Coal blends used to produce foundry coke products are disclosed herein. Coal blends can include first coals having a first volatile matter mass fraction less than or equal to a first threshold, and second coals having a second volatile mass fraction greater than or equal to a second threshold that is less than the second threshold. The coal blend can have an ash fusion temperature less than 2600? F. and an aggregated volatile matter mass fraction between 15% and 25%.

A biochar is produced by co-pyrolysing an aquatic plant enriched with heavy metals with a clay mineral, and the aquatic plants themselves have high enrichment and adsorb heavy metals in contaminated water; heavy metals are in situ adsorbed, and are coated or enriched in the biochar, therefore extending the migration time of heavy metals, which are also very stable; attapulgite and montmorillonite as clay minerals are loaded in the biochar during the preparing process; heavy metals contained in the biochar play a catalytic role, and synergy with activated attapulgite, therefore increasing the reliability of the biochar, and effectively reducing the ecological effectiveness and potential risk of heavy metals in the biochar.

A biochar is produced by co-pyrolysing an aquatic plant enriched with heavy metals with a clay mineral, and the aquatic plants themselves have high enrichment and adsorb heavy metals in contaminated water; heavy metals are in situ adsorbed, and are coated or enriched in the biochar, therefore extending the migration time of heavy metals, which are also very stable; attapulgite and montmorillonite as clay minerals are loaded in the biochar during the preparing process; heavy metals contained in the biochar play a catalytic role, and synergy with activated attapulgite, therefore increasing the reliability of the biochar, and effectively reducing the ecological effectiveness and potential risk of heavy metals in the biochar.

Provided are methods for preparing hydrogen and solid carbon. Illustrative methods comprise providing a feedstock comprising gaseous hydrocarbons to a microwave-inert reaction vessel and/or a radio wave-inert reaction vessel. The reaction vessel has solid carbon, about 0% water and about 0% molecular oxygen inside the reaction vessel and the carbon inside the reaction vessel is operable to heat the feedstock comprising gaseous hydrocarbons. The carbon is then exposed to microwaves and/or radio waves until the solid carbon is at a temperature of at least 1200 Kelvin, thereby forming hydrogen and solid carbon. Once formed, the hydrogen and solid carbon are separated.

Provided are methods for preparing hydrogen and solid carbon. Illustrative methods comprise providing a feedstock comprising gaseous hydrocarbons to a microwave-inert reaction vessel and/or a radio wave-inert reaction vessel. The reaction vessel has solid carbon, about 0% water and about 0% molecular oxygen inside the reaction vessel and the carbon inside the reaction vessel is operable to heat the feedstock comprising gaseous hydrocarbons. The carbon is then exposed to microwaves and/or radio waves until the solid carbon is at a temperature of at least 1200 Kelvin, thereby forming hydrogen and solid carbon. Once formed, the hydrogen and solid carbon are separated.

The present invention relates to a process for forming a bio-derived hydrogen gas from a biomass feedstock, and the bio-derived hydrogen gas formed therefrom. The present invention also relates to the use of a bio-derived hydrogen gas in fuel cells, petroleum refining and in forming bio-derived ammonia and methane.

The present invention relates to a process for forming a bio-derived hydrogen gas from a biomass feedstock, and the bio-derived hydrogen gas formed therefrom. The present invention also relates to the use of a bio-derived hydrogen gas in fuel cells, petroleum refining and in forming bio-derived ammonia and methane.

A system and method for conducting high-temperature thermolysis of a waste mixture formed by sewage sludge and wood waste (e.g., creosote-impregnated wooden railway sleepers and utility poles) are proposed. The products of the high-temperature thermolysis may be used to produce thermal energy, electrical energy, carbon black, and liquid fractions which may be used profitably for various purposes.

A system and method for conducting high-temperature thermolysis of a waste mixture formed by sewage sludge and wood waste (e.g., creosote-impregnated wooden railway sleepers and utility poles) are proposed. The products of the high-temperature thermolysis may be used to produce thermal energy, electrical energy, carbon black, and liquid fractions which may be used profitably for various purposes.

Organic waste is treated by pyrolysis or by anaerobic digestion followed by pyrolysis of the digestate. The pyrolysis is performed in two staged reactors. The second stage reactor treats char produced in the first stage. The temperature of the first stage reactor is preferably 450 degrees C. or less. The temperature of the second stage reactor is higher than the temperature of the first stage, for example by 50 degrees C. or more. Optionally, there may be a char cooler, a water sprayer, or both downstream of the char outlet of the second reactor. In an exemplary system, a digestate outlet is connected to the inlet of the first pyrolysis reactor. A pyrolysis liquid outlet of the first pyrolysis reactor is connected to the digester. Char produced in the second pyrolysis reactor may be used as a soil amendment.