Abstract: An Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) system comprising a self-contained submersible OTEC plant is disclosed. The OTEC plant comprises a electrical generation system and a thermal mass whose temperature is based on the temperature of water at a first depth of a body of water. The OTEC plant is moved to a second depth of the body of water, wherein water at the second depth is a different temperature that the water at the first depth. The OTEC system generates electrical energy based on a difference in the temperatures of the water at the second depth and the temperature of the thermal mass. The OTEC system is able to generate electrical energy at either of the first depth and the second depth.

Abstract: An Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) system is disclosed. The OTEC system generates electrical energy based on a difference in the temperatures of the water from a surface region of a body of water and a thermal mass whose temperature is based on the temperature of water from a deep water region of the body of water. The thermal mass attains a desired temperature while it is positioned in the deep water region, with which it is thermally coupled. The present invention uses a bulk transport vessel to carry the thermal mass from the deep water region to a depth where it can be thermally coupled with the OTEC system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a working fluid for a steam circuit process carried out in a device comprising a steam generator, an expander, a condenser, and a reservoir for the working fluid, comprising a working medium that evaporates by the addition of heat in a steam generator, performs mechanical work by expanding in the expander during the steam phase, and condenses in the condenser; an ionic fluid serving as an antifreeze component and having a melting point in the reservoir below the freezing point of the working medium, wherein the decomposition temperature of the ionic fluid is above the evaporating temperature of the working medium in the steam generator.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention are directed to working fluids and their use in processes wherein the working fluids comprise compounds having the structure of formula (I): wherein R1, R2, R3, and R4 are each independently selected from the group consisting of: H, F, Cl, Br, and C1-C6 alkyl, at least C6 aryl, at least C3 cycloalkyl, and C6-C15 alkylaryl optionally substituted with at least one F, Cl, or Br, wherein formula (I) contains at least one F and at least one Cl or Br, provided that if any R is Br, then the compound does not have hydrogen. The working fluids are useful in Rankine cycle systems for efficiently converting waste heat generated from industrial processes, such as electric power generation from fuel cells, into mechanical energy or further to electric power. The working fluids of the invention are also useful in equipment employing other thermal energy conversion processes and cycles.

Abstract: An electrogenerating device comprises a steam boiler, a hydrogen plant for steam conversion of natural gas into hydrogen, an oxygen plant for production of oxygen from air, a high-temperature H2/O2 steam superheater, a steam turbine provided with an electric power generator and a condenser, and a heat recovery boiler. Inlets of the high-temperature steam superheater are connected to an outlet of the steam boiler and outlets of the hydrogen and oxygen plants at a ratio of hydrogen to oxygen flow rates close to a stoichiometric ratio. The total noncondensable gas impurities in hydrogen and oxygen are less than 0.5% by volume at a temperature of 20 to 100° C. An outlet of the high-temperature steam superheater is connected to an inlet of the steam turbine, an outlet of the hydrogen plant is exhaust-gas connected to a gas path of the heat recovery boiler. In addition, an outlet of the heat recovery boiler is steam connected to an intermediate inlet of the steam turbine.

Abstract: A method for improvement of a fossil fuel energy conversion into electrical energy for the simple sub- and supercritical steam cycle is proposed through introduction of additional regenerative cycle duties to improve the evaporation rate per unit of fuel burned, thus minimizing condenser heat loss of the working media. The additional duties provide a supplemental energy credit in the form of heat input to a steam generator where a modified combustion process is realized to convert fossil fuel into carbon monoxide and hydrogen at atmospheric pressure and thus achieving an essential reduction of nitrogen oxides (NOx) formation. The additional duties also involve a direct contact heat transfer to recover latent and thermal energy, contained in the discharged combustion products to provide yet another energy credit that satisfies both conventional and/or added regenerative cycle duties.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for rapidly and isothermally expanding and compressing gas in energy storage and recovery systems that use open-air hydraulic-pneumatic cylinder assemblies, such as an accumulator and an intensifier in communication with a high-pressure gas storage reservoir on a gas-side of the circuits and a combination fluid motor/pump, coupled to a combination electric generator/motor on the fluid side of the circuits. The systems use heat transfer subsystems in communication with at least one of the cylinder assemblies or reservoir to thermally condition the gas being expanded or compressed.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus is disclosed for the operation of a turboprop aircraft engine provided with pusher propellers. In order to reduce thermal loading of the pusher propellers impaired by the hot exhaust-gas flow of the engine and increase the service life of the pusher propellers, cold air from the environment outside of the aircraft engine is fed into, and mixed with, the hot exhaust-gas flow passing the pusher propellers and their connecting structure before the hot exhaust-gas flow reaches the pusher propellers.

