Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed toward a falling-film evaporator that includes an evaporator cylinder, a mist eliminator disposed in the evaporator cylinder, a dispenser disposed in the evaporator cylinder, a liquid baffle disposed in the evaporator cylinder, a first chamber formed at least partially by the mist eliminator and the liquid baffle on a first side of the evaporator cylinder below the mist eliminator, a gas returning chamber formed at least partially by the mist eliminator and the liquid baffle on a second side of the evaporator cylinder above the mist eliminator, a gas-liquid separation chamber formed at least partially by the dispenser at an upper portion of the first chamber, and an evaporation chamber formed at least partially by the dispenser at a lower portion of the first chamber, and where the gas returning chamber is in fluid communication with the evaporation chamber.

A heat exchange system comprises vertical centermost plenum surrounded by the heat exchange coil and housed in a plurality of side panels and a base, the plurality of side panels have air intakes that communicate outside air into the cabinet above the heat exchange coil and sprayers, a stream of spray water and air is drawn downwardly over a heat exchange coil, a portion of the spray water is separated from the air by drawing the air inward to the plenum, the air is then drawn upwardly within the plenum to an exhaust external to the enclosure.

A heat exchange system comprises vertical centermost plenum surrounded by the heat exchange coil and housed in a plurality of side panels and a base, the plurality of side panels have air intakes that communicate outside air into the cabinet above the heat exchange coil and sprayers, a stream of spray water and air is drawn downwardly over a heat exchange coil, a portion of the spray water is separated from the air by drawing the air inward to the plenum, the air is then drawn upwardly within the plenum to an exhaust external to the enclosure.

Incremental dehumidification of a volume of air in an indirect evaporative cooler. Dehumidification processes are incorporated with the cooling processes, such that within each circuit a volume of air follows through the indirect evaporative cooler and includes dehumidification as well as cooling of the volume of air. Subsequent circuits of the volume of air, which commence at a lower starting temperature than the prior circuit, result in further dehumidification of the air.

Water temperature conservation for increasing efficiency of an indirect evaporative cooling apparatus. A heat exchanger of the indirect evaporative cooling apparatus includes a dry passage separated from a wet passage by a membrane, the dry passage including an intake portion, an outlet portion, and a loop portion. Water captured from condensation during a dehumidification process can be stored and/or used to wet the wet passage of the heat exchanger to enhance evaporative function. Stored water can be maintained at a relatively lower temperature than the environment, helping to maintain a lower internal apparatus temperature and to further cool circulating air.

Dynamically cycling of air in an indirect evaporative cooler. A heat exchanger includes a dry passage separated from a wet passage by a membrane, the dry passage including an intake portion, an outlet portion, and a loop portion. By selectively passing intake air from the intake portion and/or recirculation air from the loop portion using a mixing valve, air is moved into and through the loop portion. The air within the heat exchanger can be selectively passed outside through the outlet portion and/or recirculated by the mixing valve. In this manner air is able to be circulated a number of loop circuits through the loop portion, enabling cooling and/or dehumidifying of air.

An improved water management system with improved airflow distribution for counterflow evaporative heat exchangers is provided. Such heat exchangers include open cooling towers, closed circuit cooling towers, and evaporative condensers. The improved water management system eliminates water splash out and the noise associated with water splashing. Further when the fan assemblies are located below the evaporative heat exchanger, the improved water management system keeps the fans dry and prevents freezing in subzero climates.

An improved water management system with improved airflow distribution for counterflow evaporative heat exchangers is provided. Such heat exchangers include open cooling towers, closed circuit cooling towers, and evaporative condensers. The improved water management system eliminates water splash out and the noise associated with water splashing. Further when the fan assemblies are located below the evaporative heat exchanger, the improved water management system keeps the fans dry and prevents freezing in subzero climates.

A heat exchanger for a vapor compression system includes a shell, a distributing part disposed inside of the shell to distribute a refrigerant, a tube bundle and a trough part. The tube bundle includes a plurality of heat transfer tubes disposed inside of the shell below the distributing part. The tube bundle includes a falling film region disposed below the distributing part, an accumulating region disposed below the falling film region, and a flooded region disposed below the accumulating region at a bottom portion of the shell. The trough part extends under at least one of the heat transfer tubes in the accumulating region to accumulate the refrigerant therein. The trough part at least partially overlaps with the at least one of the heat transfer tubes in the accumulating region when viewed along a horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal center axis of the shell.

A heat exchanger for a vapor compression system includes a shell, a distributing part disposed inside of the shell to distribute a refrigerant, a tube bundle and a trough part. The tube bundle includes a plurality of heat transfer tubes disposed inside of the shell below the distributing part. The tube bundle includes a falling film region disposed below the distributing part, an accumulating region disposed below the falling film region, and a flooded region disposed below the accumulating region at a bottom portion of the shell. The trough part extends under at least one of the heat transfer tubes in the accumulating region to accumulate the refrigerant therein. The trough part at least partially overlaps with the at least one of the heat transfer tubes in the accumulating region when viewed along a horizontal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal center axis of the shell.