Abstract: A method for identifying a leaking earth tap heat exchanger includes measuring an electrical resistance between the electrically conducting tubing of the earth tap heat exchanger and the surrounding soil or water to determine if the electrically insulating layer has an undesired opening in a portion thereof thereby exposing an adjacent portion of the electrically conducting tubing to the soil or water as indicated by a relatively low electrical resistance. Each earth tap heat exchanger preferably comprises electrically conducting tubing having an electrically insulating layer covering an exterior thereof. The method may also be used to test the integrity of the electrically insulating layer to avoid corrosion as may be caused by direct contact between metallic tubing and adjacent soil or water. Apparatus aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: A mesh enclosed container is provided to remove melt water from frozen blocks of contaminated sediment which has been extracted from a marine environment. The mesh enclosure has a number of porous wicking tubes for insertion into corresponding cavities in the frozen sediment blocks. Wicking material is inserted into the tubes to enhance melt water flow out of the sediment blocks during the thawing cycle. A sealed container may be provided to enclose the block and meshed container to prevent escape of volatile materials during the thawing cycle. The sealed container will also collect melt water accumulated during the thawing cycle. A method of melting frozen marine sediment blocks is provided to recover treated water.

Abstract: An in-ground conduit system for a ground source heat pump is provided. The in-ground conduit system is a conduit-loop having at least one wing member mounted on the conduit loop such that the wing member contacts the ground in such a way so as to resist upward movement of the conduit loop.

Abstract: An improved ground source heat pump system wherein the subterranean piping installation comprises modular heat exchange units. Each modular heat exchange unit comprises a plurality of parallel secondary conduits. The secondary conduits are connected between primary conduits by means of multi-tiered inlet and outlet manifolds. Each manifold comprises a three-way "T" or end member and at least one and probably several four-way connecting members. Each of the end members has one inlet and at least one and preferably two outlets. Each connecting member has one inlet and at least two and preferably three outlets. The inlets and outlets of the end members and connecting members are configured to interconnect interchangeably in male-female fashion. Elbow units are used to connect the ends of the secondary conduits with the inlets and outlet of the end members and connecting members. Thus, only two types of components are necessary to build heat exchange units having any number of secondary conduits.

Abstract: The present invention relates to one or more ground tubes connected and channelized to provide a counter-flow heat exchanger with an annular space to permit water injection into the subsurface water table.

Abstract: A method of making a nonporous, substantially liquid-impermeable cryogenic barrier within the Earth, and a nonporuous, substantially liquid-impermeable cryogenic barrier. A triple array of casings extends along respective sets of central axes from arrays of spaced apart locations on the surface of the Earth. A refrigerant is flowed through the two outer arrays of casings to form overlapping, continuous cold columnar regions extending along and about the respective central axes of the casings. The intermediate region between the two outer arrays of casings contains the central array of casings. A heat transtar agent is flowed through a selected subset of casings within the central array of casings to establish a relatively warm region between the continuous cold regions.

Abstract: An improved ground source heat pump system wherein the subterranean piping installation comprises modular heat exchange units. Each modular heat exchange unit comprises a plurality of parallel secondary or branch conduits. The use of multiple parallel secondary conduits significantly increases the heat exchange capacity of the system. Because of the increased efficiency of such a system, less piping is required, which in turn reduces the cost of labor and materials to install such a system and the area of land mass required to contain it. Moreover, because the heat exchange units are modular, they can be prefabricated at a remote site and then conveniently transported to construction site and installed much more quickly than the extended lengths of conventional piping.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising a geothermal cell and recovery system comprising a heat exchange zone located in the earth and separated from the earth by an impermeable barrier. A housing containing a fluid pump and compressor is submersed in heat exchange zone and a fluid conduit return assembly is positioned in the bottom section of the heat exchange zone. A fluid discharge assembly receives fluid from the pump and is positioned in the top section of the heat exchange zone. An underground heat pipe extends through the heat exchange zone. Back-fill material is positioned around the underground heat pipe and the housing heat pump is connected to said underground heat pipe.

