Abstract: In one embodiment, a cooling system comprises an information technology (IT) cluster layer with multiple immersion tanks, each immersion tanks including electronic components submerged in a two-phase liquid coolant; and a cooling capacity layer that includes a vapor subsystem, a liquid subsystem, and a condensing cooler. The system further includes a distribution layer that include vapor lines for transmitting vapor from each of the immersion tanks to the vapor subsystem, and liquid lines for distributing liquid from the liquid subsystem to each immersion tank in the IT cluster layer. The two subsystems operate independently to maintain proper fluid level in the immersion tanks efficiently.

Abstract: Methods of heating a reactor system by providing electrical energy are described. A reactor system comprising at least one reactor tube having a catalyst disposed therein and comprises at least one electrically conductive surface is heated by providing electrical energy to the at least one electrically conductive surface on the reactor tube and adjusting a current level of the electrical energy provided to the at least one electrically conductive surface to control the temperature of the reactor tube and the catalyst disposed therein. The reactor tube may be electrically isolated from other electrically conductive components of the reactor system.

Abstract: A system for separating a hydrocarbon/water emulsion may include a radio frequency (RF) power source, an RF load, and a coaxial RF emulsion separator. The coaxial RF emulsion separator may include a coaxial input section coupled to the RF power source, a coaxial output section, and a coaxial separator section coupled in series between the coaxial input and output sections. The coaxial separator section may include an inner separator section conductor and an outer separator section conductor surrounding the inner separator section conductor and defining a separating chamber therebetween. The coaxial separator section may have at least one inlet port to introduce the hydrocarbon/water emulsion to the separating chamber and at least one outlet port to remove separated water and hydrocarbon from the separating chamber after exposure to RF power.

Abstract: A method is described to excite molecules at their natural resonance frequencies with sufficient energy to break or form chemical bonds using electromagnetic radiation in the radio frequency (RF) and microwave frequency range. Liquid, solid, or gaseous materials are prepared and injected into a resonant structure where they are bombarded with electromagnetic energy in the RF or microwave range at resonant frequencies of the molecules of the materials. Alternatively, electromagnetic energy tuned to dielectric particles prepared from the materials may also be supplied to further enhance the reaction.

Abstract: A device for processing a hydrocarbon resource may include a hydrocarbon processing container configured to receive the hydrocarbon resource therein and having a pair of opposing ends with an enlarged width medial portion therebetween. The device may also a spirally wound electrical conductor surrounding the hydrocarbon processing container, and a radio frequency (RF) circuit coupled to the spirally wound electrical conductor and configured to supply RF power to the hydrocarbon resource while tracking a load resonance of the RF circuit. The RF circuit may be configured to generate magnetic fields within the hydrocarbon processing container parallel with an axis thereof.

Abstract: Systems and methods for coal liquefaction are provided. According to one embodiment, coal is introduced into a plasma furnace. A plasma energy field is generated within the plasma furnace by causing an electrical discharge between a pair of arc rods located within the plasma furnace and positioned above the coal. Hydrocarbons contained within the coal are separated from the coal by causing the plasma energy field to penetrate the coal and heat the coal to a temperature sufficient to liquefy the hydrocarbons by focusing and drawing the plasma energy field through the coal with a magnetic field created proximate to the coal. The liquefied hydrocarbons are then captured.

Abstract: A device for regenerating oil wherein an oil containing contaminates is placed in contact with at least one point source of heat which is a predetermined temperature and wherein the contaminants contained in the oil are partially evaporated and can be removed leaving an oil which is substantially free of contaminants and even though exposed to elevated temperatures the oil is not damaged or degraded.

Abstract: Water is removed from oily water produced during operation of a separation column by withdrawing the oily water from the column during separation into an external separator where the oily water is separated into a water phase and an oily phase. The oily phase is then heated to a temperature effective to produce a density differential that drives the oily phase back into the operating column.

Abstract: A method of and system for purifying fluid of an internal combustion engine or hydraulic system utilizes an evaporation chamber separate from a filtering chamber. A metering valve may be oriented between the filtering chamber and the evaporation chamber to control the flow of fluid to the evaporation chamber.

Abstract: An efficient fluid cleaning system. The efficient system includes a first mechanism for changing the pressure of a fluid from a first pressure to a second pressure, the second pressure being lower than the first pressure. A second mechanism distributes the fluid within an evaporation chamber at the second pressure. The evaporation chamber includes an evaporation surface having capillary channels for dispersing oil about the evaporation surface via capillary action to facilitate evaporation of contaminants from within the fluid. In a specific embodiment, the capillary channels are spiral capillary channels, and the system further includes a vent through a ceiling of the evaporation chamber. The vent includes a valve biased in an open position and lacking a cracking pressure. The valve prevents the escape of the fluid from the system but allows gases to escape from the system unencumbered. The evaporation surface has perforations through which fluid passes onto the evaporation surface.

