Abstract: A steam reformer with internal hydrogen purification includes internal bulk hydrogen purification, internal hydrogen polishing to remove trace levels of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, an integrated combustion method utilizing waste gas to heat the reformer, efficient integration of heat transfer, and a compact design. The steam reformer shown includes a concentric cylindric architecture nesting an annular combustion region, an annular reforming region, an annular hydrogen transport region, and a cylindrical polishing region.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for regeneration and reuse of He--N.sub.2 --CO.sub.2 mixed gas for carbon dioxide gas laser. The laser gas after use is contacted with a noble metal catalyst (for example, Pt--Al.sub.2 O.sub.3) at a temperature of 200.degree.-300.degree. C. to react CO and O.sub.2 formed by laser discharge so as to form CO.sub.2. A suitable quantity of moisture in the contained laser gas causes steam-reforming reaction of H.sub.2 O and CO, and reaction of H.sub.2 and O.sub.2 following thereto, and continuous operation over a long period is thus possible. Poisoning of the catalyst by NO.sub.x is suppressed at this relatively high temperature of reaction. Activity of the catalyst, when decreased, may be recovered by reactivation by passing a reactivating gas consisting of carbon monoxide, oxygen and helium through the catalyst bed at a temperature of 400.degree. to 500.degree. C.

Abstract: The invention relates to a catalyst for conversion of carbon monoxide with steam into hydrogen, carbon dioxide and hydrogen-rich synthesis gases. The conversion can be done at temperatures above roughly 300.degree. C. In addition, a chromium-free catalyst for the aforementioned purpose is described which contains the following in "application form:"(a) 30-98% by weight iron oxide, computed as Fe.sub.2 O.sub.3 ;(b) 0.1-20% by weight copper oxide, computed as CuO;(c) 0.1-20% by weight of an oxide of the rare earth levels computed as Me.sub.2 O.sub.3 (in which Me is a rare earth metal) and/or zirconium oxide, computed as ZrO.sub.2 ;(d) 0.1-30% by weight of at least one oxide of one or several other base metals with an ionic radius from 50 to 72 pm (other than chromium)(e) 0-0.1% by weight of at least one oxide of one or several precious metals from the platinum group;(f) 0-30% by weight barium oxide.

Abstract: A shift reactor is disclosed that is mounted on the exhaust end of an underoxidized burner so that the exhaust product is introduced to a cooler water bath in a compartment of the reactor. The exhaust product is passed through the water bath via submerged gas diffusers. The reactor compartment includes a collection chamber for receiving the bathed exhaust product containing hydrogen gas which is then exited to a shift catalyst chamber. The latter includes eductor for recirculation. A conduit may be coupled to the water bath for distributing heated water from the bath for exterior heating purposes or for purification means. A drain is operably connected to the conduit for permitting removal of excess water and a fill inlet is provided for adding water.

Abstract: Hot exhaust gases from oxygen-based fossil fuel fired-furnaces made up predominantly of steam and carbon dioxide are used for reforming a hydrocarbonaceous substance in the presence or absence of oxygen to produce carbon monoxide and hydrogen. Additional hydrogen can be produced by subjecting the carbon monoxide produced in the reaction to the water gas shift reaction.

Abstract: A process for carrying out a chemical equilibrium reaction is disclosed in which, in a first stage, one or more reactants are contacted with a fixed arrangement of a catalyst under conditions such that the reactants and the products of the reaction are gaseous, the unconverted reactants and products of the first stage being passed to a second stage, in which they are contacted with a fixed arrangement of a catalyst and the reaction allowed to proceed in the presence of an absorbent capable of absorbing a product of the reaction.

Abstract: Method for simultaneous recovery of hydrogen and hydrogen isotopes from water and from hydrocarbons. A palladium membrane, when utilized in cooperation with a nickel catalyst in a reactor, has been found to drive reactions such as water gas shift, steam reforming and methane cracking to substantial completion by removing the product hydrogen from the reacting mixture. In addition, ultrapure hydrogen is produced, thereby eliminating the need for an additional processing step.

