Abstract: A ballast block is provided with a body and a plurality of fluid receiving channels. The body includes a top surface, a bottom surface positioned opposite the top surface, and a first side extending between the top surface and the bottom surface. The plurality of fluid receiving channels are disposed along the first side in a plurality of units and extending from the top surface to the bottom surface to form a zigzag pattern. Each unit of the plurality of units having an adjacent pair of fluid receiving channels extending at opposing angles toward each other from the top surface to the bottom surface in an approximate V-shape.

Abstract: A ballast block is provided with a body and a plurality of fluid receiving channels. The body includes a top surface, a bottom surface positioned opposite the top surface, and a first side extending between the top surface and the bottom surface. The plurality of fluid receiving channels are disposed along the first side in a plurality of units and extending from the top surface to the bottom surface to form a zigzag pattern. Each unit of the plurality of units having an adjacent pair of fluid receiving channels extending at opposing angles toward each other from the top surface to the bottom surface in an approximate V-shape.

Abstract: A golf club cleaning device for cleaning golf clubs includes a panel that comprises cloth. A slot is positioned adjacent to a bottom edge of the panel. A plurality of first fasteners is coupled to a front of the panel adjacent to a fringe of the slot. A housing that is complementary to the slot has a plurality of bristles that is coupled to and extends transversely from a back face of the housing. The bristles are configured to engage a face of a golf club to dislodge debris. A plurality of second fasteners, which is complementary to the first fasteners, is coupled to and extends outwardly from a rim of the back face of the housing. The second fasteners are positioned to reversibly couple with the first fasteners to secure the housing to the panel.

Abstract: A golf club cleaning device for cleaning golf clubs includes a panel that comprises cloth. A slot is positioned adjacent to a bottom edge of the panel. A plurality of first fasteners is coupled to a front of the panel adjacent to a fringe of the slot. A housing that is complementary to the slot has a plurality of bristles that is coupled to and extends transversely from a back face of the housing. The bristles are configured to engage a face of a golf club to dislodge debris. A plurality of second fasteners, which is complementary to the first fasteners, is coupled to and extends outwardly from a rim of the back face of the housing. The second fasteners are positioned to reversibly couple with the first fasteners to secure the housing to the panel.

Abstract: A stabilizing system for a deck system has a plurality of pedestals, a plurality of connection locations on a periphery of the pedestals and a stabilizing bar secured between the pedestals. The stabilizing bar includes a first half, a second half, a fastener, and a first securing member. The first half and the second half connect to each other and are extendable between at least two of the pedestals. The second half is sized to receive the first half therein in a telescoping manner. The fastener connects the first half with the second half, while the first securing opening extends from a bottom surface and is located near a respective end face opposite a juncture between the halves.

Abstract: A deck system and pedestal for use in forming an elevated surface are provided. The pedestal for supports blocks, pavers, tiles, or panels a spaced distance above an underlying surface. The pedestal for supporting blocks, pavers, tiles, or panels a spaced distance above an underlying surface, includes a support, a sound-deadening pad, and a bosses and recess arrangement positioned between the support plate and pad. The support includes a support plate having an upper surface and a plurality of upstanding walls that define quadrants on the support plate. The sound-deadening pad is positioned on the support plate and is non-movable within the support to prevent any relative movement between the support plate and the pad. The bosses and recess arrangement includes a plurality of bosses are received by the plurality of recesses.

Abstract: A stabilizing system for a deck system has a plurality of pedestals, a plurality of connection locations on a periphery of the pedestals and at least one stabilizing member secured g between the pedestals. Each of the pedestals supports corner portions of adjacent blocks, pavers or panels a spaced distance above an underlying structure extending generally parallel to the blocks, pavers or panels. The plurality of connection locations on a periphery of the pedestals are located both proximate the supported corner portions and proximate the underlying structure. At least one stabilizing member in the form of a stabilizing bar, elongate wires, wire rope, cable or rods is secured to and extends between the connection locations of at least two of the pedestals.

