Abstract: There is described a direct carbon fuel cell system. The system includes fuel cells, each fuel cell having a porous fuel cell anode and a fuel cell cathode. The system further includes a molten carbonate electrolyte and a fuel supply apparatus for flowing a fuel slurry having carbon particles and a carbon carrier fluid to the fuel cell anodes in parallel. The carbon carrier fluid has a same composition as the molten carbonate electrolyte. An oxidant supply apparatus flows an oxygen-containing stream to the fuel cell cathodes in parallel. An electrolyte circulation apparatus circulates the molten carbonate electrolyte in contact with each of the fuel cells. During operation of the direct carbon fuel cell system to generate electric power, carbon is oxidized at the fuel cell anodes to produce carbon dioxide, and at the fuel cell cathodes oxygen and carbon dioxide react to produce carbonate ions.

Abstract: A direct carbon fuel cell (DCFC) has a conductive mesh between an anode and a cathode of the DCFC. The conductive mesh is positioned at a specified distance from the anode. As the DCFC is operated, a carbon/carbonate fluid flows through the conductive mesh and though the porous anode. If the rate of carbon introduced into the DCFC is greater than the amount consumed, carbon will build up on the surface on the anode. Once the carbon build-up reaches the mesh, a conductive path will be created between the mesh and anode. A controller in contact with the conductive mesh measures the resistance between the conductive mesh and the anode and when the measured resistance falls to or below a defined set-point indicating a resistance when a conductive path between the anode and conductive mesh has formed, the controller can send a carbon build-up detected signal, and/or execute mitigation actions to reduce the amount of carbon delivered to the cell.

Abstract: There is described a method of producing hydrogen and nitrogen using a feedstock gas reactor. Reaction of feedstock and combustion gases in the reactor produces hydrogen and nitrogen through pyrolysis of the feedstock gas. Parameters of the process may be adjusted to control the ratio of hydrogen to nitrogen that is produced such that it may be suitable, for example, for the synthesis of ammonia.

Abstract: There is described a method of producing hydrogen and nitrogen using a feedstock gas reactor. Reaction of feedstock and combustion gases in the reactor produces hydrogen and nitrogen through pyrolysis of the feedstock gas. Parameters of the process may be adjusted to control the ratio of hydrogen to nitrogen that is produced such that it may be suitable, for example, for the synthesis of ammonia.

Abstract: A feedstock gas, such as natural gas, is introduced into a mixing chamber. A combustible gas is introduced into a combustion chamber, for example simultaneously to the introduction of the feedstock gas. Thereafter, the combustible gas is ignited so as to cause the combustible gas to flow into the mixing chamber via one or more fluid flow paths between the combustion chamber and the mixing chamber, and to mix with the feedstock gas. The mixing of the combustible gas with the feedstock gas causes one or more products to be produced.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed that monitor the carbon and hydrogen production of a pyrolysis reactor system and adjust one or more inputs to the reactor system to improve performance when one or both of the monitored carbon and hydrogen production falls outside of a target performance specification. In particular, the ratio of fuel to oxidant (“fuel/oxidant ratio”) supplied to a combustion chamber of the reactor system is adjusted to below a fuel/oxidant equivalence ratio range, defined as 0.9-1.1, when both carbon and hydrogen production falls below a target carbon and hydrogen specification, and adjusted above the fuel/oxidant equivalence ratio range when only the carbon production falls below a target carbon specification. The target specification can include a number of parameters including production rate, morphology (of carbon), and operating temperature.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed that monitor the carbon and hydrogen production of a pyrolysis reactor system and adjust one or more inputs to the reactor system to improve performance when one or both of the monitored carbon and hydrogen production falls outside of a target performance specification. In particular, the ratio of fuel to oxidant (“fuel/oxidant ratio”) supplied to a combustion chamber of the reactor system is adjusted to below a fuel/oxidant equivalence ratio range, defined as 0.9-1.1, when both carbon and hydrogen production falls below a target carbon and hydrogen specification, and adjusted above the fuel/oxidant equivalence ratio range when only the carbon production falls below a target carbon specification. The target specification can include a number of parameters including production rate, morphology (of carbon), and operating temperature.

Abstract: A method of decomposing a feedstock gas includes introducing the feedstock gas into a mixing chamber and introducing a combustion gas into a combustion chamber connected to the mixing chamber. The combustion gas is combusted so as to produce combustion product gases. A first portion of the combustion products gases flows into the mixing chamber and mixes with the feedstock gas, and a second portion of the combustion products gases initially remains in the combustion chamber. At least some of the feedstock gas is decomposed as a result of the first portion of the combustion products gases flowing into the mixing chamber and mixing with the feedstock gas. At least some of the second portion of the combustion product gases is flowed into the mixing chamber, and the at least some of the second portion of the combustion product gases is mixed with undecomposed feedstock gas, so as to decompose at least some of the undecomposed feedstock gas.

Abstract: A feedstock gas, such as natural gas, is introduced into a mixing chamber. A combustible gas is introduced into a combustion chamber, for example simultaneously to the introduction of the feedstock gas. Thereafter, the combustible gas is ignited so as to cause the combustible gas to flow into the mixing chamber via one or more fluid flow paths between the combustion chamber and the mixing chamber, and to mix with the feedstock gas. The mixing of the combustible gas with the feedstock gas causes one or more products to be produced.

