Abstract: An oxygen fired fluidized bed combustor system (Oxy-FBC) is provided. The system provides means of producing a nearly pure stream of carbon dioxide for storage at high efficiency by controlling the oxygen content within certain regions of the combustor to control the rate of heat release allowing efficient transfer of heat from the combustor to the boiler tubes while avoiding excessively high temperatures that will cause ash melting, and simultaneously remove sulphur from the combustor via sorbents such as limestone and dolomite. The present invention utilizes a coarse oxygen carrier bed material to distribute heat and oxygen throughout an Oxy-FBC, while injecting fine sulphur sorbent that will continuously be removed from the bed.

Abstract: An oxygen fired fluidized bed combustor system (Oxy-FBC) is provided. The system provides means of producing a nearly pure stream of carbon dioxide for storage at high efficiency by controlling the oxygen content within certain regions of the combustor to control the rate of heat release allowing efficient transfer of heat from the combustor to the boiler tubes while avoiding excessively high temperatures that will cause ash melting, and simultaneously remove sulphur from the combustor via sorbents such as limestone and dolomite. The present invention utilizes a coarse oxygen carrier bed material to distribute heat and oxygen throughout an Oxy-FBC, while injecting fine sulphur sorbent that will continuously be removed from the bed.

Abstract: Apparatus for use in testing the mechanical behaviour and deformation characteristics of rocks and the like at various locations in a borehole comprises a pressure intensifier used in conjunction with a dilatometer head, the two being rigidly interconnected so as to be lowered into the borehole. The pressure intensifier comprises a cylindrical housing providing upper and lower cylinders, and a double action piston which provides a 6 to 1 differential between the input pressure side and the output pressure side. Pressure changes are measured by means of a pressure transducer, and volumetric changes are determined from measurements of the linear displacement of the piston. Such linear displacements are measured by means of a shaft encoder coupled to a motion translating device for translating linear displacement into rotary displacement.

Abstract: A highly portable pressure intensifier for use with a borehole dilatometer head having an expandable body defining an internal cavity to measure deformation properties of in-situ rock masses. The housing of the intensifier comprises two axially aligned interconnecting cylinders, one of which is of substantially larger diameter. The larger cylinder has a reciprocating piston mounted therein, the piston having a plunger portion which extends axially into the smaller cylinder. The smaller cylinder is connected to the cavity of the dilatometer head by means of high pressure tubing. The larger cylinder is filled ahead of the piston with a first working liquid. The second cylinder, the dilatometer head cavity and the interconnecting tubing are filled with a second working liquid.

Abstract: A hydraulic rock breaking tool of modular construction comprises an assembly of shaft sections having a longitudinally extending bore therethrough and lateral passages communicating with the bore. The shaft assembly provides a number of radial abutment flanges between which a number of self-supporting, radially expansible, elastomeric membranes are confined in the longitudinal direction, each membrane having a cylindrical portion surrounding the shaft and defining with it an annular space communicating with the bore via the lateral passages. Each membrane has a pair of annular end flanges, each terminating in an axially extending retrorse flange which is seated against the shaft section for sealing engagement with it, the retrorse flanges being urged against the shaft by fluid pressure in the annular space.