Abstract: An optical reader and the driving motor of a scanner are integrally mounted on a movable module, which can slide back and forth along a track to scan an image. The driving motor exerts a force on a fixed rack attached to the frame of the scanner through a pinion. The reaction to the force causes the movable module to slide. The rack and pinion mechanism can be replaced with a friction tape and roller combination, or a steel wire wrapped around a wheel attached to the movable module.

Abstract: A Vapor Pressure Enhancement Air Cooler, designated as a VPE air cooler, a Vapor Pressure Enhancement Air Heater, designated as a VPE air heater, and a dual purpose integrated Vapor Pressure Enhancement Air Cooler/Heater, designated as a VPE air cooler/heater are introduced. A VPE air cooler comprises multiple pressure processing zones and is based on absorption vapor pressure enhancement operation. It comprises multitude of processing zones, Z-1, Z-2, . . . , Z-N that are operated under pressure P.sub.1, P.sub.2, . . . , P.sub.N. Each pressure zone (Z-n) contains a water evaporation air cooling zone (Z-En), a vapor pressure enhancement zone (Z-VPEn) and a second vapor condensing zone (Z-Xn).

Abstract: A Vapor Pressure Enhancement Direct Water Chiller, designated as a VPE chiller, a Vapor Pressure Enhancement Direct Water Heater, designated as a VPE heater, and a dual purpose integrated Vapor Pressure Enhancement Direct Water Chiller/Heater, designated as a VPE chiller/heater are introduced. A VPE-chiller comprises multiple pressure processing zones and is based on absorption vapor pressure enhancement operation. It comprises multitude of processing zones, Z-1, Z-2, . . . , Z-N that are operated under pressure P.sub.1, P.sub.2, . . . , P.sub.N. Each pressure zone (Z-n) contains a water evaporation zone (Z-En), a vapor pressure enhancement zone (Z-VPEn) and a second vapor condensing zone (Z-Xn). There are a set of rotating discs to provide water evaporation surfaces in the evaporation zone; there are flat heat conductive tubes for forming falling films of absorbing solution and falling films of water in the vapor pressure enhancement zone; there are condenser tubes in the condensation zone.

Abstract: A general system for heat upgrading by absorption and a system for conducting multiple pressure zone evaporation-absorption operations are introduced. The system comprises an enclosure, two sets of vertical heat conductive walls, designated as A-walls and B-walls, each wall having a first surface and a second surface that are respectively designated as A-1 and A-2 surfaces and B-1 and B-2 surfaces, and four processing zones, respectively designated as A-1, A-2, A-3 and A-4 zones. Zone A-1 and Zone A-2 are inside of the enclosure and are respectively in contact with A-1 and B-1 surfaces; Zone A-3 and Zone A-4 are outside of the enclosure and are respectively in contact with A-2 and B-2 surfaces. In operation, heat is taken from a first mass of fluid in Zone A-3 to vaporize water from a falling water film in Zone A-1 to form a first water vapor. The first vapor is absorbed into a falling film of an absorbing solution in Zone A-2 and releases heat of absorption to a second mass of fluid in Zone A-4.

Abstract: The methods and apparatuses of the present invention are to be used in providing systems for cool thermal storage. Some of the systems can also be used to accomplish purification of dilute solutions. Three working mediums are used. These mediums are: (a) a primary cool storage medium that undergoes solidification and liquefaction operations, (b) a final heat interaction medium that is used to provide air conditioning and (c) an intermediate heat interaction medium that undergoes vaporization and condensation operations to enhance heat interactions. During a charging period, the intermediate medium is vaporized to remove heat from the primary medium to thereby produce a first vapor of the intermediate medium and solidify the primary medium, and the first vapor is condensed by removing heat from it.

Abstract: The processes and apparatuses of the present invention are to be used in separating a mass of purified volatile solvent from a dilute solution of the solvent. They are used in purification of chemicals, water pollution prevention and water purification. The process comprises: (a) an in-situ formation of a smooth layer of solvent solid on a freezing surface while agitating the solid-liquid interface, (b) vaporization of an auxiliary medium to generate a first vapor, (c) in-situ washing of the surface of the smooth solvent solid and (d) in-situ melting of purified solvent solid by condensing a mass of super-triple point solvent vapor. Several types of auxiliary mediums to be used, methods of transforming the first vapor into a mass of liquid and methods of upgrading heat and regenerating the auxiliary mediums have been introduced.

