Abstract: Methods are disclosed for providing recovered lignin of suitable quantity and quality to provide sufficient heating value to power the generation of supercritical or near critical water without the need for outside sources of energy. Supercritical or near critical water generator devices and systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A large-size circulating fluidized bed boiler, comprising: a furnace having a vertical furnace center line; and at least two groups of cyclones, each cyclone of each group of cyclones having an inlet gas pass communicated with the furnace. A furnace cross section formed by outer sidewalls and located at the inlet gas pass of the cyclone is a polygon having 2×n sides, and n is a positive integer greater than 1. The polygon is axially symmetric with respect to a perpendicular bisector of each side of the polygon, and when n is 2, the polygon is a square. Triangles formed by two endpoints of an inlet of the inlet gas pass of each cyclone at the cross section and an intersection of the furnace center line and the cross section are congruent. A single flow field in communication with each of the inlet is formed in the cross section.

Abstract: A heat recovery steam generator that includes a first steam drum for receiving a flow of water and steam from an evaporator. The first steam drum is adapted to provide the flow of water and steam to a second steam drum. The second steam drum is in fluid communication with the first steam drum and receives the flow of water and steam from the first steam drum and separates steam from the flow of water and steam to form a separated steam. There is a steam flow outlet positioned in the second steam drum, the steam flow outlet adapted to release the separated steam from the second steam drum.

Abstract: A heating assembly can be used with one of a first fuel type or a second fuel type different than the first. The heating assembly can a include housing have a first actuation member and a second actuation member. The first and second actuation members can be positioned within respective first and second fuel hook-ups. The first and second actuation members can be configured such that connecting a fuel source to the heater assembly moves one of the actuation members from a first position to a second position to control flow through the heating assembly.

Abstract: A furnace apparatus to incinerate solid waste comprises a chamber, a solid waste feed inlet, air inlet pipes, and air outlet pipes. The chamber includes an upper pyrolysis section and a lower combustion section, and the solid waste feed inlet is positioned at an upper portion of the chamber to feed solid waste to the lower combustion section. The air inlet pipes receive air for combustion of the solid waste within the lower combustion section. The air outlet pipes exhaust combusted air from the lower combustion section, where multiple magnets are operably attached on the air inlet pipes and the air outlet pipes. The paramagnetic oxygen present in the received air is concentrated via the magnets, and the concentrated oxygen is introduced into a plasma generated within the combustion section to accelerate the combustion process, and to oxidize toxic matter present in the solid waste.

Abstract: A grid for distributing and mixing fluids in a duct includes a plurality of lances arranged in a first plane and configured to be positioned transverse to a direction of a first fluid flowing outside of the lances and within a predetermined flow area. Each of the plurality of lances has at least one first inlet and a plurality of outlet nozzles. One or more of the outlet nozzles is directed generally in the flow direction of the first fluid outside of the lances, and is configured to discharge a second fluid therefrom.

Abstract: Various methods and apparatus are disclosed that relate to one or more aspects of an abatement system. In various aspects a nozzle assembly of an abatement system includes at least one rotationally adjustable nozzle tubing having at least one nozzle coupled thereto.

Abstract: A water-containing solid fuel drying apparatus that can efficiently dry with low energy consumption by effectively utilizing sensible heat and latent heat of a heating medium for drying, etc. is provided.

Abstract: A combustion chamber comprises an outer wall and an inner wall spaced from the outer wall. The outer wall has at least one mounting aperture extending there-through and the inner wall has threaded studs extending there-from. The threaded studs extend through the mounting apertures in the outer wall. Cooperating nuts locate on the studs and washers are positioned between the outer wall and the cooperating nuts. Each washer has a rim and a bore. The washers have one or more passages extending there-through from the rim to the bore of the washer to provide a flow of coolant through the passages in the washers, the mounting apertures in the outer wall and around the threaded studs to cool the threaded studs to increase the working life of the inner wall. Other cooling arrangements for the threaded studs are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a gas-turbine combustion chamber having a combustion chamber wall including a tile carrier, on which wall tiles are mounted at a distance to form an impingement cooling gap, where the tile carrier has impingement cooling holes and the tile is provided with effusion holes, where the tile has on its side facing the tile carrier a surface structure which raises from the surface of the tile and extends in the direction of the tile carrier.

