Abstract: The disclosure notably relates to a computer-implemented method for assessing performance of a site comprising a solar field system. The solar field system includes solar panels and is configured for providing heat. The method comprises providing a heating requirement for the solar field system. The method comprises providing one or more sets of inputs. Each set of inputs includes meteorological data, panel features for one or more solar panel types, and site data. The method comprises computing automatically, for each set of inputs, by a computer system and based on the set of inputs, output data including a respective quantification of a carbon footprint of the site, and/or a number and/or type of panels to meet the heating requirement. The method allows objectively assessing performance of the site comprising the solar field system.

Abstract: An installation for producing electricity and heat, comprising a gas turbine unit, a photovoltaic unit and a solar thermal unit, and being configured for switching between: a first operation mode, in which the gas turbine unit produces said electricity and said heat, a second operation mode, in which the gas turbine unit produces only part of said electricity and the photovoltaic unit produces a rest of said electricity, and in which the solar thermal unit either produces a rest of said heat or provides heat to the gas turbine unit, and a third operation mode, in which said electricity and said heat are produced by the photovoltaic unit, the solar thermal unit, and optionally one or several steam turbines of the gas turbine unit.

Abstract: Embodiments provide functionality for extracting hyrdrocarbons from a subterranean formation. A fluid is provided and injected into a subterranean formation during a first period of time but not during a second period of time. At least part of the providing and injecting of the fluid is carried out using solar energy. Further, displaced hydrocarbons are collected from the subterranean formation.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for extracting hydrocarbons from a subterranean formation, comprising: —providing a fluid, —injecting said fluid into the subterranean formation during a first period of time but not during a second period of time, and—collecting displaced hydrocarbons from the subterranean formation, wherein: at least part of the provision and/or injection of the fluid is carried out using solar energy.

Abstract: Trichomes, lupulins and other plant parts can be efficiently separated from plant biomass by continuous filtration. In some embodiments plant biomass is collected and combined with water to form a plant biomass mixture. The plant biomass mixture is passed through a filtration device in which the plant biomass mixture is continuously flowed through a filter material. The device includes a cleaning apparatus that cleans the filter material during the process. In some embodiments greater than 90% of the plant parts are collected from the starting plant biomass. The plant parts can be subsequently processed to obtain desired compounds. For example, trichomes can be separated from other plant biomass and subsequently processed to extract one or more cannabinoids or terpenes, such as THC and/or CBD.

Abstract: Trichomes, lupulins and other plant parts can be efficiently separated from plant biomass by continuous filtration. In some embodiments plant biomass is collected and combined with water to form a plant biomass mixture. The plant biomass mixture is passed through a filtration device in which the plant biomass mixture is continuously flowed through a filter material. The device includes a cleaning apparatus that cleans the filter material during the process. In some embodiments greater than 90% of the plant parts are collected from the starting plant biomass. The plant parts can be subsequently processed to obtain desired compounds. For example, trichomes can be separated from other plant biomass and subsequently processed to extract one or more cannabinoids or terpenes, such as THC and/or CBD.

Abstract: Fluid filtration devices and methods of filtering fluids are described. The devices generally include a housing, a hollow filter assembly, a rotating cleaning assembly and a device to measure the accumulation of solids in the filter housing. In some embodiments the accumulation of solids is measured by measuring the torque required to rotate the cleaning assembly. Torque may be measured directly, such as with a torque sensor, or indirectly, such as by measuring the current used by an electric motor to drive rotation of the cleaning assembly. In some embodiments a purge valve is opened to remove accumulated solids from the housing when a certain level of solids accumulation is detected.