Abstract: A deck system and pedestal for use in forming an elevated surface are provided. The pedestal for supports blocks, pavers, tiles, or panels a spaced distance above an underlying surface. The pedestal for supporting blocks, pavers, tiles, or panels a spaced distance above an underlying surface, includes a support, a sound-deadening pad, and a bosses and recess arrangement positioned between the support plate and pad. The support includes a support plate having an upper surface and a plurality of upstanding walls that define quadrants on the support plate. The sound-deadening pad is positioned on the support plate and is non-movable within the support to prevent any relative movement between the support plate and the pad. The bosses and recess arrangement includes a plurality of bosses are received by the plurality of recesses.

Abstract: A stabilizing system for a deck system has a plurality of pedestals, a plurality of connection locations on a periphery of the pedestals and a stabilizing bar secured between the pedestals. The stabilizing bar includes a first half, a second half, a fastener, and a first securing member. The first half and the second half connect to each other and are extendable between at least two of the pedestals. The second half is sized to receive the first half therein in a telescoping manner. The fastener connects the first half with the second half, while the first securing opening extends from a bottom surface and is located near a respective end face opposite a juncture between the halves.

Abstract: A deck system and pedestal for use in forming an elevated surface are provided. The pedestal for supports blocks, pavers, tiles, or panels a spaced distance above an underlying surface. The pedestal has a base, a reinforcement wall, a support, and a coupler with a flange. The base is at a lower end of the pedestal and has a plate extending outward from a post. The reinforcement wall extends between the plate and the post and has a first eyelet formed therein. The support is located at an upper end of the pedestal for supporting the blocks, pavers, tiles, or panels thereon. It is adjustably mounted relative to the base for altering an overall height of the pedestal. The coupler, having a flange is adjustably located between the support and the base for further altering the overall height of the pedestal. A plurality of spaced-apart second eyelets extend through the flange.

Abstract: Reactive diluent fluid (22) is introduced into a stream of synthesis gas (or “syngas”) produced in a heat-generating unit such as a partial oxidation (“POX”) reactor (12) to cool the syngas and form a mixture of cooled syngas and reactive diluent fluid. Carbon dioxide and/or carbon components and/or hydrogen in the mixture of cooled syngas and reactive diluent fluid is reacted (26) with at least a portion of the reactive diluent fluid in the mixture to produce carbon monoxide-enriched and/or solid carbon depleted syngas which is fed into a secondary reformer unit (30) such as an enhanced heat transfer reformer in a heat exchange reformer process. An advantage of the invention is that problems with the mechanical integrity of the secondary unit arising from the high temperature of the syngas from the heat-generating unit are avoided.

Abstract: Reactive diluent fluid (22) is introduced into a stream of synthesis gas (or “syngas”) produced in a heat-generating unit such as a partial oxidation (“POX”) reactor (12) to cool the syngas and form a mixture of cooled syngas and reactive diluent fluid. Carbon dioxide and/or carbon components and/or hydrogen in the mixture of cooled syngas and reactive diluent fluid is reacted (26) with at least a portion of the reactive diluent fluid in the mixture to produce carbon monoxide-enriched and/or solid carbon depleted syngas which is fed into a secondary reformer unit (30) such as an enhanced heat transfer reformer in a heat exchange reformer process. An advantage of the invention is that problems with the mechanical integrity of the secondary unit arising from the high temperature of the syngas from the heat-generating unit are avoided.

Abstract: A stabilizing system for a deck system has a plurality of pedestals, a plurality of connection locations on a periphery of the pedestals and at least one stabilizing member secured g between the pedestals. Each of the pedestals supports corner portions of adjacent blocks, pavers or panels a spaced distance above an underlying structure extending generally parallel to the blocks, pavers or panels. The plurality of connection locations on a periphery of the pedestals are located both proximate the supported corner portions and proximate the underlying structure. At least one stabilizing member in the form of a stabilizing bar, elongate wires, wire rope, cable or rods is secured to and extends between the connection locations of at least two of the pedestals.

