Abstract: An extruded, ceramic, structured packing has a plurality of partition-plates attached to end-walls. The partition-plates have a plurality of parallel, interleaved ribs which run from the leading flow-edge to the trailing flow-edge of the partition plate to create a serpentine cross-sectioned flow-channel between an adjacent pair of partition plates and the end-walls.

Abstract: A levitating platform, which is capable of stable flight, is disclosed. Levitating platform (100) comprises a platform structure (110), which includes a bottom extended surface (116) and a lip (114). An air movement device (120) is mounted on platform structure (110) to flow air (30) into plenum (123) between support surface (20), bottom extended surface (116) and lip (114). The flow of air (30) in plenum (123) creates positive and negative pressures within plenum (123). The positive and negative pressures generate attractive and repelling forces between platform structure (110) and support surface (20) causing platform structure (110) to levitate off support surface (20) in a stable, easily controllable manner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for on-line wash-down of a heat sink media bed in a regenerative heat exchanger of a regenerative fume incinerator is disclosed. When a heat sink media bed requires cleaning, the selected regenerative heat exchanger is cooled while the remaining regenerative heat exchangers are operated in their normal mode of operation. When the selected media bed reaches a temperature which is less than the thermal-shock temperature of the media material, a cleaning fluid is sprayed on the media surfaces through spray-pipes which are installed within the media bed. After the media surfaces are washed down, the selected regenerative heat-exchanger is reverted back to its normal mode of operation. The regenerative heat exchanger can also be automatically burnt-out of deposited gasifiable matter prior to the wash-down. Random or sequential burn-out and wash-down of the regenerative heat-exchangers can be performed.

Abstract: A hot gas deployment device for safely deploying a “hot” tear-gas canister to flush out barricaded law-resisters. The device includes an internal chamber for inserting the tear-gas canister therein, securing means to secure the canister in place during deployment, and a handle for easy operation. The chamber safely contains the hot-gases produced by the tear-gas canister to reduce the risk of causing a fire in the barricaded space. Tear-gas release orifices on the chamber's housing release the tear-gas from the chamber. One embodiment of the device includes a hollow spear for releasing the tear-gas through walls and other obstructions. Another embodiment of the device is suitable for hurling with a tear-gas grenade launcher.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for on-line wash-down of a heat sink media bed in a regenerative heat exchanger of a regenerative fume incinerator is disclosed. When a heat sink media bed requires cleaning, the selected regenerative heat exchanger is cooled while the remaining regenerative heat exchangers are operated in their normal mode of operation. When the selected media bed reaches a temperature which is less than the thermal-shock temperature of the media material, a cleaning fluid is sprayed on the media surfaces through spray-pipes which are installed within the media bed. After the media surfaces are washed down, the selected regenerative heat-exchanger is reverted back to its normal mode of operation. The regenerative heat exchanger can also be automatically burnt-out of deposited gasifiable matter prior to the wash-down. Random or sequential burn-out and wash-down of the regenerative heat-exchangers can be performed.

Abstract: A process for making an alkaline resistant material comprises the steps of grinding together 0-40% light magnesia, 0-80% roasted magnesia, 10-54% ceramic clay, 0-9% limestone, 1-4% water glass, 0-1.5% carboxymethyl cellusolve, 0-27% talc, 0-3% calcium or barium carbonate to a particle size of less than 50 microns, mixing the ground mixture with water to produce a paste containing <23% wt. water, shaping the paste to a desired shape, drying the shaped product at a temperature of 110 degrees Centigrade, and firing the dried shaped product in a kiln at 1350 degrees Centigrade. The resulting alkali resistant ceramic contains 25-76 wt % MgO, 13-47% SiO2, 5-20 wt % Al2O3, and 1-10 wt % Fe2O3, CaO, K2O, and/or Na2O, with forsterite and spinel being the dominant crystalline phases.

Abstract: A code generation program, referred to as a parent program, for the creation of a child program for generating CAD script commands for automatically creating drawings in a CAD program. The parent program accepts descriptive information of the properties of various drawing entities and combines this information with computer statement templates to create functional computer statements, which calculates the values of the properties of the drawing entity. The parent program outputs these functional computer statements to the child program. The parent program also contains CAD script command templates and code to combine these templates with the calculated values of the properties of the drawing entity to create a functional CAD script command. The parent program also outputs the CAD script command templates and the CAD script combiner code to the child program.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for directing process fluids through regenerative systems using a Multi-Port Valve Assembly. Any number of process fluids can be directed through any number of regenerative devices in a regenerative system by use of the Multi-Port Valve Assembly of the present invention. Further, more than one Multi-Port Valve Assembly can be used in a regenerative system to provide for parallel-flow or counter-flow of the process fluids within the regenerative system. The regenerative systems can be used in environmental applications as Regenerative Thermal Oxidizers, Regenerative Catalytic Oxidizers, VOC Concentrators, and Reversible Chemical Reactors. The regenerative systems can also be used in energy conservation applications as Regenerative Heat-Exchangers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conserving energy in buildings consisting of an indoor temperature sensor, an outdoor temperature sensor, a programmable electronic thermostat, and a bi-directional power ventilator. The programmable electronic thermostat contains software instructions to switch on or switch off the power ventilator during pre-determined time schedules in response to changes in the indoor and the outdoor temperatures. During a summer day-time schedule, the thermostat switches on the power ventilator in the normal flow mode to exhaust the building of hot accumulated indoor air if the indoor temperature is greater than a selected set-point temperature and if the indoor temperature is also greater than the outdoor temperature by a predetermined ratio.