Abstract: The air conditioner includes a thermal image acquirer that acquires a thermal image indicating a temperature distribution inside the air-conditioned space, and a thermal sensation estimator that estimates the thermal sensation of a person in the air-conditioned space based on the thermal image obtained from the thermal image acquirer and a parameter set in the air conditioner, the parameter prescribing at least one of a wind direction, a wind speed, and a wind temperature of wind emitted from the air conditioner.

Abstract: An occupant-tracking fan apparatus is provided with a source of forced air such as a fan nozzle in a movable support with multi-axis positioning and a controller with sensors controlling the moveable support directing forced air toward a target detected by the sensors. Targeting in real-time can be through camera imaging or with an array of ultrasonic transmitters/receivers that can identify occupant shape, range and thermal profile, even when the occupant is moving. The targeting fan cools by aiming a stream of air at the occupant increasing skin convection. The apparatus can also target thermal extremes and de-stratify air temperature gradients. Settings can be individualized by remote control, RFID tag or even prescribed gestures interpreted by the camera and controller. The apparatus may be part of a building wide system with a central controller that monitors sensors, controls each fan and the building HVAC systems.

Abstract: A battery-powered environmental control and/or sensor device is disclosed. The device includes a mounting plate arranged to be affixed to a support surface; and a main body including a battery compartment. The main body is adapted to be releasably secured to the mounting plate, with the battery compartment being substantially inaccessible when the main body is secured to the mounting plate. The mounting plate and main body comprise complementary securing elements arranged to secure the main body to the mounting plate. The mounting plate or the main body include a lever having a portion extending beyond a periphery of the device so as to be operable by a device user when the main body is secured to the mounting plate. The lever is operable when activated to disengage the complementary securing elements and separate the main body from the mounting plate to provide access to the battery compartment.

Abstract: In an indoor unit in which a front surface of a casing is curved to bulge so that its central part is at the foremost, a filter cannot be easily taken out. An indoor unit of the present invention includes a casing, a front panel provided forward of the casing, and a filter arranged to be attachable to a mounting position to cover an opening formed on a front surface of the casing. On the front surface of the casing, a protruding wall surface is provided around a lower end portion of the opening to protrude forward, a front end of the protruding wall being curved so that a central part of the front end protrudes forward. The front panel is rotatable relative to the casing so that the lower end portion thereof moves forward, and the protruding wall surface is inclined forward in a downward direction.

Abstract: A liquid heating device includes a liquid storage barrel, a heating barrel, a discharging tube and a controller. The liquid storage barrel stores a liquid to be heated, and is provided with a control valve at its bottom part. The heating barrel is disposed at a space below the liquid storage barrel, and is provided with an entrance at its top end. The controller is connected to the control valve, and controls operations of the control valve to allow the liquid in the liquid storage barrel to pass through the control valve and enter the heating barrel through the entrance. An internal capacity of the liquid storage barrel is greater than an internal capacity of the heating barrel. The heating barrel includes an electric heating structure mainly formed by an electric heating element and an electric conducting line. The discharging tube is a tube connected to the heating barrel, and discharges the heated liquid from the heating barrel.

Abstract: A heat source pad, a heat source, and a method of using a heat source are provided. The heat source pad includes a first portion configured to be positioned on a first side of a barrel of a heat source, a second portion configured to be positioned on a second side of the barrel of the heat source, an outer surface being configured to contact a heat source user, and an inner surface being configured to couple to an outer surface of the barrel of the heat source such that the heat source user holds the barrel of the heat source through contact with the outer surface.

Abstract: A furnace inducer elbow in accordance with one, non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure includes a main body section having a first opening and a second opening arranged at a non-zero angle from the first opening, the main body section made of a first material; and, a sealing section integrally connected to the main body section at the first opening and at the second opening, the sealing section made of a second material different from the first material, wherein the second material is more flexible than the first material; wherein the sealing section includes an inlet aligned with the first opening and configured to seal to a flue vent connection member of an inducer fan assembly, and the sealing section further including an outlet aligned with the second opening and configured to seal to a flue vent.

