Abstract:
A method and apparatus according to the invention is described, which in a first mode operates as an internal combustion engine delivering energy and in a second mode operates as a pulsed compression reactor converting electrical energy in the form of chemical compounds. In the second mode, at least one of the generated compounds is collected and temporarily stored.
Abstract:
A pressure vessel has a restraint structure for accommodating thermal cycling thereof, including: a body with a cylindrical section; a skirt connected to the body and having a foot; and a plurality of blocks disposed around the skirt adjacent to the foot. Each block is anchored to a support frame or foundation, and has a base and a flange. Each flange overlaps the foot, thereby vertically linking the blocks and the skirt. A radial clearance is formed between an outer surface of the foot and an inner surface of each base. A vertical clearance is formed between an upper surface of the foot and a lower surface of each flange.
Abstract:
Provided is a discharge device for discharging pretreated biomass from a pressurized reactor. The device comprises: a vessel having an opening to a high pressure region at the top, and configured to be connected with a pressurized biomass pretreatment device; one or more inlet openings situated along the sides of the vessels through which water or liquid may be added; an orifice or valve at a lower part of said vessel, said orifice or valve being configured to eject pretreated biomass, optionally into a pipeline. The discharge device is characterised in that it comprises mechanical agitation means, said agitation means comprising an agitation element arranged in the interior of said vessel at a lower part of said vessel, and being configured to provide agitation of the content of said vessel, wherein said agitation means being adapted to withstand a pressure in the interior of a said vessel of 10 bar or more. The agitation means provides for a temperature equalization within a specific vertical range of heights of an aqueous slurry present in said vessel, thereby eliminating disadvantages of the prior art devices and methods.
Abstract:
There are provided a cluster of thin sheet graphite crystals or the like which is useful as an electrode material for lithium ion batteries, hybrid capacitors and the like, and a method for efficiently producing the same at high productivity. The method is one for producing a cluster of thin sheet graphite crystals composed of aggregates in such a state that thin sheet graphite crystals extend from the inside toward the outside, comprising charging a powdery and/or particulate material of an organic compound pre-baked to an extent of containing remaining hydrogen in a graphite vessel, and subjecting the powdery and/or particulate material together with the vessel to hot isostatic pressing treatment (HIP treatment) using a compressed gas atmosphere under the predetermined conditions.
Abstract:
A control system of a surgery autoclave is described, which is capable of establishing a sterilization cycle which includes at least a first evacuation step of a sterilization chamber and of heating of a load and a final drying step. The autoclave includes a device capable of detecting a parameter proportional to the energy used up in a step of the cycle preceding the drying step and the control system establishes at least a reduction of the drying step upon determining that, the parameter of used up energy lies below a preset threshold.
Abstract:
An apparatus and method for processing materials in supercritical fluids is disclosed. The apparatus includes a capsule configured to contain a supercritical fluid, a high strength enclosure disposed about the capsule and a sensor configured to sense pressure difference between an interior and an exterior of the capsule. The apparatus also includes a pressure control device configured to adjust pressure difference of the capsule in response to the pressure difference sensed by the sensor. The apparatus further includes at least one dividing structure disposed within the capsule that divides the capsule into a seed growing chamber and a nutrient chamber.
Abstract:
An apparatus for treating material includes a pressure vessel and an agitation device for agitating the material received in the pressure vessel. The agitation device may include a drum which may be rotatably arranged inside the pressure vessel and which has an inner space for receiving the material that is introduced into the pressure vessel. The agitation device may include one or more agitation blades mounted in the drum so as to act on the material received in the inner space of the drum as the drum rotates in relation to the pressure vessel. A drive mechanism may rotate the drum in relation to the pressure vessel. Waste, such as garbage, may be treated with steam and pressure using the apparatus.