Abstract: A feedstock gas, such as natural gas, is introduced into a mixing chamber. A combustible gas is introduced into a combustion chamber, for example simultaneously to the introduction of the feedstock gas. Thereafter, the combustible gas is ignited so as to cause the combustible gas to flow into the mixing chamber via one or more fluid flow paths between the combustion chamber and the mixing chamber, and to mix with the feedstock gas. The mixing of the combustible gas with the feedstock gas causes one or more products to be produced.

Abstract: A mixing chamber is loaded with a first fluid. While a volume of the first fluid within the mixing chamber is constant, first and second streams of a second fluid are injected into the mixing chamber along first and second injection directions. As a result of injecting the first and second streams of the second fluid into the mixing chamber, the first and second streams of the second fluid impinge one another so as to generate within the mixing chamber at least one further stream of the second fluid that mixes with the first fluid and that flows in a direction different to the first and second injection directions.

Abstract: A method of using a feedstock gas reactor is described. A hydrocarbon, such as methane, is chemical decomposed in the feedstock gas reactor using heat of combustion generated from the combustion of a combustible gas. A mixed product stream is extracted from the feedstock gas reactor. The mixed product stream comprises hydrogen, carbon, and water. At least a portion of the one or more combustion product gases are vented from the combustion chamber. At least some of the carbon is activated using the vented one or more combustion product gases. At least some of the activated carbon is recycled to the feedstock gas reactor.

Abstract: A method of using a feedstock gas reactor is described. A hydrocarbon, such as methane, is chemical decomposed in the feedstock gas reactor using heat of combustion generated from the combustion of a combustible gas. A mixed product stream is extracted from the feedstock gas reactor. The mixed product stream comprises hydrogen, carbon, and water. At least a portion of the one or more combustion product gases are vented from the combustion chamber. At least some of the carbon is activated using the vented one or more combustion product gases. At least some of the activated carbon is recycled to the feedstock gas reactor.

Abstract: A direct fueling station and a method of refueling are provided. The station includes an insulated tank for storing a liquefied fuel, a pump, at least a heat exchanger, a control unit, a dispenser including a flow meter, a flow control device, and at least one sensor for testing pressure and/or temperature. The heat exchanger converts liquefied fuel from pump into a gaseous fuel, which is added into an onboard fuel tank in a vehicle. The control unit includes one or more programs used to coordinate with the pump, the flow meter, the flow control device, and/or the sensor(s) so as to control a refueling method. A peak electrical power requirement is less than that determined by the product of a rated volumetric flow rate of the pump and a rated pumping pressure adequate for a fill pressure of the vehicle. A computer implemented system having the program(s) is also provided.

Abstract: A feedstock gas, such as natural gas, is introduced into a mixing chamber. A combustible gas is introduced into a combustion chamber, for example simultaneously to the introduction of the feedstock gas. Thereafter, the combustible gas is ignited so as to cause the combustible gas to flow into the mixing chamber via one or more fluid flow paths between the combustion chamber and the mixing chamber, and to mix with the feedstock gas. The mixing of the combustible gas with the feedstock gas causes one or more products to be produced.

Abstract: A direct fueling station and a method of refueling are provided. The station includes an insulated tank for storing a liquefied fuel, a pump, at least a heat exchanger, a control unit, a dispenser including a flow meter, a flow control device, and at least one sensor for testing pressure and/or temperature. The heat exchanger converts liquefied fuel from pump into a gaseous fuel, which is added into an onboard fuel tank in a vehicle. The control unit includes one or more programs used to coordinate with the pump, the flow meter, the flow control device, and/or the sensor(s) so as to control a refueling method. A peak electrical power requirement is less than that determined by the product of a rated volumetric flow rate of the pump and a rated pumping pressure adequate for a fill pressure of the vehicle. A computer implemented system having the program(s) is also provided.

Abstract: There is described a method of producing hydrogen and nitrogen using a feedstock gas reactor. Reaction of feedstock and combustion gases in the reactor produces hydrogen and nitrogen through pyrolysis of the feedstock gas. Parameters of the process may be adjusted to control the ratio of hydrogen to nitrogen that is produced such that it may be suitable, for example, for the synthesis of ammonia.

Abstract: There is described a method of using a feedstock gas reactor. Reaction of feedstock and combustion gases in the reactor produces hydrogen through pyrolysis of the feedstock gas. At least some of a mixed product stream extracted from the reactor may be recycled to the reactor to drive further pyrolysis of the feedstock gas. A portion of the recycled mixed product stream may be recirculated back to a combustion chamber of the reactor, and a portion of the recycled mixed product stream may be recirculated back to a reaction chamber of the reactor.

Abstract: There is described a method for producing hydrogen and generating electrical power. A hydrocarbon fuel source is decomposed into hydrogen and carbon using a hydrocarbon dissociation reactor. The carbon is separated from the hydrogen in a carbon separator. Electrical power is generated from the separated carbon using a direct carbon fuel cell.

Abstract: A feedstock gas, such as natural gas, is introduced into a mixing chamber. A combustible gas is introduced into a combustion chamber, for example simultaneously to the introduction of the feedstock gas. Thereafter, the combustible gas is ignited so as to cause the combustible gas to flow into the mixing chamber via one or more fluid flow paths between the combustion chamber and the mixing chamber, and to mix with the feedstock gas. The mixing of the combustible gas with the feedstock gas causes one or more products to be produced.