Abstract: The present invention relates to food preparation disinfection treatment methods that disinfect fruits or vegetables, and food preparation surfaces during the preparation of food items in a restaurant environment. The methods include steps such as creating an ozonated concentrate liquid by way of an aqueous ozone generator, disinfecting fruit or vegetables by immersion in the ozonated concentrate liquid, disinfecting one or more of a food preparation surface by misting the ozonated concentrate liquid onto the food preparation surface, neutralizing the odor of the plant tissue by misting the ozonated concentrate liquid onto the plant tissue at periodic mist intervals, and other steps and features including being able to disinfect and oxygenate lettuce in prepackaged produce packaging.

Abstract: To properly perform deaeration of ink in an ink-jet printer. An ink supply portion includes an ink tank, a deaeration portion, an upstream-side ink flow path and a downstream side ink flow path, in which the deaeration portion includes an ink branching portion, plural deaeration modules arranged in parallel in an ink flow path, plural pumps, and an ink converging portion. Respective plural deaeration modules are arranged between the ink branching portion and the ink converging portion in corresponding branch flow paths, and respective pumps are arranged in series to corresponding deaeration modules in the branch flow paths, allowing ink to flow in corresponding deaeration modules.

Abstract: A reliable, leak-tolerant liquid cooling system with a backup air-cooling system for computers is provided. The system may use a vacuum pump and a liquid pump and/or an air compressor in combination to provide negative fluid pressure so that liquid does not leak out of the system near electrical components. Alternatively, the system can use a single vacuum pump and a valve assembly to circulate coolant. The system distributes flow and pressure with a series of pressure regulating valves so that an array of computers can be serviced by a single cooling system. The system provides both air and liquid cooling so that if the liquid cooling system does not provide adequate cooling, the air cooling system will be automatically activated. The heat may be removed from the building efficiently with a cooling tower.

Abstract: A system for cooling items of equipment likely to give off energy, comprises: an enclosure comprising a membrane that is porous to water vapor and sealed to liquid water, said membrane separating the cavity into a first portion designed to contain a fluid consisting of water and vapor, a second portion designed to contain the vapor resulting from the vaporization of the water, a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the liquid-vapor fluid contained in the cavity, a device to discharge the vapor from the cavity into the environment creating a vacuum in this cavity and breaking the natural liquid/vapor balance of the cavity containing the liquid, thus causing a vaporization of a portion of the liquid, a means for controlling the flow rate of the vapor discharged to outside of the cavity, said control means being regulated on the signal delivered by the temperature sensor.

Abstract: A device and a method for vacuum-sealing cooling medium is to allow a work piece being vacuumed for the cooling medium being introduced into the work piece. The device provides a first passage, a second passage, a sucking unit, a cooling medium supply unit and a sealing passage. The first passage and the second passage each have an end being connected to the sucking unit and the cooling medium supply unit respectively. The sealing passage communicates with another end of the first passage and another end of the second passage respectively and provides a sealing component, wherein a conveying passage is provided at the sealing component for the work piece being vacuumed or introduced with the cooling medium via said first passage or said second passage.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the presentation of organic samples at low temperature and under vacuum for analysis using a surface analysis technique is described. The apparatus carries a sample trapped between two hinged plates which is subsequently cryogenically-cooled and then inserted into a vacuum system where it locates on a cold stage. The device has a mechanism which is used to fracture the sample whilst under vacuum and open the two halves of the sample ready for analysis. It thus provides a reliable automated method of freeze-fracture, replacing current unreliable manual methods.

Abstract: The energy efficient ventilation system provides tempered air to an air to air heat exchanger, such as a heat pump. The system includes independent air intake sources from a tunnel, a structure, and the exterior of the structure that direct air to a control module. Regulators control the amount of air that enters the control module from the air intake sources. The control module mixes the intake air and distributes the tempered air to the structure and to the air to air heat exchanger.

Abstract: A device and a method for vacuum-sealing cooling medium is to allow a work piece being vacuumed for the cooling medium being introduced into the work piece. The device provides a first passage, a second passage, a sucking unit, a cooling medium supply unit and a sealing passage. The first passage and the second passage each have an end being connected to the sucking unit and the cooing medium supply unit respectively. The sealing passage communicates with another end of the first passage and another end of the second passage respectively and provides a sealing component, wherein a conveying passage is provided at the sealing component for the work piece being vacuumed or introduced with the cooling medium via said first passage or said second passage.

