A system and method of producing hydrogen, including converting hydrocarbon to methane via steam and pre-reforming catalyst in a pre-reformer, converting the methane to hydrogen and carbon dioxide by steam reforming via a reforming catalyst in a membrane reformer, diffusing through hydrogen through a tubular membrane in the membrane reformer.

A system and method of producing hydrogen, including converting hydrocarbon to methane via steam and pre-reforming catalyst in a pre-reformer, converting the methane to hydrogen and carbon dioxide by steam reforming via a reforming catalyst in a membrane reformer, diffusing through hydrogen through a tubular membrane in the membrane reformer.

A method of removing CO from a mixture of CO and saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons CO to CO.sub.2 is provided. In one embodiment, the method is to contact feed stream with an oxygen transfer agent; and then oxidize at least a portion of the CO to CO.sub.2 to produce a stream enriched in CO.sub.2. The saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons in the feed are not further oxidized during the oxidation. The oxygen transfer agent includes at least one of: i) water; ii) at least one reducible metal oxide; iii) at least one reducible chalcogen; or mixtures thereof. In another embodiment, the CO is converted to methane. The unsaturated hydrocarbons in the feed are not hydrogenated. In both of these alternatives, the CO.sub.2 or methane are then removed. Systems for removing the CO are also provided.

A method of removing CO from a mixture of CO and saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons CO to CO.sub.2 is provided. In one embodiment, the method is to contact feed stream with an oxygen transfer agent; and then oxidize at least a portion of the CO to CO.sub.2 to produce a stream enriched in CO.sub.2. The saturated and unsaturated hydrocarbons in the feed are not further oxidized during the oxidation. The oxygen transfer agent includes at least one of: i) water; ii) at least one reducible metal oxide; iii) at least one reducible chalcogen; or mixtures thereof. In another embodiment, the CO is converted to methane. The unsaturated hydrocarbons in the feed are not hydrogenated. In both of these alternatives, the CO.sub.2 or methane are then removed. Systems for removing the CO are also provided.

A blasting medium includes first ice particles and second particles having a hardness between 2000 and 2500 HV. The second particles are embedded in the surface and in the volume of the first particles.

According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for preparing a gaseous isotope reference, the method comprising: providing a solid or liquid carbon-containing material exhibiting a carbon isotope ratio; providing oxygen gas or a gas mixture comprising oxygen gas, wherein said gas or gas mixture exhibits an oxygen isotope ratio; determining said carbon isotope ratio in the solid carbon-containing material and/or determining said oxygen isotope ratio in the oxygen gas or the gas mixture comprising oxygen; bringing the solid carbon-containing material in contact with the oxygen gas or the gas mixture comprising oxygen gas, in a high temperature in order to oxidize at least a part of the solid carbon-containing material to carbon dioxide to obtain the gaseous carbon and/or oxygen isotope reference in the form of carbon dioxide.

According to an example aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for preparing a gaseous isotope reference, the method comprising: providing a solid or liquid carbon-containing material exhibiting a carbon isotope ratio; providing oxygen gas or a gas mixture comprising oxygen gas, wherein said gas or gas mixture exhibits an oxygen isotope ratio; determining said carbon isotope ratio in the solid carbon-containing material and/or determining said oxygen isotope ratio in the oxygen gas or the gas mixture comprising oxygen; bringing the solid carbon-containing material in contact with the oxygen gas or the gas mixture comprising oxygen gas, in a high temperature in order to oxidize at least a part of the solid carbon-containing material to carbon dioxide to obtain the gaseous carbon and/or oxygen isotope reference in the form of carbon dioxide.

An apparatus (10, 110, 210, 310) for the separation and recovery of CO.sub.2, from air, by a cyclic adsorption/desorption process using a loose particulate sorbent for gas adsorption. The apparatus has a plurality of adjacent, parallel, spaced-apart layers (24, 124, 224, 324), each having a stiff frame supporting a flexible, gas-permeable fabric enclosure for the sorbent. The gas inlet (14, 114, 214, 314) and outlet (18, 118, 216, 316) of the apparatus are on its axially opposite sides, and each layer (24, 124, 224, 324) extending axially within the apparatus. The recovered CO.sub.2 can be either supplied to an enclosed space, recycled to an enclosed space, from which the CO.sub.2 had been separated, or vented to the exterior of the latter enclosed space.

An apparatus (10, 110, 210, 310) for the separation and recovery of CO.sub.2, from air, by a cyclic adsorption/desorption process using a loose particulate sorbent for gas adsorption. The apparatus has a plurality of adjacent, parallel, spaced-apart layers (24, 124, 224, 324), each having a stiff frame supporting a flexible, gas-permeable fabric enclosure for the sorbent. The gas inlet (14, 114, 214, 314) and outlet (18, 118, 216, 316) of the apparatus are on its axially opposite sides, and each layer (24, 124, 224, 324) extending axially within the apparatus. The recovered CO.sub.2 can be either supplied to an enclosed space, recycled to an enclosed space, from which the CO.sub.2 had been separated, or vented to the exterior of the latter enclosed space.

Method and installation for calcining cement raw meal in a calciner whereby fuel and a calciner oxidant having an oxygen content of at least 30% vol are introduced into the calciner so as to generate either an oxidant-lean zone or a fuel-lean zone in the calciner located between the lowermost fuel inlet level and the lowermost oxidant inlet level of the calciner, between 50% and 100% by weight of the raw meal being supplied to the calciner upstream of and/or within the oxidant-lean, respectively the fuel-lean zone.