Abstract: Methods for upgrading a bio-oil are described. The methods utilize gaseous ammonia to react with one or more components of a bio-oil and thereby upgrade the bio-oil and separate the resulting mixture into organic and aqueous phases. Both the aqueous phase and the organic phase produced by the process can contain useful species such as ammonium species and an organic phase with increased energy content as compared to the bio-oil.

Abstract: In general, disclosed herein are methods for forming hydrogen by use of an ammonia decomposition catalyst system. For instance, a method can include contacting a catalyst system with an ammonia source at a temperature of about 450° C. or lower. The catalyst systems can include a support material and a trimetallic catalyst component carried on the support material and within a reactor. Disclosed catalyst systems can decompose ammonia at relatively low temperatures and can provide an efficient and cost-effective route to utilization of ammonia as a carbon-free hydrogen storage and generation material.

Abstract: A catalyst support containing praseodymium oxide and dysprosium oxide, supported catalysts using the support, and methods of using the supported catalysts to catalyze the formation and degradation of ammonia.

Abstract: A catalyst including ruthenium, a promoter metal, and a second metal, optionally disposed on a support, and methods of using the catalyst to catalyze the formation of ammonia.

Abstract: In general, disclosed herein are methods for forming hydrogen by use of an ammonia decomposition catalyst system. For instance, a method can include contacting a catalyst system with an ammonia source at a temperature of about 450° C. or lower. The catalyst systems can include a support material and a trimetallic catalyst component carried on the support material and within a reactor. Disclosed catalyst systems can decompose ammonia at relatively low temperatures and can provide an efficient and cost-effective route to utilization of ammonia as a carbon-free hydrogen storage and generation material.

Abstract: Methods for upgrading a bio-oil are described. The methods utilize gaseous ammonia to react with one or more components of a bio-oil and thereby upgrade the bio-oil and separate the resulting mixture into organic and aqueous phases. Both the aqueous phase and the organic phase produced by the process can contain useful species such as ammonium species and an organic phase with increased energy content as compared to the bio-oil.

Abstract: Disclosed are ruthenium-based catalyst systems, hafnium-based catalyst systems, and yttrium-based catalyst systems for use in ammonia decomposition. Catalyst systems include ruthenium, hafnium, and/or yttrium optionally in combination with one or more additional metals that can be catalytic or catalyst promoters. Hafnium-based and yttrium-based catalyst systems can be free of ruthenium. The catalyst systems also include a support material. Disclosed catalyst systems can decompose ammonia at relatively low temperatures and can provide an efficient and cost-effective route to utilization of ammonia as a carbon-free hydrogen storage and generation material.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to yolk-shell structured catalysts having compositions that can be particularly useful in the dry reforming of methane. These catalysts can demonstrate long-term stability that would be an advantage in industrial applications such as mitigating fossil fuel plant emissions. Example catalysts can include a yolk containing nickel (Ni) or nickel oxide (NiO), platinum (Pt) or platinum oxide (PtO2), and a third material (M3) such as a cerium oxide (CeOx). The shell can be formed of a ceramic such as silica and is generally a porous material that can support the yolk.

Abstract: Described herein are reusable, mesh-based catalysts with superior mechanical stability and magnetic separability wherein the mesh may be formed in a variety of shapes and can be easily separated from a process stream and in combination with biomass torrefaction, reduces toxic emissions and produce hydrogen gas, which can be burned at the facility to generate heat or electricity.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to yolk-shell structured catalysts having compositions that can be particularly useful in the dry reforming of methane. These catalysts can demonstrate long-term stability that would be an advantage in industrial applications such as mitigating fossil fuel plant emissions. Example catalysts can include a yolk containing nickel (Ni) or nickel oxide (NiO), platinum (Pt) or platinum oxide (PtO2), and a third material (M3) such as a cerium oxide (CeOx). The shell can be formed of a ceramic such as silica and is generally a porous material that can support the yolk.

Abstract: This disclosure provides embodiments directed to compositions, methods, and processes to produce compounds having the structure: each of R1-R5 is selected from a hydroxyl group and hydrogen; and R1-R5 include at least one hydroxyl group and at least one hydrogen; and n=0-2. In particular, methods of the disclosure can include reacting a precursor, the precursor containing more oxygen (O) atoms than the compound, with a gas containing hydrogen (H2) in the presence of a catalyst.

