Abstract: A steam turbine plant includes a chemical supply part configured to supply a pH adjuster to feedwater to a steam generator, an adjustment part for adjusting a supply amount of the pH adjuster to the feedwater by the chemical supply part, and at least one carbon steel component that includes a pipe or a device formed from carbon steel and through which the feedwater flows, the carbon steel component being configured such that an internal temperature at least partially falls within a range of not less than 120° C. and not greater than 180° C. under load operating condition of the steam turbine plant. The adjustment part is configured to, under the load operating condition, adjust the supply amount of the pH adjuster such that pH of the feedwater in each of the at least one carbon steel component is not less than 9.8.

Abstract: Steam generators in power plants exchange energy from a primary medium to a secondary medium for energy extraction. Steam generators include one or more primary conduits and one or more secondary conduits. The conduits do not intermix the mediums and may thus discriminate among different fluid sources and destinations. One conduit may boil feedwater while another reheats steam for use in lower and higher-pressure turbines, respectively. Valves and other selectors divert steam and/or water into the steam generator or to other turbines or the environment for load balancing and other operational characteristics. Conduits circulate around an interior perimeter of the steam generator immersed in the primary medium and may have different cross-sections, radii, and internal structures depending on contained. A water conduit may have less flow area and a tighter coil radius. A steam conduit may include a swirler and rivulet stopper to intermix water in any steam flow.

Abstract: A flare system including a flare stack and a modular flare unit connected in parallel with the flare stack. The modular flare unit includes a frame, at least two energy conversion modules detachably supported by the frame, a fuel manifold, an air manifold, an exhaust manifold, and an electric generator. Each energy conversion module includes a combustion chamber configured to receive a flow of residue gas through the fuel inlet for combustion in the chamber at (or close to) atmospheric pressure, and a Stirling engine configured to convert heat from the combustion chamber into mechanical energy. The electric generator is connected to generate electric power from the mechanical energy.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermal actuator arrangement for moving an actuator between a first actuating position and a second actuating position comprising: a first partial actuator having a first thermal actuator element to which a first opposing force is applied; a second partial actuator having a second thermal actuator element to which a second opposing force is applied, wherein the actuator elements are configured to modify their shape against the opposing force in each case as a result of a temperature change; an actuator which is coupled to the first partial actuator, such that, when the first actuator element is deactivated, the actuator is held in the first actuating position when a holding force takes effect and, when the holding force is eliminated, the actuator moves to the second actuating position due to the effect of the first opposing force; a securing element which is coupled to the second partial actuator in order to provide the holding force when the second actuator element is in the deact

Abstract: Method for installing a geothermal system, comprising: arranging a drilling equipment, including a support structure and a terminal module, mounted on the support structure; by means of the drilling equipment, drilling the soil in succession along a substantially vertical first tract, a substantially horizontal second tract and a substantially vertical third tract, the first, second and third tracts forming a substantially U-shaped well, the first tract having a surface inlet, where the drilling is started, the third tract having a surface outlet, where the drilling is finished, the well crossing a geothermal zone; arranging a casing in the well, so that the casing extends between the inlet of the first tract and the outlet of the third tract; arranging a heat utilization system, associated with an axial end of the casing; arranging a hydraulic system configured to cause a heat transfer fluid to circulate in the casing, so that the heat transfer fluid will absorb heat from the geothermal formation and will re

Abstract: A system and method for heating steam sample and chemical sample and feed tubes/lines in a natural gas fired heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) power plant including a tube impedance heater (IH) control system and at least one impedance heated tube having an outer insulation and an electrically conducting inner tube member, the impedance heated tube having an input IH feed power electrical connector and electrically connected at a first connection to the inner tube member, and a return IH power electrical connector electrically connected at a second connection by a first end of a return electrical cable and a first connector and second connector each mechanically and fluidly coupling the first and second connections respectively to the inner tube member to the steam sample or chemical sample or feed tube/line and electrically isolating the first end and second ends.

Abstract: A method for controlling temperature maxima and minima from the heel to toe in geothermal well lateral sections. The method includes disposing at least a pair of wells proximately where thermal contact is possible. Working fluid is circulated in one well of the pair in one direction and the working fluid of the second well is circulated in as direction opposite. to the first. In this manner temperature equilibration is attainable to mitigate maxima and minima to result in a substantially more uniform temperature of the working fluids in respective wells and the rock formation area there between. Specific operating protocol is disclosed having regard to the temperature control for maximizing thermal energy recovery.

Abstract: A fan, and a silencer that silences a sound generated by the fan are provided, in which the silencer has a resonance characteristic, the silencer is disposed at a position connected to a sound field space of the sound generated by the fan, and a sum of an absorbance and a reflectivity of the silencer at a resonance frequency is 10% to 43% and a standardized half-width of the silencer is more than 0.05 and 0.25 or less.

