Abstract: An oxidizing reactor apparatus having a heat exchange reactor having an input port, an entry channel in fluid communication with the input port, an exit channel in fluid communication with the entry channel via a plurality of pores and an output port in fluid communication with the exit channel, wherein the exit channel is in thermal communication with the entry channel, an engine in fluid communication with the heat exchange reactor and a heater engaged with the heat exchange reactor to initiate and maintain the oxidation of fuel within the heat exchange reactor. The disclosed heat exchange reactor may be configured to receive engine exhaust from the engine and oxidize fuel within the engine exhaust prior to expelling the engine exhaust. The heat exchange reactor may be further configured to utilize heat released by the oxidation of un-combusted fuel to increase the temperature of the engine exhaust leaving the engine.

Abstract: A reactor for oxidizing low concentrations of methane in air or other oxidizable fluid mixtures using a porous heat exchanger and a non-porous heat exchanger and an activation zone that allows the oxidation of very weak streams of methane in air or of other oxidizable fluid mixtures.

Abstract: A reactor for a mixture of fluids that can react with each other exothermically, the reactor combining the properties of heat transfer and porosity, and having a first chamber wherein reacted fluids are maintained above the reaction temperature threshold, a second chamber disposed adjacent to the first chamber, wherein unreacted fluids enter the second chamber at a temperature that is below a reaction temperature threshold that is necessary for reaction of the fluids to occur, the fluids flowing in a second direction, opposite the first direction and a porous wall disposed between the first chamber and a second chamber, allowing portions of the unreacted fluids from the second chamber to seep into the reacted fluids of the first chamber, thereby heating the seeped fluids, causing the seeped fluids to react, the reaction increasing the temperature of the reacted fluid.

Abstract: A fuel oxidizer system is operated in a first operating mode. In the first operating mode, a mixture that includes fuel from a fuel source is compressed in a compressor of the fuel oxidizer system; the fuel of the compressed mixture is oxidized in a reaction chamber of the fuel oxidizer system; and the oxidized fuel is expanded to generate rotational kinetic energy. The fuel oxidizer system is operated in a second operating mode. In the second operating mode, fuel from the fuel source is directed to bypass the compressor, and the fuel that bypassed the compressor is oxidized in the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A mixture of air and fuel is received into a reaction chamber of a gas turbine system. The fuel is oxidized in the reaction chamber, and a maximum temperature of the mixture in the reaction chamber is controlled to be substantially at or below an inlet temperature of a turbine of the gas turbine system. The oxidation of the fuel is initiated by raising the temperature of the mixture to or above an auto-ignition temperature of the fuel. In some cases, the reaction chamber may be provided without a fuel oxidation catalyst material.

Abstract: A fuel oxidizer system is operated in a first operating mode. In the first operating mode, a mixture that includes fuel from a fuel source is compressed in a compressor of the fuel oxidizer system; the fuel of the compressed mixture is oxidized in a reaction chamber of the fuel oxidizer system; and the oxidized fuel is expanded to generate rotational kinetic energy. The fuel oxidizer system is operated in a second operating mode. In the second operating mode, fuel from the fuel source is directed to bypass the compressor, and the fuel that bypassed the compressor is oxidized in the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A mixture of air and fuel is received into a reaction chamber of a gas turbine system. The fuel is oxidized in the reaction chamber, and a maximum temperature of the mixture in the reaction chamber is controlled to be substantially at or below an inlet temperature of a turbine of the gas turbine system. The oxidation of the fuel is initiated by raising the temperature of the mixture to or above an auto-ignition temperature of the fuel. In some cases, the reaction chamber may be provided without a fuel oxidation catalyst material.

Abstract: A fuel oxidizer system is operated in a first operating mode. In the first operating mode, a mixture that includes fuel from a fuel source is compressed in a compressor of the fuel oxidizer system; the fuel of the compressed mixture is oxidized in a reaction chamber of the fuel oxidizer system; and the oxidized fuel is expanded to generate rotational kinetic energy. The fuel oxidizer system is operated in a second operating mode. In the second operating mode, fuel from the fuel source is directed to bypass the compressor, and the fuel that bypassed the compressor is oxidized in the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A mixture of air and fuel is received into a reaction chamber of a gas turbine system. The fuel is oxidized in the reaction chamber, and a maximum temperature of the mixture in the reaction chamber is controlled to be substantially at or below an inlet temperature of a turbine of the gas turbine system. The oxidation of the fuel is initiated by raising the temperature of the mixture to or above an auto-ignition temperature of the fuel. In some cases, the reaction chamber may be provided without a fuel oxidation catalyst material.

