Abstract: The instant invention pertains to new processes which produce an energy source effectively, efficiently, and in a more environmentally friendly manner. The process comprises hydrolyzing a lignocellulosic feedstock to form lignocellulosic hydrolyzate and a hydrolyzate residue. The lignocellulosic hydrolyzate is treated to produce hydrogen. The hydrolyzate residue may be reacted with hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst to yield the energy source.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for identifying an activation of a burst disk. A pressure data or a temperature data relating to a flow is received. A determination is made whether the flow is interrupted based upon the at least one of the pressure data and the temperature data. A burst disk activation is identified in response to determining that the flow is interrupted.

Abstract: A diesel fuel containing a soot dispersant additive which is a grafted and derivatized low molecular weight copolymer of ethylene and at least one C3-C10 alpha monoolefin is provided. Also provided is a method for improving the fuel economy of a diesel engine which comprises operating the diesel engine with a fuel composition comprising (a) a major amount of a diesel fuel and (b) a minor fuel economy improving effective amount of the soot dispersant additive.

Abstract: Exemplary systems and methods are directed to monitoring a ground connection at a fueling facility. The system being configured to perform the method that includes measuring a vehicle ground quality. The method also includes determining a dispenser ground quality, evaluating the vehicle ground quality based on the dispenser ground quality and a threshold value, and controlling the dispensing of fuel based on the evaluation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for cooling an electrical system comprising circulating in a cooling system of the electrical system a mixture comprising a heat transfer fluid and one or more carboxylic acid salts thereof, wherein the electrical conductivity of the mixture is less than 100 ?S/cm.

Abstract: The refractory protected, replaceable insert for a gasifier includes a replaceable floor edge insert that is formed with a predetermined mating profile that is complementary to a finished mating profile of the gasifier floor. The geometry of the mating profiles of the replaceable floor edge insert and the gasifier floor permit removable engagement between the floor edge insert and the mating profile of the gasifier floor. The replaceable floor edge insert is protected by a ring-like arrangement of hanging refractory bricks that each include an appendage. Each brick appendage covers a portion of the inner radial edge of the replaceable floor edge insert and also covers an upper surface portion of an underlying quench ring, thus prolonging the life of the floor and the quench ring. A refractory ceramic fiber paper can be provided between the hanging brick and the floor edge and quench ring.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a balanced fluid supply through multiple feeds are disclosed. The method comprises supplying the fluid through a plurality of feeds from a common fluid accumulator; determining the fluid pressure in a common fluid accumulator; and controlling the fluid pressure in the common fluid accumulator responsive to the fluid pressure sensed therein to maintain the fluid pressure within a predetermined range. The balanced fluid supply comprises a common fluid accumulator; a plurality of feeds from the common fluid accumulator; and a control system capable of controlling the pressure of the fluid supplied from the common fluid accumulator to the feeds responsive to a determined pressure of fluid in the common fluid accumulator.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for converting hydrocarbon fuels to hydrogen-rich reformate that incorporate a carbon dioxide fixing mechanism into the initial hydrocarbon conversion process. The mechanism utilizes a carbon dioxide fixing material within the reforming catalyst bed to remove carbon dioxide from the reformate product. The removal of carbon dioxide from the product stream shifts the reforming reaction equilibrium toward higher hydrocarbon conversion with only small amounts of carbon oxides produced. Fixed carbon dioxide may be released by heating the catalyst bed to a calcination temperature. Heat for releasing fixed carbon dioxide from the catalyst bed is generated internally within the reactor through oxidation. A non-uniform distribution of catalysts and carbon dioxide fixing material across catalyst bed can be utilized to achieve higher conversion rates of hydrocarbon to hydrogen-rich reformate.

