Inorganic Hydrator Patents (Class 422/162)
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Publication number: 20140369897Abstract: A heat integrated steam reformer, which incorporates a catalytic combustor, which can be used in a fuel processor for hydrogen production from a fuel source, is described. The reformer assembly comprises a reforming section and a combustion section, separated by a wall. Catalyst (21) able to induce the reforming reactions is placed in the reforming section, either in the form of pellets or in the form of coating on a suitable structured catalyst substrate such as fecralloy sheets. Catalyst (22) able to induce the combustion reactions is placed in the combustion section in the form of coating on suitable structured catalyst substrate such as fecralloy sheet. A steam and fuel mixture (30) is supplied to the reforming section (14) where it is reformed to produce hydrogen. A fuel and an oxygen (32) containing gas mixture is supplied to the combustion section where it is catalytically combusted to supply the heat for the reformer.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 6, 2012Publication date: December 18, 2014Inventors: Xenophon Verykios, Thomas Halkides, Andreas Stavrakas, Aris Basagiannis
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Publication number: 20140360485Abstract: A process of and system for sequestering carbon (CO2) produced in coal and gas burning hydrogen production plants, resulting in the production of hydrogen at current market prices or less without carbon emission.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 25, 2014Publication date: December 11, 2014Inventor: Surendra SAXENA
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Publication number: 20140364676Abstract: A system for hydrothermal reaction comprises a heater (3) including a circulating component for fluid flowing across and a heat source for heating fluid, and a reactor (4, 5) including a heat preserving container in communication with the circulating component via pipes. A method for hydrothermal reaction comprises heating the fluid including the reactant and water for hydrothermal reaction, and feeding the heated fluid to the heat preserving container to perform the hydrothermal reaction.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 9, 2012Publication date: December 11, 2014Applicant: Tongii UniversityInventors: Dezhen Chen, Xiaobo Ma, Lijie Yin, Lin Qiu
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Publication number: 20140363345Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein generally relate to an apparatus for simultaneous generation and separation processes. The apparatus provides a membrane module including a substrate, a catalytic layer and a membrane layer. The catalytic layer includes nano-sized particles. As a result, the apparatus can operate in sulfur-free and sulfur-laden feed gas environment for water gas shift (WGS) reactions while maintaining high reaction conversion.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 10, 2014Publication date: December 11, 2014Inventors: Dongmei LI, Shuai TAN
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Publication number: 20140364517Abstract: A process and system for producing liquid and gas fuels and other useful chemicals from carbon containing source materials comprises cool plasma gasification and/or pyrolysis of a source material to produce synthesis gas using the produced synthesis gas for the production of a hydrocarbon, methanol, ammonia, urea, and other products. The process and system are capable of sequestering carbon dioxide and reducing NOx and SOx.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 24, 2013Publication date: December 11, 2014Inventors: Henrik Selstam, Erik Fareid
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Publication number: 20140364516Abstract: A method and an apparatus for generating synthesis gas using hydrocarbons and water are described. In further embodiments of the method and the apparatus, synthesis gases having any desired CO/hydrogen ratio and/or synthetic functionalised and/or non-functionalised hydrocarbons are generated. With this method, a hydrocarbon containing fluid may be transformed into a synthesis gas having variable hydrogen content without generating significant amounts of CO2. Further, hydrogen and different forms of carbon may be obtained as by-products.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 20, 2012Publication date: December 11, 2014Inventor: Olaf Kuhl
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Publication number: 20140356744Abstract: In one aspect, a method to convert a fuel into energy and specialized fuel includes, in a reactor, dissociating a fuel to produce hot carbon and hydrogen, the hot carbon having a temperature state in a range of 700 to 1500° C., in which the dissociating includes providing heat and/or electric energy to produce the hot carbon and the hydrogen; and removing the hot carbon and the hydrogen from the reactor, the removing including depositing the hot carbon to a chamber, in which the hot carbon includes an increased chemical potential energy and is capable of storing energy from an external source. In some implementations, the method can further include supplying an oxygen- and hydrogen-containing reactant to contact the hot carbon to produce carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrogen (H2); and obtaining the produced CO and H2, which, after the supplying, remaining deposited carbon forms a durable carbon-based good or product.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 29, 2014Publication date: December 4, 2014Applicant: MCALISTER TECHNOLOGIES, LLCInventor: Roy Edward McAlister
