Abstract: A noise abatement wall includes a frame defining a window, at least one shell, at least one sheet of sound-insulating material and a sheet of screen material. The at least one shell has a base panel portion and a peripheral panel portion integrally formed with and extending perpendicularly from the base panel portion to surround the base panel portion thereby forming a shell cavity. The at least one shell is sized and configured to be received by the window in a close-fitting relationship therewith and is connected to the frame. The at least one sheet of sound-insulating material is disposed in and occupies the shell cavity. The sheet of screen material covers the at least one sheet of sound-insulating material and is connected to the frame. A plurality of noise abatement walls are connected together to form a noise abatement wall system for abating noise generated from stationary noise-generating equipment.

Abstract: A package of water treatment pellets includes a first container and a second container. The first container is fabricated from a water-dissolvable sheet material and the first container is filled with and encases the water treatment pellets. The second container is fabricated from a non-water-dissolvable, porous material and is sized and adapted to receive the first container filled with and encasing the water treatment pellets. A water treatment feeder device includes a hollow, box-shaped magazine body defining an internal magazine chamber and a plurality of porous holders disposed in the internal magazine chamber. Each one of the plurality of porous holders retains a respective one of the packages of water treatment pellets. A water treatment feeder system for a structure operative to circulate water thereabout incorporates the water treatment feeder device and the package of water treatment pellets.

Abstract: A method operates a heat exchanger unit and determines a current physical characteristic of a process fluid at or adjacent a process fluid outlet of the heat exchanger unit and predetermining a desired physical characteristic of the process fluid at which the process fluid is desired to exit the heat exchanger unit. If the current physical characteristic of the process fluid is greater than the desired physical characteristic of the process fluid, then either a current fan speed is incrementally increased or the current fan speed is set at a predetermined low set point fan speed. Alternatively, if the current physical characteristic of the process fluid is less than the desired physical characteristic of the process fluid, then either the current fan speed is incrementally decreased or the current fan speed is set at a predetermined high set point fan speed or an OFF operating mode is activated.

Abstract: A hybrid heat exchanger apparatus having a heat exchanger device with a hot fluid flowing therethrough includes a cooling water distribution system and an air flow mechanism for causing ambient air to flow across the heat exchanger device. The cooling water distribution system distributes evaporative cooling water onto the heat exchanger device to wet only a portion of the heat exchanger device while allowing a remaining portion of the heat exchanger device to be dry. The air flow mechanism causes ambient air to flow across the heat exchanger device to generate hot humid air from the ambient air flowing across the wet portion of the heat exchanger device and hot dry air from the ambient air flowing across the remaining dry portion of the heat exchanger device. Methods are also described.

Abstract: A water treatment feed device includes a hopper and a receptacle. The hopper has a granule-receiving compartment defined by an upper hopper portion and a lower V-shaped hopper portion connected to the upper hopper portion. The lower V-shaped hopper portion is fabricated from a porous material having a plurality of pores sized to at least substantially retain conventional water treatment granules therein. The receptacle has a water-receiving compartment with a weir disposed therein to divide the water-receiving compartment into a water inlet sub-compartment and a water outlet sub-compartment with the water inlet sub-compartment sized to receive the hopper loaded with conventional water treatment granules. A water treatment feed system and a method for dissolving conventional water treatment granules in water are also described.

Abstract: A package of water treatment pellets includes a first container and a second container. The first container is fabricated from a water-dissolvable sheet material and the first container is filled with and encases the water treatment pellets. The second container is fabricated from a non-water-dissolvable, porous material and is sized and adapted to receive the first container filled with and encasing the water treatment pellets. A water treatment feeder device includes a hollow, box-shaped magazine body defining an internal magazine chamber and a plurality of porous holders disposed in the internal magazine chamber. Each one of the plurality of porous holders retains a respective one of the packages of water treatment pellets. A water treatment feeder system for a structure operative to circulate water thereabout incorporates the water treatment feeder device and the package of water treatment pellets.

Abstract: A hybrid heat exchanger apparatus includes a direct heat exchanger device and an indirect heat exchanger device and a method of operating the same encompasses conveying a hot fluid to be cooled from a hot fluid source through the indirect heat exchanger device to a cooling fluid distribution system. The hot fluid to be cooled is distributed from the cooling fluid distribution system onto the direct heat exchanger device. In a hybrid wet/dry mode, ambient air flows across both the indirect heat exchanger device and the direct heat exchanger device to generate hot humid air from the ambient air flowing across the direct heat exchanger device and hot dry air from the ambient air flowing across the indirect heat exchanger device.

