Abstract: A modified two-phase refrigeration cycle compresses a working fluid, condenses the working fluid into a saturated or supercooled liquid, expands the saturated or supercooled liquid into a two-phase fluid, and evaporates the two-phase working fluid. The modified two-phase refrigeration cycle reduces irreversibilities imposed by conventional refrigeration cycles and extracts energy from the working fluid during the expansion process. For instance, a system that employs the modified two-phase refrigeration cycle includes a two-phase expander to reduce irreversibilities during an expansion process and extract energy. In some instances, the system includes a two-phase compressor to compress two-phase fluids for varying loads and environmental conditions of the system.

Abstract: A system including a pump, a boiler coupled to the pump, a turbine coupled to the boiler, a two-phase expander coupled to the turbine, and a condenser coupled to the two-phase expander and the pump.

Abstract: Prime movers are provided that can include: a fixed member in operational relationship to a rotating member; a reciprocating vane assembly operationally engaged with the rotating member; and a track member about the rotating member and engaging the reciprocating vane assembly. Engines are provided that can include: a stator in operational relationship to a rotor; a reciprocating vane assembly operationally engaged with the rotor; and a track member about the rotor and engaging the reciprocating vane assembly. Processes for powering a prime mover are also provided, the processes can include engaging vanes between a fixed member and rotating member to create compression and expansion zones, the engaging comprising guiding the vanes from a track member about the rotating member.

Abstract: A system including a pump, a boiler coupled to the pump, a turbine coupled to the boiler, a two-phase expander coupled to the turbine, and a condenser coupled to the two-phase expander and the pump.

Abstract: A cooling system in which an ACS (air cycle system) turbine may be driven by high pressure air from a turbo-fan engine and a VCS (vapor cycle system) having an evaporator and a VCS refrigerant compressor may be driven by the ACS turbine. Fluid of the chilled fluid reservoir, which may be chilled fuel, may be circulated through and cooled in the evaporator. In some embodiments, the ACS turbine may be coupled to the VCS refrigerant compressor by a magnetic coupling.

Abstract: A cooling system in which an ACS (air cycle system) turbine may be driven by high pressure air from a turbo-fan engine and a VCS (vapor cycle system) having an evaporator and a VCS refrigerant compressor may be driven by the ACS turbine. Fluid of the chilled fluid reservoir, which may be chilled fuel, may be circulated through and cooled in the evaporator. In some embodiments, the ACS turbine may be coupled to the VCS refrigerant compressor by a magnetic coupling.

Abstract: A process for removal of carbon dioxide from air using lithium-exchanged X-zeolites at low carbon dioxide partial pressures is provided. The process is particularly useful in applications where fresh air is not available and exhaled air needs to be recycled. An apparatus for carrying out the process is also provided.

Abstract: An auxiliary power unit includes an autothermal reformer for producing a reformate from fuel; a turbine; a combustor for burning the reformate to power the turbine; a recuperator for obtaining thermal energy to improve the efficiency of the auxiliary power unit; a steam generator for using thermal energy from the recuperator to produce steam from a water supply; a condenser for recovering the water from turbine exhaust; and an electrical generator coupled to the turbine for producing electrical power. Recovered heat and water are used with the autothermal reformer to produce rapid and complete combustion of the fuel with a relatively low concentration of emissions.

Abstract: A process for removal of carbon dioxide from air using lithium-exchanged X-zeolites at low carbon dioxide partial pressures is provided. The process is particularly useful in applications where fresh air is not available and exhaled air needs to be recycled. An apparatus for carrying out the process is also provided.

Abstract: A rotary multi-stage distiller for recovery of water from wastewater is provided. The rotary multi-stage distiller of the present invention can recover water from a wide variety of aqueous wastewaters such as, but not limited to, urine, condensate from air conditioning systems, wash water containing foaming soaps, seawater or polluted water. The multi-stage distiller can operate under vacuum conditions permitting the distillation to occur at low temperatures. The multi-stage distiller uses centrifugal forces for fluid pumping and for vapor/liquid separation. The multi-stage distiller comprises hydraulic seals for each stage which eliminate contamination of clean, recovered water by condensed waste water during the regeneration process. The multi-stage distiller also comprises a stationary shaft of stacked segments where each segment is associated with an individual stage of the multi-stage distiller.

Abstract: A solid oxide fuel cell stacking assembly is formed of a stack of fuel cell assemblies, manifolds to introduce the reactants to the fuel cell and carry away reaction products and unused reactants, and current collectors at the ends of the stack of assemblies. Each fuel cell assembly is formed of at least two fuel cell subassemblies and an interconnect subassembly disposed between each pair of fuel cell subassemblies. The current collectors at the ends of the stack are preferably in the form of terminal subassemblies. Each subassembly includes a manifold plate, an annular plate-type bellows sealed to a through-plate opening in the manifold plate, and a central element sealed to the inner diameter of the bellows. In the case of the fuel cell assembly, the central element is multilayer fuel cell plate having an electrolyte layer sandwiched between an anode layer and a cathode layer.