Abstract: Among other aspects, provided herein are multi-armed polymer conjugates comprising an alkanoate-linker, compositions comprising such conjugates, and related methods of making and administering the same. Methods of treatment employing such conjugates and related uses are also provided. The conjugates are prepared with high drug loading efficiencies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic water supply-type steam generator using vapor pressure for creating the optimum vacuum pressure inside a pressurized water supply tank, and for smoothly providing water to the pressurized water supply tank by using the strong aspiration force that is created by means of the vacuum pressure while continuously generating steam. The present invention is characterized by allowing control of the vacuum pressure to the optimum state when creating the vacuum pressure inside the pressurized water supply tank by introducing an adequate amount of outside air from the atmosphere through an air vent. In addition, the present invention is characterized by providing a means for cooling the pressurized water supply tank so as to control the vacuum pressure inside the tank to the optimum state.

Abstract: Modularized, superheated steam generators comprise a steam module (46), a thermocouple module (41), and an electrode module (45) assembled within a containment enclosure (66). The multi-stage steam module (46) comprises a plurality of first stage pressure vessels (77) surrounding and feeding a second stage pressure vessel (78). The steam module (46) is coaxially surrounded by insulation (48) disposed within a cylindrical shroud (72). The electrode module (45) radiantly heats the steam module with resistive heating elements (119). The thermocouple module (41) includes thermocouples monitoring first stage temperatures within and between pressure vessels (77). PLC computer SCADA software (600) operates the generators. Thermocouple data is analyzed to control heater temperatures, the water feeding system (340), and outputted steam temperature.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for conserving water and heat energy in a hot water supply system. A holding tank is provided near the Point Of Use to capture unwanted cooled water. An integrated displacement actuator allows this volume to be recirculated back into the hot water supply line after use. The actuator consists of a flexible bladder or rolling diaphragm that divides the holding tank into two compartments; one for non-compressible supply water, and the second for a compressible phase change fluid. At ambient temperature, the phase change fluid condenses to a liquid phase at a relatively low pressure, allowing diverted water to flow into the tank from the hot water supply system. When the phase change fluid is warmed by the adjacent hot water, it changes to a gaseous phase, pressurizing the holding tank and allowing re-injection of the cool water into the hot water supply system. A control system is provided direct water flow based on time, temperature and pressure.

Abstract: A steam conditioning system comprising a steam conditioning valve 1 for depressurizing and desuperheating steam S by supplying moisture W in said conditioning valve. A discharge pipe 3 connected to the steam conditioning valve 1 has a horizontal section 3a, and said horizontal arrangement section 3a is provided with a moisture drain 4 or at a portion near the bottom. Condensed moisture W1 is extracted from this moisture drain 4 and is recycled as moisture W to be supplied to the steam S in said conditioning valve 1. The steam conditioning valve 1 further has a reduced annular section 9 with a nozzle 5a disposed therein for injecting subcooled water mist W. A transport conduit 5 connects the drain 4 to nozzle 5a. Moisture W is drawn into steam flow S due to the Venturi effect caused by the pressure drop through the reduced annular section 9.

Abstract: A steam-raising system comprising a boiler having (a) a passageway for water and/or steam, (b) an inlet to the passageway through which water is introduced continuously for given periods when the boiler is in use, (c) a burner to heat the passageway from the outside thereof, and (d) an outlet from the passageway from which steam emerges continuously as water is introduced through the inlet. The system further comprises a pump connected by a flow-path to the said inlet to pump water thereto along the said flow-path. The pump is a variable-flow-rate pump constructed to provide a flow-rate through it which is substantially independent of its downstream pressure.

Abstract: A deaerated feedwater supply system for a boiler system includes a water supply conduit configured to provide a supply of water to a deaerator tank and a deaerated makeup water conduit configured to convey deaerated makeup water from the deaerator tank to a surge tank at an elevation in the surge tank below the surface of deaerated feedwater contained therein. A heat exchanger is provided for exchanging heat from deaerated makeup water in the deaerated makeup water conduit to the water in the water supply conduit so that the water is heated prior to entering the deaerator tank and the deaerated makeup water is cooled upon entry into the surge tank. Polypropylene spheres are provided within the surge tank for reducing oxygen absorption into deaerated feedwater. A deaerated feedwater conduit is configured to convey deaerated feedwater from the surge tank to the boiler.

