Abstract: A controller and method for controlling two or more electrical generators to meet the applied load, varies the activation/deactivation sequence of the generators according to and instruction set selected by time or day or other discrete event. The controller and method also control discretionary loads via a request to run process which allows the generation system to be readied for the additional load.

Abstract: A facility for conditioning compressed natural gas to be dispensed to vehicle fuel tanks is provided that includes a fuel storage system, a chilling apparatus, and a fuel dispensing system. The chilling apparatus includes a refrigeration system and a liquid separator. The refrigeration system cools the compressed natural gas to near freezing temperature and/or a sub freezing temperature to remove water vapor, to remove higher hydrocarbons, and/or to obtain a full fill of the vehicle fuel tanks. The liquid separator is located downstream of the refrigeration system to remove any condensed liquids from the natural gas. A desiccant bed can be provided downstream of the liquid separator to remove any residual liquids remaining in the natural gas.

Abstract: A spark ignited engine and method of its operation in which throttling losses are substantially eliminated has two intake manifolds operating at different charge air density levels. Suitable valves, upstream of conventional cylinder intake valves, are controlled to supply each of the cylinders with charge air from one or the other manifold. At high loads under operation of a controller all of the cylinders are supplied from the high density charge air manifold and at low loads all of the cylinders are supplied from the low density charge air manifold. At intermediate loads the controller supplies an appropriate number of cylinders from the high density manifold and the remaining cylinders from the low density manifold.

Abstract: Fugitive methane or natural gas vapors are recovered from a handling or delivery system and are blown through solid methane chips or a slush of solid and liquid methane. The solid methane melts and cools the vapors below the vaporization temperature to condense them. The condensed vapors and melted solid can be mixed with liquid methane for use therewith. The solid methane is produced by cooling liquid methane or natural gas in a liquid nitrogen heat exchanger or refrigerator. The liquid methane is solidified in a sheet on an endless belt, which breaks the sheet into pieces at a tail section.

Abstract: A self-powered forced or induced draft water heater is provided including a tank adapted for storing hot water, a sealed combustion chamber, a powered burner, a thermoelectric module, and a through-chamber heat sink having a base portion and a pin portion. The combustion chamber has a common wall with the tank at a lower zone of the tank. The powered natural gas burner has a blower which delivers air to the burner through an inlet duct and forces combustion products out a flue. The thermoelectric module generates operating power for the burner blower. The thermoelectric module has a hot side in thermal communication with a combustion zone of the burner and a cold side attached to the heat sink base portion. The pin portion of the heat sink is conically shaped and extends through an opening in the common wall to the interior of the tank. The base portion of the heat sink is removably attached to the common wall and is provided with an o-ring or other means to seal the wall opening.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for fast filling a vehicle fuel tank with high pressure natural gas comprising the steps of coupling a fill line to the vehicle tank, introducing high pressure natural gas into the line and the tank, measuring the pressure in the line in a manner that yields a measurement of the initial pressure of the gas in the tank, assigning an initial temperature for the gas in the tank, predetermining the final desired pressure and temperature of the gas in the tank at the end of the fill, calculating the mass or temperature of the gas to be added to the tank so that the adiabatic compression and potential rise in temperature of gas in the tank is automatically compensated for and the tank is substantially filled with a mass that results in a condition, when the tank and the gas contained therein substantially reach ambient temperature, wherein the pressure in the tank is substantially equal to the nominal rated pressure of the tank and, thereafter filling the tank with the calculated gas mass or

Abstract: An air-fuel supply system for an internal combustion engine in which fuel, such as natural gas, is stored in a fuel tank as a cryogenic liquid, and in which supply air is compressed. The charge air is intercooled to increase its density and, therefore, engine performance. Heat from the intercooling process is utilized to vaporize the liquid natural gas fuel. Heat exchange from the charge air to the liquid natural gas is accomplished with a phase changing heat transfer fluid. The heat transfer fluid boils at the intercooler and condenses at the fuel vaporizer to give precise temperature control at the intercooler surfaces without frost build-up.

Abstract: A heat pump system in which a vapor compression refrigerant is isolated from the space being conditioned, heat pumped by the refrigeration circuit is stored and a heat transfer fluid circuit is controlled for conditioning the space and for conducting heat from a heat storage medium at times when the refrigeration circuit does not operate in a regular heat pumping mode.

Abstract: A heat pump system in which a vapor compression refrigerant is isolated from the space being conditioned, heat pumped by the refrigeration circuit is stored and a heat transfer fluid circuit is controlled for conditioning the space and for conducting heat from a heat storage medium at times when the refrigeration circuit does not operate in a regular heat pumping mode.

