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: A pumping system deriving power from a heat source and heat sink, for producing either a liquid or gaseous output, utilizes the available thermal potential energy for conversion to work. A liquid, such as a cryogenic liquid is pumped to a first pressure and at least a portion of the output is pumped to a second and higher pressure. The liquid at the higher pressure flows through a heat exchanger to vaporize the liquid to a gas which drives a turbine for generating power to power the pumps or an electrical generator or both. The exhaust output of the turbine flows into the output of the first pump or stage. A recondensing heat exchanger may be used to recondense the turbine exhaust. The system may produce a liquid output or a gas output.

Abstract: In a thermal power station installation the waste heat of the last stage is utilized by storing the cooling water which receives this waste heat, and heating it further during the periods during which the installation is not on full load, whereafter it is supplied to the grid of a remote area heating system.

Abstract: Power generating plants discharge steam or hot water typically from a steam turbine to a condenser system for the purpose of cooling the discharged fluid prior to its being recirculated. The condenser system receives water from an ambient source pumped using a circulating water pump, said water being elevated to a temperature on the order of 115.degree. F. to 125.degree. F. upon passing through the condenser system. The condenser system can operate in basically two different states to provide either single pressure, single pass condenser operation when the waste hot water is discharged to the source and not used, or multi-pressure, multi-pass condenser operation to maintain an elevated hot water supply that is fed to a load (utilization equipment). Valve controls are provided for enabling serial-to-parallel and, vice versa, switching between modes of operation without difficulties and with only a slight drop in load during the transition.

Abstract: Solid carbonaceous fuels are converted into gaseous fuels by a process comprising liquefying at least a portion of the solid fuel, subjecting a portion of the high boiling product to gasification with substantially pure oxygen to provide hydrogen for the liquefaction, subjecting the balance of the high boiling product to gasification with air to provide a gaseous product used as the stripping medium to remove lighter boiling materials from the liquefaction product and recovering fuel gas from the stripping zone overhead.

Abstract: A multi-effect system for using the heat, water and solids content of geothermal brine to produce useful work, fresh product water and inorganic salts. A flash separator receives brine from a geothermal well and provides the initial steam forming the heat source for the brine flowing through a first effect of the system. The system has a number of effects in series with each effect having means for generating steam from the brine flowing through it, and using the generated steam to provide the heat source for the next adjacent effect. Steam from each effect is also moved in heat exchange relationship to a binary fluid in a closed loop containing a gas turbine so that the binary fluid can be heated sufficiently to drive the turbine, the latter, in turn, being coupled to a work-producing apparatus, such as a generator. In one form of the invention, the steam to heat the binary fluid is the uncondensed part of the steam used as a heat source for each effect.

Abstract: A quantity of aluminum is in heat exchange contact with a potassium loop and a steam/water loop. The potassium loop includes a solar energy collector and the solar-heated potassium melts the aluminum to store thermal energy as latent heat of fusion. The steam/water loop extracts steam at 1,000.degree. F. as long as at least some of the aluminum is in the molten state. The steam/water loop includes a steam power turbogenerator unit as user; the quantity of aluminum should suffice to yield, upon resolidification, sufficient heat to satisfy the energy demand of the unit during night time.

Abstract: An abstract of my disclosure envisions a continuously repeated series of treatments a gaseous and fluidized powder stream is subjected to after it is made and unceasingly renewed from fossil fuel, oxygen and steam in a gasifier at slagging temperatures; and then impelled to flow through connected steam making, processing and electricity generating units forming a closed circulatory system; producing a stream of carbon monoxide and hydrogen while generating electrical energy.

Abstract: A system using a number of flash chambers for converting the heat energy of geothermal brine to useful work. The system uses steam from flashed brine to vaporize a portion of distilled water or distillate in one or more heat exchangers to produce steam to drive a turbine which, in turn, operates a generator or the like to produce useful work. Before the distillate reaches the heat exchanger, it is preheated as it flows through a series of flash chambers in countercurrent relationship to the flow of geothermal brine therethrough. The brine flashes in each flash chamber and the flashed vapor mixes with the distillate flowing through the flash chamber to pre-heat the distillate. The heat energy of the unvaporized part of the distillate in the heat exchanger can form additional steam which is also supplied to the turbine. The heat content of the unflashed part of the distillate can be used in several ways to heat a working fluid in a closed loop containing a second turbine.

