Abstract: A heat pump has an internal heat-absorbing section that receives heat and an internal heat-releasing section that releases heat. Heat is transferred between the internal heat-absorbing section and the internal heat-releasing section using a magnetic particle dispersion circulating between the internal heat-absorbing section and the internal heat-releasing section. The heat pump may include: an external heat-absorbing section in which a secondary working fluid receives heat from a heat-giving fluid; an external heat-releasing section in which the secondary working fluid releases heat to a heat-receiving fluid; and a circulation channel that allows the secondary working fluid to circulate.

Abstract: Heat regenerators and related methods enable heat transfer in an embedded structure of a heat regenerator. The heat regenerators enable a reduction of the pressure drop due to fluid flow through the heat regenerator and consequently an increase of power density. A heat regenerator includes a housing having a primary hot heat exchanger and a primary cold heat exchanger between elements for the oscillation of a primary fluid. The secondary fluid unidirectionally flows from the heat sink into the primary cold heat exchanger. The secondary fluid exits from the primary cold heat exchanger and unidirectionally flows towards the heat source. The secondary fluid S enters the primary hot heat exchanger and exits as the unidirectional flow of the secondary fluid S of the primary hot heat exchanger towards the heat sink. Between both primary heat exchangers, the porous regenerative material is positioned as part of the regenerator.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for storing and distributing liquefied hydrogen using a facility that comprises a store of liquid hydrogen at a predetermined storage pressure, a source of hydrogen gas, a liquefier comprising an inlet connected to the source and an outlet connected to the liquid hydrogen store, the store comprising a pipe for drawing liquid, comprising one end connected to the liquid hydrogen store and one end intended for being connected to at least one mobile tank, the method comprising a step of liquefying hydrogen gas supplied by the source and a step of transferring the liquefied hydrogen into the store, characterized in that the hydrogen liquefied by the liquefier and transferred into the store has a temperature lower than the bubble temperature of hydrogen at the storage pressure.

Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a refrigeration circuit and a coolant circuit separate from the refrigeration circuit. The refrigerant circuit includes a gas cooler/condenser, a receiver, and an evaporator. The coolant circuit includes a heat exchanger configured to transfer heat from a refrigerant circulating within the refrigeration circuit into a coolant circulating within the coolant circuit, a heat sink configured to remove heat from the coolant circulating within the coolant circuit, and a magnetocaloric conditioning unit configured to transfer heat from the coolant within a first fluid conduit of the coolant circuit into the coolant within a second fluid conduit of the coolant circuit. The first fluid conduit connects an outlet of the heat exchanger to an inlet of the heat sink, whereas the second fluid conduit connects an outlet of the heat sink to an inlet of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Provided is a production facility for liquefied hydrogen and a liquefied natural gas from a natural gas, including: a first heat exchanger configured to cool a hydrogen gas through heat exchange between the hydrogen gas and a mixed refrigerant for liquefying a natural gas containing a plurality of kinds of refrigerants selected from the group consisting of methane, ethane, propane, and nitrogen; a second heat exchanger configured to cool the mixed refrigerant through heat exchange between the mixed refrigerant and propane; and a third heat exchanger configured to cool the hydrogen gas through heat exchange between the hydrogen gas and a refrigerant containing hydrogen or helium, wherein the first heat exchanger has a precooling temperature of from ?100° C. to ?160° C.

Abstract: A device (HS) is provided with a refrigeration cycle unit (R) and a liquid hydrogen generation unit (P) for generating liquid hydrogen by cooling high-pressure raw material hydrogen by means of the refrigeration cycle unit (R) and by adiabatically expanding said raw material hydrogen by means of a Joule-Thomson valve (12). A first and second heat exchanger (E1, E2) are disposed along the refrigeration cycle unit (R) and the liquid hydrogen generation unit (P). The device (HS) is provided with a mechanism for generating liquid hydrogen by re-liquefying the boil-off gas generated in a liquid hydrogen storage tank. The boil-off gas is introduced into a hydrogen circulation path (1) at a section at which circulating hydrogen having an extremely low temperature flows, and the excessive circulating hydrogen generated therefrom is discharged to a raw material hydrogen path (11) from a section at which the circulating hydrogen is at room temperature.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for producing hydrogen and electricity utilizing a system suitable for producing liquid hydrogen and/or electricity. The system includes a gas reforming unit for receiving and reforming a natural gas feed to produce a hydrogen-comprising gas; an electricity generation unit for receiving and converting hydrogen from the gas reforming unit to generate electricity; and a hydrogen liquefaction unit for receiving and liquefying hydrogen from the gas reforming unit. The hydrogen liquefaction unit is powered by at least part of the electricity produced by the electricity generation unit. During a first period of operation, natural gas is provided to the gas reforming unit and the system is operated to export liquid hydrogen, and during a second period of operation, natural gas is provided to the gas reforming unit and the system is operated to export electricity.

