Abstract: A Compact Internal Window Air Conditioner (CIWAC) whose casing is adapted to be supported inside the room on the internal windowsill of a horizontally-sliding-pane window. In its installed state, the CIWAC does not interfere with the operation of the sliding windowpane. Further, the CIWAC comprises flexible sliding seals, which sealingly contact the sliding windowpane to reduce the cross-leakage of room-air and outside air. Height-adjustable pedestals are provided to further support the CIWAC from the floor. An electronic noise cancellation system is also provided to reduce the noise generated by the CIWAC during its operation. The CIWAC is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and does not need a wall-opening or modifications to the window for installation. Therefore, the CIWAC can be easily installed or uninstalled.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating a hydrogen containing product gas from a reactant stream comprising at least one reactant chosen from the set of reactants consisting of water, oxygen, carbon-monoxide, and a hydrocarbon fuel. The apparatus includes a heat storage bed in fluid communication with a reactor. The heat storage bed contains regenerative heat sink media. Hot flue gas produced from the oxidation of fuel and/or low-BTU gas, heats the heat sink media in the heating mode of operation of the apparatus. In a subsequent reforming mode of operation of the apparatus, the cold reactant stream is heated by the hot heat sink media. The heated reactant stream is then passed through suitable catalysts in the reactor to produce a hydrogen containing product gas. The heating and reforming modes of operation of the apparatus are repeated as long as required for the production of the hydrogen containing product gas.

Abstract: A plurality of independently operable regenerative heat exchanger modules (1-5) are provided to regeneratively transfer heat from a hot gas to a cold gas. The regenerative heat exchanger modules are connected to a regenerative heat exchanger system controller (1p-5p) which staggers the operation of each regenerative heat exchanger module to simulate the operation of a rotary regenerative heat exchanger. The regenerative heat exchanger system controller can manually or automatically take selected ones of the regenerative heat exchanger modules off-line while the remaining regenerative heat exchanger modules continue to simulate the operation of the rotary regenerative heat exchanger. Also disclosed are a control system and a method for operating a number of independently operable regenerative heat exchanger modules to simulate the operation of a rotary regenerative heat exchanger.

Abstract: A code generation program, referred to as a parent program, for the creation of a child program for generating CAD script commands for automatically creating drawings in a CAD program. The parent program accepts descriptive information of the properties of various drawing entities and combines this information with computer statement templates to create functional computer statements, which calculates the values of the properties of the drawing entity. The parent program outputs these functional computer statements to the child program. The parent program also contains CAD script command templates and code to combine these templates with the calculated values of the properties of the drawing entity to create a functional CAD script command. The parent program also outputs the CAD script command templates and the CAD script combiner code to the child program.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for directing process fluids through regenerative systems using a Multi-Port Valve Assembly. Any number of process fluids can be directed through any number of regenerative devices in a regenerative system by use of the Multi-Port Valve Assembly of the present invention. Further, more than one Multi-Port Valve Assembly can be used in a regenerative system to provide for parallel-flow or counter-flow of the process fluids within the regenerative system. The regenerative systems can be used in environmental applications as Regenerative Thermal Oxidizers, Regenerative Catalytic Oxidizers, VOC Concentrators, and Reversible Chemical Reactors. The regenerative systems can also be used in energy conservation applications as Regenerative Heat-Exchangers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conserving energy in buildings consisting of an indoor temperature sensor, an outdoor temperature sensor, a programmable electronic thermostat, and a bi-directional power ventilator. The programmable electronic thermostat contains software instructions to switch on or switch off the power ventilator during pre-determined time schedules in response to changes in the indoor and the outdoor temperatures. During a summer day-time schedule, the thermostat switches on the power ventilator in the normal flow mode to exhaust the building of hot accumulated indoor air if the indoor temperature is greater than a selected set-point temperature and if the indoor temperature is also greater than the outdoor temperature by a predetermined ratio.

Abstract: An improved structural support system for a regenerator used with a regenerative thermal oxidizer, including a perforated and corrugated rigid beam resting on a support surface. The perforated beam supports heat exchange materials either directly, or indirectly using a perforated grid. The beam includes a plurality of perforations permitting upward gas flow from the underside of the beam and through the heat exchange materials. The air distribution plenums under the beam are reduced in height from that of conventional systems. The novel structure results in a more reliable and efficient regenerator.

Abstract: A regenerative thermal oxidizer system is useful for treating a waste gas stream that contains volatile organic compounds. Two regenerators each contain heat exchange material that is arranged within the regenerators to recover heat generated by the oxidation of the volatile organic compounds. A first regenerator is in heating service and is used to preheat the waste gas stream before it enters an oxidation chamber where the volatile organic compounds are oxidized. From the oxidation chamber, the waste gas stream enters a second regenerator in cooling service where a portion of the heat generated by the oxidation reactions is recovered. When it is necessary to reverse the flow of waste gas through the regenerative thermal oxidizer, a trap for adsorbing volatile organic compounds is engaged.

Abstract: A regenerative thermal oxidation system is useful for treating a waste gas stream that contains volatile organic compounds. The volatile organic compounds are oxidized in an oxidation chamber. The heat and oxygen necessary to support the oxidation reactions is provided by a hot oxidation gas stream produced by the combustion of wood waste with excess air in a combustion chamber. The heat generated by the oxidation and combustion reactions is recovered in a plurality of regenerators. Any particulates in the hot oxidation gas stream are removed by a particulate removal system such as a cyclone separator or a high temperature filter. Preferably at least two regenerators containing heat exchange material are used to recover the heat from the oxidation reactions. The first regenerator is in heating service for heating the waste gas stream before it enters the oxidation chamber.

Abstract: A damper system for three bed thermal regenerative oxidizers is disclosed, which employs two blades pivotally mounted in a body having two chambers separated by a septum. The first chamber receives an inlet gas through a first aperture and has a second aperture providing a flow path to a first regenerator bed. The second chamber incorporates a third aperture communicating with a second regenerator and a fourth aperture communicating with a third regenerator. The septum intermediate the first and second chambers incorporates a fifth aperture for communication between the chambers. Positioning of the first damper blade to seal the fifth aperture allows flow from the inlet to the first regenerator bed. Repositioning of the first blade to a second position covering the second aperture allows flow from the inlet through the aperture in the septum into the second chamber and through the third aperture to the second regenerative bed.

Abstract: Smokeless burnout of regenerative thermal oxidizer systems is accomplished by isolating the incineration system from the process flow and drawing fresh air into the heating regenerator at approximately one-fourth of the normal process flow. A purge/burnout fan is employed to induce flow through an idle regenerator drawing high temperature gas from the retention chamber through the idle regenerator. Gas is directed from the purge/burnout fan back into the retention chamber to oxidize contaminants which has been volatilized from the media in the third regenerator. The reduced flow rate of the system and maintaining flow through the regenerator being burned out while continuing to cycle the remaining regenerators as heating and cooling regenerators builds the temperature in the burnout regenerator until volatilization of all contaminants is achieved.