Processes for converting a raw biogas and/or acid gas into high-value products are described herein. The process generally includes: (i) upgrading the raw biogas or acid gas to produce a tail gas stream containing at least 90% (molar) carbon dioxide and/or a first output stream containing at least 90% (molar) methane gas, and (ii) subsequent to step (i), synthesizing DME, wherein a first input carbon dioxide stream containing at least 90% (molar) carbon dioxide is fed to step (ii). Optionally, the process further includes desulfurizing the tail gas produced in raw biogas or acid gas upgrading, electrolyzing water to produce hydrogen gas for DME synthesis and oxygen gas for tail gas desulfurization, synthesizing fuels and/or chemicals using the synthesized DME and/or gas, producing syngas using light hydrocarbons produced in DME synthesis and/or fuels/chemical synthesis, and/or producing raw biogas from a biogenic raw biogas source.
C10L 3/10 - Working-up natural gas or synthetic natural gas
C07C 29/151 - Preparation of compounds having hydroxy or O-metal groups bound to a carbon atom not belonging to a six-membered aromatic ring by reduction of oxides of carbon exclusively with hydrogen or hydrogen-containing gases
Described is an industrial scale chemical reactor or reactor containing a shell having an inner wall, and at least one channel inside the shell. The shell has a circular, square, or rectangular cross-sectional area. All of the internal dimensions of the channel are greater than 10 mm, and optionally less than 50 mm. The channel has a rectangular cross-sectional area, and contains a catalyst bed containing catalyst particles and/or pieces containing catalyst particles packed inside the channel. The reactor has improved shell volume utilization, catalyst loading capacities, heat exchange efficiency, process intensification, or combinations thereof, compared to currently existing reactors. Exothermic reactions, such as the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis can be performed inside the channels of the reactor. Also described are methods of making the reactor.
C10G 2/00 - Production of liquid hydrocarbon mixtures of undefined composition from oxides of carbon
C07C 1/04 - Preparation of hydrocarbons from one or more compounds, none of them being a hydrocarbon from oxides of carbon from carbon monoxide with hydrogen
B01J 8/00 - Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particlesApparatus for such processes
B01J 8/04 - Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particlesApparatus for such processes with stationary particles, e.g. in fixed beds the fluid passing successively through two or more beds
B01J 19/00 - Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in generalTheir relevant apparatus
B01J 19/24 - Stationary reactors without moving elements inside
B01J 23/94 - Regeneration or reactivation of catalysts comprising metals, oxides or hydroxides of the iron group metals or copper
B01J 38/10 - Gas or vapour treatingTreating by using liquids vaporisable upon contacting spent catalyst using elemental hydrogen
B01J 8/24 - Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particlesApparatus for such processes with fluidised particles according to "fluidised-bed" technique
Described is an industrial scale chemical reactor or reactor containing a shell having an inner wall, and at least one channel inside the shell. The shell has a circular, square, or rectangular cross-sectional area. All of the internal dimensions of the channel are greater than 10 mm, and optionally less than 50 mm. The channel has a rectangular cross-sectional area, and contains a catalyst bed containing catalyst particles and/or pieces containing catalyst particles packed inside the channel. The reactor has improved shell volume utilization, catalyst loading capacities, heat exchange efficiency, process intensification, or combinations thereof, compared to currently existing reactors. Exothermic reactions, such as the Fischer-Tropsch synthesis can be performed inside the channels of the reactor. Also described are methods of making the reactor.
B01J 8/06 - Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particlesApparatus for such processes with stationary particles, e.g. in fixed beds in tube reactorsChemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particlesApparatus for such processes with stationary particles, e.g. in fixed beds the solid particles being arranged in tubes
B01J 19/24 - Stationary reactors without moving elements inside
4.
Reactors and methods for processes involving partial oxidation reactions
Described herein are improved chemical reactors for carrying out partial oxidation reactions. The chemical reactor permits the use of levels of oxygen above the lower explosion limit (LEL) typically used in partial oxidation reactions, which increases both volumetric reactivity and conversion per pass, resulting in reduced separation and reactant recycle costs. Also described are methods of using the reactors.
