Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for using oxycombustion to provide heat within a reverse flow reactor environment. The oxygen for the oxycombustion can be provided by oxygen stored in an oxygen storage component in the reactor. By using an oxygen storage component to provide the oxygen for combustion during the regeneration step, heat can be added to a reverse flow reactor while reducing or minimizing addition of diluents and while avoiding the need for an air separation unit. As a result, a regeneration flue gas can be formed that is substantially composed of CO2 and/or H2O without requiring the additional cost of creating a substantially pure oxygen-containing gas flow.

Abstract: Methods of the present disclosure may comprise: introducing a first effluent and a second effluent in a gasifier of a partial oxidation unit to produce a waste gas, wherein the first effluent comprises one or more hydrocarbon containing feeds and the second effluent comprises air, enriched air with oxygen or oxygen; selectively removing hydrogen sulfide (H2S) from the waste gas; combining the waste gas and steam in a water-gas shift unit to produce a shift gas comprising hydrogen and carbon dioxide; separating the carbon dioxide from the shift gas in a carbon capture unit to produce a carbon dioxide-enriched effluent and an effluent comprising a hydrogen- and nitrogen-enriched mixture; and recovering the carbon dioxide from the carbon dioxide-enriched effluent.

Abstract: Catalyst systems are provided for reforming of hydrocarbons, along with methods for using such catalyst systems. The catalyst systems can be deposited or otherwise coated on a surface or structure, such as a monolith, to achieve improved activity and/or structural stability. The metal oxide support layer can correspond to a thermally stable metal oxide support layer, such as a metal oxide support layer that is thermally phase stable at temperatures of 800° C. to 1600° C. The catalyst systems can be beneficial for use in cyclical reaction environments, such as reverse flow reactors or other types of reactors that are operated using flows in opposing directions and different times within a reaction cycle.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for using size-reversing materials in vessels where direct heating is used to at least partially provide heat for reforming reactions under cyclic reforming conditions. An example of a size-reversing material is the combination of NiO and Al2O3. It has been discovered that size-reversing materials can undergo a phase transition that can assist with re-dispersion of metal at elevated temperatures. This can assist with maintaining catalytic activity for reforming over longer time periods in the presence of cyclic reforming conditions.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for improving thermal management and/or efficiency of reaction systems including a reverse flow reactor for performance of at least one endothermic reaction and at least one supplemental exothermic reaction. The supplemental exothermic reaction can be performed in the recuperation zone of the reverse flow reactor system. By integrating the supplemental exothermic reaction into the recuperation zone, the heat generated from the supplemental exothermic reaction can be absorbed by heat transfer surfaces in the recuperation zone. The adsorbed heat can then be used to heat at least one of the fuel and the oxidant for the combustion reaction performed during regeneration, thus reducing the amount of combustion that is needed to achieve a desired temperature profile at the end of the regeneration step.

Abstract: Systems and methods for algae cultivation and, more particularly, systems and methods for controlling algae cultivation water slurry temperature to optimize algae facility production and facilitation of algae facility commercial deployment in a wide spectrum of environmental locations. Thermal reservoirs comprising temperature-based, phase-transitioning material(s) are integrated with algae cultivation vessels to provide temperature control of cultivating algae slurries.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for treating a fluid produced from a biorefinery to remove contaminants, such as metals and sulfur therefrom. Biomass is pyrolysed and activated to form activated carbon used to remove such contaminants. The fluid produced from the biorefinery may be one or more of a biofuel, a biogas, and wastewater.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to algae cultivation including the integration of liners for large-scale open algal biomass to facilitate algae facility commercial scale-up operations. Liners include those having a first portion having a first thickness and a second portion comprising a second thickness, wherein the first thickness and the second thickness are different. Liners also include those having a first portion having a first thickness, a second portion comprising a second thickness, and a third portion comprising a third thickness, wherein the first thickness, the second thickness, and the third thickness are different.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods and systems for algae cultivation including the integration of electrochemical carbonate production for enhancing algae growth. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to methods and systems for producing a sodium hydroxide from brine using an electrochemical cell, contacting the sodium hydroxide stream with a CO2 gas sweep and producing a carbonate stream, and cultivating an algae slurry in a cultivation vessel comprising at least a portion of the carbonate stream.

Abstract: Systems and methods for algae processing and, more particularly, to systems and methods for having integrated solar steam systems. Trapped heated air accumulated within the solar steam system, such as a greenhouse-enclosed solar steam system, is swept over a cultivated algae slurry in order to facilitate drying thereof and increasing the thermal efficiency of a biofuel algae facility.

