Abstract: An apparatus for administering a therapeutic is provided. In various embodiments, the apparatus includes an ozone generator for producing therapeutic oxygen-ozone mixture. The generator includes an electrochemical cell configured to communicate with an accumulator having an anode, a cathode and a power supply in electrical communication with the anode and the cathode. The power supply is configured to create an electric current between the anode and the cathode such that water in the electrochemical cell electrolyzes to produce ozone and oxygen at the anode.

Abstract: A Fischer Tropsch (“FT”) unit includes at least one FT reactor tube. The FT reactor tube is configured to convert syngas into one or more hydrocarbon products. Inside the tube is a nano-sized catalyst particles dispersed in a micro-fibrous substrate. The FT reactor tube may be positioned within a cooling block that may be made of aluminum or another metal. The cooling block includes an aperture, wherein the FT reactor tube is housed within the aperture. At least one cooling channel is located on the cooling block. The cooling channel houses at least one cooling tube that is designed to dissipate the heat produced by the FT reaction.

Abstract: A Fischer Tropsch (“FT”) unit that includes an FT tube that is packed with a catalyst. The catalyst is designed to catalyze an FT reaction to produce a hydrocarbon. An insert that is positioned within the FT tube. The insert comprises at least one cross-piece that contacts an inner surface of the FT tube and at least one cross-fin extending from the cross-piece. There may be a corresponding second cross-fin adjacent each cross-fin. Both the cross-fins and the second cross-fins may be disposed radially outwardly such that the edge of the cross-fins are closer to the inner surface of the FT tube than is the base of the cross-fins.

Abstract: A Fischer Tropsch (“FT”) reactor includes at least one FT tube. The FT tube may include a catalyst that is designed to catalyze an FT reaction, thereby creating a hydrocarbon from syngas. The FT reactor also includes a primary cooling fluid flow path that extends in a direction that is substantially parallel to the longitudinal length of the FT tube. A secondary cooling fluid flow path extends in a direction that is different than the direction of the primary cooling fluid flow path.

Abstract: A method for converting carboxylic acids (including carboxylic acids derived from biomass) into hydrocarbons. The produced hydrocarbons will generally have at least two oxygen containing substituents (or other substituents). In one example of application, the electrolysis converts alkali salts of carboxylic acids into diols which can then be used as solvents or be dehydrated to produce dienes, which can then be used to produce elastic polymeric materials. This process allows custom synthesis of high value chemicals from renewable feed stocks such as carboxylic acids derived from biomass.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell having a composite alkali ion-conductive electrolyte membrane. Generally, the cell includes a catholyte compartment and an anolyte compartment that are separated by the composite alkali ion-conductive electrolyte membrane. The composite electrolyte membrane includes a layer of alkali ion-conductive material and one or more layers of alkali intercalation compound which is chemically stable upon exposure to a chemically reactive anolyte solution or catholyte solution thereby protecting the layer of alkali ion-conductive material from unwanted chemical reaction. The layer of alkali intercalation compound conducts alkali ions. The cell may operate and protect the alkali ion-conductive material under conditions that would be adverse to the material if the intercalation compound were not present. The composite membrane may include a cation conductor layer having additional capability to protect the composite electrolyte membrane from adverse conditions.

Abstract: Corrosion of ferrous material such as steel or stainless steel is a problem in oil pipelines, oil storage tanks, and the piping and process equipment at oil refineries, and this corrosion may be reduced by reducing the TAN value of the oil feedstock that is used/transported within the ferrous material. This TAN value may be reduced by reacting the oil feedstock with an alkali metal, thereby forming a de-acidified alkali metal. The de-acidified alkali metal has a TAN value of less than or equal to 1 mgKOH/g.

Abstract: A process for upgrading an oil feedstock includes reacting the oil feedstock with a quantity of an alkali metal, wherein the reaction produces solid materials and liquid materials. The solid materials are separated from the liquid materials. The solid materials may be washed and heat treated by heating the materials to a temperature above 400° C. The heat treating occurs in an atmosphere that has low oxygen and water content. Once heat treated, the solid materials are added to a solution comprising a polar solvent, where sulfide, hydrogen sulfide or polysulfide anions dissolve. The solution comprising polar solvent is then added to an electrolytic cell, which during operation, produces alkali metal and sulfur.