Abstract: The method of modeling thermal problems using a non-dimensional finite element method is a computerized method for modeling thermal systems that relies on the variational principle. The variational principle specifies the total potential of the system, given by a scalar quantity ?, which is defined by an integral form for a continuum problem. The solution of the continuum problem is a function that makes ? stationary with respect to the state variables. The governing equation of the problem is used to calculate the potential ?. The non-dimensional form of the potential is obtained by insertion of the defined non-dimensionless parameters. The element non-dimensional stiffness matrix and the non-dimensional load vectors are then obtained by invoking the stationarity of the non-dimensional potential ? with respect to a non-dimensional temperature vector {?}.

Abstract: A carrier-gas mixture is directed through a fluid flow path in a combined heat and mass transfer device operating at a sub-atmospheric pressure. Heat and mass are transferred from or to the carrier-gas mixture via interaction with a liquid composition that includes a vaporizable component in a liquid state to substantially change the content of the vaporizable component in the carrier-gas mixture via evaporation or condensation of the vaporizable component. The mass flow rate of the carrier-gas mixture is varied by extracting or injecting the carrier-gas mixture from at least one intermediate location in the fluid flow path, and/or the mass flow rate of the liquid composition is varied by extracting or injecting the liquid composition from at least one intermediate location in the fluid flow path; and the flow of the carrier-gas mixture or the liquid composition is regulated to reduce the average local enthalpy pinch in the device.

Abstract: The productivity of a combined heat and mass transfer device is improved by directing a flow of a carrier-gas mixture through a fluid flow path in a combined heat and mass transfer device operating at a pressure below atmospheric pressure. Heat and mass are transferred from or to the carrier-gas mixture by a direct or indirect interaction with a liquid composition that includes a vaporizable component (e.g., water) in a liquid state to substantially change the content of the vaporizable component in the carrier-gas mixture via evaporation of the vaporizable component from the liquid composition or via condensation of the vaporizable component from the carrier-gas mixture, producing a flow of carrier-gas mixture having a concentration of the vaporizable component that differs from the concentration of the vaporizable component in the carrier-gas mixture before the heat and mass transfer process.

Abstract: The method of modeling thermal problems using a non-dimensional finite element method is a computerized method for modeling thermal systems that relies on the variational principle. The variational principle specifies the total potential of the system, given by a scalar quantity ?, which is defined by an integral form for a continuum problem. The solution of the continuum problem is a function that makes ? stationary with respect to the state variables. The governing equation of the problem is used to calculate the potential ?. The non-dimensional form of the potential is obtained by insertion of the defined non-dimensionless parameters. The element non-dimensional stiffness matrix and the non-dimensional load vectors are then obtained by invoking the stationarity of the non-dimensional potential ? with respect to a non-dimensional temperature vector {?}.

Abstract: Water is separated from a liquid mixture (e.g., sea water) using a humidification chamber and a dehumidification chamber that are each operated at a pressure less than ambient atmospheric pressure (e.g., at least 10% less than ambient atmospheric pressure). A carrier gas is flowed through the humidification chamber; and inside the humidification chamber, the carrier gas directly contacts the liquid mixture to humidify the carrier gas with water evaporated from the liquid mixture to produce a humidified gas flow. The humidified gas flow is directed through the dehumidification chamber, where water is condensed from the humidified gas flow and collected.

Abstract: Water can be separated from a liquid composition, such as salt water, by directing a flow of a carrier gas through at least one evaporator and directly contacting the carrier gas flow with the liquid composition in the evaporator to humidify the carrier gas with water evaporated from the liquid composition, producing a humidified gas flow. The humidified gas flow is then compressed by injecting a fluid that includes steam and/or an organic compound at an elevated pressure at least five times greater than the pressure in the evaporator and at a temperature at least as high as a saturation temperature of the steam/organic compound at the elevated pressure of the fluid. After being compressed, the humidified gas flow is directed through at least one condenser where water is condensed from the compressed humidified gas flow and collected. The dehumidified gas flow is re-circulated from the condenser back through the evaporator, where the dehumidified gas is reused as the carrier gas.

Abstract: Water is separated from a liquid mixture (e.g., sea water) using a humidification chamber and a dehumidification chamber that are each operated at a pressure less than ambient atmospheric pressure (e.g., at least 10% less than ambient atmospheric pressure). A carrier gas is flowed through the humidification chamber; and inside the humidification chamber, the carrier gas directly contacts the liquid mixture to humidify the carrier gas with water evaporated from the liquid mixture to produce a humidified gas flow. The humidified gas flow is directed through the dehumidification chamber, where water is condensed from the humidified gas flow and collected.