Abstract: The invention generally relates to a bi-directional reactor and supported amine sorbent, and more particularly to a method and system for carbon dioxide sequestration utilizing a bi-directional reactor and monoethenalamine (MEA) on a substrate. The bi-directional reactor is configured to reclaim the sorbent material as the sorbent is immobilized during the sorption phase, but is mobilized during desorption phased. The immobilized sorbent reacts with the desired contaminate to absorb and is transported to another reactor during desorption phase, thereby permitting reclamation of the sorbent.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to apparatus and methods for reducing CO2 from flue gas. Methods may include performing a chemisorption process in a first reactor comprising using at least a chemisorption solution comprising a sorbent. Methods may also include performing a desorption process treating the chemisorption solution with a powdered desorption catalyst after the chemisorption process has been performed.

Abstract: CO2 capture from flue gas is a costly procedure, usually due to the energy required for regeneration of the capture medium. One potential medium which could reduce such an energy consumption, however, is Na2CO3. It has been well studied as a sorbent, and it is understood that the theoretical energy penalty of use of Na2CO3 for CO2 separation is low, due to the relatively low heat of reaction and low heat capacity of the material. While it offers some advantages over other methods, its primary downfall is the slow reaction with CO2 during adsorption and the slow Na2CO3 regeneration process. An aspect of the invention relates to a catalyst to improve reaction kinetics, and more particularly to a catalyst to improve reaction kinetics for CO2 desorption and CO2 adsorption.

Abstract: A sorbent for CO2 wherein K2CO3 is supported on FeOOH.

Abstract: A highly effective catalyst for the preparation of diethyl oxalate using carbon monoxide using Pd/?-Al2O3 and CeO2 as a promoter. High conversion rates with greatly extended catalyst life is achieved with the CeO2-enhanced Pd catalysts. The catalysts can be used for the production of high-value diethyl oxalate, and eventually ethylene glycol, from coal-derived syngas.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to a composite carbonate utilized as a catalyst in coal gasification processes. Methods described herein also include suitable processing conditions for performing coal gasification with the composite catalyst. In certain embodiments the composite catalyst may comprise an alkali carbonate and a transition metal carbonate, for example, an FeCO3—Na2CO3 catalyst. An FeCO3—Na2CO3 catalyst, compared to raw coal, may increase the carbon conversion rate by about two times within the 700° C-800° C. range due to its ability to reduce the activation energy of gasification by about 30-40%. Compared to pure sodium and pure iron catalysts, the composite catalyst may increase the yields of desired products H2 and CO at 800° C. by 14.8% and 40.2%, respectively.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to hydrogenation catalysts, syntheses of hydrogenation catalysts, and apparatus and methods for hydrogenation. Methods for forming a hydrogenation catalyst may include mixing a silica generating precursor with a copper precursor and adding an ammonium salt to an end pH of between about 5 to about 9. Methods for hydrogenating an oxalate may include forming a reaction mixture by flowing a hydrogenation catalyst to a reactor, flowing a hydrogen source to the reactor, and flowing an oxalate to the reactor, wherein the hydrogenation catalyst has a particle size between about 10 nm to about 40 nm. Methods may further include reacting the oxalate to form ethylene glycol.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein generally relate to iron carbonate utilized as a catalyst in coal gasification processes. An FeCO3 catalyst is active in both pyrolysis and gasification operations, and may increase carbon conversion rate and reduce the activation energy of coal gasification. Methods described herein also include suitable processing conditions for performing coal gasification with the FeCO3 catalyst.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a catalytic gasification of coal. Catalytic gasification of a Wyodak low-sulfur sub-bituminous coal from the Powder River Basin of Wyoming was investigated using an inexpensive sodium carbonate catalyst applied via incipient wetness impregnation. Experiments in an atmospheric pressure fixed-bed laboratory gasifier were performed to evaluate the effects of reaction temperature, feed gas steam content, and Na2CO3 loading on the catalytic gasification of the Wyodak coal. The temperature range investigated (700-900° C.) was selected with consideration of the Na2CO3 melting point (850° C.) to reduce the loss by volatilization of sodium. Sodium was found to be active during both pyrolysis and gasification steps. The catalyst was most cost-effective at addition levels of approximately 3 wt %. The random pore model provided a good fit to the conversion versus time data collected under both the catalytic and the uncatalytic conditions.

