Abstract: A compressed air drying apparatus employs a hollow fiber membrane dryer to provide a compressed air stream having a low dew point for outdoor use. Energy efficiency is obtained by purging water vapor from the hollow fiber membrane dryer with an adsorption-dried atmospheric air flow and by using a portion of the atmospheric air flow to regenerate the adsorption drying medium, preferably with heat from the compressor.

Abstract: A painting system includes a paint spray booth ventilated by process air including a combination of outside make-up air and a portion of the exiting process air which is returned to the booth, the returned air being the main component of the combination. The humidity of the air in the paint spray booth is controlled by routing a first minor portion of the process air, exiting the booth, through a desiccant dehumidifier, which removes moisture and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from this process air portion before it is sent back to the paint spray booth. The dehumidifier is designed so that at any given time the process air portion contacts only part of the desiccant bed while air heated to approximately 250.degree. F. in a paint cure oven is exhausted from the oven and directed through the remaining part of the desiccant bed in order to dry, and thus regenerate, the desiccant for continued use.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing moisture from an air or gas stream by adsorption is disclosed. More particularly, the invention relates to an improved seal and method for removing the seal and an improved L-, V-, or pie-shaped duct that promotes laminar flow (viz. not turbulent) of a moisture- or solvent-laden stream within the rotary adsorption apparatus. This, in turn, reduces the amount of insulation needed as well as isolates the heated duct from the exterior surfaces. The method allows for simplified maintenance of the rotary adsorption apparatus in comparison with conventional seals, which are typically riveted, screwed, or mechanically attached to an adsorption apparatus.

Abstract: A device for removing noxious and aromatic matter from a conducted air flow into the interior of a vehicle comprises an air conduction housing with a reactor containing an adsorbent. To attain consistently good adsorption and absorption power with small amounts of adsorbing and absorbing material, the air conduction housing is designed with two separate parallel air flow channels, in each of which there is a reactor in the form of a flat wall. An adsorption air flow acts upon the adsorbent in one air flow channel and a desorption air flow acts upon the adsorbent in the other air flow channel, the direction of air flow into the reactor in the adsorption operation being opposite that in the desorption operation.

Abstract: Conduits or chambers for use in directing and conditioning the flows of air or fluids using a wide variety of heat generation, cooling, variation of pressure or vacuum and the effect of this on a member that is moved or rotated from one chamber to other chambers to effect the removal of moisture, particles and some gasses from an air or fluid stream that is conditioned for a specified use; generally, but not limited to a living or storage environment.

Abstract: A compact organic solvent recovery system includes a backup treatment apparatus for environmentally safe treatment of an organic solvent leaking into a gas exiting an adsorption tower packed with an adsorbing material such as particulate active charcoal or active carbon fiber. Adsorption treatment of organic solvents includes introducing an organic solvent containing gas to be treated into an organic solvent recovery apparatus including an adsorption tower packed with adsorbing material. By subsequently introducing steam into the adsorption tower, the organic solvents are desorbed. By introducing the treated gas discharged from the organic solvent recovery apparatus into the backup treatment apparatus, the organic solvents leaking into the treated gas are adsorbed, and the gas treated in the backup treatment apparatus is simultaneously discharged as purified gas.

Abstract: A two stage rotary concentrator takes the gas from the first stage desorption section and passes it back into a second stage concentrator process. A second stage desorption gas is passed over the rotary concentrator in a second stage desorption section. The gas from the second stage desorption section may then be passed for final treatment. The invention greatly reduces the volume of air which must be sent for final treatment.

Abstract: An improved dehumidification system for automotive use includes a rotating, wheel like heat exchanger with axially open cells that carry a water adsorbing material. Opposed ambient air and heated air flows, covering opposite halves of the wheel, continually adsorb water on one side and are recharged on the other side. Alternating radially closed cells between the axially open cells carry no desiccant material, but receive a cross cooling flow, on the water adsorbing side of the wheel only, to remove the heat released during the water adsorption process. The desiccant recharging process on the other side of the wheel is not disturbed by the cross cooling flow.

