Abstract: Output power and efficiency of combustion turbines, in particular, and combustion engines, in general, are improved by providing cooled intake air to the combustion device. The cooled air is obtained using a thermal energy storage system that has a stratified chilled fluid storage tank. A local or remote chiller plant, possibly already present for use in a thermal energy distribution system, provides the chilled fluid, which can be an aqueous solution of sodium chloride or calcium chloride or both, during off-peak operating times.

Abstract: In a drinking water reservoir, a draft tube is positioned above an inlet pipe to carry fresh water and water stored in a lower reservoir portion to an upper reservoir portion where the drinking water is mixed and stagnation of the reservoir contents is reduced. The draft tube can be used with a recycling pump and/or a mechanism for providing compressed gas to create a gas lifter to mix water in the lower storage portion with water in the upper storage portion when fresh water is not being added.

Abstract: A storage structure, particularly for fluids but also useful for storing solids, which in one embodiment includes at least a portion thereof comprising a structural wall having opposing sides, at least one said side having an insulating and protecting built-up layered finish covering which retards heat transfer, the passage of water vapor through the insulation and/or the condensation of water on the one said side, the built-up layered finish covering including a layer of insulation positioned on the one said side of the wall; a solid unitary vapor barrier layer applied to the outer surface of the insulation board as a viscous liquid or paste which hardens into a solid layer; a reinforced stucco basecoat layer applied onto the vapor barrier layer; and a stucco topcoat layer applied onto the stucco basecoat layer.

Abstract: An enclosed storage tank for simultaneous addition and removal, and storage, of two liquid layers of different density comprising a tank shell having a bottom, side wall and a roof and a column extending from the shell bottom to at least near the roof; a horizontal first liquid distributor spaced around and extending outwardly of the column and located in the upper part of the tank and having an upwardly facing liquid distribution surface; a low density liquid conduit extending from outside the shell into communication with the column whereby low density liquid can be fed to the column and then flow to the first liquid distributor and onto the upper liquid distribution surface; a horizontal second liquid distributor spaced around and extending outwardly of the column above which the column extends and spaced above the shell bottom; the second liquid distributor having a downwardly facing liquid distribution surface; a high density liquid conduit extending from outside the shell into communication with the col

Abstract: LNG is pumped to high pressure, vaporized, further heated and then expanded to create rotary power that is used to generate electrical power. A reservoir of carbon dioxide at about its triple point is created in an insulated vessel to store energy in the form of refrigeration recovered from the evaporated LNG. During peak electrical power periods, liquid carbon dioxide is withdrawn therefrom, pumped to a high pressure, vaporized, further heated, and expanded to create rotary power which generates additional electrical power. The exhaust from a fuel-fired combustion turbine, connected to an electrical power generator, heats the high pressure carbon dioxide vapor. The discharge stream from the CO.sub.2 expander is cooled and at least partially returned to the vessel where vapor condenses by melting stored solid carbon dioxide. During off-peak periods, CO.sub.

Abstract: An enclosed storage tank for the simultaneous addition and removal, and storage, or two liquid layers of different density comprising a tank shell having a bottom, a side wall extending upwardly from the bottom, a roof supported at least in part by the side wall and at least one vertical tubular column extending upwardly from the shell bottom to at least close to the roof; a substantially horizontal first distributor plate above which the column extends and with the plate spaced above but adjacent to the shell bottom; first openings in the column between the first distributor plate and the shell bottom; a high density liquid conduit extending from outside the shell to the column interior whereby high density liquid can be fed to the column interior and then flow out the first openings into the lower portion of the tank beneath the first distributor plate and the high density liquid can be withdrawn from the tank through the first openings and then through the high density liquid conduit; a substantially horiz

Abstract: A freeze concentrator of the shell and tube type containing a pool of liquid cryogen within the shell, the concentrator being adapted to maintain a constant temperature within the liquid cryogen. The temperature control comprises a flash tank located above the level of liquid cryogen within the concentrator, to which the vapors evolved from the boiling cryogen are passed. The flash tank is provided with a condenser for condensing the cryogen vapor which enters the flash tank, the resulting liquid cryogen collecting within the flash tank and being recycled therefrom by gravity to the pool of cryogen in the exchanger.

