Abstract: A method of producing images of the limits of a geologic reservoir from measurements of fluid pressure in a well controlled to produce from the reservoir at a constant flow rate. The measurements are taken over a period of time, which includes initiation of well flow and recorded in a plot of well pressure v. time. The method includes detecting abrupt changes in slope of the pressure v. time function, where each abrupt change signifies the arrival of a primary shock wave at a discrete section of a boundary limit of the reservoir; and calculating the minimum radial distance to the discrete section from the well bore as a function of wave travel time. The changes in the slope of the pressure v. time function are used to calculate the curvature of the boundary at the minimum radial distance.

Abstract: All energy resources available from a geopressured geothermal reservoir are used for the production of pipeline quality gas using a high pressure separator/heat exchanger and a membrane separator, and recovering waste gas from both the membrane separator and a low pressure separator in tandem with the high pressure separator for use in enhanced oil recovery, or in powering a gas engine and turbine set. Liquid hydrocarbons are skimmed off the top of geothermal brine in the low pressure separator. High pressure brine from the geothermal well is used to drive a turbine/generator set before recovering waste gas in the first separator. Another turbine/generator set is provided in a supercritical binary power plant that uses propane as a working fluid in a closed cycle, and uses exhaust heat from the combustion engine and geothermal energy of the brine in the separator/heat exchanger to heat the propane.

Abstract: A hydraulic accumulator-compressor vessel using geothermal brine under pressure as a piston to compress waste (CO.sub.2 rich) gas is used in a system having a plurality of gas separators in tandem to recover pipeline quality gas from geothermal brine. A first high pressure separator feeds gas to a membrance separator which separates low pressure waste gas from high pressure quality gas. A second separator produces low pressure waste gas. Waste gas from both separators is combined and fed into the vessel through a port at the top as the vessel is drained for another compression cycle. High pressure brine is then admitted into the vessel through a port at the bottom of the vessel. Check valves control the flow of low pressure waste gas into the vessel and high pressure waste gas out of the vessel.

Abstract: A variable pressure power cycle and control system that is adjustable to a variable heat source is disclosed. The power cycle adjusts itself to the heat source so that a minimal temperature difference is maintained between the heat source fluid and the power cycle working fluid, thereby substantially matching the thermodynamic envelope of the power cycle to the thermodynamic envelope of the heat source. Adjustments are made by sensing the inlet temperature of the heat source fluid and then setting a superheated vapor temperature and pressure to achieve a minimum temperature difference between the heat source fluid and the working fluid.

Abstract: A submergible barge and process for submerging and storing radioactive waste material along a seabed. A submergible barge receives individual packages of radwaste within segregated cells. The cells are formed integrally within the barge, preferably surrounded by reinforced concrete. The cells are individually sealed by a concrete decking and by concrete hatch covers. Seawater may be vented into the cells for cooling, through an integral vent arrangement. The vent ducts may be attached to pumps when the barge is bouyant. The ducts are also arranged to promote passive ventilation of the cells when the barge is submerged. Packages of the radwaste are loaded into individual cells within the barge. The cells are then sealed and the barge is towed to the designated disposal-storage site. There, the individual cells are flooded and the barge will begin descent controlled by a powered submarine control device to the seabed storage site.

Abstract: An expander compressor unit for a vapor compression refrigeration system is disclosed. The unit has a rotor which is provided with radial passageways terminating in tangentially oriented nozzles for expanding the high-pressure fluid and utilizing the kinetic energy of the expanding fluid to propel the rotor. The rotor is in driving engagement with a compressor which serves to compress fluid in the cycle. By this means the expander compressor unit substantially improves the efficiency of the cycle through efficient expansion of the refrigerant prior to evaporization and through reduction of the net work input into the system.

Abstract: An expander compressor unit for a vapor compression refrigeration system is disclosed. The unit has a rotor which is provided with radial passageways terminating in tangentially oriented nozzles for expanding the high-pressure fluid and utilizing the kinetic energy of the expanding fluid to propel the rotor. The rotor is in driving engagement with a compressor which serves to compress fluid in the cycle. By this means the expander compressor unit substantially improves the efficiency of the cycle through efficient expansion of the refrigerant prior to evaporization and through reduction of the net work input into the system.