Abstract: A battery cell capable of self-priming with molten metal produced within the battery cell includes a cathode compartment configured to contain a catholyte that releases metal ions, an anode compartment configured to receive electrons from an external power supply, an ion-selective membrane positioned between the cathode compartment and the anode compartment and configured to selectively transport the metal ions from the cathode compartment to the anode compartment when self-priming the battery cell, and an electrically conductive coating on a surface of the ion-selective membrane facing the anode compartment and configured to distribute the electrons received from the external power supply across the ion-selective membrane when self-priming the battery cell. Self-priming includes combining the electrons with the metal ions arriving at an interface between the electrically conductive coating and the ion-selective membrane to produce the molten metal within the anode compartment.

Abstract: A battery cell capable of self-priming with molten metal produced within the battery cell includes a cathode compartment configured to contain a catholyte that releases metal ions, an anode compartment at least partially containing an anode current collector that receives electrons from an external power supply, an ion-selective membrane positioned between the cathode compartment and the anode compartment and configured to selectively transport the metal ions from the cathode compartment to the anode compartment when self-priming the battery cell, and an electron transport structure extending between the anode current collector and the ion-selective membrane within the anode compartment and configured to transport the electrons from the anode current collector to the ion-selective membrane when self-priming the battery cell.

Abstract: The present technology provides processes for improving the performance of downstream oil conversion. Thus it provides, among others, processes for improving the yield of liquid hydrocarbons from a thermal conversion process. The processes include contacting a hydrocarbon feedstock with an effective amount of sodium metal and an effective amount of exogenous capping agent at a temperature of 250-500° C., to produce a mixture of sodium salts and a converted feedstock. The hydrocarbon feedstock may comprise hydrocarbons with a sulfur content of at least 0.5 wt %, an asphaltene content of at least 1 wt % and micro carbon residue content of at least 5 wt %. The converted feedstock may comprise hydrocarbons with a sulfur content less than that in the hydrocarbon feedstock, a micro carbon residue content less than that in the hydrocarbon feedstock and an asphaltene content less than that in the hydrocarbon feedstock.

Abstract: A battery cell capable of self-priming with molten metal produced within the battery cell includes a cathode compartment configured to contain a catholyte that releases metal ions, an anode compartment at least partially containing an anode current collector that receives electrons from an external power supply, an ion-selective membrane positioned between the cathode compartment and the anode compartment and configured to selectively transport the metal ions from the cathode compartment to the anode compartment when self-priming the battery cell, and an electron transport structure extending between the anode current collector and the ion-selective membrane within the anode compartment and configured to transport the electrons from the anode current collector to the ion-selective membrane when self-priming the battery cell.

Abstract: The present technology provides rechargeable alkali metal-sulfur galvanic cells and batteries incorporating such cells as well as methods of using such cell and batteries. The present galvanic cells provide high specific energy and high power at lower cost than conventional alkali metal-sulfur cells.

Abstract: A molten metal battery system includes a plurality of secondary cells electrically connected in series with each other and comprising a plurality of molten metal anodes arranged fluidly in parallel with each other. The system also includes a plurality of electrically isolated molten metal reservoirs, each of the molten metal reservoirs fluidly connected to a corresponding secondary cell of the plurality of secondary cells and configured to exchange molten metal with the corresponding secondary cell while preventing electrical shunt current from flowing between the plurality of secondary cells via the molten metal.

Abstract: The present technology provides a process comprising: contacting a hydrocarbon feedstock with an effective amount of sodium metal and an effective amount of exogenous capping agent at a temperature of 250-500° C., to produce a mixture of sodium salts and a converted feedstock, wherein the hydrocarbon feedstock comprises hydrocarbons with a sulfur content of at least 0.5 wt % and an asphaltene content of at least 1 wt %; the sulfur content comprises asphaltenic sulfur and non-asphaltenic sulfur; the converted feedstock comprises hydrocarbon oil with a sulfur content less than that in the hydrocarbon feedstock and an asphaltene content less than that in the hydrocarbon feedstock; and the proportion of asphaltenic sulfur to non-asphaltenic sulfur in the converted feedstock is lower than in the hydrocarbon feedstock.

Abstract: New dual temperature electrochemical methods and systems for the production of sodium metal from sodium polysulfides have been discovered. The technology provides high conductivity for sodium ions and extended service life for the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: The present technology provides rechargeable alkali metal-sulfur galvanic cells and batteries incorporating such cells as well as methods of using such cell and batteries. The present galvanic cells provide high specific energy and high power at lower cost than conventional alkali metal-sulfur cells.

Abstract: New dual temperature electrochemical methods and systems for the production of sodium metal from sodium polysulfides have been discovered. The technology provides high conductivity for sodium ions and extended service life for the electrochemical cell.

Abstract: The present technology provides a process that includes heating a first mixture of elemental sulfur and particles comprising an alkali metal sulfide in a liquid hydrocarbon to a temperature of at least 150° C., to provide a sulfur-treated mixture comprising agglomerated particles; and separating the agglomerated particles from the sulfur-treated mixture to provide a desulfurized liquid hydrocarbon and separated solids. This process may be used as part of a suite of processes for desulfurizing liquid hydrocarbons contaminated with organosulfur compounds and other heteroatom-based contaminants. The present technology further provides processes for converting carbon-rich solids (e.g., petroleum coke) into fuels.

Abstract: The present technology provides a process that includes heating a first mixture of elemental sulfur and particles comprising an alkali metal sulfide in a liquid hydrocarbon to a temperature of at least 150° C., to provide a sulfur-treated mixture comprising agglomerated particles; and separating the agglomerated particles from the sulfur-treated mixture to provide a desulfurized liquid hydrocarbon and separated solids. This process may be used as part of a suite of processes for desulfurizing liquid hydrocarbons contaminated with organosulfur compounds and other heteroatom-based contaminants. The present technology further provides processes for converting carbon-rich solids (e.g., petroleum coke) into fuels.

Abstract: A system for hydrogen production and carbon sequestration includes a carbon-containing material source; a water source; a molten salt gasification reactor configured to receive a carbon-containing material, water, and a mixture of molten salts, and where in the molten salt gasifier reactor is configured to produce a gaseous stream comprising hydrogen and carbon dioxide; and an algae growth unit configured to receive the carbon dioxide.