University of Texas System

Earnest F Gloyna

Lixiong Li

Roy N McBrayer, Jr

Marcel G Goemmans

Jacqueline K McKendry

Sodium and borate ions are separated in supercritical water by addition of dissolved CO.sub.2 to cause precipitation of carbonates and the formation of boric acid. Carbonates and boric acid are then recovered as separate products.

Method for selective separation of products at hydrothermal conditions

A method of producing an off-gas with a selected CO/H.sub.2 ratio of from about 0.1 to about 8 and a CO/CO.sub.2 ratio of at least about 0.1 by hydrothermal processing is provided. The method comprises the step of contacting a reactant capable of producing CO and H.sub.2 under hydrothermal conditions at a temperature of at least about 374.degree. C. and a pressure of at least about 22.1 MPa in the presence of water and with an amount of an additive effective to produce the selected CO/H.sub.2 ratio. The contacting is for a time sufficient to produce off-gas having the selected CO/H.sub.2 ratio and having a CO/CO.sub.2 ratio of at least about 0.1. Presence of the additive may enhance or may reduce the ratio of carbon monoxide to hydrogen in the off-gas. The additive may be an acid, a base, a salt, an oxide, or an oxidant. The off-gas having a selected CO/H.sub.2 ratio may be used for synthesis of organic compounds.

Method of producing off-gas having a selected ratio of carbon monoxide

Production of alkanes from an alkyl bound to a heteroatom under controlled hydrothermal conditions at supercritical or near critical water conditions including the use of an additive. The method reduces the extent of oxidation, generates useful and recoverable products, alters product distributions, promotes product yield, and enhances reaction rates. Additives alter product distributions and neutralize or consume mineral acids.

Controlled hydrothermal processing

Apparatus and methods utilizing cross-flow filtration under supercritical conditions for water to separate/filter a feed stream or reaction mixture, remove oxides or other solids from fluids, and/or separate ion species (e.g., ions, electrolytes, or salts). Cross-flow filtration may be utilized in combination with wet oxidation of waste and wastewaters to remove organic and inorganic materials.

Cross-flow filtration apparatus and method

A system for effective utilization of reaction heat and in situ separation of solid and gaseous products in wet oxidation of waste and wastewater. This invention does not require special preheaters for preheating feed streams, therefore reducing the possibility of scale and char formation in the heat exchange zone. The cold feed stream is introduced into the reactor with part of the effluent which has been recycled through a high temperature pumping means to form a hot, near critical oxidant-containing mixture. The cold feed is directly heated up by the oxidant-containing mixture. The reaction mixture is separated by in situ crossflow filtration elements, including sintered material. Catalyzed reactions and sintered material gas separation are also described.

Method and apparatus for reverse-injection wet oxidation, sintered

Apparatus for reverse-injection wet oxidation

An organic or inorganic feed compound can be treated in two or more zones to progressively oxidize the compound. The first zone oxidizes the compound to an intermediate product which includes a first intermediate compound which is intermediate the feed compound and end product. The second zone further oxidizes the intermediate product to an end product or a second intermediate compound which is intermediate the first intermediate compound and an end product. One or both zones may operate catalytically and/or at supercritical conditions for water to oxidize the compounds.

Growing community of inventors

Austin, TX, United States of America

Earnest F Gloyna