Abstract: A multi-stage heating system comprising two or more heating stage units. Each unit holds a saturated solution of a hygroscopic solute in contact with solid solute and the units are connected in series in such a way that solution from one unit is fed into an evaporator in the next following unit. In each unit, vapour is brought in contact with the saturated solution to be absorbed by the latter, whereby the solution heats up and the so-heated solution is fed to the evaporator of the next following heating stage. The last heating stage unit is designed for the withdrawal of heat for consumption. If desired, the last unit may also be adapted for cooling. To this end this unit is associated with an external water evaporator which by heat exchange cools the solution inside the last heating stage unit to ambient or slightly above ambient temperature.

Abstract: A system for treating natural gas from a gas source, such as a gas well, to make it suitable for safe transport in high tensile strength pressure vessels at pressures in excess of 2000 psi. The system comprises suitable pipes and valves for taking gas from a gas well. A separator is provided for removing free liquids from the gas fed thereto from the gas well to provide a substantially liquid-free gas. A compressor compresses the substantially liquid-free gas to a higher pressure to reduce the volume of the gas for storage in the pressure vessels. A cooler is further provided to reduce the volume of gas and to recondition the gas for dehydration. A dehydrator substantially lowers the water vapor content in the gas to a concentration of less than 0.1 lb H.sub.2 O/mmscf of gas to prevent the formation of free water within the pressure vessels when transporting and unloading the gas and which water would cause internal corrosion and failure of the pressure vessels.

Abstract: A temperature and humidity control system including a heat pump including a compressor, an evaporator and a condenser; vaporizable refrigerant contained in a closed circuit communicating with the compressor, evaporator and condenser, a regeneratable dessicant material, valve and conduit apparatus for selectably directing air into and communicating with the condenser, evaporator and dessicant material and including first apparatus operable in a cooling/dehumidifying mode for supplying air first to the evaporator and from the evaporator to the dessicant material, and from the dessicant material to a volume sought to be conditioned and second apparatus operable in a heating/humidifying mode for supplying air first to the condenser for heating of the air and from the condenser to the dessicant material for humidifying of the air to a volume sought to be conditioned.

Abstract: The present invention uses a dessicant and a means of drying out or changing the system by the use of off-peak electric power releasing. The heat is then released as required during periods of peak electric power by the reintroduction of moisture. The system includes a source of air and a fan for circulating the air in a circulation system including an outgoing loop and return loop for the circulating air. Selectively operatable evaporator heat exchanger, air wetting apparatus, and air heating apparatus are disposed in the outgoing loop of the circulating air. A dessicant-containing enclosure used to provide heat storage, and having air inlet means thereinto from outgoing loop the circulating and an air outlet means therefrom to the return loop of the circulating air is disposed in the circulation system.

Abstract: This invention relates to a floating seal system for rotary devices to reduce gas leakage around the rotary device in a duct and across the face of the rotary device to an adjacent duct. The peripheral seal bodies are made of resilient material having a generally U-shaped cross section wherein one of the legs is secured to a support member and the other of the legs forms a contacting seal against the rotary device. The legs of the peripheral seal form an extended angle of intersection of about 10.degree. to about 30.degree. in the unloaded condition to provide even sealing forces around the periphery of the rotary device. The peripheral seal extends around the periphery of the support member except where intersected by radial seals which reduce gas leakage across the face of the rotary device and between adjacent duct portions.

Abstract: An evaporative cooling process and apparatus in which air is cooled through at least three or more stages of direct and indirect cooling employing recirculating water in each of the stages.

Abstract: An open-cycle type air conditioner includes three major passges; a room air passage defined between a room air inlet and a room air outlet; an outside air passage defined between an outside air inlet and an outside air outlet; and a regenerative air passage defined between a regenerative air inlet and a regenerative air outlet. A room air blower unit is disposed in the room air passage face to face with the room air inlet. A rotary latent heat exchanger which preferably comprises polyester un-woven fiber impregnated with lithium chloride extends over the room air passage and the regenerative air passage with its side walls in a horizontal direction. The rotary latent heat exchanger is located on the downflow side of the regenerative inlet.

Abstract: A water producing-air conditioning system comprises a water producing apparatus which adsorbs moisture in the ambient air on an adsorbent or absorbent and evaporates water adsorbed on the adsorbent or absorbent by heating it and condenses steam to obtain water;a heat-exchanger which heat-exchange the ambient air with a hot dry air discharged from said water producing apparatus during adsorbing moisture on the adsorbent or absorbent; andan evaporation-cooling apparatus for forming a cold wet air by evaporating water and cooling it by contacting water with a dry air at the ambient temperature passed through said heat-exchanger.The hot air heated by said heat-exchanger or the cold air obtained from said evaporation-cooling apparatus is utilized for the air conditioning. The system can be used for comfortable living in a severe condition such as a desert by the effective combination of the evaporation-cooling apparatus with the water producing apparatus under utilizing heat-exchange in high efficiency.

