Abstract: The current invention discloses a method and apparatus for production of hot water or steam in a 4-pass firetube boiler. A waste heat stream is passed through the first and second passes of the boiler, and then routed into a furnace tube (which is the third pass of the boiler) to help suppress the flame temperature and NOx emissions from the burner. The flue gas from the third pass is then passed through the fourth pass of the boiler to transfer the heat energy to the water in the boiler.

Abstract: The current invention discloses a method and apparatus for production of hot water or steam in a 4-pass firetube boiler. A waste heat stream is passed through the first and second passes of the boiler, and then routed into a furnace tube (which is the third pass of the boiler) to help suppress the flame temperature and NOx emissions from the burner. The flue gas from the third pass is then passed through the fourth pass of the boiler to transfer the heat energy to the water in the boiler.

Abstract: An apparatus for burning of a gaseous fuel includes a gas manifold comprising a blast tube with an axis of rotation and an outer wall; a center bluff body disposed inside the blast tube; a plurality of aerodynamic blocks circumferentially distributed in the annular space between the blast tube and the center bluff body, creating passage channels for combustion air between the aerodynamic blocks; two injector nozzles located inside the wake zone of each of the aerodynamic block and are fluidically communicating to the gas manifold; an air control mechanism comprising a center hub and a plurality of air control modules. The control modules fit through the passage channels. Each air control module comprises an air deflector located at the outer edge of a passage channel.

Abstract: The current invention discloses an apparatus for burning of a gaseous fuel, said apparatus comprising a gas manifold comprising a blast tube with an axis of rotation; a center bluff body; a plurality of aerodynamic blocks circumferentially distributed in the annular space between said blast tube and said center bluff body, creating passage channels for combustion air between said aerodynamic blocks; two injector nozzles located inside the wake zone of each of said aerodynamic block, said injector nozzles fluidically communicating to the gas manifold; an air control mechanism comprising a center hub and a plurality of air control modules, said air control modules fitting through said passage channels, wherein each air control module comprising an air deflector located at the outer edge of a passage channel, said deflector forming an angle theta equal to or greater than 30 degrees from said axis of rotation.

Abstract: A method for producing an activated carbon material comprises the steps of producing a hot flue gas stream from a combustion process in a first reactor; routing a first part of said flue gas stream to a second reactor that is substantially vertical; routing a second part of said flue gas stream to eventual venting; injecting and suspending a carbonaceous starting material into said second reactor to devolatilize and activate the carbonaceous starting material to produce an activated carbon material; separating the activated carbon material in a separating device; and routing the gas stream from said separating step to the first reactor for incineration of the volatile contents released from said injecting and suspending step. The activated carbon material is suited for the removal of vapor phase air toxics, such as mercury, from the flue gas of a coal fired power plant. An apparatus for producing the activated carbon material for the same purpose is also described.

Abstract: A method for producing an activated carbon material comprises the steps of producing a hot flue gas stream from a combustion process in a first reactor; routing a first part of said flue gas stream to a second reactor that is substantially vertical; routing a second part of said flue gas stream to eventual venting; injecting and suspending a carbonaceous starting material into said second reactor to devolatilize and activate the carbonaceous starting material to produce an activated carbon material; separating the activated carbon material in a separating device; and routing the gas stream from said separating step to the first reactor for incineration of the volatile contents released from said injecting and suspending step. The activated carbon material is suited for the removal of vapor phase air toxics, such as mercury, from the flue gas of a coal fired power plant. An apparatus for producing the activated carbon material for the same purpose is also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing access to electronic products are described. In an embodiment, a system implemented method includes receiving, from a source, a first code associated with an item; receiving, from another source, another first code and a second code associated with the item; evaluating the first code with the another first code; associating the second code with the first code based on a result from the evaluating; identifying an access key, and transmitting the access key to the second source, the access key is for accessing one or more rights associated with the item.

Abstract: A product authorization service is described, including receiving, from a first source, an item serial number (ISN) of a product and an item-specific key (ISK) for the product; receiving, from a second source, a product-package serial number (PPSN) associated with the product and information about the second source; storing the received PSN with an authorized indication based on the information about the second source indicating an authorized source; receiving, from the product, the PSN and the ISN; determining whether the PSN is the same as the receive PSN with the authorized indication; and if the PSN is the same as the receive PSN, transmitting the ISK to the product, the ISK enables activation of one or more features of the product.

Abstract: Controlling rights associated with a product is described, including receiving, from a source, a first code of a media product, the first code is unique to the media product; authorizing the media product based on the first code and information about the source; receiving, from another source, the first code and a second code of media the product, the second code is unique to the media product; determining whether the first code is authorized; if the first code is authorized, identifying an encryption key for the media product based on the second code, and transmitting the encryption key to the second source, the encryption key enables access to content of the media product.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing access to electronic products are described. In an embodiment, a system implemented method includes receiving, from a source, a first code associated with an item; receiving, from another source, another first code and a second code associated with the item; evaluating the first code with the another first code; associating the second code with the first code based on a result from the evaluating; identifying an access key, and transmitting the access key to the second source, the access key is for accessing one or more rights associated with the item.

