Abstract: A syngas generator is disclosed as an exothermic gas generator that can accommodate high combustion temperatures of a natural gas/oxygen flame. The generator consists of four sections: a heavily insulated combustion chamber, a catalyst chamber, a spray chamber, and a heat exchanger. These four sections may be arranged in series and tightly bolted together to form a gas-tight system. Natural gas, oxygen and steam are supplied to a burner at the inlet end of the combustion chamber. This mixture is ignited and the resulting hot process gas is then fed into a catalyst bed where it reacts with the steam and is converted to carbon monoxide and hydrogen (syngas). The syngas is fed to a Fischer-Tropsch unit to create liquid fuel.

Abstract: A syngas generator is disclosed as an exothermic gas generator that can accommodate high combustion temperatures of a natural gas/oxygen flame. The generator includes four sections: a heavily insulated combustion chamber, a catalyst chamber, a spray chamber, and a heat exchanger. These four sections may be arranged in series and tightly bolted together to form a gas-tight system. Natural gas, oxygen and steam are supplied to a burner at the inlet end of the combustion chamber. This mixture is ignited and the resulting hot process gas is then fed into a catalyst bed where it reacts with the steam and is converted to carbon monoxide and hydrogen (syngas). The syngas is fed to a Fischer-Tropsch unit to create liquid fuel.

Abstract: A syngas generator is disclosed as an exothermic gas generator that can accommodate high combustion temperatures of a natural gas/oxygen flame. The generator consists of four sections: a heavily insulated combustion chamber, a catalyst chamber, a spray chamber, and a heat exchanger. These four sections may be arranged in series and tightly bolted together to form a gas-tight system. Natural gas, oxygen and steam are supplied to a burner at the inlet end of the combustion chamber. This mixture is ignited and the resulting hot process gas is then fed into a catalyst bed where it reacts with the steam and is converted to carbon monoxide and hydrogen (syngas). The syngas is fed to a Fischer-Tropsch unit to create liquid fuel.

Abstract: A syngas generator is disclosed as an exothermic gas generator that is configured to accommodate high combustion temperatures of a natural gas/oxygen flame. The generator consists of four sections: a heavily insulated combustion chamber, a catalyst chamber, a spray chamber, and a heat exchanger. In an example embodiment, these four sections are arranged in series and are tightly bolted together to form a gas tight system. Natural gas, oxygen and steam are supplied to a burner at the inlet end of the combustion chamber. This mixture is ignited and the resulting hot process gas is then fed into a catalyst bed where it reacts with the steam and is converted to carbon monoxide and hydrogen (syngas). The syngas is fed to a Fischer-Tropsch unit to create liquid fuel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting natural gas from a source, such as a wellhead, pipeline, or a storage facility, into hydrocarbon liquid stable at room temperature, comprising a skid or trailer mounted portable gas to liquids reactor. The reactor includes a preprocessor which desulfurizes and dehydrates the natural gas, a first stage reactor which transforms the preprocessed natural gas into synthesis gas, and a liquid production unit using a Fischer-Tropsch or similar polymerization process. The hydrocarbon liquid may be stored in a portable tank for later transportation or further processed on site.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting natural gas from a source, such as a wellhead, pipeline, or a storage facility, into hydrocarbon liquid stable at room temperature, comprising a skid or trailer mounted portable gas to liquids reactor. The reactor includes a preprocessor which desulfurizes and dehydrates the natural gas, a first stage reactor which transforms the preprocessed natural gas into synthesis gas, and a liquid production unit using a Fischer-Tropsch or similar polymerization process. The hydrocarbon liquid may be stored in a portable tank for later transportation or further processed on site.

