Abstract: Novel methods of recovering neodymium and related rare earth elements from permanent magnets of various compositions are described. The methods employ processing steps including converting the magnet material to a higher surface area form such as a powder, treating the mixture with alkaline solutions to form product concentrated in neodymium and rare earth metals. Inexpensive materials such as ammonia, ammonium carbonate, carbon dioxide, water are recycled in a process that uses moderate temperatures, pressures and non-corrosive and environmentally-friendly chemicals.

Abstract: Systems and methods herein provide for balloon launching. In one embodiment, a Portable Balloon Launch System (PBLS) includes a tank operable to retain water, and a reactor fluidly coupled to the tank and comprising a reductant material that reacts with the water to produce a lift gas. The PBLS also includes a first valve operable to release the water into the reactor, and an exhaust operable to vent the lift gas into a balloon to inflate the balloon. The lift gas is lighter than air so as to lift the balloon into the atmosphere.

Abstract: Gas Replacement System (GRS) produces lighter than air lift gas from ammonia to enable balloon launch and/or to extend the flight durations of balloons. The GRS produces lighter than air lift gas by dissociating all or part of an ammonia supply into a mixture of nitrogen and hydrogen. The GRS can be used to launch balloons from the ground and/or produce gas for airborne balloons to extend their flight duration. In one embodiment, a GRS includes a tank containing ammonia (e.g., liquid ammonia), a reactor, and a controller operable to direct a release of the ammonia from the tank to the reactor. The controller is also operable to direct the reactor to dissociate at least a portion of the ammonia into a lift gas and exhaust the lift gas from the reactor into the balloon for inflation, the lift gas comprising nitrogen and hydrogen.

Abstract: Systems and methods for recovering neodymium and other related rare earth elements from permanent magnets and/or various ore compositions are presented herein. In one embodiment, a method of recovering a rare earth element (REE) from a permanent magnet material and/or a mined ore composition (collectively “work material”) is presented. The method includes converting the work material to a higher surface area form, treating the converted work material with an aqueous solution of alkaline carbonates to dissolve the REE, filtering the treated and converted work material to yield a filtrate, and treating the filtrate with at least one of a precipitating agent or a precipitating condition to form REE solids. The aqueous solution of alkaline carbonates comprises at least one of potassium carbonate, potassium bicarbonate, or dissolved carbon dioxide.

Abstract: Systems and methods for recovering cobalt and other valuable metals from cobalt permanent magnets of various compositions, such as samarium cobalt magnets, are presented herein. In one embodiment, a method includes converting the permanent magnet material to a higher surface area form, such as a powder. The method also includes treating the converted permanent magnet material with an aqueous solution of ammonium carbonate to form a mixture (e.g., a slurry) that includes dissolved cobalt. In some embodiments, the method includes exposing the mixture to an oxidant to oxidize metallic constituents and form soluble species. The method also includes filtering the mixture to yield a filtrate and electroplating the cobalt onto a cathode from the filtrate.

Abstract: Novel methods of recovering neodymium and related rare earth elements from permanent magnets of various compositions are described. The methods employ processing steps including converting the magnet material to a higher surface area form such as a powder, treating the mixture with alkaline solutions to form product concentrated in neodymium and rare earth metals. Inexpensive materials such as ammonia, ammonium carbonate, carbon dioxide, water are recycled in a process that uses moderate temperatures, pressures and non-corrosive and environmentally-friendly chemicals.

Abstract: Novel methods of recovering neodymium and related rare earth elements from permanent magnets of various compositions are described. The methods employ processing steps including converting the magnet material to a higher surface area form such as a powder, treating the mixture with alkaline solutions to form product concentrated in neodymium and rare earth metals. Inexpensive materials such as ammonia, ammonium carbonate, carbon dioxide, water are recycled in a process that uses moderate temperatures, pressures and non-corrosive and environmentally-friendly chemicals.

Abstract: A novel method and device for the destruction of nitrous oxide in gases such as those resulting from exhaled breath during dental, medical, and veterinary procedures are described. The method employs processing steps including the collection of gases containing constituents such as water vapor, carbon dioxide, oxygen, nitrogen, and nitrous oxide from exhaled breath or from ambient room air, optional removal of moisture from the collected gas, catalytic decomposition of nitrous oxide gas to nitrogen and oxygen, heat exchange to reduce high temperatures in gases exiting the reactor, and sorbents to remove traces of reaction byproducts. Instrumentation and controls are employed to monitor and regulate temperatures, pressures, gas compositions, and flow rates while also providing measures to automatically shut down in the event of off-nominal conditions.

Abstract: A device to extract water and volatile organic compounds from asteroids, comets, and other space resources for propellant production, life support consumables, and manufacturing from in-situ resources in support of advanced space exploration is described. The device thermally extracts ice and water bound to clay minerals, which is then combined with small amounts of oxygen to gasify organic matter contained in carbonaceous chondrite asteroids. In addition to water, the device produces hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and carbon dioxide that comprise precursors to oxygen for propellant and breathing gas and organic compounds including fuels and plastics. The device and methods are also applicable to the recovery of moisture, volatiles, and carbonaceous matter from low-grade terrestrial resources and waste materials.

