Abstract: A fan filter unit for use in cleanrooms is provided, which decreases efficiently the concentration of chemical substance existing in the atmosphere while the expansion of the air circulating space and the electric power consumption increase of the fan-driving motor are suppressed. The unit comprises an enclosure having an air inlet through which an outside air is introduced into the enclosure and an air outlet through which a cleaned air is emitted or discharged from the enclosure; a chemical filter mounted in the enclosure to remove chemical substance existing in the outside air; a dust filter mounted in the enclosure to remove dust existing in the outside air; a fan mounted in the enclosure to introduce the outside air into the enclosure through the air inlet and to emit the cleaned air to outside of the enclosure; and a bypassing path for returning part of the outside air that has penetrated the chemical filter to an upstream side of the fan without penetrating the dust filter.

Abstract: A system and method for passive hypoxic training provides a person with a low oxygen (hypoxic) environment. Oxygen sensors automatically monitor and control oxygen levels to maintain the altitude desired. CO2 levels are monitored and CO2 is eliminated so that the air a person breathes is substantially clean and fresh. Exposure to a high altitude environment produces physiological changes in a person's body, which becomes more efficient at absorbing and transporting oxygen. Using the present method and system, athletes obtain the benefits of sleeping at a simulated altitude in the user's own home for six to twelve hours, rather than traditional altitude therapies in which athletes spend two to three weeks at high altitude before an athletic competition to obtain similar benefits. This system allows for “live high train low” altitude training that has been shown in controlled studies to provide superior benefits to “live high train high” training.

Abstract: An evaporated fuel discharge preventing apparatus, in order to sufficiently adsorb and collect an evaporated fuel generated in an intake air passage at a time when an engine stops, and to prevent an engine performance from being reduced by reducing an intake air resistance in an evaporated fuel adsorbing portion at a time when the engine is driven, has an adsorbing device arranged in a passage between an evaporated fuel generating portion and an air cleaner element, and, the adsorbing device is formed by an intake air passage portion laterally arranged within the device penetratingly and communicated with the passage at both ends, an adsorbent layer arranged on an outer periphery of the intake air passage portion, and a member covering an outer surface in a non-ventilating state except a side of the intake air passage portion in the adsorbent layer, and an inner diameter of the intake air passage portion of the adsorbing device is set to be substantially equal to or more than an inner diameter of the intake a

Abstract: A chemical filter unit, which comprises a filter medium formed by laminating a plurality of fiber sheets an a housing the filter medium, and has a gas inlet open on one face of the housing and a gas outlet open on the other face substantially in opposite to the gas inlet, characterized in that gas passages to allow the flow of the gas along the surfaces of the fiber sheets are formed between the respectively adjacent fiber sheets of the filter medium from the gas outlet to the gas outlet, and that the adsorption capacity of the filter medium is 300 eq/m3 or more. It is preferable that the fibers constituting the fiber sheets are ion exchange fibers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an air filter having an inorganic material layer in which the following adsorbent is fixed on the surface of the supporter using powder of an inorganic substance as a binder. That is, the adsorbent is prepared by impregnating a salt of an inorganic acid to powder of an inorganic substance consisting of at least one of diatom earth, silica, alumina, a mixture of silica and alumina, aluminum silicate, activated alumina, porous glass, activated clay, activated bentonite, or synthetic zeolite. The air filter according to the present invention can adsorb and remove both of gaseous basic impurities and gaseous organic impurities, thus making a very effective filter for manufacturing semiconductor and LCD.

Abstract: A discharge gas containing PFC gas including CF4 and NF3 generated from a manufacturing process (10) is adsorbed at an adsorbing device (18) and then desorbed using nitrogen as a purge gas. A desorbed gas with CF4 and NF3 concentrated can be obtained in this manner. The desorbed gas is then supplied to a chromatographic separator (20) for chromatographic separation with nitrogen as a carrier gas. In this manner, CF4 and NF3 within the PFC gas can be separated. In particular, because the gas is once concentrated at the adsorbing device (18), chromatographic separation of the gas constituents can be efficiently performed. By independently concentrating CF4 and NF3 obtained by the chromatographic separation, high purity gas constituents of the PFC gas can be obtained, and reused at the manufacturing process (10).

