Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a method and apparatus for the treatment of water containing silica in order to recover as much treated water from a water source as possible while minimizing the generation of waste products. Other embodiments include removing specific elements from the water source and utilizing those elements. Embodiments of the method and apparatus uses in-line physical and physio-chemical treatment methods to remove potential biological, colloidal and hardness foulants continually so that there is minimal loss of water from the water source stream and minimal addition of chemicals to accomplish removal or reduction of these potential recovery-limiting foulants.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of a method and apparatus for the treatment of water containing silica in order to recover as much treated water from a water source as possible while minimizing the generation of waste products. Other embodiments include removing specific elements from the water source and utilizing those elements. Embodiments of the method and apparatus uses in-line physical and physio-chemical treatment methods to remove potential biological, colloidal and hardness foulants continually so that there is minimal loss of water from the water source stream and minimal addition of chemicals to accomplish removal or reduction of these potential recovery-limiting foulants.

Abstract: This invention includes methods of stimulating anaerobic degradation of subsurface contaminants. The methods include vaporizing a liquid electron donor to form a treating gas. The treating gas or hydrogen is directed to a subsurface site that includes one or more contaminants, thereby stimulating anaerobic degradation of the subsurface contaminants.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatuses and processes for the measurement of hydrogen in aqueous solution at concentrations as low as about 0.1 nM. The present invention is capable of accurately and reproducibly measuring the concentration of dissolved hydrogen in an aqueous solution that also contains other dissolved gases, such as oxygen, carbon monoxide and sulfur compounds, such as hydrogen sulfide. In a presently preferred embodiment of a hydrogen analyzer 38 of the present invention, water containing dissolved hydrogen is equilibrated with a carrier gas by means of gas flow through a mass transfer device 10.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatuses and processes for the measurement of hydrogen in aqueous solution at concentrations as low as about 0.1 nM. The present invention is capable of accurately and reproducibly measuring the concentration of dissolved hydrogen in an aqueous solution that also contains other dissolved gases, such as oxygen, carbon monoxide and sulfur compounds, such as hydrogen sulfide. In a presently preferred embodiment of a hydrogen analyzer 38 of the present invention, water containing dissolved hydrogen is equilibrated with a carrier gas by means of gas flow through a mass transfer device 10.

Abstract: An improved mixing box is disclosed. The mixing box comprises an inlet end, an outlet end, a substantially closed first passage to which primary air flows from a primary air inlet and then through induction means and to and from the outlet end. The induction means are positioned intermediate the inlet and outlet ends and are operable, when primary air flows through the passage, to induce a flow of air through a first opening for mixture with primary air and delivery therewith through the outlet end. The mixing box also comprises means for controlling the rate of flow of primary air and a fan operable to induce a flow of air through a second opening and to deliver such air through the outlet end of the box.

Abstract: Air conditioning apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus comprises compression refrigeration apparatus, a cogenerator operable to provide electricity and heat, an air handler, a plurality of mixing boxes operable to receive conditioned air, to cause a flow of recirculated air from a space to be conditioned, and to deliver to the space a mixture of conditioned air and recirculated air, a circulating system for circulating air to be conditioned through the air handle and then to the mixing boxes, a coil for heat transfer with air in the mixing boxes, and a sprinkler system through at least a part of which a heat transfer fluid is circulated to the coils. Preferred apparatus includes, in addition, at least one of absorption refrigeration apparatus and a dehumidifier which employs a desiccant, and means for using heat from the cogenerator as an energy source for the absorption refrigeration apparatus, for regeneration of the dehumidifier, or both.

