Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a system and method of controlling the temperature and humidity of a conditioned space. The method and system are based on the two-phase pre-cooling of an airflow prior to dehumidification, wherein the airflow passes through a heat exchanger which initially cools and dehumidifies the air before it enters the dehumidifier for additional dehumidification.

Abstract: A separation system separates a first liquid from a compound liquid. Examples of the compound liquid are seawater, brine, rainwater, wastewater, biofuel precursors, lactic acid, or fruit juice. A plate heat exchanger includes at least one evaporation channel and at least one condensation channel. The compound liquid flows through the evaporation channel where the first liquid evaporates from the compound liquid into a gas. A direct heat exchanger further evaporates the first liquid into the gas. The gas flows from the direct heat exchanger through the condensation channel where the first liquid condenses and is thereby separated from the compound liquid.

Abstract: An evaporative heat exchanger includes a plurality of parallel plates forming a plurality of channels for a primary air flow and a secondary air flow. The secondary air flow evaporates a liquid thereby cooling the primary air flow. The plurality of parallel plates are assembled efficiently on a plurality of rods that pass perpendicularly through the plurality of plates. The rods have fasteners on each end with at least one of the fasteners being adjustable to facilitate assembly and securing of the plates. At least one gasket is located in each of the plurality of channels to provide sealing along portions of the edges of the parallel plates and to maintain spacing between the parallel plates.