Abstract: A concentrated saline solution is used to store solar energy for both heating and cooling. A small, uninsulated tank is used to store the desiccant solution so that the heat pump can operate at night or during extended periods when the sun is obscured. No vacuum or pressure refrigerant systems are needed. Reconcentration of the sorbent solution is accomplished by direct solar radiation.

Abstract: A sorbent-type air conditioning system which employs conventional refrigeration unit, including a compressor, evaporator, condenser and refrigerant. The cooling and heating effect or energy generated by the evaporator and condenser is the primary source of energy to temperature and moisture condition air and to regenerate or concentrate sorbent which becomes diluted during the moisture conditioning of the air.

Abstract: In lieu of passing all air to be conditioned over an evaporator coil which is cold enough to cause a substantial amount of water vapor to condense; only a portion of the air is cooled to this extent. The remaining air is cooled to a higher temperature (at which negligible water vapor condenses). The total work to recompress the vaporized refrigerant is thereby reduced.

Abstract: This invention embodies improvements in evaporative type refrigeration and space cooling units, both as to energy conservation and efficiency and economy of operation. It utilizes the new abentropic principle as set forth in my U.S. Pat. No. 4,109,470, which demonstrates that the energy of the latent heat of vapor is potential energy and need not be discarded as is done in present practice but can be converted to mechanical energy by taking advantage of the fact that the vapor pressure exuded by boiling hot condensate is the same as that of the vapor itself. The difference between this vapor pressure and that of a hard vacuum is sufficient to drive an engine. The energy necessary for the work done is extracted from the latent heat of the incoming vapor causing some of the vapor to condense at its boiling point proportionately as the work proceeds.

Abstract: A plurality of individual, isolatable storage bins carrying a desiccant such as silicon gel are selectively placed in communication with a heat reclaim/solar collector within a gas circulation loop to permit the desiccant material to be dried and to store heat almost indefinitely in its dry state. The bins may be selectively connected within a second circulation loop, including a room to be conditioned such that a second gas circulated over the desiccant and to the room varies the moisture content of the desiccant to release heat and to thereby effect controlled heating or cooling of the air within the room, as needed, and irrespective operation of the heat reclaim/solar collector.

Abstract: A chemical heat pump system is disclosed for use in heating and cooling structures such as residences or commercial buildings. The system is particularly adapted to utilizing solar energy, but also increases the efficiency of other forms of thermal energy when solar energy is not available. When solar energy is not available for relatively short periods of time, the heat storage capacity of the chemical heat pump is utilized to heat the structure as during nighttime hours. The design also permits home heating from solar energy when the sun is shining. The entire system may be conveniently rooftop located. In order to facilitate installation on existing structures, the absorber and vaporizer portions of the system may each be designed as flat, thin wall, thin pan vessels which materially increase the surface area available for heat transfer.

Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus and method are disclosed. The apparatus includes a chemical dehumidifier which employs an aqueous hygroscopic solution of glycol and a solar energy collector for use in regenerating the solution. Air to be conditioned is circulated through a contactor of the chemical dehumidifier, in contact with cooled glycol solution. Concentrated hygroscopic glycol solution is circulated from a regenerator to the contactor, while dilute solution is circulated from the contactor to the regenerator. Energy from the solar collector is transferred to facilitate concentration thereof. In one disclosed embodiment energy from the solar collector is also transferred to the generator of heat-powered refrigeration apparatus, e.g., absorption or rankine engine driven refrigeration apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed are a process and plant for the recovery of water from humid air, in which at night cool humid air is passed through an adsorbent medium layer which adsorbs water from the air and in which, by day, air heated by solar energy up to a temperature which is above the ambient temperature is passed first through this layer to absorb water from the layer and then is cooled down so that the water condenses. The daytime air, when entering the adsorbent layer, is heated by solar energy with a radiator which is preferably a black anodized aluminum web in which the adsorbent medium may be embedded and/or by the adsorbent medium layer which is colored black for better absorption of sun rays. By using reflectors, the solarization upon the adsorbent medium layer and/or the radiator may be intensified.

Abstract: This invention relates to a hybrid air conditioning system that combines a solar powered LiCl dehumidifier with a LiBr absorption chiller. The desiccant dehumidifier removes the latent load by absorbing moisture from the air, and the sensible load is removed by the absorption chiller. The desiccant dehumidifier is coupled to a regenerator and the desiccant in the regenerator is heated by solar heated hot water to drive the moisture therefrom before being fed back to the dehumidifier. The heat of vaporization expended in the desiccant regenerator is recovered and used to partially preheat the driving fluid of the absorption chiller, thus substantially improving the overall COP of the hybrid system.

