Abstract: A method of pumping a heat transfer fluid in a thermal energy storage system comprising a first thermal energy storage tank connected to a second thermal energy storage tank via a bi-directional flow member. The first and second thermal energy storage tanks are associated with a pressure vessel system comprising a first and second pressure vessel each pressure vessel being partially fillable with an actuating liquid, wherein, the method for pumping comprises: displacing the actuating liquid from the first pressure vessel to the second pressure vessel, thereby creating a pressure difference in the first thermal energy storage tank with respect to the second thermal energy storage tank, and therein displacing the heat transfer fluid via the bi-directional flow member.

Abstract: An underwater trenching apparatus and pumping apparatus includes: first and second pumps and a trench-cutting jetting tool with first and second sections, the first pump having an inlet for fluid connection with a source of water and an outlet fluidly connected to the first section of the jetting tool, the second pump having an inlet for fluid connection with a source of water and an outlet fluidly connected to the second section of the jetting tool, wherein the outlet of the first pump is fluidly connected to the inlet of the second pump by valve means that is operable to divert at least a portion of an outlet flow of the first pump to the inlet of the second pump.

Abstract: An oil for removing or preventing fouling on a mechanical component includes at least one vegetable oil having a flash point of 490° F. or above. A method of removing or preventing fouling on a mechanical component of a device, includes applying a vegetable oil or composition of vegetable oils on the mechanical component of the device. The vegetable oil or composition of vegetable oils has a flash point of 490° F. or above and operation of the device deposits carbon or other types of fouling on the mechanical component.

Abstract: A system is provided to control fluid flow in a wastewater treatment system through wastewater level manipulation. The wastewater treatment system may include a wastewater treatment plant connected to a plurality of pump stations by a main. Each of the plurality of pump stations may include a wet well with a pump therein. The system may include a central server in communication with a sensor to sense a level of wastewater within the wet well. The pump may be automatically moved to an on position when the level of the wastewater in the wet well is at or above a first level and may be automatically moved to an off position when the level of the wastewater in the respective wet well is at or below a pump cutoff level. The central server may systematically manipulate the first level to selectively set the level of wastewater within the wet well.

Abstract: A method of pumping a liquid using at least one operating tank (2), a pneumatic positive pressure displacement pump (1), which is based on the fact that during pumping, inflow valve (4) closure is controlled through the introduction of a control gas into the operating tank (2) positive pressure displacement pump (1) at a pressure lower than the pressure of the compressed actuating gas and from the hydrostatic pressure at the egress of the outflow valve but higher than the hydrostatic pressure on the ingress into the inflow valve (4), which causes the inflow valve (4) to close. A device for pumping liquids comprising at least one operating tank (2) of a positive pressure displacement pump (1), to which leads a control gas conduit (10) with a control valve (11) mounted thereon, which is used to close off the inflow valve (4), and the lower section of the operating tank (2) has a narrow section in the form of a vertical cylinder (16).

Abstract: Reductions in energy consumption and maintenance requirements for operating a wastewater treatment plant are achieved by controlling the operation of pumps at pump stations along a force main in a systematic fashion. The operation of the pumps is controlled to manage the flow of wastewater along the force main to minimize energy consumption, to eliminate sediment, to manage peak pressures encountered by smaller pumps and to avoid septic conditions.

Abstract: A system that control levels of liquids in reservoirs may include a control component that causes a compressor to pump gas through a tube extending in a liquid in a reservoir to an air bell for a predetermined amount of time responsive to a pump pumping portions of a liquid from the reservoir. The control component may also cause the compressor to pump gas through the tube for a predetermined amount of time responsive to the control component determining that a predetermined amount of time has passed since the compressor was previously operated. The control component may also cause the compressor to pump gas through the tube for a predetermined amount of time, responsive to the control component determining that a pressure sensor component in fluid communication with the tube indicates a possible decrease in the liquid level to at least a predetermined level.

