The invention concerns an apparatus (10) for separation of components with different volatility in a mixed fluid, said apparatus (10) comprising: a first heat exchanging unit (100) provided with first and second flow path structures (131, 132) forming separate flow paths for a first and a second fluid flow through the first heat-exchanging unit (100); an inlet (118) for feeding the mixed fluid to the apparatus (10); an inlet (119) for feeding steam to the apparatus (10); an arrangement for feeding a cooling medium through the apparatus (10), wherein said arrangement comprises at least one cooling medium inlet (105, 106, 107, 108). The invention is characterized in that the apparatus (10) comprises a second heat-exchanging unit (200) provided with third and fourth flow path structures (233, 234) forming separate flow paths for a first and a second fluid flow through the second heat-exchanging unit (200), wherein the cooling medium arrangement comprises at least one cooling medium inlet (205, 206, 207, 208) arranged in fluid communication with the fourth flow path structure (234) and wherein the first and third flow path structures (131, 233) are arranged in fluid communication with each other.

Liquid is flash evaporated in a series of cells along and surrounding an exhaust duct to generate a pressurized vapor where at least one of the surfaces is in communication with the source of heat sufficient to maintain the surface at a temperature such that the liquid injected into the chamber is substantially instantly converted to a superheated vapor with no liquid pooling within the chamber. The liquid is introduced by controlled injectors operating at a required rate. Each of the cells is periodically discharged by a pressure controlled relief valve and the vapor from the cells combined to form a continuous stream feeding a turbine or other energy conversion device. The outer wall of the cell is offset so that it contacts the inner wall at one point around the periphery. Heat transfer ribs and bars can be provided in the duct to provide increased heat transfer where necessary.

Liquid is flash evaporated in a series of cells along and surrounding an exhaust duct to generate a pressurized vapor where at least one of the surfaces is in communication with the source of heat sufficient to maintain the surface at a temperature such that the liquid injected into the chamber is substantially instantly converted to a superheated vapor with no liquid pooling within the chamber. The liquid is introduced by controlled injectors operating at a required rate. Each of the cells is periodically discharged by a pressure controlled relief valve and the vapor from the cells combined to form a continuous stream feeding a turbine or other energy conversion device. The outer wall of the cell is offset so that it contacts the inner wall at one point around the periphery. Heat transfer ribs and bars can be provided in the duct to provide increased heat transfer where necessary.

The present application pertains to novel methods to generate power. In a representative embodiment, power is generated by warming a body of air having a temperature lower than the freezing point of liquid water by contacting the body of air with liquid water. The liquid water has a temperature greater than the freezing point of liquid water. Liquid water freezes thereby generating latent heat from freezing and thereby warming the body of air. The warmed body of air may be passed through an air turbine to generate power. Other methods and systems are described that use similar principles.

A device for producing and treating a gas stream is provided that includes an enclosure, of which the lower part is submerged in a liquid supply open at the top and includes at least one liquid intake opening. The submerged lower part of the enclosure contains a volume of this liquid and at least one opening for discharging a gas stream, positioned above the surface of the volume of liquid contained in the enclosure. The device further provides for injecting a gas stream including at least one injection conduit and extends in the upper part inside the enclosure outside the volume of liquid. During operation of the device an incoming gas stream is introduced to create an outgoing gas stream, treated by direct contact with said volume of liquid that is discharged outside the enclosure. A facility inclusive of the device and method of operation are also provided.

A media pad apparatus for a portable air cooler includes a frame having a top end and a media pad disposed within the frame. A top tray is provided on the top end of the frame and includes opposed walls, the opposed walls sloping downwardly from upper edges thereof to join at a common lower edge and create a generally V-shaped profile of the top tray. The top tray further includes a plurality of openings in the opposed walls spaced along a length of the top tray, wherein when fluid is provided to the top tray, the openings dispense the fluid through the top tray along the length thereof to wet the media pad in a spatially distributed manner. A portable air cooler with a media pad apparatus removably received therein is also disclosed.

A media pad apparatus for a portable air cooler includes a frame having a top end and a media pad disposed within the frame. A top tray is provided on the top end of the frame and includes opposed walls, the opposed walls sloping downwardly from upper edges thereof to join at a common lower edge and create a generally V-shaped profile of the top tray. The top tray further includes a plurality of openings in the opposed walls spaced along a length of the top tray, wherein when fluid is provided to the top tray, the openings dispense the fluid through the top tray along the length thereof to wet the media pad in a spatially distributed manner. A portable air cooler with a media pad apparatus removably received therein is also disclosed.

A two-stage liquid distribution device for use within an internal region of a mass transfer column to distribute liquid to an underlying mass transfer bed. The two-stage liquid distribution device includes a lower distributor with a lower parting box and lower troughs and an upper distributor with an upper parting box and upper troughs. The lower and upper parting boxes and troughs are enclosed to allow a liquid head in a lower downpipe section and an upper downpipe section that feed liquid to the lower distributor and the upper distributor to cause pressurization of liquid within the lower and upper parting boxes and troughs. The pressurization makes the lower and upper distributors less susceptible to rocking motion of the mass transfer column and reduces any maldistribution of liquid discharged from the lower and upper troughs to the mass transfer bed.

A two-stage liquid distribution device for use within an internal region of a mass transfer column to distribute liquid to an underlying mass transfer bed. The two-stage liquid distribution device includes a lower distributor with a lower parting box and lower troughs and an upper distributor with an upper parting box and upper troughs. The lower and upper parting boxes and troughs are enclosed to allow a liquid head in a lower downpipe section and an upper downpipe section that feed liquid to the lower distributor and the upper distributor to cause pressurization of liquid within the lower and upper parting boxes and troughs. The pressurization makes the lower and upper distributors less susceptible to rocking motion of the mass transfer column and reduces any maldistribution of liquid discharged from the lower and upper troughs to the mass transfer bed.

A body cooling system including a housing having a top portion, side portions, and a bottom portion. The top portion and the bottom portion include at least one opening. Additionally, the body cooling system includes at least one mesh layer and an absorbent layer at least partially surrounded by the mesh layer.