Processes for converting methane and/or other hydrocarbons to synthesis gas (i.e., a gaseous mixture comprising H.sub.2 and CO) are disclosed, in which at least a portion of the hydrocarbon(s) is reacted with CO.sub.2. At least a second portion of the methane may be reacted with H.sub.2O (steam), thereby improving overall thermodynamics of the process, in terms of reducing endothermicity (ΔH) and the required energy input, compared to “pure” dry reforming in which no H.sub.2O is present. Such dry reforming (reaction with CO.sub.2 only) or CO.sub.2-steam reforming (reaction with both CO.sub.2 and steam) processes are advantageously integrated with Fischer-Tropsch synthesis to yield liquid hydrocarbon fuels. Further integration may involve the use of a downstream finishing stage involving hydroisomerization to remove FT wax. Yet other integration options involve the use of combined CO.sub.2-steam reforming and FT synthesis stages (optionally with finishing) for producing liquid fuels from gas streams generated in a number of possible processes, including the hydropyrolysis of biomass.

Processes for converting methane and/or other hydrocarbons to synthesis gas (i.e., a gaseous mixture comprising H.sub.2 and CO) are disclosed, in which at least a portion of the hydrocarbon(s) is reacted with CO.sub.2. At least a second portion of the methane may be reacted with H.sub.2O (steam), thereby improving overall thermodynamics of the process, in terms of reducing endothermicity (ΔH) and the required energy input, compared to “pure” dry reforming in which no H.sub.2O is present. Such dry reforming (reaction with CO.sub.2 only) or CO.sub.2-steam reforming (reaction with both CO.sub.2 and steam) processes are advantageously integrated with Fischer-Tropsch synthesis to yield liquid hydrocarbon fuels. Further integration may involve the use of a downstream finishing stage involving hydroisomerization to remove FT wax. Yet other integration options involve the use of combined CO.sub.2-steam reforming and FT synthesis stages (optionally with finishing) for producing liquid fuels from gas streams generated in a number of possible processes, including the hydropyrolysis of biomass.

A method is provided for inputting thermal energy into fluidic medium in a high-temperature material production process by at least one rotary apparatus comprising a casing with at least one inlet and at least one exit, a rotor comprising at least one row of rotor blades arranged over a circumference of a rotor hub mounted onto a rotor shaft, and a stator configured as an assembly of stationary vanes arranged at least upstream of the at least one row of rotor blades. In the method, an amount of thermal energy is imparted to a stream of fluidic medium directed along a flow path formed inside the casing between the inlet and the exit by virtue of a series of energy transformations occurring when said stream of fluidic medium passes through the stationary vanes and the at least one row of rotor blades, respectively. The method further comprises: integration of said at least one rotary apparatus into a high-temperature material production facility configured to carry out high-temperature material production, such as the production of glass, glass wool, carbon fibers, carbon nanotubes, and clay-based materials at temperatures essentially equal to or exceeding 500 degrees Celsius (° C.), and conducting an amount of input energy into the at least one rotary apparatus integrated into the heat-consuming process facility, the input energy comprises electrical energy. A rotary apparatus and related uses are further provided.

A method is provided for inputting thermal energy into fluidic medium in a cement manufacturing process by at least one rotary apparatus comprising a casing with at least one inlet and at least one exit, a rotor comprising at least one row of rotor blades arranged over a circumference of a rotor hub mounted onto a rotor shaft, and a stator configured as an assembly of stationary vanes arranged at least upstream of the at least one row of rotor blades. In the method, an amount of thermal energy is imparted to a stream of fluidic medium directed along a flow path formed inside the casing between the inlet and the exit by virtue of a series of energy transformations occurring when said stream of fluidic medium passes through the stationary guide vanes and the at least one row of rotor blades, respectively. The method further comprises: integration of said at least one rotary apparatus into a cement production facility configured to carry out cement production processes, such as burning cement clinker or calcination of raw materials, at temperatures essentially equal to or exceeding 500 degrees Celsius (° C.), and conducting an amount of input energy into the at least one rotary apparatus integrated into the heat-consuming process facility, the input energy comprises electrical energy. A rotary apparatus and related uses are further provided.

