Abstract: The invention relates generally to an electrical power and storage system and more specifically to ways and methods of using a thermal storage medium as a heat source to heat compressed air from a power augmentation system for use in a gas turbine engine.

Abstract: A power plant having a steam circuit which can be supplied, in the region of a heat recovery steam generator, with thermal energy for producing steam, the steam circuit has, in the region of the heat recovery steam generator, a high pressure part, a medium pressure part and a low pressure part. In addition, a heat reservoir which has a phase change material and which is not situated in the region of the heat recovery steam generator is included, wherein, in order to supply the heat reservoir with thermally processed water, a supply line which leads out from the high pressure part or the medium pressure part is included and a discharge line which leads into the medium pressure part, the low pressure part or a steam turbine is included for discharging thermally processed water from the heat reservoir.

Abstract: Provided herein is a heat engine system and a method for transforming energy, such as generating mechanical energy and/or electrical energy from thermal energy. The heat engine system may have one of several different configurations of a mass management system (MMS) fluidly coupled to a working fluid circuit. The MMS may be utilized to control the amount of working fluid added to, contained within, or removed from the working fluid circuit. The MMS may contain a mass control tank, an inventory transfer line, and system/tank transfer valves. The MMS may contain a transfer pump fluidly coupled to the inventory transfer line and configured to control the pressure in the inventory transfer line. The MMS may have two or more transfer lines, such as an inventory return line and valve, and an inventory supply line and valve.

Abstract: A thermal energy recovery device of the present invention includes a heater that evaporates a working medium by a heat medium, an expander into which the working medium flowing out from the heater flows, a power generator that recovers expansion energy of the working medium expanded in the expander, a condenser of a condensing unit that condenses the working medium flowing out from the expander, and a pump that feeds the working medium condensed in the condenser to the heater. A connection portion between the condenser and the pump has a connection end portion connected to an inflow port of the pump, a bent portion bent upward from the connection end portion, and a standing portion extending upward from the bent portion so that the working medium in a gas phase is suppressed from coming into the pump even in an environment where vibration is generated.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for controlling the working fluid with low freezing point circulating in a closed circuit (10) operating according to a Rankine cycle, said circuit including a compression pump (12) for the fluid in liquid form, a heat exchanger (22) swept by a hot source (28) for evaporation of said fluid, an expander (30) for expanding the fluid in vapor form and a cooling exchanger (40) swept by a cold source (F) for condensation of the working fluid. According to the invention, the device includes a fluid collection tank for draining said circuit.

Abstract: Generally, a system for hydraulic fracturing of a geologic formation. Specifically, a transportable heating apparatus and method for the production of heated water for use in hydraulic fracturing of a geologic formation.

Abstract: A charging circuit for converting electrical energy into thermal energy is provided, having a compression stage, connected via a shaft to an electric motor, a heat exchanger and an expansion stage, which is connected via a shaft to a generator, wherein the compression stage is connected to the expansion stage via a hot-gas line, and the heat exchanger is connected on the primary side into the hot-gas line, wherein the expansion stage is connected via a return line to the compression stage, so that a closed circuit for a working gas is formed. A recuperator is also provided which, on the primary side, is connected into the hot-gas line between the heat exchanger and the expansion stage and, on the secondary side, is connected into the return line, so that heat from the working gas in the hot-gas line can be transferred to the working gas in the return line.

Abstract: Systems and methods relate to vaporizing water into steam, which may be utilized in applications such as bitumen production. Initial indirect vaporization of the water at a first pressure for treatment precedes a steam generator boiling the water at a second pressure higher than the first pressure. The indirect vaporization of the water occurs in a vessel upon contact of the water with a substance such as solid particulate heated to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the water. Impurities in the water deposit on the solid particulate and/or combust limiting pass through of the impurities to the steam generator given that a vapor output of the vessel from the initial indirect vaporization condenses and is pressurized before being supplied to the steam generator.

Abstract: H2O heating methods, devices, and systems are disclosed, wherein the method of heating H2O includes immersing the combustion of H2 with O2 in flowing H2O such that H2O from the combustion diffuses into the flowing H2O, and thus supplements and heats the flowing H2O. Extended systems are also disclosed that source heated H2O for use, inter alia, in electric power generation driven by turbines or pistons, mobile vehicle locomotion driven by turbines or pistons, environmental heating, environmental cleaning, cooking of materials, recycling of materials, cutting of materials, and drilling of materials. In addition, portable implementations of the method are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems generate steam and carbon dioxide mixtures suitable for injection to assist in recovering hydrocarbons from oil sands based on concentration of the carbon dioxide in the mixtures as influenced by temperature of water introduced into a direct steam generator. Increasing temperature of the water to above 200° C. before introduction into the direct steam generator may utilize heat from an electrical power generation unit. Enthalpy of this preheated water impacts amount of fuel needed to burn in the direct steam generator and hence the concentration of the carbon dioxide, which may be below 11% by mass percent of the steam.

