Described herein are devices and methods for the efficient and economic generation of lignin monomers from biomass. The provided devices and methods utilize reductive catalytic fractionation with an organic solvent to extract high-quality lignin from biomass and cleave specific lignin bonds to generate valuable lignin monomers with a relatively narrow product slate. Advantageously, the devices and methods described herein utilize solvent recycling, multiple solvolysis chambers with multiple biomass beds and/or physical agitation (e.g., use of a screw extruder) to reduce the amount of solvent required and increase economic efficiency and monomer yield.

Described herein are devices and methods for the efficient and economic generation of lignin monomers from biomass. The provided devices and methods utilize reductive catalytic fractionation with an organic solvent to extract high-quality lignin from biomass and cleave specific lignin bonds to generate valuable lignin monomers with a relatively narrow product slate. Advantageously, the devices and methods described herein utilize solvent recycling, multiple solvolysis chambers with multiple biomass beds and/or physical agitation (e.g., use of a screw extruder) to reduce the amount of solvent required and increase economic efficiency and monomer yield.

The present disclosure provides a lignite char supported nano-cobalt composite catalyst and a preparation method thereof. In the method, lignite is used as a raw material, and a lignite char supported high dispersion nano-cobalt composite catalyst is obtained by a modified impregnation method followed by a high temperature pyrolysis process. The composite catalyst prepared by the present disclosure has a hierarchical pore structure, a high specific surface area, and uniformly dispersing nano-sized cobalts on the lignite char with controllable particle size, so that the obtained catalyst has an excellent catalytic activity for low-temperature CO.sub.2 methanation; moreover, the preparation process is simple and feasible, the raw materials used are cheap and easily available. Therefore, the composite catalyst is very suitable for industrial production and application.

The present disclosure provides a lignite char supported nano-cobalt composite catalyst and a preparation method thereof. In the method, lignite is used as a raw material, and a lignite char supported high dispersion nano-cobalt composite catalyst is obtained by a modified impregnation method followed by a high temperature pyrolysis process. The composite catalyst prepared by the present disclosure has a hierarchical pore structure, a high specific surface area, and uniformly dispersing nano-sized cobalts on the lignite char with controllable particle size, so that the obtained catalyst has an excellent catalytic activity for low-temperature CO.sub.2 methanation; moreover, the preparation process is simple and feasible, the raw materials used are cheap and easily available. Therefore, the composite catalyst is very suitable for industrial production and application.

A carbon-coated nickel oxide nanocomposite material, its preparation, and application thereof are provided. The nanocomposite material contains carbon-coated nickel oxide nanoparticles having a core-shell structure including an outer shell that is a graphitized carbon film optionally doped with nitrogen and an inner core comprising nickel oxide nanoparticle(s). The nanocomposite material has a carbon content of from greater than 0 wt % to not greater than about 5 wt %, based on the weight of the nanocomposite material.

A carbon-coated nickel oxide nanocomposite material, its preparation, and application thereof are provided. The nanocomposite material contains carbon-coated nickel oxide nanoparticles having a core-shell structure including an outer shell that is a graphitized carbon film optionally doped with nitrogen and an inner core comprising nickel oxide nanoparticle(s). The nanocomposite material has a carbon content of from greater than 0 wt % to not greater than about 5 wt %, based on the weight of the nanocomposite material.

Process for the removal of particulate matter from an aqueous stream containing a concentrated acid, preferably concentrated sulfuric acid, the process including mechanical filtration by passing the aqueous stream through a filter unit, the filter unit including a metallic, ceramic or polymeric filter, or a filter including a filter aid on a septum. The aqueous stream is the exit stream of a sulfuric acid condenser, optionally the exit stream of a sulfuric acid concentrator arranged downstream the sulfuric acid condenser.

Methods and systems for treating volatile organic compounds (VOCs) generated in a hydrocarbon treating process are disclosed. An effluent stream containing the VOCs, as well as carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) is combined with hot exhaust gas from a turbine and provided to a waste heat recovery unit (WHRU). The WHRU is adapted to contain a catalyst bed containing oxidation catalyst capable of effecting the oxidation of the VOCs. The temperature of the catalyzing reaction can be tailored based on the position of the catalyst bed within the temperature gradient of the WHRU. The methods and systems described herein solve the problem of effecting the removal of VOCs from the effluent. Heating the CO.sub.2-containing effluent in the WHRU also lend buoyancy to the effluent, thereby facilitating its dispersal upon release.

Methods and systems for treating volatile organic compounds (VOCs) generated in a hydrocarbon treating process are disclosed. An effluent stream containing the VOCs, as well as carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) is combined with hot exhaust gas from a turbine and provided to a waste heat recovery unit (WHRU). The WHRU is adapted to contain a catalyst bed containing oxidation catalyst capable of effecting the oxidation of the VOCs. The temperature of the catalyzing reaction can be tailored based on the position of the catalyst bed within the temperature gradient of the WHRU. The methods and systems described herein solve the problem of effecting the removal of VOCs from the effluent. Heating the CO.sub.2-containing effluent in the WHRU also lend buoyancy to the effluent, thereby facilitating its dispersal upon release.

The present invention provides an impregnated catalyst composition for production of carbon monoxide comprising: 30 wt %-50 wt % metal oxide and 50 wt %-70 wt % support material. Another aspect of the present invention is to provide a method of preparation of an impregnated catalyst for carbon monoxide production (10) and a method for producing carbon monoxide (20) according to the impregnated catalyst of the present invention. The present invention is able to reduce the reaction temperature by 1 fold and also able to reduce the usage of energy but maintain its good production quality. Besides, selectivity of the present invention is high, hence able to produce high purity of carbon monoxide.