Abstract: The build-up of carbon deposition on the front face of a combustor heat shield is discouraged by jetting air out from the front face of the heat shield with sufficient momentum to push approaching fuel droplets or rich fuel-air mixture way from the heat shield.

Abstract: An axial swirler for a gas turbine burner includes a vane ring with a plurality of swirler vanes circumferentially distributed around a swirler axis. Each of the swirler vanes includes a trailing edge. In order to achieve a controlled distribution of the exit flow velocity profile and/or the fuel equivalence ratio in the radial direction. The trailing edge is discontinuous with the trailing edge having a discontinuity at a predetermined radius.

Abstract: A fuel control module including a gas vent manifold is disclosed. The gas vent manifold includes a first gas vent portion including a first gas vent connection and a second gas vent portion including a second gas vent connection. The gas vent manifold also includes a condensation portion extending between the first gas vent portion and the second gas vent portion. The gas vent manifold further includes a condensation drain port fluidly connected to the condensation portion. The gas vent manifold also includes a plurality of connection ports. Each connection port is configured to fluidly couple the gas vent manifold to a vent line of one or more pneumatic valves.

Abstract: A premixer assembly for mixing air and fuel for combustion includes a plurality of tubes disposed at a head end of a combustor assembly. Also included is a tube of the plurality of tubes, the tube including an inlet end and an outlet end.

Abstract: Methods are directed to operating a burner of a gas turbine. The burner includes a swirl generator and, downstream of it, a mixing tube. The swirl generator is defined by at least two walls facing one another to define a conical swirl chamber and includes nozzles arranged to inject fuel and apertures arranged to feed an oxidizer into the swirl chamber. The burner includes a lance which extends along a longitudinal axis of the swirl generator and side nozzles for ejecting a fuel within the burner. The side nozzles have their axes inclined with respect to the axis of the lance and can be positioned along the axis of the burner. During operation, an oil fuel or gaseous fuel is injected into to the burner through the lance tip and the lance side nozzles at various percentages depending on an operating mode of the gas turbine.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus capable of reading or detecting coded information printed on or otherwise associated with food packaging is provided. Food packaging capable of being read or detected by a cooking apparatus is also provided. The cooking apparatus sets cooking time and cooking temperature as a result of reading or detecting coded information printed on or otherwise associated with food packaging. The cooking apparatus is capable of interacting with a user of the cooking apparatus to further assist the cooking process started as a result of reading or detecting coded information printed on or otherwise associated with food packaging. The cooking apparatus capable of connecting to a remote computer and server and receiving and displaying web pages generated by the remote server to further assist the cooking process.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to a system that improves heat distribution throughout an internal cooking cavity of an oven. The embodiments described may find particular use in ovens used on-board passenger transport vehicles, but they may also be incorporated into other ovens, such as residential and other commercial ovens.

Abstract: An underlayment system is provided that includes a plurality of bosses that emanate form a common base member. The bosses and bases preferably include an opening therethrough that will allow for subsequent layers of adhesive to interact and bond to each other. The bosses are also spaced in such a way to help secure a wire snugly therebetween.

Abstract: An air conditioner having an improved assembly structure of panels includes a lower panel located at a bottom surface thereof, an upper panel located at an upper surface thereof, front and rear panels located at front and rear surfaces thereof, and side panels to couple the front and rear panels. One side of each of the lower panel and at least one panel is provided with a protrusion and the other side thereof is provided with a coupling groove, so that the lower panel is coupled to at least one of the front panel and the side panels by coupling of the protrusion and the coupling groove. It may be possible to provide an air conditioner capable of reducing the number of fastening members coupled to respective panels and being free from restraint of an installation space.

