Abstract: Systems and methods for generating heat, power, and for processing mixed waste streams, using pyrolysis and one or more pyrolysis systems. A pyrolysis system configured to receive material for pyrolysis, comprising a heating chamber configured to receive a waste gas stream for heating the material and one or more ports for metering fuel and oxidizer to the heating chamber for combustion. A pyrolysis chamber holds the material during pyrolysis in isolation from the hot gas in the heating chamber and is disposed inside the heating chamber to circumferentially heat the material for pyrolysis. A screw conveyer conveys the material through the pyrolysis chamber.

Abstract: A system and process for producing synthetic gas from solid fuel comprising waste material, municipal solid waste or biomass, and for upgrading the synthetic gas produced. The system and process utilizes a first thermal chamber having a gasification zone in which a fuel stream is gasified by thermal oxidation to produce a first synthetic gas stream and heat; a pyrolysis reactor housed within the first thermal chamber where fuel undergoes pyrolysis to produce a second synthetic gas stream; and a thermal catalytic reactor comprising a second thermal chamber having a catalyst chamber within with a selected catalyst. The first synthetic gas stream is completely thermally oxidized to produce high temperature flue gas that imparts heat to the catalyst chamber in which the second synthetic gas stream is thermally cracked and directed over the catalyst to yield a finished gas or liquid product having a desired chemical composition as determined by the selected catalyst.

Abstract: A dryer for drying material, comprising a conveyer for conveying the material between an inlet and an outlet of the dryer, and a duct for carrying hot fluid fluidly isolated from the material. The duct extends adjacent to the conveyer from a first side of the conveyer to a second side of the conveyer opposed thereto to heat the material from both sides. A plurality of belt conveyers vertically stacked and partially horizontally staggered to sequentially convey material to be dried along a zigzag material path. A duct conveying hot fluid therein extends adjacent to the plurality of belt conveyers defining the zigzag material path to form a zigzag flow path for transferring heat to the material from above and below without contact with the material. The dryer is hermetically sealed, as are the plurality of belt conveyers from the duct.

Abstract: A boundary-layer turbomachine coupled to a shaft for transmitting power, comprising a plurality of ducts, and a plurality of blades and/or one or more protrusions. The plurality of ducts are defined by duct walls configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis and are concentrically arranged thereabout to convey fluid between inlet and outlet ends. Flow inlets draw the fluid into the plurality of ducts at least partially azimuthally around the longitudinal axis towards the outlet end. The plurality of blades and/or one or more protrusions extend radially in the duct between opposing duct walls. The one or more protrusions may spirally extend at least partially along and around the longitudinal axis to induct fluid into the duct. Slots may be provided in duct walls for centrifugal separation of liquid phase. Systems and methods of generating power using a plurality of boundary-layer turbines, including without condensers, pumps, and/or compressors.

Abstract: A storage silo for storing granular material has a container supported by a base, the container having a roof and at least one side wall for defining a storage space beneath the roof. The storage silo includes: (a) a feed port for receiving the granular material at a feed-port height lower than the roof; (b) an auger for moving the granular material toward the roof within the storage space, the auger receiving the granular material via the feed port; and (c) first and second auger motors for cooperatively driving the auger, the first and second auger motors being disposed at opposing ends of the auger. A processor determines power levels for the first and second auger motors to minimize torsional strain on the auger. Granular material can be discharged from a first storage silo into a second storage silo positioned for cascading with the first storage silo.

Abstract: A collapsible storage silo having an expanded configuration includes: (a) a shell for circumscribing storage space and comprising a plurality of concentrically nested tubular members that are collapsible; (b) a lift system operable to slidably expand the plurality of concentrically nested tubular members to place the silo in its expanded configuration; and (c) a mast operable to support the lift system, The mast is pivotable between horizontal and vertical positions relative to a frame. A winch attaches to the mast and a cable extends between the winch and an outermost tubular member to expand the silo such that inwardly and outwardly projecting lips of nested members engage each other and a conical hopper engages an innermost tubular member. A flexible inner liner attaches between an outermost tubular member and the hopper. A collapsible roof has a flexible roof membrane and a plurality of radially extending foldable rib members.

Abstract: Apparatus for extracting useful work or electricity from low grade thermal sources comprising a chamber, a source of heated dense heat transfer fluid in communication with the chamber, a source of motive fluid in communication with the chamber, wherein the motive fluid comprises a liquid phase, a flow control mechanism cooperating with the source of heated dense heat transfer fluid and with the source of motive fluid to deliver said fluids into the chamber in a manner that said fluids come into direct contact with each other in the chamber to effect a phase change of the motive fluid from liquid to gas to increase the pressure within the chamber to yield pressurized fluids, and a work extracting mechanism in communication with the chamber that extracts work from the pressurized fluids by way of pressure let down.

