A rotary module for implementing a high frequency pressure swing adsorption process comprises a stator and a rotor rotatably coupled to the stator. The stator includes a first stator valve surface, a second stator valve surface, a plurality of first function compartments opening into the first stator valve surface, and a plurality of second function compartments opening into the second stator valve surface. The rotor includes a first rotor valve surface in communication with the first stator valve surface, a second rotor valve surface in communication with the second stator valve surface, and a plurality of flow paths for receiving adsorbent material therein. Each flow path includes a pair of opposite ends, and a plurality of apertures provided in the rotor valve surfaces and in communication with the flow path ends and the function ports for cyclically exposing each said flow path to a plurality of discrete pressure levels between the upper and lower pressures for maintaining uniform gas flow through the first and second function compartments.

Modular pressure swing adsorption apparatus

A fluid vapor distillation apparatus. The apparatus includes a source fluid input, and an evaporator condenser apparatus. The evaporator condenser apparatus includes a substantially cylindrical housing and a plurality of tubes in the housing. The source fluid input is fluidly connected to the evaporator condenser and the evaporator condenser transforms source fluid into steam and transforms compressed steam into product fluid. Also included in the fluid vapor distillation apparatus is a heat exchanger fluidly connected to the source fluid input and a product fluid output. The heat exchanger includes an outer tube and at least one inner tube. Also included in the fluid vapor distillation apparatus is a regenerative blower fluidly connected to the evaporator condenser. The regenerative blower compresses steam, and the compressed steam flows to the evaporative condenser where compressed steam is transformed into product fluid.

Water vapor distillation apparatus, method and system

A ventilation and dehumidification system for ventilating fresh air to a conditioned space. The system is comprised of a desiccant wheel for dehumidifying incoming air by exchanging moisture from an inflow current of air with an outflow current of air. The desiccant wheel is both regenerated and defrosted by a regenerative heater which is placed to heat the outflow current of air before the outflow current passes through the desiccant wheel. The system includes blowers in order to motivate the inflow and outflow currents of air. The system may also include heat recovery means such as a heat transfer wheel or a motionless heat transfer core. The blowers can be arranged so as to create an air pressure differential between the inflow chamber and the outflow chamber so that any leakage of air between the two chambers will occur from the inflow chamber to the outflow chamber.

Ventilating dehumidifying system

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 enthalpy wheel comprised of an adsorbent contained in a paper web, the enthalpy wheel having a multiplicity of passages through which the process air can flow, the enthalpy wheel capable of regeneration by passing an air stream therethrough having a temperature and humidity lower than the process air. In the method, process air is passed through the enthalpy wheel to remove heat and moisture therefrom, and the enthalpy wheel is regenerated by passing air therethrough to remove heat and moisture therefrom. Thereafter, the method includes providing an adsorption wheel having a multiplicity of passages through which the process air from the enthalpy wheel can flow for adsorbing moisture, the wheel capable of adsorption of moisture from the process air and of regeneration. Process air from the enthalpy wheel is passed through the adsorption wheel to remove moisture, and the adsorption wheel is regenerated by passing hot gases therethrough to remove moisture. After passing through the adsorption wheel, process air is introduced to an indirect evaporative cooler having a dry channel and a wet channel separated by a moisture-impervious wall wherein heat is extracted from the dry channel through the wall to the wet channel, the process air from the adsorption wheel being introduced to the dry channel to provide cooled process air exiting the indirect evaporative cooler to provide a cooled stream of air having a controlled level of humidity. Air is directed to the wet channel of the indirect evaporative cooler, the air directed to the wet channel being selected from at least one of outside air, air returned from the conditioned space, a portion of the air from the enthalpy wheel, and a portion of the cooled air exiting the dry side of the indirect evaporative cooler.

Air conditioning system for cooling warm moisture-laden air

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 200-300 °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.

Adsorption air conditioning system

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

Air to air recouperator

The invention comprises both apparatus and an accompanying method for the controlling of the speed, stroke and power output of a Stirling engine. The invention positions a valving arrangement to control the working gas flow within a gas flow passage connecting the hot end and cold end of the displacer cylinder; the valving arrangement is controlled by a suitable engine speed, stroke or power detector.

Apparatus and method for the speed or power control of stirling type machines

An improved crank-type Stirling engine. A spring, preferably a gas spring, is linked between the displacer and the housing or alternatively the power piston. The spring is relaxed at substantially a mean position of the displacer to apply a centering force upon the displacer. The spring reduces the loading on the displacer drive linkage by itself exerting a centering force upon the displacer. If desired, displacer linkage forces may be reduced nearly to zero by designing the spring so that the spring constant and the masses upon which it operates are in resonance. The gas spring mechanism may include pump elements so that it will operate as a pump to charge the engine to operating pressure with atmospheric air during initial start up operation.

Bruce J. Chagnot

Papers

Air to air recouperator

Apparatus and method for the speed or power control of stirling type machines

Self pressurizing, crank-type Stirling engine having reduced loading of displacer drive linkages