Abstract: Biosafety units, methods of making, and sealing the same are disclosed herein. The units comprise at least one controlled air, sealable, sterilizable cleanroom; and a mechanical system room adjacent to the cleanroom comprising: at least two air handling units in a support room adjacent the cleanroom that provide redundant air to the cleanroom with at least Class 100,000 air purity, the air handling units connected to a one or more supply ducts to the cleanroom, and an exhaust duct in communication with the cleanroom and the air handling unit exhaust, wherein a pressure gradient is formed between the cleanroom and the exterior of the structure; and at least two power supplies that provide redundant power to electrical outlets in the cleanroom, wherein the at least two power supplies are connectable to one or more external power sources and the structure is pre-validatable or validated for pharmaceutical manufacturing.

Abstract: Provided is a forced evaporative humidifier using nano-vapor, which includes: a housing having an exhaust port formed in an upper surface thereof and a suction port formed at one side of a front surface thereof; a water tank located below the suction port to store water; an injection unit having an injection nozzle located above the suction port, a pump for pulling up the water in the water tank to the injection nozzle, and a transfer tube for transferring the water pulled by the pump; a blowing fan located above the injection nozzle to carry air toward the exhaust port of the housing; a humidifying unit located below the injection nozzle so that films, each having a body surface formed to allow the water injected from the injection nozzle to flow and a plurality of tube-type spacers protruding on the body surface, are stacked in a lateral direction therein; and an eliminator located between the blowing fan and the injection nozzle to prevent water drops included in a humid air humidified by the humidifying u

Abstract: Disclosed is a humidification device capable of satisfying both necessary and sufficient humidification abilities and energy conserving. A humidification filter unit is immersed into water and rotates to facilitate the absorption of water. When the time from stopping of the humidification operation to the restarting thereof is long and the amount of water absorption is insufficient, the humidification filter unit rotates continuously for a predetermined time when the humidification operation restarts, and then rotates intermittently. Meanwhile, when the time from stopping of the humidification operation to the restarting thereof is short and the amount water absorption is sufficient, the humidification filter unit rotates intermittently during the humidification operation. The rotating stop time of the humidification filter unit for each intermittent rotation is set depending on the air blowing quantity of a blower fan.

Abstract: An indoor unit of an air-conditioning apparatus includes an indoor imaging device that captures an image of inside a room, a thermal image detection device that acquires a thermal image of inside the room, an arithmetic operation device that acquires an air flow inside the room and that generates an air-conditioning status image obtained by superimposing the air flow obtained by the arithmetic operation and the thermal image acquired by the thermal image detection device on a visible image captured by the indoor imaging device, and a storage device that stores therein air-conditioning status images in accordance with the lapse of time. When a visualization button on a remote control is pressed, air-conditioning status images are transmitted to the remote control and are displayed as time-reduced moving images on a display unit of the remote control.

Abstract: A medium having stored therein a program, the program causing a computer to execute a process, the process comprising: selecting a vibration medium corresponding to first vibration data, on the basis of matching between the first vibration data and the reference vibration data, the first vibration data corresponding to first vibration transmitted via the vibration medium and detected; selecting reference vibration data corresponding to second vibration data, from among the reference vibration data stored in the reference data storage unit on the basis of the second vibration data and a correction value of the reference vibration data, the second vibration data corresponding to second vibration transmitted via the selected vibration medium and detected; updating a correction value of the selected reference vibration data on the basis of the second vibration data; and generating a control signal for controlling the apparatus on the basis of the selected reference vibration data.

Abstract: A modeling framework for evaluating the impact of weather conditions on farming and harvest operations applies real-time, field-level weather data and forecasts of meteorological and climatological conditions together with user-provided and/or observed feedback of a present state of a harvest-related condition to agronomic models and to generate a plurality of harvest advisory outputs for precision agriculture. A harvest advisory model simulates and predicts the impacts of this weather information and user-provided and/or observed feedback in one or more physical, empirical, or artificial intelligence models of precision agriculture to analyze crops, plants, soils, and resulting agricultural commodities, and provides harvest advisory outputs to a diagnostic support tool for users to enhance farming and harvest decision-making, whether by providing pre-, post-, or in situ-harvest operations and crop analyses.

