Abstract: A flight simulator having a wind tunnel with a vertical flight chamber and a second vertical chamber communicatively coupled thereto via air flow conduits. A nacelle disposed within the second vertical chamber includes a fan and a ratio gearbox connected to the fan. A motor is disposed remote from the nacelle for powering the fan via a jackshaft and the ratio gearbox. A variable frequency drive responsive to a control signal from a programmable logic controller regulates the speed of the motor.

Abstract: A top-fill hummingbird feeder is provided having a nectar container with a liquid flow opening at a lower end and a removable cap at an upper end, a feeding basin positioned below the nectar container, and a sealing mechanism associated with the liquid flow opening and the feeding basin. The sealing mechanism includes a bottle seal assembly configured for removable coupling with a base of the feeding basin, and a float valve captured by said bottle seal assembly to prevent rotation thereof while allowing the float valve to move upwardly and downwardly with changing nectar levels in the feeding basin. The float valve includes a float having a frame with a buoyant member mounted thereon, the buoyant member being made of a closed-cell foam.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling liquid flow to a turbine fogging array. Some implementations are generally directed toward adjusting the output of a variable output pump that supplies water to the turbine fogging array. In some of those implementations, the output is adjusted based on a determined target pump output value that is indicative of a pump output required to change the moisture content of intake air of a combustion turbine to meet a target humidity value. Some implementations are generally directed toward actuating at least one control valve of a plurality of control valves that control liquid throughput to one or more fogging nozzles of a fogging array.

Abstract: A power system for a marine vessel comprises an engine and a controllable pitch thruster drivably coupled to the engine. A speed of the controllable pitch thruster various with a speed of the engine. A control unit receives a thrust command value indicating a thrust required from controllable pitch thruster. The control unit determines a current speed of the controllable pitch thruster and calculates a pitch of the controllable pitch thruster that produces thrust in accordance with the thrust command value at the current speed of the controllable pitch thruster. The power system allows for operating the engine at variable speeds to allow for a reduction of the engine speed under partial load conditions.

Abstract: A refrigeration unit includes a compressor, a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, a water pump, and a heat exchanging arrangement. The heat exchanging arrangement includes a main casing having a receiving cavity divided into a water atomizing compartment and one water showering compartment, a water atomizing unit, a water showering head, a fill material unit provided underneath the water showering head, and a water collection basin provided underneath the water atomizing unit and the fill material unit. A predetermined amount of heated water from the first heat exchanger is guided to flow to the water showering head and the water in the water showering head is sprinkled on the fill material unit. A predetermined amount of water from the water pump is guided to flow to the water atomizing unit and the water flowing to the water atomizing unit is sprayed and atomized in the water atomizing compartment.

Abstract: A volume of fluid may be received at the air chamber from a fluid source and dispensed to a nozzle. The fluid source may be in fluid communication with the air chamber. The flow may be reversed to draw the fluid to the air chamber and purge air within the air chamber or the fluid to the atmosphere.

Abstract: There is provided a denitrification apparatus capable of reducing NOx from a combustion facility and preventing evaporation of a reducing liquid in a lance and an injection nozzle in the combustion facility in operation at a low load by adjusting concentration of a reducing agent, thereby achieving complete evaporation of the reducing liquid in an exhaust gas duct.

Abstract: A volatile substance delivery system includes a volatile substance container to contain a volatile substance, a volatile substance delivery structure, and a volatile substance drop delivery system to deliver a drop of the volatile substance to the volatile substance delivery structure for delivery to an ambient environment.

Abstract: In at least some implementations, a carburetor having a fuel metering system including a diaphragm assembly that moves in response to pressure changes in a metering chamber to actuate a metering valve may include a flexible diaphragm adapted to carried by a body of the carburetor at a periphery to define part of the metering chamber. The portion of the diaphragm that defines part of the metering chamber defines a chamber projected area of the diaphragm. A backing plate is attached to the flexible diaphragm and arranged to be located outside the metering chamber. The backing plate having an outer perimeter defining a plate projected area, wherein an area ratio of the plate projected area to the chamber projected area is greater than about 0.1.

