Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for dissolving a gas in a liquid, the apparatus comprising (a) a closed vessel containing a liquid at a predetermined level, (b) a contactor module at least partially immersed in the liquid having (1) a gas supply channel to the bore side of the fibers, (2) a liquid supply channel to the shell side of the fibers, and (3) an exit port for transport of a gas-containing liquid, and (c) the remaining space in the closed vessel being occupied by a pressurized gas. The liquid prepared in the apparatus of the present invention containing a dissolved gas, is used to prepare beverages, such as coffee, tea, soda, chocolate and the like, whether hot or cold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to providing an apparatus and a process for dispensing a beverage from a tap, sometimes as often as about every 8 to 10 seconds, while maintaining a predetermined quantity of dissolved nitrogen and/or dissolved carbon dioxide or other gas utilizing a contactor module containing hollow fiber membranes.

Abstract: The present invention provides a gas/liquid contactor module having hollow fiber membranes and a process for controlling dissolved gases in liquids such as water, beer and the like, by passing the liquid through the shell side of the contactor module to allow addition or removal of dissolved gases by the diffusion of the gases through the membranes into or from the hollow fiber bores. The process permits control of the quantity of such dissolved gases as carbon dioxide and nitrogen.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved heat pump system of a heating system which also comprises a utilization circuit. The heat pump system comprises a generator, an absorber, a condenser and an evaporator, and the utilization circuit for circulation of a heat carrier medium comprises heat exchanger means for removing thermal energy from the heat pump system. To supplement the thermal output of the heat pump system, when the utilization circuit requires a greater thermal output than can efficiently be achieved by the heat pump system alone, a supplementary condenser is provided in the generator, the condenser comprising a heat exchanger in heat exchange with vapor in the generator which is connected in the utilization circuit by operation of a valve when additional thermal energy is required. Opening of the valve occurs simultaneously with an increase in the energy provided to the generator.

Abstract: The thermal energy storage material comprises at least one hydrated compound (such as an inorganic salt) having a reversible transition to the anhydrous or a less hydrated form and a hydrogel, comprising a water-swollen cross-linked polymer formed by cross-linking a synthetic hydrophilic polymer by a covalent cross-linking mechanism, throughout which the compound is dispersed. The hydrogel is made by reacting a water-soluble or water-dispersible synthetic hydrophilic polymer, which is preferably linear and thermoplastic, with a cross-linking agent therefor in an aqueous medium containing the hydrated compound. The hydrophilic polymer, the aqueous medium and the hydrated compound are used in such amounts that the storage material contains a major proportion, by weight, of the hydrated compound and a minor proportion, by weight, of the cross-linked polymer.

Abstract: A thermal energy storage material comprising at least one hydrated inorganic salt having a transition temperature to the anhydrous or a less hydrated form in the range 10.degree. to 100.degree. C. (for example, sodium sulphate decahydrate), the salt being dispersed and suspended in a water-insoluble hydrogel formed from a water-soluble synthetic polymer having pendant carboxylic or sulphonic acid groups cross-linked with cations of a polyvalent metal (for example, aluminium or magnesium).