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Publication number: 20140356238Abstract: A CO shift reaction apparatus 11 according to the present invention includes: adiabatic reactors 31A to 31C, each having CO shift catalyst layers 35A to 35C filled with a CO shift catalyst 34 which reforms CO in gasification gas 15; gas supply lines 111 to 115 which supply the gasification gas 15 to the adiabatic reactors 31A to 31C; first gas flow rate control units 32A and 32B which adjust the amounts of gas supplied to the adiabatic reactors 31A to 31C; gas discharge lines 121 to 125 which discharge processing gas; and second gas flow rate control unit 33A and 33B which adjust flow rates of processing gas 38A-1, 38A-2, 38B-1, and 38B-2.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2013Publication date: December 4, 2014Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Yoshio Seiki, Shuji Fujii, Koji Higashino, Kaori Yoshida, Masaki Yushima
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Publication number: 20140357890Abstract: A method for efficiently producing t-butanol as a raw material of a methacrylic resin from isobutanol is described, including a step (1) of dehydrating isobutanol to obtain butenes, and a step (2) of hydrating the butenes to obtain t-butanol. A method for producing methacrolein and methacrylic acid is also described, which further includes a step (3) of dehydrating and oxidizing the obtained t-butanol to obtain methacrolein and methacrylic acid. An apparatus for performing the steps (1) to (3) is also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 6, 2012Publication date: December 4, 2014Applicant: MITSUBISHI RAYON CO., LTD.Inventors: Ken Ooyachi, Toshiya Yasukawa, Shuji Akihara
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Publication number: 20140356278Abstract: A manufacturing method of hydrothermal generation of hydrogen is provided and includes steps of: providing an iron powder having a particle diameter from 100 nm to 10 mm; providing water of liquid status; mixing the iron powder and the water to form a mixture; and heating the mixture to the temperature between 100° C. and 200° C. to generate hydrogen. The hydrogen generated by the present invention could be used directly due to its high purity. The carbon dioxide would not be produced during the manufacturing process. The advantages of the present invention are that the manufacturing process will not cause environmental pollution and it is easy to carry out mass production.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 30, 2013Publication date: December 4, 2014Inventors: Dong-hwang CHEN, Yu-ching TSAI, Jan-antoni ROGUT
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Publication number: 20140346401Abstract: A multiple adiabatic bed reforming apparatus and process are disclosed in which stage-wise combustion, in combination with multiple reforming chambers with catalyst, utilize co-flow and cross-flow under laminar flow conditions, to provide a reformer suitable for smaller production situations as well as large scale production. A passive stage by stage fuel distribution network suitable for low pressure fuel is incorporated and the resistances in successive fuel distribution lines control the amount of fuel delivered to each combustion stage.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 9, 2014Publication date: November 27, 2014Inventor: Anthony M. Johnston
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Publication number: 20140350321Abstract: We provide a process and apparatus for preparing a used ionic liquid catalyst for safe disposal, comprising hydrolyzing the used ionic liquid catalyst comprising an anhydrous metal halide with a basic solution at a temperature from ?20° C. to 90° C. to produce a hydrolyzed product, evolve a hydrogen halide gas, and dissolve the hydrogen halide gas into the basic solution.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 13, 2014Publication date: November 27, 2014Applicant: Chevron U.S.A. Inc.Inventors: Hye Kyung Cho Timken, Shawn Stephen Healy, Shawn Shlomo Winter
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Publication number: 20140346403Abstract: A CO shift reaction apparatus is configured to suppress degradation of catalytic activity of a CO shift catalyst containing molybdenum and prolong the life of the catalyst. A CO shift reaction method uses the CO shift reaction apparatus. The CO shift reaction apparatus is configured to reform carbon monoxide contained in gas and includes a CO shift catalyst containing molybdenum; a reactor at least comprising: a gas inlet for introducing gas; a CO shift catalyst layer filled with the CO shift catalyst and through which the introduced gas passes; and a gas outlet for discharging the gas which has passed through the CO shift catalyst layer; and cooling means configured to cool the CO shift catalyst layer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2012Publication date: November 27, 2014Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventors: Koji Higashino, Toshinobu Yasutake, Shuji Fujii, Masanao Yonemura, Makoto Susaki, Kaori Yoshida, Yoshio Seiki, Atsuhiro Yukumoto
