Abstract: An apparatus and process for dehumidification of a gas stream are provided. The apparatus includes a single semi-permeable osmotic membrane, at least one gas stream compartment, and at least one osmotic fluid compartment. The membrane includes a plurality of hydrophobic surfaced pores, at least some of which hydrophobic surfaced pores are water vapor condensing pores. The water vapor condensing pores are sized such that the hydrophobic surfaces of those pores allow water vapor to enter those pores and repulse the water vapor within those pores away from the hydrophobic surfaces causing the water vapor to condense. The hydrophobic surfaced pores provide a liquid travel path across the thickness of the membrane. The membrane restricts transport of an osmotic fluid across the thickness of the membrane. A refrigeration system utilizing a dehumidification unit and a heat pump system utilizing a dehumidification unit are also disclosed.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for dehumidifying a gas stream is provided. The apparatus includes a single semi-permeable osmotic membrane, at least one gas stream compartment formed in part by the osmotic membrane, and at least one osmotic fluid compartment formed in part by the osmotic membrane. The semi-permeable osmotic membrane has randomly arranged pores disposed across a thickness extending between a first side and a second side, and wherein some of the pores are small enough to permit capillary condensation within the membrane, leading to condensate travel across the thickness of the single membrane without requiring a separate capillary condenser, and which single membrane restricts transport of the osmotic fluid across the thickness of the membrane. The first side of the osmotic membrane is exposed to the gas stream compartment, and the second side of the osmotic membrane is exposed to the osmotic fluid compartment.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for dehumidifying a gas stream is provided. The process includes steps of: a) providing a semi-permeable wall having an osmotic membrane with a plurality of pores at least some of which are operably sized to permit capillary condensation, a first side, and a second side; b) placing an osmotic fluid in a compartment formed in part by the semi-permeable wall, wherein the second side of the osmotic membrane is exposed to the osmotic fluid; c) exposing the first side of the osmotic membrane to the gas stream to be dehumidified; and d) maintaining a sufficiently high water concentration gradient across the osmotic membrane during the dehumidification process to result in a flux of water through the osmotic membrane. The apparatus includes at least one semi-permeable osmotic wall, at least one gas stream compartment formed in part by the osmotic wall, and at least one osmotic fluid compartment formed in part by the osmotic wall.

Abstract: A humid gas stream is dehumidified by bringing that stream into contact with the front surface of a hydrophilic capillary condenser layer that captures the water and moves it adjacent the rear surface of the capillary layer. A semi-permeable collodion membrane, is disposed on the rear capillary surface of the condenser layer, and an osmotic fluid, such as glycerol, is disposed adjacent the collodion membrane. An osmotic driving force, resulting from a water concentration gradient across the collodion membrane, transports the condensed water from the condensing layer through the thickness of the membrane and into an osmotic fluid. The collodion membrane also inhibits the osmotic fluid from flowing into the condenser layer.

Abstract: A humid gas stream is dehumidified by bringing that stream into contact with the front surface of a hydrophilic capillary condenser layer that captures the water and moves it adjacent the rear surface of the capillary layer. An osmotic layer, such as a semi-permeable membrane, is disposed on the rear surface of the condenser layer, and an osmotic fluid having a low concentration of water therein, is disposed adjacent the osmotic layer. An osmotic driving force, resulting from the water concentration gradient across the osmotic layer, transports the condensed water from the condensing layer through the thickness of the osmotic layer and into an osmotic fluid. The osmotic layer also inhibits the osmotic fluid from flowing into the condenser layer.

Abstract: A humid gas stream is dehumidified by bringing that stream into contact with the front surface of a hydrophilic capillary condenser layer that captures the water and moves it adjacent the rear surface of the capillary layer. A semi-permeable collodion membrane, is disposed on the rear capillary surface of the condenser layer, and an osmotic fluid, such as glycerol, is disposed adjacent the collodion membrane. An osmotic driving force, resulting from a water concentration gradient across the collodion membrane, transports the condensed water from the condensing layer through the thickness of the membrane and into an osmotic fluid. The collodion membrane also inhibits the osmotic fluid from flowing into the condenser layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to sustaining high reaction rates at lower reaction temperatures than conventionally utilized with the particular catalyst. The improved reaction rates are obtained using various techniques and combinations thereof including simulated boiling, utilizing the reactant in the form of a thin film, employing microwaves, and the use of micromachines.