Abstract: A content authorization service is described, including receiving, from a first source, information comprises a key for accessing content recorded on a disc; storing the key, a pre-recorded media serial number (PMSN), and a product serial number (PSN); receiving, from a second source, another PSN, the another PSN; determining that the PSN and the another PSN is a same code; recording data that indicates the disc is authenticated if the PSN and the another PSN is the same code; receiving, from a third source, at least one of the PSN and the PMSN; determining that the at least one of the PSN and the PMSN identifies the disc; and if the at least one of the PSN and the PMSN identifies the disc, transmitting the key to the third source, the key enables access to the content recorded on the disc.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing access to electronic products are described. In an embodiment, a system implemented method includes receiving, from a source, a first code associated with an item; receiving, from another source, another first code and a second code associated with the item; evaluating the first code with the another first code; associating the second code with the first code based on a result from the evaluating; identifying an access key, and transmitting the access key to the second source, the access key is for accessing one or more rights associated with the item.

Abstract: Controlling rights associated with a product is described, including receiving, from a source, a first code of a media product, the first code is unique to the media product; authorizing the media product based on the first code and information about the source; receiving, from another source, the first code and a second code of media the product, the second code is unique to the media product; determining whether the first code is authorized; if the first code is authorized, identifying an encryption key for the media product based on the second code, and transmitting the encryption key to the second source, the encryption key enables access to content of the media product

Abstract: A product authorization service is described, including receiving, from a first source, an item serial number (ISN) of a product and an item-specific key (ISK) for the product; receiving, from a second source, a product-package serial number (PPSN) associated with the product and information about the second source; storing the received PSN with an authorized indication based on the information about the second source indicating an authorized source; receiving, from the product, the PSN and the ISN; determining whether the PSN is the same as the receive PSN with the authorized indication; and if the PSN is the same as the receive PSN, transmitting the ISK to the product, the ISK enables activation of one or more features of the product.

Abstract: A content authorization service is described, including receiving, from a first source, information comprises a key for accessing content recorded on a disc; storing the key, a pre-recorded media serial number (PMSN), and a product serial number (PSN); receiving, from a second source, another PSN, the another PSN; determining that the PSN and the another PSN is a same code; recording data that indicates the disc is authenticated if the PSN and the another PSN is the same code; receiving, from a third source, at least one of the PSN and the PMSN; determining that the at least one of the PSN and the PMSN identifies the disc; and if the at least one of the PSN and the PMSN identifies the disc, transmitting the key to the third source, the key enables access to the content recorded on the disc.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing access to electronic products are described. In an embodiment, a system implemented method includes receiving, from a source, a first code associated with an item; receiving, from another source, another first code and a second code associated with the item; evaluating the first code with the another first code; associating the second code with the first code based on a result from the evaluating; identifying an access key, and transmitting the access key to the second source, the access key is for accessing one or more rights associated with the item.

Abstract: The hydraulic engine includes first and second reaction chambers, the first and second reaction chambers each having an enclosure within which is disposed a floating piston. An impulse turbine is in fluid communication with the first and second reaction chambers. A delay valve is in fluid communication with the first and second reaction chambers and the impulse turbine, the delay valve operable to switch between a first position and a second position, the first position providing a flow of pressurized fluid to the first reaction chamber to cause an explosion therein and the second position providing a flow of pressurized fluid to the second reaction chamber to cause an explosion therein. Successive explosions in the first and second reaction chambers provide flows of high pressure fluid to drive the impulse turbine and to switch the delay valve.

Abstract: A method and system for distributing products is provided. The distribution system enables a manufacturer of a product to define one or more allowed distribution paths, and to limit distribution of their product to only an allowed distribution path. The system provides an embedded processor in or on a product, with the embedded processor controlling access to some utility or feature of the product. In this way, the product is not usable or is undesirable until an authorized activation process has occurred. To control the distribution chain, a set of distribution rules is defined that sets allowed or excluded distributors and retailers for products or sets of products. When the product is moved to the next distributor, or presented at a point-of-sale, the rules are compared to the actual recorded distribution chain. If the distribution chain is proper, then the product may be activated, or moved to the next distribution entity.

Abstract: A method and system for communicating a product status is provided. The product has a product indicator device that has a changeable indicator, an embedded processor, and radio. A point of sale device wirelessly reads validation data from the embedded processor, with the validation data being used to confirm that the product may validly change states. If the product is allowed to have its state changed, the point of sale device sends a key code to the embedded processor, where the key code is processed with locally stored data. The embedded processor determines if the changeable indicator may be changed to show that the product has changed states.

Abstract: A system is provided for authenticating and securing product transactions. An integrated circuit is attached to a target, such as an optical disc or electronic device. The integrated circuit has an RF transceiver that is capable of establishing communication with an associated reading device. The integrated circuit also has a hidden memory, which can not be read externally, and a user memory. The hidden memory stores an authentication message, while the user memory stores readable authentication information. The hidden authentication message and the authentication information are related through a cryptographic process. However, even though the integrated circuit benefits from the cryptographic security, the integrated circuit only operates relatively simple logic operations. In this way, a highly secure transaction is enabled without requiring significant processing power or time at the integrated circuit.