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Publication number: 20140348714Abstract: Provided is a hydrogen station that supplies hydrogen, including: a shaft power generation unit that generates shaft power and heat; a reactor that obtains hydrogen by causing a reaction in a raw material using the heat supplied from the shaft power generation unit; and a compressor that compresses the hydrogen obtained by the reactor, wherein the shaft power generation unit drives the other devices and drives the compressor by applying the shaft power thereto.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2012Publication date: November 27, 2014Inventors: Atsushi Segawa, Hideshi Iki, Hirofumi Konno
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Publication number: 20140342254Abstract: A system for splitting water and producing hydrogen for later use as an energy source may include the use of a photoactive material including PCCN and plasmonic nanoparticles. A method for producing the PCCN may include a semiconductor nanocrystal synthesis and an exchange of organic capping agents with inorganic capping agents. The PCCN may be deposited between the plasmonic nanoparticles and may act as photocatalysts for redox reactions. The photoactive material may be used in presence of water and sunlight to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. Production of charge carriers may be triggered by photo-excitation and enhanced by the rapid electron resonance from localized surface plasmon resonance of plasmonic nanoparticles. By combining different semiconductor materials for PCCN and plasmonic nanoparticles and by changing their shapes and sizes, band gaps may be tuned to expand the range of wavelengths of sunlight usable by the photoactive material.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 17, 2013Publication date: November 20, 2014Applicant: Sunpower Technologies LLCInventors: Travis Jennings, Daniel Landry
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Publication number: 20140341785Abstract: A chemical plant includes a radiant heat-driven chemical reactor having generally concentric reactor tubes with an inner tube and an outer tube located inside a cavity of a thermal receiver. Particles of biomass, or natural gas, and an entrainment gas are fed into the inner tube near a bottom of the tube. The biomass and the entrainment gas flow upward through the inner tube into an upper plenum, and then flow downward through an annular space between the inner tube and the outer tube. The concentric reactor tubes and the thermal receiver are configured to cooperate such that heat is radiantly transferred by primarily absorption and re-radiation to drive the biomass gasification reaction or natural gas reformation reaction of reactants flowing through the reactor tubes in the vertical sections of the reactor, and turbulent flow and mixing of the reactants occurs in the upper plenum part of the reactor.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2014Publication date: November 20, 2014Applicant: Sundrop Fuels, Inc.Inventors: Wayne W. Simmons, Christopher Perkins, Paul Lichty, Timothy E. Laska
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Publication number: 20140336420Abstract: A system or method for producing gasoline or dimethyl ether from natural gas via methanol includes: steam-reforming natural gas to generate reformed gas; synthesizing methanol from the reformed gas; synthesizing gasoline or dimethyl ether from the methanol; and at least one is selected from the group consisting of: pre-reforming natural gas prior to the steam-reforming; recovering carbon dioxide from flue gas generated in the steam-reforming; and preheating combustion air to be supplied to the steam-reforming by using synthesis heat generated in the synthesis of gasoline or dimethyl ether. In addition, an overall energy balance of the system is constructed by using heat recovery from flue gas generated in the steam-reforming, heat recovery from the reformed gas, synthesis heat generated in the synthesis of methanol, synthesis heat generated in the synthesis of gasoline or DME, and heat recovered in the pre-reforming, carbon dioxide recovering, or air preheating, respectively if selected.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2012Publication date: November 13, 2014Inventor: Masaki Iijima
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Publication number: 20140334985Abstract: A continuous process to upgrade heavy crude oil for producing more valuable crude feedstock having high API gravity, low asphaltene content, and high middle distillate yield, low sulfur content, low nitrogen content, and low metal content without external supply of hydrogen and/or catalyst. Heavy crude oil having substantial amount of asphaltene and heavy components is mixed with highly waxy crude oil having large amount of paraffinic components and water to decompose asphaltene compounds and remove sulfur, nitrogen, and metal containing substances under supercritical conditions. Product has higher API gravity, lower asphaltene content, high middle distillate yield, lower sulfur content, lower nitrogen content, and lower metal content to be suitable for conventional petroleum refining process.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2014Publication date: November 13, 2014Inventor: Ki-Hyouk Choi
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Publication number: 20140328749Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a process for hydrogen production in which at least a part of a hydrocarbonaceous feed gas (a) is passed into a reformer (c), wherein the feed gas is contacted in the reformer with a catalyst and the feed gas is converted to hydrogen and solid carbon, for the direct production of a hydrogenous gas at filling stations for sale to a consumer, and also to a reactor (d) for hydrogen production.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 20, 2014Publication date: November 6, 2014Applicant: BESTRONG INTERNATIONAL LIMITEDInventors: Ernst Hammel, Klaus-Dieter Mauthner, Walter Briceta