Abstract: For utilizing the waste heat from a thermal power station a plurality of annular zones are provided surrounding the power station, said zones having different temperature levels decreasing in discrete steps radially outwardly from zone to zone. Heat comsumption locations, each having a heat requirement appropriate to the temperature level of the zone in which it is located, are provided in each zone and connected to the power station and with each other by thermally insulated pipe conduits.

Abstract: The sensible and latent heat of hot exhaust gases generated in fuel burning furnaces, roaster, cement kilns, and the like is transferred to a power fluid in the boiler of an external combustion engine. The cooled gases are purified by subliming or "freezing out" harmful, less volatile components. The purified gases are discharged to atmosphere without using flue gas stacks. The sublimed or "frozen out" impurities are collected and neutralized.

Abstract: A process for simultaneously generating power and recovering potable water from a source of salinous water -- e.g. sea water. Salinous water, from a locus which is proximate to the surface thereof and at a relatively high temperature -- e.g. about 85.degree. F. -- is increased in temperature via indirect contact with a vaporous phase, derived from the surface water at an elevated temperature and a subatmospheric pressure. The preheated salinous water is exposed to radiant solar energy, in a solar radiation heat sink, to further increase the temperature thereof. Thus-heated salinous water is introduced into a first flash separation zone, maintained at subatmospheric pressure, to provide a first substantially non-salinous vaporous phase and a first salinous liquid phase. The first vaporous phase is passed into and through a turbine, from the resulting motion of which power is generated.

Abstract: A heating system which includes a combination of a sliding vane compressor, a positive pressure combustor and a sliding vane expander is disclosed. The components of the present system have been found to operate together to permit full use of the B.T.U. value of fuel. In an alternative embodiment, the heating system uses heat extracted from the ambient air as the heat source. The system may also be operated as an air conditioning system, rejecting heat from the system to the ambient air.

Abstract: A process for simultaneously generating power and recovering potable water from a source of salinous water-- e.g. ocean and/or sea water. A first portion of salinous water, from the surface of the source, or from a colder, deeper depth, is increased in temperature via indirect contact with a plurality of non-salinous vaporous phases (i) derived from the salinous water and, (ii) obtained therefrom at an elevated temperature and a subatmospheric pressure. The warmed salinous water is further increased in temperature by being maintained in a solar radiation heat sink and exposed therein to radiant solar energy to increase its temperature to a level within the range of about 135.degree. F. to about 210.degree. F. Heated salinous water is introduced into a plurality of vacuum flash separation zones, each succeeding one of which is maintained at a lower absolute pressure. At least one of the resulting vaporous phases is passed into and through a turbine, from the resulting motion of which power is generated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for use of solar energy. The method and apparatus has the advantage and benefit of providing for use of all collected solar energy, whether or not there is an immediate need in the home for heating. Solar energy is also used for cooling a home or existing building structure via utilization of a heat pump system. The apparatus comprises in combination a direct boil solar collector which boils a refrigerant therein, a Rankine cycle engine for converting heat energy transferred to said refrigerant to kinetic energy, a generator, a heat pump system, and means connected to the Rankine cycle to selectively transfer said kinetic energy from the Rankine engine to the generator or the heat pump. Excess energy not utilized for heating or cooling the home system is returned to a utility power grid for a credit for the home owner and immediate redistribution by the utility to other users.

Abstract: Booms are pivotally anchored to the ocean floor and have their angularity adjusted so that float operated power generating mechanisms on the booms are positioned at all times at optimum attitudes in relation to waves and the incoming or outgoing tide. The reaction faces of floats are arranged so that the resultant forces of wave and tide component forces act on the floats in an optimum direction so that the maximum usable energy can be derived by the mechanisms from the waves and tidal flows. The float operated mechanisms convert linear movements of the floats into rotational movements of shafts which can be coupled to power generating devices.

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: 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: A combined thermal power station and a desalination plant for seawater in which the power station includes a gas turbine set, a waste heat boiler connected to the exhaust gas outlet of the gas turbine and a steam turbine. The waste heat boiler includes first and second sections arranged in cascade on the water side in the flow path of the turbine exhaust gases, the first section in the exhaust gas flow path constituting a steam generator for the steam turbine and the second section constituting a source of heat utilized in the desalination plant. Seawater may be passed directly through the second section of the waste heat boiler or high-temperature hot water produced by the second section may be passed through a heat exchanger incorporated in the flow path of the seawater.

