Abstract: The object is to rapidly clean-up an off-gas generated by blasting in a pressure vessel to such a level as to permit the exhaust of the off-gas. An object to be blasted is blasted in a pressure vessel to generate an off-gas, which is introduced into a combustion furnace to burning a combustible component contained in the off-gas. The off-gas after the burning in a reservoir section is stored in the reservoir section, and exhausted out of the reservoir section if a component contained in the off-gas complies a predetermined emission requirement, otherwise returned to at least one of the pressure vessel and the combustion furnace to be re-treated if the component does not comply the emission requirement.

Abstract: A method for increasing the reliability of an electrolyzer cell stack includes providing multiple electrolyzer cell stacks. Each electrolyzer cell stack includes multiple cells separated by electrically conductive interconnects. The method may further include generating, using an external power source, an electrical current through each of the electrolyzer cell stacks to produce a fuel. The method may further include electrically connecting an interconnect of a first electrolyzer cell stack to an interconnect of a second electrolyzer cell stack located at a substantially equivalent electrical potential. This allows current to flow from one electrolyzer cell stack to another in the event a cell fails or creates a point of high resistance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for incinerating a medical waste material. The method includes introducing a volume of the medical waste material into a plasma zone of a non-thermal plasma generator. The method also includes introducing a volume of oxidizer into the plasma zone of the non-thermal plasma generator. The method also includes generating an electrical discharge between electrodes within the plasma zone of the non-thermal plasma generator to incinerate the medical waste material.

Abstract: Syngas components hydrogen and carbon monoxide may be formed by the decomposition of carbon dioxide and water or steam by a solid-oxide electrolysis cell to form carbon monoxide and hydrogen, a portion of which may be reacted with carbon dioxide to form carbon monoxide. One or more of the components for the process, such as steam, energy, or electricity, may be provided using a nuclear power source.

Abstract: A reformer is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a channel to convey a preheated plurality of reactants containing both a feedstock fuel and an oxidant. A plasma generator is provided to apply an electrical potential to the reactants sufficient to ionize one or more of the reactants. These ionized reactants are then conveyed to a reaction zone where they are chemically transformed into synthesis gas containing a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. A heat transfer mechanism is used to transfer heat from an external heat source to the reformer to provide the heat of reformation.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device for releasing a fluid. The device includes a housing having an interior region, a fluid contained within the interior region, and the ability to controllably release the fluid from the housing.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device for releasing a fluid. The device includes a housing having an interior region, a fluid contained within the interior region, and the ability to controllably release the fluid from the housing.

Abstract: An improved ceramic interconnect component for a solid oxide fuel cell having good electrical conductivity and thermodynamic stability in the presence of fuel and a coefficient of thermal expansion matching closely that of zirconia electrolytes is disclosed. The interconnect is a lanthanum chromite material including strontium and magnesium as dopants.

Abstract: A fuel cell module (10) with a fuel cell column (18), having at least one fuel cell stack, mated with the planar wall of a heat exchanger (60), wherein the fuel cell column and heat exchanger are mounted to a support structure (30), and which define an air plenum between the fuel cell column and planar wall of the heat exchanger, thereby eliminating the ductwork and insulation requirements associated with heat exchange systems while increasing the efficiency of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A fuel cell module (10) with multiple fuel cell stacks having generally planar cross-flow grooved interconnectors with fuel and air flow channels therein arranged in multi-stack columns (14, 16) wherein adjacent stacks are joined by manifold frames (24), and pairs of columns are spaced-apart across a central air plenum (28) in fluid communication with the air flow channels, and fuel flows serially through the stacks along the length of the column. In one embodiment, a series of such modules are configured into a multi-module system.

Abstract: A semi-internally manifolded interconnect structured for placement between successive electrolyte elements in stack of elements having a first surface with a level margin extending substantially around the perimeter of the interconnect, first and second manifold channels disposed inward from the margin, and a plurality of gas-flow channels disposed in a central area of the first surface and extending between and in fluid communication with the first and second manifold channels.

Abstract: A thermally integrated reformer (10) is located inside the stack furnace (12), housing stacks (14) of solid oxide fuel cells (16). The energy to support the endothermic reformation reaction converting hydrocarbon and water feedstock into hydrogen and carbon monoxide fuel is supplied by heat recuperated from the oxidation process in the stack (14) of fuel cells (16). The source of hydrocarbons is de-sulfurized natural gas. Heat transfers to the incrementally shielded packed beds (30, 60) of the reactors (18, 19) of the reformer (10) by radiation from the stacks (14) and furnace wall (38) and by forced convection from the exhausting airflow exiting the stack furnace (12). Temperature gradients in the reformer (10) are controlled by selective (or incremented) radiation shielding (20) and by counterflow heat exchange to prevent excessive premature cracking in the reformer where carbonization would clog interstices and render the catalyst granules (32) ineffective.

Abstract: A thermally integrated heat exchange system for solid oxide electrolyte systems includes a thermally insulated furnace enclosure structure having an internal chamber therein and a plurality of solid oxide electrolyte plates disposed within the internal chamber. A heat exchanger particularly suited for use with the thermally integrated system has gas passageways for the flow of gases therethrough and is associated with the walls of the furnace enclosure. Thermal energy radiated from an operational solid oxide electrolyte system within the furnace enclosure may be used to preheat incoming reactant gases destined for use by the electrolyte plates. Exchange of thermal energy between hot exhaust gases and cooler incoming gases may also occur in the heat exchanger gas passageways that are substantially thermally integrated along their length.

Abstract: A modular arrangement for stacks of ion conducting electrolyte elements includes a plurality of solid state ion conducting electrolyte elements spaced apart and arranged into stacks and the stacks further arranged at regular intervals around a central plenum. A plurality of gas flow passageways are disposed in the spaces between the electrolyte elements to enable reactant gases to circulate between the elements. A pair of manifold plates are disposed on either side of the electrolyte elements and sandwich the elements therebetween.