Abstract: A nanofluid composed of a base fluid and a solid nanocomposite particle, where the solid nanocomposite particle consists of a carbon nanotube and a metal oxide nanoparticle selected from the group consisting of Fe2O3, Al2O3, and CuO. The metal oxide nanoparticle is affixed inside of or to the outer surface of the carbon nanotube, and the solid nanocomposite particle is homogeneously dispersed in the base fluid. The heat transfer and specific heat capacity properties of the nanofluid are measured using differential scanning calorimetry and heat exchanger experiments with different nanocomposite concentrations and different metal oxide percent loadings.

Abstract: A nanofluid composed of a base fluid and a solid nanocomposite particle, where the solid nanocomposite particle consists of a carbon nanotube and a metal oxide nanoparticle selected from the group consisting of Fe2O3, Al2O3, and CuO. The metal oxide nanoparticle is affixed inside of or to the outer surface of the carbon nanotube, and the solid nanocomposite particle is homogeneously dispersed in the base fluid. The heat transfer and specific heat capacity properties of the nanofluid are measured using differential scanning calorimetry and heat exchanger experiments with different nanocomposite concentrations and different metal oxide percent loadings.

Abstract: A fire tube boiler system including a plurality of oxygen transport reactors that heats a working fluid. Each oxygen transport reactor has a first inner tube with an ion transport membrane that receives air from a first supply line, extracts oxygen from the air, and evacuate oxygen depleted air through a first exhaust line, a second inner tube that surrounds the first inner tube that receives the oxygen from the ion transport membrane and a mixture of fuel and carbon dioxide from a second supply line and produces a oxy-combustion, and an peripheral tube that surrounds the second inner tube and evacuates the exhaust gases produced by the oxy-combustion and transfer heat from exhaust gases to the working fluid and the ion transport membrane.

Abstract: A nanofluid composed of a base fluid and a solid nanocomposite particle, where the solid nanocomposite particle consists of a carbon nanotube and a metal oxide nanoparticle selected from the group consisting of Fe2O3, Al2O3, and CuO. The metal oxide nanoparticle is affixed inside of or to the outer surface of the carbon nanotube, and the solid nanocomposite particle is homogeneously dispersed in the base fluid. The heat transfer and specific heat capacity properties of the nanofluid are measured using differential scanning calorimetry and heat exchanger experiments with different nanocomposite concentrations and different metal oxide percent loadings.

Abstract: Compliant leak detection system. The system includes structure adapted to support at least two rows of leak detection leaves, each leak detection leaf supported by an arm pivotally attached to the structure and urged outwardly by a torsion spring into contact with a pipe wall so as to adjust for changes in pipe diameter. The leak detection leaf includes a rigid support and a flexible member such that suction from a leak will cause the flexible member to contact the pipe wall and put a drag force on the structure. An axial force transmitting drum measures the drag force to indicate presence of a leak.

Abstract: The composite adsorbent for an adsorption chiller is a composite material formed from multi-walled carbon nanotubes incorporated into a metal organic framework, where the metal organic framework is MIL-101(Cr). The MIL-101 family of metal organic frameworks include terephthalate (benzene 1,4-dicarboxylate) linkers and M3O-carboxylate trimers (M=Cr or Fe) with octrahedrally coordinated metal ions binding terminal water molecules. MIL-101 frameworks having a crystal structure with very large pore sizes (29 and 34 Angstroms) and surface area, and are known to have a large water uptake. However, metal organic frameworks have low thermal conductivity due to the presence of organic matter, resulting in lower heat transfer rates and greater cycle time, and are not stable in aqueous media or disintegrate slowly upon recurrent hydrothermal cycling. Composite binding with multi-wall carbon nanotubes improves heat transfer characteristics and thermal stability.

