Abstract: A process for removing hydrogen sulfide from a sour gas stream is presented. The method oxidizes hydrogen sulfide to sulfuric acid by reducing aqueous bromine to hydrobromic acid in solution. The aqueous bromine solution does not react with hydrocarbon components common to natural gas including methane and ethane. This allows the process to both sweeten sour gas and convert its hydrogen sulfide content to sulfuric acid in a single step. In the present process, sulfuric acid is concentrated to eliminate its bromine content prior to being removed from the system, while the remaining hydrobromic acid solution is electrolyzed to regenerate aqueous bromine and produce hydrogen. Hydrobromic acid electrolysis requires less than half the energy required by water electrolysis and is an inherently flexible load that can shed or absorb excess power to balance supply and demand.

Abstract: A system and method for conversion of biowaste into usable energy components comprises anaerobic digestion of carbonaceous feedstocks, production of an aqueous solution of hydrogen bromide and carbon dioxide, and recovery of hydrogen via electrolysis of the aqueous hydrobromic acid formed in the process. In one embodiment, a hydrogen enriched biogas generator is employed to produce electricity and heat.

Abstract: A system and method for conversion of biowaste into usable energy components comprises anaerobic digestion of carbonaceous feedstocks, production of an aqueous solution of hydrogen bromide and carbon dioxide, and recovery of hydrogen via electrolysis of the aqueous hydrobromic acid formed in the process. In one embodiment, a hydrogen enriched biogas generator is employed to produce electricity and heat.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for augmenting the Mark 13a process of Van Zelzen et al., by providing for the addition of dispatchable energy storage and/or additional waste stream treatments. Sulfur-containing stack gas emissions from the burning of fossil fuels for electricity production are cleaned, removing the sulfur by use of the Bunsen reaction. The process produces hydrogen and sulfuric acid as byproducts. The hydrogen output of the process can be used to co-produce electricity in a reversible fuel cell, and optionally can be stored so that electricity can be produced during periods of high demand. Optionally the hydrogen can be reacted with air-nitrogen or nitrogen from the combustion gasses to produce ammonia. The sulfuric acid can optionally be reacted with iron or aluminum to produce iron or aluminum sulphates and additional electricity. In addition, mercury removal from the gas emissions from burning fossil fuels (primarily coal) can be performed.

Abstract: A method for generating energy and/or fuel from the halogenation of a carbon-containing material and/or a sulfur-containing chemical comprises supplying the carbon-containing material (e.g., coal, lignite, biomass, cellulose, milorganite, methane, sewage, animal manure, municipal solid waste, pulp, paper products, food waste) and/or the sulfur-containing chemical (e.g., H2S, SO2, SO3, elemental sulfur) and a first halogen-containing chemical to a reactor. The carbon-containing material and/or the sulfur-containing chemical and the halogen-containing chemical are reacted in the reactor to form a second halogen-containing chemical and carbon dioxide, sulfur and/or sulfuric acid. The second halogen-containing chemical is dissociated (e.g., electrolyzed) to form the first halogen-containing chemical and hydrogen gas (H2). The first halogen-containing chemical can be Br2 and the second halogen-containing chemical can be HBr. Any carbon dioxide formed during reaction can be directed to a prime mover (e.g.

Abstract: A comprehensive energy system is provided in which a fossil fuel-burning electric utility plant is operated in conjunction with a hydrogen production and utility load leveling unit, a CO.sub.2 recovery and methanol synthesis unit, and a Bunsen reactor which reacts Br.sub.2 and SO.sub.2 to from HBr and H.sub.2 SO.sub.4, while cleaning a utility stack gas.

Abstract: An electrolysis cell, fuel cell and solar reactor or conventional furnace are operated in conjunction with one another for providing hydrogen as a product, from electrolysis of hydrogen bromide.

