Abstract: A method of deploying offshore wind turbine assemblies includes mounting a wind turbine assembly horizontally on a vessel and transporting the wind turbine assembly to an offshore site. The wind turbine assembly is raised to a vertical condition at the site and attached to anchor weights. Blades are attached to the turbine head after the wind turbine assembly is in the vertical condition. In one embodiment, the wind turbine assembly can include a tower including tapered lower and upper sections joined together at their respective wide ends, a turbine head connected to the upper section, and a platform connected to the lower section. The platform includes a buoy tank partially filled with ballast to provide mass and buoyancy. A wave piercing cowling is rotatively attached to the lower section. The turbine head can include an adjustable journal bearing, scabbard blade mounts, and a gearless induction generator with flux adjusting capabilities.

Abstract: A concrete wall system includes first and second opposing wall panels and a plurality of spacers disposed between the first and second wall panels. A plurality of reinforcing bars is placed between the first and second wall panels and supported by the spacers, and a concrete core is disposed between the first and second wall panels such that the spacers and the reinforcing bars are embedded in the concrete core. Each one of the spacers has a cup-like body defining a closed first end and an open second end with a flange formed on the second end. The spacer bodies are tapered so that the spacers are stackable.

Abstract: A method of deploying offshore wind turbine assemblies includes mounting a wind turbine assembly horizontally on a vessel and transporting the wind turbine assembly to an offshore site. The wind turbine assembly is raised to a vertical condition at the site and attached to anchor weights. Blades are attached to the turbine head after the wind turbine assembly is in the vertical condition. In one embodiment, the wind turbine assembly can include a tower including tapered lower and upper sections joined together at their respective wide ends, a turbine head connected to the upper section, and a platform connected to the lower section. The platform includes a buoy tank partially filled with ballast to provide mass and buoyancy. A wave piercing cowling is rotatively attached to the lower section. The turbine head can include an adjustable journal bearing, scabbard blade mounts, and a gearless induction generator with flux adjusting capabilities.

Abstract: A gasifier includes a gasifier shell, means for introducing fuel into the shell, and means for introducing oxygenate into the shell. The gasifier also includes means for discharging gas from the shell, which can be located below the means for introducing oxygenate. The gasifier can also include means for re-circulating gas prior to gas being discharged from the shell.

Abstract: A PCPG (Pulverized Coal Pressurized Gasifier) including improved fuel distribution means among burners, better burner feeding, enhanced flame retention burner, and improved process control. The flame retention burner has a both a rapidly spinning air flow to create a tornado effect plus a Coanda effect from the swirled air causing traverse eddies into the burning air/fuel mixture and induced circulation eddies of hot gas to prolong exposure of coal particles to hot flame conditions near the ignition area to achieve increased multiple chances to mate air with coal particles. This burner coupled to individualized fuel feed and precise measurements and controls and two-stage PCPG entrained flow and ash bed reactor spaces minimizes carbon in the ash and maximizes gas-making efficiency.

Abstract: A filtering apparatus for filtering sand, other debris, and pollutants from rainwater does not utilize electricity or complex valves. The apparatus includes a tank, preferably concrete, having at least one inlet, an overflow outlet, and a filter proximate the tank outlet. The overflow outlet in one embodiment comprises an overflow weir having at least one side and an open top. A screen is attached to the top of the overflow weir and/or the tank outlet, and is preferably made from stainless steel or plastic. The screen is preferably sized to filter sand. In use, rainwater enters the tank, debris settles, and water exits the outlet and the filter. When a large amount of fluid enters and fills the tank, the fluid level reaches the overflow. At this point, any excess rainwater that cannot exit through the screen will flow over and into the overflow opening and exit the tank outlet.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system is disclosed whereby trickling filters remove a high proportion of biochemical oxygen demand, total suspended solids, and nutrients from wastewater using, in one embodiment, a pressurized media container. The system accomplishes this in an improved way by combining venturies or blowers to aerate the wastewater, and recirculating the wastewater and air down through the treatment media, improving the overall efficiency of the system and reducing its size. A screen at the base of the pressurized media container supports the media and allows the wastewater to exit the pressurized media container. The system also includes a low pressure nozzle that aids in the proper distribution of the wastewater.

Abstract: An apparatus for composting city sewage sludge and organic garbage to provide rich humus topsoil for city and private use. A continuous rotation of an aeration lift arm over the floor of a cylindrical tank, lifts the sludge to split it open to provide controlled dynamic aeration therewithin and to maintain bacteria action over periods of time and on demand in response to a temperature probe set at 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Cooperating equipment comprises an air blower, a motor driven arm operable upon a central drive sleeve device to rotate the aerator lift arm, and an exhaust pump for removing hot gases resulting from the bacteria action. The full compost mass is lifted over an inclined surface to a height and spilled over a raised trailing edge of the aerator arm closed with a back wall plate. The back wall plate has valved openings through which varying amounts of air are delivered from the hollow aerator arm to different radially volume-extended mass areas.

Abstract: A pressurized downdraft gasifier for extracting high quality burning gases from fuels with low rates of gasification. The downdraft air with the gas products is made to take a tranverse path through a cylindrical bar grate depending into the ash collecting chamber from a throated bottom structure of the gasifying chamber and into annular space surrounding the grate at the top of the ash chamber from which space the gas products are delivered to gas burners and turbines to be utilized. Grate clearing assemblies are supported by their three blades respectively overlying respective grate bars and have a loose splined drive connection with a vertical drive shaft to allow the assemblies to tilt or rock while adjusting to clinkers plugging the grate bars. In the bottom of the ash chamber is a hearth plate with a central opening and a rejection plate also similarly loosely connected to the same vertical drive shaft to adjust to clinkers when sweeping the ash into the central opening of the hearth plate.