In one embodiment, a separation membrane includes: a porous support structure; and at least one alkali metal hydroxide disposed within pores of the porous support structure. In another embodiment, a method for separating acidic gases from a gas mixture includes exposing the gas mixture to a separation membrane at an elevated temperature, where the separation membrane includes a porous support and at least one molten alkali metal hydroxide disposed within pores of the porous support.

Solar thermal units and methods of operating solar thermal units for the conversion of solar insolation to thermal energy are provided. In some examples, solar thermal units have an inlet, and a split flow of heat absorbing fluid to either side of the solar thermal unit, along a first fluid flow path and a second fluid flow path. Optionally, one or more photovoltaic panels can be provided as part of the solar thermal unit, which may convert solar insolation to electric power that may be used by a system connected to the solar thermal unit.

Sweep-based gas separation processes for reducing carbon dioxide emissions from gas-fired power plants. The invention involves at least two compression steps, a combustion step, a carbon dioxide capture step, a power generate step, and a sweep-based membrane separation step. One of the compression steps is used to produce a low-pressure, low-temperature compressed stream that is sent for treatment in the carbon dioxide capture step, thereby avoiding the need to expend large amounts of energy to cool an otherwise hot compressed stream from a typical compressor that produces a high-pressure stream, usually at 20-30 bar or more.

Materials and methods for mitigating the effects of halide species contained in process streams are provided. A halide-containing process stream can be contacted with mitigation materials comprising active metal oxides and a non-acidic high surface area carrier combined with a solid, porous substrate. The halide species in the process stream can be reacted with the mitigation material to produce neutralized halide salts and a process stream that is essentially halide-free. The neutralized salts can be attracted and retained on the solid, porous substrate.

A reactor system for conducting an adsorption/desorption swing process comprising of at least o adsorption reactor; at least one desorption reactor and means for transporting a particulate adsorbent material between the at least one adsorption reactor and the at least one desorption reactor.

A system and method for determining a remaining processing capacity of a scrubber having a flow path and a processing material disposed along the flow path. A device may comprise a plurality of optical sensors disposed within the processing material and arranged along the flow path, a light source, and a processor for determining the capacity according to signals received from the optical sensor. The device may be used to illuminate processing material adjacent to each optical sensor using the light source, measure a light value reflected by the processing material at each optical sensor, and determine the remaining processing capacity of the scrubber, using the processor, based on the measured light value. Devices may comprise a memory, such as a non-volatile memory to allow multiple uses of a scrubber without reloading with fresh processing material.

The present invention discloses a method for removing carbon dioxide from a reaction gas. The present invention fully utilizes the available heat in each part of the carbon dioxide removal system to reduce external heat exchange, and thereby significantly reduces the carbon dioxide content in the gas returned to the reactor, and also greatly reduces the steam consumption during the regeneration of the rich decarburizing solution. The present invention also discloses a system for removing carbon dioxide from the reaction gas and use thereof.

The present invention relates to an adsorbent comprising an alumina support and at least one alkali element, said adsorbent being obtained by introducing at least one alkali element, identical to or different from sodium, onto an alumina support the sodium content of which, expressed as Na.sub.2O equivalent, before the introduction of the alkali element or elements, is comprised between 1000 and 5000 ppm by weight with respect to the total weight of the support. The invention also relates to processes for the preparation of said adsorbent and use thereof in a process for the elimination of acidic molecules such as COS and/or CO.sub.2.

The present invention describes the process of preparing ceramics for the absorption of ACIDIC gases, which worsen the greenhouse effect, that are released in combustion systems, or that are present in closed environments. In relation to carbon dioxide, principal target of the present invention, the process of absorption, transport, processing and transformation of the gas into other products is described. The process uses ceramic materials prepared through the solid mixture of one or more metallic oxides, with one or more binding agents and an expanding agent. The product generated can be processed and the absorbent system regenerated. The carbon dioxide obtained in the processing can be used as analytic or commercial carbonic gas, various carbamates and ammonium carbonate.

A method of separating a composition containing at least one organofluorine compound from at least one inorganic compound by contacts the composition with a semipermeable membrane. Other methods separate a organofluorine compound from a composition containing at least one other organofluorine compound or chlorocarbon. Methods also include isolating a single organofluorine compound from a composition comprising a mixture of organofluorine compounds, chlorocarbons, and/or inorganic compounds.