Abstract: A substrate or method for the sorption of sulfur compounds with a high capacity includes providing a substrate that defines at least one layer of ultra-short-channel-length mesh, coating at least a portion of the substrate with a desired sorbent for sulfur sorption, and passing a flowstream through the substrate and in contact with the sorbent during sorption.

Abstract: The present invention provides a combustor for an aerospace gas turbine engine comprising two stages wherein each stage defines an inlet and an exit. The second stage inlet is in fluid communication with the first stage exit such that a first flowpath is defined and it passes substantially through the second stage. A plurality of flow channel tubes is positioned within the second stage and each flow channel tube passes sealingly through a header plate positioned upstream of the second stage inlet thereby defining a second flowpath that also passes substantially through the second stage. The first flowpath exit and the second flowpath exit are positioned adjacent and proximate to one another to provide for the generation of microflames or microflame jets exiting the second stage from between and around the flow channel tube exits. The first stage of the combustor provides a gasifier and a reformer.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for transferring heat by conduction to the internal heat acceptor of an external combustion engine. Fuel and air are introduced and mixed to form an air/fuel mixture. The air/fuel mixture is directed into a catalytic reactor that is positioned substantially adjacent to the heater head. Heat is transferred via conduction from the catalytic reactor to the heater head and the catalytic reaction products are exhausted.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process and apparatus for the gasification of a liquid fuel and includes providing a supply of a liquid fuel, a supply of oxidant, and a supply of liquid water; atomizing the liquid fuel and mixing it with the oxidant and steam; catalytically reacting the fuel-oxidant-steam mixture in a catalyst bed; initiating the catalytic reaction with an ignition source; positioning a heat exchanger in proximity with the catalyst bed so as to convert the liquid water to steam; and feeding the steam into the catalytic reaction, thereby eliminating the need for a liquid fuel vaporizer. A preferred catalyst bed includes an ultra-short-channel-length metal substrate.

Abstract: An apparatus for fuel reforming is provided that utilizes pulsed injectors for a fuel flow controller and an air flow controller, and the injectors are integrated with an atomizing mixer thereby producing a fuel-air mixture having an O/C Ratio which, in turn, is passed to a Catalytic Partial Oxidation reactor. Use of this apparatus permits beneficial long term operation of this Catalytic Partial Oxidation reactor.

Abstract: A catalytic burner wherein a liquid fuel is evaporated prior to catalytic combustion by employing an electrosprayer. The catalytic burner can be made into an electrical generator by the use of a thermal to electrical energy conversion (TEEC) module.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and a method for transferring heat by conduction to the internal heat acceptor of an external combustion engine. Fuel and air are introduced into a combustion chamber and mixed to form an air/fuel mixture. The air/fuel mixture is directed into a catalytic reactor that is positioned in direct contact (non-spaced-apart relation) with the heater head. Heat is transferred via conduction from the catalytic reactor to the heater head; and the catalytic reaction products are exhausted with heat recuperation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for the gasification of a liquid fuel and includes providing a supply of a liquid fuel and an oxidant, atomizing the liquid fuel and mixing it with the oxidant, catalytically reacting the fuel oxidant mixture, providing an ignition source for initiating the catalytic reaction, positioning a heat exchanger in proximity with the catalytic bed, and producing steam which can be fed back into the system thereby eliminating the need for a vaporizer. A hydrocarbon fuel can be mixed with oxygen, as a constituent of air, preferably forming a fuel rich fuel air mixture that passes through a catalytic reactor having an ultra-short channel length metal monolith substrate.

Abstract: A fuel reformer includes a reforming portion having a tubular catalytic converter that is composed of a substrate supporting the catalytic component, and is arranged to have a center axis extending along the supply direction of the fuel and oxidizer derived from a supply portion, and a communication passage arranged along an inner wall of the catalytic converter and communicating with the supply portion. The fuel and oxidizer supplied from the supply portion to the communication passage pass from the inner wall of the catalytic converter to an outer wall thereof by forced convection, thereby reforming the fuel.

Abstract: A method is provided for controlling the operating temperature of a catalytic reactor using a closed-loop system that provides for varying the reactor input and other operating parameters in order to maintain the operating temperature of the reactor at or near the initial setpoint temperature for operation of the reactor. In one example, maximum and minimum operating temperatures with a catalytic partial oxidation reactor are controlled, as well as maintaining control over the corresponding minimum required ratio of oxygen atoms to carbon atoms, such that the operating temperature within the reactor is maintained below the material limits but above threshold temperatures for coking.

