Abstract: A central solar receiver (1) is provided having a heat exchanger assembly with walls that form an inlet chamber (2) and a generally juxtaposed outlet chamber (3) connected to each other by way of a multitude of tube assemblies (4). Each tube assembly (4) has an inner tube (6) and an outer tube (7) with the tube assemblies (4) extending away from the inlet and outlet chambers (2, 3). A remote end (8) of the outer tube (7) is closed and the inner tube (6) terminates short of that closed end (8). The interior of each inner tube (6) communicates with one of the inlet and outlet chambers (2, 3) and a space between each of the inner and outer tubes (6, 7) communicates with the other of the inlet and outlet chambers (2, 3) to form a passageway connecting the inlet and outlet chambers (2, 3) by way of the inner tube (6) and the space between the inner and outer tubes (6, 7) with a change in direction of flow of about 180°.

Abstract: An air temperature regulating assembly is provided having a packed rock bed through which air may flow between outer and inner spaces by way of interstices between rock units in order to transfer heat to or from the rock bed, in use. Dampers control the flow of air between the outer space, the inner space, an enclosed air space the temperature of which is to be regulated by raising or lowering it and the surrounding atmosphere. A fan moves air within the assembly. The rock bed is in the form of a pile of rocks having an upper surface that is inclined and directed in the general direction of the sun to directly absorb solar energy. The outer space is defined between the upper inclined surface of the rock bed and a transparent cover spaced upwardly from the surface of the rock bed.

Abstract: A liquid collection trough assembly for a cooling tower, condenser or dephlegmator includes a plurality of elongate troughs and associated inclined capture plates arranged to receive liquid on a front face thereof and direct the liquid into an associated elongate trough. Each capture plate has a generally upright deflection plate extending downwards from an upper region on its rear face so as to be capable of receiving liquid droplets contacting it and directing such liquid into or onto an adjacent trough or capture plate, in use. The deflection plate extends downwards to terminate in a bottom edge that is located downwards of the upper region of the capture plate and spaced rearwards of the rear face of an inclined portion of the capture plate.

Abstract: A liquid collection trough assembly for a cooling tower, condenser or dephlegmator includes a plurality of elongate troughs and associated inclined capture plates arranged to receive liquid on a front face thereof and direct the liquid into an associated elongate trough. Each capture plate has a generally upright deflection plate extending downwards from an upper region on its rear face so as to be capable of receiving liquid droplets contacting it and directing such liquid into or onto an adjacent trough or capture plate, in use. The deflection plate extends downwards to terminate in a bottom edge that is located downwards of the upper region of the capture plate and spaced rearwards of the rear face of an inclined portion of the capture plate.

Abstract: A splash grid is provided for installation in a rain zone of liquid gas contacting industrial equipment. The splash grid has a supporting frame assembly and multiple generally parallel elongate elements supported by the frame assembly. The elongate elements each has a transverse dimension, in plan view, not exceeding 3 mm, and a spacing in plan view not exceeding 10 mm. The elongate elements may be of a molded plastic material that is optionally integral with a surround that forms, or is attached to, the supporting frame assembly. Alternatively, the elongate elements may be separately manufactured flexible filament or cord supported by a surround that forms or is attached to the supporting frame assembly. The elongate elements may be staggered in the vertical direction and gaps may be provided for larger objects to pass through the splash grid. A liquid cooling installation having a rain zone fitted with a splash grid is also provided.

Abstract: A packed rock bed thermal energy storage facility is provided in the form of a pile of unconstrained rock that is free to expand and contract with changing temperature without creating significant stress. A hot fluid inlet and outlet space is provided above the bed and a cold fluid inlet and outlet space is formed by a grid and larger rocks, or by larger rocks only, that support the pile toward a bottom of the bed. Fluid flow can occur downward through the rock bed during heating of the bed and upward through the rock bed during cooling of the bed in a heat recovery cycle. The bed is completely covered by an insulated arched roof. The rock bed may be an enclosure having a roof, walls and a floor with a lower central region and somewhat inclined side regions extending at a gentle slope towards sidewalls supporting the roof.

Abstract: A central solar receiver (1) is provided having a heat exchanger assembly with walls that form an inlet chamber (2) and a generally juxtaposed outlet chamber (3) connected to each other by way of a multitude of tube assemblies (4). Each tube assembly (4) has an inner tube (6) and an outer tube (7) with the tube assemblies (4) extending away from the inlet and outlet chambers (2, 3). A remote end (8) of the outer tube (7) is closed and the inner tube (6) terminates short of that closed end (8). The interior of each inner tube (6) communicates with one of the inlet and outlet chambers (2, 3) and a space between each of the inner and outer tubes (6, 7) communicates with the other of the inlet and outlet chambers (2, 3) to form a passageway connecting the inlet and outlet chambers (2, 3) by way of the inner tube (6) and the space between the inner and outer tubes (6, 7) with a change in direction of flow of about 180°.

Abstract: An air temperature regulating assembly is provided having a packed rock bed through which air may flow between outer and inner spaces by way of interstices between rock units in order to transfer heat to or from the rock bed, in use. Dampers control the flow of air between the outer space, the inner space, an enclosed air space the temperature of which is to be regulated by raising or lowering it and the surrounding atmosphere. A fan moves air within the assembly. The rock bed is in the form of a pile of rocks having an upper surface that is inclined and directed in the general direction of the sun to directly absorb solar energy. The outer space is defined between the upper inclined surface of the rock bed and a transparent cover spaced upwardly from the surface of the rock bed.

Abstract: A splash grid is provided for installation in a rain zone of liquid gas contacting industrial equipment. The splash grid has a supporting frame assembly and multiple generally parallel elongate elements supported by the frame assembly. The elongate elements each has a transverse dimension, in plan view, not exceeding 3 mm, and a spacing in plan view not exceeding 10 mm. The elongate elements may be of a molded plastic material that is optionally integral with a surround that forms, or is attached to, the supporting frame assembly. Alternatively, the elongate elements may be separately manufactured flexible filament or cord supported by a surround that forms or is attached to the supporting frame assembly. The elongate elements may be staggered in the vertical direction and gaps may be provided for larger objects to pass through the splash grid. A liquid cooling installation having a rain zone fitted with a splash grid is also provided.