Abstract: Novel methods for the production of iron, silicon, and magnesium metal from extraterrestrial and terrestrial resources are described. The methods employ processing steps including metal oxide reduction using carbon monoxide, carbon, hydrogen, and methane. Methods to prepare, regenerate, and recycle reductants to minimize mining and purchase of fresh materials and to minimize carbon emissions are included.

Abstract: Novel methods of recovering neodymium and related rare earth elements from permanent magnets of various compositions are described. The methods employ processing steps including converting the magnet material to a higher surface area form such as a powder, treating the mixture with alkaline solutions to form product concentrated in neodymium and rare earth metals. Inexpensive materials such as ammonia, ammonium carbonate, carbon dioxide, water are recycled in a process that uses moderate temperatures, pressures and non-corrosive and environmentally-friendly chemicals.

Abstract: Methods to synthesize fuels and chemicals from natural gas liquids are described. Higher alcohols are synthesized starting from natural gas liquid compounds by converting an alkane from a NGL to an olefin, dimerizing said olefin, and, hydrating said olefin product to form a higher alcohol. Higher alcohols are synthesized starting from natural gas liquid compounds by converting an alkane from a NGL to an olefin, oxidizing the olefin to form a ketone or aldehyde and, hydrogenating the aldehyde or ketone product to form a higher alcohol. Thus, NGL component butane may be dehydrogenated to form butane, butylene is oxidized in the presence of a catalyst to form methylethyl ketone and methylethyl ketone hydrogenated to form butanol.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present application discloses methods to selectively synthesize higher alcohols and hydrocarbons useful as fuels and industrial chemicals from syngas and biomass. Ketene and ketonization chemistry along with hydrogenation reactions are used to synthesize fuels and chemicals. In another embodiment, ketene used to form fuels and chemicals may be manufactured from acetic acid which in turn can be synthesized from synthesis gas which is produced from coal, biomass, natural gas, etc.

Abstract: Novel methods and devices to operate internal combustion engines on ethane fuel and blends of ethane fuel are provided where the pressure is controlled to maintain a liquid or vapor phase of the fuel and the fuel is admitted into the engine in a controlled and consistent manner for highly efficient engine performance.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present application discloses methods to selectively synthesize higher alcohols and hydrocarbons useful as fuels and industrial chemicals from syngas and biomass. Ketene and ketonization chemistry along with hydrogenation reactions are used to synthesize fuels and chemicals. In another embodiment, ketene used to form fuels and chemicals may be manufactured from acetic acid which in turn can be synthesized from synthesis gas which is produced from coal, biomass, natural gas, etc.

Abstract: A novel photocatalytic oxidation system that combines long lifetime, high-power light emitting diodes (LEDs) with efficient, visible light-activated photocatalysts for the destruction of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) and other pathogens in air and water flow systems under ambient conditions of temperature and pressure is described. The technology uses the combination of visible photocatalysts with robust visible LEDs, uniform side emission fiber optics, and efficient catalyst surface illumination technologies to create a photocatalytic oxidation unit for air and water purification. This combined approach leads to numerous performance benefits including high VOC conversion efficiency, compact reactor volume, low pressure drop, and the elimination of conventional ultraviolet (UV) mercury lamp logistics and hazards.

Abstract: A process for producing aromatic hydrocarbons from methane or natural gas is described. The process operates by contacting the methane or natural gas along with hydrogen recycled in the system over a catalyst at elevated temperatures. During each pass over the catalyst, methane or natural gas is converted to benzene, toluene, naphthalene, and other aromatic compounds. The process can be used to produce zero-emission hydrogen, which can be used for generation of zero-emission electricity, generation of steam for use in extraction of heavy oil and oil sands, or for other purposes. In addition, benzene, an aromatic hydrocarbon, is produced, which is a readily-transportable and valuable chemical commodity and a fuel component, which can be used to displace petroleum-based gasoline and diesel, leading to additional above-ground GHG emission reductions. As a by-product, hydrogen is produced, which is used to produce zero-emission, high-quality steam and/or carbon-free electricity for above-ground facilities.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present application discloses methods to selectively synthesize higher alcohols and hydrocarbons useful as fuels and industrial chemicals from syngas and biomass. Ketene and ketonization chemistry along with hydrogenation reactions are used to synthesize fuels and chemicals. In another embodiment, ketene used to form fuels and chemicals may be manufactured from acetic acid which in turn can be synthesized from synthesis gas which is produced from coal, biomass, natural gas, etc.

Abstract: Methods to synthesize fuels and chemicals from natural gas liquids are described. Higher alcohols are synthesized starting from natural gas liquid compounds by converting an alkane from a NGL to an olefin, dimerizing said olefin, and, hydrating said olefin product to form a higher alcohol. Higher alcohols are synthesized starting from natural gas liquid compounds by converting an alkane from a NGL to an olefin, oxidizing the olefin to form a ketone or aldehyde and, hydrogenating the aldehyde or ketone product to form a higher alcohol. Thus, NGL component butane may be dehydrogenated to form butane, butylene is oxidized in the presence of a catalyst to form methylethyl ketone and methylethyl ketone hydrogenated to form butanol.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the non-catalytic oxygenated steam reforming of organic matter to produce a gas mixture rich in hydrogen, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. The reforming gas is used for production of methane, methanol, dimethyl ether, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and other compounds via downstream processing catalytic gas-phase processes and electrolysis. The reforming gas may also be combusted directly for electricity generation.