Abstract: The invention is directed to a chemical reactor (100) having (a) two or more gas reactor elements (12) with each gas reactor element (12) having (i) a first reaction chamber (38), and (ii) a feed assembly unit (36), (b) a second reaction chamber (20) coupled with each of the two or more gas reactor elements (12) and configured to independently receive two or more product streams from the two or more gas reactor elements (12); and optionally, (c) a gas converging section (40) located downstream to the second reaction chamber (20). The invention is further directed to a method of producing chemical products using the chemical reactor (100) of the present invention.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to the technical field of carbon nanotubes, provides an ultra-long chiral carbon nanotube and a method for preparing the same. The ultra-long chiral carbon nanotube has a diameter of about 1.5 nm to 5.5 nm and has a length of about 100 mm to 650 mm, the ultra-long chiral carbon nanotube includes a double-walled carbon nanotube and a triple-walled carbon nanotube, and each layer of the ultra-long chiral carbon nanotube is semiconducting and has a helix angle greater than 10°.

Abstract: Provided are graphene nanosheets having a polyaromatic hydrocarbon concentration of less than about 0.7% by weight and a tap density of less than about 0.08 g/cm3, as measured by ASTM B527-15 standard. The graphene nanosheets also have a specific surface area (B.E.T) greater than about 250 m2/g. Also provided are processes for producing graphene nanosheets as well as for removing polyaromatic hydrocarbons from graphene nanosheets, comprising heating said graphene nanosheets under oxidative atmosphere, at a temperature of at least about 200° C.

Abstract: A microfluidics device has one or more bubble diversion regions. Problems associated with the generation of air bubbles are avoided in a microfluidics device such as a cartridge, for use with a point of care (POC) diagnostics device, the cartridge being able to carry out downstream processing such as polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and/or nucleic acid capture. The bubble diversion region has a lower flow resistance than the flow resistance of an area of interest.

Abstract: A fuel gas injection apparatus includes a chamber, a heat exchanger, a supply manifold, injectors, and a mount body. The chamber is in communication with a fuel gas tank, and the heat exchanger is in communication with the chamber. The supply manifold is in communication with the heat exchanger and has a plurality of branched flow channels for flowing a fuel gas. The plurality of injectors detachably communicate with the branched flow channels of the supply manifold. The mount body is in communication with the plurality of injectors and guides the fuel gas injected from plurality of injectors to a fuel cell stack. The chamber and the heat exchanger are attached to the mount body.

Abstract: Chemical processors are configured to reduce mass, work in conjunction with solar concentrators, and/or house porous inserts in microchannel or mesochannel devices made by additive manufacturing. Methods of making chemical processors containing porous inserts by additive manufacturing are also disclosed.

Abstract: An example system includes an array of retaining features in a microfluidic cavity, an array of thermally controlled releasing features, and a controller coupled to each releasing feature in the array of releasing feature. Each retaining feature in the array of retaining features is to position capsules at a predetermined location, the capsules having a thermally degradable shell enclosing a biological reagent therein. Each releasing feature in the array of releasing features corresponds to a retaining feature and is to selectively cause degradation of the shell of a capsule. Each releasing feature is to generate thermal energy to facilitate degradation of the shell. The controller is to selectively activate at least one releasing feature in the array of thermally controlled releasing features to release the biological reagent in the capsules positioned at the retaining feature corresponding to the activated releasing feature.

Abstract: A method of making an atomic layer nanoribbon that includes forming a double atomic layer ribbon having a first monolayer and a second monolayer on a surface of the first monolayer, wherein the first monolayer and the second monolayer each contains a transition metal dichalcogenide material, oxidizing at least a portion of the first monolayer to provide an oxidized portion, and removing the oxidized portion to provide an atomic layer nanoribbon of the transition metal dichalcogenide material. Also provided are double atomic layer ribbons, double atomic layer nanoribbons, and single atomic layer nanoribbons prepared according to the method.

Abstract: Provided is a novel defibration method different from defibration by physical/mechanical pulverization and different from defibration by chemical modification. Provided is a defibration method and a production apparatus each capable of obtaining an intended, fine CNF without chemically modifying the CNF itself and by a treatment for a short time. A method for producing a cellulose nanofiber, the method being a method for continuously obtaining a cellulose nanofiber from raw material cellulose without performing chemical defibration and without performing physical/mechanical defibration in a post-treatment, and comprising mixing subcritical water in a high-temperature/high-pressure state, the subcritical water having a temperature of 180° C. or higher and lower than 370° C. and having a pressure of 5 MPa to 35 MPa, and the raw material cellulose, thereby defibrating the raw material cellulose to obtain a cellulose nanofiber dispersed in water, and a production apparatus for obtaining the cellulose nanofiber.

