Abstract: A cooling system has a chiller to remove heat from a cooling liquid and a plurality of remote cooling units each comprises a heat exchanger coil, a fan blowing air through the heat exchanger coil, a drip pan receiving drip water condensing on the heat exchanger coil, a cooling conduit connected to the chiller outlet and the heat exchanger coil, a return conduit connected to the chiller inlet and the heat exchanger coil, and a suction conduit connected to receive water from a pan outlet of the drip pan. A liquid pump circulates the cooling liquid through the chiller and through each remote cooling unit, and a suction pump connected to an output end of each suction conduit draws drip water from each drip pan through each of the suction conduits and deposits the drip water into a collector.

Abstract: A system for drying first and second enclosures includes first and second drying units, each drying unit including a process air stream moving through a process chamber, a reactivation air stream moving through a reactivation chamber and a rotating desiccant wheel configured such that a process wheel portion is located such that the process air stream moves therethrough, and such that a reactivation wheel portion is located such that the reactivation air stream moves therethrough. The reactivation air stream passes through a heating coil before passing through the reactivation wheel. A liquid heating unit circulates first and second heated liquid flows through the heating coils of the corresponding first and second drying units located respectively to dry the first and second enclosures. A flow control is operative to adjust a volume of the first and second heated liquid flows.

Abstract: A system for drying first and second enclosures includes first and second drying units, each drying unit including a process air stream moving through a process chamber, a reactivation air stream moving through a reactivation chamber and a rotating desiccant wheel configured such that a process wheel portion is located such that the process air stream moves therethrough, and such that a reactivation wheel portion is located such that the reactivation air stream moves therethrough. The reactivation air stream passes through a heating coil before passing through the reactivation wheel. A liquid heating unit circulates first and second heated liquid flows through the heating coils of the corresponding first and second drying units located respectively to dry the first and second enclosures. A flow control is operative to adjust a volume of the first and second heated liquid flows.

Abstract: A heat exchanger apparatus for a portable tank that has an access opening and an access door removably attachable to seal the access opening. The apparatus includes a cover plate configured to be removably attached to the access opening to seal the access opening, and a heating circuit attached to an inner surface of the cover plate such that when the cover plate is attached to the access opening, the heating circuit extends into an interior of the tank. Input and output ports extend through the cover plate and are connected at inner ends thereof to the heating circuit such that fluid flowing into the input port flows through the heating circuit to the output port. The input and output ports are adapted at outer ends thereof for attachment to a fluid heating system to circulate heating fluid through the heating circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for enhancing the transfer of heat in a fluid within a reservoir. The interposition of heat exchangers between a primary heating arrangement and an auxiliary heating arrangement results in greater utilization efficiency in heat transfer to the fluid within the container. A predetermined arrangement of heat exchangers within the reservoir containing the same is also disclosed.

Abstract: A liquid heating system and heat exchangers therefore are disclosed. Each heat exchanger comprises a right heating chamber having a right input port and a right output port, and a left heating chamber having a left input port and a left output port. A heating circuit is configured such that circulating heated supply fluid through the heating circuit heats target liquid present in the heating chambers. The system includes a plurality of heat exchangers including a first, a final, and a plurality of middle heat exchangers. The right and left heating chambers are connected such that target liquid flows into the right input port of the right chamber of the first heat exchanger and through each right chamber to the left chamber of the final heat exchanger, and then through each left chamber and through the left output port of the first heat exchanger to a hot liquid discharge.

Abstract: A fluid circulating apparatus for warming or cooling a surface includes a pressurized fluid source operative to circulate fluid through a conduit such that a supply fluid moves from a supply port of the fluid source into a first end of the conduit, through the conduit, and from a second end of the conduit to a return port of the fluid supply. A flow control when in a forward mode directs fluid from the supply port into the first end of the conduit and from the second end of the conduit to the return port, and when in a reverse mode directs fluid from the supply port into the second end of the conduit and from the first end of the conduit to the return port. A mode selector is operative to switch the flow control between forward mode and reverse mode.

