii) subjecting said first gas mixture to a water gas shift reaction yielding a second gas mixture, iii) separating CO2 from said second gas mixture yielding a purified CO2 stream and a hydrogen containing stream and subsequently iv) reacting said purified CO2 stream with ammonia from the ammonia production unit to produce urea. The invention also provides a urea production complex realized by the application of this method and a urea production method.

Abstract: Disclosed is a catalyst suitable for the catalytic oxidative cracking of a H2S-containing gas stream, particularly in the event that the stream also contains methane and/or ammonia. The catalyst comprises iron and molybdenum supported by a carrier comprising aluminium. The carrier preferably is alumina. The iron and molybdenum preferably are in the form of sulphides. Also disclosed is a method for the production of hydrogen from a H2S-containing gas stream, comprising subjecting the gas stream to catalytic oxidative cracking so as to form H2 and S2, using a catalyst in accordance with any one of the preceding claims.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the production of ammonia comprising a step wherein synthesis gas is formed by catalytic partial oxidation. Also disclosed is a process of producing urea, wherein ammonia is formed in a process involving a step of catalytic partial oxidation, and carbon dioxide formed in the same process is reacted with said ammonia so as to form urea.

Abstract: Disclosed is a catalyst suitable for the catalytic oxidative cracking of a H2S-containing gas stream, particularly in the event that the stream also contains methane and/or ammonia. The catalyst comprises iron and molybdenum supported by a carrier comprising aluminum. The carrier preferably is alumina. The iron and molybdenum preferably are in the form of sulphides. Also disclosed is a method for the production of hydrogen from a H2S-containing gas stream, comprising subjecting the gas stream to catalytic oxidative cracking so as to form H2 and S2, using a catalyst in accordance with any one of the preceding claims.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the production of hydrogen in a reactor system comprising a steam reforming reaction zone comprising a reforming catalyst and a membrane separation zone comprising a hydrogen-selective membrane. The process involves a reaction system of so-called open architecture, wherein the reforming zone and the membrane separation zone operate independently of each other. The invention provides the heat for the reforming reaction through heat exchange from liquid molten salts, preferably heated by solar energy.

Abstract: Disclosed is a storage tank for molten salts, preferably of the thermocline type. The tank is provided with an insulation on the inside, which is provided by molten salts captured and retained in an appropriate metal structure. The metal structure has openings allowing molten salts to flow into it, and may consist of metal supports that hold elements which allow retaining molten salts, such as a structured packing, metal boxes, or gutter wall.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the production of ammonia comprising a step wherein synthesis gas is formed in two different ways, viz. by catalytic partial oxidation (31) and by steam reforming, and wherein the combined streams of synthesis gas are subjected to a water gas shift reaction (50). Also disclosed is a process of producing urea, wherein ammonia is formed (90) in a process involving said combined streams and wherein carbon dioxide (110) formed in the same process is reacted with said ammonia so as to form urea.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the concurrent production of hydrogen and sulphur from a H2S-containing gas stream, with zero emissions. The method comprises the thermal oxidative cracking of H2S so as to form H2 and S2. Preferably, the oxidation is conducted using oxygen-enriched air, preferably pure oxygen. The ratio H2S/O2 in the feedstock is higher than 2:1, preferably in the range of 3:1-5:1.