A method uses a sheet shaped member to separate two spaces from each other. The sheet shaped member includes a base having a first principal surface and a second principal surface, and a moisture permeable membrane provided on or close to the first principal surface of the base. The first principal surface of the base is arranged in one of the two spaces having a lower water vapor pressure when the two spaces separated from each other by the sheet-like member have different water vapor pressures.

Coating compositions are provided that eject droplets of condensed fluid from a surface. The coatings include a nanostructured coating layer and in some embodiments, also include a hydrophobic layer deposited thereon. The coating materials eject droplets from the surface in the presence of non-condensing gases such as air and may be deployed under conditions of supersaturation of the condensed fluid to be ejected. A heat exchanger design utilizing the coating is described herein.

The purpose of the present invention is to provide an air guide-integrated evaporation cooler which allows a plurality of barrier plates, heat exchangers, and air guides for forming a dry channel and a wet channel to be integrally manufactured by a simple process, and a method of manufacturing the same. The air guide-integrated evaporation cooler for implementing the purpose includes a plurality of barrier plates; and gap units including a plurality of bars positioned between the plurality of barrier plates, disposed to be spaced apart from each other at a center portion thereof, and configured to form heat exchangers, and guides disposed at edges of the plurality of barrier plates and configured to determine a direction of a fluid flow.

A method is provided for forming a biphilic surface on a substrate comprising copper, such as a heat exchanger surface, wherein the method involves forming one or more hydrophilic areas on the surface by reacting those areas with at least one of hydrogen peroxide and ammonium hydroxide to form copper oxide and forming hydrophobic areas on the surface by reacting those areas with ammonium hydroxide solution to form copper hydroxide or by chemical etching with a combination of hydrochloric acid, hydrogen peroxide, and iron chloride. The functional surface can exhibit temporal biphilicity in response to one or more stimuli in high performance heat transfer applications.

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.

Incrementally cooling and dehumidifying a volume of air that is substantially at its dew point. Developing a pressure differential within an indirect evaporative cooler between a dry passage and ambient air and/or a wet passage and ambient air, to evaporate liquid outside the dry passage and condense liquid within the wet passage. A pressure differential can be developed by selectively pushing and/or blocking air at predetermined portions of the wet and dry passages.

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.

A hydrophilic coating for use with a heat exchanger includes an insolubilizer configured to provide structure or support for the hydrophilic coating. The hydrophilic coating further includes a wetting agent configured to provide wettability for the hydrophilic coating. The hydrophilic coating further includes an antibacterial agent configured to eliminate at least a portion of bacteria that contacts the hydrophilic coating. The hydrophilic coating further includes an antifungal agent configured to eliminate at least a portion of fungi that contacts the hydrophilic coating, the antifungal agent being different than the antibacterial agent and the insolubilizer.

A heat exchanger is provided that is operated in a cooling operation mode in which a region to be heat-exchanged is cooled by the heat exchanger or in a drying operation mode in which the heat exchanger is supplied with wind from a blowing fan. The heat exchanger includes a refrigerant pipe, a cooling fin coupled to the refrigerant pipe, and a hydrophilic coating coated on a surface of the refrigerant pipe or the cooling fin. The hydrophilic coating includes a first type transition metal oxide which becomes acidic by reacting with moisture formed on the refrigerant pipe or the cooling fin to have antimicrobial activity when the heat exchanger is operated in the cooling operation mode, and a second type transition metal oxide or a post-transition metal oxide which has antimicrobial activity when the heat exchanger is operated in the drying operation mode.