Abstract: A method of purifying brackish water includes mixing brackish water with a nucleating agent, forming nucleated liquid water and distributing droplets of the nucleated liquid water inside a vacuum chamber, vacuum freezing the droplets of the nucleated liquid water in the vacuum chamber. The method further includes the droplets forming pure water vapor, nucleated ice, and remaining brackish water, mixing and liquifying the pure water vapor and the nucleated ice, forming a mixture of purified liquid water and the nucleating agent. The method further includes separating the mixture of purified liquid water and the nucleating agent, forming purified liquid water and the nucleating agent.

Abstract: A thermal energy storage system includes a phase change composition including a phase change material. The phase change composition has a first melting temperature at a first hydration level and a second melting temperature at a second hydration level. The phase change composition stores thermal energy by converting from a solid to a liquid. The thermal energy storage system also includes at least one compartment containing the phase change composition and at least one tuning medium receiving water to adjust the phase change composition from the first hydration level to the second hydration level and supplying water to adjust the phase change composition from the second hydration level to the first hydration level. A method of storing and releasing thermal energy is also disclosed.

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.