Abstract: An insulation system and method of insulation suitable for thermally insulating commercial buildings without the need to modify the building being insulated during installation of the insulation system. The insulation system includes a plurality of boards, at least two rails secured to supporting members of the building and adapted to secure opposite ends of each of the boards between the supporting members, and a plurality of trim pieces between adjacent boards and adapted to connect the adjacent boards.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting natural gas from a source, such as a wellhead, pipeline, or a storage facility, into hydrocarbon liquid stable at room temperature, comprising a skid or trailer mounted portable gas to liquids reactor. The reactor includes a preprocessor which desulfurizes and dehydrates the natural gas, a first stage reactor which transforms the preprocessed natural gas into synthesis gas, and a liquid production unit using a Fischer-Tropsch or similar polymerization process. The hydrocarbon liquid may be stored in a portable tank for later transportation or further processed on site.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for converting natural gas from a source, such as a wellhead, pipeline, or a storage facility, into hydrocarbon liquid stable at room temperature, comprising a skid or trailer mounted portable gas to liquids reactor. The reactor includes a preprocessor which desulfurizes and dehydrates the natural gas, a first stage reactor which transforms the preprocessed natural gas into synthesis gas, and a liquid production unit using a Fischer-Tropsch or similar polymerization process. The hydrocarbon liquid may be stored in a portable tank for later transportation or further processed on site.

Abstract: A centrifugal separator comprises a filtered-gas passageway, a spinner, and a drive mechanism. The filtered-gas passageway has an inlet. The spinner is configured and adapted to rotate about a spinner axis relative to the filtered-gas passageway, and has an inner cavity, a gas permeable outer wall, and a plurality of protrusions that extend radially outward from the gas permeable outer wall relative to the spinner axis. The inner cavity of the spinner is operatively connected to the inlet of the filtered-gas passageway. The drive mechanism is adapted to rotate the spinner about the spinner axis at a rate such that the protrusions prevent particulates from passing through the gas permeable outer wall and into the inner cavity of the spinner and such that gaseous matter is able to pass through the gas permeable outer wall, into the inner cavity, and thereafter into the filtered-gas passageway via the inlet.

Abstract: A gasifier comprises an internal chamber, a slag collection region, a slag passageway, a slag breaker, and an actuator. The internal chamber comprises a main combustion region that is configured and adapted to gasify fuel. The slag collection region is located beneath the main combustion region. The slag passageway operatively connects the main combustion region to the slag collection region. The slag breaker comprises a face that is movable relative to the internal chamber. The face is configured and adapted to move within the slag passageway in a manner such that the face contacts and mechanically breaks solidified slag into chunks of solidified slag that then fall into the slag collection region. The actuator is connected to the slag breaker and is configured and adapted to move the face of the slag breaker.

Abstract: A dynamoelectric device comprises a plurality of armatures arranged circumferentially about an axis, sets of electrically conductive winding members that extend axially through the stack of laminates and are positioned circumferentially between each adjacent pair of the armatures, and first and second layers of end-turn members. Each of the end-turn members of the first axial layer is connected to one of the winding members. Each of the end-turn members of the first axial layer extends clockwise circumferentially from its respective one of the winding members. Each of the end-turn members of the second axial layer is connected to one of the winding members and to each of the end-turn members of the first axial layer of end-turn members. Each of the end-turn members of the second axial layer extends counter-clockwise circumferentially from its respective one of the winding members. The winding members are each formed of litz wire.

Abstract: A flexible insulation material and method for using such an insulation material with an HVAC duct to provide noise suppression and thermal protection. The insulation material includes a lofted substrate and a facer sheet laminated thereto. The substrate contains nonwoven lofted fibers and the insulation material is attached to the duct such that a first surface of the substrate faces a wall surface of the duct and the facer sheet is on the opposite surface of the substrate. The facer sheet includes a polymeric film bonded to the substrate, a metallization layer on the polymeric film, and optionally a protective coating on the metallization layer. The insulation material can be used as an external duct wrap or an internal duct liner. In the former application, the insulation material preferably includes a second facer sheet on the first surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A method comprises providing a combustion apparatus having an outer vessel and an inner conduit. The outer vessel has a first wall that defines an internal volume. The inner conduit is at least partially positioned within the internal volume and provides a fluid passageway that is in communication therewith. The method further comprises introducing oxygen into the internal volume in a manner such that the oxygen swirls within the internal volume and around the inner conduit. Furthermore, the method comprises introducing fuel into the internal volume, and combusting the fuel and oxygen at least partially therewithin. The combustion of the fuel and oxygen produces reaction products and the method further comprises discharging at least some of the reaction products from the internal volume via the fluid passageway of the inner conduit.

