Abstract:
Processes are provided for the storage and release of hydrogen by means of a substantially reversible catalytic hydrogenation of extended pi-conjugated substrates which include large polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with nitrogen heteroatoms, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with oxygen heteroatoms, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons with alkyl, alkoxy, ketone, ether or polyether substituents, pi-conjugated molecules comprising 5 membered rings, pi-conjugated molecules comprising six and five membered rings with nitrogen or oxygen hetero atoms, and extended pi-conjugated organic polymers. The hydrogen, contained in the at least partially hydrogenated form of the extended pi-conjugated system, can be facilely released for use by a catalytic dehydrogenation of the latter in the presence of a dehydrogenation catalyst which can be effected by lowering the hydrogen gas pressure, generally to pressures greater than 0.1 bar or raising the temperature to less than 250null C. or less, or by a combination of these two process parameters.
Abstract:
A base-facilitated reformation reaction. Hydrogen is produced from a reaction of an organic substance with a base to form bicarbonate ion or carbonate ion as a by-product. The base-facilitated reformation reactions are thermodynamically more spontaneous than conventional reformation reactions and are able to produce hydrogen gas at less extreme reaction conditions than conventional reformation reactions. In one embodiment, the instant base-facilitated reactions produce hydrogen gas from an organic substance at a lower temperature than is possible for the production of hydrogen gas from the organic substance in a conventional reformation reaction. In another embodiment, the instant base-facilitated reformation reactions produce hydrogen gas from an organic substance at a faster rate at a particular temperature than is possible from the conventional reformation reaction of the organic substance. In yet another embodiment, a reformation reaction is made spontaneous in the liquid phase by running the reaction at an elevated pressure. The preferred organic substances of the instant invention are hydrocarbons having four or more carbon atoms per molecule or mixtures thereof that are available from fuels such as gasoline, bio-diesel, diesel or other petroleum distillates or by-products.
Abstract:
Hydrogen is generated by reaction of a metal hydride and at least one alcohol which may be employed in conjunction with water; this provides a convenient, efficient method of generating hydrogen for a fuel cell.
Abstract:
A process and apparatus for producing and burning synthesis gas. Carbonaceous waste material is pyrolytically decomposed in a primary reactor in the presence of steam to produce raw product gas containing H2 and CO. The raw product gas and CO2 is then introduced into a coke containing secondary reactor under pyrolyzing conditions, so that the CO2 and coke react to produce combustible gas having an increased CO content. The combustible gas is mixed with oxygen and CO2 to produce a combustible mixture which is burned as a fuel to produce heat, CO2 and H2O. A portion of the produced CO2 is recovered and used as the source of CO2 gas in the combustible mixture and as a source of CO2 gas for the secondary reactor. Preferably filters and scrubbers are used in a closed loop system to avoid undesirable emissions into the environment.
Abstract:
A method of manufacturing a synthesis gas containing hydrogen and carbon monoxide comprises steps of removing only hydrogen sulfide from a natural gas containing hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide by permitting the natural gas to pass through a hydrogen sulfide-removing device filled with a hydrogen sulfide absorbent, adding carbon dioxide and steam to the natural gas which the hydrogen sulfide has been removed to prepare a mixed gas, and feeding the mixed gas into a reaction tube of a reformer, thereby permitting mainly a steam reforming reaction to take place in the mixed gas. This method enables hydrogen sulfide in natural gas to be removed while permitting the carbon dioxide of natural gas to be effectively utilized, thereby reducing the quantity of carbon dioxide to be added to the natural gas to be transferred to the reformer.
Abstract:
Providing a gas containing water vapor and organic vapors, derived from a biomass, is the method presented. The gas, containing water vapor and organic vapors is subjected to a reformer catalyst to react and become a gas containing water vapor, hydrogen and carbon monoxide. Upon subjecting the heretofore reformed gas to a steam shift catalyst, carbon monoxide and water vapor contained within the gas, reacts and forms a gas containing hydrogen and carbon dioxide substantially devoid of carbon monoxide. Providing a solution for substantially removing carbon dioxide from the gas containing hydrogen and mingling the previously obtained gas, containing carbon dioxide and hydrogen with the solution, forms a solution containing a bicarbonate derived from carbon dioxide contained within the gas. Upon separation of the gas, containing hydrogen, from the solution containing a bicarbonate results in a gas containing hydrogen and a solution containing a bicarbonate. Subjecting the bicarbonate containing solution to heat, forms gaseous carbon dioxide and a solution for recycle. Accordingly the method is concluded thereby producing a gas derived from a biomass containing hydrogen substantially devoid of carbon monoxide.
Abstract:
A process for the treatment of synthesis gas to increase content of hydrogen and/or carbon monoxide in the gas comprising the step of contacting the synthesis gas with a catalyst comprising oxides of manganese and zirconium, which metals are present in a molar ratio Mn/Zr of between 0.05 to 5.00.
Abstract:
A method for producing highly pure, hydrogen gas, of high pressure, if desired, by generating, in a reaction zone, hydrogen gas in the presence of one or more other gases and/or supercritical fluids; and the separation of at least some of the hydrogen gas by a separation zone having hydrogen selective permeability, whereby the separated hydrogen gas is substantially pure.
Abstract:
A process for producing hydrogen gas from a reaction of an organic substance and a base with a recycling of a carbonate or bicarbonate by-product and a regeneration of the base. In one embodiment, reaction of an organic substance and a base produces hydrogen gas and a metal carbonate. The instant invention provides recycling of the metal carbonate by-product. In a preferred embodiment, the metal carbonate by-product is soluble and recycling includes a three step process. In a first step, the soluble metal carbonate is reacted with a metal hydroxide to form a weakly soluble or insoluble metal carbonate that precipitates in a metathesis reaction. The metal hydroxide reactant of the hydrogen producing reaction is also formed in the metathesis reaction and remains in solution. Precipitation of the carbonate thus permits ready isolation of the carbonate by-product, while leaving behind an aqueous metal hydroxide phase that can be returned to and further utilized in the hydrogen producing reaction. The metal carbonate precipitate of the metathesis reaction is thermally decomposed to form a metal oxide solid in a second step. In a third step, the metal oxide is reacted with water to reform the metal hydroxide reactant of the metathesis reaction. The hydrogen producing reaction and recycling process are sustainable in that the metal hydroxide reactant of each reactant is regenerated in the recycling process. In an alternative embodiment, the hydrogen producing reaction produces a metal carbonate precipitate directly and recycling occurs through thermal decomposition of the metal carbonate to form a metal oxide followed by reaction of the metal oxide with water to reform the metal hydroxide employed in the hydrogen producing reaction. In yet another embodiment, a bicarbonate by-product is formed by a hydrogen producing reaction of an organic substance and a base and bicarbonate recovery occurs by heating the bicarbonate to form a carbonate and recycling according to the instant carbonate recycling process.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a process for suppressing the formation of metal-containing coke during processing of a hydrocarbonaceous material, such as for example a hydrocarbon conversion processes. Electromagnetic radiation is applied to the hydrocarbonaceous material while heating the hydrocarbonaceous material to a temperature above 700 degrees F. The frequency of the electromagnetic radiation is preferably below 300 MHz. The process is particularly useful in the reforming of a hydrocarbon material for operation in a fuel cell.