Abstract: A first flow switching device causes part of a refrigerant discharged from an injection compressor to flow through a first bypass pipe and be supplied to an outdoor heat exchanger targeting for defrosting. A second flow switching device causes part of the refrigerant supplied to the outdoor heat exchanger targeting for defrosting to enter a second bypass pipe.

Abstract: An outdoor unit for an air-conditioning apparatus includes an outdoor heat exchanger; a compressor; a refrigerant pipe configured to couple the outdoor heat exchanger and the compressor with an indoor unit including an indoor heat exchanger; and a control unit that determines whether the heating capacity of the indoor unit performing a heating operation is decreased by the refrigerant stagnated in the indoor heat exchanger.

Abstract: An external suspension system for supporting an inflatable air duct includes a series of external hangers that help hold the duct open while the duct is deflated. In some embodiments, the suspension system supports the duct at a series of points that are broadly distributed in a staggered pattern across the duct, yet the entire duct can be suspended from a single overhead cable, even if the duct is a stepped tube with multiple diameters. The system includes novel ways of locking the hangers to the duct and to the overhead cable.

Abstract: Provided is air return grille assembly that is to be positioned over the open end of an air return duct. The air return grille assembly comprises a concealing arrangement joined to an air return grille such that it is spaced apart from the rear face of the air return grille. The concealing arrangement obstructs from view, through air flow openings in the air return grille, an air return duct when the air return grille is positioned over the open end of said duct.

Abstract: An air conditioner includes a control box assembly capable of efficiently utilizing a space inside a control box and easily performing inspection and repair of a circuit unit disposed in the control box. The air conditioner includes a case that constitutes an exterior and a control box assembly mounted in the case, wherein the control box assembly includes a control box in which an accommodation portion is formed, a sliding panel having one side on which a circuit unit is mounted and being accommodated in the accommodation portion so as to be taken out of the control box, and a rotation panel having one side on which the circuit unit is mounted and being rotatably mounted at one side of the control box.

Abstract: Direct current solar electric heating elements can be powered by an array of photovoltaic panels. The direct current voltage can be low or high with proper electrocution protection. Insertable immersion heating elements can be placed into any existing, gas, propane or electric hot water tank, cooking pot or hot tub. Heating elements in air can also be used for heating ovens, range cook tops and sauna heaters. The output of the photovoltaic panel is interfaced to the electric heater element via either direct connection or using a load-matching controller which maximizes the power delivered to the heater under all sun conditions. The maximum heater temperature is regulated by a thermostat.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for detaching limescale deposits within a water heater of a beverage dispensing machine, by powering an ultrasonic generator discontinuously to scan frequencies within a range of 20 kHz to 100 kHz so as to induce ultrasonic vibrations. Advantageously the step of inducing ultrasonic vibrations is implemented discontinuously at high energy levels.

Abstract: The present subject matter provides a heat pump water heater appliance with a mounting assembly for coupling a compressor to a plate within a casing of the heat pump water heater appliance. The mounting assembly includes a post that extends through a foot of the compressor and a fastener that extends through the bracket and the plate into the post in order to secure the bracket and the post together. A nut is threaded onto the post in order to secure the post and the foot of the compressor together.

Abstract: A hot water supply system includes a plurality of water heaters, one of which is designated as a master, and the rest(s) of which is/are designated as (a) slave(s). A control unit that is provided for each of the water heaters operates a water heater, for which the control unit is provided, as the master or the slave, the master controls the slave(s), and the master and the slave(s) control hot water supply.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments are disclosed of a climate control system that includes an igniter and a controller having an igniter relay. The controller senses a current level through the igniter and senses voltage between terminals of a second relay of the controller. In a given one of a plurality of operational phases of the system, the controller is configured to compare the sensed current level and sensed voltage to a current level and voltage associated with a specific condition of the igniter, igniter relay, or second relay in the given phase. Based on a result of the comparing, the controller is configured to distinguish between a failure of one of the relays and a failure of the igniter.