Abstract: Discharge cooling water from the condenser of a steam turbine is pumped through the chiller of a refrigeration machine operating as a "heat pump" during heating duty, thus improving the efficiency thereof from that obtained when using water supplied to the chiller at a lower temperature. Evaporation of the refrigerant in the chiller removes heat from the water supplied thereto, whereby the water temperature is closer to that of the source from which it is taken for use in the turbine condenser.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for implementing the same to provide fresh potable water and electric power from a source of natural brine by the use of energy derived from a geothermal source of pressurized fluid that is of a temperature of greater than 212.degree. F, and which fluid may contain numerous minerals and extraneous material entrained and/or dissolved therein, together with apparatus for carrying out the method. In addition, the invention encompasses a method of providing a clean source of heat for energy conversion from a geothermal source together with an apparatus for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A method is described for storing the offpeak electrical output of an electricity generating plant in the form of heat by using it to raise the temperature level of a quantity of stored heat retention material and recalling said stored heat during periods of peak power demand in the form of electrical power. During low power demand periods hot water is drawn from a hot water storage means and cooled by flashing it at successively lower pressures. The cold condensate is sent to a cold water storage means while the various flash vapors are fed to appropriate stages of a steam compressor driven by excess power drawn from the electricity generating station. The steam which has been compressed by means of the excess electrical power is directed to heat exchanger means where it is used to heat a low vapor pressure (LVP) thermal energy retention material flowing from cold to hot storage means through the heat exchanger means.

Abstract: High-temperature (1200-1500K) electrolysis of water and recombination of the products in a medium-temperature (530K) fuel cell achieve a practical efficiency exceeding 50%. A solid electrolyte is chosen for the electrolytic cell and in combination with the Bacon fuel cell, which offers high efficiency and automatic replenishing of water vapor into the cycle realizes a high-efficiency electrochemical cycle. Both high-temperature, gas-cooled reactors and conventional combustion processes may be used as heat sources. Unconventional heat sources, such as concentrated solar energy, can also be used. A regenerative counterflow heat exchanger and a waste-heat power plant serve as energy-conserving devices. An important feature of this cycle is the flexibility of operation that can be achieved by adding hydrogen storage. Switching among power-generating, load-averaging, and hydrogen-generating modes can then be done by simple gas-flow valves.

Abstract: A process for recovering potable water from a source of salinous water -- e.g. sea and/or ocean water. Certain modifications afford the simultaneous generation of power. A portion of salinous water and an air stream are introduced into a solar radiation heat sink, with the air stream flowing over the salinous water. Heated, water-containing air is withdrawn from the heat sink and reduced in temperature to recover potable water. The heated salinous water, from the heat sink, may be recycled thereto, or at least in part introduced into a flash separation zone, maintained at a subatmospheric pressure to provide a non-salinous vaporous phase which is passed through a turbine, from the resulting motion of which power is generated. The exiting turbine vapors are cooled and/or condensed via indirect contact with a second portion of salinous water to recover additional potable water.

Abstract: A process for recovering potable water from a source of salinous water -- e.g. sea and/or ocean water. Certain modifications afford the simultaneous generation of power. A portion of salinous water and an air stream are introduced into a solar radiation heat sink, with the air stream flowing over the salinous water. Heated, water-containing air is withdrawn from the heat sink and reduced in temperature to condense potable water. The heated salinous water, from the heat sink, is at least in part recycled thereto, while the remainder is introduced into a plurality of flash separation zones, each succeeding one of which is maintained at a lower subatmospheric pressure than the preceding, and through which the liquid phase passes in series. In order to afford a 24-hour continuous process, the hourly rate of heated salinous water withdrawal, including evaporated water, is less than the rate of salinous water introduction to the heat sink.

Abstract: A process for simultaneously generating power and recovering potable water from a source of salinous water -- e.g. sea water. Salinous water, from a locus which is proximate to the surface thereof and at a relatively high temperature -- e.g. about 85.degree. F. -- is exposed to radiant solar energy to increase significantly the temperature thereof -- e.g. to a level of at least about 135.degree. F. The heated water is introduced into a plurality of flash separation zones, each succeeding one of which is maintained at a lower subatmospheric pressure than the preceding zone, to provide substantially non-salinous vaporous phases. The salinous liquid phase is introduced in series through the plurality of flash zones. The vapor phases are passed through separate, individual turbines, or are introduced into different stages of a multi-stage turbine, from the resulting motion of which power is generated.

Abstract: Steam resources, which may in some cases be of forms heretofore considered unusable because of low energy content or corrosive contamination, are used for electrical power and water treatment operations in installations where these formerly separate activities may be combined, with the waste products of one being a valuable input to the other. In one embodiment, discharge heat from a steam driven generating station and contaminated sewage water, each of which formerly presented costly or environmentally hazardous disposal problems, are combined to produce sterilized water reusable for crop irrigation. In another embodiment, fresh water enroute to a municipal utility system is used to condense discharge steam from generating station turbines for return to the boilers while sterilizing the water to reduce or eliminate cholorination requirements.

