The device for pyrolysis of carbonaceous materials comprises a working chamber comprising a non-magnetic wall comprising an inner graphite lining; one or more electrodes adapted to be inserted within a carbon-based bedding; a solenoid coiled around the device exterior, the solenoid adapted to create a magnetic field within the working chamber such that when the solenoid is energized, the carbon-based bedding is caused to move; a lower solids outlet comprising an airlock, the solids outlet adapted to permit solids to exit the device; and a lower gas outlet adapted to permit gaseous substances to exit after having traveled through the carbon-based bedding. The method comprises the steps of loading carbon-containing materials into the working chamber; using the first and second electrodes to heat the carbon-containing materials by passing electric current through the carbon-containing materials without air access; collecting, cleaning and releasing gaseous pyrolysis products produced by the heating.

A hydride flow reactor includes a tank configured to receive a hydride fuel. The reactor also includes a tubular member coupled to the tank and configured to receive the hydride fuel from the tank. The reactor also includes a transporter positioned at least partially within the tubular member and configured to transport the hydride fuel through the tubular member. The reactor also includes a heater positioned at least partially around the tubular member and the transporter. The heater is configured to heat the hydride fuel in the tubular member to convert the hydride fuel into hydrogen gas and a reacted byproduct.

A solar thermochemical processing system is disclosed. The system includes a first unit operation for receiving concentrated solar energy. Heat from the solar energy is used to drive the first unit operation. The first unit operation also receives a first set of reactants and produces a first set of products. A second unit operation receives the first set of products from the first unit operation and produces a second set of products. A third unit operation receives heat from the second unit operation to produce a portion of the first set of reactants.

The present invention provides a process for producing a gaseous product comprising hydrogen, said process comprising exposing a gaseous hydrocarbon to microwave radiation in the presence of a solid catalyst, wherein the catalyst comprises at least one iron species supported on a support comprising a ceramic material or carbon, or a mixture thereof. Also provided are a heterogeneous mixture comprising a solid catalyst in intimate mixture with a gaseous hydrocarbon wherein the catalyst comprises at least one iron species supported on a support comprising a ceramic material or carbon, or mixture thereof. Also provided are the use of said mixture to produce hydrogen, a microwave reactor comprising said mixture and a a fuel cell module comprising a (i) a fuel cell and (ii) a heterogeneous mixture as described herein, and a vehicle or electronic device comprising said fuel cell module.

A hydride flow reactor includes a tank configured to receive a hydride fuel. The reactor also includes a tubular member coupled to the tank and configured to receive the hydride fuel from the tank. The reactor also includes a transporter positioned at least partially within the tubular member and configured to transport the hydride fuel through the tubular member. The reactor also includes a heater positioned at least partially around the tubular member and the transporter. The heater is configured to heat the hydride fuel in the tubular member to convert the hydride fuel into hydrogen gas and a reacted byproduct.

The device for pyrolysis of carbonaceous materials comprises a working chamber comprising a non-magnetic wall comprising an inner graphite lining; one or more electrodes adapted to be inserted within a carbon-based bedding; a solenoid coiled around the device exterior, the solenoid adapted to create a magnetic field within the working chamber such that when the solenoid is energized, the carbon-based bedding is caused to move; a lower solids outlet comprising an airlock, the solids outlet adapted to permit solids to exit the device; and a lower gas outlet adapted to permit gaseous substances to exit after having traveled through the carbon-based bedding. The method comprises the steps of loading carbon-containing materials into the working chamber; using the first and second electrodes to heat the carbon-containing materials by passing electric current through the carbon-containing materials without air access; collecting, cleaning and releasing gaseous pyrolysis products produced by the heating.

Systems and methods are provided for conversion of methane and/or other hydrocarbons to hydrogen by pyrolysis while reducing or minimizing production of carbon oxides. The conversion of hydrocarbons to hydrogen is performed in one or more pyrolysis or conversion reactors that contain a plurality of sequential fluidized beds. The fluidized beds are arranged so that the coke particles forming the fluidized bed move in a counter-current direction relative to the gas phase flow of feed (e.g., methane) and/or product (H.sub.2) in the fluidized beds. By using a plurality of sequential fluidized beds, the heat transfer and management benefits of fluidized beds can be realized while also at least partially achieving the improved reaction rates that are associated with a plug flow or moving bed reactor.

A solar thermochemical processing system is disclosed. The system includes a first unit operation for receiving concentrated solar energy. Heat from the solar energy is used to drive the first unit operation. The first unit operation also receives a first set of reactants and produces a first set of products. A second unit operation receives the first set of products from the first unit operation and produces a second set of products. A third unit operation receives heat from the second unit operation to produce a portion of the first set of reactants.

A reformer for steam reforming a hydrocarbon-containing mixture, including a combustion chamber, a burner arranged within the combustion chamber, a first reactor tube which is arranged at least in sections within the combustion chamber, a catalyst arranged inside the first reactor tube, and an electrically heatable heating element is arranged inside the first reactor tube.

A hydrogen mixed gas generation method using a device that includes a heating pipe housing therein a reduction acceleration member and a heating part including a heating device that heats the heating pipe includes a first process and a second process. The first process includes: causing raw water to flow into the heating pipe and heating the flowing raw water to generate water vapor; heating the generated water vapor to between 500° C. to 800° C.; causing the heated water vapor to be in contact with the reduction acceleration member that is heated along with the raw water to reduce the water vapor and generate hydrogen gas. The second process includes: diluting the hydrogen gas generated in the first process to obtain hydrogen mixed gas whose concentration of hydrogen gas is between 500 ppm to 20000 ppm.