Abstract: A method of assembling a fuel delivery system is provided. The method includes providing a base that includes a surface, a receptacle extending into the base from the surface along a longitudinal axis, and a plurality of channels extending into the base from the receptacle. Each of the plurality of channels includes an inlet end and an outlet end, and each of the plurality of channels intersects the receptacle at the outlet end, wherein the receptacle and the plurality of channels are formed integrally within the base such that the plurality of outlet ends are spaced axially from one another. The method further includes securing a fuel nozzle within the receptacle, the fuel nozzle including a plurality of separate flow paths, wherein each of the plurality of channels is in flow communication with one of the plurality of separate flow paths.

Abstract: A protection system for a pre-mixing apparatus for a turbine engine, includes: a main body having an inlet portion, an outlet portion and an exterior wall that collectively establish a fuel delivery plenum; and a plurality of fuel mixing tubes that extend through at least a portion of the fuel delivery plenum, each of the plurality of fuel mixing tubes including at least one fuel feed opening fluidly connected to the fuel delivery plenum; at least one thermal fuse disposed on an exterior surface of at least one tube, the at least one thermal fuse including a material that will melt upon ignition of fuel within the at least one tube and cause a diversion of fuel from the fuel feed opening to at least one bypass opening. A method and a turbine engine in accordance with the protection system are also provided.

Abstract: A fuel injector arrangement for a turbine engine is disclosed. The fuel injector arrangement may have a combustion chamber, a plenum, an injector, and a premixing chamber configured to receive the injector. The premixing chamber may be at least partially disposed within the plenum and open to the combustion chamber. The premixing chamber may have at least one passageway configured to allow air from the plenum to enter and mix with fuel from the injector to form an air/fuel mixture within the premixing chamber, and a porous annular wall configured to allow air from the plenum to enter and create a lean boundary layer at the porous annular wall.

Abstract: A fuel oxidizer system is operated in a first operating mode. In the first operating mode, a mixture that includes fuel from a fuel source is compressed in a compressor of the fuel oxidizer system; the fuel of the compressed mixture is oxidized in a reaction chamber of the fuel oxidizer system; and the oxidized fuel is expanded to generate rotational kinetic energy. The fuel oxidizer system is operated in a second operating mode. In the second operating mode, fuel from the fuel source is directed to bypass the compressor, and the fuel that bypassed the compressor is oxidized in the reaction chamber.

Abstract: A combustor liner for a gas turbine engine including first and second annular liner portions engaged to one another with an interference fit. The first liner portion includes at least one anti-rotation feature extending therefrom and engaging the second liner portion and having a threaded hole defined therethrough at least substantially perpendicularly to an adjacent radially extending surface of the second liner portion for threadingly receiving a pushing tool for pushing against that surface.

Abstract: In a jet engine having a plug nozzle and a plug extending rearwardly from the nozzle exit, the improvement comprising a plug having successive cross sections spaced apart rearwardly of the nozzle exit, the cross sections transitioning from circular or near circular at the exit plane defined at the nozzle exit, to progressively non-circular, rearwardly.

Abstract: A thrust vectorable fan variable area nozzle (FVAN) includes a synchronizing ring, a static ring, and a flap assembly mounted within a fan nacelle. An actuator assembly selectively rotates synchronizing ring segments relative the static ring to adjust segments of the flap assembly to vary the annular fan exit area and vector the thrust through asymmetrical movement of the thrust vectorable FVAN segments. In operation, adjustment of the entire periphery of the thrust vectorable FVAN in which all segments are moved simultaneously to maximize engine thrust and fuel economy during each flight regime. By separately adjusting the segments of the thrust vectorable FVAN, engine trust is selectively vectored to provide, for example only, trim balance or thrust controlled maneuvering.

Abstract: A burner including a pressure measurement device for pressure measurement in a combustion medium inside a gas turbine is provided. The burner supplies the combustion medium in an uncombusted state to a combustion chamber of the gas turbine. The pressure measurement device includes a measuring point defining the location of the pressure measurement, wherein the measuring point is located inside the burner of the gas turbine. In addition, a gas turbine including a burner and a method for controlling a fuel supply to a burner are provided.