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Publication number: 20140328725Abstract: A two step process for the destruction of a precursor material using a steam plasma in a three zone reactor wherein the precursor material is hydrolyzed as a first step in the high temperature zone of the reactor, followed by a second step of medium temperature oxidation of the reactant stream in the combustion zone of the reactor where combustion oxygen or air is injected and immediate quenching of the resulting gas stream to avoid the formation of unwanted by-products. A related apparatus includes a non transferred direct current steam plasma torch, an externally cooled three zone steam plasma reactor means for introducing the precursor material into the plasma plume of the plasma torch, means for introducing the combustion air or oxygen into the combustion zone, means for exiting the reactant mixture from the reactor and means for quenching the reactant mixture located at the exit end of the reactor.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 5, 2014Publication date: November 6, 2014Applicant: PYROGENESIS CANADA, INC.Inventors: Pierre CARABIN, Lakshminarayana RAO
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Publication number: 20140330049Abstract: Biomass compaction during hydrothermal digestion of cellulosic biomass solids may become problematic, particularly as the vertical height of a cellulosic biomass charge increases. Compaction may be decreased in a horizontally configured hydrothermal digestion unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2014Publication date: November 6, 2014Applicant: SHELL OIL COMPANYInventors: Joseph Broun POWELL, Alouisius Nicolaas Renee BOS, Peter Anton August KLUSENER, Ingmar Hubertus Josephina PLOEMEN
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Publication number: 20140330055Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus comprising a reactor body to which gas and water are supplied to create a gas hydrate; an upper cover which is engaged to an upper portion of the reactor body, a scraper mounted rotationally within the reactor body, and a motor for providing a driving force to the scraper. It is possible to remove gas hydrate particles attached to at least one of an inner surface of the reactor body and an inner surface of the upper cover, by a rotary driving of the scraper. According to the invention, it is possible to prevent a material hindering a heat transfer by attaching on a wall surface of the reactor, through a process of scraping out gas hydrate particles, when the scraper which is rotationally driven about a center axis of the reactor is close to the inner surface of the reactor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 19, 2012Publication date: November 6, 2014Applicants: KOREA INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY, KOREA GAS CORPORATION, DONGSHIN HYDRAULICS CO., LTD., STX OFFSHORE & SHIPBUILDING CO., LTD., SUNGILTURBINE CO., LTD., DAEWOO ENGINEERING & CONSTRUCTION CO., LTD.Inventors: Ju Dong Lee, Kyung Chan Kang, Sang Yeon Hong, Jae Il Lim, Sang Yup Jang, Seung Beom Hong, Kyeong Ho Kim, Kwan Ta Woo, Sang Min Kim
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Publication number: 20140319424Abstract: A method and system for producing a synthesis gas in an oxygen transport membrane based reforming system is disclosed that carries out a primary reforming process, a secondary reforming process.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 13, 2013Publication date: October 30, 2014Inventors: Shrikar Chakravarti, Raymond Francis Dmevich, Minish M. Shah, Ines C. Stuckert
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Publication number: 20140319427Abstract: A method and system for producing a synthesis gas in an oxygen transport membrane based reforming system that utilizes a combined feed stream having a steam to carbon ratio between about 1.6 and 3.0 and a temperature between about 500° C. and 750° C. The combined feed stream is comprised a pre-reformed hydrocarbon feed, superheated steam, and a reaction product stream created by the reaction of a hydrogen containing stream reacted with the permeated oxygen at the permeate side of the oxygen transport membrane elements and wherein the hydrogen containing stream is a recycled portion of the synthesis gas.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2013Publication date: October 30, 2014Inventors: Shrikar Chakravarti, Brian R. Kromer, Keith A. Craigie, Sean M. Kelly, Juan Li
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Publication number: 20140319426Abstract: A method and system for producing a synthesis gas in an oxygen transport membrane based reforming system that utilizes a combined feed stream having a steam to carbon ratio between about 1.6 and 3.0 and a temperature between about 500° C. and 750° C. The combined feed stream is comprised a pre-reformed hydrocarbon feed, superheated steam, and a reaction product stream created by the reaction of a hydrogen containing stream reacted with the permeated oxygen at the permeate side of the oxygen transport membrane elements and wherein the oxygen transport membrane based reforming system and associated synthesis production process equipment are substantially free of carbon formation and metal dusting corrosion.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2013Publication date: October 30, 2014Inventors: Shrikar Chakravarti, Raymond Francis Drnevich, Kenneth L. Burgers
