Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a solid biofuel from hydrocarbonaceous feedstock is described. The process includes loading a hydrocarbonaceous feedstock into a reactor vessel, adding an aqueous catalyst solution into the reactor vessel, wherein the catalyst solution resides at the bottom of the reactor vessel under the hydrocarbonaceous feedstock position, heating the reactor vessel at or above 170° C. to catalyze a reaction of hydrocarbonaceous feedstock under saturated steam conditions for a time sufficient to yield a polymeric biofuel, and isolating the polymeric biofuel from the reactor vessel.

Abstract: An article formed of a metal alloy is covered at least partially with a metal hydride and a shell metal to form an assembly. Load is applied to the assembly and the assembly is heated. The shell metal deforms around the article and the metal hydride and forms a gas proof seal. The metal hydride thermally decomposes to form hydrogen gas. At least a portion of the hydrogen gas dissociates and moves as monoatomic hydrogen into the article. The metal alloy can be a zirconium metal alloy, the metal hydride can be a zirconium metal hydride, and the shell metal can be substantially copper.

Abstract: An article formed of a metal alloy is covered at least partially with a metal hydride and a shell metal to form an assembly. Load is applied to the assembly and the assembly is heated. The shell metal deforms around the article and the metal hydride and forms a gas proof seal. The metal hydride thermally decomposes to form hydrogen gas. At least a portion of the hydrogen gas dissociates and moves as monoatomic hydrogen into the article. The metal alloy can be a zirconium metal alloy, the metal hydride can be a zirconium metal hydride, and the shell metal can be substantially copper.