Abstract: A counterflow heat exchanger has a pair of disklike end plates between which there are disposed a multiplicity of disklike heat transfer walls. The heat transfer walls have peripheral flanges which are fluid-tightly joined to each other to provide spaces between the walls. There are a first and a second pair of spaced openings defined through each heat transfer wall for the passage of a first and a second fluid respectively therethrough. Each heat transfer wall is additionally fluid-tightly joined to an adjacent heat transfer wall on one side thereof at their edges bounding the first pairs of openings, and to another adjacent heat transfer wall on another side thereof at their edges bounding the second pairs of openings, so that two sets of flow paths for the two fluids are formed alternately by and between the heat transfer walls. The two pairs of openings in each heat transfer wall are situated adjacent the peripheral flange thereof for uniform fluid distribution throughout each flow path.

Abstract: A pair of heat exchangers of generally cylindrical shape are coaxially coupled to the opposite ends of a cylindrical air-water separator. Each heat exchanger has a stack of heat transfer disks brazed together to define two alternating sets of intercommunicating flow paths. The first set of flow paths of the first heat exchanger receives high-temperature, high-humidity air under pressure, which is precooled by low-temperature, low-humidity air flowing to the second set of flow paths from the air-water separator. The precooled high-humidity air is directed through an internal passageway in the separator into the second heat exchanger, in which the air is cooled by heat exchange with a coolant. The cooled high-humidity air is then directed into the separator for reduction of the moisture. The low-temperature, low-humidity air is then afterheated by precooling the incoming high-temperature, high-humidity air in the first heat exchanger, for subsequent delivery to a load.