Abstract: Process for the preparation of carbon monoxide rich gas comprising reacting a mixed gas of hydrogen and carbon dioxide in the presence of a conversion catalyst to carbon monoxide rich gas, which process further comprises reacting part of the carbon dioxide and hydrogen in the gas feed exothermically to methane simultaneously with the carbon monoxide producing reaction and carrying out both reactions under adiabatic conditions, so that the exothermical methane producing reaction provides necessary heat for the endothermic carbon monoxide producing reaction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for reducing the concentration of carbon monoxide in a gaseous reactant stream comprising carbon monoxide and water vapor. The catalyst bed of a water gas shift reactor is preferably divided into two sections. Alternatively, an assembly which includes two sequential reactors can be employed. The first section or reactor operates in an adiabatic fashion whereas the second section or reactor is cooled, thereby facilitating the further conversion of carbon monoxide in the second section or reactor. The gaseous reactant stream exiting the second section or reactor typically has a carbon monoxide concentration in the range from about 0.06% to about 0.14% by volume.

Abstract: A compact structure for a hydrogen generator is disclosed using a porous metal layer instead of conventional evaporators, thus reducing the size of the generator. This invention further includes a catalyst used in the water-shift reaction which reduces the toxic carbon monoxide in the product.

Abstract: This invention relates to the production of hydrogen-rich gas by the partial oxidation of a saturated gaseous hydrocarbonaceous fuel or a mixture of saturated gaseous hydrocarbonaceous fuel and a liquid hydrocabonaceous fuel in a gas generator. In the process, a saturated gaseous hydrocarbonaceous fuel from a subsequent fuel gas saturator is preheated by indirect heat exchange with a portion of shifted process gas stream from a catalytic water-gas direct shift conversion zone and reacted in said partial oxidation gas generator. The process gas stream from the noncatalytic partial oxidation gas generator is quench cooled and scrubbed with water and preheated by indirect heat exchange with a second portion of the process gas stream from the shift conversion zone prior to catalytically reacting the CO and H.sub.2 O in the process gas stream in the shift conversion zone to increase its H.sub.2 content.

Abstract: A process for the production of a hydrogen containing gas stream comprises partially reforming a feed stream containing hydrocarbon feedstock to be reformed together with a steam and/or carbon dioxide as reforming gas by passage of said feed stream over a steam reforming catalyst disposed in heated auxiliary tubes, thereby forming a partially reformed gas stream; subjecting the partially reformed gas stream, optionally together with a further quantity of said feedstock and/or reforming gas, to further reforming by passage over a steam reforming catalyst disposed in furnace reformer tubes heated by combustion of a fuel, thereby forming a reformed product gas stream; and passing the reformed product gas stream past the exterior of the auxiliary tubes, thereby supplying heat to said auxiliary tubes and cooling the reformed product gas stream.

Abstract: A process for producing hydrogen newly adds steps of introducing any of methanol and mixed fluid of methanol and water into said reactor, and converting most of said methanol into hydrogen, carbon dioxide and a small amount of carbon monoxide in the case of converting carbon monoxide in mixture gas containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide methane, and steam obtained by steam reforming reaction of hydrocarbon or its oxide into hydrogen by steam shift conversion reaction by using a reactor having a catalyst containing copper.

Abstract: A process for producing high purity hydrogen is disclosed. Specifically, the process includes (1) partially oxidizing a refinery offgas feedstock to produce a synthesis gas mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, (2) reacting the synthesis gas mixture with steam to convert the carbon monoxide into a raw gas mixture which primarily includes carbon dioxide and hydrogen, and (3) purifying the raw gas mixture to produce high purity hydrogen and a reject gas mixture of impurities. In a preferred embodiment, the purification step occurs in a pressure swing adsorption unit.Alternative embodiments are also described, each of which essentially involve the optional treatment and/or use of the reject gas mixture of impurities.

