A base is metal, ceramic, or a complex combining thereof, and has thereon multiple concave-convex patterns that are provided at one or more pitches equal to or less than 2 m, and a surface part 1a of the base 1 is porous.

A base is metal, ceramic, or a complex combining thereof, and has thereon multiple concave-convex patterns that are provided at one or more pitches equal to or less than 2 m, and a surface part 1a of the base 1 is porous.

An air permeable envelope has a gripper for securing the envelope to a seat. A mixture contained in the air permeable envelope can react exothermically upon exposure to air. A sealed bag that is relatively air impermeable, initially holds the air permeable envelope and mixture together with the gripper. Upon opening and unsealing the bag, the mixture is exposed to air in order to start an exothermic reaction. The envelope and the gripper are removed from the bag and the gripper is used to attach the envelope upon the seat to warm it.

A thermal energy storage system includes a heat exchange module having a quantity of phase change material and a quantity of reference gas in fluid communication with the phase change material. A sensor is provided for sensing the reference gas pressure and generating a pressure signal that is related to the reference gas pressure. The exchange of heat changes the heat of the phase change material, a change in the phase of the phase change material, and a change in the total volume of the phase change material. This changes the volume of the reference gas, and also changes the reference gas pressure. The sensor will detect and generate a signal of the reference gas pressure change and form this a change in the state of charge of the phase change material can be determined. A thermal energy storage system and method for storing thermal energy are also disclosed.

The present invention relates to an apparatus for supplying hot water and, more particularly, to a hot water supply apparatus using a revolving magnetic body, wherein the apparatus is driven with low power consumption while being environment-friendly and having excellent safety when hot water and heating are supplied, the apparatus including: a heat exchange body containing water, and including a circular heating pipe circumferentially provided in the heat exchange body; a stator provided to encompass an outside of the heat exchange body and wound with a plurality of coils, the stator being magnetized when an electric current is applied thereto, wherein the heating pipe includes therein a magnetic body that revolves along the circumference of the heating pipe due to a magnetic field formed by the stator, so that water is heated by frictional heat generated when the magnetic body revolves.

A module for a thermal power plant for condensing expelled vapors and cooling turbine effluent from the drained turbine includes a first unit designed to condense expelled vapors as well as a second unit designed to cool the turbine effluent, condensate from the first unit being transferable to the second unit.

An energy consumption controller may be communicatively coupled with a plurality of alternative energy sources and an engine. The controller may be configured to manage energy consumption from the alternative energy sources interconnected with the engine and to keep the engine within a desired temperature range. Within the desired temperature range, the engine will start and run at a full load more rapidly than if the engine cooled excessively. The controller may change the selected energy source as required, based on factors such as cost, engine maintenance and testing and/or imminent need of the engine.

A system uses nuclear fuel decay heat to heat a building. The system includes a plurality of fluidly-isolated but thermally-coupled heat removal flow loops that operate in tandem to absorb thermal energy originating from water in a spent nuclear fuel pool located in the building. The thermal energy is transferred in a cascading manner from a first flow loop to a final flow loop which has an external heat sink located outside the building. The heat sink can transfer heat to an ambient environment. A controller regulates the intake and flowrate of cooling water into the final flow loop. The controller also monitors fuel pool water temperature and air temperature inside the building. The controller can regulate the flowrate to maintain a predetermined building air temperature by allowing the fuel pool water temperature to rise to near a maximum permissible limit.

A system (1) for heating liquids includes an hydrosonic pump (2) for the heating of the mentioned liquid; a primary circuit (3) in turn comprising, at least: a storage (30) of the above-mentioned liquid or a heat exchanger (45); a plurality of pipes (31, 32), in order to get a mutual connection with the mentioned storage (30) or heat exchanger (45) with the said hydrosonic pump (20), at least one solenoid valve (34), to open and/or close the liquid circulation within the mentioned primary circuit (3), at least one sectioning valve (8), in order to adjust the flow rate of the mentioned liquid output from the said hydrosonic pump (2). The system (1) further comprises an optimizer (5) connected to and placed downstream of said hydrosonic pump (2), the optimizer cooperating with at least said primary circuit (3) to which it gives and transfers the thermal energy produced by said hydrosonic pump (2), said optimizer (5) comprising a low-capacity storage tank (52), operating at high pressure and thermally insulated.

A system (1) for heating liquids includes an hydrosonic pump (2) for the heating of the mentioned liquid; a primary circuit (3) in turn comprising, at least: a storage (30) of the above-mentioned liquid or a heat exchanger (45); a plurality of pipes (31, 32), in order to get a mutual connection with the mentioned storage (30) or heat exchanger (45) with the said hydrosonic pump (20), at least one solenoid valve (34), to open and/or close the liquid circulation within the mentioned primary circuit (3), at least one sectioning valve (8), in order to adjust the flow rate of the mentioned liquid output from the said hydrosonic pump (2). The system (1) further comprises an optimizer (5) connected to and placed downstream of said hydrosonic pump (2), the optimizer cooperating with at least said primary circuit (3) to which it gives and transfers the thermal energy produced by said hydrosonic pump (2), said optimizer (5) comprising a low-capacity storage tank (52), operating at high pressure and thermally insulated.