Abstract: Modular thermal truss plates carry heat in multiple directions. Framing around an array of flat heat pipes provides mechanical and thermal connections to other truss plates, and a base, such as a satellite, thereby supporting thermally active equipment. Walls sandwich banks of flat heat pipes and may bond to a honey comb, metal core conducting heat between multiple walls. Each bank of flat heat pipes passes heat best in one direction, and may be formed of corrugated copper sheets spaced apart by a metal mesh, such as an expanded metal or screen, also stamped or otherwise formed into a corrugated configuration. Joining methods (e.g., brazing, soldering, etc.) increase stiffness, pressure containment, and strength, by binding the two layers of metal sheet to one another.

Abstract: Modular thermal truss plates carry heat in multiple directions. Framing around an array of flat heat pipes provides mechanical and thermal connections to other truss plates, and a base, such as a satellite, thereby supporting thermally active equipment. Walls sandwich banks of flat heat pipes and may bond to a honey comb, metal core conducting heat between multiple walls. Each bank of flat heat pipes passes heat best in one direction, and may be formed of corrugated copper sheets spaced apart by a metal mesh, such as an expanded metal or screen, also stamped or otherwise formed into a corrugated configuration. Joining methods (e.g., brazing, soldering, etc.) increase stiffness, pressure containment, and strength, by binding the two layers of metal sheet to one another.

Abstract: An accelerated vapor recompression apparatus 10 converts incoming flow 35a to a concentrate 35c by developing a concentration profile 146 within a tank 30 holding a liquid 23 containing dissolved solids. The resulting curve 160 of saturation temperature of the stratified liquid 23 (such as a brine 23 or other material 23) moves away from the curve 162 corresponding to fully mixed conditions. The shift 174, 180 in saturation temperature results in increased boiling without increased energy from a heater 70 or compressor 50. A method 90, 200 of control of the system provides interventions 203, 204, 205, 206 at different levels 92, 94, 96, 98 of control, ranging from mass flows 35 to work of a compressor 50, heat from a heater 70, and a predictive processing 215 of feedback 217 for controlling commands 216 algorithmically.

Abstract: An accelerated vapor recompression apparatus 10 converts incoming flow 35a to a concentrate 35c by developing a concentration profile 146 within a tank 30 holding a liquid 23 containing dissolved solids. The resulting curve 160 of saturation temperature of the stratified liquid 23 (such as a brine 23 or other material 23) moves away from the curve 162 corresponding to fully mixed conditions. The shift 174, 180 in saturation temperature results in increased boiling without increased energy from a heater 70 or compressor 50. A method 90, 200 of control of the system provides interventions 203, 204, 205, 206 at different levels 92, 94, 96, 98 of control, ranging from mass flows 35 to work of a compressor 50, heat from a heater 70, and a predictive processing 215 of feedback 217 for controlling commands 216 algorithmically.

Abstract: An accelerated vapor recompression apparatus 10 converts incoming flow 35a to a concentrate 35c by developing a concentration profile 146 within a tank 30 holding a liquid 23 containing dissolved solids. The resulting curve 160 of saturation temperature of the stratified liquid 23 (such as a brine 23 or other material 23) moves away from the curve 162 corresponding to fully mixed conditions. The shift 174, 180 in saturation temperature results in increased boiling without increased energy from a heater 70 or compressor 50. A method 90, 200 of control of the system provides interventions 203, 204, 205, 206 at different levels 92, 94, 96, 98 of control, ranging from mass flows 35 to work of a compressor 50, heat from a heater 70, and a predictive processing 215 of feedback 217 for controlling commands 216 algorithmically.

Abstract: An accelerated vapor recompression apparatus 10 converts incoming flow 35a to a concentrate 35c by developing a concentration profile 146 within a tank 30 holding a liquid 23 containing dissolved solids. The resulting curve 160 of saturation temperature of the stratified liquid 23 (such as a brine 23 or other material 23) moves away from the curve 162 corresponding to fully mixed conditions. The shift 174, 180 in saturation temperature results in increased boiling without increased energy from a heater 70 or compressor 50. A method 90, 200 of control of the system provides interventions 203, 204, 205, 206 at different levels 92, 94, 96, 98 of control, ranging from mass flows 35 to work of a compressor 50, heat from a heater 70, and a predictive processing 215 of feedback 217 for controlling commands 216 algorithmically.

Abstract: An accelerated vapor recompression apparatus 10 converts incoming flow 35a to a concentrate 35c by developing a concentration profile 146 within a tank 30 holding a liquid 23 containing dissolved solids. The resulting curve 160 of saturation temperature of the stratified liquid 23 (such as a brine 23 or other material 23) moves away from the curve 162 corresponding to fully mixed conditions. The shift 174, 180 in saturation temperature results in increased boiling without increased energy from a heater 70 or compressor 50. A method 90, 200 of control of the system provides interventions 203, 204, 205, 206 at different levels 92, 94, 96, 98 of control, ranging from mass flows 35 to work of a compressor 50, heat from a heater 70, and a predictive processing 215 of feedback 217 for controlling commands 216 algorithmically.

