Abstract: A process for producing a hydrogen-rich gas stream from a liquid hydrocarbon stream, the process comprising the steps of introducing the liquid hydrocarbon stream to a dual catalytic zone, the liquid hydrocarbon stream comprises liquid hydrocarbons selected from the group consisting of liquid petroleum gas (LPG), light naphtha, heavy naphtha, gasoline, kerosene, diesel, and combinations of the same, the dual catalytic zone comprises: a combustion zone comprising a seven component catalyst, and a steam reforming zone, the steam reforming zone comprising a steam reforming catalyst; introducing steam to the dual catalytic zone, introducing an oxygen-rich gas to the dual catalytic zone; contacting the liquid hydrocarbon stream, steam, and oxygen-rich gas with the seven component catalyst to produce a combustion zone fluid; and contacting the combustion zone fluid with the steam reforming catalyst to produce the hydrogen-rich gas stream, wherein the hydrogen-rich gas stream comprises hydrogen.

Abstract: This invention has three parts: Part 1 Two-phase extraction of contaminated water and vapor from extraction wells using drop tubes with vertical slots or orifices; Part 2, Separation of extracted water and vapor/air at the wellhead or in a common manifold installed in ground, Part 3 injection of the extracted water using injection well with a drop tube similar to drop tube in the extraction well without the orifices or slots that extend above and below the water table. This invention strips volatile organic compounds from water, creates a recirculation cell in subsurface, increases biodegradation of organic compounds within the recirculation zone.

Abstract: Contaminated soil can be in-situ cleaned without an excavation process. Heated gas can be injected to the contaminated soil to heat the soil for vaporizing the contaminants. Vacuum extraction can be used for extracting the volatile contaminants. Cool air can be injected to the cleaned soil to prevent total organic carbon degradation.

Abstract: An articulating conduit linkage system for maintaining a fluid connection between a fluid source and displaceable conduit that has been buried in a subsiding permeable body. A fluid source can supply a working fluid through a source outlet. A displaceable conduit can receive the working fluid through a conduit inlet, and be buried at a depth within a subsiding permeable body that is contained within a permeability control infrastructure. A plurality of articulating conduit segments can include, an outer conduit segment coupled to the source outlet, an inner conduit segment coupled to the conduit inlet, and at least one middle conduit segment coupled to the outer and inner segments. In the event of a subsidence, the plurality of articulating conduit segments are configured so the outer and inner conduit segments extend the conduit linkage system while maintaining a working fluid connection between the source outlet and the conduit inlet.

Abstract: A containment chamber is constructed by excavating a pit at the site of oil-contaminated sand and lining the pit with an impermeable, heat-resistant, flexible plastic liner. An array of spaced apart heating assemblies is positioned to cover the bottom of the chamber. Each heating assembly may include an elongate linear electric resistance heater positioned within a tubular slotted sand screen. The containment chamber is filled with a charge of contaminated sand. Solvent, such as diesel fuel, is pumped into the elongate passageways defined between the heaters and screens. The heaters are actuated to vaporize the solvent, which moves through the screen slots and convectively permeates the charge. The vapor transfers heat to the oily sand and condenses. Condensed solvent and heated oil drain and are recovered from the chamber.

Abstract: A method of recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbonaceous materials can include forming a constructed permeability control infrastructure. This constructed infrastructure defines a substantially encapsulated volume. A mined hydrocarbonaceous material can be introduced into the control infrastructure to form a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material. The permeable body can be heated sufficient to remove hydrocarbons therefrom. Hydrocarbon products can be collected from intermediate locations within the permeable body. Advantageously, an intermediate fluid collection system can be used to draw a hydrocarbon product from the permeable body at preselected locations. Such intermediate collection can provide hydrocarbon product fractions which can reduce or eliminate the need for full-scale distillation of a hydrocarbon product having a full range of products such as that typically found in crude oil.

Abstract: A method of preventing egress of a vapor from an encapsulated volume can include forming a substantially impermeable vapor barrier along an inner surface of the encapsulated volume. The encapsulated volume includes a permeable body of comminuted hydro carbonaceous material. Further, the vapor barrier can include an insulating layer capable of maintaining a temperature gradient of at least 400° F. across the insulating layer. The permeable body can be heated sufficient to liberate hydrocarbons therefrom and the hydrocarbons can be collected from the permeable body. The vapor barrier layer can be a single or multiple layer construction, depending on the specific materials chosen.