Abstract: A system for rapid and efficient water heating is provided, with a water and heat recovery component. Using a thermal store as a heat exchanger the system mixes steam and cold water to deliver hot water at a user-controlled temperature. The high operating temperature of the thermal store and its thermal efficiency result in a compact, highly-efficient means of hot water delivery. Water and energy usage are further reduced through a means of recycling hot water through the system in operation.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to production of hydrocarbons from an underground formation. More specifically, embodiments relate to a system and method for generating steam for heavy hydrocarbon production process. The indirect steam generation system uses moving hot solids (e.g. sand, metal spheres, etc) to produce steam from non-treated (dirty) boiler feed water. The solids are then transported to another vessel (e.g.combustor) where they are reheated and cleaned of contaminants before being recycled back to the boiler to produce more steam.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for conducting a continuous operation, flowing vapor phase decontamination in either an open loop or a closed loop. Using the method, a multi-component liquid decontaminant is vaporized and delivered into, through and out of a sealable enclosure by means of a carrier gas that is flowing into, through and out of said sealable enclosure. After leaving the enclosure, the vapor is captured in a cold-water bath and decomposed. The invention humidifies the carrier gas by passing it through a temperature controlled water bath to warm, or to cool, the carrier gas as necessary in order to bring the carrier gas to the desired temperature and humidity before it is combined with the vaporized sterilant and allowed to flow into the sealable enclosure. The concentration of the vapor sterilant and the percent saturation of the vapor sterilant are simultaneously controlled by controlling the rate at which the carrier gas flows and the rate at which the liquid sterilant is vaporized.

Abstract: A system for heating storage containers and bodies of water to prevent freezing and ice buildup. Heated fluid lines are utilized to achieve improved thermal transfer of heat energy to bodies of water.

Abstract: The present invention is one that is intended to prevent bubbles from being recombined to suppress the bubbles from being enlarged, and also homogenize a temperature distribution of a stored liquid source, and provided with: a liquid source container; a first heater that is provided on a side wall of the liquid source container and intended to heat the stored liquid source to a predetermined temperature; a second heater that is provided in an inside central part of the liquid source container and intended to heat the stored liquid source to the predetermined temperature; a plurality of bubble generators that are immersed into the stored liquid source, provided between the second heater and the side wall, and release carrier gas into the liquid source to perform bubbling; and a gas supply pipe that supplies the carrier gas to the bubble generators.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for vaporizing liquid are provided which employ a plurality of rods disposed within a storage vessel that serve as the heat transfer element. While the plurality of rods are generally submerged by the liquid fuel to facilitate heat transfer and vaporization of the liquid fuel, the rods may be packed closely together such that the liquid inventory required to maintain the rods in a submerged state is substantially less than required by conventional fuel supply systems, thereby permitting the weight of a fuel supply system that incorporates the apparatus and method to be reduced while still permitting effective vaporization of the fuel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to drum type washing machines, and more particularly, to a new type of steam generator for a drum type washing machine, which enables fast and effective washing and drying of laundry, and can provide a refresh effect of removal of wrinkles form, and sterilization of the laundry.

Abstract: A heater core preheater for allowing a user to quickly and efficiently receive heat in a vehicle in cold weather conditions. The heater core preheater includes a housing that has a body portion such that the housing is adapted for coupling to a heater hose between an engine of the vehicle and an inlet of the heater core of the vehicle. A heating element is coupled within the housing such that the heating element is adapted for heating fluid flowing through the heater hose to the heater core. A switch is operationally coupled between the heating element and a power source of the vehicle such that actuation by the user of the switch provides the heating element with power.

Abstract: A high-speed and high-pressure injection heat-generating device is provided, and enables liquid injected at a high speed and under a high pressure to become heated by the force of the friction and resistance generated from the collisions of liquid molecules as passing through a heating generating unit, and thus the heated liquid can be used for the purpose of heating water. By connecting a liquid circulating pump to a liquid feeding tube through which source liquid is supplied to the heating generating device on the outlet side of the liquid circulating pump and providing a tube with bends in the heating unit, where the tube includes a plurality projections closely formed on an inner surface thereof, more heating efficiency can be obtained. Therefore, the heat generating device can provide a heating source or hot water thereby obtaining a high temperature efficiency in variety of fields such as heating and hot water supply, without consuming energy sources like oil or gas.

