Abstract:
A heat exchange apparatus including at least one catalytic combustion cell formed of two closely spaced parallel plates having facing surfaces coated with a catalyst and with a gas orifice arranged so as to discharge a jet of gas into the space between the plates.
Abstract:
Apparatus and method of operation of fuel cells by means of a controlled bleed at the "dead-end" of electrode gas compartments to continuously remove impurities, inevitably present in even ultra-pure fuels, which accumulate and cause a drop in voltage and current during the lifetime of the cell. The bleed at such locations establishes a steady state fuel-impurity concentration distribution in the cell resulting in improved electrical characteristics. The preferred rate of bleed may be only slightly greater than the percentage of input of impurities or inerts coming in with the reactant or fuel gas. The complicated and heavy valving apparatus, undesirable voltage transients, power interruptions, and permanent loss of electrolyte of prior art periodic or recycle purge systems are avoided by the present construction and method. Apparatus and method of providing supplemental thrust for spacecraft propulsion, navigation and altitude control are also disclosed.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a method of hydraulically separating asphalt topping from pavement substrate, as opposed to mechanically tearing the bond between the two layers of material. This method results in significantly less damage to the pavement substrate, and is accomplished with the use of a high velocity water jet. The method is unlike erosion of a surface by water in that once an initial erosion cut is made, the asphalt topping and the pavement substrate is separated by debonding.
Abstract:
An improved process for pre-treating and melting glassmaking materials wherein, in a preferred embodiment, the glass batch is compacted or agglomerated into distinct units, preheated and then conveyed into a glass furnace or melter. The glass batch preferably is compacted into briquets using an improved process, and the glass batch is preheated with the combustion gases from the glass furnace in a fashion such that particular matter, particularly sodium sulfate, is removed from the combustion gases. Melting preferably is accomplished using a submerged combustion process.
Abstract:
PROCESS OF PREFERENTIAL, SELECTIVE AND SEQUENTIAL METHANATION FOR REAVTION OF GASES CONTAINING CO, AND/ OR CO2 IN THE PRESENCE OF HYDROGEN, USING CATALYSTS OF RH AND RU METALS, AND ALLOYS THEREOF WITH PT, BENEFICIATED WITH ADMIXTURES OF TUNGSTEN OXIDE. PRECISE CONTROL OF THE PRODUCT GAS COMPOSITION IS OBTAINED BY PREDETERMINED CONTROL OF PROCESS PARAMETERS OF INPUT GAS FLOW RATE AND TEMPERATURE CONDITIONS IN THE METHANATION REACTOR. PRODUCT GAS CONTAINING SUBSTANTIALLY NO CO IS USEFUL IN AMMONIA SYNTHESIS AND FUEL CELLS.
Abstract:
An apparatus and process for conversion of thermal energy into mechanical energy wherein the working fluid of a heat engine is in contact with one side of a pressure sensitive means such as a piston or diaphragm, the other side of the pressure sensitive means being in contact with an incompressible fluid which in turn is in contact with the first ends of a pair of opposing pistons, the pistons being linked by mechanical linkage, the second end of one piston being in contact with a fluid to be pumped and the second end of the second piston being in contact with a cushion chamber, providing a quiet running thermal engine without dynamically unbalanced forces, with substantially reduced influence on the performance and smooth running of the dynamic instability inherent to free-piston systems generally, and with a positive control of the piston travel. The apparatus is particularly advantageously used in connection with a refrigeration system wherein the backside of the second end of each piston is in contact with the refrigeration fluid at evaporator pressure and the face of the second end of each piston is in contact with the refrigeration fluid at condenser pressure.
Abstract:
A METHOD FOR ODORIZING CRYOGENIC LIQUIDS SUCH AS LIQUEFIED NATURAL GAS WITH SUFFICIENT LEVELS OF DETECTABLE SULFUR CONTAINING ODORANTS BY THE STEPS OF FIRST DISSOLVING SAID ODORANT IN A LIQUEFIELD CARRIER MISCIBLE WITH THE CRYOGENIC LIQUID AT CONCNETRATION LEVELS NOT ATTAINABLE IN THE CRYOGENIC LIQUID; AND THEN COMBINING SAID LIQUEFIED CARRIER WITH ODORANT AND THE CRYOGENIC LIQUID TO PROVIDE THE DISSOLVED ODORANT IN THE MIXTURE AT THE DESIRED DETECTABLE LEVELS UPON VAPORIZATION OF THE CRYOGENIC LIQUID.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for transferring solid materials between zones at substantially different pressures which includes, generally, an intermediate vessell or lock hopper which contains a liquid and can be filled with and emptied of solids, two valves, one at each end of the lock hopper, a solids feed device, and a pump to maintain liquid level in the system. In operation, the valve at the upper end of the lock hopper is opened while the valve at the lower end thereof is closed, thereby permitting solids to be transferred into the lock hopper which contains a liquid such as water. The solids displace some of the liquid, and the displaced liquid rises above the top valve and overflows into a collecting vessel. The top valve then is closed, and a pump adds or removes liquid until the pressure in the lock hopper is close to the reactor pressure. The lower or bottom valve is opened after the pressure differential is compensated for, allowing the solids to drop into a feeder which conveys the solids to the reactor. The liquid level in the feeder and the lock hopper is maintained by the pump to replace the volume of solids fed. This liquid level is maintained at a sufficient height to inhibit gas flow into the lock hopper, and is independent of operating pressures. After solids discharge, the bottom valve is closed and the top valve opened, and the cycle is repeated. For continuous solid feed, two or more valved lock lock hoppers can be used in tandem to feed solids to the feeder.
Abstract:
AN ELECTROLYTE MASS FOR HIGH TEMPERATURE ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS PARTICULARLY FOR USE IN MULTIPLE CELL BATTERIES WHEREIN THE MASS INCLUDES AN INTEGRAL SEAL. THE ELECTROLYTE MASS IS THE MOLTEN CARBONATE ELECTROLYTE TYPE AND IS SUPPORTED BY AN INERT MATRIX OR FILLER MATERIAL. THE IMPROVEMENT COMPRISES A SUBSTANTIALLY RIGID AND SUBSTANTIALLY INERT LOAD SUPPORTING OUTER ELECTROLYTE PERIPHERY WHICH IS CAPABLE OF WITHSTANDING THE COMPRESSIVE FORCES NECESSARY TO HOLD EACH OF THE ELECTROLYTE MASSES IN PLACE IN A MULTIPLE CELL BATTERY; THE CENTRAL PORTION OF THE ELECTROLYTE MASS IS INTEGRALLY FORMED INTERIOR OF THE RIGID OUTER PERIPHERY AND IS THE ELECTROCHEMICALLY ACTIVE PORTION OF THE CELL.
Abstract:
A reinforced underground structure and a method for constructing the same. A below ground chamber or excavation is surrounded and defined by a concrete support wall. A frozen earthen formation surrounds the concrete wall. Preferably, the frozen zone includes an inner frozen zone which is adjacent the concrete wall, an outer frozen zone which is spaced from the inner frozen zone, and an intermediate confined zone is frozen under a preselected internal compressive stress so as to increase the overal strength of the structure in resistance particularly to external shock loads.