Abstract: An improved combined ambient-air and earth exchange heat pump system includes a subterranean heat exchanger and an ambient-air heat exchanger, both refrigerant-based, which are adapted to be selectively operated individually, serially or in parallel for heating and cooling purposes. The system also includes a compressor, a dynamic load heat exchanger, a reversing valve for converting the system from heating to cooling and vice versa, storage for excess refrigerant including an accumulator, an optional preheat exchanger, a regulating assembly with bleed port arrangement, a bypass mechanism for repetitive start-up attempts, and a lost charge device.

Abstract: Gas compression and chilling systems, particularly adapted for compressing and chilling gas for transmission through arctic pipelines are provided with a cross heat exchanger for transferring heat from gas compressed to the inlet gas to the compressor. The heat exchanger is disposed upstream of an expander which may comprise a mechanical expander or a throttling valve, or both, to achieve a predetermined final output pressure and temperature. An aerial heat exchanger is interposed between the compression and expansion stages upstream of the inlet gas heat exchanger. One embodiment of the system uses two stages of compression, aerial cooling and expansion to the final temperature and pressure.

Abstract: An earth coupled, thermal barrier system of the invention has thermal panels for ceilings, floors, windows and walls; an air treatment unit to precondition the air and an earth coupled heat exchanger. The air treatment unit contains a preconditioning coil, a humidification unit with a humidifier and/or a dehumidifier, an impeller motor and an impeller. A pump circulates cooling and heating fluid through conduits that interconnect the thermal panels and the preconditioning coil to an earth coupled heat exchanger.

Abstract: A "DX" heat pump is provided herein which is based on the principle of providing optimal heat exchange in the heating mode through three parallel ground loops, two of which can be cut off from the system and evacuated of refrigerant in the cooling mode. The loops are designed in terms of volume so that the refrigerant charge is correct in the heating mode when split in three loops and also correct in the cooling mode when only one loop is used, but it contains the full system refrigerant charge. The loops are provided with "TX" metering valves which can be individually operated to provide a staged cooling system.

Abstract: An apparatus for precoooling water supplied to an evaporative cooler of the type known as a "swamp cooler" includes inlet and outlet reservoirs secured by brackets to a bottom surface of the evaporative cooler water pan at substantially the same elevation. The inlet and outlet reservoirs are connected in fluid communication with a subterranean vessel enclosing a cooling coil. In use, water is supplied to the inlet reservoir and maintained at a predetermined level by a float valve assembly. A filtered drain line returns water from the evaporative cooler pan into the inlet reservoir from which it drains by gravity flow into the cooling coil within the subterranean vessel. The water circulates within the coil to precool and thereafter discharges and mixes within the vessel. A pump in the outlet reservoir pumps water from a return line communicating with the vessel back to the evaporative cooler.

Abstract: An improved ground source heat pump system wherein the subterranean piping installation comprises modular heat exchange units. Each modular heat exchange unit comprises a plurality of parallel secondary or branch conduits. The use of multiple parallel secondary conduits significantly increases the heat exchange capacity of the system. Because of the increased efficiency of such a system, less piping is required, which in turn reduces the cost of labor and materials to install such a system and the area of land mass required to contain it. Moreover, because the heat exchange units are modular, they can be prefabricated at a remote site and then conveniently transported to construction site and installed much more quickly than the extended lengths of conventional piping.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for compressing gas in a compressor station for a gas pipeline, especially in areas of permanent frost, wherein the gas is supplied in the gas pipeline to the compressor station at an entry pressure and the gas is returned to the pipeline for further transportation in the pipeline at a desired exit temperature and at an exit pressure which is higher than the entry pressure. The gas is initially compressed at least during individual time intervals to an excess pressure which is substantially higher than the desired exit pressure. The compressed gas is then cooled by heat exchange to a temperature above the desired exit temperature. Finally, the gas is further cooled to the desired exit temperature by expanding the gas from the excess pressure to the exit pressure.