Abstract: A boiler control system includes a first device for measuring or computing a rate of change in steam temperature and a generated thermal stress in a pressure part of a boiler, and a second device for controlling steam temperature or a rate of change in the steam temperature at the pressure part of the boiler in accordance with a desired value, and a third device which has functions for storing in a memory combinations of the steam temperature and the thermal stress at each moment as obtained by the first device.

Abstract: A dual or multiple combustion chamber is described for use with cyclic velox boiler plants wherein one or more inner reactors are fastened inside one or more of the combustion containers of the cyclic velox boiler. These inner reactors are filled with and contain the char fuel but the inner reactor walls are porous and ported so that air can readily flow into the inner reactor during compression and reacted gases can readily flow out of the inner reactor during expansion. Refueling and ash removal occur into and out of these inner reactor chambers.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a starting operation of a boiler which comprises a super heater, a super heater bypass valve, a turbine bypass valve and a fuel flow rate regulating valve. A temperature detector detects a temperature of the steam at a predetermined portion of the boiler. A pressure detector detect a pressure of the steam at the predetermined portion of the boiler. A desired change rate arithmetic unit calculates a desired steam temperature change rate value and a desired steam pressure change rate value on the basis of the steam pressure, the steam temperature, a desired pressure increase value, a desired temperature increase value, a saturated temperature change rate limit and a temperature increase change rate limit.

Abstract: A recirculation apparatus is employed to recirculate a portion of the feedwater in a vertical-tube economizer to reduce the likelihood of reverse flow and steaming at startup and/or low load. A recirculation valve, opened at low load, directs part of the water from the economizer outlet back to the inlet of the boiler feed pump via a deaerator. The recirculated water not only increases the pumping head across the economizer tube planes, but also reduces the temperature rise of the increased water flow rate passing through the economizer tubes which now enters the economizer tube bank at an elevated temperature. The reduced temperature rise in a given single pass through a tube plane consequently reduces the buoyant force which opposes the pumping head in downflowing tube planes. Additionally, the amount of water being recirculated at these light load conditions results in a total boiler feed pump flow which is well within the capacity of a given pump size without consideration of the present invention.

Abstract: A cyclic velox boiler is described wherein solid carbonaceous fuels are burned in pressure vessel containers by cyclic compression and expansion with air or with air and steam as usual gas reactants. During compression air is forced deeply into the pores of the solid fuel and rapid primary burning to carbon monoxide results due to the large internal pore area available. During expansion the primary reacted gases emerge from the pores to mix and react fully with secondary air retained outside the pores in the container. Rapid and complete burning of the char fuel can be obtained in this two step, cyclic burning process and net useful mechanical work can be obtained from an expander engine. The containers and portions of the expander are cooled with water and the resulting steam can be used to generate additional work output via a steam power cycle.

Abstract: A cyclic velox boiler is described wherein solid carbonaceous fuels are burned in pressure vessel containers by cyclic compression and expansion with air or with air and steam as usual gas reactants. During compression air is forced deeply into the pores of the solid fuel and rapid primary burning to carbon monoxide results due to the large internal pore area available. During expansion the primary reacted gases emerge from the pores to mix and react fully with secondary air retained outside the pores in the container. Rapid and complete burning of the char fuel can be obtained in this two step, cyclic burning process and net useful mechanical work can be obtained from an expander engine. The containers and portions of the expander are cooled with water and the resulting steam can be used to generate additional work output via a steam power cycle.

Abstract: A method for detecting the flow instability in steam generators is provided. First, a number of limit values on the differential pressure between the water-side inlet and outlet of the steam generator are determined at different feedwater flow rates. The limit values define the onset of the flow instability. By connecting the thus determined limit values, a boundary line defining the occurrence of the flow instability is obtained. Second, it is checked whether the measured differential pressure between the inlet and outlet at an actual feedwater flow rate is above or below the boundary line so as to determine if the flow instability has occurred or not in the steam generator. An apparatus for accomplishing the method is also provided.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved furnace fuel optimizer for more effectively controlling fuel consumption in a furnace and a method for using the furnace fuel optimizer. In particular, the invention relates to a furnace fuel optimizer which controls combustion air by maintaining a convective section differential pressure value or a convective section heat duty value while monitoring CO emissions in the flue gas and monitoring the draft below the convective section in order to obtain an optimum control value. The furnace fuel optimizer then regulates the furnace to correspond to the optimum control value by adjusting the air input to the furnace so that continuous furnace operation is possible at maximum efficiency.