Abstract: Apparatus for extracting useful work or electricity from low grade thermal sources comprising a chamber, a source of heated dense heat transfer fluid in communication with the chamber, a source of motive fluid in communication with the chamber, wherein the motive fluid comprises a liquid phase, a flow control mechanism cooperating with the source of heated dense heat transfer fluid and with the source of motive fluid to deliver said fluids into the chamber in a manner that said fluids come into direct contact with each other in the chamber to effect a phase change of the motive fluid from liquid to gas to increase the pressure within the chamber to yield pressurized fluids, and a work extracting mechanism in communication with the chamber that extracts work from the pressurized fluids by way of pressure let down.

Abstract: A system and process for producing synthetic gas from solid fuel comprising waste material, municipal solid waste or biomass, and for upgrading the synthetic gas produced. The system and process utilizes a first thermal chamber having a gasification zone in which a fuel stream is gasified by thermal oxidation to produce a first synthetic gas stream and heat; a pyrolysis reactor housed within the first thermal chamber where fuel undergoes pyrolysis to produce a second synthetic gas stream; and a thermal catalytic reactor comprising a second thermal chamber having a catalyst chamber within with a selected catalyst. The first synthetic gas stream is completely thermally oxidized to produce high temperature flue gas that imparts heat to the catalyst chamber in which the second synthetic gas stream is thermally cracked and directed over the catalyst to yield a finished gas or liquid product having a desired chemical composition as determined by the selected catalyst.

Abstract: A storage silo for storing granular material has a container supported by a base, the container having a roof and at least one side wall for defining a storage space beneath the roof. The storage silo includes: (a) a feed port for receiving the granular material at a feedport height lower than the roof; (b) an auger for moving the granular material toward the roof within the storage space, the auger receiving the granular material via the feed port; and (c) first and second auger motors for cooperatively driving the auger, the first and second auger motors being disposed at opposing ends of the auger. A processor determines power levels for the first and second auger motors to minimize torsional strain on the auger. Granular material can be discharged from a first storage silo into a second storage silo positioned for cascading with the first storage silo.

Abstract: A collapsible storage silo having an expanded configuration includes: (a) a shell for circumscribing storage space and comprising a plurality of concentrically nested tubular members that are collapsible; (b) a lift system operable to slidably expand the plurality of concentrically nested tubular members to place the silo in its expanded configuration; and (c) a mast operable to support the lift system, The mast is pivotable between horizontal and vertical positions relative to a frame. A winch attaches to the mast and a cable extends between the winch and an outermost tubular member to expand the silo such that inwardly and outwardly projecting lips of nested members engage each other and a conical hopper engages an innermost tubular member. A flexible inner liner attaches between an outermost tubular member and the hopper. A collapsible roof has a flexible roof membrane and a plurality of radially extending foldable rib members.

Abstract: A collapsible storage silo having an expanded configuration includes: (a) a shell for circumscribing storage space and comprising a plurality of concentrically nested tubular members that are collapsible; (b) a lift system operable to slidably expand the plurality of concentrically nested tubular members to place the silo in its expanded configuration; and (c) a mast operable to support the lift system. The mast is pivotable between horizontal and vertical positions relative to a frame. A winch attaches to the mast and a cable extends between the winch and an outermost tubular member to expand the silo such that inwardly and outwardly projecting lips of nested members engage each other and a conical hopper engages an innermost tubular member. A flexible inner liner attaches between an outermost tubular member and the hopper. A collapsible roof has a flexible roof membrane and a plurality of radially extending foldable rib members.

Abstract: Apparatus for extracting useful work or electricity from low grade thermal sources comprising a chamber, a source of heated dense heat transfer fluid in communication with the chamber, a source of motive fluid in communication with the chamber, wherein the motive fluid comprises a liquid phase, a flow control mechanism cooperating with the source of heated dense heat transfer fluid and with the source of motive fluid to deliver said fluids into the chamber in a manner that said fluids come into direct contact with each other in the chamber to effect a phase change of the motive fluid from liquid to gas to increase the pressure within the chamber to yield pressurized fluids, and a work extracting mechanism in communication with the chamber that extracts work from the pressurized fluids by way of pressure let down.

