Abstract: Systems for producing hydrogen gas for local distribution, consumption, and/or storage, and related devices and methods are disclosed herein. A representative system includes a pyrolysis reactor that can be coupled to a supply of reaction material that includes a hydrocarbon. The reactor includes one or more flow channels positioned to transfer heat to the reaction material to convert the hydrocarbon into an output that includes hydrogen gas and carbon particulates. The system also includes a carbon separation system operably coupled to the pyrolysis reactor to separate the hydrogen gas the carbon particulates in the output. In various embodiments, the system also includes components to locally consume the filtered hydrogen gas.

Abstract: Combined combustion and pyrolysis (CCP) systems, and associated systems and methods, are disclosed herein. In some embodiments, the CCP system includes an input valve fluidly coupleable to a fuel supply to receive a hydrocarbon reactant, a CCP reactor fluidly coupled to the input valve, and a carbon separation component fluidly coupled to the CCP reactor. The CCP reactor can include a combustion chamber, a reaction chamber in thermal communication with the combustion chamber and/or fluidly coupled to the input valve, and an insulating material positioned to reduce heat loss from the combustion chamber and/or the reaction chamber. The CCP reactor can also include a combustion component positioned to combust a fuel within the combustion chamber. The combustion can heat the reaction chamber and the hydrocarbon reactant flowing therethrough. The heat causes a pyrolysis of the hydrocarbon reactant that generates hydrogen gas and carbon.

Abstract: Systems for producing hydrogen gas for local distribution, consumption, and/or storage, and related devices and methods are disclosed herein. A representative system includes a pyrolysis reactor system that can be coupled to a supply of reaction material that includes a hydrocarbon. The pyrolysis reactor system includes one or more combustion components positioned to transfer heat to the reaction material to convert the hydrocarbon into an output that includes hydrogen gas and carbon particulates. The pyrolysis reactor system also includes a carbon separation system positioned to separate the hydrogen gas the carbon particulates in the output. In various embodiments, the system also includes components to locally consume the filtered hydrogen gas, such as a power generator, heating appliance, and/or a combined heat and power device.

Abstract: Systems for producing hydrogen gas for local distribution, consumption, and/or storage, and related devices and methods are disclosed herein. A representative system includes a pyrolysis reactor that can be coupled to a supply of reaction material that includes a hydrocarbon. The reactor includes one or more flow channels positioned to transfer heat to the reaction material to convert the hydrocarbon into an output that includes hydrogen gas and carbon particulates. The system also includes a carbon separation system operably coupled to the pyrolysis reactor to separate the hydrogen gas the carbon particulates in the output. In various embodiments, the system also includes components to locally consume the filtered hydrogen gas.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include thermionic energy converters and electronic circuitry for generating pulses for igniting plasma in a hermetic package of a thermionic energy converter. In various embodiments, an illustrative thermionic energy converter includes a hermetic package charged with a non-cesium gas additive. The hermetic package is configured to route into the hermetic package pulses for igniting plasma in the hermetic package. A cesium reservoir is disposed in the hermetic package. A cathode is disposed in the hermetic package and an anode is disposed in the hermetic package.

Abstract: Various disclosed embodiments include elements for mitigating electron reflection in a vacuum electronic device, vacuum electronic devices that incorporate elements for mitigating electron reflection, and methods of fabricating elements for reducing reflection of electrons off an electrode. An illustrative electrode assembly includes an electrode. Elements are configured to reduce reflection of electrons off the electrode.