Abstract: An automated heat pipe processing system is able to take a heat pipe casing and an end cap for the heat pipe casing and form these into a heat pipe within a totally contained system. The heat pipe casing and end cap are cleaned by means of glow-discharge plasma, a bakeout heating, if required. After cleaning, a working fluid is placed within the cleaned heat pipe after which the end cap is fixedly attached to the heat pipe casing by means of inertia welding. This in-situ fabrication of the heat pipe minimizes defective end products and steps to fabricate such.

Abstract: A low aspect ratio airfoil or aircraft wing structure particularly useful in small personal aircraft and STOL aircraft wherein an improved propulsion system substantially eliminates wing tip vortices during take-off and climb operations. An air intake port on the upper surface of the airfoil adjacent the tip end of the foil supplies air for propulsion and increases the lift-to-drag characteristics of the aircraft.

Abstract: An improved fluid fence which reduces drag on solid objects moving through a fluid environment and an airfoil or aircraft wing structure having an improved open fence on its surface improving the lift-to-drag characteristics of the airfoil.

Abstract: Sensible heat in the hot effluent gas stream leaving a partial oxidation gas generator for the production of gaseous mixtures comprising H.sub.2 +CO i.e. synthesis gas, reducing gas, or fuel gas, is used at maximum temperature to heat a stream of gaseous heat transfer fluid comprising a portion of the product gas circulating in the substantially closed loop. The heat transfer fluid serves as the working fluid in a turbine that produces mechanical work, electrical energy, or both. Further, the heat transfer fluid leaving the turbine may be used to preheat hydrocarbonaceous feed and free-oxygen containing gas which is then introduced into the gas generator. Optionally, by-product superheated steam may be produced at high temperature levels for use in the gas generator and as the working fluid in an expansion turbine. The high steam superheat temperatures result in higher conversion efficiencies.

Abstract: Sensible heat in the hot effluent gas stream leaving a partial oxidation gas generator for the production of raw synthesis gas, reducing gas, or fuel gas is used at its maximum temperature to produce a continuous stream of superheated steam at a pressure which may exceed the pressure in the gas generator. The by-product superheated steam may be used as a dispersant or carrier of the fuel feed to the generator or as a temperature moderator. Optionally, a portion of the by-product superheated steam may be used as the working fluid in a turbine to produce mechanical work or electrical energy or both. The high steam superheat temperature results in a higher conversion efficiency. A shell and tube heat exchanger in which a stream of steam or cleaned generator gas is continuously bled from inside the tubes to the outside, or the reverse is employed. The bleed stream mixes with the effluent gas stream passing through the heat exchanger.

Abstract: Sensible heat in the hot effluent gas stream leaving a partial oxidation gas generator for the production of raw synthesis gas, reducing gas, or fuel gas is used at its maximum temperature to produce a continuous stream of superheated steam at a pressure which may exceed the pressure in the gas generator. The by-product superheated steam may be used as a dispersant or carrier of the fuel feed to the generator or as a temperature moderator. Optionally, a portion of the by-product superheated steam may be used as the working fluid in a turbine to produce mechanical work or electrical energy or both. The high steam superheat temperature results in a higher conversion efficiency. A shell and tube heat exchanger in which a stream of steam or cleaned generator gas is continuously bled from inside the tubes to the outside, or the reverse is employed. The bleed stream mixes with the effluent gas stream passing through the heat exchanger.

Abstract: This is a continuous process for producing a stream of purified and humidified fuel gas which may be burned in a gas turbine to produce mechanical work and electrical energy without contaminating the environment. In the process, a feed stream of raw fuel gas is preferably produced by the partial oxidation of a hydrocarbonaceous fuel with a free-oxygen containing gas, optionally in the presence of a temperature moderator. The raw fuel gas stream is then preferably saturated with water during cooling and cleaning operations. It is then passed in indirect countercurrent heat exchange with a stream of purified fuel gas containing substantially no water. The latter stream was produced by cooling and purifying said raw fuel gas stream. At least a portion of the water which is condensed out of the raw fuel gas during said cooling operation is separated and revaporized into said purified fuel gas stream. The resulting stream of purified and humidified fuel gas may be used as fuel in a gas turbine.

