Abstract: A heat recovery, dehumidifier and cooling system for ventilating fresh air to a conditioned space. The system is comprised of an enthalpy wheel or body for treating incoming fresh air to remove heat and moisture therefrom and means such as a duct for introducing fresh air to a first segment of the enthalpy wheel or body. A heat exchanger is provided in communication with the enthalpy wheel or body to receive pre-conditioned air having heat and moisture removed therefrom, the heat exchanger further lowering the temperature of the pre-conditioned air. A refrigerated surface is provided in a first communication with the heat exchanger to receive pre-conditioned air exiting from the sensible heat exchanger, the refrigerated surface further treating the pre-conditioned air to provide refrigerated air leaving the refrigerated surface having both lowered temperature and humidity.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of extracting water from the ambient air by condensation of air moisture, characterized in that a heat-insulating partition is cooled on one side and heated on the other side by external supply of energy, creating a natural convective air draft on the heated side of the partition, the convective air draft being channelled substantially like a chimney draft and used to recover part of the energy while water is extracted on the cooled side by condensation of air moisture. The invention further relates to an apparatus for carrying out said method. The object underlying the invention is to ensure an appropriate afflux of air and a high degree of efficiency by optimum exploitation of energy.

Abstract: A pair of heat exchangers of generally cylindrical shape are coaxially coupled to the opposite ends of a cylindrical air-water separator. Each heat exchanger has a stack of heat transfer disks brazed together to define two alternating sets of intercommunicating flow paths. The first set of flow paths of the first heat exchanger receives high-temperature, high-humidity air under pressure, which is precooled by low-temperature, low-humidity air flowing to the second set of flow paths from the air-water separator. The precooled high-humidity air is directed through an internal passageway in the separator into the second heat exchanger, in which the air is cooled by heat exchange with a coolant. The cooled high-humidity air is then directed into the separator for reduction of the moisture. The low-temperature, low-humidity air is then afterheated by precooling the incoming high-temperature, high-humidity air in the first heat exchanger, for subsequent delivery to a load.

Abstract: A water collection and dispensing machine having a primary housing with an air inlet and an air outlet, an air blower structured to draw air into the primary housing through the air inlet and push air out of said primary housing through the air outlet. The water collection and dispensing machine further includes an evaporator coil structured to cycle a cold refrigerant liquid therethrough, the evaporator coil being disposed in line with the air inlet so that the air drawn into the primary housing through the air inlet passes thereover and moisture therefrom condenses on an exterior surface of the evaporator coil so that it may be collected in the form of water droplets, filtered to eliminate contaminants, and dispensed for convenient consumption by a user.

Abstract: A compressed dry air supply system includes an air compressor which uses water for lubricating and cooling the movable parts thereof. Compressed air obtained from the compressor is sufficiently dehumidified by a refrigerator type dryer. The water produced due to the dehumidification of the compressed air is received in a water tank, and some of the water held in the water tank is recycled back to the compressor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a diagnostic system for use in a network control system. The diagnostic system is preferably utilized to analyze HVAC system or VAV box performance in an environmental control system such as a network facilities management system. The diagnostic system advantageously records temperature, air flow, and actuator position data in the controller associated with the VAV box and calculates an exponentially weighted moving average value. The exponentially weighted moving average value may be related to error values, process output values, change in actuator position, actuator position, duty cycle of the actuator, or starts, stops and reversals of the actuator. Such a system allows a person to analyze VAV boxes and controller performance over a particular timely period and the lifetime of the system. Box and damper warnings may be provided by the diagnostic system when the EWMA values are over or under particular threshold values.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein relates to a dehydrator for removing moisture from a gas. The dehydrator has a narrow elongate conduit having an equivalent hydraulic diameter which facilitates the diffusion of water molecules through the gas to a cooled gas contact surface of the conduit. Despite the use of narrow elongate gas flow path, the dehydration efficiency of the apparatus of the invention is outstanding and pluggage of the gas flow path is substantially eliminated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for retrieving condensed fluid from an air conditioner in a vehicle, storing the collected fluid for subsequent use, and transferring the retrieved fluid to a reservoir in the vehicle. The method and apparatus described allow manual distribution or automatic distribution of the fluid.