Abstract: A process for producing high purity hyrogen is disclosed. Specifically, the process includes (1) partially oxidizing a gaseous hydrocarbonaceous feedstock to produce a synthesis gas mixture of carbon monoxide and hydrogen, (2) reacting the synthesis gas mixture with steam to convert the carbon monoxide into a raw gas mixture which primarily includes carbon dioxide and hydrogen, and (3) subjecting the raw gas mixture to pressure swing adsorption to purify the raw gas mixture, thereby producing high purity hydrogen and a reject gas mixture of impurities.The gaseous hydrocarbonaceous feed is specific, inasmuch as it is characterized by containing a major component which includes at least one C.sub.1 -C.sub.3 hydrocarbon and which has an average molecular weight of up to about 30.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the preparation of a catalyst for water gas and hydroformylation reactions, which catalyst includes as active components a ruthenic carbonyl and a heterocyclic base on a solid carrier. The catalyst is formed by one or more successive reactions in which the ruthenic carbonyl is fixed from a gas phase onto the carrier and the heterocyclic base is fixed onto the carrier either from a gas phase in the same was as in the case of the ruthenic carbonyl, or from a solution or melt of the heterocyclic base.

Abstract: The conversion of CO/H.sub.2 O mixtures, in particular water gas, is carr out in the presence of solid, polymer rhodium complex catalysts which are insoluble in aqueous and organic solvents and are obtainable by polycondensation of one or more rhodium complexes having at least one ligand which contains at least one group capable of coordinating to rhodium and at least one group forming an inorganic network in the polycondensation, either with itself or with one or more inorganic network-forming agents capable of undergoing polycondensation. Novel rhodium complexes of this type are also described.

Abstract: Carbon monoxide is reacted with water vapor and converted into hydrogen and carbon dioxide, in the presence of a thio-resistant catalyst which comprises an active phase deposited onto a support, said active phase comprising molybdenum, vanadium or tungsten, and a cobalt and/or nickel promoter therefor, and said support comprising cerium oxide or zirconium oxide. The reaction mixture advantageously includes carbon monoxide, hydrogen, water and compounds of sulfur, wherefrom hydrogen is selectively produced in increased amounts.

Abstract: A gas stream containing hydrogen, carbon monoxide, and steam, and having a steam to dry gas molar ratio below 0.5 and a steam to carbon monoxide molar ratio above 0.5, and that has been formed at a temperature above 700.degree. C., is passed, at a temperature within the range 550.degree. to 650.degree. C., over an iron-free catalyst effective at such temperatures to catalyze the shift reaction. This effects some shift reaction thus increasing the amount of high grade heat that can be recovered from the gas. Also the hydrogen content of the gas is increased and the carbon monoxide to carbon dioxide ratio of the gas is decreased, thus decreasing the risk of hydrocarbon formation if the gas is subsequently subjected to a further shift reaction using an iron-oxide containing catalyst. Suitable catalysts comprise palladium and/or an oxide of an alkali, or alkaline earth, metal on a refractory support.

Abstract: In accordance with a method of producing of methanol synthesis gas from a partial oxidation crude gas, the gas is cooled after a waste heat boiler of a gasifier by adding a converted circulating gas in a quenching zone. The resulting gas mixture is dedusted and then separated into a product gas partial stream and a circulating gas partial stream. The product gas partial stream is supplied after corresponding gas treatment to the synthesis reactor while the circulating gas partial stream is subjected to a CO-conversion and supplied back to the quenching zone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a water-gas shift process which is carried out in a non-aqueous, high boiling liquid medium, either in an ebullated or slurry mode. The function of the liquid is to provide a heat sink for the exothermic reaction thereby allowing for better performance and longer catalyst life. The process, termed "liquid phase shift" (LPS) preferably uses commercially available vapor-phase low temperature shift (LTS) catalysts to accomplish the shift reaction. Because of the isothermality of the LPS process and its ability therefore to take advantage of higher catalyst activity, the average operating temperature is typically 260.degree. C. (500.degree. F.). This compares favorably to the lower average operating temperature for the conventional vapor-phase LTS process, which is typically 240.degree. C. (465.degree. F.). In addition, the LPS process can handle high carbon monoxide content feeds, e.g. 75 vol % carbon monoxide on a dry basis, without experiencing excessive catalyst deactivation.