A method for disposal of harmful and/or toxic substances by incineration is provided, the method comprising generation of a heated fluidic medium by at least one rotary apparatus comprising: a casing with at least one inlet and at least one exit, a rotor comprising at least one row of rotor blades arranged over a circumference of a rotor hub mounted onto a rotor shaft, and a stator configured as an assembly of stationary vanes arranged at least upstream of the at least one row of rotor blades. In the method, an amount of thermal energy is imparted to a stream of fluidic medium directed along a flow path formed inside the casing between the inlet and the exit by virtue of a series of energy transformations occurring when said stream of fluidic medium passes through the stationary guide vanes and the at least one row of rotor blades, respectively. The method further comprises: integration of said at least one rotary apparatus into an incineration process facility configured as an incineration facility and further configured to carry out incineration process or processes related to disposal of harmful and/or toxic substances by incineration at temperatures essentially equal to or exceeding 500 degrees Celsius (° C.), and conducting an amount of input energy into the at least one rotary apparatus integrated into the incineration process facility, the input energy comprises electrical energy. A rotary apparatus and related uses are further provided.

A method is provided for inputting thermal energy into fluidic medium in a thermal energy production and storage process by at least one rotary apparatus comprising: a casing with at least one inlet and at least one exit, a rotor comprising at least one row of rotor blades arranged over a circumference of a rotor hub mounted onto a rotor shaft, and a plurality of stationary vanes arranged into an assembly at least upstream of the at least one row of rotor blades. In the method, an amount of thermal energy is imparted to a stream of fluidic medium directed along a flow path formed inside the casing between the inlet and the exit by virtue of a series of energy transformations occurring when said stream of fluidic medium passes through the stationary vanes and the rotor blades, respectively. The method further comprises: integration of said at least one rotary apparatus into a thermal energy production and storage facility configured to carry out thermal energy production and storage at temperatures essentially equal to or exceeding 500 degrees Celsius (° C.), and conducting an amount of input energy into the at least one rotary apparatus integrated into the thermal energy production and storage facility, the input energy comprises electrical energy. A rotary apparatus and related uses are further provided.

A method is provided for inputting thermal energy into fluidic medium in a process or processes related to production of hydrogen. The method comprises generating heated fluidic medium by at least one rotary apparatus comprising a casing with at least one inlet and at least one exit, a rotor comprising at least one row of rotor blades arranged over a circumference of a rotor hub mounted onto a rotor shaft, and a stator configured as an assembly of stationary vanes arranged at least upstream of the at least one row of rotor blades. In the method, an amount of thermal energy is imparted to a stream of fluidic medium directed along a flow path formed inside the rotary apparatus by virtue of series of energy transformations occurring when said stream of fluidic medium passes through stationary and rotating components of said rotary apparatus, respectively. The method further comprises integration of said at least one rotary apparatus into a heat-consuming process facility configured as a hydrogen production facility and further configured to carry out heat-consuming process or processes related to production of hydrogen at temperatures essentially equal to or exceeding 500 degrees Celsius (° C.), and conducting an amount of input energy into the at least one rotary apparatus integrated into the heat-consuming process facility, the input energy comprises electrical energy. Related method, arrangement and facility for hydrogen production are further provided.

A process for treating a disulfide oil composition that includes combining a supercritical water stream, a hydrogen stream, and a disulfide oil composition in a mixing device to create a combined disulfide feed stream; introducing the combined disulfide feed stream into a supercritical water hydrogenation reactor operating at a temperature greater than a critical temperature of water and a pressure greater than a critical pressure of water; and at least partially converting the combined disulfide feed stream to an upgraded disulfide product.

A process for treating a disulfide oil composition that includes combining a supercritical water stream, a hydrogen stream, and a disulfide oil composition in a mixing device to create a combined disulfide feed stream; introducing the combined disulfide feed stream into a supercritical water hydrogenation reactor operating at a temperature greater than a critical temperature of water and a pressure greater than a critical pressure of water; and at least partially converting the combined disulfide feed stream to an upgraded disulfide product.

An integrated hydrothermal process for upgrading heavy oil includes the steps of mixing a heated water stream and a heated feed in a mixer to produce a mixed fluid, introducing the mixed stream to a reactor unit to produce a reactor effluent that includes light fractions, heavy fractions, and water, cooling the reactor effluent in a cooling device to produce a cooled fluid, depressurizing the cooled fluid in a depressurizing device to produce a depressurized fluid, introducing the depressurized fluid to a flash drum configured to separate the depressurized fluid into a light fraction stream and a heavy fraction stream. The light fraction stream includes the light fractions and water and the heavy fraction stream includes the heavy fractions and water. The process further includes the step of introducing the heavy fraction stream to an aqueous reforming unit that includes a catalyst to produce an aqueous reforming outlet.