Abstract: A machine, article, process of using, process of making, products produced thereby and necessary intermediates.

Abstract: A machine, method of making, and method of using, along with necessary intermediates, illustratively, by way of a method, there can be a method of generating electrical power, the method including: inputting air, including adjusting flow rate of the air; inputting fuel, including throttling flow rate of the fuel, wherein: the fuel flow rate and the air flow rate are in stoichiometric proportions for combustion, and the fuel is comprised of at least one hydrocarbon, alcohol, or both; combusting a mixture of the fuel and a portion of the air with the remainder of the air to produce heat, wherein: prior to the combusting: combining the portion of the air with the fuel to produce the mixture that, when heated, stoichiometrically forms syngas; heating the mixture with the heat from the combusting; heating the remainder of the air with the heat from the combusting; and during the combusting, matching the remainder of the air with at least one of flow rate, pressure drop, and flow velocity of the mixture; generating

Abstract: Representatively, a method of separating carbon from hydrocarbon molecules, the method including: heating hydrocarbon molecules beyond their boiling point; decomposing the heated hydrocarbon molecules to generate elemental or molecular carbon and hydrogen gas; separating at least some of the elemental or molecular carbon from the hydrogen gas; chemically reacting the hydrogen gas to produce heat; and applying some of the heat in carrying out said heating.

Abstract: Illustratively, an electrical generator includes a photovoltaic element which converts light produced by a surface into electrical power, the surface located in thermal communication with exhaust gases produced by an exothermic chemical reaction; a heat exchanger which takes at least a majority of thermal energy in the exhaust gases, after the thermal communication, and transfers the thermal energy to air input to the reaction; a catalytic converter, inside the heat exchanger, located to ensure that at least most of the exhaust gases are communicated into the catalytic converter and that heat generated by operation of the catalytic converter is transferred to the air input to the reaction; a sensor in the heat exchanger, located to monitor the reaction before the exhaust gases are communicated into the catalytic converter; a sensor located to sense after the exhaust gases are communicated into the catalytic converter, whether the catalytic converter is functioning properly.

Abstract: A power unit including multiple generators supplies power to a load or loads that may be variable. The generators can differ, e.g., in generating capacities, rates at which their outputs can be changed, maintenance requirements, and/or different energy-conversion efficiencies. A control unit throttles the generators independently according to a digitally implemented algorithm that may, but need not, use the difference(s) in supplying power to the load. In some cases, the controller regulates monitored power delivered to the load or loads. A power combiner is connected to the outputs of the generators. If desired, a buffer can be used between the generators and the load or loads to provide energy storage that can allow for the load or loads to change at a faster rate than the generators are throttled and for peak loads that temporarily exceed the capacity of the generators.

Abstract: A power unit including multiple generators supplies power to a load or loads that may be variable. The generators can differ, e.g., in generating capacities, rates at which their outputs can be changed, maintenance requirements, and/or different energy-conversion efficiencies. A control unit throttles the generators independently according to a digitally implemented algorithm that may, but need not, use the difference(s) in supplying power to the load. In some cases, the controller regulates monitored power delivered to the load or loads. A power combiner is connected to the outputs of the generators. If desired, a buffer can be used between the generators and the load or loads to provide energy storage that can allow for the load or loads to change at a faster rate than the generators are throttled and for peak loads that temporarily exceed the capacity of the generators.

Abstract: Illustratively, an electrical generator includes a photovoltaic element which converts light produced by a surface into electrical power, the surface located in thermal communication with exhaust gases produced by an exothermic chemical reaction; a heat exchanger which takes at least a majority of thermal energy in the exhaust gases, after the thermal communication, and transfers the thermal energy to air input to the reaction; a catalytic converter, inside the heat exchanger, located to ensure that at least most of the exhaust gases are communicated into the catalytic converter and that heat generated by operation of the catalytic converter is transferred to the air input to the reaction; a sensor in the heat exchanger, located to monitor the reaction before the exhaust gases are communicated into the catalytic converter; a sensor located to sense after the exhaust gases are communicated into the catalytic converter, whether the catalytic converter is functioning properly.

Abstract: A device, method of making, and method of using, illustratively wherein a container includes an inlet and an outlet; a catalytic converter intermediate in a path between the inlet and the outlet; at least one surface arranged to ensure at least a majority of gas received from the inlet traverses a first portion of the path from the inlet to the catalytic converter and communicates heat from the catalytic converter to the container; and an optical means arranged to transport visible light, emitted from the catalytic converter during reduction of the smog-generating chemical in the gas, to a location outside the container to indicate whether the catalytic converter is functioning properly.

Abstract: Representatively, a method of separating carbon from hydrocarbon molecules, the method including: heating hydrocarbon molecules beyond their boiling point; decomposing the heated hydrocarbon molecules to generate elemental or molecular carbon and hydrogen gas; separating at least some of the elemental or molecular carbon from the hydrogen gas; chemically reacting the hydrogen gas to produce heat; and applying some of the heat in carrying out said heating.

Abstract: A device, method of making, and method of using, illustratively wherein a container includes an inlet and an outlet; a catalytic converter intermediate in a path between the inlet and the outlet; at least one surface arranged to ensure at least a majority of gas received from the inlet traverses a first portion of the path from the inlet to the catalytic converter and communicates heat from the catalytic converter to the container; and an optical indicator arranged to indicate outside the container whether the catalytic converter is operating inside the container to reduce concentration of a smog-generating chemical with respect to the gas.