Abstract: An electrochemical separation of oxygen from oxygen containing gaseous mixtures, such as air, using an oxygen containing molten inorganic salt electrolyte retained in a porous matrix between two gas porous catalytic electrodes wherein oxygen is separated from the gaseous mixture when electrical potential is applied across the electrodes providing movement of non-metallic oxygen containing ion from the cathode to the anode.

Abstract: A process and system for fluid distribution from a principal intelligence and fluid distribution center to multiple users through a plurality of distributed intelligence sub-centers. Each distributed intelligence sub-center has intelligence computing, analyzing, decision making, and direction capability to provide control for its portion of the system. The process and apparatus of this invention provides flow control, leak detection, pipe condition assessment, user meter readings, pipeline locator signals, robot control, and pipeline repair and cleaning. The process provides a total system approach providing improved safety and reduced operating costs and is particularly suited for underground distribution of natural gas services.

Abstract: A vertical shaft melting furnace wherein meltable solids are charged to the upper region of a bed supported only by a fluid cooled support grid having openings smaller than the average diameter of the charged solids wherein submerged combustion is maintained in a melt pool below the bed of solids and combustion product gases of the submerged combustion are passed upwardly through the bed of solids preheating and melting a substantial portion of the solids forming melt which flows downwardly into the melt pool and partially melting the remaining portion of the solids reducing their size sufficiently to pass through the support grid openings into the melt pool. The apparatus and process of this invention provides improved melt quality with stable temperature and high homegeneity with increased specific production rate and increased unit production rate.

Abstract: A method for removing sulfur compounds from gasification product gas during gasification of carbonaceous materials in a fluidized bed, agglomerating discharge reactor and converting harmful and unstable sulfur compounds to an environmentally acceptable form for safe disposal. Particulate sulfur fixation agent is introduced into an ash agglomerating fluidized bed gasifier along with carbonaceous feed solids and reacts with gaseous sulfur compounds formed when gasifying feed solids under reducing conditions in the fluidized bed. Unstable sulfur compounds formed by reaction with the fixation agent are then converted to a stable, environmentally disposable, solid in a lower oxidizing portion of the gasifier for discharge with the ash.

Abstract: An electrochemical separation of oxygen from oxygen containing gaseous mixtures, such as air, using an oxygen containing molten inorganic salt electrolyte retained in a porous matrix between two gas porous catalytic electrodes wherein oxygen is separated from the gaseous mixture when electrical potential is applied across the electrodes providing movement of non-metallic oxygen containing ion from the cathode to the anode.

Abstract: A process for combusting sulfur and nitrogen containing carbonaceous materials in a two stage combustion process wherein sulfur and nitrogen containing carbonaceous materials and sulfur fixation agent particulates are introduced into a first combustion stage single fluidized bed having a density/size selective solids withdrawal conduit. The carbonaceous materials are combusted in the fluidized bed under substoichiometric oxygen conditions at temperatures of about 1600.degree. to about 2000.degree. F. producing ash and reducing gases forming a reducing region in a major portion of the single fluidized bed, the reducing gases comprising gaseous sulfur compounds. In a reducing region of the fluidized bed, the gaseous sulfur compounds are reacted with oxides of the sulfur fixation agent forming an intermediate solid metallic sulfur compound and nitrogen contained in the carbonaceous materials is converted to molecular nitrogen.

Abstract: A flueless, low nitrogen oxides emissions, low carbon monoxide emissions space heater having a fuel chamber with a fuel inlet and a fuel distributor. The fuel inlet generates a swirling fuel flow within the fuel chamber. A primary air inlet generates a counter-swirling primary airflow with respect to the swirling fuel flow in a primary air chamber. The fuel distributor discharges the swirling fuel flow into the counter-swirling primary airflow thus forming a fuel/air mixture. An ignitor ignites the fuel/air mixture. A combustion chamber is sealably secured to and in communication with the primary air chamber. The combustion chamber wall has a plurality of secondary air supply holes. An intermediate shell surrounds the combustion chamber wall and forms a space between the intermediate shell and the combustion chamber wall. A secondary air inlet is in communication with the space between the intermediate shell and the combustion chamber wall. An outer protective shell surrounds the intermediate shell.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for fuel combustion providing oscillation of fuel or combustion air provided to a burner to generate successive fuel-rich and fuel-lean zones in a flame thereby reducing NO.sub.x emissions.

Abstract: A reelable flow stopper for plugging fluid flow within a pipe having a guide housing with an enclosed guide channel. A guide housing sealably secures to at least one side of a full port gate valve and the opposite side of the full port gate valve is in communication with the inside of the pipe. The pipe has an access hole in a pipe wall of the pipe. The guide channel is in communication with the access hole. At least one guide prong of a fork extends into the pipe. The guide prong is secured to the guide housing. A roller bearing is rotably mounted to each guide prong of the fork. A take-up spool is secured to the bearing and the take-up spool rotates with respect to each guide prong of the fork. A stopper tape has a spool end secured to the take-up spool and an opposite end contacting the guide pins located within the guide housing. The guide pins route and guide the stopper tape into and out of the pipe. A crank is secured to a crank gear. A drive gear is secured with respect to the take-up spool.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for high temperature combustion in a combustion chamber comprising two opposed porous plates is provided whereby increased combustion temperatures are achievable by means of internal radiant energy recuperation. The high temperature combustion apparatus and process may achieve super-adiabatic combustion temperatures and is especially suitable for applications such as waste disposal and incineration.

Abstract: A catalyst and a process for oxidative coupling of methane, the catalyst being a mixed basic metal oxide catalyst. One preferred catalyst is boron/alkali metal promoted metal oxide.

