Abstract: A household appliance (2) comprising a dispensing system (20) for dispensing a beverage and a compartment (4) which in use of the household appliance (2) is kept cold. A wall portion (22) has a wall thickness extending from the compartment (4) to the ambient environment. A temperature gradient is formed over the wall thickness. The dispensing system (20) comprises an outlet (12) and a first liquid path (26) and a second liquid path (28) for conducting the beverage to the outlet (12). The first liquid path (26) comprises a first conduit section (32) and the second liquid path (28) comprises the second conduit section (34). The first conduit section (32) and the second conduit section (34) are arranged within the at least one wall portion (22) at different positions along the temperature gradient formed in the at least one wall portion (22). Beverage at different temperatures may thus be provided from the dispensing system.

Abstract: In order to solve the numerous problems with existing steam, vacuum, and hot water heating systems, presented are novel systems and methods of vapor vacuum heating having several improvements over the prior art, including: condensate return which can operate without steam traps; naturally-induced vacuum; improved vacuum pump operation for sustaining vacuum in such systems; liquid lift apparatus for use with such systems; and other improvements. All innovations presented herein make vapor vacuum heating more efficient and economical for industrial, commercial, and home applications. A field test conducted with these innovations show results of about 26-50% reduced energy usage, implying significant energy savings from the use of the present invention over current heating systems.

Abstract: In order to solve the numerous problems with existing steam, vacuum, and hot water heating systems, first presented is a novel system and method for a vapor vacuum system having low temperature condensate return which can operate without steam traps in both single-pipe and dual-pipe configurations. Secondly is disclosed systems and methods for integrating the disclosed vapor vacuum system with a condensing boiler. Thirdly is presented several systems and method of operating radiators having low temperature condensate return with the disclosed vapor vacuum system. Finally is presented condensing vacuum boiler designs that can be utilized with the disclosed vapor vacuum system. Also presented are embodiments having naturally-induced vacuum and utilizing district heat as well as combined heat and power. All innovations presented herein make vapor vacuum steam more efficient and economical for industrial, commercial, and home applications.

Abstract: A process for producing alpha-hemihydrate gypsum from dihydrate gypsum includes feeding a slurry comprising the dihydrate gypsum and water into a heating tube, heating the heating tube at a temperature effective to generate steam and pressure from the water, wherein the steam and pressure are effective to convert the dihydrate gypsum to the alpha-hemihydrate gypsum, and withdrawing the alpha-hemihydrate gypsum from the heating tube.

Abstract: A high frequency heating apparatus with steam generation function for supplying at least any one of high frequency and steam to a heating chamber 11 for accommodating an object to be heated and heat-treating the object to be heated, the apparatus has a high frequency generating part 13, a steam generating part 15 for generating steam inside the heating chamber 11, and a temperature detecting part 20 for detecting temperature of the steam generating part. Additionally, the steam generating part 15 generates steam by heating an evaporating dish 35 having a recess for containing water and a projecting surface 36.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods of reducing NOx emissions in the flue gases produced by a steam boiler fired by a fluid fuel and combustion air burner and including a steam drum provided with make-up water from which produced steam and blowdown steam are withdrawn. In accordance with the invention at least a portion of the blowdown steam is combined with the fluid fuel or combustion air or both.

Abstract: The present invention provides improved methods of reducing NOx emissions in the flue gases produced by a steam boiler fired by a fluid fuel and combustion air burner and including a steam drum provided with make-up water from which produced steam and blowdown steam are withdrawn. In accordance with the invention at least a portion of the blowdown steam is combined with the fluid fuel or combustion air or both.

Abstract: The present invention provides an air-heated/hot-water vaporizer having a very high thermal efficiency and which is easy to handle for a long period of time. Hot water supplied to the inner tube 24 of the hot water tube 22 passes through the inner tube 24 and flows out from the other end thereof to the closed end side of the outer tube 23. The hot water having flowed out to the closed end side of the outer tube 23 passes through the annular path formed by the inner tube and the outer tube 23, flows in a direction counter to that of the hot water flowing in the inner tube 24, and flows from the opening of the outer tube 23 to the outside. Liquefied gas supplied to the liquefied gas tube 21 flows along the outside of the outer tube 23, and is heated and vaporized by hot water flowing through the hot water tube 22.

