This disclosure provides a system and method for conversion of raw syngas and tars into refined syngas, while optionally minimizing the parasitic losses of the process and maximizing the usable energy density of the product syngas. The system includes a reactor including a refining chamber for refining syngas comprising one or more inlets configured to promote at least two flow zones: a central zone where syngas and air/process additives flow in a swirling pattern for mixing and combustion in the high temperature central zone; at least one peripheral zone within the reactor which forms a boundary layer of a buffering flow along the reactor walls, (b) plasma torches that inject plasma into the central zone, and (c) air injection patterns that create a recirculation zone to promotes mixing between the high temperature products at the core reaction zone of the vessel and the buffering layer, wherein in the central zone, syngas and air/process additives mixture are ignited in close proximity to the plasma arc, coming into contact with each other, concurrently, at the entrance to the reaction chamber and method of using the system.

The invention includes a systems and methods for producing a gaseous outflow stream comprising chemical products and thermal energy, where the method includes providing a first reactant stream comprising CO2 and a second reactant stream comprising a hydrocarbon reactant, providing a plasma reactor equipped with a source of microwave energy for forming a non-thermal plasma; mixing the first reactant stream and the second reactant stream to form a feedgas mixture; directing the feedgas mixture to encounter microwave energy in the plasma reactor, wherein the microwave energy energizes the feedgas mixture to form the non-thermal plasma, thereby producing thermal energy and transforming the feedgas mixture in the non-thermal plasma into a product mixture comprising the chemical products; and directing the product mixture and the thermal energy to exit the plasma reactor, thereby forming the gaseous outflow stream comprising the chemical products and the thermal energy.

A method of generating syngas as a primary product from renewable feedstock, fossil fuels, or hazardous waste with the use of a cupola. The cupola operates selectably on inductive heat alone, chemically assisted heat, or plasma assisted heat. Additionally, the operation of the cupola is augmented by the use of direct acting carbon or graphite rods that carry electrical current for additional heat generation into the metal bath that is influenced by the inductive element. The method includes the steps of providing a cupola for containing a metal bath; and operating an inductive element to react with the metal bath. Feedstock in the form of a combination of fossil fuel, a hazardous waste, and a hazardous material is supplied to the cupola. A plasma torch operates on the metal bath selectably directly and indirectly. Steam, air, oxygen enriched air, and oxygen are supplied in selectable combinations.

A chemical synthesis plant comprising: one or more reactors configured for producing, from one or more reactants, a process stream comprising at least one chemical product; a feed preparation system configured to prepare one or more feed streams comprising one or more of the one or more reactants for introduction into the one or more reactors; and/or a product purification system configured to separate the at least one chemical product from reaction byproducts, unreacted reactants, or a combination thereof within the process stream, wherein the chemical synthesis plant is configured such that a majority of the net energy needed for heating, cooling, compressing, or a combination thereof utilized via the one or more reactors, the feed preparation system, the product purification system, or a combination thereof is provided from a non-carbon based energy source, from a renewable energy source, and/or from electricity.

A Plasma Arc Reformer for creating a useful fuel, such as Methanol, using any of Methane, Municipal Solid Waste, farm or forest waste, coal orchar rock from oil shale production, petrochemical hydrocarbons, (any carbon containing charge), water, and/or Municipal Sewage, as the source material. A High temperature Plasma Arc de-polymerizes the source material into atoms which, upon partial cooling, creates a gas stream rich in CO and H.sub.2 (syngas). Subsequent molecular filter and catalyst stages in the system remove contaminants and produce the output fuel. The system is closed loop with regard to the syngas production in that it recycles the residual unconverted gas and even the exhaust gases if desired. The large amount of heat produced is captured and converted to electric power using a supercritical CO.sub.2 Rankin cycle resulting in potentially high efficiencies.

A Plasma Arc Reformer for creating a useful fuel, such as Methanol, using any of Methane, Municipal Solid Waste, farm or forest waste, coal orchar rock from oil shale production, petrochemical hydrocarbons, (any carbon containing charge), water, and/or Municipal Sewage, as the source material. A High temperature Plasma Arc de-polymerizes the source material into atoms which, upon partial cooling, creates a gas stream rich in CO and H.sub.2 (syngas). Subsequent molecular filter and catalyst stages in the system remove contaminants and produce the output fuel. The system is closed loop with regard to the syngas production in that it recycles the residual unconverted gas and even the exhaust gases if desired. The large amount of heat produced is captured and converted to electric power using a supercritical CO.sub.2 Rankin cycle resulting in potentially high efficiencies.

A reforming method may include: reforming a hydrocarbon with steam plasma to generate a first synthetic gas, which includes hydrogen and carbon dioxide, from the hydrocarbon; cooling the first synthetic gas to a predetermined temperature, removing water vapor included in the first synthetic gas, and separating hydrogen from the first synthetic gas; reforming the first synthetic gas, from which hydrogen is separated, and a hydrocarbon with steam plasma to generate hydrogen, and generating a second synthetic gas in which carbon dioxide is decreased; and cooling the second synthetic gas to a predetermined temperature, removing water vapor included in the second synthetic gas, and separating hydrogen from the second synthetic gas.

A module applying a hydrogen generating device for supporting combustion of an internal combustion engine is provided. A hydrogen generating device of the module primarily utilizes a plasma column to assist air and a hydrogen-containing substance to produce a plasma chemical reaction, such a hydrogen component is decomposed from the hydrogen-containing substance and transported into an internal combustion engine. Thus, combustion of the internal combustion engine can be promoted.

The disclosure relates to systems and methods in which composite catalysts are heated with electrical-resistance heating. The composite catalysts include a catalytically active phase and a porous metal oxide.

A gas stream is pressurized to produce a compressed gas stream. A first portion of a fuel stream is combusted in the presence of the compressed gas stream to produce an exhaust stream. The exhaust stream is flowed to a turbine of an electric generator, thereby causing the turbine to rotate and generate power. Heat is transferred from to the exhaust stream to the compressed gas stream. Heat is transferred from the exhaust stream to a working fluid. Heat is transferred from the working fluid to a water stream for generating a steam stream. A second portion of the fuel stream is converted in the presence of oxygen and steam to produce a syngas stream. The syngas stream is separated to produce a carbon dioxide stream and a hydrogen stream. The hydrogen stream is reacted with nitrogen to produce an ammonia stream.