Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to methods of decarbonizing coking ovens, and associated systems and devices. In some embodiments, a method of operating and decarbonizing a coking oven can include inserting a charge of coal into the coking oven and heating the coal. The method can further include removing at least a portion of the charge, leaving behind coking deposits in the coking oven. At least a portion of the deposits can be continuously removed from the coking oven. For example, in some embodiments, at least a portion of the deposits can be removed each time a new charge of coal is inserted in the coking oven.

Abstract: An air outlet device for feeding air to a vehicle interior of a motor vehicle in a controlled manner includes an air flow duct and an air outlet opening element with an air outlet opening. The air flow duct is connected to the air outlet opening element and is adapted to conduct air from an interior ventilation device into the vehicle interior via the air outlet opening. The air flow duct has a first duct segment and a second duct segment, which is arranged between the first duct segment and the air outlet opening element. The first duct segment can be displaced in direction transverse to the longitudinal axis of the first duct segment. The first duct segment is designed to control a direction of the air flowing out of the air outlet opening in accordance with the displacement of the first duct segment.

Abstract: A gas cooker that includes a case defining an interior area, the case including an opening to the interior area; a plate covering, fully or in part, the opening of the case; a burner that is located in the interior area of the case, wherein the burner includes a heating element that is heated using gas; a vent that is located at a first position of the case and that is configured to discharge burned gas from the interior area of the case to an exterior of the case; an insulating case that is coupled to the burner and that is configured to hold the burner; and a first insulator that is coupled between the insulating case and the plate and that is configured to seal an interior space of the burner is disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an air shower room. The shower room comprises a chamber, an air supply apparatus, an air exhaust apparatus, a sensing mechanism and a controller. The sensing mechanism is disposed at a height inside the chamber and operable to detect presence of the user's arm at the height. The height is chosen such that the user has to raise his arm such that the presence of the arm at the height can be detected by the sensing mechanism. The controller is configured to control operations of the air supply apparatus and the air exhaust apparatus based on the detection by the sensing mechanism. Also disclosed is a dust-free workshop.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to the introduction of a liquid biomass in heating systems such as commercial boilers in order to reduce dependence on petroleum-based heating fuel oils as a source of combustion fuel. More specifically, the present disclosure is directed to systems, methods, and apparatuses utilizing a liquid thermally produced from biomass into commercial and industrial boiler or thermal systems such as boilers, furnaces, and kilns, and methods for generating renewable identification numbers (RINs), alternative energy credits (AECs) and renewable energy credits (RECs).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a solar cooking apparatus, comprising: a first solar reflector; a second solar reflector; a solar collection element; and a solar collection element holder, wherein the first solar reflector and the second solar reflector are concave, and symmetrically arranged and aligned with a solar collection element axis, the reflectors having a up to a 360° range of motion around a plane perpendicular to the solar collection element axis, and focusing radiation at the solar collection element, which rapidly heats when the first and/or second solar reflectors are in an opened position, the first and second solar reflectors shield the solar collector when in a closed position. The solar cooking apparatus is adjustable and, in some embodiments, portable.

Abstract: A heater assembly can be used with a gas appliance. The gas appliance can be a dual fuel appliance for use with one of a first fuel type or a second fuel type different than the first. The heater assembly can include a housing, and an actuation member. The housing has a first fuel hook-up for connecting the first fuel type to the heater assembly, a second fuel hook-up for connecting the second fuel type to the heater assembly, and an internal valve. The actuation member can control the position of the internal valve based on whether the first or the second fuel hook-up is used.

Abstract: A solar thermal collector is provided. The collector comprises a housing defining an inlet, and an outlet for a heat transfer fluid, said housing comprising a window to allow sunlight to pass there through; a heat transfer core disposed within the interior of the housing said housing designed to be heated by exposure to said sunlight; and a heat absorbing component in proximity to the heat transfer core, said heat absorbing component designed to at least partially absorb heat losses from the heat transfer core; wherein a positioning the components within the housing defines at least one path for the heat transfer fluid for preheating of the heat transfer fluid prior to said heat transfer fluid passing through the heat transfer core.

Abstract: A method for enhancing the cooling efficiency of a computer room air conditioning unit, in a data center, is provided. Raised floor panels are carried on a pedestal support system. The floor panels divide a data center, into upper and lower plenums. A cold aisle is includes air-grate floor panels. The computer room air conditioning unit is operated to condition a heated hot aisle return air flow. A server rack has a front, a back, and side rack support frame members. The support members define an interior server compartment. At least one damper door frame has a top, a bottom and side members. The door frame members define at least one open air flow panel portion. A series of horizontal damper blade members are pivotally mounted in the open panel portion. The damper blade members are pivoted to direct a stream of the conditioned air flow over heat generating components contained in the interior server compartment in order to elevate the temperature of the heated return airflow at the air conditioning unit.

