Abstract: A system for adjusting ambient air temperature shielding an engine. The system includes an engine having first and second ends and a heat generating source, and a shield having a substantially cylindrical portion defining an interior cavity. At least a portion of the heat generating source is disposed in the cavity. The shield has a heat reflecting interior surface facing the cavity and an opposing exterior surface. The interior surface reflects heat generated by the heat source.

Abstract: A system (27) for reducing the temperature of cooling oil for a power transformer (12) includes a heat exchanger (44) interposed in the cooling oil system. The heat exchanger (44) relies upon a liquid-to-liquid exchange of heat from the heated oil to a coolant flowing through the heat exchanger. In one embodiment, the coolant provided to the heat exchanger is obtained from an absorption chiller (65). Heat energy is provided to the chiller (65) from a heat storage device (80). In a specific embodiment, the heat storage source (80) can be a phase change material device. In a preferred cooling system, a programmable controller (55) determines the activation and operation of the system. The controller (55) can sense transformer or cooling oil temperature to trigger activation. In a preferred embodiment, the controller (55) compares a current temperature history against a temperature profile to anticipate increased cooling requirements.

Abstract: A cooling system for controlling including a heat exchanger defining a first interior space and a second interior space in thermal exchange with one another. First interior space is in fluid communication with the power transformer. A refrigeration system is in fluid communication with second interior space and provides a chillant to second interior space. A transformer cooling fluid circulates through and between first interior space and the power transformer. An energy source is operably coupled to the refrigeration system and supplies heat energy to energize the refrigeration system. In operation, thermal energy is absorbed by transformer cooling fluid in the power transformer to thereby cool the power transformer. In the heat exchanger thermal energy is removed from transformer cooling fluid in first interior space and is absorbed by chillant in second interior space to thereby cool the transformer cooling fluid.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for improving efficiency of power transformers by capturing heat energy that is produced by air breathing heat engine (ABHE) or a feed water heater to produce chillant. The systems of the present invention may be used with step-down or step-up power transformers. A heat energy dissipation device is in communication with the transformer and may recover heat energy from the ABHE and transformer. A refrigeration system is coupled to the dissipation device to use recovered heat energy to produce chillant which is supplied to the transformer and ABHE. The system may also include a gas compressor and post-compression and pre-compression heat exchangers; steam turbine engines, and power generators.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for a phase change material including a container holding the phase change material, a tube surrounding the container to define an annular space therebetween, and preferably divider walls within that annular space to create a circuitous path for heat exchange fluid to be routed in multiple passes along the length of the container when passing from the top of the annular space to the bottom of the annular space. When the heat exchanger is operated in a melt cycle, multiple heat energy transfer elements positioned within the lower portion of the container and extending through the phase change material are heatable to a sufficiently high temperature to initiate melting of the phase change material. The heat energy transfer elements are preferably electrical resistance heated rods or coils, or tubes through which is routed high temperature fluid.

Abstract: A wastewater aerating system that conditions air inlet to a blower of the system to adjust the condition of air discharged into the wastewater so as to increase the flocculation rate of suspended solids from the wastewater. The wastewater aeration system includes a conduit having an outlet submerged within a bath of wastewater to be treated, an air duct inlet in flow communication with a source of ambient air, a blower operable to cause air to pass through the air duct and through the conduit to be output through the conduit outlet into the bath of wastewater, and at least one heat exchanger installed in the air duct and adapted to condition, such as condense its vapor and sensibly cool, the air passing through the air duct. A method of treating a bath of wastewater is also disclosed.

Abstract: A ventilating system for adjusting temperature within acoustic enclosures for combustion turbines and other engines. The ventilating system includes a duct in flow communication with an inlet opening of the acoustic enclosure. A heat exchanger connected to a source of coolant, such as an absorption refrigeration system, is installed in the ventilating duct and changes the temperature of air passing through the ventilating duct. A blower causes air within the ventilating duct to pass over the heat exchanger and then into the enclosure through its inlet opening. As the air continues to pass through the enclosure and out of an enclosure outlet opening, the temperature within the enclosure around the engine is adjusted.

Abstract: A heat exchanger for a phase change material is provided which comprises a container holding the phase change material, a tube surrounding the container to define an annular space therebetween, and at least two divider walls extending across the annular space to divide the annular space into at least upper and lower flow passageways. The heat exchanger can preferably be operated in either a melt cycle or a freeze cycle. In the melt cycle, the lower flow passageway is configured to receive heat exchange fluid to initiate melting of the phase change material from the bottom so that newly-formed liquid phase change material is displaced toward the top of the container. In the freeze cycle, the upper flow passageway receives heat exchange fluid to initiate freezing of the phase change material at the top. The newly-formed solid phase change material falls to the bottom of the container, displacing liquid phase change material toward the top.

Abstract: An improved system for reducing the work required by a gas compressor in compressing a gas, comprising a gas compressor, a post-compression heat exchanger operably coupled to said gas compressor downstream therefrom to recover heat energy from a compressed amount of gas, and a means for reducing the work required by said gas compressor to compress a pre-compression amount of gas utilizing said recovered heat energy to provide cooling for the pre-compression amount of gas wherein such means includes an absorption chiller using the heat energy of compression to providing cooling for the gas to be compressed prior to compression.

Abstract: A system and method of selectively deployed and utilized compressed air energy storage satellite facilities within an electrical power grid network. The satellite facilities are independent of geological formations and provide means for increasing the load carrying capacity of an electrical power system without increasing the size of the baseload electrical power generation facility or of the power transmission lines. A portion of the compressed gas is circulated back through a compressor located in a gas flow circuit, causing turbulent flow in a series of tanks, thus slowing heat energy loss to the environment. A heat exchanger located in the circuit of gas flow cools the gas while it is being stored, thus reducing the work needed to compress a given mass of gas into the tanks. The system and method utilizes low cost electrical energy produced by a baseload facility during non-peak periods and converts such electricity into potential energy in the form of compressed air.

Abstract: Electric power is provided during periods of peak demand, employing a turbine generator facility activated by the expansion of compressed air, withdrawn from an underground air storage reservoir, in a substantially isothermal system. A generator system, which may comprise a steam boiler or a fuel gasifier, is employed for isothermal compression of air into reservoir storage during periods of low power demand.