Abstract: A fire tube boiler system including a plurality of oxygen transport reactors that heats a working fluid. Each oxygen transport reactor has a first inner tube with an ion transport membrane that receives air from a first supply line, extracts oxygen from the air, and evacuate oxygen depleted air through a first exhaust line, a second inner tube that surrounds the first inner tube that receives the oxygen from the ion transport membrane and a mixture of fuel and carbon dioxide from a second supply line and produces a oxy-combustion, and an peripheral tube that surrounds the second inner tube and evacuates the exhaust gases produced by the oxy-combustion and transfer heat from exhaust gases to the working fluid and the ion transport membrane.

Abstract: A nanofluid composed of a base fluid and a solid nanocomposite particle, where the solid nanocomposite particle consists of a carbon nanotube and a metal oxide nanoparticle selected from the group consisting of Fe2O3, Al2O3, and CuO. The metal oxide nanoparticle is affixed inside of or to the outer surface of the carbon nanotube, and the solid nanocomposite particle is homogeneously dispersed in the base fluid. The heat transfer and specific heat capacity properties of the nanofluid are measured using differential scanning calorimetry and heat exchanger experiments with different nanocomposite concentrations and different metal oxide percent loadings.

Abstract: A nanofluid composed of a base fluid and a solid nanocomposite particle, where the solid nanocomposite particle consists of a carbon nanotube and a metal oxide nanoparticle selected from the group consisting of Fe2O3, Al2O3, and CuO. The metal oxide nanoparticle is affixed inside of or to the outer surface of the carbon nanotube, and the solid nanocomposite particle is homogeneously dispersed in the base fluid. The heat transfer and specific heat capacity properties of the nanofluid are measured using differential scanning calorimetry and heat exchanger experiments with different nanocomposite concentrations and different metal oxide percent loadings.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to systems and methods for low-CO2 emission combustion of liquid fuel with a gas-assisted liquid fuel oxygen reactor. The system comprises an atomizer that sprays fuel and CO2 into an evaporation zone, where the fuel and CO2 is heated into a vaporized form. The system comprises a reaction zone that receives the vaporized fuel and CO2. The system includes an air vessel having an air stream, and a heating vessel adjacent to the air vessel that transfers heat to the air vessel. The system comprises an ion transport membrane in flow communication with the air vessel and reaction zone. The ion transport membrane receives O2 permeating from the air stream and transfers the O2 into the reaction zone resulting in combustion of fuel. The combustion produces heat and creates CO2 exhaust gases that are recirculated in the system limiting emission of CO2.

Abstract: The composite adsorbent for an adsorption chiller is a composite material formed from multi-walled carbon nanotubes incorporated into a metal organic framework, where the metal organic framework is MIL-101(Cr). The MIL-101 family of metal organic frameworks include terephthalate (benzene 1,4-dicarboxylate) linkers and M3O-carboxylate trimers (M=Cr or Fe) with octrahedrally coordinated metal ions binding terminal water molecules. MIL-101 frameworks having a crystal structure with very large pore sizes (29 and 34 Angstroms) and surface area, and are known to have a large water uptake. However, metal organic frameworks have low thermal conductivity due to the presence of organic matter, resulting in lower heat transfer rates and greater cycle time, and are not stable in aqueous media or disintegrate slowly upon recurrent hydrothermal cycling. Composite binding with multi-wall carbon nanotubes improves heat transfer characteristics and thermal stability.

Abstract: Compliant leak detection system. The system includes structure adapted to support at least two rows of leak detection leaves, each leak detection leaf supported by an arm pivotally attached to the structure and urged outwardly by a torsion spring into contact with a pipe wall so as to adjust for changes in pipe diameter. The leak detection leaf includes a rigid support and a flexible member such that suction from a leak will cause the flexible member to contact the pipe wall and put a drag force on the structure. An axial force transmitting drum measures the drag force to indicate presence of a leak.

Abstract: Wireless communication system for underground pipeline inspection. The system includes a plurality of sensor nodes moved by robots within the pipeline and each sensor node includes a radio transceiver. A plurality of spaced apart, above ground relay nodes are deployed along the pipeline, each relay node including a radio transceiver for communication with the sensor nodes. A remote monitoring center is provided in communication with the relay nodes, whereby a leak detected by a sensor node is communicated to the remote monitoring center. Each sensor node may further include a microcontroller, an accelerometer and a timer.

