Abstract: A system is provided for affecting temperature (cooling and/or heating) and/or the presence of an adsorbable species (e.g., water, through humification and/or dehumidification) in a gaseous environment. The system includes at least one heat and/or mass transfer device which can be in thermal contact with an adsorbent, such as a desiccant. The system can include multiple heat and/or mass transfer devices that cycle through modes, often different modes one from the other at a given time, and can include one more compressor(s)/evaporator(s) containing a refrigerant, an expansion device, control valves and/or other suitable equipment. The system can be used to condition a gaseous environment, such as by air conditioning, heating, dehumidification, humidification, or any of these alone or in combination. Gas flow-directing valve assemblies, and related methods, are also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for separating humidity control from temperature control and utilizing multiple energy storage sub-systems to reduce overall energy consumption, and more generally to cool and dehumidify ambient air using such a multitude of energy storage mediums, including electricity, water, moisture and thermal storage The system uses a primary cooling sub-system such as a vapor compressor in combination with one or more energy storage sub-systems to store energy during one period of operation for later use during another period of operation based on an algorithm that determines the most cost efficient or energy efficient usage.

Abstract: A system and method for separating humidity control from temperature control and utilizing multiple energy storage sub-systems to reduce overall energy consumption, and more generally to cool and dehumidify ambient air using such a multitude of energy storage mediums, including electricity, water, moisture and thermal storage The system uses a primary cooling sub-system such as a vapor compressor in combination with one or more energy storage sub-systems to store energy during one period of operation for later use during another period of operation based on an algorithm that determines the most cost efficient or energy efficient usage.

Abstract: This invention provides a thermal energy battery having an insulated tank containing a multitude of densely packed plastic tubes filled with a phase-change material (PCM, such as ice) that changes from solid to liquid and vice-versa. Energy is stored when the PCM transitions from liquid to solid form, and released when the PCM transitions back from solid to liquid form. The tubes are arranged vertically, span the height of a well-insulated tank, and are immersed in heat transfer fluid (HTF) contained within the tank. The HTF is an aqueous solution with a freezing point temperature below the freezing point temperature of the chosen PCM. The HTF remains in liquid form at all times during the operation of the battery. Diffusers located allow the HTF to be extracted uniformly from the tank, pumped and cooled by a liquid chiller situated outside the tank and then and inserted back into the tank.

Abstract: This invention provides a thermal energy battery having an insulated tank contains a multitude of densely packed plastic tubes filled with a phase-change material (PCM, such as ice) that changes from solid to liquid and vice-versa. Energy is stored when the PCM transitions from liquid to solid form, and released when the PCM transitions back from solid to liquid form. The tubes are arranged vertically, span the height of a well-insulated tank, and are immersed in heat transfer fluid (HTF) contained within the tank. The HTF is an aqueous solution with a freezing point temperature below the freezing point temperature of the chosen PCM. The HTF remains in liquid form at all times during the operation of the battery. Diffusers located allow the HTF to be extracted uniformly from the tank, pumped and cooled by a liquid chiller situated outside the tank and then and inserted back into the tank.

Abstract: This invention provides a thermal energy battery having an insulated tank contains a multitude of densely packed plastic tubes filled with a phase-change material (PCM, such as ice) that changes from solid to liquid and vice-versa. Energy is stored when the PCM transitions from liquid to solid form, and released when the PCM transitions back from solid to liquid form. The tubes are arranged vertically, span the height of a well-insulated tank, and are immersed in heat transfer fluid (HTF) contained within the tank. The HTF is an aqueous solution with a freezing point temperature below the freezing point temperature of the chosen PCM. The HTF remains in liquid form at all times during the operation of the battery. Diffusers located allow the HTF to be extracted uniformly from the tank, pumped and cooled by a liquid chiller situated outside the tank and then and inserted back into the tank.

Abstract: This invention provides a thermal energy battery having an insulated tank contains a multitude of densely packed plastic tubes filled with a phase-change material (PCM, such as ice) that changes from solid to liquid and vice-versa. Energy is stored when the PCM transitions from liquid to solid form, and released when the PCM transitions back from solid to liquid form. The tubes are arranged vertically, span the height of a well-insulated tank, and are immersed in heat transfer fluid (HTF) contained within the tank. The HTF is an aqueous solution with a freezing point temperature below the freezing point temperature of the chosen PCM. The HTF remains in liquid form at all times during the operation of the battery. Diffusers located allow the HTF to be extracted uniformly from the tank, pumped and cooled by a liquid chiller situated outside the tank and then and inserted back into the tank.