Abstract: A method for producing hydrogen gas is provided and comprises reducing a metal oxide in a reduction reaction between a carbon-based fuel and a metal oxide to provide a reduced metal or metal oxide having a lower oxidation state, and oxidizing the reduced metal or metal oxide to produce hydrogen and a metal oxide having a higher oxidation state. The metal or metal oxide is provided in the form of a porous composite of a ceramic material containing the metal or metal oxide. The porous composite may comprise either a monolith, pellets, or particles.

Abstract: A method for mineral sequestration of pollutant gases resulting from the combustion of carbon-based fuels such as carbon and sulfur dioxides is provided and includes, providing a particulate magnesium-containing mineral and exposing the magnesium-containing mineral to a weak acid to dissolve magnesium from the mineral and form a magnesium-containing solution. The surface of the particulate magnesium-containing mineral is physically activated to expose and dissolve additional magnesium into the solution. Pollutant gases such as carbon dioxide are mixed with the magnesium-containing solution. When the pH of the magnesium-containing solution is increased, solid magnesium carbonate is formed.

Abstract: Dynamic three-dimensional image electrical capacitance tomography sensor system is disclosed. The technique generates, from the measured capacitance, a whole volume image of the region enclosed by the a geometrically three-dimensional capacitance sensor. A real time, three-dimensional imaging of a moving object or a real time volume imaging (i.e., four-dimensional (4D)) allows for a total interrogation scheme of the whole volume within the domain of an arbitrary shape of geometry to be implemented. The system comprises a 3D capacitance sensor, data acquisition electronics and the image reconstruction algorithm which enables the volume-image reconstruction. The electrode shape of the capacitance sensor can be rectangular, triangular, trapezium, or any shape to enclose a 3D section of the measuring domain and to distribute the electrical field intensity in three directions with equal sensitivity strength.

Abstract: Applying an acid treatment to eggshells provides a sorbent with unexpectedly high CO2 capture capacity and ability to regenerate.

Abstract: A reaction-based process has been developed for the selective removal of carbon dioxide from a multicomponent gas mixture. The proposed process effects the separation of CO2 from a mixture of gases by its reaction with metal oxides. The Calcium based Reaction Separation for CO2 process consists of contacting a CO2 laden gas with calcium oxide in a reactor such that CaO captures the CO2 by the formation of calcium carbonate. Once “spent”, CaCO3 is regenerated by its calcination leading to the formation of fresh CaO sorbent. The “regenerated” CaO is then recycled for the further capture of more CO2. This process also identifies the application of a mesoporous CaCO3 structure, that attains >90% conversion over multiple carbonation and calcination cycles. Lastly, thermal regeneration (calcination) under vacuum provided a better sorbent structure that maintained reproducible reactivity levels over multiple cycles.

Abstract: A process for producing hydrogen, comprising the steps of: (a) gasifying a fuel into a raw synthesis gas comprising CO, hydrogen, steam and sulfur and halide contaminants in the form of H2S, COS and HX, where X is a halide; (b) passing the raw synthesis gas through a water gas shift reactor (WGSR) into which CaO and steam are injected, the CaO reacting with the shifted gas to remove CO2, sulfur and halides in a solid-phase calcium-containing product comprising CaCO3, CaS and CaX2; (c) separating the solid-phase calcium-containing product from an enriched gaseous hydrogen product; and (d) regenerating the CaO by calcining the solid-phase calcium-containing product at a condition selected from the group consisting of: in the presence of steam, in the presence of CO2, in the presence of synthesis gas, in the presence of H2 and O2, under partial vacuum, and combinations thereof. The CaO may have a surface area of at least 12.0 m2/g and a pore volume of at least 0.

Abstract: Systems and methods for converting fuel are provided wherein the system comprises at least reactors configured to conduct oxidation-reduction reactions. The first reactor comprises a plurality of ceramic composite particles, wherein the ceramic composite particles comprises at least one metal oxide disposed on a support. The first reactor is configured to reduce the least one metal oxide with a fuel to produce a reduced metal or a reduced metal oxide. The second reactor is configured to oxidize the reduced metal or reduced metal oxide to produce a metal oxide intermediate. The system may also comprise a third reactor configured to oxidize the metal oxide intermediate to regenerate the metal oxide of the ceramic composite particles.

