A system includes a layered structure. The layered structure includes first and second coalesced layers and an intermediate layer disposed between the first and second coalesced layers. The first and second coalesced layers have a higher degree of coalescence than the intermediate layer.

A system includes a layered structure. The layered structure includes first and second coalesced layers and an intermediate layer disposed between the first and second coalesced layers. The first and second coalesced layers have a higher degree of coalescence than the intermediate layer.

A combustion device includes: a gas proportional valve; a control portion; a driving circuit; and a monitoring circuit. The monitoring circuit includes: a voltage generating portion configured to generate monitoring voltages corresponding to a driving current; and a branch output portion configured to output the monitoring voltages to a plurality of terminals of the control portion. When a voltage difference between the monitoring voltages input to the plurality of terminals is a determination reference value or more, the control portion determines that there is a failure of the monitoring circuit. When the voltage difference between the monitoring voltages is less than the determination reference value, and at least one of the monitoring voltages does not fall within a predetermined normal range while the gas proportional valve is controlled to become a predetermined state, the control portion determines that there is the failure of the monitoring circuit.

A novel carbon formation reactor for forming carbon from a carbon-bearing fluidic stream, and method of using the same, is described. The reactor uses a catalyst bearing surface placed within a heated zone in a carbon-bearing fluidic stream to form carbon, which can then be removed from the reactor, with the process repeatable to achieve high extraction efficiencies.

Gas meter and center device are provided. Gas meter includes flow rate measurer that measures a flow rate of gas in time series. Center device receives and analyzes flow rate data from gas meter, and monitors states of use of gas appliances. Gas meter detects the start of operation of gas appliances, and transmits flow rate data during predetermined periods before and after the start of operation in accordance with a request from center device. Center device monitors the states of use of gas appliances based on the received flow rate data.

Gas meter and center device are provided. Gas meter includes flow rate measurer that measures a flow rate of gas in time series. Center device receives and analyzes flow rate data from gas meter, and monitors states of use of gas appliances. Gas meter detects the start of operation of gas appliances, and transmits flow rate data during predetermined periods before and after the start of operation in accordance with a request from center device. Center device monitors the states of use of gas appliances based on the received flow rate data.

A system and method for recycling flare gas back to a processing facility that selectively employs different numbers of ejector legs depending on the flare gas flowrate. The ejector legs include ejectors piped in parallel, each ejector has a flare gas inlet and a motive fluid inlet. Valves are disposed in piping upstream of the flare gas and motive fluid inlets on the ejectors, and that are selectively opened or closed to allow flow through the ejectors. The flowrate of the flare gas is monitored and distributed to a controller, which is programmed to calculate the required number of ejector legs to accommodate the amount of flare gas. The controller is also programmed to direct signals to actuators attached to the valves, which open or close the valves to change the capacity of the ejector legs so they can handle changing flowrates of the flare gas.

A system and method for recycling flare gas back to a processing facility that selectively employs different numbers of ejector legs depending on the flare gas flowrate. The ejector legs include ejectors piped in parallel, each ejector has a flare gas inlet and a motive fluid inlet. Valves are disposed in piping upstream of the flare gas and motive fluid inlets on the ejectors, and that are selectively opened or closed to allow flow through the ejectors. The flowrate of the flare gas is monitored and distributed to a controller, which is programmed to calculate the required number of ejector legs to accommodate the amount of flare gas. The controller is also programmed to direct signals to actuators attached to the valves, which open or close the valves to change the capacity of the ejector legs so they can handle changing flowrates of the flare gas.

A fluid flow diverter is provided that includes a diverter body having four ports, a rotating plenum located within the diverter body, and a purge fluid assembly that supplies a purge fluid to the plenum. The plenum has two stop positions that each define a fluid flow path through the diverter. In the first fluid flow path, a first fluid stream goes between the first and second ports, and a second fluid stream goes between the fourth and third ports. In the second flow path, a first fluid stream goes between the first and third ports, and a second fluid stream goes between the fourth and second ports. The purge fluid supplied to the plenum creates a positive pressure fluid barrier that prevents or minimizes cross-contamination of the two fluid streams through the diverter. Also provided is a regenerative thermal oxidizer that includes such a fluid flow diverter.

A fluid flow diverter is provided that includes a diverter body having four ports, a rotating plenum located within the diverter body, and a purge fluid assembly that supplies a purge fluid to the plenum. The plenum has two stop positions that each define a fluid flow path through the diverter. In the first fluid flow path, a first fluid stream goes between the first and second ports, and a second fluid stream goes between the fourth and third ports. In the second flow path, a first fluid stream goes between the first and third ports, and a second fluid stream goes between the fourth and second ports. The purge fluid supplied to the plenum creates a positive pressure fluid barrier that prevents or minimizes cross-contamination of the two fluid streams through the diverter. Also provided is a regenerative thermal oxidizer that includes such a fluid flow diverter.