Abstract: A pyrolysis system for conducting a hydrocarbon pyrolysis reaction and related systems and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the pyrolysis system includes a combustion component, a reaction chamber thermally coupled to the combustion component, and a recycling component fluidly coupled to an output of the reaction chamber. The reaction chamber can be couplable to a supply of pyrolysis feedstock. The thermal coupling allows the reaction chamber to transfer heat from the combustion component to the pyrolysis feedstock to generate a product stream that includes hydrogen gas and solid carbon. The recycling component receives the product stream and can direct a portion of the product stream into the combustion component. In some embodiments, the pyrolysis system includes a controller configured to adjust various operational parameters of the pyrolysis system based on various goals for combustion fuel consumption, hydrogen gas output, energy consumption, reactor efficiency, and/or the like.

Abstract: Embodiments include a pyrolysis reactor including a rotating element that includes a first surface, a second surface, and where, in operation: the first surface and/or the second surface is positioned to receive the solid carbon, resulting in carbon buildup on the first surface and/or the second surface, and as the rotating element rotates, the first surface and/or second surface is configured to remove at least a portion of the carbon buildup. Some embodiments include a pyrolysis system including a pyrolysis reactor, a regeneration oxidizer feed, and a mechanical removal mechanism. Some embodiments include a pyrolysis reactor including a first rotating tube that includes an outer surface, a second rotating tube including an inner surface, a pyrolysis chamber between the outer surface and the inner surface, and where rotation of the first rotating tube and the second rotating tube is configured to remove carbon buildup.

Abstract: Embodiments include a pyrolysis system including, in some instances, a pyrolysis reactor including a pyrolysis chamber to generate a product stream from a system feed, a plurality of separation components to separate the product stream, one or more heat exchange components coupled to one or more of the plurality of separation components, and a solids collection component to collect separated non-gas products. Some embodiments include a pyrolysis system including, in some instances, the pyrolysis reactor, the plurality of separation components including an adsorption separation component that includes a first and second adsorption component and a plurality of valves configured to control flow of the gas product stream and a flushing gas. Some embodiments include a pyrolysis system including the pyrolysis reactor, a regeneration feed, a plurality of valves, a burner, and one or more separation components. Some embodiments include a method of separating components of a product stream.

Abstract: Combustion systems and associated methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a combustion system comprises a first combustion zone, a second combustion zone downstream of the first combustion zone, and a heat module thermally coupled to the first combustion zone and/or second combustion zone. The first combustion zone is configured to (i) receive and combust preheated air and a first fuel and (ii) generate a first exhaust gas, and the second combustion zone is configured to (i) receive and combust the first exhaust gas and a second fuel and (ii) generate a second exhaust gas. The first exhaust gas can have a first excess air and the second exhaust gas can have a second excess air less than the first excess air. The heat module can comprise a thermionic converter or another heat-to-electricity converter able to generate a power output.

Abstract: A pyrolysis system for conducting a hydrocarbon pyrolysis reaction and related systems and methods are disclosed herein. A pyrolysis reactor according to the present disclosure can include a first tube, a second tube coaxial with and surrounding the first tube, and a burner coupled to an end region of the first tube. The burner delivers heat to a first flow path in the first tube via combustion. An annulus between the second tube and the first tube defines a second flow path that is thermally coupled to the first tube such that a portion of the heat from the combustion is received by the second flow path. The pyrolysis reactor can also include a thermal component positioned at least partially within the first tube to help increase heat transfer. Additionally, or alternatively, the pyrolysis reactor can include a heat recycling component coupled to an output of the second tube.

Abstract: A pyrolysis system for conducting a hydrocarbon pyrolysis reaction and related systems and methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the pyrolysis system includes a combustion component, a reaction chamber thermally coupled to the combustion component, and a recycling component fluidly coupled to an output of the reaction chamber. The reaction chamber can be couplable to a supply of pyrolysis feedstock. The thermal coupling allows the reaction chamber to transfer heat from the combustion component to the pyrolysis feedstock to generate a product stream that includes hydrogen gas and solid carbon. The recycling component receives the product stream and can direct a portion of the product stream into the combustion component. In some embodiments, the pyrolysis system includes a controller configured to adjust various operational parameters of the pyrolysis system based on various goals for combustion fuel consumption, hydrogen gas output, energy consumption, reactor efficiency, and/or the like.

Abstract: Combustion systems and associated methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a combustion system comprises a first combustion zone, a second combustion zone downstream of the first combustion zone, and a heat module thermally coupled to the first combustion zone and/or second combustion zone. The first combustion zone is configured to (i) receive and combust preheated air and a first fuel and (ii) generate a first exhaust gas, and the second combustion zone is configured to (i) receive and combust the first exhaust gas and a second fuel and (ii) generate a second exhaust gas. The first exhaust gas can have a first excess air and the second exhaust gas can have a second excess air less than the first excess air. The heat module can comprise a thermionic converter or another heat-to-electricity converter able to generate a power output.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include thermionic energy converters with a thermal concentrating hot shell and emitters for thermionic energy converters. In some embodiments, an illustrative thermionic energy converter includes: an emitter electrode; a hot shell configured to concentrate heat flow toward the emitter electrode; a collector electrode; and a cold shell that is thermally isolated from the hot shell.

Abstract: Combustion systems and associated methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, a combustion system comprises a first combustion zone, a second combustion zone downstream of the first combustion zone, and a heat module thermally coupled to the first combustion zone and/or second combustion zone. The first combustion zone is configured to (i) receive and combust preheated air and a first fuel and (ii) generate a first exhaust gas, and the second combustion zone is configured to (i) receive and combust the first exhaust gas and a second fuel and (ii) generate a second exhaust gas. The first exhaust gas can have a first excess air and the second exhaust gas can have a second excess air less than the first excess air. The heat module can comprise a thermionic converter or another heat-to-electricity converter able to generate a power output.