Abstract: A desiccant dehumidifier is provided in which a desiccant material is applied to a first end of a heat pipe heat exchanger. During the sorption phase, a supply air stream is exposed to the desiccant material on the first end of the heat pipe heat exchanger and a second air stream, which could be ambient atmosphere, is exposed to the second end of the heat pipe heat exchanger. The moisture from the supply air stream is transferred to the desiccant material. However, the heat pipe heat exchanger acts as a heat sink and adsorbs the heat generated by the moisture transfer and transfers it to the second end of the heat pipe heat exchanger. At the second end of the heat pipe heat exchanger, the heat is transferred to the second air stream. As a result, both the supply air stream and the desiccant material remain at a substantially constant temperature during the sorption phase.

Abstract: An improved rotary concentrator separates the desorption gas flow into two flow portions. The first flow portion is sent to a final processing system. The second portion is recycled to the rotary concentrator. In a first embodiment, gas is recycled to the process gas inlet. In a second embodiment, the recycled gas is reused as desorption inlet gas. Most preferably, the recirculated gas is relatively clean compared to the gas in the first portion which is sent to the final processing system. In this way, the improved rotary concentrator is more efficient and reduces the amount of gas which must be processed by the final processing system.

Abstract: A system for capturing HAPs/VOCs from an existing or planned air stream and destroying the contaminants in the air stream by microbial degradation is disclosed. In general, the system is composed of a housing that contains a rotating drum. The drum contains a capture or filtration media through which contaminated air or vapors must pass. HAPs/VOCs in the air or vapors are filtered out and absorbed by the capture media. The rotating drum sits in a water bath that is inoculated with microorganisms that are selected to degrade the hazardous materials or pollutants removed by the capture media.

Abstract: A method of conditioning a process stream of air in an air conditioning system wherein the process stream of air is dehumidified and cooled to provide a conditioned stream of air, the method comprising providing an adsorption wheel having a multiplicity of passages through which the process air can flow for adsorbing moisture therefrom, the wheel capable of adsorption of moisture from the process air and of regeneration on a continuous basis as the wheel rotates. The method further comprises passing a first portion and a second portion of the process air to be conditioned through the wheel to remove moisture therefrom, the first portion of the process air passing through the wheel after the regeneration to remove heat from the wheel prior to the second portion passing through the adsorption wheel; then introducing the first portion of the process air to a heat exchanger to remove heat from the first portion.

Abstract: A compact and effective ventilator/drier assembly for heating the room to which it is installed has a case main body 1 divided into a primary zone 3A communicating with an air inlet port 2A, a tertiary zone 3C communicating with an air outlet port 2B and a secondary zone 3B disposed adjacent to the tertiary zone and the primary zone. Moist air A in a room 100 is forced to flow through the air inlet port, the primary zone, the secondary zone, the tertiary zone and the air outlet port and back into the room by a centrifugal type air blower 21 and moisture contained in the room air is adsorbed by a cylindrical rotary type moisture adsorbing device 31 arranged between the secondary zone and the tertiary zone as the air is made to come into contact with a moisture-removing portion 31A of the adsorbing device 31. Dried air B is moved to into the tertiary zone, where it is heated to produce heating air E, which is discharged from the air outlet port into the room.

Abstract: A core for interacting with a fluid media flowing therethrough which includes a plurality of adjoining channels. Each of the channels is generally in the form of a hexagon in cross section and includes an internal surface area. The internal surface area is coated with an interactive material which interacts with the fluid media flowing through the channels to achieve one of heat transfer, mass transfer, catalysis, ion exchange, separation of the fluid media, removal of organic compounds from the fluid media, dilution or concentration of fluid components, treatment of fluid-carried organisms, and the capture and retention of hazardous materials. Examples of the use of the core include positioning the core within a rotary heat exchanger wheel or a rotary mass-transfer wheel, often used in desiccant air-conditioning systems.