Abstract: A new and improved two-stage oil bypass filter device is provided to enable effective and efficient removal of both solid particulate and volatile oil contaminants while also allowing the addition and mixing of certain oil additives as required by specific internal combustion engine or industrial applications.

Abstract: An improved oil reclamation device for removing contaminates from lubricating oils and hydraulic fluids. A first feature of this oil reclamation device an improved utilization of space, which provides the benefit of a compact installation. Another benefit of this design is an efficient design of the second chamber, which virtually eliminates cold spots and vapor condensation. Another benefit of this design is the efficient use of operating oil to heat the evaporation surface evenly and effectively without the need of any additional heat source. This design eliminates cold spots on the evaporation surface and the need for potentially dangerous heating elements. A further benefit of this design is an oil metering system which is highly resistant to clogging and easily serviced.

Abstract: A device for filtering and refining oil being cycled through an engine includes a container, a cover having an evaporator plate incorporated therein, and a filter cartridge. The evaporator plate is dimensioned to conform to a predetermined inner shape of the container to sealably fit therein inhibiting the purified oil to cycle back through the filter. The configuration is such that a predetermined amount of oil is directed into the device and first passes through the filter cartridge and then passes over the evaporator plate. The contaminants evaporated from the oil pass through a vent in the cover. The filtered and refined oil is then directed back into the engine.

Abstract: An oil reclamation device includes an evaporator head and base both of heat conductive material and defining an evaporator chamber between them. An upwardly vertically extending heating element is disposed within the evaporator base for heating oil containing contaminants within the evaporator chamber by conduction and convection to evaporate light contaminants/liquids (e.g. water, fuel or antifreeze) in the oil. A vent extends from the evaporator chamber through the head, and an oil discharge conduit provides gravity discharge from the evaporator chamber and is formed in the base. An oil inlet conduit feeds oil from the head toward the evaporator chamber, preferably through a plurality of substantially evenly spaced passages formed in the head and flaring outwardly from the oil inlet conduit to the evaporator chamber to provide flow of oil in small, distinct, spaced streams to impact a portion of a generally annular frustoconical wall element extending upwardly form the base toward the head.

Abstract: A device that reclaims industrial fluids. Solid contaminants are removed from the liquid being reclaimed by a series of increasingly fine filter elements positioned within a filter housing. The substantially solid contaminant-free fluid then enters an evaporation chamber having a design that constrains the fluid to form a thin film atop an evaporation plate at the bottom of the chamber to facilitate evaporation of volatile contaminants. Insert members are positioned within the evaporation chamber to increase the surface area of the thin film to further enhance the removal of the volatile contaminants. The temperature and pressure of the evaporation chamber is controlled by a heating element that is under the control of a temperature sensor. Evaporated volatile contaminants escape the evaporation chamber through a port formed in the head that closes the device. Latches are used to secure the head in the absence of conventional nuts and bolts, and the head screw threadedly engages the evaporation plate.

Abstract: A tank is suspended in an enclosure and defines therebetween a chamber completely surrounding the tank. A fluid or air within the chamber is heated to create a thermal blanket and an oven-like condition completely around the tank to maintain the tank and used oil and coagulant within the tank at a substantially constant temperature for an extended period of time for settling of contaminants towards the bottom of the tank. Clean oil remaining at the top of the tank is removed for reuse. The invention is particularly useful for heavy users of lubricating oil such as railroads or shipping companies.

Abstract: An oil reclamation device comprising an evaporator plate secured to an evaporator head to form an evaporation chamber which is heated by a heating element mounted in the evaporator head. A spin on filter assembly with an integral oil dispenser tube is removably mounted to the evaporator plate. The evaporator plate is provided with an oil inlet to receive oil to be reclaimed and an oil outlet to discharge reconditioned oil which has passed through the filter assembly and heated evaporation chamber. Features of this invention include an improved removable filter assembly, an improved heat transmitting element located in the evaporator head, and an improved evaporator plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating liquid media, especially for the heating of used oil during its reprocessing by cracking distillation, includes at least one infrared irradiation element located in a vertical cracking vessel. The irradiation elements are separated from the oil to be heated by spaced infrared permeable tubes of quartz glass having cooled intermediate spaces therebetween. The spaced tubes allow the infrared energy to pass unobstracted into the vessel and the intermediate spaces therebetween prevent heat transfer by convection or conduction to the oil. The cracking of the used oil is thus carried out without the formation of undesirable deposits of bituminous substances within the vessel, and especially upon the irradiation elements.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for extracting hydrocarbons from tar sands. Stationary heater plates have a central opening therethrough through which a horizontal axle extends. Rotors having a central hub and a number of arms are splined on the axle, one closely sandwiched between every two heater plates. A ring is provided between the heater plates closely outward of the rotor arms. Sand retaining pockets are defined between adjacent arms of each rotor, the rotor hub, the ring and adjacent heater plates. Sand is retained in the sand retaining pockets for about one revolution about the axis between feed and removal positions. While retained in the pockets, the sand is heated and hydrocarbons driven off are collected.

