Abstract: A helical turbine is operatively connected to at least one generator system for generating electrical power. System performance is optimized by controlling the operative angle between the longitudinal axis of the turbine and the direction of the current flow and by controlling a pitch ratio of the turbine. A pair of turbines, arranged in V-shape, each at the operative angle from a neutral centerline, provides symmetry and counteracts reactive torque. For wind operations, the V-shape is freely rotatable into the wind. For bi-directional tidal operations, the V-shape is part of a buoyant structure, positioned in the current and anchored to the floor. The structure is fit with control surfaces to ensure the system orientation. In unidirectional currents, one or more turbines can be angled downwardly into the current at the operative angle, elevators ensuring the angle is maintained.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a permeable reactive barrier and an effective method of removing contaminants from water using adsorbent powders, such as zero valent iron particles, adhered throughout a reticulated foam structure. This structure provides improved mass transfer, higher reaction rates and reduced residence times. The barrier includes a reticulated foam substrate with high permeability, an adherent coating and a reactive adsorbent arranged in a reticulated foam structure. The substrate can be selected from various materials including polyurethane and polyester. The adherent may be selected from a wide range of materials including polyurethanes, acrylics, silicones, siliconized acrylics, latex emulsions, and other inherently tacky materials that cure to a water resistant coating. The reactive adsorbent can be selected from various adsorbents including a powdered zero-valent iron (ZVI).

Abstract: A membrane with rejection properties for mono and divalent-salts, BOD and COD good resistance to cleaning chemicals and maintaining high permeability for water. A polymeric coating prepared from polydopamine or hydroquinone or catechol or mixtures thereof, is deposited. In another embodiment, coating process steps and conditions are taught to achieve thickness control to tune the rejection properties of the membranes.

Abstract: A process for a purification of water with multiple contaminants including dissolved solids. The process may involve one or more steps of separating oil and water, metals precipitation, dissolved air flotation (DAF), filtration, forward or reverse osmosis and crystallization. An improved DAF unit is described which increases air dissolution to oxidize impurities and improve flotation. Various embodiments of staged osmotic membrane systems are provided to generate an essentially pure water stream and a highly concentrated solute stream. In some embodiments, reverse osmosis and nanofiltration units are employed in a staged manner. In other embodiments, all stages are reverse osmosis units and the osmotic pressure of each stage is adjusted by the provision of a solution on the low pressure side of the reverse osmosis membrane using nanofiltration membranes. Various recycle options are employed to improve the efficiency of the systems.

Abstract: A helical turbine is operatively connected to at least one generator system for generating electrical power. System performance is optimized by controlling the operative angle between the longitudinal axis of the turbine and the direction of the current flow and by controlling a pitch ratio of the turbine. A pair of turbines, arranged in V-shape, each at the operative angle from a neutral centerline, provides symmetry and counteracts reactive torque. For wind operations, the V-shape is freely rotatable into the wind. For bi-directional tidal operations, the V-shape is part of a buoyant structure, positioned in the current and anchored to the floor. The structure is fit with control surfaces to ensure the system orientation. In unidirectional currents, one or more turbines can be angled downwardly into the current at the operative angle, elevators ensuring the angle is maintained.

Abstract: A fire hose safety anchor and securement system and method for efficiently and safely retaining multiple fire hoses during pressure testing is provided. The fire hose safety anchor and securement system includes a base member comprised of a base plate and a pair of attached mounting plates interconnected by a pair of retaining brackets and retaining pins. The base member is preferably secured to a floor surface by extending fasteners through a plurality of first anchor apertures. Hoses laid upon the base member are held in place by the retaining brackets. The retaining brackets may be slidably coupled to the base member. The base member may have at least one hose channel with separate retaining brackets for each hose channel allowing at least one hose to be removed from the system while pressure testing of the remaining hoses continues.

Abstract: A fire hose safety anchor and securement system for efficiently and safely retaining multiple fire hoses during pressure testing. The fire hose safety anchor and securement system includes a base member comprised of a base plate and a pair of attached mounting plates interconnected by a pair of retaining brackets and retaining pins. The base member is preferably secured to a floor surface by extending fasteners through a plurality of first anchor apertures. Hoses laid upon the base member are held in place by the retaining brackets. The retaining brackets are connected to the base member mounting plates by extending retaining pins through a mounting aperture in the mounting plates and a first aperture and a second aperture in the retaining brackets.

