Abstract: A flooded thermal energy storage tank holds an agglomerated ice mass that is fully submerged in water by a counterbuoyant top. The thermal energy stored in the tank is used to satisfy a cyclical thermal cooling load that is uncoupled from the power supply that produces the ice for the tank. A water supply loop for supplying cold water to the thermal load assures that the relatively colder water in the tank is supplied by withdrawing the water from an upper location within the ice mass. The supply loop also assures that water returned from the load to the tank is recooled by the ice mass in a thermodynamically efficient manner. The essential symmetry of the ice mass is retained during repetitive ice mass melting and rebuilding in an operational cycle to assure continual stability of the ice mass and tank top.

Abstract: The operational capacity and efficiency of a combustion turbine is increased by treating the turbine inlet air to increase its density. The inlet air treatment is achieved in a columnar tower with the inlet air being drawn in at the top of the tower. Treatment water is injected into the tower at a downward velocity greater than that of the inlet air to establish a vertically descending, two-phase co-current flow of inlet air and treatment water. The system utilizes the natural phenomenon of drag-induced pressure boost to the air achieved by the difference in the relative velocities of the inlet air and the treatment water in the co-current flow. By utilizing a cold treatment water, for example at 32.degree.-40.degree. F., the tower creates a direct contact heat transfer situation that cools the inlet air, thereby further increasing its density.

Abstract: A hydraulic conveyance system serves to level out a spiked, uneven flow of particulate material to a more even flow condition prior to the particles being delivered to a destination. In one particular application, the hydraulic conveyance system permits ice particles to be delivered from a batch discharge ice machine of a thermal energy production, storage and reclaim system to the thermal energy storage tank of the system at a relatively even rate, without the use of any mechanical delivery mechanisms. The hydraulic conveyance system incorporates a flooded hold-up tank which, in the case of particulate ice conveyance, receives the spiked, batch discharge from the ice machine and discharges the ice therefrom to a selected number of destination points at a more even flow condition. A rotational movement is imparted to the water surface in the flooded hold-up tank, thereby causing the floating ice particles to rotate in the tank in proximity to a boundary wall of the tank.