Abstract: A process for the separation of mixture components uses a supercritical fluid that is fresh to at least one side of a nonporous membrane after which the fluid is either recycled to the opposite side of the membrane or removed from the separation process. Fluids and membranes, including modified membranes, are provided to facilitate passage of one or more components of a mixture through the membrane while retarding passage of other components of the mixture. The process is useful for the separation of mixtures with similar components including axeotropic mixtures and pharmaceutical and biological products.

Abstract: A heating system uses a dynamic thermal stabilizer for receiving, mixing, holding and outputting a circulating heat exchange liquid in a fashion similar to the use of a flywheel in the mechanical arts. Liquid is returned to the dynamic thermal stabilizer from both an input heat exchange unit and an output heat exchange unit. A two pump system affords a simple tee fitting arrangement that provides room air heating by directly using hot liquid either from the dynamic thermal stabilizer or directly (and at higher temperature) from the input heat exchange unit itself to automatically achieve an additional boost of room heat using higher temperature liquid. The system can also provide initial short draws of domestic hot water from the dynamic thermal stabilizer alone or long draws of hot water by using the input heat exchange unit as a further source of heat input.

Abstract: Apparatus for heating and storing water comprises a tank 10 for holding a quantity of water 15 within a space 11 between studs 12 in a wall or like surface 13 of a room 14. An inlet conduit 16 conveys water into the tank 10, and an outlet conduit 17 conveys water out of it and on to another entity 36. A heater 32, spaced apart from the tank 10, receives water from a supply source at a lower temperature, heats it to a higher temperature, and communicates the heated water to the inlet conduit 16. Reinforcing structural members 25 and locator tabs 22 allow for economic construction and ease of installation. A typical tank 10 comprises a hollow parallelopiped having its front surface member 20 in the plane of the surface 13 of the room 14 and its back surface in a plane behind that of the surface 13.

Abstract: Apparatus for mass transfer of gas and liquid flowing through passages therein has a vertical enclosure formed in a pair of sheet metal plates sealed together around their periphery and formed to have rows of horizontal passages communicating with columns of vertical passages in and adjacent to a vertical plane defined by flat contiguous areas of the plates between and around the passages. The inner surfaces of the passages have highly wettable areas to substantially maximize transfer of mass and heat. Each horizontal passage is continuous between the vertical passages with which it communicates.

Abstract: An absorption refrigeration and heating system has helical concentric coils for two generators (80 and 81) and recuperators (86 and 95) on a common axis (232) with a heating unit (84) at the center and allowing the hot combustion gases (245) to circulate in serpentine fashion through separate concentric chambers containing the coils.An absorber (97), condenser (100) and recuperator (107) are placed in a single module (270) and configured with a tube-in-tube or tube-in-cylinder construction with fluted inner tubes. A general purpose, divided-flow, tube-in-cylinder, heat-transfer device (400) is used to reduce the pressure drop in the circulating fluid.

Abstract: A refrigeration and heating system in which an absorber (97), condenser (100) and recuperator are placed (107) in a single module (270) and are provided with tube-in-tube or tube-in-cylinder construction with fluted inner tubes. A general purpose, divided-flow, tube-in-cylinder, heat transfer device (400) is used to reduce the pressure drop in the circulating fluid.

Abstract: A refrigeration and heating system has been made in which improved efficiencies are obtained by placing helical concentric coils of at least two generators (80 and 81) and recuperators (86 and 95) on a common axis (232) with a heating unit (84) at the center and allowing the hot combustion gases (245) to circulate in serpentine fashion through separate concentric chambers containing the coils. Further efficiencies are obtained by placing an absorber (97), condenser (100) and recuperator (107) in a single module (270) and by using tube-in-tube or tube-in-cylinder construction with fluted inner tubes. A general purpose, divided-flow, tube-in-cylinder, heat-transfer device (400) is used to reduce the pressure drop in the circulating fluid.

Abstract: A refrigeration and heating system has been made in which improved efficiencies are obtained by placing helical concentric coils of at least two generators and recuperators on a common axis with a heating unit at the center and allowing the hot combustion gases to circulate in serpentine fashion through separate concentric chambers containing the coils. Further efficiencies are obtained by placing an absorber, condenser and recuperator with a single module and by using tube-in-tube or tube-in-cylinder construction with fluted inner tubes.

Abstract: An integrated three-chamber absorption refrigeration and heat pump system with improved defrost capabilities having a solution pair including a material of unusable fluid stability at higher temperatures when manipulated in an apparatus and system to take advantage of its properties. Disclosed materials of a solution pair for operation as part of the system of this invention are ammonia as the refrigerant and sodium thiocyanate as the absorbent. A heat transfer sub-system is provided, for conveying a working fluid between the components, having multiple switchable valve means, including first, second, and third valve members selectively switchable to convey the working fluid from the cooling mode to the heating mode and vice versa, as well as to the defrost mode.