Abstract: Disclosed is a pneumatically powered high-pressure and lightweight fluid pump. The pump is useful for pumping fuel for liquid rocket engines and for pumping water, such as for fire suppression. During operation of the pump, liquid is drained from a tank into a pump chamber and the chamber is then pressurized to deliver fluid. The chamber is then refilled from the main tank. An auxiliary chamber supplies fuel while the main chamber is being filled, thereby a steady stream is delivered from the pump. The auxiliary chamber is refilled from the tank while the main chamber is delivering fluid. The design results in substantial weight savings over a system in which the main tank is pressurized or a system with two pump chambers of similar size. The auxiliary chamber of the present disclosure has a smaller capacity than the main chamber.

Abstract: A multi-stage liquid elevator which is assembled from individual stages is a fabricated from ordinary pipe components and has no moving parts. Each elevator stage consists of a reservoir defined by a casing enclosing an inlet pipe and an outlet pipe. A coupling connects any two stages of the elevator together. As many stages as required can be joined together to construct a multi-stage liquid elevator of any desired length. Each stage is fabricated to a length compatible with the available gas pressure. Enough pressure must be available to move a column of liquid a vertical distance equal to or greater than the length of one stage of the elevator.

Abstract: Pumping under the present invention includes movement of material, in a first embodiment fluid and in a second embodiment a piston assembly, between first and second positions including detection of said material at each position. Control circuitry and supporting mechanical and fluid coupling responsive to material position toggles the pump into alternate modes of operation driving the material toward each point. The pump arrangement has fewer moving parts than traditional pumps and enjoys higher reliability for its simplified design.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for a well testing or production facility system. More particularly, but not by way of limitation, the invention discloses a method and apparatus to transfer crude oil from a separator to an oil pipeline, or alternatively, to a burner flare. The method includes collecting oil in a separator, and then transferring the oil to a first, second, and third pump cylinder. The oil is sequentially forced from the cylinders by high pressure gas, and after being drained, the cylinders are again filled with crude oil. The apparatus includes a separator, a first, second and third pump cylinder which will sequentially receive crude oil. Sensing means are associated with the pump cylinders for sensing the level of crude oil within the cylinders. A control system is utilized to cycle a high pressure gas or air into each of the cylinders in order to force the oil out of the cylinders.

Abstract: A closed loop solar collector system includes a fluid receiver for collecting solar heat to vaporize a working fluid therein. A uniflow engine connected to the receiver, is powered by the vaporized fluid to power a water wheel. The engine includes a single piston acting directly upon a pair of normally closed intake valves projecting into the engine cylinder. Under low boiler pressure conditions, a spring loaded connecting rod having depending arms each engaging one of the intake valve rods when in a normally raised position coordinates simultaneous opening or closing of the valves with a detent mechanism, enabling the piston to operate in a nonexpanding state. At high boiler pressures, the connecting rod disengages from the intake valve by means of a transmission rod and follower acted upon by outwardly displaced weights provided on a flywheel powdered by the engine drive shaft so that the piston operates in the expanding state.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for reducing the resistance to the flow of a liquid from an upper liquid supply container to a lower vacuum receptor tank through an interconnecting port while permitting air displaced from said tank to enter said container through said port. The apparatus includes a valve element which is mounted for opening and closing movement with respect to the port and is biased into normal closed position. The valve element comprises a lower buoyant seating member or ball located in said lower tank and designed to seal said port from below, and an air conduit attached to the seating member or ball for movement therewith. The lower end of the air conduit is open adjacent the ball in the lower tank and the upper end is open to an air space above the liquid level within the upper supply container. Preferably, the valve element also includes a splash member to disrupt the liquid flow from the upper container and facilitate the air flow from the lower tank into and through the air conduit.

Abstract: A pneumatic method and apparatus for causing the rapid recirculation of a liquid between a plurality of containers 10, 11 by adjusting the pressure of a gas exerted within each of said containers to superatmospheric, atmospheric and subatmospheric pressures, thereby avoiding the passing of the liquid through a mechanical flow-inducing pump. The containers 10, 11 are connected to each other by means of a liquid circulation system comprising a circulation conduit which includes a work station. A filled first container 10 is subjected to superatmospheric pressure to force the liquid into the circulation system while a second empty container 11 is subjected to subatmospheric pressure to suck the liquid from the circulation system. After each container is empty and before it is subjected to subatmospheric pressure, for refilling purposes, it is exposed to atmospheric pressure to release the elevated pressure therefrom.