Abstract: The sensible heat contained in exhaust gases formed in chemical reactions is utilized to produce energy. The exhaust gas is conducted as a counterflow to the product gas and is heated and expanded with the performance work.

Abstract: A process for simultaneously generating power and recovering potable water from a source of salinous water -- e.g. sea water. Salinous water, from a locus which is proximate to the surface thereof and at a relatively high temperature -- e.g. about 85.degree. F. -- is exposed to radiant solar energy to increase significantly the temperature thereof -- e.g. to a level of at least about 135.degree. F. The heated water is introduced into a plurality of flash separation zones, each succeeding one of which is maintained at a lower subatmospheric pressure than the preceding zone, to provide substantially non-salinous vapor phases. The salinous liquid phase is introduced in series through the plurality of flash zones. The vapor phases are passed through separate, individual turbines, or into different stages of a multiple-stage turbine, from the resulting motion of which power is generated.

Abstract: A process for simultaneously generating power and recovering potable water from a source of salinous water -- e.g. sea water. Salinous water, from a locus which is proximate to the surface of the source and at a relatively high temperature -- e.g. about 85.degree. F. -- is exposed to radiant solar energy to increase significantly the temperature thereof -- e.g. to a level of at least about 135.degree. F. The heated water is introduced into a plurality of flash separation zones, each succeeding one of which is maintained at a lower subatomospheric pressure than the preceding zone, to provide substantially non-salinous vapor phases. The salinous liquid phase is introduced in series through the plurality of flash zones. The vapor phases are utilized to vaporize hydrocarbons, in separate vaporizers, and the hydrocarbon vapors are passed through separate, individual turbines, or are introduced into different stages of a multi-stage turbine, from the resulting motion of which power is generated.

Abstract: Improvements in a control system which maintains both the speed and the extraction pressure of an extraction type steam turbine at respective set point values by adjusting both the high pressure admission valve and the low pressure stage admission valve. Such systems are characterized by the fact that opening of the high pressure valve tends to increase both speed (for a given load) and extraction pressure (for a given extraction load); whereas opening of the low pressure valve tends to increase speed but decrease extraction pressure. The high pressure valve is positioned according to an additive function of speed and pressure errors; and the low pressure valve is positioned according to a subtractive function f(E.sub.s - E.sub.p) of such errors. The improvement resides in bounding one error signal component which influences one of the valves to a value which, for any magnitude of the other error signal, corresponds to the saturation point or physical limit of the other valve.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for high volume distillation of impure liquid comprises evaporating the impure liquid in an evaporator to form a vapor at a temperature above the freezing point and at or below the boiling point of said liquid at atmospheric pressure and at a pressure corresponding to the evaporation temperature under saturated conditions; compressing said vapor adiabatically; admixing in a mixing chamber the compressed vapor under substantially isobaric conditions directly with hot gases having a temperature sufficiently greater than the temperature of the compressed vapor that the resulting vapor-gas mixture temperature is greater than the temperature of the compressed vapor prior to the mixing; passing the vapor-gas mixture through an expansion engine to motivate the engine and to produce shaft energy, whereby the vapor-gas mixture adiabatically expands and cools; compressing the expanded vapor-gas mixture adiabatically in an independently powered compressor to a predetermined pressure corresponding

Abstract: The plant obtains heat energy from a diesel engine plant in order to vaporize a flow of liquid natural gas. The obtained heat is conducted via a circuit containing a hydrocarbon heating agent to the liquid natural gas pipeline. In one embodiment, heat energy is also obtained from a further heat source such as sea water to heat the liquid natural gas. In another embodiment, a part of the heat energy obtained from the diesel engine plant is used directly to heat the liquid natural gas.

Abstract: A method, and apparatus for implementing the method, for simultaneously generating electrical power and producing refrigeration, utlizing an absorption/regeneration power cycle, and performing useful work with the heat rejected from the cycle. In the cycle, a working fluid is absorbed by a carrier fluid by an exothermic chemical reaction wherein the heat released is utilized to perform useful work. After absorption, the original fluids are regenerated by an endothermic chemical reaction with the required energy supplied by an external prime source. Surplus energy stored in the fluids after regeneration is extracted and utilized to generate electrical power, produce refrigeration, and provide internally required energy.