Abstract: The device for eliminating humidity particularly from laundry includes a frame body having inside, in combination, a device for dehumidifying the air and a device for heating the dehumidified air to a selected temperature.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying the inside of the air duct of a vehicle air conditioner with heating, cooling and drying mode, which includes a first duct part containing a heater unit, a second duct part containing an evaporation unit, the first and second duct parts forming the air duct, an auxiliary blowing fan for introducing in the cooling and drying mode air firstly into the first duct part to heat the air and supply the heated air to the inside of the second duct part, and a main blowing fan for introducing air firstly into the second duct part then to flow towards the heater unit.

Abstract: A dehumidifier which vaporizes water separated from gas is disclosed. Relatively hot and humid air is cooled and dehumidified by a refrigerating passageway. Water separated from the hot and humid air is drained into a drainage container via a draining pipe. A plurality of fins extending radially are provided on the outer periphery of a heat radiating portion, which is a portion of a refrigerating circuit. Capillary action of the fins enables the fins to absorb water collected in the drainage container. The water contacts the radiating portion where the water is heated and vaporized.

Abstract: A portable dehumidifier is provided which includes an upper section housing a power supply, a small thermoelectric device intermediate a cold plate and a heat sink, and a blower fan. The blower fan provides the motive force to cause the humid air to come in contact with the cold plate. The cold plate causes the water vapor to condense from the air. The condensate drips from the cold plate into a trap where it is funnelled into a lower section. The upper section is mounted atop a lower section. The lower section includes a reservoir for collection the condensed water and is provided with a drain valve, float switch and vapor barrier. The drain valve permits the reservoir to be emptied of condensate. The float switch disengages the portable dehumidifier when the reservoir becomes full of condensate. The vapor barrier prevents the condensate in the reservoir from re-evaporating back into the system.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an apparatus for obtaining potable water from the ambient air. A compressor (16) is provided for compressing a refrigerant. A condenser (18) is provided for condensing the refrigerant received from the compressor (16). An evaporator coil (14) is provided for receiving at one end thereof compressed refrigerant from the condenser (18) and being disposed in a water tank (12). The evaporator (14) is operable for evaporating refrigerant and thereby cooling the potable water (13) in the water tank (12). Drip coils (28) are provided for condensing the potable water from the ambient air with the cooled potable water (13) from the water tank passing through the drip coils (28) before returning to the water tank (12). A fan (20) is provided for blowing ambient air about the drip coils(28) and the condenser (18).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a diagnostic system for use in a network control system. The diagnostic system is preferably utilized to analyze VAV box performance in an environmental control system such as a network facilities management system. The diagnostic system advantageously records temperature, airflow, and actuator position data in the controller associated with the VAV box. Such a system allows person to analyze VAV boxes and controller performance over a particular timely period and the lifetime of the system. Box and damper warnings may be provided by the diagnostic system when the box or damper is operating below particular performance levels. Preferably, the diagnostic system formats the air flow actuator positions and temperature data so that it can be displayed for graphing. The diagnostic data is advantageously stored in the individual controllers.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing an atmosphere of predetermined humidity comprises a chamber 10, a source 22 of dry air, leading to the chamber 10 directly via a valve V3 and a saturator 20 having an inlet connected with the source 22 and an outlet connected with the chamber 10 via a valve V1. An outlet from chamber 10 is connected via a valve V2 with an extractor, whereby with valves V2 and V1 open and valve V3 closed, saturated air can be drawn into chamber 10 whilst with valves V2 and V3 open and valve V1 closed dry air can be drawn into chamber 10, to adjust the humidity in the chamber 10 in either case. A relative humidity sensing probe 12 and a temperature sensing probe 14 within chamber 10 pass signals to a computer 24 which controls valves V1, V2 and V3, whereby feed-back regulation of the humidity in chamber 10 can be achieved.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a diagnostic system for use in a network control system. The diagnostic system is preferably utilized to analyze VAV box performance in an environmental control system such as a network facilities management system. The diagnostic system advantageously allows the serviceperson to perform diagnostic tests on VAV boxes from a remote location. Flat box warnings, starved box warnings, box excessive damper hysteresis warnings, oversized box warnings, damper stroke out of bounds warnings, as well as other box and damper warnings may be provided by the diagnostic system. Preferably, the diagnostic system formats the air flow data so that it can be displayed for graphing. The diagnostic system causes individual controls to adjust the damper positions. Air flow parameters for each position are communicated to the remote location.