Abstract: One or two filters in brackets are integrated with a square or circular fan. Filters and associated brackets are provided both in the front and in the rear of the fan in one embodiment. In another embodiment, a single filter in a bracket is provided at the rear of the fan. The filter(s) can be pre-pleated and pre-activated carbon filter(s). The fan housing can include a pocket for adding an odorizing and/or deodorizing agent. A plurality of stick-on right-angled brackets having the capacity of adjustable clearance to snugly hold the filters is another embodiment.

Abstract: The invention is in an apparatus for the remediation of particulate material and gaseous pollutants from a flue gas flow that is simple and highly efficient in removing nearly all toxic pollutants, particularly sulfur dioxide, from a flue gas flow, and includes a manifold that is to receive and pass a polluted flue gas flow that mounts an injector that is fitted into the manifold wall to inject finely ground sorbent materials counter-current to the flue gas flow, creating turbulence and a thorough mixing to effect compaction and/or agglomerization of the pollutant and sorbent particles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing contamination of a substrate or a substrate surface, and particularly relates to prevention of contamination of raw materials, semi-finished products, base materials of products and substrate surface in a high-tech industry such as in the production of semiconductors and liquid crystals. A gas coming into contact with a base material or substrate is purified by dust removing apparatus and adsorption and/or absorption apparatus so that the concentration of fine particles in the gas is below class 1,000 and a non-methane hydrocarbon concentration is below 0.2 ppm. Thereafter, the base material or the substrate surface is exposed to this gas.

Abstract: A filter element for adsorbing gaseous components of a gas stream comprises a fabric formed from fibres of a polymeric material in which the sizes of individual fibres is not more than about 20 &mgr;m. The fibres are treated by a copolymerisation reaction with a vinyl monomer which is capable of reacting with an acid or a base to form a salt directly or indirectly under conditions which result in grafting of the vinyl monomer to the surfaces of the fibres.

Abstract: A fuel vapor treatment system for an automotive vehicle on which an internal combustion engine is mounted. The fuel vapor treatment system comprises a canister connected to a fuel tank and containing a fuel vapor adsorbing material which generates endothermic energy during desorption of fuel vapor. A membrane separation module is provided to be connected to the canister and including a separation membrane for separating a mixture gas purged from the canister into an air-rich component and a fuel vapor-rich component. Additionally, a condenser is provided to be connected to the membrane separation module to be supplied with the fuel vapor-rich component from the membrane separation module. The condenser is housed in the canister and adapted to cool and liquefy fuel vapor in the fuel vapor-rich component to obtain liquefied fuel by the endothermic energy generated in the canister, the liquefied fuel being recovered.

Abstract: A gas generating system for generating a supply of oxygen or at least an oxygen rich gas, and a residual gas, the system including a first gas separation device for separating from a supply gas, a first gas being oxygen enriched gas, to leave a residual gas. The first oxygen enriched gas from the first gas separation device is communicated to a second gas separation device for further separating from the first oxygen enriched gas, oxygen gas. The second gas separation device generating a product gas which is at least highly oxygen enriched and a further residual gas, with at least one of the first and second gas separating devices including a ceramic membrane through which in use gas ions diffuse.

Abstract: An air filtering device includes an inner seat member, an outer seat member, and a multi-layer filter medium. The inner seat member has opposed first and second sides and a plurality of first air passages extending therethrough from the first side to the second side. The outer seat member has opposed third and fourth sides and a plurality of second air passages extending therethrough from the third side to the fourth side. The multi-layer filter medium is sandwiched between the second side of the inner seat member and the third side of the outer seat member. The multi-layer filter medium has a polypropylene fabric layer, a far-infrared radiation material layer, and an activated carbon fiber layer connected to one another. The first air passages are registered with the second air passages.

