Abstract: This invention provides an inexpensive and plausible means of earthquake protection for personal residences in developing nations and economically distressed areas within the United States through the use of recycled tires containing a particular rock aggregate.

Abstract: This invention relates to a fossil-fired thermal system such as a power plant or steam generator, and, more particularly, to a method for rapid detection of tube failures and their location with the steam generator, without need for direct instumentation, thereby preventing more serious damage and minimizing repair time on the effected heat exchanger. This method is applicable to Input/Loss methods of monitoring fossil-fired thermal systems.

Abstract: The operation of a fossil-fueled thermal system is quantified by obtaining an unusually accurate boiler efficiency. Such a boiler efficiency is dependent on the calorimetric temperature at which the fuel's heating value is determined. This dependency affects the major thermodynamic terms comprising boiler efficiency.

Abstract: The operation of a fossil-fueled thermal system is quantified by obtaining effluent flow, the L Factor and other operating parameters to determine and monitor the unit's heat rate and to determine the emission rates of its pollutants.

Abstract: The operation of a fossil-fueled thermal system is quantified by obtaining a reference fuel chemistry before on-line operation, and thereafter operating on-line. In on-line operation, a set of measurable operating parameters is measured, including at least effluent concentrations of O2 and CO2, and optionally the concentration of effluent H2O and the concentration of effluent SO2. An indicated Air/Fuel ratio is obtained, as are the ambient concentration of O2, and air pre-heater leakage and dilution factors. The fuel ash and fuel water are calculated, and the complete As-Fired fuel chemistry is calculated. From the complete As-Fired fuel chemistry, the pertinent systems parameters such as reference fuel heating value, boiler efficiency, system efficiency, fuel flow rate, total effluent flow rate, individual effluent flow rates, and individual emission rates are determined in a fully consistent manner. The Method has been reduced to software which is fully benchmarked and operational.