Abstract: Toxic refractory organic substances are decomposed by reaction with oxygen and steam at a temperature in the range of 2500.degree. F. to 3200.degree. F. Such toxic refractory organic compounds as PCB's, may be completely destroyed without contamination of the environment.

Abstract: An integrated polygeneration system and process is disclosed for generating liquid hydrogen as a main energy product for use as a propellant for space vehicles. Secondary energy products and commodities for supporting a space center complex and launching of the space vehicle includes the production of electrical and thermal energy and gaseous nitrogen. The integrated process includes a coal gasification and gas cleanup system (12), a combined cycle power generation system (18), a hydrogen production and liquefaction system (22) and a air separation system (32). A medium BTU gas (16) is produced by the coal gasification system and is delivered at (16a) to the power generation system and (16b) the hydrogen production and liquefaction system.

Abstract: Carbon monoxide is reacted with water vapor and converted into hydrogen and carbon dioxide, in the presence of a thio-resistant catalyst which comprises an active phase deposited onto a support, said active phase comprising molybdenum, vanadium or tungsten, and a cobalt and/or nickel promoter therefor, and said support comprising cerium oxide or zirconium oxide. The reaction mixture advantageously includes carbon monoxide, hydrogen, water and compounds of sulfur, wherefrom hydrogen is selectively produced in increased amounts.

Abstract: Carbon monoxide is reacted with water vapor and converted into hydrogen and carbon dioxide, in the presence of a thio-resistant catalyst which comprises an active phase deposited onto a support, said active phase comprising molybdenum, vanadium or tungsten, and a cobalt and/or nickel promoter therefor, and said support comprising cerium oxide or zirconium oxide. The reaction mixture advantageously includes carbon monoxide, hydrogen, water and compounds of sulfur, wherefrom hydrogen is selectively produced in increased amounts.

Abstract: Catalysts susceptible to deactivation by free oxygen or to reactions involving free oxygen are protected by scavenging the oxygen in the presence of an oxidation catalyst, so as to remove commingled oxygen from the reactants to be converted in the presence of the catalyst suscepticle to oxygen attack.

Abstract: A hydrogen forming process and apparatus wherein one side of a hydrogen ion porous and molecular gas non-porous metallic foil is contacted with mixed gases comprising molecular hydrogen formed by a chemical reaction in a hydrogen production zone. The molecular hydrogen is dissociated and passed as ionic hydrogen to the other side of the metallic foil from which it is withdrawn, thereby removing hydrogen from the hydrogen production zone. This invention is particularly advantageous in favorably shifting the equilibrium of steam/methane reforming reactions and water-gas-shift reactions providing high yields of high purity hydrogen.

Abstract: A carbonaceous feedstock, e.g. coal or heavy oil, having a low hydrogen to carbon atomic ratio is partially oxidized using air, or oxygen enriched or depleted air, to form a crude gas which is subjected to catalytic shift and excess steam removal. Carbon dioxide and nitrogen are then removed from the resultant raw gas, which has a hydrogen to nitrogen, plus carbon monoxide, volume ratio in the range 0.5 to 1.5 and a nitrogen content at least 10 times the carbon monoxide content, in a pressure swing adsorption process thereby producing a product gas stream containing at least 50% hydrogen and 0.5 to 40% nitrogen, by volume. The waste gas from the pressure swing adsorption may be catalytically combusted to power a turbine driving the compressor for the air or the crude gas.

