Abstract: A carbon dioxide absorbent comprising (i) a liquid, nonaqueous silicon-based material, functionalized with one or more groups that either reversibly react with CO2 or have a high-affinity for CO2 is provided and (ii) a hydroxy-containing solvent. The absorbent may be utilized in methods to reduce carbon dioxide in an exhaust gas, and finds particular utility in power plants.

Abstract: A carbon dioxide absorbent comprising a liquid, nonaqueous oligomeric material, functionalized with one or more groups that either reversibly react with CO2 or have a high-affinity for CO2 is provided. The absorbent may be utilized in methods to reduce carbon dioxide in an exhaust gas, and finds particular utility in power plants.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a catalyst composition comprising a bimetallic complex of silver and a second metal; the bimetallic complex being disposed upon a porous substrate; where the second metal is platinum, palladium, iron, cobalt, nickel, copper, cadmium or mercury and where atoms of silver and the second metal are bound by one or more bridging ligands.

Abstract: An electrochemical energy conversion and storage system comprises an electrochemical energy conversion device, in fluid communication with a source of an organic liquid carrier of hydrogen and an oxidant, for receiving, catalyzing and electrochemically oxidizing at least a portion of the hydrogen to generate electricity, a hydrogen depleted liquid, and water; and a vessel for receiving the hydrogen depleted liquid; wherein the organic liquid carrier of hydrogen comprises at least two secondary hydroxy groups is provided.

Abstract: A primary aluminum hydride cell and a battery formed with a plurality of the cells is described herein.. In some embodiments, the cells are constructed of: (a) an anode comprising aluminum hydride and a conductive material; (b) a cathode; and (c) an aqueous electrolyte.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a hydrogen storage material comprising a metal hydride and an organic hydrogen carrier. Also disclosed herein is a hydrogen storage/fuel cell system which employs the hydrogen storage material.

Abstract: A method for purifying a sulfur-containing fuel oil comprising (a) contacting in a first reaction mixture the sulfur-containing fuel oil with a water-soluble organic acid and oxygen at a temperature in a range of from about 100° C. to about 250° C., and at a pressure in a range of from about 15 pounds per square inch to about 2500 pounds per square inch to provide a first oxidized mixture, (b) adding water to provide a biphasic mixture comprising a water-rich phase and a fuel oil-rich phase, and (c) separating the water-rich phase from the fuel oil-rich phase to provide a purified fuel oil. In one embodiment, the method may further include an oxidation catalyst. In one embodiment, the method may further include a carbonaceous promoter. In one embodiment, the sulfur-containing fuel oil may be deasphalted before contacting with the water-soluble organic acid.

Abstract: A method for purifying a sulfur-containing fuel oil comprising (a) contacting in a first reaction mixture the sulfur-containing fuel oil with an exogenous binary catalyst, hydrogen peroxide, and a water-soluble acid at a temperature in a range of from about 25° C. to about 150° C. to provide a first oxidized mixture; and (b) separating at least one oxidized sulfur compound from the first oxidized mixture to provide a purified fuel oil. The first reaction mixture may further comprise a phase transfer catalyst. Furthermore, the sulfur-containing fuel oil may be deasphalted prior to contacting with the catalyst, hydrogen peroxide, and the water-soluble acid.

Abstract: A method for purifying a sulfur-containing fuel oil comprising (a) contacting the fuel oil with a supported exogenous binary catalyst and oxygen at a temperature in a range of from about 25° C. to about 150° C., and at a pressure in a range of from about 1 atmosphere to about 150 atmospheres to provide a first oxidized mixture; and (b) separating at least one oxidized sulfur compound from the first oxidized mixture to a provide a purified fuel oil. In one embodiment, the sulfur-containing fuel oil is deasphalted prior to contacting with the supported exogenous binary catalyst and oxygen.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a composition comprising a complex hydride and a borohydride catalyst wherein the borohydride catalyst comprises a BH4 group, and a group IV metal, a group V metal, or a combination of a group IV and a group V metal. Also disclosed herein are methods of making the composition.

Abstract: A system for gas-liquid separation in electrolysis processes is provided. The system includes a first compartment having a liquid carrier including a first gas therein and a second compartment having the liquid carrier including a second gas therein. The system also includes a gas-liquid separator fluidically coupled to the first and second compartments for separating the liquid carrier from the first and second gases.