Abstract: This disclosure provides embodiments directed to compositions, methods, and processes to produce compounds having the structure: each of R1-R5 is selected from a hydroxyl group and hydrogen; and R1-R5 include at least one hydroxyl group and at least one hydrogen; and n=0-2. In particular, methods of the disclosure can include reacting a precursor, the precursor containing more oxygen (O) atoms than the compound, with a gas containing hydrogen (H2) in the presence of a catalyst.

Abstract: Disclosed are ruthenium-based catalyst systems, hafnium-based catalyst systems, and yttrium-based catalyst systems for use in ammonia decomposition. Catalyst systems include ruthenium, hafnium, and/or yttrium optionally in combination with one or more additional metals that can be catalytic or catalyst promoters. Hafnium-based and yttrium-based catalyst systems can be free of ruthenium. The catalyst systems also include a support material. Disclosed catalyst systems can decompose ammonia at relatively low temperatures and can provide an efficient and cost-effective route to utilization of ammonia as a carbon-free hydrogen storage and generation material.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to yolk-shell structured catalysts. The yolk-shell catalysts can be particularly useful in the tri-reforming of methane. The yolks can include a primary material (M1), such as nickel (Ni) or nickel oxide (NiO), and a secondary material (M2). The shell is generally a porous material that can support the yolk. The shell can include silica (SiO2) and the secondary material can include ceria (CeO2). The yolk-shell catalyst can take the form of tube-like structures in which the yolk is dispersed within the shell support in a substantially homogeneous fashion.

Abstract: Methods for deriving a low-C hydrocarbon fuel from a high-C hydrocarbon fuel are generally provided. A catalytic material (e.g., an aluminosilicate and/or a zeolite) can be introduced to the high-C hydrocarbon fuel to produce a product stream comprising a low-C hydrocarbon fuel, and the low-C hydrocarbon fuel can be separated in the product stream from any remaining high-C hydrocarbon fuel.

Abstract: Methods for deriving a high-C hydrocarbon fuel from an organic source feedstock are provided. The method can include: contacting a mixture of the organic source feedstock and an aldehyde with a catalytic material to produce a product stream comprising a high-C hydrocarbon fuel, and separating the high-C hydrocarbon fuel in the product stream from any remaining organic source feedstock or aldehyde. The catalytic material comprises a metal and a zeolite.

Abstract: Fuel converters configured to convert a transportation fuel to a low-C hydrocarbon fuel, along with methods of their use, are provided. The fuel converter can comprise: an evaporator configured to receive a transportation fuel from a fuel tank in a liquid state, wherein the evaporator converts the transportation fuel from a liquid to a gas; a fuel burner configured to heat the evaporator; a catalyst cartridge in fluid communication with the evaporator so as to receive the gas from the evaporator; and a condenser in fluid communication with the catalyst cartridge so as to receive the reaction product mixture from the catalyst cartridge. The catalyst cartridge comprises a catalyst configured to convert the transportation fuel into a reaction product mixture comprising a low-C hydrocarbon fuel. The condenser is configured to separate the low-C hydrocarbon fuel from a condensed fuel in the reaction product mixture.

Abstract: Methods for deriving a high-C hydrocarbon fuel from an organic source feedstock are provided. The method can include: contacting a mixture of the organic source feedstock and an aldehyde with a catalytic material to produce a product stream comprising a high-C hydrocarbon fuel, and separating the high-C hydrocarbon fuel in the product stream from any remaining organic source feedstock or aldehyde. The catalytic material comprises a metal and a zeolite.

Abstract: Fuel converters configured to convert a transportation fuel to a low-C hydrocarbon fuel, along with methods of their use, are provided. The fuel converter can comprise: an evaporator configured to receive a transportation fuel from a fuel tank in a liquid state, wherein the evaporator converts the transportation fuel from a liquid to a gas; a fuel burner configured to heat the evaporator; a catalyst cartridge in fluid communication with the evaporator so as to receive the gas from the evaporator; and a condenser in fluid communication with the catalyst cartridge so as to receive the reaction product mixture from the catalyst cartridge. The catalyst cartridge comprises a catalyst configured to convert the transportation fuel into a reaction product mixture comprising a low-C hydrocarbon fuel. The condenser is configured to separate the low-C hydrocarbon fuel from a condensed fuel in the reaction product mixture.

Abstract: Methods for deriving a low-C hydrocarbon fuel from a high-C hydrocarbon fuel are generally provided. A catalytic material (e.g., an aluminosilicate and/or a zeolite) can be introduced to the high-C hydrocarbon fuel to produce a product stream comprising a low-C hydrocarbon fuel, and the low-C hydrocarbon fuel can be separated in the product stream from any remaining high-C hydrocarbon fuel.