Abstract: Systems and methods for extracting, handling and upgrading carbonaceous material. The systems and methods involve forming a reaction mixture of a carbonaceous material, a supercritical fluid, a catalyst and a source of hydrogen, and maintaining the reaction mixture at moderate temperatures for modest time periods. Exemplary reaction temperatures are those below 200° C. Exemplary reaction times range from 30 minutes to less than 24 hours.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for extracting and upgrading heavy hydrocarbons from substrates such as oil sands, oil shales, and tar sands in a unitary operation. The substrate bearing the hydrocarbon is brought into contact with a supercritical or near-supercritical fluid, a source of hydrogen such as hydrogen gas, and a catalyst. The materials are mixed and heated under elevated pressure. As a consequence of the elevated temperature and pressure, upgraded hydrocarbon-containing material is provided in a single or unitary operation. In some embodiments, sonication can be used to improve the upgrading process. Fluids suitable for use in the process include carbon dioxide, hexane, and water. It has been observed that upgrading can occur within periods of time of a few hours.

Abstract: Systems and methods for extracting, handling and upgrading liquid-based carbonaceous material. The systems and methods involve forming a reaction mixture of a liquid-based carbonaceous material, a supercritical fluid, a catalyst and a source of hydrogen, and maintaining the reaction mixture at moderate temperatures for modest time periods. Exemplary reaction temperatures are those below 200° C. Exemplary reaction times range from 30 minutes to less than 24 hours.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for extracting and upgrading heavy hydrocarbons from substrates such as oil sands, oil shales, and tar sands in a unitary operation. The substrate bearing the hydrocarbon is brought into contact with a supercritical or near-supercritical fluid, a source of hydrogen such as hydrogen gas, and a catalyst. The materials are mixed and heated under elevated pressure. As a consequence of the elevated temperature and pressure, upgraded hydrocarbon-containing material is provided in a single or unitary operation. In some embodiments, sonication can be used to improve the upgrading process. Fluids suitable for use in the process include carbon dioxide, hexane, and water. It has been observed that upgrading can occur within periods of time of a few hours.

Abstract: Systems and methods for extracting, handling and upgrading carbonaceous material. The systems and methods involve forming a reaction mixture of a carbonaceous material, a supercritical fluid, a catalyst and a source of hydrogen, and maintaining the reaction mixture at moderate temperatures for modest time periods. Exemplary reaction temperatures are those below 200° C. Exemplary reaction times range from 30 minutes to less than 24 hours.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for producing ammonia under conditions having at least one of a temperature and a pressure that are respectively lower than the temperature and pressure at which the Haber process is performed. In some embodiments, a supercritical fluid is used as a reaction medium.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing ammonia. In one approach, Li3N is reacted with hydrogen to produce ammonia and is regenerated using nitrogen. Catalysts comprising selected transition metals or their nitrides can be used to promote the reactions. In another approach, supercritical anhydrous ammonia is used as a reaction medium to assist the reaction of hydrogen with nitrogen to produce ammonia, again promoted using catalysts.

Abstract: A segmented nickel hydrogen battery system includes a hydrogen storage segment (130) and a battery segment (120) in fluid communication with the storage segment. The battery segment includes a plurality of electrochemical cells each having a current collector plate (104) and a plastic seal component (104) provided about the peripheral edge of the collector plate. The plastic seal component may be secured to the collector plate using a variety of methods, but is preferably injection-molded about the collector plate edge. The collector plate/seal segment subassemblies may then be stacked and the seal components bonded together to form an integral seal. The electrodes and separator are placed between the collector plates before bonding. Preferably, the electrodes and separator are formed as a bipolar cell construction.