A method controls an air handler that generates heated air from hot water generated by a water heater. The method includes generating a signal in the presence or absence of an indicia of water flow associated with the water heater; initiating operation of a pump associated with the air handler when the signal indicates that water flow associated with the water heater is at least at a selected level to supply hot water to the air handler sufficient to generate heated air; and/or terminating operation of the pump and/or a blower/fan associated with the air handler when the presence or absence signal indicates that the water flow associated with the water heater is less than the selected level.

A method controls an air handler that generates heated air from hot water generated by a water heater. The method includes generating a signal in the presence or absence of an indicia of water flow associated with the water heater; initiating operation of a pump associated with the air handler when the signal indicates that water flow associated with the water heater is at least at a selected level to supply hot water to the air handler sufficient to generate heated air; and/or terminating operation of the pump and/or a blower/fan associated with the air handler when the presence or absence signal indicates that the water flow associated with the water heater is less than the selected level.

A method of connecting a heat exchanger, which is used primarily in oil and gas operations to heat tanks of liquids, such as drilling mud, water, heavy oil or other such fluids from freezing or becoming too viscous to pump, to a tank.

A method of connecting a heat exchanger, which is used primarily in oil and gas operations to heat tanks of liquids, such as drilling mud, water, heavy oil or other such fluids from freezing or becoming too viscous to pump, to a tank.

A plasma heating apparatus including a boiler vessel for holding water to be heated, a cathode housed in the vessel, the cathode defining a watertight cathode chamber isolated from the water in the vessel, and, an anode housed in the cathode chamber, the anode including an internal passage for receiving a gas from outside of the vessel when the passage is connected to a gas supply, and wherein the anode is connectable to a power source for receiving power for generating a plasma in the cathode chamber. In another aspect, the present disclosure relates to a heat or power generating system or plant including the plasma heating apparatus.

The disclosed technology includes a controller for a cascade boiler system having both condensing and non-condensing boilers. The controller can receive supply water temperature data and return water temperature data to determine a current temperature differential in the system. The controller can determine a current load demand value using the current temperature differential and a set point temperature. If the current load demand value is less than or equal to a first load demand threshold, the controller can output a control signal for a condensing boiler to transition to a heating mode. If the current load demand value is greater than a second load demand threshold, the controller can output a control signal for a non-condensing boiler to transition to a heating mode.

A diffuser is provided for use in a thermal storage tank. The diffuser includes a fluid inlet to receive a flow of liquid into the diffuser, and a fluid outlet to discharge the flow of liquid out of the diffuser into an internal volume of the thermal storage tank. A flow circuit extends between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. A plurality of flow sections are sequentially arranged along the flow circuit. Each one of the plurality of flow sections defines a cross-sectional flow area for the flow of liquid. The cross-sectional flow area within any one of the plurality of flow sections is greater than the cross-sectional flow area within any of the plurality of flow sections arranged upstream of said one of the plurality of flow sections.

A diffuser is provided for use in a thermal storage tank. The diffuser includes a fluid inlet to receive a flow of liquid into the diffuser, and a fluid outlet to discharge the flow of liquid out of the diffuser into an internal volume of the thermal storage tank. A flow circuit extends between the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet. A plurality of flow sections are sequentially arranged along the flow circuit. Each one of the plurality of flow sections defines a cross-sectional flow area for the flow of liquid. The cross-sectional flow area within any one of the plurality of flow sections is greater than the cross-sectional flow area within any of the plurality of flow sections arranged upstream of said one of the plurality of flow sections.

The disclosed technology includes a controller for a cascade boiler system having both condensing and non-condensing boilers. The controller can receive supply water temperature data and return water temperature data to determine a current temperature differential in the system. The controller can determine a current load demand value using the current temperature differential and a set point temperature. If the current load demand value is less than or equal to a first load demand threshold, the controller can output a control signal for a condensing boiler to transition to a heating mode. If the current load demand value is greater than a second load demand threshold, the controller can output a control signal for a non-condensing boiler to transition to a heating mode.

An improved boiler apparatus having multiple resistive heating elements are provided with fixed resistances that can be rewired to allow dual voltage capability and at the same time, reduced watt density. For 120V operation, the large diameter 9-ohm coil is used alone to provide the lowest possible watt density. For 240V operation, all three heating coils are wired in series, creating a low watt density but high wattage heater.