Abstract: A heater for a vehicle exhaust system includes a housing defining a fluid chamber, and the housing has a fluid inlet configured to receive fluid from a fluid supply and a fluid outlet. A helical body is positioned within the fluid chamber and a heater is integrated into the helical body to heat fluid supplied from the fluid supply such that heated fluid can be injected into a vehicle exhaust component via the fluid outlet. At least one sensor is integrated into the helical body to measure a fluid characteristic.

Abstract: A vehicle provided with a rechargeable battery, a charging port connected to a charging cable for supplying the battery with electric power of an outside power source, a CO2 recovery device for recovering CO2, a CO2 collection port connected to a collection hose for collecting CO2 from the CO2 recovery device, and a single openable lid covering both the charging port and the CO2 collection port.

Abstract: In a reactor, a first reference position is presumed to be defined by a straight line in contact with a first open end of the introduction port on the side bent toward the second flow channel and extending in the direction intersecting with the second flow channels, and a second reference position is presumed to be defined by a straight line in contact with a second open end of the introduction port on the opposite side of the first open end and extending in the direction intersecting with the second flow channel. At least part of the catalyst body is provided at least either in a region defined between the first reference position and the second reference position, or in a region defined between the second reference position and an inlet position of the first flow channels.

Abstract: A process for endothermic dehydrogenation including contacting a catalyst material in a moving bed reactor having at least one reaction zone, the moving bed reactor comprising a heat exchanger containing a heating medium, wherein the catalyst material and the heating medium do not contact one another, and wherein at least 50% of the delta enthalpy of the at least one reaction zone is provided by the heat exchanger; and contacting a feedstock comprising hydrocarbons with the catalyst material in the at least one reaction zone of the moving bed reactor under reaction conditions to convert at least a portion of the hydrocarbons to a first effluent comprising a product comprising alkenes, alkynes, cyclic hydrocarbons, and/or aromatics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the production of lithium from liquid resources such as natural and synthetic brines, leachate solutions from clays and minerals, and recycled products.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for the controlled growing of material on substrates. According to embodiments of the present invention, a precursor feed is controlled in order to provide an optimal pulse profile. This may be accomplished by splitting the feed into two paths. One of the paths is restricted in a continuous manner. The other path is restricted in a periodic manner. The output of the two paths converges at a point prior to entry of the reactor. Therefore, a single precursor source is able to fed precursor in to a reactor under two different conditions, one which can be seen as mimicking ALD conditions and one which can be seen as mimicking CVD conditions. This allows for an otherwise single mode reactor to be operated in a plurality of modes including one or more ALD/CVD combination modes. Additionally, the pulse profile of each pulse can be modified.

Abstract: This disclosure describes single and multi-layer woven meshes designed to enable sucking flow condensation and capillary-driven liquid film boiling, respectively, for instance, in use in heat spreaders. The single-layer woven meshes can include a nanostructure coating and a hydrophobic coating, while the multi-layer meshes can include a microcavity coating and optionally a hydrophilic coating.

Abstract: A method for analyzing a catalyst in a catalytic reactor that operates under non-isothermal conditions includes the steps of: positioning a catalyst basket within a catalyst bed within the catalytic reactor, the catalyst basket containing catalyst material the forms the catalyst bed; operating the catalytic reactor, the catalyst basket having dimensions such that a temperature difference (?T) along an axial direction (height) of the catalyst basket is non-isothermal; and analyzing the catalyst material contained within the catalyst basket. The temperature difference (?T) is, in one embodiment, within a range of 1° C. to 40° C. and preferably, within a range of 5° C. to 25° C.

Abstract: A delayed coking furnace (100) for heating coker feedstock (101) is disclosed. The furnace (100) includes a first heating zone (102) adapted to provide heat to the coker feedstock (101) through a convective heat transfer and then a second heating zone (104) positioned below the first heating zone (102) and adapted to heat the coker feedstock (101) through radiative heat transfer, wherein the second heating zone (104) include a lower portion and an upper portion. Further, said furnace (100) includes a plurality of burners (106) located at the lower portion of the second heating zone (104) and at least one baffle (111) disposed in the upper portion of the second heating zone (104). Further, the present disclosure provides that the at least one baffle (111) is adapted to increase a convective heat transfer coefficient associated with a flue gas flowing from the second heating zone (104) to the first heating zone (102).

