Abstract: A method for producing one or more hydroxide solids includes providing a catholyte comprising an electrolyte solution; contacting the catholyte with an electroactive mesh cathode to electrolytically generate hydroxide ions, thereby precipitating the one or more hydroxide solid(s); and removing the one or more hydroxide solids from the surface of the mesh where they may deposit.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates generally to a method for the removal of oxygen from hydrogen using a manganese, iron, nickel or cobalt based adsorbent. More specifically, the present subject matter relates to the methods for the removal of oxygen from hydrogen using a manganese based adsorbent without the generation of water or other oxides.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates generally to a method for the removal of oxygen from hydrogen using a manganese, iron, nickel or cobalt based adsorbent. More specifically, the present subject matter relates to the methods for the removal of oxygen from hydrogen using a manganese based adsorbent without the generation of water or other oxides.

Abstract: Methods for producing low oxygen biomass-derived pyrolysis oil are provided. Starting biomass-derived pyrolysis oil is deoxygenated by exposing the biomass-derived oil to a first catalyst in the presence of hydrogen-containing gas at first hydroprocessing conditions to produce a partially deoxygenated biomass-derived pyrolysis oil. The first catalyst has a neutral catalyst support. The partially deoxygenated biomass-derived pyrolysis oil is exposed to a second catalyst in the presence of additional hydrogen-containing gas at second hydroprocessing conditions to produce a hydrocarbon product. The biomass-derived pyrolysis oil may be esterified prior to deoxygenation. A portion of the low oxygen biomass-derived pyrolysis oil is recycled.

Abstract: Methods for deoxygenating treated biomass-derived pyrolysis oil are provided. The treated biomass-derived pyrolysis oil is exposed to a catalyst having a neutral catalyst support such as a non-alumina metal oxide support, a theta alumina support, or both. The non-alumina metal oxide support may be a titanium oxide (TiO2) support, a silicon oxide support, a zirconia oxide (ZrO2) support, a niobium oxide (Nb2O5) support, or a support having a mixture of non-alumina metal oxides. The catalyst may include a noble metal or a Group VIII non-noble metal and a Group VIB non-noble metal on the neutral catalyst support. The treated biomass-derived pyrolysis oil is introduced into a hydroprocessing reactor in the presence of the catalyst under hydroprocessing conditions to produce low oxygen biomass-derived pyrolysis oil.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and catalysts for deoxygenating a biomass-derived pyrolysis oil are provided. The method comprises the step of contacting the biomass-derived pyrolysis oil with a first deoxygenating catalyst in the presence of hydrogen at first predetermined hydroprocessing conditions to form a first low-oxygen biomass-derived pyrolysis oil effluent. The first deoxygenating catalyst comprises a neutral catalyst support, nickel, cobalt, and molybdenum. The first deoxygenating catalyst comprises nickel in an amount calculated as an oxide of from about 0.1 to about 1.5 wt. %.

Abstract: A method of removing heterocyclic sulfide impurities from a fluid stream is presented. The method comprises contacting the fluid stream with a sorbent comprising metallic copper.

Abstract: Methods for regenerating acidic ion-exchange resins and reusing regenerants in such methods are provided. A spent ion-exchange resin is contacted with an alcohol ion-exchange regenerant. The spent ion-exchange resin is thereafter contacted with an acidic ion-exchange regenerant to recharge the acidic ion-exchange resin to produce a regenerated acidic ion-exchange resin. Metal- and water-containing biomass-derived pyrolysis oil is then contacted with the regenerated acidic ion-exchange resin to produce low metal, water-containing biomass-derived pyrolysis oil. The regenerated acidic ion-exchange resin may be recycled. The spent alcohol and acid ion-exchange regenerants may be recovered and recycled.

Abstract: Low metal, low water biomass-derived pyrolysis oils and methods for producing the same are provided. Metal- and water-containing biomass-derived pyrolysis oil is contacted with an acidic ion-exchange resin having sulfonic acid groups to produce a low metal, water-containing biomass-derived pyrolysis oil. The low metal, water-containing biomass-derived pyrolysis oil is removed from the spent ion-exchange resin after ion-exchange. The low metal, water-containing biomass-derived pyrolysis oil is distilled to produce a low metal, low water biomass-derived pyrolysis oil and a distillation product. The distillation product comprises one or both of an alcohol ion-exchange regenerant and an acidic ion-exchange regenerant which may be used to regenerate the spent ion-exchange resin. The regenerated acidic ion-exchange resin may be recycled. The spent alcohol and acid ion-exchange regenerants may be recovered and recycled.

Abstract: A method of removing heterocyclic sulfide impurities from a fluid stream is presented. The method comprised contacting the fluid stream with a sorbent comprising metallic copper.