Abstract: A reaction-based process has been developed for the selective removal of carbon dioxide (CO2) from a multicomponent gas mixture to provide a gaseous stream depleted in CO2 compared to the inlet CO2 concentration in the stream. The proposed process effects the separation of CO2 from a mixture of gases (such as flue gas/fuel gas) by its reaction with metal oxides (such as calcium oxide). The Calcium based Reaction Separation for CO2 (CaRS—CO2) process consists of contacting a CO2 laden gas with calcium oxide (CaO) in a reactor such that CaO captures the CO2 by the formation of calcium carbonate (CaCOa). Once “spent”, CaCO3 is regenerated by its calcination leading to the formation of fresh CaO sorbent and the evolution of a concentrated stream of CO2. The “regenerated” CaO is then recycled for the further capture of more CO2. This carbonation-calcination cycle forms the basis of the CaRS—CO2 process.

Abstract: Applying an acid treatment to eggshells provides a sorbent with unexpectedly high CO2 capture capacity and ability to regenerate.

Abstract: A reaction-based process has been developed for the selective removal of carbon dioxide (CO2) from a multicomponent gas mixture to provide a gaseous stream depleted in CO2 compared to the inlet CO2 concentration in the stream. The proposed process effects the separation of CO2 from a mixture of gases (such as flue gas/fuel gas) by its reaction with metal oxides (such as calcium oxide). The Calcium based Reaction Separation for CO2 (CaRS-CO2) process consists of contacting a CO2 laden gas with calcium oxide (CaO) in a reactor such that CaO captures the CO2 by the formation of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). Once “spent”, CaCO3 is regenerated by its calcination leading to the formation of fresh CaO sorbent and the evolution of a concentrated stream of CO2. The “regenerated” CaO is then recycled for the further capture of more CO2. This carbonation-calcination cycle forms the basis of the CaRS-CO2 process.

Abstract: Methods of making silicon carbide comprise providing at least one organosilicon precursor material, hydrolyzing the organosilicon in a solution comprising water and an acid catalyst, providing a surfactant to the solution, forming a gel by adding a base to the solution, and heating the gel at a temperature and for a time sufficient to produce silicon carbide.

Abstract: A reaction-based process has been developed for the selective removal of carbon dioxide (CO2) from a multicomponent gas mixture to provide a gaseous stream depleted in CO2 compared to the inlet CO2 concentration in the stream. The proposed process effects the separation of CO2 from a mixture of gases (such as flue gas/fuel gas) by its reaction with metal oxides (such as calcium oxide). The Calcium based Reaction Separation for CO2 (CaRS—CO2) process consists of contacting a CO2 laden gas with calcium oxide (CaO) in a reactor such that CaO captures the CO2 by the formation of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). Once “spent”, CaCO3 is regenerated by its calcination leading to the formation of fresh CaO sorbent and the evolution of a concentrated stream of CO2. The “regenerated” CaO is then recycled for the further capture of more CO2. This carbonation-calcination cycle forms the basis of the CaRS—CO2 process.

Abstract: A reaction-based process has been developed for the selective removal of carbon dioxide (CO2) from a multicomponent gas mixture to provide a gaseous stream depleted in CO2 compared to the inlet CO2 concentration in the stream. The proposed process effects the separation of CO2 from a mixture of gases (such as flue gas/fuel gas) by its reaction with metal oxides (such as calcium oxide). The Calcium based Reaction Separation for CO2 (CaRS-CO2) process consists of contacting a CO2 laden gas with calcium oxide (CaO) in a reactor such that CaO captures the CO2 by the formation of calcium carbonate (CaCO3). Once “spent”, CaCO3 is regenerated by its calcination leading to the formation of fresh CaO sorbent and the evolution of a concentrated stream of CO2. The “regenerated” CaO is then recycled for the further capture of more CO2. This carbonation-calcination cycle forms the basis of the CaRS-CO2 process.

Abstract: A method for mineral sequestration of pollutant gases resulting from the combustion of carbon-based fuels such as carbon and sulfur dioxides is provided and includes, providing a particulate magnesium-containing mineral and exposing the magnesium-containing mineral to a weak acid to dissolve magnesium from the mineral and form a magnesium-containing solution. The surface of the particulate magnesium-containing mineral is physically activated to expose and dissolve additional magnesium into the solution. Pollutant gases such as carbon dioxide are mixed with the magnesium-containing solution. When the pH of the magnesium-containing solution is increased, solid magnesium carbonate is formed.

