Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods and systems for removing tritium oxide from a mixture comprising water. The method captures the tritium oxide in a much smaller volume suitable for economical disposal. The decontaminated water may be then be discharged.

Abstract: The present invention is a novel method for removing tritium oxide contamination from a solution with water. The method captures the tritium oxide in a much smaller volume suitable for economical disposal. In so doing the original water is decontaminated of the tritium oxide and may be discharged.

Abstract: The present invention is a novel method for removing tritium oxide contamination from a solution with water. The method captures the tritium oxide in a much smaller volume suitable for economical disposal. In so doing the original water is decontaminated of the tritium oxide and may be discharged.

Abstract: A method for concentrating contaminated sorbate in a solution which includes contaminated sorbate and clean sorbate is described wherein contaminated sorbate having a freezing point which is higher than the freezing point of the clean sorbate is cooled to a temperature below the freezing point of the contaminated sorbate and above the freezing point of the clean sorbate to concentrate the contaminated sorbate by cycling alternately from a desorption cycle to an adsorption cycle. By maintaining the solution at a temperature between the freezing point of the contaminated sorbate and the freezing point of the clean sorbate, the clean sorbate can be evaporated off.

Abstract: The present invention is a novel method for removing tritium oxide contamination from a solution with water. The method captures the tritium oxide in a much smaller volume suitable for economical disposal. In so doing the original water is decontaminated of the tritium oxide and may be discharged.

Abstract: A device and method for concentrating contaminants in a solution comprising contaminated sorbate and clean sorbate wherein the contaminated sorbate freezes at a higher temperature than the clean sorbate. By maintaining the solution at a temperature between the freezing point of the contaminated sorbate and the freezing point of the clean sorbate, the clean sorbate may be evaporated off for processing through a sorbent/sorbate working pair adsorption/desorption cycle. Sensors in the adsorption chamber monitors for the presence of contaminated sorbate vapor. Sensors in the evaporator chamber monitor the temperature of the solution and partial pressure within the evaporator chamber.

Abstract: A proportional micro-valve for regulating the temperature of an electronic component comprising a cooling subsystem associated with each thermal zone of the electronic component, a cooling circuit carries cooling fluid to a heat exchanger associated with each thermal zone, the flow of which is controlled by a valve element, which is in turn controlled by a sensing circuit which reacts to the temperature of the underlying thermal zone to proportionally increase or decrease the rate of cooling fluid flowing through the heat exchanger based upon the temperature of the thermal zone. Cooling fluid substantially continuously flows through the sensing circuit, regardless of whether the valve element is open or closed. The sensing circuit provides feedback to a temperature-responsive mechanical amplifier for opening and closing the valve element.

Abstract: A liquid-based cooling system provides a method of supplying a heated coolant fluid at a relatively constant temperature and pressure to one or more heat driven engines, such as adsorption chillers or heat pumps, by utilizing a proportional flow control device in association with each of a plurality of heat-producing electronic components to optimize the output of a plurality of liquid-cooled cold plates operatively mounted on such plurality of heat-producing electronic components. The proportional flow control devices may be electro-mechanical or solid state proportional control valves for water flow control. The proportion flow control devices are operatively connected to be actuated based upon the electrical signals typically generated to control the variable cooling fans of the electronic components.

Abstract: A single chamber adsorption concentrator unit is described that utilizes low grade heat to drive an adsorbent/adsorbent working pair to separate a solvent from a solute/solvent mixture. One preferred application of the device of the present invention is separating water from the salt brine produced by the aluminum smelting industry. The brine solution is introduced into a single chamber shell proximate the concentrator evaporator where the water in the brine can freely evaporate and the resulting water vapor freely flow without inhibition to be either absorbed into the adsorbent modules or condensed by the condenser. The free flow of water vapor is facilitated by continuous operation of the condenser and by maintaining the brine solution at a higher temperature than the cooling fluid driving the condenser. A mist eliminator with a wash down feature located intermediate to the evaporator and the silica gel is provided to collect contaminants that may be carried from the evaporator by the vigorous boiling.