Abstract: Provided is a forced evaporative humidifier using nano-vapor, which includes: a housing having an exhaust port formed in an upper surface thereof and a suction port formed at one side of a front surface thereof; a water tank located below the suction port to store water; an injection unit having an injection nozzle located above the suction port, a pump for pulling up the water in the water tank to the injection nozzle, and a transfer tube for transferring the water pulled by the pump; a blowing fan located above the injection nozzle to carry air toward the exhaust port of the housing; a humidifying unit located below the injection nozzle so that films, each having a body surface formed to allow the water injected from the injection nozzle to flow and a plurality of tube-type spacers protruding on the body surface, are stacked in a lateral direction therein; and an eliminator located between the blowing fan and the injection nozzle to prevent water drops included in a humid air humidified by the humidifying u

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for conditioning an air flow(2) comprising a humidifying apparatus (5) having humidifying elements(6), which are arranged in the air flow (2) to be humidified in the humidifying apparatus(5), can be loaded with pressurized water, and are made of a fluid-permeable, porous, preferably hydrophilic material. In order to increase the efficiency of the humidification of the air flow(2) in the humidifying apparatus (5), the humidifying elements(6) of the humidifying apparatus(5) loaded with pressurized water are designed with regard to the cross-section thereof in such a way that the peripheral surface or outer surface of the humidifying elements exposed to the air flow(2) to be humidified can be uniformly contacted by the air flow (2) to be humidified over the entire circumference of the humidifying elements.

Abstract: An inline carbonation apparatus includes a fluid tube having an inner diameter. At least one water orifice is linked to a water source and is attached at one end of the fluid tube. The water orifice atomizes water passing therethrough. A carbon dioxide source is connected to a carbon dioxide solenoid valve. The carbon dioxide solenoid valve is connected to a carbon dioxide regulator that is coupled to a carbon dioxide orifice and attached to the fluid tube in a spaced relationship from the water orifice. The atomized water has a pressure less than the carbon dioxide such that carbon dioxide is absorbed into the water forming carbonated water having a specified volume of carbonation. The carbon dioxide solenoid valve is opened and closed for a predetermined portion of a drink dispense time providing a volume of carbonated and non-carbonated fluid which upon mixing achieves a desired carbonation level.

Abstract: An inline carbonation apparatus includes a fluid tube having an inner diameter. A water flow control module is connected to a water source. At least one water orifice is linked to the water flow control module and is attached at one end of the fluid tube. The water orifice includes a plurality of holes atomizing water passing therethrough. A carbon dioxide source is connected to a carbon dioxide valve. The carbon dioxide solenoid valve is connected to a carbon dioxide regulator that is coupled to a carbon dioxide orifice and attached to the fluid tube in a spaced relationship from the water orifice. The atomized water has a pressure less than the carbon dioxide such that carbon dioxide is absorbed into the water forming carbonated water having a specified volume of carbonation. The water control module regulates a water flow rate into the inline carbonation apparatus.

Abstract: A gas supply passage is connected to a decontamination liquid supply passage at a tail end portion side from a delivery device, and an on-off valve which opens and closes the gas supply passage is provided. A controller stores a housed weight of the decontamination liquid between a connection point at which the above described gas supply passage is connected to the decontamination liquid supply passage and the above described tail end portion. When a weight of the decontamination liquid is reduced by a total value of a predetermined weight W which should be supplied to the downstream side equipment and the above described housed weight as a result of starting supply of the decontamination liquid to the above described downstream side equipment, the controller opens the above described on-off valve to return the decontamination liquid at the upstream side from the connection point.

