Abstract: An example method of spectral calibration includes directing light from a light source though a gas, detecting an optical density of the light that has passed through the gas using a detector, and calibrating the detecting by adjusting an optical path length.

Abstract: An example method of calibrating a detected intensity of gas components includes measuring an intensity of a reference gas, measuring an intensity of a calibration gas, and calibrating a measurement of an intensity of a test gas using at least a measurement of the intensity of the reference gas and at least a measurement of the intensity of the calibration gas.

Abstract: A reciprocating pump assembly comprises: a motor with a rotary motor drive shaft; a cam coupled to the motor drive shaft with an axis of rotation and a cam channel cut generally axially into a radial face of the cam; and multiple reciprocating pump units arranged radially about the cam axis of rotation, each with an inlet valve, an outlet valve, a plunger and a plunger sleeve, with a free end of its plunger coupled to the cam by way of a cam follower riding in the cam channel; wherein rotation of the motor output drive shaft causes the plunger in each pump unit to independently reciprocate in its respective sleeve.

Abstract: A power supply system includes an energy generator and an energy storage system, each electrically connected to a power bus. The power bus provides electrical power to a load. The energy generator includes a wind turbine and a solar panel. The energy storage system includes a storage device and a regulator. The regulator is configured to transfer energy from the power bus to the storage device when the power bus exceeds a maximum voltage and to transfer energy from the storage device to the power bus when the power bus drops below a minimum voltage.

Abstract: A membrane distillation system includes a distillation vessel, an array of hollow fiber membranes pervious to distillate vapor but impervious to feed solution and an array of hollow tubes impervious to distillate vapor and feed solution but which allow thermal energy transmission. The system further includes a pump, a heat exchanger for heating the feed solution before it enters the hollow fiber membranes, and an outlet for removing distillate from the distillation vessel. A method for removing distillate from a feed solution includes delivering the feed solution through hollow tubes spanning a distillation vessel, heating the feed solution, delivering the feed solution through hollow fiber membranes spanning the distillation vessel to create a vapor pressure differential between the hollow fiber membranes and a distillation volume within the distillation vessel, and removing distillate from the distillation vessel.

Abstract: A treatment system includes a feed source, a first treatment unit for separating a feed into a first product and a concentrated feed containing less than about 7% total dissolved solids, and a membrane distillation unit for separating the concentrated feed into a second product and a superconcentrated feed containing at least about 14% total dissolved solids. The membrane distillation unit includes hollow fiber membranes having inner bores for receiving the concentrated feed and membrane walls for allowing vapor transmission of distillate. A method includes delivering feed to a first treatment unit where it is separated into first product and concentrated feed streams; delivering the concentrated feed to internal bores of hollow fiber membranes where it is separated into second product and superconcentrated feed streams as vapor passes across the hollow fiber membranes; delivering the superconcentrated feed to a liquid removal unit; and collecting the first and second product streams.

Abstract: A membrane module comprising an outer casing having an interior region, a plurality of hollow fiber membranes extending through at least a portion of the interior region, and having exterior surfaces and inner hollow regions, where the inner hollow regions are configured to provide flow paths for a distillate fluid. The membrane module further comprises an opening extending through the outer casing for providing a feed solution to the interior region adjacent the exterior surfaces of the plurality of hollow fiber membranes, where the feed solution provided to the opening has an elevated temperature that is greater than an atmospheric-pressure boiling temperature of the feed solution, and an elevated pressure at which an effective boiling temperature of the feed solution is greater than the elevated temperature.

Abstract: A power supply system includes an energy generator and an energy storage system, each electrically connected to a power bus. The power bus provides electrical power to a load. The energy generator includes a wind turbine and a solar panel. The energy storage system includes a storage device and a regulator. The regulator is configured to transfer energy from the power bus to the storage device when the power bus exceeds a maximum voltage and to transfer energy from the storage device to the power bus when the power bus drops below a minimum voltage.

Abstract: A power supply system includes an energy generator and an energy storage system, each electrically connected to a power bus. The power bus provides electrical power to a load. The energy generator includes a wind turbine and a solar panel. The energy storage system includes a storage device and a regulator. The regulator is configured to transfer energy from the power bus to the storage device when the power bus exceeds a maximum voltage and to transfer energy from the storage device to the power bus when the power bus drops below a minimum voltage.

Abstract: A membrane distillation system includes a membrane distillation module, a brine loop and a distillate loop. The brine loop and the distillate loop each include means for regulating flow of brine solution and distillate, respectively, to the membrane distillation module. The flow of brine solution and distillate is regulated to prevent brine solution and distillate from penetrating membranes of the membrane distillation module. A method of membrane distillation includes delivering brine solution and distillate to the membrane distillation module at low pressures in a first mode. The method also includes heating the brine solution and cooling the distillate and delivering portions of each to the membrane distillation module in a second mode. The portions of heated brine solution and cooled distillate are adjusted to facilitate membrane distillation while preventing liquid from penetrating membranes of the membrane distillation module.

