A heat transfer device, and methods and systems using such devices, including a major surface wall forming a bottom side of the device; a first hermetic chamber of a first design and with the surface wall forming a bottom wall of the first vapor chamber; a second hermetic chamber of a second design, positioned adjacent to the first chamber along a length of the first surface wall, and with the surface wall forming a bottom wall of the second vapor chamber. The first chamber includes a first heat transfer medium and a first wick arranged to transport the first heat transfer medium to an evaporator region of the first chamber. The second chamber includes a second heat transfer medium and a second wick arranged to transport the second heat transfer medium to an evaporator region of the second chamber.

A pumped heat storage apparatus has a prime mover, a power take off, first and second fluid working machines functioning as a compressor (8) and as an expander (10), a working fluid circulation pathway with high and low pressure sides, and high and low temperature heat exchangers (18A-B). The heat exchangers operate using direct contact between gaseous working fluid and solid thermal storage media, such as glass beads, which move in opposite directions, typically using an augur (44). The system is reversible between energy storage and energy recovery modes and when it reverses, the direction of movement of the working fluid and the thermal storage media reverses. The apparatus may very rapidly swap between energy storage and energy recovery while having a high capacity and energy throughout.

A system for heat transfer including a compressor, a regolith inlet, a first storage hopper, and a load. The compressor is in fluid communication with a closed loop system. The regolith inlet is in fluid communication with the closed loop system. The first storage hopper is adapted to carry an amount of regolith and is in fluid communication with the regolith inlet. The load is in fluid communication with the closed loop system between a compressor inlet a compressor outlet.

Devices, systems, and methods for melting solids are disclosed. A vessel includes a solids inlet, a plunger, one or more fluid jets, and a fluid outlet. Solids are passed through the solids inlet into the vessel. The plunger is positioned adjacent to the solids inlet to provide a variable gap between the plunger and the solids inlet. The variable gap provides a restriction producing a back pressure at the solids inlet. Hot fluid is injected into the vessel by fluid jets. The one or more fluid jets enter the vessel and end adjacent to the variable gap. The hot fluid melts at least a portion of the solids.

Devices, systems, and methods for melting solids are disclosed. A vessel includes a solids inlet, a plunger, one or more fluid jets, and a fluid outlet. Solids are passed through the solids inlet into the vessel. The plunger is positioned adjacent to the solids inlet to provide a variable gap between the plunger and the solids inlet. The variable gap provides a restriction producing a back pressure at the solids inlet. Hot fluid is injected into the vessel by fluid jets. The one or more fluid jets enter the vessel and end adjacent to the variable gap. The hot fluid melts at least a portion of the solids.

Devices, systems, and methods for cooling a gas is disclosed. A slurry is passed through a droplet generating device to produce droplets of the slurry. The slurry comprises a contact liquid and solids. A melting point of the solids is higher than a vaporization point of the contact liquid. A carrier gas is passed across the droplets to exchange heat between the carrier gas and the droplets. At least a portion of the heat transferred to the droplets melts the solids.

Devices, systems, and methods for cooling a gas is disclosed. A slurry is passed through a droplet generating device to produce droplets of the slurry. The slurry comprises a contact liquid and solids. A melting point of the solids is higher than a vaporization point of the contact liquid. A carrier gas is passed across the droplets to exchange heat between the carrier gas and the droplets. At least a portion of the heat transferred to the droplets melts the solids.

A heat transfer device, and methods and systems using such devices, including a major surface wall forming a bottom side of the device; a first hermetic chamber of a first design and with the surface wall forming a bottom wall of the first vapor chamber; a second hermetic chamber of a second design, positioned adjacent to the first chamber along a length of the first surface wall, and with the surface wall forming a bottom wall of the second vapor chamber. The first chamber includes a first heat transfer medium and a first wick arranged to transport the first heat transfer medium to an evaporator region of the first chamber. The second chamber includes a second heat transfer medium and a second wick arranged to transport the second heat transfer medium to an evaporator region of the second chamber.

A device and a method for conducting a heat exchange process is disclosed. A direct-contact heat exchanger is provided comprising a process inlet, a coolant inlet, and an interior surface. A process stream is provided to the process inlet to be cooled in the heat exchange process by direct contact with a coolant stream that is provided to the coolant inlet. The coolant stream comprises a liquid or a gas. The heat exchange process comprises a phase change from liquid to gas, a sensible heat transfer, or a combination thereof. The cooling process leads to chemical reactions, solids formation in the bulk phase, or a combination thereof. The use of the direct-contact heat exchanger minimizes such reactions on the interior surface. In this manner, the heat exchange process is conducted.

A device and a method for conducting a heat exchange process is disclosed. A direct-contact heat exchanger is provided comprising a process inlet, a coolant inlet, and an interior surface. A process stream is provided to the process inlet to be cooled in the heat exchange process by direct contact with a coolant stream that is provided to the coolant inlet. The coolant stream comprises a liquid or a gas. The heat exchange process comprises a phase change from liquid to gas, a sensible heat transfer, or a combination thereof. The cooling process leads to chemical reactions, solids formation in the bulk phase, or a combination thereof. The use of the direct-contact heat exchanger minimizes such reactions on the interior surface. In this manner, the heat exchange process is conducted.