Abstract: A filter unit comprising a filter part made of an adsorbent-bearing filtration material and characterized in that said filter part is integrally molded with a filter holding frame made of a thermoplastic resin and that said adsorbent of said filter part is packed to the position contacting the filter holding frame.

Abstract: Permeable membrane porous substrate and a functional layer provided on the surface of and/or inside the porous substrate, the functional layer having a hydrogen permeation rate of 1×10−1 mol/s·m2·Pa or more, and satisfying at least one of the following properties (1) through (3):

Abstract: An air cleaner wherein an element for filtering intake air and an absorber member for absorbing fuel vapor are disposed within a housing. Within the housing, a stopper portion for tentatively attaching the absorber member and a seat portion capable of receiving the absorber member at a side opposite from the stopper portion are formed near a site where the element is mounted. The element or the absorber member has a presser portion that retains the absorber member in a state where the absorber member is pressed against the seat portion, when the element is mounted within the housing.

Abstract: A desiccant package is provided that includes a housing having at least one opening. A desiccant material is located in the housing. A sealing element, which is secured over the opening, includes a water-permeable membrane. The sealing element reduces the rate at which moisture enters the desiccant container and prevents fine particles from escaping from the package.

Abstract: A filter element for reducing or eliminating the harmful vapor phase components of air or smoke. The filter element includes a first section and a second section. The first section is positioned relative to and in fluid communication with the second section and contains an activated carbon fabric. The second section contains a mixture of catalytic activated carbon and coconut activated carbon.

Abstract: A bi-directional filter has a pair of flapper-type check valve assemblies 20, 21 for directing fluid flow unidirectionally through a centrally supported molded desiccant core 22. Each check valve assembly is a three part structure spot-welded into a unitary assembly having a centering support plate, a core support cup and an intermediate flapper valve plate. A depth-type filter media circumferentially surrounds the desiccant core and extends between the check valve assembly on either end of the core for providing filtering for the fluid prior to entering the molded desiccant core. A depth-type filter media 80, 81 is also provided at each axial end of the core for providing fine filtration of the fluid after the fluid has passed through the core. The outer filter media is arranged to allow a portion of fluid therein to bypass the desiccant core.

Abstract: An improved vacuum cleaner having a removable dirt collector inside a substantially enclosed suction compartment is provided with a conditioning pack for deodorizing and/or disinfecting the stored waste matter even when the vacuum cleaner is not in operation. The conditioning pack is mounted on a fixture inside the suction compartment but outside the waste holder of the dirt collector. This arrangement facilitates more effective deodorization and/or disinfecting and, at the same time, easy emptying of waste matter from the dirt collector.

Abstract: Air enters the contamination control breather through openings in the top cap of the breather. Air then passes through air channels in the top cap. Dust particles are filtered by a filter assembly near the top of the breather, which also diffuses the air. The diffused air then passes through material which removes moisture, other gases, and liquids from the air. The air is then passed through another filtration layer to remove the desiccant particles from the air. The clean and dry air ultimately passes to a container or machinery, that uses filtered air, through an aperture in the bottom cap of the breather. The bottom cap can be permanently attached to the container so that only the elongated body and the filter assemblies need to be replaced when the desiccant reaches its maximum adsorption capacity.

Abstract: A filter device and method of filtering components from a surgery plume. The filter device comprises an integral solution reservoir which intercepts an airstream passage and airstream and cooperates with the airstream to direct air and solution into pads to create a foam. The foam created by the pads and solution and additional elements of the filter react with one or more undesirable components of the surgery plume to cleanse the airstream prior to exhaustion into the atmosphere. No separate solution supply or delivery system is necessary.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a mobile arrangement for cleaning contaminated air. The arrangement has a blower unit, a filter unit, supply air lines and discharge air lines. During the cleaning process, surrounding air is sucked in by the blower unit, guided through the filter for cleaning, and finally guided out of the arrangement again. The filter unit (2) has at least one cylindrical filter element (15, 16, 17) in which an activated charcoal filter (17) is arranged at the outer side of the cylinder jacket and a solids filter (15, 16) is arranged at the inner side of the cylinder jacket.