B01J 8/34 - Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particlesApparatus for such processes with fluidised particles according to "fluidised-bed" technique with stationary packing material in the fluidised bed, e.g. bricks, wire rings, baffles
B01J 8/00 - Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particlesApparatus for such processes
B01J 4/00 - Feed devicesFeed or outlet control devices
B01J 8/02 - Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particlesApparatus for such processes with stationary particles, e.g. in fixed beds
C07B 41/04 - Formation or introduction of functional groups containing oxygen of ether, acetal or ketal groups
C07B 43/08 - Formation or introduction of functional groups containing nitrogen of cyano groups
C07D 301/08 - Synthesis of the oxirane ring by oxidation of unsaturated compounds, or of mixtures of unsaturated and saturated compounds with air or molecular oxygen in the gaseous phase
C07B 41/06 - Formation or introduction of functional groups containing oxygen of carbonyl groups
Battery packs for high energy density batteries (cells), particularly arrays of such batteries are described herein. The battery packs include a microfibrous media (MFM)-phase change materials (PCM) composite block and one or more active cooling structures. The MFM is typically sintered to the active cooling structures. The battery packs may contain more than one MFM-PCM composite block. Additionally or alternatively, the MFM-PCM composite block may contain different layers containing different MFM-PCM composites, which have different functionalities. In a preferred embodiment, at least one layer contains a flame retardant PCM, while at least one other layer contains a PCM with a lower melting temperature. The cells may be arranged in a repeating square or equilateral triangle pattern, with one or more active cooling structures in the geometric center of the square or triangle.
H01M 10/653 - Means for temperature control structurally associated with the cells characterised by electrically insulating or thermally conductive materials
H01M 10/658 - Means for temperature control structurally associated with the cells by thermal insulation or shielding
H01M 10/0525 - Rocking-chair batteries, i.e. batteries with lithium insertion or intercalation in both electrodesLithium-ion batteries
H01M 10/6556 - Solid parts with flow channel passages or pipes for heat exchange
H01M 10/6568 - Liquids characterised by flow circuits, e.g. loops, located externally to the cells or cell casings
6.
THERMAL MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS FOR ENERGY STORAGE CELLS HAVING HIGH CHARGE/DISCHARGE CURRENTS AND METHODS OF MAKING AND USING THEREOF
Thermal management systems for high energy density batteries, particularly arrays of such batteries, and methods of making and using thereof are described herein. The system includes one or more thermal conductive microfibrous media with one or more phase change materials dispersed within the microfibrous media and one or more active cooling structures. Energy storage packs or arrays which contain a plurality of energy storage cells and the thermal management system are also described. Further described are thermal or infrared shielding blankets or barriers comprising one or more thermal conductive microfibrous media comprising one or more phase change materials dispersed within the microfibrous media.
H01M 10/653 - Means for temperature control structurally associated with the cells characterised by electrically insulating or thermally conductive materials
A41D 31/00 - Materials specially adapted for outerwear
H01M 10/6557 - Solid parts with flow channel passages or pipes for heat exchange arranged between the cells
H01M 10/659 - Means for temperature control structurally associated with the cells by heat storage or buffering, e.g. heat capacity or liquid-solid phase changes or transition
H01M 2/10 - Mountings; Suspension devices; Shock absorbers; Transport or carrying devices; Holders
7.
Thermal management systems for energy storage cells having high charge/discharge currents and methods of making and using thereof
Thermal management systems for high energy density batteries, particularly arrays of such batteries, and methods of making and using thereof are described herein. The system includes one or more thermal conductive microfibrous media with one or more phase change materials dispersed within the microfibrous media and one or more active cooling structures. Energy storage packs or arrays which contain a plurality of energy storage cells and the thermal management system are also described. Further described are thermal or infrared shielding blankets or barriers comprising one or more thermal conductive microfibrous media comprising one or more phase change materials dispersed within the microfibrous media.