Abstract: A method for removing elements, including heavy metals, from fly ash and from fly ash resulting from removal of SOx/NOx from flue gas using Na2CO3/NaHCO3/trona, is described. An aqueous suspension of the fly ash and/or a solution of the leachate from the fly ash is treated with dissolved ferrous compounds, such as FeSO4.7H2O and/or FeCl2.4H2O, at a chosen initial acidic pH, and the precipitation of the ferrous ions as the solution basifies sequesters the trace elements.

Abstract: The present invention is a new, easy method for preparing stable solid Fe6+—Fe3+ agents in a fixed bed reactor by using O3 and FeOOH along with KOH with conversion efficiencies of approximately 27%.

Abstract: A sorbent for CO2 wherein K2CO3 is supported on FeOOH.

Abstract: The present invention generally relates to a catalytic gasification of coal. Catalytic gasification of a Wyodak low-sulfur sub-bituminous coal from the Powder River Basin of Wyoming was investigated using an inexpensive sodium carbonate catalyst applied via incipient wetness impregnation. Experiments in an atmospheric pressure fixed-bed laboratory gasifier were performed to evaluate the effects of reaction temperature, feed gas steam content, and Na2CO3 loading on the catalytic gasification of the Wyodak coal. The temperature range investigated (700-900° C.) was selected with consideration of the Na2CO3 melting point (850° C.) to reduce the loss by volatilization of sodium. Sodium was found to be active during both pyrolysis and gasification steps. The catalyst was most cost-effective at addition levels of approximately 3 wt %. The random pore model provided a good fit to the conversion versus time data collected under both the catalytic and the uncatalytic conditions.

Abstract: CO2 capture from flue gas is a costly procedure, usually due to the energy required for regeneration of the capture medium. One potential medium which could reduce such an energy consumption, however, is Na2CO3. It has been well studied as a sorbent, and it is understood that the theoretical energy penalty of use of Na2CO3 for CO2 separation is low, due to the relatively low heat of reaction and low heat capacity of the material. While it offers some advantages over other methods, its primary downfall is the slow reaction with CO2 during adsorption and the slow Na2CO3 regeneration process. In an effort to reduce the energy penalty of post-combustion CO2 capture, the catalytic decomposition of NaHCO3 is studied. Nanoporous TiO(OH)2 is examined as a potential catalytic support for a cyclic Na2CO3/NaHCO3 based CO2 capture process.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a bi-directional reactor and supported amine sorbent, and more particularly to a method and system for carbon dioxide sequestration utilizing a bi-directional reactor and monoethenalamine (MEA) on a substrate. The bi-directional reactor is configured to reclaim the sorbent material as the sorbent is immobilized during the sorption phase, but is mobilized during desorption phased. The immobilized sorbent reacts with the desired contaminate to absorb and is transported to another reactor during desorption phase, thereby permitting reclamation of the sorbent.

Abstract: The adsorption of vapor phase elemental mercury onto the commercially produced Thief carbon and impregnated Thief carbon with ferric chloride and sodium chloride is disclosed. The results indicate that the impregnation of these sorbents enhanced considerably their capacity and changed the sorption mechanism. Ferric chloride impregnated Thief carbon sorbents presented the highest sorption capacity.

Abstract: A disclosed method for removing carbon dioxide from flue gases includes passing the carbon dioxide-containing through a bed of particulate material such as one or more metal silicates, alkaline earth metal oxides and combinations thereof. The carbon dioxide reacts with the particulate material to produce one or more metal carbonates and a carbon dioxide-depleted flue gas. A disclosed flue gas exhaust system includes a flue or exhaust conduit that houses a bed of particulate material so that at least some flue gas passing through the flue also passes through and makes contact with the bed. The particular material may be ground olivine or serpentine.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved means of removing mercury from industrial gas streams. The method involves contacting the mercury-containing gas stream with an iron-containing sorbent at a first temperature ranging between 100-350° C. The iron sorbent appears also to be regenerable by heating the sorbent to a second temperature ranging from about 350-500° C.

Abstract: A novel method for recovering carboxylic acid from a waste water stream is described. The method involves first neutralizing the carboxylic acid in the waste water with CaO or Ca(OH)2 to form calcium carboxylate. The resulting calcium carboxylate is then reacted with sulfite or sulfate to regenerate the carboxylic acid. The resulting waste water typically has a carboxylic acid content of at least 25-wt %.