Abstract: An evaporative cooler, including one or more media, distributes water from a source of water to each media through a constant flow valve. A distribution unit at each media includes a pair of spray bars for spraying water through two rows of uniformly spaced apertures disposed in each spray bar. A spray bar channel associated with each spray bar distributes the streams of water impinging thereupon from one row of apertures to the underlying media in specific locations. A distribution cap associated with each spray bar distributes streams of water impinging thereupon to the front and back edges of the underlying media. The water dripping from the media is drained. A fan or other air moving device draws air through the media to obtain cooled air resulting from evaporation of water flowing downwardly along the media.

Abstract: In a tank for treating wastewater and including a first plurality of air diffuser elements and a second plurality of air diffuser elements, means for adjusting the relative height of the first diffuser elements with respect to the height of the second diffuser elements in response to changing operating conditions in the tank and changes in the characteristics of the diffusers.

Abstract: A chemical processing apparatus that utilizes randomly oriented ceramic packing elements having at least three openings therethrough that accommodate feedstock with combustible and/or noncombustible matter that accumulates in the openings is described. The openings occupy at least 10% of the surface area on one side of the packing element.

Abstract: Disclosed is a nozzle assembly which includes a nozzle housing and a valve element axially slidable therewithin between a closed and an open position. The nozzle housing has a housing inlet and a housing outlet fluidly interconnected by a plurality of housing passages. The valve element has a truncated conical valve body including a conical outer surface and a concave inner surface with a plurality of valve apertures extending through the valve body. The outer surface is sealingly engagable to a valve seat formed in the housing outlet such that the flow of cooling water through the valve apertures is prevented when the valve element is in the closed position. The outer surface and valve seat collectively define an annular gap when the valve element is axially displaced to the open position such that a portion of the cooling water flowing through the annular gap may pass through the valve apertures.

Abstract: Methods and devices for moisturizing hyperpolarized noble gas and associated hyperpolarized noble gas products which are formulated for inhalation or ventilation delivery include adding moisture content to (dry) hyperpolarized gas.

Abstract: A support grid having a longitudinal axis, having a frame. The frame includes a series of columns that extend generally parallel to the longitudinal axis and a series of girts that intersect the series of columns to form a plurality of windows. The support grid also includes a first retainer integral with the frame. The first retainer extends from the frame into at least one of the plurality of windows at a first axial location. The support grid also includes slider portions that extend in opposed relation for the frame into the at least one plurality of windows.

Abstract: A fragrance disperser in one form includes a single fan that passes air over a wicked single or double fragrance. A second form has the fan reversible to provide two different airstreams that evaporate respective different fragrances one after the other. Where two fragrances are provided, the evaporation may be by respective electrical heaters. A fragrance source may be formed by two sheets joined together to form two chambers each receiving a respective wick and having respective exposed wick portions. The source may incorporate a source of electrical power. An alternative source has a reservoir for fragrance and a wick located in an air passage forming part of the source so that an air flow is guided through the passage past the wick to evaporate fragrance. Where two fragrances are provided, the fragrance sources may be located side-by-side and matching fragrances may have, for example, matching indicia on the sources so that the match can be easily determined visually.

Abstract: A humidification apparatus comprising a reservoir having at least one side wall defining an opening, water within the reservoir bounded by the at least one side, and a membrane activation assembly installed over the opening. The membrane activation assembly comprises a microporous membrane layer covering the opening of the reservoir and a temporary peel-away activation layer covering the membrane layer. A method of using the humidification apparatus comprises the steps of grasping a pull-tab formed on the activation layer, peeling the activation layer away from the underlying membrane layer, and inserting within an enclosed space the reservoir containing water bounded at its opening by the activated membrane layer. A method of manufacturing the humidification apparatus comprises numerous laminating and die-cutting steps to form a completed membrane activation assembly that is then installed on the reservoir.

Abstract: An improved venturi apparatus for facilitating the mixture of fluid substances. The apparatus preferably comprises a first funnel section operative to receive a fluid and channel the same through a first cylindrical section or passageway. The first cylindrical section is fluidly connected to an intermediate passageway having a diameter larger than the first cylindrical section. At least one sidearm passageway is fluidly connected to the intermediate passageway into which at least one second fluid is introduced. The at least one sidearm passageway is preferably configured to fluidly interconnect with the intermediate passageway at approximately the medial portion of the intermediate passageway. Fluidly connected to the intermediate passageway is a second cylindrical section that is operative to direct the flow of the intermixed fluids to a second exit funnel section.

Abstract: A separation tray, suitable for mounting in a vertical column, for separating liquid/gas mixtures. The separation tray has horizontal upper and lower walls and a plurality of primary separation devices for separating a fluid into a primary gas and a liquid-enriched secondary gas. The invention is characterized by a secondary separation zone located in the inner free space between the upper and lower walls and the primary separation devices. Liquid-enriched secondary gas is removed through outlets in the primary separation devices and guided downwardly by return skirts into the inner free space, whereupon the entrained liquid in the liquid-enriched secondary gas is substantially removed from the secondary gas.

Abstract: A desalination system in the form of a submerged gas evaporator that includes a vessel, a gas delivery tube partially disposed within the vessel to deliver a gas into the vessel and a fluid inlet that provides a fluid to the vessel at a rate sufficient to maintain a controlled constant level of fluid within the vessel. A weir is disposed within the vessel adjacent the gas delivery tube to form a first fluid circulation path between a first weir end and a wall of the vessel and a second fluid circulation path between a second weir end and an upper end of the vessel. During operation, gas introduced through the tube mixes with the fluid and the combined gas and fluid flow at a high rate with a high degree of turbulence along the first and second circulation paths defined around the weir, thereby promoting vigorous mixing and intimate contact between the gas and the fluid.

