Abstract: A fuel processing system for heavier sulfur-laden hydrocarbon fuels, such as JP-8 and diesel fuels, having a fuel processor in which the sulfur-laden hydrocarbon fuels are reformed using steam reforming, an integrated desulfurization/methanation unit, and a solid oxide fuel cell. The heart of the system is the desulfurization/methanation unit which has a first reactor vessel and a second reactor vessel disposed within the first reactor vessel, forming an enclosed reaction space between the first reactor vessel and the second reactor vessel. A methanation catalyst is provided in the enclosed reaction space or the second reactor vessel. A desulfurization material is provided in the other of the enclosed reaction space and the second reactor vessel. During the normal course of operation, the desulfurization material will reach a saturation point at which it is no longer able to adsorb the sulfur-containing compounds.

Abstract: A method for purification of a gaseous stream having at least one impurity in which a porous material having at least one polyoxometalate-based material is contacted with the gaseous stream and the at least one impurity is passed through the porous material, producing a purified gaseous stream.

Abstract: A water permeable electrode for electrochemical splitting of water having a light sensitive catalytic material layer which includes a light sensitive catalytic material and a semiconductor, a polymer electrolyte membrane layer, a metallic substrate layer disposed there between adjacent the polymer electrolyte membrane layer, and at least one photovoltaic device connected in series to the light sensitive catalytic material layer and disposed between the light sensitive catalytic material layer and the metallic substrate layer.

Abstract: A method for purification of a gaseous stream having at least one impurity in which a porous material having at least one polyoxometalate-based material is contacted with the gaseous stream and the at least one impurity is passed through the porous material, producing a purified gaseous stream.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing molecular hydrogen in which a storage material suitable for storage of molecular hydrogen is electrostatically charged with a first electrostatic charge in the range of about 1V to about 100V, forming an electrostatically charged material and the electrostatically charged material is then contacted with molecular hydrogen, resulting in adsorption of the molecular hydrogen by the electrostatically charged material. The molecular hydrogen is released from the storage material by applying to the electrostatically charged material a second electrostatic charge having a polarity opposite to the first electrostatic charge.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing molecular hydrogen in which a material suitable for storage of molecular hydrogen is electrostatically charged, forming an electrostatically charged material. The electrostatically charged material is then contacted with molecular hydrogen, resulting in adsorption of the molecular hydrogen by the electrostatically charged material.

Abstract: A water permeable electrode for electrochemical splitting of water having a light sensitive catalytic material layer which includes a light sensitive catalytic material and a semiconductor, a polymer electrolyte membrane layer, a metallic substrate layer disposed there between adjacent the polymer electrolyte membrane layer, and at least one photovoltaic device connected in series to the light sensitive catalytic material layer and disposed between the light sensitive catalytic material layer and the metallic substrate layer.

Abstract: A fuel processor for producing a hydrogen-rich product gas suitable for direct use in fuel cell applications includes a housing, an annular shift/methanator reactor vessel at least one reactor vessel wall disposed within the housing and forming an outer annular space between the at least one reactor vessel wall and the housing. A combustion chamber having at least one combustion chamber wall and forming a first inner annular space between the at least one combustion chamber wall and the at least one reactor vessel wall is disposed in the interior space formed by the annular shift/methanator reactor vessel, and a reformer reactor vessel having at least one reformer vessel wall and forming a second inner annular space between the at least one reformer vessel wall and the at least one combustion chamber wall is disposed within the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A fuel processor for producing a hydrogen-rich product gas suitable for direct use in fuel cell applications includes a housing, an annular shift/methanator reactor vessel -at least one reactor vessel wall disposed within the housing and forming an outer annular space between the at least one reactor vessel wall and the housing. A combustion chamber having at least one combustion chamber wall and forming a first inner annular space between the at least one combustion chamber wall and the at least one reactor vessel wall is disposed in the interior space formed by the annular shift/methanator reactor vessel, and a reformer reactor vessel having at least one reformer vessel wall and forming a second inner annular space between the at least one reformer vessel wall and the at least one combustion chamber wall is disposed within the combustion chamber.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell stack having a plurality of substantially planar fuel cell units, each of which comprises an anode electrode, a cathode electrode and a polymer electrolyte membrane disposed between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. A metal bipolar plate is disposed between the anode electrode of one fuel cell unit and the cathode electrode of an adjacent fuel cell unit. The metal bipolar plate is made of a chromium-nickel austenitic alloy, in which the chromium and the nickel, on a combined basis, make up at least about 50% by weight of the alloy.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell stack having a plurality of substantially planar fuel cell units, each of which comprises an anode electrode, a cathode electrode and a polymer electrolyte membrane disposed between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. A metal bipolar plate is disposed between the anode electrode of one fuel cell unit and the cathode electrode of an adjacent fuel cell unit. The metal bipolar plate is made of a chromium-nickel austenitic alloy having a nitrogen content of zero, in which the chromium and the nickel, on a combined basis, make up at least about 50% by weight of the alloy.