Abstract: An Immediate Heat Upgrading Absorption Air Conditioning System (IHUA System) uses Immediate Heat Upgrading Absorption Air Handlers (IHUA air handlers). In this system, an absorption solution consisting of a common salt and water is circulated through the IHUA air handlers to upgrade heat taken from a first air mass or water and release the upgraded heat to a second air mass immediately. Production of chilled water is avoided. An IHUA air handler has one or more Modular Evaporation-Absorption Panels (E-A panels) with two sets of heat transfer fin assemblies. An E-A panel has two closely spaced heat conductive walls enclosing a film evaporative zone and a film absorption zone that respectively exchange heat with air to be cooled and air to be heated through the two sets of fin assemblies. An IHUA system can also provide cool thermal storage by storing water and absorbing solutions. IHUA systems can be used in air conditioning buildings and moving vehicles. A Modular Regeneration-Condensation Panel (R-C panel).

Abstract: The structure, method of fabrication and uses of enclosed double plate heat transfer panels with prefabricated main panel bodies are introduced. In most applications, a pane is used to conduct a gas-liquid interaction such as vaporization, condesation, gas absorption, gas description, endothermic and exothermic chemical reactions inside while having a heat interaction with a fluid outside that undergoes a complementary operation. A panel (41) incorporates one or more of the following key features:(a) It comprises a prefabricated main body (42) and two reinforced mainfold conduits (47) and (49) welded to the main panel body by welds (45).(b) It has nozzles (48) for applying a liquid film inside the panel.(c) The inside surfaces (51) are textured to improve wettability and drainage.

Abstract: A Multiple Phase Transformation Absorption Melting Process (MPTAM Process) comprises a step of subjecting a feed solution to a simultaneous vaporization and freezing operation, denoted as multiple phase transformation operation, to thereby form a first vapor, V.sub.13, and a solid-liquid mixture, K.sub.16, and is characterized in absorbing the first vapor into an absorbing solution of a moderate concentration to thereby elevate the absorbing temperature so that the heat released can be used to melt a mass of solvent solid. For the heat coupling to work, the absorbing solution is formulated by using a properly selected solute and is within a proper concentration range such that, while the absorbing pressure is near or slightly lower than the pressure of the freezing operation, the absorbing temperature is somewhat higher than the melting temperature of the solvent solid.

Abstract: In a process of the present invention, a first water vapor at a is absorbed into a solution containing water and a non-volatile solute such as lithium bromide at substantially the same pressure but at a temperature that is higher than the pure water saturation temperature corresponding to the absorption pressure. The heat released in absorption is transmitted to a mass of pure water to generate a second water vapor at a second pressure that is substantially higher than that of the first vapor, therby diluting the absorbing solution. The absorption of first vapor, generation of second vapor and dilution of the absorbing solution are collectively referred to as a vapor pressure enhancement operation activated by dilution of the absorbing solution. The methods and apparatuses of the present invention may also be used in enhancing vapor pressure of a non-aqueous solvent. In one varation, the vapor pressure enhancement is accomplished across a vertical heat transfer wall provided with two falling liquid films.

Abstract: The present invention consists of processes and apparatuses for conducting thermal storage as well as thermal storage in combination with treatment of dilute waste water streams. In all cases, the ice or crystals are made at reduced pressure and do not leave the location where they are formed for washing or melting, but are fixed in one location, thus avoiding the difficulties associated with movement of solids. For cool storage, ice is made at off-peak power consumption hours and melted during on peak power consumption hours. Melting is accomplished at reduced pressure by flashing warm water into a zone which has vapor communication with the ice. The vapor formed condenses onto the ice to melt the ice. The warm water is chilled by the flashing operation and is sent to fulfill either a process or building cooling requirement.

Abstract: The invention is a method with equipments for conducting the solid-liquid-vapor multiple phase transformation steps of processes such as vacuum freezing, wet distillative freezing, vacuum crystallization and primary refrigerant eutectic freezing. All these processes require simultaneous vaporization and crystallization. The invented method for conducting this common step consists of (1) distributing the solution over a rotating surface area to form liquid films (2) subjecting the liquid films to simultaneous vaporization and crystallization (3) removing the crystals from the surfaces and (4) transporting the crystals to the next processing zone. The surfaces can be rotating screws with intermeshing flights or a sets of disks on rotating shafts. The screws are partially submerged in the solution. Elements of the screws are wetted when they are rotated into the pool.

Abstract: A new vacuum freezing separation process entitled "Vacuum Freezing Ambient Pressure Melting (VFAPM) Process" and a new apparatus entitled .cent.Sub-Triple Point Vapor Processing Unit" for generating and liquefying a sub-triple point vapor have been introduced. The process is useful in desalination, concentration of industrial solutions, water reuse and pollution abatement. The vapor processing unit can be used in vacuum freezing processes, distillative freezing processes, freeze-drying processes and other processes in which sub-triple point vapors are generated and are to be liquefied.The VFAPM Process is conducted in two processing zones, a vacuum processing zone and an ambient pressure processing zone.