Abstract: A water heater has a tank defining an interior volume, a heating element disposed within the interior volume, and a temperature sensor disposed with respect to the heating element so that the temperature sensor detects temperature of an area ambient to the heating element in the interior volume. The heating element is actuated at a predetermined actuation rate and for a cumulative actuation period so that the predetermined actuation rate maintains the heating element below a predetermined maximum temperature in air and so that the actuation period contributes a predetermined amount of energy to the ambient area when the heating element is immersed in water.

Abstract: A combustion apparatus having a burner, a combustion box, a combustion fan for supplying combustion air, and a regulator for regulating the amount of combustion fan, an inspection operation is performed in a state in which an operational quantity of the regulator (fan rotational speed) is kept at a maximum amount Nmax. When a deviation between a maximum set combustion amount YQmax corresponding to supply/exhaust resistances as detected in the inspection operation and an actually measured maximum combustion amount Qmax is outside an allowable range, a secondary inspection operation is performed by lowering the fan rotational speed down to a value Now which is lower than Nmax by a predetermined rate. Based on the rate of decrease of Qlow relative to Qmax as detected by the secondary inspection operation, computation is made of a fan rotational speed Nsat at which the burner combustion amount ceases to increase even if the fan rotational speed is increased.

Abstract: A method for producing a solar radiation absorber element, for a concentrating thermal solar power plant, including the formation of a selective coating on an outer surface of a steel substrate, formation of the selective coating including the following successive steps: providing a steel substrate having a chromium content between 6% and 12.5% by weight, and an aluminium content less than or equal to 0.05% by weight, performing heat treatment so as to form an oxide layer on the surface of the substrate.

Abstract: A geothermal heat exchanger 1 includes a water injection pipe 2 that is installed underground and to which water is supplied from above ground and a steam extraction pipe 3 that is installed underground so as to be contiguous to the water injection pipe 2. The steam extraction pipe 3 has a plurality of gushing ports 5 at its lower part, and pressure in the steam extraction pipe 3 is decreased approximately to pressure required by a turbine 6. The steam extraction pipe 3 is formed such that the diameter of the steam extraction pipe 3 becomes smaller from the lower side of the geothermal region toward the upper side of a ground surface G. Water supplied to the water injection pipe 2 becomes high-temperature pressurized water by heat supplied from the geothermal region 4, and gushes from the gushing ports 5 into the steam extraction pipe 3 in an atomized state, and is then converted into a steam single-phase flow, and allows a power generator 7 to conduct power generation.

Abstract: A heat exchange apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a refrigerant supply source, an ejector, an extractor, a first pump, a second pump, a cooler, and a liquid passage. The first pump is a dynamic pump and disposed on the liquid passage between the extractor and the cooler. The second pump is a positive displacement pump and disposed on the liquid passage between an outlet of the first pump and an inlet of refrigerant liquid of the ejector.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for data center cooling by vaporizing fuel using data center waste heat. The systems include, for instance, an electricity-generating assembly, a liquid fuel storage, and a heat transfer system. The electricity-generating assembly generates electricity from a fuel vapor for supply to the data center. The liquid fuel storage is coupled to supply the fuel vapor, and the heat transfer system is associated with the data center and the liquid fuel storage. In an operational mode, the heat transfer system transfers the data center waste heat to the liquid fuel storage to facilitate vaporization of liquid fuel to produce the fuel vapor for supply to the electricity-generating assembly. The system may be implemented with the liquid fuel storage and heat transfer system being the primary fuel vapor source, or a back-up fuel vapor source.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for data center cooling by vaporizing fuel using data center waste heat. The systems include, for instance, an electricity-generating assembly, a liquid fuel storage, and a heat transfer system. The electricity-generating assembly generates electricity from a fuel vapor for supply to the data center. The liquid fuel storage is coupled to supply the fuel vapor, and the heat transfer system is associated with the data center and the liquid fuel storage. In an operational mode, the heat transfer system transfers the data center waste heat to the liquid fuel storage to facilitate vaporization of liquid fuel to produce the fuel vapor for supply to the electricity-generating assembly. The system may be implemented with the liquid fuel storage and heat transfer system being the primary fuel vapor source, or a back-up fuel vapor source.