Abstract: Catalytic shift is effected in a reactor provided using a copper catalyst in indirect heat exchange with boiling water at a gas flow rate of 200 to 800 kg mol per hour per m.sup.3 of catalyst. The shift is effected using an outlet temperature in the range 230.degree. to 280.degree. C. that is preferably 10.degree. to 30.degree. C. below the maximum, or inlet, temperature. The heat exchange surface is 30 to 200 m.sup.2 per m.sup.3 of catalyst.

Abstract: A process for the production of hydrogen with simultaneous formation of carbon dioxide by reacting carbon monoxide with steam at elevated temperatures in the presence of a catalyst which essentially consists of a refractory oxidic carrier having a high specific surface area loaded with metallic copper of a purity of more than 90% by weight, a fraction of at least 1% by weight of said metallic copper calculated as % by weight of the total weight of the copper and carrier being present as particles of a size of less than 20 nm.

Abstract: This process relates to the upgrading of at least one stream of condensate water by removing water soluble gaseous impurities from the group consisting of HCN, COS, HCOOH, and mixtures thereof as produced in a process for the production of synthesis gas by the partial oxidation of solid carbonaceous fuel and/or liquid hydrocarbonaceous fuel. In the process, at least one internally produced condensate stream of water containing the aforesaid water soluble gaseous impurities is mixed with and vaporized into a stream of synthesis gas. The vaporized mixture is then introduced into at least one bed of catalyst where the gaseous impurities are removed by hydrolysis. The upgraded water stream is then recycled in the process for use in cooling and/or scrubbing the hot raw effluent gas stream from a partial oxidation gas generator.

Abstract: A catalyst for producing hydrogen gas from carbon monoxide and water, and a procedure for generating hydrogen gas from carbon monoxide and water in the presence of a catalyst. The catalyst is formed from a complex of a group VIII metal carbonyl and a heterocyclic base, and is of the formula M.sub.3-n M'.sub.n (CO).sub.12-x L.sub.x +yBwhereinM=RuM'=Fen is 0, 1 or 2x is 0, 1 or 2L is a triaryl or trialkyl phosphine or phospite,B is a chelating bidentate aromatic heterocyclic nitrogen-containing base, andy is a whole or fractional number from 1-6.

Abstract: An improved process for producing a methane-enriched gas wherein a hydrogen-deficient carbonaceous material is treated with a hydrogen-containing pyrolysis gas at an elevated temperature and pressure to produce a product gas mixture including methane, carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The improvement comprises passing the product gas mixture sequentially through a water-gas shift reaction zone and a gas separation zone to provide separate gas streams of methane and of a recycle gas comprising hydrogen, carbon monoxide and methane for recycle to the process. A controlled amount of steam also is provided which when combined with the recycle gas provides a pyrolysis gas for treatment of additional hydrogen-deficient carbonaceous material.

Abstract: Hydrogen and carbon monoxide are produced from coal, char or other carbonaceous material in a processing combination comprising a catalytic CO generator employing as reactant materials, fluid carbon material and CO.sub.2 product of the reaction of steam with CO to produce hydrogen and CO.sub.2. CO.sub.2 produced in the process is relied upon as the primary endothermic heat source in the fluid CO generator.

Abstract: The present invention is an improvement in the water-gas shift reaction in which an aqueous solution of ammonia or an ammonia yielding compound serves as a catalyst to increase the rate of, as well as shift the equilibrium toward, the production of hydrogen. The ammonia yielding compounds are preferably ammonium hydroxide or the weak acid salts of ammonia. Water for the reaction may be supplied by the solvent for the catalyst so that a separate source of steam is not required.

Abstract: Effluent gas streams for steam reforming, partial oxidation or coal gasification operations are advantageously treated in shift conversion, scrubbing and pressure swing adsorption units for recovery of a purified, hydrogen-containing product gas stream. By recycling a portion of the waste gas removed from the pressure swing adsorption system to the shift conversion unit and/or to the effluent gas generation operation, enhanced product recovery is achieved without the necessity for employing low temperature shift or for achieving essentially complete removal of the carbon dioxide content of the gas being treated prior to its passage to said pressure swing adsorption system.