Abstract: A contactor module for separating a distillate from a feed solution includes an outer casing with an interior region, a distillate collection chamber, and pluralities of hollow fiber membranes and hollow tubes extending through the distillate collection chamber, where the hollow fiber membranes are configured to allow vapor transmission, and the hollow tubes are configured to substantially prevent vapor transmission, and further configured to allow transmission of thermal energy.

Abstract: A distillation system and method includes open reservoirs and pluralities of hollow fiber membranes and hollow tubes extending through portions of separate open reservoirs. The hollow fiber membranes are configured to allow vapor transmission, and the hollow tubes are configured to substantially prevent vapor transmission but allow transmission of thermal energy. Feed solution is circulated through the open reservoirs. Distillate is separated from the feed solution by the hollow fiber membranes and thermal energy is recouped through the hollow tubes.

Abstract: A power supply system includes an energy generator and an energy storage system, each electrically connected to a power bus. The power bus provides electrical power to a load. The energy generator includes a wind turbine and a solar panel. The energy storage system includes a storage device and a regulator. The regulator is configured to transfer energy from the power bus to the storage device when the power bus exceeds a maximum voltage and to transfer energy from the storage device to the power bus when the power bus drops below a minimum voltage.

Abstract: A multifunction hydraulic valving apparatus includes a relief valve, a gas purge valve and a bleed valve disposed in a single bore.

Abstract: A float assembly for use in actuating a switch based on the level of a fluid includes a pivot member having a pivot axis and a switching surface. First and second floats are coupled to the pivot member so that at a first fluid level the first and second floats lie on different sides of a vertical line extending through the pivot axis and the switching surface causes the switch to assume a first switching state. At a second fluid level, the first and second floats lie on the same side of the vertical line extending through the pivot axis and the switching surface causes the switch to assume a second switching state.

Abstract: A method of calibrating a lost-motion metering pump is disclosed wherein the pump includes a relief port, a movable hollow plunger having a bypass hole which is aligned with the relief port when the plunger is moved to an aligned position and a control rod extending into the hollow plunger. According to one aspect, the method includes the steps of moving the plunger to the aligned position, inserting a gage pin through the relief port and the bypass hole into the plunger, moving the control rod into engagement with the gage pin and fixing the position of the control rod.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided to mount a pedestal to a support. The support has first fastening elements different in number and position. The pedestal has a neck and a discharge port. The apparatus includes a flange, a mounting member, and a plurality of second fastening elements. The flange is formed around the neck. The mounting member has a channel which receives the flange. The plurality of second fastening elements cooperates with the mounting member and the first fastening elements of the support in order to clamp the flange between the mounting member and the support so as to secure the pedestal and discharge port at a desired orientation relative to the support. The support may comprise a motor and/or a mounting bracket, and the mounting member may comprise a swivel collar or a plurality of segments.

Abstract: A gear shaft assembly for use with a pump and a method of making the same are gear shaft of the present invention. The disclosed assembly includes a housing, a stepped shaft, and a gear rotationally disposed on the shaft. The shaft has a first end disposed in a first bore defined in the housing and a second end in threaded engagement with a second bore of the housing. A first shoulder of the shaft disposed adjacent the first end engages a portion of the housing to define a fully inserted position of the shaft. The gear is disposed on an intermediate section of the shaft between the first shoulder and a second shoulder located adjacent the second end.

Abstract: A fluid level management system for controlling a fluid level contained within a reservoir housing is described. The fluid level management system utilizes two separate predetermined fluid levels, a first and a second spaced below the first, to create a fluid level differential though which a control apparatus actuates a single activation switch. Use of the fluid level management system in conjunction with a pump for removing the fluid contained within the housing is further described. The pump is responsive to the control apparatus actuating and deactuating the switch depending on the fluid being at the first or second predetermined fluid level, respectively.

Abstract: A leak detector for a pump having a plurality of stacked diaphragms includes a plurality of flat spacer rings each having discontinuous channels and being disposed in face-to-face abutting and stacked relationship with one another wherein the discontinuous channels of the spacer rings together form tortuous leak paths extending through the flat spacer rings from working areas of the pump to a point outside of sealing areas thereof. A port is disposed in fluid communication with the port and an apparatus is provided for developing a visual indication of fluid in the port. A circumferential fluid-tight seal is disposed radially outside of the port for sealing off fluid loss beyond the outer periphery of the plurality of diaphragms and flat spacer rings.