Abstract: A method and system for effectively desalinating a feed stream is provided. In one embodiment, a feed stream is desalinated by a Brine Forward (BF) desalination system, which comprises an enabling de-scaling step combined with a plurality of multi-stage flash (MSF) trains arranged in series, wherein the de-scaling step is conducted within a MSF first train at a top temperature. With the aid of the de-scaling step, the system obviates or reduces many of the well known disadvantages of the desalination practice along with their expenditures and environmental burdens. The elimination of otherwise intractable substantial operating and silent environmental costs of such disadvantages, in itself, may over defray the de-scaling step's cost and with greater benefits to the overall system's performance and distillate production. Furthermore, all of the products from the de-scaling step are commercially viable, and if desirable or necessary, all of the de-scaling step's additives are also recyclable.

Abstract: A system and method for effectively desalinating a feed stream is provided. In one embodiment, a feed stream is desalinated by a Brine Forward (BF) desalination system comprising an enabling de-scaling step combined with a plurality of trains arranged in series and alternated in pairs of opposing feed evaporation modes, wherein each pair comprises a leading backward fed multi-effect train and a following forward fed multi-effect train. This system is structured on the grounds of simplicity and homogeneity, without using scale inhibitors and restricting top brine temperature. This system is a close approximation of efficient regenerative heating and brine cascading; the energy extracted to heat the feed is only slightly hotter than the feed it is heating without complex feed heating setups; and the brine extracted after evaporating vapor in the train is used to evaporate vapor in the next train, yet reject brine is readily reusable in other applications.

Abstract: Processes for controlling afterburn in a reheater and loss of entrained solid particles in reheater flue gas are provided. Carbonaceous biomass feedstock is pyrolyzed using a heat transfer medium forming pyrolysis products and a spent heat transfer medium comprising combustible solid particles. The spent heat transfer medium is introduced into a fluidizing dense bed. The combustible solid particles of the spent heat transfer medium are combusted forming combustion product flue gas in a dilute phase above the fluidizing dense bed. The combustion product flue gas comprises flue gas and solid particles entrained therein. The solid particles are separated from the combustion product flue gas to form separated solid particles. At least a portion of the separated solid particles are returned to the fludizing dense bed.

Abstract: This invention kills the phragmites plant reed and rhizome by stimulating a specific DNA repair response with a mechanical cutting in the lower portion of the middle ? of the reed. The DNA repair instruction for said damage is to seal the ligules closed and sucker outside the above ground ligules starting from the top down. First allow the reed to grow into its seasonal size. Cut just under a ligule in said range and remove the top. The DNA repair response is activated by the position of the cut. Rainwater enters the internal reed components over time, the DNA repair is incapable of sealing the ligule closed, rotting forms on any ligules or suckers and the reed and rhizome die. If the top ligule does seal closed and or suckers it is removed just below the ligule with a second cutting to maintain an open stalk to collect rainwater.

Abstract: Described herein are portable cooking assemblies, including a portable cooking assembly that may include: a first container having a sidewall and an opening; a stove disposed in the first container, the stove comprising: a sidewall having an exhaust aperture and an air intake aperture; a base coupled to the sidewall; and a plurality of legs, wherein at least two of the plurality of legs each may include a first end pivotably coupled to the base; a cooktop plate disposed in the first container; and a lid coupled to the sidewall of the first container and covering the opening, the stove, and the cooktop plate.

Abstract: A vortices induced helical fluid delivery system that creates a fluid pattern with cavitation, helical and acoustic (pulsating) oscillating methods with no mechanical moving parts within the technology without being limited to pressures, temperatures, volumes or fluid type that more efficiently clean out scale and debris build-up from a productive or formerly productive oil, gas or wastewater wells, including perforations and near region that surrounds the well. There are varying sized bearings/spheres that can be placed in each chamber that are hydraulically driven that reduce the total flow area (instead of slow down the fluid). The technology can be externally altered to encompass drill string operations to help improve drilling operations by reducing friction and improving annular fluid flow by the inherent vibration that is created by the technology.