Abstract: An air/fuel mixture is received in an oxidation reaction chamber. The air/fuel mixture has a low concentration of fuel, for example, below a lower explosive limit (LEL). The mixture is received while a temperature of a region in the oxidation reaction chamber is below a temperature sufficient to oxidize the fuel. The temperature of the region is raised to at least the oxidation temperature (the temperature sufficient to oxidize the fuel) primarily using heat energy released from oxidizing the air/fuel mixture in a different region in the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A mixture of air and fuel is compressed in a compressor of a gas turbine system. The gas turbine system includes components that define one or more fuel leak locations, and leaked fuel is directed from the one or more leak locations to a reaction chamber of the gas turbine system. At least a portion of the leaked fuel is oxidized in the reaction chamber. The energy released by oxidation of the leaked fuel can be converted to mechanical motion.

Abstract: An air/fuel mixture is received in an oxidation reaction chamber. The air/fuel mixture has a low concentration of fuel, for example, below a lower explosive limit (LEL). The mixture is received while a temperature of a region in the oxidation reaction chamber is below a temperature sufficient to oxidize the fuel. The temperature of the region is raised to at least the oxidation temperature (the temperature sufficient to oxidize the fuel) primarily using heat energy released from oxidizing the air/fuel mixture in a different region in the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A substantially homogeneous air/fuel mixture is distributed into an oxidation reaction chamber at a plurality of discrete locations about an interior of the oxidation reaction chamber. The oxidation reaction chamber has an internal temperature sufficient to oxidize the fuel in the air/fuel mixture. The air/fuel mixture are retained in the oxidation reaction chamber as the fuel of the air/fuel mixture oxidizes. The heat released by the oxidation maintains a temperature substantially throughout the reaction chamber at a temperature sufficient to oxidize the fuel in the air/fuel mixture.

Abstract: A fuel oxidizer system is operated in a first operating mode. In the first operating mode, a mixture that includes fuel from a fuel source is compressed in a compressor of the fuel oxidizer system; the fuel of the compressed mixture is oxidized in a reaction chamber of the fuel oxidizer system; and the oxidized fuel is expanded to generate rotational kinetic energy. The fuel oxidizer system is operated in a second operating mode. In the second operating mode, fuel from the fuel source is directed to bypass the compressor, and the fuel that bypassed the compressor is oxidized in the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A mixture of air and fuel is compressed in a compressor of a gas turbine system. The gas turbine system includes components that define one or more fuel leak locations, and leaked fuel is directed from the one or more leak locations to a reaction chamber of the gas turbine system. At least a portion of the leaked fuel is oxidized in the reaction chamber. The energy released by oxidation of the leaked fuel can be converted to mechanical motion.

Abstract: A mixture of air and fuel is received into a reaction chamber of a gas turbine system. The fuel is oxidized in the reaction chamber, and a maximum temperature of the mixture in the reaction chamber is controlled to be substantially at or below an inlet temperature of a turbine of the gas turbine system. The oxidation of the fuel is initiated by raising the temperature of the mixture to or above an auto-ignition temperature of the fuel. In some cases, the reaction chamber may be provided without a fuel oxidation catalyst material.

Abstract: A building structure encloses a gaseous mixture of air and a combustible fuel. Air is obtained from the atmosphere, and the gaseous fuel is obtained from natural evolution and diffusion processes associated with rotting of materials, as from landfills, and gaseous digestion products from livestock, etc. A process control system is engaged for drawing off the gaseous mixture, at a selected air-fuel ratio, from the structure. The selected gaseous mixture is drawn from the building, through a compressor and then a pre-heater, into a catalytic combustor where the mixture is burned and directed into a turbine for producing work. This work is preferably converted into electricity by a generator driven by the turbine. A process controller senses process variables such as temperature, pressure, latent heat of fusion, etc. so as to assure that combustion cannot occur prematurely, but does occur most efficiently in the catalytic combustor. Process heat is exchanged for preheating the mixture to be burned.