Abstract: An increased capacity thermal storage apparatus for forming frozen storage liquid during a storage cycle is provided. The apparatus comprises a container for holding a pool of storage liquid. A coil assembly having a plurality of tubes is immersed in the pool storage liquid. The tubes are adapted to transport a refrigerant therethrough to create a tubular envelope of frozen storage liquid around each tube during the storage cycle. Each tube has a non-circular cross-section with a horizontal dimension and a vertical dimension. The vertical dimension is greater than or equal to the horizontal dimension. The tubes are oriented generally horizontally and are arranged in a plurality of spaced apart, generally vertical rows. Neighboring tubes in adjacent vertical rows are horizontally spaced apart sufficiently such that unfrozen, generally vertical passageways remain between the envelopes of frozen storage liquid.

Abstract: A coil assembly for use in a heat exchanger having air flowing in a predetermined direction. The coil assembly comprises a plurality of parallel linear tubes, a plurality of return tubes interconnecting the linear tubes, and a plurality of fins. Each linear tube has a central portion with an elliptical cross-section and two end portions with round female sockets having circular cross-sections. Each return tube has two end portions with circular cross-sections. Each end portion of a return tube fits into a round female socket of a linear tube regardless of the orientation of the major axes of the linear tubes. The major axis of the elliptical cross-section resides at an oblique angle with respect to the direction of air flow. Each fin comprises a planar sheet of a heat-conductive material with a plurality of holes. The central portion of a linear tube extends through each hole. Each fin securely contacts each linear tube extending therethrough such that heat transfer therebetween is enhanced.

Abstract: A coil assembly for use in a heat exchanger having air flowing in a predetermined direction. The coil assembly comprises a plurality of parallel linear tubes, a plurality of return tubes interconnecting the linear tubes, and a plurality of fins. Each linear tube has a central portion with an elliptical cross-section and two end portions with round female sockets having circular cross-sections. Each return tube has two end portions with circular cross-sections. Each end portion of a return tube fits into a round female socket of a linear tube regardless of the orientation of the major axes of the linear tubes. The major axis of the elliptical cross-section resides at an oblique angle with respect to the direction of air flow. Each fin comprises a planar sheet of a heat-conductive material with a plurality of holes. The central portion of a linear tube extends through each hole. Each fin securely contacts each linear tube extending therethrough such that heat transfer therebetween is enhanced.

Abstract: A wet deck fill sheet is disclosed for use in making a wet deck fill for use in evaporative counterflow heat exchangers. One aspect of the sheet is that it includes transverse corrugations formed in at least one of the top and bottom edges of the sheet. Another aspect is the provision of a staggered array of substantially vertical spacers extending from one face of the sheet to space the sheet a predetermined distance from an adjacent sheet in the wet deck fill. The spacers are aligned to provide for substantially equalized air flow along the length of the sheet in a horizontal direction between the sheets as the air travels upward through the deck. Another aspect of the invention includes providing in the sloping walls of the major face corrugations formed in the fill sheets a plurality of substantially horizontal air turbulence increasing and water spreading means to increase the interaction of air and water to provide improved thermal performance.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an apparatus for removing mist from a mist laden air stream comprising:a. a plurality of stacked blades mounted in blade holding means, each blade having an inlet side and an outlet side and being stacked to allow the mist laden air stream to flow between the blades;b. impact means disposed on a surface of each blade against which the mist and air impacts for removing mist from the air stream; andc. pressure drop reducing means disposed on the outlet side of each blade for reducing the pressure drop of the air stream across the blades.The impact means is an integrally formed curved arch against which the mist laden air impacts to form drops and down which the drops flow. The pressure drop reducing means is an angled lip which extends along the length of the blade from the outlet edge of the blade.