Abstract: There is provided a method for producing hydrocarbon compounds. The method comprising: producing a syngas by introducing a fuel stream comprising a reformable fuel into a reforming system (steam reformer, autothermal reformer, cold plasma reformer and/or internal-reforming fuel cell), and wherein the syngas comprises H2, CO and CO2, and has a ratio of [H2]/[CO] of about 1.4 to about 2.5; producing a decarbonated and dehydrated syngas from the syngas having a ratio of [CO2]/[CO+CO2] of no higher than 0.6; performing a Fischer-Tropsch synthesis on the decarbonated and dehydrated syngas in the presence of a cobalt- or iron-based Fischer-Tropsch catalyst, said Fischer-Tropsch catalyst comprising pellets of trilobe, cylindrical, hollow cylinder or spherical construction with diameter about 0.5 mm to about 3.0 mm and aspect ratio of 1 to 3.5, to produce a product stream comprising the hydrocarbon compounds; and recycling aqueous products and/or tail gas.

Abstract: An apparatus for consolidating a workpiece includes an oven having a heating cavity and a consolidation press received within the heating cavity of the oven. The consolidation press includes a base, a pressure platen disposed in facing relation to the base, and an expandable bellows operatively connected to the pressure platen to force the pressure platen toward the base. The bellows is expanded by a gas pressure supplied by a pneumatic source. In operation, a workpiece is placed between the base and the platen, and a force is applied to the workpiece by operation of the bellows.