Abstract: A chemical heat pump includes a reaction section containing a heat storage material, a condensing section enabling a phase transition between water vapor and water, a connecting section connecting the reaction section and the condensing section, a valve adapted to open or close the connecting section, and a first fluid passage. The reaction section contains a plurality of heat storage materials having respective different conversion temperatures at which the heat storage material and the hydrate thereof are converted into each other. The plurality of heat storage materials and the first fluid passage are arranged so that the fluid flowing in the first fluid passage can perform heat exchanges with the heat storage materials in such a manner that the higher the conversion temperature of the heat storage material, the closer the position of the heat exchange to “the first side” of the first fluid passage.

Abstract: There is provided a control system of a chemical heat accumulator which enables to facilitate small-sizing of the chemical heat accumulator by carrying out heat release and heat accumulation according to a degree of priority by appropriately selecting a location of carrying out the heat release and heat accumulation on priority basis. A chemical heat accumulator includes a valve mechanism which makes a plurality of reactors communicate separately with a reservoir, and cuts off the plurality of reactors from the reservoir.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to thermochemical heat storage units. The teachings thereof may be embodied in systems and methods for operating, including charging and discharging, a thermochemical heat storage unit. For example, a method for operating a thermochemical heat storage unit may include: producing a first steam and feeding it to a heat exchanger; partially condensing the steam with release of its thermal energy, in the heat exchanger; subsequently pressurizing water condensed from the steam; feeding the pressurized water to the heat exchanger; evaporating the water into a second steam; and storing at least a portion of the second steam in a steam storage unit.

Abstract: An illustrative example electrical power generating system includes a fuel cell power plant that is configured to generate electrical power. The fuel cell power plant includes a cell stack assembly including a plurality of fuel cells that are configured to generate electrical power based on a chemical reaction. A coolant network is configured to carry fluid toward the cell stack assembly where fluid in the coolant network can become heated by absorbing heat from the fuel cell power plant. The coolant network includes a thermal hydraulic engine that is configured to generate electrical power. The coolant network is configured to carry the heated fluid to the thermal hydraulic engine where the heated fluid can be used for generating electrical power. The coolant network is configured to carry a reduced temperature fluid from the thermal hydraulic engine back toward the cell stack assembly.

Abstract: A Rankine cycle apparatus includes a pump, an evaporator, an expander, and a condenser. The evaporator has a plurality of heat transfer tubes arranged in rows in a flow direction of a high-temperature fluid to be heat-exchanged with a working fluid. The heat transfer tube located in a most upstream row in the flow direction of the high-temperature fluid is defined as a most upstream heat transfer tube. For example, the most upstream heat transfer tube forms an inlet of the evaporator so that the working fluid flows into the evaporator through the inlet and first passes through the most upstream heat transfer tube.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for producing a supply of a heated fluid, which method comprises passing the fluid through a heat exchanger unit where it is heated by a heat source; characterised in that the heat source derives heat from the exothermic reaction of two or more chemical reactants. The chemical reactants are preferably an acid and a base.

Abstract: A vapor heating implement satisfies: (A) the content of water in the heating implement is equal to or higher than 40 parts by mass and is equal to or lower than 80 parts by mass for 100 parts by mass of the oxidizable metal; (B) the content of the water-retention agent in the exothermic composition is equal to or higher than 0.3 parts by mass and is equal to or lower than 20 parts by mass for 100 parts by mass of the oxidizable metal; (C) the content of water contained in the exothermic layer (121A) is equal to or higher than 8 parts by mass and is equal to or lower than 45 parts by mass for 100 parts by mass of the oxidizable metal; and (D) the content of water contained in the water-retention sheet (121C) is from 15 to 30 mass % of the maximum water absorption of the water-retention sheet.