Abstract: A blending chamber for blending fluids used to dry particulate matter has a chamber body with a first inlet opening, a second inlet opening, a third inlet opening, an outlet opening and a blending section. The blending section is arranged in a flow direction downstream of the first, second and third inlet openings, and upstream of the outlet opening. Fluids entering the first, second and third inlet openings are blended together in the blending section before exiting through the outlet opening. The bending chamber may be used to dry sawdust in a system that does not require a dedicated heat source.

Abstract: DNA strand having an ability in biotechnological production of .alpha.-acetolactate decarboxylase is disclosed. The DNA strand is characterized in that it has a nucleotide sequence coding for a polypeptide whose amino acid sequence is substantially from A to B of FIG. 1 and which has .alpha.-acetolactate decarboxcylase activity. Also disclosed is a yeast which belongs a Saccharomyces cerevisiae and which has been transformed by the DNA strand. The yeast is characterized by the fact that its .alpha.-acetolactate producing ability is reduced, and will thus produce an alcoholic liquor such as beer which contains no or little diacetyls which have come from their precursor, namely .alpha.-acetolactate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a heat pipe particularly suited for isothermal transfer of heat in high temperature, high pressure operation such as the growing of semiconductor crystals. The heat pipe has a stem communicating with its lower end, a cooler surrounding a portion of the stem, and an expansible bellows connected to the stem. The stem and the expansion chamber formed by the bellows accommodate displaced liquid working fluid to balance pressure within the heat pipe with ambient pressure outside the heat pipe. This avoids the need for complex, multi-layer structures or high strength materials in the heat pipe walls.

Abstract: The cylinder for guiding a web of textile material comprises at least one hollow space which is partly filled with a liquid heat carrier and can be evacuated. The pressure increase in the hollow space if the temperature is increased is to be limited to values below a multiple of calculated safety even though heat carriers with a steeply rising vapor pressure curve such as water are used. The solution consists in that only a quantity of heat carrier which can be evaporated completely in the volume of the hollow space already before a predetermined vapor pressure is reached, is contained in the hollow space.

Abstract: A sintering plant of the type sintering raw materials, such as pulverized ores, while transporting them with a conveyor, in which quicklime is fed to the lower layer of the raw materials on the conveyor so that SO.sub.x produced during sintering process may be mainly contained in gases discharged to the downstream half of wind box array disposed below the conveyor and the gases only from the downstream half are fed through a heat exchanger to a desulfurization equipment having a relatively low capacity. The heat exchanger is arranged to heat water to be fed to a device, such as waste heat boiler, adapted to be operated with thermal energy recovered from a cooler for cooling the finished sinter discharged from the conveyor, whereby the thermal efficiency of the plant can be much improved.

Abstract: A vapor transfer griddle unit with a planar sheet metal heat conductive top member defining a horizontally extensive griddle, a bottom wall sealed to the top member and defining therewith a corresponding vapor chamber disposed below the griddle, a body of vaporizable heat transfer medium in liquid state partially filling the chamber with a vapor space between the surface of the liquid and the griddle at rest as well as over the range of griddling temperatures, a horizontally extensive electric heating array comprised of horizontally spaced electric heater tube portions extending directly beneath and spaced below the griddle and located above the bottom wall, and a set of griddle supports mutually arrayed with the heater tube portions and extending between and engaging the griddle and the bottom wall to provide a pattern of support across the underside of the griddle to maintain the griddle flat over its range of operation, the supports having openings permitting free self-leveling flow of liquid as well as fr

Abstract: An isothermal heating device comprises an annular tubular body providing a heating chamber for objects. Between the inner wall and the outer wall of this tubular body there is provided a plurality of separate ducts which are situated in a ring-shape about the heating chamber and which extend parallel to the tubular body axis. These ducts contain an evaporable heat transport medium and are in communication with each other preferably at one end of the tubular body. Such interconnection is in turn connected with a gas buffer reservoir containing an inert control gas.