Abstract: An airfoil blade assembly includes a first shell member having a body having a first lock seam formed at one end thereof and a free distal end opposite the first lock seam, and a second shell member having a body having and a second lock seam formed at one end thereof and an a free distal end opposite the second lock seam. The second shell member is inverted with respect to the first shell member. The free distal end of the first shell member is captured within the second lock seam of the second shell member and the free distal end of the second shell member is captured within the first lock seam of the first shell member to lock the blades to one another.

Abstract: A system for receiving, transferring, and storing solar thermal energy. The system includes a concentrating solar energy collector, a transfer conduit, a thermal storage material, and an insulated container. The insulated container contains the thermal storage material, and the transfer conduit is configured to transfer solar energy collected by the solar energy collector to the thermal storage material through a wall of the insulated container.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a novel pig design and method of retrieval based on thermal ablation. The pig comprises an external layer and an inner core, where the inner core further comprises at least one incendiary charge comprising at least one exothermic material. When ignited via an ignition source, the incendiary charge releases the exothermic material into one or more thermal dispersion channels. The exothermic material melts the interior of these thermal dispersion channels thereby distributing the exothermic material throughout the pig device causing its destruction via thermal ablation. The destroyed pig can then be easily retrieved from its location in a pipe, as detected via radio signals, without the need for costly excavation of large sections of the pipe.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a novel pig design and method of retrieval based on thermal ablation. The pig comprises an external layer and an inner core, where the inner core further comprises at least one incendiary charge comprising at least one exothermic material. When ignited via an ignition source, the incendiary charge releases the exothermic material into one or more thermal dispersion channels. The exothermic material melts the interior of these thermal dispersion channels thereby distributing the exothermic material throughout the pig device causing its destruction via thermal ablation. The destroyed pig can then be easily retrieved from its location in a pipe, as detected via radio signals, without the need for costly excavation of large sections of the pipe.

Abstract: A gas burner for a cooktop includes a contact surface configured to come into surface contact with a cooktop plate of the cooktop. A holding device has a thermal element receiving slot which is adapted to allow a thermal element to be pushed into the thermal element receiving slot laterally parallel to the contact surface.

Abstract: A combustion fluid flow barrier includes an aperture to control combustion fluid flow. The combustion fluid is charged by a charge generator. The combustion fluid flow barrier includes at least one flow control electrode operatively coupled to the aperture and configured to selectively allow, attract, or resist passage of the charged combustion fluid through the aperture, depending on voltage applied to the flow control electrode.

Abstract: A climate control apparatus for a cleanroom livestock building includes a supply air unit, comprising a supply air conveyor device, an exhaust air unit comprising an exhaust air conveyor device, a temperature sensor, an air pressure sensor, and a climate control unit. The climate control apparatus is adapted to reduce the volume of air conveyed by the exhaust air unit whenever the air pressure detected by the air pressure sensor falls below a predetermined lower air pressure limit value, increase the volume of air conveyed by the exhaust air unit whenever the air pressure detected by the air pressure sensor exceeds a predetermined upper air pressure limit value, and increase the volume of air conveyed with the supply air unit when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor exceeds a predetermined first upper temperature limit value.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for storing heat, comprising a heat storage medium which absorbs heat in order to store heat and releases heat in order to use the stored heat, and a container for holding the heat storage medium, the container being closed by a gastight cover, and the device comprising volume compensation means in order to compensate for a volume increase of the heat storage medium (3) due to a temperature rise and a volume decrease due to a temperature reduction.

Abstract: An airflow outlet is provided. The airflow outlet comprises at least a first housing, a second housing, a first shut-off door, a second shut-off door, and a control apparatus. The first housing defines an outlet opening and the second housing defines an inlet opening. The first housing and the second housing are operatively coupled and define a substantially closed airflow path between the inlet opening and the outlet opening. The first shut-off door is coupled to the second housing and rotatable about a first axis. The second shut-off door is coupled to the second housing and rotatable about a second axis. The first shut-off door and the second shut-off door are operatively configured to meter a flow of air through the inlet opening by occupying a selectable operating position. The control apparatus is configured to control the selectable operating position of the first shut-off door and the second shut-off door.

Abstract: A combustion system includes a perforated flame holder, a camera, and a control circuit. The perforated flame holder sustains a combustion reaction within the perforated flame holder. The image capture device takes a plurality of images of the combustion reaction. The control circuit produces from the images an averaged image and adjusts the combustion reaction based on the adjusted image.

Abstract: A candle having a body of a meltable fuel and a planar wick. When lit, the candle provides a unique flame formation, usable in a variety of decorative applications. The wick can be configured to evenly deplete the meltable fuel, while allowing for candles having relatively large and unique body configurations. The body of candle and/or the wick may include scented oil to promote the release of fragrance upon heating. The wick preferably is formed of wood, thereby providing an acoustic contribution to ambiance and improved combustion that generates less soot than conventional cotton wick candles.