Abstract: A substrate or method for the sorption of sulfur compounds with a high capacity includes providing a substrate that defines at least one layer of ultra-short-channel-length mesh, coating at least a portion of the substrate with a desired sorbent for sulfur sorption, and passing a flowstream through the substrate and in contact with the sorbent during sorption.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for transferring heat by conduction to the internal heat acceptor of an external combustion engine. Fuel and air are introduced and mixed to form an air/fuel mixture. The air/fuel mixture is directed into a catalytic reactor that is positioned substantially adjacent to the heater head. Heat is transferred via conduction from the catalytic reactor to the heater head and the catalytic reaction products are exhausted.

Abstract: The invention disclosed is a method for improving the selectivity of a desired chemical reaction over an undesired chemical reaction utilizing a reactor having at least one channel having a catalyst positioned thereon and a presenting a reactant flow stream at a known flow rate and inlet temperature over the catalyst at a velocity such that a boundary layer formed thereby relative to said catalytic surface defines a thickness that is sufficiently less than the thickness of a fully developed boundary layer over said catalytic surface whereby the desired chemical reaction occurs preferentially over the undesired chemical reaction.

Abstract: A method and a system for the vaporization of a liquid fuel is provided and includes providing a supply of a liquid fuel and an oxidant, atomizing the liquid fuel and mixing it with the oxidant, vaporizing the fuel in thermal radiation, catalytically reacting the fuel oxidant mixture, and providing an ignition source for initiating the catalytic reaction. A hydrocarbon fuel can be mixed with oxygen, as a constituent of air, preferably forming a fuel rich fuel air mixture that passes through a catalytic reactor having an ultra-short channel length metal monolith substrate. The fuel air mixture is vaporized and partially oxidized.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for transferring heat by conduction to the internal heat acceptor of an external combustion engine. Fuel and air are introduced and mixed to form an air/fuel mixture. The air/fuel mixture is directed into a catalytic reactor that is positioned substantially adjacent to the heater head. Heat is transferred via conduction from the catalytic reactor to the heater head and the catalytic reaction products are exhausted.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the production of hydrogen comprising providing a first stream comprising fuel, providing a second stream comprising a partial exhaust stream from an internal combustion engine wherein the exhaust stream further comprises steam, providing a third stream of air, passing the first, second, and third streams through a catalytic reforming reactor, the reactor further comprising a supported precious metal catalyst, and producing reactant products comprising hydrogen.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and a system for the gasification of a liquid fuel and includes providing a supply of a liquid fuel and an oxidant, atomizing the liquid fuel and mixing it with the oxidant, catalytically reacting the fuel oxidant mixture, providing an ignition source for initiating the catalytic reaction, positioning a heat exchanger in proximity with the catalytic bed, and producing steam which can be fed back into the system thereby eliminating the need for a vaporizer. A hydrocarbon fuel can be mixed with oxygen, as a constituent of air, preferably forming a fuel rich fuel air mixture that passes through a catalytic reactor having an ultra-short channel length metal monolith substrate.

Abstract: A method for regenerable adsorption includes providing a substrate that defines at least one layer of ultra short channel length mesh capable of conducting an electrical current therethrough, coating at least a portion of the substrate with a desired sorbent for trace contaminant control or CO2 sorption, resistively heating the substrate, and passing a flowstream through the substrate and in contact with the sorbent.

Abstract: A method for regenerable adsorption includes providing a substrate that defines at least one layer of ultra short channel length mesh capable of conducting an electrical current therethrough, coating at least a portion of the substrate with a desired sorbent for trace contaminant control or CO2 sorption, resistively heating the substrate, and passing a flowstream through the substrate and in contact with the sorbent.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for the combustion of methane. The apparatus promotes the reformation of methane and oxygen in fuel-rich proportions into carbon monoxide and hydrogen and residual methane. The carbon monoxide, hydrogen and residual methane is then combined with oxidant in fuel lean proportions to continue oxidation in a porous media that absorbs some of the heat of oxidation and radiates the heat as infrared radiation.