Abstract: A bipolar separator plate suitable for use in polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell stacks, which plate is made a composition having in a range of 1 to 4 different graphite components and at least one resin, wherein at least one of the graphite components has graphite particles having a mean diameter in a range of about 10 microns to about 50 microns.

Abstract: A method for producing a graphite bipolar separator plate for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell in which a powder mixture having at least one graphite component and at least one resin is placed into a plate mold and pressed at substantially ambient temperature, resulting in formation of a cold-pressed plate. The cold-pressed plate is heated to a temperature suitable for curing the cold-pressed plate, resulting in formation of the graphite bipolar separator plate.

Abstract: A reactor for CO control having a reactor vessel having a water-gas shift catalyst zone, a mixed catalyst zone downstream of the water-gas shift catalyst zone, and a methanation catalyst zone disposed downstream of the mixed catalyst zone, at least one water-gas shift catalyst disposed in the water-gas shift catalyst zone, at least one methanation catalyst disposed in the methanation catalyst zone, and a mixture of the water-gas shift catalyst and the methanation disposed in the mixed catalyst zone.

Abstract: A polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell stack having a plurality of substantially planar fuel cell units, each of which comprises an anode electrode, a cathode electrode and a polymer electrolyte membrane disposed between the anode electrode and the cathode electrode. A metal bipolar plate is disposed between the anode electrode of one fuel cell unit and the cathode electrode of an adjacent fuel cell unit. The metal bipolar plate is made of a chromium-nickel austenitic alloy, in which the chromium and the nickel, on a combined basis, make up at least about 50% by weight of the alloy.

Abstract: A composition of electrically conducting carbon/graphite particles, a bonding agent and a mold release agent and a method employing the composition for producing a bipolar plate for a polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell in which the composition is introduced into a mold suitable for compression molding the bipolar plate and pressed in the mold at a temperature sufficient to melt the bonding agent and activate the mold release agent, thereby forming the bipolar plate. The mold release agent acts to prevent sticking of the bipolar plate to the mold. In accordance with one preferred embodiment, the mold release agent is a mixture of at least one fatty acid and at least one polyolefin.

Abstract: A process for producing high-quality pitches comprising atomizing a preheated feed material of carbonaceous tar and/or pitch, forming an aerosol, contacting the aerosol in a reaction vessel with a flowing, non-reactive gas atmosphere for less than about 10 seconds at a gas temperature of about 1400.degree. F. to about 2000.degree. F., and separating and recovering a liquid fraction of the liquid formed in the reaction vessel which remains in a liquid phase up to a distillation temperature of about 750.degree. F.

Abstract: A thermally regenerative desiccant element comprising micron size silica gel and held within an expanded web of a fluoroplastic elastomer is disclosed. The expanded web of silica gel is bonded onto a heat conductive plate to form the desiccant element. The desiccant elements are stacked in an arrangement such that the air to be processed passes in contact with the silica gel. The other side of the plate is made to come in contact with a stream of humidified cooled air. The cooled air removes the heat of sorption when the silica gel sorbs moisture. A solar collector is used to heat ambient air for regeneration of the silica gel.

Abstract: A gas filtration apparatus and process combining sonic agglomeration with porous cross flow filtration. The apparatus and process is particularly suited to gas streams comprising particulates of under 10 microns in diameter, such as the effluent gas stream of coal gasifiers, which are at a high temperature and high pressure. The smaller particles are agglomerated by sonic agglomeration and a portion of the gas stream is then passed through a porous cross flow filter resulting in a particulate-free gas stream while not requiring the high pressure drop normally associated with filtration of small particulates. The gas stream through the sonic agglomeration portion may be seeded to enhance particulate agglomeration and/or to induce chemical reaction of undesired gaseous components for their removal as solids.