Abstract: A method of recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbonaceous materials can include forming a constructed permeability control infrastructure. This constructed infrastructure defines a substantially encapsulated volume. A comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material can be introduced into the control infrastructure to form a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material. The permeable body can be heated sufficient to remove hydrocarbons therefrom. During heating and removal of hydrocarbons and subsequent thereto a positive pressure can be maintained within the encapsulated volume by means of a non-oxidizing gas to expedite flushing of hydrocarbonaceous material, inhibit unwanted entry of oxygen into the encapsulated volume and remove recoverable hydrocarbons following the heating process.

Abstract: A constructed permeability control infrastructure can include a permeability control impoundment, which defines a substantially encapsulated volume. The infrastructure can also include a comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material within the encapsulated volume. The comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material can form a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material. The infrastructure can further include at least one convection driving conduit oriented in a lower portion of the permeable body to generate bulk convective flow patterns throughout the permeable body. An associated method of recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbonaceous materials can include forming a constructed permeability control infrastructure, which defines a substantially encapsulated volume. A comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material can be introduced into the control infrastructure to form a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material.

Abstract: A constructed permeability control infrastructure can include a permeability control impoundment defining a substantially encapsulated volume. A comminuted water-containing hydrocarbonaceous material can form a permeable body within the encapsulated volume. The impoundment includes a water vapor outlet for removing water vapor from the encapsulated volume. A heating device is also embedded within the permeable body to provide convective heating thereof. The permeable body can be heated sufficient to initially remove water therefrom as a water vapor. The water vapor can be removed from the infrastructure via the outlet which can be controlled or shut off when the permeable body is sufficiently dewatered. The dewatered permeable body can then be heated sufficient to remove hydrocarbons therefrom. During heating the hydrocarbonaceous material is substantially stationary as the constructed infrastructure is a fixed structure.

Abstract: A method of recovering hydrocarbons from hydrocarbonaceous materials can include forming a constructed permeability control infrastructure. This constructed infrastructure defines a substantially encapsulated volume. A comminuted hydrocarbonaceous material can be introduced into the control infrastructure to form a permeable body of hydrocarbonaceous material. The permeable body can be heated sufficient to remove hydrocarbons therefrom. During heating the hydrocarbonaceous material is substantially stationary as the constructed infrastructure is a fixed structure. Removed hydrocarbons can be collected for further processing, use in the process, and/or use as recovered.

Abstract: Methods are provided for remediating contaminated soil. The methods may include collecting contaminated soil at a plurality of treatment sites. The contaminated soil at one or more of the plurality of treatment sites may be at least partially contained. The method may include heating soil at a first site with a plurality of heat sources to substantially reduce contamination of the soil at the first site. Soil at a second site may be heated using a plurality of heat sources. A portion of vapors produced from the second site may be allowed to enter the substantially uncontaminated first site. Contaminants within the portion of vapors produced from the second site may be at least partially destroyed at the first site.

Abstract: Methods are provided for remediating contaminated soil. The methods may include collecting contaminated soil at a plurality of treatment sites. The contaminated soil at one or more of the plurality of treatment sites may be at least partially contained. Contaminated soil at the plurality of treatment sites may be treated with equipment in a central treatment facility. Treatment of the plurality of sites may be coordinated such that equipment in the central treatment facility operates substantially continuously as soil is delivered to, treated at, and removed from various treatment sites. The plurality of sites may be treated in a sequential manner, in which soil is delivered to one site, treated at a second site, and removed from a third site substantially simultaneously.

Abstract: A system and method for remediation of contaminated soil is provided. The system comprises a soil remediation cell of contaminated soil, and a plurality of multi-functional perforated pipes located within the contaminated soil. The multi-functional perforated pipes operate as (a) heating elements for introducing heat into the contaminated soil for volatilizing the contaminants located within the contaminated soil without utilizing mechanically driven forced air thereby producing a contaminated vapor, and (b) flow channels for removing the contaminated vapor from within the soil remediation cell. A high temperature covering, located about the soil remediation cell, forms a chamber over the soil remediation cell which receives and collects in the chamber the contaminated vapor which have been released from the multi-functional perforated pipes.