Abstract: A combined cycle electric power generating system which drives two electric power generators at a constant speed. It employs a gas turbine to drive one of the generators and a steam turbine to drive the other. There is a combustor that supplies the gas to drive the gas turbine and there is an air compressor that feeds input air to mix with fuel into the combustor. The compressor is driven by the gas turbine. The exhaust from the gas turbine delivers heat to make steam for the steam turbine. And, there is means for throttling the inlet air to the compressor so that the whole system may be run at greatly reduced load without creating inefficient operation.

Abstract: A free-oxygen containing gas is heated while under pressure in a gas fired pressurized heater and then reacted with a hydrocarbonaceous fuel optionally in the presence of a temperature moderator in the reaction zone of a free-flow partial oxidation gas generator. The effluent gas stream from the gas generator is cooled, cleaned and optionally purified to produce a H.sub.2 +CO-containing product gas. One portion of said product gas is reacted in said pressurized heater with air in order to heat the free-oxygen containing gas going into the gas generator. Another portion of said product gas is burned with air in the combustor of a gas turbine. The exhaust gas from the combustor is passed through an expansion turbine to produce mechanical power for compressing the free-oxygen containing gas and air used in the system. The turbine may also drive a turboelectric generator. At least a portion of the flue gas from the fired pressurized heater may be introduced into the combustor or into the expansion turbine.

Abstract: Sensible heat in the hot effluent gas stream leaving a partial oxidation gas generator for the production of raw synthesis gas, reducing gas, or fuel gas is used at its maximum temperature to produce a continuous stream of superheated steam at a pressure which may exceed the pressure in the gas generator. The by-product superheated steam may be used as a dispersant or carrier of the fuel feed to the generator or as a temperature moderator. Optionally, a portion of the by-product superheated steam may be used as the working fluid in a turbine to produce mechanical work or electrical energy or both. The high steam superheat temperature results in a higher conversion efficiency.

Abstract: Sensible heat in the hot effluent gas stream leaving a partial oxidation gas generator for the production of gaseous mixtures comprising H.sub.2 +CO i.e. synthesis gas, reducing gas, or fuel gas, is used at maximum temperature to heat a stream of heat transfer fluid preferably comprising a portion of the product gas circulating in a substantially closed loop. The heat transfer fluid serves as the working fluid in a turbine that produces mechanical work, electrical energy, or both. Further, the heat transfer fluid leaving the turbine may be used to preheat hydrocarbonaceous feed and free-oxygen containing gas which is then introduced into the gas generator. Optionally, by-product superheated steam may be produced at high temperature levels for use in the gas generator and as the working fluid in an expansion turbine. The high steam superheat temperatures results in higher conversion efficiencies.

Abstract: This is a continuous process for producing a stream of purified and humidified fuel gas which may be burned in a gas turbine to produce mechanical work and electrical energy without contaminating the environment. In the process, a feed stream of raw fuel gas is preferably produced by the partial oxidation of a hydrocarbonaceous fuel with a free-oxygen containing gas, optionally in the presence of a temperature moderate. The raw fuel gas stream is then preferably saturated with water during cooling and cleaning operations. It is then passed in indirect countercurrent heat exchange with a stream of purified fuel gas containing substantially no water. The later stream was produced by cooling and purifying said raw fuel gas stream. At least a portion of the water which is condensed out of the raw fuel gas during said cooling operation is separated and revaporized into said purified fuel gas stream. The resulting stream of purified and humidified fuel gas may be used as fuel in a gas turbine.

Abstract: The structure of a gas scrubber for large diameter conduits. It employs an axially located element that forms an annular venturi passage. This eliminates any tendency toward incomplete scrubbing of the gas stream.