Abstract: An air-conditioning system comprising water as the coolant in the heat exchanger in relation with cooling the air. A source of vacuum assists the vaporization action. The heat of vaporization of water is greater than a coolant of the fluorocarbon series, and the system operates most efficiently by dispersing the water vapor and its absorbed heat directly into the atmosphere instead of being kept within a closed cycle system which would require additional equipment and be much less efficient. One modification of the system incorporates a steam ejector system for a large air-conditioning system designed for a large structure.

Abstract: Novel vapor compression evaporative cooling systems which use water as a refrigerant are provided, as are methods for using same. Also provided are novel compressors, compressor components, and means for removing noncondensibles useful in such cooling systems.

Abstract: Produce, especially processed produce, such as lettuce, broccoli and potatoes, is heat-shocked with water having an elevated temperature relative to the produce, to minimize discoloration of the produce from the processing after the heat shock, the produce is low pressure or vacuum cooled and dried to remove heat-shock water adsorbed and absorbed by the produce.

Abstract: A two stage hermetic compressor which uses carbon dioxide as the working fluid. A pair of modules individually housing compression mechanisms are located at opposite ends of a module housing an electric motor. The modules are secured to one another when the compressor is assembled. Suction pressure carbon dioxide gas is compressed in the first compression mechanism to an intermediate pressure which is introduced into an electric motor module compartment. The intermediate pressure gas enters the second compression mechanism module through a suction port. A conical baffle is affixed to the upper compression mechanism module to protect the suction port from direct suction of oil and to separate oil entrained in the gas therefrom. The intermediate refrigerant gas is compressed to a discharge pressure and is discharged into a compartment defined in the second compression mechanism module. The discharge pressure gas is then exhausted to the refrigeration system.

Abstract: By supplying a refrigerant utilized for cooling brine at a brine chiller unit (4) to a cooler (21) of a blast chiller (2), the internal space at the blast chiller (2) is cooled. In addition, the brine cooled at the brine chiller unit (4) is supplied to an ice heat storage tank (23) during the night and is supplied to a cold trap (7) during the daytime by switching a three way reversing valve (17). Thus, ice-making and chilled water storage are achieved at the ice heat storage tank (23) during the nighttime so that a tumble chiller (3) performs cooling during the daytime by using the chilled water that has been stored at the ice heat storage tank (23). Consequently, during the daytime, three coolers, i.e., the vacuum cooler (1), the blast chiller (2) and the tumble chiller (3), can be operated with a single brine chiller unit (4).

Abstract: Method and apparatus for vacuum cooling field harvested produce such as lettuce includes a vacuum chamber, a partial vacuum-forming mechanism in the chamber, a water discharging mechanism in the chamber for spraying water onto the produce to cool the produce, and a mechanism in the chamber for detecting and adjusting the temperature and pressure, dynamically, to minimize undesired removal of water from the surface and interstitial tissues of the produce.

Abstract: A preferably self-contained food conservator system includes a vacuum compartment appropriate for storing baked goods, in which a negative pressure of about 10" Hg in maintained, preferably at about 60% relative humidity. The environment of the compartment preferably is feed-back-controlled by a microprocessor control. The microprocessor preferably can control vacuum, relative humidity, temperature, the amount of ozone introduced into the compartment to retard bacterial growth, as well as outgassing time cycles. A pushbutton type menu allows a user to input data used to control the microprocessor, and permit optimization of the compartment environment for the particular foodstuffs presently being stored.

Abstract: A refinery petroleum gas recovery apparatus driven by normally wasted heat, comprising primarily the cooling system, the heat exchanging petroleum gas recovery system, and the appropriate peripheral equipment, wherein the wasted heat from the refining process is used as a power source for creating a vacuum cooling function to cool the water being heat exchanged with the petroleum gas down to the temperature of 12.degree.-13.degree. C. The heat in the gas is removed and the gas is condensed into liquid for reuse. The petroleum gases ethane, propane etc. which are ordinarily burned in the torch tower can now be recovered for reuse. The air pollution created from the burning of the gases in the torch tower is eliminated. Thus the apparatus has a high industrial value.