Abstract: Air conditioning apparatus for a building having an electrical grid operatively connected to receive electricity from a utility is disclosed. The apparatus includes compression refrigeration apparatus with an electric motor connected to drive a compressor, absorption refrigeration apparatus, a cogenerator, an air handler, induction mixing units, a system for circulating air to be conditioned through the air handler and then to said induction mixing units, apparatus for transferring heat from air in the air handler to ice, a heat transfer system connecting the absorption refrigeration apparatus to pump heat to a heat sink from air in the induction mixing units or from air in the air handler, electric circuitry connecting the electric motor of the compression refrigeration apparatus to the building electrical grid for energization, and a heat transfer system for transferring heat generated by the cogenerator into energizing relationship with the absorption refrigeration apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing volatile organic contaminants from water. Water to be treated is mixed with a small proportion of higher pressure gas (air, ozone, etc.)-saturated water in a static mixer causing the release of a very large number of very fine gas (air, ozone, etc.) bubbles in the mixture. The mixture is directed into a chamber which has a device, such as a transverse perforated plate, to reduce water pressure. The pressure drop, which need only be about 10 psi, causes the volatile organic contaminants to enter the vapor phase and, through mass transfer absorption, mix with the gar bubbles. The bubbles rise to a free headspace at the top of the chamber from which the now-contaminated gas can be withdrawn. The substantially decontaminated water then exits the chamber, still nearly at line pressure.

Abstract: Apparatus for dehumidifying air is disclosed. The apparatus comprises first and second dehumidifiers, both of which employ a desiccant. Air to be dehumidified is passed through the first dehumdifier, then through the second dehumidifer, and from the second dehumidifier to a space to be conditioned. The desiccants of the two dehumidifiers remove moisture from the air so that it is dehumidified before it reaches the space. The apparatus also includes a first regenerator for the desiccant of the first dehumidifier, and a second regenerator for the desiccant of the second dehumidifier. Air is passed to and through each of the regenerators in contact with the desiccant therein and is then discharged. Heat of sorption is transferred from the two dehumidifiers, and moisture laden desiccant is moved from each of the dehumidifiers to its regenerator; finally, heat is transferred to each of the regenerators, and the heat transferred to the first regenerator includes heat of sorption from the first dehumidifier.

Abstract: An improved mixing box is disclosed. The mixing box comprises an inlet end, an outlet end, a substantially closed first passage to which primary air flows from a primary air inlet and then through the induction means and to and from the outlet end of the box and induction means intermediate the inlet and outlet ends of the box and operable, when primary air flows through the passage, to induce a flow of air through a first opening for mixture with primary air and delivery therewith through the outlet end of the box. The mixing box also comprises means for controlling the rate of flow of primary air and a fan operable to induce a flow of air through a second opening and to deliver such air through the outlet end of the box.

Abstract: Apparatus for dehumidifying air is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a receiver for a hygroscopic liquid, a regenerator, a dehumidifier, a heat pump and means for circulating four different streams of the hygroscopic liquid. The heat pump has an energy input section, a heat collecting section and a heat rejecting section, and is operable, when the energy input section is energized, to transfer heat from the heat collecting section at a given temperature to the heat rejection section at a higher temperature. The apparatus has means for circulating the hydroscopic liquid: (1) in a first stream from the receiver into heat transfer relationship with the heat rejection section of the heat pump and then to the regenerator, where it is sprayed; (2) in a second stream from the regenerator to the receiver; (3) in a third steam from the receiver to the dehumidifier, where it is sprayed; and (4) in a fourth steam from the dehumidifier to the receiver.

Abstract: Apparatus for comfort conditioning at least a zone of a building is disclosed. The apparatus comprises, as its main elements, a solar collector, a heated fluid storage tank, an internal combustion engine, a sensor-controller responsive to the temperature of fluid in the heated fluid storage tank, air conditioning apparatus and a sequencing switch. The apparatus also includes means including at least one pump for circulating a heat transfer fluid from the heated fluid storage tank, into heat-receiving relationship with the solar collector, into heat-receiving relationship with the engine, and back to the tank. The sensor-controller is operable to cause the internal combustion engine to operate whenever the fluid temperature in the heated fluid storage tank is below a control point and to control the engine, when operating, to maintain the temperature of fluid within the tank within predetermined limits.