Abstract: A method of removing mercury from a fluid stream comprising contacting the fluid stream with a sorbent comprising cupric sulfide. The cupric sulfide is formed from direct sulfidation of copper carbonate, without thermal decomposition of the copper carbonate to an oxide, at a temperature less than about 150° C.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and catalysts for deoxygenating a biomass-derived pyrolysis oil are provided. The method comprises the step of contacting the biomass-derived pyrolysis oil with a first deoxygenating catalyst in the presence of hydrogen at first predetermined hydroprocessing conditions to form a first low-oxygen biomass-derived pyrolysis oil effluent. The first deoxygenating catalyst comprises a neutral catalyst support, nickel, cobalt, and molybdenum. The first deoxygenating catalyst comprises nickel in an amount calculated as an oxide of from about 0.1 to about 1.5 wt. %.

Abstract: Methods for producing low oxygen biomass-derived pyrolysis oil are provided. Starting biomass-derived pyrolysis oil is deoxygenated by exposing the biomass-derived oil to a first catalyst in the presence of hydrogen-containing gas at first hydroprocessing conditions to produce a partially deoxygenated biomass-derived pyrolysis oil. The first catalyst has a neutral catalyst support. The partially deoxygenated biomass-derived pyrolysis oil is exposed to a second catalyst in the presence of additional hydrogen-containing gas at second hydroprocessing conditions to produce a hydrocarbon product. The biomass-derived pyrolysis oil may be esterified prior to deoxygenation. A portion of the low oxygen biomass-derived pyrolysis oil is recycled.

Abstract: Methods for deoxygenating treated biomass-derived pyrolysis oil are provided. The treated biomass-derived pyrolysis oil is exposed to a catalyst having a neutral catalyst support such as a non-alumina metal oxide support, a theta alumina support, or both. The non-alumina metal oxide support may be a titanium oxide (TiO2) support, a silicon oxide support, a zirconia oxide (ZrO2) support, a niobium oxide (Nb2O5) support, or a support having a mixture of non-alumina metal oxides. The catalyst may include a noble metal or a Group VIII non-noble metal and a Group VIB non-noble metal on the neutral catalyst support. The treated biomass-derived pyrolysis oil is introduced into a hydroprocessing reactor in the presence of the catalyst under hydroprocessing conditions to produce low oxygen biomass-derived pyrolysis oil.

Abstract: Processes for producing a low acid biomass-derived pyrolysis oil are provided that include pre-treating a biomass-derived pyrolysis oil to form a treated acid-containing biomass-derived pyrolysis oil. The processes also include esterifying the treated acid-containing biomass-derived pyrolysis oil in the presence of supercritical alcohol and a catalyst composition to form the low-acid biomass-derived pyrolysis oil, the catalyst composition comprising a material selected from the group consisting of an unsupported solid acid catalyst, an unsupported solid base catalyst, and a catalytic metal dispersed on a metal oxide support.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing speckle in an image produced from a coherent source of radiation is provided. The method includes coupling a source beam received from a coherent optical source into an optical fiber. A position of at least a portion of the fiber may be modulated using a ditherer. The source beam may be refracted by a lens after it is decoupled from the optical fiber, such that the source beam is aimed at a microlens diffuser. In accordance with a particular embodiment, the source beam may be projected from the microlens diffuser onto a spatial modulator. The spatial modulator may be positioned to project the source beam via an imaging lens, to a target.

Abstract: Methods for regenerating acidic ion-exchange resins and reusing regenerants in such methods are provided. A spent ion-exchange resin is contacted with an alcohol ion-exchange regenerant. The spent ion-exchange resin is thereafter contacted with an acidic ion-exchange regenerant to recharge the acidic ion-exchange resin to produce a regenerated acidic ion-exchange resin. Metal- and water-containing biomass-derived pyrolysis oil is then contacted with the regenerated acidic ion-exchange resin to produce low metal, water-containing biomass-derived pyrolysis oil. The regenerated acidic ion-exchange resin may be recycled. The spent alcohol and acid ion-exchange regenerants may be recovered and recycled.

Abstract: Low metal, low water biomass-derived pyrolysis oils and methods for producing the same are provided. Metal- and water-containing biomass-derived pyrolysis oil is contacted with an acidic ion-exchange resin having sulfonic acid groups to produce a low metal, water-containing biomass-derived pyrolysis oil. The low metal, water-containing biomass-derived pyrolysis oil is removed from the spent ion-exchange resin after ion-exchange. The low metal, water-containing biomass-derived pyrolysis oil is distilled to produce a low metal, low water biomass-derived pyrolysis oil and a distillation product. The distillation product comprises one or both of an alcohol ion-exchange regenerant and an acidic ion-exchange regenerant which may be used to regenerate the spent ion-exchange resin. The regenerated acidic ion-exchange resin may be recycled. The spent alcohol and acid ion-exchange regenerants may be recovered and recycled.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing speckle in an image produced from a coherent source of radiation is provided. The method includes coupling a source beam received from a coherent optical source into an optical fiber. A position of at least a portion of the fiber may be modulated using a ditherer. The source beam may be refracted by a lens after it is decoupled from the optical fiber, such that the source beam is aimed at a microlens diffuser. In accordance with a particular embodiment, the source beam may be projected from the microlens diffuser onto a spatial modulator. The spatial modulator may be positioned to project the source beam via an imaging lens, to a target.