Abstract: Provided is a freeze concentration apparatus and method which embody means designed, sized and arranged for inhibiting ice deposition including an enclosed cyclonic concentrator vessel having unobstructed, smooth faced interior walls.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising a vertical vessel having a lower downwardly pointed conical shell portion, an intermediate shell portion and an upper shell portion wider than the lower and intermediate portions and with all said vessel portions surrounding and defining an unobstructed interior; a conduit for feeding a liquid stream, containing solids less dense than the liquid, tangentially to the vessel intermediate portion interior so that the liquid flows in a helical path therein and then flows downwardly to and in the lower conical portion whereby less dense liquid slurry concentrates in the central area of the lower conical portion and flows upwardly into the vessel upper portion while more dense liquid slurry concentrates in the vessel lower conical portion; a conduit to withdraw more dense liquid slurry from the vessel lower conical portion; and a distributor for directing washing liquid onto the slurry while the slurry is in the vessel upper portion.

Abstract: Apparatus by which a conduit, secured to two bodies which are connected together by an articulated joint, can bypass the joint.The articulated joint includes first and second pivots perpendicular to each other. A conduit extends through the first pivot and through at least part of the first body. A portion of the conduit projects lateral to the second pivot and between two spaced-apart guides supported by the second body or the articulated joint whereby the second body can pivot on the second pivot with the conduit laterally projecting portion arranged between the guides. Rotation of the second body causes the guides to apply torque to the conduit laterally projecting portion. The conduit extends from the conduit laterally projecting portion into supporting arrangement on the second body.

Abstract: A fluid-swivel with a first member having a first face, a second member having a second face adjoining and mating with the first face of the first member, the first face and the second face being positioned to rotate relative to each other about a common axis, a fluid conduit defined by a first raceway in the first face and a second raceway in the second face opposite the first raceway when the first and second raceways are at a predetermined index point relative to each other, said fluid conduit at the indexed condition defining a path in one revolution about the common axis which advances the conduit a distance of at least one width of the conduit, an inlet conduit communicating with the fluid conduit, and an outlet conduit communicating with the fluid conduit.

Abstract: A "quick-disconnect" rigid mooring system for attaching a ship to a buoyant tower comprises two rigid yoke structures, one of which is attached to the buoyant tower and the other of which is attached to the ship. Each yoke contains one element of a two-element "quick-disconnect" system, which when locked, achieves a rigid interconnection between the vessel and the buoyant tower. The yoke structures are provided with means which permit the structures to be properly aigned during the connect and disconnect procedures. The locking element of one of the yokes comprises an arm which projects from the end thereof, and a pair of transversely extending pins situated below the outwardly projecting arm. The locking element of the other yoke comprises a pair of spaced, parallel outwardly projecting arms provided with longitudinal slots that accept the outwardly projecting pins on the other yoke and guide the two yokes into aligned proximity, permitting the lock to be effected.

Abstract: A hydraulic counterweight and shock-absorbing system for unbalanced loads comprises a hydraulic cylinder having a reciprocable piston attached to a rod which controls the position of the load. The hydraulic cylinder is filled with a hydraulic liquid and is provided with a valved by-pass conduit which is selectively operable to permit free movement of the piston in a "free-wheeling" mode. An accumulator partially filled with hydraulic liquid under a high-pressure gas phase is operatively connected to the rod end of the cylinder to provide a shock-absorbing function during a "hook-up" mode. In a "disconnect" mode, by-pass conduits provided with a check-valve and with a relief or pressure-controlled valve permit unimpeded upward movement of the load in response to an external applied force, but prevent downward movement of the load except on application of a force exceeding the weight of the load.