Abstract: A new approach to the production of coke. In this process multiple optimized value streams are produced from a coke facility located at mine mouth or locally at an existing plant. As part of the process, lower cost Indiana/Illinois Basin-type coals are blended with conventional metallurgical coals. The blending process is optimized to meet coke quality requirements and simultaneously to obtain a pyrolysis gas composition suitable for production of ancillary products including liquid transportation fuels, fertilizer, hydrogen, and electricity. By using lower cost Indiana/Illinois Basin coal it is possible to reduce net coal costs. This process provides a new direction and approach for the production of coke in the future that optimizes value over multiple product streams while reducing both business and technological risk.

Abstract: A cooling system of a gas turbine engine, includes a heat exchanger having a common wall shared by a first air passage for directing a portion of a compressor air flow to be used as cooling air, and a second air passage for directing a portion of a bypass air flow, the portion of the compressor air flow being thereby cooled by the portion of the bypass air flow through the common wall

Abstract: A heat transfer device exploits the properties of photonic crystal solids with resonant defect cavities to execute a thermodynamic cycle to accomplish the conversion between heat flow and useful energy in the form of a heat engine or heat pump. The device comprises a photonic crystal having at least one and preferably several resonant defect cavities that radiate electromagnetic energy in an emission band. In a heat pump or refrigerator configuration, work means perform work on the photonic crystal to cycle the photonic crystal between a first state to permit the crystal to collect thermal energy from a cold region to heat the crystal and a second state to permit the photonic crystal to radiate electromagnetic energy to a hot region to cool the photonic crystal. The efficient collection of heat energy and radiation of electromagnetic energy in the cycle is accomplished by cycling the heat transfer into the photonic crystal and/or the crystal's emission band.

Abstract: The enclosure for surveillance hardware provided herein protects the hardware from external elements and from damage. The enclosure may be configured for a node of a peer to peer surveillance architecture or other devices, and for mobile or other applications. The enclosure may comprise a sealed component chamber and an adjacent support chamber. The sealed component chamber may enclose the components therein in an air or watertight manner. The support chamber may comprise an airflow system and thermal conductor which regulates the temperature in the component chamber. The enclosure may be formed from a multilayer material having various protective qualities. A controller may be provided to control operation of the airflow system and thermal conductor in response to changes in temperature.

Abstract: A wrapped thermoelectric power source having an inner and an outer insulator is provided within a housing formed, at least partially, by an upper and lower thermal transfer elements. The thermoelectric power source including a plurality of coupled pairs of thin film materials possessing thermoelectric properties, the pairs disposed on a flexible substrate and electrically coupled in any series/parallel combination, with the flexible substrate wrapped around an inner thermal insulator. The thermoelectric power source may be sized such that at least a portion of an electronics module may be disposed at least partly within the inner thermal insulator. The electronics module is electrically coupled to the thermoelectric power source, and includes components for voltage regulation and/or power conditioning.

Abstract: A temperature adjustable airflow device includes a vortex tube having a high pressure gas inlet and cooled and heated outlets. A mixing chamber is provided having first and second ends, one gas inlet end at the first end and a gas outlet end at the second end, and an intermediate gas inlet end between the first and second ends. A high pressure inlet conduit is connected to the high pressure gas inlet of the vortex tube and to the gas inlet of the mixing chamber. The cooled or the heated vortex tube outlet is connected to the intermediate gas inlet end, the mixing chamber mixing high pressure gas with cooled or heated gas, respectively, from the vortex tube to enhance the pressure of the cooled or heated gas emanating from the vortex tube. The arrangement allows cooled or heated gas from the vortex tube to be output for a given application at a higher pressure that would normally be available.

Abstract: The invention is related to an ultrafast freezing equipment for food contained in a packing with multiple cavities, for public sale, by applying a liquid nitrogen trickle, in an amount enough to produce an ultrafast freezing of food. Liquid nitrogen is dispensed from a container at atmospheric pressure, vacuum isolated, through a plurality of nozzles, by gravity, into the center of the upper surface for each cavity, producing short-time immersion in the individual cavity. Nitrogen gas produced is used to make a practically oxygen-free atmosphere, cold enough to maintain the freezing process after dispensing. The process diminish the amount of liquid nitrogen required as compared to other freezing processes, as well as personnel, facilities and physical space needed for install and operate it, reducing the associated costs.