Abstract: An improved finned coil tube assembly enhances evaporative heat exchanger performance, and includes tubes, preferably serpentine tubes, in the coil assembly. The tubes have a generally elliptical cross-section with external fins formed on an outer surface of the tubes. The fins are spaced substantially 1.5 to substantially 3.5 fins per inch (2.54 cm) along the longitudinal axis of the tubes, extend substantially 23.8% to substantially 36% of the nominal tube outside diameter in height from the tubes outer surface and have a thickness of substantially 0.007 inch (0.018 cm) to substantially 0.020 inch (0.051 cm). The tubes have a center-to-center spacing generally horizontally and normal to the longitudinal axis of the tubes of substantially 109% to substantially 125% of the nominal tube outside diameter, and a generally vertical center-to-center spacing of substantially 100% to about 131% of the nominal tube outside diameter.

Abstract: A sampling apparatus for sampling a fluid from a fluid source includes a first fluid passage device, a second fluid passage device and a fluid by-pass. The first fluid passage device is disposed downstream of and in fluid communication with the fluid source. The second fluid passage device is disposed downstream of and is in fluid communication with the first fluid passage device. The fluid by-pass is disposed downstream of the fluid source and upstream of the second fluid passage device. The fluid by-pass being in fluid communication with and disposed between the fluid source and the second fluid passage device is operative to cause a first portion of the fluid to flow through the first fluid passage device and to cause a second portion of the fluid to by-pass the first fluid passage device and to flow to the second fluid passage device.

Abstract: An ice thickness probe includes a longitudinally-extending probe rod, an insulator casing and a sleeve. The probe rod is fabricated from an electrically-conductive material. The insulator casing is fabricated from an electrically-insulative material and is wrapped around, is in contact with and extends along the probe rod. The sleeve is fabricated from a stiff yet resilient material and is wrapped around, is in contact with and extends along the insulator casing. The insulator casing and the sleeve are concentrically disposed about the probe rod as viewed in cross-section. An ice thickness probe assembly includes a frame structure, a reference bar and at least one ice thickness probe. An ice thickness monitoring apparatus is used in a thermal storage coil having a tank containing water and a tube disposed in the water so that, when the thermal ice storage coil is energized, ice is produced and accumulates on the tube.

Abstract: A splash bar includes a tubular splash bar body in a form of a lattice structure that has a plurality of openings formed therethrough. The splash bar body is positioned centrally along and about an imaginary three-dimensional coordinate system having a lengthwise axis defining a lengthwise direction, a widthwise axis defining a widthwise direction and a heightwise axis defining a heightwise direction with the lengthwise axis, the widthwise axis and the heightwise axis being oriented perpendicularly relative to one another. The splash bar body defines a hollow passageway extending in the lengthwise direction and has a top portion, a bottom portion disposed generally opposite the top portion and a pair of opposing side portions interconnecting respective ones of the bottom and top portions with the top and bottom portions spanning the opposing side portions. The top portion is generally upwardly arcuate in shape as viewed in cross-section.

Abstract: A fluid treatment device including a source of electrical voltage having a first and second terminal, a pulse generator connected to the first terminal and the second terminal and outputting a pulsed voltage wave signal between a third terminal and a fourth terminal, at least one coil positioned adjacent at least one fluid conduit, being electrically connected to the third and fourth terminals and at least one capacitor also being electrically connected to the third and fourth terminals to form a first circuit with an inductance L, a capacitance C and a resonant frequency. The pulse generator is arranged to generate a pulsed voltage wave with a frequency approximately equal to the resonant frequency. A further circuit element is arranged to cause the voltage pulse reaching the coil to repeatedly, alternate between a period of pulsed voltage at the frequency and a period of zero voltage, with each period extending for a time in a range of approximately 2 to 33 milliseconds.

Abstract: A vertical support structure includes a mounting plate and a support member. The support member has a vertically-elongated central panel and a pair of vertically-elongated side panels connected to and extending perpendicularly from the central panel to form a U-shaped-channel as viewed in cross-section. The support member has a top edge and a bottom edge disposed vertically apart from and extending horizontally parallel to one another. The support member has a slot formed at least through the central panel. The slot is disposed between and extends parallel to the top and bottom edges. The mounting plate is slidably inserted into the slot in a close-fitting manner and is connected to the support member such that the mounting plate at least partially projects perpendicularly from the central panel away from the U-shaped channel. A guide element is connected to the top edge and extends upwardly and inwardly toward the U-shaped channel.

