Certain Embodiments provide an energy exchange system that includes a supply air flow path, an exhaust air flow path, an energy recovery device disposed within the supply and exhaust air flow paths, and a supply conditioning unit disposed within the supply air flow path. The supply conditioning unit may be downstream from the energy recovery device. Certain embodiments provide a method of conditioning air including introducing outside air as supply air into a supply air flow path, pre-conditioning the supply air with an energy recovery device, and fully-conditioning the supply air with a supply conditioning unit that is downstream from the energy recovery device.

Inventive concentrated solar power systems using solar receivers, and related devices and methods, are generally described. Low pressure solar receivers are provided that function to convert solar radiation energy to thermal energy of a working fluid, e.g., a working fluid of a power generation or thermal storage system. In some embodiments, low pressure solar receivers are provided herein that are useful in conjunction with gas turbine based power generation systems.

Inventive concentrated solar power systems using solar receivers, and related devices and methods, are generally described. Low pressure solar receivers are provided that function to convert solar radiation energy to thermal energy of a working fluid, e.g., a working fluid of a power generation or thermal storage system. In some embodiments, low pressure solar receivers are provided herein that are useful in conjunction with gas turbine based power generation systems.

A heat regenerating material particle of an embodiment contains a heat regenerating substance having a maximum value of specific heat at a temperature of 20 K or less is 0.3 J/cm.sup.3.Math.K or more, and one metal element selected from the group consisting of calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), beryllium (Be), strontium (Sr), aluminum (Al), iron (Fe), copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), and cobalt (Co). The heat regenerating material particle includes a first region and a second region, the second region is closer to an outer edge of the heat regenerating material particle than the first region, and the second region has a higher concentration of the metal element than the first region.

The heat transmission roll for a rotary cylindrical heat exchanger comprising layers formed by two superposed strips wound around the core, where the first strip (1) is corrugated transversely to form regular waves with wave crests (3) on the one side of the strip, and wave troughs (4) on the other side of the strip (4), while the second strip (2) is basically flat. Formed on all wave crests (3) of the first strip (1) are bulges (5) featuring slits (6), where one of the slit edges is formed into a tongue (7), while the second strip (2) features separate indentations (8) to accommodate the bulges (5) on the first strip (1), where the depth of the indentation corresponds to the pitch (h) of the bulge.

A seal assembly includes a leaf assembly and a supplemental leaf assembly. The leaf assembly includes a first leaf having a first base section. The first base section defines a first fastening area for securing the first leaf to a diaphragm of the preheater. The first leaf has a first elongate section extending away from the first base section and terminating at a first distal end thereof. The leaf assembly further includes a second leaf that engages a portion of the first leaf. The second leaf has a second base section. The second base section defines a second fastening area for securing the second leaf to the diaphragm. The second leaf has a second elongate section extending away from the second base section and terminating at a second distal end thereof. The supplemental leaf assembly is secured to the first leaf and slidingly engaging the second leaf.

A dedicated outdoor air system and method that is capable of operating over a broader spectrum of conditions. The HVAC system of the present invention utilizes a heating means positioned within the return air passageway in order to optimize the regeneration of the desiccant wheel and energy recovery device. By positioning a heating means upstream of the regeneration side of the desiccant wheel, the system is capable of providing supply air having low dew points to the enclosed space while still providing improved energy efficiency over conventional HVAC systems.

A support structure for a rotary regenerative heat exchanger includes an upper section, a lower section, and a plurality of support members. The upper section includes an upper ring having a first exterior surface, an upper hub and at least three upper spokes each extending between and secured at respective ends thereof to the upper ring and the upper hub. Each of the plurality of support members are fixedly secured, directly or indirectly, to the upper ring and the lower section. An annular space is between the upper ring and the lower ring, which is configured to receive compartments of a rotor assembly. The upper hub, the upper spokes and the support members cooperate to provide rigidity to the support structure by cooperating to support and transmit the weight of the upper spokes, the upper ring and the upper hub to the lower section.

Certain embodiments provide an energy exchange system that includes a supply air flow path, an exhaust air flow path, an energy recovery device disposed within the supply and exhaust air flow paths, and a supply conditioning unit disposed within the supply air flow path. The supply conditioning unit may be downstream from the energy recovery device. Certain embodiments provide a method of conditioning air including introducing outside air as supply air into a supply air flow path, pre-conditioning the supply air with an energy recovery device, and fully-conditioning the supply air with a supply conditioning unit that is downstream from the energy recovery device.

A heat exchanger for heat exchange between fluid streams incorporates rotary features to control the passage of the streams.