Abstract: An accelerated vapor recompression apparatus 10 converts incoming flow 35a to a concentrate 35c by developing a concentration profile 146 within a tank 30 holding a liquid 23 containing dissolved solids. The resulting curve 160 of saturation temperature of the stratified liquid 23 (such as a brine 23 or other material 23) moves away from the curve 162 corresponding to fully mixed conditions. The shift 174, 180 in saturation temperature results in increased boiling without increased energy from a heater 70 or compressor 50. A method 90, 200 of control of the system provides interventions 203, 204, 205, 206 at different levels 92, 94, 96, 98 of control, ranging from mass flows 35 to work of a compressor 50, heat from a heater 70, and a predictive processing 215 of feedback 217 for controlling commands 216 algorithmically.

Abstract: An accelerated vapor recompression apparatus 10 converts incoming flow 35a to a concentrate 35c by developing a concentration profile 146 within a tank 30 holding a liquid 23 containing dissolved solids. The resulting curve 160 of saturation temperature of the stratified liquid 23 (such as a brine 23 or other material 23) moves away from the curve 162 corresponding to fully mixed conditions. The shift 174, 180 in saturation temperature results in increased boiling without increased energy from a heater 70 or compressor 50. A method 90, 200 of control of the system provides interventions 203, 204, 205, 206 at different levels 92, 94, 96, 98 of control, ranging from mass flows 35 to work of a compressor 50, heat from a heater 70, and a predictive processing 215 of feedback 217 for controlling commands 216 algorithmically.

Abstract: A potash-extraction system and method for extracting potash from a brine containing potash without the use of water-consuming evaporation ponds or additional chemicals is disclosed. The potash processing system uses a mechanical-vapor recompression (“MVR”) cycle to separate salt and then potash from a sylvinite brine containing salt and potash. In embodiments, the latent heat recovered from condensing vapor may be used to boil the brine to precipitate some salt and remove some water (in the form of water vapor) from the brine. The remaining potash-concentrated brine may then be cooled to precipitate potash from the solution. The precipitated potash may then be further processed for final use.

Abstract: An accelerated vapor recompression apparatus 10 converts incoming flow 35a to a concentrate 35c by developing a concentration profile 146 within a tank 30 holding a liquid 23 containing dissolved solids. The resulting curve 160 of saturation temperature of the stratified liquid 23 (such as a brine 23 or other material 23) moves away from the curve 162 corresponding to fully mixed conditions. The shift 174, 180 in saturation temperature results in increased boiling without increased energy from a heater 70 or compressor 50. A method 90, 200 of control of the system provides interventions 203, 204, 205, 206 at different levels 92, 94, 96, 98 of control, ranging from mass flows 35 to work of a compressor 50, heat from a heater 70, and a predictive processing 215 of feedback 217 for controlling commands 216 algorithmically.

Abstract: An accelerated vapor recompression apparatus 10 converts incoming flow 35a to a concentrate 35c by developing a concentration profile 146 within a tank 30 holding a liquid 23 containing dissolved solids. The resulting curve 160 of saturation temperature of the stratified liquid 23 (such as a brine 23 or other material 23) moves away from the curve 162 corresponding to fully mixed conditions. The shift 174, 180 in saturation temperature results in increased boiling without increased energy from a heater 70 or compressor 50. A method 90, 200 of control of the system provides interventions 203, 204, 205, 206 at different levels 92, 94, 96, 98 of control, ranging from mass flows 35 to work of a compressor 50, heat from a heater 70, and a predictive processing 215 of feedback 217 for controlling commands 216 algorithmically.

Abstract: A potash-extraction system and method for extracting potash from a brine containing potash without the use of water-consuming evaporation ponds or additional chemicals is disclosed. The potash processing system uses a vapor-compression cycle (e.g., heat pump or refrigeration system) to separate potash from brine containing potash and NaCl. In embodiments, heat emitted by components of the vapor-compression cycle (e.g., condenser heat exchanger, evaporator heat exchanger) may heat the brine to precipitate some NaCl from the brine. The remaining potash-concentrated brine may then be cooled to precipitate potash from the solution. The precipitated potash may then be further processed for final use.