Abstract: A sheet material and construction method suitable for manufacturing boxes and other types of containment devices, and containers formed with such materials and methods. According to one aspect, the sheet material includes a kraft paper, a reflective film material laminated to a first surface of the kraft paper, a heat-activated first adhesive bonding the reflective film material to the kraft paper, a core material laminated to a second surface of the kraft paper opposite the first surface thereof, and a heat-activated second adhesive bonding the kraft paper to the core material. According to an additional aspect, a sheet material is configured to have certain geometric features that promote its conversion into a container, especially if constructed of the sheet material described above.

Abstract: A method of pumping gaseous matter comprises a step of providing a pump rotor, intake port, exhaust port, and gas passageway. The gas passageway operatively connects the intake port to the exhaust port. The exhaust port is radially farther from the rotor's center axis than is the intake port. The method also includes a step of providing a stator and a step of rotationally driving the pump rotor relative to the stator in a manner causing gaseous matter to enter the gas passageway of the pump rotor via the intake port, to gain energy, and to move radially away from the center axis and out of the exhaust port. The gaseous matter has a supersonic velocity relative to the stator upon exiting the exhaust port. The method can be used to evacuate or compress gaseous matter.

Abstract: A rotor of a supersonic rotary heat engine comprises a rotor axis about which the rotor is adapted and configured to rotate, a plurality of thrust matter passageways, and a plurality of cooling passageways. Each of the thrust matter passageways is at least partially bound by a gas permeable wall. The outlet port of each thrust matter passageway is adapted and configured to discharge gaseous fluid into an exhaust environment external to the rotor in a manner creating a torque on the rotor about the rotor axis. Each of the cooling passageways is in fluid communication with a respective one of the thrust matter passageways via the gas permeable wall that at least partially bounds the respective thrust matter passageway.

Abstract: A flexible insulation material and method for using such an insulation material with an HVAC duct to provide noise suppression and thermal protection. The insulation material includes a lofted substrate and a facer sheet laminated thereto. The substrate contains nonwoven lofted fibers and the insulation material is attached to the duct such that a first surface of the substrate faces a wall surface of the duct and the facer sheet is on the opposite surface of the substrate. The facer sheet includes a polymeric film bonded to the substrate, a metallization layer on the polymeric film, and optionally a protective coating on the metallization layer. The insulation material can be used as an external duct wrap or an internal duct liner. In the former application, the insulation material preferably includes a second facer sheet on the first surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A method of pumping gaseous matter comprises a step of providing a pump rotor, intake port, exhaust port, and gas passageway. The gas passageway operatively connects the intake port to the exhaust port. The exhaust port is radially farther from the rotor's center axis than is the intake port. The method also includes a step of providing a stator and a step of rotationally driving the pump rotor relative to the stator in a manner causing gaseous matter to enter the gas passageway of the pump rotor via the intake port, to gain energy, and to move radially away from the center axis and out of the exhaust port. The gaseous matter has a supersonic velocity relative to the stator upon exiting the exhaust port. The method can be used to evacuate or compress gaseous matter.

Abstract: A method of pumping gaseous matter comprises a step of providing a pump rotor, intake port, exhaust port, and gas passageway. The gas passageway operatively connects the intake port to the exhaust port. The exhaust port is radially farther from the rotor's center axis than is the intake port. The method also includes a step of providing a stator and a step of rotationally driving the pump rotor relative to the stator in a manner causing gaseous matter to enter the gas passageway of the pump rotor via the intake port, to gain energy, and to move radially away from the center axis and out of the exhaust port. The gaseous matter has a supersonic velocity relative to the stator upon exiting the exhaust port. The method can be used to evacuate or compress gaseous matter.