Abstract: A nanocomposite including a metal oxide and two-dimensional nanosheets. The metal oxid includes at least one of zirconia and titania, and the two-dimensional nanosheets include at least one of reduced graphene oxide and boron nitride. A weight ratio of the metal oxide to the two-dimensional nanosheets is in a range of 2:1 to 19:1, or in a range or 2:1 to 9:1. Making the nanocomposite includes forming a first aqueous dispersion including zirconia nanoparticles and graphene oxide powder, combining a reducing agent with the first aqueous dispersion, irradiating the first aqueous dispersion with microwave radiation, thereby yielding a second aqueous dispersion including zirconia and graphene, and separating the nanocomposite from the second aqueous dispersion, wherein the nanocomposite comprises zirconia and graphene.

Abstract: A method for heat integration in a sulfur recovery unit, the method comprising the steps of reacting the acid gas stream and the air stream in the reaction furnace to produce a reaction effluent, where the reaction effluent comprises elemental sulfur, reducing the temperature of the reaction effluent in the heating extension to produce an effluent stream, reducing the temperature of the reaction effluent in the waste heat boiler to produce a cooled effluent stream, reducing the temperature of the cooled effluent in the sulfur condenser to produce a liquid sulfur stream and a cooled gases stream, where the liquid sulfur stream comprises the elemental sulfur, and increasing a temperature of the cooled gases stream to produce a hot gases stream, where the heating extension is configured to capture heat from the reaction effluent and release the heat to the cooled gases stream.

Abstract: A method for heat integration in a sulfur recovery unit, the method comprising the steps of reacting the acid gas stream and the air stream in the reaction furnace to produce a reaction effluent, where the reaction effluent comprises elemental sulfur, reducing the temperature of the reaction effluent in the heating extension to produce an effluent stream, reducing the temperature of the reaction effluent in the waste heat boiler to produce a cooled effluent stream, reducing the temperature of the cooled effluent in the sulfur condenser to produce a liquid sulfur stream and a cooled gases stream, where the liquid sulfur stream comprises the elemental sulfur, and increasing a temperature of the cooled gases stream to produce a hot gases stream, where the heating extension is configured to capture heat from the reaction effluent and release the heat to the cooled gases stream.

Abstract: A nanocomposite including a metal oxide and two-dimensional nanosheets. The metal oxide includes at least one of zirconia and titania, and the two-dimensional nanosheets include at least one of reduced graphene oxide and boron nitride. A weight ratio of the metal oxide to the two-dimensional nanosheets is in a range of 2:1 to 19:1, or in a range or 2:1 to 9:1. Making the nanocomposite includes forming a first aqueous dispersion including zirconia nanoparticles and graphene oxide powder, combining a reducing agent with the first aqueous dispersion, irradiating the first aqueous dispersion with microwave radiation, thereby yielding a second aqueous dispersion including zirconia and graphene, and separating the nanocomposite from the second aqueous dispersion, wherein the nanocomposite comprises zirconia and graphene.

Abstract: A reactor (1) for thermochemical reactions is provided comprising a reactor shell (13) having an inlet (2) and an outlet (3). Solid catalyst (16) is provided in reaction zones (4a, 4b, 4c) in which at least a portion of reactants entering the reactor (1) undergo a thermochemical reaction. A heat exchange medium is provided in heat exchange zones such that heat is exchanged between the reaction zones (4a, 4b, 4c) and the heat exchange medium. One or more hollow inserts (11) at least partially extend through the reaction zones (4a, 4b, 4c). The hollow inserts (11) are configured to form a flow path to either: divert a portion of the reactants from the reactor inlet (2) or from one reaction zone to a different reaction zone; or divert a portion of the heat exchange medium from one heat exchange zone to a different heat exchange zone.

Abstract: Incorporating into a fixed bed reactor for an exothermal reaction having a catalyst supported on a support having a thermal conductivity typically less than 30 W/mk within the reaction temperature control limits heat dissipative particles having a thermal conductivity of at least 50 W/mk less than 30 W/mk within the reaction temperature control limits helps control the temperature of the reactor bed.

