Abstract:
In a preferred embodiment, the invention relates to a process of sequestering carbon dioxide. The process comprises the steps of: (a) reacting a metal silicate with a caustic alkali-metal hydroxide to produce a hydroxide of the metal formerly contained in the silicate; (b) reacting carbon dioxide with at least one of a caustic alkali-metal hydroxide and an alkali-metal silicate to produce at least one of an alkali-metal carbonate and an alkali-metal bicarbonate; and (c) reacting the metal hydroxide product of step (a) with at least one of the alkali-metal carbonate and the alkali-metal bicarbonate produced in step (b) to produce a carbonate of the metal formerly contained in the metal silicate of step (a).
Abstract:
A method of partially oxidizing a feed gas comprises providing a reactor containing a catalyst, providing a gas distributor comprising a body having a plurality of channels therethrough and a plurality of outlets from said channels for distributing gas across the catalyst, feeding the feed gas and the oxygen-containing gas into the gas distributor and allowing the feed gas and the oxygen-containing gas to flow through the gas distributor and out through the outlets into contact with the catalyst. The gas distributor preferably comprises a micro-channel gas distributor, which can be assembled by providing a plurality of etched plates defining flow channels, and stacking and fusing the plates. The reactant gases can be mixed within the gas distributor or maintained separately until they have exited the gas distributor.
Abstract:
A compact autothermal (partial oxidation and steam reforming) fuel reactor is provided for implementation with a fuel cell system. The reactor includes a premixing chamber for premixing a volume of air, steam and fuel into an effluent, a thermal POX reactor, a first stage reforming segment, a post-premix chamber, and a second stage reforming segment. Further provided are a water/fuel vaporizer for supplying steam and fuel as a gas to the premix chamber and an airflow cavity disposed about the reactor for pre-heating air supplied to the premix chamber. The thermal POX segment operates during an initial start-up period for pre-heating the other components of the reactor. Once the other components achieve an operation temperature, the first and second stage reforming segments catalytically reform the effluent. The premix and post-premix chambers enable variance in the O/C and S/C ratios to be achieved as the effluent is reformed through the multiple stages.
Abstract:
Disclosed is a method and reactor system for converting oxygenate and/or olefin contaminants in a methanol to olefin reactor system product effluent to hydrocarbons, including paraffin compounds, preferably over a sulphided catalyst of the type Nickel or Cobalt combined with Molybdenum or Tungsten. In one embodiment, the oxygenate-containing stream to be hydrogenated comprises one or more of the following streams, alone or in combination: a quench tower bottoms stream, a water absorption unit bottoms stream, a C4null stream, and/or a C5null stream.
Abstract:
An apparatus for preferential oxidation of carbon monoxide in a reformate flow includes a reactor defining a flow path for a reformate flow; at least one catalyst bed disposed along the flow path; and a distributor for distributing oxygen from an oxygen source to the at least one catalyst bed, the distributor including a conduit positioned at least one of upstream of and through the at least one catalyst bed, the conduit having a sidewall permeable to flow of oxygen from within the conduit to the at least one catalyst bed.
Abstract:
Many organic raw materials contain sulfur components, and the sulfur component is a catalyst poisoning component for their catalysts to decrease steam reforming reactivity. A hydrogen generator including a raw material supplying unit 4 supplying a raw material containing a sulfur component and composed of an organic compound, a water supplying unit 5 supplying water, a reformer 1 producing hydrogen gas, the reformer 1 provided with a reforming catalyst to make the raw material and water undergo a reaction, and a carbon monoxide removing unit 6 reducing the content of carbon monoxide in hydrogen gas produced in the reformer 1, wherein the reforming catalyst is constituted by a carrier composed of platinum and a metal oxide is provided.
Abstract:
A fluid processing unit having first and second interleaved flow paths in a cross flow configuration is disclosed. The first flow paths are substantially longer than the second flow paths such that the pressure drop in the second flow paths can be maintained at a relatively low level and temperature variations across the second flow paths are reduced. One or more of the flow paths can be microchannels. When used as a vaporizer and/or superheater, the longer first flow paths include an upstream liquid flow portion and a downstream vapor flow portion of enlarged cross sectional area. A substantial pressure drop is maintained through the upstream liquid flow portion for which one or more tortuous flow channels can be utilized. The unit is a thin panel, having a width substantially less its length or height, and is manufactured together with other thin units in a bonded stack of thin metal sheets. The individual units are then separated from the stack after bonding.
Abstract:
A lean-burn gasoline engine including an exhaust system, which system has a first oxidation catalyst for oxidizing engine-derived, unburned hydrocarbons during null>1 conditions, and a NOx-trap downstream of the oxidation catalyst. Also included in one embodiment is by-pass means arranged between an upstream end and a downstream end of the oxidation catalyst and means for switching at least some exhaust gas flowing in the exhaust system to flow in the bypass during rich or stoichiometric running conditions, thereby substantially to prevent bypassed exhaust gas from contacting the oxidation catalyst. Included in the invention are methods of treating the exhaust gas streams with the apparati defined above.
Abstract:
A multilayered ceramic chemical reactor and method of making the chemical reactor for use in an integrated fuel reformer in the form of a chemical combustion heater or a steam reformer. The ceramic chemical reactor including a three-dimensional multilayer ceramic carrier structure defining a cavity having a cofired catalyst formed therein. An optional cofired porous ceramic support layer can be provided as a layer between the ceramic structure and the catalyst material. The cofired catalyst provides for selective deposition of the catalyst material during fabrication and complete air oxidation of an input fuel during use. The cavity further includes a fuel inlet, an air inlet, and an outlet. The fuel processor includes a monolithic three-dimensional multilayer ceramic carrier structure defining a fuel reformer having heat provided by the integrated chemical reactor.
Abstract:
A multilayered ceramic chemical combustion heater for use in an integrated fuel reformer including a three-dimensional multilayer fired ceramic carrier structure defining at least one ceramic cavity therein and a method of forming the chemical combustion heater. A catalyst is formed in combination with the at least one cavity, being introduced into the cavity subsequent to the firing of the ceramic structure, thereby defining a closed heating zone. The catalyst provides for complete air oxidation of an input fuel. The chemical combustion heater generates heat in proportion to the feed rate of the input fuel and air. The ceramic cavity further includes a fuel inlet, an air inlet, or a combination pre-mixed fuel/air inlet, and an outlet. Feedback control of the feed rate of the input fuel and air allows for the maintenance of the chemical combustion heater at a specific temperature. The fuel processor includes a monolithic three-dimensional multilayer ceramic carrier structure defining a fuel reformer having heat provided by the integrated chemical combustion heater.