Abstract:
A method for controlling the condition of air in an enclosure, such as a greenhouse, containing growing plants involves reducing the heat load on the enclosure by reducing the rate of convective heat flow of air across the canopy of the plants. This is achieved by heating and dehumidifying the air in the greenhouse during periods of low light levels such as at night in a manner that minimizes ventilation for controlling humidity. Apparatus is also provided for controlling the condition of air in an enclosure using an air-brine-vapor direct contact heat exchanger. Regeneration of the brine from the heat exchanger can be achieved by heating the brine using heated air from the enclosure or hot flue gases such that latent heat and/or sensible heat contained in the air, gases, and/or vapor exiting the regenerator can be transferred to the sir in the enclosure.
Abstract:
A method is provided for extracting heat from a hot liquid containing scaling material whose solubility is proportional to the temperature of the liquid. The method includes providing a pond containing a liquid, and locating in said pond a vertical tube having an upper end that is substantially closed, and an open lower end immersed in the liquid in the pond and spaced from the bottom thereof for establishing a trapped region above a column of liquid in the the tube. Hot liquid is supplied to the trapped region, and the pond and the tube are constructed and arranged so that the liquid in the pond and the liquid in the column are in substantial hydrostatic equilibrium. As a consequence, the trapped region is maintained at a pressure such that some of the liquid supplied to said trapped region flashes into a vapor thereby concentrating the liquid in the column. Finally, the open lower end of the tube effects the passage to the bottom of the pond of scaling material that precipitates as a consequence of the concentration of liquid below the trapped region.
Abstract:
A solar pond serving the dual purposes of concentrating an aqueous brine by evaporation and simultaneously producing power by storage of incident solar radiation. The so-stored solar energy is used by a heat machine. The solar pond has a concentrated aqueous brine which serves as the heat storage layer, and a halocline overlying the heat storage layer. An evaporation layer, whose density does not exceed that of the upper stratum of the halocline, overlies the halocline. A heat exchanger forms a part of a heat machine, and includes an organic, water-emiscible operating fluid as heat carrier, means for withdrawing hot brine from the heat storage layer to the heat exchanger, means for returning brine from the heat exchanger to the heat storage layer, a condenser for the operating fluid adapted for the throughflow of an aqueous coolant as heat sink, and means for feeding a warmed coolant emerging from the condenser to the evaporation layer.
Abstract:
Apparatus for generating power includes a gas turbine unit having a compressor for compressing ambient air and producing compressed air, a combustion chamber to which the compressed air is supplied, a source of relatively high grade fuel for burning in the combustion chamber and producing combustion gases, and a gas turbine connected to generator and to the compressor for expanding the combustion gases and producing exhaust gases. The apparatus further includes a combustor that burns relatively low grade fuel, and produces combustion products, and an indirect contact heat exchanger responsive to the combustion products for heating the compressed air before the latter is applied to the combustion chamber, and for producing cooled combustion products. In addition, an energy converter is provided having an organic working fluid responsive to the exhaust gases for converting heat in the exhaust gases to electricity. Finally, the apparatus of the invention serves to minimize the consumption of high grade fuel in the presence of changes in the heating value of the low grade fuel.
Abstract:
Apparatus for generating power includes a gas turbine unit having a compressor for compressing ambient air and producing compressed air, a combustion chamber to which the compressed air is supplied, a source of relatively high grade fuel for burning in the combustion chamber and producing combustion gases, and a gas turbine connected to generator and to the compressor for expanding the combustion gases and producing exhaust gases. The apparatus further includes a combustor that burns relatively low grade fuel, and produces combustion products, and an indirect contact heat exchanger responsive to the combustion products for heating the compressed air before the latter is applied to the combustion chamber, and for producing cooled combustion products. In addition, an energy converter is provided having an organic working fluid responsive to the exhaust gases for converting heat in the exhaust gases to electricity. Finally, the apparatus of the invention serves to minimize the consumption of high grade fuel in the presence of changes in the heating value of the low grade fuel.
Abstract:
In accordance with the present invention, a method for supplying solid material such as hot carbonaceous material from a pyrolyzer or reactor to a furnace, is provided comprising providing a screw conveyor for receiving the solid carbonaceous material from the pyrolyzer or reactor preferably from above the conveyor and transporting it along its length to a vaned rotor preferably positioned on the axle of the screw conveyor preferably substantially near the end of the screw conveyor for supplying the carbonaceous material to the furnace.
Abstract:
Combustible gases are produced from a solid fuel by pyrolizing the fuel in a pyrolyzer containing a low grade solid fuel producing combustible gases, and carbonaceous material that is combusted in a furnace to produce hot products that include hot flue gases and particulate material. The hot products are separated into a plurality of streams, one of which contains comparatively coarse ash which is directed into the pyrolyzer for effecting the pyrolyzation of the fuel. A stream of reaction gases is applied to the pyrolyzer in such a way that the stream of reaction gases bubbles through the carbonaceous material in the pyrolyzer without fluidizing such material. In effect, the reaction gases activate the void fraction in the pyrolyzer thereby reducing the residence time of the material therein. In one embodiment of the invention, the combustible gas produced by the pyrolyzer is burned in a combustion chamber of a boiler that produces boiler flue gases which constitute the reaction gases applied to the pyrolyzer. In a further embodiment, the combustible products produced by the furnace are separated into a stream containing flue gases and ash. At least a part of the latter stream may constitute the reaction gases applied to the pyrolyzer.
Abstract:
The turbidity of a fluid is reduced by adding a treatment solution containing a flocculation agent to said fluid. The treatment solution has a density different from that of the fluid. It is added at selected locations in the fluid such that the difference in densities will cause the treatment solution to be uniformly distributed throughout the fluid to be treated thereby causing flocs to be uniformly distributed throughout the fluid. In this way, a fluid can be treated in situ, rather than transported to a separate location, and mechanically mixed with a flocculation agent. This technique has particular application in the preparation and maintenance of solar ponds.
Abstract:
Asphaltene and oil shale are pyrolyzed at substantially atmospheric pressure for producing combustible products and carbonaceous material. A combustor combusts the carbonaceous material and produces flue gases which are supplied to a utilization device, and hot ash which is fed back to the pyrolyzer.
Abstract:
Apparatus for generating power includes a gas turbine unit having a compressor for compressing ambient air and producing compressed air, a combustion chamber to which the compressed air is supplied, a source of relatively high grade fuel for burning in the combustion chamber and producing combustion gases, and a gas turbine connected to generator and to the compressor for expanding the combustion gases and producing exhaust gases. The apparatus further includes a combustor that burns relatively low grade fuel, and produces combustion products, and an indirect contact heat exchanger responsive to the combustion products for heating the compressed air before the latter is applied to the combustion chamber, and for producing cooled combustion products. In addition, an energy converter is provided having an organic working fluid responsive to the exhaust gases for converting heat in the exhaust gases to electricity. Finally, the apparatus of the invention serves to minimize the consumption of high grade fuel in the presence of changes in the heating value of the low grade fuel.