Abstract: A refrigeration cycle apparatus includes refrigerant circuits each configured to circulate a refrigerant of the same composition. The refrigerant circuit is provided with a radiator configured to condense the refrigerant to transfer heat to external fluid, and the refrigerant circuit is provided with a radiator configured to transfer heat to the external fluid while allowing the refrigerant to be maintained in a supercritical state. The radiator is arranged upstream of the radiator in a direction of a flow of the external fluid. A capacity of a refrigerant flow channel of the radiator is smaller than a capacity of a refrigerant flow channel of the radiator.

Abstract: An evaporator comprises a plurality of thermal elements disposed in a shell interior of an evaporator shell. A primary supply line configured to carry a working fluid is disposed in the shell interior. A plurality of tube sets is fluidically coupled to the primary supply line, and each tube set is spaced apart from an adjacent tube set along the first primary supply line. Each tube set comprises a plurality of individual tubes, with each tube proximate a different subset of thermal elements within the shell interior. Each tube comprises a plurality of first fluid distribution points configured to distribute the working fluid proximate the external surface of at least one of the plurality of thermal elements, thereby increasing the amount of surface area of the thermal elements in contact with the working fluid, and increasing the overall efficiency of the evaporator.

Abstract: A cascade refrigeration system includes an upper portion. The upper portion includes at least one modular chiller unit that provides cooling to at least one of a low temperature subsystem having a plurality of low temperature loads, and a medium temperature subsystem having a plurality of medium temperature loads. The modular chiller unit includes a refrigerant circuit, an ammonia refrigerant, an ammonia refrigerant accumulator, and an oil separation system. The refrigerant circuit includes at least a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator. The ammonia refrigerant is configured for circulation within the refrigerant circuit. The ammonia refrigerant accumulator is configured to receive the ammonia refrigerant from the evaporator. The oil separation system is configured to remove oil from the ammonia refrigerant.

Abstract: An air-conditioning apparatus includes a refrigeration cycle charged with non-azeotropic refrigerant mixture and refrigerating machine oil. A suction pipe which is a refrigerant pipe connecting between a suction port of a compressor and an accumulator has an end portion on the side of the accumulator extending into the accumulator. In addition, the suction pipe of the air-conditioning apparatus includes an oil return hole formed in a portion of the suction pipe located inside the accumulator at a position higher than a central portion of the accumulator. A controller of the air-conditioning apparatus controls an opening degree of a pressure reducing device so as to make quality of refrigerant flowing into the accumulator less than 1.

Abstract: A mitigation damper operably coupled to a return conduit including an opening, the mitigation damper positioned adjacent to the opening; wherein the mitigation damper is configured to selectively block airflow in the return conduit and selectively block the opening.

Abstract: A cooling system has both pumped refrigerant economization and direct expansion cooling. When outside air temperature is low enough that pumped refrigerant economization can provide enough cooling to satisfy cooling demand, only pumped refrigerant economization cooling is used to provide cooling. When outside air temperature is low enough that pumped refrigerant economization can provide some but not all of the cooling needed to satisfy cooling demand, the pumped refrigerant economization is operated at one hundred percent capacity and the direct expansion cooling is operated at a capacity to provide any supplemental cooling that is needed. If the outside air temperature is high enough that pumped refrigerant economization cannot provide any cooling, then only direct expansion cooling is used to provide cooling.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a compressor. The refrigerator further includes a condenser. The refrigerator further includes a refrigerating chamber evaporator. The refrigerator further includes a freezing chamber evaporator. The refrigerator further includes a first capillary that is configured to reduce refrigerant pressure. The refrigerator further includes a second capillary that is configured to reduce refrigerant pressure. The refrigerator further includes a third capillary that is configured to reduce refrigerant pressure. The refrigerator further includes a 4-way valve that includes an inlet that is connected to the condenser, a first outlet that is connected to the first capillary, a second outlet that is connected to the second capillary, and a third outlet that is connected to the third capillary, and that is configured to selectively distribute refrigerant to at least one of the first capillary, the second capillary, or the third capillary.

