Abstract: A system and method that removes an unwanted gas or unwanted gases or volatile liquids from containers or spaces that have only one venthole. The unwanted gases are replaced by a desirable, usually inert gas. The containers may be filled with granular solids of any size or shape; the containers may be of any size or geometry. The method consists of a pump system that applies small pressure oscillations to the single vent hole. These oscillations compress and expand the gas in the container. The resulting gas displacements in the container generate vortices in the gas spaces between the granular solids which mix the gases, replacing the unwanted resident gas by a desirable gas. The theory is related to the dispersion in porous media. Experiments are presented that document the time needed for the washout of the unwanted resident gas.

Abstract: A system and method that removes an unwanted gas or unwanted gases or volatile liquids from containers or spaces that have only one venthole. The unwanted gases are replaced by a desirable, usually inert gas. The containers may be filled with granular solids of any size or shape; the containers may be of any size or geometry. The method consists of a pump system that applies small pressure oscillations to the single vent hole. These oscillations compress and expand the gas in the container. The resulting gas displacements in the container generate vortices in the gas spaces between the granular solids which mix the gases, replacing the unwanted resident gas by a desirable gas. The theory is related to the dispersion in porous media. Experiments are presented that document the time needed for the washout of the unwanted resident gas.

Abstract: A method and systems for separating fluids of differing masses from a mixture by enhanced diffusion wherein the method and systems embody at least one cycle wherein the mixture of fluids of differing masses is fed into a first reservoir which is connected by at least one duct to a second reservoir; a carrier fluid is fed into a second reservoir; oscillatory axial movement of fluid within the at least one duct is established; a mixture of carrier fluid and a mixture of fluids of differing masses enriched in the component thereof having higher effective diffusion coefficient is withdrawn from the second reservoir; a mixture of carrier fluid and a mixture of fluids of differing masses enriched in the component thereof having the lower effective diffusion coefficient is withdrawn from the first reservoir; such that a positive flow of the carrier fluid is maintained from the second reservoir through the at least one duct into the first reservoir.

Abstract: A heat transfer system comprising a pair of zones positioned at respective locations of differing temperatures between which heat is transferred; a first element, one surface of which conducts heat; a second element, one end of which communicates with one of the pair of zones and the other end of which communicates with the other of the pair of zones and one surface of which conducts heat and is slidably engaged with the heat-conducting surface of the first element and means for establishing oscillatory movement of the second element between the pair of zones such that the heat-conducting surface thereof slidably engages the heat-conducting surface of the first element and such that the ends thereof do not communicate with the other of the pair of zones.

Abstract: A heat transfer system comprising a pair of zones positioned at respective locations of differing temperatures between which heat is transferred. Each zone has a solid surface which slidably engages the surface of a solid cylindrical element. The cylindrical element is rotated to transfer heat between the pair of zones.

Abstract: A heat transfer system comprising a pair of zones positioned at respective locations of differing temperatures between which heat is transferred; a first element one surface of which conducts heat; a second element, one end of which communicated with one of the pair of zones and the other end of which communicates with the other of the pair of zones and one surface of which conducts heat and is slidably engaged with the heat-conducting surface of the first element and means for establishing oscillatory movement of the second element between the pair of zones such that the heat-conducting surface thereof slidably engages the heat-conducting surface of the first element and such that the ends thereof do not communicate with the other of the pair of zones.

Abstract: The present invention is predicated on the discovery that mixtures of solutes and/or particulates of differing masses dissolved or suspended in a liquid media can be separated at high differential flow rates by an enhanced diffusion technique involving the oscillation of the liquid media containing the solutes and/or particulates within one or more ducts or capillaries in the presence of axial concentration gradients.

Abstract: A system for separating gases of differing masses by enhanced diffusion comprising a gas separating device which consists of a pair of gas reservoirs, at least one duct connecting the reservoirs and device for establishing oscillatory axial movement of gas within the duct. Each reservoir contains an inlet and outlet, the inlet being adapted for feeding a mixture of carrier gas and the mixture of gases to be separated and the inlet for the other reservoir being adapted for feeding a carrier gas into the other reservoir. One of the outlets is adapted for the withdrawal from one of the reservoirs of a mixture of carrier gas and a mixture of gases of differing masses which is enriched in the heavier gas component and the other outlet is adapted for withdrawal from the other of the reservoirs of a mixture of a carrier gas and a mixture of gases to be separated being enriched in the lighter gas component.