Abstract: Disclosed is a catalytic combustor and systems for the boilerless stoichiometric production of a working fluid such as steam from a fuel-mixture comprised of a carbonaceous fuel and a diluent such as water mixed in a thermally self-extinguishing mass ratio. Production of the steam is by a controlled substantially stoichiometric process utilizing a combustor to provide steam over a wide range of heat release rates, temperatures and pressures for steam flooding an oil bearing formation. Even though formation characteristics change during a steam flooding operation, output steam of the combustor may be kept at a constant heat release rate by dividing the total amount of water passing through combustor between a first portion which is included in the fuel-mixture and a second portion which is injected into the heated products of combustion.

Abstract: An apparatus for an endothermic reaction of a gas such as steam reforming having a cylindrical vessel which is provided therein a fuel gas supply room, a combustion catalyst holding wall, a flue gas passage room, and a reaction room, all of which are cylindrical or annular and coaxially piled in this order, the catalyst holding wall having a combustion catalyst holding layer on a flue gas passage room side thereof and the reaction room having a product gas passage; whereby a mixture of a fuel gas and an oxygen containing gas passes through the catalyst holding wall from the supply room into the flue gas passage room, being burnt by the catalyst to become a flue gas and to generate combustion heat, and the flue gas is discharged while the heat is given to the reaction room mainly by radiation from the catalyst layer; a raw material gas passes through the reaction room reacting endothermically to become a product gas, which is discharged through the product gas passage in countercurrent heat exchange arrangemen

Abstract: A high efficiency gas hot water heater has a vertical cylindrical water tower and a cylindrical combustion chamber secured to the wall of the vertical water tower and extending horizontally therefrom. The combustion chamber has means at the outer end for the injection of gas and air therein, the products of combustion of gas and air produced in the combustion chamber flowing into the vertical water tower which has, at its upper end, a flue. A generally horizontal water distributor is positioned within the water tower adjacent to the top. A water jacket surrounds the combustion chamber with piping providing a water inlet into the water jacket and from the water jacket into the water distributor so that the products of combustion of the gas and air in the combustion chamber flow into the vertical water tower and upwardly therethrough as water flows downwardly therethrough.

Abstract: A direct contact water heater comprises a cylindrical column having a plurality of heat exchange bodies disposed in the upper portion thereof, a spraying device disposed above the heat exchange bodies for discharging water thereon, and a heating device disposed in the lower end of the column. The heating device comprises a burner oriented into the column and tangentially relative to the inner surface thereof. A shield extends across a portion of the column and above at least the initial path of the burner flame as it follows the contour of the column.

Abstract: A water gas furnace comprising an outer container to provide a housing in which coke is placed into its lower part. A water container is placed within the housing. The coke is ignited and heats the water in the container converting it into steam. The steam is ejected into the coke, which together with air, produces water gas. Preferably, pumice stones are placed above the coke. The water gas is accepted into the pores of the pumice stones, where the heated pumice stones ignite the water gas, producing heat. The heat is extracted by a heat exchanger provided about the housing.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for the heating of fluids by heat exchange with falling shot particles. A heat-transfer medium is heated to a temperature above its melting point to produce a body of molten heat-transfer medium at an elevation above a fluid heating zone. The molten medium is sparged downardly into the heating zone where it contacts fluid therein. The molten medium is solidified to form shot particles and the aqueous fluid in contact therewith is heated. The resulting steam or hot water is recovered from the heating zone and the relatively cool shot particles are recovered from the heating zone and recirculated for heating to produce molten heat-transfer medium as described above. The heat-transfer medium may take the form of heavy metals such as lead and lead alloys.

Abstract: A mixture of fuel and air is introduced onto a catalytic combustion surface, preferably an inert, refractory substrate coated with trace amounts of a catalyst. Combustion is normally initiated by an ignition device, and proceeds spontaneously once the minimum temperature has been reached. Water is introduced directly onto the heated combustion surface, in metered quantities to prevent cooling below the desired minimum combustion temperature, thus generating a continuous flow of steam at a pressure equal to the inlet pressure of the air, fuel and water. The quantities of air, fuel and water may be varied proportionately to produce rapid variation in the volume, temperature and pressure of the steam generated, a function that may be greatly facilitated by the choice of a combustion element having a low thermal mass. Both the catalytic combustion of fuel and the vaporization of inert working fluids can occur over a wide range of temperature and pressure conditions.

