Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are provided for synthesizing one or more chemical products from a renewable oil, comprising the step of flowing a fluid which comprises a renewable oil through a high voltage electrical field effective to catalyze a chemical reaction involving the renewable oil. Examples of renewable oils include vegetable oils, animal fats, bio-oils, and combinations thereof. In one embodiment, the fluid further comprises an alcohol mixed with the oil, and the chemical reaction produces biodiesel and an etherified glycerin. In one embodiment, the biodiesel is further reacted to produce acetic acid.

Abstract: Synthesis methods are provided using electro-chemical catalysis. In one method, diesel fuel is made by (1) flowing a mixture of a triglyceride source and an alcohol through a high voltage electrical field, effective to convert the triglyceride into saturated mono alkyl esters; and (2) adding the saturated mono alkyl esters to a petroleum-derived diesel fuel to form a diesel fuel blend. In another method, a high temperature, oxidatively stable lubricant is made by (1) flowing a renewable oil including unsaturated fatty acids through a high voltage electrical field effective to convert the unsaturated fatty acids into saturated fatty acids; and (2) adding one or more functional additives to the saturated fatty acid-containing renewable oil to form a synthetic lubricant. In another method, ethanol is made by flowing a liquid which comprises a simple sugar through a high voltage electrical field effective to convert the sugar into ethanol without fermentation.

Abstract: A subcool flow control valve useful in a refrigerant system includes an enclosure having a fluid flow pathway for a controlled fluid between an inlet and an outlet. A thermally conductive flexible wall forms a sealed cavity within the enclosure for carrying a controlling fluid. A metering orifice operable between the pathway and the outlet port controls an amount of metered fluid passing through the outlet port in response to movement of the flexible wall toward and away from the metering orifice in response to temperature changes of the controlled fluid transmitting temperature and thus pressure changes to the controlling fluid in the sealed cavity. Inverse thermal feedback means is formed as part of the valve for stabilizing valve operation thus providing means for transmitting a thermal signal from the metered controlled fluid back to the controlling fluid.

Abstract: A heat pump apparatus maintains a desired constant amount of subcooling at an outlet of a condenser and a desired constant amount of superheat at an outlet of an evaporator, thereby requiring a charge defining level of refrigerant within a refrigerant storage container. A refrigerant level indicator is provided for indicating a level of liquid refrigerant to reside stored within the refrigerant container during operation of the heat pump. The superheat at an outlet of the evaporator is preferably controlled to be near zero degrees Fahrenheit so that the evaporator is fully flooded. Subcooling at an outlet of the condenser may also desirably be maintained at about zero degrees Fahrenheit. The refrigerant level indicator may be provided by a view port connected to the refrigerant container for permitting viewing of a level of liquid refrigerant. A liquid level sensor and associated display may also be used to indicate the level of refrigerant within the refrigerant container.

Abstract: A heat pump apparatus includes a start assist valve for permitting refrigerant to flow from an outlet of a condenser to an inlet of an evaporator during start-up of the heat pump apparatus. The heat pump apparatus preferably includes an expansion orifice connected in fluid communication between the outlet of the condenser and the inlet of the evaporator. The start assist valve provides a bypass for refrigerant flow around the expansion orifice during start-up of the heat pump apparatus. The apparatus also preferably includes a series of check valves cooperating with the start assist valve so that the start assist valve is operable only when the heat pump apparatus is in the cooling mode. The invention is particularly applicable to a direct expansion heat pump apparatus where one or more earth tap heat exchangers serve as the condenser when operating in the cooling mode.

Abstract: A heat pump apparatus includes a liquid refrigerant flow control valve connected in fluid communication between a condenser and evaporator. The liquid flow control valve includes a refrigerant outlet tube connected in fluid communication with an expansion orifice and extends in thermal contact with an upper portion of the valve housing for controlling condensing of vapor refrigerant within the housing to thereby stabilize refrigerant flow. A float, movably positioned within the housing, cooperates with the expansion orifice for controlling a flow of refrigerant passing from the housing to the evaporator based upon a level of liquid refrigerant within the housing. When a large amount of vapor refrigerant arrives at the liquid flow control valve as a result of a control oscillation or system disturbance, the float moves downwardly, thereby reducing flow through the expansion orifice, cooling the outlet tube and causing vapor to condense more quickly in the housing.

Abstract: A ground-coupled direct expansion heat pump apparatus includes an earth tap heat exchanger including a plurality of earth contacting tubes connected together in side-by-side relation. A first earth contacting tube defines a vapor refrigerant passageway and a second earth contacting tube provides additional heat transfer with the first earth contacting tube. Moreover, the earth tap heat exchanger includes a liquid refrigerant insulated passageway positioned within the second earth contacting tube. Each of the earth contacting tubes preferably comprises a thermal conductor, such as copper or a non-metallic material suitable for contact with refrigerant, to transfer heat with surrounding earth and with an adjacent earth contacting tube. The liquid refrigerant passageway and the vapor refrigerant passageway are preferably connected together in fluid communication adjacent lower ends thereof. Multiple vapor refrigerant passageways may be provided by additional earth contacting tubes.

Abstract: A method for identifying a leaking earth tap heat exchanger includes measuring an electrical resistance between the electrically conducting tubing of the earth tap heat exchanger and the surrounding soil or water to determine if the electrically insulating layer has an undesired opening in a portion thereof thereby exposing an adjacent portion of the electrically conducting tubing to the soil or water as indicated by a relatively low electrical resistance. Each earth tap heat exchanger preferably comprises electrically conducting tubing having an electrically insulating layer covering an exterior thereof. The method may also be used to test the integrity of the electrically insulating layer to avoid corrosion as may be caused by direct contact between metallic tubing and adjacent soil or water. Apparatus aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fluid flow control system for use with a heat exchange apparatus which includes a first heat exchange or condensor to extract heat from the heat exchange apparatus, a compressor and a second heat exchange or evaporator to provide heat to the heat exchange apparatus, the fluid flow control system comprises a system charge control device operatively coupled between the first and second heat exchanges to regulate the flow of refrigerant therebetween.