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Publication number: 20140323598Abstract: A method and system for producing a synthesis gas in an oxygen transport membrane based reforming system is disclosed that carries out a primary reforming process within a reforming reactor, and a secondary reforming process within an oxygen transport membrane reactor and in the presence of heat generated from a oxygen transport membrane reactor and an auxiliary source of heat. The auxiliary source of heat is disposed within the reactor housing proximate the reforming reactors and may include an auxiliary reactively driven oxygen transport membrane reactor or a ceramic burner.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 25, 2014Publication date: October 30, 2014Inventors: Shrikar Chakravarti, Raymond F. Drnevich, Ines C. Stuckert, Minish M. Shah
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Publication number: 20140319425Abstract: A method and system for producing a synthesis gas in an oxygen transport membrane based reforming system that utilizes a combined feed stream having a steam to carbon ratio between about 1.6 and 3.0 and a temperature between about 500° C. and 750° C. The combined feed stream is comprised a pre-reformed hydrocarbon feed, superheated steam, and a reaction product stream created by the reaction of a hydrogen containing stream reacted with the permeated oxygen at the permeate side of the oxygen transport membrane elements.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2013Publication date: October 30, 2014Inventors: Shrikar Chakravarti, Raymond Francis Drnevich, Kenneth L. Burgers, Minish M. Shah
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Publication number: 20140316097Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for recovering lactide from polylactide (PLA) or glycolide from polyglycolide (PGA), in which, in a first step, PLA or PGA is contacted with a hydrolysing medium and hydrolytically degraded to oligomers. In a further step, a cyclising depolymerisation of the oligomers obtained in the first step is effected to give lactide or glycolide. In addition, the present invention relates to an apparatus based on the combination of a hydrolysis apparatus with a depolymerisation reactor, with which the above-described process can be performed. The core of the process according to the invention is a partial hydrolysis of the polymeric materials originally used in combination with a cyclising depolymerisation.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 17, 2012Publication date: October 23, 2014Applicant: UHDE INVENTA-FISCHER GMBHInventor: Rainer Hagen
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Publication number: 20140314631Abstract: Disclosed is a transportable reformer for the catalytic primary reforming of hydrocarbons using steam at elevated pressure, comprising a reforming tube system, a furnace disposed about the reforming tube system, a plurality of manifolds in communication with the reformer tubes, a plurality of flue gas tunnels disposed beneath and in gaseous communication with the furnace, wherein each of the manifolds is integrally coupled to, disposed between, and supported by the opposing outer walls of an adjacent pair of flue gas tunnels such that the reformer is configured to be transportable as a single unit without additional support structures.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2012Publication date: October 23, 2014Applicant: THYSSENKRUPP INDUSTRIAL SOLUTIONS AGInventors: Oliver Meissner, Falk Beyer
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Patent number: 8863701Abstract: An apparatus and process for reducing vehicle emissions by converting exhaust gases to hydrocarbon fuel. The apparatus and process supplement conventional emission control techniques to further reduce vehicle emissions of harmful substances. The apparatus includes a heat exchanger to extract thermal energy from exhaust gases of a combustion engine that powers propulsion of a vehicle, a membrane separator to separate water and carbon dioxide from the exhaust gases, and a catalytic reactor comprising a nano catalyst. The catalytic reactor receives the water and the carbon dioxide from the membrane separator, contains a reaction of the water and the carbon dioxide that produces hydrocarbon fuel and is facilitated by the nano catalyst, and uses the thermal energy from the heat exchanger to stimulate the reaction. The catalytic reactor is contained within a body of the heat exchanger to facilitate the transfer of thermal energy.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2012Date of Patent: October 21, 2014Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil CompanyInventors: Hassan Imran, Muased Salem Musaed Al-Ghrami Al-Ghamdi, Aadesh Harsale, Jean-Pierre R. Ballaguet, Aqil Jamal
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Publication number: 20140308172Abstract: An integrated plant for the conversion of a hydrocarbon gas such as natural gas to useful hydrocarbon liquid fuels and feed-stocks comprises an H2+CO syngas generation system which provides feed gas to a Fischer-Tropsch catalytic hydrocarbon synthesis system with an associated power and heat energy system.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2014Publication date: October 16, 2014Inventor: Rodney J. Allam