Abstract: A method of conditioning a process stream of air in an air conditioning system wherein a process stream of air is dehumidified and cooled to provide a conditioned stream of air for introducing to a conditioned space. The method comprises the steps of providing an adsorption wheel having a multiplicity of passages through which process air can flow for adsorbing moisture therefrom, the wheel capable of adsorption of moisture from the process air and of regeneration on a continuous basis as the wheel rotates. An indirect evaporative cooler is provided having a dry side and a wet side separated by a moisture-impervious wall wherein heat is extracted from said dry side through the wall to the wet side. Cooling in the dry side is achieved by evaporation of water into air passing through the wet side. The process air is passed through the adsorption wheel to remove moisture therefrom to provide a moisture-depleted stream of process air exiting the adsorption wheel.

Abstract: A moisture removing device comprising a ceramic shell. The ceramic shell has a plurality of parallel openings. The openings extend along the length of the shell. The openings form elongated surfaces adapted to be contacted by moisture ladened air moving through the openings along a path of travel. Such surfaces have desiccant capabilities for the extraction of moisture from air passed therethrough.

Abstract: Apparatus for recovering high-boiling point solvents which comprises: a honeycomb-structured rotor 1 having an adsorbent supported thereon; a separator 3 for partitioning the neighborhood of each end face of the rotor into two regions, adsorption zone 5 and desorption zone 4; fan means F.sub.1 that supplies the adsorption zone 5 with air containing a solvent boiling at 150.degree. to 300.degree. C. and which causes part of the clean gas effluent a from the opposite end face of the rotor to be released into the air atmosphere while the remainder is supplied into the desorption zone 4; heating means H for heating the clean gas; cooling means C for separating a solvent enriched gas S into a liquefied product L to be recovered and a cooled lean gas V; and return means F.sub.2 for turning the cooled lean gas V back to the feed gas.

Abstract: A rotary concentrator is provided with homogeneous extruded adsorption blocks. In this way, greater air flow volumes can be processed since the flow passages can be made smaller as can the wall thicknesses. The present invention moves a slurry of adsorbent material, a solvent, and a binder into an extrusion die. The adsorption blocks are then extruded in the die. The blocks are then allowed to dry, and are placed in a rotary adsorption unit. In one embodiment, electrically conducted materials may be included in this slurry. An electric current may be placed on the blocks in the desorb portion of the cycle of the rotary adsorption unit. This heats the blocks, reducing the required volume of desorb gas.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus are described for drying moist gas, in particular air, in which the moisture is removed from the gas by a desiccant and the desiccant is freed of the absorbed moisture by a hot regeneration gas. In order to improve the energy balance in the drying of moist gas, in particular air, it is provided that the throughput of regeneration gas through the desiccant is controlled as a function of the temperature of the regeneration gas leaving the desiccant. An apparatus suitable for carrying out the process contains a temperature sensor arranged in the regeneration exhaust gas stream, which temperature sensor controls a device determining the regeneration gas throughput through the desiccant.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the dehumidification and VOC odor remediation of an air stream withdrawn from the passenger compartment of a transportation vehicle is disclosed which employs a continuously rotating wheel support and adsorbent selective for the adsorption of water and VOCs. The wheel is coated with a zeolite adsorbent selected from the low cerium rare earth exchanged zeolite Y-84, a rare earth exchanged zeolite LZ-210, a low cerium rare earth exchanged zeolite Y-64, and mixtures thereof. It was discovered that faujasites which have a zeolite structure including .beta.-cages within which are located tri-valent cations exhibit a Type 1M adsorption isotherm for water which provides a good driving force for adsorption at low partial pressures and a heat of adsorption which is slightly greater than the heat of vaporization/condensation of water.

