Systems and methods for cooling and processing materials are disclosed.

Systems and methods for cooling and processing materials are disclosed.

A process for converting light alkanes from a natural gas production stream to higher molecular weight hydrocarbons is provided. The method includes transporting the natural gas stream to an electron beam reactor, such as a steel flow-type radiation reactor connected hermetically to an accelerator beam window. The gas stream is exposed to electron beam radiation to generate an upgraded and substantially liquefied hydrocarbon stream. The method then includes transporting the substantially liquefied hydrocarbon stream into a scrubber to remove non-condensed gases. The remaining liquid hydrocarbon stream is then transported as condensate to a distillation tower, where high octane products are separated through fractionation.

A process for converting light alkanes from a natural gas production stream to higher molecular weight hydrocarbons is provided. The method includes transporting the natural gas stream to an electron beam reactor, such as a steel flow-type radiation reactor connected hermetically to an accelerator beam window. The gas stream is exposed to electron beam radiation to generate an upgraded and substantially liquefied hydrocarbon stream. The method then includes transporting the substantially liquefied hydrocarbon stream into a scrubber to remove non-condensed gases. The remaining liquid hydrocarbon stream is then transported as condensate to a distillation tower, where high octane products are separated through fractionation.

Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful intermediates and products, such as energy, fuels, foods or materials. For example, systems and methods are described that can be used to treat feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, in a vault in which the equipment is protected from radiation and hazardous gases by equipment enclosures. The equipment enclosures may be purged with gas.

Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful intermediates and products, such as energy, fuels, foods or materials. For example, systems and methods are described that can be used to treat feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, in a vault in which the equipment is protected from radiation and hazardous gases by equipment enclosures. The equipment enclosures may be purged with gas.

Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful intermediates and products, such as energy, fuels, foods or materials. For example, systems and methods are described that can be used to treat feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, while cooling equipment and the biomass to prevent overheating and possible distortion and/or degradation. The biomass is conveyed by a conveyor, which conveys the biomass under an electron beam from an electron beam accelerator. The conveyor can be cooled with cooling fluid. The conveyor can also vibrate to facilitate exposure to the electron beam. The conveyor can be configured as a trough that can be optionally cooled.

Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful intermediates and products, such as energy, fuels, foods or materials. For example, systems and methods are described that can be used to treat feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, while cooling equipment and the biomass to prevent overheating and possible distortion and/or degradation. The biomass is conveyed by a conveyor, which conveys the biomass under an electron beam from an electron beam accelerator. The conveyor can be cooled with cooling fluid. The conveyor can also vibrate to facilitate exposure to the electron beam. The conveyor can be configured as a trough that can be optionally cooled.

A method for optimizing a desalting process in which a hydrocarbon feedstock is passed to a desalter through a line under a set of conditions, the hydrocarbon feedstock containing a hydrocarbon fluid, water and a salt, said method comprising: obtaining spectra of the hydrocarbon feedstock under a plurality of environments in the line; comparing the spectra; and based on the comparison of the spectra, either modifying or maintaining the set of conditions under which the hydrocarbon feedstock is passed to the desalter; wherein the spectra are obtained using neutron backscattering.

Biomass (e.g., plant biomass, animal biomass, and municipal waste biomass) is processed to produce useful intermediates and products, such as energy, fuels, foods or materials. For example, systems and methods are described that can be used to treat feedstock materials, such as cellulosic and/or lignocellulosic materials, while cooling equipment and the biomass to prevent overheating and possible distortion and/or degradation. The biomass is conveyed by a conveyor, which conveys the biomass under an electron beam from an electron beam accelerator. The conveyor can be cooled with cooling fluid. The conveyor can also vibrate to facilitate exposure to the electron beam. The conveyor can be configured as a trough that can be optionally cooled.