Abstract: An improved ground source heat pump system wherein the subterranean piping installation is constructed of a plurality of modular heat exchange units. Each such unit comprises an external tube with an expanded external surface and an insulated internal tube positioned concentrically within the external tube. The units are integrally formed of flexible plastic material, except for the insulation. The expanded external surface of the external tube significantly increases the heat exchange capacity of the subterranean heat exchanger. The insulation around the internal tube prevents thermal interference between the internal and external tubes and further enhances the heat exchange capacity of the system. There is no need for spacers or fins in the space between the internal and external tubes to control annular spacing or to promote turbulence.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a hybrid thermosyphon which may be rapidly deployed to create a frozen soil barrier for containing toxic spills. In a particular embodiment, a plurality of thermosyphons are deployed for freezing the soil around and under a defined area of soil; each thermosyphon contains a working fluid and includes an evaporator section for contact with the soil for removing heat therefrom by evaporation of the working fluid. A condenser section in flow communication with evaporator section and remote from the soil transfers heat from the working fluid to ambient by heat exchange and subsequent condensation of the working fluid when the ambient is lower than the temperature of the soil. An active refrigeration stage in heat exchange relation with at least a portion of the condenser section removes heat from the working fluid by heat exchange when the ambient is above the soil temperature.

Abstract: An ice forming apparatus to form an ice surface in an ice rink, comprising a water supply conduit located adjacent to the ice rink and connected to a supply of water. A plurality of sprinkler conduits are connected to the water supply conduit. Attached to each sprinkler conduit is a single sprinkler head. Between each sprinkler head and the water supply conduit is a valve operably attached to the sprinkler conduit. One or more valves may be opened so that water sprinkles onto the rink to form a smooth layer of ice.

Abstract: The invention provides a prefabricated ground coil assembly comprising headers and a plurality of flexible elongate coil elements, the ground coil being completely assembled ready for use and shipped as a compact annular package whose axial length is equal to the sum of the diameters of the pipe elements.

Abstract: A thermosyphon for use in frozen or unfrozen soil includes an evaporator tion embedded in the soil, a condenser section exposed to ambient air, an intermediate section connecting the two sections and a heat exchanger connected to a mechanical refrigeration source and operable to cool either the condenser or the intermediate section of the thermosyphon during periods when the ambient temperature is higher than that at which passive thermosyphonic cooling occurs.

Abstract: A heat exchanger is connected via an insulated flow pipe (26) to a pump (28) arranged in a borehole. The flow pipe and the pump are surrounded in the borehole by a protective tube (34) open at the bottom adjacent to a return region (38) which extends radially outward to the wall of the borehole. The return region communicates with the interior of the protective tube. A return line (42) from the energy exchanger contains at least one return pipe (40) which extends approximately to the bottom of the borehole and is subdivided along its length by a plurality of transverse plugs (44). At the transverse plugs, the return water flows through passages arranged on either side of the transverse plugs and penetrates the porous filling (48) surrounding the return pipe. After the transverse plugs, the return water flows out of the porous filling and back through the passages into the return pipe.

Abstract: A "DX" heat pump is provided herein which is based on the principle of providing optimal heat exchange in the heating mode through three parallel ground loops, two of which can be cut off from the system and evacuated of refrigerant in the cooling mode. The loops are designed in terms of volume so that the refrigerant charge is correct in the heating mode when split in three loops and also correct in the cooling mode when only one loop is used, but it contains the full system refrigerant charge.

Abstract: A downhole tool comprises an apparatus including an electrical member and a cooling system to maintain the electrical member within a rated temperature operating range. The cooling system includes a container holding a refrigerant. The cooling system also includes heat transfer elements for conducting refrigerant from the container in proximity to the electrical member so that a temperature adjacent the electrical member is less than ambient well bore temperature and preferably less than the maximum of the rated temperature operating range. The cooling system further includes a device for moving refrigerant from the container and through the heat transfer elements in response to pressure in the well bore. In a preferred embodiment, the refrigerant is recycled through the heat transfer circuit back to the container.

