Abstract: A portable device for extracting a pig from a pipeline which uses a lifting means to raise or lower the device and wheels or other suitable means to allow for the device to be easily and quickly moved into position with minimal man power improving the efficiency and safety of the pig extraction process.

Abstract: An engine control system suited for use with an engine that outputs electrical power to a local load and is electrically connected to an electrical grid. The engine generates power at a power output value and the load consumes power at a load value. The engine control system includes a sensor that measures an electrical parameter indicative of a difference between the power output value and the load value, and a master control system that varies the engine power output value to prevent the electrical parameter from reaching zero.

Abstract: A gas meter cabinet is adapted for mounting within a wall of a building. The cabinet has a body partially recessed within the building wall. A perforation at the top of the cabinet accommodates a gas line. A door is coupled to the body. A manifold connects a gas meter to a building gas system. The manifold has a downward facing inlet port, an upward facing outlet port, and a forward facing surface port, above the inlet port. A mounting flange is provided on the manifold for mounting the manifold to a base surface.

Abstract: An in-situ thermal desorption system and process is utilized for mobilization and removal of nonvolatile and semi-volatile hydrocarbons from contaminated soil in the vadose zone. Persistent hydrocarbons are thermally desorbed by direct heating of the contaminated zone through combustion of fuel and air in a burner underneath the contaminated soil zone. The generated soil vapors are collected and treated by soil vapor extraction techniques.

Abstract: A gas meter cabinet is adapted for mounting within a wall of a building. The cabinet has a body partially recessed within the building wall. A perforation at the top of the cabinet accommodates a gas line. A door is coupled to the body. A manifold connects a gas meter to a building gas system. The manifold has a downward facing inlet port, an upward facing outlet port, and a forward facing surface port, above the inlet port. A mounting flange is provided on the manifold for mounting the manifold to a base surface.

Abstract: A tension actuated gas shutoff valve having a body with an inlet for receiving gas flow along a flow path from upstream to downstream and a piston slidable within the body. The piston slides in response to a longitudinal force applied across the valve between a first position wherein flow through the valve is prevented and a second position wherein flow through the valve is permitted.

Abstract: A removable apparatus for upgrade of an in-service pipeline without disrupting the flow of fluid within the in-service pipeline. The removable apparatus comprises at least one enclosure having a top section and a bottom section for temporarily enclosing a pipe section of the in-service pipeline. The top section and bottom sections are sealably disposable around the pipe section. A repairing mechanism for repairing the pipe section or an insertion mechanism for inserting and connecting a pipeline element to the pipe section is disposed within the enclosure.

Abstract: A two stage, atmospherically supplied burner which produces reduced levels of NO.sub.x in applications such as residential water heaters or light commercial applications. A novel, perforated plate first stage burner is disclosed for first stage combustion. A variety of embodiments disclose various approaches to supplying atmospheric to support second stage combustion. A conventional first stage burner is also disclosed with modifications to achieve two-stage, atmospherically supplied combustion.

Abstract: An industrial gas burner is disclosed which operates at low air/fuel ratios to avoid NO.sub.x formation without carbon sooting. The burner includes a refractory block having a cylindrically stepped throat passage extending therethrough, a housing adjacent the inlet end of the refractory block and a swirl plate inbetween the block and housing. Vane passages in the swirl plate provide fluid communication between the throat passage and an annular entrainment passage in the housing. A plurality of circumferentially spaced gas jet nozzles in the entrainment passage cause jet entrainment and mixing of fuel and combustion air which is ported to the entrainment chamber. The jet streams of mixed air/fuel impinge the swirl plate whereat the mixture undergoes a further mixing because of the pressure drop and swirling therein. The swirling air/fuel mixture is thus intimately and thoroughly mixed when it exits the swirl plate as a swirling mass at the entry end of the throat passage where it is ignited.

Abstract: A method for determining the location of a concealed pipe is disclosed. An identifiable acoustic signal is injected into the concealed pipe. The signal propagates along the interior length of the pipe. The signal is detected by an array of detectors positioned at varying distances from the pipe. The detected signal generates voltage outputs from the detectors to a signal processor. The "time-of-flight" of the acoustic signal from the point of generation to the point of detection is measured by the signal processor. The detector measuring the shortest "time-of-flight" is closest to the concealed pipe.