Abstract: A method for removing metals from fuel containing vanadium or nickel including intimately mixing an adsorbent with the fuel and isolating the treated fuel. The treated fuel has reduced levels of vanadium, nickel and other metals. Systems for fuel treatment are also provided.

Abstract: An electrochemical energy conversion system comprises an electrochemical energy conversion device, in fluid communication with a source of liquid carrier of hydrogen and an oxidant, for receiving, catalyzing and electrochemically oxidizing at least a portion of the hydrogen to generate electricity, a hydrogen depleted liquid, and water. A method of electrochemical energy conversion includes the steps of directing a liquid carrier of hydrogen to an electrochemical conversion device and electrochemically dehydrogenating the liquid carrier of hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst to produce electricity.

Abstract: An electrochemical energy conversion system comprises an electrochemical energy conversion device, in fluid communication with a source of liquid carrier of hydrogen and an oxidant, for receiving, catalyzing and electrochemically oxidizing at least a portion of said hydrogen to generate electricity, a hydrogen depleted liquid, and water; and a recharging component for connecting said electrochemical conversion system to a source of electricity for rehydrogenating the hydrogen depleted liquid across said electrochemical energy conversion device.

Abstract: A method for treating crude or residual fuel oil includes extracting vanadium from the fuel oil by contacting the fuel oil with an adsorbent and a solvent. The adsorbent may be modified with a compound having both acidic functionality and basic functionality. The method provides effective removal of vanadium from crude or residual fuel oil at moderate temperatures.

Abstract: A catalyst system comprising a catalyst and a reductant is disclosed. The catalyst comprises a metal oxide catalyst support, a catalytic metal oxide, and a promoting metal. The catalytic metal oxide comprises gallium oxide, indium oxide or a combination of the two. The promoting metal comprises at least one of silver, cobalt, vanadium, molybdenum, tungsten, zinc, tin and bismuth. The catalyst comprises about 5 to about 31 mol % catalytic metal oxide and about 0.5 to about 9 mol % promoting metal. The reductant comprises a fluid hydrocarbon having at least 4 carbon atoms. Also disclosed is a process for reducing NOx to N2 using the disclosed catalyst system by mixing NOx with a reductant and passing the mixture through a catalyst of the disclosed catalyst system.

Abstract: A method of making an anode for alkaline electrolysis cells includes adsorption of precursor material on a carbonaceous material, conversion of the precursor material to hydroxide form and conversion of precursor material from hydroxide form to oxy-hydroxide form within the alkaline electrolysis cell.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method comprising reacting a metal borohydride with a metal chloride composition that comprises magnesium chloride in a solvent to form a reaction mixture; wherein either the metal borohydride, the metal chloride composition or both the metal borohydride and the metal chloride composition are soluble in the solvent and a formed metal chloride is insoluble in the solvent; removing the solvent from the reaction mixture to produce a borohydride complex; treating the borohydride complex to obtain magnesium borohydride; extracting magnesium borohydride solvate; and desolvating the magnesium borohydride solvate to form magnesium borohydride.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method comprising reacting a metal borohydride with a metal chloride composition in a solvent to form a reaction mixture, wherein the metal chloride composition comprises magnesium chloride; wherein the metal borohydride and the metal chloride composition are insoluble in the solvent; grinding the reaction mixture to produce a composition that comprises magnesium hydridoborohydride; and removing the solvent from the composition. Disclosed herein too is a composition comprising magnesium hydridoborohydride having the formula MgnH(BH4)2n-1 where n is about 3 to about 7. Disclosed herein too is a method of manufacturing hydrogen comprising heating a composition comprising magnesium hydridoborohydride.

Abstract: A method of forming a porous nickel coating is provided. The method includes the steps of: depositing a coating onto a substrate by melting and atomizing two consumable electrode wires of a selected composition in a wire-arc spray device, so as to form a molten, atomized material, and directing the material to the substrate to form a coating deposit; the selected composition including nickel and a sacrificial metal; and then dissolving at least a portion of the sacrificial metal from the coating deposit by applying a positive potential in an alkaline electrolyte, so as to obtain a porous nickel coating. An electrolytic cell that includes a porous nickel coating is also described.