Abstract: A simple inverter-controlled refrigerator includes temperature detector (17), constant speed main body control unit (12) whose power is turned on/off by temperature detector (17), and that can drive a constant speed compressor, inverter control unit (14) that is connected to constant speed main body control unit (12), and that is operated, based on a power on/off signal of constant speed main body control unit (12). And variable speed compressor (8) that is connected to inverter control unit (14), and that is controlled, based on an output from inverter control unit (14). Inverter control unit (14) has rotation speed setting unit (23) which is operated, based on the power on/off signal of constant speed main body control unit (12), and which is configured to set a rotation speed of variable speed compressor (8), and inverter drive circuit unit (24) which drives variable speed compressor (8) at the rotation speed set by rotation speed setting unit (23).

Abstract: The present application discloses a sample cryogenic storage pipe. The sample cryogenic storage pipe includes a pipe body and a one-piece pipe cap removably configured in the pipe body; there is an opening portion on an upper portion of the pipe body, a sleeve of the pipe body is provided below the opening portion, and a sealed cavity is formed between the sleeve and a pipe wall of the pipe body; the pipe cap includes a pipe cap mating portion and a sample loading rod integrally formed with the pipe cap mating portion, and the sample loading rod, on at least one side thereof, is provided with a storage groove for storing a sample; and the pipe cap mating portion is removably configured on the opening portion of the pipe body, and the sample loading rod is able to be inserted into the sleeve of the pipe body or be removed from the sleeve of the pipe body. The present application also discloses a sample cryogenic storage device.

Abstract: The present application discloses a sample cryogenic storage pipe. The sample cryogenic storage pipe includes a pipe body and a one-piece pipe cap removably assembled to the pipe body; the pipe body has an upper opening and a lower opening at the bottom, a pipe sleeve is provided below the upper opening inside the pipe body, and the pipe body is provided with a weighting portion; the pipe cap includes a pipe-cap mating portion and a sample loading rod integrally formed with the pipe-cap mating portion, and the sample loading rod, on at least one side thereof, is provided with a storage groove for storing one or more samples; the pipe-cap mating portion is removably assembled to the upper opening at the top, and the sample loading rod is able to be inserted into the pipe sleeve or be removed from the pipe sleeve. The present application also discloses a sample cryogenic storage device.

Abstract: A household appliance includes an interior compartment, a door for closing the interior compartment and a drive facility for assisting with opening the door. The household appliance further includes a pressure sensing facility for detecting or sensing a difference between an interior pressure inside the interior compartment and an ambient pressure outside the interior compartment. The drive facility is configured to apply a driving force to the door as a function of the difference between the pressures.

Abstract: A storage module for storing a closed beverage container within a refrigerator including a storage bin, an opener affixed to the storage bin and configured to open the closed beverage container, and an attachment portion configured to removably attach the storage bin to a wall of the refrigerator.

Abstract: A packaged terminal air conditioner unit is provided. The packaged terminal air conditioner unit can include a heater bank jumper configured to couple one or more heater banks to a controller associated with the packaged terminal air conditioner unit. The heater bank jumper can be selectively configurable to provide at least one shunt line to couple at least one contact point associated with the controller to at least one contact point associated with the one or more heater banks. In this manner, the heater bank jumper can be configured based at least in part on an amount of current provided to the packaged terminal air conditioner unit by an electric service.

Abstract: A component for a refrigerator appliance including a body is provided. The body includes a surface and the component further includes an electrically conductive path positioned on the surface of the body. The electrically conductive path is formed using a laser direct structuring process, such that when the electrically conductive path is provided with electrical power, the electrically conductive path may provide heat to the surface of the body of the component.

Abstract: A system and method for capturing and separating carbon dioxide from mixed gas streams. The gas stream is processed in a structure including a compression module comprising a plurality of compressors, intercoolers and inter-stage condensate separators. The flow path from the compression module includes a plurality of flow separators, gas stream splitters, heat exchangers and at least a first mixer and a first expander. The gas stream is sequentially compressed and cooled to form process condensate and separate it from the compressed gas stream. The gas stream is further dried and cooled to liquefy carbon dioxide and separate it from the non-condensable portion. Selective expansion of liquid carbon dioxide streams provides cooling for the system, and further energy efficiency is achieved by selective recycling of portions of gas streams, allowing for compact equipment and economical operation, while providing for high purity product streams of carbon dioxide.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for processing phyllosilicate minerals are provided. In some embodiments, the phyllosilicate mineral is clay. In some embodiments, the phyllosilicate mineral is bentonite clay.