Abstract: A control system is disclosed for a dredging device which includes a submersible pump having one or more chambers. Each chamber defines an air port through which air can be delivered to and exhausted from the chamber, a material discharge port for discharging liquid and solid material from the chamber, and a chamber suction port for admitting liquid and solid material to the chamber. Air control valves are provided for alternately exhausting air from each chamber to admit material to the chamber through the suction port and for delivering air to each chamber so as to discharge material from the chamber through the discharge port. The control system operates these air control valves in accordance with a selectable timed cycle to achieve optimum efficiency in the dredging operation.

Abstract: A method for operating a water-jet pump, in which the water needed for operation of the pump is recirculated in a cycle. The water is pressurized by means of compressed air at a substantially constant air pressure and the compressed air is used to drive out the water through the water-jet pump. Expanding the compressed air in a defined expansion space withdraws heat from the water by absorbing such heat in the air during and after its expansion. Apparatus for operating a water-jet pump includes a pair of ejecting receptacles and a first water valve for alternate connection of the ejecting receptacles to the pressure side of the water-jet pump. Second water valves return to the ejecting receptacles water which has been discharged from the water-jet pump.

Abstract: An efficient dredging device is disclosed, which includes a submersible pump having one or more chambers. Each chamber defines an air port through which air can be delivered to and exhausted from the chamber, and a material discharge port for discharging liquid and solid material from the chamber. A check valve is associated with the discharge port to prohibit the return of discharged material to the chamber. A chamber suction port admits liquid and solid material to the chamber, and a check valve prohibits the escape of material from the chamber through the suction port. Air control means are provided for cyclicly exhausting air from the chamber to admit material to the chamber through the suction port, and for delivering air to the chamber so as to discharge material from the chamber through the discharge port. A rotatable cutter member cuts material to be dredged, and pipes connect the cutter to the chamber discharge port.

Abstract: A system for pumping an abrasive or corrosive fluid at high pressure and with a variable delivery rate. The system comprises raising the pressure in a non-corrosive and non-abrasive liquid in a pressure raising means comprising pump means and at least two intermediate cylinders containing floating pistons. The pressure is transferred to the abrasive or corrosive fluid in pressure transfer vessels. A valve arrangement controls the flow of non-abrasive and non-corrosive liquid to the intermediate cylinders and return means are provided for returning the floating pistons after each stroke. The valve arrangement is controlled in dependence on the positions of the floating pistons in their intermediate cylinders.The system is particularly useful for supplying clay slurry to a high pressure plate filter press.

Abstract: A pressure displacement dredging system capable of effective and efficient operation, without surging, over a wide depth range and under varying bottom conditions, comprises a submersible dredging head including at least three pressure vessels each having a material intake port and a material discharge port with appropriate check valves, each having an inlet port for air or other operating fluid connected to a high pressure fluid source through an inlet valve and each having an operating fluid exhaust port vented to the atmosphere through an exhaust valve.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for generating energy are presented wherein fluid flowing from the base of a standpipe drives a power converter such as a turbine. The discharged fluid is recycled to the top of the standpipe by pumping chambers which are filled by the flowing fluid and then discharged by compressed air. The compressed air is derived from a storage tank which is pressurized partially by the pumping chambers as they are undergoing a fluid fill cycle.

Abstract: A method for operating a water-jet pump, in which the water needed for operation of the pump is recirculated in a cycle. The water is pressurized by means of compressed air at a substantially constant air pressure and the compressed air is used to drive out the water through the water-jet pump. Expanding the compressed air in a defined expansion space withdraws heat from the water by absorbing such heat in the air during and after its expansion. Apparatus for operating a water-jet pump includes a pair of ejecting receptacles and a first water valve for alternate connection of the ejecting receptacles to the pressure side of the water-jet pump. Second water valves return to the ejecting receptacles water which has been discharged from the water-jet pump.