Abstract: A method of purifying brackish water includes mixing brackish water with a nucleating agent, forming nucleated liquid water and distributing droplets of the nucleated liquid water inside a vacuum chamber, vacuum freezing the droplets of the nucleated liquid water in the vacuum chamber. The method further includes the droplets forming pure water vapor, nucleated ice, and remaining brackish water, mixing and liquifying the pure water vapor and the nucleated ice, forming a mixture of purified liquid water and the nucleating agent. The method further includes separating the mixture of purified liquid water and the nucleating agent, forming purified liquid water and the nucleating agent.

Abstract: A cool storage system comprising which includes a plurality of heat pipes. Each of the heat pipes has a lower evaporator section, a hybrid evaporator/condensing section, and an upper condensing section. The hybrid evaporator/condensing section positioned between the lower evaporator section and the upper condensing section. Each of the heat pipes contains a selected amount of a heat transfer fluid adapted to transfer heat from the lower evaporator section to the hybrid evaporator/condensing section and the upper condensing section through a vapor/condensation cycle, or the heat transfer fluid is vaporized in the hybrid evaporator and condensed in the upper evaporator section. A thermal storage medium is provided in thermal engagement with the hybrid evaporator/condensing section. A heat source is located in said lower evaporator section, and a cooling source, located in said upper condensing section.

Abstract: An incineration system includes an inlet channel supplying an inlet stream comprising a waste gas containing at least one volatile organic compound, a waste gas sensor measuring at least one property of the waste gas, an oxidizing gas supply controllably providing oxidizing gas to the inlet channel, an incinerator receiving the inlet stream from the inlet channel, an ignitor initiating combustion of the inlet stream in the reaction zone of the incinerator, and a controller receiving data from the waste gas sensor and controlling flow of oxidizing gas from the oxidizing gas supply into the inlet channel. The spiral heat exchanger defines a reaction zone, an incoming path from the inlet channels to the reaction zone, and an outgoing path from the reaction zone to an exhaust channel. The incoming path and the outgoing path extend in alternating concentric spirals with the incoming path being countercurrent to the outgoing path.

Abstract: A thermal energy storage system includes a phase change composition including a phase change material. The phase change composition has a first melting temperature at a first hydration level and a second melting temperature at a second hydration level. The phase change composition stores thermal energy by converting from a solid to a liquid. The thermal energy storage system also includes at least one compartment containing the phase change composition and at least one tuning medium receiving water to adjust the phase change composition from the first hydration level to the second hydration level and supplying water to adjust the phase change composition from the second hydration level to the first hydration level. A method of storing and releasing thermal energy is also disclosed.

Abstract: Fuel reforming processes and systems are disclosed. The fuel reforming process includes providing a fuel reformer, the fuel reformer comprising a reaction zone configured for exothermic partial oxidation to generate reformates and a heat exchanger extending from the reaction zone, the heat exchanger configured to expel the reformates through a reformate path and receive fuel-rich reactants through a fuel path, generating the reformates by the exothermic partial oxidation of the fuel-rich reactants within the reaction zone, heating the fuel-rich reactants in reaction zone with the heat exchanger by heat from the reformates in the reformate path. The process is energetically self-sustained and operates without a catalyst. The fuel reforming system includes the fuel reformer with a spiral heat exchanger and a component capable of operation with the reformates and incompatible with combustion products, such as a fuel cell.

Abstract: Fuel reforming processes and systems are disclosed. The fuel reforming process includes providing a fuel reformer, the fuel reformer comprising a reaction zone configured for exothermic partial oxidation to generate reformates and a heat exchanger extending from the reaction zone, the heat exchanger configured to expel the reformates through a reformate path and receive fuel-rich reactants through a fuel path, generating the reformates by the exothermic partial oxidation of the fuel-rich reactants within the reaction zone, heating the fuel-rich reactants in reaction zone with the heat exchanger by heat from the reformates in the reformate path. The process is energetically self-sustained and operates without a catalyst. The fuel reforming system includes the fuel reformer with a spiral heat exchanger and a component capable of operation with the reformates and incompatible with combustion products, such as a fuel cell.