Abstract: Baffle systems for conveyor-type dryers and methods of replacing baffle seal strips for improving dryer safety and/or efficiency are provided. The systems include one or more baffles removeably mounted to the dryer. Each baffle has at least one seal strip for contacting a roller of the dryer to prevent gases from entering and/or exiting the dryer. The baffles are removable from the dryer so that the seal strips can be replaced and/or adjusted when the seal between a given seal strip and a contacting roller become compromised. To replace and/or adjust a seal strip, the baffle is removed from the dryer and a new baffle is installed in its place. The one or more seal strips of the removed baffle may be replaced and/or adjusted outside the dryer at the leisure of the operator.

Abstract: A total weight detection-based method and system thereof for on-line measuring and controlling a moisture in circulation drying of grain. In the method, by detecting a real-time weight of the grain in a drying machine and calculating a real-time average moisture of the grain, process control on circulation drying operation is implemented. The method comprises the following steps: initialization of operation, detection of a tare weight, loading of grain and measurement of an initial total weight W0, starting of circulation drying operation, monitoring of a circulation drying process, control of the circulation drying process, and the like.

Abstract: Provided are a method for controlling a dew point in a reducing furnace and a reducing furnace in which, even in the case of galvanizing Si-added steel, coating adhesion can be secured, alloying treatment can be performed without increasing the alloying temperature excessively, and it is possible to obtain a hot-dip galvanized steel sheet having an excellent coating appearance. When a steel sheet is subjected to annealing and hot-dip galvanizing treatment using continuous hot-dip galvanizing equipment including at least a radiant tube-type reducing furnace, a mixed gas of a dry gas and a humidified gas by a humidifying device having a water vapor permeable membrane is used as a gas to be supplied into the reducing furnace. The mixed gas is supplied into the reducing furnace, thereby controlling the dew point in the reducing furnace.

Abstract: The controller receives information including a plurality of evaluation indexes, a weight of each evaluation index, the number of times for calculating a value of an evaluation function, and initial parameter values, and performs a simulation based on the received information. Then, the controller calculates a value of an evaluation function based on a result of the simulation, and determines whether the calculated value of the evaluation function is minimum, to update parameters when it is determined that the value of the evaluation function is minimum. In the calculation of a value of the evaluation function, a value of the evaluation function is calculated again based on the number of times for calculating a value of an evaluation function. The controller generates new parameters by a genetic algorithm when a value of an evaluation function is calculated again.

Abstract: An immersion device is provided for molten metal, as well as a method for making steel. The immersion device allows a trouble free operation. The immersion device includes a measuring head, a carrier for the measuring head, and a lance detachably connected to the carrier, preferably by a detachable tubular connecting element. A gas path runs from the lance to the detachable tubular connecting element. A gas tight connection is provided between a connecting surface of the lance and the detachable tubular connecting element. The tubular connecting element has wipers in the form of fins, which wipe the connecting surface of the lance during attaching and/or detaching the tubular connecting element and the lance.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for producing a semi-solid metal material by charging molten metal of a metal material into a slurry container, the apparatus including: an electromagnetic stirring device configured to apply a transverse circular flow to the molten metal in the slurry container by electromagnetic stirring; and a flow suppressing unit configured to suppress a flow of the molten metal by applying turbulence to the transverse circular flow of the molten metal under a state in which the flow suppressing unit is inserted into the molten metal from above the slurry container so as to cross the transverse circular flow of the molten metal.

Abstract: A heat exchange apparatus is provided with an indirect evaporative heat exchange section. The indirect evaporative heat exchange section is comprised of a series of serpentine tubes, and an evaporative liquid is passed downwardly onto the indirect heat exchange section. The evaporative liquid is collected in a sump and then pumped upwardly to be distributed again across the indirect heat exchange section. An improved heat exchange apparatus is provided with an indirect evaporative heat exchange section consisting of a series of serpentine tubes comprised of tube runs both of normal and increased height between tube runs. A direct heat exchange section may be provided in the increased vertical spacing between tube runs.

