The presently disclosed embodiments relate to the utilization of coal-derived fine mineral matter in chemical recycling of plastics or of solid mixed plastic waste. The instantly disclosed mineral based catalyst benefits the processes of catalytic cracking, gasification and steam reforming to maximize carbon utilization and production of plastics of original quality from recycled or renewable feedstocks while reducing the plastic pollution in the environment. The catalyst can be based on inorganic fine mineral matter, a natural ancient mineral mixture found in coal deposits and containing a plurality of transition metals, such as iron, copper, and manganese, as well as calcium, barium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, which can act as co-catalysts. Addition of the catalyst can convert plastic to syngas at a faction of the energy of conventional technologies.

Fuel cell system with a combined fuel evaporation and cathode gas heater unit, and its method of operation A fuel cell system, in which the cathode gas heater and the evaporator are combined in a single compact first heat exchange unit which includes a first housing inside which thermal energy is transferred from the first coolant to both the cathode gas and the fuel.

Hydrogen generation assemblies and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a feed stream in a fuel processing assembly, and heating, via one or more burners, a hydrogen generating region of the fuel processing assembly to at least a minimum hydrogen-producing temperature. The method additionally includes generating an output stream in the heated hydrogen generating region of the fuel processing assembly from the received feed stream, and generating a product hydrogen stream and a byproduct stream in a purification region of the fuel processing assembly from the output stream. The method further includes separating at least a portion of the carbon dioxide gas from the byproduct stream to generate a fuel stream having a carbon dioxide concentration less than the byproduct stream, and feeding the fuel stream to the one or more burners.

Hydrogen generation assemblies and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a feed stream in a fuel processing assembly, and heating, via one or more burners, a hydrogen generating region of the fuel processing assembly to at least a minimum hydrogen-producing temperature. The method additionally includes generating an output stream in the heated hydrogen generating region of the fuel processing assembly from the received feed stream, and generating a product hydrogen stream and a byproduct stream in a purification region of the fuel processing assembly from the output stream. The method further includes separating at least a portion of the carbon dioxide gas from the byproduct stream to generate a fuel stream having a carbon dioxide concentration less than the byproduct stream, and feeding the fuel stream to the one or more burners.

An isolated power converter and a hydrogen production system are provided. An electrical connection structure in the isolated power converter includes N secondary winding output bus bars, N rectifier circuit input bus bars, and a positive-negative bus bar, where N is greater than or equal to 1. A secondary winding may include M tapping points, and the secondary winding output bus bar and the rectifier circuit input bus bar that correspond to the secondary winding each include M copper bars that are insulated and stacked. The M tapping points of the secondary winding overlap the M copper bars of the secondary winding output bus bar at input ends of the M copper bars, respectively. The positive-negative bus bar includes two copper bars that are insulated and stacked.

An isolated power converter and a hydrogen production system are provided. An electrical connection structure in the isolated power converter includes N secondary winding output bus bars, N rectifier circuit input bus bars, and a positive-negative bus bar, where N is greater than or equal to 1. A secondary winding may include M tapping points, and the secondary winding output bus bar and the rectifier circuit input bus bar that correspond to the secondary winding each include M copper bars that are insulated and stacked. The M tapping points of the secondary winding overlap the M copper bars of the secondary winding output bus bar at input ends of the M copper bars, respectively. The positive-negative bus bar includes two copper bars that are insulated and stacked.

In a process for steam reforming of oxygenates, especially at low steam-to-carbon (S/C) ratios, a feed gas containing oxygenates, such as ethanol, is converted into syngas over a ternary carbide catalyst. Then the reformed gas is either transformed into desired chemicals or mixed into the feed stream to the reformer in a plant, such as an ammonia or methanol plant. The preferred ternary carbide is nickel zinc carbide.

Provided is a method for generating hydrogen at a desired rate, using a hydrogen storage material that can be stored and transported safely and inexpensively. The method according to the present invention for producing a silanol compound and hydrogen includes subjecting a hydrosilane compound and water to a reaction with each other in the presence of a solid catalyst to give a silanol compound and hydrogen. The solid catalyst includes hydroxyapatite and gold particles supported on the hydroxyapatite, where the gold particles have an average particle size of 2.5 nm or less. The reaction in the method according to the present invention for producing a silanol compound and hydrogen is preferably performed in an air atmosphere. The reaction in the method according to the present invention for producing a silanol compound and hydrogen can be performed with application of substantially no heat and no activated energy rays.

Provided is a method for generating hydrogen at a desired rate, using a hydrogen storage material that can be stored and transported safely and inexpensively. The method according to the present invention for producing a silanol compound and hydrogen includes subjecting a hydrosilane compound and water to a reaction with each other in the presence of a solid catalyst to give a silanol compound and hydrogen. The solid catalyst includes hydroxyapatite and gold particles supported on the hydroxyapatite, where the gold particles have an average particle size of 2.5 nm or less. The reaction in the method according to the present invention for producing a silanol compound and hydrogen is preferably performed in an air atmosphere. The reaction in the method according to the present invention for producing a silanol compound and hydrogen can be performed with application of substantially no heat and no activated energy rays.

Fuel cell system with a combined fuel evaporation and cathode gas heater unit, and its method of operation A fuel cell system, in which the cathode gas heater and the evaporator are combined in a single compact first heat exchange unit which includes a first housing inside which thermal energy is transferred from the first coolant to both the cathode gas and the fuel.