Abstract: A process of separating a multi-component liquid mixture containing n major components by forming crystals of m components, denoted as m crystallizing components, in a crystallization zone, denoted as a first processing zone, having k crystallization sub-zones, the value of m being equal to or greater than 2 and equal to or less than n, the value of k being equal to or greater than 1 and equal to or less than m, comprising a first step of crystallizing the m components in the k crystallization sub-zones to form a first condensed mass and a second step of vaporizing a mass of the volatile component(s) from the liquid mixture to form a first vapor in each sub-zone under a first pressure that is lower than the eutectic pressure defined as the equilibrium pressure at which the m solid phases and the liquid mixture co-exist with a vapor phase containing the volatile component(s), wherein the said first step and the second step are conducted simultaneously so that at least a major fraction of the heat released in S

Abstract: Distillative Freezing Process is an energy conserving process for separating mixtures and superpurifying chemicals. The wet and dry distillative freezing process disclosed represents a major improvement to the distillative freezing technology and has significantly broadened its application field: the drying-up temperature and pressure are significantly higher than those of the corresponding direct dry process and a major fraction of low volatility impurities in the feed can also be removed. A basic wet and dry distillative freezing process comprises (a) a first step of transforming a liquid feed mixture into a first solid-liquid mixture, denoted as K.sub.1 mixture, (b) a second step of washing the K.sub.1 mixture with a wash liquid to thereby form a second solid-liquid mixture, denoted as K.sub.2 mixture, and an impure liquid L.sub.2, and (c) a third step of subjecting the K.sub.2 mixture to a dry distillative freezing operation to thereby form a mass of refined solid phase, denoted as S.sub.

Abstract: A wet and dry distillative freezing process is provided which comprises (a) a first step of transforming a liquid feed mixture into a first solid-liquid mixture, denoted as K.sub.-1 mixture, by either a conventional freezing operation or a wet distillative freezing operation, (b) a second step of washing the K.sub.-1 mixture with a wash liquid to thereby form a second solid-liquid mixture, denoted as K.sub.o mixture, and an impure liquid L.sub.o, and (c) a third step of subjecting the K.sub.o mixture to a dry distillative freezing operation to thereby form a mass of refined solid phase, denoted as S.sub.1, and a low pressure vapor V.sub.1. Various wash liquids may be used in the crystal washing step. It is important to note that the wash liquid used does not have to be a pure liquid but may contain some volatile impurities. This is so, because the volatile impurities in the wash liquid will be taken up in the K.sub.o mixture and will be removed in the dry distillative freezing step.

Abstract: Improved apparatuses and methods of operation for conducting the separation process entitled "Vacuum Freezing Multiple Phase Transformation Process (denoted as VFMPT Process)" have been introduced. Processing zones and valving means are properly arranged so that operations in most processing zones are continuous. An improved VFMPT plant can be operated simply and reliably and be constructed at a low cost. Corrosion problems, use of a low pressure compressor, use of an absorbing solution have been eliminated.

Abstract: The present invention introduces a process for effectively washing a crystal-liquid (mother liquor) mixture with a mass of wash liquid to thereby form a mass of highly purified crystals and also introduces apparatuses for use therein. The purification is accomplished by properly conducted alternative stationary and agitated crystal washing operations and substantially countercurrent transfer of the solid phase and the free liquid in a purification zone. The zone contains a set of stationary washing sub-zones and a set of agitated washing sub-zones that are laid alternatively along the vertical direction.The mass of crystals in a stationary sub-zone is compacted by a compacting means to form a bed with an enhanced degree of compaction. The masses of crystals and liquid in each agitated sub-zone are properly agitated so that the impurities in the mother liquors retained in the crystal mass are released to the free liquid.

Abstract: The distillative freezing process disclosed is useful in separating and purifying a mixture that contains a volatile and crystallizing component and one or more volatile and non-crystallizing components by vaporizing the volatile components from the mixture under a sufficiently reduced pressure to thereby simultaneously form a mass of solid enriched with the crystallizing component. Two components of a mixture processed are denoted as the key components: one is the crystallizing component and is denoted as B-component; the other is the non-crystallizing component present in the greatest amount and is denoted as A-component. For a mixture to be processable by the process, it is necessary that the vapor pressure ratio of the key components be within a certain range and a low pressure phase diagram of the binary system of the key components belongs to certain types of phase diagrams.

Abstract: The parallel contact distillative freezing process is an improved distillative freezing process. The distillative freezing process is used in separating a mixture containing at least two volatile components, denoted respectively as A-component and B-component, by simultaneously vaporizing the two components from the mixture under a sufficiently reduced pressure to simultaneously crystalline B-component. The vapor mixture obtained is brought to a condensed state by lowering its temperature a few degrees without substantially pressurizing it. The process may be continued to completely eliminate the liquid phase and bring the mixture into the two phase solid-vapor region. Then, the solid phase is no longer contaminated by the adhering liquid phase and gives a high purity B-component on melting.