A means to increase the thermal efficiency of a steam electric generating system by increasing temperatures and interposing a device, such as a gas turbine, between the heat source and the conventional steam-turbine generator to convert some of the additi ...

A federal government agency created in 1977, that is entrusted to contribute to the welfare of the United States by providing technical information, and a scientific and educational foundation for technology, policy and institutional leadership to achieve ...

A geothermal energy resource that consists of high temperature rocks above 300 F (150 C) that may be fractured and have little or no water. To extract the heat, the rock must first be fractured, then water is injected into the rock and pumped out to extra ...

The environmental, social, and economic impacts of producing a good or service that are not directly reflected in the market price of the good or service.

Plant-like organisms with cells with distinct nuclei surrounded by nuclear membranes, incapable of photosynthesis. Fungi are decomposers of waste organisms and exist as yeast, mold, or mildew.

A type of heating system where water is heated in a boiler and either moves by natural convection or is pumped to heat exchangers or radiators in rooms; radiant floor systems have a grid of tubing laid out in the floor for distributing heat. The temperatu ...

Natural gas (methane) that has been compressed to a higher pressure gaseous state by a compressor; used in CNG vehicles.

The part of a wind energy conversion device blade, or airfoil, that is the last to contact the wind.

The measure of the instantaneous energy efficiency of room air conditioners; the cooling capacity in Btu/hr divided by the watts of power consumed at a specific outdoor temperature (usually 95 degrees Fahrenheit).

A device used to protect the user of any electrical system or appliance from shock.

A fluorescent lamp that has a tubular shape.

A type of solar thermal collector where the heat transfer fluid flows through tubes formed in the absorber plate.

To condition/cool air by dessication.

Any machine capable of producing power to do work. An electric or hydraulic motor, steam engine or similar drive, acting directly on the deck machinery. Note—In a diesel electric motor is the prime mover.

A clear, colorless, very mobile liquid that is flammable and poisonous; used as a fuel and fuel additive, and to produce chemicals.

The energy liberated in a chemical reaction, as in the combustion of fuels.

An optical device for concentrating light that is made of concentric rings that are faced at different angles so that light falling on any ring is focused to the same point.

A condition that can occur in a solar collector if the working fluid does not circulate when sun is shining on the collector.

The energy lost from the movement of a fluid in a conduit (pipe) due to the disturbances created by the contact of the moving fluid with the surfaces of the conduit, or the additional pressure that a pump must provide to overcome the resistance to fluid f ...

One horsepower provided over one hour; equal to 0.745 kilowatt-hour or 2,545 Btu.