Abstract: Vaporizable material is supported within a vessel to promote contact of an introduced gas with the vaporizable material, and produce a product gas including vaporized material. A heating element supplies heat to a wall of the vessel to heat vaporizable material disposed therein. The vessel may comprise an amoule having a removable top. Multiple containers defining multiple material support surfaces may be stacked disposed within a vessel in thermal communication with the vessel. A tube may be disposed within the vessel and coupled to a gas inlet. Filters, flow meters, and level sensors may be further provided. Product gas resulting from contact of introduced gas with vaporized material may be delivered to atomic layer deposition (ALD) or similar process equipment. At least a portion of source material including a solid may be dissolved in a solvent, followed by removal of solvent to yield source material (e.g., a metal complex) disposed within the vaporizer.

Abstract: A humidifier utilizes a plurality of disposable filters and air from a source of heated air flow emanating from a floor, wall, or ceiling. The humidifier provides an energy efficient device comprising a container having a water reservoir formed from an inner support portion, a plurality of tunnels for transporting heated air throughout the container, and a plurality of evaporation filters. The evaporation filters extend into the water reservoir so that water is absorbed onto the filters by way of capillary action. The humidifier is appointed to be placed proximate to a source of heated air so that water absorbed by the evaporation filters evaporates into the heated air and is diffused into a room.

Abstract: For the reliable condensation of steam on condensation nuclei in an aerosol flow and therefore for enlarging the particles in the aerosol, the invention provides a method which is characterized in that condensation nuclei are passed through an inner area of an evaporating zone forming a flow area, the liquid to be evaporated is contacted with the flow area and evaporated therein and the thus produced steam is condensed on the condensation nuclei. The invention also provides an apparatus for condensing steam on condensation nuclei with an inlet for condensation nuclei and an evaporating zone constructed in such a way that a flow area for the condensation nuclei has a heated liquid duct open thereto and that a condensation flue is connected to the flow area. The invention also provides methods and apparatuses for counting particles, for producing monodisperse aerosols using the aforementioned method or the aforementioned apparatus.

Abstract: An air humidification system for large enclosed spaces, comprising at least one humidification line constituted by at least one humidification module comprising a box-like container with a water flow pipe inside which is functionally connected at its inlet to a water pump and at its outlet to a water discharge space. The pipe has, along its extension, a plurality of nozzles adapted to provide a water aerosol. The nozzles are open onto a first opening provided in the box-like container and are oriented toward the outside of the first opening. A cross-flow impeller is provided within the box-like container along a rotation axis which is parallel to the pipe and is suitable to aspirate air from a second opening of the box-like container and direct it toward the first opening.

Abstract: An aeration system for a submerged membrane module has a set of aerators connected to an air blower, valves and a controller adapted to alternately provide a higher rate or air flow and a lower rate of air flow in repeated cycles. In an embodiment, the air blower, valves and controller, simultaneously provide the alternating air flow to two or more sets of aerators such that the total air flow is constant, allowing the blower to be operated at a constant speed. In another embodiment, the repeated cycles are of short duration. Transient flow conditions result in the tank water which helps avoid dead spaces and assists in agitating the membranes.

Abstract: Method in which a gas and a liquid are mixed and distributed in a chamber that comprises a distribution means that consists of a compartment that is filled with liquid through which a gas stream passes. Said method is characterized in that liquid is injected either in gas countercurrent or in gas co-current into the gas passage section or sections through at least two orifices that are present in said compartment, whereby said two orifices are arranged approximately facing one another, and in that the diameter and the number of orifices and/or the speed V of the liquid at the outlet of each of the orifices and/or the distance d between two injection points placed facing one another are selected such that the Froude number Fr, defined by the equation: Fr = V g × d in which g is the gravitational constant, is greater than 0.5.

Abstract: A wastewater treatment system, comprising a tank and an elongate draft tube. The tank comprises a bottom and at least one partition wall extending short of a tank curved turning wall to form at least a pair of channels for movement of a volume of a liquid. The elongate draft tube is at least partially submerged beneath the liquid and is rotated about its longitudinal axis for orbitally moving the liquid through the at least a pair of channels of the tank in a fixed direction. A process for treating wastewater is also provided.

Abstract: The invention involves a spacing element situated between a vapor-liquid contacting tray and a tray support to reduce the dead zone typically caused by the tray supports blocking of the perforations in the vapor-liquid contacting tray directly above the tray support.

Abstract: There is disclosed a portable misting fan formed by upper and lower body portions which are joined together along a joint. The joint is improved by providing the lower body portion with a non-circular neck portion along its top end, and wherein the upper body portion includes two halves which terminate in lower body collar sections, intended to be joined together in overlying relationship relative to the neck portion. A rail and groove system is employed as between the upper first and second body portions, and the neck portion, so that the rails will slidingly engage the grooves in the neck portion rendering the joint resistant to rotation. The neck portion includes an aperture into which a sleeve is press fitted, the sleeve includes upper and lower lips, and the lower body collar sections include inwardly extending flanges which overlie and engage the upper and lower lips formed in the sleeve, thereby brace and secure the pump assembly within the device.