Abstract: A method for converting fuel may include reducing at least one metal oxide in a first reactor with a fuel to produce a reduced metal or a reduced metal oxide, transporting the reduced metal or reduced metal oxide from the first reactor to a second reactor, oxidizing at least a portion of the reduced metal or reduced metal oxide from the first reactor in the second reactor to produce a metal oxide intermediate, transporting the metal oxide intermediate from the second reactor to a third reactor, removing ash, char, or unwanted materials with a separation unit from the metal oxide intermediate transported from the second reactor to the third reactor, regenerating the at least one metal oxide, and transporting the regenerated metal oxide from the third reactor to the first reactor.

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: 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.