Abstract: A carbon nanotube assembly manufacturing apparatus includes a synthesis furnace having a carbon nanotube synthesis space inside, and a gas supply unit that is disposed at a lower portion of the synthesis furnace and ejects an inert gas through a plurality of nozzles to converge carbon nanotubes discharged from the synthesis furnace. The plurality of nozzles are arranged along an arc of the gas supply unit so as to surround the carbon nanotubes discharged from the synthesis furnace and are individually adjustable.

Abstract: The invention relates to a PrOx reactor (R) comprising a housing that encloses a reaction space and has a first inlet (E1) for supply of a hydrogenous first gas (G1) to a reaction space, a second inlet (E2) for supply of an oxygenous second gas (G2) to the reaction space and an outlet (A) for discharge of a third gas (G3), wherein there is a multitude of conduits (Kv) extending from the second inlet (E2) into the reaction space, each of which comprises at least one opening (O) for supply of the second gas (G2) to the reaction space.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods for monomer production, for example, acrylic acid, wherein the methods comprise oxidizing one or more reactant gases, for example, propylene, in a fixed bed reactor, preferably, two fixed bed reactors, in the presence of oxygen and a mixed metal oxide catalyst to form an oxidized gaseous mixture and, at any point in the oxidizing, feeding or flowing the one or more reactant gases or the oxidized gaseous mixture through an inert macroporous material that has a pore volume of from 0.2 cm3/g to 2.0 cm3/g, a surface area of from 0.01 to 0.6 m2/g, and wherein from 30 to 98 wt. % of the total pore volume in the inert macroporous material has a pore diameter of at least 100 ?m.

Abstract: A method and design of providing high temperature heat for an endothermic gasifier without combustion includes flowing a stream of a first hydrocarbon gas sequentially through an annular plenum and a cylindrical plenum while heating the gas using electrical resistance immersion heating elements. These heating elements may be heated by three phase electrical power, minimizing the number of electrical leads emerging from the top of the heating elements. This method and design reduces the risk of extremely hot syngas exiting the gasifier damaging downstream fittings.

Abstract: Provided is a method for preparing a diol. In the method, a saccharide and hydrogen as raw materials are contacted with a catalyst in water to prepare the diol. The employed catalyst is a composite catalyst comprised of a main catalyst and a cocatalyst, wherein the main catalyst is a water-insoluble acid-resistant alloy; and the cocatalyst is a soluble tungstate and/or soluble tungsten compound. The method uses an acid-resistant, inexpensive and stable alloy needless of a support as a main catalyst, and can guarantee a high yield of the diol in the case where the production cost is relatively low.

Abstract: Vertical reactor (1) for chemical reactions, comprising a tube heat exchanger (6) immersed in a catalytic bed (5), wherein said tube exchanger (6) comprises a plurality of straight tube bundles (6.1, 6.2) with respective tube plates for feeding (9.1, 9.2) and collecting (10.1, 10.2) the heat exchange fluid, and wherein the tube bundles and the respective tube plates are vertically staggered so as to allow access to the shell side.

Abstract: A semiconductor package including a heat spreading layer having at least one hole, a first semiconductor chip below the heat spreading layer, a redistribution structure below the first semiconductor chip, a first mold layer between the heat spreading layer and the redistribution structure, a shielding wall extending from the redistribution structure and the heat spreading layer and surrounding the first semiconductor chip, and a first conductive pillar extending from the redistribution structure into the hole may be provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to methods and apparatus for the controlled growing of material on substrates. According to embodiments of the present invention, a precursor feed is controlled in order to provide an optimal pulse profile. This may be accomplished by splitting the feed into two paths. One of the paths is restricted in a continuous manner. The other path is restricted in a periodic manner. The output of the two paths converges at a point prior to entry of the reactor. Therefore, a single precursor source is able to fed precursor in to a reactor under two different conditions, one which can be seen as mimicking ALD conditions and one which can be seen as mimicking CVD conditions. This allows for an otherwise single mode reactor to be operated in a plurality of modes including one or more ALD/CVD combination modes. Additionally, the pulse profile of each pulse can be modified.

Abstract: Vertical reactor (1) for chemical reactions, comprising a tube heat exchanger (6) immersed in a catalytic bed (5), wherein said tube exchanger (6) comprises a plurality of straight tube bundles (6.1, 6.2) with respective tube plates for feeding (9.1, 9.2) and collecting (10.1, 10.2) the heat exchange fluid, and wherein the tube bundles and the respective tube plates are vertically staggered so as to allow access to the shell side.