Abstract: A method for integrating a liquefied natural gas liquefier system with production of liquefied natural gas from a methane-containing gas stream. The liquefied natural gas is produced by feeding a methane-containing gas stream through a heat exchanger to a distillation column and liquefying the natural gas while capturing the gaseous nitrogen. The liquefied natural gas is captured and the nitrogen gas is recovered, fed through the heat exchanger to recover cold and purified.

Abstract: A system and a method for liquefaction of gases which are utilized in their liquid state as refrigerants in applications that require low temperatures, throughout various pressure ranges, from slightly above atmospheric pressures to pressures near the critical point. The system and method are based on closed-cycle cryocoolers and utilize the thermodynamic properties of the gas to achieve optimal liquefaction rates.

Abstract: A system and a method for liquefaction of gases which are utilized in their liquid state as refrigerants in applications that require low temperatures, throughout various pressure ranges, from slightly above atmospheric pressures to pressures near the critical point. The system and method are based on closed-cycle cryocoolers and utilize the thermodynamic properties of the gas to achieve optimal liquefaction rates.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a monosilane (SiH4) and hydrogen recycle process/system for chemical vapor deposition (CVD) of monosilane-based CVD polysilicon. In particular, the present invention relates to the substantially complete silane utilization and unconverted (from the reactor) contamination-free complete silane and hydrogen recycle process of producing polysilicon chunk materials via the decomposition of gaseous silane precursors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of liquefying a hydrogen feed stream and a liquefier for carrying out such a method in which ortho-species of hydrogen contained in a hydrogen feed stream is converted to the para-species in higher and lower temperature catalytic converters. An adsorption unit, located between the higher and lower temperature catalytic converters, adsorbs a portion of the ortho content of the feed stream. The adsorbed portion is desorbed during regeneration of an adsorbent bed of the adsorption unit and is recirculated back for treatment in the higher temperature catalytic converter to reduce the degree to which the ortho-species are converted to the para-species in the lower temperature catalytic converter and at lower temperatures.

Abstract: The instant invention relates to improved means for the storage of H2 and O2, wherein the H2 and/or the O2 is stored on a vessel, ship or other non-Earth body in Space, whether manned or unmanned. Further, the instant invention relates to improved means for the storage of fuel, preferably hydrogen (H2) and oxidizer, preferably oxygen (O2), wherein the H2 and O2 are obtained from at least one storage tank or obtained by electrolysis of water (H2O). The instant invention does not require a hydrocarbon fuel source. H2O is the primary product of combustion; while in many embodiments of the instant invention, H2O is separated into H2 and O2, thereby making H2O an efficient method of storing fuel and oxidizer.

Abstract: The instant invention presents combustion of hydrogen with oxygen producing environmentally friendly combustion products, wherein management of energy and of combustion is improved. The instant invention presents improved thermodynamics, thereby improving combustion power and efficiency. The instant invention utilizes steam from combustion to: 1) maintain power output of combustion, 2) provide method(s) of energy transfer, 3) provide method(s) of energy recycle, 4) provide power, and 5) cool the combustion chamber. Steam is used as a potential energy source, both from kinetic and available heat energy, as well as conversion to H2 and O2.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and to a device for the vibration-free cooling of a gas. In a first cooling step, the gas is brought into thermal contact with a first cooling medium. In a second cooling step, it then flows through a liquefier, which is in thermal contact with a second cooling medium, and is thereby cooled by no more than 10 K. This low temperature gradient is primarily responsible for the gaseous or liquid gas flow exiting the liquefier being highly homogeneous and laminar. It is therefore suited for further processing into a flow of solid pellets having consistent size. These pellets can be transported across several meters in a vacuum and are therefore suited as a target material for generating a plasma by way of intensive laser radiation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for liquefying hydrogen. To reduce the specific energy consumption, the following process steps are used: a) the precooling of the hydrogen stream by indirect heat exchange against a pressurized LNG stream to a temperature of between 140 and 130 K, b) the precooling of the hydrogen stream by indirect heat exchange against a coolant to a temperature of between 85 and 75 K, c) where the precooling of the coolant takes place against a pressurized LNG stream, and d) the cooling and at least partial liquefaction of the precooled hydrogen stream takes place by indirect heat exchange against another hydrogen stream channeled through a closed cooling circuit, e) where the precooling of the condensed hydrogen stream, which is channeled through a closed cooling circuit, takes place against a pressurized LNG stream.

Abstract: A method for rendering a contaminated biomass inert includes providing a first composition, providing a second composition, reacting the first and second compositions together to form an alkaline hydroxide, providing a contaminated biomass feedstock and reacting the alkaline hydroxide with the contaminated biomass feedstock to render the contaminated biomass feedstock inert and further producing hydrogen gas, and a byproduct that includes the first composition.