Abstract: A regeneratable adsorber for adsorbing adsorbable contaminates from a fluid stream containing same is disclosed. The adsorber includes an adsorber housing in which there is a fluid stream inlet and a fluid stream outlet. The adsorber also includes a plurality of adsorber chambers which are arranged in an indexable wheel configuration. Each chamber includes an electrically conductive adsorbent, such as a monolithic activated carbon, a set of electrical conductors in contact with the adsorbent, and an inlet and outlet. A chamber is either in contact with a source of contaminate fluid or a desorbent fluid used to regenerate the adsorber. The adsorber includes selectively indexed chambers for adsorption or desorption to provide continuous contaminate adsorption and regeneration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an organic-solvent vapor adsorbing apparatus which includes a rotor containing an adsorbent and having tubular draft passages arranged in a direction of the rotational axis thereof. Plate-like separators disposed along a radial direction of the rotor define a plurality of zones. A treatment zone is provided for removing organic solvent vapor from a gaseous stream passed therethrough and into the adsorbent. A regeneration zone is also provided for removing the organic solvent from the adsorbent by a heated air stream passed therethrough. Finally, a purge zone is provided for cooling the adsorbent with cool air. Air exiting the purge zone is merged with the heated air stream which is introduced into the regeneration zone.

Abstract: Adsorbents are used whose equilibrium isotherms for adsorption show no rapid rise in relative humidity more than 40% and whose equilibrium isotherms for adsorption and desorption show no hysteresis phenomenon and in which adsorbed humidity does not cause capillary condensation, for example, A-type or RD-type silica gel or hydrophilic zeolite. Adhesive or binder is applied on the surface of a metallic sheet, a plastic sheet or a ceramic fiber paper, and particulates of the above-mentioned adsorbents are fixed on or in it to get a total heat energy exchanger material. The total heat energy exchanger material is corrugated and laminated to obtain a total heat energy exchanger element. When outer air or return air contains various odorous gases, these odorous gases can be mostly prevented from transferring into supply air through the total heat energy exchanger.

Abstract: An improved adsorbent composition for a natural gas-fired, adsorption cooling system that readily adsorbs moisture from ambient air, while being readily regenerated at high temperatures up to 200.degree.-300.degree. C. in order to provide an enhanced coefficient of performance to the system. Such an adsorbent composition may comprise an A-type zeolite, an X-type zeolite or a chemically modified Y-type zeolite either alone, in conjunction with each other or in conjunction with alumina and/or silica gel. A rotating adsorbent wheel may be fashioned from corrugated paper comprising the adsorbent composition and a slurry of synthetic, organic fibers which are preferably polyaramid fibers. The strength of the wheel may be enhanced by surface treating it with sols or salt solutions of alumina or silica, and a highly temperature-stable epoxy or phenolic resin.

Abstract: A process is described for the separation of a mixture of substances by sorption of the mixture's components on two different sorption agents, which are individually and independently adjustable in their sorption properties, and is performed in a manner by which the mixture of substances to be separated is introduced into a separation chamber between the surfaces of the sorption agents, and in which the separation chamber is occupied by a gap medium, in which the mixture's components can be dissolved and/or dispersed and/or evaporated, while the phases containing the sorption agents move in opposing directions, and the separated components of the mixture held on the sorption agents are recovered after passage through the separation path. This process is characterized in that the separation chamber is formed by at least two or several hollow, concentrically superimposed cylindrical disks Z.sub.A and Z.sub.B, which are filled with structural elements, and which contain separation media Ph.sub.A and Ph.sub.

Abstract: A ventilator/dryer device for drying wet air in a room, the device having a treatment chamber, a rotary drying device and a forced circulation mechanism housed in a case main body provided with an air inlet port and an air outlet port that communicate with the interior of the room. The treatment chamber is divided into a primary side section and a secondary side section with the rotary drying device disposed therebetween. The forced circulation mechanism draws air from the room via the air inlet port to the primary side section of the treatment chamber, passes it through the rotary drying device and sends it back into the room through the secondary side section of the treatment chamber and the air outlet port by means of a single blower. The rotary drying device is adapted to take a drying position, a regenerating position and a heat recovering position sequentially in the sense of its rotation.

