Abstract: A storage vessel to contain reagent material. The storage vessel includes a vessel with a bottom, a top, an outlet at the top, sidewalls extending from the bottom to the top, a valve at the outlet, and an interior defined by the bottom, the top, and the sidewalls, the interior including a volume, and an extension tube having a first end engaged with the valve and a second end located toward a center of the interior volume from the first end such that, regardless of orientation of the vessel, the second end is above at least 25 percent of a volume of the interior volume.

Abstract: The plastic gang box with metal threaded nut attachment is a containment structure. The plastic gang box with metal threaded nut attachment forms a protection space. The protection space contains one or more electrical connections. The plastic gang box with metal threaded nut attachment comprises a gang box, and an insert structure. The gang box is formed from plastic. The insert structure inserts into the gang box. The insert structure is a metal device that is formed with an interior screw thread. The insert structure provides a more durable threaded connection than is available with a traditional plastic gang box.

Abstract: A storage vessel to contain reagent material. The storage vessel includes a vessel with a bottom, a top, an outlet at the top, sidewalls extending from the bottom to the top, a valve at the outlet, and an interior defined by the bottom, the top, and the sidewalls, the interior including a volume, and an extension tube having a first end engaged with the valve and a second end located toward a center of the interior volume from the first end such that, regardless of orientation of the vessel, the second end is above at least 25 percent of a volume of the interior volume.

Abstract: Methods and systems for raising deep ocean water include pumping a quantity of fluid through at least one hose. At least one turbine is driven with the quantity of fluid pumped through at least one hose. At least one pump is driven with the at least one turbine. A second quantity of fluid is sucked into the at least one pump and driven through at least a second hose.

Abstract: Methods and systems for raising deep ocean water include pumping a quantity of fluid through at least one hose. At least one turbine is driven with the quantity of fluid pumped through at least one hose. At least one pump is driven with the at least one turbine. A second quantity of fluid is sucked into the at least one pump and driven through at least a second hose.

Abstract: Methods and systems for raising deep ocean water include pumping a quantity of fluid through at least one hose. At least one turbine is driven with the quantity of fluid pumped through at least one hose. At least one pump is driven with the at least one turbine. A second quantity of fluid is sucked into the at least one pump and driven through at least a second hose.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for raising water is provided. The apparatus includes at least one container movable between at least a descended position and a ascended position within a body of water. A non-water-permeable membrane is positioned within the at least one container, wherein the membrane is movable within an interior compartment of the at least one container to separate the interior compartment into at least a first and a second portion. At least one vent structure is within a wall of the at least one container, wherein movement of the membrane controls a flow of water through the at least one vent structure and into at least one of the first and second portions.

Abstract: A system for raising water for OTEC and desalination is provided. The system includes at least one submerged platform positioned within a body of water, wherein the at least one submerged platform is buoyantly held up from a bottom surface of the body of water, and wherein the at least one submerged platform is held below a top surface of the body of water by at least one mooring attached to the bottom surface of the body of water. At least one cable is movably connected to the at least one submerged platform. At least one container is held by the at least one cable, wherein a quantity of water is emptied from the at least one container.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for raising water using containers is provided. The system includes a first frame ascendable and descendible within a body of water. At least one container is connected to an elongated cable, wherein the elongated cable is connected to the first frame, wherein two free ends of the elongated cable are connectable together when the first frame is in a descended position within the body of water. The system may include an Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC), Low-Temperature Thermal Desalination (LLTD), and/or Seawater Air Conditioning (SWAC) system, among others.

Abstract: An adsorption structure is described that includes at least one adsorbent member formed of an adsorbent material and at least one porous member provided in contact with a portion of the adsorbent member to allow gas to enter and exit the portion of the adsorbent member. Such adsorption structure is usefully employed in adsorbent-based refrigeration systems. A method also is described for producing an adsorbent material, in which a first polymeric material provided having a first density and a second polymeric material is provided having a second density, in which the second polymeric material is in contact with the first polymeric material to form a structure. The structure is pyrolyzed to form a porous adsorbent material including a first region corresponding to the first polymeric material and a second region corresponding to the second polymeric material, in which at least one of the pore sizes and the pore distribution differs between the first region and the second region.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for raising water is provided. The apparatus includes at least one container movable between at least a descended position and a ascended position within a body of water. A non-water-permeable membrane is positioned within the at least one container, wherein the membrane is movable within an interior compartment of the at least one container to separate the interior compartment into at least a first and a second portion. At least one vent structure is within a wall of the at least one container, wherein movement of the membrane controls a flow of water through the at least one vent structure and into at least one of the first and second portions.

Abstract: A building has walls built from blocks with cavities. Roofs and floors are formed from joists extending between walls. Each joist has a vertical plate, an angle piece located on each side of the vertical plate and end plates. The end plates bear on the wall blocks. Pins extend from the end plates into cavities of the wall blocks. Bond beams can be positioned on walls parallel to the joist. Horizontal blocks are laid across the joists to form a roof or floor.

Abstract: The invention is to make a rectangular block that will be used in a construction system based on the combined use of a double locking mortar-less block designed that locks together. The double locking mortar-less block of rectangular configuration with two end cavities of equal size and ears on the middle web. Each ear is the same dimension as the grooves in the internal faces of the end and sidewalls of each cavity. Each groove being positioned, shaped and dimensioned so that an ear and groove of adjacent blocks can be interlocked. The contour face of the block is contoured along axes perpendicular to the top and bottom faces of the block and the block face has protruding and receding portions. The respective protruding and receding portions interlock so that the block is adapted to form a rigid structure.

Abstract: A system for raising water for OTEC and desalination is provided. The system includes at least one submerged platform positioned within a body of water, wherein the at least one submerged platform is buoyantly held up from a bottom surface of the body of water, and wherein the at least one submerged platform is held below a top surface of the body of water by at least one mooring attached to the bottom surface of the body of water. At least one cable is movably connected to the at least one submerged platform. At least one container is held by the at least one cable, wherein a quantity of water is emptied from the at least one container.

Abstract: An adsorption structure is described that includes at least one adsorbent member formed of an adsorbent material and at least one porous member provided in contact with a portion of the adsorbent member to allow gas to enter and exit the portion of the adsorbent member. Such adsorption structure is usefully employed in adsorbent-based refrigeration systems. A method also is described for producing an adsorbent material, in which a first polymeric material is provided having a first density and a second polymeric material is provided having a second density, in which the second polymeric material is in contact with the first polymeric material to form a structure. The structure is pyrolyzed to form a porous adsorbent material including a first region corresponding to the first polymeric material and a second region corresponding to the second polymeric material, in which at least one of the pore sizes and the pore distribution differs between the first region and the second region.