Abstract: A unique process arrangement is disclosed wherein the effluent flue gas from the removal of hydrocarbonaceous coke from particulate matter by combustion in a mixture of pure oxygen diluted with carbon dioxide is processed to provide a carbon dioxide-rich recycle gas stream to be mixed with oxygen as regenerator feed gas; and a net combustion product stream from which are recovered SO.sub.x and NO.sub.x to eliminate atmospheric emissions, and a pure CO.sub.2 product for export. An alternate embodiment also produces hydrogen or synthesis gas for export.

Abstract: An integrated process for modifying the H.sub.2 /CO ratio in specified gaseous streams is disclosed, the process being characterized by bulk removal of H.sub.2 S, adjustment of H.sub.2 /CO ratio by water gas (or carbon monoxide) shift, and removal of remaining H.sub.2 S. CO.sub.2 may be recovered, and the process may be operated to produce a gas comprising principally hydrogen.

Abstract: An integrated process for modifying the H.sub.2 /CO ratio in specified gaseous streams is disclosed, the process being characterized by bulk removal of H.sub.2 S, adjustment of H.sub.2 /CO ratio by water gas (or carbon monoxide) shift, and removal of remaining H.sub.2 S. CO.sub.2 may be recovered, and the process may be operated to produce a gas comprising principally hydrogen.

Abstract: In the gasification of char with zinc oxide, the improvement which comprises reacting the off-gas stream of gaseous zinc and carbon monoxide with steam at elevated temperatures in a second reactor means thereby oxidizing the zinc to zinc oxide and yielding a second gaseous stream containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen. This improved process avoids having to condense and revaporize the zinc, heretofore an economic barrier to the development of the zinc oxide char processes.

Abstract: Desulfurized hydrocarbons are reacted with water vapor on catalysts at temperatures of 700.degree. to 1200.degree. C. to form a high-hydrogen product gas, which is separated in a pressure-swing adsorber into purified hydrogen and a separated gas, which contains substantially carbon oxides and methane. The purified hydrogen is supplied to a hydrogenating plant, which is operated at temperatures in the range of 250.degree. to 500.degree. C. and pressures of 200 to 400 bars. High-hydrogen gas from the hydrogenating plant flows in a pipeline through a heater and is then recycled to the hydrogenating plant. The heater consists of a fuelfired reheater, in which the separated gas is used as a fuel. The pipeline in which the high-hydrogen gas is recycled between the hydrogenating plant and the heater consists of an alloy steel, in which the carbon is combined in carbides with at least one of the alloying constituents chromium, molybdenum, tungsten or vanadium.

Abstract: A process for the energy efficient conduct of a multi-stage water gas shift reaction includes furnishing a carbon monoxide-containing feed gas stream at an inlet temperature of at least 600.degree. F. and water to a high-temperature shift reactor stage to produce a carbon dioxide and hydrogen enriched exhaust gas stream and introducing the exhaust gas stream to a low-temperature shift reactor stage at an inlet temperature of about 300.degree.-500.degree. F. to produce a product gas stream further enriched in carbon dioxide and hydrogen. A heat exchange fluid is passed in heat exchange relationship with at least the feed and exhaust gas streams to recover thermal energy therefrom by concurrently cooling the gas streams and heating the heat exchange fluid.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for the conversion of carbon monoxide in sour synthesis gas mixtures in the presence of a catalyst which is active in the presence of sulfur compounds. The catalyst comprises known sulfactive metal oxides or sulfides supported on a shaped carrier. The catalytically active oxides or sulfides are doubly promoted with an alkali metal compound and an oxide or sulfide of manganese. The two promoters combined in proper ratio provide a synergistic effect on the activity of the catalyst which is enhanced beyond that of the singly promoted catalyst. The catalysts are active at relatively low temperatures of less than 500.degree. F., even in the presence of sulfur compounds. The equilibrium for the conversion of steam and carbon monoxide to hydrogen and CO.sub.2 is favored at lower temperatures.

