Abstract: A method for hydrogen production starting from a hydrocarbon feed, including a step of reacting the hydrocarbon feed with water steam to obtain a gas stream including hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide (syngas), heat being provided to the step of reacting the hydrocarbon feed with water steam, the heat being obtained by electrically powered sources; and including removing carbon dioxide from the gas stream. The embodiments further relate to a plant for hydrogen production starting from a hydrocarbon feed, including an electrically powered steam reformer and at least one CO2 capture system, arranged downstream the electrically powered steam reformer.

Abstract: The invention is a process and apparatus for producing bioethanol without CO2 emissions by anaerobic fermentation of a synthesis gas, produced by the thermal conversion at high temperature of a feed consisting of municipal solid waste (MSW), agricultural waste or derivatives thereof such as refuse derived fuel (RED) or even industrial waste such as non-recyclable plastic waste or a combination thereof, to which extra hydrogen is added through electrolysis so as to balance the H2/CO ratio, thus maximizing the conversion of the organic components in the fermentation step so as to prevent any emission of CO2 into the atmosphere.

Abstract: Method of preparing a catalyst comprising catalytic species consisting of transition metals deposited on a support, comprising the steps of contacting a solution of a metal-carbonyl or other organometallic complex of the transition metal with a support, carrying out the deposition and the surface interaction of the transition metal on the surface of the support and causing the carbonyl metal or the organic complex to decompose as a result of at least one heat treatment. The catalyst obtained is advantageously used in the production of synthesis gas and in other high temperature industrial chemical processes.

Abstract: A BF iron-ore reduction process for the production of iron and/or iron-carbon compounds with low environmental impact is described, in which a synthesis gas produced from a hydrocarbon stream with a short contact time-catalytic partial oxidation (SCT-CPO) process integrated with the iron-ore reduction process is also used in the BF.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus and method for continuously separating, removing and purifying the solid residue, resulting from the conversion of hydrocarbons into carbon and hydrogen, from the homogeneous phase of different density contained in a cracking reactor with which said solid residue is not soluble, and where the separation of the solid carbon occur at two subsequent moments: a first separation occurs inside the reactor between the reaction products, including carbon, and the melting bath; a second separation then occurs outside the reactor between the carbon and the gas produced in a separation system (1) of the solid phase from the gas phase, where said separation system (1) also includes carbon purification.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing pure hydrogen from a syngas generated by the high temperature gasification of municipal, agricultural or industrial derived wastes. The process is able to make pure hydrogen to be further reacted with nitrogen to make ammonia and urea.

Abstract: A catalyst composition suitable for the ethanol reforming process at low temperature with enhanced stability on long term, comprises a noble metal, such as platinum or rhodium, and a transition non-noble metal, such as nickel or cobalt, supported by a carrier comprising, cerium, zirconium, optionally aluminium, supplemented with potassium. It is provided also a method for the stable production of hydrogen from an ethanol containing gas stream, comprising subjecting the gas stream to catalytic ethanol reforming as to form a rich H2 stream, using the catalyst as defined above.

Abstract: A process that allows the extraction of compounds of nutraceutical interest (specifically omega-3 and carotenoids) from microalgae and their separation through the use of CO2 in supercritical conditions (and when necessary a co-solvent), at the same time, wherein the removal of an unwanted component (tripalmitin) from the lipid extract, always by using supercritical CO2 in a fractional extraction, is advantageously carried out using its different extraction kinetics respect to the component present in the lipid phase.

Abstract: Method for stable ethanol steam reforming, wherein a catalytic ethanol reforming is carried out in two vessels operating in parallel mode both filled in with a catalyst active for this reaction, with the first vessel acting in operation mode, generating an hydrogen rich stream, and the parallel vessel, acting in regeneration mode, made flowing with steam in order to carry out the gasification of carbonaceous compounds deposited on the catalyst.

Abstract: A raw syngas coming from HT gasification of organic wastes, once cooled in a proper heat recovery boiler or in a quencher is treated in a scrubbing section where, by adding an acidic solution followed by alkaline solution and by a WESP, particulate and chlorine compounds are removed and the syngas is ready for conversion, after its compression. In the conversion step CO is converted into C02 and H2 by adding steam; H2S is reduced to sulphur in a solid form, C02 is removed via cryogenic unit or an amine unit and pure H2 is produced.

Abstract: Method for stable ethanol steam reforming, wherein a catalytic ethanol reforming is carried out in two vessels operating in parallel mode both filled in with a catalyst active for this reaction, with the first vessel acting in operation mode, generating an hydrogen rich stream, and the parallel vessel, acting in regeneration mode, made flowing with steam in order to carry out the gasification of carbonaceous compounds deposited on the catalyst.