Abstract: A method of circulating fluid to adjust a temperature of a material comprises providing a pressurized fluid source operative to adjust the temperature of a fluid and to push the fluid out through a supply port at a supply temperature and draw fluid in through a return port at a return temperature. A conduit is arranged in proximity to the material and the fluid is circulated through the conduit in alternating forward and reverse directions. An apparatus is provided for periodically reversing the direction of fluid flow through the conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing a relative humidity of air inside an enclosed space includes a portable outside air heat exchanger unit having a fan operative to create an air stream by drawing outside air from an intake and discharging the air stream through an outlet inside the enclosed space, and a temperature adjusting element located in the air stream. A heating source supplies heat energy to the temperature adjusting element in response to directions from a heat controller. A humidity sensor is operative to sense the relative humidity of the air in a sensing location and to send a humidity signal to the heat controller to change the amount of heat energy supplied to the temperature adjusting element in response to the humidity signal. HEPA filters and ultra-violet lights can shine on the air stream to kill mold spores and the like.

Abstract: A method for drying a surface comprises supporting a fabric cover above the surface, and holding side edges of the fabric cover against the surface such that an air channel is formed between the fabric cover and the surface. The air channel has an inlet end and a discharge end, and a pressurized warm air stream having a relative humidity less than an ambient relative humidity is directed into the inlet end of the air channel such that the warm air stream moves through the air channel to the discharge end and out to the atmosphere. An apparatus for practicing the invention provides a plenum along the inlet end with plenum outlets to discharge the warm air stream, and cover supports extending out from the plenum to support the cover above the surface. A fabric tube plenum and cover supports provide versatility and portability.

Abstract: A method for drying a surface comprises supporting a fabric cover above the surface, and holding side edges of the fabric cover against the surface such that an air channel is formed between the fabric cover and the surface. The air channel has an inlet end and a discharge end, and a pressurized warm air stream having a relative humidity less than an ambient relative humidity is directed into the inlet end of the air channel such that the warm air stream moves through the air channel to the discharge end and out to the atmosphere. An apparatus for practicing the invention provides a plenum along the inlet end with plenum outlets to discharge the warm air stream, and cover supports extending out from the plenum to support the cover above the surface. A fabric tube plenum and cover supports provide versatility and portability.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for temporarily warming a plurality of vehicle engines includes a warm fluid circulation loop; an engine fluid circulation loop; a fluid heater; a fluid to fluid heat exchangers; a warm fluid pump; and an engine fluid pump. The warm fluid circulation loop connects the warm fluid heater to the fluid to fluid heat exchanger. The engine fluid circulation loop transfers engine fluid from engine fluid systems to the fluid to fluid heat exchanger. The fluid heater heats the fluid in the warm fluid circulation loop and the warm fluid is then circulated through the warm fluid circulation loop to the fluid to fluid heat exchanger to warm the engine fluid in the engine fluid circulation loop. The warmed engine fluid circulates through the engine fluid system warming the vehicle engine. The apparatus is configured to warm a plurality of vehicle engines at the same time.

Abstract: A method for drying a surface comprises supporting a fabric cover above the surface, and holding side edges of the fabric cover against the surface such that an air channel is formed between the fabric cover and the surface. The air channel has an inlet end and a discharge end, and a pressurized warm air stream having a relative humidity less than an ambient relative humidity is directed into the inlet end of the air channel such that the warm air stream moves through the air channel to the discharge end and out to the atmosphere. An apparatus for practicing the invention provides a plenum along the inlet end with plenum outlets to discharge the warm air stream, and cover supports extending out from the plenum to support the cover above the surface. A fabric tube plenum and cover supports provide versatility and portability.