Abstract: A method for the joint i) abatement of emission of a "greenhouse" gas by removing carbon dioxide from an effluent and ii) manufacture of methanol by reaction of hydrogen with carbon dioxide which includes:a) reacting carbon dioxide in the effluent by flowing contact of the effluent with a bed of basic metal oxide at a temperature suitable to form a metal carbonate,b) then stopping the effluent flow after said bed has become substantially converted to the carbonate,c) heating the carbonate to a temperature suitable to release carbon dioxide,d) then mixing the released carbon dioxide with hydrogen while passing the mixture over a catalyst of another metal oxide at a suitable temperature and pressure for a reaction, and thereby forming methanol.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods used to preheat a working fluid for a subsequent solar-driven dissociation reaction. The working fluid is first passed through a blackbody receiver where it absorbs thermal energy, and is subsequently exposed to direct solar radiation. The present invention allows the working fluid to absorb relatively large amounts of solar energy at elevated temperatures, while the blackbody absorber remains at a relatively low temperature, thus minimizing energy losses through reradiation and enhancing the efficiency of the overall energy exchange. Also disclosed is a non-driven-flow fluid absorption receiver for preferred use with a Stirling engine incorporating absorption of infrared radiation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy conversion system and more particularly tot he related apparatus and process. A reactor chamber is positioned with respect to a means for collecting and focussing. The focussed beam of radiation is employed to induce a reversible reaction in which the reaction products are converted into work in a work output means. Following that conversion, the reaction materials are passed through a heat sink and are recycled so that the process can be continuously operated.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and method used to preheat a working fluid for a subsequent solar-driven dissociation reaction. The working fluid is first passed through a blackbody receiver where it absorbs thermal energy, and is subsequently exposed to direct solar radiation. The present invention allows the working fluid to absorb relatively large amounts of solar energy at elevated temperatures, while the blackbody absorber remains at a relatively low temperature, thus minimizing energy losses through reradiation and enhancing the efficiency of the overall energy exchange.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and method for the electrolytic, thermal, and photolytic production of hydrogen and oxygen. In the first step of the cycle a concentrated hydrohalic acid solution is electrolyzed to produce hydrogen, halogen, and dilute hydrohalic acid solution. In the second, or hydrogen halide formation and electrolyte reformation step, the halogen is reacted with steam in a gas phase thermal and photolytic process to reform the hydrogen halide and produce oxygen. An advantage of the novel reformation step is the ability to utilize a contaminated water feedstream for the production of the reusable hydrogen halide.The present invention also provides both an apparatus and method for the radiation-augmented electrolytic and thermal production of hydrogen and oxygen.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and method used to preheat a working fluid for a subsequent solar-driven dissociation reaction. The working fluid is first passed through a blackbody receiver where it absorbs thermal energy, and is subsequently exposed to direct solar radiation. The present invention allows the working fluid to absorb relatively large amounts of solar energy a elevated temperatures, while the blackbody absorber remains at a relatively low temperature, thus minimizing energy losses through reradiation and enhancing the efficiency of the overall energy exchange.

Abstract: A receiver is described for a solar dynamic power generator. The generator has a heat cycle engine to generate power. The receiver has a working fluid including a radiant eneryg absorber selected from halogens and interhalogens. The receiver also has a hollow, cylindrical containment for containing the working fluid having a first end, a second end and an inner wall. A hollow, cylindrical member, is disposed within the containment. The cylindrical member has an inner wall an and outer wall, and defines a toroidal working fluid flow space within the containment and a receiving space within the inner wall of the cylindrical member. A window is disposed in the first end of the containment for admitting solar radiation in the receiving space and heating working fluid contained in the receiving space. The heated working fluid in the receiving space travels toward the first end of the containment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an energy conversion system and more particularly to the related apparatus and process. The system includes a reactor chamber having an input for a reactive substance supplied from a supply vessel, and means for receiving and transmitting a focused beam of electromagnetic or other radiation into the reactor itself. The reactor chamber is positioned with respect to means for collecting and focusing radiation, such as, electromagnetic radiation, such that a beam of focused radiation passes through the receiving and transmitting means provided in the wall of the reactor. The focused beam of radiation is, therefore, employed to induce a reactive substance to react to produce reaction products at high temperatures and elevated pressures. Advantageously, the reaction is reversible.

Abstract: A nuclear excited power system includes a gaseous core nuclear reactor through the core of which helium is passed. The helium is excited by the high energy radiation from the nuclear reactor and is coupled to a reaction chamber wherein the high energy helium mixes with hydrogen and a halogen, such as, chlorine. The energy thus transferred to the hydrogen and chlorine causes the hydrogen and chlorine to combine to form a hydrogen chloride plasma. The high temperature, high pressure hydrogen chloride plasma drives a turbine, magnetohydrodynamic generator or other electromechanical device to form electrical and/or mechanical energy. The helium and hydrogen chloride exhaust products are separated with the helium coupled back to the reactor core. The hydrogen chloride is disassociated and coupled back to the reaction chamber.