Abstract: A heat generating device 100 including a heat generating element 10 and an enclosing material entirely enclosing the heat generating element 10. The heat generating element 100 includes a base sheet formed of a fibrous sheet containing superabsorbent polymer particles and hydrophilic fibers and a layer of a heat generative composition containing oxidizable metal particles on a side of the base sheet. The enclosing material includes a first cover sheet 4 and a second cover sheet 5 bonded together in their peripheral portions to provide a space therebetween in which the heat generating member 10 is placed. The heat generating element 10 in the space is in a non-fixed state to the enclosing material. The first cover sheet 4 has air permeability in part and is disposed on the side of the layer of the heat generative composition. The heat generating device 100 is capable of releasing steam from the side of the first cover sheet 4 during use.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for heating a liquid, which apparatus comprises: a mixing chamber; dispensing means for dispensing metered amounts of first and second chemical reactants into the mixing chamber to form a reaction mixture so that the chemical reactants undergo an exothermic chemical reaction to generate heat and one or more reaction products; an electronic control device linked to the dispensing means for controlling the dispensing of the metered amounts of first and second chemical reactants; one or more pumps for moving the chemical reactants and reaction mixture around the apparatus; a heat exchanger having an inlet and an outlet for the reaction mixture and an inlet and an outlet for the said liquid, so that when said liquid passes through the heat exchanger it is heated by heat transfer from the reaction mixture; one or more monitoring stations for monitoring one or more physical or chemical parameters of the reaction mixture; the monitoring stations being arranged to communicate wi

Abstract: A portable self-heating device includes a heating cell having a fluid permeable wall defining an interior space of the cell. The device includes an outer cover having a fluid permeable section, and an absorbent layer positioned external to the interior space of the cell. The heating cell and absorbent layer are positioned within a cavity formed by the outer cover such that the absorbent layer contacts the heating cell. A user can activate the portable self-heating device by contacting the device with a fluid (e.g., a gas or a liquid) that reacts exothermically with a fluid activated material located in the interior space of the cell. This raises the temperature of the device. This increase can be sufficient to heat any portion of a liquid adjacent or contacting the device such that the liquid is converted to gas and passes out of the outer cover through the fluid permeable section.

Abstract: A catalytic heating system comprising a main catalyst (20, 50) for flameless catalytic burning of fuel gas and a triggering system for initiating the catalytic burning, the triggering system comprising an electrical power source electrically connected to a metallic catalyst portion (104). As electric current flows through the metallic catalyst portion, it is in itself heated as an electric resistance heater to a temperature necessary for triggering the catalytic burning. By using electrical current for direct heating of a catalyst portion, reaction starts as soon as the resistance heating achieves the temperature for initiating the catalytic reaction. As soon as the reaction starts, it is transferred to the main catalyst.

Abstract: This invention concerns a steam generator (100) intended to humidify the air in an enclosed space or the air treated in an air conditioning system, particularly an air conditioning system aboard an aircraft, said steam generator (100) comprising at least one tank (110) intended to contain a water-based fluid (E), said or each tank (110) being connected to a heat exchanger (210) intended to convert the fluid (E) into steam.

Abstract: An oxygen selective ion transport membrane is integrated with a boiler furnace to generate steam and, optionally, high purity oxygen and nitrogen. The heat required to drive the system is obtained by the combustion of an oxygen transported through the oxygen selective ion transport membrane with a high BTU fuel such as methane or natural gas. NOx compound formation is minimized either by utilizing a combustion products diluted air/fuel mixture for combustion in the boiler furnace or by limiting combustion to a mixture of oxygen and a fuel.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for controlling boiling condition of hot H3PO4 solution by adjusting the vapor extracting rate thereof, wherein an acid tank filled with hot H3PO4 solution to a level surface is located in a treatment room and a temperature thermocouple is arranged above the level surface of the hot H3PO4 solution to monitor the vapor temperature near the level surface of the H3PO4 solution. The vapor temperature is used to adjust the extracting rate of the treatment room by control of a damper connected to an outlet of the treatment room. According to the present invention, the treatment apparatus and method can control the boiling condition of the hot H3PO4 solution thereof by properly adjusting the extracting rate, and therefore avoid defects and loss of control in manufacturing processes.

