Abstract: An aqueous heat transfer fluid comprising a C3 carboxylate freezing point depressant, either solely or in combination with C3-C5 carboxylate freezing point depressants, in combination with C6-C16 organic acid salt corrosion inhibitors, provides an antifreeze/coolant composition wherein the corrosion inhibitors exhibit uniquely enhanced solubility, especially at low temperatures, in synergistic combination with the selected carboxylate freezing point depressants.

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: 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: Apparatus and method for rapidly heating one or more reactants for use in a fuel reformer. The apparatus includes a combustion section having an outer wall enclosing a combustion chamber and a catalyst disposed within the combustion chamber. A heat recovery section is in fluid communication with the combustion section and has an outer wall defining a heat recovery chamber. At least one heat exchanging element is located within the heat recovery chamber having an inlet for receiving a fuel reforming reactant and an outlet for directing a heated reactant out of the heat recovery section. The combustion section is elevated relative to the heat recovery section such that heated combustion gases are displaced down into the heat recovery section. The housing has an internal diameter of less than about 10 inches, or alternatively, has a length and a diameter in a ratio of between about 7:1 and about 4:1.

Abstract: An apparatus for converting hydrocarbon fuel to a hydrogen rich gas including a first heat exchanger for heating the hydrocarbon fuel, a first desulfurization reactor for reacting a heated hydrocarbon fuel to produce a substantially desulfurized hydrocarbon fuel, a manifold for mixing the substantially desulfurized hydrocarbon fuel with an oxygen containing gas to produce a fuel mixture, a second heat exchanger for heating the fuel mixture, an autothermal reactor including a catalyst for reacting the heated fuel mixture to produce a first hydrogen containing gaseous mixture, a second desulfurization reactor for producing a second hydrogen containing gaseous mixture that is substantially desulfurized, a water gas shift reactor for reacting the second hydrogen containing gaseous mixture to produce a third hydrogen containing gaseous mixture with a substantially decreased carbon monoxide content, and a selective oxidation reactor for reacting the third hydrogen containing gaseous mixture to produce the hydrogen

Abstract: An apparatus for vaporizing a liquid and heating the vaporized liquid to an elevated temperature. The apparatus has a heat transfer wall having an outer surface for receiving heat and transferring the heat to an inner surface. A wick material is disposed so that a portion of the wick material is in contact with the inner surface and another portion is remote from the heat transfer wall. A wick support in contact with the wick material opposite the inner surface of the heat transfer wall provides structural support to the wick material and further provides a path for vaporized liquid to flow from the wick material. Vaporizable liquid is delivered to the portion of the wick material that is remote from the heat transfer wall and is allowed to migrate to the portion that is in contact with the inner surface. Heat from the inner surface converts the liquid to a vaporized liquid. Optionally, a gaseous fuel may be introduced into the wick support for pre-heating and mixing with the vaporized liquid.

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: A method and system are disclosed for controlling a process by establishing a control factor for a proportional-integral-derivative (PID) controller used to control a parameter of a process relative to a setpoint. A feedback signal regarding the parameter of the process is received via a sensor of the process and a first feedback loop. Automatic adjusting of the control factor of the PID controller is based on the feedback signal.

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 a common reaction chamber. The multi-step process includes: providing a fuel to the fuel processor so that as the fuel reacts and forms the hydrogen rich gas, the intermediate gas products pass through each reaction zone as arranged in the reactor to produce the hydrogen rich gas.

Abstract: A method for substantially reducing cyanide and formate concentrations in gasification wastewater streams comprising first removing suspended solids from the wastewater stream, then adding sufficient hydrogen peroxide to completely oxidize contained cyanide ions and formate ions to form a feed solution, and then irradiating the resultant solution with sufficient UV light so as to substantially reduce said contained cyanide ions and formate ions.

