A solid hydrogen storage device provides an improved heat-transfer efficiency by improving the contact properties between heat-exchange tubes and heat-transfer fins. The solid hydrogen storage device includes a heat-transfer fin including a plurality of tube through holes, a heating tube, and a cooling tube. The heating tube and the cooling tube respectively extend through the tube through holes, and the heating tube and the cooling tube have different coefficients of thermal expansion.

There is provided a release valve for releasing fluid from a source of compressed fluid for inflating an inflatable structure, comprising: a housing comprising an inlet for coupling to a source of compressed fluid, and an outlet; a flow chamber disposed within the housing and forming part of a flow path from the inlet to the outlet; a valve member configured to move to a release position to permit fluid to flow from the inlet to the flow chamber; and an actuator and a biasing device, wherein the actuator and the biasing device are disposed in the flow chamber, the actuator configured to move through the flow chamber from an unactuated position to an actuated position to move the valve member to the release position.

A method for automatically dispensing and vending carbon dioxide (CO2) snow block is disclosed. The automatic dispensing system contains multiple containers of different volumes. A user can input the volume of CO2 snow block into a controller, such as a programmable logic controller (PLC). The controller uses the inputted volume and process information to determine which container to utilize for the automated filling process. The controller can configure the selected container into a filling orientation into which liquid CO2 can flow to generate CO2 snow block. Upon detection of the completion of the fill, the container is configured into a dispensing orientation from which the CO2 snow block is released into an access region from which the user can retrieve the CO2 snow block. The control methodology may also be used to auto charge a single container located within a charging station as disclosed herein.

A method for automatically dispensing and vending carbon dioxide (CO2) snow block is disclosed. The automatic dispensing system contains multiple containers of different volumes. A user can input the volume of CO2 snow block into a controller, such as a programmable logic controller (PLC). The controller uses the inputted volume and process information to determine which container to utilize for the automated filling process. The controller can configure the selected container into a filling orientation into which liquid CO2 can flow to generate CO2 snow block. Upon detection of the completion of the fill, the container is configured into a dispensing orientation from which the CO2 snow block is released into an access region from which the user can retrieve the CO2 snow block. The control methodology may also be used to auto charge a single container located within a charging station as disclosed herein.

A methane transportation system is provided. The system may include a methane source configured to dispense methane at a first location, and an underwater vehicle. The underwater vehicle may include a propulsion system configured to transport the underwater vehicle underwater from the first location to a second location and a vessel defining a storage chamber configured to receive water and the methane from the methane source. The storage chamber of the vessel may have a pressure exceeding one atmosphere and a temperature during transport from the first location to the second location sufficient to form methane clathrate in the storage chamber. The system may further include a methane receiver configured to receive the methane released from the storage chamber at the second location. Related methods are also provided.

A method of recovering energy produced by the change of phase of dry ice using a device having an enclosure (2) containing dry ice at an infra-atmospheric pressure and at a solidification temperature corresponding to the infra-atmospheric pressure; and a primary energy recovery circuit (3), in which a heat transfer fluid circulates, passing through the enclosure. The method involves passage of the heat transfer fluid into the primary circuit (3), this step causing the heating of the dry ice and its change of phase into CO2 and the cooling of the heat transfer fluid; extraction of the CO2 contained in the enclosure (2); and substantially continuous lowering of the pressure of the enclosure (2) to an infra-atmospheric pressure.

A supply control system for a tank utilized in a semiconductor manufacturing process is disclosed. The supply control system for the tank according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of tanks for storing a large amount of process material used to manufacture a semiconductor; a main-supply pipe configured to communicate with sub-supply pipes respectively coupled to the plurality of tanks and to supply process material to a semiconductor manufacturing device; a plurality of flow control devices respectively included in the sub-supply pipes and configured to control a process material flow rate discharged from each of the plurality of tanks; a sensor included in the main-supply pipe and configured to measure in real time the process material flow rate and a process material supply pressure supplied from each of the plurality of tanks to the semiconductor manufacturing device; a back-up portion coupled to the main-supply pipe and configured to supplementally discharge stored process material, such that process material is stably supplied to the semiconductor manufacturing device; and a controller configured to control the plurality of flow control devices and the back-up portion based on information on the process material flow rate or information on the process material supply pressure measured by the sensor, such that a set process material flow rate is supplied to the semiconductor manufacturing device through the main-supply pipe.

A dry ice receptacle is described. The dry ice receptacle includes a first portion defining a first opening, a second portion defining a second opening, and a curved exterior sidewall extending between the first portion and the second portion, and connecting the first portion and second portion, to define a receiving chamber arranged to contain a volume of dry ice. The dry ice receptacle also includes a curved interior sidewall extending between the first opening and the second opening. The interior sidewall is radially inward of the exterior sidewall and defines a straw channel, which may at least partially taper between the first opening and the second opening, and which is configured to receive a drinking straw. A fluid reservoir may also be included to allow accumulation of liquid under the straw channel.

A system delivers carbon dioxide to a sequestration facility which may have photosynthetic organisms, such as crops, plants, and trees. The system has a containment structure which houses a volume of liquid or solid carbon dioxide (dry ice). The containment structure has a containment structure inlet and a containment structure outlet. A gas source provides a fluid to the containment structure through the containment structure inlet. Upon entry into the containment structure, the gas or a saturated liquid encounters the solid or liquid carbon dioxide causing sublimation or evaporation, resulting in the formation of carbon dioxide gas or liquid which flows out of the containment structure through the containment structure outlet. The gas entering the containment structure may also have subcooled CO2 liquid or solid (snow), which replenishes the solid or liquid within the containment structure. To supplement evaporation or sublimation of the subcooled liquid or solid, heating means are used. A distribution line connected to the containment structure outlet delivers carbon dioxide gas or liquid which is flashed to gas upon release by CO2 emitters to the photosynthetic organisms.

A solid hydrogen storage device provides an improved heat-transfer efficiency by improving the contact properties between heat-exchange tubes and heat-transfer fins. The solid hydrogen storage device includes a heat-transfer fin including a plurality of tube through holes, a heating tube, and a cooling tube. The heating tube and the cooling tube respectively extend through the tube through holes, and the heating tube and the cooling tube have different coefficients of thermal expansion.