A system and method for processing unconditioned syngas first removes solids and semi-volatile organic compounds (SVOC), then removes volatile organic compounds (VOC), and then removes at least one sulfur containing compound from the syngas. Additional processing may be performed depending on such factors as the source of syngas being processed, the products, byproducts and intermediate products desired to be formed, captured or recycled and environmental considerations.

Provided are processes for production of hydrogen to be used in various industrial processes, including in processes for production of ammonia and urea. Included are polygeneration processes that result in ultra-low emissions.

A mixing apparatus for producing a feedstock for a reformer, the mixing apparatus including at least one mixing vessel comprising a cylindrical vessel with a conical bottom; a steam inlet configured for introducing steam into the conical bottom; a carbonaceous material inlet configured for introducing a carbonaceous feed into the cylindrical vessel; and an outlet for a reformer feedstock comprising at least 0.3 pounds of steam per pound of carbonaceous material, with the at least one mixing vessel configured for operation at a pressure of greater than about 10 psig.

A thermal swing reactor including a multi-flight auger and methods for solar thermochemical reactions are disclosed. The reactor includes a multi-flight auger having different helix portions having different pitch. Embodiments of reactors include at least two distinct reactor portions between which there is at least a pressure differential. In embodiments, reactive particles are exchanged between portions during a reaction cycle to thermally reduce the particles at first conditions and oxidize the particles at second conditions to produce chemical work from heat.

A hydrogen generation method including steps as follows: adding a nitrogen-substituted derivative of an alkyldithiolate ruthenium complex as a biomimetic hydrogenase photocatalyst into a solution, adding an organic acid into the solution, adding a P-ligand into the solution, adding an electron donor into the solution, and irradiating the solution with light in order to generate hydrogen.

A method for chemical looping includes the steps of introducing a fuel and an oxygen carrier to a reducer, wherein in the reducer the fuel reacts with the oxygen carrier to produce a gas containing a sulfur-containing species, within the reducer, capturing the sulfur-containing species with the oxygen carrier, transporting the oxygen carrier with the sulfur-containing species to an oxidizer, within the oxidizer, releasing the sulfur-containing species via an oxidation reaction, within the oxidizer, recapturing the sulfur-containing species with the oxygen carrier, and transporting the oxygen carrier with the sulfur-containing species back to the reducer. The oxygen carrier is a blend comprising at least one metal oxide and at least one calcium-containing species.

A method for chemical looping includes the steps of circulating a first oxygen carrier between a first oxidizer and a first reducer, circulating a second oxygen carrier between a second oxidizer and a second reducer, transporting a first gas stream produced via a reduction reaction in the first reducer from the first reducer to the second reducer, within the second reducer, capturing a gas species from the first gas stream, and recycling the gas species to the first reducer.

Configurations and related processing schemes of specific inter-plants and hybrid, intra- and inter-plants waste heat recovery schemes for thermal energy consumption reduction in integrated refining-petrochemical facilities synthesized for grassroots medium grade crude oil semi-conversion refineries to increase energy efficiency from specific portions of low grade waste heat sources are described. Configurations and related processing schemes of specific inter-plants and hybrid, intra- and inter-plants waste heat recovery schemes for thermal energy consumption reduction in integrated refining-petrochemical facilities synthesized for integrated medium grade crude oil semi-conversion refineries and aromatics complex for increasing energy efficiency from specific portions of low grade waste sources are also described.

According to the present invention, organic material is converted to biogas through anaerobic digestion and the biogas is purified to yield a combustible fluid feedstock comprising methane. A fuel production facility utilizes or arranges to utilize combustible fluid feedstock to generate renewable hydrogen that is used to hydrogenate crude oil derived hydrocarbons in a process to make transportation or heating fuel. The renewable hydrogen is combined with crude oil derived hydrocarbons that have been desulfurized under conditions to hydrogenate the liquid hydrocarbon with the renewable hydrogen or alternatively, the renewable hydrogen can be added to a reactor operated so as to simultaneously desulfurize and hydrogenate the hydrocarbons. The present invention enables a party to receive a renewable fuel credit for the transportation or heating fuel.

Methods of using sorbents to enhance the production of hydrogen from fuel, and related systems, are generally described. In some embodiments, the production of hydrogen from the fuel involves a reforming reaction and/or a gasification reaction combined with a water-gas shift reaction.