Abstract: A compressed air system to deliver dry and clean air whereby the compressed air supplied by the air compressor is passed through a primary circuit of a heat exchanger and a liquid separator where it is cooled down close to the freezing point of the water so that the majority of the water vapor in the air will condense. The condensate as well as majority of the oil in the air is removed from the air stream with a centrifugal action inside the liquid separator which consists of a precooling chamber, cooling lines, conical centrifugal separator section, vertical center cavity and exit passage. The superheated air leaving the liquid separator unit can be dried further by passing the air through the freezer dryer units where its temperature is lowered below the freezing point of the water so that the remaining water forms into ice crystals and will get attached to the inside walls of the freezer dryer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling temperature and humidity of an air stream by chilling a cold storage material and warming a heat storage material by evaporation and condensation respectively from a fixed capacity refrigeration cycle, and selectively cooling and warming the air stream by controlled heat transfer from the cold and heat storage materials.

Abstract: A system for improving the efficiency of the cooling system for a compressor for air or other compressible gas, involving the use of the condensate produced by the compression, which is presented for evaporation at the point of entry of the stream of coolant gas into heat exchangers, whereby the heat required for evaporation of the condensate is taken from such coolant gas to precool the same before it enters the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A device for maintaining a controlled atmosphere within a sealed container. The device is utilized to control the oxygen and the carbon dioxide levels within the container and utilizes permeable membrane technology to control such levels. An oilless compressor is used in conjunction with the device so as to not subject the permeable membranes to the derogatory effects associated with the presence of oil within an airstream that circulates through the permeable membranes. Additionally, the compressor is preferably mounted within the sealed container so as to not subject the compressor to the effects of temperature variation and corrosive marine environments. The present device further includes an air sampling system which is used to periodically measure the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels within the container. Control logic is included with the system which is operable to adjust the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in accordance with the particular readings obtained by the sampling system.

Abstract: A dehumidifier includes an elongated body in which a first open ended chamber and a second open ended chamber are defined parallel to each other along the longitudinal direction of the body. A first cover and a second cover are detachably secured to the ends of the body, to cover the open ends of the first and second chambers, respectively. An evaporator is housed in the first chamber. A pipe is disposed in the second chamber, and divides the second chamber into a precooling zone, which corresponds to the internal space of the pipe extending along the axis thereof, and a reheating zone which corresponds to the external space. A path connects the outlet of the precooling zone and the inlet of the first chamber, and is defined between the dehumidifier body and the second cover, for feeding the air from the precooling zone to the first chamber.

Abstract: A desiccant air conditioning system (10) is provided for a passenger compartment (28) of a vehicle. Ambient air, to be eventually conditioned, passes through desiccant material maintained in a desiccant chamber (14) where it loses a portion of its moisture content while its temperature rises because of the release of the heat of vapor condensation. Subsequently, this hot, dry air is passed through a heat exchanger (20) where it is cooled down to a temperature close to the ambient. This very dry, cool air is then humidified by a humidifier (24), becoming cool, moist air, that is introduced into the passenger compartment of the vehicle. Exhaust air (30) from the passenger compartment is further humidified by a humidifier (32), so as to cool it. This cooled, humidified air is then passed through the heat exchanger (20) to cool the hot, dry incoming air.

Abstract: A dehumidifier unit for pre-conditioning air delivered to a multiplicity of separate refrigeration air conditioner units and especially ductless systems where the compressor-condenser unit is separate from the fan-coil unit, and assisted by heat pipe transfer of heat from air dehumidified through a desiccant wheel and by heat of compression from the condenser of one compressor-condenser unit, and with a heater to maintain the temperature of regeneration air through the wheel, one dehumidifier unit pre-conditioning air for a multiplicity of refrigeration air conditioners or fan-coil units.

Abstract: A central air conditioning unit with a blower and feed duct is provided with a filter unit between the blower and the air outlet into the space applied with the conditioned air. The filter unit has both a sorption filter and a suspended filter and is constructed and arranged to form a sound barrier, i.e. a sound-damping or sound-blocking system.

Abstract: A heat exchanger device for refrigeration driers in compressed-air installations is described. Such heat exchanger devices have an air/air heat exchanger (1) and a refrigerant/air heat exchanger (2). According to the invention, the air/air heat exchanger is produced as a plate heat exchanger and the refrigerant/air heat exchanger is produced as a combined tube/plate heat exchanger. The tube/plate heat exchanger has at least one unit containing a tube coil being coiled in a meandering manner and forming two spaced broad sides, and two plates, each plate being fastened at one of the two broad sides (FIG. 1 ).

