Abstract: There are provided systems and methods for using fuel-rich partial oxidation to produce an end product from waste gases, such as flare gas. In an embodiment, the system and method use air-breathing piston engines and turbine engines for the fuel-rich partial oxidation of the flare gas to form synthesis gas, and reactors to convert the synthesis gas into the end product. In an embodiment the end product is methanol.

Abstract: Intensified plants comprising chemical reformers and downstream chemical synthesis equipment. Systems, methods and devices for process intensification (PI) that result in lowering part count, merging functionality, removing bottlenecks, reducing costs, and modularizing subsystems for ease of assembly and maintenance to obtain the overall simplification needed to achieve competitive product cost at small scales. In an embodiment, the improved plants employ engine reformers to produce synthesis gas, which is further converted into end products using intensified downstream reactors.

Abstract: There are provided systems and methods for using fuel rich partial oxidation to produce an end product from waste gases, such as flare gas. Lambda sensor modifications and other control parameters that provide closed-loop mixture control at extremely fuel-rich operating conditions utilizing feed-forward and feedback approaches, physics-based engine models, novel use of a lambda sensor (O2-based sensor), sensors with intermittent contact with the gas stream. In an embodiment the system and method use air-breathing engines having control systems, control parameters, sensors and input/output (I/O) for the fuel rich (ER of 1.2 and greater), partial oxidation of the flare gas to form syngas. In embodiments the syngas is further converted into an end product. In an embodiment the end product is methanol.

Abstract: There are provided CCUS systems and methods having gas-to-liquid systems and processes, e.g., for processing flare gas to methanol. In these systems an air-breathing engine reformer produces a syngas intermediate that is further converted to methanol in a downstream synthesis step. The CCUS system has a CO2 separator that receives a gas-phase stream and separates this stream into two streams, a CO2-rich stream and a CO2-depleted stream. The CCUS systems may further have a hydrogen separator that receive a gas-phase stream and separates that stream into a hydrogen-rich stream and a hydrogen-depleted stream. The CO2-rich stream can be used for use in EOR, storage or both.

Abstract: There are provided systems and methods for the use of rich limit extenders, and in particular pre-chamber assemblies, for increasing the ability of a spark-ignition engine to operate under fuel-rich conditions. In embodiments the pre-chamber assemblies are combined with spark-ignition engines as a reformer in a gas-to-liquid system for converting a combustible fuel source into synthesis gas. Embodiments of the reformers having pre-chambers provide a synthesis gas product having a H2/CO ratio, with increased H2 concentrations.

Abstract: There is provided systems and methods for aggregating and enhancing the initial materials produced from the conversion of flare gas at a flare gas source. In an embodiment the flare gas source is a hydrocarbon wellhead and the initial material is methanol and the end product is grade methanol.

Abstract: There are provided systems and methods for using fuel-rich partial oxidation to produce an end product from waste gases, such as flare gas. In an embodiment, the system and method use air-breathing piston engines and turbine engines for the fuel-rich partial oxidation of the flare gas to form synthesis gas, and reactors to convert the synthesis gas into the end product. In an embodiment the end product is methanol.

Abstract: There are provided systems and methods for using fuel-rich partial oxidation to produce an end product from waste gases, such as flare gas. In an embodiment, the system and method use air-breathing piston engines and turbine engines for the fuel-rich partial oxidation of the flare gas to form synthesis gas, and reactors to convert the synthesis gas into the end product. In an embodiment the end product is methanol.

Abstract: There are provided systems and methods for using fuel-rich partial oxidation to produce an end product from waste gases, such as flare gas. In an embodiment, the system and method use air-breathing piston engines and turbine engines for the fuel-rich partial oxidation of the flare gas to form synthesis gas, and reactors to convert the synthesis gas into the end product. In an embodiment the end product is methanol.

Abstract: There are provided systems and methods for using fuel-rich partial oxidation to produce an end product from waste gases, such as flare gas. In an embodiment, the system and method use air-breathing piston engines and turbine engines for the fuel-rich partial oxidation of the flare gas to form synthesis gas, and reactors to convert the synthesis gas into the end product. In an embodiment the end product is methanol.

