The present invention relates to a method for operating a fluidized bed apparatus and to a fluidized bed apparatus, the method comprising the following steps: providing particulate metal to a reaction chamber of a fluidized bed reactor, providing an oxidizing agent to a fluidizing bottom of the fluidized bed reactor such that particulate matter comprising the particulate metal is fluidized, wherein the particulate metal reacts with the oxidizing agent to particulate metal oxide, withdrawing particulate metal oxide from the reaction chamber, storing the withdrawn particulate metal oxide, providing particulate metal oxide to the reaction chamber of the fluidized bed reactor, providing a reducing agent containing gas to the fluidizing bottom of the fluidized bed reactor such that particulate matter comprising the particulate metal oxide is fluidized, wherein the particulate metal oxide reacts with the reducing agent to particulate metal, withdrawing the particulate metal from the reaction chamber, storing the withdrawn particulate metal.

A method and apparatus which provides the ability to capture natural gas which would otherwise be vented from control valves and use the captured natural gas to power a low pressure pilot light of a burner and/or to power a natural gas engine. In one embodiment, the captured natural gas can be supplemented with an additional supply of natural gas to ensure operation of the pilot and/or natural gas engine in the even that the captured natural gas is not sufficient to provide continuous power of the pilot and/or engine. Optionally, the captured natural gas can be sequestered in a storage vessel.

A combustible ice efficient combustion system comprises a combustible ice storage unit and a combustion unit, the front end of the furnace of the combustion unit is provided with a combustor, the rear end of the furnace of the combustion unit is connected with a flue gas main pipe, the combustor is provided with a first fuel gas inlet, a second fuel gas inlet, a combustion-supporting gas inlet and a flue gas outlet, the first fuel gas inlet is provided with a combustion nozzle, the combustion nozzle is provided with a first gas inlet, a second gas inlet and a mixed gas outlet, the first gas inlet is connected with the combustible ice storage unit through a high-pressure natural gas pipeline, the second gas inlet is connected with an air source, and the mixed gas outlet is connected with the first fuel gas inlet of the combustor.

The invention concerns a system for energy and environmental optimisation of a facility comprising at least one combustion apparatus (1) with a burner (3). The system comprises an electrolyser (2) and an injection system (4) connected to at least one fuel (3a) and/or oxidant (3b) inlet of the burner (3). The injection system is capable of injecting, at such an inlet, gases from the electrolyser (2) and/or a mixture of these gases and a combustible fluid and/or an oxidising fluid. The electrolyser (2) and/or the injection system (2) are controlled on the basis of at least one piece of information originating from the combustion apparatus (1) and/or sensors (6x) of the installation. The electrolyser can comprise a heat exchanger (2a) for cooling the device and/or preheating the water (EP) that is intended to then be heated (EC) by the combustion apparatus (1).

The present invention relates to a method for operating a fluidized bed apparatus and to a fluidized bed apparatus, the method comprising the following steps: providing particulate metal to a reaction chamber of a fluidized bed reactor, providing an oxidizing agent to a fluidizing bottom of the fluidized bed reactor such that particulate matter comprising the particulate metal is fluidized, wherein the particulate metal reacts with the oxidizing agent to particulate metal oxide, withdrawing particulate metal oxide from the reaction chamber, storing the withdrawn particulate metal oxide, providing particulate metal oxide to the reaction chamber of the fluidized bed reactor, providing a reducing agent containing gas to the fluidizing bottom of the fluidized bed reactor such that particulate matter comprising the particulate metal oxide is fluidized, wherein the particulate metal oxide reacts with the reducing agent to particulate metal, withdrawing the particulate metal from the reaction chamber, storing the withdrawn particulate metal.

A solid fuel boiler with one or more fuel chutes configured to pre-dry wet solid fuel prior to loading into a combustion chamber of the boiler, enabling higher thermal efficiencies and burning less fuel to produce the same steam quantity. The pre-drying fuel chutes pass through the boiler where hot combustion gases radiantly and convectivelyheat the chute walls to dry the wet solid fuel by radiant, convective, and/or conductive heating. Agitator mechanisms or structures within the chute mix the fuel for uniform heating, break up clumps of wet fuel, regulate the speed of falling fuel, prevent sticking, dry the fuel by means of steam and/or hot air, transport and deliver a cooling medium while a chute is offline in an operating boiler, and suppress fire using steam injection. Fuel from the chute can flow into a fuel storage bin or directly into the combustion zone of the furnace.

A system for fluidizing and conveying a powdery product is provided. The system includes plurality of powder-locking and metering vessels, the vessels each having a conveying line for the powdery product and a control mechanism for the mass flow of the powdery product. The conveying lines are brought together to form a common conveying line and are supplied to a remover of the powdery product. The powder-locking and metering vessels are alternatively fed with the powdery product and tensioned with the fluidizing gas under operating pressure. The control mechanisms of the powder-locking and metering vessels are activated in such a manner that the mass flow sum of powdery product in the conveying lines is identical to the desired value for the mass flow of powdery product to the remover of the powdery product.

The present disclosure provides tetra-substituted cyclobutane inhibitors of Androgen Receptor Action, and methods of using such inhibitors, for the treatment of hormone-refractory cancers.