Abstract: The disclosure concerns a waste heat recovery system that is configured to operate as a prime mover in emergency case, when the heat source is down. The waste heat recovery system comprises, in addition to a heater configured to circulate a working fluid in heat exchange relationship with a heating fluid from the heat source to heat the working fluid, an independent auxiliary heat source configured to provide an additional heating fluid in heat exchange relationship with the working fluid, to heat the working fluid. The system is provided with a secondary heater, which is configured to circulate the working fluid in heat exchange relationship with the additional heating fluid from the independent auxiliary heat source and which can be used to replace the heater or in combination with the heater.

Abstract: A drive system for driving a load, such as a pump, a compressor or the like, is disclosed. The drive system comprises two clutches operable so that it is possible to exclude the load, so as to maximize the power transferred to the electric powered grid, when a peak of energy is required. Also disclosed is a method for operating a drive system for driving a load.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns a waste heat recovery cycle system and related method in which a Brayton cycle system operates in combination with a Rankine cycle system. The Brayton cycle system has a heater configured to circulate a fluid, namely an inert gas, in heat exchange relationship with a heating source, such as an exhaust gas of a different system, in order to recover waste heat from such different system by heating the inert gas. The Rankine cycle system has a heat exchanger configured to circulate a second fluid, in heat exchange relationship with the inert gas of the Brayton cycle system to heat the second fluid while at the same time cooling the inert gas. The second fluid can be selected among fluids having a boiling point at a temperature lower than the temperature of the inert gas from the expansion unit/group in the Brayton cycle system.

Abstract: A waste heat recovery system, based on a Brayton cycle, comprises a heater configured to circulate carbon dioxide vapor in heat exchange relationship with a hot fluid to heat the carbon dioxide vapor. An expander is coupled to the heater and configured to expand the carbon dioxide vapor. A compressor is configured to compress the carbon dioxide vapor fed through a cooler and a heat exchanger is adapted to circulate the carbon dioxide vapor from the expander to the cooler in heat exchange relationship with the carbon dioxide vapor from the compressor to the heater, wherein the expander and the compressor are mechanically coupled volumetric machines.

Abstract: Provided is a method for determining a filter change schedule for a gas turbine. The method includes determining differential pressure variation across filters and a time elapsed since a last filter change, where the differential pressure variation and the time elapsed are each associated with at least one filter disposed in the gas turbine. The method also includes estimating a future power loss and/or a future fuel consumption caused by the differential pressure variation. Moreover, the method can include determining the filter change schedule based on a cost of the filter change, the time elapsed, a cost of the future power loss, and optionally a cost of the future fuel consumption, a cost of emission variation, and a cost of production loss.

Abstract: A descaling device includes a descaling-chemicals reservoir for descaling a hydraulic circuit of a hot-beverage producing machine. The descaling-chemicals reservoir has an outlet port arranged at or near the bottom portion of the descaling-chemicals reservoir. The descaling device further includes an inlet port and a water flow passage extending from the inlet port to the descaling-chemicals reservoir. The outlet port is provided with a closure member openable upon connection of the descaling device with a hydraulic circuit of a hot-beverage producing machine. The inlet and outlet ports can be placed in fluid communication, such that water is sucked through the inlet port for flow through the descaling-chemicals reservoir and discharge through the outlet port.

Abstract: A method for proactively creating an image product includes capturing an image of an object in a first environment by a device, storing a library of personalized products each characterized by a product type, automatically recognizing the object in the image as having a product type associated with the library of personalized products, automatically creating a design for the personalized product of the product type using personalized content, automatically displaying the design of the personalized product of the product type incorporating the selected photo in the first environment on the device, and manufacturing a physical product based on the design of the personalized product.

Abstract: A method for proactively creating an image product includes capturing an image of an object in a first environment by a device, storing a library of personalized products each characterized by a product type, automatically recognizing the object in the image as having a product type associated with the library of personalized products, automatically creating a design for the personalized product of the product type using personalized content, automatically displaying the design of the personalized product of the product type incorporating the selected photo in the first environment on the device, and manufacturing a physical product based on the design of the personalized product.

Abstract: A new combined thermodynamic system (101) uses waste heat from an exhaust combustion gas of a prime mover (162) to produce mechanical power that operates a refrigeration circuit (105). The refrigeration circuit can cool air ingested by the prime mover to improve its power rate and/or efficiency. The system comprises a power generation circuit (103) adapted to circulate a first flow of a working fluid and produce mechanical power therewith. The combined thermodynamic system (1) further comprises a refrigeration circuit (105) comprising a refrigerant compressor (117) driven by mechanical power generated by the power generation circuit (103) and adapted to circulate a second flow of said working fluid in the refrigeration circuit (105).

Abstract: A method for predicting the residual useful life of an air filter arrangement is described. The method includes the following steps: providing a plurality of predetermined reference degradation curves; measuring a degradation parameter of the filter arrangement; and estimating the residual useful life of the filter arrangement by comparing the predetermined reference degradation curves and an actual degradation curve defined by measured values of the degradation parameter.