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 combustor for oxidizing a combustion fuel and pre-heating one or more reactants for fuel reforming. The combustor includes an elongated housing having an inlet for receiving a combustion fuel and an outlet for exhausting combustion products. The elongated housing further includes a cylindrical side wall, a bottom wall, and a top wall. Inert particles are disposed within the housing adjacent the inlet. A combustion catalyst bed is disposed within the housing above the inert particles that is a mixture of inert particles and combustion catalyst. The inert particles and the combustion catalyst preferably have a volumetric ratio of inert particles to catalyst between about 2:1 and about 4:1. The combustor has at least one heat exchanger within the combustion catalyst bed for heating a reformer reactant and generating steam. Preferably, the combustor includes at least two heat exchangers within the combustion catalyst bed, the heat exchanging elements have different surface areas.

Abstract: A multi-step process of converting hydrocarbon fuel to a substantially pure hydrogen gas feed includes a plurality of modules stacked end-to-end along a common axis. Each module includes a shell having an interior space defining a passageway for the flow of gas from a first end of the shell to a second end of the shell opposite the first end, and a processing core being contained within the interior space for effecting a chemical, thermal, or physical change to a gas stream passing axially through the module. The multi-step process includes: providing a fuel processor having a plurality of modules stacked end-to-end along a common axis; and feeding the hydrocarbon fuel successively through each of the modules in an axial direction through the tubular reactor to produce the hydrogen rich gas.

Abstract: A reactor module for use in a compact fuel processor having a module inlet for receiving a feed stream, a module outlet for producing an effluent stream, a reactor having a reactor inlet, a reactor outlet, and catalyst, an inlet spiral passage in fluid communication with the module inlet to the reactor inlet, and an outlet spiral passage in fluid communication with the reactor outlet to the module outlet. Such a design provides for the feed stream to be introduced to the module inlet, where it then passes through the inlet spiral passage, and is heated by hot reactor product passing through the outlet spiral passage. The reactor may be any type of fixed bed exothermic containing supported catalyst particles or the reactor bed may be a monolith with catalytic material coated on to the surface of the structural members.

Abstract: An integrated fuel processor apparatus and enclosure for converting hydrocarbon fuel to a hydrogen rich gas. The integrated apparatus includes a fuel processor for producing a hydrogen-rich reformate that contains water and a combustible gas component. The fuel processor is enclosed in a gas impermeable enclosure that has a collection vessel for receiving water separated from the reformate stream. The collection vessel has a drain for directing the water out of the enclosure. The collection vessel is open to the interior of the enclosure so that combustible gases that are entrained in the water can evaporate to the interior of the enclosure. The enclosure has a ventilator for evacuating the combustible gases from within the enclosure. Where high levels of combustible gases are present, the ventilator is configured to direct the gases to a combustor. A gas detection sensor is included in the enclosure to monitor the interior of the enclosure.

Abstract: A method for start-up and shut down of a fuel processor including an autothermal reformer employing a non-pyrophoric shift catalyst is disclosed. Also disclosed are a computer programmed to start-up or shut down a fuel processor including an autothermal reformer employing a non-pyrophoric shift catalyst or a program storage medium encoded with instruction that, when executed by a computer, start-up or shut down a fuel processor including an autothermal reformer employing a non-pyrophoric shift catalyst.

Abstract: A combustor for oxidizing a combustion fuel and pre-heating one or more reactants for fuel reforming. The combustor includes an elongated housing having an inlet for receiving a combustion fuel and an outlet for exhausting combustion products. The elongated housing further includes a cylindrical side wall, a bottom wall, and a top wall. Inert particles are disposed within the housing adjacent the inlet. A combustion catalyst bed is disposed within the housing above the inert particles that is a mixture of inert particles and combustion catalyst. The inert particles and the combustion catalyst preferably have a volumetric ratio of inert particles to catalyst between about 2:1 and about 4:1. The combustor has at least one heat exchanger within the combustion catalyst bed for heating a reformer reactant and generating steam. Preferably, the combustor includes at least two heat exchangers within the combustion catalyst bed, the heat exchanging elements have different surface areas.