Abstract: A rotary adsorption unit is disclosed wherein the desorb air is supplied by a regenerative thermal oxidizer. The system utilizes a closed desorb loop, with the desorb air being continuously cleaned at the regenerative thermal oxidizer and returned to the rotary adsorption unit. Fresh air is added into the desorb gas on the way to the regenerative thermal oxidizer, and an equal amount of air is bled off to maintain a constant air flow. The added air replaces oxygen that may be lost during cleaning of the desorb air.

Abstract: A vapor extraction apparatus includes a gel sorbent capable of absorbing vapor directly into the liquid state and capable of disgorging the absorbed liquid in a phase-transition. The apparatus includes a housing adapted for movement from a first position, where it is exposed to a vapor-containing gas stream and a first environmental condition, and capable of moving to a second position, where it is exposed to a second environmental condition. A gel sorbent is disposed on at least one surface of the housing. The gel sorbs vapor from the gas stream as liquid when the sorbent is in its first position. The sorbent disgorges the liquid during phase-transition collapse when it is in the second position. A method of extracting vapor from a process gas stream includes contacting a phase transition gel sorbent with vapor under conditions sufficient for the gel sorbent to undergo a phase transition and absorb vapor as liquid inside the gel sorbent.

Abstract: An extremely compact, energy efficient air purifier for incinerating volatile organic chemical contaminants, and airborne organic particulates comprises a cylindrical ceramic heat transfer/storage element having many substantially identical axially parallel flow passages with very large surface area per mass, and a rotating guide for guiding the inlet air flow to a preset radial segment of the ceramic element. The air flow exiting from the preset radial segment is directed to the remaining segment in the opposite direction. The air flow exiting from the remaining segment is exhausted from the air purifier. Included is a pre-heater for heating the ceramic element at start up, and maintaining the air flow at a stable incineration temperature.

Abstract: Disclosed is a gas permeable, sensible and latent heat exchange media having a multiplicity of passageways therethrough through which an air stream can flow, the sensible and latent heat exchange media. The heat exchange media comprises a fibrous support material, a finely powdered desiccant material and fire retardant contained in the fibrous support material. The fibrous support material and the fire retardant are capable of adsorbing sensible heat from a warm air stream and releasing the absorbed sensible heat into a cool air stream as the air stream flows through the sensible and latent heat exchange media. The desiccant material is capable of adsorbing moisture from a humid air stream flowing through the sensible and latent heat exchange media and capable of releasing the adsorbed moisture into a dry air stream flowing through the passageways of the sensible and latent heat exchange media.

Abstract: A vapor extraction apparatus includes a gel sorbent capable of absorbing vapor directly into the liquid state and capable of disgorging the absorbed liquid in a phase-transition. The apparatus includes a housing adapted for movement from a first position, where it is exposed to a vapor-containing gas stream and a first environmental condition, and capable of moving to a second position, where it is exposed to a second environmental condition. A gel sorbent is disposed on at least one surface of the housing. The gel sorbs vapor from the gas stream as liquid when the sorbent is in its first position. The sorbent disgorges the liquid during phase-transition collapse when it is in the second position. A method of extracting vapor from a process gas stream includes contacting a phase transition gel sorbent with vapor under conditions sufficient for the gel sorbent to undergo a phase transition and absorb vapor as liquid inside the gel sorbent.

Abstract: An air filter device for an air-conditioning apparatus includes a mounting frame unit, an axle mounted rotatably to the mounting frame unit, and a plurality of blade-like frames mounted axially on and projecting radially from a peripheral surface of the axle. The blade-like frames are spaced angularly apart from one another. A plurality of filtering sheets are held respectively by the blade-like frames. Each of the filtering sheets covers an entire area confined by a respective one of the blade-like frames. The filtering sheet includes active carbon fabric felt which is made by weaving activated carbon fiber filaments.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the dehumidification and VOC odor remediation of an air stream withdrawn from the passenger compartment of a transportation vehicle is disclosed which employs a continuously rotating wheel support and adsorbent selective for the adsorption of water and VOCs. The wheel is coated with zeolite adsorbent selected from the group consisting of zeolite Y-74, zeolite Y-84, zeolite Y-85, a low cerium rare earth exchanged zeolite Y-84, a rare earth exchanged zeolite LZ-210 and mixtures thereof. A surprisingly significant increase in the thermal efficiency is possible as a result of the lower regeneration temperature of the adsorbent and the use of novel process steps.