Abstract: A stream of hydrocarbon fuel is catalytically decomposed to produce hydrogen and lower molecular weight fuel fragments, which may separated by molecular size. The hydrogen and low molecular weight fuel fragments are introduced along with a stream of nondecomposed hydrocarbon fuel into the combustor of a high speed propulsion unit. The method results in a wider combustor operating range, with higher combustion rates and increased flame stability, achieved through more rapid diffusional mixing. The process effectively extends the operating limits of gas turbines, and especially ramjet and scramjet combustors.

Abstract: A heat pump that includes organic hydride (12) and metal hydride (2) systems cools a conditioned space (6) by transferring heat from the conditioned space to a metal hydride bed (4), thereby decomposing a metal hydride in the bed to form H.sub.2. The H.sub.2 flows to a vapor space (14) in the liquid hydride system (12) and reacts with a dehydrogenation product at a catalytic surface (32) in the vapor space to form an organic hydride and an exothermic heat of reaction. The heat pump also may be used to upgrade waste heat by transferring heat from a relatively low temperature heat source to decompose the metal hydride. The exothermic heat of reaction may then be removed from the vapor space and used for space heating. In both embodiments, the metal hydride bed (4) may be regenerated by supplying an endothermic heat of reaction to the catalytic surface (32), thereby dehydrogenating the organic hydride to form H.sub.2. The H.sub.

Abstract: A cooling device cools a conditioned space (6) by transferring heat from the conditioned space to a working fluid (2) in a heat exchanger (4). A compressor (10) compresses the working fluid (8), which is then condensed in a condenser (14). Heat from the condenser is transferred to a dehydrogenation reaction zone (104) that includes a dehydrogenation catalyst (106) to supply a portion of an endothermic heat of reaction. The catalyst (106) is contacted with an organic hydride (102) to dehydrogenate the organic hydride to form H.sub.2 (108) and at least one dehydrogenation product (110). A combustor (112) burns the H.sub.2 (108) to form combustion products (144) that expand in a turbine (116) to drive the compressor (10). A portion of the heat of combustion is used to supply the remainder of the endothermic heat of reaction required in the dehydrogenation reaction zone (104).

Abstract: A method of combusting a hydrocarbon fuel includes mixing the fuel with a first air stream to form a fuel/air mixture having an equivalence ratio of greater than 1 and partially oxidizing the fuel by contacting it with an oxidation catalyst to generate a heat of reaction and a partial oxidation product stream. The partial oxidation product stream is mixed with a second air stream and completely combusted in a main combustor at a condition at which appreciable quantities of thermal NO.sub.x are not formed to generate an effluent gas stream, thereby generating an effluent gas stream containing decreased amounts of thermal and prompt NO.sub.x. A system for combusting a hydrocarbon fuel includes, in combination, means for mixing the fuel with a first air stream, a catalytic oxidation stage containing an oxidation catalyst, means for mixing the partial oxidation product stream with a second air stream, and a main combustor capable of completely combusting the partial oxidation product stream.

Abstract: A method of combusting an endothermic fuel in a lean premixed/prevaporized combustion system includes transferring thermal energy from a combustion air stream to an endothermic fuel decomposition catalyst to cool the combustion air stream and heat the fuel and catalyst to a temperature sufficient to endothermically decompose an endothermic fuel. The catalyst is contacted with fuel to cause the fuel to endothermically decompose into a reaction product stream. The reaction product stream is mixed with the cooled combustion air stream to form a well-mixed, uniformly lean fuel/air mixture and the fuel/air mixture is combusted at an equivalence ratio of less than 1 to produce a combustion product stream. The invention also includes a system for practicing the method.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating air using a regenerable hydrogen containing liquid fuel. The apparatus includes a hydrogen reduction catalyst, a semipermeable membrane through which hydrogen may pass and an oxidation catalyst which forms a combustion area. The hydrogen reduction catalyst is proximate to the combustion area. A displacement means transfers the hydrogen containing liquid fuel to the reduction catalyst where combustion heat decomposes the liquid fuel into hydrogen and decomposition products. The hydrogen passes through the semipermeable membrane mixes with air and is combusted at the oxidation catalyst. The decomposition products are transferred to a condensing means whereby they are condensed.

