A natural gas dehydration apparatus that is configured to provide dehydration of natural gas as the natural gas exits from a natural gas well. The apparatus of the present invention includes a vessel body having an interior volume. Disposed within the interior volume of the vessel body is a dehydrating fluid such as but not limited to methanol. The vessel body is oriented in an upright position and includes an inlet member operably coupled to the lower end thereof that provides introduction of natural gas into the vessel body. The inlet member includes an end section in the interior volume of the body and facilitates the introduction and percolation of natural gas through the methanol. A discharge pipe member directs the natural gas from the interior volume of the vessel body. A fill member provides introduction of additional methanol while a screen member controls methanol mist.

A dryer includes a dehumidification filter containing a temperature responsive material with an upper critical solution temperature, a fan sending gas through the dehumidification filter, a heater heating the dehumidification filter, and a controller controlling the fan and the heater and switching an operation mode of the fan and the heater between a drying mode and a regeneration mode, wherein, in the drying mode, an object to be dried is dried with the fan sending the gas through the dehumidification filter that is heated by the heater to temperature higher than or equal to the upper critical solution temperature, and in the regeneration mode, the dehumidification filter is regenerated with the fan sending the gas through the dehumidification filter at temperature lower than the upper critical solution temperature.

A dryer includes a dehumidification filter containing a temperature responsive material with an upper critical solution temperature, a fan sending gas through the dehumidification filter, a heater heating the dehumidification filter, and a controller controlling the fan and the heater and switching an operation mode of the fan and the heater between a drying mode and a regeneration mode, wherein, in the drying mode, an object to be dried is dried with the fan sending the gas through the dehumidification filter that is heated by the heater to temperature higher than or equal to the upper critical solution temperature, and in the regeneration mode, the dehumidification filter is regenerated with the fan sending the gas through the dehumidification filter at temperature lower than the upper critical solution temperature.

A composition of matter having a porous cross-linked polymer network, quaternary ammonium ions in the cross-linked polymer network, and at least one counter ion in the cross-linked polymer network that is at least one of hydroxide or a counter ion capable of forming hydroxide upon reaction with water. A method to produce a porous material includes polymerizing a compound containing quaternary ammonium and a cross-linker using controlled polymerization and ion exchange in the presence of at least one of hydroxide or a counter ion capable of forming hydroxide upon reaction with water. A method to capture CO.sub.2, includes employing a sorbent comprising a quaternary ammonium ions in a porous cross-linked polymer network in an environment to adsorb CO.sub.2.

A dehumidifying element includes a plurality of sheets that have moisture adsorption and desorption properties and that are stacked on top of each another. At least some of the sheets each have an irregular shape. The sheets each contain a hygroscopic agent having properties of a re-moistening-type glue that exhibits adherence when adsorbing moisture and that solidifies when being dried. The sheets are bonded to each other by the hygroscopic agent.

A dehumidifying element includes a plurality of sheets that have moisture adsorption and desorption properties and that are stacked on top of each another. At least some of the sheets each have an irregular shape. The sheets each contain a hygroscopic agent having properties of a re-moistening-type glue that exhibits adherence when adsorbing moisture and that solidifies when being dried. The sheets are bonded to each other by the hygroscopic agent.

A water sorption device includes a catalytic combustor configured to, in a desorption state, combust a hydrocarbon fuel mixture to generate heat; a thermoelectric generator configured to, in the desorption state, generate electricity from a first portion of the heat from the catalytic combustor; and an adsorber configured to in an adsorption state, adsorb water from ambient air from an environment and in the desorption state, desorb the adsorbed water as vapor using a second portion of the heat from the catalytic combustor.

A water sorption device includes a catalytic combustor configured to, in a desorption state, combust a hydrocarbon fuel mixture to generate heat; a thermoelectric generator configured to, in the desorption state, generate electricity from a first portion of the heat from the catalytic combustor; and an adsorber configured to in an adsorption state, adsorb water from ambient air from an environment and in the desorption state, desorb the adsorbed water as vapor using a second portion of the heat from the catalytic combustor.

An excellent hygroscopic material containing a temperature responsive polymer, which can efficiently conduct heat, and hence has water release properties of absorbed water is realized. The hygroscopic material containing a polymer gel containing a temperature responsive polymer whose affinity with water reversibly changes in response to temperature stimulation and a thermally conductive filler is used.

An excellent hygroscopic material containing a temperature responsive polymer, which can efficiently conduct heat, and hence has water release properties of absorbed water is realized. The hygroscopic material containing a polymer gel containing a temperature responsive polymer whose affinity with water reversibly changes in response to temperature stimulation and a thermally conductive filler is used.