Abstract: In various aspects, methods are provided for hydrogen production while reducing and/or mitigating emissions during various refinery processes that produce syngas, such as power generation. Syngas can be effectively separated to generate high purity carbon dioxide and hydrogen streams, while reducing and/or minimizing the energy required for the separation, and without needing to reduce the temperature of the flue gas. In various aspects, the operating conditions, such as high temperature, mixed metal oxide adsorbents, and cycle variations, for a pressure swing adsorption reactor can be selected to minimize energy penalties while still effectively capturing the CO2 present in syngas.

Abstract: This invention involves the addition of ester bottoms to an asphalt paving composition to improve the usable temperature range (UTR). The ester bottoms are a byproduct of refining a feedstock containing all or a portion of vegetable oil or animal fat.

Abstract: This invention involves the addition of ester bottoms to an asphalt paving composition to improve the usable temperature range (UTR). The ester bottoms are a byproduct of refining a feedstock containing all or a portion of vegetable oil or animal fat.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a semi-humic material, and compositions comprising the same, obtained from leonardite ore and a non-humic organic carbon source and a process for obtaining the same. Also described are methods for maintaining more available nitrogen and phosphorus in the plant root zone and minimizing premature leaching and loss of the nitrogen and/or phosphorus into the atmosphere, surface waters and/or subsurface ground water.

Abstract: Proposed is a cylindrical reactor (1) having a vertical longitudinal axis for continuous hydroformylation of a C6-C20-olefin or a mixture of C6-C20-olefins with synthesis gas in the presence of a homogeneously dissolved metal carbonyl complex catalyst, having a multiplicity of Field tubes (2) which are oriented parallel to the longitudinal axis of the reactor (1) and welded into a tube plate at the upper end of the reactor (1), having a circulation tube (3) open at both ends which envelops the Field tubes (2) and at its lower end projects beyond said tubes, having a jet nozzle (4) at the bottom of the reactor (1) for injecting the reactant mixture comprising the C6-C20-olefin, the synthesis gas and the metal carbonyl complex catalyst, wherein the Field tubes (2) are configured in terms of their number and their dimensions such that the total heat exchanger area of said tubes per unit internal volume of the reactor is in the range from 1 m2/m3 to 11 m2/m3 and the cross sectional area occupied by the Field t

Abstract: In a process for producing a silicon single crystal in which carbon is incorporated in order to inhibit crystal defects, provided is a process which easily allows carbon to be mixed and dissolved into a silicon melt. The process for producing a silicon single crystal, which involves allowing a silicon single crystal to grow during its pulling-up from the silicon melt held in a crucible, uses as at least part of a silicon raw material, crushed materials of a polycrystalline silicon rod produced by Siemens process that are obtained by crushing an end of the rod in the vicinity contacting a carbon core wire holding member.

Abstract: A plate heat exchanger comprises a plate package of permanently connected heat exchanger plates that defines a surrounding wall. Two mounting plates are permanently connected to an end surface of the plate package, in spaced relation to each other. Each mounting plate comprises opposing flat engagement surfaces and a peripheral edge that forms a perimeter of the mounting plate. Each mounting plate is arranged with one of its engagement surfaces permanently connected to the end surface, such that the peripheral edge partially extends beyond the outer periphery of the end surface, to define a mounting flange, and partially extends across the end surface in contact with the same. The mounting plates have a decreasing thickness towards the peripheral edge in predefined intersection regions, which are located where the peripheral edge intersects with the perimeter of the surrounding wall as seen in a normal direction to the end surface.

Abstract: Disclosed microscale reactors comprise lamina for carrying out multi-phase reactions for making desired chemical products, such as biohydrogenated diesel (BHD). Microreactor embodiments include a bottom clamp plate, a top clamp plate, and at least one catalyst plate positioned between and operatively associated with the bottom clamp plate and the top clamp plate. Catalyst plates include a catalyst associated for catalyzing the production of product from feedstock. To address the problems encountered when using microchannel reactors, the microscale-based reactors may include a mixer plate assembly and/or at least one catalyst lamina comprising an array of microscale posts. Disclosed microreactor systems for producing BHD include a feedstock source, a hydrogen source and an inert gas source each fluidly coupled to respective microreactor inlets.