Abstract: The device comprises: a milk feed pipe (11); an air inlet duct (15); a pressurized steam feed pipe (17); an emulsion chamber (41), in which milk and air, drawn by means of the pressurized steam, are mixed and emulsified; along the steam feed pipe (17), a valve to place the steam feed pipe in communication with the outside and to cause emptying of the milk feed pipe.

Abstract: A brewing unit includes two brewing chamber portions movable with respect to each other, and a guide for guiding a capsule from an insertion aperture to a brewing position. The guide includes guiding channels configured to engage a flange of the capsule and a respective retention member arranged on each guiding channel for retaining the capsule in the brewing position before and during closing the brewing chamber portions, and to disengage the capsule when the brewing chamber portions are moved apart after completion of a brewing cycle. A control member is configured to space apart the retention members upon completion of the brewing cycle, so that a spent capsule is released from the guiding channels when the brewing chamber portions are moved towards an open position. The control member is configured to prevent spacing apart of the retention members when the brewing chamber portions are moved towards a closed position.

Abstract: A method for proactively creating an image product includes capturing an image of an object in a first environment by a device, storing a library of personalized products each characterized by a product type, automatically recognizing the object in the image as having a product type associated with the library of personalized products, automatically creating a design for the personalized product of the product type using personalized content, automatically displaying the design of the personalized product of the product type incorporating the selected photo in the first environment on the device, and manufacturing a physical product based on the design of the personalized product.

Abstract: A method for proactively creating an image product includes capturing an image of an object in a first environment by a device, storing a library of personalized products each characterized by a product type, automatically recognizing the object in the image as having a product type associated with the library of personalized products, automatically creating a design for the personalized product of the product type using personalized content, automatically displaying the design of the personalized product of the product type incorporating the selected photo in the first environment on the device, and manufacturing a physical product based on the design of the personalized product.

Abstract: A magnetic cooling system is presented. The system includes at least one magnetic assembly, at least one magnetic regenerator including a magnetocaloric material, movably arranged in a closed loop to cyclically pass through the at least one magnetic assembly and a fluid supply device in fluid communication with the at least one magnetic assembly to supply a cooling fluid to the at least one magnetic assembly. A turbine assembly including a magnetic cooling system disposed in a path of an inlet air to a turbine system is also presented.

Abstract: Provided is a method for determining a filter change schedule for a gas turbine. The method includes determining differential pressure variation across filters and a time elapsed since a last filter change, where the differential pressure variation and the time elapsed are each associated with at least one filter disposed in the gas turbine. The method also includes estimating a future power loss and/or a future fuel consumption caused by the differential pressure variation. Moreover, the method can include determining the filter change schedule based on a cost of the filter change, the time elapsed, a cost of the future power loss, and optionally a cost of the future fuel consumption, a cost of emission variation, and a cost of production loss.

Abstract: A brewing unit includes a brewing chamber with first and second brewing chamber portions movable one with respect to the other, and a water heater. Further, the brewing unit includes a structural frame supporting the two brewing chamber portions, and on which forces generated by the pressurized water in the brewing chamber during brewing are discharged. The structural frame includes two side components arranged sideways of the brewing chamber, and two end components mechanically constrained to the side components. One of the two end components includes the first brewing chamber portion. Further, the side components and the end components form a closed structure, whereto the water heater is in turn constrained independently, with separate constraining members, from the first brewing chamber portion and adjacent thereto, outside the closed structure. The forces generated by the pressurized water in the brewing chamber during brewing are also discharged on the water heater.

Abstract: The beverage frothing device comprises a first beverage passageway comprised of: a first beverage suction chamber (13) in communication with a first beverage suction duct (17) and a first steam inlet duct (21), wherein the first beverage suction duct is configured for communication with a beverage container; an air inlet port (27A); a frothing arrangement for mixing beverage delivered through the first beverage suction duct (17) with air from the air inlet port (27A) and producing frothed beverage; a first beverage dispensing spout (31), wherefrom frothed beverage is dispensed. The beverage frothing device further comprises a second beverage passageway comprised of a second beverage suction chamber (15) in communication with a second beverage suction duct (19) and a second steam inlet duct (23), wherein the second beverage suction duct is configured for communication with the beverage container.

Abstract: A filter system for filtering intake air of a gas turbine is presented. The filter system includes a first filter arrangement. The filter system further includes a second filter arrangement located downstream from the first filter arrangement and having a collection efficiency higher than a collection efficiency the first filter arrangement. Furthermore, the filter system includes a guard filter arrangement located between the first filter arrangement and the second filter arrangement, where a collection efficiency of the guard filter arrangement is lower than the collection efficiency of the first filter arrangement.

Abstract: A method for proactively creating an image product includes capturing an image of an object in a first environment by a device, storing a library of personalized products each characterized by a product type, automatically recognizing the object in the image as having a product type associated with the library of personalized products, automatically creating a design for the personalized product of the product type using personalized content, automatically displaying the design of the personalized product of the product type incorporating the selected photo in the first environment on the device, and manufacturing a physical product based on the design of the personalized product.