Abstract: An adjunct apparatus or equipment for use in conjunction with refrigeration air conditioner utilizing the air conditioner condensing coil fan for its original purpose and also for moving water evaporation cooled air through exterior wall air spaces, if any, and/or attic space of a building to reduce the heat load on the air conditioned dwelling space.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cooling internal environment air using energy from the sun. In accordance with the method of the invention, internal environment ("inside") air is circulated over a desiccant and thereby dried. The dried air, which takes on heat as a consequence of the drying operation, is relatively cooled by performing a heat exchange operation with external environment ("outside") air. At this stage, the dried inside air is at a temperature which is only slightly above the temperature of the outside air. Moisture is then added to the dried inside air which had been subjected to the heat exchange operation. The evaporation of the moisture into the dried air restores it to a desired relative humidity and effects a cooling of the air which is then returned to the internal environment. The operation of drying the inside air will, after a time, render the desiccant too wet to perform efficiently. The desiccant is then heated with solar energy so as to remove moisture from the desiccant.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cooling internal environment air using energy from the sun. In accordance with the method of the invention, internal environment ("inside") air is circulated over a desiccant and thereby dried. The dried air, which takes on heat as a consequence of the drying operation, is relatively cooled by performing a heat exchange operation with external environment ("outside") air. At this stage, the dried inside air is at a temperature which is only slightly above the temperature of the outside air. Moisture is then added to the dried inside air which had been subjected to the heat exchange operation. The evaporation of the moisture into the dried air restores it to a desired relative humidity and effects a cooling of the air which is then returned to the internal environment. The operation of drying the inside air will, after a time, render the desiccant too wet to perform efficiently.

Abstract: A system and method for conditioning the air supplied to a paint spray booth enclosure in which the air is dehumidified during summertime operation by liquid absorption of the water vapor from the incoming air.The circulated absorption liquid is cooled to eliminate the heat developed by the dehumidification by a portion of the heat being rejected into the air exhausted from the paint spray booth. In one version, heat pump units are used to extract the remaining portion of the rejected heat with the extracted heat transferred to a regenerator heat exchanger utilized to provide heat to reconcentrate the liquid absorption solution. The heat pumps are also utilized to cool the supply air and the heat so extracted is also used to heat the absorption liquid during regeneration.

Abstract: A process and a plant for the recovery of water from humid air are disclosed. Humid ambient air flows through an adsorber in which an adsorbing agent removes moisture from the air by adsorption. Subsequently, air heated by an air heater and delivered by a fan flows through the adsorber in order to recover by desorption the moisture from the moistened adsorbing agent. Thereafter, the water vapor-containing air is precooled in a counterflow heat exchanger and subsequently conducted into a condenser in which heat is extracted from it by means of a heat pump so that the water vapor condenses and is available in the form of liquid water. The air cooled and dried in the condenser is utilized in the counterflow heat exchanger for precooling the air fed into the condenser. The heat given off by the heat pump is supplied to the air heater in order to be utilized therein for heating the air flowing through the air heater.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for precise temperature and humidity control within a confined or determined chamber. Essentially, the method involves determining a desired condition in a controlled space. The essence of the concept is to provide humidity control by the addition of moisture at all operating conditions and, in effect, never having to control dehumidification. Hence, the system is much more controllable than previous approaches, which as a result achieves energy conservation. In addition, the method for heating or cooling is to insure that the heating or cooling does not affect the humidity, but that humidity is added after all the desired temperature relationships are achieved, which enables the system to eliminate control into the dehumidification mode. Further, the process includes a higher air flow rate than normally utilized, all of which improves the precision of the humidification and temperature control process.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for air conditioning, using a refrigeration system, are disclosed. The disclosed method and apparatus provide for a refrigeration type air conditioning system to be equipped with a regeneratable desiccant for contacting moist feed air prior to passing the feed air across evaporator coils of the system. The desiccant removes a substantial portion of moisture from the feed air, thereby improving the efficiency of the air conditioning system. The desiccant material is regenerated by utilizing waste heat that is removed from the condenser of the air conditioning system.

Abstract: Efficiency of an open-cycle air conditioning apparatus and method for heating and cooling is improved and the economy of external power is increased both with respect to cost and energy consumption by providing a combination of a primary heater and a secondary heater for heating the regeneration stream for regenerating the desiccant means in the air conditioning apparatus. The thermal source for the primary heater may utilize waste heat or solar energy which is transferred to a solid phase thermal storage means by a gaseous phase heat exchange medium. The thermal energy may be transferred from the thermal storage means to the regeneration stream of the open-cycle air conditioning apparatus either directly by passing the air stream over the solid phase thermal storage means or indirectly by passing liquid in an enclosed system through the solid phase thermal storage means and the regeneration stream.