Abstract: A deck system and pedestal for use in forming an elevated surface are provided. The pedestal for supports blocks, pavers, tiles, or panels a spaced distance above an underlying surface. The pedestal has a base, a reinforcement wall, a support, and a coupler with a flange. The base is at a lower end of the pedestal and has a plate extending outward from a post. The reinforcement wall extends between the plate and the post and has a first eyelet formed therein. The support is located at an upper end of the pedestal for supporting the blocks, pavers, tiles, or panels thereon. It is adjustably mounted relative to the base for altering an overall height of the pedestal. The coupler, having a flange is adjustably located between the support and the base for further altering the overall height of the pedestal. A plurality of spaced-apart second eyelets extend through the flange.

Abstract: A pedestal is provided that is matingly engagable with a like companion pedestal in vertically stacked relation to support corner portions of pavers, tiles, or like decking elements in edgewise juxtaposition above an underlying surface. The pedestal has a base, plate, or body, having a plurality of corner support portions and a topside and bottom side that define a predetermined thickness, or height, of the base, plate, or body. An abutment, such as an upstanding wall, flange, post, or the like, projects upwardly from the topside a predetermined distance, or height, that is greater than or equal to the predetermined thickness of the base, plate, or body. An aperture, such as a slot or the like, extends transversely through the base, plate, or body and is offset from the abutment. Accordingly, a like abutment of a companion pedestal can extend through the aperture of an upper stacked pedestal thereby permitting the pedestals to be stacked together in a stable manner.

Abstract: A pedestal is provided that is matingly engagable with a like companion pedestal in vertically stacked relation to support corner portions of pavers, tiles, or like decking elements in edgewise juxtaposition above an underlying surface. The pedestal has a base, plate, or body, having a plurality of corner support portions and a topside and bottom side that define a predetermined thickness, or height, of the base, plate, or body. An abutment, such as an upstanding wall, flange, post, or the like, projects upwardly from the topside a predetermined distance, or height, that is greater than or equal to the predetermined thickness of the base, plate, or body. An aperture, such as a slot or the like, extends transversely through the base, plate, or body and is offset from the abutment. Accordingly, a like abutment of a companion pedestal can extend through the aperture of an upper stacked pedestal thereby permitting the pedestals to be stacked together in a stable manner.

Abstract: A deck system and pedestal for use in forming an elevated surface are provided. The system includes a plurality of ballast blocks, pavers or panels laterally positioned in a pattern to form a deck. Each of the blocks, pavers or panels has corner portions, and the pattern includes intersection areas in which the corner portions of adjacent blocks, pavers or panels extend. The system also includes a plurality of pedestals. The pedestals are located directly beneath the intersection areas and support the corner portions of adjacent blocks, pavers or panels a spaced distance above an underlying structure. Each pedestal has a base at a lower end thereof and a support at an upper end thereof. The support is rotatable relative to the base for altering an overall height of the pedestal. One or more couplers can be added to the pedestal to alter the overall height of the pedestal. The pedestals can include a rubber pad or coating that secures and stabilizes the block, paver, or panel on the pedestals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and apparatus for producing crude helium, liquefied natural gas product, and optionally synthesis gas from natural gas. A natural gas comprising helium and methane is cooled to produce cooled natural gas. At least a portion of the helium and methane from the cooled natural gas is separated into a vapor comprising helium, from which crude helium is derived, and a liquid comprising methane. At least a portion of the methane from this liquid is separated into a vapor, which is optionally reacted to produce synthesis gas, and a liquid, from which liquefied natural gas is derived. Additional heat exchange and separation steps may be included.

Abstract: A hydrogen distribution network comprising a hydrocarbon feedstock distribution system; a hydrogen distribution system; and (c) two or more hydrogen production facilities wherein (1) the hydrogen production facilities produce minimal or no net excess steam for export and comprise at least one hydrogen production module interconnected to a purification system, (2) the at least one hydrogen production module (a) is configured to receive hydrocarbon feedstock from the hydrocarbon feedstock distribution system (b) reacts the hydrocarbon feedstock chemically to produce (i) a hydrogen-containing product gas, and (ii) minimal or no net excess steam for export; (c) is configured for optional interconnection to one or more additional hydrogen production modules; and (d) is configured to export the hydrogen-containing product gas to a purification system; and (3) the purification system is configured to purify the hydrogen-containing product gas and to export purified hydrogen-containing product gas to the hydrogen dis