Abstract: A process of utilizing combustion products from fossil fuels to produce hydro-electric power through a process of allowing such products to displace water from a tank for operating a turbine or pelton wheel. The process allows hydro-electric power to be generated at a greatly increased efficiency. Preferably, two tanks are used to receive combustion products which exert pressure to displace the water. Alternatively, oxygen or air and a fossil fuel such as natural gas are introduced into the tank and combusted therein to generate the combustion products. The process allows existing power plants to generate additional power, and thus greatly increase the overall efficiency of the plant.

Abstract: A process of converting steam to hydro-electric power through a process of allowing steam to displace water from a tank for operating a turbine or pelton wheel. The process allows hydro-electric power to be generated at a greatly increased efficiency. Preferably, two concrete, underground chambers are used to receive steam which exert pressure to displace the water. The process allows existing power plants to utilize excess steam to generate additional power, and thus greatly increase the overall efficiency of the plant. Solar energy heats the water to produce low pressure steam in a transparent enclosure, and further heats the vapor passing through transparent conduits leading into the underground chambers.

Abstract: A process of converting steam to hydro-electric power through a process of allowing steam to displace water from a tank for operating a turbine or pelton wheel. The tank includes a lightweight float of a small enough size to prevent the steam from mixing with the water below it, but to allow water to pass around and beneath the float. Preferably, two concrete, underground chambers are used to receive steam which exert pressure to displace the water. The process allows existing power plants to utilize excess steam to generate additional power, and thus greatly increase the overall efficiency of the plant.

Abstract: A system is provided for converting flue gas pollutants to useful ammonium sulfate byproducts in an instantaneous gas phase reaction between a gaseous ammoniacal substance and the sulfur oxides in the flue gas. The system also removes other pollutants by converting them into other harmless byproducts and collects useful ammonium sulfate compounds.

Abstract: The present invention specifically relates to a method and apparatus for removing pollutants of sulfur, nitrogen and metals from a fossil fuel fired power plant flue gas containing the same. In one embodiment, the process comprises introducing an ammoniacal substance into the flue gas in an amount sufficient to react with a substantial portion of the sulfur and nitrogen pollutants therein; cooling the flue gas by passing the gas past the exterior surfaces of a plurality of heat exchanger tubes which contain a cooling fluid therein and which are configured to define a serpentine passage in a downwardly descending manner at an angle of between about 10 to 60 degrees from the horizontal to condense ammonium sulfate or sulfite compounds from the flue gas; and collecting and removing the condensed compounds from the flue gas at several locations below the heat exchanger tubes as the flue gas passes thereby along the passage. In another embodiment, an apparatus for carrying out the process is disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method of converting flue gas pollutants to marketable byproducts of ammonium bisulfite and ammonium bisulfate, which are collected, and to other harmless byproducts which may be safely discharged is provided. The system removes as much particulate material and reaction inhibiting coal tar components as possible via an electrostatic precipitator and then passes the flue gas through a heat exchanger, wherein it is cooled by boiler feedwater. A suds producing detergent is introduced to the flue gas in order to separate any remaining coal tar components from the condensing moisture. Due to the removal of the tar components, sulfur dioxide and nitrous oxide readily dissolve in the condensing moisture when sufficiently cooled.

Abstract: A system is provided for converting flue gas pollutants to useful dry or concentrated ammonium bisulfite and ammonium bisulfate byproducts and other harmless byproducts, and for collecting the useful byproducts. The system also removes particulate material to maximize the desired reactions, and cools the flue gas in heat exchange with boiler feedwater.

Abstract: A system and method of converting flue gas pollutants to marketable byproducts of ammonium bisulfite and ammonium bisulfate, which are collected, and to other harmless byproducts which may be safely discharged is provided. The system removes as much particulate material and reaction inhibiting coal tar components as possible via an electrostatic precipitator and then passes the flue gas through a heat exchanger, wherein it is cooled by boiler feedwater. A suds producing detergent is introduced to the flue gas in order to separate any remaining coal tar components from the condensing moisture. Due to the removal of the tar components, sulfur dioxide and nitrous oxide readily dissolve in the condensing moisture when sufficiently cooled.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for removing pollutants, especially oxides of sulphur and nitrogen, from boiler plant flue gases. A series of heat exchange steps cool the gas and condense acidic condensates. SO.sub.3 is removed by condensation, and SO.sub.2 is removed by either extraction or a combination of oxidation and condensation.

Abstract: A system for cooling flue gases from a fossil fuel boiler plant, and removing pollutants from the flue gas, is disclosed. In a first section of the apparatus, heat exchange cools the flue gas to just above the condensation point of water, and condensed H.sub.2 SO.sub.4 is collected. In a second section, the gas is cooled further and an acid-containing condensate is collected.

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus for removing unwanted pollutants from flue gases are disclosed. A sequence of at least three vertical beds of particulates is disposed in the flue gas exhaust duct. A first bed comprises boiler ash or sand. Lime in the fly ash and sulfuric acid and water in the flue gas react with the particulates to form gypsum, removing the fly ash from the flue gas. In the second bed, the remaining sulfuric acid is condensed and removed on a further bed of boiler ash. In the third bed, a catalyst, typically an activated aluminous particulate with an alkali coating thereon, provided by adding ammonia to the flue gas stream, condenses out the remaining sulphur dioxide, which can then be removed from the catalyst particles in a regenerative step. A scrubber embodying these principles is readily retrofittable to pre-existing power plants burning sulphur-containing coal.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for separating a more volatile substance from a liquid in which it is dissolved by vacuum means. The apparatus has a perforated inner casing having a plurality of sub-stages which contain packing material to provide a tortuous path of interstices for the liquid to flow through; an outer casing surrounds the inner casing to define an evacuating space between the outer and inner casing and vacuum means to create a vacuum in the evacuating space which communicates with the sub-stages through the perforations in the inner casing. The vacuum means also acts to pull off the more volatile substance.

