Abstract: A low stress heat exchanger (50) and method for making the same is provided wherein thin heat exchange members (18, 20, 64, 66) are joined to thicker support members (44, 84) by causing the thin members (18, 20, 64, 66) to extend tangentially from a radiused surface (84) of the support member (44, 84). The thin members (18, 20, 64, 66) are then secured to the support member (44, 84) in an area (42, 88) remote from the area (46, 48) where the thin members (18, 20, 64, 66) extend tangentially from the support member (44, 84).The heat exchanger (50) includes closure tabs (14, 16) for bridging a space at the ends of fluid passages (36) defined by spaced wall members (18, 20).

Abstract: A three stage hydrogen generator (10), comprises a low BTU, carbon monoxide and hydrogen containing gas generation stage, a first reactor stage (12) for exothermically reducing ferric oxide with the low BTU gas and for generating superheated steam and a second reactor stage (14) for endothermically reacting steam and iron to produce substantially pure hydrogen gas. The hydrogen gas together with unreacted steam from the third stage (16) is directed to a condenser (18), preferably an air cooled unit, wherein the steam is condensed and the hydrogen gas recovered. The condensate (20) is cycled back to the second reactor (14) as the feed water for generating superheated steam and the heated cooling air (22) is directed to the first stage (12) for use in the generation of the low BTU gas. At least one, and preferably all, of the stages utilize a rotating fluidized bed. Desirably the condenser (18) is a rotating fluidized bed heat exchanger.

Abstract: A rotating fluidized bed combustor particularly adaptable for mounting on conventional gas turbine engines comprising an annular fluidized bed, defined by inner and outer spaced apart coaxial, cylindrical, perforated walls, which rotates about the longitudinal axis of the cylinders. Compressed air and solid or liquid fuel enter the bed through the outer perforated wall and fluidize the bed. The air reacts with the fuel within the bed to produce hot combustion gas which exits the bed, together with unreacted compressed air, through the inner perforated wall. When employed with gas turbine engines, the gases exiting the bed are directed into the guide vanes of the gasifier turbine. Cooling tubes pass substantially longitudinally through the rotating fluidized bed and compressed air is directed through the tubes to absorb combustion heat from the bed.

Abstract: A rotating fluidized bed heat exchanger particularly adaptable as a heat exchange unit in the recuperator section of conventional gas turbine engines comprising an annular fluidized bed, defined by inner and outer spaced apart coaxial cylindrical, perforated walls, which rotates about the longitudinal axis of the cylinders. The bed is comprised of pulverulent inert particulate material and includes fluid-containing heat exchange tubes passing substantially longitudinally therethrough. Hot gases, such as turbine exhaust gases, enter the bed through the outer perforated wall, heat and fluidize the bed particles, heat the fluid, usually compressed air, in the tubes, and exit the bed through the inner perforated wall. The heat exchange tubes direct the fluid flowing therein from an inlet adjacent the inner perforated wall to an outlet adjacent the outer perforated wall such that the fluid flows substantially countercurrently to the hot fluidizing gas.

Abstract: Two fully independent fuel injection systems have been used for delivering pilot and main fuel injection. Also, two fuel pumps have been used to provide pilot and main injection through a single nozzle. A fuel injection apparatus now provides a plurality of rotary valves (46,48) for starting and stopping both pilot and main injection. Fuel is sequentially (26) controlled to be pilot injected through a first nozzle (28) and main injected through a second nozzle (30).

Abstract: A method for preheating a rotatable fluidizable bed (106) comprises rotating the bed chamber (112) slowly to cause the particles (114) to slowly tumble and mix. During tumbling, one or more burners (150, 160) extending into the chamber (112), heat the particles (114) until the desired operating or ignition temperature is reached. Temperature sensors (170) in thermal communication with the bed particles (114) sense the temperature and provide either an indication thereof or an initiating signal which, in the case of a rotating fluidized bed combustor (10), terminates preheating, accelerates the bed chamber (112) rotation to normal combustor (10) operating speed and/or introduces fluidizing air and/or fuel flow through the bed chamber (112).

Abstract: PCT No. PCT/US79/00929 Sec. 371 Date Nov. 1, 1979 Sec. 102(e) date Nov. 1, 1979 PCT Filed Nov. 1, 1979 PCT Pub. No. WO81/01295 PCT Pub. Date May 14, 1981A rotating fluidized bed gasifier system especially useful in compound engines comprising an annular fluidization chamber containing a bed of carbon containing pulverulent solid materials. The chamber, which is defined by inner and outer spaced apart coaxial, cylindrical, perforated walls, rotates about the longitudinal axis of the cylinders. Steam enters the bed, which is maintained at about 1800.degree. F., through the outer perforated wall and fluidizes the particles. The steam reacts endothermically with the carbon to produce reaction product gas which exits the bed, together with unreacted steam, through the inner perforated wall. In a preferred form of the invention the bed is maintained at approximately 1800.degree. F. by combining a rotating fluidized bed combustor with the gasifier.

Abstract: PCT No. PCT/US 79/00843 Sec. 371 Date Oct. 15, 1979 Sec. 102(e) Date Oct. 15, 1979 PCT Filed Oct. 15, 1979 A combination rotating fluidized bed combustor and rotating fluidized bed heat exchanger particularly adaptable as the combustor and heat exchange unit, respectively, of conventional gas turbine engines is preferably arranged with the combustor nested within the heat exchanger for maximum compactness. The heat exchanger comprises an annular fluidized bed, defined by inner and outer spaced apart coaxial cylindrical, perforated walls, which rotates about the longitudinal axis of the cylinders. The bed is comprised of pulverulent inert particulate material and includes fluid-containing heat exchange tubes passing substantially longitudinally therethrough. Hot gases, such as turbine exhaust gases, enter the bed through the outer perforated wall, heat and fluidize the bed particles, heat the gas, usually compressed air, in the tubes, and exit the bed through the inner perforated wall.

Abstract: PCT No. PCT/US79/00945 Sec. 371 Date Nov. 5, 1979 Sec. 102(e) Date Nov. 5, 1979 PCT Filed Nov. 5, 1979A rotatable fluidizable bed (106) comprises means for rotating the bed chamber (112) slowly to cause the particles (114) to slowly tumble and mix. During tumbling, one or more burners (150, 160) extending into the chamber (112), heat the particles (114) until the desired operating or ignition temperature is reached. Temperature sensors (170) in thermal communication with the bed particles (114) sense the temperature and provide either an indication thereof or an initiating signal which, in the case of a rotating fluidized bed combustor (10), terminates preheating, accelerates the bed chamber (112) rotation to normal combustor (10) operating speed and/or introduces fluidizing air and/or fuel flow through the bed chamber (112).