Abstract: A variety of improved hydroclone based fluid filtering systems are described. The hydroclones generally include a tank having an internal chamber and a filter (preferably a surface filter) that is positioned within the internal chamber. The filter defines a filtered fluid chamber within the internal chamber of the tank. The hydroclone may be operated such that a vortex of flowing fluid is formed between the chamber wall and the filter with the filter being located in the center of the vortex. With this arrangement, the filter acts as a cross-flow filter. In one aspect of the invention, the filter is a stepped filter. In another aspect of the invention, the filter is an surface filter, as for example, an electroformed metal surface filter. In some preferred embodiments, the openings in the filter are arranged as slots that extend substantially vertically so that they are oriented substantially perpendicular to the flow path of fluid flowing in the adjacent portion of the vortex.

Abstract: A variety of improved hydroclone based fluid filtering systems are described. The hydroclones generally include a tank having an internal chamber and a filter (preferably a surface filter) that is positioned within the internal chamber. The filter defines a filtered fluid chamber within the internal chamber of the tank. The hydroclone may be operated such that a vortex of flowing fluid is formed between the chamber wall and the filter with the filter being located in the center of the vortex. With this arrangement, the filter acts as a cross-flow filter. In one aspect of the invention, the filter is a stepped filter. In another aspect of the invention, the filter is an surface filter, as for example, an electroformed metal surface filter. In some preferred embodiments, the openings in the filter are arranged as slots that extend substantially vertically so that they are oriented substantially perpendicular to the flow path of fluid flowing in the adjacent portion of the vortex.

Abstract: A custom handheld system, or system to adapt a personal mobile computing device, such as a handheld Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) or cellular telephone, to enable a user to enact and review media choices through wireless control of media-playing devices by the handheld device, and to present media directories on its display. Access to information that enables content directory choices, such as TV program schedule items or CD music track titles, is provided through the native Internet, modem, or other network connectivity of the handheld device. The system provides for uniform interfaces for control and content choices on different media player devices, and provides ways to use the limited handheld device's physical button interfaces to enable audio muting and personalized content surfing with one hand, without requiring use of the handheld device's stylus or touch sensitive display screen.

Abstract: Existing media signals are processed to create new media content by defining content representations for the existing media and establishing functional dependencies between the representations. The content representations comprise different data types which determine the kinds of operations that can be performed and dependencies that can be established. Among the types of transformation that can be achieved are synchronization, sound substitution, and the creation of parametric special effects. The content representations and their functional dependencies are combined to construct a functional dependency network which causes the desired transformations to occur on input media signals. The inputs to the functional dependency network are parametrically specified by media data types to construct a template that can be used to create adaptive media productions.

Abstract: Existing media signals are processed to create new media content by defining content representations for the existing media and establishing functional dependencies between the representations. The content representations comprise different data types which determine the kinds of operations that can be performed and dependencies that can be established. Among the types of transformation that can be achieved are synchronization, sound substitution, and the creation of parametric special effects. The content representations and their functional dependencies are combined to construct a functional dependency network which causes the desired transformations to occur on input media signals. The inputs to the functional dependency network are parametrically specified by media data types to construct a template that can be used to create adaptive media productions.

Abstract: Existing media signals are processed to create new media content by defining content representations for the existing media and establishing functional dependencies between the representations. The content representations comprise different data types which determine the kinds of operations that can be performed and dependencies that can be established. Among the types of transformation that can be achieved are synchronization, sound substitution, and the creation of parametric special effects. The content representations and their functional dependencies are combined to construct a functional dependency network which causes the desired transformations to occur on input media signals. The inputs to the functional dependency network are parametrically specified by media data types to construct a template that can be used to create adaptive media productions.

Abstract: Existing media signals are processed to create new media content by defining content representations for the existing media and establishing functional dependencies between the representations. The content representations constitute different data types which determine the kinds of operations that can be performed and dependencies that can be established. Among the types of transformation that can be achieved are synchronization, substitution resequencing temporal compression and dilation, and the creation of parametric special effects. The content representations and their functional dependencies are combined to construct a functional dependency network which causes the desired transformations to occur on input media signals. The inputs to the functional dependency network are parametrically specified by media data types to construct a template that can be used to create adaptive media productions.