Abstract: Disclosed are a device and a method for manufacturing a natural gas hydrate. Provided is the device for manufacturing a natural gas hydrate comprising: an ice slurry generation unit for preparing ice slurry having 13-20% of ice at normal pressure; a first pipe, having one end connected to the ice slurry generation unit for withdrawing the ice slurry from the ice slurry generation unit, and in which a high-pressure pump for increasing pressure on the ice slurry is interposed; a hydrate preparation reactor, which is connected to the other end of the first pipe so as to receive the pressurized ice slurry, and to which natural gas is supplied and mixed, for generating natural gas hydrate slurry; a second pipe, having one end connected to the hydrate preparation reactor, for withdrawing the natural gas hydrate slurry; and a dehydrating portion, which is connected to the other end of the second pipe, for dehydrating the natural gas hydrate slurry.

Abstract: Furnace tubes for cracking hydrocarbons that in an embodiment have a longitudinal array of pins having i) a maximum height from about 2 to about 4.8 cm; ii) a contact surface with the tube, having an area from about 0.1% to about 10% of the tube external cross section area iii) a uniform cross section along the length of the pin. (i.e., they are typically not tapered); and iv) a length to diameter ratio from about 4:1 to about 2:1 have an improved heat transfer over bare fins and reduced stress relative to a fined tube.

Abstract: A heat exchanger unit includes tube units arranged within a duct unit for heat exchange with combustion gas supplied from a furnace of a thermal power plant, and heat exchanger fins longitudinally formed on outer peripheral surfaces of the tube units and having different thickness and sizes while heat exchange with the combustion gas is performed through the heat exchanger fin.

Abstract: A process for the gasification of wet biomass. The process comprises heating wet biomass at a pressure in the range of from 22.1 MPa to 35 MPa. The wet biomass is heated from a temperature of at most T1 to a temperature of at least T2 by heat exchange with a first heating fluid. The gasification product is further heated. The further heated gasification product is used as the first heating fluid, upon which the further heated gasification product is cooled down from a temperature of at least T3 to a temperature of at most T4. The temperatures T1, T2, T3 and T4 can be calculated by using certain mathematical formulae. Also claimed: a reaction apparatus for the gasification of wet biomass.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing formaldehyde from a blend of partially oxygenated hydrocarbons includes a reactor for reacting a hydrocarbon-containing gas with an oxygen-containing gas in a reactor vessel to form first product blend. The first product blend includes a blend of partially oxygenated compounds that include formaldehyde. The apparatus also includes a reactive scrubbing station in fluid communication with the reactor where the blend of partially oxygenated compounds that include formaldehyde is contacted with a reactive scrubbing liquid at the reactive scrubbing station to form a reactive liquid-formaldehyde compound.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hydrocarbon conversion process in which an alkane component is catalytically converted in the presence of an oxygen or oxidizing component (i.e., oxidant). The hydrocarbon conversion process can be an oxidative coupling reaction, which refers to the catalytic conversion of alkane in the presence of oxidant to produce an olefin product, i.e., a composition containing C2+ olefin. Reverse-flow reactors can be used to carry out the oxidative coupling reaction.

Abstract: A combined reformer and purifier for converting a hydrogen-rich feedstock into purified hydrogen is described. The combined reformer and purifier can include at least one compression plate as an assembly comprising at least one first cavity comprising a catalyst effective to liberate hydrogen from said hydrogen-rich feedstock and forming a hydrogen-rich mixed gas. The compression plate assembly can also include at least one second cavity enclosing a burner or oxidative catalytic reactor to oxidize said hydrogen-depleted raffinate or said hydrogen-rich feedstock to supply heat to the at least one first cavity containing said catalyst. The compression plate assembly can also include an interior surface proximal to said membrane and an exterior surface distal to said membrane. The compression plate assembly can also include a third cavity effective to preheat said hydrogen-rich feedstock prior to being delivered to said catalyst.

Abstract: Fuel cell systems, e.g. systems including proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cells, are engineered to have more than one internal electrical resistance that can change according to temperature. Such changes in internal electrical resistance levels allow rapid heat-up of the fuel cells from low temperatures to an elevated temperature that is optimal for water management and fuel cell operation. The fuel cell systems can include at least one fuel cell and at least one resistor-switch unit electrically connected to the at least one fuel cell. The at least one resistor-switch unit includes a resistor and a switch in which the switch is electrically connected in parallel with the resistor.

Abstract: This invention involves the addition of ester bottoms to an asphalt paving composition to improve the usable temperature range (UTR). The ester bottoms are a byproduct of refining a feedstock containing all or a portion of vegetable oil or animal fat.