Abstract: A system for removing CO2 from air such as atmospheric air is described that uses a cooling tower, a pseudo-cooling tower, or a wind capture device to provide a large volume of atmospheric air. A CO2 capture apparatus is positioned to contact atmospheric air moving towards or within the cooling tower, pseudo-tower, or wind capture device, and includes wherein the CO2 capture apparatus includes a CO2 binding agent that binds to CO2 in atmospheric air. An associated reprocessing apparatus releases C02 from the binding agent, directs the released CO2 to a CO2 storage chamber, and returns the binding agent to the CO2 capture apparatus. A system for removing CO2 from flue gas is also described.

Abstract: A natural gas fueled, direct carbon fuel cell produces electricity and hydrogen. It adds to an existing direct carbon fuel cell a carbon dioxide injection port to the cathode compartment; a natural gas feed port to the anode compartment, a hydrogen extraction port from the anode compartment, and a carbon dioxide extraction port from the anode compartment. To improve hydrogen generation efficiency, the anode compartment may have a louvered baffle dividing the anode compartment into an ante-chamber and a main chamber. The louvered baffle preferably has an upper section with slats angled from bottom to top and a lower section with slats angled from top to bottom. A heat exchanger is preferably included to pre-heat natural gas feed from hot hydrogen effluent. A second heat exchanger is preferably included to pre-heat oxygen-containing gas with hot nitrogen and carbon dioxide effluents.

Abstract: An ammonia and fertilizer production process is based on partial oxidation of fossil fuel, which co-produces polycarbonsuboxide. The four step process is low-cost and low-carbon-dioxide emission. It comprises the steps of reacting fossil fuel with oxygen in air and steam in an electric discharge plasma to produce a gas exit stream of polycarbonsuboxide, hydrogen with associated nitrogen (110); cooling the gas stream to condense and separate the polycarbonsuboxide as a solid polymer (120); compressing the gas stream to pressures for synthesis of ammonia (140); and, converting the gas stream to ammonia by employing a catalytic converter (150). Optional steps involve gas cleanup, which include removal of contaminants from the gas stream and adding hydrogen or nitrogen to the gas stream to adjust the ratio of hydrogen to nitrogen to three to one, respectively, prior to converting the gas stream to ammonia (130).

Abstract: A natural gas fueled, direct carbon fuel cell produces electricity and hydrogen. It adds to an existing direct carbon fuel cell a carbon dioxide injection port to the cathode compartment; a natural gas feed port to the anode compartment, a hydrogen extraction port from the anode compartment, and a carbon dioxide extraction port from the anode compartment. To improve hydrogen generation efficiency, the anode compartment may have a louvered baffle dividing the anode compartment into an ante-chamber and a main chamber. The louvered baffle preferably has an upper section with slats angled from bottom to top and a lower section with slats angled from top to bottom. A heat exchanger is preferably included to pre-heat natural gas feed from hot hydrogen effluent. A second heat exchanger is preferably included to pre-heat oxygen-containing gas with hot nitrogen and carbon dioxide effluents.

Abstract: The invention is a continuous process for producing methane from an underground coal bed or an above ground carbon-containing resource using hydrogen as a recycling working fluid.

Abstract: A device and method of using the device to convert gasoline to hydrogen with zero carbon dioxide emissions and are suitable for co-location at a gasoline filling station. The device has a plasma reactor (100); a container (140); a port to withdraw hydrogen (101) from the plasma reactor; a fuel cell (150); and, a means for storing hydrogen. The method of using the device includes steps for introducing gasoline into the plasma reactor; cracking the gasoline; holding carbon in the container; withdrawing hydrogen from the plasma reactor to supply a first portion to a fuel cell and a second portion that is further divided into a third portion that is recycled back to the plasma reactor and a fourth portion that is sent to the means for storing hydrogen; and, producing electricity to operate the plasma reactor using the first portion of hydrogen as fuel in the fuel cell.

Abstract: An ammonia and fertilizer production process is based on partial oxidation of fossil fuel, which co-produces polycarbonsuboxide. The four step process is low-cost and low-carbon-dioxide emission. It comprises the steps of reacting fossil fuel with oxygen in air and steam in an electric discharge plasma to produce a gas exit stream of polycarbonsuboxide, hydrogen with associated nitrogen (110); cooling the gas stream to condense and separate the polycarbonsuboxide as a solid polymer (120); compressing the gas stream to pressures for synthesis of ammonia (140); and, converting the gas stream to ammonia by employing a catalytic converter (150). Optional steps involve gas cleanup, which include removal of contaminants from the gas stream and adding hydrogen or nitrogen to the gas stream to adjust the ratio of hydrogen to nitrogen to three to one, respectively, prior to converting the gas stream to ammonia (130).

Abstract: A method is claimed for enabling storage of greater volumes of carbon dioxide for sequestration while simultaneously enhancing methane recovery from the coal bed. The process is implemented by injecting hydrogen into a coal bed, such as a depleted underground coal deposit, at a temperature below about 800 degrees Centigrade (10); extracting the hydrogen together with methane from the deposit (20); separating the hydrogen from the methane (30); delivering the methane as a product of the process (40); reinjecting the separated hydrogen into the deposit to continue the process until sequestration of carbon dioxide is desired (50); optionally producing hydrogen from methane (60) and optionally injecting carbon dioxide for sequestration (70).