Abstract: A closed loop, pressurized system for a ground source heat pump and a pressure/liquid source module therefore. The pressure/liquid source module has a liquid tank having a predetermined liquid level and an inlet pipe extending downwardly within the tank from adjacent the top of the tank to a distal end which is below the liquid level. The inlet pipe is adapted to be connected to the loop of the closed loop, pressurized system of the heat pump. The liquid tank has an outlet adjacent the bottom of the tank, the outlet being connected to the heat pump through a check valve and a liquid pump. The valve is between the tank and the pump.

Abstract: A geothermal heat exchanger having modular tube bundles is provided in a novel heat pump system. The modular tube bundles are particularly adapted to be placed within a narrow excavation in the ground, such as a trench excavated using a backhoe bucket, which trench can be V-shaped. A heat resistant soaker hose is disposed above or about the rectangular tube bundles. The soaker hose is coupled to a water source and has a number of apertures for leaching water to the soil surrounding the tube bundles for dampening the soil around the tubes and providing better thermal heat transfer and compaction. Individual tubes of the tube bundles can be made rifled or finned for better heat transfer. A scroll compressor with relatively orbiting spiral scroll fins is provided rather than a reciprocating piston compressor.

Abstract: An underground air conditioning apparatus for underground cooling outside air directed into a space comprising an open-air inlet for admitting outside air including air quality control apparatus including an above ground intake and a below ground outlet manifold, a blower for creating positive air pressure, a well means for providing an enlarged conduit for conducting the admitted air below the ground surface to a heat exchanger apparatus positioned underground and surrounded by soil segment, earth-embedded conduit means for exchanging thermal energy between the admitted air and the earth said earth conduit, extending underground between the well means and the space including a plurality of open-air tubes arranged in a tier in a common plane buried in the earth having an inlet end and an outlet end.

Abstract: There is disclosed a heat pump comprising a vapor-compression refrigeration system wherein the heat pump evaporator extracts heat from a low temperature heat exchanger in the form of a water-immiscible fluid, and delivers the extracted heat to another location by means of a condenser. The water-immiscible fluid is maintained at a temperature of virtually 0.degree. C. by the injection of many small droplets of water that freeze to form beads of ice as they settle in the fluid. The beads can then be separated and delivered to a combined ice-water reservoir. The heat extracted from the water-immiscible fluid and the injected water droplets is replaced in the ice-water reservoir from natural heat sources, such as a ground loop, a solar panel or an air-water heat exchanger. The heat provided by the ice-water reservoir includes its latent heat of fusion, which acts as a buffer when heat demand exceeds the rate of heat available from natural sources.

Abstract: A novel ground water heat transfer system is provided for low cost and high efficiency heat pumps and includes a deep well filled with water. An insulating sleeve which is smaller than the diameter of the deep well is placed in the center of the deep well so as to separate the well water into two portions. A water pump is suspended preferably below the water level and pumps the water from inside the insulating sleeve to the space between the insulating sleeve and the wall of the deep well in a manner which eliminates the dynamic lifting head. In an open loop system the water from the pump is first pumped to an heat exchanger and returned to the space between the insulating sleeve and the wall of the deep well.

Abstract: An air-conditioner/refrigerator water circulating system, comprising a water recovery pipe system to collect cooling water from a cooling water pipe system which circulates through the condensing pipes of a plurality of air-conditioners/refrigerators to carry heat therefrom, a water recovery tank to collect water recovered from said water recovery pipe system, a cooling coil embedded under the ground to cool down water from said water recovery tank, a supplementary water tank to receive water from said cooling coil, and a water raising device to automatically pump water from said supplementary water tank to said cooling water pipe system for repeated circulation.

Abstract: A space-cooling system based upon the present invention cools the space through a heat exchanger carrying ground water that has been slightly chilled by a heat pump. The chiller can be referenced to the outflow water from the space heat exchanger, or to fresh ground water. The heated discharged water can be utilized as pre-heated household water, or discharged in irrigation or to a drainage system.