Abstract: Hydrogen is liquefied by a process comprising pre-cooling hydrogen feed gas by indirect heat exchange against pressurized liquefied natural gas (“LNG”) to produce pre-cooled hydrogen feed gas and pressurized natural gas, further cooling at least a portion of said pre-cooled hydrogen feed gas by indirect heat exchange against at least one refrigerant to produce condensable hydrogen gas and expanding at least a portion of said condensable hydrogen gas to produce at least partially condensed hydrogen. One advantage of such a process is that the power consumed during liquefaction is significantly less than that consumed in existing hydrogen liquefaction processes which pre-cool hydrogen feed gas by indirect heat exchange against other refrigerants, e.g. liquid nitrogen.

Abstract: What is described is a conduit component for a power supply network, comprising at least one first conduit for an at least partially liquid cryogenic energy carrier and at least one second conduit for a heat transfer medium liquid at the temperature of the liquid cryogenic energy carrier, said second conduit running parallel to the first conduit, and also heat exchangers, which are provided at the end of the second conduit and are in thermal contact with the first conduit, for evaporating or condensing the heat transfer medium during the extraction of the cryogenic medium from or during its introduction into the first conduit. The conduit components can be used for setting up multifunctional power supply networks which allow the low-loss conduction of liquid cryogenic heat transfer media.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for splitting bitumen into two fractions and rendering a heavier bottom fraction as a useable emulsion fuel. The process is particularly effective in creating an alternate fuel to natural gas in a steam-based bitumen recovery process wherein bitumen is recovered from an underground reservoir.

Abstract: A method of producing hydrogen is disclosed and which includes providing a first composition; providing a second composition; reacting the first and second compositions together to produce a chemical hydride; providing a liquid and reacting the chemical hydride with the liquid in a manner to produce a high pressure hydrogen gas and a byproduct which includes the first composition; and reusing the first composition formed as a byproduct in a subsequent chemical reaction to form additional chemical hydride.

Abstract: Described is a process and a device for liquefying hydrogen, whereby the hydrogen to be liquefied is liquefied against one or more refrigerant (mixture) circuits and/or by means of expansion and is guided over at least one ortho-para conversion catalyst. According to the invention, the ortho-para conversion catalyst or at least one of the ortho-para conversion catalysts (K) can be bypassed. Furthermore, during the liquefaction process an exchange (7, 8) can take place between the hydrogen fraction (3), flowing (2, 4) through the ortho-para conversion catalyst(s) (K), and the hydrogen fraction (3), not flowing through the ortho-para conversion catalyst(s) (K).

Abstract: A method of liquefying a gas is disclosed and which includes the steps of pressurizing a liquid; mixing a reactant composition with the pressurized liquid to generate a high pressure gas; supplying the high pressure gas to an expansion engine which produces a gas having a reduced pressure and temperature, and which further generates a power and/or work output; coupling the expansion engine in fluid flowing relation relative to a refrigeration assembly, and wherein the gas having the reduced temperature is provided to the refrigeration assembly; and energizing and/or actuating the refrigeration assembly, at least in part, by supplying the power and/or work output generated by the expansion engine to the refrigeration assembly, the refrigeration assembly further reducing the temperature of the gas to liquefy same.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for magnetically cooling and liquefying a process stream include a plurality of active magnetic regenerative refrigerators (AMRRs) configured in parallel or in series and parallel. Active magnetic regenerative liquefiers (AMRLs) include such AMRRs and are configured to liquefy, for example, natural gas or hydrogen. In specific embodiments, a magnetic field is produced by hexagonally arrayed solenoids and magnetic refrigerants are selected to provide a thermal mass that is dependent on an applied magnetic field.

Abstract: A system for effectively generating refrigeration for use in putting a product fluid into an ultra cold condition wherein an active magnetic regenerator or a multicomponent refrigerant fluid cycle is integrated with a pulse tube system for receiving heat generated by the pulse tube system.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the liquefaction of hydrogen, of the type using a refrigeration cycle whose cycle fluid comprises mostly hydrogen, and a closed liquid nitrogen refrigeration cycle. The cycle fluid is hydrogen and a mixture of C.sub.2 + hydrocarbons. The hydrocarbons are liquefied and expanded to form fluids which vaporize in a substantially continuous manner between a temperature of the order of -120.degree. C. and a temperature adjacent ambient temperature. More particularly, the mixture of hydrocarbons is saturated C.sub.2, C.sub.3, and C.sub.5 hydrocarbons, and if desired C.sub.4, and separated liquefied fractions of these hydrocarbons are expanded at respective temperatures before expansion of the order of 0.degree. C. to -10.degree. C., -40.degree. C. to -50.degree. C. and -110.degree. C. to -120.degree. C., to form refrigerant liquids adapted to be vaporized.