Abstract: An air-cooled heat exchanger (ACHE) for cooling process fluids used in an industrial process. In one embodiment, the ACHE is configured as a forced- draft ACHE. A support structure supports the forced draft ACHE above grade. A tube bundle is supported by the structure and is configured to receive process fluids used in an industrial process. A plenum is connected to the support structure, positioned beneath the tube bundle and configured to direct air-flow through the tube bundle. A fan is supported by the support structure and positioned beneath the plenum. Rotation of the fan produces an air-flow that is directed through the tube bundle by the plenum. A fan drive system is supported by the support structure, positioned beneath the fan and comprises a permanent magnet motor comprising a motor casing, a stator and a rotatable shaft, the rotatable shaft being connected to the fan.

Abstract: A heat exchanger includes a plurality of projections integrally formed with a conduit. The plurality of projections is configured such that the plurality of projections conforms to at least one of a first projection arrangement or a second projection arrangement. A gap between adjacent projections of the plurality of projections along an axial direction changes along a length of the conduit in the first projection arrangement, and a length of a first group of the plurality of projections is different than a length of a second group of the plurality of projections in the second projection arrangement. A related method for forming a heat exchanger is also provided.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heat exchanger, preferably for motor vehicles, comprising a heat exchanger body (11), a first fluid channel (18), which is flowed through by a first fluid (12), and a second fluid channel (36), which is flowed through by a second fluid (14), wherein one of the fluids, either the first fluid (12) or the second fluid (14) is warmer than the other of the fluids, the first fluid (12) or the second fluid (14), wherein, after entering a heat exchanging region, a heat transfer (30) from the warmer fluid (14) to the colder fluid (12) takes place in the heat exchanging region, wherein the first channel (18) and the second fluid channel (36) have in the heat exchanging region at least two shared co-current regions (25) and a shared counter-current region (27) arranged between the co-current regions (25), or have at least two shared counter-current regions (27) and a shared co-current region (25, 125, 225) arranged between the counter-current regions (27).

Abstract: A heat exchanger for a motor vehicle, with a housing with a first housing side and with a second housing side opposite to the first housing side, and with an inner housing wall and with an outer housing wall. The tubes, through which a gas can flow, are disposed in the housing. The tubes each of which has a first tube end and a second tube end, opposite to the first tube end, and with a first tube sheet disposed in the area of the first housing side. A first tube sheet has a number of first through-openings, through which the first tube ends extend, and a second tube sheet disposed in the area of the second housing side that has a number of second through-openings through which the second tube ends extend. The first tube sheet forms a first plane and the second tube sheet forms a second plane.

Abstract: A system according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes, among other things, a control unit and a heat pipe heat exchanger having a first heat pipe and a second heat pipe. The system also includes a first flow regulator selectively adjustable in response to instructions from the control unit to direct a first flow of fluid over a portion of the first heat pipe. Further, the system includes a second flow regulator selectively adjustable in response to instructions from the control unit to direct a second flow of fluid over a portion of the second heat pipe. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention relates to thermal technology and can be used to transfer large quantities of heat with small temperature differences (gradients) over considerable distances. The invention comprises heating an evaporator by a thermal energy source; providing a flow of a mixture of gaseous phases of a first and second fluid over one or more steam lines (2) into one or more condensers (3); then providing a flow of the condensed liquid phase of the second fluid mixed with the gaseous phase of the first fluid over a liquid line (4) into one or more accumulation tanks (5), and providing a flow of the condensed liquid phase of the second fluid and the gaseous phase of the first fluid from the accumulation tank to the evaporator tank through one or more non-return valves mounted on one or more return lines (6).

Abstract: A device for fluid power recuperation with reduced heat losses and increased efficiency of fluid power recuperation combined with better manufacturability and possibility of using off-the-shelf gas receivers (bottles). The device comprises at least one hydropneumatic accumulator, containing in its shell a fluid port communicating with the fluid reservoir of the accumulator separated from the gas reservoir of the accumulator by a movable separator. The gas reservoir of the accumulator communicates via a gas port with at least one gas receiver containing a regenerating heat exchanger made in the form of a metal porous structure. The aggregate volume of the material of the regenerating heat exchanger is in the range from 10 to 50% of the internal receiver volume and the aggregate area of the heat exchange surfaces of the regenerating heat exchanger reduced to the aggregate internal receiver volume exceeds 2000 cm2/liter.

