Abstract: The present invention discloses a magnetohydrodynamics power system which utilizes low temperature heat source. Variable control of the operation of the system, along with determining configurations for specific cases, are made possible by selecting the refrigerant, liquid metal circuit geometry, and by adjusting the system condensing pressure and/or temperature. Adjustable condensing pressure and/or temperature allows the system to react to changing ambient temperature and maximize power output. Adjusting condensing pressure and/or temperature of the system is made possible with a variable condenser pressure controller. The variable condenser pressure controller allows utilization of the physical properties of the refrigerant over a wide range of condensing temperatures/pressures, including pressures in the vacuum range.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling electric vehicle chargers using central control consoles for controlling and communicating with industrial equipment. The electric vehicle chargers operate as clients in a client-server configuration with a dedicated OCPP server. The OCPP server communicates with a control console using either of two communications paths—one path uses a direct HTTP connection with the control console. For this path, the control console operates as a web-enabled client. For the other path, multiple communications protocols are used and conversions between these protocols are effected using a conversion module and a MODBUS server. The MODBUS server communicates with the OCPP server. The MODBUS server also communicates with the control console by way of the conversion module and a control server. The control console is thereby able to control multiple pieces of industrial equipment along with the electric vehicle chargers without needing to be compliant with the OCPP protocol.

Abstract: The present application provides a method for bitumen froth treatment in the transition region between coalescence and agglomeration. The method involves separating diluted bitumen product from a bitumen froth mixture, comprising the bitumen, water and mineral solids, the method comprising: (a) combining the mixture with a solvent blend to obtain a combination having a ratio of said solvent blend to the bitumen of about 1.0-1.6 by mass, wherein said solvent blend comprises from 2.2-4.5 (±0.2) wt % aromatic solvent or from 70-80 (±10) wt % paraffinic solvent; (b) mixing the combination; and (c) separating the diluted bitumen product from the water and mineral solids.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling microgrids composed of inverter-based distributed generation (IBDG) units. This includes a method using multiple IBDGs to inject impedance-modulated harmonic currents during fault conditions, with each IBDG injecting a unique, differentiable harmonic (i.e., non-fundamental) order from neighboring IBDGs. The method also involves using an inverse time-harmonic-current characteristic to detect faults by locally measuring the harmonic currents injected by IBDGs. A harmonic directional overcurrent relay is also used for fault detection.

Abstract: The present invention provides device system and a method for monitoring movements of mining conveyances in a mine shaft. One or more sensors that form part of the system may be installed directly on the mining conveyances. The sensors may be accelerometers and are for detecting movements on mining conveyances. The system may analyze the descent and ascent paths of the mining conveyances on guides by recording vertical, horizontal and transverse accelerations. The analysis may comprise associating the movements with position of the mining conveyances on the guides for identification of an anomaly at a specific position.

Abstract: Thermal energy systems for managing, distribution and recovery of thermal energy. A single-pipe loop circulating a two-phase refrigerant is provided. The single-pipe loop is spread through the entire system and interconnects a plurality of local heat exchange stations, each having different thermal energy loads. A central circulation mechanism (CCM) is also provided for circulating the refrigerant for distribution of thermal energy within the system.

Abstract: A system and method for capturing and separating carbon dioxide from mixed gas streams. The gas stream is processed in a structure including a compression module comprising a plurality of compressors, intercoolers and inter-stage condensate separators. The flow path from the compression module includes a plurality of flow separators, gas stream splitters, heat exchangers and at least a first mixer and a first expander. The gas stream is sequentially compressed and cooled to form process condensate and separate it from the compressed gas stream. The gas stream is further dried and cooled to liquefy carbon dioxide and separate it from the non-condensable portion. Selective expansion of liquid carbon dioxide streams provides cooling for the system, and further energy efficiency is achieved by selective recycling of portions of gas streams, allowing for compact equipment and economical operation, while providing for high purity product streams of carbon dioxide.

Abstract: Lap joints and butt joints can be used for braze-welding metals together, particularly metal sheet materials. Disclosed herein are hybrid joints that include features of both lap joints and of butt joints, that are suitable for braze-welding together articles and workpieces, particularly sheets, composed of different metals including aluminum and steel. Methods for braze-welding such hybrid joints are also disclosed.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment provides a camera probe having an elongated housing provided with an external wall made of heat-resistant material enclosing an internal space. The housing has a forward opening covered by a window of heat-resistant radiation-transparent material and a position within the internal space for mounting a camera positioned to receive radiation from the window. At least one cooling channel is provided within or adjacent to the external wall, at least over a part of the external wall exposed to elevated temperatures during use of the probe. At least one gas exit port is provided adjacent the window and is oriented to cause gas leaving the gas exit port to sweep over an external surface of the window to keep it cool and free of debris.

Abstract: The invention discloses use of a catalyzed particulate filter loaded with a silver-zirconia catalyst prepared by citric acid-assisted sol-gel method for soot removal from engine exhaust. The invention discloses a method of making xAg/ZrO2 where x is 20 mol %, said method comprises: mixing aqueous solutions of AgNO3 and ZrO(NO3)2 hydrate to produce a first mixture, adding an aqueous solution of citric acid to the first mixture, wherein the molar ratio of metal ions to citric acid is about 1:3 to produce a second mixture; heating the second mixture to about 80-90° C. to evaporate excess water in the second mixture to form a viscous gel, charring the viscous gel at about 200° C. for about 12 hours to produce a foam-like material, grounding the foam-like material to form a grounded material, and calcinating the grounded material at 500° C. for about 10 hours.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and method for using a pressurized oxy-fired configuration to conduct metal reduction. The invention discloses a process for production of metal from metal oxide ore through reduction, comprising: (a) feeding a mixture of metal oxide ore, fuel and supply of oxygen into the inlet of a metallization reactor, (b) heating the mixture of metal oxide ore, oxygen and fuel in a primary reduction zone of the metallization reactor at a pressure exceeding ambient pressure to produce a product mixture; and (c) separating the product mixture in a gas separation unit at the bottom or downstream of the metallization reactor.