Abstract: A ventilation and filtering system for vehicles for filtering and circulating air through a vehicle. The ventilation and filtering system for vehicles includes an inlet tube having an outer end in communication with air outside a vehicle, an inner end positioned in a passenger compartment of the vehicle, and an intake fan for blowing air through the inlet tube into the passenger compartment of the vehicle. An exhaust tube has a first end positioned in a passenger compartment of the vehicle, a second end in communication with air outside the vehicle, and an exhaust fan for blowing air through the exhaust tube out of the passenger compartment of the vehicle.

Abstract: A process for reducing pollutants, particularly nitrogen oxides from combustion gases during a combustion process that takes place while oxygen is supplied, includes providing oxygen needed for the combustion process by separating oxygen from a gas mixture containing oxygen and nitrogen in a two-step process including (a) enriching the gas mixture with oxygen in a first step to provide an enriched gas mixture; and (b) separating oxygen out of the enriched gas mixture in a second step, wherein, during at least one step oxygen depleted gas mixture is removed via an outlet provided with permeability means that cause the outlet to have a higher permeability for nitrogen than oxygen.

Abstract: In a centrifugal separator for separating a liquid from a compressed gas, a baffle is provided to separate the centrifugal chamber into an upper sub-chamber and a lower sub-chamber but does not contact the walls of the chamber thereby being insufficient to prevent downward flow of separated liquid along the interior wall of the two sub-chambers, and insufficient to prevent flow of compressed gas from one sub-chamber to the other sub-chamber, the baffle nevertheless being sufficient to prevent turbulent gas flow in the lower sub-chamber when collected liquid is drained therefrom.

Abstract: Watertight sealed type electric motor 10, with a clearance between a core wire and a cover 24 of a lead wire 20, which is a vent path between the interior of the motor 10 and the outside, which clearance is covered a vent filter 28, which permits only gas to pass therethrough, and is attached to the lead wire 20 so as to cover an opening end portion of the cover 24.

Abstract: A process, composition and apparatus for the removal of water from moist non-corrosive gases (such as those containing oxygen or CO.sub.2) down to .ltoreq.10-20 ppb water concentration are described. The dehydrating agent is an oxide or salt of an electropositive metal and has a surface area of at least 140 m.sup.2 /g, preferably 140-500 m.sup.2 /g, is compatible with the gas, and preferably is capable of dehydrating such gases to .ltoreq.1 ppb, preferably to as low as 500 ppt. The electropositive metal will be a Group 3b, 4b or lanthanide metal or vanadium. The preferred agent is a high surface area titania, zirconia, yttria or vanadia, with titania most preferred. The dehydrating agent can be in the form of a pelleted or granular bulk material or a coating on or within the pores of a substrate. The agent is retained in a simple container which is easily installed in a gas supply line for the gas, such as to a gas- or vapor-deposition manufacturing unit.

Abstract: A molecular sieve moisture absorption device for electrical apparatus containing a dielectric gas includes a box in which the molecular sieve is placed. The box is closed by a plate provided with a valve through which the inside of the box is evacuated. The plate is held in place on a shoulder of the box by the action of pressure difference between the inside and the outside of the box after the inside of the box has been evacuated. A gasket is placed between the plate and the shoulder to ensure that the inside volume of the box is leakproof. The device can be stored independently of the apparatus. When the device is mounted on the apparatus, evacuating the case of the apparatus causes the plate to separate from the box, thereby putting the molecular sieve into contact with the inside volume to be treated of the case.

Abstract: A condensate separator for a portable (smoke) gas analyzer has a separating chamber formed inside a housing through which exhaust gasses pass. A condensate-collecting chamber is provided in hydraulic communication with the separating chamber and is at least partially filled with liquid absorbent material. The condensate removed from the exhaust gas is collected by the liquid absorbent material and wicked up through capillary action. Liquid is removed from the liquid absorbent material by a mechanical pump without requiring that the gas analyzer be stopped to drain out the condensate.

