A radiant, non-catalytic recuperative reformer has a flue gas flow path for conducting hot exhaust gas from a thermal process and a reforming mixture flow path for conducting a reforming mixture. At least a portion of the reforming mixture flow path is positioned adjacent to the flue gas flow path to permit heat transfer from the hot exhaust gas to the reforming mixture. The reforming mixture flow path contains substantially no material commonly used as a catalyst for reforming hydrocarbon fuel (e.g., nickel oxide, platinum group elements or rhenium), but instead the reforming mixture is reformed into a higher calorific fuel via reactions due to the heat transfer and residence time. In a preferred embodiment, a portion of the reforming mixture flow path is positioned outside of flue gas flow path for a relatively large residence time.

Methods and apparatus for compact and easily maintainable waste reformation. Some embodiments include a rotary oven reformer adapted and configured to provide synthesis gas from organic waste. Some embodiments include a rotary oven with simplified operation both as to reformation of the waste, usage of the synthesized gas and other products, and easy removal of the finished waste products, preferably in a unit of compact size for use in austere settings. Yet other embodiments include Fischer-Tropsch reactors of synthesized gas. Some of these reactors include heat exchanging assemblies that provide self-cleaning effects, efficient utilization of waste heat, and ease of cleaning.

The present invention provides a method for manufacturing a polymer by a flow-type reaction. The method includes introducing a liquid A of an anionic polymerizable monomer, a liquid B of an anionic polymerization initiator, and a polymerization terminator into different flow paths, allowing the liquids to flow in the flow paths, allowing the liquid A and the liquid B to join together, subjecting the monomer to anionic polymerization while the liquids having joined together are flowing to downstream in a reaction flow path, and allowing a solution, which is obtained by the polymerization reaction and flows in the reaction flow path, and the polymerization terminator to join together so as to terminate the polymerization reaction and to obtain a polymer having a number-average molecular weight of 5,000 to 200,000. A static mixer is disposed in the reaction flow path, and a polymer having a number-average molecular weight equal to or greater than 2,000 is introduced into an inlet port of the mixer. The present invention also provides a flow-type reaction system suitable for performing the manufacturing method.

A method for upgrading biogas to methanol, including the steps of: providing a reformer feed stream comprising biogas; optionally, purifying the reformer feed stream in a gas purification unit; optionally, prereforming the reformer feed stream together with a steam feedstock in a prereforming unit; carrying out steam methane reforming in a reforming reactor heated by means of an electrical power source; providing the synthesis gas to a methanol synthesis unit to provide a product including methanol and an off-gas. Also, a system for upgrading biogas to methanol.

Reactors are provided that can include a first set of fluid channels and a second set of fluid channels oriented in thermal contact with the first set of fluid channels. The reactor assemblies can also provide where the channels of either one or both of the first of the set of fluid channels are non-linear. Other implementations provide for at least one of the first set of fluid channels being in thermal contact with a plurality of other channels of the second set of fluid channels. Reactor assemblies are also provided that can include a first set of fluid channels defining at least one non-linear channel having a positive function, and a second set of fluid channels defining at least another non-linear channel having a negative function in relation to the positive function of the one non-linear channel of the first set of fluid channels. Processes for distributing energy across a reactor are provided. The processes can include transporting reactants via a first set of fluid channels to a second set of fluid channels, and thermally engaging at least one of the first set of fluid channels with at least two of the second set of fluid channels.

There is described a method of producing hydrogen and nitrogen using a feedstock gas reactor. Reaction of feedstock and combustion gases in the reactor produces hydrogen and nitrogen through pyrolysis of the feedstock gas. Parameters of the process may be adjusted to control the ratio of hydrogen to nitrogen that is produced such that it may be suitable, for example, for the synthesis of ammonia.

Systems and methods are provided for production of carbon nanotubes and H.sub.2 using a reaction system configuration that is suitable for large scale production. In the reaction system, a substantial portion of the heat for the reaction can be provided by using a heated gas stream. Optionally, the heated gas stream can correspond to a heated H.sub.2 gas stream. By using a heated gas stream, when the catalyst precursors for the floating catalyst—chemical vapor deposition (FC-CVD) type catalyst are added to the gas stream, the gas stream can be at a temperature of 1000° C. or more. This can reduce or minimize loss of catalyst precursor material and/or deposition of coke on sidewalls of the reactor. Additionally, a downstream portion of the reactor can include a plurality of flow channels of reduced size that are passed through a heat exchanger environment, such as a shell and tube heat exchanger. This can provide cooling of the gas flow after catalyst formation to allow for carbon nanotube formation, while also reducing the Reynolds number of the flow sufficiently to provide laminar flow within the region where carbon nanotubes are formed.

Reactors are provided that can include a first set of fluid channels and a second set of fluid channels oriented in thermal contact with the first set of fluid channels where the channels of either one or both of the first of the set of fluid channels are non-linear. Reactor assemblies are also provided that can include a first set of fluid channels defining at least one non-linear channel having a positive function, and a second set of fluid channels defining at least another non-linear channel having a negative function in relation to the positive function of the one non-linear channel of the first set of fluid channels.

A jig for inserting a packing into a flow passage of a reactor extending in one direction or for removing the packing from the flow passage, includes: a pair of strip portions extending in parallel with each other, having a length longer than the flow passage; and link portions arranged in an extending direction of the pair of strip portions, linking the pair of strip portions and having lengths with which the pair of strip portions sandwich the packing therebetween.

A process for a continuous production of a boronic acid derivative and an apparatus of performing the process are disclosed.