Abstract: Microporous carbonaceous materials, useful in the storage of gaseous fuels such as methane and natural gas, are improved through modification of their microporous structure in a post-carbonization process. This modification is done by heat treatment in an oxidizing atmosphere containing carbon dioxide with or without other diluting gases such as nitrogen, argon or water-vapor. The post-carbonization process involved modifying a starting microporous carbon with heat treatment in which the carbon is contacted with a carbon dioxide-containing atmosphere. This new treatment can be favorably applied either to selected and commercially available activated microporous carbons which have been designed for applications other than fuel gas storage or to synthetic microporous carbons proposed for storage of light gases.

Abstract: A basket for a traveling water screen which includes a top rail with a pair of spaced apart end members at opposite ends of the top rail which are joined to the top rail. A water screen extends between the end members and includes an upper edge portion supported by the top rail, and a lower edge portion opposite the upper edge portion, and opposite edges supported by the spaced apart end members. A lower channel rail extends between the spaced apart end members and supports the lower edge portion of the water screen with the lower channel rail defining an internal channel having a smooth arcuate inner surface. An insert in the form of an elongated member is positioned in the bottom, back downstream side of the channel and forms a quiescent condition in the bottom of said channel when the basket is exposed to a flowing water stream.

Abstract: An electrochemical autothermal reformer (EATR) provides hydrogen. The EATR includes an autothermal reformer region, a reformer anode supply region, and a composite membrane layer separating the reformer anode from the autothermal reformer region. The composite membrane layer includes a mechanically stable porous ceramic support member with a thin gas permeable ceramic substrate layer overlaying the support member. Overlaying the substrate layer is a first thin metallic catalyst layer which promotes the dissociation of H.sub.2 to 2H.sup.+ +2e.sup.31 . Overlaying the first catalyst layer is a metallic oxide layer capable of conducting 2H.sup.+ +2e.sup.- at elevated temperatures. Overlaying the metallic oxide layer is a second thin metallic catalyst layer which promotes the recombination of 2H.sup.+ +2e.sup.31 to H.sub.2.

Abstract: A fuel cell power plant includes an electrochemical autothermal reformer (EATR) which provides hydrogen to the fuel cell. The EATR includes an autothermal reformer region, an anode supply region, and a mixed ion conductor membrane or metal or metal alloy membrane layer separating the autothermal reforming region from the reformer anode supply region. An anode gas loop, located between an anode supply region of the EATR and an anode compartment or section of the fuel cell circulates a mixture of hydrogen and a carrier gas between the two regions. The carrier gas ensures proper control of partial pressures of hydrogen in the two regions. A difference in operating temperature between the EATR and the fuel cell is exploited by heat exchangers which efficiently enable certain heating and cooling functions within the power plant.

Abstract: A hydrogen production plant includes an electrochemical autothermal reformer (EATR) that provides hydrogen to an electrochemical hydrogen compressor. The EATR includes an autothermal reformer region, a mixed ion conductor membrane or metal or metal alloy membrane, and an anode supply region. An anode gas loop between the anode supply region of the EATR and anode section of the electrochemical hydrogen compressor cell circulates a mixture of hydrogen and a carrier gas therebetween. The carrier gas ensures proper partial pressures of hydrogen in the two regions. A difference in operating temperature between the EATR and the electrochemical hydrogen compressor is exploited by heat exchangers which efficiently enable certain heating and cooling functions within the combined system.

Abstract: An electrochemical autothermal reformer (EATR) provides hydrogen. The EATR includes an autothermal reformer region, a reformer anode supply region, and a composite membrane layer separating the reformer anode from the autothermal reformer region. The composite membrane layer includes a mechanically stable porous ceramic support member with a thin gas permeable ceramic substrate layer overlaying the support member. Overlaying the substrate layer is a first thin metallic catalyst layer which promotes the dissociation of H.sub.2 to 2H.sup.+ +2e.sup.-. Overlaying the first catalyst layer is a metallic oxide layer capable of conducting 2H.sup.+ +2e.sup.- at elevated temperatures. Overlaying the metallic oxide layer is a second thin metallic catalyst layer which promotes the recombination of 2H.sup.+ +2e.sup.- to H.sub.2.

