Abstract: System and methods for producing synthesis gas are provided. The system includes a reactor and a steam generation system designed to provide precise control of the rate of steam generation to mix steam with fuel gas to produce humidified fuel gas, which is then fed into a combustion chamber of the reactor. The molar ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide in the synthesis gas output from the reactor may be accurately controlled by adjusting the humidity of the fuel gas input into the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A flow restrictor for use on burners used for combusting gases includes a central disk and opposing cylindrical members extending from opposing sides of the central disk. The central disk includes a central portion having multiple inner openings extending through the central disk and a peripheral portion having multiple outer openings extending through the central disk. Each of the opposing cylindrical members surrounds the central portion and the inner openings of the central disk. The peripheral portion and the outer openings of the central disk are disposed outside of the cylindrical members. Each of the cylindrical members is designed to be attached to an open end of a pipe of a burner.

Abstract: System and methods for producing synthesis gas are provided. The system includes a reactor and a steam generation system designed to provide precise control of the rate of steam generation to mix steam with fuel gas to produce humidified fuel gas, which is then fed into a combustion chamber of the reactor. The molar ratio of hydrogen to carbon monoxide in the synthesis gas output from the reactor may be accurately controlled by adjusting the humidity of the fuel gas input into the combustion chamber.

Abstract: Two different types of catalysts are disclosed. The first catalyst has a porous support that is impregnated with an active metal catalyst. The support surrounds a metallic core, which functions to increase the bulk heat capacity of the catalyst, thereby damping temperature swings during use. The second catalyst also has a porous support that is impregnated with an active metal catalyst, which is heterogeneously distributed so that the catalyst is concentrated at or near the surface of the support structure. This is accomplished by impregnating the catalyst by pouring a molten metal catalyst over the bulk catalyst supports. This method allows of a small volume of molten catalyst relative to the pore volume of the support and concentrates the catalyst in a band near the surface of the supports.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a burner for use in synthesis gas production includes multiple burner units each configured to deliver fuel and oxygen to a combustion chamber, each burner unit including an inner outlet pipe configured to deliver fuel and an outer outlet pipe configured to deliver oxygen, the outer outlet pipe concentrically surrounding the inner outlet pipe.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system for producing synthesis gas, the system including a reactor including a burner, a combustion chamber, and a catalyst chamber, and a mixer upstream of the reactor configured to mix fuel with steam to produce humidified fuel that is provided to the burner of the reactor.

Abstract: Described herein are catalysts relating to liquid synthesis, methods of their preparation, and methods of their use. In an embodiment according to the present disclosure, a method of producing a catalyst for liquid synthesis comprises: providing a silica oxide support; pretreating the silica oxide support to remove air and moisture; impregnating the pretreated silica oxide support with cobalt from a cobalt source using a cobalt impregnation method; and calcinating the impregnated silica oxide support in an oven with a temperature ramping profile, wherein the calcinating comprises feeding air into the oven.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a system for producing synthesis gas, the system including a reactor including a burner, a combustion chamber, and a catalyst chamber, and a mixer upstream of the reactor configured to mix fuel with steam to produce humidified fuel that is provided to the burner of the reactor.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a burner for use in synthesis gas production includes multiple burner units each configured to deliver fuel and oxygen to a combustion chamber, each burner unit including an inner outlet pipe configured to deliver fuel and an outer outlet pipe configured to deliver oxygen, the outer outlet pipe concentrically surrounding the inner outlet pipe.

Abstract: Described herein are catalysts relating to liquid synthesis, methods of their preparation, and methods of their use. In an embodiment according to the present disclosure, a method of producing a catalyst for liquid synthesis comprises: providing a silica oxide support; pretreating the silica oxide support to remove air and moisture; impregnating the pretreated silica oxide support with cobalt from a cobalt source using a cobalt impregnation method; and calcinating the impregnated silica oxide support in an oven with a temperature ramping profile, wherein the calcinating comprises feeding air into the oven.

Abstract: Described herein are catalysts relating to liquid synthesis, methods of their preparation, and methods of their use. In an embodiment according to the present disclosure, a method of producing a catalyst for liquid synthesis comprises: providing a silica oxide support; pretreating the silica oxide support to remove air and moisture; impregnating the pretreated silica oxide support with cobalt from a cobalt source using a cobalt impregnation method; and calcinating the impregnated silica oxide support in an oven with a temperature ramping profile, wherein the calcinating comprises feeding air into the oven.

Abstract: Methods for the conversion of lignites, subbituminous coals and other carbonaceous feedstocks into synthetic oils, including oils with properties similar to light weight sweet crude oil using a solvent derived from hydrogenating oil produced by pyrolyzing lignite are set forth herein. Such methods may be conducted, for example, under mild operating conditions with a low cost stoichiometric co-reagent and/or a disposable conversion agent.

Abstract: Methods for the conversion of lignites, subbituminous coals and other carbonaceous feedstocks into synthetic oils, including oils with properties similar to light weight sweet crude oil using a solvent derived from hydrogenating oil produced by pyrolyzing lignite are set forth herein. Such methods may be conducted, for example, under mild operating conditions with a low cost stoichiometric co-reagent and/or a disposable conversion agent.

Abstract: In a method and system to produce biodiesel using an improved catalytic transesterification process, a first reactant and a second reactant are dispersed to form a laminar slug flow pattern within a microchannel of a microreactor, the first reactant and the second reactant being immiscible. The first reactant and the second reactant are mixed, thereby triggering a reaction between them to produce the biodiesel and glycerol, the mixing being convection-enhanced by shear stress induced circulation occurring within each slug of the reactants. The reaction takes place under a pressure that is less than 5 psi and under a temperature that is less than 70 degrees Celsius. Separation of the glycerol from the biodiesel occurs simultaneously with the mixing. Several microreactors are coupled in parallel to improve throughput of the biodiesel.

Abstract: In a method and system to produce biodiesel using an improved catalytic transesterification process, a first reactant and a second reactant are dispersed to form a laminar slug flow pattern within a microchannel of a microreactor, the first reactant and the second reactant being immiscible. The first reactant and the second reactant are mixed, thereby triggering a reaction between them to produce the biodiesel and glycerol, the mixing being convection-enhanced by shear stress induced circulation occurring within each slug of the reactants. The reaction takes place under a pressure that is less than 5 psi and under a temperature that is less than 70 degrees Celsius. Separation of the glycerol from the biodiesel occurs simultaneously with the mixing. Several microreactors are coupled in parallel to improve throughput of the biodiesel.