Abstract: A solar powered air conditioner using the adsorption process is constructed with its components in a nested cylindrical array for compactness and ease of operation.

Abstract: Air conditioning apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a thermal compressor which is used to regenerate an aqueous hygroscopic liquid, e.g., a solution of lithium chloride or lithium bromide in water. The regenerated hygroscopic liquid is used both for humidity control in air conditioning apparatus and to absorb water that has been vaporized in an evaporator, thereby enabling the evaporation of further water in the evaporator and the use of water as a refrigerant. In one disclosed embodiment, a molecular still is used in connection with the operation of the thermal compressor.

Abstract: A cooling method and system are provided wherein a stream of relatively wet warm air is passed in contact with a liquid hygroscopic material in a water cooled absorbent zone to produce a stream of relatively cool dry air. The latter is then passed through an evaporative cooling zone in contact with water and the resulting cooled air or water is used as a cooling or refrigerating medium. A portion of the cooled water is used to cool the absorbent zone to an extent that the dried stream of air has a greater capacity to evaporatively cool the water than it would have in the absence of such cooling, thereby permitting the production of desired stream of cool, dry air.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for air-conditioning by which solar heat is collected and utilized in winter heating and in summer cooling and humidity adjustment. A hygroscopic liquid circulates through a solar heat collector and a reservoir thereof to accumulate sufficient heat to furnish energy for (1) dehumidification, adiabatic cooling of air, and concentrating of the hygroscopic liquid in summertime operation, or alternatively, heating of air in winter time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing temperature and humidity controlled air to an enclosed space within a building to achieve desired conditions of temperature and humidity therein, and which is characterized by the maximum use of the outside air for cooling purposes to thereby minimize the load on the refrigeration unit and thus also minimize the operating expense thereof.

Abstract: Efficiency of an open-cycle air conditioning apparatus and method for heating and cooling is improved and the economy of external power is increased both with respect to cost and energy consumption by providing a combination of a primary heater and a secondary heater for heating the regeneration stream for regenerating the desiccant means in the air conditioning apparatus. The thermal source for the primary heater may utilize waste heat or solar energy which is transferred to a solid phase thermal storage means by a gaseous phase heat exchange medium. The thermal energy may be transferred from the thermal storage means to the regeneration stream of the open-cycle air conditioning apparatus either directly by passing the air stream over the solid phase thermal storage means or indirectly by passing liquid in an enclosed system through the solid phase thermal storage means and the regeneration stream.

Abstract: Arrangement for preparing dry hot compressed air to be supplied to blast furnace, wherein a heat exchanger and a dehydrater assembly comprising a gas permeable regenerative moisture absorbing rotor are arranged in the air passage from blower to hot air furnaces so that the hot compressed air from the blower may be used to heat the dehydrated air and to regenerate the rotor. Air leakage between regenerating and dehydrating zones in the dehydrater is prevented by sealing those clearances where otherwise such leakage would occur by packing elements to form sealed spaces and externally introducing dry pressurized air into each of said spaces.

Abstract: Assembly for dehydrating atmospheric air at the input side of a blower for supplying air to a blast furnace comprising at least one gas permeable rotor containing a regenerative moisture absorbent wherein a hot combustion gas obtained by burning a waste gas from the blast furnace is utilized for regenerating the absorbent and wherein means for regulating the relative humidity of the moist air to be dehydrated, which does not need any external heat source, is provided to avoid deliquescence of the absorbent. The rotor preferably comprises a layer containing the absorbent and a layer of an adsorbent capable of adsorbing impurities contained in the air.

Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus and method are disclosed. The apparatus includes a chemical dehumidifier which employs an aqueous hygroscopic solution of a glycol and a solar energy collector for use in regenerating the solution. Air to be conditioned is circulated through a contactor of the chemical dehumidifier, in contact with cooled glycol solution. Concentrated hygroscopic glycol solution is circulated from a regenerator to the contactor, while dilute solution is circulated from the contactor to the regenerator. Energy from the solar collector is transferred to facilitate concentration thereof. In one disclosed embodiment energy from the solar collector is also transferred to the generator of heat-powered refrigeration apparatus, e.g., absorption or rankine engine driven refrigeration apparatus.

Abstract: Improved metallic heat exchange apparatus particularly useful in a wheel-like form as a sensible heat exchange wheel in an environmental control apparatus. The heat exchange apparatus is constructed of multiple layers of metallic "honeycomb", with the apertures of the honeycomb layers axially parallel and offset with respect to each other. The multiple layers provide thermal discontinuities so that the face to face temperature gradient of the heat exchanger is continuous. The heat exchange apparatus of this invention is fireproof, a serious deficiency in prior art wax-coated sensible heat exchange wheels used in environmental control apparatus.