Abstract: A vortex reactor (200) for generating hydrogen gas through electrolysis of water, comprising: a reactor body having a first end (204) and a second end (206); one or more inlet ports (202) disposed at or near the first end (204) and configured to direct an electrolytic fluid into the reactor body so that the fluid moves toward the second end (206), the one or more inlet ports (202) being tangentially oriented with respect to an inner surface of the reactor body so that the fluid directed into the reactor body follows a vortical path as the fluid moves toward the second end (206); an anode (242) disposed at the first end (204); and a tubular cathode (244) disposed within the reactor body between the first and second ends, the cathode (244) disposed so that the vortical path of the fluid contacts an inner surface of the cathode (244) as the fluid moves toward the second end (206), wherein power supplied to the anode (242) and cathode (244) cause hydrogen gas to form at the cathode (244) and oxygen gas to form at

Abstract: A vortex reactor includes a reactor body having first and second ends, with one or more inlet ports coupled to the first end. The reactor is configured to form one or more vortices in a fluid passed into the reactor. The inlet port(s) may be positioned to advance a reactor fluid into the reactor body at an angle tangential to an inner surface of the reactor body, forming a vortex that advances toward the second end along the inner surface of the reactor body. A vortex induction mechanism can be disposed within the reactor to induce or augment a vortex within the reactor. The reactor includes an ultrasound-imparting device configured to generate cavitation bubbles in the reactor fluid. The fluid flow within the reactor concentrates the cavitation bubbles within the vortex, thereby providing beneficial physical and/or chemical effects, while protecting the reactor walls and other reactor components from cavitational erosion.

Abstract: High energy (e.g., ultrasonic) mixing of a hydrocarbon feedstock and reactants comprised of an oxidation source, acid, and optional catalyst yields a liquid hydrocarbon product having increased cetane number. Ultrasonic mixing creates cavitation, which involves formation and violent collapse of micron-sized bubbles, which greatly increases reactivity of the reactants. Cavitation substantially increases cetane number compared to reactions carried out using conventional mixing processes, such as simple mechanical stirring. An aqueous mixture comprising water and acid can be pretreated with ozone or other oxidizer using ultrasonic cavitation prior to reacting the pretreated mixture with a hydrocarbon feedstock to promote cetane-increasing reactions. Controlling temperature inside the reactor promotes beneficial cetane-increasing reactions while minimizing formation of water-soluble sulfones.

Abstract: A method for combined reductive and oxidative treatment of liquid hydrocarbon feedstock to form upgraded liquid fuel having increased cetane number and reduced sulfur content. The yield of upgraded liquid fuel having a given cetane number is higher than processes than only increase cetane number by oxidative treatment. The feedstock can be initially hydrotreated to reduce sulfur content followed by oxidative treatment to increase cetane number. A first portion of a hydrotreated intermediate stream can be oxidatively treated to yield high cetane number blending stock, which is combined with a second portion of the hydrotreated intermediate stream to yield upgraded liquid fuel having increased cetane number and reduced sulfur content. Combining hydrotreatment with oxidative treatment facilitated by high energy cavitation maximizes yield and fuel quality.

Abstract: High energy (e.g., ultrasonic) mixing of a hydrocarbon feedstock and reactants comprised of an oxidation source, acid, and optional catalyst yields a liquid hydrocarbon product having increased cetane number. Ultrasonic mixing creates cavitation, which involves formation and violent collapse of micron-sized bubbles, which greatly increases reactivity of the reactants. Cavitation substantially increases cetane number compared to reactions carried out using conventional mixing processes, such as simple mechanical stifling. An aqueous mixture comprising water and acid can be pretreated with ozone or other oxidizer using ultrasonic cavitation prior to reacting the pretreated mixture with a hydrocarbon feedstock to promote cetane-increasing reactions. Controlling temperature inside the reactor promotes beneficial cetane-increasing reactions while minimizing formation of water-soluble sulfones.

Abstract: High energy (e.g., ultrasonic) mixing of a liquid hydrocarbon feedstock and reactants comprised of an oxidation source, catalyst and acid yields a diesel fuel product or additive having substantially increased cetane number. Ultrasonic mixing creates cavitation, which involves the formation and violent collapse of micron-sized bubbles, which greatly increases the reactivity of the reactants. This, in turn, substantially increases the cetane number compared to reactions carried out using conventional mixing processes, such as simple mechanical stirring. Alternatively, an aqueous mixture comprising water and acid can be pretreated with an oxidation source such as ozone and subjected to ultrasonic cavitation prior to reacting the pretreated mixture with a liquid hydrocarbon feedstock.

Abstract: High energy (e.g., ultrasonic) mixing of a liquid hydrocarbon feedstock and reactants comprised of an oxidation source, catalyst and acid yields a diesel fuel product or additive having substantially increased cetane number. Ultrasonic mixing creates cavitation, which involves the formation and violent collapse of micron-sized bubbles, which greatly increases the reactivity of the reactants. This, in turn, substantially increases the cetane number compared to reactions carried out using conventional mixing processes, such as simple mechanical stirring. Alternatively, an aqueous mixture comprising water and acid can be pretreated with an oxidation source such as ozone and subjected to ultrasonic cavitation prior to reacting the pretreated mixture with a liquid hydrocarbon feedstock.