Abstract: A body of heat transfer fluid circulates in a first loop through an indirect screw-type thermal processor, a rundown tank, a pump, a heater and a fill tank, continuously heating the processor. With the pump operating, a first vertical distance between the fill tank bottom and the processor under the influence of gravity sets a minimum fluid pressure at the processor; a stem pipe opening in the fill tank at a second vertical distance above the processor sets a maximum pressure. With the pump inactive, the entire body of fluid passively drains to the rundown tank. Supplying the fluid may entail melting a salt, hydrating a salt, or both; such may be done in the rundown tank before circulation through the processor begins. A hydrated salt may be circulated, then heated and dehydrated, to gradually warm the processor. A dehydrated salt may be rehydrated and then stored; this may be done in the rundown tank after ceasing circulation through the processor.

Abstract: The heat exchanger is adapted for cooling a coolant (e.g., water), used to cool a device or an area (e.g., building interior), such as during periods of peak energy cost and usage, to save energy and energy costs. The heat exchanger includes a coolant storage tank with one or more refrigerant circulators in contact with the floor of the tank. The circulators use a refrigerant having a freezing temperature colder than the coolant, with coolant on the floor of the tank forming a layer of ice thereon. A rotary scraper extends up through the tank floor from each circulator, with the scrapers operating to remove the thin layer of ice from the floor as the ice forms. The resulting ice chips are relatively small and thin, thus having a relatively large surface area for their volume in order to maximize melting and rapid cooling of the coolant.

Abstract: The heat exchanger is adapted for cooling a coolant (e.g., water), used to cool a device or an area (e.g., building interior), such as during periods of peak energy cost and usage, to save energy and energy costs. The heat exchanger includes a coolant storage tank with one or more refrigerant circulators in contact with the floor of the tank. The circulators use a refrigerant having a freezing temperature colder than the coolant, with coolant on the floor of the tank forming a layer of ice thereon. A rotary scraper extends up through the tank floor from each circulator, with the scrapers operating to remove the thin layer of ice from the floor as the ice forms. The resulting ice chips are relatively small and thin, thus having a relatively large surface area for their volume in order to maximize melting and rapid cooling of the coolant.

Abstract: A phase-change material heat exchanger includes a frame configured to define a chamber therein and house a first fluid, the first fluid being water. At least one heat exchange element is configured to have a second fluid pass through an interior of the heat exchange element, the at least one heat exchange element moveably retained within the chamber. When the second fluid passes through the heat exchange element at a first temperature, the first fluid changes from a liquid to a solid, and the second fluid exits the heat exchange element at a second temperature that is higher than the first temperature.

Abstract: An improved heat exchange apparatus is provided with an indirect evaporative heat exchange section consisting of a series of serpentine tubes which are kept uniformly spaced in the return bend section. Providing uniform return bend spacing on the return bend ends allow for ease of circuit assembly (stacking), ease of coil pull-down, ease of manufacturing, reduction in production cost, produces a higher quality hot dip galvanizing process and is a more robust design that tolerates manufacturing variability issues such as variable tube circuit length and variable return bend angles. Uniform return bend spacing also reduces scaling relative to prior art designs which had wet/dry areas resulting from shadowed tubes which were non-uniformly spaced, provides for better inspection and access to the tubes in the return bend area, maintains uniform air passage around tubes, promotes better tube wetting of the return bend area and ultimately promotes higher quality and higher performing heat exchanger coils.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to devices formed from three dimensional (3D) structures composed of wires, yarns of wires, or 3D printed structures. The devices of the present invention offer the potential for 3D structures with multiple properties optimized concurrently, using optimization within the 3D manufacturing constraints. The 3D structures of the present invention include multiple properties that are optimized for heat transfer applications. The present invention also includes the methods for optimization of the 3D woven lattices as well as methods of use of the 3D woven lattices in heat transfer applications.