Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for optimally placing photovoltaic arrays to maximize a value of energy production. Incident solar radiation for various placements of the photovoltaic arrays accommodating different azimuths and tilts is calculated. Alternating current solar photovoltaic electricity energy and power production is then estimated from the calculated solar radiation on a plane and weather data. Furthermore, a value of solar photovoltaic electricity energy and power produced by the photovoltaic arrays for the various placements is calculating using the estimated alternating current solar photovoltaic electricity production. A placement out of the various placements for the photovoltaic arrays is then selected corresponding to a highest value of the solar photovoltaic electricity produced by the photovoltaic arrays.

Abstract: An integrated thermal energy and rainwater storage system for reducing peak electrical demand by air conditioning systems. Such a system includes a water conveyance system for collecting and conveying water to a storage tank for storing rainwater, where the rainwater functions as a lower temperature thermal reservoir while it is being held and awaiting use. The system further includes a residential air conditioning system with an air-cooled condenser unit along with an additional water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger connected to the storage tank on one side, and on the other side connected into the refrigerant lines with reconfigurable flow paths and actuated valves to control the discharging and recharging of the thermal energy storage. The lower temperature and better heat transfer capabilities of the rainwater improve operating efficiency and reduce power consumption of the compressor when used instead of the air-cooled condenser during the hottest hours of the day.

Abstract: An integrated thermal energy and rainwater storage system for reducing peak electrical demand by air conditioning systems. Such a system includes a water conveyance system for collecting and conveying water to a storage tank for storing rainwater, where the rainwater functions as a lower temperature thermal reservoir while it is being held and awaiting use. The system further includes a residential air conditioning system with an air-cooled condenser unit along with an additional water-to-refrigerant heat exchanger connected to the storage tank on one side, and on the other side connected into the refrigerant lines with reconfigurable flow paths and actuated valves to control the discharging and recharging of the thermal energy storage. The lower temperature and better heat transfer capabilities of the rainwater improve operating efficiency and reduce power consumption of the compressor when used instead of the air-cooled condenser during the hottest hours of the day.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for optimally placing photovoltaic arrays to maximize a value of energy production. Incident solar radiation for various placements of the photovoltaic arrays accommodating different azimuths and tilts is calculated. Alternating current solar photovoltaic electricity energy and power production is then estimated from the calculated solar radiation on a plane and weather data. Furthermore, a value of solar photovoltaic electricity energy and power produced by the photovoltaic arrays for the various placements is calculating using the estimated alternating current solar photovoltaic electricity production. A placement out of the various placements for the photovoltaic arrays is then selected corresponding to a highest value of the solar photovoltaic electricity produced by the photovoltaic arrays.

Abstract: A method and apparatus architecture for detecting gases, particularly hazardous gases which should be detected in miniscule amounts. High sensitivity detection of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) is set forth with very low probability of false positives (PFP) by the use of an innovative laser-photoacoustic spectrometer (L-PAS). Detection of diisopropyl methylphosphonate (DIMP), a decomposition product of Sarin and a relatively harmless surrogate for the nerve gases, is made in the presence of other gases that are expected to be interferences in an urban setting. Detection sensitivity for DIMP in the presence of these interferences of better than 0.45 ppb, which satisfies current homeland and military security requirements is shown as well as the first analysis of optical techniques for the detection of chemical warfare agents (CWAs) and toxic industrial chemicals (TICs) in real world conditions.

Abstract: A system and method utilizing a radiation source with a wavelength near 2 &mgr;m (preferably 1993 nm) to measure the presence of ammonia, carbon dioxide and water vapor using spectroscopic techniques and a reduced measurement pressure is provided. Using radiation substantially near 2 &mgr;m enables one to interrogate the PP3(3)s ammonia transition at a frequency of 5016.977 cm−1, which is isolated from water and carbon dioxide interference; the P(32) carbon dioxide transition at 5017.030 cm−1, which is isolated from both ammonia and water interference, and a water transition at 5017.100 cm−1. Moreover, a tunable radiation source that can sweep over the aforementioned ammonia and carbon dioxide and water features can measure the concentrations of all three species simultaneously.

Abstract: A system and method utilizing a radiation source with a wavelength near 2 &mgr;m (preferably 1993 nm) to measure the presence of ammonia, carbon dioxide and water vapor using spectroscopic techniques and a reduced measurement pressure is provided. Using radiation substantially near 2 &mgr;m enables one to interrogate the PP3(3)s ammonia transition at a frequency of 5016.977 cm−1, which is isolated from water and carbon dioxide interference; the P(32) carbon dioxide transition at 5017.030 cm−1, which is isolated from both ammonia and water interference, and a water transition at 5017.100 cm−1. Moreover, a tunable radiation source that can sweep over the aforementioned ammonia and carbon dioxide and water features can measure the concentrations of all three species simultaneously.

Abstract: The present invention provides a laser-based method and apparatus that uses absorption spectroscopy to detect the mole fraction of CO2 in a high temperature gas stream. In a preferred embodiment, a distributed feedback based diode laser sensor operating at a wavelength near 1996.89 nm (5007.787 cm−1) interrogates the R(50) transition of the &ngr;1+2&ngr;2+&ngr;3 CO2 absorption band in the near infrared. This transition is specifically chosen based on its superior linestrength and substantial isolation from interfering absorption by high-temperature H2O, CO, NH3, N2O, NO, and other species commonly present in combustion or other high-temperature gas flows.

Abstract: Soda ash is produced from crude trona ore in a novel process which comprises(a) reducing the ore particle size to a maximum of about 4.0 millimeters in diameter,(b) removing fines from the ore to produce a minimum particle size of about 0.1 millimeter in diameter,(c) differentially electrifying the ore particles according to differences in conductance,(d) segregating the ore particles by electrostatic separation into at least two fractions according to the differences in electrical charge resulting from the electrification of step (c), and(e) calcining the fraction of least conductance to convert the trona contained therein to soda ash,steps (a) through (d) occurring at a temperature not to exceed about 100.degree. C.