Abstract: A dehydration system energy recycling system (17) and method whereby latent heat energy is transferred from a high proof vapor produced by a dehydration element (16?) into a lower proof feed mixture received into the dehydration element. The high proof vapor is first compressed (48) downstream of a dehydration apparatus (18) to increase its saturation temperature, and is then condensed to release latent heat energy. The latent heat energy is used to heat the lower proof feed mixture upstream of the dehydration apparatus. A grain-to-alcohol plant incorporating the dehydration system energy recycling system requires little or no virgin boiler steam to drive the dehydration system, while an associated evaporation element (24) of the plant can be driven by heat energy captured in a dryer exhaust energy recycling (DEER) system (40).

Abstract: Energy efficiency is improved in a grain alcohol production plant (60) by capturing heat energy that otherwise would be lost to the environment when stillage evaporator last effect vapors (22) are condensed to recycle their water content. The low temperature/pressure heat energy of these vapors is efficiently recovered and reused by placing the vapors in direct physical contact (301, 402) with a working fluid (38) to form heated working fluid (54, 66), then using the heated working fluid directly in a process of the plant. In an embodiment, cook water used for the plant fermentation process is preheated by direct contact with stillage evaporator overhead vapor via one or more direct contact heat exchangers (301, 401) and/or a thermocompressor (402).

Abstract: Energy efficiency is improved in a grain alcohol production plant (60) by capturing heat energy that otherwise would be lost to the environment when stillage evaporator last effect vapors (22) are condensed to recycle their water content. The low temperature/pressure heat energy of these vapors is efficiently recovered and reused by placing the vapors in direct physical contact (301, 402) with a working fluid (38) to form heated working fluid (54, 66), then using the heated working fluid directly in a process of the plant. In an embodiment, cook water used for the plant fermentation process is preheated by direct contact with stillage evaporator overhead vapor via one or more direct contact heat exchangers (301, 401) and/or a thermocompressor (402).

Abstract: Waste heat is extracted in two stages from the exhaust (20) of a biomass dryer (14) in a grain alcohol plant (10). A boiler circuit (56) provides a first steam at high pressure. A first energy recovery circuit (36) extracts heat from the exhaust via a non-contact heat exchanger (24) and provides a second, relatively lower pressure steam (78), thereby bypassing a portion of the boiler circuit. Working fluids in the boiler and first energy recovery circuits are maintained within boiler water quality specifications and are intermixed to allow the production of the second steam without a pressure reduction device. A second energy recovery circuit (44) extracts heat from the exhaust downstream of the first energy recovery circuit using a direct contact heat exchanger (38) and provides a non-boiler quality heated fluid (52), which may be a heated liquid or a third steam.

Abstract: An improvement which reduces the reflux requirement for a fractional distillation system of an alcohol production plant (40, 60, 70, 80). The improvement includes a mixing device (44) for combining a water/alcohol mixture having an enhanced alcohol content (50, 62, 72, 82) with the reflux liquid (16) in the absence of a vapor/liquid equilibrium interface to form a reflux mixture (56) for supply to the rectifier column (14). The mixture having an enhanced alcohol content may be sourced from a location along the rectifier-reflux vapor to liquid system flow path, or from another source.

Abstract: A system and method for extracting waste heat from the exhaust (20) of a biomass dryer (14), such as in a grain alcohol plant (10). A boiler circuit (74) provides steam at a high pressure to a balance of the plant (64). A recovered energy circuit (76) extracts heat from the exhaust and provides steam (60) at an intermediate pressure, thereby eliminating the need for a pressure reducing valve in order to satisfy an intermediate pressure steam demand in the plant. Working fluids in the boiler and recovered energy circuits are intermixed in a boiler feed vessel (72).

Abstract: Waste heat is extracted in two stages from the exhaust (20) of a biomass dryer (14) in a grain alcohol plant (10). A boiler circuit (56) provides a first steam at high pressure. A first energy recovery circuit (36) extracts heat from the exhaust via a non-contact heat exchanger (24) and provides a second, relatively lower pressure steam (78), thereby bypassing a portion of the boiler circuit. Working fluids in the boiler and first energy recovery circuits are maintained within boiler water quality specifications and are intermixed to allow the production of the second steam without a pressure reduction device. A second energy recovery circuit (44) extracts heat from the exhaust downstream of the first energy recovery circuit using a direct contact heat exchanger (38) and provides a non-boiler quality heated fluid (52), which may be a heated liquid or a third steam.