Abstract: An implosion reactor tube is provided, including: a receptacle body having a tube shape open at a first end; a cylinder positioned within the receptacle body; a mixing chamber at a second end of the receptacle body; the mixing chamber defined by a baffle; the baffle having a plurality of inner passages proximate to the cylinder allowing fluid passage through the baffle and a plurality of outer passages proximate to the receptacle body allowing passage of air and fuel through said baffle; a fuel and air inlet for allowing the air and fuel to enter the mixing chamber; and a flash igniter for igniting the air and fuel.

Abstract: The present invent provides improved rapid thermal conversion processes for efficiently converting wood, other biomass materials, and other carbonaceous feedstock (including hydrocarbons) into high yields of valuable liquid product, e.g., bio-oil, on a large scale production. In an embodiment, biomass material, e.g., wood, is feed to a conversion system where the biomass material is mixed with an upward stream of hot heat carriers, e.g., sand, that thermally convert the biomass into a hot vapor stream. The hot vapor stream is rapidly quenched with quench media in one or more condensing chambers located downstream of the conversion system. The rapid quenching condenses the vapor stream into liquid product, which is collected from the condensing chambers as a valuable liquid product. In one embodiment, the liquid product itself is used as the quench media.

Abstract: A method of hydroprocessing is performed wherein non-petroleum feedstocks, such as those containing from about 10% or more olefinic compounds or heteroatom contaminants by weight, are treated in a first reaction zone to provide reaction products. The process involves introducing the feedstock along with diluents or a recycle and hydrogen in a first reaction zone and allowing the feed and hydrogen to react in a liquid phase within the first reaction zone to produce reaction products. The reaction products are cooled and/or water is removed from the reaction products. At least a portion of the cooled and/or separated reaction product are introduced as a feed along with hydrogen into a second reaction zone containing a hydroprocessing catalyst. The feed and hydrogen are allowed to react in a liquid phase within the second reaction zone to produce a second-reaction-zone reaction product.

Abstract: A system and method includes receiving at least one instruction from a first computing system to schedule a test of a fluid. An input device is operated for importing at least a quantity of the fluid from a source. A filling device is instructed for filling a vial with a pre-determined amount of the imported fluid. A drawing device is operated for drawing a pre-determined amount of a reagent. The drawing device is activated for adding the pre-determined amount of the reagent to the vial. An output of a photocolorimeter is read. The output indicates a reaction of the pre-determined amount of the imported fluid and the pre-determined amount of the reagent. A result of the test is transmitted to a second computing system.

Abstract: The world's natural asphalts are thermoplastic and coalescent in nature. After removing its water content, the resulting refined asphalts flow, coalesce, its mineral matters sediment when used in blends, and therefore could only be used with specialized road-paving equipment. Three methods are presented here to solve these problems. Method One gives a new way of packaging the natural and refined asphalts in pellet-form. Method Two uses water surface to stop the pellets of natural or refined asphalts from coalescing. Method Three uses water to blend the natural or refined asphalts, producing powders and pellets which do not flow or coalesce. In all methods, the processed asphalts are packaged for use on conventional road-paving equipment, without loss in performance when compared with the refined asphalts.

Abstract: A double-layered thermal insulation sleeve having a frusto-conical shape is disclosed. The sleeve is used on the outer surface of a cup to maintain a water and heat barrier. The sleeve is comprised of a first thermal insulation layer, a second thermal insulation layer, and longitudinal fold lines. The first thermal insulation layer being a cup facing layer that is constructed from non-woven polyester fiber having a plurality of interior air channels being retaining channels for fluids and heat being released from the cup. The second thermal insulation layer is constructed from embossed paper having outward facing bumps that provide a non-slip and thermally insulative gripping surface and a moisture barrier. The longitudinal fold lines allow the double-layered thermal insulation sleeve to be folded into a flattened configuration and stored for reuse.

Abstract: A method of air purification and apparatus uses thorough air-bath to trap airborne debris and gaseous molecules in the liquid. Incoming air are reduced repeatedly and thoroughly at various stages into tiny air bubbles in contact with liquid in the apparatus where airborne materials and gaseous molecules are trapped in the liquid. This cleaning system can effectively remove small or large airborne debris and gaseous molecules, in contrast to cleaning effectiveness limited by the filter pore sizes in traditional filter system. The liquid can be water, water mixed with any designed substances or other type of liquid phase of materials. In exemplary case, water is used as a part of filtration medium, the apparatus thus can be served as both air purifier and humidifier. A relatively high humidity in the air would help to trap more airborne debris, which makes the air purification apparatus more efficient.

