Abstract: A pulse detonation device is provided for delivering a shock wave into a gasification device to promote a localized coal gasification reaction in the gasification device. The pulse detonation device includes a fuel inlet for receiving fuel, an air inlet for receiving air, a pulse detonation chamber wherein the fuel and air are configured to mix, and an ignition device for igniting the mixture of fuel and air. The ignition of the mixture of fuel and air creates a shock wave in the pulse detonation chamber. Further, the pulse detonation chamber is attached to a gasification chamber and is configured to extend into a coal feed tube that extends into the gasification chamber, with the shock wave configured to exit the pulse detonation chamber and interact with coal in the coal feed tube.

Abstract: An electrical switching system for use in various types of electrosurgical instruments and related tools comprises a system adapted to automatically determine which of at least two electrical current modes to deliver through an electrosurgical instrument based on a condition sensed by the electrosurgical instrument. In another embodiment, the electrical switching system comprises a generator, the generator including a first electrical distribution systems for delivering monopolar electrical energy, and a second electrical distribution system for delivering bipolar electrical energy, a controller coupled to the generator for selecting based on an input which of the first and second electrical distribution systems to activate.

Abstract: A fastener for locking two or more sheet sections together comprises a shaft tapered at one end and having a driving head at the other end with a relatively coarse thread running from the tapered end towards the head and a relatively fine thread between the coarse thread and the head. The fine thread has a pitch which is approximately equal to the thickness of the sheet sections and extends from the head for from two to six threads.

Abstract: A pulse detonation coal burner includes a burner body having an inlet and an outlet, and a fuel introduction system coupled to the inlet of the burner body. The fuel introduction system is configured and disposed to introduce at least one fuel into the burner body. A pulse detonation device is operatively coupled to the burner body. The pulse detonation device is configured and disposed to introduce a pulse detonation wave into the burner body to ignite the at least one fuel.

Abstract: An electrical switching system for use in various types of electrosurgical instruments and related tools comprises a system adapted to automatically determine which of at least two electrical current modes to deliver through an electrosurgical instrument based on a condition sensed by the electrosurgical instrument. In another embodiment, the electrical switching system comprises a generator, the generator including a first electrical distribution systems for delivering monopolar electrical energy, and a second electrical distribution system for delivering bipolar electrical energy, a controller coupled to the generator for selecting based on an input which of the first and second electrical distribution systems to activate.

Abstract: A system includes an emissions control system. The emissions control system includes a chemical injection conduit. The emissions control system also includes a chemical injector coupled to the chemical injection conduit, wherein the chemical injector is configured to output an emissions control chemical into the chemical injection conduit. The emissions control system further includes a wave generator coupled to the chemical injection conduit, wherein the wave generator is configured to output multiple waves that propagate through the chemical injection conduit into a flow path of combustion products to drive improved mixing of the emissions control chemical with the combustion products.

Abstract: The present application provides a pulse detonation combustor heat exchanger. The pulse detonation combustor heat exchanger may include one or more pulse detonation combustors creating combustion gases therein, one or more inner pathways positioned about the pulse detonation combustors, and a working medium flowing in the inner pathways so as to exchange heat with the combustion gases in the pulse detonation combustors.

Abstract: A waste heat recovery system is provided. The waste heat recovery system includes a gas separation apparatus that includes a chamber and at least one membrane positioned within the chamber. The gas separation apparatus is configured to produce a retentate that includes at least a combustible gas and a permeate that includes at least a waste gas, wherein the waste gas includes at least a noncombustible gas. Moreover, the waste heat recovery system includes a burner that is coupled to the gas separation apparatus, wherein the burner is configured to receive the permeate and to combust the permeate such that heat is generated from the permeate. Further, a heat recovery steam generator is coupled to the burner and configured to recover heat generated by the burner.

Abstract: A method of reducing the concentration of pollutants in a combustion flue gas having a first temperature is provided. The method includes the step of providing an organic Rankine cycle apparatus utilizing a working fluid and including at least one heat exchanger is arranged in thermal communication with the flue gas. The method further includes the step of reducing the temperature of the flue gas to a second temperature less than the first temperature by vaporizing the working fluid within the heat exchanger utilizing thermal energy derived from the flue gas. The method further includes the step of filtering the flue gas through at least one filter disposed downstream of the heat exchanger to remove pollutants from the flue gas. An associated system configured to reduce the concentration of pollutants in the combustion flue gas is also provided.

