Abstract: A heat exchanger including a housing having a base and defining an interior. A plurality of coils are located in the interior of the housing and are arranged to extend upwardly from the base to define a coil depth. A blower is adapted to move air through the plurality of coils in a direction of the coil depth. A water distribution system is preferably located around a circumferential periphery of the plurality of coils to spray water on an outer surface of the plurality of coils along substantially the entire coil depth thereof. At least one air inlet opening is located in the housing to allow airflow across the plurality of coils. Additional embodiments of improved heat exchangers are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A heat exchanger including a housing having a base and defining an interior. A plurality of coils are located in the interior of the housing and are arranged to extend upwardly from the base to define a coil depth. A blower is adapted to move air through the plurality of coils in a direction of the coil depth. A water distribution system is preferably located around a circumferential periphery of the plurality of coils to spray water on an outer surface of the plurality of coils along substantially the entire coil depth thereof. At least one air inlet opening is located in the housing to allow airflow across the plurality of coils. Additional embodiments of improved heat exchangers are disclosed herein.

Abstract: A core for interacting with a fluid media flowing therethrough which includes a plurality of adjoining channels. Each of the channels is generally in the form of a hexagon in cross section and includes an internal surface area. The internal surface area is coated with an interactive material which interacts with the fluid media flowing through the channels to achieve one of heat transfer, mass transfer, catalysis, ion exchange, separation of the fluid media, removal of organic compounds from the fluid media, dilution or concentration of fluid components, treatment of fluid-carried organisms, and the capture and retention of hazardous materials. Examples of the use of the core include positioning the core within a rotary heat exchanger wheel or a rotary mass-transfer wheel, often used in desiccant air-conditioning systems.

Abstract: A hybrid air-conditioning system for controlling the condition of air in a building enclosed space. The hybrid air-conditioning system includes a rotatable moisture transfer wheel having first and second zones. The first zone is located in a process air flow and the second zone is located in a regenerative air flow. The second zone of the moisture transfer wheel has relatively wet and dry regions. A compressor having a suction side and a discharge side is provided. The suction side of the compressor is in fluid communication with a recovery evaporator coil, and the discharge side of the compressor is in fluid communication with a subcool condenser coil. The recovery evaporator coil is positioned such that the regenerative air flow through the dry region of the second zone of the moisture transfer wheel passes through the recovery evaporator coil.

Abstract: The concentration of airborne microorganisms can be substantially reduced by passing air containing a concentration of microorganisms through a core of desiccant. Preferably, the core of desiccant is present in a moisture transfer wheel, which forms part of an open-cycle air conditioning system. The preferred desiccant is a large-pored crystalline titaniumsilicate molecular sieve, which can be regenerated into an essentially anhydrous state at a regeneration temperature of less than about 200.degree. F., and thereafter can absorb moisture from air to provide air having a vapor pressure of less than about 3 torr.