Abstract: Technologies are generally described for holding an impeller of a pump assembly in place axially with an impeller locking collar by loading the collar against a ring element. In a centrifugal pump assembly, one side of the shaft has a larger diameter for the impeller to abut against. The other side of the shaft may be fitted with an impeller locking collar comprising two portions that can be threaded together and hold the impeller in place by tightening against a ring element such as a split ring or spiral lock. Anti-rotation to avoid loosening of the impeller locking collar may be achieved by providing counter threads against a shaft rotation. Secondary anti-rotation may be provided by one or more set screws in the impeller locking collar.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods of using spun synthetic fibers to model ligaments of a joint of an animal. Further disclosed are models of joints which comprise spun synthetic fibers used to model ligaments. In certain aspects, the models of joints can be used for instructional purposes, as phantom models for testing medical devices or as models for calibration of tools used in physiological and/or biomechanical measurement.

Abstract: A hybrid actuation device includes an artificial muscle, a first plate coupled to a second plate, and a shape memory alloy wire. The artificial muscle includes a housing, a first electrode and a second electrode, and a dielectric fluid. The housing includes a first film layer, a second film layer, an electrode region, and an expandable fluid region. The first electrode and the second electrode are each disposed in the electrode region of the housing. The dielectric fluid is disposed within the housing. The first plate and the second plate are positioned within the housing, the first plate positioned between the first film layer and the first electrode, and the second plate positioned between the second film layer and the second electrode. The shape memory alloy wire extends from the first plate to the second plate and through the dielectric fluid.

Abstract: Bistable shape memory alloy inertial actuator capable of preventing accidental actuation caused by environmental temperature variations, its method of operation and its use in devices.

Abstract: A counter-rotating turbine of an aircraft turbomachine, includes a casing including an endoscopy port configured for an endoscopy plug of a non-destructive testing device to pass into the casing. The endoscopy plug includes a mechanism for acquiring and transmitting images. The non-destructive testing device includes a mechanism for receiving and displaying images connected to the mechanism for acquiring and transmitting images by a wireless connection. First and second rotors are configured to rotate in opposite rotation directions, the second rotor having an endoscopy port in which the endoscopy plug is removably attached.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling turbocharger operation by maintaining a virtual turbocharger speed calculation using airflow parameters in the context of an engine. An example uses a turbocharger speed estimator, an energy observer, and an energy controller. Optimization of turbocharger speed control, including avoidance of overspeed, while reducing wastegate actuation, can be achieved using a predictive control algorithm.

Abstract: Aircraft power plants including combustion engines, and associated methods for recuperating waste heat from such aircraft power plants are described. A method includes transferring the heat rejected by the internal combustion engine to supercritical CO2 (sCO2) used as a working fluid in a heat engine. The heat engine converts at least some the heat transferred to the sCO2 to mechanical energy to perform useful work onboard the aircraft.

Abstract: The present invention provides an energy recovery, phase change storage and prime mover system with co-generation and cryogenic compression of the working fluid for distributed electric generation and motor vehicle application.

Abstract: Described are methods and systems for producing hydrogen using closed-loop geothermal technology from geothermal, oil and gas or other resources. Various configurations and types of closed-loop systems are described which enable the capture, transfer and use of heat from the resource and from chemical reactions from the processes and methods employed and to also create high down bore pressure, in each case to enhance the technical and commercial efficiency of various hydrogen production methods. As hydrogen is created at high pressures and purities which are necessary for delivery and commercial use of hydrogen, the need for additional compression and purification activities is minimized. Various of the methods and systems described can make hydrogen produced from fossil fuel inputs less carbon intensive and make renewable fuel inputs produce hydrogen entirely without carbon outputs, thereby contributing substantially to the reduction of greenhouse gasses.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present techniques provide methods for assembling and manufacturing shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator assemblies, which may also advantageously simplify the process of, speed-up the process of and/or reduce the cost of manufacturing SMA actuator assemblies.

Abstract: Broadly speaking, embodiments of the present techniques provide an actuator that comprises segments of shape memory alloy (SMA) actuator wire that can be used to deliver a relatively large output stroke. In particular, two segments of SMA actuator wire may be mechanically coupled together around a corner of a static component of the actuator such that a displacement (e.g. contraction) of one segment causes a displacement (e.g. contraction) of the other segment. In this way, the displacement of each segment combines in an additive manner to generate a large output stroke that is able to move a moveable component of the actuator.

Abstract: Systems and generating power in an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) operation to supply electrical power. In embodiments, an inlet temperature of a flow of gas from a source to an ORC unit may be determined. The source may connect to a main pipeline. The main pipeline may connect to a supply pipeline. The supply pipeline may connect to the ORC unit thereby to allow gas to flow from the source to the ORC unit. Heat from the flow of gas may cause the ORC unit to generate electrical power. The outlet temperature of the flow of the gas from the ORC unit to a return pipe may be determined. A bypass valve, positioned on a bypass pipeline connecting the supply pipeline to the return pipeline, may be adjusted to a position sufficient to maintain temperature of the flow of gas above a threshold based on the inlet and outlet temperature.