H01M 10/653 - Means for temperature control structurally associated with the cells characterised by electrically insulating or thermally conductive materials
H01M 10/658 - Means for temperature control structurally associated with the cells by thermal insulation or shielding
H01M 10/659 - Means for temperature control structurally associated with the cells by heat storage or buffering, e.g. heat capacity or liquid-solid phase changes or transition
Methods for improving heat transfer at the interface between the internal reactor wall and mesh media containing microfibrous entrapped catalysts (MFECs) and/or microfibrous entrapped sorbents (MFESs) are described herein. Improved (e.g., more rapid) heat transfer can be achieved using a variety of approaches including increasing the contacting area of the interface between the mesh media and the reactor wall so that more contacting points are formed, enhancing the contacting efficiency at the contacting points between the mesh media and the reactor wall, increasing the number of contact points between the mesh media and the reactor wall using fine fibers, and combinations thereof.
F28F 13/18 - Arrangements for modifying heat transfer, e.g. increasing, decreasing by applying coatings, e.g. radiation-absorbing, radiation-reflectingArrangements for modifying heat transfer, e.g. increasing, decreasing by surface treatment, e.g. polishing
B01J 19/32 - Packing elements in the form of grids or built-up elements for forming a unit or module inside the apparatus for mass or heat transfer
B01J 19/24 - Stationary reactors without moving elements inside
F28F 1/40 - Tubular elements or assemblies thereof with means for increasing heat-transfer area, e.g. with fins, with projections, with recesses the means being only inside the tubular element
B23K 1/00 - Soldering, e.g. brazing, or unsoldering
B23K 31/02 - Processes relevant to this subclass, specially adapted for particular articles or purposes, but not covered by any single one of main groups relating to soldering or welding
Improved methods for preparing highly porous mesh media and loading functional particles into the media are described herein. The highly porous media can be used as supports for catalyst materials for a variety of applications, such as desulfurization. Pre-manufactured catalyst can be loaded into the sintered open media. Thus, the contamination issues associated wetlay paper making and pre-oxidation, the deactivation issues associated with the sintering and pre-oxidation steps, and the corrosion issues associated with the catalyst formation step can be avoided. The methods described herein result in the formation of highly porous media with functional particles immobilized inside.
F26B 1/00 - Preliminary treatment of solid materials or objects to facilitate drying
B01J 20/28 - Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositionsSorbents for chromatographyProcesses for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof characterised by their form or physical properties
B01J 20/30 - Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating
Catalysts for oxidative sulfur removal and methods of making and using thereof are described herein. The catalysts contain one or more reactive metal salts dispersed on one or more substrates. Suitable reactive metal salts include those salts containing multivariable metals having variable valence or oxidation states and having catalytic activity with sulfur compounds present in gaseous fuel streams. In some embodiments, the catalyst contains one or more compounds that function as an oxygen sponge under the reaction conditions for oxidative sulfur removal. The catalysts can be used to oxidatively remove sulfur-containing compounds from fuel streams, particularly gaseous fuel streams having high sulfur content. Due to the reduced catalyst cost, anticipated long catalyst life and reduced adsorbent consumption, the catalysts described herein are expected to provide a 20-60% reduction in annual desulfurization cost for biogas with sulfur contents ranges from 1000-5000 ppmv compared with the best adsorbent approach.
B01J 27/128 - HalogensCompounds thereof with iron group metals or platinum group metals
B01J 27/138 - HalogensCompounds thereof with alkaline earth metals, magnesium, beryllium, zinc, cadmium or mercury
C10G 25/00 - Refining of hydrocarbon oils, in the absence of hydrogen, with solid sorbents
C10G 27/04 - Refining of hydrocarbon oils, in the absence of hydrogen, by oxidation with oxygen or compounds generating oxygen
C10G 27/08 - Refining of hydrocarbon oils, in the absence of hydrogen, by oxidation with oxygen or compounds generating oxygen in the presence of copper chloride
C10G 27/12 - Refining of hydrocarbon oils, in the absence of hydrogen, by oxidation with oxygen or compounds generating oxygen with oxygen-generating compounds, e.g. per-compounds, chromic acid, chromates
C10G 27/14 - Refining of hydrocarbon oils, in the absence of hydrogen, by oxidation with oxygen or compounds generating oxygen with ozone-containing gases
Methods and devices for directly measuring the degree of saturation or degree of deactivation of an adsorbent and/or catalytic bed are described herein. The devices contain an inlet, an outlet, a catalytic and/or adsorbent bed, and optionally a support bed for supporting the catalytic and/or adsorbent bed. The devices further contain one or more structures attached to the reactor that allow for insertion of one or more sensors into the reactor. The sensor is used to spectroscopically interrogate the adsorbent and/or catalyst in situ, providing real-time information regarding adsorbant saturation and/or catalyst deactivation. The devices and methods described herein can be used to determine the saturation degree of adsorbent materials or catalyst beds that are involved in gas-liquid and liquid-liquid heterogeneous systems, such as those used in scrubbing and extraction.
