Abstract: A heat transfer device includes a hollow spacer between opposed substrates, defining an enclosure, at least one of the substrates adapted to be secured to at least one heat source. A non-permeable barrier is in the enclosure between the substrates. A first chamber inside the enclosure is defined by the spacer, the substrates, and the barrier, the first chamber in fluid communication with at least one first inlet and first outlet. A second chamber inside the enclosure and outside the first chamber and is defined by the spacer, the substrates, and the barrier, the second chamber in fluid communication with at least one second outlet. A wick structure is secured to at least one substrate, a first portion of the wick structure in the first chamber, and a second portion of the wick structure in the second chamber and interconnecting in passive liquid communication with the first portion.

Abstract: A heat exchanger and method which is able to perform in different seasons. The heat exchanger has an upper header and a lower header. Multiple heat pipes extend between the upper header and the lower header, with each of the multiple heat pipes having an evaporator section at one end and a condenser section at the opposite end. The direction of heat flow through the multiple heat pipes is variable depending on ambient air conditions applied to the heat exchanger. A pump is provided in fluid communication with the upper header and the lower header. The pump operates when the heat exchanger is operating in a second mode in which the evaporator section is located above the condenser section, and the pump is disabled when the heat exchanger is operating in a first mode in which the condenser section is located above the evaporator section.

Abstract: A multi-phase pump system and method that directs incoming two-phase flow into a fixed cylinder that contains a vortical flow. The system includes a momentum-driven, vortex phase separator, the phase separator accepting liquid-gas flows at any ratio from all liquid to all gas. The pump system also includes a liquid prime mover; a gas prime mover; and a control system. The vortical flow is driven by injecting the two-phase or another fluid stream tangent or approximately tangent to the curved surface of the cylindrical chamber. Inertial forces generated within the vortical flow drive a buoyancy-driven separation process within the cylindrical chamber. Single-phase prime movers are then used to pump the separated phases to a higher pressure.

Abstract: An enclosure and method for housing electrical components. The enclosure includes walls provided about the electrical components, the walls having poor thermal conductivity. At least one thermal transport device extends through at least one respective wall. The at least one thermal transport device has a first portion which is positioned within the enclosure, a second portion which is positioned outside of the enclosure and a transition portion which connects the first portion to the second portion. The at least one thermal transport device has a high effective thermal conductivity and provides a high thermal conductivity path for heat energy to pass from within the enclosure to outside the enclosure.

Abstract: An enclosure and method for housing electrical components. The enclosure includes walls provided about the electrical components, the walls having poor thermal conductivity. At least one thermal transport device extends through at least one respective wall. The at least one thermal transport device has a first portion which is positioned within the enclosure, a second portion which is positioned outside of the enclosure and a transition portion which connects the first portion to the second portion. The at least one thermal transport device has a high effective thermal conductivity and provides a high thermal conductivity path for heat energy to pass from within the enclosure to outside the enclosure.

Abstract: A multi-phase pump system and method that directs incoming two-phase flow into a fixed cylinder that contains a vortical flow. The system includes a momentum-driven, vortex phase separator, the phase separator accepting liquid-gas flows at any ratio from all liquid to all gas. The pump system also includes a liquid prime mover; a gas prime mover; and a control system. The vortical flow is driven by injecting the two-phase or another fluid stream tangent or approximately tangent to the curved surface of the cylindrical chamber. Inertial forces generated within the vortical flow drive a buoyancy-driven separation process within the cylindrical chamber. Single-phase prime movers are then used to pump the separated phases to a higher pressure.

Abstract: The invention is a heat exchanger that transfers heat directly between fluids which are in direct contact with each other rather than being separated by a heat conductive wall. Gas and liquid exchange heat when the gas is moved into and through a mixing chamber, and is directed to form a high speed, forced vortex gas flow. The liquid is sprayed into the mixing chamber to form droplets traveling with and mixing with the vortex gas flow. As the gas and liquid droplets move through the mixing chamber together in the vortex flow, they exchange thermal energy by direct contact. The mixing chamber length is designed so that the gas and the liquid droplets approach thermal equilibrium as the gas-liquid mixture moves into a separation chamber. Within the separation chamber, the centrifugal force of the continuing vortex movement of the gas stream separates the liquid from the gas stream and forms a layer of liquid on the separation chamber wall.

Abstract: Magnesium chromite dehydrogenation catalysts are improved by incorporation therein up to about 10% of an alkali metal.

Abstract: Metal chromite dehydrogenation catalysts are made by preparing an aqueous solution of CrO.sub.3, dissolving a second metal compound, such as MgO, therein adding a reducing agent, precipitating a substantially insoluble oxide of Mg and Cr, recovering the precipitate and calcining it to produce a Mg chromite dehydrogenation catalyst.

Abstract: Magnesium chromite dehydrogenation catalysts are improved by incorporation therein up to about 10 % of an alkali metal. The effect of the addition of lithium is shown in the dehydrogenation of isopentane, n-butane and ethylbenzene.