An automatically flushing water heater maintenance system may be provided, the system including a water heater and a water heater controller. The water heater may include an inlet, an outlet, and a flush outlet having a first control valve in flow communication therewith. The first control valve may be configured to control a flow of water and sediment through the flush outlet out of the water heater. The water heater controller may be configured to communicate with the first control valve by transmitting a first control signal to the first control valve, the first control signal configured to cause the first control valve to open or close as part of an automatic flushing process. As a result of the flushing, the useful life of the water heater may be extended, and/or water heater leakage alleviated. Insurance discounts may be provided based upon using the automatic water heater flushing functionality.

Disclosed herein is a flue pipe system comprising a flue pipe, a first electrode, a second electrode, a third electrode, and a voltage supply. The flue pipe can define a fluid flow path through an interior volume of the flue pipe. The voltage supply can be connected to the first electrode, the second electrode, and the third electrode. The voltage supply can form a first electrical circuit comprising the voltage supply, the first electrode, and the third electrode and a second electrical circuit comprising the voltage supply, the second electrode, and the third electrode. The first electrical circuit can form a streamer corona discharge between the first electrode and the third electrode in the interior volume such that the fluid flow path flows therethrough. The second electrical circuit can form a flow of ions between the second electrode and the third electrode along the interior surface of the flue pipe.

A fan assembly comprising an air inlet, at least one air outlet, an impeller, a motor for rotating the impeller to draw air through the air inlet, at least one heater assembly, and a user interface for allowing a user to select a speed setting for the motor from a user selectable range of speed settings, and for allowing a user to select one of a first and second operational mode of the fan assembly. A rotational speed of the motor is set depending on the user selected speed setting, and is selected from a first range of values when the first operational mode of the fan assembly has been selected, and from at least one second range of values when the second operational mode of the fan assembly has been selected, with each value within each of the range of values being associated with a respective speed setting.

A method of hydraulic fracturing of an oil producing formation includes the provision of a heating apparatus which is transportable and that has a vessel for containing water. A water stream of cool or cold water is transmitted from a source to a means for increasing the temperature of the cool or cold water, the cool or cold water stream being at ambient temperature. The means for increasing the temperature of the cool or cold water has an inlet that receives cool or cold water from the source and an outlet that enables a discharge of a mix of cool or cold water and the hot water. After mixing in the means for increasing the temperature of the cool or cold water, the water assumes a temperature that is suitable for mixing with chemicals that are used in the fracturing process, such as a temperature of about 40°-120° F.+ (4.4° - 48.9° C.+). An outlet discharges a mix of the cool or cold and hot water to tanks. In the mixing tanks, a proppant and an optional selected chemical or chemicals are added to the water which has been warmed. From the tanks, the water with proppant and optional chemicals is injected into the well for part of the hydraulic fracturing operation.

A method of hydraulic fracturing of an oil producing formation includes the provision of a heating apparatus which is transportable and that has a vessel for containing water. A water stream of cool or cold water is transmitted from a source to a means for increasing the temperature of the cool or cold water, the cool or cold water stream being at ambient temperature. The means for increasing the temperature of the cool or cold water has an inlet that receives cool or cold water from the source and an outlet that enables a discharge of a mix of cool or cold water and the hot water. After mixing in the means for increasing the temperature of the cool or cold water, the water assumes a temperature that is suitable for mixing with chemicals that are used in the fracturing process, such as a temperature of about 40°-120° F.+ (4.4° - 48.9° C.+). An outlet discharges a mix of the cool or cold and hot water to tanks. In the mixing tanks, a proppant and an optional selected chemical or chemicals are added to the water which has been warmed. From the tanks, the water with proppant and optional chemicals is injected into the well for part of the hydraulic fracturing operation.

The present disclosure provides a water heating system for efficient heating of water for immediate use that fits either to industrial applications or household applications. The water heating system is suitable to be combined with a solar heating unit and it can be operated on electric power or on gas-based heating units for providing hot water to multiple consumers for household or industrial utilization. Furthermore, the system can be stand-alone, operating without any additional water heating system and can provide an immediate stream of hot water, e.g. it can be installed within a water supplying appliance. The water can operate in two modes: (1) heating for immediate use of hot water; and (2) heating water to be contained in a reservoir for later use. The system uses a two (bi) directional flow valve.

A method of hydraulic fracturing of an oil producing formation includes the provision of a heating apparatus which is transportable and that has a vessel for containing water. A water stream of cool or cold water is transmitted from a source to a manifold, the cool or cold water stream being at ambient temperature. The manifold has an inlet that receives cool or cold water from the source and an outlet that enables a discharge of a mix of cool or cold water and the hot water. After mixing in the manifold, the water assumes a temperature that is suitable for mixing with chemicals that are used in the fracturing process, such as a temperature of about 40°-120° F.+(4.4-48.9 C+). An outlet discharges a mix of the cool or cold and hot water to tanks. In the tanks, a proppant and an optional selected chemical or chemicals are added to the water which has been warmed. From the tanks, the water with proppant and optional chemicals is injected into the well for part of the hydraulic fracturing operation.

A method of hydraulic fracturing of an oil producing formation includes the provision of a heating apparatus which is transportable and that has a vessel for containing water. A water stream of cool or cold water is transmitted from a source to a manifold, the cool or cold water stream being at ambient temperature. The manifold has an inlet that receives cool or cold water from the source and an outlet that enables a discharge of a mix of cool or cold water and the hot water. After mixing in the manifold, the water assumes a temperature that is suitable for mixing with chemicals that are used in the fracturing process, such as a temperature of about 40°-120° F.+(4.4-48.9 C+). An outlet discharges a mix of the cool or cold and hot water to tanks. In the tanks, a proppant and an optional selected chemical or chemicals are added to the water which has been warmed. From the tanks, the water with proppant and optional chemicals is injected into the well for part of the hydraulic fracturing operation.

The metal tank portion of an electric water heater is protected against corrosion utilizing a corrosion protection system that detects a voltage potential between the sheath portion of a tank water-immersed electric heating element and the tank. In one embodiment of the corrosion protection system the sensed sheath/tank potential is utilized to enable a user of the water heater to accurately gauge the necessity of replacing a sacrificial anode extending into the tank. In another corrosion protection system, the sensed sheath/tank potential is utilized to provide impressed current cathodic protection of the tank and also to prevent dry firing of the electric water heater.

A baffle for a thermal transfer device can include a body having a multiple first apertures that traverse therethrough, where each first aperture has a first outer perimeter that includes a first base shape and at least one first protrusion extending from the first base shape. Each of the first apertures is configured to receive a tube. The first base shape of each first aperture has a first shape and a first size that is configured to be substantially the same as the first shape and the first size of an end of a tube.