Abstract: An apparatus for removing moisture from a hot compressed gas before the gas is delivered to a work tool. The apparatus includes a unitary rigid structure composed of a central core, with a header mounted on each side of the core. The central core includes a recuperator section and an aftercooler section, and the headers define air passages whereby the air passing through the apparatus is first cooled in the recuperator section, further cooled in the aftercooler section, and then reheated in the recuperator section. A water separator is positioned at the location where the gas reaches its lowest temperature, and such that upon reheating, a relatively dry and hot gas may be delivered to the work tool.

Abstract: A method and system for cooling air to cryogenic temperatures [e.g., below - 100.degree. F. (- 730.degree. C.)] for use as a refrigerant medium for direct contact cooling of articles such as foodstuffs for fast freezing.

Abstract: An apparatus for extracting moisture from the ambient air includes a desint pond for absorbing moisture from the air to produce a water rich desiccant, means for vaporizing the moisture in the water rich desiccant, mixing the vaporized moisture with ambient air to increase the dew point of the ambient air, condensing the vaporized moisture to form a potable water condensate and returning the water lean desiccant back to the desiccant pond.

Abstract: An improved air drier adapted for drying humid air is equipped with a cylinder shaped shell having a conical water collecting bottom and a duct disposed therein which is provided with an air outlet tube through the center thereof; and the outer wall of the duct helically wound with the elongated condensing tube in which the coolant of a condenser circulates is helically disposed a continuous partition board in correspondence to the wound condensing tube; the periphery of the continuous partition board is not in contact with the inner wall of the cylinder shaped shell with a drain space defined therebetween so as to permit the water condensed from the moisture in the humid air can drip down therefrom to the water collection bottom. The dried air is then led through the outlet tube to the outside.

Abstract: A tube and fin heat exchanger having two adjacent fluid circuits through which compressed air and a refrigerant fluid flow so as to be in heat exchange relationship with respect to one another. In one embodiment, the areas between the tubes and fins of the heat exchanger are filled with a mass of moist material which ices and operates to accumulate energy to thereby transfer the energy when the refrigerant fluid is not circulated.

Abstract: A water generating device for obtaining portable water from ambient air inside or outside a structure or dwelling. There is an air filter for filtering the air prior to processing of the air. The air filter may include a one-time sensing element which renders it unusable when removed from the generator. A condenser is provided for extracting water vapor in the air. Between the condenser and the collection point, there is an immediate temporary holding reservoir, or plumbing to this reservoir, which contains an ultraviolet light to kill existing microorganisms, as well as a pump to transport the water through a subsequent water filter, a second exposure to ultraviolet light, and ultimately, at the final discharge point to the internal or external water storage unit there may be another ultraviolet light that creates a sterile outlet from the primary system. The water filter may also include a one-time sensing element which renders it unusable when removed.

Abstract: Air conditioning apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of air outlets, refrigeration apparatus operable to make ice by pumping heat from water to a heat sink and to store the ice, a coil for dehumidifying outside air or a mixture of outside air and return air, means for causing air to be dehumidified to flow in heat transfer relationship with the coil, means for circulating dehumidified air to the air outlets, means operable to control the moisture content and temperature of the dehumidified air, means operable to control the rates at which dehumidified air is delivered by the air outlets to the spaces they serve to ones not less than the predetermined minimum rate, and means for controlling the temperature of the air delivered to the air outlets to maintain the temperature of the spaces within control limits. Each of the air outlets is operable to deliver air to a space to be conditioned.

Abstract: A heat recovery ventilating dehumidifier provides fresh, cool, low relative humidity air to a building or room during warm weather, and warm fresh air during cold weather. Fresh air is drawn into the heat recovery ventilating dehumidifier, cooled and dehumidified by heat exchange by exhausting stale air in a first heat exchanger, then further cooled and dehumidified by passage through a refrigerant coil. After passage through the refrigerant coil the fresh cool air passes through a second heat exchanger, cooling exhausting stale air and in exchange becoming less cool to reduce the relative humidity. The cool, fresh air having a lowered relative humidity is then used to ventilate a building or room. The cooled exhausting stale air then passes through the first heat exchanger cooling the fresh warm incoming air. In the winter time the refrigerant coil is replaced by a heater and heat is recovered from the exhausting stale air and transferred to the incoming fresh air.

