A droplet formation for fuels is disclosed. The droplet formation for fuels includes an amphiphile. The droplet formation for fuels further includes at least one of an extensional viscosity modifier and a viscosity modifier. The droplet formation for fuels further includes a hydrophilic portion. The droplet formation for fuels further includes a hydrophobic portion. The droplet, including the hydrophilic portion and the hydrophobic portion, includes characteristics selected for beneficial combustion properties. The selected characteristics include flash point, autoignition temperature, density, viscosity, miscibility, size, combustion temperature, organic properties, inorganic properties, zwitterionic properties, micelle properties, and particulate properties.

Inhibiting gas hydrate formation while transporting hydrocarbon fluids may include providing a kinetic gas hydrate inhibitor, adding the kinetic gas hydrate inhibitor to a fluid capable of producing gas hydrates, and transporting the fluid that comprises the kinetic gas hydrate inhibitor. Generally a kinetic gas hydrate inhibitor may include a heterocyclic compound comprising nitrogen, e.g., polyvinyl pyrrolidone).

Aqueous dispersion of paraffine inhibitors, comprising a continuous aqueous phase comprising water and a water-miscible organic solvent, a dispersed phase comprising at least one paraffin inhibitor component, and at least one anionic surfactant, methods of manufacturing such aqueous dispersions, and the use of such aqueous dispersions as paraffin inhibitor or pour point depressant for crude oil or other hydrocarbon fluids, such as fuel oils or diesel.

There is provided a continuous combustion system for iron particles. The system comprising a multi-annular combustion tube defining in cross-section at least three distinct passages from its inlet to its outlet. A first tube that is innermost, defines a first passage providing a primary air flow with suspended iron particles. A second tube, defines an inner annular space providing a secondary air flow, a pilot combustible flow, and an ignition point of a spark generator. A third tube defines a third passage comprises a swirl generator and provides a tertiary air flow. The tubes are nested in position within the multi-annular combustion tube. The system comprises a divergent nozzle at the outlet of the multi-annular combustion tube: a combustion reactor in fluid communication with the divergent nozzle, for the generation and stabilization of a turbulent iron flame that burns the iron particles and produces oxidized iron particles; and a cyclone.

The invention provides a process for producing cement, the process comprising providing heat to a cement manufacturing process using a secondary fuel, wherein the secondary fuel comprises cellulose and plastic and is in the form of pellets of a size between about 3-25 mm thickness, having a calorific value of about 16 GJ/ton or more, and wherein said secondary fuel is supplied at a place between the kiln inlet and the first cyclone, wherein after formation of the cement clinker, the cement clinker is cooled and milled to cement powder. Preferably, the secondary fuel is supplied to the riser pipe or to a pre-kiln combustion chamber. Generally, the secondary fuel is provided at a place which allows the pellets to burn before coming in contact with the cement materials in the kiln, while it also does not rise into the cyclone, thereby preventing blocking of the cyclones.

A transportable and combustible gaseous suspension includes solid fuel particles suspended in a gaseous carrier. The solid fuel particles have a sufficiently small particle size so that they remain suspended during transportation. The gaseous carrier may include reactive and inert gases. The solid fuel particles may include coal-derived solid carbonaceous matter. Other examples of solid fuel particles include biomass, refined bioproducts, and combustible polymer particles. The combustible gaseous suspension can be tailored to have an energy density at atmospheric pressure which is comparable to conventional gaseous hydrocarbon fuels. The gaseous combustible fuel may be pressurized to a pressure in the range from 2 to 100 atmospheres.

Coal is extracted with heated and pressurized water, and an extract is collected as microspheres without use of an organic solvent or a surfactant. By this, microspheres containing a hollow spherical particle are produced. Biomass is extracted with heated and pressurized water, and an extract is collected as microspheres without use of an organic solvent or a surfactant.

The invention relates to a process for firing an industrial furnace, in particular for electricity generation, wherein coal or cokes together with a secondary fuel comprising cellulose and plastic, in the form of pellets of a size larger than about 3 mm thickness, and having a caloric value of about 16 GJ/ton or more is ground to a powder wherein about 95 wt % or more has a particle size smaller than 2 mm and wherein the d50 of the particle size distribution is between about 5 and about 100 m, wherein the powder is injected in the flame of the furnace. In this process the grinding is performed in a roller mill or ball mill, and the amount of pellets used together with the coals preferably is about 3 wt % or more, relative to the coal.

The present invention provides a method of incorporating a gaseous hydrocarbon into a liquid hydrocarbon. The method comprises steps of exposing a gaseous hydrocarbon to non-thermal plasma generated using a reduced electric field with an E/N ratio in a range of from about 10 to about 30 Td to activate the gaseous hydrocarbon, and contacting the activated gaseous hydrocarbon with the liquid hydrocarbon to incorporate the gaseous hydrocarbon into the liquid hydrocarbon. The method provides the advantages of low energy consumption and relatively low capital expenditure.

The present invention relates to a method and facility for preparing lignocellulosic biomass, in particular by means of water extraction and optionally particle-size refinement, for subsequent use particularly in a process of torrefaction, carbonization, pellet production, such as fuel pellets or soil enhancement pellets, or the manufacturing of building materials, or even the preparation of agri-food products, comprising centrifugation (100) of the biomass followed by attrition milling and drying (200).