Abstract: An environmental protection and detection system includes a vapor and gas impervious barrier extending beneath at least part of the area of an enclosure to prevent fluids leaked or spilled within the enclosure for flowing downwardly into the underlying soil and ground water and to prevent vapors and gases emanating from sources beneath the enclosure from percolating upwardly into the enclosure. Lengths of perforated pipe are positioned above the barrier and are connected to points outside the enclosure for use in detecting and removing contaminants leaked or spilled within the enclosure. Lengths of perforated pipe are positioned beneath the barrier and are vented to the atmosphere for preventing accumulations of fluids emanating from sources beneath the enclosure.

Abstract: An environmental protection and detection system includes a vapor and gas impervious barrier extending beneath at least part of the area of an enclosure to prevent fluids leaked or spilled within the enclosure for flowing downwardly into the underlying soil and ground water and to prevent vapors and gases emanating from sources beneath the enclosure from percolating upwardly into the enclosure. Lengths of perforated pipe are positioned above the barrier and are connected to points outside the enclosure for use in detecting and removing contaminants leaked or spilled within the enclosure. Lengths of perforated pipe are positioned beneath the barrier and are vented to the atmosphere for preventing accumulations of fluids emanating from sources beneath the enclosure.

Abstract: A self-contained passive solar heating system includes first and second heat pipes, each having a refrigerant medium therein, a condenser portion and an evaporator portion, with the condenser portion of the first heat pipe being coupled to the evaporator portion of the second heat pipe for transferring heat thereto when the pressure within the first heat pipe is greater than the pressure within the second heat pipe. The evaporator portion of the first heat pipe is adapted to be exposed to a source of heat and the condenser portion of the second heat pipe contacts a medium to be heated. A temperature control mechanism may be installed as the coupling between the first and second heat pipes for uncoupling the same when the temperature within the first heat pipe falls below a predetermined temperature.