Abstract: A method is presented for the transfer of heat from a low to a higher temperature, in that the main medium in gas form is heated and compressed, after which this main medium is conducted to a first heating chamber (1) where heat at low temperature is added to the main medium, whereafter the gas is conducted to a compressor (8) and compressed, in that before being conducted to the first heating chamber (1), the main medium can undergo a pressure drop and a possible heat absorption in a heat exchanger. In the first heating chamber (1), there is added an auxiliary medium in liquid form which evaporates together with the heating of the main medium, so that after the heating the main medium is more or less saturated with the auxiliary medium in vapor form, in that the heat is added from a second heating chamber (2) in which a gaseous medium containing evaporated auxiliary medium is cooled for the condensation of the auxiliary medium.

Abstract: An ice maker utilizing the sorption principle having an air tight sorption container which stores a solid sorption medium. A vacuum pump is connected to the sorption container and is operatively coupled to an icing container. The icing container is clamped to a flat sealing surface. The vapor contained in the icing container is removed by the vacuum pump causing a decrease in vapor pressure. An aqueous liquid is fed through a closeable feeding line from a supply container to the icing container so that the aqueous liquid solidifies within the icing container.

Abstract: An air conditioning system which uses the high dielectric constant of water and inverse pressure to adapt the evaporator and condenser cycles of a conventional air conditioning system to use water instead of freon. The energy-intensive compressor of the conventional system is replaced by pumps which use pressures to effect the vaporization and condensation cycles. Unlike other water-based systems, all atmospheric high kinetic energy gases such as nitrogen and oxygen are excluded from the closed cycles to prevent interference with the polar attractions between the condensing vapor molecules. The air conditioning system is also adapted for use in removing water vapor from gas such as air. The system comprises a passage for the flow of gas therethrough, a fan or the like for causing a flow of air through the passage and at least one porous structure composed at least in part of solid desiccating material located within the flow passage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the simultaneous exchange of heat and matter through a porous wall. A relatively hot gaseous mixture of two constituents passes through an exchange compartment by flowing along the first surface of a porous wall and is progressively cooled, which causes the condensation of a fraction of said mixture. This fraction is vaporized on the second surface of the wall in contact with a relatively cold gas. This process is useful for the fractionation of a mixture of two constituents of a gas, for example, of a mixture of pentane and heptane.

Abstract: This relates to a heating system which may be utilized conventionally for the heating of homes or the like. The heating system incorporates a conventional well having a casing extending above the level of the water in the wall and wherein a sufficient vacuum is drawn in the casing above the water level so as to cause the water to boil at approximately the temperature of the water in the well. The pressure of the water vapor is then raised in the vacuum pump to a pressure substantially atmospheric or slightly above, at which time the water vapor temperature rises to approximately 212.degree. F. The high temperature water vapor is then directed through a condenser where it is condensed back into water and is returned to the well or some other area. The condenser may be utilized for the transfer of heat to heat the house or other unit being heated.

Abstract: Condensing exhaust steam by conveying a stream of the exhaust steam under vacuum to a base cooling tower to condense the steam so long as the heat rejection capacity of the base cooling tower is adequate to condense the steam; supplementing the base cooling tower, when it provides inadequate cooling, by contemporaneously also withdrawing cold cooling water from a cold water reservoir and injecting the cooling water into the stream of exhaust steam under vacuum to condense a portion of the steam to water such that the remaining portion of the steam is condensed to water in the base cooling tower; withdrawing hot condensed water from the exhaust steam stream and feeding a portion thereof to a hot reservoir; withdrawing hot cooling water from the hot reservoir, when the cooling tower capacity is adequate to decrease the temperature of the exhaust steam to below the temperature of the hot cooling water in the hot reservoir, and subjecting the withdrawn hot cooling water to the exhaust steam vacuum to cool the hot

Abstract: An air conditioning system for building utilizes a vertically aligned, generally straight conduit rain tower for scrubbing and pumping air between the exhaust air conduit system and the supply air conduit system in conjunction with an evaporative water chiller utilizing a venturi to create a vacuum in the water chiller for low temperature vaporization of return water. Gravity flow of water through the venturi is used to create the suction head.

Abstract: A heat transfer system in which a fluid of substantial heat absorption qualities is caused to flow in successive heat absorption and heat dissipation phases, a latter having one or more differential modes. In the disclosed embodiment of the system, a cold plate-liquid boiler assembly provides flow paths for the successive phases, the differential heat dissipation modes being provided by the liquid boiler and by external cooling means alternatively included in a heat rejection circuit. Vent control apparatus associated with the liquid boiler tends to maintain a pressure therein conducive of boiling at selected temperature values.