Abstract: Negligible pressure drop absorber has a hollow housing having an entrance opening and an exit opening, and an absorber unit including a plurality of layers of an absorbent material arranged substantially parallel with one another to form a passageway for a gaseous stream, through which the gaseous stream is adapted to travel and by which gaseous liquid and liquid droplets are absorbed from the gaseous stream with a negligible drop in pressure. In particular, in the testing of engine oils with a Noack-type teat device, added collection by absorbing drawn over sample is accomplished, with the ability to evaluate that sample, and without incurring a pressure drop in the system adverse thereto.

Abstract: A twin tower gas drying system for cleaning and drying a stream of unpurified pressurized gas received from a source thereof for use of a pneumatic system. The drying system includes a manifold block provided with the plurality of ports. A separator and sump is connected to such block and to one of the ports for initially separating moisture and particulates from such stream of unpurified gas, and for directing the remainder of the stream to the one port in the block. A pair of desiccant containing canisters are threadably mounted on a surface of the block opposite that of the separator and sump by two respective threaded shuttle valves. The canisters and shuttle valves are, in addition, connected in fluid communication with certain of the ports provided in the block for supplying and removing pressurized air from the canisters. A port is provided for discharging dry clean air from the block. Other ports provided in the block exhaust purged air to the atmosphere.

Abstract: An air filtering unit for preparing highly purified air comprising: a) an inert separation filter for removing solid particular matter, b) a filter element comprising solids adsorbing molecules by using van der Waal forces; c) a filter element comprising molecular sieves; and optionally d) a filter element having the ability of binding polar, acid or basic molecules.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a combined cycle system of enhanced efficiency. The system comprises a top stage, such as a fuel cell, a partial oxidation reactor or a heat engine, and an oxygen-enriching device, such as a temperature swing adsorption device or a chemical reactor bed device, as its bottom stage. The bottom stage uses waste heat produced by the top stage to enrich the oxygen content of air that is inputted to the bottom stage, thereby producing an oxygen-enriched gas mixture as the bottom stage output. This output mixture constitutes a superior oxidant which is fed back as an input for the top stage, thus enhancing the energy conversion efficiency, cheapness, and compactness of the combined cycle system as compared to that of ordinary fuel cells, partial oxidation reactors and heat engines that use unenriched air as their oxidant input.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preventing contamination of a substrate or a substrate surface, and particularly relates to prevention of contamination of raw materials, semi-finished products, base materials of products and substrate surface in a high-tech industry such as in the production of semiconductors and liquid crystals. A gas coming into contact with a base material or substrate is purified by dust removing apparatus and adsorption and/or absorption apparatus so that the concentration of fine particles in the gas is below class 1,000 and a non-methane hydrocarbon concentration is below 0.2 ppm. Thereafter, the base material or the substrate surface is exposed to this gas.

Abstract: Processes and systems to recover at least one perfluorocompound gas from a gas mixture are provided. In one embodiment the inventive process comprises the steps of a) providing a gas mixture comprising at least one perfluorocompound gas and at least one carrier gas, the gas mixture being at a predetermined pressure; b) providing at least one glassy polymer membrane having a feed side and a permeate side; c) contacting the feed side of the at least one membrane with the gas mixture; d) withdrawing from the feed side of the membrane as a non-permeate stream at a pressure which is substantially equal to the predetermined pressure a concentrated gas mixture comprising essentially the at least one perfluorocompound gas; and e) withdrawing from the permeate side of the membrane as a permeate stream a depleted gas mixture comprising essentially the at least one carrier gas.