Abstract: A water generating device for obtaining potable water from inside or outside ambient air, having ducts for bringing a supply of inside or outside ambient air to the device and for releasing the air back outside the device after it has been processed. There is an air filter for filtering the air prior to processing of the air. The air filter includes at least one filter element which becomes unusable when removed from the generator. A condenser is provided for extracting water vapor in the air brought thereto by the ducts. Within the ducts there is a fan or blower to move air from outside the device through the condenser and for returning the air back outside after it has traversed the condenser. Between the condenser and the collection point, there is a water filter for filtering the water from the condenser. The water filter includes a filter element cooperating female sensor which becomes unusable when removed.

Abstract: Moisture is removed from the compressed feed air to a separator and collected in liquid form in a reservoir. The humidity in a controlled atmosphere container is monitored and moisture is taken from the reservoir and added to the container in order to provide an ideal environment for the preservation of foodstuffs.

Abstract: A process for the containment and recycle of organic vapors from an open container or tank that utilizes a chilled gas blanket over the surface of the organic liquid, with a continuous recirculaton of the chilled gas through a condenser heat exchanger for cooling the gas flow and condensing and returning the condensed vapor to the tank or container. Included are the means of distribution of the recirculated chilled gas, the means of collecting the recirculated chilled gas, the means of providing an enclosed chilled gas recirculation system, the apparatus for condensing the vapor to liquid, the apparatus for collecting and recycling the condensed vapor, the apparatus for providing a full open access to the top of the tank or container and the apparatus for control of the flow of the recirculated chilled gas.

Abstract: An improved air dryer for pneumatic systems (10). The improved air dryer (10) employs air-to-air and an air-to-refrigerant heat exchanger portions (12-14) that are substantially parallel and coextensive. Each heat exchanger portion (12-14) is made up of a plurality of tube units (16-52), each tube unit (16-52) having three concentric tubes (22-24-26-58-60-68). The intermediate tube (60) of the air-to-refrigerant portion (14) includes a helically deformed central portion (66) to increase surface area and create turbulence within adjacent passageways (70-74). The tubes (16-52) terminate at each end in separate header units (34-40-46-80-86-92). Incoming air is passed co-currently, then countercurrently, in the-air-to-air portion (12) with air that has been dried, whereupon a pre-cooling stage is achieved. This pre-cooled air is then passed counter-currently, then co-currently, to refrigerant in the air-to-refrigerant portion (14) for causing condensation of moisture therein.

Abstract: The invention is an improvement in a vapor recovery system having a refrigeration system with two refrigerant compressors, a stack with a gaseous mixture flowing through it and a plurality of heat transfer units used to condense vaporized solvent which, along with a gas, is a constituent of the mixture. The improvement includes a heat exchange unit connected to the refrigeration system and disposed downstream of the heat transfer units. The heat exchange unit rejects heat from the refrigeration system to the gas, thereby reducing the input energy required by the refrigeration system.

Abstract: A water generating device for obtaining potable water from ambient air inside or outside a structure or dwelling, having ducts for bringing this supply of ambient air to the device and for releasing the air back outside the device after it has been processed. There is an air filter for filtering the air prior to processing of the air. The air filter includes a one-time sensing element which renders it unusable when removed from the generator. A condenser is provided for extracting water vapor in the air brought thereto by the ducts. Within the ducts there is a fan or blower to move air from outside the device through the condenser and for returning the air back outside the device after it has traversed the condenser.

Abstract: The invention provided relates to a process and system for treating the air in a building involving providing a series of air passages through the building; generating a flow of air through said series of air passages; cooling said air flow by means of at least one cooling coil; and reducing the moisture level of said cooled air flow by passing said cooled air flow through a mesh pad.

Abstract: An air conditioning apparatus having a dehumidifying mode so that the apparatus is able both to cool and dehumidify air in a space to be conditioned and also to dehumidify air in the space with no sensible cooling of the air. The apparatus has two heat exchangers in its indoor section and two heat exchangers in its outdoor section. In its cooling mode, the apparatus operates much as a conventional vapor compression air conditioner, with both outside heat exchangers operating in series as a single evaporator. A four way reversing valve shifts to align the apparatus for its dehumidifying mode. In that mode, hot refrigerant is directed to one of the inside heat exchangers before reaching one of the outside heat exchangers that continues to function as a condenser. The cooled refrigerant bypasses the second outside heat exchanger before passing through the second inside heat exchanger that continues to function as a evaporator.

Abstract: An air conditioned space is cooled within a narrow target zone (as depicted on a psychrometric type chart) within which human occupants of the conditioned space would feel thermally comfortable, wherein factors including the heat transfer resistance of occupants' clothing and level of physical activity determine the target zone, by a method which includes correction of operative temperature, relative air velocity and humidity within the conditioned space, inherently controlling humidity by control of effective dehumidifier size while maintaining a low face velocity of air and a high velocity of coolant flow, but varying either, or both, dehumidifier size and the leaving air temperature if humidity ratio falls below four or exceeds thirteen grams of water per kilogram of dry air.

