Abstract: Disclosed is a thermoelectric fan for use with radiant heaters, particularly catalytic heaters. The thermoelectric fan of the present invention comprises a housing sub-assembly coupled to a thermal plate sub-assembly, the housing sub-assembly comprising a shrouded circulating air moving member, such as a fan blade, powered solely by the conversion of heat from a separate heater into electricity via an integrated thermoelectric module. Also disclosed is a self-powered fan that can safely perform in hazardous atmospheres while converting radiant heat to circulate air. The thermoelectric fan of the present invention ensures that the air within the space to be heated is more effectively distributed and temperature gradients are minimized. Also disclosed are methods for assembling, installing and safe operation of the thermoelectric fan.

Abstract: An improved combined power generation cycle has been provided for electric power generation from gasified solid fuel such as coal or biomass. The power cycle provided by the present invention does not require the use of high-temperature particulate control systems or wet clean-up systems. A high-temperature high-pressure gas stream is first cooled in a heat-transfer system and then cooled again by any one of a variety of methods before the particulate solids and hazardous air pollutants are removed in a low-temperature dry solids collector. Then, the clean gas is reheated in the same heat-transfer system and is ready for use in power generation. Net plant efficiencies can be improved by injecting water or steam upstream of the topping cycle power generating means.

Abstract: An electrostatically enhanced separator (EES) which provides mechanical separation and electrostatic separation to yield a compact and highly efficient separation system. The EES (10) may be incorporated in a collection system as well using a conventional collection device such as a cyclone collector (32), bag filter (37) or electrostatic precipitator (38). The EES (10) includes a cylindrical-walled separation chamber (11) with an inlet passage (13), a clean flow outlet (21), and a particle outlet passage (15). The inlet passage (13) and particle outlet passage (15) are both thin elongated slits which open tangentially to the cylindrical wall of the chamber for providing a substantially flush incoming flow path dispersed lengthwise along the wall.

Abstract: A combination reaction chamber and gas/solids separator is provided in a common reactor vessel. The reactor is capable of carrying out various types of gas/solids reactions within the reaction chamber and, contemporaneously, separates the gas from the particulate solids by way of a separator disposed within the reaction chamber. Gas exits the reaction chamber through an outlet disposed along a central axis of the chamber. Solids exit the chamber through an outlet disposed along the outer periphery of the chamber. The reactor provides improved mass transfer rates as well as selective residence times.

Abstract: An electrostatically enhanced separator (EES) provides mechanical and electrostatic separation of particles from gas stream to yield a compact and highly efficient separation system. The EES (10) may be incorporated in a collection system as well using a conventional collection device such as a cyclone collector (32), bag filter (37) or electrostatic precipitator (38). The EES (10) includes a cylindrical-walled separation chamber (12) with an inlet passage (13), a clean flow outlet (21), and a particle outlet passage (15). The inlet passage (13) and particle outlet passage (15) are both thin elongated slits which open tangentially to the cylindrical wall of the chamber for providing a substantially flush incoming flow path dispersed lengthwise along the wall.

Abstract: Solid particulates are removed from a solid particulate-laden fluid stream by passing the solid particulate laden fluid stream into a potential flow centrifugal separator which splits the potential solid particulate-laden fluid stream into a clean fluid stream and a concentrated solid particulate-laden fluid stream, passing the concentrated solid particulate-laden fluid stream into a solids collector which extracts solid particulates from the concentrated solid particulate-laden fluid stream leaving a fluid stream having a reduced solid particulate content, and conducting the fluid stream having a reduced solid particulate content back into the potential flow centrifugal separator for further processing.