Abstract: A filter device and method of filtering components from a surgery plume. The filter device comprises an integral solution reservoir which intercepts an airstream passage and airstream and cooperates with the airstream to direct air and solution into pads to create a foam. The foam created by the pads and solution and additional elements of the filter react with one or more undesirable components of the surgery plume to cleanse the airstream prior to exhaustion into the atmosphere. No separate solution supply or delivery system is necessary.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing substantially pure hydrogen gas from a mixture of hydrogen and gaseous contaminants includes passing a gaseous mixture containing hydrogen gas and gaseous impurities through a purifier to form substantially pure hydrogen gas which is stored in a porous storage material including a getter material. The substantially pure hydrogen gas can be released from the porous storage matrix as desired. Preferably the purifier and porous storage matrix are separated by a thermally insulating matrix. The apparatuses can be combined in a serial configuration to provide a stream of substantially pure hydrogen gas at a substantially constant pressure.

Abstract: A vent filter assembly for use with containers containing hazardous chemical or radioactive waste, the assembly having a first stage attached to the container having a first filter media, preferably sintered steel, which allows unaltered passage of pure gas but which blocks passage of particulate matter, and a second stage removably attached to the first stage, the second stage allowing passage of gas but blocking passage of particulate matter and volatile organic solvents. Removal of the second stage from the first stage allows a pure sample of gas to be drawn through the first stage, whereupon the second stage can be reattached to the first stage to provide the required filtering of volatile organic solvents.

Abstract: Processes and systems to recover at least one perfluorocompound gas from a gas mixture are provided. In one embodiment the inventive process comprises providing a gas mixture comprising at least one perfluorocompound gas and at least one carrier gas, the gas mixture being at a predetermined pressure; providing at least one size selective membrane having a feed side and a permeate side; contacting the feed side of the at least one membrane with the gas mixture; withdrawing from the feed side of the membrane as a non-permeate stream at a pressure which is substantially equal to the predetermined pressure a concentrated gas mixture comprising essentially the at least one perfluorocompound gas; and withdrawing from the permeate side of the membrane as a permeate stream a depleted gas mixture comprising essentially the at least one carrier gas.

Abstract: The invention is an air filtration and purification system, utilizing the filtering ability of the various elements in a potting medium for plants, water films and free water surface in contact with the roots of these plants, and the power of live plants to assimilate various odors, pollutants and in combination with commercially available air filter materials, such as activated charcoal, and other specialized granular air filter materials, to meet many air filtration requirements. The system consists of a unique flower pot, with a potting medium cavity for specially formulated potting medium which permits the free flow of ambient air upon application of a partial vacuum, and sustains the normal growth of the plant in the flower pot, and a built-in filter chamber, which is adaptable to any commercially available granular air filter material.

Abstract: An air filtration and purification system for the interior of a closed vehicle, including an outside air intake and an inside air intake, both the intakes empty into a common plenum located interior of the vehicle, an air passageway defined by an inlet, in fluid communication with the plenum, and an outlet spaced-apart therefrom for removing the air in the plenum, a plurality of purifying air filters arranged in series in the passageway, a first air movement device interposed the plenum and said passageway inlet to create a flow of air from the plenum to the filters, a second air movement device in the outlet of the passageway to draw said flow of air across the filters, and a vent device in fluid communication with the second air movement device for distributing the filtered air from the second air movement device into the vehicle.

Abstract: Processes and systems to recover at least one perfluorocompound gas from a gas mixture are provided. In one embodiment the inventive process comprises the steps of a) providing a gas mixture comprising at least one perfluorocompound gas and at least one carrier gas, the gas mixture being at a predetermined pressure; b) providing at least one glassy polymer membrane having a feed side and a permeate side; c) contacting the feed side of the at least one membrane with the gas mixture; d) withdrawing from the feed side of the membrane as a non-permeate stream at a pressure which is substantially equal to the predetermined pressure a concentrated gas mixture comprising essentially the at least one perfluorocompound gas; and e) withdrawing from the permeate side of the membrane as a permeate stream a depleted gas mixture comprising essentially the at least one carrier gas.

