Abstract: Disclosed are exemplary embodiments of thermal conversion reactors and assemblies/units, systems, and methods including the same for thermally converting landfill-bound plastic waste (broadly, polymeric materials) into electrical energy.

Abstract: A liquid desiccant regenerator configured to produce a first output stream with a higher concentration of a liquid desiccant than a first input stream. The regenerator also produces a second output stream with a lower concentration of the liquid desiccant than a second input stream. Regeneration of the liquid desiccant in the liquid desiccant regenerator decreases a temperature of the liquid desiccant regenerator. The system includes an air contactor coupled to the first output stream and exposing an input air stream to the first output stream. The first output stream absorbs water from the input air stream to form at least one diluted output desiccant stream. A heat pump of the system is thermally coupled to move the heat from the first output stream to the liquid desiccant regenerator. The heat moved to the liquid desiccant regenerator increases an efficiency of the liquid desiccant regenerator.

Abstract: An apparatus for wastewater filtration having a barrel, a basket and a screw on a shaft rotating therein for pushing solid in a distinct output. A removable cartridge comprises a cover for the barrel, the cartridge comprising a pre-sealed shaft connector which releasably connects to at least the upper shaft portion or the lower shaft portion to form the shaft. The screw comprises a brush on an outer rim thereof, the brush having radially outwardly oriented bristles that scrape an inner surface of the basket. The screw comprises a winged wiper at a bottom thereof for sweeping a bottom surface of the barrel, and the solid-material output is provided at the bottom surface of the barrel and is shaped as a rectangular opening which is offset from a central axis of the screw. Solid removal efficiency and maintenance are thereby improved.

Abstract: Disclosed are transparent articles having a substrate adapted for carrying a transparent and electrically conductive thin film thereon. The thin film includes an optical matching-stress releasing layer directly deposited on the substrate; a first antireflection layer directly deposited on the optical matching layer; a metal layer adapted for infra-red reflection and electrical conductivity directly deposited on the first antireflection layer; a second antireflection layer deposited directly on the metal layer adapted for high visibility and infra-red transmission, and an optionally visible and infra-red region transparent outermost protective layer deposited on the second antireflection layer. In certain aspects, no buffer layer is positioned between the metal layer adapted for infra-red reflection and electrical conductivity and the second antireflection layer.

Abstract: A system is described for automatically processing biomass using a series of mechanisms that operate in unison to maintain solids flow through small gasifiers that are otherwise prone to blockage. The system can include an anti jamming mechanism to automatically clear jams within said gasifier using input from at least one sensor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a machine learning energy management system that regulates incoming energy sources into compressed air storage operations and energy generation. Compressed air is directed into a thermoregulation system that cycles storage tanks according to physical qualities. A boost impulse creates energy to initiate the electrical energy generation. The compressed air operations and energy generation leverage the heating and cooling of an external HVAC system to improve performance and conservation of the heating and cooling for an external building. The system combines real-time data, historical performance data, algorithm control, variable air pressure for demand-based generation, tank-to-tank thermal cycling, building air heat exchanger, and boost pulsation to achieve optimized system efficiency and responsiveness.

Abstract: Disclosed is a machine learning energy management system that regulates incoming energy sources into compressed air storage operations and energy generation. Compressed air is directed into a thermoregulation system that cycles storage tanks according to physical qualities. A boost impulse creates energy to initiate the electrical energy generation. The compressed air operations and energy generation leverage the heating and cooling of an external HVAC system to improve performance and conservation of the heating and cooling for an external building, wherein compressed air is used to drive a coolant compressor. The system combines real-time data, historical performance data, algorithm control, variable air pressure for demand-based generation, tank-to-tank thermal cycling, building air heat exchanger, and boost pulsation to achieve optimized system efficiency and responsiveness.

Abstract: This invention generally relates to a system and process for recovering fugitive gas emissions, and more particularly, systems and processes for recovering wet and dry gas emissions from reciprocating compressor packing boxes, gas-operated control valves and pumps, and other packing systems that leak under normal operating conditions. The system and process recover fugitive gases from a compressor packing case and pneumatic components by utilizing a backpressure regulator to maintain a positive pressure in the packing case and pneumatic components and then producing a vacuum to capture and transport any fugitive gas emissions. The recovered emissions are then pressurized to meet the pressures necessary to reenter the first stage of the compressor packing case or the compressor fuel gas system.

Abstract: A controller stops flow of posolyte through a positive electrode chamber of a flow cell to trap the posolyte within the positive electrode chamber and hydraulically isolate the flow cell without stopping flow of negolyte through a negative electrode chamber of the flow cell, discharges the flow cell until hydrogen gas is evolved at a reactive surface of the positive electrode chamber while the posolyte is trapped within the positive electrode chamber, and subsequently discontinues the discharge and restarts the flow of the posolyte through the positive electrode chamber.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is characterized by having two or more fluid flow circuits, each formed by multiple small cross-section “micro-tubes” contained within a surrounding metal structure, or “metal matrix.” Its function is to efficiently transfer heat from one fluid to another in a highly compact assembly. Most any metal or metal alloy can be considered for the micro-tubes. The micro-tubes, while typically arranged in alternating layers of alternating flow circuits, may be organized in any number of arrangements including co-linear and at cross angles to provide for co-flow, counter flow and cross flow. The metal matrix, is provided in one embodiment by a metal or metal alloy powder consolidated in a hot isostatic pressing (HIP) process. This process also joins the tubes together and to the matrix itself, producing a monolithic structure.