Abstract: A process and system of extracting useful work or electricity from a thermal source, wherein heat energy from the thermal source is used in the form of a heated collection fluid; a first side of a heat exchanger is filled with a liquid or supercritical working fluid; fluid flow out of the first side of the heat exchanger is closed such that a fixed volume of the working fluid is maintained in the first side; the heated collection fluid flowed through a second side of the heat exchanger that is adjacent to the first side to affect a transfer of heat from the heated collection fluid to the fixed volume of the working fluid to raise its temperature and pressure; the pressurized working fluid is released from the first side of the heat exchanger upon the working fluid reaching a threshold state; a flow of the pressurized working fluid is directed to an expander capable of converting the kinetic energy of the pressurized working fluid into useful work or electricity; and the foregoing steps are repeated.

Abstract: A boundary layer turbine having a housing with an inlet that receives pressurized fluid, a rotatable shaft extending through the housing, nested cylindrical tubes of progressively wider diameter connected coaxially about the shaft wherein adjacent tubes define a cylindrical fluid passageway there-between that is in fluid communication with the inlet and an outlet, and at least one nozzle coupled to the inlet configured to direct the flow of fluid from the inlet into the plurality of passageways and against the plurality of tubes at an angle to a normal plane to the curvature of the plurality of tubes and at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the shaft, wherein the angled flow of fluid imparts rotation to the plurality of tubes and the shaft and flows towards the outlet where the fluid is discharged, and wherein the rotating shaft may be used to provide kinetic energy.

Abstract: A collapsible storage silo having an expanded configuration includes: (a) a shell for circumscribing storage space and comprising a plurality of concentrically nested tubular members that are collapsible; (b) a lift system operable to slidably expand the plurality of concentrically nested tubular members to place the silo in its expanded configuration; and (c) a mast operable to support the lift system. The mast is pivotable between horizontal and vertical positions relative to a frame. A winch attaches to the mast and a cable extends between the winch and an outermost tubular member to expand the silo such that inwardly and outwardly projecting lips of nested members engage each other and a conical hopper engages an innermost tubular member. A flexible inner liner attaches between an outermost tubular member and the hopper. A collapsible roof has a flexible roof membrane and a plurality of radially extending foldable rib members.

Abstract: A flameless industrial air heater comprising: a combustion engine having a drive shaft and a combustion exhaust gas conduit to direct hot exhaust gases away from the engine; a mixing chamber having an air inlet and being in fluid communication with the exhaust gas conduit to mix the hot exhaust gasses with air flowing into the mixing chamber to produce a warmed air stream; and a compressor connected to the drive shaft and being driven thereby, the compressor being downstream of the mixing chamber to receive the warmed air stream and to pressurize the warmed air stream for delivery to applications requiring heating.

Abstract: A process and system of extracting useful work or electricity from a thermal source, wherein heat energy from the thermal source is used in the form of a heated collection fluid; a first side of a heat exchanger is filled with a liquid or supercritical working fluid; fluid flow out of the first side of the heat exchanger is closed such that a fixed volume of the working fluid is maintained in the first side; the heated collection fluid flowed through a second side of the heat exchanger that is adjacent to the first side to affect a transfer of heat from the heated collection fluid to the fixed volume of the working fluid to raise its temperature and pressure; the pressurized working fluid is released from the first side of the heat exchanger upon the working fluid reaching a threshold state; a flow of the pressurized working fluid is directed to an expander capable of converting the kinetic energy of the pressurized working fluid into useful work or electricity; and the foregoing steps are repeated.

Abstract: A process for treating a waste feedstock using a gasifier and the gasifier for same. Hot exhaust from an engine travels through a series of hollow heating plates stacked vertically within a gasifier reactor with spaces between each set of successive heating plates forming reaction zones. Each reaction zone is divided into an upper treatment area and a lower treatment area by a rotating disk. Waste material travels from an outer feed spot along the top surface of the rotating disk radially inwardly to a drop area located at the radially innermost portion where it drops to the top surface of the hollow heating plate below. The waste material is then conveyed radially outward to a chute to the next reaction zone or once fully processed to an exit from the reactor. Vapors from the waste material are drawn off each reaction zone through an outlet for further processing.

Abstract: A process for treating a waste feedstock using a gasifier and the gasifier for same. Hot exhaust from an engine travels through a series of hollow heating plates stacked vertically within a gasifier reactor with spaces between each set of successive heating plates forming reaction zones. Each reaction zone is divided into an upper treatment area and a lower treatment area by a rotating disk. Waste material travels from an outer feed spot along the top surface of the rotating disk radially inwardly to a drop area located at the radially innermost portion where it drops to the top surface of the hollow heating plate below. The waste material is then conveyed radially outward to a chute to the next reaction zone or once fully processed to an exit from the reactor. Vapors from the waste material are drawn off each reaction zone through an outlet for further processing.