Abstract: Methods for converting hydrocarbon fuels to hydrogen-rich reformate that incorporate a carbon dioxide fixing mechanism into the initial hydrocarbon conversion process. The mechanism utilizes a carbon dioxide fixing material to remove carbon dioxide from the reformate product stream. The removal of carbon dioxide from the product stream shifts the reforming reaction equilibrium toward higher hydrocarbon conversion with only small amounts of carbon oxides produced. Repeated absorption/desorption of carbon dioxide by the fixing materials tends to decrease the fixing capacity of the materials. Hydration of the carbon dioxide fixing materials between one or more cycles serves to sustain their fixing capacity and to enhance the efficiencies of the reforming and shift reactions occurring in the catalyst bed. Hydration can occur during reactor start-up or shut down, periodically over a number of cycles, and/or upon a monitored change in the reformate composition.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for converting hydrocarbon fuels to hydrogen-rich reformate that incorporate a carbon dioxide fixing mechanism into the initial hydrocarbon conversion process. The mechanism utilizes a carbon dioxide fixing material within the reforming catalyst bed to remove carbon dioxide from the reformate product. The bed optionally contains a water gas shift catalyst. The removal of carbon dioxide from the product stream shifts the reforming reaction and shift reaction equilibria toward production of higher concentrations of hydrogen with only small amounts of carbon oxides produced. The carbon oxide-depleted reformate is directed to a purification bed comprising a hydrogen fixing material that removes hydrogen from the reformate stream to provide fixed hydrogen and a hydrogen-depleted reformate that flows out of the purification bed. The purification bed is heated to release fixed hydrogen from the hydrogen fixing material to provide a highly pure hydrogen gas.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for converting hydrocarbon fuels to hydrogen-rich reformate that incorporate a carbon dioxide fixing mechanism into the initial hydrocarbon conversion process. The mechanism utilizes a carbon dioxide fixing material within the reforming catalyst bed to remove carbon dioxide from the reformate product. The removal of carbon dioxide from the product stream shifts the reforming reaction equilibrium toward higher hydrocarbon conversion with only small amounts of carbon oxides produced. Fixed carbon dioxide may be released by heating the catalyst bed to a calcination temperature. A non-uniform distribution of catalysts and carbon dioxide fixing material across catalyst bed yields higher conversion rates of hydrocarbon to hydrogen-rich reformate.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for converting hydrocarbon fuels to hydrogen-rich reformate that incorporate a carbon dioxide fixing mechanism into the initial hydrocarbon conversion process and for providing a continuous supply of hydrogen-rich reformate. The apparatus includes a reforming reactor that has a catalyst bed comprising a reforming catalyst, a carbon dioxide fixing material and an optional water gas shift catalyst; a hydrogen storage device for storing reformate; and a controller for controlling the delivery of reformate from the reactor and/or storage device to an outlet. Optionally, the apparatus can include a heating device for heating the catalyst bed and a polishing unit for removing impurities from the reformate. The reforming reactor is operable in reforming and non-reforming modes. During non-reforming modes, the hydrogen storage device provides reformate to the outlet so as to maintain a continuous supply of reformate.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for separating components of a slurry comprising solid particles and liquid components, particularly where the slurry is under pressure. The components are separated in a hydrocyclone such that a solids-enriched slurry exits the separator via an underflow outlet while a solids-depleted slurry exits the separator through an overflow outlet and passes into a products vessel. Fluid communication is provided between the products vessel and the underflow outlet so that gas can circulate through the hydrocyclone. This gas circulation pathway may be achieved by enclosing the separation system in a housing or providing a gas circulation conduit between the products vessel and the underflow outlet of the separator or an optional solids vessel connected to the underflow outlet. Pressure within the separator apparatus may be adjusted and controlled at a negative, neutral or positive pressure while operating the hydrocyclone in balanced mode to achieve efficient separation.

Abstract: An apparatus for carrying out a multi-step process of converting hydrocarbon fuel to a substantially pure hydrogen gas feed includes a plurality of reaction zones arranged in an insulated, box-shaped, compact fuel processor. The multi-step process includes preheating the hydrocarbon fuel utilizing integration with the inherent exothermic processes utilized with the fuel processor, reacting the preheated hydrocarbon fuel to form the hydrogen rich gas, and purifying the hydrogen rich gas to produce a gas that is suitable for consumption in a fuel cell.