Abstract: A fuel vapor storage canister having a screen module between carbon granules in the canister and a purge port of the canister. The screen module includes a module body defining a plenum, a flat plastic foam screen seated on an uninterrupted edge of a raised boss on the module body around the plenum, and a retainer clamped to the module body over the flat foam screen. A tubular stem on the module body plugs into a socket in the storage canister. An interference fit between the tubular stem and the socket prevents migration of carbon granules between the socket and the tubular stem. The foam screen is exposed to the carbon bed chamber through a window in a planar side of the retainer which planar side, in a seated position of the retainer on the module body, cooperates with the uninterrupted edge of the raised boss in compressing a segment of the foam screen to define a seal around the window.

Abstract: A fuel vapor storage canister having a screen assembly between a mass of carbon granules in the storage canister and a purge port of the storage canister. The fuel vapor storage canister includes a cup-shaped plastic body defining a carbon bed chamber and a plenum in the canister body covered by the screen assembly. The screen assembly includes a pair of concentric cylindrical bosses around the plenum, a plastic foam screen over the plenum seated on a circular edge of each of the concentric cylindrical bosses, and a retainer having a plurality of flexible barbs and flexible reinforcements resiliently biased against opposite sides of the outermost one of the cylindrical bosses. Concentric circular segments of the plastic foam screen are compressed tightly between an annular planar side of the retainer and each of the circular edges of the concentric cylindrical bosses to positively prevent migration of carbon granules around the foam screen.

Abstract: A desiccant canister comprised of a generally cylindrical body portion, first and second end portions, and at least one gas permeable disk-shaped member, wherein the body portion is generally impermeable to liquids and gases, wherein at least one of the said end portions is perforated, and wherein the disk-shaped member is secured to the end portion of the canister containing perforations.

Abstract: An air dehumidifier or drier, particularly for a motor vehicle, has an air guiding housing defining three parallel air flow paths, which are defined by a common main air chamber separating two laterally spaced apart secondary air chambers. A reactor containing an adsorbent is positioned between the secondary air chambers, the common main air chamber being defined between the reactors. Air-flow control elements are positioned in each of the main and secondary air chambers. The control elements are pivotal between two operating positions. In each position, one of the reactors is in adsorption operation (dehumidify air) while the other reactor is in desorption operation (reactor being dried or recharged). The desorption air directed to the reactor being dried is heated by a heat exchanger, which has an air passageway for exhausting the air used for drying the reactor. Thus, the desorption air directed to the reactor being dried is preheated using the energy from the exhausting air.

Abstract: A multi-function separator provides a coalescing section for removal of entrained impurities in a process stream; an adsorbent section for removal of vapor contaminants; and a filter section for removal of particulate impurities. A process stream flows into longitudinal hollow centers of porous coalescer robes and radially out; through holes in a baffle; into an adsorbent section; through a redistribution baffle; into filters; and out through another redistribution baffle. The multi-function separator is designed so that the process stream flows transverse to the longitude of an elongate vessel. The fluid velocity within the coalescer section is equal throughout, so that localized high-velocity areas are avoided, thus preventing re-entrainment of a coalesced contaminant.

Abstract: A filter apparatus for mounting over an opening at an end of a forced air system duct has a filter frame with sidewalls between open front and back ends and a channel which opens inwardly of the sidewalls. At the front end is a sheet of preferably self charging electrostatic washable filter material behind a grill, both of which are peripherally disposed within the channel and are sized and sufficiently flexible so as to be removably insertable into the channel. A second sheet of a second filter material, preferably including activated charcoal, may be disposed in the channel behind the first sheet of filter material. The filter material may be made of a woven polypropylene and the sheet may have heat sealed finished edges. A wall mount having a support frame for mounting on a wall around the opening which extends through the wall is sized and operable to support the filter frame. The support frame may be mounted to a wall.

Abstract: A chemical filter for removing a chemical impurity is arranged at an air inlet, and a gas sensor for adsorbing the chemical impurity is arranged upstream of the chemical filter. The service life of the chemical filter is determined on the basis of the resonance frequency of the gas sensor. Alternatively, the chemical filter has a specific portion whose removal capacity for the chemical impurity is lower than that of the rest, and a sensor for sensing the chemical impurity is arranged downstream of the specific portion. The service life of the chemical filter is predicted on the basis of an output from the sensor.