Abstract: A method and a system for connecting a service provider and a user at a remote location relative to the service provider, via a network based telecommunications device, are provided. The method includes utilizing a network operable terminal for transmitting communications between the service provider and the user, employing a display screen depicting a user selectable options menu, corresponding with service functions offered by the service provider, and enabling the user to choose an option from the user selectable options menu to initiate a corresponding communication to the service provider.

Abstract: A method and a system for connecting a service provider and a user at a remote location relative to the service provider, via a network based telecommunications device, are provided. The method includes utilizing a network operable terminal for transmitting communications between the service provider and the user, employing a display screen depicting a user selectable options menu, corresponding with service functions offered by the service provider, and enabling the user to choose an option from the user selectable options menu to initiate a corresponding communication to the service provider.

Abstract: A solids supply systems having a solids deaeration zone and a solids pump zone, and to methods for supplying the solids e.g., pulverized dry coal, to an application, e.g., gasification process. The solids deaeration zone includes a roller system containing a plurality of porous roller assemblies, or a belt system containing a plurality of porous belt assemblies. The solids deaeration zone is operable to deaerate and convey the solids to the solids pump zone. In the solids deaeration zone, the solids become sufficiently compacted prior to and upon entry into the solids pump zone to be effectively conveyed through the solids pump zone.

Abstract: A reactor with minimal dead volume especially suited to reverse-flow applications comprises: a) a reactor body; b) a first head engaged with said reactor body; c) a first conduit extending from outside said head to at least partially through said head; and d) a first valve in flow communication with said first conduit controlling fluid flow along a flow path extending from the first valve and through the reactor body. The reactor is especially suited for use in a process for rapid stream-switching of at least two streams in a reverse-flow reactor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for converting hydrocarbons into unsaturated products such as acetylene and/or ethylene. The invention also relates to converting acetylene to olefins such as ethylene and/or propylene, to polymerizing the olefins, and to equipment useful for these processes.

Abstract: An adsorber with minimal dead volume especially suited to reverse-flow applications comprises: a) an adsorber body; b) a first head engaged with said adsorber body; c) a first conduit extending from outside said head to at least partially through said head; and d) a first valve in flow communication with said first conduit controlling fluid flow along a flow path extending from the first valve and through the adsorber body. The adsorber is especially suited for use in a process for swing adsorption separation processes.

Abstract: A solids supply system having a solids deaeration zone and a solids pump zone, and a method for supplying the solids e.g., pulverized dry coal, to an application, e.g., gasification process. The solids deaeration zone includes a container having a passageway defined by one or more sloped walls. The solids deaeration zone is operable to deaerate and convey the solids to the solids pump zone. In the solids deaeration zone, the solids become sufficiently compacted prior to and upon entry into the solids pump zone to be effectively conveyed through the solids pump zone.

Abstract: A solids supply systems having a solids deaeration zone and a solids pump zone, and to methods for supplying the solids e.g., pulverized dry coal, to an application, e.g., gasification process. The solids deaeration zone includes a roller system containing a plurality of porous roller assemblies, or a belt system containing a plurality of porous belt assemblies. The solids deaeration zone is operable to deaerate and convey the solids to the solids pump zone. In the solids deaeration zone, the solids become sufficiently compacted prior to and upon entry into the solids pump zone to be effectively conveyed through the solids pump zone.

Abstract: A method and a system for connecting a service provider and a user at a remote location relative to the service provider, via a network based telecommunications device, are provided. The method includes utilizing a network operable terminal for transmitting communications between the service provider and the user, employing a display screen depicting a user selectable options menu, corresponding with service functions offered by the service provider, and enabling the user to choose an option from the user selectable options menu to initiate a corresponding communication to the service provider.

Abstract: In a communications network for accessing an account, conducting a transaction, obtaining services or obtaining information from a remote location, a programmable user interface is adapted to provide a multiplicity of separate choices perceptible to a user on a user operable terminal. The terminal is capable of registering for transmission to a service platform, a user's input to the terminal corresponding to at least one choice from the multiplicity, including banking, bill paying, shopping, travel, flowers and gifts and information. The user interface includes means for communicating the user selected choice to a service platform, means for communicating by voice, TDD or data transmission through the service platform, and means in the terminal for permitting the user to communicate directly by at least one of an interactive voice, TDD or data transmission communication with respect to a provider in the user's selection from the multiplicity.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a heat exchanged membrane reactor for electric power generation. More specifically, the invention comprises a membrane reactor system that employs catalytic or thermal steam reforming and a water gas shift reaction on one side of the membrane, and hydrogen combustion on the other side of the membrane. Heat of combustion is exchanged through the membrane to heat the hydrocarbon fuel and provide heat for the reforming reaction. In one embodiment, the hydrogen is combusted with compressed air to power a turbine to produce electricity. A carbon dioxide product stream is produced in inherently separated form and at pressure to facilitate injection of the CO2 into a well for the purpose of sequestering carbon from the earth's atmosphere.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a heat exchanged membrane reactor for electric power generation. More specifically, the invention comprises a membrane reactor system that employs catalytic or thermal steam reforming and a water gas shift reaction on one side of the membrane, and hydrogen combustion on the other side of the membrane. Heat of combustion is exchanged through the membrane to heat the hydrocarbon fuel and provide heat for the reforming reaction. In one embodiment, the hydrogen is combusted with compressed air to power a turbine to produce electricity. A carbon dioxide product stream is produced in inherently separated form and at pressure to facilitate injection of the CO2 into a well for the purpose of sequestering carbon from the earth's atmosphere.