Abstract: Provided herein is a method for measuring the size distribution and/or hardness of free falling rock pieces. The method comprises projecting at least one laser line on the falling rock pieces by a laser device; capturing images of the falling rock pieces at an angle from the at least one laser line by at least one camera; and obtaining size distribution data of the falling rock pieces based on data obtained from a topographical map generated from the captured images. Certain embodiments further comprise: obtaining at least one of the volume and area of individual rock pieces from the topographical map; conducting a data analysis on at least one of the volume and area measurements of the rock pieces to reduce at least one of sampling and measurement errors; determining the size distribution of the falling rock pieces based on the data analysis and, optionally, evaluating a rock hardness index for the rock.

Abstract: Geothermal energy is increasingly recognized as a useful energy source for both industrial and residential purposes. Disclosed herein are units for subterranean heat exchange comprising a polymer block with ‘mini-channels’ adapted and/or sized for highly efficient heat exchange. In some embodiments such units can, as needed, be manufactured off site, spooled for transport, and conveniently installed in boreholes. Other arrangements are also described for conduits located within a borehole for heat exchange, without a polymer block. Also disclosed are geothermal heat exchange systems including those that employ such units, for example with direct expansion of a two-phase heat-exchange fluid such as carbon dioxide.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment provides a camera probe having an elongated housing provided with an external wall made of heat-resistant material enclosing an internal space. The housing has a forward opening covered by a window of heat-resistant radiation-transparent material and a position within the internal space for mounting a camera positioned to receive radiation from the window. At least one cooling channel is provided within or adjacent to the external wall, at least over a part of the external wall exposed to elevated temperatures during use of the probe. At least one gas exit port is provided adjacent the window and is oriented to cause gas leaving the gas exit port to sweep over an external surface of the window to keep it cool and free of debris.

Abstract: A direct reduction process for the production of ferrochrome from chromite ore or concentrate is disclosed. According to the present invention, calcium chloride (CaCl2) is added as a catalyst to accelerate the solid reduction and enhance the particle growth of the metallic phase (i.e. ferrochrome) during reduction. The reduction of chromite ore or concentrate takes place at much lower temperatures (e.g. 1200 to 1400° C.) compared to the conventional smelting technologies, and the ferrochrome particles formed are segregated from the unwanted residual gangue and spinel particles, facilitating their subsequent physical separation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to modified ceramic membranes for the treatment of water. The invention discloses a modified ceramic membrane, comprising: a ceramic membrane, and an outer surface of said ceramic membrane is grafted by a hydrophilic organosilane, wherein said organosilane is selected from the group consisting of: CH30(C2H40)x(CH2)ySi(OCH3)3, where x is >4 and y is >0; CH30(C2H40)x(CH2)ySi(OCH2CH3)3, where x is >4 and y is >0; (CH30)3Si(CH2)yO(C2H40)x(CH2)ySi(OCH3)3, N where x is >4 and y is >0; and (CH3CH20)3Si(CH2)yO(C2H40)x(CH2)ySi(OCH2CI-13)3, where x is >4 and y is >0.

Abstract: The present invention provides device system and a method for monitoring movements of mining conveyances in a mine shaft. One or more sensors that form part of the system may be installed directly on the mining conveyances. The sensors may be accelerometers and are for detecting movements on mining conveyances. The system may analyze the descent and ascent paths of the mining conveyances on guides by recording vertical, horizontal and transverse accelerations. The analysis may comprise associating the movements with position of the mining conveyances on the guides for identification of an anomaly at a specific position.

Abstract: An oxygen fired fluidized bed combustor system (Oxy-FBC) is provided. The system provides means of producing a nearly pure stream of carbon dioxide for storage at high efficiency by controlling the oxygen content within certain regions of the combustor to control the rate of heat release allowing efficient transfer of heat from the combustor to the boiler tubes while avoiding excessively high temperatures that will cause ash melting, and simultaneously remove sulphur from the combustor via sorbents such as limestone and dolomite. The present invention utilizes a coarse oxygen carrier bed material to distribute heat and oxygen throughout an Oxy-FBC, while injecting fine sulphur sorbent that will continuously be removed from the bed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses groundwater heat transfer system comprising a primary pump suspended in a well and connected to at least one water supply pipe, a heat exchange system being connected to said primary pump via a secondary pump, a return pipe being connected to the heat exchange system and returning water from the heat exchange system to the well, wherein the primary pump provides motive pressure to a primary nozzle of a liquid jet ejector submerged in the well, which entrains filtered groundwater through a secondary nozzle of the liquid jet ejector, wherein the secondary pump, placed after the primary pump and before the heat exchange system, provides the remaining system head.

Abstract: A system and method for capturing and separating carbon dioxide from mixed gas streams. The gas stream is processed in a structure including a compression module comprising a plurality of compressors, intercoolers and inter-stage condensate separators. The flow path from the compression module includes a plurality of flow separators, gas stream splitters, heat exchangers and at least a first mixer and a first expander. The gas stream is sequentially compressed and cooled to form process condensate and separate it from the compressed gas stream. The gas stream is further dried and cooled to liquefy carbon dioxide and separate it from the non-condensable portion. Selective expansion of liquid carbon dioxide streams provides cooling for the system, and further energy efficiency is achieved by selective recycling of portions of gas streams, allowing for compact equipment and economical operation, while providing for high purity product streams of carbon dioxide.