Abstract: Methods and systems for the thermo-vacuum drying and processing of objects such as clothes. A vacuum ejector driven by high-pressure steam is employed to evacuate evaporated moisture mixed with air from a dryer vessel producing an intensification of the drying process such as can significantly reduce the energy and time requirements for the drying process and increase water utilization.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering distilled water from wastewater. The method and apparatus evaporates water vapor from a wastewater stream into a moving airflow, collects collecting distilled water from the water vapor, and powers the moving airflow and the collecting distilled water with a thermoelectric generator. The apparatus includes a self-regenerative distillation unit, with an evaporating channel, a condensing channel, and a distilled water outlet. The thermoelectric generator includes a hot shoe side in combination with the wastewater stream, and a cold shoe side in combination with the distilled water outlet. The thermoelectric generator powers a fan or blower connected to the evaporating channel and/or a water pump connected to the distilled water outlet.

Abstract: A cooling system and method including a cooling chamber with an air inlet, a water inlet, and a cooling fill disposed between the air inlet and the water inlet. The cooling fill configured to put more water surface area in contact with air. The cooling system also including a basin disposed on a side of the cooling fill that is opposite the water inlet, the basin configured to collect the water from the cooling fill. A precooler is included in combination with the basin, the precooler including a heat-mass exchanger in combination with the basin, a blower configured to provide pressurized air through the heat-mass exchanger, and an expansion device configured to depressurize the air after the heat-mass exchanger.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering distilled water from wastewater. The method and apparatus evaporates water vapor from a wastewater stream into a moving airflow, collects collecting distilled water from the water vapor, and powers the moving airflow and the collecting distilled water with a thermoelectric generator. The apparatus includes a self-regenerative distillation unit, with an evaporating channel, a condensing channel, and a distilled water outlet. The thermoelectric generator includes a hot shoe side in combination with the wastewater stream, and a cold shoe side in combination with the distilled water outlet. The thermoelectric generator powers a fan or blower connected to the evaporating channel and/or a water pump connected to the distilled water outlet.

Abstract: A combined cooling, heating, and power system, including a working fluid cycling between a compressor and a turbine in combination with a power generator. A humidifying regenerator is disposed between the compressor and the turbine, and in combination with the working fluid upstream and again downstream of the turbine to humidify and then dehumidify the working fluid. A working fluid heat exchanger is in combination with the working fluid between the turbine and the humidifying regenerator for further heat the working fluid. The heat exchanger is in combination with a heat source that heats both the working fluid and provides a separate heating medium. A cooling device is in combination with the working fluid between the humidifying regenerator and the compressor, wherein the cooling device cools the working fluid before entering the compressor and provides a separate cooling medium.

Abstract: Methods and systems for the thermo-vacuum drying and processing of objects such as clothes. A vacuum ejector driven by high-pressure steam is employed to evacuate evaporated moisture mixed with air from a dryer vessel producing an intensification of the drying process such as can significantly reduce the energy and time requirements for the drying process and increase water utilization.

Abstract: Methods and systems for the thermo-vacuum drying and processing of objects such as clothes. A vacuum ejector driven by high-pressure steam is employed to evacuate evaporated moisture mixed with air from a dryer vessel producing an intensification of the drying process such as can significantly reduce the energy and time requirements for the drying process and increase water utilization.

Abstract: A method and system for heat recovery and/or power plant cooling, incorporating an ejector configured to transfer vapor from a generator to a condenser. The ejector includes a converging-diverging nozzle to create a low pressure zone that entrains a fluid. The ejector is within a cooling fluid cycle line in heat exchange combination with an exhaust flue gas. Two fluid flows of the fluid cycle line are mixed via the ejector into a combined fluid, wherein the ejector adjusts a temperature and/or pressure of the combined fluid. Condensing the combined fluid provides a cooling medium.

Abstract: A cooling system and method including a cooling chamber with an air inlet, a water inlet, and a cooling fill disposed between the air inlet and the water inlet. The cooling fill configured to put more water surface area in contact with air. The cooling system also including a basin disposed on a side of the cooling fill that is opposite the water inlet, the basin configured to collect the water from the cooling fill. A precooler is included in combination with the basin, the precooler including a heat-mass exchanger in combination with the basin, a blower configured to provide pressurized air through the heat-mass exchanger, and an expansion device configured to depressurize the air after the heat-mass exchanger.

Abstract: A method and system for heat recovery and/or power plant cooling, incorporating an ejector configured to transfer vapor from a generator to a condenser. The ejector includes a converging-diverging nozzle to create a low pressure zone that entrains a fluid. The ejector is within a cooling fluid cycle line in heat exchange combination with an exhaust flue gas. Two fluid flows of the fluid cycle line are mixed via the ejector into a combined fluid, wherein the ejector adjusts a temperature and/or pressure of the combined fluid. Condensing the combined fluid provides a cooling medium.