Abstract: The object of the invention is to provide a process for vaporizing liquid hydrocarbon fuels efficiently and without the formation of carbon residue on the apparatus used.The process includes simultaneously passing the liquid fuel and an inert hot gas downwardly through a plurality of vertically spaed apart regions of high surface area packing material. The liquid thinly coats the packing surface, and the sensible heat of the hot gas vaporizes this coating of liquid. Unvaporized liquid passing through one region of packing is uniformly redistributed over the top surface of the next region until all fuel has been vaporized using only the sensible heat of the hot gas stream.

Abstract: A continuous process for heating a fluid by recovering heat from a heated, pumpable aqueous slurry of granular material wherein the slurry is passed through an indirect heat exchanger to heat the fluid and then passed to a second indirect heat exchanger to preheat water for forming of further heated, pumpable slurry, with the slurry next passed to a third indirect heat exchanger to heat makeup water to the system and then to a thickener wherein the granular material is separated and the water recovered from the thickener is returned to the system.

Abstract: Heat exchanging system comprises a heat expansible organic liquid, at least one pressure cell, the organic liquid being heated in the pressure cell to thereby increase temperature of the organic liquid, valve means connected to the pressure cell for controlling flow of the organic liquid into and out of the pressure cell to maintain predetermined pressure in the cell, and at least one heat exchanger connected to the pressure cell through the valve means for transferring heat of the organic liquid to another medium. The heat exchanger includes a pressure valve for spraying the organic liquid thereinto. The system further comprises cooling means for cooling the organic liquid flowing from the heat exchanger and pump means for circulating the cooled organic liquid to the pressure cell through the valve means with a relatively high pressure.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for generating steam from water containing high concentrations of particulate matter such as silt, clay, etc., without the need for filtering and otherwise treating the water prior to generation of steam therefrom, especially useful for use in a viscous oil recovery process. The method comprises introducing solid particulate materials such as coarse sand, etc., into a thermal cracking unit such as, for example, that is used in the Lurgi-Ruhrgas process. The solids are heated to a temperature of at least 1400.degree. F., and on contacting the crude, cause cracking of the viscous crude into lighter molecular weight hydrocarbons and form a solid coke-like residue on the sand grain. The sand grains containing the coke residue are transported into a second chamber into which air is injected and the solid coke residue ignited. The carbon coke residue burns, raising the temperature of the sand or other granular solids.

Abstract: Apparatus for generating and storing under pressure vaporized reactants consisting of a heat exchanger in fluid communication with an expansion chamber comprising a lower header and an upper header. At least one duct extends between the lower and upper headers for communication therebetween. A collection vessel communicates with the upper header by means of at least one riser.Heat exchange fluid is heated to operating temperature and circulated through the lower header to the upper header and returned to the heat exchanger. A reactant is introduced into the heat exchange medium and is vaporized thereby. The vapors are confined in heat exchange medium and circulated to the expansion chamber where the vapors escape from the heat exchange medium. The vapors are led by the riser to the collection vessel where they are stored under pressure at sufficient temperature to prevent condensation.

Abstract: In the process of beneficiating ilmenite ore by the chloride method the improvement wherein the beneficiate is cooled without oxidation hot finely divided particles comprising using the principle of film boiling to effect volatilization of a non-oxidizing liquid to both fluidize and cool the hot particles.

Abstract: A process for vaporizing liquid water which allows the use of relatively impure boiler feed water comprising providing a heat-carrying liquid at a predetermined elevated temperature to the boiler, providing liquid water to the boiler, transferring heat from the heat-carrying liquid directly to the liquid water to be vaporized within the boiler and separately withdrawing the produced steam from the boiler. Suitable heat-carrying liquids include lead, tin and bismuth and alloys principally thereof. A process for the production of superheated steam from natural waters which have not been previously purified utilizing the above described process for production of steam in combination with a process for superheating the steam by passing the produced steam in heat exchange relation with a plurality of liquid droplets of molten metal or a molten inorganic salt which has been heated to a predetermined temperature for superheating the steam.

Abstract: A de facto wall-less heat exchanger system wherein a non-volatile heated liquid from a nuclear, geothermal or other source of heat is introduced into a chamber containing a highly volatile fluid which is chemically non-reactive with the non-volatile liquid. The volatile fluid is converted to a pressurized vapor which may be used to drive a turbine for the production of useful energy, to pump the non-volatile liquid or to pump a different fluid.