The invention provides a method for energy extraction from municipal and mixed waste streams. The method employs a three-stage pyrolysis to produce a hydrogen-rich pyrolysis gas, which maximizes energy extraction without releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

A direct carbonaceous material to power generation system integrates one or more solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) into a fluidized bed gasifier. The fuel cell anode is in direct contact with bed material so that the H.sub.2 and CO generated in the bed are oxidized to H.sub.2O and CO.sub.2 to create a push-pull or source-sink reaction environment. The SOFC is exothermic and supplies heat within a reaction chamber of the gasifier where the fluidized bed conducts an endothermic reaction. The products from the anode are the reactants for the reformer and vice versa. A lower bed in the reaction chamber may comprise engineered multi-function material which may incorporate one or more catalysts and reactant adsorbent sites to facilitate excellent heat and mass transfer and fluidization dynamics in fluidized beds. The catalyst is capable of cracking tars and reforming hydrocarbons.

A method and device for sustainable, simultaneous production of energy in the forms electricity, hydrogen gas and heat from a carbonaceous gas, the method having the following steps: 1. continuously dividing a feed charge of carbonaceous gas into a first feed gas flow and a second feed gas flow, 2. charging the first feed gas flow to a primary SOFC to produce electricity and heat and CO.sub.2, 3. charging the other feed gas flow, to a hydrogen gas forming reactor system to produce hydrogen and CO.sub.2, 4. heating the hydrogen gas forming system at least partially by heat developed in at least one SOFC, 5. optionally capturing the CO.sub.2 formed in the primary SOFC by burning the afterburner gases in pure oxygen and drying the exhaust gas, 6. capturing the CO.sub.2 formed in the hydrogen gas forming reactor system by use of an absorbent.

A method and system for converting an aqueous salt containing sludge into gases and a solid residue is described. The sludge is pyrolyzed and gasified with the assistance of microwave radiation.

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.

A combined generation system according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a natural gas synthesizing apparatus for receiving coal and oxygen, generating synthetic gas by a gasifier, and permitting the synthetic gas to pass through a methanation reactor so as to synthesize methane; a fuel cell apparatus for receiving fuel that contains methane from the natural gas synthesizing apparatus and generating electrical energy; and a generating apparatus for producing electrical energy using the fluid discharged from the fuel cell apparatus.

A system for producing a syngas from a biomass material. The system compacts a loose biomass material to form a compacted biomass material at an entrance of a reactor tube, and then heats the compacted biomass material within the tube to form ash and a fuel gas mixture. The fuel gas mixture is withdrawn from the tube and the ash is removed from the tube through an exit thereof. Ingress of air into the tube is inhibited by forming a plug of the biomass material at the entrance of the tube and a plug of ash at the exit of the tube. A neutral atmospheric pressure is maintained in the reactor tube relative to pressure outside the reactor tube by monitoring and adjusting a volumetric rate of the fuel gas mixture withdrawn from the reactor tube based on pressures at the entrance and the exit of the reactor tube.

Methods are disclosed for extracting hydrogen from a biomass compound comprising carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen. The biomass may include cellulose, lignin, and/or hemicellulose. Water is combined with the compound to produce a wet form of the compound. The wet form of the compound is transferred into a reaction processing chamber. The wet form of the compound is heated within the reaction chamber such that elements of the compound dissociate and react, with one reaction product comprising hydrogen gas. The hydrogen gas is processed to generate electrical power.

Provided is a process for producing hydrogen gas in a separate stream from syngas. An assembly for producing hydrogen gas in a separate stream from syngas and a method of producing hydrogen are also provided.

A direct carbonaceous material to power generation system integrates one or more solid oxide fuel cells (SOFC) into a fluidized bed gasifier. The fuel cell anode is in direct contact with bed material so that the H.sub.2 and CO generated in the bed are oxidized to H.sub.2O and CO.sub.2 to create a push-pull or source-sink reaction environment. The SOFC is exothermic and supplies heat within a reaction chamber of the gasifier where the fluidized bed conducts an endothermic reaction. The products from the anode are the reactants for the reformer and vice versa. A lower bed in the reaction chamber may comprise engineered multi-function material which may incorporate one or more catalysts and reactant adsorbent sites to facilitate excellent heat and mass transfer and fluidization dynamics in fluidized beds. The catalyst is capable of cracking tars and reforming hydrocarbons.