Abstract: A liquid treating device includes a liquid guide cylinder having liquid suction and ejection ports, a liquid supply unit that supplies liquid to the liquid suction port, a pumping-up unit that is provided within the liquid guide cylinder and suctions liquid from the liquid suction port and ejecting liquid from the liquid ejection port, a liquid ejection space part that enlarges liquid, which has been ejected from the liquid ejection port by the pumping-up unit, in an upper part of a closed tank, a gas supply unit that supplies gas in the liquid ejection space part under pressure, a reflux passage that circulates liquid from the liquid ejection space part through space between the tank and the liquid guide cylinder to a lower part of the liquid guide cylinder, and treated liquid taking-out piping that takes out treated liquid from a lower part of the tank to an exterior.

Abstract: In at least some implementations, a carburetor having a fuel metering system including a diaphragm assembly that moves in response to pressure changes in a metering chamber to actuate a metering valve may include a flexible diaphragm adapted to carried by a body of the carburetor at a periphery to define part of the metering chamber. The portion of the diaphragm that defines part of the metering chamber defines a chamber projected area of the diaphragm. A backing plate is attached to the flexible diaphragm and arranged to be located outside the metering chamber. The backing plate having an outer perimeter defining a plate projected area, wherein an area ratio of the plate projected area to the chamber projected area is greater than about 0.1.

Abstract: A CPAP humidifier system includes an air pump, a humidifier tank, a control valve, and an auxiliary reservoir. The humidifier tank has an air inlet opening and an air outlet opening. The air inlet opening fluidly connects to the air pump, and the air outlet opening fluidly connects to an air mask. The control valve is attached to the air outlet opening and defines both an air outlet passageway and a liquid inlet passageway. The auxiliary reservoir fluidly connects to the liquid inlet passageway for providing liquid to the humidifier tank.

Abstract: A jet nebulizer capable of producing a small particle mist for injection into any existing whole room/house/building air distribution system. The device pumps liquid scent from a bulk container through a supply line. The unit is turned on, a flow switch is closed, power is applied to a timer and a solenoid, opening the solenoid and starting the timer. Pressure in the supply line drops and closes the pressure switch which turns the pump on, forcing the liquid scent through a nebulizer nozzle into the air handling system. The pump runs according to the timer, and will continue to run until the timer shuts the solenoid valve. Once the timer shuts the solenoid off pressure builds in the supply line. The pressure opens the water pressure switch which turns the pump off.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a cooling tower system may include a circulating fluid system. The apparatus may include a mechanism to receive an electrical signal representative of load on the cooling tower system. The apparatus also may include a mechanism to control fluid communication of at least one chemical into the circulating fluid system in response to the electrical signal.

Abstract: A purge and prime assembly for a carburetor includes a purge and prime pump that alternately takes in and discharges fluid, and a plurality of passages through which fluid is routed. The passages may include a purge passage through which fluid is drawn by the purge and prime pump, a return passage through which fluid is discharged from the purge and prime pump and discharged from the carburetor, and a priming passage through which a portion of the fluid discharged from the purge and prime pump is routed to a main bore of the carburetor. The assembly may also include a purge valve that prevents fluid from being discharged from the purge prime pump through the purge passage, and a return valve that prevents fluid in the return passage from being drawn into the purge and prime pump.

Abstract: The disclosure relates generally to steam humidifiers with an auto-cleaning feature, and more particularly, to steam humidifiers that include an auto-cleaning feature for automatically cleaning impurities and/or other byproducts from the steam humidifier while still operating the humidifier in a relatively efficient manner. In some illustrative embodiment, this may be accomplished by providing some level of flexibility of when an auto-cleaning routine is initiated and performed. For example, tank flushing may be initiated and performed preferentially during non-heating states of the steam humidifier, which may potentially decrease down time and increase attainable output capacity and efficiency of the steam humidifier.