Abstract: A fuel cell power plant includes an electrochemical autothermal reformed (EATR) which provides hydrogen to the fuel cell. The EATR includes an autothermal reformer region, an anode supply region, and a mixed ion conductor or membrane layer separating the autothermal reforming region from the reformer anode supply region. An anode gas loop, located between an anode supply region of the EATR and an anode compartment or section of the fuel cell circulates a mixture of hydrogen and a carrier gas between the two regions. The carrier gas ensures proper control of partial pressure of hydrogen in the two regions. A difference in operating temperature between the EATR and the fuel cell is exploited by heat exchanger which efficiently enable certain heating and cooling functions within the power plant.

Abstract: An electrochemical autothermal reformer (EATR) provides hydrogen. The EATR includes an autothermal reformer region, a reformer anode supply region, and a composite membrane layer separating the reformer anode from the autothermal reformer region. The composite membrane layer includes a mechanically stable porous ceramic support member with a thin gas permeable ceramic substrate layer overlaying the support member. Overlaying the substrate layer is a first thin metallic catalyst layer which promotes the dissociation of H.sub.2 to 2H.sup.+ +2e.sup.-. Overlaying the first catalyst layer is a metallic oxide layer capable of conducting 2H.sup.+ +2e.sup.- at elevated temperatures. Overlaying the metallic oxide layer is a second thin metallic catalyst layer which promotes the recombination of 2H.sup.+ +2e.sup.- to H.sub.2.

Abstract: A hydrogen production plant includes an electrochemical autothermal reformer (EATR) that provides hydrogen to an electrochemical hydrogen compressor. The EATR includes an autothermal reformer region, a mixed ion conductor, and an anode supply region. The mixed ion conductor separates the autothermal reformer region from the anode supply region. An anode gas loop between the anode supply region of the EATR and anode section of the electrochemical hydrogen compressor cell circulates a mixture of hydrogen and a carrier gas therebetween. The carrier gas ensures proper partial pressures of hydrogen in the two regions. A difference in operating temperature between the EATR and the electrochemical hydrogen compressor is exploited by heat exchangers which efficiently enable certain heating and cooling functions within the combined system.

Abstract: A strain gage device that includes a split collar having a pair of hinged half sections arranged to close in pressure contact against a structural member bearing a strain inducing load. Each half section further contains a flexible ligament that is held in pressure contact against the member when the collar is closed. Strain gages are mounted on the back side of each ligament for sensing the amount of strain experienced by the structural member.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for separating aryl phosphates and esters and hydrolysates thereof from water in an aqueous mixture thereof. A superposed layer of the mixture is decanted from a lower layer of the phosphates, esters and hydrolysates. The superposed layer is filtered with a filter having a pore size of between 1 micron and 25 microns to remove globules and solid particles. The effluent is then subjected to demineralization with an anion exchange resin to remove most of the hydrolysates. Thereafter a sorber composed of an organic polymeric material such as polypropylene removes any remaining phosphates and esters down to less than 250 ppb.

Abstract: A vector database is used to create a vector map which is aligned with a raster map produced from an existing hand-drawn map. The aligned maps provide an X,Y coordinate basis for the locating of specific addresses within the territory represented by the raster map. The technique is particularly applicable to use by a utility company wherein the addresses identified are customer residences, each residence being coded with specific X,Y coordinates relative to the vector database. Relevant additional customer information is indexed through a graphical representation of the address which when displayed appears on the raster map at the appropriate X,Y coordinates relative to the vector map. Additional specific details of the method and system are presented.

Abstract: A system for unintrusively determining parameters such as current, voltage and power delivered through a service line to a customer for verifying accuracy of the customer's entrance meter. The system includes a sensor apparatus for monitoring voltage and current on the power line. A voltage clamp mechanism is disposed within a sensor housing such that an insulation piercing voltage sensor can be manually actuated to pierce the electrical insulation of the power line and contact the conductor. The sensor apparatus also includes a split-core current transformer fabricated to minimize the air gap between the split-core sections when the apparatus is closed about the power line. A pole unit is electrically connected to each sensor apparatus for monitoring the voltage and current, calculating the power consumed in kilowatt-hours and storing calculated kilowatt-hours in memory with an appropriate date/time stamp, for subsequent retrieval and comparison with the customer's entrance meter readings.