Abstract: There are provided systems and methods for using fuel-rich partial oxidation to produce an end product from waste gases, such as flare gas. In an embodiment, the system and method use air-breathing piston engines and turbine engines for the fuel-rich partial oxidation of the flare gas to form synthesis gas, and reactors to convert the synthesis gas into the end product. In an embodiment the end product is methanol.

Abstract: A Venturi draft tube spouted bed and method are disclosed that enables scale-up with small particles and improves heat and mass transfer by increasing material turnover rate. A Venturi-style eductor has been incorporated into the spouted bed draft tube to provide suction at the bottom of the bed to better entrain material and reduce the propensity for dead zones at the bottom of the narrow conical section.

Abstract: A catalytic cookstove, for use in cooking, heating, and lighting, is disclosed for reducing particulate matter and carbon monoxide emissions. A non-platinum group metal catalyst promotes oxidation of particulate matter and carbon monoxide to produce carbon dioxide. Additionally, a passive damper automatically adjusts the fuel-to-air ratio based upon the size of fuel fed to the stove to ensure catalyst light off.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for high-yield fast pyrolysis of biomass feedstock to produce a liquid bio-oil product. A bubbling fluidized bed reactor is provided having an integrated, rapid quench apparatus for minimizing secondary cracking reactions that can otherwise lower the yield of bio-oil. A quench stream is provided inside the reactor to minimize the residence time that the product vapors spend at high temperature where cracking can occur. The quench stream is introduced downstream of the fluidized bed but still internal to the reactor. The fluidized bed medium is constrained to the bottom of the reactor and is not cooled by the quench stream.

Abstract: A catalytic cookstove, for use in cooking, heating, and lighting, is disclosed for reducing particulate matter and carbon monoxide emissions. A non-platinum group metal catalyst promotes oxidation of particulate matter and carbon monoxide to produce carbon dioxide. Additionally, a passive damper automatically adjusts the fuel-to-air ratio based upon the size of fuel fed to the stove to ensure catalyst light off.

Abstract: A flow cell and method for photometric transmission measurements are disclosed in which a folded optical path provides for co-located, collinear fiber optic read and illumination cables that can be bundled together. Light passes through a fluid sample, is reflected off a pair of right-angle turning mirrors and returns through the fluid for a second pass. A center divider separates fluid passages on the first pass of the light through the fluid and the second pass of the light through the fluid to block any undesired backscattered light from reaching a detector.

Abstract: A pot support and method of use are disclosed for improving the efficiency at fuel-fired cookstoves. Heat transfer to a cooking vessel is improved by directing hot exhaust gases along the outer walls of a cooking vessel by providing a vertical lip at the outer edge of the pot support that lends to an improvement in cookstove thermal efficiency.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are described for high-yield fast pyrolysis of biomass feedstock to produce a liquid bio-oil product. A bubbling fluidized bed reactor is provided having an integrated, rapid quench apparatus for minimizing secondary cracking reactions that can otherwise lower the yield of bio-oil. A quench stream is provided inside the reactor to minimize the residence time that the product vapors spend at high temperature where cracking can occur. The quench stream is introduced downstream of the fluidized bed but still internal to the reactor. The fluidized bed medium is constrained to the bottom of the reactor and is not cooled by the quench stream.

Abstract: Nanostructured elements and a method for fabricating such nanostructured elements with an enhanced power and aerial power density are disclosed. A hierarchical template with ordered and arrayed nanopores is produced on either a mating part or a support material that is pre-shaped so as to be conformable to the mating part. At least one compound can be optionally layered within the nanopores to reduce the diameter thereof. The template is supplied with filling material having selected electrical or thermoelectric properties. Selective removal of the template produces freestanding nanostructure arrays which are then backfilled with thermoelectric material or the like to form a nanostructure array comprised of nanowires supported by the backfilled material on the substrate.

Abstract: A water heater and purifier has a membrane element and employs an exothermic and pressure-generating chemical reaction. The exothermic reaction heats water, and the gaseous reaction products pressurize an enclosure and force water through a membrane filter for purification. Disinfection of the water is achieved using heat, filtration, and optionally a chemical disinfectant.