Abstract: An emissions control system and method of controlling emissions reduces contaminants in exhaust gases. The emissions control system may be a combined power and heat system which may include an organic Rankine cycle drive for producing electricity. The system may use ozone, a wet scrubber and a charcoal bed to reduce the contaminants.

Abstract: A thermal system and method are provided configured for improved efficiency. The system is typically configured to provide outside air to a building with the combination of a ground/water source heat pump and a dedicated outside air unit.

Abstract: A Rankine cycle system uses as a refrigerant one of several quaternary organic heat exchange fluid mixtures which provide substantially improved efficiency and are environmentally sound, typically containing no chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) or hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). The system includes a closed circuit in which the refrigerant is used to drive a turbine, which may be used to drive an electric generator or for other suitable purposes.

Abstract: A self sustaining energy system for a building is provided part of which is typically driven by geothermal energy. The energy system typically uses a ground source heat pump for heating and cooling the building airspace and an organic Rankine cycle drive for producing electricity. A solar powered heating system may also serve as a heat source for providing domestic hot water and supplemental airspace heating.

Abstract: An electric power generating system is provided that uses a wind turbine to generate waste-heat that is utilized in an organic Rankine Cycle drive that converts heat energy into rotation of a generator rotor for generating electricity. A hydrodynamic retarder may be provided that dissipates heat into a hot fluid by directing the flow of the fluid through the hydrodynamic retarder in a manner that resists rotation of blades of the wind turbine. The hot fluid circulating in the hydrodynamic retarder is a thermal heat source for vapor regeneration of organic heat exchange fluid mixture(s) used in the Rankine cycle, expansion of the organic heat exchange fluid being converted into rotation of the generator rotor.

Abstract: A thermal storage and transfer system includes a cooling system and method using ice or other frozen material with heat pipes to produce a cool airstream. Preferably, the ice is disposed in a container with the condensers and evaporators of the heat pipes respectively inside and outside the container. A fan blows air across the evaporator sections through a duct to circulate within an enclosed airspace to be cooled. A separate refrigeration system which may be used to independently cool the airspace also freezes water or another liquid to produce the ice or other frozen material in the container. The cooling system is broadly applicable, including use on motor vehicles to provide cooling for several hours when the vehicle engine is off. A heating system includes an adsorbent heat exchanger for extracting heat from exhaust gases of an engine and heating an enclosed airspace.

Abstract: A Rankine cycle system uses as a refrigerant one of several quaternary organic heat exchange fluid mixtures which provide substantially improved efficiency and are environmentally sound, typically containing no chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) or hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). The system includes a closed circuit in which the refrigerant is used to drive a turbine, which may be used to drive an electric generator or for other suitable purposes.

Abstract: A thermal storage and transfer system includes a cooling system and method using ice or other frozen material with heat pipes to produce a cool airstream. Preferably, the ice is disposed in a container with the condensers and evaporators of the heat pipes respectively inside and outside the container. A fan blows air across the evaporator sections through a duct to circulate within an enclosed airspace to be cooled. A separate refrigeration system which may be used to independently cool the airspace also freezes water or another liquid to produce the ice or other frozen material in the container. The cooling system is broadly applicable, including use on motor vehicles to provide cooling for several hours when the vehicle engine is off. A heating system includes an adsorbent heat exchanger for extracting heat from exhaust gases of an engine and heating an enclosed airspace.

Abstract: A vapor compression apparatus and a method for operating a vapor compression system are provided. A working fluid is conveyed through a vapor compression system having a fluid line. A magnetic field generator is connected to the fluid line to direct a magnetic field through the working fluid. The magnetic field is operable to disrupt intermolecular forces and weaken intermolecular attraction to enhance expansion of the working fluid to the vapor phase, increasing the capacity, performance and efficiency of the system components, and reducing system cycling, mechanical wear and energy consumption.

Abstract: A vapor compression apparatus and a method for operating a vapor compression system are provided. A working fluid is conveyed through a vapor compression system having a fluid line. A magnetic field generator is connected to the fluid line to direct a magnetic field through the working fluid. The magnetic field is operable to disrupt intermolecular forces and weaken intermolecular attraction to enhance expansion of the working fluid to the vapor phase, increasing the capacity, performance and efficiency of the system components, and reducing system cycling, mechanical wear and energy consumption.

Abstract: An electric power generating system and method of operation is comprised of a waste-heat boiler adapted to a Rankine cycle provided with turbines for driving an electric generator. The waste-heat boiler uses exhaust combustion products from a fuel-fired device as a thermal heat source for vapor regeneration of an organic heat exchange fluid mixture used in the Rankine cycle.

Abstract: An integrated air conditioning and hot water supply system for conditioning air and supplying hot water to a building is described. The system incorporates a hot water tank in the system which feeds a heat exchanger to heat air which is recirculated from the building when required during cool weather periods. A combined air dehumidification device and cooling device are also provided to dehumidify and cool return air from the building in a recirculation circuit when required by the building during warm weather periods. The cooling devices incorporate coils connected to the city water supply whereby to preheat a supply of water to the hot water tank. The combined circuit also cools fresh air and treats it to provide a source of heated air to regenerate a desiccant wheel which is used as the dehumidification device. A heat recovery ventilator is also incorporated in the integrated system to treat exhaust air from the building during cool weather periods and to admit warmed fresh air thereto.

Abstract: A two-stage air-to-air heat pump comprises two passageways between the outside and inside of a building with a passive heat pump first stage and an active heat pump second stage. One end of the heat pump is disposed in one of the passageways and the other end in the other passageway and the pipe is tilted so one end is higher than the other. Similarly, one coil of the active heat pump is disposed in one passageway and the other coil is disposed in the other passageway. Air from the outside enters through one of the passageways, passes over one end of the heat pipe and then one of the coils into the inside. Air from the inside passes over the other end of the heat pipe and then the other coil to the outside. By choosing which end of the heat pipe is the higher end and the direction of the compressor, this two stage heat pump may either heat or cool air entering the enclosure.