Abstract: A ground source heat pump comprising an indoor coil circuit and an outdoor coil circuit utilizes a scroll compressor to pressurize the refrigerant. The outdoor coil may comprise ground coils formed from copper tubing into a spiral configuration. A charge control device controls the volume of refrigerant in the system in heating and cooling modes. A restrictor in parallel with a thermal expansion valve permits a base flow of refrigerant into the outdoor coil in heating mode. An accumulator is provided with a level switch controlling a solenoide value connected in parallel to a thermal expansion value feedig the indoor coil. The scroll compressor includes a discharge port operating in conjunction with a solenoid valve to trap high pressure refrigerant in the condenser circuit during compressor off cycles. Means for closing off one of the ground coils to reduce the effective length of the outdoor coil is provided.

Abstract: A ground source air conditioning system for a structure. The system comprises a de-icing conduit array for de-icing nearby surfaces, such as sidewalks, parking lots and driveways. The air conditioning system includes a refrigeration unit, and the heat from the refrigerant in the refrigeration unit is transferred to a heat transfer fluid. The heat transfer fluid is conducted to a heat exchanger, which preferably is located underground, such as an array of vertically or horizontally arranged conduits. Alternately, a water reservoir can be employed as the heat exchanger. When necessary, the heat transfer fluid is conducted through the de-icing conduit array positioned immediately beneath the surface to be de-iced. The amount of heat transfer fluid directed to the de-icing array can be regulated, and in warmer seasons it can be isolated altogether from the rest of the system.

Abstract: An arrangement for the changeover of mine or warm water and fresh or cold water in underground mining by a three chamber tube feeder with constant filling and discharge direction, which feeder is arranged between a high pressure liquid cycle, which forms on the one hand, an aboveground feeding-in of the fresh or cold water and, on the other hand, a transportation of the mining or warm water, and an underground low pressure liquid cycle, which three chamber tube feeder ensures a direct and continuous changeover, and which feeder is provided with blocking members at the end of the chambers, wherein automatic non-return valves are provided as the blocking members exclusively at a low pressure filling side allocated to the mining or warm water, and at a high pressure discharge side, allocated to the mining or warm water, of each chamber of the three chamber tube feeder, a separate externally controlled high pressure side valve being provided as the blocking member at a high pressure fresh or cold water inlet side

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing fluid contaminants from a solid material is described. In a preferred embodiment, a cylindrical container having opening in its surface through which contaminants in a gaseous state may enter is filled with a cryo-adsorbing substance, for example, charcoal, and placed into a correspondingly-sized hole formed in the solid material from which the contaminants are to be removed. A cryogenic fluid, for example liquid nitrogen, is introduced into the container, preferably into a tube therein, thereby cooling the cryo-adsorbing substance so that molecules of contaminants are cryo-adsorbed from the solid material. After the adsorption of contaminants, the container is removed from the solid material and the cryo-adsorbing substance is regenerated, or regeneration is effected in situ. This invention has utility in the field of removing contaiminants, such as for example gasoline or other hazardous or toxic materials, from the ground.

Abstract: Disclosed is a thermal storage tank for the long term storage of a thermal storage medium whose energy is available on demand for satsifying cooling or heating loads. The tank may be earth excavated and include side walls of a ligthweight, high strength concrete that retains its thermal insulating characteristics even when exposed to groundwater. A unique inverted frustrum shape for the tank offers numerous advantages. In association with a cold storage tank, a novel submerged, single point ice introduction system provides a much improved formation of the ice mass in the tank. Also provided for the cold storage tank is a novel floating top that provides a ballast effect to keep the ice mass submerged.