Abstract: Methods and systems for the thermo-vacuum drying and processing of objects such as clothes. A vacuum ejector driven by high-pressure steam is employed to evacuate evaporated moisture mixed with air from a dryer vessel producing an intensification of the drying process such as can significantly reduce the energy and time requirements for the drying process and increase water utilization.

Abstract: A combined cooling, heating, and power system, including a working fluid cycling between a compressor and a turbine in combination with a power generator. A humidifying regenerator is disposed between the compressor and the turbine, and in combination with the working fluid upstream and again downstream of the turbine to humidify and then dehumidify the working fluid. A working fluid heat exchanger is in combination with the working fluid between the turbine and the humidifying regenerator for further heat the working fluid. The heat exchanger is in combination with a heat source that heats both the working fluid and provides a separate heating medium. A cooling device is in combination with the working fluid between the humidifying regenerator and the compressor, wherein the cooling device cools the working fluid before entering the compressor and provides a separate cooling medium.

Abstract: Methods and systems for improving burner, particularly ribbon burner performance, involving admixing a portion of the combustion products from the flue gas resulting from the burner to at least one of a primary and a secondary oxidizer supply to the burner. Admixing a portion of a carbon dioxide-containing flue gas combustion product formed upon combustion of a fuel gas by a ribbon burner significantly reduces NOx emissions resulting from operation of the burner.

Abstract: Methods and systems for improving burner, particularly ribbon burner performance, involving admixing a portion of the combustion products from the flue gas resulting from the burner to at least one of a primary and a secondary oxidizer supply to the burner. Admixing a portion of a carbon dioxide-containing flue gas combustion product formed upon combustion of a fuel gas by a ribbon burner significantly reduces NOx emissions resulting from operation of the burner.

Abstract: An apparatus for dehumidifying gas is provided which converts humid gas into dehumidified gas using a hydrophilic membrane that includes a superabsorbent polymer. A sub-dew point cooling tower, sub-dew point evaporative cooler and sub-dew point water harvesting system which utilize the apparatus for dehumidifying gas are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for dehumidifying gas is provided which converts humid gas into dehumidified gas using a hydrophilic membrane that includes a superabsorbent polymer. A sub-dew point cooling tower, sub-dew point evaporative cooler and sub-dew point water harvesting system which utilize the apparatus for dehumidifying gas are also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing radiant heat in which a mixture of fuel and primary combustion oxidant is introduced into a combustion chamber having a heat radiating wall, which mixture has less than a stoichiometric requirement for complete combustion of the fuel, and igniting the mixture, forming heated partial combustion products. At least a portion of the heat in the heated partial combustion products is transferred to the heat radiating wall. The heated partial combustion products are passed from the combustion chamber into an exhaust gas plenum disposed adjacent to the combustion chamber. A secondary combustion oxidant is introduced into the exhaust gas plenum in an amount sufficient to complete combustion of the partial combustion products, forming exhaust gases. Heat in the exhaust gases is transferred to the primary combustion oxidant disposed in a combustion oxidant plenum disposed adjacent to said exhaust gas plenum.

Abstract: A direct flame impingement method and apparatus employing at least one multi-ported, internally recuperated burner. The burner includes an innermost coaxial conduit having a first fluid inlet end and a first fluid outlet end, an outermost coaxial conduit disposed around the innermost coaxial conduit and having a combustion products outlet end proximate the first fluid inlet end of the innermost coaxial conduit and a combustion products inlet end proximate the first fluid outlet end of the innermost coaxial conduit, and a coaxial intermediate conduit disposed between the innermost coaxial conduit and the outermost coaxial conduit, whereby a second fluid annular region is formed between the innermost coaxial conduit and the intermediate coaxial conduit and a combustion products annular region is formed between the intermediate coaxial conduit and the outermost coaxial conduit.

Abstract: A system and method for fuel reforming in which at least a portion of the exhaust gases from a combustion process, such as an industrial furnace, is mixed with a fuel, such as natural gas, and the mixture is introduced into a first stage heat exchange vessel in which the fuel is reformed. The reformed fuel is then returned to the combustion process for burning. In accordance with one embodiment, primary combustion oxidant is introduced into a second stage heat exchange vessel in which it is heated by a portion of the exhaust gas exiting the first stage heat exchange vessel. The heated oxidant is then introduced into the combustion process for burning of the fuel(s) therein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing radiant heat in which a mixture of fuel and primary combustion oxidant is introduced into a combustion chamber having a heat radiating wall, which mixture has less than a stoichiometric requirement for complete combustion of the fuel, and igniting the mixture, forming heated partial combustion products. At least a portion of the heat in the heated partial combustion products is transferred to the heat radiating wall. The heated partial combustion products are passed from the combustion chamber into an exhaust gas plenum disposed adjacent to the combustion chamber. A secondary combustion oxidant is introduced into the exhaust gas plenum in an amount sufficient to complete combustion of the partial combustion products, forming exhaust gases. Heat in the exhaust gases is transferred to the primary combustion oxidant disposed in a combustion oxidant plenum disposed adjacent to said exhaust gas plenum.