Abstract: A temporary heating apparatus comprises a portable heat exchanger which transfers heat from a hot fluid circulating in a primary circulation loop thereof to a heated liquid circulating in a secondary circulation loop thereof. The heat exchanger is connectable to a hot fluid source such that hot fluid from the hot fluid source circulates through the primary circulation loop. A portable remote heating unit comprises a fluid coil releasably connected by flexible conduits to the secondary circulation loop, and a secondary pump is connected to the flexible conduits and the secondary circulation loop to pump heated liquid through the secondary circulation loop, flexible conduits, and the fluid coil of the remote heating unit. The heat exchanger isolates the heating circuit from the hot fluid source, allowing the use of steam as the hot fluid source, and further allowing high pressures in the heating circuit, such as encountered in tall buildings.

Abstract: A method of controlling humidity in each of a plurality of zones of an enclosed space during a drying process includes, in each zone, drawing air from the zone to create an air stream through a heating element and discharging the air stream into the zone; sensing the relative humidity of the air in a sensing location in the zone; in response to the relative humidity sensed at the sensing location, operating the heating element to raise a temperature of the air stream as required to reduce the relative humidity of the air in the zone to a desired relative humidity. The method reduces over-drying and increases the efficiency of the drying process.

Abstract: A portable heat exchanger unit comprises a fan operative to create an air stream. A first temperature adjusting element is located in the air stream, and a second temperature adjusting element is located in the air stream downstream from the first temperature adjusting element. The temperature of the air stream can be changed by either of the first and second temperature adjusting elements. To remove moisture from an occupied building interior air is drawn from an intake outside the building and discharged into the building interior. The first temperature adjusting element is operative to cool the air stream to a temperature below the dew point and condense water out of the air stream. The second temperature adjusting element is operative to heat the air stream to a desired temperature, and the air stream is circulated through and then vented from the building.

Abstract: A method of drying a building includes closing all openings in the building such that air movement out of the building is restricted, drawing air from outside the building, heating the outside air, and directing a stream of the heated outside air into the building through an input duct. The building air pressure of air inside the building is measured and compared to a desired building air pressure that is less than the input pressure. Where the measured building air pressure is greater than the desired building air pressure, a substantially controlled flow of air is allowed to exit the building at an exhaust location and the flow of air from the building is controlled to maintain the building air pressure at the desired air pressure.

Abstract: A method of circulating fluid to adjust a temperature of a material comprises providing a pressurized fluid source operative to adjust the temperature of a fluid and to push the fluid out through a supply port at a supply temperature and draw fluid in through a return port at a return temperature. A conduit is arranged in proximity to the material and the fluid is circulated through the conduit in alternating forward and reverse directions. An apparatus is provided for periodically reversing the direction of fluid flow through the conduit.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for temporarily warming a plurality of vehicle engines includes a warm fluid circulation loop; an engine fluid circulation loop; a fluid heater; a fluid to fluid heat exchangers; a warm fluid pump; and an engine fluid pump. The warm fluid circulation loop connects the warm fluid heater to the fluid to fluid heat exchanger. The engine fluid circulation loop transfers engine fluid from engine fluid systems to the fluid to fluid heat exchanger. The fluid heater heats the fluid in the warm fluid circulation loop and the warm fluid is then circulated through the warm fluid circulation loop to the fluid to fluid heat exchanger to warm the engine fluid in the engine fluid circulation loop. The warmed engine fluid circulates through the engine fluid system warming the vehicle engine. The apparatus is configured to warm a plurality of vehicle engines at the same time.

Abstract: A system and method for cooling a concrete slab to improve curing in hot weather includes a portable liquid cooler. A conduit is connected to the liquid cooler and arranged in proximity to the concrete slab. A pump is operative to circulate liquid from the liquid cooler through the conduit such that liquid moves from a supply port of the liquid cooler into an input end of the conduit at a supply temperature, moves through the conduit, and moves from an output end of the conduit to a return port of the liquid cooler at a return temperature greater than the supply temperature. Heat is absorbed from the concrete slab and the temperature of the slab is thus reduced compared to a slab in ambient hot weather conditions.