Abstract: A process for stabilizing sludge containing flyash and calcium sulfate formed by a lime or limestone scrubber increases the sludge particles to a size at which leaching of toxic metals from the particles no longer occurs at toxic levels. The sludge is dewatered and injected into the furnace in a manner to cause the flyash to soften and stick together. The agglomerated particles then fall into a bottom ash pit for removal as a common waste.

Abstract: A heat pump system for a residence or other occupied space utilizing a fuel-fired prime mover or heat engine to operate a refrigerant vapor compressor. With both the engine and compressor situated outdoors, heat is transferred between the building interior and the refrigeration circuit with a heat transfer fluid circuit that permits the refrigerant to be isolated outdoors. The heat rejected by the engine is carried into the building by an engine coolant circuit for space heating and water heating. The heat transfer fluid circuit and the engine coolant circuit, ideally, use the same liquid, a simplified pump arrangement, a common reservoir and a multi-channel conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to improve pulverizer operation and reduce nitrogen oxide emissions from furnaces which burn pulverized coal from at least one pulverizer. A duct type burner burns a fuel in the primary air which heats the primary air supplied to the pulverizers. The combustion increases the primary air temperature and improves the drying of the coal, thus improving the pulverizer throughput and/or the fineness of the pulverized coal. Operation of the duct burner also reduces the oxygen in the primary air. The reduction in oxygen reduces the propensity of the coal to ignite in the pulverizers and cause fires or even explosions. The reduced oxygen in the primary air also reduces NO.sub.x formation.

Abstract: A heat storage system for a fuel fired prime mover driven space conditioner. Rejected heat from the prime mover is advantageously stored in a storage type potable hot water heater. Heat is transferred from a coolant fluid for the prime mover by forcibly circulating water from the tank of the potable hot water heater with a pump driven by the hydraulic energy of the coolant fluid. Since the coolant fluid flows when the prime mover is operated, control circuitry for the water circulating pump is avoided.

Abstract: A combustible fuel containing 3% to 45% of the fuel needed to operate a gas turbine is introduced into the compressor air stream for the gas turbine. The mixed fuel and air stream is introduced to the gas turbine prior to the combustor stage through a pipe, orifice or nozzle. The mixed air and fuel stream serves to reduce the nitrogen oxide emissions of the gas turbine. Waste air streams such as mine ventilation air may be used as the mixed fuel and air stream.

Abstract: In a process to limit the production of flyash by dry bottom boilers, flyash is collected from flue gas using a collector such as an electrostatic precipitator. The collected flyash is carried in a carrier gas stream to which a fuel is added. The stream is introduced into the boiler in a manner to cause the flyash to soften, agglomerate and fall into the bottom ash pit.

Abstract: A heat pump system for an occupied space of a building comprising a fuel-fired heat engine and a heat pump compressor driven by the heat engine, the mechanical horsepower output capacity of the engine being substantially equal to the input power requirement of the compressor, an indoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger in thermal communication with air in the occupied space, and an outdoor refrigeration circuit heat exchanger in thermal communication with the outdoor environment of the building, a refrigerant circuit connecting the refrigeration heat exchangers and the compressor to permit the compressor to pump heat between the heat exchangers when operated by the engine, a heat storage medium for absorbing heat rejected by the engine during its operation, the heat storage medium having a capacity to store a substantial quantity of heat for a period at least substantially as long as a maximum expected time that the engine is inoperative between ordinary cycles of operation, and a pump for selectively tran

Abstract: An apparatus and method for reducing nitrogen oxide emissions from the products of combustion is provided in which a vortex generator introduces natural gas, or other fluid fuel into the upper portion of a combustion device. The fuel introduced forms vortices, such as vortex rings, and the fuel reacts with the nitrogen oxide in the combustion products to form ammonia-like compounds, hydrogen cyanide and similar compounds, and nitrogen. The ammonia and cyanide-like fragments react with additional amounts of nitrogen oxide in the combustion products to form nitrogen gas, water vapor and carbon dioxide. The vortex rings can be controlled and will maintain their integrity longer than puffs or simple jets of fuel.

Abstract: Nitrogen oxide and dioxide content of flue gas from combustion devices is reduced by mixing combustion air and a gas or volatilized fuel in proportions below the lower combustible limit of the mixture and utilizing that mixture for at least a part of the combustion air supplied to the devices. The mixture may take the form of air contaminated with a fuel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing emissions from an internal combustion engine used for propelling a heavy land vehicle, for example, comprising a fuel supply tank for storing liquified natural gas and a fuel circuit for cooling compressed charge air to the engine with the heat of vaporization of the fuel. Under low load conditions fuel vapor from the tank can be consumed to avoid an excessive build-up of pressure; the engine is operated with a lean fuel/air mixture without cooling of the charge air to obtain low emissions. Non-methane hydrocarbon emissions are eliminated by stripping the natural gas of essentially all of the higher hydrocarbons during the liquification process.