Abstract: Methods are provided for remediating contaminated soil. The methods may include collecting contaminated soil at a plurality of treatment sites. The contaminated soil at one or more of the plurality of treatment sites may be at least partially contained. The method may include heating soil at a first site with a plurality of heat sources to substantially reduce contamination of the soil at the first site. Soil at a second site may be heated using a plurality of heat sources. A portion of vapors produced from the second site may be allowed to enter the substantially uncontaminated first site. Contaminants within the portion of vapors produced from the second site may be at least partially destroyed at the first site.

Abstract: The invention provides repeated sequential stages of chemical and biological treatment to meet soil and/or groundwater treatment goals. Chemical treatment is undertaken to directly destroy a portion of the contaminants via oxidation, with such chemical treatment occurring in discrete injection events. Near the completion of an injection event, the remedial additive concentrations or delivery rates are increased. During or subsequent to the chemical treatment event, beneficial nutrients and additional microbial populations are added to the soil and or groundwater based upon field or laboratory testing and calculated optimal concentrations.

Abstract: Treatment apparatus and a process for thermal desorption of hydrocarbon contaminants from excavated soil provides efficient contaminant removal by handling the soil in a thermally conductive treatment vessel that fits within an insulated treatment chamber. The soil is treated in this chamber with fresh air that is dried and electrically heated prior to contacting the treatment vessel.

Abstract: An in situ thermal desorption soil remediation system may be used to remove contamination from soil. Heat may be applied to the soil by metallic strip heaters that have large cross sectional areas as compared to conventional heater elements. The strip heaters may be made of stainless steel. Large cross sectional areas of the strip heaters allow for large areas of thermal contact between the strip heaters and the soil being treated. Casings may not be needed between the strip heaters and the soil. The operating temperature of the strip heaters is self-regulating. As the temperature of a strip heater increases, the electrical resistance of the strip heater also increases. The increase in resistance causes a decrease in the power dissipation of the strip heater. The decrease in power dissipation as temperature increases allows a steady state heater strip temperature to be attained during use.

Abstract: Methods of extracting liquid hydrocarbon contaminants from underground zones are provided. The methods are basically comprised of the steps of introducing a hot purge gas into an underground zone containing a pool of liquid hydrocarbon contaminants whereby light liquid hydrocarbons in and around the pool are evaporated and dense liquid hydrocarbons in the pool are evaporated to some extent, charred, auto-ignited and combusted, and removing the hot purge gas, the evaporated light liquid hydrocarbons and combustion gases from the combustion of the dense liquid hydrocarbons in the zone.

Abstract: A method is provided to remove volatile contaminates from a contaminated volume of earth, the contaminated volume lying above a noncontaminated layer of earth, the method including the steps of: penetrating the contaminated volume with at least one wellbore so that a wellbore penetrates the contaminated volume and the noncontaminated layer; applying heat from the wellbore within the noncontaminated layer to the noncontaminated layer until the temperature of a substantial portion of the noncontaminated layer is about the boiling point of liquids within the noncontaminated layer; and applying heat from the wellbore within the contaminated volume to the contaminated volume wherein the temperature of the contaminated volume rises to about the boiling point of liquids in the contaminated layer after a substantial portion of the noncontaminated layer is about the boiling point of liquids within the noncontaminated layer at the pressure of the noncontaminated layer.

Abstract: A preferred method of soil remediation in which contaminant organic compounds are removed from soil by a sequential process in which the bulk of natural and contaminant organic compounds are stripped from the soil by hot air injection, followed by applying a strong oxidizing agent, preferably a permanganate, to reduce residual organic contaminant concentration to acceptable levels. Hot air is injected into the soil as it is being churned by the soil mixing device, preferably a chain trencher, to strip off organic compounds, The vapors may be collected through a vacuum hood disposed over the soil mixing device. When the thermal stripping has reduced the bulk hydrocarbon content of the soil (and thus reduced the oxidant demand), an effective amount of permanganate or other strong oxidizing agent is mixed into the soil to reduce the residual organic contaminants. Hot air can also be injected into the soil as or after the oxidizing agent is introduced to accelerate the oxidation rate.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for removing pollutants from soil with the aid of a stripping gas which involves