Abstract: A sleeved boiler-reactor provides enhanced nucleate boiling and reduced risk of film-boiling within boiling tubes of the boiler-reactor, in the same manner as prior boiler-reactors of seam-welded construction, without the high fabrication cost incident with seam-welding, through the use of a closely wound helical shaped boiling tube structure constrained by lugs against a sleeve portion of the casing of the boiler-reactor.

Abstract: With a view to improving the heat transfer in exothermic reactions and simplifying the construction of the cooling system of the reactor, in particular a stirrer reactor, vertical boiling tubes which are sealed at the bottom are provided, above which is arranged a condensate collecting and liquid distributing chamber in which a sufficient layer of cooling liquid is constantly maintained by means of a liquid level regulator. Cooling fluid and the vapor produced flow in direct contact with each other as they are carried in counter current through the boiling tubes which have only single walls. The vapor passes through the layer of cooling fluid and is continuously discharged and preferably recovered. The condensate is preferably returned to the cooling system.

Abstract: A high power pulse of electrical current causes a metal conductor to expl and initiate a reaction between an aluminum or aluminum alloy powder and water which generates hydrogen gas at a high temperature and pressure. The reaction mixture is released into a second larger chamber equipped with heat exchanger which extracts useful heat energy and cools down the reaction mixture. The hydrogen gas is then separated from the solid metal oxide byproducts in the cooled reaction mixture.

Abstract: An ignition mechanism for a heater which includes a metal exothermic container in which are mounted an exothermic part, a firing part and an igniter. The igniter is a type which may be actuated by pushing or pulling a string. The mechanism comprises a tube mounted on the container, the tube having one end positioned adjacent the igniter. A string is connected to the igniter and extends into the tube, the string being extendable to the other end, whereby the string may be manually pulled or pushed and thereby operate the igniter. A float may be attached to the string, and a water-soluble glue may be provided to initially hold the string in place before use.

Abstract: The expense of provide pelletized metallic lithium for use in a heat exchanger for a thermal power source is eliminated by a construction including a closeable chamber (10, 12, 20, 22) with an ignition device (28) within the chamber (10, 12, 20, 22), and a reactant inlet (29) to the chamber (10, 12, 20, 22) by disposing a body of fuel (24) in the chamber (10, 12, 20, 22) which is made up of alternating layer of metallic lithium sheet (42, 44) and solid perhalogenated polymer sheet (40, 46).

Abstract: An ullage compensator is disclosed for a stored chemical energy power propulsion system. With the invention, at least one movable wall (16) is provided within a reactor having a chamber (10) which is movable between a first position at which the chamber has a maximum reaction volume to a second position at which the reaction chamber has a minimum volume. A force is applied to the movable wall by a bellows to cause the wall to project into the chamber in response to the force when a reaction is occurring within the chamber. The invention eliminates damage to the interior surface of the chamber and the inlet port(s) for introducing an oxidant into the chamber which sustains the reaction caused by direct contact with a gaseous oxidant which causes the reaction.

Abstract: An open-cycle absorption apparatus for compressing steam from a low pressure to a higher useful pressure is disclosed. The apparatus is particularly useful for upgrading low-temperature jacket-cooling heat from an internal combustion engine to useful pressure steam, e.g., at 5 ATA (500 kPa) or higher. Simple heat-exchange apparatus is involved, using the extra temperature availability of the hot exhaust gas as the driving medium. In FIG. 1, hot exhaust gas heats absorbent solution in desorber 7, and then the absorbent solution absorbs low pressure steam from the jacket cooling circuit of engine 1 in absorber 14. Useful pressure steam is withdrawn from desorber 7 and from steam generation coil 16 in absorber 14.

