The invention relates to a urea plant with a CO.sub.2 and a NH.sub.3 feed, which comprises a purge line, characterized in that the purge line is connected with a fuel gas input line of a utility plant or an NH.sub.3 plant.

According to the present invention, there is provided a polysilicon production apparatus including: a horizontal reaction tube having an inlet port through which gaseous raw materials including reactant gases and a reducing gas are supplied, an outlet port through which residual gases exit, a reaction surface with which the gaseous raw materials come into contact, and bottom openings through which molten polysilicon produced by the reactions of the gaseous raw materials is discharged; and first heating means adapted to heat the reaction surface of the horizontal reaction tube. The horizontal reaction tube includes reaction regions consisting of first reaction regions where polysilicon is deposited and second reaction regions where reaction by-products are converted to the reactant gases. The first reaction regions are connected in series with the second reaction regions. Also provided is a polysilicon production method using the polysilicon production apparatus.

The invention relates to a commercially viable modular ceramic oxygen transport membrane system for utilizing heat generated in reactively-driven oxygen transport membrane tubes to generate steam, heat process fluid and/or provide energy to carry out endothermic chemical reactions. The system provides for improved thermal coupling of oxygen transport membrane tubes to steam generation tubes or process heater tubes or reactor tubes for efficient and effective radiant heat transfer.

Methods and apparatus for compact and easily maintainable waste reformation. Some embodiments include a rotary oven reformer adapted and configured to provide synthesis gas from organic waste. Some embodiments include a rotary oven with simplified operation both as to reformation of the waste, usage of the synthesized gas and other products, and easy removal of the finished waste products, preferably in a unit of compact size for use in austere settings. Yet other embodiments include Fischer-Tropsch reactors of synthesized gas. Some of these reactors include heat exchanging assemblies that provide self-cleaning effects, efficient utilization of waste heat, and ease of cleaning.

Disclosed herein is a method and a reactor for the conversion of a hydrocarbon gas to syngas. The method and reactor utilizes a oxy-hydrogen flame to partially oxidize hydrocarbon gas to syngas by provide an excess flow of oxygen gas. The oxy-hydrogen flame is generated by a multi-tubular oxy-hydrogen burner.

Disclosed herein is a method and a reactor for the conversion of a hydrocarbon gas to syngas. The method and reactor utilizes a oxy-hydrogen flame to partially oxidize hydrocarbon gas to syngas by provide an excess flow of oxygen gas. The oxy-hydrogen flame is generated by a multi-tubular oxy-hydrogen burner.

A plasma reactor has an overhead multiple coil inductive plasma source with symmetric RF feeds and a symmetrical chamber exhaust with plural struts through the exhaust region providing access to a confined workpiece support. A grid may be included for masking spatial effects of the struts from the processing region.

A method for forming a blend of ethers from a blend of alcohols includes a step of reacting a hydrocarbon-containing gas with an oxygen-containing gas to form first product blend. The first product blend includes a blend of partially oxygenated compounds. The blend of partially oxygenated compounds is provided to a reactive distillation station where it is converted a second product blend. The second product blend typically includes a mixture of ethers. An apparatus implementing the method is also provided.

A method for forming a blend of ethers from a blend of alcohols includes a step of reacting a hydrocarbon-containing gas with an oxygen-containing gas to form first product blend. The first product blend includes a blend of partially oxygenated compounds. The blend of partially oxygenated compounds is provided to a reactive distillation station where it is converted a second product blend. The second product blend typically includes a mixture of ethers. An apparatus implementing the method is also provided.

A methane conversion device comprises a reaction chamber; a sensor for detecting the presence of methane; blowing means for directing external gasses Into the reaction chamber when the sensor detects the presence of methane above a predetermined threshold; conversion means that are configured to oxidise methane; and positioning means for positioning the device on an animal.