Abstract: There is provided a system for storing electrical energy during an off-peak period and distributing the electrical energy to consumers during a peak period. The system includes an energy storage means for storing the electrical energy; a first means for directing the electrical energy produced during the off-peak period into the energy storage means; and a second means for directing the electrical energy from the energy storage means to consumers during the peak period. Preferably, the energy storage means consists of five sodium-nickel-chloride batteries having a specific energy in the range of about 80 to about 200 Wh/kg, preferably about 100 to about 150 Wh/kg, and most preferably about 120 Wh/kg.

Abstract: Scaleable bacterial injection, aeration and filtration system to effectively control microbial community function of aquatic systems. The present invention is a substantially simplified system with respect to handling growth and dispersion of microorganisms in solution and is also adaptable to many different end-use applications, including treatment of ornamental fish and aquaculture, pond and streams and sewage treatment systems. Initial microorganism materials are provided in the form of aqueous suspensions, which are incorporated into a large volume of water in a vessel. Microorganisms are entrapped inside a carrier that serves as a physical enclosure for cell retention. It has a porous structure to facilitate the diffusion of substances, such as ammonia, nitrate, nutrients, fuels and organic carbon, into its internal void volume, where substrate reduction is accomplished by entrapped cells.

Abstract: A dual nozzle hydro-demolition system is mounted on a robot vehicle having a tower, with the robot vehicle and tower permitting the device to be positioned in any desired location on a vertical wall surface. The robot vehicle includes a plurality of tires and a motive power system allowing it to be moved to a desired location. Bearing pads are mounted on jacks allowing the tires of the robot vehicle to be elevated slightly off the ground to preclude undesired movements. A carriage is slidably mounted on a beam and carries dual nozzles, each of which is connected to a supply of high pressure water via a heavy duty hose. The nozzles are rotated using a hydraulic motor. A coupling is provided within the flow circuit from the source of water to the nozzle allowing a conduit adjacent the nozzle to rotate with respect to a conduit receiving water from the source thereof, so that each nozzle can be rotated without any water leakage.

Abstract: A turbine installation comprising a turbine in combination with an electrical closed-loop control system. The turbine is disposed in a flow of water for producing electrical energy. The turbine includes a hollow hub and a plurality of runner blades pivotally connected to a hollow hub. Each blade comprises a hydrofoil being bounded by an inner surface and a distal outer surface, a leading edge and a trailing edge separated by a water directing surface. The blades are adjustable in pitch from a maximum pitch position in which an inner portion of the water directing surface extends substantially in a direction of the water flow, to a minimum pitch position in which an outer portion of the water directing surface is substantially perpendicular to the water flow. The hollow hub has spaced apart inner and outer surfaces and a hub longitudinal axis. Each blade is pivotally connected to the hub about a rotational axis.

Abstract: A process for operating a hydraulic machine, especially a hydro-turbine, includes the step of detecting an actual machine state during operation of the machine by ascertaining operating data. The ascertained operating data includes flow through the turbine (if present), effective and reactive power fed into the electric mains, guide vane opening, pressure before the machine and at the suction pipe exit, headwater level, and tailwater level. The method further includes the step of processing at least one state characteristic values of a first cavitation characteristic value (indicative of cavitation intensity), a second cavitation characteristic value (indicative of an abrupt rise in cavitation manifestations), vibration characteristic values, suction pipe pressure, sand concentration, air pressure, water temperature, and generator temperature (for example winding temperature).

Abstract: A turbine installation is adapted for enhancing the level of dissolved gas in water flowing therethrough. The installation comprises a water passageway for containing turbine components including a turbine runner. The water passageway extends from an upper elevation source of water to a lower elevation discharge region. The turbine runner is disposed in the passageway so that water flowing therethrough impinges on the runner. The runner includes a plurality of blades extending from the hub at circumferentially spaced intervals. Each blade is defined by a pressure surface, an oppositely facing suction surface, a leading edge and an spaced apart trailing edge. At least one of the blades has an integrally formed gas passage extending from a gas inlet aperture in the hub to the trailing edge.