Abstract: A heating device comprising a plurality of heating chambers, each chamber being bounded by the heat-transmission wall of a reservoir in which a heat transport medium is present which completes an evaporation/condensation cycle. The reservoirs are connected, via a common reservoir which also contains heat transport medium, to the same common heat source.

Abstract: A process in which a substance undergoes endothermic change within a predetermined temperature range in at least one stage of the process and is subsequently subjected to a substantially higher temperature in a further stage of the process, characterised in that effluent heat from said further stage is augmented and the resultant supply of heat is applied partly to the generation of power, and partly to said endothermic change.

Abstract: A vapor chamber cooking device is disclosed wherein a capillary wick is disposed along the bottom surface of a sealed vapor chamber, the top wall of which provides a cooking surface. A plurality of internal structural support members having vapor pressure equilization holes are disposed between the wick and the upper surface of the chamber and secured to the upper chamber surface. A quantity of volatile working fluid is disposed in the chamber sufficient to saturate the wick when in a liquid state. An arrangement is provided for heating the chamber to vaporize working fluid contained therein, and a feedback control arrangement responsive to the vapor pressure within the chamber controls the heating arrangement to maintain the chamber vapor pressure within a predetermined range. Additional arrangements may be provided to respond to predetermined conditions of overpressure within the chamber to relieve the overpressure conditions.

Abstract: A heating device, comprising a tubular body whose inner wall bounds a heating chamber for objects. Between the inner wall and the outer wall of this body a plurality of ducts is provided which are situated in a ring-shape about the heating chamber and which extend parallel to the tube axis. These ducts are separated from each other by rigid partitions. Each duct contains evaporable heat transport medium.

Abstract: A heating device comprising a plurality of heating chambers, each chamber being bounded by the heat-transmission wall of a reservoir in which a heat-transmission wall of a reservoir in which a heat transport medium is present which completes an evaporation/condensation cycle. The reservoirs are connected, via a common reservoir which also contains heat transport medium, to the same common heat source.

Abstract: A vacuum furnace heats articles by radiation from a condenser portion of a heat pipe. The heat pipe further includes an adiabatic portion passing through the enclosing wall of the furnace and an evaporator portion outside the enclosure. The evaporator portion is preferably heated by a gas-fired burner which may surround it, and the heat pipe acts as a flux converter accepting heat outside the enclosure and delivering heat inside the enclosure to the articles to be heated. The condenser portion of the heat pipe may be panel-shaped and is disposed adjacent the articles to be heat-treated. In the more elaborate forms of the invention involving condenser panels, the condenser panel, or each condenser panel where several heat pipes are used, is a cylindrical section which partially, or substantially completely, surrounds the articles.

Abstract: A heating device formed as a double-wall tubular heat pipe with a closed annular space between outer and inner walls containing a vaporizable liquid heat-transporting medium, and a cylindrical bore defined within said inner tube as the heating space for objects to be heated, said annular space having end walls closing its ends, and means for transmitting heat through one of said end walls into said space.

Abstract: A waveform-adaptive ultra-wideband (UWB) transmitter and noise-tracking UWB receiver for use in communications, object detection and radar applications. In one embodiment, the output of an oscillator is gated by a low-level impulse generator either directly or through an optional filter. In a special case of that embodiment wherein the oscillator is zero frequency and outputs a DC bias, a low-level impulse generator impulse-excites a bandpass filter to produce an UWB signal having an adjustable center frequency and desired bandwidth based on a characteristic of the filter. In another embodiment, the low-level impulse signal is approximated by a time-gated continuous-wave oscillator to produce an extremely wide bandwidth pulse with deterministic center frequency and bandwidth characteristics. The low-level impulse signal can be generated digitally. The UWB signal may be modulated to carry data, or may be used in object detection or ranging applications.