Abstract: A nanofluid composed of a base fluid and a solid nanocomposite particle, where the solid nanocomposite particle consists of a carbon nanotube and a metal oxide nanoparticle selected from the group consisting of Fe2O3, Al2O3, and CuO. The metal oxide nanoparticle is affixed inside of or to the outer surface of the carbon nanotube, and the solid nanocomposite particle is homogeneously dispersed in the base fluid. The heat transfer and specific heat capacity properties of the nanofluid are measured using differential scanning calorimetry and heat exchanger experiments with different nanocomposite concentrations and different metal oxide percent loadings.

Abstract: The pipeline leak detector is a mobile device having a pressure sensor array for travel within a fluid pipeline for leak detection in the pipe wall. The sensor array is positioned close to the internal surface of the pipe wall and rotates circumferentially about the surface of the pipe wall as the device travels through the pipe, thus describing a helical path along the pipe wall to cover the entire internal surface of the pipe wall with a minimal number of sensors. The sensors comprise tubes with conical mouths, and flexible members and strain gauges within the tubes. Pressure changes due to leaks cause the flexible members to move, with the strain gauges sending signals to a central processor to indicate a leak. The device is supported by a drive wheel, a driven wheel, and an idler wheel bearing against the internal surface of the pipe and evenly circumferentially spaced.

Abstract: Leak detection system. The system includes a structure sized to fit within a pipe for supporting at least one sensing element near an inside wall of the pipe, whereby a pressure gradient at a leak in the pipe will cause the sensing element to respond. Structure is provided for detecting movement or deformation of the sensing element, the movement or deformation indicating the presence of a leak. In a preferred embodiment, the structure includes two spaced-apart rings for supporting the at least one sensing element. The sensing element is a diaphragm in a preferred embodiment. In this embodiment, the sensing element is supported for movement with respect to the ring structure which includes sensing circuitry for detecting the movement to indicate a leak. Other embodiments employ different sensing elements that respond to pressure gradients near leaks.

Abstract: Force control system. The system includes a first pair of permanent magnets for providing a normal force on the wheel of a robot adapted for n-pipe inspections. A second pair of magnets is provided with opposite polarity so that a rotor containing magnets may be rotated with a minimum of torque required and therefore with a minimum of energy expended.

Abstract: The heat exchanger flow balancing system serves to substantially equalize fluid flow through essentially identical diameter heat exchanger tubes in a heat exchanger having a single inlet plenum, a single outlet plenum, and a series of equal diameter heat exchanger tubes extending therebetween. In one embodiment, a series of different diameter orifices are provided at the inlet end of each of the tubes, with those tubes farther from the single larger diameter inlet pipe to the plenum generally having smaller orifices. In another embodiment, each of the tubes is provided with a conical nozzle at its inlet end, with those tubes farther from the single inlet pipe to the plenum generally having smaller diameter nozzles. The effect is to substantially equalize fluid flow through all of the heat exchanger tubes, thus increasing the efficiency of the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Leak detection apparatus for deployment in a pipe. The apparatus includes a carrier disposed for motion along the pipe and a detector connected to move with the carrier in an axial direction. The detector comprises a drum mounted for rotation about pitch and yaw axes. A flexible material is mounted on, and extends from, the drum and at least two sensors responsive to drum rotation are provided. The flexible material will be drawn into contact with a wall of the pipe at a leak location, thereby producing a torque on the drum, causing the drum to rotate, and the at least two sensors to generate signals from which leak location is determined.

Abstract: Wireless communication system for underground pipeline inspection. The system includes a plurality of sensor nodes moved by robots within the pipeline and each sensor node includes a radio transceiver. A plurality of spaced apart, above ground relay nodes are deployed along the pipeline, each relay node including a radio transceiver for communication with the sensor nodes. A remote monitoring center is provided in communication with the relay nodes, whereby a leak detected by a sensor node is communicated to the remote monitoring center. Each sensor node may further include a microcontroller, an accelerometer and a timer.