Abstract: A variable pressure device to solubilize carbon dioxide (CO2 ) in a beverage includes: a carbonation tank, a CO2 inlet valve and a venting valve attached to the tank's top part; a discharge valve attached to the tank's bottom part; a booster pump arranged immediately after the discharge valve; a recycling valve arranged immediately after the booster pump, which is connected to a recycling inlet at the top part of the tank; an outlet between the pump and the recycling valve; a level sensor arranged on the lid of the tank; a CO2 inlet valve attached to a tank side near its top part; a modulating valve arranged after the CO2 inlet valve; a Venturi attached immediately after the modulating valve; a control point arranged between the modulating valve and the Venturi; and a beverage inlet valve into the tank attached immediately after the Venturi, which is formed by a pipeline.

Abstract: A system for denitrifying exhaust gas, including a urea water injection unit for supplying urea water and air to a reaction chamber, wherein the urea water injection unit includes: an air supply unit for supplying external air to an injector through an air supply line; a urea water supply unit for supplying urea water to the injector through a urea water supply line; a water supply unit for supplying water to the injector through a water supply line connected to one side of the urea water supply line; a flow control valve for selectively supplying water or urea water to the injector through the urea water supply line; and the injector respectively connected to the air supply unit and the urea water supply unit to selectively discharge air, urea water or water to the reaction chamber through an injection nozzle.

Abstract: Systems and methods for maintaining the dominance and increasing the biomass production of Nannochloropsis in an algae cultivation system are provided. Exemplary methods include applying an effective amount of ozone to Nannochloropsis growing in an algae cultivation system. A further method may include applying a shock amount of ozone above 10 milligrams/liter or higher in the inlet stream flowing into the algae cultivation system. Various exemplary embodiments may include a system for maintaining dominance and increasing the biomass production of Nannochloropsis in an algae cultivation system. The system may comprise a processor, and a computer readable storage medium having instructions for execution by the processor. The instructions for execution by the processor cause the processor to maintain dominance and increase biomass production of the Nannochloropsis in the algae cultivation system.

Abstract: An artificial cigarette, inhaler or other nebulizer device may include a housing, an air passage into the housing, a fog generator chamber within the housing connected to the air passage, a liquid source connected to the fog generating chamber, and a fog generator within the fog generating chamber for receiving liquid from the liquid source and creating an aerosol. The fog generator may be an ultrasonic nebulizer and/or a pneumatic nebulizer.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems and methods for on-board refining of fuels within motorized vehicles. On board fuel refining is a finish-refining step that allows a fuel to be more precisely tailored to a particular vehicle and internal-combustion engine and to the current conditions under which the fuel is being used. In one embodiment, the fuel is subjected to fluid-shear forces and cavitation.

Abstract: An evaporative cooler, including one or more media, distributes water from a source of water to each media through a constant flow valve. A distribution unit at each media includes a pair of spray bars for spraying water through two rows of uniformly spaced apertures disposed in each spray bar. A spray bar channel associated with each spray bar distributes the streams of water impinging thereupon from one row of apertures to the underlying media in specific locations. A distribution cap associated with each spray bar distributes streams of water impinging thereupon to the front and back edges of the underlying media. The water dripping from the media is drained. A fan or other air moving device draws air through the media to obtain cooled air resulting from evaporation of water flowing downwardly along the media.

Abstract: An artificial cigarette, inhaler or other nebulizer device may include a housing, an air passage into the housing, a fog generator chamber within the housing connected to the air passage, a liquid source connected to the fog generating chamber, and a fog generator within the fog generating chamber for receiving liquid from the liquid source and creating an aerosol. The fog generator may be an ultrasonic nebulizer and/or a pneumatic nebulizer.

Abstract: Systems and methods for lowering levels of carbon dioxide and other atmospheric pollutants are provided. Economically viable systems and processes capable of removing vast quantities of carbon dioxide and other atmospheric pollutants from gaseous waste streams and sequestering them in storage-stable forms are also discussed.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems and methods for on-board refining of fuels within motorized vehicles. On board fuel refining is a finish-refining step that allows a fuel to be more precisely tailored to a particular vehicle and internal-combustion engine and to the current conditions under which the fuel is being used. In one embodiment, the fuel is subjected to fluid-shear forces and cavitation.

