Process for chemically treating scrap tyres, comprising the steps of: a) grinding the tyres and removing the inorganic material; b) melting the material from step a); c) devulcanizing the molten material from step b) according to the reaction R1

R1:[CH.sub.2-]n-S[CH.sub.2-]m+H.sub.2=[CH.sub.2-].sub.n*[CH.sub.2-]m*H.sub.2S where m and n indicate non-identical lengths of the macromolecules in terms of carbon atoms and the asterisk indicates the possible presence of at least one ethylene unsaturation, said reaction R1 being possibly associated with the saturation reaction R2 of said possible at least one ethylene unsaturation:

R2:[CH.sub.2-]n*+[CH.sub.2-]m*+H 2=[CH.sub.2-]n+[CH.sub.2]m d) converting the plastics from step c) into products of commercial value. wherein step c): is carried out in the presence of catalysts based on cobalt oxide or molybdenum oxide possibly supported on alumina; and comprises a hydrogen sulphide splitting step to create hydrogen and sulphur according to the reaction R3:

R3:H.sub.2S=H.sub.2+1/XSx and the formed hydrogen is recycled to step c).

Method of combining industrial processes having inherent carbon capture and conversion capabilities offering maximum flexibility, efficiency, and economics while enabling environmentally and sustainably sound practices. Maximum chemical energy is retained throughout feedstock processing. A hybrid thermochemical cycle couples staged reforming with hydrogen production and chlorination. Hydrogen generated is used to upgrade feedstocks including bitumen, shale, coal, and biomass. Residues of upgrading are chlorinated, metals of interest are removed, and the remainder is reacted with ammonia solution and carbon dioxide to form carbonate minerals. The combination provides emissions free production of synthetic crude oil and derivatives, as well as various metals and fertilizers. Sand and carbonate minerals are potentially the only waste streams. Through this novel processing, major carbon dioxide reduction is afforded by minimizing direct oxidation. Supplemental heat to run the reactions is obtained through external means such as concentrated solar, geothermal, or nuclear.

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.

In one aspect, the invention relates to a system for producing direct reduced iron wherein a portion of the top gas from a first module for reducing iron oxide by a direct reduction process is utilized as fuel in the thermal equipment of a second module for reducing iron oxide by a direct reduction process, wherein the second module comprises a process gas heating unit. In various aspects, the thermal equipment of the second module is a reducing gas heater and/or a steam boiler. In a further aspect, the top gas from multiple instances of the first module can be utilized collectively as fuel in the thermal equipment of the second module. This abstract is intended as a scanning tool for purposes of searching in the particular art and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.

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.

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 on inductive heat alone, chemically assisted heat, or plasma assisted heat. Cupola operation is augmented by employing carbon or graphite rods to carry electrical current 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. 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 directly, indirectly, or in a downdraft arrangement. Steam, air, oxygen enriched air, or oxygen are supplied to the metal bath. A pregassifier increases efficiency and a duct fired burner is added to a simple cycle turbine with fossil fuel augmentation.

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.

Disclosed are systems and methods having inherent carbon capture and conversion capabilities offering maximum flexibility, efficiency, and economics while simultaneously enabling environmentally and sustainably sound practices. A hybrid thermochemical cycle couples staged reforming with hydrogen production and residue chlorination. The residues of the upgrading are chlorinated, metals of interest are removed and bulk material is re-mineralized. Through the residue chlorination process, various metals including rare earths are concentrated and extracted. Energy is retained through chemical synthesis such as hydrocarbon and metal and non-metal chloride production. Produced chemicals are later exploited by redox reactions in the operation of an integrated gasification flow battery.

A method for producing hydrogen and/or other gases from steel plant wastes and waste heat is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of providing molten waste from steel plant like molten slag in a reactor. The molten slag is contacted with water and/or steam in the presence of a reducing agent to form a stream of hydrogen and/or other gases. The hydrogen and/or other gases can then be extracted from the stream of gases from the reactor.

Disclosed are systems and methods having inherent carbon capture and conversion capabilities offering maximum flexibility, efficiency, and economics while simultaneously enabling environmentally and sustainably sound practices. A hybrid thermochemical cycle couples staged reforming with hydrogen production and residue chlorination. The residues of the upgrading are chlorinated, metals of interest are removed and bulk material is re-mineralized. Through the residue chlorination process, various metals including rare earths are concentrated and extracted. Energy is retained through chemical synthesis such as hydrocarbon and metal and non-metal chloride production. Produced chemicals are later exploited by redox reactions in the operation of an integrated gasification flow battery.