Abstract: In a transversing incore probe system including a probe connected to a helix cable that is advanced into a drive assembly and is kept under high tension by a spring biased reel, a safety device is provided by a brake tool including a clamping assembly for clamping the brake tool in a fixed position relative to the reel, a head connected to the clamping assembly for releasable engagement with an outside circumferential surface of the reel, and a threaded shaft connected to the head and received within the clamping assembly for advancing the head toward and withdrawing the head from the reel.

Abstract: Internal pipe inspection apparatus is disclosed having a novel collapsible centralizer mechanism for an in-line pipe inspection head. The inspection apparatus is insertable into different size pipelines through a small, lateral service opening. The apparatus includes a compact inspection pipe head having a viewing assembly for imaging the interior of the pipe. The head is sized to pass through a standard lateral service opening substantially less in diameter than the diameter of the pipe. Various collapsible centralizing members are described for positioning the pipe inspection head viewing assembly substantially concentric with an axis of the pipe. The novel centralizers include multiple bendable support legs which are pivotally connected at different points to the inspection device such that each leg forms a substantially sinusoidal shape when extended and each leg collapses close to the inspection head and trailing ferrules when retracted for insertion into (or removal from) the pipe.

Abstract: A direct-current electromagnetic device for nondestructively detecting localized discontinuities in ferromagnetic objects is disclosed. The device comprises an adjustable dc excitor means, a magnetic flux injector means, an external magnetic field detector means, a plurality of position sensors, a signal processing means and a control means. It is particularly adapted for detecting flaws in soiled and distorted ferromagnetic objects such as water wall tubes in industrial boilers. An apparatus incorporating the device and a method of detecting discontinuities are also disclosed.

Abstract: Transducer apparatus and related method are described for substantially simultaneously determining pressure and one other property (or property combination) of a flowing gas of varying pressure and composition. The technique utilizes several empirical algorithms for correlating the frequency and series resistance of a crystal resonator exposed to the test gas with the desired properties. The apparatus and method can be readily incorporated into an on-line heating value determination process such as that set forth in the referenced co-filed application.

Abstract: Internal pipe inspection apparatus and an in-line pipe head are disclosed. The inspection apparatus is insertable into either a four inch or six inch pipeline through a standard service size opening. The apparatus includes a compact pipe head having a viewing assembly for imaging the interior of the pipe. The head is sized to pass through the standard lateral service opening, the opening being substantially less in size than the diameter of the pipe. A flexible steel snake is connected to the head for manually moving and rotating the head within the pipe once the head is positioned therein. The apparatus is intrinsically safe for inspection of a live natural gas main. Various centralizing member embodiments are disclosed for positioning the pipe head viewing assembly substantially concentric with the axis of the pipe.

Abstract: An automated system for detecting and recording lightning strikes in the vicinity of power lines. In one embodiment of the invention, the automated system includes a toroid surge sensor; a phototransistor optical sensor located within a pole mounted housing; a magnetic loop sensor; a control circuit for, one or more cameras and/or video camcorders; and a power supply all contained within a weather-tight housing. The sensors are used to detect a lightning strike and to output a signal which is transmitted via the control circuit to activate the cameras or camcorder.

Abstract: An apparatus for inspection of a reactor vessel includes trolley supporting an axillay extending support mast and extension mast. The support mast has a tilting device to adjust the angle between the support mast and vessel wall to allow the extension mast to be accessible to lower portions of the reactor vessel. The lower part of the extension mast is connected to a rack having a horizontal trolley capable of tangential movement relative to the reactor vessel wall. The horizontal trolley also is connected to a probe position trolley enabling a probe holder to move tangentially relative to the horizontal trolley. The apparatus enables the probes to move radially and axially for greater access to positions of the reactor vessel wall.