Abstract: A catalyst composition suitable for the ethanol reforming process at low temperature with enhanced stability on long term, comprises a noble metal, such as platinum or rhodium, and a transition non-noble metal, such as nickel or cobalt, supported by a carrier comprising, cerium, zirconium, optionally aluminium, supplemented with potassium. It is provided also a method for the stable production of hydrogen from an ethanol containing gas stream, comprising subjecting the gas stream to catalytic ethanol reforming as to form a rich H2 stream, using the catalyst as defined above.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for increasing the capacity of a urea production complex, the method comprising a step of adding to an existing urea production complex a CO2 production unit, which unit employs a CO2 production method comprising: i) subjecting a hydrocarbon feed to short contact time catalytic partial oxidation (SCT-CPO) to produce a first gas mixture comprising H2, CO and CO2, ii) subjecting said first gas mixture to a water gas shift reaction yielding a second gas mixture, iii) separating CO2 from said second gas mixture yielding a purified CO2 stream and a hydrogen containing stream and subsequently iv) reacting said purified CO2 stream with ammonia from the ammonia production unit to produce urea. The invention also provides a urea production complex realized by the application of this method and a urea production method.

Abstract: Disclosed is a thermal energy storage system for storing collected solar thermal energy. The system comprises a solar thermal energy collection facility in the form of a field of parabolic troughs, which is in thermal communication with a molten salt circuit. The molten salt circuit is in fluid communication with a molten salt storage facility comprising at least three storage tanks that are each in fluid communication with the molten salt circuit. The multiple tanks set-up allows using cheaper materials, and a more efficient storage of thermal energy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a hydrogen containing gas mixture comprising the following steps: (i) providing a preheated mixture comprising a fossil fuel, preferably methane, and steam, (ii) conducting an adiabatic reaction between the fossil fuel and the steam, in the presence of a catalyst, wherein a first reaction product mixture is formed comprising methane, hydrogen and carbon dioxide, and (iii) conducting an oxygen-assisted reforming reaction in the presence of a catalyst between said first reaction product mixture and an oxygen comprising stream, wherein the oxygen comprising stream comprises at least 40 vol % oxygen, forming a second reaction product mixture comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The invention also relates to a system suitable for hydrogen production from a hydrocarbon feed according to the present invention.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and plant for the catalytic dehydrogenation of alkanes, such as propane. The plant is a plant of hybrid architecture wherein one or more membrane-assisted reactor configurations according to open architecture are combined with one or more membrane-containing reactors of closed architecture. Hydrogen remaining in the reaction mixture after separation in the membrane separation unit of a first open architecture configuration, is fed to a first membrane-reactor of the closed architecture type. Also disclosed are methods of modifying plants so as to create the hybrid architecture plant.

Abstract: Disclosed is a storage tank for molten salts, preferably of the thermocline type. The tank is provided with an insulation on the inside, which is provided by molten salts captured and retained in an appropriate metal structure. The metal structure has openings allowing molten salts to flow into it, and may consist of metal supports that hold elements which allow retaining molten salts, such as a structured packing, metal boxes, or gutter wall.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a plant for performing a method for hydrogen production or for performing a method of hydrogen and/or carbon dioxide production from syngas. The method comprises the steps of: (i) providing a gas stream comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide, (ii) separating at least part of hydrogen from the stream yielding a hydrogen-depleted stream, (iii) subjecting the hydrogen-depleted stream to a water-gas shift reaction, and (iv) separating hydrogen from the stream resulting from step (iii).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for hydrogen production and to a method of hydrogen and/or carbon dioxide production from syngas. The method comprises the steps of: (i) providing a gas stream comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide, (ii) separating at least part of hydrogen from the stream yielding a hydrogen-depleted stream, (iii) subjecting the hydrogen-depleted stream to a water-gas shift reaction, and (iv) separating hydrogen from the stream resulting from step (iii). The method according to the invention improves the conversion of carbon monoxide in the water gas shift reaction and allows to increase the hydrogen production by 10-15% and to increase the overall energy efficiency of the system by 5-7%. The invention further relates to a plant for hydrogen and/or carbon dioxide production suitable for the method of the invention.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for the catalytic dehydrogenation of alkanes so as to form the corresponding olefins. The reaction mixture is subjected to membrane separation of hydrogen, in a separate unit. Preferably a plurality of alternating reaction and separation units is used. The process of the invention serves the purpose of reducing coke formation on the catalyst, and also of achieving a higher alkane conversion without a similar increase in coke formation. The process can also be used for the production of hydrogen.