Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080250788 | POWER GENERATION AND SPACE CONDITIONING USING A THERMODYNAMIC ENGINE DRIVEN THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL HEATING AND COOLING - A thermodynamic engine is configured to convert heat provided in the form of a temperature difference to a nonheat form of energy. Heat is directed through a heating loop in thermal contact with a first side of the thermodynamic engine. A second side of the thermodynamic engine is coupled to an environmental cooling loop in thermal contact with an environmental cooling device. The thermodynamic engine is operated to dispense heat from the second side of the thermodynamic engine through the environmental cooling loop into the environmental cooling device. Operation of the thermodynamic engine thereby generates the nonheat form of energy from the temperature difference established between the first side and the second side of the thermodynamic engine. | 10-16-2008 |
20090038307 | DIRECT CONTACT THERMAL EXCHANGE HEAT ENGINE OR HEAT PUMP - Systems and methods for operating a thermodynamic engine are disclosed. The systems and methods may effect cyclic motion of a working fluid between hot and cold regions of a thermodynamic engine and inject a dispersible material into the working fluid at the hot or cold region during a heat-addition or heat-rejection process. The system and methods may also evacuate the dispersible material from the hot or cold region. | 02-12-2009 |
20110030753 | CONTROL OF POWER GENERATION SYSTEM HAVING THERMAL ENERGY AND THERMODYNAMIC ENGINE COMPONENTS - A thermal source provides heat to a heat engine and or one or more thermal demands, including space and water heating and heat storage. Additionally the output of the heat engine may be used for local in situ electricity needs, or directed out over the grid. A system controller monitors conditions of the components of the system, and operates that system in modes that maximize a particular benefit, such as a total accrued desired benefit obtained such as reduced electricity cost, reduced fossil fuel use, maximized return on investment and other factors. The controller may use past history of use of the system to optimize the next mode of operation, or both past and future events such as predicted solar insolation. | 02-10-2011 |
20120102948 | POWER GENERATION AND SPACE CONDITIONING USING A THERMODYNAMIC ENGINE DRIVEN THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL HEATING AND COOLING - A thermodynamic engine is configured to convert heat provided in the form of a temperature difference to a nonheat form of energy. Heat is directed through a heating loop in thermal contact with a first side of the thermodynamic engine. A second side of the thermodynamic engine is coupled to an environmental cooling loop in thermal contact with an environmental cooling device. The thermodynamic engine is operated to dispense heat from the second side of the thermodynamic engine through the environmental cooling loop into the environmental cooling device. Operation of the thermodynamic engine thereby generates the nonheat form of energy from the temperature difference established between the first side and the second side of the thermodynamic engine. | 05-03-2012 |
20130011756 | CELLULOSIC BIOMASS PROCESSING FOR HYDROGEN EXTRACTION - Methods are disclosed for extracting hydrogen from a biomass compound comprising carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen. The biomass may include cellulose, lignin, and/or hemicellulose. Water is combined with the compound to produce a wet form of the compound. The wet form of the compound is transferred into a reaction processing chamber. The wet form of the compound is heated within the reaction chamber such that elements of the compound dissociate and react, with one reaction product comprising hydrogen gas. The hydrogen gas is processed to generate electrical power. | 01-10-2013 |
20130171532 | CONVERSION OF C-O-H COMPOUNDS INTO HYDROGEN FOR POWER OR HEAT GENERATION - Methods are disclosed for generating electrical power from a compound comprising carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen. Water is combined with the compound to produce a wet form of the compound. The wet form of the compound is transferred into a reaction processing chamber. The wet form of the compound is heated within the reaction chamber such that elements of the compound dissociate and react, with one reaction product comprising hydrogen gas. The hydrogen gas is processed to generate electrical power. | 07-04-2013 |
20140059921 | METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND DEVICES FOR CONTINUOUS LIQUID FUEL PRODUCTION FROM BIOMASS - Methods, systems, and devices for continuous production of liquid fuels from biomass are provided. Some embodiments utilize a thermochemical process to produce a bio-oil in parallel with a thermochemical process to produce a hydrogen-rich synthesis gas. Both product streams may be fed into a third reaction chamber that may enrich the bio-oil with the hydrogen gas, for example, in a continuous production process. One product stream may include a liquid fuel such as diesel. Some embodiments may also produce other product streams including, but not limited to, electrical power generation and/or biochar. | 03-06-2014 |
20140093446 | METHODS, SYSTEMS, AND DEVICES FOR SYNTHESIS GAS RECAPTURE - Methods, systems, and/or devices for synthesis gas recapture are provided, which may include methods, systems, and/or devices for filtering a synthesis gas stream. In some cases, tars, particulates, water, and/or heat may be removed from the synthesis gas stream through the filtering of the synthesis gas stream. The filtered synthesis gas stream may then be captured and/or utilized in a variety of different ways. Some embodiments utilizing a C—O—H compound to filter a synthesis gas stream. In some embodiments, the C—O—H compound utilized to filter the synthesis gas stream may be utilized to produce additional synthesis gas. The additional synthesis gas may be filtered by additional C—O—H compound. | 04-03-2014 |
20140287333 | CONVERSION OF C-O-H COMPOUNDS INTO HYDROGEN FOR POWER OR HEAT GENERATION - Methods are disclosed for generating electrical power from a compound comprising carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen. Water is combined with the compound to produce a wet form of the compound. The wet form of the compound is transferred into a reaction processing chamber. The wet form of the compound is heated within the reaction chamber such that elements of the compound dissociate and react, with one reaction product comprising hydrogen gas. The hydrogen gas is processed to generate electrical power. | 09-25-2014 |