Abstract: A hydrogen forming process and apparatus wherein one side of a hydrogen ion porous and molecular gas non-porous metallic foil is contacted with mixed gases comprising molecular hydrogen formed by a chemical reaction in a hydrogen production zone. The molecular hydrogen is dissociated and passed as ionic hydrogen to the other side of the metallic foil from which it is withdrawn, thereby removing hydrogen from the hydrogen production zone. This invention is particularly advantageous in favorably shifting the equilibrium of steam/methane reforming reactions and water-gas-shift reactions providing high yields of high purity hydrogen.

Abstract: An improved mechanical dewatering process wherein high moisture content organic carbonaceous materials are mixed with hard, non-porous particulates prior to mechanical dewatering by conventional methods, and the particulates are removed after mechanical dewatering treatment to yield organic carbonaceous product having a moisture content of less than about 50 weight percent total water suitable for use directly as a fuel or as substrate for subsequent conversion processes.

Abstract: Continuous thermal energy delivery from a cyclically active thermal energy source having an ON period substantially exceeding an OFF period by passing working fluid through a central working fluid conduit passing through a containment means forming an annular chamber therewith, the annular chamber substantially filled with a liquid-solid phase change thermal energy storage material having a high specific heat in the liquid phase. During insolation, thermal energy superheats the thermal energy storage material and is conducted therethrough to heat the working fluid. During eclipse the superheated thermal energy storage material transmits heat to the working fluid and formation of solid phase of the thermal energy storage material releases heat of fusion adjacent the working fluid conduit for additional supply of heat to the working fluid. A thermal gradient is maintained across the thickness of the thermal energy storage material.

Abstract: A reciprocating opposed piston mechanism having at least one cylinder assembly mounted to oscillate in rotary relation to a block about a central axis, two opposing pistons reciprocally mounted within the cylinder, each of the pistons having an eccentric bearing mounted in its rear portion with an eccentric rotatably mounted in each eccentric bearing, each eccentric fixedly mounted to an eccentric shaft. Each eccentric shaft is mounted to the engine block and rotatable about an eccentric shaft axis equally spaced in opposite directions from the central cylinder oscillation axis. Timing mechanisms in force transmission relation to each of the eccentric shafts is provided to maintain the eccentrics in each cylinder assembly 180.degree. out of rotary phase. An even number of such cylinder assemblies, adjacently 180.degree. out of phase, may be assembled to form the mechanism of this invention. The mechanism is useful as an internal or external combustion engine, compressor or prime mover.

Abstract: A dual compartment anode structure for use in molten carbonates fuel cells having an electrolyte porous metallic plate structure with one face adapted to contact the electrolyte and an opposite face having a plurality of ribs extending therefrom, a hydrogen ion and molecular hydrogen and electrolyte non-porous metallic foil having one face in contact with the ends of the ribs to define an anode reacton gas compartment therebetween, and a corrugated metallic current collector having a plurality of peaks with one face at the peaks in contact with the opposite face of the metallic foil defining an anode fuel gas compartment therbetween. The dual compartment anode structure of this invention provides separation between the electrolyte and the fuel thereby permitting internal cell reforming of hydrogen containing fuels without poisoning of the reforming catalyst and provides greater cell stability due to reduction in corrosion and reduced electrolyte and electrode loss.

Abstract: A process for producing stabilized molten carbonate fuel cell porous metal anodes by impregnating a porous metallic anode in an aqueous solution having dissolved therein a water soluble salt of a structure stabilizing agent; drying the impregnated porous anode to evaporate free water and form hydrated salts of the stabilizing agent on the surface of the metal particles, further heating the impregnated dried porous anodes to dehydrate the hydrated compounds on the surface of the metal particles, and heating the porous anodes to a temperature of about 600.degree. to about 700.degree. C. in a reducing atmosphere forming particles of the stabilizing agent on the surface of the metal particles. Suitable stabilizing agents include water soluble salts of chromium, zirconium, aluminum, and mixtures thereof. The porous metallic anodes produced according to this process provide stability against sintering and creep resistance during molten carbonate fuel cell operation.

Abstract: An electrochemical separation of oxygen from oxygen containing gaseous mixtures, such as air, using a molten nitrate salt electrolyte retained in a porous matrix between two gas porous catalytic electrodes wherein oxygen is separated from the gaseous mixture when electrical potential is applied across the electrodes providing movement of ionic NO.sub.3 - from the cathode to the anode.

Abstract: A process and system for fluid distribution from a principal intelligence and fluid distribution center to multiple users through distributed intelligence sub-centers. Intelligence transmission from individual user valves and meters to the distributed intelligence sub-centers and from the distributed intelligence sub-centers to the principal intelligence and fluid distribution center is achieved in conjunction with the piping by means such as wires within the cavity, wires embedded in the structure of the piping, wires along the exterior of the piping, fiber optics, or acoustic, electromagnetic or optical methods through the piping itself. The process and apparatus of this invention provides flow control, leak detection, pipe condition assessment, user meter readings, pipeline locator signals, robot control, and pipeline repair and cleaning.

Abstract: A dual compartment anode structure for use in molten carbonates fuel cells having an electrolyte porous metallic plate structure with one face adapted to contact the electrolyte and an opposite face having a plurality of ribs extending therefrom, a hydrogen ion and molecular hydrogen and electrolyte non-porous metallic foil having one face in contact with the ends of the ribs to define an anode reaction gas compartment therebetween, and a corrugated metallic current collector having a plurality of peaks with one face at the peaks in contact with the opposite face of the metallic foil defining an anode fuel gas compartment therebetween. The dual compartment anode structure of this invention provides separation between the electrolyte and the fuel thereby permitting internal cell reforming of hydrocarbon containing fuels without poisoning of the reforming catalyst and provides greater cell stability due to reduction in corrosion and reduced electrolyte and electrode loss.