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Publication number: 20140308029Abstract: A process of treating hydrogen gas liberated from the acid or alkaline dissolution of a metal is provided. The process comprises a step of passing the liberated hydrogen gas through a reactor containing an oxidising agent for oxidation of the hydrogen gas into water, followed by a step of regenerating the oxidising agent. Also provided is an apparatus for carrying out the process, the apparatus comprising a reactor containing the oxidising agent, wherein the reactor is at least partially immersed in an alumina bath.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2014Publication date: October 16, 2014Inventor: Luis Barbosa
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Publication number: 20140301941Abstract: A process for extracting hydrocarbons from a molecular combination is provided. The process includes heating a molecular combination to dissociate it into a particle stream of carbon cations, hydrogen cations, and oxygen anions; guiding the stream through a non-conductive conduit; moving the dissociated particle stream through a magnetic field to separate the cations from the anions; and isolating the separated cations from the anions. In one embodiment, methane is formed from carbonic acid.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2014Publication date: October 9, 2014Inventor: Timothy O. Nichols
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Publication number: 20140301905Abstract: A system and method for splitting water to produce hydrogen and oxygen employing focused polarized sunlight energy is disclosed. Hydrogen and oxygen may then be stored for later use as fuels. The system and method use inorganic capping agents that cap the surface of semiconductor nanocrystals to form photocatalytic capped colloidal nanocrystals, which may be deposited and oriented on a substrate to form an oriented photoactive material. The oriented photoactive material may be employed in the system to harvest sunlight and produce energy necessary for water splitting. The system may also include a light polarization system and elements necessary to collect, transfer, and store hydrogen and oxygen, for subsequent transformation into electrical energy.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2014Publication date: October 9, 2014Applicant: Sunpower Technologies LLCInventors: Daniel Landry, Travis Jennings
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Publication number: 20140301904Abstract: A system and method for splitting water to produce hydrogen and oxygen employing focused polarized sunlight energy is disclosed. Hydrogen and oxygen may then be stored for later use as fuels. The system and method use inorganic capping agents that cap the surface of semiconductor nanocrystals to form photocatalytic capped colloidal nanocrystals, which may be deposited and oriented on a substrate to form an oriented photoactive material. The oriented photoactive material may be employed in the system to harvest sunlight and produce energy necessary for water splitting. The system may also include a light polarization system and elements necessary to collect, transfer, and store hydrogen and oxygen, for subsequent transformation into electrical energy.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 11, 2014Publication date: October 9, 2014Applicant: SUNPOWER TECHNOLOGIES LLCInventors: Daniel Landry, Travis Jennings
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Publication number: 20140291581Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for producing a hydrogen containing gas mixture comprising the following steps: (i) providing a preheated mixture comprising a fossil fuel, preferably methane, and steam, (ii) conducting an adiabatic reaction between the fossil fuel and the steam, in the presence of a catalyst, wherein a first reaction product mixture is formed comprising methane, hydrogen and carbon dioxide, and (iii) conducting an oxygen-assisted reforming reaction in the presence of a catalyst between said first reaction product mixture and an oxygen comprising stream, wherein the oxygen comprising stream comprises at least 40 vol % oxygen, forming a second reaction product mixture comprising hydrogen and carbon monoxide. The invention also relates to a system suitable for hydrogen production from a hydrocarbon feed according to the present invention.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2012Publication date: October 2, 2014Applicant: SRANICARBON B.V. ACTING UNDER THE NAME OF MT INNOVATION CENTERInventors: Gaetano Iaquaniello, Emma Palo, Palma Contaldo
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Patent number: 8845998Abstract: A catalyst has a long life span and efficiently separates hydrogen from water. A first metal element (Ni, Pd, Pt) for cutting the combination of hydrogen and oxygen and a second metal element (Cr, Mo, W, Fe) for helping the function of the first metal element are melted in alkaline metal hydroxide or alkaline earth metal hydroxide to make a mixture heated at a temperature above the melting point of the hydroxide to eject fine particles from the liquid surface, bringing steam into contact with the fine particles. Instead of this, a mixture of alkaline metal hydroxide and metal oxide is heated at a temperature above the melting point of the alkaline metal hydroxide to make metal compound in which at least two kinds of metal elements are melted, and fine particles are ejected from the surface of the metal compound to be brought into contact with steam.Type: GrantFiled: January 6, 2010Date of Patent: September 30, 2014Inventor: Yasuo Ishikawa