Abstract: A method of distributing electricity to electric vehicle (EV) charging stations that are located a distance from a source of electricity. A mobile energy storage system (ESS) is charged at the source of electricity and then transported to the EV charging station. The EV charging station is then charged by the mobile ESS to produce a charged EV station for use by electric vehicles. The mobile ESS is then transported to other EV charging stations for charging these stations and when required transported back to the source of electricity for re-charging the mobile energy storage system (ESS) to then repeat the process of charging the EV charging stations. The EV charging stations need not, but can be connected to the electric utility grid system and/or may have a stationary ES S connected thereto. The charging stations can be freestanding and not dependent on a connection to the electric utility grid system.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention relates to a system for operating a plurality of streetlights in response to motion from a vehicle. The system includes a sensor associated with at least one of the streetlights and configured to detect the presence of a moving vehicle and to provide a signal representative of the moving vehicle. The system further includes a radio frequency transceiver associated with each of the streetlights. The system yet further includes processing electronics configured to receive the signal representative of the moving vehicle from the sensor and to cause the radio frequency transceiver to transmit a command to one or more of the plurality of the streetlights to change lighting states along a pathway for the vehicle.

Abstract: A water reservoir and electrolysis cell combination that has a flow connection between a lower fluid port of the water reservoir and an upper fluid port of the electrolysis cell. The flow connection includes a first conduit with an inner bore which serves as a first flow path for the flow of water by force of gravity from the water reservoir to an outlet for the first conduit positioned within the electrolysis cell. The second conduit is concentric to the first conduit and defines an annular space between the outer surface of the first conduit and the inner surface of the second conduit which serves as a second flow path for an upward flow of gas from the electrolysis cell to the water reservoir.

Abstract: A downhole tool having a diverter component for directing fluids in different directions within a wellbore. The diverter component has an outer pipe which forms part of the downhole string. The pipe has a through channel and holes through the wall of the pipe. Within the pipe is a sleeve which can be moved. In one position, the sleeve blocks the wall holes and allows fluid to pass through the channel of the pipe. The diverter component may be used in conjunction with packers to seal off sections of the wellbore. The diverter and packer assembly could be used to introduce acid into particular portions of the wellbore.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to mitigate flaring of natural gas. A natural gas processing system may process raw natural gas into a fuel gas stream that may be used to power any number of on-site power generation modules. In turn, the power generation modules may convert the fuel gas stream into an electrical output, which may be employed to power any number of distributed computing units housed within one or more mobile data centers. In certain embodiments, the distributed computing units may be adapted to mine cryptocurrency or perform other distributed computing tasks to generate revenue.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided to mitigate flaring of natural gas. A natural gas processing system may process raw natural gas into a fuel gas stream that may be used to power any number of on-site power generation modules. In turn, the power generation modules may convert the fuel gas stream into an electrical output, which may be employed to power any number of distributed computing units housed within one or more mobile data centers. In certain embodiments, the distributed computing units may be adapted to mine cryptocurrency or perform other distributed computing tasks to generate revenue.

Abstract: A method of electroplating a metal foam includes placing a metal foam to be plated into an electroplating chamber with a plating material source, circulating an electrolyte through the chamber to carry metal ions from the plating material source, the circulating being selected and controlled to produce an even coating of plating material on surfaces of the metal foam.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention relates to an outdoor lighting fixture that includes a ballast for controlling the amount of current provided to a lamp. The lighting fixture also includes a fixture housing at least partially surrounding the ballast and the lamp and a mounting system for holding the fixture housing to at least one of a wall and a pole. The lighting fixture yet further includes a camera coupled to the housing and a control circuit wired to the camera. The lighting fixture also includes a radio frequency transceiver wired to the control circuit. The control circuit is configured to cause information from the camera to be wirelessly transmitted by the radio frequency transceiver.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes an outer tube having a first axial end and a second axial end, and a pressure barrier tube positioned generally concentric to and within the outer tube such that a first flowpath is defined axially through at least a portion of the outer tube and radially between the outer tube and the pressure barrier tube. A second flowpath is defined within and at least partially axially through the pressure barrier tube. The heat exchanger also includes a first plurality of fins coupled to and extending between the outer tube and the pressure barrier tube, through the first flowpath, and a second plurality of fins coupled to and extending radially inward from the pressure barrier tube, through the second flowpath. A first fluid in the first flowpath exchanges heat with a second fluid in the second flowpath via heat transfer through the first plurality of fins, the pressure barrier tube, and the second plurality of fins.

Abstract: A fuel cell purge system includes a primary fuel cell in fluid communication with a purge cell. Fuel and oxidant purged with inert gas impurities from the primary fuel cell react in the purge cell, thereby decreasing the volume of purged gases and facilitating storage while maintaining fuel cell electrochemical performance.