A method for thermographic analysis of a heat exchanger comprises: applying vibrations to the heat exchanger as a part of a vibration testing process; capturing a thermographic image of at least a portion of the heat exchanger whilst the heat exchanger is undergoing vibrations; analysing the thermographic image; and determining a status of the heat exchanger based on the analysis of the image.

A method for thermographic analysis of a heat exchanger comprises: applying vibrations to the heat exchanger as a part of a vibration testing process; capturing a thermographic image of at least a portion of the heat exchanger whilst the heat exchanger is undergoing vibrations; analysing the thermographic image; and determining a status of the heat exchanger based on the analysis of the image.

An adiabatic cooling system includes a condenser coil and one or more adiabatic pads positioned such that intake air for the adiabatic cooling system passes through the pads prior to contacting the condenser coil. The adiabatic cooling system includes a vibration device attached to each adiabatic pad. A controller is communicatively coupled to the vibration device for each of the adiabatic pads. The controller determines that cleaning of the adiabatic pads is needed. In response to detecting cleaning is needed, the controller causes the vibration device attached to each adiabatic pad to vibrate.

An adiabatic cooling system includes a condenser coil and one or more adiabatic pads positioned such that intake air for the adiabatic cooling system passes through the pads prior to contacting the condenser coil. The adiabatic cooling system includes a vibration device attached to each adiabatic pad. A controller is communicatively coupled to the vibration device for each of the adiabatic pads. The controller determines that cleaning of the adiabatic pads is needed. In response to detecting cleaning is needed, the controller causes the vibration device attached to each adiabatic pad to vibrate.

A heatsink comprising a heat exchange device having a plurality of heat exchange elements each having a surface boundary with respect to a heat transfer fluid, having successive elements or regions having varying size scales. According to one embodiment, an accumulation of dust or particles on a surface of the heatsink is reduced by a removal mechanism. The mechanism can be thermal pyrolysis, vibration, blowing, etc. In the case of vibration, adverse effects on the system to be cooled may be minimized by an active or passive vibration suppression system.

A heatsink comprising a heat exchange device having a plurality of heat exchange elements each having a surface boundary with respect to a heat transfer fluid, having successive elements or regions having varying size scales. According to one embodiment, an accumulation of dust or particles on a surface of the heatsink is reduced by a removal mechanism. The mechanism can be thermal pyrolysis, vibration, blowing, etc. In the case of vibration, adverse effects on the system to be cooled may be minimized by an active or passive vibration suppression system.

Provided herein is a universally applicable biofouling mitigation technology using acoustically excited encapsulated microbubbles that disrupt biofilm or biofilm formation. For example, a method of reducing biofilm formation or removing biofilm in a membrane filtration system is provided in which a feed solution comprising encapsulated microbubbles is provided to the membrane under conditions that allow the encapsulated microbubbles to embed in a biofilm. Sonication of the embedded, encapsulated microbubbles disrupts the biofilm. Thus, provided herein is a membrane filtration system for performing the methods and encapsulated microbubbles specifically selected for binding to extracellular polymeric substances (EFS) in a biofilm.

A cooling system for an electronic circuit package is provided. The cooling system includes a heat transfer plate positioned in thermal contact with an electronic circuit package surface and forming the bottom surface of an evaporative region of the cooling system. The cooling system also includes a plurality of condensing tubes in fluid communication with, and extending away from, the evaporative region, such that the evaporative region and the condensing tubes together form a single, uninterrupted, sealed enclosure. The cooling system also includes a fluid within the sealed enclosure. The cooling system also includes a plurality of spacers filling gaps between the heat transfer plate and the condensing tubes, such that each spacer is configured as an independent component to allow the passage of fluid through the interior space of each spacer. The cooling system also includes a plurality of wicks, where each wick is positioned partially within a corresponding spacer to which it is fluidically coupled.

A steam generator for generating steam by boiling water, or other hot water heating device, in either case such as for use in a steam cooker or warewasher, includes a tank structure providing a heating chamber for holding water, and at least one heating element associated with the tank structure for heating water. The tank structure includes a main body wall having a U-shaped cross-sectional profile formed by opposed first and second side wall portions of the heating chamber and a curved bottom wall portion of the heating chamber, wherein the curved bottom wall portion is monolithic with the first and second side wall portions, wherein the main body wall is sheet metal material that has been curved.

A steam generator for generating steam by boiling water, or other hot water heating device, in either case such as for use in a steam cooker or warewasher, includes a tank structure providing a heating chamber for holding water, and at least one heating element associated with the tank structure for heating water. The tank structure includes a main body wall having a U-shaped cross-sectional profile formed by opposed first and second side wall portions of the heating chamber and a curved bottom wall portion of the heating chamber, wherein the curved bottom wall portion is monolithic with the first and second side wall portions, wherein the main body wall is sheet metal material that has been curved.