Abstract: Process for the production of hydrogen by reacting combustible substances with steam and converting carbon monoxide present in the resulting gaseous mixture into hydrogen and CO.sub.2 by reaction with steam. The amount of steam used in the conversion is increased by contacting said gaseous mixture before the conversion with a stream of water preheated by the gas obtained from the conversion reaction or by other sources of heat at low temperature, to achieve a saturation quench of said gaseous mixture by the conversion of the heated water with sensitive heat of the gaseous mixture into steam, and transfer of the heat from after to before the conversion. The saturated gaseous mixture is then heated to the temperature necessary for the conversion reaction.

Abstract: Synthesis gas is produced by partial oxidation of slurried coal followed by separation of ash, the temperature of the gas being thereafter controlled to permit a desired portion thereof to be directly contacted with water to achieve a gas/stream mixture of predetermined composition prior to shift conversion, the other portion being preferably convectively cooled for maximum thermal efficiency and then scrubbed prior to withdrawal as carbon monoxide-containing product.

Abstract: Hydrogen is produced from hydrogen sulfide by a 3-step, thermochemical process comprising:(a) contacting hydrogen sulfide with carbon dioxide to form carbonyl sulfide and water,(b) contacting the carbonyl sulfide produced in (a) with oxygen to form carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide, and(c) contacting the carbon monoxide produced in (b) with water to form carbon dioxide and hydrogen.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus for treating a pressurized feed stream capable of undergoing an endothermic reaction are disclosed. The process includes dividing the feed stream and heating a portion of the feed stream in an endothermic reaction zone so as to produce an endothermic reaction product, subjecting that product to a secondary processing step which is favored by a reduction in temperature, expanding the other part of the feed stream, indirectly contacting the expanded portion of the feed stream thus produced with the endothermic reaction product in order to reduce the temperature of the endothermic reaction product and increase the temperature of the expanded portion of the feed stream, and utilizing the expanded portion of the feed stream as means for adding heat to the initial portion of the feed stream sent to the endothermic reaction zone.

Abstract: Improved closed-loop pyrochemical processes for the decomposition of water in which at least one of the reaction steps in each process is carried out pyrochemically within the central reaction chamber of a thermonuclear reactor during and immediately after a thermonuclear reaction, and in which one of the reagents in or products of the chamber reaction is a metal having a boiling temperature which is higher than the decomposition temperature of the associated metal oxide. The product of the pyrochemical reaction which includes the metal element is in the condensed phase after completion of the reaction and may thus be easily separated from the remaining gaseous reaction products.

Abstract: A multi-step chemical and radiolytic process for the production of gas such as hydrogen and oxygen. A highly radiosensitive gas such as carbon dioxide is injected directly into the reaction chamber of a fusion reactor and is molecularly dissociated to form carbon monoxide and pure oxygen when the fusion fuel is burned. The carbon monoxide is then mixed with steam at an elevated temperature to form carbon dioxide and pure hydrogen. The carbon dioxide is recycled and injected into the central reaction chamber to complete a closed-loop process for production of pure hydrogen and oxygen at the expense of water.

Abstract: Improved closed-loop pyrochemical processes for the decomposition of water in which at least one reaction step in each process has a high energy requirement that may be expressed in standard Gibbs free energy change terms of more than 10 to 20 kcal/mole at 298.degree. K., .DELTA.G.sup.o.sub.f298. Such high energy steps are carried out in the central reaction chamber of a thermonuclear reactor wherein the energy of intense shock waves, hereinafter called the blast waves, caused by a pellet-by-pellet intermittent thermonuclear reaction provides an automatic drive for the process step kinetics. During the radial outward propagation of the blast wave reaction materials within the chamber are heated and compressed within the blast wave and entrained behind the blast wave. The product density immediately behind the blast wave remains directly proportional to the ambient density ahead of the wave.