Abstract: System and method utilizing thermochemical energy storage for abatement of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are provided. The system includes a thermochemical energy storage module cyclically operable in a discharging cycle and in a charging cycle. Abatement of VOCs may be performed in either cycle. Disclosed embodiments are expected to provide a zero-added carbon VOC abatement system that in certain situations can operate uninterruptedly 24/7 with the flexibility to facilitate consumption of energy during periods of inexpensive rates for electricity.

Abstract: A hybrid compressed air energy storage system is provided. A heat exchanger 114 extracts thermal energy from a compressed air to generate a cooled compressed air stored in an air storage reservoir 120, e.g., a cavern. A heat exchanger 124 transfers thermal energy generated by a carbon-neutral thermal energy source 130 to cooled compressed air conveyed from reservoir 120 to generate a heated compressed air. An expander 140 is solely responsive to the heated compressed air by heat exchanger 124 to produce power and generate an expanded air. Expander 140 is effective to reduce a temperature of the expanded air by expander 140, and thus a transfer of thermal energy from an expanded exhaust gas received by a recuperator 146 (used to heat the expanded air by the first expander) is effective for reducing waste of thermal energy in exhaust gas cooled by recuperator 146.

Abstract: A hybrid compressed air energy storage system is provided. A heat exchanger 114 extracts thermal energy from a compressed air to generate a cooled compressed air stored in an air storage reservoir 120, e.g., a cavern. A heat exchanger 124 transfers thermal energy generated by a carbon-neutral thermal energy source 130 to cooled compressed air conveyed from reservoir 120 to generate a heated compressed air. An expander 140 is solely responsive to the heated compressed air by heat exchanger 124 to produce power and generate an expanded air. Expander 140 is effective to reduce a temperature of the expanded air by expander 140, and thus a transfer of thermal energy from an expanded exhaust gas received by a recuperator 146 (used to heat the expanded air by the first expander) is effective for reducing waste of thermal energy in exhaust gas cooled by recuperator 146.

Abstract: A pumped heat energy storage system is provided. The pumped heat energy storage system may include a charging assembly configured to compress a working fluid and generate thermal energy. The pumped heat energy storage system may also include a thermal storage assembly operably coupled with the charging assembly and configured to store the thermal energy generated from the charging assembly. The pumped heat energy storage system may further include a discharging assembly operably coupled with the thermal storage assembly and configured to extract the thermal energy from the thermal storage assembly and convert the thermal energy to electrical energy.

Abstract: A hybrid compressed air energy storage system is provided. A method of operation thereof includes compressing air during a storage period, and extracting thermal energy therefrom to produce a cooled compressed air. The cooled compressed air may be stored in an air storage unit, the extracted thermal energy may be stored in a thermal storage device, and the stored cooled compressed air may be heated with the stored extracted thermal energy to produce a heated compressed air during a generation period. The heated compressed air may be expanded with an expander to generate power and discharge an expanded air, which may be heated with a recuperator to produce a heated expanded air. A fuel mixture including the heated expanded air may be combusted to produce an exhaust gas, which may be expanded with a second expander to generate power and discharge the expanded exhaust gas to the recuperator.

Abstract: A pumped heat energy storage system is provided. The pumped heat energy storage system may include a charging assembly configured to compress a working fluid and generate thermal energy. The pumped heat energy storage system may also include a thermal storage assembly operably coupled with the charging assembly and configured to store the thermal energy generated from the charging assembly. The pumped heat energy storage system may further include a discharging assembly operably coupled with the thermal storage assembly and configured to extract the thermal energy from the thermal storage assembly and convert the thermal energy to electrical energy.

Abstract: A biofuel gasification reactor for producing gases that are combustible in an internal combustion engine. The reactor includes a vessel with a loading port and cover, sized to receive biofuel of at least eight by twenty inches. A storage zone provides biofuel via gravity feed only to a plasma zone that oxidizes the biofuel into char and precursor gases. Air nozzles provide air to the plasma zone from a helical air preheater. A char zone receives the precursor gases and char. The precursor gases are substantially converted to effluent gases of hydrogen and carbon monoxide. A grating below the char zone holds the char until it is oxidized to ash. The grating covers the entire bottom of the char zone. The grating is disposed in a substantially fixed and immovable configuration during the operation of the reactor.