Abstract: A fluid chiller system supplying cold fluid to a therapeutic wrap, in which a minimum level of fluid flow is provided through the heat exchange coils to insure that the fluid in the coils does not freeze. A fluid flow meter or pressure sensor connected inline with the inlet port of the chiller unit measures a level of fluid flow. A controller is connected to the flow meter or pressure sensor and a bypass valve, wherein based on a signal from the flow meter or pressure sensor, the controller adjusts the bypass valve to provide a predetermined level of fluid flow into the inlet port of the chiller unit, in order to prevent the heat exchange coils from freezing, if the flow through the wrap is blocked.

Abstract: There is described a device (3) for automatically producing clear ice, having a water and ice-forming tray (5); a cooling device (7) located at the tray (5) to cool the water in the tray (5) to a predetermined freezing temperature; a drive unit (6) for oscillating the tray (5) about a longitudinal axis (A) of the tray (5); and a number of paddles, which are fixed inside the tray (5), and, as the tray oscillates, move the water/ice in the tray (5) in the oscillation direction of the tray.

Abstract: A refrigerant additive supply device can include an outer rigid container, an inner flexible bag positioned in the outer rigid container and defining a space therebetween where the inner flexible bag contains an additive without a refrigerant, a valve in fluid communication with the inner flexible bag, an actuator operably coupled to the valve, and a propellant sealed within the space, where the inner flexible bag has a device pressure that allows flow of the additive into a refrigerant circuit when the actuator is depressed. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method and apparatus for controlling the operating pressure of a Reverse Brayton type refrigeration device 70 for the purposes of regulating cooling capacity and coolant inventory control.

Abstract: Multiple compressors are connected to a common shaft of a drive motor. Provision may be made for selectively disengaging one or more of the compressors from its drive connection. The multiple compressors an preferably attached to opposite ends of a common motor shaft extending from both ends of the motor. Multiple compressors may be arranged to operate in parallel flow relationship or in series flow relationship in a single refrigerant circuit. The compressors may also be installed on separate refrigerant circuits. In a series flow relationship, a vapor or liquid injection function may be provided. Both compressors may be of an open-drive design, or one of the compressors nay share a common housing with the motor.

Abstract: A refrigerator and an ice level sensing apparatus are provided. The refrigerator may include a main body, and an ice level sensing apparatus including an optical element for sending or receiving a signal, and an alignment device for aligning and maintaining alignment of the optical element in a preset direction. The sensing apparatus may sense whether an ice storage container in which ice cubes made by an ice maker is at a full ice level. The optical element may be aligned at a preset position, thus preventing movement of the optical element, resulting in improved reliability of the sensing apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed is a refrigerator includes a storage room and having a cool air off mode in which supply of cool air to the storage room is cut off. Thus, a refrigerator having a cooling system in which a pair of evaporators are serially connected for a pair of storage rooms is provided according to the above embodiments. A refrigerator may also have a cooling system in which a plurality of evaporators is connected in parallel and refrigerant is selectively supplied to each evaporator by a refrigerant supply valve.

Abstract: A refrigerant compressor assembly for a refrigeration circuit controls the temperature within a temperature controlled space. The refrigerant compressor assembly includes a first unloading valve, a first valve actuator, and a first valve control system that adjusts the first valve actuator via a pulse-width-modulated signal, a second unloading valve, a second valve actuator, and a second valve control system that adjusts the second valve actuator via a pulse-width-modulated signal. The refrigerant compressor assembly also includes a third unloading valve. The first valve actuator is coupled to the first and third unloading valves and controlled by the first valve control system. The unloading valves selectively allow or resist fluid flow from higher to lower pressure areas within the refrigerant compressor assembly.

Abstract: An outdoor refrigerator comprising a cabinet, a heat insulation board, a door panel and a condenser, wherein the heat insulation board is placed on the cabinet in order that a roasting stove is adapted to placing thereon without being damaged, a door panel is provided in front of the cabinet and is provided with a plurality of sealing strips, a condenser is provided in a receiving chamber on a rear side of the cabinet, and a fan is provided to increase effect of heat dissipation of the condenser. The present invention can overcome the problems of being subjected to damaging of the refrigerator used outdoors and the inferior heat dissipation of the refrigerator, and an object of convenient use can thus be attained.

Abstract: An electric refrigerator includes a vacuum preservation system. The electric refrigerator includes a refrigerator body with a refrigeration compartment, and a vacuum preservation system inside the refrigerator body. The vacuum preservation system includes a vacuum preservation container inside the refrigeration compartment, a vacuum generation device for building up a vacuum in the vacuum preservation container, a control device for controlling a buildup in the vacuum, and a measuring and monitoring device for measuring and monitoring an operating state of the vacuum preservation system.

