Abstract: A process for the compression of steam, particularly very low pressure saturated steam; and thermal circuits for its implementation.For the compression of the steam there is used at least one liquid ring compressor using water as compression agent.Principal applications: drying enclosures and circuits for obtaining compressed saturated steam.

Abstract: A heat pipe deicing system is disclosed for preventing accumulation of ice on portions of structures such as the deck, handrails, and ladders of a fishing vessel operating in very cold oceans. The heat pipe includes an evaporator in contact with a source of heat such as exhaust gases of an engine, one or more condensers positioned above the evaporator to cover surfaces to be deiced, and an insulated transition section for transporting a heat transfer fluid between the evaporator and condenser. The transition section and condenser have legs arranged to provide multiple passageways which assure continuous gravity-assisted return flow of condensed heat transfer fluid to the evaporator and a high level of deicing capacity even during pitching and rolling of the structure on which the deicing system is installed.

Abstract: An arrangement for transferring heat from an upper level to a lower level by causing a liquid to be heated and evaporated in a first chamber at the upper level thus causing an increase in pressure in the chamber which obliges the fluid to flow, through a heat exchanger positioned at the second level and whereat the liquid liberates heat, back into a second chamber positioned above the first chamber and in communication therewith through a valve which is normally closed but is opened in response to certain pressure differences between said first and second chambers so as to intermittently permit the return of liquid from said second chamber to said first chamber. The pressure cycles generated in the first chamber and the flow of liquid can be used to drive mechanical means.

Abstract: A method for thermally controlling a utilization apparatus heated with condensable steam, mounted in a live steam distribution plant comprising a condensate drain line system for dry gravity return of the condensates which also contains live steam, said method consisting in a selectively variable storage of the condensates through modulated retention within said utilization apparatus, wherein the improvement comprises the step of preventing the collected condensates which are cooled through retention thereof from directly contacting the hot live steam present in said condensate drain line system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a heat transfer system particularly applicable to solar heating installations and consisting of an evaporator located near the heat source which may be a solar heat collector panel and a condenser that is located at an elevation lower than that of the evaporator and which may function to heat hot water for storage. The source heat is transferred to a volatile fluid within the evaporator that absorbs the heat with an increase in temperaure and a change of state from liquid to vapor. The vapor is conveyed to the condenser wherein the fluid liberates its latent heat while changing from vapor to liquid phase. The condensed liquid drains from the condenser to a trap which may be used, if desired, to regulate the flow of liquid through a check valve and further piping to a transfer tank located above the evaporator. The fluid in the transfer tank is maintained at a lower temperature than that of the evaporator as a result of being insulated from the heat source.

Abstract: A heat pipe has its evaporator at its upper end and its condenser at its lower end and an adiabatic section separating the two so that capillary wicks or grooves do not extend through the heat pipe. A central liquid return tube extends between the evaporator and condenser. A vapor bubble generator is placed at the condenser section in the reservoir where the liquid state of the working fluid collects. When the vapor bubble generator is operated, bubbles form which, because of their buoyancy, will rise to the top of the central tube. As they rise, small amounts of working fluid in its liquid state will be carried with the bubbles and spill over the top of the tube and onto the evaporator wick. As a consequence, the heat pipe is insensitive to its vertical height and can operate against gravitational forces.

Abstract: An energy accumulator for storing large quantities of heat in the form of superheated water includes an excavation which is divided into upper and lower compartments by a horizontal diaphragm. The lower compartment is filled with superheated water from a heat source such as a nuclear or other steam generating facility. The water in the lower compartment is maintained in its superheated condition by a heavy mass of water in the upper compartment which applies its weight and pressure through the diaphragm to the superheated water in the lower compartment. Means are provided for drawing the superheated water from the lower compartment to a heat exchanger in which the heat is transmitted to a fluid heat carrying medium which can be pumped to a location where the heat is to be used, such as for urban heating. The circulatory system associated with the superheated water is closed and the mass of water employed in the system is constant.

Abstract: A device for and method of using the heat provided by a heat source and consisting in using as a heat-conveying fluid a substance chemically compatible with porous materials through which the fluid is flowing and which are not substantially wetted by said fluid and subjecting said fluid at the fluid supply to a pressure higher than that of the gas evolved which has passed through a blocking layer included in said porous material and forming a barrier for said fluid in any condition other than the gaseous state.

Abstract: An improved steam boiler system includes an automatic means for injecting cool water into a steam bound boiler feed pump. In a first embodiment a pressure sensitive check valve detects the drop of pressure in the steam bound pump and in response thereto directs a cool water mist into the high side of the pump, thus reinitiating its operation. According to a second embodiment, cool water is sprayed into the pump in response to a drop of the water level in the boiler. In both embodiments, a vent line is used to bleed the high side of the centrifugal pump to a condensate tank in response to a drop of pressure in the pump. The vent line may be bled through a check valve or directly through a manual valve. Additionally, both embodiments employ a pressure sensitive valve in the boiler feed line, which shuts off the pump flow to the boiler whenever the pressure in the boiler exceeds the pressure at the output of the pump.

Abstract: The contact heating of boiler feed water for steam heating systems is effected by mixing recirculated boiler steam and feedwater within water-jet ejector-type contact heat exchangers. Feedwater heating up to the evaporation (or saturation) temperature for the pressure of the boiler may be achieved within an ejector-type contact heat exchanger in a heating process which is separate from the evaporation process. Gas-to-liquid energy transfer across boiler heating surfaces may be greatly accelerated when feed water is supplied to the boiler at saturation, since liquid boiling heat transfer is known to be much more rapid than that of liquids heating or cooling. The principal effect of the invention is to make a substantial theoretical increase in the effective steaming capacity of the boiler.