Abstract: A fluid recovery system for removing water and solid contaminants from a fluid such a lubricant oil, coolant, and lubricating oils and the like for manufacturing operations is disclosed. A cylindrical vacuum vessel is provided with a centrally disposed cylindrical heating unit and a heat exchanger coil surrounding the heating unit, within the confines of the vacuum vessel. A water condensation trapping cover seal arrangement is provided for the top of the vessel. A cylindrical filter is disposed in surrounding relationship to the heating unit.

Abstract: A process and system for producing and utilizing to advantage vapors and gases from a hydrocarbon feedstock such as crushed oil shale, a coal and shale mixture, or straight coal. A prime mover driven by steam generated in the system produces electrical energy for supplying electrical power to the microwave oven employed. The prime mover is steam driven, such steam being supplied by a boiler. The boiler is, in turn, provided with a series of heat sources taking the form of the hot, spent shale, and/or coke from the coal, passing through such oven as well as perhaps portions of condensate or residue and portions or all of the gases generated in the system. The system thus reduces and in some cases may even eliminate power requirements otherwise imposed on an external electrical power source. Principally, however, the system generates sufficient energy as to be a major supplement to the energy requirement of an external power source.

Abstract: Apparatus for releasing bitumen components of an earth aggregate by establishing a current flow within an electrolyte contained in a volume of the aggregate which has been isolated from the surrounding earth. The current flow electrochemically acts on the molecular bonds between the bitumen and the aggregate, thus releasing the bitumen. In addition, gases are released and absorbed by the bitumen which, along with the heat produced by passage of the current through the electrolyte, acts to reduce the viscosity of the bitumen. As the viscosity is reduced to the stage where the bitumen is liquid, gravitational action allows the bitumen to separate from the aggregate into a stratum which permits easy removal thereof.

Abstract: A process for separating hydrocarbons from naturally occurring mixtures comprising minerals and inorganic materials originating from rock admixed with oil, for example tar sands and oil shales. The process comprises introducing particles of such mixtures into a gaseous plasma of a chemically inert gas to vaporize the hydrocarbons and thus separate them from the solid particles. The solid particles are allowed to drop from the plasma. The vaporized oil is condensed as a separate stock.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for removing hydrocarbons from drill cuttings is disclosed. The method involves heating the contaminated drill cuttings at a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure, milling the cuttings to expose hydrocarbons trapped within agglomerates of the material, and separating the vapors thereby produced from the cuttings. The cleaned cuttings can be used or disposed of without damage to the environment. The vaporized hydrocarbons may be condensed and recovered.

Abstract: A simplified, essentially maintenance-free yet highly efficient distillation tower and method for waste oil rerefining is provided which allows direct vacuum distillation of additive-supplemented waste oils without chemical pretreatment thereof and yields a highly refined intermediate oil suitable for immediate use or final polishing, along with a valuable bottoms fraction usable in greases or asphalts, for example. The tower includes an upright, cylindrical chamber with a tangential waste oil inlet and cooperating internal baffle for creating a whirling oil flow pattern therewithin, along with means for maintaining the proper temperature conditions within the tower for maximizing vaporization and recovery of hydrocarbons from the waste oil while also preventing undesirable decomposition or cracking of the oil.

Abstract: Liquid fuel comprising hydrocarbon as its main component, which is in liquid state at normal temperature and pressure, is held in a container of an apparatus for vaporization of the liquid fuel to enable the fuel to be readily converted into a gaseous state for example for cooking purpose.

Abstract: Apparatus for treating oil shale by microwave energy for recovering heated volatile fractions thereof. The microwave oven includes a sloping feeder made of glass, pyrex, or ceramic material, which feeder is reciprocated back and forth along a declining plane so as to advance slowly but progressively oil shale deposited on the top end thereof to the discharge end of the vibrator. Means are provided to evacuate volatile fractions and to feed such gases through preheater tubes to a condenser unit. The preheater tubes are disposed in line with and through the flow of incoming materials so as to tend to regulate material descent as well as preheat the shale. An additional solids heat exchanger is employed underneath the discharge end of the vibratory feeder means so as to slow the descent of the spent shale onto its ultimate conveyor as well as taking heat therefrom and from the magnetron tubes of the oven to conduct such heat upwardly to further increase the preheating effect upon incoming shale.