Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides a multihull watercraft having outermost hulls, a length, and a pair of propulsion units positioned inboard of its outermost hulls in a central ½ of the watercraft length. The propulsion units include propellers which are positioned to engage the water within the central ½ of the watercraft length and draft less than the outermost hulls. Because the outermost hulls provide protection from obstacles, the propulsion units can be operated propeller-end first, at a sufficiently high efficiency so that solar power for electric motors becomes an economically viable power source.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device is disclosed comprising a concentrator and a collector. The concentrator is to concentrate solar energy, and the collector is positioned to receive solar energy from the concentrator. The concentrator comprises a plurality of identical flat linear fresnel prism sheets and the collector comprises a plurality of identical photovoltaic cells. The prism sheets are selected from the group consisting of square prism sheets and regular hexagonal prism sheets, and the cells, in a preferred embodiment, are selected from the group consisting of square cells where the prism sheets comprise square prism sheets and regular hexagonal cells where the prism sheets comprise hexagonal prism sheets.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided comprising a compound parabolic concentrating (CPC) trough, a target, a plurality of sunlight diverters, and a tracker. The CPC trough is for concentrating sunlight and is symmetric about an imaginary plane of symmetry. The target is for absorbing sunlight concentrated by the trough. The plurality of sunlight diverters is to increase the sunlight received by the trough. The tracker is to orient the trough so that the sun is positioned on the plane of symmetry.

Abstract: High structure carbon black is produced in an oil furnace reactor characterized by abrupt expansions in the reaction flow passage following the reactor throat.

Abstract: A carbon black reactor employs the following components to produce non-uniform gas flow patterns.(a) a precombustion chamber skewed at an angle of 30-60 degrees from the reactor axis, comprising:(1) offset tangential hot gas entries(2) axial or offset multiple oil feed entries(b) an optional venturi which can be offset from the reactor axis and/or asymmetric in form.

Abstract: A pipe, containing a multiplicity of spray ports spaced longitudinally along the pipe so that carbonaceous feedstock can be simultaneously ejected from the ports outwardly from the pipe, is adapted for concentric longitudinal, axial alignment in a carbon black reactor. Preferably the pipe is jacketed so that coolant fluid can be circulated through the annulus formed between the pipe and the jacket and conduit means provide a connection from the pipe to spray ports located in the jacket wall thereby providing means for ejecting carbonaceous feedstock outwardly from the jacketed pipe. A carbon black reactor containing a feedstock nozzle as described above with the nozzle adapted to eject hydrocarbon feedstock into either a precombustion or a combustion zone of the reactor. A method for producing carbon black in which hydrocarbon feedstock is introduced into either a precombustion or a combustion zone of a carbon black reactor through a feedstock nozzle as described above.

Abstract: A layer of particles of carbon black is used as a filtration medium in the separation of carbon black from a gaseous stream containing carbon black.

Abstract: A carbon black reactor to produce non-uniform gas flow patterns utilizes(a) a precombustion chamber skewed at an angle of 30-60 degrees from the reactor axis with(1) offset tangential hot gas entries,(2) axial or offset multiple oil feed entries,(b) an optional venturi which can be offset from the reactor axis and/or asymmetric in form.

Abstract: A carbon black reactor having a mixing section and a reaction section with a choke situated within one of these sections further modified by means for reciprocating the choke along the longitudinal axis of the reactor to disrupt flow and, thereby, produce low tint residual carbon black and a method for producing carbon black utilizing the reciprocating choke.

Abstract: A carbon black feedstock nozzle in which a central pipe with a diverging nozzle outlet is surrounded by at least one concentric annulus having a diverging nozzle outlet with a spray angle different from that of the central pipe and with means for supplying a separate controlled flow of inlet material to the central pipe and concentric annulus. In the preferred embodiment multiple concentric annuli surround the central pipe with the outermost annulus supplied with a coolant fluid as inlet material, and the other annuli supplied with hydrocarbon suitable as carbon black reactor feedstock. In a preferred embodiment means are provided for a seriatim cycling of flow through the various hydrocarbon feedstock annuli. A carbon black reactor in which a feedstock nozzle as described above discharges in a portion of the reactor that is either a precombustion section or a combustion section.

Abstract: A pipe, containing a multiplicity of spray ports spaced longitudinally along the pipe so that carbonaceous feedstock can be simultaneously ejected from the ports outwardly from the pipe, is adapted for concentric longitudinal, axial alignment in a carbon black reactor. Preferably the pipe is jacketed so that coolant fluid can be circulated through the annulus formed between the pipe and the jacket and conduit means provide a connection from the pipe to spray ports located in the jacket wall thereby providing means for ejecting carbonaceous feedstock outwardly from the jacketed pipe. A carbon black reactor containing a feedstock nozzle as described above with the nozzle adapted to eject hydrocarbon feedstock into either a precombustion or a combustion zone of the reactor. A method for producing carbon black in which hydrocarbon feedstock is introduced into either a precombustion or a combustion zone of a carbon black reactor through a feedstock nozzle as described above.

Abstract: A layer of particles of carbon black is used as a filtration medium in the separation of carbon black from a gaseous stream containing carbon black.

Abstract: A carbon black reactor having a mixing section and a reaction section with a choke situated within one of these sections further modified by means for reciprocating the choke along the longitudinal axis of the reactor to disrupt flow and, thereby, produce low tint residual carbon black. A method for producing carbon black utilizing the reciprocating choke.

Abstract: Liquid sealed lock hoppers for use with a particulate material having a density greater than that of the sealing liquid are provided for connection to the inlet and outlet of a high pressure zone.

Abstract: The thermal efficiency of a dryer is improved by affixing to the shell of the dryer that contains the material to be dried projections which contact a heating medium surrounding the shell of the dryer and protrude into the interior of the shell. Heat is transferred from the heating medium by the projections to the material to be dried that is inside the shell of the dryer.

Abstract: A carbon black feedstock nozzle in which a central pipe with a diverging nozzle outlet is surrounded by at least one concentric annulus having a diverging nozzle outlet with a spray angle different from that of the central pipe and with means for supplying a separate controlled flow of inlet material to the central pipe and concentric annulus. In the preferred embodiment multiple concentric annuli surround the central pipe with the outermost annulus supplied with a coolant fluid as inlet material, and the other annuli supplied with hydrocarbon suitable as carbon black reactor feedstock. In a preferred embodiment means are provided for a seriatim cycling of flow through the various hydrocarbon feedstock annuli. A carbon black reactor in which a feedstock nozzle as described above discharges in a portion of the reactor that is either a precombustion section or a combustion section.