Abstract: An apparatus for slip-lining a pipeline with plastic pipe including a slip-line cable having four sections—a forward navigation section, an intermediate locking section connected to a back end of the forward navigation section, a rearward drive section connected to a back end of the intermediate locking section, and an impact driver connected to the rearward drive section. Also disclosed is a method for slip-lining a pipeline with plastic pipe.

Abstract: A generally planar, rectangular solid oxide fuel cell stack having a plurality of fuel cell units, each of the fuel cell units having an anode, a cathode and an electrolyte disposed there between, at least one bipolar separator plate disposed between the anode electrode of one fuel cell unit and the cathode electrode of an adjacent fuel cell unit, an oxidant manifold for delivering oxidant to the cathode electrode, a fuel manifold for delivering fuel to the anode electrode, an anode exhaust gas removal manifold for removing anode exhaust gases from the solid oxide fuel cell stack, and a cathode exhaust gas removal manifold for removing cathode exhaust gases from the solid oxide fuel cell stack.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting a payload along the inside of a substantially horizontal pipe. The apparatus includes vertically aligned upper and lower roller elements which are relationally pivotably connected to each other, both of which contact the inside surface of the pipe into which the apparatus is inserted. The apparatus further includes a steering pendulum which enables the apparatus to maintain a substantially vertical orientation as it is pushed or pulled through the pipe.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for diluting and cooling that is extracted from high temperature and/or high pressure industrial processes. Through a feedback process, a specialized, CFD-modeled dilution cooler is employed along with real-time estimations of the point at which condensation will occur within the dilution cooler to define a level of dilution and diluted gas temperature that results in a gas that can be conveyed to standard gas analyzers that contains no condensed hydrocarbon compounds or condensed moisture.

Abstract: A method for removing H2S from H2S-containing gaseous streams in which an H2S-containing gaseous stream is introduced into a flow channel and at least one liquid chemical H2S scavenging agent is also introduced into the flow channel. Directly within the flow channel, liquid chemical H2S scavenging agent is transformed into a plurality of H2S scavenging agent droplets, which plurality of H2S scavenging agent droplets are contacted with the H2S-containing gaseous stream, whereby at least a portion of the H2S is absorbed by the plurality of H2S scavenging agent droplets. In accordance with one embodiment, transformation of the liquid chemical H2S scavenging agent is carried out in an inclined flow channel and in accordance with another embodiment, the transformation is carried out using ultrasonic atomization.

Abstract: A proton exchange membrane which includes a sulfonated and phosphonated poly (styrene) material having a covalently bonded tertiary hydrogen replacement group.

Abstract: An apparatus for BTU measurement of natural gas having at least one reference spherical acoustic resonator containing a reference gas, a sample gas spherical acoustic resonator containing a natural gas sample, a first acoustic transmitter adapted to transmit a first acoustic signal into the natural gas sample, a second acoustic transmitter adapted to transmit a second acoustic signal into the reference gas, a first acoustic receiver adapted to receive at least a portion of the first acoustic signal, and a second acoustic receiver adapted to receive at least a portion of the second acoustic signal. Using the third radial resonance frequencies for the sample gas and reference gas, a data processor operably connected with a signal output of the first acoustic receiver determines the specific gravity of the natural gas sample. The discovered linear relationship between specific gravity and heating value of natural gas enables a determination of the heating value from the measured specific gravity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fuel reforming using the exhaust gases from internal combustion engines and high temperature combustion processes in which a fuel for reforming and steam mixture is introduced into a tube bundle having a plurality of heat exchange tubes and heat from the exhaust gases is transferred into the heat exchange tubes, thereby increasing the temperature of the mixture. The heated mixture is reformed by contact with a reforming catalyst external to, but proximate to the exit of, the tube bundle, forming a reformed fuel. To remove substantially all of the heat from the exhaust gases, a plurality of tube bundles and associated reforming catalyst arranged in series are provided.

Abstract: A set of primer pairs for amplifying a nucleic acid of a butyric acid-producing bacteria, each primer containing an oligonucleotide selected from the buk gene region of the butyric acid-producing bacteria. The primers are particularly suitable for amplifying the nucleic acid of butyric acid-producing bacteria present in gas and oil production operations.

Abstract: A submerged combustion burner having co-axial fuel and oxidant tubes forming an annular space therebetween, wherein the outer tube extends beyond the end of the inner tube. A burner nozzle having an outside diameter corresponding to the inside diameter of the outer tube is connected to the outlet end of the inner tube and forms a centralized opening in fluid communication with the inner tube and at least one peripheral longitudinally oriented opening in fluid communication with the annular space. In accordance with one embodiment, a longitudinally adjustable rod is disposed within the inner tube for adjustment of fluid flow therethrough, and a cylindrical insert having at least one flame stabilizer for stabilizing a flame produced by the burner is attached to the outlet end of the outer tube. In accordance with another embodiment, fluid flow through the inner tube is achieved by a flow control valve operably connected to the inner tube.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing excess moisture from the evaporator coils of an air-conditioning system in which the moisture is removed from the evaporator coils by vibrating the coils. The coils may be vibrated by mechanical or acoustic devices such as solenoid plungers and acoustic transducers.