Abstract: Waste heat is extracted in two stages from the exhaust (20) of a biomass dryer (14) in a grain alcohol plant (10). A boiler circuit (56) provides high pressure steam to a balance of the plant (54). A first energy recovery circuit (36) extracts heat from the exhaust via a non-contact heat exchanger (24) and provides a first relatively lower pressure steam (78) to the balance of the plant, thereby bypassing a portion of the boiler circuit. Working fluids in the boiler and first energy recovery circuits are maintained within boiler water quality specifications and are intermixed to allow the production of the first relatively lower pressure steam without a pressure reduction device. A second energy recovery circuit (44) extracts heat from the exhaust downstream of the first energy recovery circuit using a direct contact heat exchanger (38) and provides a non-boiler quality heated fluid (52) to the balance of the plant.

Abstract: A system and method for extracting waste heat from the exhaust (20) of a biomass dryer (14), such as in a grain alcohol plant (10). A boiler circuit (74) provides steam at a high pressure to a balance of the plant (64). A recovered energy circuit (76) extracts heat from the exhaust and provides steam (60) at an intermediate pressure, thereby eliminating the need for a pressure reducing valve in order to satisfy an intermediate pressure steam demand in the plant. Working fluids in the boiler and recovered energy circuits are intermixed in a boiler feed vessel (72).

Abstract: Waste heat is extracted from the exhaust (20) of a biomass dryer (14) in a grain alcohol plant (10). A boiler circuit (74) provides high pressure steam to a balance of the plant (64). A recovered energy circuit (76) extracts heat from the exhaust via a dryer exhaust condensing economizer (24) and provides a steam mixture (60) to satisfy an intermediate pressure steam demand of the balance of the plant, thereby bypassing a portion of the boiler circuit. Working fluids in the boiler and recovered energy circuits are intermixed in a boiler feed vessel (72). Dryer exhaust condensate (30) may be used in an exhaust gas scrubber (22) upstream of the dryer exhaust condensing economizer to remove pollutants and to saturate (26) the exhaust gas for improved heat transfer. Heat transfer may be further improved by operating the dryer exhaust condensing economizer at an elevated pressure.

Abstract: Waste heat is extracted in two stages from the exhaust (20) of a biomass dryer (14) in a grain alcohol plant (10). A boiler circuit (56) provides high pressure steam to a balance of the plant (54). A first energy recovery circuit (36) extracts heat from the exhaust via a non-contact heat exchanger (24) and provides a first relatively lower pressure steam (78) to the balance of the plant, thereby bypassing a portion of the boiler circuit. Working fluids in the boiler and first energy recovery circuits are maintained within boiler water quality specifications and are intermixed to allow the production of the first relatively lower pressure steam without a pressure reduction device. A second energy recovery circuit (44) extracts heat from the exhaust downstream of the first energy recovery circuit using a direct contact heat exchanger (38) and provides a non-boiler quality heated fluid (52) to the balance of the plant.