Abstract: A heat exchanger 16 for a thermal power source includes a chamber 18 provided with an igniter 28 and a reactant inlet 30. Within the chamber 18 is a mass of lithium pellets 10 and 12, each provided with a coating 14.

Abstract: A single-use self-heating container has an insulating external envelope. A plastic vessel is within and attached to the envelope. A membrane separates the vessel into an upper compartment which contains one reagent and a lower compartment which contains another reagent. A membrane-breaking member is in the lower compartment. A metallic container with a thermally welded peelable cover is fastened to an upper portion of the plastic vessel. To prevent abrupt temperature changes, the upper compartment of the plastic vessel may contain a temperature control substance which undergoes a change in state between 90.degree. and 100.degree. C.

Abstract: A dual sleeve boiler is arranged to dispose a portion (72, 74, 76) of its fluid conduit between a support member (64) of the boiler and the heat generating portion (20, 24) of the boiler. The end of a conduit through which water is introduced to the boiler is disposed between an enclosing means (24) which forms an axial end of the boiler and a cylindrical tube (64) disposed through the center of the boiler for purposes of supporting the boiler. As relatively cool fluid is introduced into the conduit of the boiler, it passes between the heat generating portions (20) of the boiler and the support tube (64) and provides a thermal barrier to prevent heat from traveling, through conduction, into the supporting means (64) which is attached to an external support member (71). This prevents heat from flowing into the external support member (71) and possibly damaging heat sensitive components attached thereto.

Abstract: Encapsulated lithium including a shot shaped and sized body of lithium metal encapsulated in a thin layer of a predominantly fluorine substituted polyolefin based polymeric material, a method of making the same and a power plant utilizing the encapsulated lithium as fuel.

Abstract: A power plant includes a source of water, a heat exchanger having an evaporator side maintained below atmospheric pressure for converting the water to steam, and a turbine responsive to said steam for producing work and heat depleted steam. The heat exchanger also has a condenser side for receiving and condensing the heat depleted steam. The evaporator side of the heat exchanger is separated by a barrier from the condenser side. Concentrated brine from a source thereof is caused to fall in a film on the condenser side of the barrier, and water from the water source is caused to fall in a film on the evaporator side of the barrier. The heat of dilution of the film of concentrated brine, as it is directly contacted by the heat depleted steam in the condenser side of the heat exchanger, is transferred through the barrier from the condenser side to the evaporator side raising the temperature of the film of water on the evaporator side which evaporates in the reduced pressure in the evaporator.

Abstract: A device for cooling a reactor positioned in a vessel. The vessel comprises a water space and a steam space. Cooling pipes that convey evaporating water extend through the reactor. The pipes communicate outside the reactor with the water space at the intake end and with the steam space at the outflow end. The object is to prevent local excess cooling that would interfere with the reaction. A fresh-water preheating section is positioned inside the steam space. The preheating section communicates with an inflow outside the vessel and with an outflow inside the steam space. The preheating section also has open pipes extending through it from top to bottom into the steam space.

Abstract: Weight, noise and response difficulties in boilers utilized in torpedoes are eliminated in a construction including a housing having an interior wall, defining a chamber with at least one oxidant inlet. A plurality of working fluid conduits each have an inlet and an outlet exterior of the housing and heat exchange section within the chamber. Each heat exchange section is a plural convolution coil and the individual convolutions of each conduit are interleaved with the individual convolutions of the other conduits. Valves control the flow of working fluid through at least some of the conduits independently of the others.

Abstract: The invention relates to a boiler for boiling a mash or wort, having an interior partition dividing the boiler into a heat exchanger section and a precipitation section. The boiler according to the invention is characterized in that the partition divides the boiler into an inner precipitation section and a surrounding heat exchanger section, i.e. in that the precipitation section and the heat exchanger section are disposed one within the other. This results in the particular advantage that the overall height of the boiler may be reduced. Since in addition the full height of the boiler is available for the accommodation of pipe conduits in the heat exchanger section, the flow resistance in the pipe conduits may be reduced. In summary, the boiler according to the invention is of simple construction to thereby facilitate the cleaning thereof.