Abstract: The invention provides an evaporatively enhanced cold storage system wherein a warm air stream is cooled and the cooled air stream is thereafter passed into contact with a cold storage unit. Moisture is added to the cooled air stream prior to or during contact of the cooled air stream with the cold storage unit to effect enhanced cooling of the cold storage unit due to evaporation of all or a portion of the added moisture. Preferably at least a portion of the added moisture comprises water condensed during the cooling of the warm air stream.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for separating volatile organic compounds from a stream of process gas. An internal combustion engine drives a plurality of refrigeration systems, an electrical generator and an air compressor. The exhaust of the internal combustion engine drives an inert gas subsystem and a heater for the gas. A water jacket captures waste heat from the internal combustion engine and drives a second heater for the gas and possibly an additional refrigeration system for the supply of chilled water.The refrigeration systems mechanically driven by the internal combustion engine effect the precipitation of volatile organic compounds from the stream of gas.

Abstract: Efficient dehumidification is provided by directing air flow through a coil (30, 60) to cool the air below the dew point such that water vapor in the air is condensed to liquid to dehumidify the air, and then directing air flow through the coil to heat the air to a temperature below the incoming air to the coil and above the dew point of the air. Air flow is directed along a first set of coil sections (42, 64) giving up heat to refrigerant in the first set of coil sections to evaporate refrigerant in the first set of coil sections, and then directing the air flow along a second set of coil sections (44, 66) absorbing heat from refrigerant in the second set of coil sections to condense refrigerant in the second set of coil sections. The coil sections are connected to alternately evaporate and condense refrigerant in the coil differentially such that less refrigerant is condensed in condensing coil sections than is evaporated in evaporating coil sections.

Abstract: A residential-type hybrid air conditioning system having a conventional refrigeration subsystem which handles system sensible heat loads and a liquid desiccant dehumidification subsystem which handles system latent heat loads additionally incorporates an evaporative cooler which cooperates with and receives heat from the dehumidification subsystem to increase the performance efficiency of the total system.

Abstract: A vapor recovery system is disclosed wherein the condensable organic compounds e.g., hydrocarbons or chemicals contained in hydrated air mixture are removed by first dehydrating the vapors by refrigeration then desiccation followed by indirect heat exchange with a refrigerant gas at cryogenic temperatures in a chiller. The clean vapors from the system may be used to pre-cool the air mixture prior to contact in the chiller. Additionally, the clean, dry vapors may be used to regenerate the desiccant within the dehydrator. The rehydrated clean vapors may be dehydrated by returning them to the feed to the system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for carrying out maintenance work on structural parts located within the housing of a refrigerator, the refrigerator being divided into two parts separable from each other so that the interior chamber of the refrigerator becomes accessible. The method is carried out by opening the housing, carrying out the maintenance work, closing the housing and thereafter sweeping the housing with working gas. In order to avoid condensation in the cold areas of the interior chamber of the refrigerator after the housing is opened, the method provides that the areas of the refrigerator housing endangered by condensations be heated locally to a temperature, which is so selected, that up to and including the sweeping process following the maintenance work, the temperature does not fall below the dew point of condensable gases.

Abstract: In an adiabatic heat exchanger, using the principle of kinetic cooling, a carrier gas is forced through a number of narrow, heat-conducting pipes wherein its velocity increases and its temperature drops. Incoming gas is forced to pass over these now cold pipes causing precipitation of a portion of the gas and an increase in temperature of the remaining portion. Such an arrangement permits for example removal of a condensible gas e.g. water vapour from a non-condensible carrier gas without the necessity of using an additional cooling medium.

Abstract: An air conditioner dehumidifier comprising coil portions cooled by a fluid coolant such as by chilled water or refrigerant. As the required air sensible and latent cooling demands and their ratio varies in the conditioned space, the number of operational coil portions and the velocity of the coolant flow through each is controlled, by valves or other means, increasing coolant velocity while reducing the number of operational coil portions and vice-versa, to provide the coil surface area and the coil surface temperature necessary to cause the required degree of dehumidification and the required degree of sensible cooling in the required ratio to maintain comfortable conditions in the conditioned space with low energy consumption at all cooling demands.