Abstract: An acoustic sensing system to measure an interior characteristic of an object, for example, density, the presence of defects, or bond integrity (of a laminated object). The system includes a first set of acoustic transducers acting as transmitters for transmitting acoustic wave energy at a single frequency, which acoustic wave energy interacts with the object in a sensing region to provide transmitted, scattered, and reflected wave energy. A transmitter mounting mechanism allows the transmitters to be positioned in such a way that acoustic energy reflected from the object sets up a reverberation between the transmitter and the object. A second set of acoustic transducers acting as receivers of acoustic wave energy is positioned opposite the transmitters in such a way that acoustic waves passing through the object are coupled to the receivers.

Abstract: A combined cycle waste-to-energy plant is utilized to thermally convert municipal and industrial solid wastes into essentially complete products of combustion and use the combustion heat to produce steam and/or electrical power. The plant includes a building enclosure having a waste receiving area, a waste fuel separation and processing area, an incinerator area and a heat recovery and power generation area. Processed waste fuel is delivered to a series of incinerators by an automated conveyor and hopper system, and the waste fuel is burned in the incinerators by hot exhaust gas delivered thereto from one or more combustion turbines located outside the building and drivingly connected to electrical generators. Inlet air to the turbines is drawn from with the building to maintain its interior at a negative pressure, thereby preventing waste odors and pathogens from escaping from the building.