Abstract: A continuous pressure driven adsorption process for separating a multi-component gaseous mixture. In accordance with the method, the multi-component gaseous mixture is passed through a first portion of the adsorbent to adsorb one or more preferentially adsorbed components while a second portion of the adsorbent is regenerated. The multi-component mixture is passed through the first portion of the adsorbent in sections and the second portion of the adsorbent is regenerated in sections. The sections forming the first portion of the adsorbent become successively less saturated and the sections forming the second portion of the adsorbent becomes successively more concentrated in the more preferentially adsorbed component. A product stream is expelled from the less saturated section of the first portion of the adsorbent. The product stream is enriched in the less preferentially adsorbed component(s).

Abstract: A rotary adsorption/desorption gas treating apparatus includes a rotary drum rotatable along a rotation axis and having a plurality of gas passage compartments arranged in a peripheral direction of the drum. The apparatus further includes an adsorbing element cassette mounted inside each of the gas passage compartments and including a gas-permeable adsorbing mat. The rotational range of the rotary drum is divided between an adsorption zone and a desorption zone. In the adsorption zone, a treatment subject gas is allowed to pass the gas passage compartments in the direction along the rotation axis of the rotary drum. In the desorption zone, a refreshing gas is allowed to pass the gas passage compartments in the direction along the rotation axis of the rotary drum. The adsorbing mat, when mounted in the compartment, includes a portion thereof oriented normal or inclined relative to a side end face of the rotary drum.

Abstract: A rotary device including a plurality of vertical prismatic sectors mounted on a first annular plate comprising two arrays of gas passages which communicate with the outer and inner collectors of respective sectors, and interacting with a second plane annular plate on a housing defining a set of inner chambers. The second plate comprises two concentric arrays of apertures which communicate with corresponding chambers in the set of chambers, and are spread out along the path of the two gas passage arrays of the first plate. The device is particularly useful for producing oxygen.

Abstract: A sorption device for use in a cooling plant consists of a plurality of elongated sorption containers, which along part of their length are filled with sorbents, and in this part constitute a digester adsorber zone, and where the other part of their length constitutes a condensor evaporator zone. The sorption containers rotate in two coaxial housings on a circular path, and with the digester adsorber element (16) they are disposed in the one housing (11), and with the condensor evaporator element (30) in the other housing. The housing (11) enclosing the condensor adsorber elements (16) only has one inlet (13) and one outlet (14) for the gaseous heat transfer medium, so that on its flow path through the housing the heat transfer medium both withdraws heat from the digester adsorber elements (16) and supplies heat thereto. The arrangement ensures a particularly favorable energetic efficiency.

Abstract: Desiccant-coated substrates, regeneratable rotary dehumidification wheels and other devices for gas (e.g., air) treatment using those substrates, and processes for making them are disclosed. The substrates may have coatings in thicknesses of from about 2 to about 10 mils containing particles of one or more adsorbent desiccants and an organic water-based binder. The desiccant particles retain a high fraction of their original adsorption capacity because the pores of the desiccant particles contain a pore-clearing agent prior to the binder setting and the pore-clearing agent leaves the pores during the manufacturing process to prevent the binder from blocking the pores. In preferred embodiments a mixture of different desiccants is used and a particle suspending agent keeps the particles well-mixed so that the desiccant particles in the coated substrate will be as well-mixed as possible. The suspending agent may also function as the pore-clearing agent.

