Abstract: A method and apparatus for semi-automating the surface preparation of a vessel via abrading to remove old paint and polish the surface of newly painted vessel surfaces, eliminating the manual exertion to push heavy random orbital sanders up against the sides and bottoms of a vessel.

Abstract: Apparatus improvements to the method for improving belt press dewatering which incorporates a high compression zone with multiple pinch points. Apparatus improvements include a) separate lower permeable belts with different materials, weave patterns wrap and weft thread diameters and opening sizes for each pinch point; b) an apparatus for raising the upper frame for ease of replacing belts and automatic recovery from jamming of belt press; and c) independent gap width and compression adjustments at each pinch point.

Abstract: An energy-efficient method and apparatus for drying pelletized, moist organic material is described. The method consists of a rapid, high temperature static drying process in a shallow bed, followed by traditional vertical static drying in a deep bed. Hot exhaust gas from the shallow-bed, hot-temperature static dryer is then recirculated to provide thermal energy to the deep-bed, warn-temperature static dryer. This invention can be used to convert wet, organic waste materials such as animal and poultry waste, municipal wastewater sludge, urban post-consumer food waste, or manufactured food byproducts and residuals into solid fuel.

Abstract: An energy-efficient method and apparatus for drying pelletized, moist organic material is described. The method consists of a rapid, high temperature static drying process in a shallow bed, followed by traditional vertical static drying in a deep bed. Hot exhaust gas from the shallow-bed, hot-temperature static dryer is then recirculated to provide thermal energy to the deep-bed, warn-temperature static dryer. This invention can be used to convert wet, organic waste materials such as animal and poultry waste, municipal wastewater sludge, urban post-consumer food waste, or manufactured food byproducts and residuals into solid fuel.

Abstract: A belt press solid/liquid separation apparatus is provided for separating organic mixtures with substantial amounts of moisture to produce separated solids with solids content of 50-90% while retaining 99% of the incoming solids in the filter cake. Specifically, the invention incorporates a double-belt press apparatus with a non-permeable upper belt, a highly permeable lower belt, a wedge type zone with adjustable spring compression, and a means for re-screening belt press filtrate with either a single belt press or multiple belt presses configured as a multi-step cascade of belt presses.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing animal feed from food waste by providing a dry, pelletized, fibrous organic material. Specifically, the invention relates to methods of thickening/dewatering solids that contain substantial amounts of moisture, e.g., ground food waste.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing animal feed from food waste by providing a dry, pelletized, fibrous organic material. Specifically, the invention relates to methods of thickening/dewatering solids that contain substantial amounts of moisture, e.g., ground food waste.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing animal feed from food waste by providing a dry, pelletized, fibrous organic material. Specifically, the invention relates to methods of thickening/dewatering solids that contain substantial amounts of moisture, e.g., ground food waste.

Abstract: A process is provided for producing animal feed from food waste by providing a dry, pelletized, fibrous organic material. Specifically, the invention relates to methods of thickening/dewatering solids that contain substantial amounts of moisture, e.g., ground food waste.

Abstract: A system for the automatic and continuous determination of the efficiency of a fossil fuel-fired vapor generator for utilization by an automatic load control (88) to control the distribution of the system load among a plurality of generators, wherein various heat losses from various combustion sources are separately determined, the individual losses summed (80) and subtracted (86) from 100 percent to obtain a measure of the vapor generator efficiency.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for increasing the main steam temperature in a boiler/turbine installation to the maximum level consistent with safe operation of the installation. The difference between the main steam temperature and a system parameter is determined and used as an index to adjust the main steam temperature set point upward or downward. The system parameter selected for comparison with the main steam temperature may be the allowable variance between the main steam temperature and the main steam temperature set point or may be a "safety margin" temperature selected so as to be below the maximum allowable temperature for the installation.

Abstract: A program timer control is disclosed for applying one of at least two functions to a parameter controller which is varied over the course of a full day. A day counter counts the passage of days and operates a switch to control the parameter controller according to the non-working day function when a weekend day occurs. A manually operable setting element is also provided when the following day is a holiday to select the non-working day function. All other days are assumed to be working days so that the switch is operated to apply the working day function to the parameter controller.

Abstract: A method for predicting the optimum cycle time to schedule sootblowing using on-line process measurements. The optimum cycle times dynamically adjust to changing conditions resulting from boiler operation, fuel changes, or seasonal changes. The optimum cycle time is calculated four times per second for each heat trap of a boiler (10). The optimum conditions are based on economic criteria which account for heat trap fouling, rate of fouling of other heat traps (12, 13, 14, 16, and 18) within the boiler, and on-line boiler incremental steam cost.

Abstract: A system for optimizing the control of the water temperature within a cooling tower is disclosed. The temperature and the relative humidity of the air outside the cooling tower are measured and are selectively utilized as inputs to a plurality of modules containing function blocks in a logic arrangement. The function blocks produce an output signal indicative of the wet bulb temperature of the outside air which is compared to the cooling tower water temperature causing the speed of the cooling tower fans to be adjusted in response to the temperature difference therebetween.

Abstract: A load control for a system comprised of a plurality of energy converters wherein a System Control Signal proportional to system load is developed and utilized to simultaneously adjust the rate of energy conversion of each of the converters in parallel in accordance with changes in system load. The rate of energy conversion for each converter, while operating under stead-state conditions for a predetermined period of time, is readjusted until its actual incremental cost of production is equal to a desired incremental cost.