Abstract: Combined heat and power (CHP) systems and related methods are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the CHP system includes a combustion component and a power cell operably coupled to the combustion component. The power cell can include a first heat exchanger thermally coupled to the combustion component to receive heat; a second heat exchanger; and an electricity generation component with a first portion thermally coupled to the first heat exchanger and a second portion thermally coupled to the second heat exchanger. The electricity generation component is positioned to receive at least a portion of the heat received at the first heat exchanger and generate an electrical output using the received heat. To recycle unused heat from the power cell, the second heat exchanger can be thermally coupleable to a third heat exchanger in a residential heating appliance.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include combined heating and power modules and combined heat and power devices. In an illustrative embodiment, a combined heat and power device includes a heating system including: at least one burner; at least one igniter configured to ignite the at least one burner; a fluid motivator assembly including an electrically powered prime mover; and a heat exchanger fluidly couplable to the fluid motivator assembly. At least one alkali metal thermal-to-electricity converter (AMTEC) has a high pressure zone and a low pressure zone, the high pressure zone being thermally couplable to the at least one burner, the low pressure zone being thermally couplable to the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include combined heating and power modules and combined heat and power devices. In an illustrative embodiment, a combined heat and power device includes a heating system including: at least one burner; at least one igniter configured to ignite the at least one burner; a fluid motivator assembly including an electrically powered prime mover; and a heat exchanger fluidly couplable to the fluid motivator assembly. At least one alkali metal thermal-to-electricity converter (AMTEC) has a high pressure zone and a low pressure zone, the high pressure zone being thermally couplable to the at least one burner, the low pressure zone being thermally couplable to the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include combined heating and power modules and combined heat and power devices. In an illustrative embodiment, a combined heat and power device includes a heating system including: at least one burner; at least one igniter configured to ignite the at least one burner; a fluid motivator assembly including an electrically powered prime mover; and a heat exchanger fluidly couplable to the fluid motivator assembly. At least one thermophotovoltaic converter has a photon emitter and at least one photovoltaic cell, the photon emitter being thermally couplable to the at least one burner, the at least one photovoltaic cell being thermally couplable to the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include combined heating and power modules and combined heat and power devices. In an illustrative embodiment, a combined heat and power device includes a heating system including: at least one burner; at least one igniter configured to ignite the at least one burner; a fluid motivator assembly including an electrically powered prime mover; and a heat exchanger fluidly couplable to the fluid motivator assembly. At least one thermophotovoltaic converter has a photon emitter and at least one photovoltaic cell, the photon emitter being thermally couplable to the at least one burner, the at least one photovoltaic cell being thermally couplable to the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include thermionic energy converters with a thermal concentrating hot shell and emitters for thermionic energy converters. In some embodiments, an illustrative thermionic energy converter includes: an emitter electrode; a hot shell configured to concentrate heat flow toward the emitter electrode; a collector electrode; and a cold shell that is thermally isolated from the hot shell.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include combined heating and power modules and combined heat and power devices. In an illustrative embodiment, a combined heat and power device includes a heating system including: at least one burner; at least one igniter configured to ignite the at least one burner; a fluid motivator assembly including an electrically powered prime mover; and a heat exchanger fluidly couplable to the fluid motivator assembly. At least one thermionic energy converter has a hot shell and a cold shell, the hot shell being thermally couplable to the at least one burner, the cold shell being thermally couplable to the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include combined heating and power modules and combined heat and power devices. In an illustrative embodiment, a combined heat and power device includes a heating system including: at least one burner; at least one igniter configured to ignite the at least one burner; a fluid motivator assembly including an electrically powered prime mover; and a heat exchanger fluidly couplable to the fluid motivator assembly. At least one thermionic energy converter has a hot shell and a cold shell, the hot shell being thermally couplable to the at least one burner, the cold shell being thermally couplable to the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Disclosed embodiments include cathodes with conformal cathode surfaces, vacuum electronic devices with cathodes with conformal cathode surfaces, and methods of manufacturing the same. In a non-limiting embodiment, a cathode for a vacuum electronic device includes: a substrate having a predetermined shape; and electron emissive material disposed on at least one portion of at least one surface of the substrate, a shape of the electron emissive material conforming to the predetermined shape of the substrate.

Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein are directed towards the fabrication of a solar absorber comprising an IR reflector layer deposited on a substrate; a first cermet layer deposited in contact with the IR reflector layer; a second cermet layer deposited in contact with the first cermet layer; a first anti-reflection coating layer deposited in contact with the second cermet layer; a second anti-reflection coating layer deposited in contact with the first anti-reflection coating layer. A sputtering process may be used to deposit some or all of the layers, and the YSZ layers in each cermet layer may be deposited with a tuned partial oxygen pressure in order to form a layer that is oxygen-deficient.

Abstract: Systems and methods disclosed herein are directed towards the fabrication of a solar absorber comprising an IR reflector layer deposited on a substrate; a first cermet layer deposited in contact with the IR reflector layer; a second cermet layer deposited in contact with the first cermet layer; a first anti-reflection coating layer deposited in contact with the second cermet layer; a second anti-reflection coating layer deposited in contact with the first anti-reflection coating layer. A sputtering process may be used to deposit some or all of the layers, and the YSZ layers in each cermet layer may be deposited with a tuned partial oxygen pressure in order to form a layer that is oxygen-deficient.