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Publication number: 20140271449Abstract: A hydrogen generator including a reactor chamber having a feedstock inlet and an inlet seal positioned at the feedstock inlet. At least one pair of feed rollers is positioned to draw a feedstock through the inlet seal and into the reactor chamber. At least one pair of distressing rollers is positioned in line with the feed rollers to produce stress in the feedstock. Steam is provided to the reactor chamber through a steam inlet and hydrogen is collected from a hydrogen outlet.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: McAlister Technologies, LLCInventor: Roy Edward McAlister
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Publication number: 20140271382Abstract: The invention relates to a parabolic concentrating solar collector (1) formed by a paraboloid supported by a knuckle joint (3) suitable for tracking the sun. The collector is characterised in that a shaft (4) is disposed at the centre of the base of the paraboloid, said shaft being provided with a catalytic reactor (5) at the end opposite the surface of the paraboloid, as well as upward supply tubes (6) arranged therein for the passage of the primary products to the reactor and downward collection tubes (7).Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2011Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: GURADOOR,S.L.Inventor: Daniel Gonzalez Gonzalez
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Publication number: 20140275678Abstract: The gasification of a carbonaceous material includes receiving a volume of feedstock, supplying thermal energy to the volume of feedstock to convert at least a portion of the volume of feedstock to at least one pyrolysis reaction product via at least one pyrolysis reaction, super-heating the at least one pyrolysis reaction product, providing a volume of super-heated steam, mixing the volume of super-heated steam with the super-heated at least one pyrolysis reaction product and converting at least a portion of at least one reformed product to at least one synthesis gas product via at least one water-gas-shift reaction.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Searete LLCInventors: Joshua C. Walter, Samuel Scott Goodrich
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Publication number: 20140262743Abstract: A photosynthetic system for splitting water to produce hydrogen and using the produced hydrogen for the reduction of carbon dioxide into methane is disclosed. The disclosed photosynthetic system employs photoactive materials that include oriented photocatalytic capped colloidal nanocrystals (PCCN) within their composition, in order to harvest sunlight and obtain the energy necessary for water splitting and subsequent carbon dioxide reduction processes. The photosynthetic system may also include elements necessary to transfer water produced in the carbon dioxide reduction process, for subsequent use in water splitting process. The systems may also include elements necessary to store oxygen and collect and transfer methane for subsequent transformation of methane into energy.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Sunpower Technologies LLCInventor: Sunpower Technologies LLC
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Publication number: 20140264175Abstract: This invention relates to a process and an apparatus for conducting simultaneous endothermic and exothermic reactions in a microchannel reactor. A start-up procedure for the microchannel reactor is disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: VELOCYS, INC.Inventors: Steven T. Perry, Ravi Arora, Martyn Twigg, Bin Yang, Thomas Yuschak, Kai Tod Paul Jarosch, Eric Hans Drescher, Franck Letellier, Anders Gabrielsson
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Publication number: 20140262742Abstract: A high surface area grid having two mesh sheets aligned in opposite direction to each other is disclosed. One mesh sheet may be horizontally aligned while the other may be vertically aligned. Piezoelectric actuators may be attached along the sides of each wire sheet, employing piezoelectric actuators to allow a precise control of the displacement of the wires. High surface area grid may be employed in the formation of a photoactive material, where semiconductor photocatalysts may be deposited onto high surface area grid. Photoactive material may be employed for a plurality of photocatalytic energy conversion applications such as water splitting and carbon dioxide reduction. Employing a high surface area grid with the capability of dynamically-controlled dimensions may increase efficiency of semiconductor photocatalysts on its surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Sunpower Technologies LLCInventor: Sunpower Technologies LLC
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Publication number: 20140271381Abstract: A reaction column (12) to which a raw material mixture (11) containing a mono-lower-alkylamine (AA: raw material I) and an alkylene oxide (AO: raw material II) is supplied, an unreacted raw material distillation column (14) that separates an unreacted raw material (15) from a reaction product (13a) (containing the unreacted raw material (15), a target reaction product (monomer) (17), and a by-product (dimer) (18)), and a flash drum (16) to which a reaction product (13b) (containing the target reaction product (monomer) (17) and the by-product (dimer) (18)) is supplied, the flash drum (16) separating a mono-lower-alkyl monoalkanolamine (monomer, the target reaction product 17) in a gas state, are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: MITSUBISHI HEAVY INDUSTRIES, LTD.Inventor: Tatsuya Tsujiuchi