Abstract: Electrical current distribution in the soil surrounding a buried pipeline is detected by applying an AC electrical potential between the pipe and a buried electrode spaced from the pipe. The magnetic field at spaced localities along the pipe arising from currents transverse to the pipe is detected. Additionally, a potential containing a plurality of alternating frequencies is similarly applied to the pipe and the magnetic field induced by the resulting electrical current both along the pipe and transversely of the pipe is detected. The magnetic field is detected by correlation discrimination at spaced locations along the pipe and across the spectrum of the impressed frequencies. The detected data is used to determine the capacitance and resistance of the soil/pipe interface at localities along the pipe and to generate impedance plots which indicate characteristics of that interface.

Abstract: Electrical current distribution in the soil surrounding a buried pipeline is detected by applying an AC electrical potential between the pipe and a buried electrode spaced from the pipe. The magnetic field at spaced localities along the pipe arising from currents transverse to the pipe is detected. Additionally, a potential containing a plurality of alternating frequencies is similarly applied to the pipe and the magnetic field induced by the resulting electrical current both along the pipe and transversely of the pipe is detected. The magnetic field is detected by correlation discrimination at spaced locations along the pipe and across the spectrum of the impressed frequencies. The detected data is used to determine the capacitance and resistance of the soil/pipe interface at localities along the pipe and to generate impedance plots which indicate characteristics of that interface.

Abstract: Nitrous oxide emissions are reduced in an industrial thermal process and system which operates a gas fired burner at substantially sub-stoichiometric conditions to produce products of combustion rich in combustibles and control flame temperatures at temperatures which do not exceed predetermined levels. Completion air at stoichiometric proportions is subsequently employed to burn the combustibles. Regenerative and recuperative means to cool gases after each partial combustion step are used to extract heat and use is in conventional heating processes. A novel regenerative heat exchange system is used to extract heat from the gases so that the gases never exceed a temperature whereat nitrous oxide formation tends to occur.

Abstract: A non-intrusive thermal power monitor and method for determining the amount of sensible heat withdrawn from or added to a fluid stream flowing in a conduit by an unknown source includes a thermal power transfer device that supplies or removes a known amount of heat energy to the fluid in a conduit. First and second temperature sensors sense the temperature of the fluid stream across the thermal power transfer device, and this information is used to determine a heat capacity rate of the fluid in the fluid stream. Additional non-intrusive temperature sensors sense the temperature of the fluid stream as it passes through and across a thermal power sink or heat source and provides a temperature differential. These temperatures are processed in a control circuit, and the thermal power added to or extracted from the fluid stream is determined in the control circuit by multiplying the measured temperature differential by the heat capacity rate of the fluid stream.

Abstract: A heat exchanger and process having multiple fluidized beds for heat exchange between two gas streams of different temperatures. The apparatus and process provides a compact high efficiency warm air furnace especially adapted for energy conservation for the heating of modern highly insulated residential buildings by gas fired furnaces of relatively low rated gas input.

Abstract: A two liquid heat exchange system, and a safety valve to prevent contamination of one liquid (first liquid) by the other. In systems such as hydronic solar systems, it is customary for a first liquid to be heated and run through a heat exchanger where its heat is transferred to a second liquid, often in a storage tank. This invention provides a safety valve which dumps the first liquid in case the pressure of the second liquid does not exceed the pressure of the first liquid by at least a predetermined difference.

Abstract: A heat exchanger and process having multiple fluidized beds for heat exchange between two gas streams of different temperatures. The apparatus and process provides a compact high efficiency warm air furnace especially adapted for energy conservation for the heating of modern highly insulated residential buildings by gas fired furnaces of relatively low rated gas input.

Abstract: A novel heat transfer element which permits simple, low-cost conversion of energy inefficient electrically heated water heaters to energy efficient potable-water storage tanks for storing water heated by energy-efficient gas-fired water heating systems.