Abstract: A heat transfer system is provided having an air-cooled heat exchanger system. The heat exchanger system has an evaporator, condenser, compressor and a fan for forcing air over a heat exchange surface for effecting heat transfer. A mist generator having at least one nozzle directs a stream of fine mist or atomized liquid coolant into the air. The mist generator is coupled to a supply of liquid coolant. A controller controls the degree of mist or atomized coolant generated by the mist generator. A filter element positioned between the at least one nozzle and the heat exchange surface captures droplets of liquid coolant. The at least one nozzle is spaced apart from the filter element for directing the stream directly into the air surrounding the filter element.

Abstract: A pipette chip has an opening section to be inserted into a supply port of a liquid channel, which connects the supply port and a discharge port of a liquid, and reserves the liquid to be supplied to the liquid channel. In a liquid feeding apparatus, the pipette chip is controlled to insert the opening section into the supply port. Suction and discharge of the liquid and a gas in the pipette chip are controlled to form an air layer at the opening section by sucking the air from the opening section before inserting the opening section into the supply port.

Abstract: A nanobubble-containing liquid producing apparatus includes: a microbubble generating device that prepares a microbubble-containing liquid with use of a liquid introduced into a microbubble generation tank and discharges the microbubble-containing liquid into the microbubble generation tank; a micro-nanobubble generating device that prepares a micro-nanobubble-containing liquid with use of the microbubble-containing liquid introduced into a micro-nanobubble generation tank and discharges the micro-nanobubble-containing liquid into the micro-nanobubble generation tank; and a nanobubble generating device that prepares a nanobubble-containing liquid with use of the micro-nanobubble-containing liquid introduced into a nanobubble generation tank and discharges the nanobubble-containing liquid into the nanobubble generation tank. Therefore, an apparatus for producing a nanobubble-containing liquid with use of general-purpose products can be manufactured at low cost and in a short period of time.

Abstract: A system and method for managing water content in a fluid include a collection chamber for collecting water from the fluid with a desiccant, and a regeneration chamber for collecting water from the desiccant and transferring it to a second fluid. An evaporator cools the desiccant entering the collection chamber, and a condenser heats the desiccant entering the regeneration chamber. Diluted desiccant from the collection chamber is exchanged with concentrated desiccant from the regeneration chamber in such a way as to efficiently control the transfer of both mass and heat between the chambers. In one embodiment, mass is not exchanged until one or both of the desiccant levels in the chambers exceeds a predetermined level. Heat is transferred between the two desiccant flows as they are transferred between the chambers. This increases efficiency and reduces the energy input required for the evaporator and the condenser.

Abstract: An aeration tank used in a method of treating effluent includes a pipe for transporting the effluent from the source to the tank bottom and a discharge duct having a siphon effect for tapping off an overflow from the tank as more effluent is added from the source. An array of air diffusion members is located in the center of the tank. Above each of the air diffusion members is provided a collector guide surface which collects bubbles as they get too large and channels them to outwardly from the center into a honeycomb filter medium formed in part annular members around the center. The filter medium receives the air and directs it back into the center around the guide surface to act as a growth medium for a biomass of bacteria.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention are directed to systems and methods for on-board refining of fuels within motorized vehicles. On board fuel refining is a finish-refining step that allows a fuel to be more precisely tailored to a particular vehicle and internal-combustion engine and to the current conditions under which the fuel is being used. In one embodiment, the fuel is subjected to fluid-shear forces and cavitation.