Abstract: The method of protecting a surface in a gasifier which is normally an exposed surface in the gasifier. The method includes forming a refractory attachment with a securement surface that confronts the protectable surface in the gasifier and mechanically securing the refractory attachment onto the protectable surface in the gasifier without the refractory attachment penetrating the protectable surface. Such mechanical securing is achieved by providing a latch which if formed of complementary shapes of the securement surface and the protectable surface.

Abstract: A control technique for use in a fuel processor is disclosed. In one aspect, a control system includes a subsystem manager controller the operation of a respective physical subsystem for each of a plurality of physical subsystems in the fuel processor. The subsystem managers take their direction from a master control manager. In a second aspect, the subsystem managers collectively form a layer operating in conjunction with a second layer capable of interfacing the subsystem managers to their respective physical subsystems, a third layer capable of interfacing the subsystem managers with the second layer. In a third aspect, master control manager manages the operation of each physical subsystem through a respective subsystem manager, directs state transitions of the subsystem managers, and routs interaction between the subsystem managers from the master control manager.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for steam reforming a sulfur-containing hydrocarbon fuel, such as a diesel hydrocarbon fuel. The apparatus includes a desulphurization unit, a pre-reformer, and a steam reforming unit. A carbon dioxide fixing material is present in the steam reforming catalyst bed to fix carbon dioxide that is produced by the reforming reaction. The carbon dioxide fixing material is an alkaline earth oxide, a doped alkaline earth oxide or a mixture thereof. The fixing of carbon dioxide within the steam reforming catalyst bed creates an equilibrium shift in the steam reforming reaction to produce more hydrogen and less carbon monoxide. Carbon dioxide fixed in the catalyst bed can be released by heating the carbon dioxide fixing material or catalyst bed to a temperature in excess of the steam reforming temperature. Fuel processors having multiple catalyst beds and methods and apparatus for generating electricity utilizing such fuel processors in conjunction with a fuel cell are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for withdrawing and dewatering slag from a gasification system. In particular, the present invention relates to a conveying lockhopper and method of using the conveying lockhopper to collect slag and other waste byproducts from the gasifier of a gasification system. The conveying lockhopper is configured to receive slag from a gasifier, simultaneously extract and dewater the slag, and expel the processed slag directly into an awaiting container suitable for carrying the processed slag away. The conveying lockhopper generally comprises a housing with inlet and outlet valves to receive and expel slag, respectively. The housing is inclined at an angle typically between 5 and 60 degrees to the horizontal so that the outlet is at a higher elevation than the inlet. Inside the housing, an auger or similar conveying mechanism conveys the slag from the inlet towards the outlet while simultaneously dewatering the slag.

Abstract: An aqueous fluid composition having a C1-C2 carboxylic acid salt and a C3-C5 carboxylic acid salt is used as a heat transfer fluid that provides improved heat transfer properties and improved corrosion protection. Such properties are desired for fluids used as an antifreeze coolant in automotive engines. The addition of a C6-C2 carboxylic acid further improves corrosion protection. The addition of hydrocarbyl triazoles or thiazoles also further improves corrosion protection. One specific embodiment of the present invention includes a solution of potassium formate, sodium propanoate, and sodium heptanoate in a weight ratio of 20:20:5, respectively, where the pH of the solution is between 8 and 9.5.

Abstract: Corrosion protection of magnesium and aluminum alloys in engine coolants and heat-exchange fluids is achieved by the use of a select group of aliphatic and aromatic carboxylate acids or the alkaline metal, ammonium or amine salts thereof in combination with a fluoride and/or a fluorocarboxylic acid or salt thereof. These compositions have been found to significantly improve the high temperature magnesium corrosion protection properties of coolants, and are of use in automobile engine coolant systems.