Abstract: A system for controlling a hydroelectric power production facility includes sensors for detecting the presence of fish adjacent to the facility. A controller linked to the sensors controls the orientation of control surfaces associated with a turbine/generator set to enhance the survivability of fish entrained into the facility when fish are detected to be present. The system may be adapted to control fish bypass and spillway structures within the facility to further enhance the survivability of fish populations. The system balances fish survivability with other parameters related to the operation of the facility, optimizing power production levels once estimates of fish survivability meet targets or optimum levels. The system may be adapted to coordinate control of several facilities along a water system to permit implementation of an overall water, fish and power management plan.

Abstract: A method of assembling a turbine runner while it remains situated in a water passageway. The turbine runner comprises a hub having a longitudinal axis, spaced apart outer and inner surfaces defining a cavity, and a corresponding plurality of blades pivotally connected to the hub. Each blade has a trunnion and is supported in rotation by an associated blade support assembly including at least one trunnion bushing. The cavity substantially encloses the support assemblies. The method comprises the steps of assembling a maintenance platform in the water passageway below the runner, installing for at least one of the blades a new trunnion bushing in the associated blade support assembly, and removing the maintenance platform from the water passageway. The hub has an inner hub for supporting the trunnion bushing, and the inner hub may be split into upper and lower inner hubs which may be uncoupled for installing the new trunnion bushing.

Abstract: A turbine, disposed in water flowing therethrough, includes a hub and associated runner blades. Each blade comprises an inner surface and a distal outer surface, a leading edge and a trailing edge separated by a water directing surface. Each blade is rotatable relative to the hub about a blade rotational axis. The hub includes a spherically-shaped outer surface in a region of the hub swept by the inner surface of the blades when the blades are rotated from maximum to minimum pitch. The hub may also be associated with blades in which the chord is reduced in the root region of the blade. The turbine may also include seals attached to the blade inner surface and an essentially spherically-shaped discharge ring to improve certain turbine parameters such as cavitation, efficiency, flow disturbance, and fish survivability.

Abstract: A turbine, adaptable to improve the survivability of fish present in water flowing therethrough, includes a hub and associated runner blades. Each blade comprises an inner edge and a distal outer edge, a leading edge and a trailing edge separated by a water directing surface. Each blade is rotatable relative to the hub about a blade rotational axis. The turbine is provided with features designed to shield a gap formed between the hub and the blade inner edge as the blade is rotated about its axis.

Abstract: A shrouded turbine for enhancing the levels of dissolved gas such as oxygen in water flowing therethrough. The turbine comprises a rotatably mounted runner within a stationary casing. The casing includes a head cover, a discharge ring and a draft tube which together define a water passage extending from an upstream inlet port to a downstream outlet port. A gas chamber substantially surrounds a peripheral portion of the draft tube, and a gas discharge slot connects the gas chamber to the water passage. The slot is substantially continuous and extends substantially about an entire circumference of the water passage. An oxygen containing gas source is connected to the gas chamber, and the gas pressure in the gas chamber is greater than a water pressure in the water passage adjacent the slot. Gas is discharged from the slot into the water passage so that the level of dissolved oxygen in the water discharged from the downstream port is increased.

Abstract: A turbine installation for regulating the levels of dissolved gas such as oxygen in water flowing therethrough. The turbine installation comprises a runner rotatably mounted within a stationary casing. The runner includes a crown, a band, and a plurality of blades extending between the crown and the band. The stationary casing includes a head cover disposed concentric with and spaced from the crown and a discharge ring concentric with and spaced from the band. At least one annular seal is disposed between the casing the runner to limit water leakage into a mixing chamber formed between the relatively rotating casing and runner. A gas supply is in fluid communication with the mixing chamber for supplying a flow of a gas thereto, and a control system controls the flow of gas into the mixing chamber for regulating the level of dissolved gas in the water discharged from the turbine installation.

Abstract: A turbine, adaptable to enhance the levels of dissolved gas such as oxygen in water flowing therethrough, includes a rotating shaft and a runner secured to the shaft. The runner includes a crown, a band and a plurality of runner blades. Each blade is defined by an inner edge and a distal outer edge, a leading edge and a trailing edge separated by a water directing surface. At least one of the blades includes a leading blade portion with a first slot along a rear edge thereof and a trailing blade portion with a second slot along a front edge thereof. The leading and trailing blade portions are fixedly secured together along their front and rear edges so that the first and second slots cooperate to form an integral gas passage in the at least one blade. The at least one blade further includes a means for discharging gas from the channel to a location adjacent the trailing edge.