Abstract: A vertical support structure includes a mounting plate and a support member. The support member extends vertically along a vertical axis and has a pair of vertically-elongated panel integrally connected together in a form of an angle iron to define a vertically-extending L-shaped channel between outside edges of the pair of panels. A top edge of the support member and a bottom edge of the support member are disposed vertically apart from and extend horizontally parallel to one another. The support member has a slot formed therethrough. The slot is disposed between the top and bottom edges and extends horizontally between the outside edges. The slot is sized to slidably receive the mounting plate and the mounting plate occupying the slot is connected to the support member such that the mounting plate projects perpendicularly from the support member and away from the L-shaped channel.

Abstract: A hybrid heat exchange apparatus for indirectly transferring heat between a process fluid and ambient air includes an evaporative heat transfer cell operative in a wet mode or a dry mode, a dry heat transfer cell and a fan. The air may bypass the dry heat transfer cell to flow through a first air passage or may flow through a second air passage through the dry heat transfer cell and in either event, then through the evaporative heat transfer cell. The air may partially flow through and partially bypass the dry heat transfer cell, and then through the evaporative heat transfer cell. The evaporative heat transfer cell optionally may include a direct contact evaporative heat exchanger. Manually or automatically controlling air flow based on ambient conditions provides efficient and economical control of the hybrid heat exchange apparatus, while avoiding problems in freezing conditions.

Abstract: A louver module includes a louver module body that extends in a length-wise direction, a width-wise direction and a height-wise direction such that the length-wise direction, the width wise-direction and the height wise direction are oriented perpendicularly relative to one another. The louver module body has a plurality of air passageways extending through the louver module body generally in the width-wise direction. Each one of the plurality of air passageways has a serpentine configuration.

Abstract: A sampling apparatus for sampling a fluid from a fluid source includes a first fluid passage device, a second fluid passage device and a fluid by-pass. The first fluid passage device is disposed downstream of and in fluid communication with the fluid source. The second fluid passage device is disposed downstream of and is in fluid communication with the first fluid passage device. The fluid by-pass is disposed downstream of the fluid source and upstream of the second fluid passage device. The fluid by-pass being in fluid communication with and disposed between the fluid source and the second fluid passage device is operative to cause a first portion of the fluid to flow through the first fluid passage device and to cause a second portion of the fluid to by-pass the first fluid passage device and to flow to the second fluid passage device.

Abstract: A fluid treatment device includes an AC power source connected to first, second and third conductors. A electromagnetic field generating device is positioned adjacent to a fluid conduit, electrically connected to the first and third conductors to form a first circuit. A second electromagnetic field generating device is positioned adjacent to a second fluid conduit, electrically connected to the second and third electrical conductors to form a second circuit. A circuit element in the first circuit initiates a high frequency electromagnetic field at said first electromagnetic field generating device during a first half of the AC wave form in the first circuit, and a circuit element in the second circuit initiates a high frequency electromagnetic field at said first electromagnetic field generating device during a second half of the AC wave form in the second circuit.

Abstract: An ice thickness probe includes a longitudinally-extending probe rod, an insulator casing and a sleeve. The probe rod is fabricated from an electrically-conductive material. The insulator casing is fabricated from an electrically-insulative material and is wrapped around, is in contact with and extends along the probe rod. The sleeve is fabricated from a stiff yet resilient material and is wrapped around, is in contact with and extends along the insulator casing. The insulator casing and the sleeve are concentrically disposed about the probe rod as viewed in cross-section. An ice thickness probe assembly includes a frame structure, a reference bar and at least one ice thickness probe. An ice thickness monitoring apparatus is used in a thermal storage coil having a tank containing water and a tube disposed in the water so that, when the thermal ice storage coil is energized, ice is produced and accumulates on the tube.

Abstract: A vertical support structure includes a mounting plate and a support member. The support member has a vertically-elongated central panel and a pair of vertically-elongated side panels connected to and extending perpendicularly from the central panel to form a U-shaped-channel as viewed in cross-section. The support member has a top edge and a bottom edge disposed vertically apart from and extending horizontally parallel to one another. The support member has a slot formed at least through the central panel. The slot is disposed between and extends parallel to the top and bottom edges. The mounting plate is slidably inserted into the slot in a close-fitting manner and is connected to the support member such that the mounting plate at least partially projects perpendicularly from the central panel away from the U-shaped channel. A guide element is connected to the top edge and extends upwardly and inwardly toward the U-shaped channel.