Abstract: A device and method for utilizing waste heat from the exhaust of a low pressure condensing steam turbine. An adsorption chiller is driven by heat recovered from the exhaust steam by incorporating a heat exchanger between the low pressure condensing steam turbine and the condenser of the steam turbine. The heat exchanger provides heated fluid which is then utilized as the hot water for the adsorption chiller. The adsorption chiller outputs chilled water which may be beneficially used for many purposes in the power plant.

Abstract: An adsorption-desalination unit utilizing a silica gel—water working pair adsorbent—adsorbate having an economizing heat exchanger to pre-heat the incoming source seawater to be desalinated in an evaporator from about 8° C. to about 1° C. above the ambient seawater temperature. The economizing heat exchanger employs heat captured during the adsorption cycle to pre-heat incoming source seawater, thereby increasing the efficient use of energy in the unit. The heating fluid utilized to drive the desorption cycle is further utilized to heat the evaporator. A mist eliminator positioned intermediate the evaporator and the adsorbent heat exchanger chambers prevents non-vaporized water from entering the adsorbent heat exchanger chambers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for creating products of varying characteristics on an automated production line. The system includes one or more production line devices, for example robots and machines. Each robot and machine is operated by a parametric computer program. The system also comprises one or more data source(s) coupled to the production line devices. The data source provides characteristics of a desired product to the production line devices. The system may also include a computer coupled to the production line devices and to the data sources. The computer may route the inputted characteristics to each of the production line devices in a logical order. The computer also may convert the characteristics into a formatted file readable by the parametric computer program, for example a MDF.

Abstract: An improved system and method for the production of transformers, such as small, simple pad mounted distribution transformers is described. An external user (101), e.g., a customer or a field sales person, is permitted to orchestrate the entire negotiation and production process (104) to meet his or her specific requirements. The user is able to submit orders, review scheduling, and receive confirmation of the manufactures of the transformer over a network (102), such as the INTERNET. In the background, the manufacturing process (106) is preferably automated (105) to minimize the cycle time and the number of people required to satisfy the user's requirements. The transformer ordering system can be integral in designing and ordering high quality distribution transformers. In a preferred embodiment, it uses interactive tools (101, 103, 105) to assure quick and knowledgeable design and ordering of distribution transformers.

Abstract: A heat exchanger panel suitable for cooling fluid filled electrical apparatus, such as electrical distribution and power transformers, and method of constructing same, which withstands substantially higher pressures without adding significantly to the weight of the heat exchanger. The metallic sheet which is used to construct the heat exchanger panel includes edges which define a substantially rectangular configuration, with predetermined opposite edges therof being folded to increase the edge thickness of the sheet prior to forming the fins. The fins are formed via bend lines which extend from folded edge to folded edge. This provides at least twice the material thickness where the heat exchanger panel is welded to the tank of the associated apparatus, and at least four times the material thickness where the folded fin is welded to form the fin cavity.

Abstract: A microprocessor-based transformer monitoring system to provide continuous on-line monitoring and analysis of transformer operation. The transformer monitoring system periodically monitors various parameters related to transformer load and condition. Maximum, minimum, and instantaneous values of the parameters are stored and analzyed. To perform the analysis, a hierarchy of thresholds is associated with each parameter. When a parameter exceeds any one of the thresholds, a response is produced by the transformer monitoring system. The type of response depends on the level of the exceeded threshold in the hierarchy. The range of response produced by the transformer monitoring system includes: continuing normal periodic data collection and analysis, increasing the rate of data collection and analysis, recommending an on-site physical check of the monitored transformer, reducing transformer load, and taking the transformer off line.

Abstract: A reinforced structure for resisting deflection of a tank wall that is subjected to a range of positive and negative pressures within the tank characterized by a plurality of closely spaced braced members disposed in general alignment and mounted on the tank wall so that upon limited deflection of the wall the brace members move into contact and thereby increase wall resistance to additional damaging deflection.

Abstract: A transformer cooling structure characterized by a plurality of coolant fluid cooling panels extending outwardly from the transformer tank wall, and the panels being comprised of a pair of sheet-like sides formed to a corrugated configuration through which the fluid flows in heat exchange with ambient air.