Abstract: A cold storage system installed in a reservoir on the ground whose atmospheric temperature becomes 0.degree. C. or less in winter season comprises at least one heat exchanger having one end located in the water stored in the reservoir and the other end located in the atmosphere and for performing one-direction heat transfer in such a manner as to absorb heat from the water of the reservoir and emit it into the atmosphere, and a hold member for holding the heat exchanger in the reservoir.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for reversibly establishing a closed, flow-impervious cryogenic barrier about a predetermined volume extending downward from a containment site on the surface of the Earth. An array of barrier boreholes extend downward from spaced apart locations on the periphery of the containment site. A flow of a refrigerant medium is established in the barrier boreholes whereby water in the portions of the Earth adjacent to the barrier boreholes freezes to establish ice columns extending radially about the boreholes. The lateral separations of the boreholes and the radii of the ice columns are selected so that adjacent ice columns overlap. The overlapping ice columns collectively establish a closed, flow-impervious barrier about the predetermined volume underlying the containment site. The system may detect and correct potential breaches due to thermal, geophysical, or chemical invasions.

Abstract: Disclosed is a long term thermal energy production, storage and reclaim system that benefits the electric utility and its customers by shifting electricity usage from a spiked, high power, direct acting basis operated largely during seasonal peak demand periods to a long term level load at a significantly lower power level. The electricity usage shift is achieved by long term storage of thermal energy generated by a continuously operated low power level prime mover and the use of the stored energy on demand to satisfy the seasonal thermal load. The initial cost of the long term thermal energy production, storage and reclaim system is cost competitive with that of direct acting systems for satisfying the same loads. By using the system, the customer saves significantly on energy charges during the life of the system due to a rate structure that provides favorable rates for customers who do not adversely impact the utility's annual load factor.

Abstract: The present invention is a heat pump system having a direct earth coupled underground heat exchanging apparatus. The system uses a heat exchanging fluid existing in both gaseous and liquid form during operation and includes ancillary equipment and associated controls for carrying out various functions such as cooling, heating, refrigeration and water heating. By effectively utilizing the excellent heat conservation characteristics and huge heat capacity of subsurface earth or water, a greatly improved level of efficiency is achieved. The apparatus comprises a compressor 1, an expansion valve 8, a receiver 7, an indoor evaporator/condenser coil 5, a four way reversing valve 3, an accumulator 16 and a plurality of evaporator/condenser coils 11 disposed in the earth. The apparatus uses the native earth as a heat source in the heating mode and as heat sink in the cooling mode.

Abstract: A heating and cooling method and apparatus for a single, closed loop configuration for directly exchanging thermal energy with the earth for both heating and cooling purposes. A refrigerant, which is pumped through the apparatus by a compressor, undergoes two phase transitions during each circuit through the loop. A subterranean heat exchanger has a pair of manifolds in flow communication with a plurality of substantially horizontally oriented tubes. Refrigerant flowing through the tubes has sufficient velocity to sweep lubricant oil, which has escaped from the compressor, along with it for return to the compressor. An expansion valving assembly automatically meters and regulates the flow rate and pressure of the refrigerant during both the heating mode and the cooling mode of the apparatus. A refrigerant storage device automatically supplies or accepts the change in quantity of the refrigerant required when the apparatus changes from either the heating or cooling mode to the reverse mode.

Abstract: A disaster prevention system for underground spaces has a compressed air supply system and an independent power generator installed in an underground space. In the event of a disaster, the compressed air supply system discharges compressed air into an underground space in order to maintain the air pressure therein at a higher level than that of the external atmosphere. The independent power generator generates electrical energy which provides the necessary lighting for the underground space.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing fluid contaminants from a solid material is described. In a preferred embodiment, a cylindrical container having openings in its surface through which contaminants in a gaseous state may enter is filled with cyro-adsorbing substances, for example, charcoal, and placed into a correspondingly-sized hole formed in the solid material from which the contaminants are to be removed. A cryogenic fluid, for example liquid nitrogen, is introduced into the container, thereby cooling the cyro-adsorbing substance so that molecules of contaminants are cyro-adsorbed from the solid material. After the adsorption of contaminants, the container is removed from the solid material and the cyro-adsorbing substance is regenerated, or regeneration is effected in situ. This invention has utility in the field of removing contaminants, such as for example gasoline or other harzardous or toxic materials, from the ground.