Abstract: A trapped vortex combustor. The trapped vortex combustor is configured for receiving a lean premixed gaseous fuel and oxidant stream, where the fuel includes hydrogen gas. The trapped vortex combustor is configured to receive the lean premixed fuel and oxidant stream at a velocity which significantly exceeds combustion flame speed in a selected lean premixed fuel and oxidant mixture. The combustor is configured to operate at relatively high bulk fluid velocities while maintaining stable combustion, and low NOx emissions. The combustor is useful in gas turbines in a process of burning synfuels, as it offers the opportunity to avoid use of diluent gas to reduce combustion temperatures. The combustor also offers the possibility of avoiding the use of selected catalytic reaction units for removal of oxides of nitrogen from combustion gases exiting a gas turbine.

Abstract: A trapped vortex combustor. The trapped vortex combustor is configured for receiving a lean premixed gaseous fuel and oxidant stream, where the fuel includes hydrogen gas. The trapped vortex combustor is configured to receive the lean premixed fuel and oxidant stream at a velocity which significantly exceeds combustion flame speed in a selected lean premixed fuel and oxidant mixture. The combustor is configured to operate at relatively high bulk fluid velocities while maintaining stable combustion, and low NOx emissions. The combustor is useful in gas turbines in a process of burning synfuels, as it offers the opportunity to avoid use of diluent gas to reduce combustion temperatures. The combustor also offers the possibility of avoiding the use of selected catalytic reaction units for removal of oxides of nitrogen from combustion gases exiting a gas turbine.

Abstract: A trapped vortex combustor. The trapped vortex combustor is configured for receiving a lean premixed gaseous fuel and oxidant stream, where the fuel includes hydrogen gas. The trapped vortex combustor is configured to receive the lean premixed fuel and oxidant stream at a velocity which significantly exceeds combustion flame speed in a selected lean premixed fuel and oxidant mixture. The combustor is configured to operate at relatively high bulk fluid velocities while maintaining stable combustion, and low NOx emissions. The combustor is useful in gas turbines in a process of burning synfuels, as it offers the opportunity to avoid use of diluent gas to reduce combustion temperatures. The combustor also offers the possibility of avoiding the use of selected catalytic reaction units for removal of oxides of nitrogen from combustion gases exiting a gas turbine.

Abstract: A trapped vortex combustor. The trapped vortex combustor is configured for receiving a lean premixed gaseous fuel and oxidant stream, where the fuel includes hydrogen gas. The trapped vortex combustor is configured to receive the lean premixed fuel and oxidant stream at a velocity which significantly exceeds combustion flame speed in a selected lean premixed fuel and oxidant mixture. The combustor is configured to operate at relatively high bulk fluid velocities while maintaining stable combustion, and low NOx emissions. The combustor is useful in gas turbines in a process of burning synfuels, as it offers the opportunity to avoid use of diluent gas to reduce combustion temperatures. The combustor also offers the possibility of avoiding the use of selected catalytic reaction units for removal of oxides of nitrogen from combustion gases exiting a gas turbine.

Abstract: This method and system for estimating Earth environmental effects in relation to planetary orbital dynamics provides for integrating seemingly diverse data input sources gathered from historical data, field data, meteorological sensors, satellites, and the like for geophysical, meteorological, archeological and astrophysical purposes to perform comparison, correlation, time and date determinations for historical analysis and future event prediction. Computer systems which are used to collect and store necessary data are linked by the most appropriate transmission means given the location and data transmission characteristics to be networked. A data base module is used to store historical or archival data as well as large input current data.

Abstract: A pulsed combustion acoustic wave generator includes a tubular barrel having an inlet end and an open outlet end, a fuel controller for metering a controlled quantity of fuel into the inlet end of the barrel, an oxidant controller for metering a controlled quantity of oxidant into the inlet end of the barrel and an igniter extending into the inlet end of the barrel that is controllable by an operator to ignite a mixture of fuel and oxidant in the inlet end.