Abstract: A pulse detonation device includes a body member having an outer wall and an inner wall that defines a pulse detonation zone and a plurality of obstacles extend along the pulse detonation zone. At least a portion of the plurality of obstacles include a combustion catalyst.

Abstract: A system and associated method for removing accumulated debris from a surface of a vessel. The system includes an impulse cleaning device defining a combustion chamber in which combustible fuel and air are mixed and ignited to produce combustion that is directed at the surface to be cleaned within the vessel, and an eductor assembly surrounding a downstream end of the chamber for inducting surrounding atmosphere into the combustion to widen the area being cleaned.

Abstract: A system including, a filter having an exterior surface, wherein the exterior surface contains a three-dimensional surface morphology.

Abstract: A system including at least one laser device extending a beam through an in-situ non-restrictive flow path of the gas mixture; and a measurer coupled to each laser device for obtaining a plurality of dynamic measurements over time of at least one species in the gas mixture.

Abstract: A system and associated method for improved mercury removal from a flow containing combustion exhaust. The system includes a filtration arrangement through which the flow proceeds to remove material, including mercury, from the flow. The system includes a sensor arrangement sensing a mercury concentration within the flow downstream of the filtration arrangement and providing a signal indicative of the sensed mercury concentration. The system includes an adjustable temperature control arrangement changing a temperature of the combustion exhaust proceeding to the filtration arrangement in response to the signal indicative of the sensed mercury concentration to change an amount of mercury being removed from the flow.

Abstract: A pulse detonation cleaning system is provided and includes a common tube, which is fluidly coupled to a vessel, a first array, including a plurality of elongate detonation tubes arrayed about a common axis, each of the plurality of the detonation tubes being disposed upstream from and fluidly coupled to an interior of the common tube and a second array, including a plurality of detonators arrayed about the common axis, each of the plurality of the detonators being disposed upstream from and operably coupled to a corresponding one of the plurality of the detonation tubes such that actuation of each of the plurality of the detonators leads to combustion in the corresponding one of the plurality of the detonation tubes.

Abstract: The present application provides an ice blast cleaning method for a layer of slag on a surface. The ice blast cleaning method may include the steps of maintaining the surface with the layer of slag thereon at an elevated temperature, shooting a number of ice pellets at the layer of slag on the surface, and loosening the layer of slag on the surface via a mechanical impact of the ice pellets on the layer of slag and a thermal shock caused by a temperature differential between the ice pellets and the layer of slag.

Abstract: A method of monitoring a coal supply includes receiving a sampled level of at least one combustible gas in the coal supply from a combustible gas sensor device embedded in the coal supply, analyzing the sampled level to identify an accumulated combustible gas condition, and indicating a combustible gas alert in response to the accumulated combustible gas condition.

Abstract: A system and associated method for removing accumulated debris from a surface of a vessel. The system includes an impulse cleaning device defining a combustion chamber in which combustible fuel and air are mixed and ignited to produce combustion that is directed at the surface to be cleaned within the vessel, and an eductor assembly surrounding a downstream end of the chamber for inducting surrounding atmosphere into the combustion to widen the area being cleaned.

Abstract: A system and an associated method for improving mercury removal from a flow containing combustion exhaust. The system includes a filtration arrangement that includes at least one layer of ePTFE, with the at least one ePTFE layer being configured to have a geometry that retains at least some accumulated particulate matter. The system includes an arrangement for providing at least some particulate matter in the flow for accumulation on the filtration arrangement by the geometry.

Abstract: A system and associated method for improved mercury removal from a flow containing combustion exhaust. The system includes a filtration arrangement through which the flow proceeds to remove material, including mercury, from the flow. The system includes a sensor arrangement sensing a mercury concentration within the flow downstream of the filtration arrangement and providing a signal indicative of the sensed mercury concentration. The system includes an adjustable temperature control arrangement changing a temperature of the combustion exhaust proceeding to the filtration arrangement in response to the signal indicative of the sensed mercury concentration to change an amount of mercury being removed from the flow.