Abstract: Production brines are used to scrub a horizontal stack receiving exhaust from an energy source, controlling, reducing, or both noxious chemicals. Mutual remediation of flows from petroleous production cool and scrub exhausts from flares burning waste hydrocarbons, heaters lowering viscosity of crude oil, engines driving oil pumps or natural gas compressors, and the like. Resulting evaporation of production brines results in distilled water, more concentrated brines to reduce hauling, or, optionally, dehydrated dry waste minerals from the brines. Year-round operation of brine evaporation ponds is facilitated, and may be another source of process pre-heating.

Abstract: Petroleous production is associated with effluents well known to foul lines, nozzles, and containers while consuming substantial energy to assist in both production and remediation. A heat exchanger and manifold system maximizes flows, minimizes changes in flow cross-section, and maximizes heat transfer area, while recycling both water and heat between processes. Dirty regions and clean regions result from scrubbing horizontal exhaust stacks and evaporation of production water in concert to remediate one another, while recycling a significant portion of the energy consumed by each. The heat exchanger relies on a manifold having many layered conduits, each connected to a single layer level of one or more cylindrical conduits in the exchanger. The cylinders of the exchanger themselves are arranged in multiple layers, each layer of a heat exchanger element being connected to a single layer of the manifold.

Abstract: An accelerated vapor recompression apparatus 10 converts incoming flow 35a to a concentrate 35c by developing a concentration profile 146 within a tank 30 holding a liquid 23 containing dissolved solids. The resulting curve 160 of saturation temperature of the stratified liquid 23 (such as a brine 23 or other material 23) moves away from the curve 162 corresponding to fully mixed conditions. The shift 174, 180 in saturation temperature results in increased boiling without increased energy from a heater 70 or compressor 50. A method 90, 200 of control of the system provides interventions 203, 204, 205, 206 at different levels 92, 94, 96, 98 of control, ranging from mass flows 35 to work of a compressor 50, heat from a heater 70, and a predictive processing 215 of feedback 217 for controlling commands 216 algorithmically.

Abstract: An accelerated vapor recompression apparatus 10 converts incoming flow 35a to a concentrate 35c by developing a concentration profile 146 within a tank 30 holding a liquid 23 containing dissolved solids. The resulting curve 160 of saturation temperature of the stratified liquid 23 (such as a brine 23 or other material 23) moves away from the curve 162 corresponding to fully mixed conditions. The shift 174, 180 in saturation temperature results in increased boiling without increased energy from a heater 70 or compressor 50. A method 90, 200 of control of the system provides interventions 203, 204, 205, 206 at different levels 92, 94, 96, 98 of control, ranging from mass flows 35 to work of a compressor 50, heat from a heater 70, and a predictive processing 215 of feedback 217 for controlling commands 216 algorithmically.

Abstract: An accelerated vapor recompression apparatus 10 converts incoming flow 35a to a concentrate 35c by developing a concentration profile 146 within a tank 30 holding a liquid 23 containing dissolved solids. The resulting curve 160 of saturation temperature of the stratified liquid 23 (such as a brine 23 or other material 23) moves away from the curve 162 corresponding to fully mixed conditions. The shift 174, 180 in saturation temperature results in increased boiling without increased energy from a heater 70 or compressor 50. A method 90, 200 of control of the system provides interventions 203, 204, 205, 206 at different levels 92, 94, 96, 98 of control, ranging from mass flows 35 to work of a compressor 50, heat from a heater 70, and a predictive processing 215 of feedback 217 for controlling commands 216 algorithmically.

Abstract: A substrate formed of a suitable conductive-heat-transfer material is formed with small channels of a size selected to provide surface tension forces dominating a motion of a liquid-phase working fluid. A space above the channels of the substrate provides comparatively unobstructed space for the transport motion of a vapor phase of the working fluid effecting a heat-pipe effect in a multi-dimensional device. Channels may typically be formed in an orthogonal grid providing capillary return of liquids from a comparatively cooler condensation region to a comparatively warmer evaporation region, without any wicks other that the adhesion of the liquid phase working fluid to the vertices of the channels. Interference between the boundary layers of the liquid phase and the vapor phase of the working fluid are minimized by the depth of the channels, and the pedestals formed by the channel walls.

Abstract: Stack gases of a burner, such as a power plant or other combustion source, may be remediated by a captive algae farm cycling some portion of the stack gases through a scrubber, and ultimately out into a manifold feeding a farm composed of tubes hosting the growth of algae. Liquids from the scrubber, including water capturing volatile organic compounds, solid particulates, nitrogen compounds, sulfur compounds, carbon dioxide, and the like, remediate the water and feed the algae farm. Meanwhile, the vapors and other gases provide an environment rich in water vapor, nitrogen compounds acting as fertilizer, and carbon dioxide to feed the algae to promote increased rates of growth. The algae may be recycled as a fuel itself, or may be harvested for use as a soil amendment to enrich the organic content of soils.