Abstract: A heat exchanger (16) for a thermal power source includes a chamber provided with an igniter and a reactant inlet. Within the chamber is a mass of lithium pellets, each provided with a coating.

Abstract: An electrical generating plant of high efficiency utilizes a conventional steam plant powered by a fossil fuel such as coal, gas or oil, in internal integration with a high temperature solid-oxide fuel-cell. In one embodiment, the spent fuel and the wast heat from the fuel-cell of electrochemical action is made directly available to the combustion furnace of the steam plant for thermodynamic extraction. The system can achieve efficiencies up to 65% compared to ordinary steam plants which have an efficiency of about 35%.

Abstract: A fuel composition for a reaction chamber which when combined with a selected reactant produces heat energy and hydrogen gas. A reaction chamber structure, method of making and method of operating the reaction chamber are also disclosed.

Abstract: Intimately mixed dry chemical formulations consisting of (1) a stable acid-acetate salt and (2) a chemical base for use as water-activated exothermic deicing agents, and/or as the dry chemical components of a warming device. The salt is optionally calcium monoacid acetate, sodium diacetate, or calcium magnesium monoacid acetate wherein up to 7 mol percent of the metal is magnesium. The chemical base is optionally calcium oxide or hydroxide, magnesium oxide or hydroxide, or calcined limestone. The relatively non-polluting formulations are pelletized or otherwise aggregated for application to roads, highways, walkways and parking lots as deicers.

Abstract: A cycle for a heat driven heat pump using two salts CaCl.sub.2.8NH.sub.3 and ZnCl.sub.2.4NH.sub.3 which may reversibly react with ammonia with the addition or evolution of heat. These salts were chosen so that both ammoniation processes occur at the same temperature so that the heat evolved may be used for comfort heating. The heat to drive the system need only be slightly hotter than 122.degree. C. The low temperature source need only be slightly warmer than 0.degree. C.

Abstract: A heating system in which a flameless chemical reaction occurs between a solid metal and a solution which includes means for adding or subtracting the solid metal and separate means for adding the solution. The reaction is under the control of mechanism regulating the immersion of the metal in the solution. The heating system is small and compact with a heat transfer system compatible with available heating systems. Human contact with the chemicals is unnecessary for operating the heating system.

Abstract: A method of storing energy at ambient temperature and recovering same at an elevated temperature which comprises decomposition of a chemical compound at high temperature with a decomposition product being used to form another compound at low temperature. Upon regeneration of the decomposition product from the other compound there is a release of the originally absorbed high temperature thermal energy.

Abstract: A method of storing energy at ambient temperature and recovering same at an elevated temperature which comprises decomposition of a chemical compound at high temperature with a second compound being used to form another product at low temperature. Upon regeneration of the decomposition product from the first compound there is a release of the originally absorbed high temperature thermal energy.

Abstract: A method for the storage and retrieval of thermal energy is disclosed, which in a two phase, two component system is able to utilize both the sensible heat of water (always one of the components) and the heat of fusion of the second component (a salt which forms a hydrate). The system to be employed must be graphically definable in a phase diagram including a liquidus, the compositional range of the system being selected so as to lie within the compositional range of the liquidus along which the system is to operate during both the heating and cooling cycles.

Abstract: A gas generator is disclosed which will simply and reliably effect a gas producing reaction between a gaseous and a liquid reactant. The generator can operate at elevated temperatures and has heat exchange means incorporated. The gas generator is applied as a hydrogen generator to an energy conversion system in which hydrogen from the hydrogen-producing reaction powers a fuel cell and the reaction heat from the hydrogen producing reaction powers a thermal engine, thereby enhancing the energy conversion system relative to one in which the hydrogen generator is merely cooled and its heat is rejected as waste heat. Other possible energy conversion systems based on this gas generator are disclosed.