Abstract: A method for transporting heat over long distances in which waste heat from large power plants is utilized. The condenser back-pressure is increased to a level so that the condenser cooling water acquires a temperature in the range of 25.degree.-50.degree. C. The cooling water is subsequently pumped through large pipelines to heat consumer centers where it serves as a heat source for heat pumps. The heat content of the condenser cooling the water is used for raising the temperature of a heating medium to such a degree, that the heat content can be used for heating purposes. After giving off the heat, the condenser cooling water may be used for cooking or drinking purposes, or for the dilution and cooling of waste water.

Abstract: In a process for recovering the energy from a liquefied gas by evaporation in heat exchange with a cycle medium which is simultaneously cooled, said cycle medium being thereafter compressed, heated, subjected to engine expansion and recovered in a cyclical manner, wherein the improvement comprises operating the cycle so that the cycle medium remains in the gaseous phase throughout the entire cycle.

Abstract: A gas generator is disclosed which will simply and reliably effect a gas producing reaction between a gaseous and a liquid reactant. The generator can operate at elevated temperatures and has heat exchange means incorporated. The gas generator is applied as a hydrogen generator to an energy conversion system in which hydrogen from the hydrogen-producing reaction powers a fuel cell and the reaction heat from the hydrogen producing reaction powers a thermal engine, thereby enhancing the energy conversion system relative to one in which the hydrogen generator is merely cooled and its heat is rejected as waste heat. Other possible energy conversion systems based on this gas generator are disclosed.

Abstract: A gas dissociation solar thermal power system in which SO.sub.3 in a solar furnace is heated by a sun ray reflector. The SO.sub.3 dissociates into SO.sub.2 + O.sub.2 + absorption of heat. The SO.sub.2 + O.sub.2 gas is directed through a salt-heat chamber where it recombines into SO.sub.3 and gives off heat. The SO.sub.3 is directed back to the solar furnace and repeats the cycle. Useful heat is taken from the salt-heat chamber for operation of an electrical generator or other desired equipment.

Abstract: Waste matter is incinerated utilizing pure oxygen in addition to the oxygen obtainable through ambient air thereby raising the temperature in the incinerator to an amount of the order of 500.degree.F greater than the incinerator temperature normally encountered when only ambient air is introduced into the incinerator. The incinerator combustion gases are passed into a waste heat boiler to generate steam for operating a steam turbine incorporating an electric generator. A portion of the electric power developed by the generator is utilized in conjunction with an electrolytic cell structure to perform an electrolysis operation upon water to separate the water into its constituent parts (hydrogen and oxygen). A portion of the hydrogen is utilized in the burner plenum of the waste heat boiler to increase the temperature of the incineration combustion gases.

Abstract: Fossil fuels such as coal or oil are gasified by treatment under superatmospheric pressures with oxygen containing gasifying agents to produce a primary gas containing carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The primary gas is desulfurized and converted in increasing portion into methanol which is stored as the load on the power plant increases. An increasing proportion of the stored methanol is used in addition to desulfurized primary gas in the power plant as the load on the power plant increases.

Abstract: An air separation plant operates at elevated pressures and with reflux to produce an oxygen product and a nitrogen product which is indirectly heat exchanged with the compressed main air feed therefor to produce a hot nitrogen product.The air separation plant is interlinked with a steam generator by indirectly exchanging high-grade heat from the flue gases to the hot nitrogen product to form a very hot nitrogen product, by work-expanding the very hot nitrogen product, and by indirectly exchanging lower-grade heat from the work-expanded nitrogen product to the heated fluids of the steam generator so that compression heat is recovered as mechanical energy, the temperature distribution in the steam generator is improved to diminish irreversibility of heat exchange within the steam generator and increase total efficiency of the interlinked plants, and the nitrogen product is uncontaminated and recoverable.

Abstract: A system and method for destroying waste including garbage, organic trash and sewage in which the waste products are initially combined in an emulsifier, grinder, or shredder at the source such as a residential dwelling or business establishment and pumped through present sewage lines to a slurry tank. The basic system can also be utilized on marine, land and air vehicles. The enriched slurry mixture of waste is pumped into a reactor chamber where through an electrolitic reaction it causes the slurry to produce its own pressure achieving the by-products of high pressure steam to drive a turbine-driven electrical generator and sterilized water with only a residue of ash being produced. The by-product of electricity may be utilized for heating the slurry mixture in the reactor while providing electrical power for other uses. Excess condensate from the steam may then be collected and utilized as sterilized water.