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Publication number: 20140272642Abstract: In some examples, a method for treating a reforming catalyst, the method comprising heating a catalyst metal used for reforming hydrocarbon in a reducing gas mixture environment. The reducing gas mixture comprises hydrogen and at least one sulfur-containing compound. The at least one sulfur-containing compound includes one or more of hydrogen sulfide, carbonyl sulfide, carbonyl disulfide and organic sulfur-containing compounds such as thiophenes, thiophanes, sulfides (RSH), disulfides (RS2R?), tri-sulfides (RS3R?) and mercaptans (RSR?).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 15, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: LG FUEL CELL SYSTEMS, INC.Inventor: John R. Budge
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Publication number: 20140272643Abstract: A reactor containing a heat exchanger is disclosed, which can be operated with co-current or counter-current flow. Also disclosed is a system that includes a reactor having a reformer and a vaporizer, a fuel supply, and a water supply. The reactor includes a source of combustion gas, a reformer operative to receive reformate, and a vaporizer operative to receive water. The reformer and vaporizer each include a stack assembly formed by a combination of separator shims and channel shims. The separator shims and channel shims are stacked in a regular pattern to form two sets of channels within the stack assembly. One set of channels will have vertical passageways at either end and a horizontal flowpath between them, while the other set of channels has only a horizontal flowpath.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: Battelle Memorial InstituteInventors: Paul E. George, II, Vincent Contini, Matthew E. Goshe
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Publication number: 20140252275Abstract: A system and method for splitting water to produce hydrogen and oxygen employing focused polarized sunlight energy is disclosed. Hydrogen and oxygen may then be stored for later use as fuels. The system and method use inorganic capping agents that cap the surface of semiconductor nanocrystals to form photocatalytic capped colloidal nanocrystals, which may be deposited and oriented on a substrate to form an oriented photoactive material. The oriented photoactive material may be employed in the system to harvest sunlight and produce energy necessary for water splitting. The system may also include a light polarization system and elements necessary to collect, transfer, and store hydrogen and oxygen, for subsequent transformation into electrical energy.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2013Publication date: September 11, 2014Applicant: Sunpower Technologies LLCInventor: Sunpower Technologies LLC
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Publication number: 20140248185Abstract: Methods for generating hydrogen gas and related systems are disclosed. Aspects of methods include providing a solid reactant component to an expandable reactant zone within an expandable reaction chamber, providing a liquid reactant component to a collapsible receptacle, controllably transporting the liquid reactant component in the collapsible receptacle to the expandable reaction chamber, and reacting the liquid reactant component with the solid reactant component. In some instances, components are configured for volume exchange among the expandable reaction chamber, the expandable reactant zone, and the collapsible receptacle.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2014Publication date: September 4, 2014Applicant: Intelligent Energy Inc.Inventors: Russell Barton, Guanghong Zheng
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Publication number: 20140249237Abstract: An integrated plant that includes a steam explosion process unit and biomass gasifier to generate syngas from biomass is discussed. A steam explosion process unit applies a combination of heat, pressure, and moisture to the biomass to make the biomass into a moist fine particle form. The steam explosion process unit applies steam with a high pressure to heat and pressurize any gases and fluids present inside the biomass to internally blow apart the bulk structure of the biomass via a rapid depressurization of the biomass with the increased moisture content. Those produced moist fine particles of biomass are subsequently fed to a feed section of the biomass gasifier, which reacts the biomass particles in a rapid biomass gasification reaction to produce syngas components.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2014Publication date: September 4, 2014Applicant: Sundrop Fuels, Inc.Inventors: Francis Michael Ferraro, Jerrod Wayne Hohman, Robert S. Ampulski
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Publication number: 20140249339Abstract: Oxidative dehydrogenation of paraffins to olefins provides a lower energy route to produce olefins. Oxidative dehydrogenation processes may be integrated with a number of processes in a chemical plant such as polymerization processes, manufacture of glycols, and carboxylic acids and esters. Additionally, oxidative dehydrogenation processes can be integrated with the back end separation process of a conventional steam cracker to increase capacity at reduced cost.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2013Publication date: September 4, 2014Applicant: NOVA Chemicals (International) S.A.Inventors: Vasily Simanzhenkov, Leonid Modestovich Kustov, Aleksey Victorovich Kucherov, Elena Dmitrievna Finashina, Xiaoliang Gao, Edward Christopher Foy, Claire Jeannine Ennis