Abstract: A solar receiver with a longitudinal axis, including an absorber, a beam extending over an entire length of the solar receiver and configured to suspend the receiver in the power plant, a protective envelope mounted around the beam and including a thermal insulator surrounding the beam, the protective envelope configured to protect the beam from heating due to solar flux, the beam and the protective envelope configured to slide one with respect to the other along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A branch controller operates with a system for temperature and humidity control. The branch controller includes a fluid control system for controlling a flow of the liquid desiccant in an arrangement of channels forming a first path for exchanging the liquid desiccant between a liquid desiccant conditioning unit and at least a first space conditioning unit and a second path for directing the liquid desiccant received from the first space conditioning unit to a second space conditioning unit. The branch controller includes a processor for comparing operational conditions of the first space conditioning unit and the second space conditioning unit. The processor selects between the first path and the second path based on the comparison and commands the fluid control system to control the flow of the liquid desiccant according to the selected path.

Abstract: A thermoelectrically cooled system and method is disclosed, which includes a thermoelectrically cooled sleeve, which is configured to hold one or more cylindrical cans of a retail product. The thermoelectrically cooled sleeve includes an outer cylindrical body, an inner cylindrical body, a thermoelectric element located between the outer cylindrical body and the inner cylindrical body, and at least one pair of electrical leads attachable to the thermoelectrically cooled sleeve, and upon application of a source of electrical power to the pair of electrical leads heat moves through the thermoelectric element from the inner cylindrical body to the outer cylindrical body of the thermoelectrically cooled sleeve.

Abstract: Generally, apparatuses, systems, and methods are described to prime a refrigerant pump by decoupling or shielding from a condenser operation, such as for example the condenser water pump, so that liquid refrigerant can be appropriately sourced from the condenser and/or the evaporator using flow control device(s) such as a source valve on a source line of the condenser and/or on a source line of the evaporator and the control of such valve(s).

Abstract: An evaporator having a phase change material clam shell housing is provided. The evaporator includes an upper manifold, a plurality of refrigerant tubes extending from the manifold, and a louvered clam shell housing defining a chamber for storing a phase change material. The louvered clam shell housing is disposed between and in thermal communication with the upper portion of two adjacent refrigerant tubes. The louvered clam shell housing is formed of two clam shell plates, each having louvers defined by slats folded into the phase change chamber. The folded slats define louver openings in the clam shell housing enabling the phase change material to make direct contact with the adjacent refrigerant tubes, thereby improving thermal communication between the refrigerant flowing in the tubes and the phase change material in the clam shell housing.

Abstract: A machine for producing and dispensing liquid or semiliquid foodstuffs, includes a heat-adjustment system including a thermal circuit within which a thermal fluid circulates. The thermal circuit includes a compressor, a condenser, an electronic expansion valve, an evaporator, and a control unit configured for determining a main parameter (SH) representative of instantaneous overheating of the thermal fluid coming out of the evaporator. A reference parameter (SHset) is determined as a function of a predetermined value (SHmin), and of an auxiliary value (DT) depending on a variation in time of the temperature (Tout) of the fluid coming out of the evaporator, and of the saturation temperature (Tsat) of the fluid coming out of the evaporator. An electric command signal (S) for the valve is generated as a function of a comparison between the main parameter (SH) and reference parameter (SHset).

Abstract: A unitary clear ice sheet is formed from a plurality of individual clear ice sheets which are fused together to give the unitary ice sheet a predetermined thickness. The fused unitary ice sheet is a clear unitary ice sheet due to the formation of the plurality of individual clear ice sheets by running water over a cold plate apparatus or evaporator mechanism to form the ice sheets in a gradual layer-by-layer process. The fused unitary clear ice sheet is used to mold or shape clear ice structure therefrom, such as clear ice spheres in a mold apparatus.