Abstract: A heat transfer system is provided having an air-cooled heat exchanger system. The heat exchanger system has an evaporator, condenser, compressor and a fan for forcing air over a heat exchange surface for effecting heat transfer. A mist generator having at least one nozzle directs a stream of fine mist or atomized liquid coolant into the air. The mist generator is coupled to a supply of liquid coolant. A controller controls the degree of mist or atomized coolant generated by the mist generator. A filter element positioned between the at least one nozzle and the heat exchange surface captures droplets of liquid coolant. The at least one nozzle is spaced apart from the filter element for directing the stream directly into the air surrounding the filter element.

Abstract: A humidifier that includes two water reservoir compartments connected via an opening large enough to allow exchange of water between the two compartments, and an ultraviolet lamp that irradiates on the water in the smaller of the two compartments downstream of the larger compartment.

Abstract: A humidifier meters water into a chamber in which it is subjected to ultraviolet light for a predetermined period of time sufficient to destroy microorganisms whereupon the static quantity of water is transferred to a water dispersing unit which discharges the decontaminated water in a finely divided form into the environment.

Abstract: An evaporative cooler (10) includes a housing having aligned upper and base panels (40, 50), and one or more air pervious side panels (70) peripherally disposed therebetween. An air inlet (52) is formed in the upper panel and the base panel collects excess water. An air pervious evaporative pad (80) formed of a fibrous material is enclosed within the housing and has a recess (82) formed therein which opens toward the air inlet. A fan (30) secured to the top panel delivers air ambient the fan into the housing and through the evaporative pad where it is cooled by an evaporative process, and the cooled air is discharged through the air outlets. A conduit and flow control system (21, 26, 27, 28, 29) is provided to supply evaporation water (25) to the evaporative pad at a rate substantially equal to the rate at which the water evaporates from the pad.

Abstract: A water droplet mist is sprayed into the air upstream of the gas-turbine compressor inlet to increase power output from the gas turbine. The water has the effect of lowering dry-bulb temperature of the air entering the compressor inlet. To supply an amount of water appropriate for anticipated ambient conditions, a plurality of different capacity pumps are provided to supply water over a wide range of water flow rates. The control system for the pumps avoids the use of a set-point temperature for the inlet air obtained from measurements taken downstream of water injection. The operator inputs a desired relative humidity of air entering the compressor, and the control system determines the appropriate flow rate of water using the following measurements: flow rate of dry air to the compressor; flow rate of inlet water; dew point temperature of the inlet air; dry-bulb temperature of the inlet air; and temperature of the inlet water.

Abstract: An Automated Odor Modification System 10 is provided having an electronic programmable timer 100, a container liquid level detector 150, a nozzle liquid level detector 140, a motor control circuit 108, an electric motor 126, a liquid container 200, a housing for the enclosure 300, a nozzle 230, a fan 85, and tubing 220. When 200 has sufficient liquid; 230 has insufficient liquid; 100 is set to the date and time to come on: motor 126 pumps liquid into the nozzle 230 via 220. Fan 85 is used to transfer the vapors of the odor modification liquid from 230 to the desired locations. The fan 85 keeps running until the electronic programmable timer completes its cycle. The system is designed so that if the liquid in container 200 is insufficient; the system will be deactivated until the level of the liquid therein, is brought into specification.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an evaporative cooler for a turbine intake system. The evaporative cooler includes a reservoir for holding water, a media, a manifold for dispersing the water from the reservoir above the media, a manifold flow line extending from the reservoir to the manifold, a collector for collecting the water below the media, and a pump for pumping the water through the manifold flow line from the reservoir to the manifold. The evaporative cooler also includes a return line for returning the water from the collector to the reservoir, at least one water supply line for supplying the water to the reservoir, and a valve structure for controlling flow through the at least one water supply line. The evaporative cooler further includes a level sensor for indicating whether a top surface of the water within the reservoir is: (1) above or below a first water line; and (2) above or below a second water line positioned below the first water line.

