Abstract: In an annular groove carried by one of a pair of reciprocally movable members, a piston ring is carried by the annular groove for sealing the reciprocally movable members for minimizing fluid leakage between the members. The piston ring is an annular member that includes an outer contact surface engagable with the sidewall, an opposed inner surface, an end gap that severs the annular member and that defines spaced-apart first and second ends of the annular member, and annular member tension-relieving notches formed in the inner surface of the annular member. The notches are spaced-apart along the length of the annular member between the first end and the second end, and each notch has a blunt notch tip for inhibiting crack propagation in the annular member from said blunt notch tip when the annular member is tensioned.

Abstract: In an annular groove carried by one of a pair of reciprocally movable members, a piston ring is carried by the annular groove for sealing the reciprocally movable members for minimizing fluid leakage between the members. The piston ring is an annular member that includes an outer contact surface engagable with the sidewall, an opposed inner surface, an end gap that severs the annular member and that defines spaced-apart first and second ends of the annular member, and annular member tension-relieving notches formed in the inner surface of the annular member. The notches are spaced-apart along the length of the annular member between the first end and the second end, and each notch has a blunt notch tip for inhibiting crack propagation in the annular member from said blunt notch tip when the annular member is tensioned.

Abstract: A system for effecting the pretreatment therewith of a sorbent comprising a conveying line (105), such as a pipe, and a plurality of solution nozzles operative for purposes of introducing a solution to treat the sorbent. More particularly, the conveying line (105) includes an inlet (107), an outlet (109), and an inner surface (105a) that is operative to define a passageway (190) through which sorbent particles are capable of being transported between the inlet (107) of the conveying line (105) and the outlet (109) of the conveying line (105).

Abstract: A system 26 for removing elemental mercury or mercury compounds handles carbonaceous sorbent 28 of a starter batch stored in a silo 30 in an agglomerated state. The sorbent 28 is fed by a feeder 32 to a separation device 34, which comminutes (if necessary) and de-agglomerates the sorbent particles 28 to their primary size distribution. This device 34 may be a particle-particle separator or a jet mill, where compressed air or high-pressure steam is the energy source. The de-agglomerated sorbent 28 of a contact batch created from the starter batch is conveyed by an airsteam for injection at a contact location 66 in a flue gas duct whereat carbonaceous sorbent of the contact batch adsorbs mercury from the flue gas.

Abstract: A method for removing mercury from flue gases generated by the combustion of coal comprises: storing a starter batch of activated carbon in an agglomerated state; de-agglomerating the starter batch in a separation device to create a contact batch of activated carbon; transporting the contact batch to a contact location; injecting the contact batch into contact with the flue gas at a contact location having a temperature between 400° F. and 1100° F., whereupon the activated carbon of the contact batch adsorbs mercury from the flue gas; and removing the activated carbon having mercury adsorbed thereon from the flue gas. The transporting step is conducted with substantially no intermediate storage of the contact batch following the de-agglomeration of the starter batch to prevent re-agglomeration of the activated carbon prior to injection.

Abstract: A system for effecting the pretreatment therewith of a sorbent comprising a conveying line (105), such as a pipe, and a plurality of solution nozzles operative for purposes of introducing a solution to treat the sorbent. More particularly, the conveying line (105) includes an inlet (107), an outlet (109), and an inner surface (105a) that is operative to define a passageway (190) through which sorbent particles are capable of being transported between the inlet (107) of the conveying line (105) and the outlet (109) of the conveying line (105).

Abstract: A method for removing mercury from flue gases generated by the combustion of coal comprises: storing a starter batch of activated carbon in an agglomerated state; de-agglomerating the starter batch in a separation device to create a contact batch of activated carbon; transporting the contact batch to a contact location; injecting the contact batch into contact with the flue gas at a contact location having a temperature between 400° F. and 1100° F., whereupon the activated carbon of the contact batch adsorbs mercury from the flue gas; and removing the activated carbon having mercury adsorbed thereon from the flue gas. The transporting step is conducted with substantially no intermediate storage of the contact batch following the de-agglomeration of the starter batch to prevent re-agglomeration of the activated carbon prior to injection.

Abstract: The present invention provides, according to one aspect thereof, a computer controlled process for reducing SO2 from a flue gas. The process includes the basic steps of providing an aqueous treatment solution containing an inorganic salt and a control unit for controlling the introduction of the aqueous treatment solution containing an inorganic salt and controlling the control unit in response to a computer program to effect introduction of the aqueous treatment solution into contact with alkaline earth material. Thereafter, the process includes heating the alkaline earth material in the presence of the flue gas containing SO2 to remove the SO2. The alkaline earth material may be limestone or dolomite. The inorganic salt is selected from the group consisting of thermally decomposable sodium compounds including sodium carbonate, sodium bicarbonate, sodium hydroxide, sodium nitrate, and sodium acetate.

Abstract: A system and method for operating a computer based targeted payment system discount program. Consumer information from consumer payment system institutions is used to match qualified consumers to targeted merchant discount offers. Offers are automatically prioritized based on their expected value to consumers and consumers receive the highest priority offers for which they qualify. The default prioritization can be altered or overridden by the consumer's payment systems institution. Discounts are automatically applied during the processing of the qualifying purchase without the need for coupons or additional actions by either the merchant or consumer.