Abstract: An ice maker is provided that includes a tray having recesses that can include ice-phobic surfaces. The ice-phobic surfaces may include ice-phobic coatings, textured metal surfaces, hydrophobic coatings or other surfaces configured to repel water and ice. The tray can be formed from metal material and may exhibit a fatigue limit greater than about 150 Megapascals (MPa) at 105 cycles. The ice maker further includes a frame body coupled to the tray, and a driving body that is rotatably coupled to the tray. The driving body is further adapted to rotate the tray in a clockwise and/or counter-clockwise cycle such that the tray presses against the frame body in a manner that flexes the tray to dislodge ice pieces formed in the recesses of the tray.

Abstract: An ice dispenser for a domestic refrigerator includes a lever having a housing with a passageway defined therein and a flapper door configured to pivot between a closed position in which ice is prevented from advancing into the passageway and an open position in which ice is permitted to advance into the passageway. A linkage is coupled to the lever and the flapper door such that movement of the lever causes the flapper door to move from the closed position to the open position.

Abstract: An ice making tray has a water basin with a thermally conductive floor and a flexible grid positioned therein to define a plurality of ice making compartments. A motor is coupled to the basin to rotate the basin and grid to an inverted position, and a link is coupled between the motor and drive such that the grid is rotatable out of the basin and is flexed to release ice cubes formed therein.

Abstract: An ice making appliance is provided. The ice making appliance includes a first ice maker and a second ice maker. The first and second ice makers generate different types of ice. The ice making appliance also includes supply ducts for receiving chilled air from an evaporator and directing the chilled air to the first and second ice makers.

Abstract: A cooling appliance or refrigeration unit having at least one refrigeration compartment that is contained in a housing and is accessible from above via at least one laterally movable sliding lid containing a transparent window, which has a heat-reflecting inner coating and at least in its front longitudinal region, via an outwardly convex curvature perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, comes to an end in a longitudinal edge that has a front frame. An effortless sliding action with a simultaneously reliable seal is achieved by the front frame having a bearing surface that is oriented horizontally relative to a vertical direction of gravity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a refrigerating appliance (1) including a body (2) in which a refrigerating compartment (3) is defined and a door (4) connected to said body to open and close said compartment, and a height adjustable support assembly (10,10?,100) connected to said body and/or said door. The refrigerating appliance (1) further comprises a rail (23a,23b;23a?,23b?) including a rack portion (21) attached to said body (2) within said compartment (3) and/or to said door (4), the rail extending substantially along a vertical axis.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet that defines a first storage compartment configured to store food, a main door rotatably mounted on the cabinet and configured to open or close at least a portion of the first storage compartment, an accommodation device accessible through an opening in the main door, a sub door mounted on the main door and configured to open or close the opening, and a door opening assembly that is configured to selectively restrict one side of a back surface of the sub door to a corresponding side of a front surface of the main door to thereby selectively restrict movement of the sub door relative to the main door. The accommodation device defines a second storage compartment within the main door that is separated from the first storage compartment, and the door opening assembly is configured to be manipulated from a side surface of the sub door.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating air in which production of the liquid products can be selectively varied between high and low production rates by varying the pressure ratio across a turboexpander used in imparting refrigeration with the use of a branched flow path. The branched flow path has a system of valves to selectively and gradually introduce a compressed refrigerant air stream into either a booster compressor branch having a booster compressor to increase the pressure ratio during high modes of liquid production or a bypass branch that bypasses the booster compressor to decrease the pressure ratio during low modes of liquid production. A recycle branch is connected to the booster compressor branch to allow compressed air to be independently recycled from the outlet to the inlet of the booster compressor during turndown from the high to the low liquid mode of liquid production to prevent surge.