Abstract: A refrigerator, in which a main body includes a refrigerating chamber and a freezing chamber. A cold air generation chamber for the freezing chamber is provided on an uppermost part of the main body, communicates with the freezing chamber, and houses a freezing chamber evaporator. A cold air generation chamber for the refrigerating chamber is provided separate from the cold air generation chamber for the freezing chamber and houses a refrigerating chamber evaporator.

Abstract: The object is to provide an ice making water tank for an automatic ice making machine capable of stabilizing the operation of a float switch. As a means for achieving the object, there is provided an overflow portion 64 having a wall portion 58 to define a maximum water storage level of ice making water, and a raised-bottom portion 60 to discharge excess ice making water that has overflowed the wall portion 58 to the outside through a discharge port 62 on a side near the outside of a tank portion 52 of an ice making water tank 32. Furthermore, a partition member 68 is removably disposed on the overflow portion 64 side with respect to the disposed position of the circulation pump 14 in the tank portion 52 to divide the inside of the tank portion 52 into two regions, and to allow ice making water near the bottom portion 56 to flow between the two regions. In addition, a float switch 26 is disposed between the partition member 68 and the overflow portion 64 in the tank portion 52.

Abstract: In one aspect, there is provided a heat pump system which comprises an enclosure and an electrostatic compressor. The enclosure is substantially filled with a first fluid and includes a plurality of compressor vanes, a heat exchanger, and a control module. The plurality of compressor vanes are responsive to electrical stimulus and are substantially separated from each other so that the first fluid extends to and at least partially occupies a space between adjoining pairs of the compressor vanes. The heat exchanger is thermally coupled to the first fluid in the space between the compressor vanes and to a second fluid substantially outside the enclosure. The control module is responsive to input information and includes an electrical circuit that provides the electrical stimulus to the compressor vanes. The compressor vanes respond to the electrical stimulus by compressing and releasing the first fluid between the adjoining pairs of compressor vanes.

Abstract: A refrigerator with an improved air handler for a quick chill bin is disclosed. The refrigerator includes a first compartment, a second compartment and a bin disposed in the second compartment. The air handler includes a first conduit for supplying cooling air from the first compartment to the bin, and a second conduit for returning air from the bin to the first compartment. The second conduit substantially covers the first conduit.

Abstract: Provided are a damper in which strange sound (whistling sound) generated when the damper has a small opening degree is suppressed, an air conditioning unit, and an air conditioner for vehicle. The damper has a wall surface (33) for forming a channel for allowing air to flow in it, a stationary portion (35) extending from the wall surface (33) toward the center of the channel (23), and a rotation portion (25) rotatably placed in the channel (23) and having one end (29) in contact with a portion of the stationary portion (35), which portion is on the downstream side of air flow in the channel (23). A curved wall portion (45) curved and projected toward the center of the channel (23) is formed at that position on the wall surface (33) with which the air flow passed between one end (29) and the stationary portion (35) collides.

Abstract: A refrigerator, in which a main body includes a refrigerating chamber and a freezing chamber. A cold air generation chamber for the freezing chamber, a cold air generation chamber for the refrigerating chamber, and a machine room are provided on an uppermost part of the main body to allow for increased space in the refrigerating and freezing chambers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for chilling a container are disclosed. In one embodiment, a portable container or wine chiller has an outer shell and may have a closure that holds the wine bottle in place. The wine chiller may have an insertable coolant, or may alternatively have a permanently affixed coolant.

Abstract: A lubricating oil for a compression-type refrigerator using a hydrofluorocarbon refrigerant including a polyvinyl ether-based compound containing in the molecule an alkylene glycol unit or a polyoxyalkylene glycol unit and a polyvinyl ether unit and having a molecular weight in the range of 300 to 3,000, and a refrigeration apparatus using the lubricating oil. The present invention can provide a lubricating oil for a compression-type refrigerator having good compatibility in the atmosphere of a hydrofluorocarbon and a high viscosity index, and a refrigeration apparatus using such a lubricating oil.

Abstract: A refrigeration apparatus (1) is disclosed which is provided with multiple systems of utilization-side heat exchangers (20, 30, 40) and in which liquid-side interunit piping lines (53, 54, 55) are combined into a single liquid-side interunit piping line in multiple systems of liquid lines. When the refrigeration apparatus (1) provides space heating of 100% heat recovery without the use of an outdoor heat exchanger (15), the flow of refrigerant in a refrigerant circuit (50) is stabilized even when the temperature of outside air is low, thereby preventing the capacity to provide refrigeration from decreasing.