Abstract: A method of operating a bioreactor includes containing an algae slurry within the bioreactor for cultivation, discharging a portion of the algae slurry to a heat pump that circulates a refrigerant, and receiving the portion of the algae slurry at a first heat exchanger and transferring heat from the algae slurry to the refrigerant. The method further includes discharging a cooled algae slurry and a heated refrigerant from the first heat exchanger, receiving and compressing the heated refrigerant at a compressor and thereby discharging a compressed refrigerant, and receiving the compressed refrigerant at a second heat exchanger and transferring heat from the compressed refrigerant to a fluid. The method further includes discharging a cooled refrigerant and steam from the second heat exchanger, receiving and expanding the cooled refrigerant at an expansion valve, and receiving and utilizing the steam at a downstream application in fluid communication with the second heat exchanger.

Abstract: A submersible device submersible within an algae slurry contained within a pond of an algae bioreactor, the submersible device including a drive motor operable to actuate one or more driven devices that move the submersible device within the pond, a circulation device operable to circulate the algae slurry through the submersible device and discharge the algae slurry back into the pond from a discharge port provided on the submersible device, and a computer system that controls operation of the drive motor and the circulation device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for cultivating and harvesting algal biomass using cultivation vessels having integrated therewith one or more harvesting systems. Algae cells are cultivated in a cultivation system and concentrated algal biomass is collected using the integrated one or more harvesting systems. The integrated cultivating and harvesting systems reduce costs, energy, and time compared to traditional harvesting methods.

Abstract: Systems and methods for algae cultivation and, more particularly, to systems and methods for controlling algae cultivation water solution temperatures to optimize algae facility productivity. Effluent water from harvested algae water solutions is stored based on temperature conditions within storage reservoirs and recycled back into a cultivating algae solution to control the temperature thereof and enhance the growth and robustness of resultant algal biomass.

Abstract: A system for growing algae for biofuel production includes a bioreactor configured to contain an algae slurry, an algae-water separator fluidly coupled to the bioreactor to receive and separate the algae slurry into algae and separated water, and an organics treatment system that receives a portion of the separated water and is configured to reduce a concentration of organics in the portion of the separated water. A recycle line conveys the portion of the separated water back to the bioreactor following processing in the organics treatment system, wherein the portion of the separated water is recycled and forms part of the algae slurry reducing the raw water demand of the bioreactor.

Abstract: A system for growing algae in a slurry, includes a pond having an inlet and an outlet and a plurality of contiguous elongate channel segments coupled fluidically in sequence between the inlet and the outlet, and the inlet is located at an elevation higher than outlet to allow gravity to flow the slurry from the inlet to the outlet. The system further includes a separation device fluidically coupled to the outlet to receive and separate algae from the slurry.

Abstract: A method includes containing an algae media within a contactor, introducing a stream of natural gas comprising up to 80 wt % carbon dioxide (CO2) into the contactor, contacting the natural gas on the algae media and thereby allowing the algae media to consume CO2 from the natural gas, and discharging a stream of natural gas comprising 2 wt % or less CO2 from the contactor.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for hydrogenation of CO2 in a reverse flow reactor environment via a reverse water gas shift reaction. A reverse flow reactor environment is suitable for performing endothermic reactions at high temperatures, where a reactant flow is passed into the reactor in a first portion of the cycle in a first flow direction while a combustion or heating flow is passed into the reactor during a second portion of the reaction cycle from the opposite direction. This can allow for efficient heating of surfaces within the reactor to provide heat for the endothermic reverse water gas shift reaction while reducing or minimizing incorporation of combustion products into the desired reaction products.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for improving thermal management and/or efficiency of reaction systems including a reverse flow reactor for performance of at least one endothermic reaction and at least one supplemental exothermic reaction. The supplemental exothermic reaction can be performed in the recuperation zone of the reverse flow reactor system. By integrating the supplemental exothermic reaction into the recuperation zone, the heat generated from the supplemental exothermic reaction can be absorbed by heat transfer surfaces in the recuperation zone. The adsorbed heat can then be used to heat at least one of the fuel and the oxidant for the combustion reaction performed during regeneration, thus reducing the amount of combustion that is needed to achieve a desired temperature profile at the end of the regeneration step.

Abstract: A system for growing algae includes a pivot arm pivotally coupled to a pivot connection positioned in a pond containing water and algae, and a mixing device coupled to the pivot arm and extending into the pond to mix the water and the algae as the pivot arm rotates.