Abstract: Device for drying a gas, consisting of a dryer (2) of the type using a pressure vessel (3) with a drying zone (4) and regeneration zone (5), with an adsorption and/or absorption medium (6) which is brought alternatively through the drying zone (4) and the regeneration zone (5); a main canalization (7) allowing that the gas to be dried is led through the drying zone (4) of the dryer (2); an auxiliary canalization (8) allowing that part of the gas to be dried is led through the regeneration zone (5) of the dryer (2) and taked up moisture herein; a cooler (9, 47, 53, 62, 66) providing in the cooling of the gas from the auxiliary canalization (8), whereby liquid excretion takes place; and a blending device (10) for adding the gas from the auxiliary canalization (8) back to the gas in the main canalization (7), characterized in that the blending device (10) is integrated in the dryer (2).

Abstract: A desiccant rotor including three or more barrels rotatably disposed in a housing, each of the barrels having a passage formed in a center portion and made of screen material and having one end for receiving air, and a stop disposed in a middle portion of the passage for preventing the air from directly flowing out of the barrel. A rotating mechanism is disposed below the housing for rotating the barrels relative to the housing.

Abstract: A desiccant composition having a moderate Langmuir Type 1 moisture adsorption isotherm with a separation factor of from 0.05 to 0.13 is disclosed. The composition contains silica gel, a modified 13.times. molecular sieve (modified by replacing at least 20% of the sodium cations with other metallic cations, e.g., potassium cations), and desirably a hydrophobic adsorbent (desirably a hydrophobic molecular sieve). The composition may be used as the desiccant in a rotary regeneratable dehumidification wheel, thereby significantly enhancing dehumidification performance and simultaneously removing a significant proportion of the airborne pollutants typically contained in indoor and outdoor air.

Abstract: Pressure swing adsorption separation of a gas mixture is performed in an apparatus with a plurality of adsorbent beds cooperating to exchange energy from an adsorbent bed undergoing a depressurization step to an adsorbent bed undergoing a pressurization step, and with provision for thermal coupling in order to improve process efficiency. Thermal coupling is provided as heating to augment expansion energy recovery, and as a temperature gradient imposed in adsorbent beds to provide the function of a thermal regenerator in a regenerative thermodynamic cycle. The invention provides improved techniques for recovery of expansion energy in pressure swing adsorption, and for direct application of thermal energy to power pressure swing adsorption processes.

Abstract: Provided are molded adsorbents comprising a mixture of adsorbent particles, fine plastic particles and a reinforcing fiber, the mixture having been molded utilizing the fine plastic particles and, as required, the reinforcing fiber as binder. They have features, as compared with conventional molded adsorbents utilizing a latex binder, having an adsorptive capacity having been decreased to a smaller extent from those of the raw material adsorbent particles used and higher adsorption rate owing to well-maintained porosity. They have good mechanical properties at normal temperature and can hence be processed by cutting or like machinings into various machine parts, including blades of fans having both adsorptive capacity and high mechanical properties. Also provided are a process for producing the above molded adsorbents and their use as deodorizing units.

Abstract: A gas dehumidifying apparatus including a dehumidifier rotor wherein the rotor is of a composite construction which is compatible with both high humidity and low humidity conditions and in which proper temperature conditions can be obtained in connection with the regeneration of the adsorbent to thereby improve the adsorption performance of the rotor. The apparatus exhibits improved dehumidification efficiency and thus can provide treated gas with a dryness level higher than conventionally attainable.

Abstract: A heat recouperator having a rotary wheel heat and moisture exchanger uses a random matrix media comprising a plurality of small diameter heat-retentive fibrous material which provides high thermal efficiency in exchanging heat and moisture between inlet and exhaust air streams.

Abstract: A silver halide photographic emulsion having improved sensitivity and comprising an emulsion containing photosensitive silver halide crystals and a solid basic metal oxide selected from the group consisting of magnesium oxide, calcium oxide and a compound oxide of zinc and aluminum.