Abstract: Adequate distribution of a two-phase refrigerant flowing through a plurality of heat transfer tubes in a generally parallel manner is ensured. Tapping a portion of predominantly vapor refrigerant from an upstream location and delivering it to a downstream location where separation of liquid and vapor refrigerant phases is likely to occur and a liquid refrigerant phase is likely to accumulate. Additional momentum from the predominantly vapor refrigerant creates homogeneous conditions for the vapor/liquid refrigerant mixture, promoting uniform distribution of the mixture In downstream heat transfer tubes. The vapor refrigerant may be tapped from various locations.

Abstract: A refrigerant composition. The composition has 25 to 35 mass % difluoromethane, 20 to 40 mass % pentafluoroethane, and 35 to 45 mass % tetrafluoroethane. The composition exhibits a positive superheat at an evaporation temperature of about ?30° F. There is also a process for producing refrigeration and a refrigeration system.

Abstract: An ejector refrigerant cycle device includes a radiator for radiating heat of high-temperature and high-pressure refrigerant discharged from a compressor, a branch portion for branching a flow of refrigerant on a downstream side of the radiator into a first stream and a second stream, an ejector that includes a nozzle portion for decompressing and expending refrigerant of the first stream from the branch portion, a decompression portion for decompressing and expanding refrigerant of the second stream from the branch portion, and an evaporator for evaporating refrigerant on a downstream side of the decompression portion. The evaporator has a refrigerant outlet coupled to the refrigerant suction port of the ejector. Furthermore, a refrigerant radiating portion is provided for radiating heat of refrigerant while the decompression portion decompresses and expands refrigerant. For example, the refrigerant radiating portion is provided in an inner heat exchanger.

Abstract: An operating system of a liquefied natural gas ship for performing sub-cooled liquefaction of boil-off gas includes a boil-off gas compressor, a cryogenic heat exchanger connected to a refrigerator system, and a first check valve and a first pressure control valve, installed in a pipe between a liquefied natural gas phase separator and a gas combustion unit, and a second check valve and a second pressure control valve, installed in a parallel pipe connected to the pipe in parallel. The parallel pipe is connected to a pipe between the boil-off gas compressor and the cryogenic heat exchanger such that boil-off gas is supplied to an upper vapor region of the liquefied natural gas phase separator. Thus, pressure and level of the liquefied natural gas phase separator are stably controlled. Power consumption is effectively reduced, and economical efficiency is achieved by stable operating pressure and level of the liquefied natural gas phase separator.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon feed stream is separated in one or more separators to provide a hydrocarbon stream and at least one methane-lean stream comprising a first ethane-rich header feed stream. The hydrocarbon stream is heat exchanged with at least one refrigerant stream to provide at least one cooled hydrocarbon stream and at least one at least partially evapourated refrigerant stream. The first ethane-rich header feed stream is passed to at least one fuel gas header, from which header fuel gas is removed as at least one fuel gas stream.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for distilling air by cryogenic distillation is presented. The invention relates to an apparatus using a double air separation column comprising a medium pressure column and a low pressure column connected thermally together by a reboiler-condenser.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a platinum alloy comprising (a) 63.01 to 69.99 wt. % of platinum, (b) 1.5 to 10 wt. % of cobalt, and (c) 20.01 to 35.49 wt. % of copper. The platinum alloys have excellent mechanical and optical properties for use in the production of ornamental articles such as rings, necklaces, earrings, watch bands, watch bodies and other jewelry. The disclosure further relates to a method of preparing the platinum alloys and their use in the production of ornamental articles. Still further the disclosure relates to ornamental articles comprising the platinum alloy and a method of production thereof.

Abstract: A porous wall hollow glass microsphere is provided having a diameter range of between 1 to 200 microns, a density of between 1.0 to 2.0 gm/cc, a porous-wall structure having wall openings defining an average pore size of between 10 to 1000 angstroms, and which contains therein a hydrogen storage material. The porous-wall structure may be modified by precise control of heat treatment temperatures of precursor hollow glass microspheres such that the pore diameter and percentage of pore formation may be regulated. The ability to control characteristics of porosity allow customization of specific applications for the PWHGM in a variety of biomedical, sensor, hydrogen storage, and other microencapsulation technologies.