Abstract: The present disclosure provides a pressure vessel 10 (sometimes known as a composite overwrapped pressure vessel or “COPV”) comprising carbon fiber 20 (such as carbon fiber 20 filaments) wrapped around a tank liner 30.

Abstract: A flare tip for discharging and burning high pressure and low pressure flare gas is provided. A cover is positioned over the upper end of a first pipe through which a high pressure waste gas stream flows. The configuration of the cover allows the high pressure waste gas to burn smokelessly. The upper end of a second pipe that is concentrically positioned around the first pipe is positioned at a lower elevation than the upper end of the first pipe, and the outer edge of the second pipe is tangential to the flat bottom portion of the cover. When the waste gas exiting the upper end of the first pipe does not have sufficient force to raise the cover off the upper end of the first pipe, the flat bottom portion of the cover forms a cap over the upper end of the first pipe while the upper end of the second pipe remains open.

Abstract: A dispersion for use with an effluent treatment system, and methods of making and using such a dispersion, whereby the dispersion includes an amount of polymer substantially uniformly dispersed within an aqueous solvent; wherein the dispersion is generated by combining an amount of gas with the amount of polymer and the aqueous solvent, the amount of gas effective to substantially uniformly disperse the amount of polymer within the aqueous solvent.

Abstract: A dispersion for use with an effluent treatment system, and methods of making and using such a dispersion, whereby the dispersion includes an amount of polymer substantially uniformly dispersed within an aqueous solvent; wherein the dispersion is generated by combining an amount of gas with the amount of polymer and the aqueous solvent, the amount of gas effective to substantially uniformly disperse the amount of polymer within the aqueous solvent.

Abstract: A dispersion for use with an effluent treatment system, and methods of making and using such a dispersion, whereby the dispersion includes an amount of polymer substantially uniformly dispersed within an aqueous solvent; wherein the dispersion is generated by combining an amount of gas with the amount of polymer and the aqueous solvent, the amount of gas effective to substantially uniformly disperse the amount of polymer within the aqueous solvent.

Abstract: A method of treating flowback fluid comprising: introducing the flowback fluid into a first stage vertical separator to produce a first gas stream, a liquid stream, and a solids stream; passing the first gas stream from the first stage vertical separator to a sales line; passing the liquid stream from the first stage vertical separator to a second stage horizontal separator with the pressure in the second stage horizontal separator being less than the pressure in the first stage vertical separator but greater than atmospheric pressure to produce a second gas stream, a water stream; and a liquid hydrocarbon stream; passing the second gas stream from the second stage horizontal separator to a combustor or flare nozzle; passing the water stream from the second stage horizontal separator to a water storage tank; and passing the liquid hydrocarbon stream from the second stage horizontal separator to a liquid hydrocarbon storage tank.

Abstract: A method of treating flowback fluid comprising: introducing the flowback fluid into a first stage vertical separator to produce a first gas stream, a liquid stream, and a solids stream; passing the first gas stream from the first stage vertical separator to a sales line; passing the liquid stream from the first stage vertical separator to a second stage horizontal separator with the pressure in the second stage horizontal separator being less than the pressure in the first stage vertical separator but greater than atmospheric pressure to produce a second gas stream, a water stream; and a liquid hydrocarbon stream; passing the second gas stream from the second stage horizontal separator to a combustor or flare nozzle; passing the water stream from the second stage horizontal separator to a water storage tank; and passing the liquid hydrocarbon stream from the second stage horizontal separator to a liquid hydrocarbon storage tank.

Abstract: A separator which includes a vessel with a horizontal section defining a horizontal chamber and a vertical section defining a vertical chamber. The vertical section extends upwardly from the horizontal section. A tubular member is positioned in the vertical section in such a way that the tubular member provides a fluid passage between the horizontal chamber and the vertical chamber and cooperates with the vertical section and the horizontal section to define a liquid receiving space. A deflector plate is spaced from the upper end of the tubular member in such a way that fluid passing up through the tubular member is deflected into the liquid receiving space and returned to the horizontal chamber.

Abstract: A separator which includes a vessel with a horizontal section defining a horizontal chamber and a vertical section defining a vertical chamber. The vertical section extends upwardly from the horizontal section. A tubular member is positioned in the vertical section in such a way that the tubular member provides a fluid passage between the horizontal chamber and the vertical chamber and cooperates with the vertical section and the horizontal section to define a liquid receiving space. A deflector plate is spaced from the upper end of the tubular member in such a way that fluid passing up through the tubular member is deflected into the liquid receiving space and returned to the horizontal chamber.

Abstract: Systems and methods for defining, booking and managing activities or services by a user of digital computer implemented applications and interactive displays based on time, location and theme as related to the user's local environment.

Abstract: An automated meter reading system and communications network. The system comprises a multi-tiered network for obtaining information from utility meters and communicating the information to a central database. A plurality of terminal units are each operatively connected to a utility meter to sense operational data of the utility meter and transmit the data through the network when polled. A plurality of primary units are each operatively connected to a utility meter to sense operational data of the utility meter and transmit the data through the network. The primary units also request data from one or more of the terminal units by polling the terminal units, and transmit that data through the network. Data collection units receive data from the primary units and transmit the data to a central host computer. The network is configurable so that status information or requests can be transmitted from the terminal units to the host computer or from the host computer to any of the terminal units.

Abstract: A method and system for recovering coalbed methane are disclosed. The method involves tunneling along a seam of coal to a point below a water table and at a depth below the water table sufficient for dissolved methane to be present in the water; separating a portion of the water containing dissolved methane while below the water table; reducing pressure on the separated portion for extracting dissolved methane; removing the extracted methane; and discharging the separated portion of water after extracting dissolved methane.

Abstract: A switching system for a high-speed railway system has no moving parts on the road bed, all of the switching decisions and actions being taken aboard a vehicle travelling on the system. A pair of parallel main running rails commences to diverge at the switching point, and two pairs of parallel main running rails leave the switching point. The outer rail of each pair of outgoing rails is a continuation of one of rails incoming into the switching point. A pair of switching rails is between the main rails and each is parallel to the opposite continuing rail. The truck on a vehicle on the rail system has flange running wheels which engage the main rails. A pair of wide switching wheels has flanges closer together than the flanges on the running wheels. The switching wheels can be shifted laterally so that the flange on one of the switching wheels engages a switching rail and guides the vehicle toward the pair of main rails parallel therewith.

Abstract: The fixed magnetic structure of a linear synchronous motor for a railway system is supported above the tracks by steel ribs so that thermal expansion of the ribs is similar to expansion of steel vehicles on the railway. The moving parts of the linear synchronous motor are mounted on the vehicle so as to follow the fixed parts closely for optimum coupling of force between the fixed and moving parts.

Abstract: A control unit for use with a hand-held probe and an electrosurgical generator is disclosed to include a power input transformer which isolates the primary power supply from two electrically isolated circuits within the control unit. A first one of the electrical circuits receives a channel select signal from a hand-held probe connected thereto and, in response thereto, actuates either a first channel circuit or a second channel circuit within the second circuit. Each of the first and second channel circuits includes an alternating current actuated relay for electromagnetically moving a switch element therein in response to the channel select circuit so that either a first or a second control signal is provided to the electrosurgical generator.