G01N 31/10 - Investigating or analysing non-biological materials by the use of the chemical methods specified in the subgroupsApparatus specially adapted for such methods using catalysis
G01N 21/85 - Investigating moving fluids or granular solids
G01N 21/31 - Investigating relative effect of material at wavelengths characteristic of specific elements or molecules, e.g. atomic absorption spectrometry
Methods for improving heat transfer at the interface between the internal reactor wall and mesh media containing microfibrous entrapped catalysts (MFECs) and/or microfibrous entrapped sorbents (MFESs) are described herein. Improved (e.g., more rapid) heat transfer can be achieved using a variety of approaches including increasing the contacting area of the interface between the mesh media and the reactor wall so that more contacting points are formed, enhancing the contacting efficiency at the contacting points between the mesh media and the reactor wall, increasing the number of contact points between the mesh media and the reactor wall using fine fibers, and combinations thereof.
Improved methods for preparing highly porous mesh media and loading functional particles into the media are described herein. The highly porous media can be used as supports for catalyst materials for a variety of applications, such as desulfurization. Pre-manufactured catalyst can be loaded into the sintered open media. Thus, the contamination issues associated wetlay paper making and pre-oxidation, the deactivation issues associated with the sintering and pre-oxidation steps, and the corrosion issues associated with the catalyst formation step can be avoided. The methods described herein result in the formation of highly porous media with functional particles immobilized inside.
B01J 20/28 - Solid sorbent compositions or filter aid compositionsSorbents for chromatographyProcesses for preparing, regenerating or reactivating thereof characterised by their form or physical properties
B01J 20/30 - Processes for preparing, regenerating or reactivating
Catalysts for oxidative sulfur removal and methods of making and using thereof are described herein. The catalysts contain one or more reactive metal salts dispersed on one or more substrates. Suitable reactive metal salts include those salts containing multivariable metals having variable valence or oxidation states and having catalytic activity with sulfur compounds present in gaseous fuel streams. In some embodiments, the catalyst contains one or more compounds that function as an oxygen sponge under the reaction conditions for oxidative sulfur removal. The catalysts can be used to oxidatively remove sulfur-containing compounds from fuel streams, particularly gaseous fuel streams having high sulfur content. Due to the reduced catalyst cost, anticipated long catalyst life and reduced adsorbent consumption, the catalysts described herein are expected to provide a 20-60% reduction in annual desulfurization cost for biogas with sulfur contents ranges from 1000-5000 ppmv compared with the best adsorbent approach.
Methods and devices for directly measuring the degree of saturation or degree of deactivation of an adsorbent and/or catalytic bed are described herein. The devices contain an inlet, an outlet, a catalytic and/or adsorbent bed, and optionally a support bed for supporting the catalytic and/or adsorbent bed. The devices further contain one or more structures attached to the reactor that allow for insertion of one or more sensors into the reactor. The sensor is used to spectroscopically interrogate the adsorbent and/or catalyst in situ, providing real-time information regarding adsorbant saturation and/or catalyst deactivation. The devices and methods described herein can be used to determine the saturation degree of adsorbent materials or catalyst beds that are involved in gas-liquid and liquid-liquid heterogeneous systems, such as those used in scrubbing and extraction.
A vessel packed with a microfibrous media made of micron-sized highly conductive fibers, which are able (and may be used) to immobilize various reactive materials including catalysts, sorbents, electrocatalysts, and other chemically reactive solids. The vessel enables fine temperature control and a uniform temperature profile for a range of highly endothermic or exothermic chemical reactions, sorptions, separation processes, mixing operations, and heat transfer applications.
B01J 8/02 - Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particlesApparatus for such processes with stationary particles, e.g. in fixed beds
B01J 19/00 - Chemical, physical or physico-chemical processes in generalTheir relevant apparatus
patents
