Reactors are provided that can include a first set of fluid channels and a second set of fluid channels oriented in thermal contact with the first set of fluid channels. The reactor assemblies can also provide where the channels of either one or both of the first of the set of fluid channels are non-linear. Other implementations provide for at least one of the first set of fluid channels being in thermal contact with a plurality of other channels of the second set of fluid channels. Reactor assemblies are also provided that can include a first set of fluid channels defining at least one non-linear channel having a positive function, and a second set of fluid channels defining at least another non-linear channel having a negative function in relation to the positive function of the one non-linear channel of the first set of fluid channels. Processes for distributing energy across a reactor are provided. The processes can include transporting reactants via a first set of fluid channels to a second set of fluid channels, and thermally engaging at least one of the first set of fluid channels with at least two of the second set of fluid channels.

Provided is a catalyst structure for a liquid organic hydrogen carrier (LOHC) dehydrogenation reactor, including a support, a plurality of channels formed on the support in such a manner that the LOHC may flow therethrough, and an LOHC dehydrogenation catalyst that is coated on the inner surfaces of the channels and is in contact with the LOHC to carry out LOHC dehydrogenation, wherein the hydrogen gas generated from the dehydrogenation is discharged along the channels so that the contact area between the LOHC and the LOHC dehydrogenation catalyst may be increased.

A method for producing elemental carbon and hydrogen gas directly from a hydrocarbon (for example, natural gas or methane) using a chemical reaction or series of reactions. In an aspect, other materials involved such as, for example, elemental magnesium, remain unchanged and function as a catalyst.

The present disclosure is directed to steam reformers for the production of a hydrogen rich reformate, comprising a shell having a first end, a second end, and a passage extending generally between the first end and the second end of the shell, and at least one heat source disposed about the second end of the shell. The shell comprises at least one conduit member comprising at least one thermally emissive and high radiant emissivity material, at least partially disposed within the shell cavity. The shell further comprises at least one reactor module at least a portion of which is disposed within the shell cavity and about the at least one conduit member and comprises at least one reforming catalyst. The disclosure is also directed to methods of producing a hydrogen reformate utilizing the steam reformers, comprising the steps of combusting a combustible mixture in a burner to produce a combustion exhaust that interacts with the steam reactor module(s) through surface to surface radiation and convection heat transfer, and reforming a hydrocarbon fuel mixed with steam in the steam reformers to produce a hydrogen-containing reformate. The present disclosure is further directed to reactor modules for use with the above steam reformers and methods of producing a hydrogen reformate.

A reformer is disclosed in one embodiment of the invention as including a channel to convey a preheated plurality of reactants containing both a feedstock fuel and an oxidant. A plasma generator is provided to apply an electrical potential to the reactants sufficient to ionize one or more of the reactants. These ionized reactants are then conveyed to a reaction zone where they are chemically transformed into synthesis gas containing a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. A heat transfer mechanism is used to transfer heat from an external heat source to the reformer to provide the heat of reformation.

There is described a method of using a feedstock gas reactor. Reaction of feedstock and combustion gases in the reactor produces hydrogen through pyrolysis of the feedstock gas. At least some of a mixed product stream extracted from the reactor may be recycled to the reactor to drive further pyrolysis of the feedstock gas. A portion of the recycled mixed product stream may be recirculated back to a combustion chamber of the reactor, and a portion of the recycled mixed product stream may be recirculated back to a reaction chamber of the reactor.

Reactors are provided that can include a first set of fluid channels and a second set of fluid channels oriented in thermal contact with the first set of fluid channels where the channels of either one or both of the first of the set of fluid channels are non-linear. Reactor assemblies are also provided that can include a first set of fluid channels defining at least one non-linear channel having a positive function, and a second set of fluid channels defining at least another non-linear channel having a negative function in relation to the positive function of the one non-linear channel of the first set of fluid channels.

An integrated refinery process for the disposal of metal-containing spent coked catalyst from hydrotreating and/or hydrocracking unit operations includes introducing the spent coked catalyst into a membrane wall gasification reactor in the form of flowable particles along with predetermined amounts of oxygen and steam based upon an analysis of the hydrocarbon content of the coke, and optionally, a liquid hydrocarbon; gasifying the feed to produce synthesis gas and a slag material; recovering and subjecting the slag material to further processes in preparation for a leaching step to solubilize and form one or more active phase metal compounds that are recovered from the leaching solution, either separately by sequential processing, or together. The recovered active metal compounds can be used, e.g., in preparing fresh catalyst for use in the refinery's hydroprocessing units.

The invention relates to a method for producing hydrogen gas and optionally a carbonaceous product from a hydrocarbon fuel, comprising: introducing a flowing stream of said fuel into a reaction chamber of a reactor, wherein said reaction chamber has at least one wall and a heating zone which is heated by a heat source, heating said fuel in said heating zone to effect pyrolytic decomposition of said hydrocarbon fuel to produce said hydrogen gas and optionally said carbonaceous product; wherein the ratio of C:O (mol/mol) in the reaction chamber is greater than 20:1; and characterized in that the heat source heats the hydrocarbon fuel in the heating zone by radiated heat to an average temperature of greater than 2000° C. The invention also relates to an apparatus for carrying out the method of the invention.

A catalytic solar reactor useful in chemical processes, more particularly, useful in endothermic chemical processes. The reactor comprises a reaction pathway defined by an exterior wall and an interior wall, the exterior wall comprising a solar radiation receiver capable of converting solar radiation into heat and transmitting the heat to the reaction pathway. Further, the reaction pathway has disposed therein, in alternating fashion, a plurality of catalytic elements and a plurality of heat transfer elements. Optionally, a supplementary heater, such as a conventional fossil fuel burner, is disposed in a plenum located within the interior of the reactor. The heater is employed as a supplemental source of heat, for example, when solar radiation is unavailable.