Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a plurality of multi-channel heat exchange tubes extending between spaced inlet and outlet headers. Each heat exchange tube has a plurality of flow channels defining discrete flow paths extending longitudinally in parallel relationship from its inlet end to its outlet end. The inlet header has a channel for receiving a two-phase fluid from a fluid circuit and a chamber for collecting the fluid. The chamber has an inlet in flow communication with the channel and an outlet in flow communication with the plurality of fluid flow paths of the heat exchange tubes. The channel defines a relatively high turbulence flow passage that induces uniform mixing of the liquid phase refrigerant and the vapor phase fluid and reduces potential stratification of the vapor phase and the liquid phase within the fluid passing through the header.

Abstract: A thermally managed solar cell system includes a photovoltaic cell for generating electricity and heat. The system includes a housing, a base, and a heat removal device. The housing surrounds the solar cell system and has an open, rear portion. The base is positionable in the open portion of the housing and supports the photovoltaic cell. The base is also thermally conductive and spreads heat generated from the photovoltaic cell. The heat removal device and the base act as a single unit with the heat removal device being coupled to the base to remove the heat from the base.

Abstract: A solar-powered hydrogen production system directly produces hydrogen. The solar-powered hydrogen production system includes at least one concentrator, a hydrogen-rich source, a catalytic layer, and a hydrogen separation membrane. The hydrogen-rich source is positioned to receive focused sunlight collected by the concentrator and is in direct contact with the catalytic layer. The catalytic layer produces hydrogen from the hydrogen-rich source. The hydrogen separation membrane subsequently separates the hydrogen produced at the catalytic layer.

Abstract: A gas treatment module and method includes a first gas purifier and a second gas purifier that cooperate to control a concentration of contaminants in an outgoing portion of a gas stream when the concentration of the contaminants in an incoming portion of the gas stream temporarily exceeds a threshold concentration. One example gas treatment module includes an adsorbent media that temporarily retains at least a portion of the contaminants in the gas stream when the concentration is greater than or equal to the threshold concentration. The adsorbent media later releases the retained contaminants, either to an outgoing portion of the gas stream or to a photocatalyst, when the concentration is less than the threshold concentration. One example method of gas treatment includes controlling the concentration of contaminants in the outgoing portion of the gas stream when the concentration of the contaminants in the incoming portion of the gas stream temporarily exceeds the threshold concentration.

Abstract: In a refrigeration system having a pressurizer, a condenser, an expansion device and an evaporator, with the evaporator having an inlet header, an outlet header, and a plurality of channels therebetween, the outlet header has a liquid outlet and a vapor outlet and provision is made for separation of refrigerant liquid from refrigerant vapor. The liquid refrigerant is passed through a superheating heat exchanger to obtain complete evaporation and superheating prior to passing to the pressurizer. Various other features are provided to enhance the system operation.

Abstract: A system is disclosed which incorporates low pressure drop contaminant removal from gas phases or streams, which advantageously can be used to enhance efficiency, improve humidity characteristics, and reduce capital cost of air handing systems such as HVAC systems and the like. Placement of the low pressure drop contaminant removal mechanism for enhancing effectiveness of same is also disclosed.

Abstract: A sulfur scrubber structure is operable to remove substantially all of the sulfur present in an undiluted oxygenated hydrocarbon fuel stock supply for a fuel cell power plant assembly which is used to power an engine in a mobile environment, such as an automobile, bus, truck, boat, or the like, or in a stationary environment. The fuel stock can be gasoline, diesel fuel, or other like fuels which contain relatively high levels of organic sulfur compounds such as mercaptans, sulfides, disulfides, and the like. The undiluted hydrocarbon fuel supply is passed through a nickel reactant desulfurizer bed (2) wherein essentially all of the nickel reactant in the scrubber bed reacts with sulfur in the fuel stream, whereby the nickel reactant is converted to nickel sulfide, while the desulfurized organic remnants of the fuel stream continue through the remainder of the fuel processing system.