Abstract: A loading tube has Japanese cotton placed within a polymer tube. The tube has a hollow, cylindrical form with a tip and an opposite tail. The Japanese cotton advances through the tube exiting at the tip and withdrawing from the tail. The tube has a sidewall with a thickness and an inner diameter suitable for containing Japanese cotton and then advancing it into an atomizer. The outer diameter of the tube cooperates with an aperture in the coil of the atomizer. The tip and the tail have a rim with a square cut. The tube has its size that relates its length to its inner diameter, and to its thickness within a range. The tube utilizes polypropylene for its construction. Alternative fibrous material may be substituted for Japanese cotton.

Abstract: There is provided herein a system and method to effectively treat produced water. In some embodiments, produced water is treated by mixing produced water with an amine solvent and humic acid to form precipitates comprising magnesium, strontium, barium and radium hydroxides in a precipitator unit. Precipitates are then removed by a filter to produce de-scaled produced water. The amine solvent is recovered from the de-scaled produced water by a stripping unit.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed processing device with a catalyst storage and delivery capsule. The processing device is an elongate, tubular container that is hermetically sealed on each end by end plates. The processing device contains a screw conveyor with an arbor concentric about the long axis of the tubular container. The screw conveyor protrudes through each end plate and is mounted within a hermetic seal. The processing device further comprises a feed-stock-input port and a catalyst-input port on an input end of the processing device. Various heat zones as well as internal and surface temperature reading-probes reside along the length of the processing device. The output end of the processing device has a solid matter output port, a gas output port and a vacuum pump to evacuate gases through the gas output port.

Abstract: A free-standing disposable cake protector with a plurality of extendable foldable legs, a transparent top panel and a flexible transparent side wall. The top panel includes sockets capable of accepting birthday candles. The extension legs can be extended or retracted to accommodate the height of the cake being protected. The foldable legs with the fixedly attached side panel provide means to transport and store the cake protector in compact flat configuration. The cake protector provides protection from candle wax and from exposure to saliva expelled by a person blowing candles out when the cake protector is in unfolded configuration.

Abstract: There is provided herein a system and method for de-toxifing and de-scaling source water. In some embodiments, source water will be mixed with either an aluminum source or an iron source to separate endotoxins from acidic proteins and convert the naturally present bicarbonate in source water to carbon dioxide. Endotoxins and carbon dioxide will then be removed from source water by a stage of hydrophobic membranes to produce de-toxified and de-carbonated source water. Magnesium hydroxide will be mixed with the de-toxified and de-carbonated source water to form precipitates comprising foulants and sulfate. A recoverable and reusable amine solvent will also be used to induce efficient precipitation. Possible reuse applications for the treated source water by the inventive methods that minimize excessive uses of potable water may include hydro-fracturing of shale and sand formations and heavy oil recovery by steam injection.

Abstract: A system for feeding filament to a nozzle in an additive manufacturing machine is provided. A filament extrusion assembly is configured to extrude the filament from a spool. A nozzle holder comprises a protruded portion. The nozzle holder defines a through hole which extends into the protruded portion. The through hole receives the filament extruded by the filament extrusion assembly. The protruded portion is located immediately below a point where the filament exits the filament extrusion assembly. A nozzle assembly comprises a cooling chamber which defines a through hole aligned with the through hole of the nozzle holder. The cooling chamber defines at least one groove coaxial with the through hole of the cooling chamber. The groove receives at least one sealing member wherein the groove is defined where the nozzle holder interfaces with the cooling chamber.

Abstract: There is provided herein a system and method for de-toxifying and de-scaling source water. In some embodiments, source water will be mixed with either an aluminum source or an iron source to separate endotoxins from acidic proteins and convert the naturally present bicarbonate in source water to carbon dioxide. Endotoxins and carbon dioxide will then be removed from source water by a stage of hydrophobic membranes to produce de-toxified and de-carbonated source water. Calcium hydroxide will be mixed with the de-toxified and de-carbonated source water to form precipitates comprising foulants and sulfate. A recoverable and reusable amine solvent will also be used to induce efficient precipitation. Possible reuse applications for the treated source water by the inventive methods that minimize excessive uses of potable water may include hydro-fracturing of shale and sand formations and heavy oil recovery by steam injection.