Abstract: A heat transfer apparatus (102) including: (i) an evaporation chamber (116) in heat transfer communication with a first heat source, wherein the first heat source causes a liquid in the evaporation chamber (116) to evaporate into a gas; (ii) an adsorption/absorption chamber (134) in fluid communication with the evaporation chamber (116) and in heat transfer communication with a cooling source, the adsorption/absorption chamber (134) containing a microemulsion which adsorbs/absorbs the gas, when cooled, as droplets of the liquid sequestered within the microemulsion to form a used microemulsion; and (iii) a desorption chamber (136) in fluid communication with the adsorption/absorption chamber (134) and the evaporation chamber (116), and in heat transfer communication with a second heat source capable of desorbing the liquid droplets out of the used microemulsion as the liquid, without vaporizing the liquid, to form a regenerated microemulsion. Also, methods of using the heat transfer apparatus.

Abstract: A heat transfer apparatus (104) comprising: (i) an adsorption/absorption chamber (122) in fluid communication with an exhaust stream (118) from a wet-cooling tower (112) and in heat transfer communication with a cooling source (120), the adsorption/absorption chamber (122) containing a microemulsion (124) which adsorbs/absorbs water vapor present in the exhaust stream (118), when cooled, as water droplets sequestered within the microemulsion (124) to form a used microemulsion (126); and (ii) a desorption chamber (134) in fluid communication with the adsorption/absorption chamber (122) and the wet-cooling tower (112), and in heat transfer communication with a heat source capable of desorbing the water droplets out of the used microemulsion (126) as liquid water (140), without vaporizing the water, to form a regenerated microemulsion (138). Also, methods of using the heat transfer apparatus.