Abstract: Methods for desorbing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from beaded activated carbon (BAC) that is loaded with VOCs, during the VOC abatement process using the fluidized carbon bead system include transferring the loaded BAC in an adsorber to a desorber, where a stream of organic solvent passes over the BAC to dissolve at least a portion of the adsorbed VOCs into the organic solvent to regenerate BAC. The regenerated BAC is returned to the adsorber. The organic solvent containing dissolved VOCs may be transferred to a distiller to separate the organic solvents from the dissolved VOCs and may be reused as the organic solvent in the desorber.

Abstract: Methods for desorbing volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from beaded activated carbon (BAC) that is loaded with VOCs, during the VOC abatement process using the fluidized carbon bead system include transferring the loaded BAC in an adsorber to a desorber, where a stream of organic solvent passes over the BAC to dissolve at least a portion of the adsorbed VOCs into the organic solvent to regenerate BAC. The regenerated BAC is returned to the adsorber. The organic solvent containing dissolved VOCs may be transferred to a distiller to separate the organic solvents from the dissolved VOCs and may be reused as the organic solvent in the desorber.

Abstract: A catalytic reforming method is disclosed herein. The method includes sequentially supplying a plurality of feedstocks of variable compositions to a reformer. The method further includes adding a respective predetermined co-reactant to each of the plurality of feedstocks to obtain a substantially constant output from the reformer for the plurality of feedstocks. The respective predetermined co-reactant is based on a C/H/O atomic composition for a respective one of the plurality of feedstocks and a predetermined C/H/O atomic composition for the substantially constant output.

Abstract: A catalytic reforming method is disclosed herein. The method includes sequentially supplying a plurality of feedstocks of variable compositions to a reformer. The method further includes adding a respective predetermined co-reactant to each of the plurality of feedstocks to obtain a substantially constant output from the reformer for the plurality of feedstocks. The respective predetermined co-reactant is based on a C/H/O atomic composition for a respective one of the plurality of feedstocks and a predetermined C/H/O atomic composition for the substantially constant output.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to apparatus, systems, and methods (a) for performing catalytic reactions using a fixed-bed catalyst (e.g., packed particulate bed or catalyst supported on a monolithic substrate) and (b) for regenerating the catalytic activity of the catalyst. An autothermal reformation (ATR) reaction system is described for illustrative purposes, although the apparatus, systems, and methods can be applied more generally to other catalytic cracking/reformation reaction systems and other catalytic reaction systems, in particular reaction systems in which carbon-based and/or sulfur-based catalyst contaminants are produced during system operation.

Abstract: Hydrodesulfurization/hydrodenitrogenation catalysts and a process for making these is disclosed.The catalysts have (i) overall stoichiometries of M.sub.2x A.sub.1-x S.sub.2, where 0.001.ltoreq.x.ltoreq.0.5, M is Co, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mn or Ru, and A is Mo or W, or (ii) overall stoichiometries of AS.sub.2-y, where 0.01.ltoreq.y.ltoreq.1.00.To obtain the M.sub.2x A.sub.1-x S.sub.2 catalysts, elemental material M, elemental material A and elemental sulfur are combined in an amount of x moles of M and (1-x)/2 moles of A per mole of S and the mixture is then heated, in the absence of oxygen, to a temperature of from 200.degree. C. to 800.degree. C. for 1 hour to 1 week. To obtain the AS.sub.2-y catalysts, elemental material A and elemental sulfur are mixed in an amount of (2-y) moles of sulfur per mole of A, and a parallel process protocol is followed.

Abstract: A device for detecting a gaseous species including (i) a silicon substrate having two major surfaces and comprising a dielectric window region (ii) a heater situated on the dielectric window region on one major surface; and (iii) a conductivity cell electrode thin metal transducing film assembly situated on the dielectric window region on the other major surface is disclosed. The thin transducing film contacts the conductivity cell electrode.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for pretreatment of fuel in a combustion device such as an internal combustion engine, in which a fuel is partially combusted by a catalytic reaction to form a high temperature hydrogen-rich product gas, which gas is thereafter directly injected into an oxidizing atmosphere in the combustion chamber of the device. A composite catalyst is utilized constituted by diverse catalytic materials to achieve different contributing effects on the catalytic combustion process by the respective materials, particularly the inhibition of coke formation by the use of magnesium oxide, and platinum to achieve low temperature ignition and partial combustion of a fuel-oxidizer mixture.