Abstract: A chemical pump system that utilizes a self-driven compressor to increase the system pressure while obviating the need for a one-way valve and liquid head to provide the driving force for the reactants, thus enhancing long distance transport. The system comprises a chemical heat pipe employing reversible endothermic/exothermic chemical reactions to transfer thermal energy between a heat source and a heat sink. At least one reactant is self-driven substantially unidirectionally through the heat pipe by compressing the reactant(s) with a compressor and heating the reactant(s) to a predetermined pressure and temperature sufficient to form a reaction product having at least a 150% molar increase. The reaction product is expanded with an expander that is linked mechanically to the compressor. The expansion energy is sufficient to compress the reactants to the predetermined pressure while maintaining the self-driven unidirectional flow.

Abstract: An apparatus for heating air wherein the combustion is dispersed in direct proximity to a metal hydride fuel storage means in order that the combustion heat effects the release of hydrogen from the metal hydride. The combustion area contains a catalyst and a semipermeable membrane separates the hydride fuel storage means and the combustion area. The temperature of the metal hydride is raised to effect initial release of hydrogen which passes through the semipermeable membrane, mixes with air and is combusted at the catalyst. The heat of combustion, in direct proximity to the metal hydride, perpetuates the hydrogen release.

Abstract: A method for reducing the energy required in a dehydrogenation reaction particularly adapted to methods for transporting and storing thermal energy. The equilibrium of a hydrogenation-dehydrogenation equilibrium reaction system is shifted by removing at least a portion of the generated equilibrium reaction hydrogen and reacting the removed hydrogen with oxygen to produce water and heat and adding the produced water and heat into the equilibrium reaction system. This method has particular use in hydrogenation-dehydrogenation equilibrium reaction systems useful for transporting and storing thermal energy.

Abstract: A first gas produced or supplied at a first location is reacted (combined) with a selected reactant in a reversible chemical reaction to produce a gaseous reaction product which is converted to liquid-form and conveyed, as a liquid, to a second location remote from the first location, whereupon it is converted back to its original gaseous constituents in a chemical reaction the reverse of the initial reaction. The regenerated first gas, now at the second location, is separated from the regenerated reactant which is returned to the first location to be used again.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided in a chemical heat pipe for shifting the reaction equilibrium in order to operate at a "shifted" temperature without also "shifting" the pressure. A diluent is added to the heat pipe in a constant-pressure manner near a reaction zone. The diluent exists in the gaseous phase at the reaction zone so as to shift the reaction equilibrium. This has the effect of "shifting" the temperature required for the reaction to proceed to a predetermined extent. The diluent is chemically inert in the particular reacting system and is removed from the system so as not to increase the pressure therein. In a preferred embodiment, methylcyclohexane is dissociated by endothermic reaction at a heat source position to form toluene and hydrogen and water is added to the heat pipe at or near the heat source position to form a diluent of water vapor at the reaction zone. The diluent is removed from the system downstream of the reaction zone, as by a desiccant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a self-driven chemical heat pipe are provided in a circuit including an endothermic reaction chamber and an exothermic chamber connected by a pair of arms extending therebetween. Reactant is endothermically reacted near the heat source to create reaction product at a pressure greater than exists at the exothermic reaction chamber to promote flow thereof through one of the arms. Reaction product is exothermically reacted in the exothermic reaction chamber near the heat sink to liberate heat and form recombined gaseous reactant. That gaseous reactant is converted to liquid form, which liquid-form reactant occludes part of the other arm and flows therethrough toward the endothermic chamber to complete the cycle. The liquid occlusion of that arm ensures adequate unidirectional flow about the circuit. Provision may be made for selectively reversibly storing reaction product or reactant to accommodate differences in time between heat production at the source and heat demand at the sink.