Abstract: A compact and maintenance-free means and method of regenerating the sensible heat from flue gases of fossil fuel furnaces by heat exchange through two circular layers of rock beds rotating under two semi-circular mantles with the first mantle applying hot flue gases to the beds and the second withdrawing preheated ambient air needed for combustion by said furnaces. When used for power plant flue gas treatment, layers of acid-resistant pipes containing boiler feedwater are sandwiched between the two rock bed layers to usefully recover the heat units arising from moisture condensation. The enormous water of condensation collects flyash and sulphur dioxide thus removing these pollutants from the stack gases. The heavy rock beds rotate slowly beneath the fixed mantles in a circular, pan-shaped, steel vessel floating on and cooled by a circular pond of water. Friction of rotation is minimal and gas leakage principally prevented by liquid seals. When flue gas temperature rises, as above 600 degrees F.

Abstract: Improved methods and apparatus for removing unwanted pollutants from flue gases are disclosed. A sequence of at least three vertical beds of particulates is disposed in the flue gas exhaust duct. A first bed comprises boiler ash or sand. Lime in the fly ash and sulfuric acid and water in the flue gas react with the particulates to form gypsum, removing the fly ash from the flue gas. In the second bed, the remaining sulfuric acid is condensed and removed on a further bed of boiler ash. In the third bed, a catalyst, typically an activated aluminous particulate with an alkali coating thereon, provided by adding ammonia to the flue gas stream, condenses out the remaining sulphur dioxide, which can then be removed from the catalyst particles in a regenerative step. A scrubber embodying these principles is readily retrofittable to pre-existing power plants burning sulphur-containing coal.

Abstract: A compact and maintenance-free means and method of regenerating the sensible heat from flue gases of fossil fuel furnaces by heat exchange through two circular layers of rock beds rotating under two semi-circular mantles with the first mantle applying hot flue gases to the beds and the second withdrawing preheated ambient air needed for combustion by said furnaces. When used for power plant flue gas treatment, layers of acid-resistant pipes containing boiler feedwater are sandwiched between the two rock bed layers to usefully recover the heat units arising from moisture condensation. The enormous water of condensation collects flyash and sulphur dioxide thus removing these pollutants from the stack gases. The heavy rock beds rotate slowly beneath the fixed mantles in a circular, pan-shaped, steel vessel floating on and cooled by a circular pond of water. Friction of rotation is minimal and gas leakage principally prevented by liquid seals.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for separating a volatile gas from a liquid in which it is dissolved. The liquid flows through a conduit having obstructions to cause separation by centripetal forces created as the liquid flows around the obstruction. The gases thus freed are collected on a surface disposed within the flow. The flow is advantageously through a syphon-like device thus reducing the pressure in the liquid to further assist separation.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for separating a more volatile substance from a liquid in which it is dissolved by vacuum means. The apparatus has a perforated inner casing having a plurality of sub-stages which contain packing material to provide a tortuous path of interstices for the liquid to flow through; an outer casing surrounds the inner casing to define an evacuating space between the outer and inner casing and vacuum means to create a vacuum in the evacuating space which communicates with the sub-stages through the perforations in the inner casing. The vacuum means also acts to pull off the more volatile substance.

Abstract: An apparatus for recovering mechanical energy from the exhaust steam from a power plant is disclosed. The exhaust steam is led to a generally U-shaped sealed reservoir containing two legs filled with water. The water is driven back and forth between the legs causing the exhaust steam to condense while generating energy from the oscillating water in the reservoir.

Abstract: A compact and maintenance-free means and method of regenerating the sensible heat from flue gases of fossil fuel furnaces by heat exchange through two circular layers of rock beds rotating under two semi-circular mantles with the first mantle applying hot flue gases to the beds and the second withdrawing preheated ambient air needed for combustion by said furnaces. When used for power plant flue gas treatment, layers of acid-resistant pipes containing boiler feedwater are sandwiched between the two rock bed layers to usefully recover the heat units arising from moisture condensation. The enormous water of condensation collects flyash and sulphur dioxide thus removing these pollutants from the stack gases. The heavy rock beds rotate slowly beneath the fixed mantles in a circular, pan-shaped, steel vessel floating on and cooled by a circular pond of water. Friction of rotation is minimal and gas leakage principally prevented by liquid seals. When flue gas temperature rises, as above 600 degrees F.

Abstract: A simple method to prevent air pollution from the particulate and gaseous pollutants from power plants, by recuperating the heat in the flue gases down to atmospheric temperature and pre-heat the air needed from combustion in the boilers. Most fly ash is removed at the face of the regenerators. Condensed moisture from the flue gases dissolves SO.sub.2 and forms a smog, with remaining fly ash particles acting as condensation nuclei, which are caught on the wetted surfaces within the regenerator, washed therefrom to vessels to settle out solids, and the liquid is then treated by vacuum to recover the dissolved SO.sub.2, which is compressed to liquid SO.sub.2 and stored in refrigerated tank cars, to be sold as a valuable byproduct. The bulk of the fly ash, which settles on the face of (45 degree) sloping "snow fences" built across the top of the pebble bed, slides like snow off of a sloping roof and into gutters with perforated false bottoms, up which flows a little gas and carry it to downspouts and bins.