Abstract: A method and system for measuring heat energy of a combustible fluid in which light having wavelengths in the near-infrared is directed into a test cell containing the combustible fluid and portions of the light not absorbed by the combustible fluid and passing out of the cell are spatially dispersed by wavelength, forming a light spectrum that is projected onto a detector. The light spectrum is digitized and inputted into a data processing unit in which it is compared to the actual spectrum of the light source stored in the system to determine the absorbance spectrum of the combustible fluid. The system is spectrally calibrated by identifying known spectral features of the combustible gas absorbance spectrum. To correct for deviations in the original light source spectrum, a light source calibration system is employed.

Abstract: An apparatus for facilitating the use of tools on underground pipeline systems including a socket having a polygonal open end, a pliable socket insert having a polygonal outer circumference corresponding to the polygonal socket opening adapted to fit snugly into the polygonal opening and flush with the open end of the socket and a locking device by which the socket insert is maintained within the socket during use. The socket insert is provided with a plurality of pliant inwardly extending projections which deform to the size and geometry of the tool to be employed when the socket is pressed onto the tool.

Abstract: A water permeable electrode for electrochemical splitting of water having a light sensitive catalytic material layer which includes a light sensitive catalytic material and a semiconductor, a polymer electrolyte membrane layer, a metallic substrate layer disposed there between adjacent the polymer electrolyte membrane layer, and at least one photovoltaic device connected in series to the light sensitive catalytic material layer and disposed between the light sensitive catalytic material layer and the metallic substrate layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for soil excavation having a vacuum hose, a vacuum holding tank and at least one air lance and/or water jet, in which a soil beneficiating agent is introduced into the soil during one or more of the steps of the vacuum excavation process.

Abstract: An apparatus including a reciprocating internal combustion engine and a thermochemical recuperator in which a fuel is reformed. The thermochemical recuperator is heated by exhaust gases from the reciprocating internal combustion engine and steam for the reforming process is produced by passing feed water through an engine lubricating oil heat exchanger, an engine cooling system heat recovery system and an exhaust gas heat recovery system arranged in series.

Abstract: A fuel conversion system having an exhaust gas generator, such as an engine or a furnace, having a heated exhaust gas outlet, a reactor vessel having a heated exhaust gas inlet in fluid communication with the heated exhaust gas outlet, having a cooled exhaust gas outlet, and containing at least one reactor tube having an exhaust gas inlet in fluid communication with the heated exhaust gas outlet, a convertible fuel inlet, and a converted fuel outlet, and a monolithic fuel conversion catalyst structure substantially centered within the at least one reactor tube and shaped to form at least one flow channel between the monolithic fuel conversion catalyst structure and an inside wall of the at least one reactor tube.

Abstract: A method and device for measuring release rates of contaminants in at least one of a fast release mode and a slow release mode in which a volatile liquid sample is introduced into a sealed transparent reactor vessel having at least one sorbent contained within the transparent reactor vessel and a separator for preventing direct contact between the at least one adsorbent and the at least one volatile liquid sample in the transparent reactor vessel, whereby substantially zero headspace is maintained within the transparent reactor vessel. At least one solvent soluble constituent present in the at least one volatile liquid sample is passed through the separator, resulting in sorption of the at least one solvent soluble constituent by the at least one sorbent. In accordance with one preferred embodiment, the separator is a dialysis bag contained in the transparent reactor vessel into which the resin is placed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conversion of solid and liquid fuels to a synthesis gas, steam and/or electricity in which about 10% to about 40% of a solid fuel and/or a liquid fuel is introduced into a gasifier and gasified, resulting in formation of a synthesis gas. The remaining portion of the solid fuel and/or liquid fuel is introduced into a first stage of a multi-stage combustor, resulting in formation of products of combustion and ash and/or char. The synthesis gas is introduced into a second stage of the multi-stage combustor disposed downstream of the first stage and overfire oxidant is introduced into a third stage of the multi-stage combustor disposed downstream of the second stage. The ash and/or char from the multi-stage combustor is then recycled into the gasifier.

Abstract: A tracer wire connector (10) having two parts, a main body (11) and a cover (12). The main body includes a base (16) and a raised portion (24) connected with the base, the raised portion forming a first groove (13) extending from one side of the base to an opposite side of the base, the raised portion forming an at least partially closed bore (14) having a closed off end (17) extending parallel to the first groove, and the raised portion forming a second groove (15) traversing the first groove and the bore. The cover forms a cavity (23) adapted to receive the main body and includes at least one cutting element (22) disposed within the cavity aligned to fit into the second groove upon insertion of the main body into the cover. Disposed within the cover is a displaceable insulating material which is displaced to fill empty space within the connector upon insertion of the main body into the cover.