Abstract: A novel injector/reactor apparatus and an efficient process for the partial oxidation of light hydrocarbon gases, such as methane, to convert such gases to useful synthesis gas for recovery and/or subsequent hydrocarbon synthesis. Sources of a light hydrocarbon gas, such as methane, and oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas are preheated and pressurized and injected through an injector means at high velocity into admixture with each other in the desired relative proportions, at a plurality of mixing nozzles which are open to the catalytic partial oxidation reaction zone and are uniformly-spaced over the face of the injector means, to form a reactant gaseous premix having a pressure drop equal to at least about 3% of the lowest upstream pressure of either of said gases.

Abstract: In a communications network for accessing an account, conducting a transaction, obtaining services or obtaining information from a remote location, a programmable user interface is adapted to provide a multiplicity of separate choices perceptible to a user on a user operable terminal. The terminal is capable of registering for transmission to a service platform, a user's input to the terminal corresponding to at least one choice from the multiplicity, including banking, bill paying, shopping, travel, flowers and gifts and information. The user interface includes means for communicating the user selected choice to a service platform, means for communicating by voice, TDD or data transmission through the service platform, and means in the terminal for permitting the user to communicate directly by at least one of an interactive voice, TDD or data transmission communication with respect to a provider in the user's selection from the multiplicity.

Abstract: A novel injector/reactor apparatus and an efficient process for the partial oxidation of light hydrocarbon gases, such as methane, to convert such gases to useful synthesis gas for subsequent hydrocarbon synthesis. Sources of a light hydrocarbon gas, such as methane, and oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas are preheated and pressurized and injected through an injector means at high velocity into admixture with each other in the desired proportions, preferably at comparable momentums, at a plurality of mixing nozzles which are open to the reaction zone of a reactor and are spaced over the face of the injector, to form a reactant gas premix having a pressure drop equal to at least 1% of the lowest upstream pressure of either of said gas streams. The gas premix is ejected in a time period which preferably is less than 9 milliseconds, at a velocity between about 25 to 1000 feet/second, into a reaction zone comprising a partial oxidation zone, so that the gas mixture reacts therein.

Abstract: A novel fluidized bed syngas (FBSG) injector/reactor apparatus and an efficient process for the partial oxidation and steam reforming of light hydrocarbon gases such as methane, to convert such gases to useful synthesis gas containing CO and H.sub.2 for recovery and/or subsequent hydrocarbon synthesis. Sources of a light hydrocarbon gas, such as methane, and oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas are preheated and pressurized and injected through gas orifices of an injector at high velocity and comparable momentums into admixture with each other in the desired proportions, at a plurality of mixing chambers or recessed cups which are open to the fluidized bed reaction zone of a reaction chamber and are spaced over the face of the injector, to form a reactant gas premix having a pressure drop of at least 1% through the injector.

Abstract: A novel injector/reactor apparatus and an efficient process for the partial oxidation of light hydrocarbon gases, such as methane, to convert such gases to useful synthesis gas for recovery and/or subsequent hydrocarbon synthesis. Sources comprising a light hydrocarbon gas, such as methane, and oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas, preheated and pressurized, are injected through an injector means at high velocity into admixture with each other in the desired relative proportions, at a plurality of mixing nozzles which are open to the partial oxidation zone of a reactor and are uniformly-spaced over the face of the injector means, to form a reactant gaseous premix having a pressure at least 3% lower than the lowest upstream pressure of either of the streams of the individual gases. The gaseous premix is injected in a time period which is less than its autoignition time, preferably less than 9 milliseconds, at a velocity between about 25 to 1000 feet/second, into the partial oxidation zone of the reactor.

Abstract: A novel injector/reactor apparatus and an efficient process for the partial oxidation of light hydrocarbon gases, such as methane, to convert such gases to useful synthesis gas for recovery and/or subsequent hydrocarbon synthesis. Sources of a light hydrocarbon gas, such as methane, and oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas are preheated and pressurized and injected through an injector means at high velocity into admixture with each other in the desired relating proportions, at a plurality of mixing nozzles which are open to the partial oxidation zone of a reactor and are uniformly-spaced over the face of the injector means, to form a gaseous premix having a pressure drop through the injector. The gaseous premix is injected in a time period which is less than 5 milliseconds, preferably at a velocity between about 25 to 1000 feet/second, into a partial oxidation reaction zone so that the gaseous premix reacts therein, to reduce the amounts of CO.sub.2, H.sub.

Abstract: A novel injector/reactor apparatus and an efficient process for the partial oxidation of light hydrocarbon gases, such as methane, to convert such gases to useful synthesis gas for recovery and/or subsequent hydrocarbon synthesis. Sources of a light hydrocarbon gas, such as methane, and oxygen or an oxygen-containing gas are preheated and pressurized and injected through an injector means at high velocity into admixture with each other in the desired proportions, at a plurality of mixing nozzles which are open to the catalytic partial oxidation reaction zone of a reactor and are uniformly-spaced over the face of the injector, to form a reactant gaseous premix having a pressure drop through the injector.