Abstract: A geothermal system for conditioning air in an enclosed space by transferring heat between the air and a heat exchange liquid which is circulated through a line buried in the earth. The line transfers heat between the earth and the heat exchange liquid circulating through the line. The line is constructed to facilitate the expansion and contraction of the line with changes in temperature and to facilitate the transfer of heat between heat exchange liquid in the line and the earth without causing ice to form around the line.

Abstract: A mine cooling power recovery system wherein a low-pressure slurry pump for charging the mud slurry produced in a mine into a pressure changeover feed chamber is arranged in parallel to a warm water charging low-pressure pump and each of outlets of the two pumps has a changeover valve so that a single power recovery system pumps up both the mud slurry and a warm water out of the mine. A slurry sedimentation tank may be provided on the ground surface.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for reversibly establishing a closed, flow-impervious cryogenic barrier about a predetermined volume extending downward from a containment site on the surface of the Earth. An array of barrier boreholes extend downward from spaced apart locations on the periphery of the containment site. A flow of a refrigent medium is established in the barrier boreholes whereby water in the portions of the Earth adjacent to the barrier boreholes freezes to established ice columns extending radially about the boreholes. The lateral separations of the boreholes and the radii of the ice columns are selected so that adjacent ice columns overlap. The overlapping ice columns collectively establish a closed, flow-impervious barrier about the predetermined volume underlying the containment site. The system may detect and correct potential breaches due to thermal, geophysical, or chemical invasions.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for cleaning contaminated earth. The contaminated soil is first frozen using freezer boxes which are placed on the surface of the ground to be frozen. A refrigerant, preferably liquid nitrogen, is then introduced into the box until the soil is frozen to a desired depth and temperature. The frozen soil containing pollutants is then removed and placed in sealed containers for optional further treatment.

Abstract: A thermosyphon for removing heat from a permafrost foundation, the invent can be installed in a frozen foundation with an evaporator section disposed either horizontally or with a negative (up) slope, thereby allowing the evaporator section of the thermosyphon to be buried in a more shallow location of the foundation than is possible with conventional thermosyphon devices. The thermosyphon of the invention has a condensate collection ring near the lowest point but higher than any point in the evaporator of a condenser section which extends above the permafrost foundation and into heat exchange contact with low-temperature above-ground air. Condensate formed in the condenser section by heat exchange with the air is collected in the collection ring and ducted through a condensate return tube to a desirable location within the evaporator section, usually the extreme distal end thereof.

Abstract: Structure for and method of cooling or heating a space which is exposed to a natural heat influence. The structure includes a first fluid store buried in the ground so as to be at the temperature of the surrounding earth, a heat exchanger positioned in a space to be cooled and means for passing a fluid between the first fluid store and heat exchanger in a closed circuit. The structure of the invention may also include heat units for the space and hot water heaters connected in the closed circuit between the heat exchanger and first fluid store and a heat pump connected between the heat units and water heaters and the closed circuit. In a further embodiment of the invention, a second fluid store is provided in conjunction with the heat exchange structure which may also be buried so that waste heat may be utilized to heat the fluid in the second fluid store.

Abstract: In an installation including a superconducting solenoid coil in the form of an annulus having a vertical axis, a first vessel having an annular form and enclosing the coil for containing a primary cryogen at a temperature sufficient to maintain the coil superconductive, and at least one second vessel having an annular form and enclosing the first vessel for containing a secondary cryogen at a selected temperature, there are provided: cryogen storage containers spaced horizontally from the coil and the vessels for receiving the cryogens contained in the vessels; and conduit systems coupled between the vessels and the storage containers for permitting the flow of cryogens therebetween.

Abstract: A method for producing a stabilized area by positioning a plurality of heat transfer tubes on or below the surface of the stabilized area and flowing a coolant through the tubes to maintain a stabilized area in a frozen condition. Water may also be frozen over the stabilized area.