Examples of apparatuses for harvesting water are described herein. The apparatuses include a wall having a hydrophilic contacting surface and a hydrophobic collecting surface. A plurality of pores defining an inner volume extend between the contacting surface and the collecting surface and provide a fluid flow communication between the contacting surface and the collecting surface. As air is directed across or towards the wall, water condenses on the contacting surface, seeps into the pores and passes through the wall to the collecting surface for collection.

Upstream process equipment transmits a predetermined fluid to downstream process equipment. A valve fluidly couples the upstream process equipment to the downstream process equipment. A first pressure sensor and a first temperature sensor are coupled to the upstream process equipment and upstream from the valve. A second pressure sensor and a second temperature sensor are coupled to the downstream process equipment and downstream from the valve. A control system is coupled to the first pressure sensor, the first temperature sensor, the second pressure sensor, and the second temperature sensor. The control system determines a first fluid flowrate of the predetermined fluid using a fluid flow model based on pressure data from the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor, temperature data from the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor, a size of the valve, at least one fluid parameter regarding the predetermined fluid, and a valve flow coefficient of the valve.

Upstream process equipment transmits a predetermined fluid to downstream process equipment. A valve fluidly couples the upstream process equipment to the downstream process equipment. A first pressure sensor and a first temperature sensor are coupled to the upstream process equipment and upstream from the valve. A second pressure sensor and a second temperature sensor are coupled to the downstream process equipment and downstream from the valve. A control system is coupled to the first pressure sensor, the first temperature sensor, the second pressure sensor, and the second temperature sensor. The control system determines a first fluid flowrate of the predetermined fluid using a fluid flow model based on pressure data from the first pressure sensor and the second pressure sensor, temperature data from the first temperature sensor and the second temperature sensor, a size of the valve, at least one fluid parameter regarding the predetermined fluid, and a valve flow coefficient of the valve.

A dehumidifying element includes: a layered body in which a plurality of sheets supporting an adsorbent that dehumidifies air are stacked on one another, with gaps provided between adjacent ones of the plurality of sheets, the gaps allowing air to pass therethrough; a casing that holds the layered body; and a cushioning member provided between the casing and the layered body in a stacking direction in which the plurality of sheets are stacked on one another, the cushioning member being configured to expand and contract.

A dehumidifying element includes: a layered body in which a plurality of sheets supporting an adsorbent that dehumidifies air are stacked on one another, with gaps provided between adjacent ones of the plurality of sheets, the gaps allowing air to pass therethrough; a casing that holds the layered body; and a cushioning member provided between the casing and the layered body in a stacking direction in which the plurality of sheets are stacked on one another, the cushioning member being configured to expand and contract.

A humidity controlling material includes: a first particle; and a second particle. The first particle includes: a first humidity controlling liquid containing a hygroscopic substance; and a first holding portion holding the first humidity controlling liquid. The second particle includes: a second humidity controlling liquid containing the hygroscopic substance; and a second holding portion holding the second humidity controlling liquid. The first holding portion and the second holding portion are formed of a polymeric material. The first humidity controlling liquid includes a first indicator a color of which changes according to an amount of moisture contained in the first humidity controlling liquid. The second humidity controlling liquid includes a second indicator a color of which changes, in a transition range different from a transition range of the first indicator, according to an amount of moisture contained in the second humidity controlling liquid.

A humidity controlling material includes: a first particle; and a second particle. The first particle includes: a first humidity controlling liquid containing a hygroscopic substance; and a first holding portion holding the first humidity controlling liquid. The second particle includes: a second humidity controlling liquid containing the hygroscopic substance; and a second holding portion holding the second humidity controlling liquid. The first holding portion and the second holding portion are formed of a polymeric material. The first humidity controlling liquid includes a first indicator a color of which changes according to an amount of moisture contained in the first humidity controlling liquid. The second humidity controlling liquid includes a second indicator a color of which changes, in a transition range different from a transition range of the first indicator, according to an amount of moisture contained in the second humidity controlling liquid.

A particle comprises an inner part and an outer coating. The inner part comprises CaO and the outer coating comprises hydrophobic nanoparticles of a size less than 1 μm. The particle has an average size of from 1 to 1000 μm. A device adapted to perform an absorption process comprises at least one such particle. A method for manufacturing such a particle comprises mixing CaO with hydrophobic nanoparticles, and mixing with sufficient energy to obtain particles comprising CaO coated with the hydrophobic nanoparticles.

A particle comprises an inner part and an outer coating. The inner part comprises CaO and the outer coating comprises hydrophobic nanoparticles of a size less than 1 μm. The particle has an average size of from 1 to 1000 μm. A device adapted to perform an absorption process comprises at least one such particle. A method for manufacturing such a particle comprises mixing CaO with hydrophobic nanoparticles, and mixing with sufficient energy to obtain particles comprising CaO coated with the hydrophobic nanoparticles.

A moisture-regulating element for use in packaging is claimed, which comprises a layer of pulp fibres and optionally further layers, characterized in that the element contains means which are able to regulate the moisture content.

The moisture-regulating element may be used in packaging for the transport and other storage of moisture-sensitive products or can serve as such, in order to store these products under optimal moisture conditions.