Abstract: A quench system for cooling hot flue gases from combustion systems is disclosed. The quench system includes a venturi mounted in a quench vessel. The water level in the quench vessel may be raised or lowered in accordance with the flow rate of the gases to be quenched. When the pressure drop across the venturi is insufficient to achieve the desired cooling to adiabatic saturation temperature, the water level is increased so that the downcomer connected to the venturi is submerged and the additional pressure drop further cools the flue gases.

Abstract: An improved process for humidifying a gas stream with a precise amount of moisture used in a variety of heat treating processes including annealing, brazing, and sintering of ferrous and non-ferrous metals and alloys, reflow soldering of electronic components, glass-to-metal sealing, chemical processes, chemical vapor deposition of metal oxides, laser processing, fuel cells, etc. The gaseous stream is humidified by introducing a controlled amount of water through a precision metering device and a known and precise flow rate of a gas stream into a gas-liquid contactor, and shearing and vaporizing the water stream in the gas-liquid contactor with the gas stream.

Abstract: A multi-stage distribution and return control system for use in an evaporative cooling system including a drip conductor, a plurality of cooling cells along which water from the drip conductor passes and a gutter therebelow, including a tank, a conduit for conveying fresh water to the tank and a valve for regulating flow therethrough, a pump within the tank, a conduit for conveying water from the pump to the drip conductor, a conduit for conveying water from the gutter to the tank; high, mid and low-level switches and a float for movement between the switches, and a control system which when cooling is desired opens the valve for conveying fresh water to the tank until the float engages the mid-level switch and for starting the pump until the float engages the low-level switch, stopping the pump until water fills the tank again to the level defined by the mid-level switch and, moreover, when enough water is evaporated from the cooling cells, and the water level falls below the mid-level switch opening the val

Abstract: An apparatus for continuous production of finished foam material, in which the proportions of the constituents are monitored and continuously adjustable during operation of the machine. The liquid components are metered by positive-displacement, progressive-cavity, screw-type pumps driven by variable speed motors. Rates of flow are monitored by flow meters, and the relative proportions of the constituents can be closely adjusted by varying the speeds of the pump drive motors and observing the flow meter readouts. The finished foam produced by the apparatus may be used, for example, for the preparation of foamed cement grouts or for fighting fires.

Abstract: An apparatus for dissolving a gas in a liquid employs means for determining the alpha factor of said liquid or a parameter related thereto and control means to control the pumping rate of liquid through the apparatus in response thereto thereby maintaining the gas to liquid flow volume fraction and hence the gas dissolution efficiency within desired limits.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a device for producing carbonated water. The device includes a hermetic container, a first pipe member continually conducting a carbonic acid gas into an inner hollow space of the hermetic container, a second pipe member intermittently conducting pressurized water into the inner hollow space of the hermetic container in response to demand, and a third pipe member intermittently conducting carbonated water temporarily staying in the container to a location outside of the container in response to demand. A nozzle is connected to one end of the second pipe member and is disposed within the container at a top end thereof. The nozzle has a plurality of holes which allow the pressurized water to be downwardly injected into the inner hollow space of the container. A plate member may be disposed within the inner hollow space of the container.

Abstract: An HMDS tank for use in an integrated circuit fabrication process includes a tank configured to hold HMDS having an first inlet port configured to receive a carrier gas below an HMDS surface level, an outlet port configured to release said carrier gas saturated with HMDS above the HMDS surface level, and a second inlet port configured to receive HMDS. A sensor is positioned in the tank at a predetermined HMDS level and configured to generate a sensor signal when the HMDS surface level falls below the predetermined HMDS level. A processor is coupled to the sensor and configured to generate a fill signal in response to the sensor signal to initiate introduction of HMDS into the tank through the second inlet port. In another embodiment, the HMDS tank further includes a second sensor positioned in the tank at a low HMDS level. The processor is also coupled to the second sensor and configured to generate an alarm signal in response to the second sensor signal to warn an operator of a low HMDS level in the tank.