Abstract: A method for producing hydrogen gas is provided and comprises reducing a metal oxide in a reduction reaction between a carbon-based fuel and a metal oxide to provide a reduced metal or metal oxide having a lower oxidation state, and oxidizing the reduced metal or metal oxide to produce hydrogen and a metal oxide having a higher oxidation state. The metal or metal oxide is provided in the form of a porous composite of a ceramic material containing the metal or metal oxide. The porous composite may comprise either a monolith, pellets, or particles.

Abstract: A new image reconstruction technique for imaging two- and three-phase flows using electrical capacitance tomography (ECT) has been developed based on multi-criteria optimization using an analog neural network, hereafter referred to as Neural Network Multi-criteria Optimization Image Reconstruction (NN-MOIRT)). The reconstruction technique is a combination between multi-criteria optimization image reconstruction technique for linear tomography, and the so-called linear back projection (LBP) technique commonly used for capacitance tomography. The multi-criteria optimization image reconstruction problem is solved using Hopfield model dynamic neural-network computing. For three-component imaging, the single-step sigmoid function in the Hopfield networks is replaced by a double-step sigmoid function, allowing the neural computation to converge to three-distinct stable regions in the output space corresponding to the three components, enabling the differentiation among the single phases.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and apparatus useful in the removal of air pollutants. More specifically, this invention relates to methods and apparatus useful in mitigating major air pollutants (SOx and NOx) and trace toxins from coal-fired combustors. Using a method or apparatus of the present invention, a coal-fired combustor may be retrofitted to accommodate combined SOx/NOx removal technology for solid waste reduction and environmentally responsible utilization of dry flue gas (FGD) desulfurization product. The combined SOx/NOx control technology may integrate enhanced removal of SO2 at high to medium temperatures using a desulfurization process of the present invention with selective catalytic reduction technology for NOx. The reactivation of spent sorbent and dry FGD product may result in a more complete utilization of the ash and sorbent in the reduction of SO2 emissions, thereby reducing significantly the amount of sorbent used and the volume of by-product generated.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and apparatus useful in the removal of air pollutants. More specifically, this invention relates to methods and apparatus useful in mitigating major air pollutants (SOx and NOx) and trace toxins from coal-fired combustors. Using a method or apparatus of the present invention, a coal-fired combustor may be retrofitted to accommodate combined SOx/NOx removal technology for solid waste reduction and environmentally responsible utilization of dry flue gas (FGD) desulfurization product. The combined SOx/NOx control technology may integrate enhanced removal of SO2 at high to medium temperatures using a desulfurization process of the present invention with selective catalytic reduction technology for NOx. The reactivation of spent sorbent and dry FGD product may result in a more complete utilization of the ash and sorbent in the reduction of SO2 emissions, thereby reducing significantly the amount of sorbent used and the volume of by-product generated.

Abstract: The present invention includes methods and apparatus useful in the removal of air pollutants. More specifically, this invention relates to methods and apparatus useful in mitigating major air pollutants (SOx and NOx) and trace toxins from coal-fired combustors. Using a method or apparatus of the present invention, a coal-fired combustor may be retrofitted to accommodate combined SOx/NOx removal technology for solid waste reduction and environmentally responsible utilization of dry flue gas (FGD) desulfurization product. The combined SOx/NOx control technology may integrate enhanced removal of SO2 at high to medium temperatures using a desulfurization process of the present invention with selective catalytic reduction technology for NOx. The reactivation of spent sorbent and dry FGD product may result in a more complete utilization of the ash and sorbent in the reduction of SO2 emissions, thereby reducing significantly the amount of sorbent used and the volume of by-product generated.

Abstract: A novel process has been developed for reactivation of partially utilized calcium-based sorbents for increased SO2 removal and sorbent utilization from coal-fired boilers/combustors. Spent sorbent and combustor ash samples are treated under specific conditions to modify their internal structure and expose the under utilized calcium for further SO2 capture. The reactivated sorbent shows significant improvement in utilization, increasing from less than 45% to nearly 100% utilization. Application of novel reactivation process to ash samples obtained from a circulating fluidized bed combustor also show marked improvement in utilization of available calcium, nearly doubling the amount of sulfur captured. The reactivation process involves carbonation of the unsulfated calcium. Better redistribution and exposure of the available calcium by the carbonation reactivation process, as compared to reactivation via hydration, is proposed as the main factor in increasing the sorbent utilization.