Abstract: Waste heat is extracted from the exhaust (20) of a biomass dryer (14) in a grain alcohol plant (10). A boiler circuit (74) provides high pressure steam to a balance of the plant (64). A recovered energy circuit (76) extracts heat from the exhaust via a dryer exhaust condensing economizer (24) and provides a steam mixture (60) to satisfy an intermediate pressure steam demand of the balance of the plant, thereby bypassing a portion of the boiler circuit. Working fluids in the boiler and recovered energy circuits are intermixed in a boiler feed vessel (72). Dryer exhaust condensate (30) may be used in an exhaust gas scrubber (22) upstream of the dryer exhaust condensing economizer to remove pollutants and to saturate (26) the exhaust gas for improved heat transfer. Heat transfer may be further improved by operating the dryer exhaust condensing economizer at an elevated pressure.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for a bag that has a first compartment and a second compartment. The first compartment has a bottom wall that extends to an outer edge and a first pair and second pair of opposed sidewalls that extend generally perpendicularly from the outer edge of the bottom wall forming a cavity therein. A first top wall selectively secured to the first pair and second pair of opposed sidewalls of the first compartment, and a second compartment has a bottom wall that extends to an outer edge and a first pair and second pair of opposed sidewalls that extend generally perpendicularly from the outer edge of the bottom wall forming a cavity therein. A second top wall is selectively secured to the first pair and second pair of opposed sidewalls of the second compartment, and an inflatable device is contained within the second compartment.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for a bag that has a first compartment and a second compartment. The first compartment has a bottom wall that extends to an outer edge and a first pair and second pair of opposed sidewalls that extend generally perpendicularly from the outer edge of the bottom wall forming a cavity therein. A first top wall selectively secured to the first pair and second pair of opposed sidewalls of the first compartment, and a second compartment has a bottom wall that extends to an outer edge and a first pair and second pair of opposed sidewalls that extend generally perpendicularly from the outer edge of the bottom wall forming a cavity therein. A second top wall is selectively secured to the first pair and second pair of opposed sidewalls of the second compartment, and an inflatable device is contained within the second compartment.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for a bag that has a first compartment and a second compartment. The first compartment has a bottom wall that extends to an outer edge and a first pair and second pair of opposed sidewalls that extend generally perpendicularly from the outer edge of the bottom wall forming a cavity therein. A first top wall selectively secured to the first pair and second pair of opposed sidewalls of the first compartment, and a second compartment has a bottom wall that extends to an outer edge and a first pair and second pair of opposed sidewalls that extend generally perpendicularly from the outer edge of the bottom wall forming a cavity therein. A second top wall is selectively secured to the first pair and second pair of opposed sidewalls of the second compartment, and an inflatable device is contained within the second compartment.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for a foldable bag that includes a rear wall part having a front side, a back side, and an interior side; a front wall part having a front side, a back side, and an interior side; a middle part having a front side, a back side, and an interior side. The front wall part is engaged to the middle part along a fold line, and the rear wall part is engaged to the middle part along a fold line. The foldable bag is moveable between a first position and a second position.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method of controlling timing of release of traffic for a communication switch. The traffic originates from at least one source, is directed to a common ingress point of the switch and is directed to a common egress point in the switch. The egress point has a maximum egress transmission rate. The traffic has at least one datastream. Each datastream has a requested transmission rate. The method comprises, for each datastream, establishing a maximum cell release rate such that a sum of each of the maximum cell release rate does not exceed the maximum egress transmission rate and utilizing the maximum cell release rate to govern release of local traffic in the datastream from the ingress point.

Abstract: An anchoring system for an elongated medical article comprises an anchor pad and a retainer mounted upon the anchor pad. The retainer includes a base, a cover, and a compressible member including a receptacle into which the medical article to be retained is placed. When the cover is closed, the medical article is secured within the receptacle by the pressure of the compressible member and the cover upon the medical article. One or more biasing members act upon the compressible member to increase the frictional forces acting on the retained section of the medical article. The receptacle may form a channel that follows a curved path through the retainer. The retainer may also include guide extensions to support the medical article along a transverse bend toward the skin of the patient.

Abstract: The specification discloses apparatus for spreading, levelling fine particulate earth or sand material in the base region of a preformed trench and separately for compacting said fine particulate material about a pipe line laid in the trench, the apparatus including a spreader and leveller device having a pair of spaced side walls each supported on a skid member to facilitate sliding along the base of the trench, the apparatus also having adjustable width cross braces an open front face, formed transverse wall that is also adjustable in width and having a lower edge that is adjustable in height relative to the skid members, the apparatus further having connection means to enable the apparatus to be connected to machinery for towing same along said trench, the apparatus further including a separate compaction device compressed by a pair of spaced wheels having teeth around their peripheries, the wheels being adjustable in transverse position relative to each other and connection devices being provided enabling

Abstract: A method of securing a medical article to the body of a patient is disclosed in which an anchoring device comprising an anchor and a retainer is used. The retainer is attached to an upper surface of the anchor and comprises a base, a cover and a post. The base is disposed on the upper surface of the anchor and the cover is connected to the base so as to move between an open and a closed position. When the cover is in the closed position, it lies above at least part of the base. The post is attached movably to either the base or the cover and is arranged so as to lie at least partially between the cover and the base when the cover is in the closed position. When securing a medical article, the cover is placed in the open position and the medical article placed onto the retainer. The cover may then be closed over the medical article and the anchoring device attached to the patient.