Abstract: A process for de-ashing coal wherein a wet or methanol soaked coal is subjected to a high current pulse of electrical energy to induce rapid heating, causing an explosive release of vapor breaking the coal particles apart and separating the organic fraction from the inorganic. The particles are swept along by the large volume of gas and the particles are separated by fluidization. Heavier ash particles are gravity separated from the lighter organic coal particles. The de-ashed organic coal particles leave the top of the fluidized bed. They are then separated in a cyclone separator from the vapor. The vapor is then condensed to a liquid and discharged or recycled.

Abstract: A method for efficiently producing energy, carbon, carbon monoxide, synthetic carbonaceous liquid and gaseous fuels and hydrogen from fossil or biomass fuels with minimal carbon dioxide emissions. The method includes using an Electric Arc Hydrogen Plasma Black Reactor wherein hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon, ash and sulfur are produced and using a Direct Carbon Fuel Cell wherein a molten salt delivers the carbon produced from the reactor as a feedstock in the fuel cell to produce electricity and hot carbon dioxide gas.

Abstract: The invention is a continuous process for producing methane from an underground coal bed or an above ground carbon-containing resource using hydrogen as a recycling working fluid.

Abstract: A method for efficiently producing energy, carbon, carbon monoxide, synthetic carbonaceous liquid and gaseous fuels and hydrogen from fossil or biomass fuels with minimal carbon dioxide emissions.

Abstract: A method for producing energy, carbon and hydrogen from fossil or biomass fuel with minimal carbon dioxide emissions, such method combining the use of an Electric Arc Hydrogen Plasma Black Reactor, a Molten Carbonate Direct Carbon Fuel Cell, a Solid Oxide Fuel Cell, a Water Gas Shift Reactor, and a Steam Boiler Rankine Cycle.

Abstract: A process for the production of methanol from natural gas containing methane comprising the thermal decomposition of methane and the subsequent reaction of the resulting hydrogen gas with carbon dioxide in a catalyst containing methanol synthesis reactor to produce methanol. Alternative methods include the gasification with carbon dioxide of at least a portion of the carbon produced by the decomposing step, to produce carbon monoxide, which is then reacted with hydrogen gas to produce methanol; or the reforming of a portion of the natural gas feedstock used in the decomposing step with carbon dioxide to produce carbon monoxide and hydrogen gas, which carbon monoxide and hydrogen are then combined with additional hydrogen from the natural gas decomposing step in a methanol synthesis reactor to produce methanol. The methods taught reduce the overall amount of carbon dioxide resulting from the methanol production process.

Abstract: A process for the production of a pollutant-free particulate carbon (i.e., a substantially ash-, sulfur- and nitrogen-free carbon) from carbonaceous feedstocks. The basic process involves de-oxygenating one of the gas streams formed in a cyclic hydropyrolysis-methane pyrolysis process in order to improve conversion of the initial carbonaceous feedstock. De-oxygenation is effected by catalytically converting carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen contained in one of the pyrolysis gas streams, preferably the latter, to a methanol co-product. There are thus produced two products whose use is known per se, viz., a substantially pollutant-free particulate carbon black and methanol. These products may be admixed in the form of a liquid slurry of carbon black in methanol.

Abstract: An intergrated recycle process for the production of methanol from a process synthesis gas produced by hydrogasification of a condensed carbonaceous feedstock to produce a process gas which is reacted in a steam pyrolysis reactor with additional natural gas and steam to produce said synthesis gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide in more than a 2:1 molar ratio which constituents in turn are reacted in a methanol synthesis reactor to produce methanol. The important factor in this process includes the sequence of reactors of the condensed carbonaceous material: a hydrogasification reactor; the stream and natural gas pyrolysis reactor; the methanol synthesis reactor and the recycling to the hydrogasification reactor of the hydrogen-rich gas stream remaining after the methanol synthesis and separation of the methanol product.

Abstract: A lightweight insulating polymer concrete formed from a lightweight closed cell aggregate and a water resistance polymeric binder.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for converting solid carbonaceous material, such as coal, to liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons utilizing methane, generally at a residence time of about 20-120 minutes at a temperature of 250.degree.-750.degree. C., preferably 350.degree.-450.degree. C., pressurized up to 6000 psi, and preferably in the 1000-2500 psi range, preferably directly utilizing methane 50-100% by volume in a mix of methane and hydrogen. A hydrogen donor solvent or liquid vehicle such as tetralin, tetrahydroquinoline, piperidine, and pyrolidine may be used in a slurry mix where the solvent feed is 0-100% by weight of the coal or carbonaceous feed. Carbonaceous feed material can either be natural, such as coal, wood, oil shale, petroleum, tar sands, etc., or man-made residual oils, tars, and heavy hydrocarbon residues from other processing systems.

Abstract: Coal-water mixes stabilized by the addition of portland cement which may additionally contain retarding carbohydrates, or borax are described.

Abstract: An intergrated recycle process for the production of methanol from a process synthesis gas produced by hydrogasification of a condensed carbonaceous feedstock to produce a process gas which is reacted in a steam pyrolysis reactor with additional natural gas and steam to produce said synthesis gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide in more than a 2:1 molar ratio which constituents in turn are reacted in a methanol synthesis reactor to produce methanol. The important factor in this process includes the sequence of reactors of the condensed carbonaceous material: a hydrogasification reactor; the stream and natural gas pyrolysis reactor; the methanol synthesis reactor and the recycling to the hydrogasification reactor of the hydrogen-rich gas stream remaining after the methanol synthesis and separation of the methanol product.