Abstract: An energy management system may include a refrigeration apparatus such as may be used to form an ice rink. Heat rejected from that apparatus may be used to address heating loads elsewhere. The apparatus may include a thermal storage apparatus, such as may be charged with ice, or another phase change material. The refrigeration apparatus may then be run for the purpose of obtaining the rejected heat, with the cooling of the thermal storage material as a by-product of operation to obtain extra rejected heat. The cold reservoir then developed in the thermal storage material may be used subsequently to provide cooling to a different load, at a different time of day. The thermal storage element may be used to provide cooling to a condensor of the refrigeration apparatus, or may be placed in series with a cooling load, such as an ice sheet or refrigerated enclosure. The apparatus may be electronically controlled, may used ammonia as an operating fluid in a vapour cycle system.

Abstract: An energy management system may include a refrigeration apparatus such as may be used to form an ice rink. Heat rejected from that apparatus may be used to address heating loads elsewhere. The apparatus may include a thermal storage apparatus, such as may be charged with ice, or another phase change material. The refrigeration apparatus may then be run for the purpose of obtaining the rejected heat, with the cooling of the thermal storage material as a by-product of operation to obtain extra rejected heat. The cold reservoir then developed in the thermal storage material may be used subsequently to provide cooling to a different load, at a different time of day. The thermal storage element may be used to provide cooling to a condenser of the refrigeration apparatus, or may be placed in series with a cooling load, such as an ice sheet or refrigerated enclosure. The apparatus may be electronically controlled, may used ammonia as an operating fluid in a vapor cycle system.

Abstract: A process and device for recovering cadmium and nickel metals from Ni-Cd battery and processing scrap material containing nickel, cadmium, iron and other substances are disclosed. The process includes depositing the scrap material in a furnace and adding an effective amount of an oxygen getter in the furnace to prevent oxide formation. Argon or nitrogen gas is introduced and maintained in the atmosphere of the furnace. The furnace is then heated for an effective period of time to evaporate free water. The temperature of the furnace is then increased and maintained to approximately 500.degree.-800.degree. C. for an effective period of time to volatilize molecular water and non-metallic substances. The temperature of the furnace is then further raised to greater than approximately 900.degree. C. for an effective period of time to vaporize cadmium from the scrap material.

Abstract: A subpurlin (10) is provided for a building assembly having a plurality of overhead structural members (50), an insulating layer (62) and a plurality of overlapping roof panels (56). The subpurlins (10) support and space the roof panels (56) without compressing the insulating layer (62). Connector assemblies (30) secure the subpurlins (10) on the structural members (50) while permitting differential thermal movements between the roof panels (56) and the structural members (50). The connector assemblies (30) have ferrules (32) which slidingly engage slots (16) in the subpurlins (10). Washers (34) are fastened to the structural members (50) through the ferrules (32) during subpurlin (10) installation.

Abstract: A subpurlin (10) is provided for a building assembly having a plurality of overhead structural members (50), an insulating layer (62) and a plurality of overlapping roof panels (56). The subpurlins (10) support and space the roof panels (56) without compressing the insulating layer (62). Connector assemblies (30) secure the subpurlins (10) on the structural members (50) while permitting differential thermal movements between the roof panels (56) and the structural members (50). The connector assemblies (30) have ferrules (32) which slidingly engage slots (16) in the subpurlins (10). Washers (34) are fastened to the structural members (50) through the ferrules (32) during subpurlin (10) installation.