Abstract: Method and system for wavelength thermophotovoltaic (WTPV) power generation. In one embodiment, the system comprises a refractory waveguide that collects broadband infrared light generated by a heat source; a filter that filters the collected broadband infrared light to generate narrow-band infrared light; and a thermophotovoltaic (TPV) converter, thermally de-coupled from the heat source, that receives the narrow-band infrared light and converts the received narrow-band infrared light to electrical power.

Abstract: Methods to convert an oxygen containing organic compound(s) to one or more water-free liquid hydrocarbons products. They make use of a catalytic process in a two-stage reactor system having a first reactor and a second reactor in series. Process design is described for effective conversion of aqueous low energy-dense aqueous solutions containing oxygen containing organic compound(s) to liquid hydrocarbons; the process design preferably employs the solid acid catalysts comprised of microporous aluminosilicates denoted as zeolites mixed with silicon carbide binder in series of two reactor system with capability of complete water removal.

Abstract: Method and system for wavelength thermophotovoltaic (WTPV) power generation. In one embodiment, the system comprises a refractory waveguide that collects broadband infrared light generated by a heat source; a filter that filters the collected broadband infrared light to generate narrow-band infrared light; and a thermophotovoltaic (TPV) converter, thermally de-coupled from the heat source, that receives the narrow-band infrared light and converts the received narrow-band infrared light to electrical power.

Abstract: A permeation cell device includes a body component, a wire mesh support structure positioned in the body component, a membrane over the wire mesh support structure, a pair of compressible gaskets sandwiching the membrane, and a flange compressing the membrane. A spectroscopic device contains the permeation cell device. At least one mechanism simultaneously performs an infrared-reflection absorption spectroscopic analysis of a surface of the membrane as a fluid permeates on the membrane and measures a trans-membrane fluid permeation rate across the membrane. The wire mesh support structure may be configured to provide mechanical support to the non-opaque membrane at a pressure of at least 1 atm. The permeation cell device and the spectroscopic device may collectively create a pair of separate isolated compartments. The body component may include a material that is non-permeable to the fluid.

Abstract: Methods to convert an oxygen containing organic compound(s) to one or more water-free liquid hydrocarbons products. They make use of a catalytic process in a two-stage reactor system having a first reactor and a second reactor in series. Process design is described for effective conversion of aqueous low energy-dense aqueous solutions containing oxygen containing organic compound(s) to liquid hydrocarbons; the process design preferably employs the solid acid catalysts comprised of microporous aluminosilicates denoted as zeolites mixed with silicon carbide binder in series of two reactor system with capability of complete water removal.

Abstract: A permeation cell device includes a body component, a wire mesh support structure positioned in the body component, a membrane over the wire mesh support structure, a pair of compressible gaskets sandwiching the membrane, and a flange compressing the membrane. A spectroscopic device contains the permeation cell device. At least one mechanism simultaneously performs an infrared-reflection absorption spectroscopic analysis of a surface of the membrane as a fluid permeates on the membrane and measures a trans-membrane fluid permeation rate across the membrane. The wire mesh support structure may be configured to provide mechanical support to the non-opaque membrane at a pressure of at least 1 atm. The permeation cell device and the spectroscopic device may collectively create a pair of separate isolated compartments. The body component may include a material that is non-permeable to the fluid.

Abstract: A compact multi-functional fuel converter and a process for converting liquid fuel to a product, which includes providing a supply of oxygen gas, providing a supply of liquid fuel, electrically atomizing the fuel, evaporating the fuel and catalytically reacting the liquid fuel and oxygen in the reactor.

Abstract: A process to perform selective catalytic oxidation of four-carbon alcohols to produce four-carbon olefins with yields greater than 90%. The process includes providing a supply of oxygen gas and a butanol fuel, atomizing and evaporating the fuel to produce a vapor, mixing the vapor with the oxygen to form a fuel mixture, reacting the fuel mixture in the presence of a heated solid Rh/Al2O3 or Al2O3 catalysts.

Abstract: A process to perform selective catalytic oxidation of four-carbon alcohols to produce four-carbon olefins with yields greater than 90%. The process includes providing a supply of oxygen gas and a butanol fuel, atomizing and evaporating the fuel to produce a vapor, mixing the vapor with the oxygen to form a fuel mixture, reacting the fuel mixture in the presence of a heated solid Rh/Al2O3 or Al2O3 catalysts.

Abstract: A compact multi-functional fuel converter and a process for converting liquid fuel to a product, which includes providing a supply of oxygen gas, providing a supply of liquid fuel, electrically atomizing the fuel, evaporating the fuel and catalytically reacting the liquid fuel and oxygen in the reactor.