A method of providing cooling air for cooling data centre IT equipment, an evaporative humidifier and an air handling unit is disclosed. The method comprises operating an evaporative humidifier (201) to humidify air for supply as IT equipment cooling air, the evaporative humidifier preferably comprising a deformable wettable matrix (207). Preferably, the method comprises steps of wetting the deformable wettable matrix (207), passing air through the wetted matrix (207) thus producing humidified air, and expelling water from the wettable matrix (207) by subjecting the wettable matrix to compressive deformation. The evaporative humidifier (201) preferably comprises a compressible wettable matrix (207), a water reservoir (217), a pump (218) for supplying water from the reservoir (217) to the wettable matrix (207), a frame for supporting the compressible wettable matrix, and an actuator (211) for effecting a compressive force on the compressible wettable matrix (207) for the purpose of expelling water from the wettable matrix (207). The air handling unit preferably comprises an evaporative humidifier (201) as disclosed.

A process dilutes an aerosol by feeding an input aerosol through an inlet pipe surrounded by an annular space to a first mixing stage. An output aerosol leaves purified via an outlet as a particle-free clean gas. The particle-free clean gas is fed to the annular space upstream of the outlet and is mixed with the aerosol. A mixing stage includes an inlet pipe feeding aerosol as inlet aerosol. A downstream purification device purifies outlet aerosol leaving the mixing stage via an outlet pipe to form the particle-free clean gas. A mass flow controller and a pump suction off the outlet aerosol from the outlet pipe. A return line, for the clean gas, leads upstream into the annular space.

In an electronic cigarette, a mesh element is in contact with liquid storage. A heater is spaced apart from the mesh element and positioned to heat air which flows through the mesh element. The heated air vaporizes the liquid in or on the mesh. The vapor is inhaled by the user. A method of vaporizing a liquid in an electronic cigarette includes conducting liquid from a liquid storage to a mesh element. Electric current is supplied to a heater, optionally in response to sensing inhalation on the outlet or mouthpiece of the electronic cigarette. The heater heats air and the heated air is conducted through the mesh element, with the heated air vaporizing liquid on or in the mesh element. The vaporized liquid is entrained with the heated air and may then flow through or around the liquid storage to the mouthpiece.

In an electronic cigarette, a mesh element is in contact with liquid storage. A heater is spaced apart from the mesh element and positioned to heat air which flows through the mesh element. The heated air vaporizes the liquid in or on the mesh. The vapor is inhaled by the user. A method of vaporizing a liquid in an electronic cigarette includes conducting liquid from a liquid storage to a mesh element. Electric current is supplied to a heater, optionally in response to sensing inhalation on the outlet or mouthpiece of the electronic cigarette. The heater heats air and the heated air is conducted through the mesh element, with the heated air vaporizing liquid on or in the mesh element. The vaporized liquid is entrained with the heated air and may then flow through or around the liquid storage to the mouthpiece.

A cartridge for an aerosol-generating system is provided, including a first compartment containing a nicotine source and having a first air inlet and first air outlet, the inlet being upstream of the outlet; a second compartment containing an acid source and having a second air inlet and second air outlet, the inlet being upstream of the outlet; a mixing chamber for mixing nicotine from the nicotine source and acid from the acid source with an air flow to form an aerosol, the mixing chamber being downstream of both the first air outlet and the second air outlet; and a heating element configured to heat the mixing chamber, at least a portion of the heating element being neither upstream nor downstream of the mixing chamber. An aerosol-generating system and a method for aerosol generation in an aerosol-generating system are also provided.

In order to develop devices and methods for impulse ejection of medium, a device for impulse ejection of medium is proposed, comprising a medium chamber for holding a medium, said chamber being defined by an ejection tube and a sleeve, adjoining the ejection tube at the opposite end from the ejection end thereof, and a propellant chamber) for holding a propellant, said propellant chamber surrounding at least partially the medium chamber in the region of the sleeve, wherein the sleeve is designed for movement between a pressure position and an ejection position and seals, in the pressure position, the medium chamber from the propellant chamber at an end plate and wherein the sleeve in the ejection position is spaced apart from the end plate such that there is fluid communication for passage of the propellant from the propellant chamber into the medium chamber.

A method of providing cooling air for cooling data centre IT equipment, an evaporative humidifier and an air handling unit is disclosed. The method comprises operating an evaporative humidifier (201) to humidify air for supply as IT equipment cooling air, the evaporative humidifier preferably comprising a deformable wettable matrix (207). Preferably, the method comprises steps of wetting the deformable wettable matrix (207), passing air through the wetted matrix (207) thus producing humidified air, and expelling water from the wettable matrix (207) by subjecting the wettable matrix to compressive deformation. The evaporative humidifier (201) preferably comprises a compressible wettable matrix (207), a water reservoir (217), a pump (218) for supplying water from the reservoir (217) to the wettable matrix (207), a frame for supporting the compressible wettable matrix, and an actuator (211) for effecting a compressive force on the compressible wettable matrix (207) for the purpose of expelling water from the wettable matrix (207). The air handling unit preferably comprises an evaporative humidifier (201) as disclosed.

A nitrogen-enriched water generator includes an elongated housing defining a sealed nitrogen/oxygen chamber in which nitrogen molecules are combined with oxygen molecules to form a nitrate (NO.sub.3) or a nitrite (NO.sub.2) gas (NOx gas). The housing includes an NOx gas and water mixing tube, a plasma generator and a nitrogen-enriched water trap. A water spray nozzle sprays water into the chamber. At least one air injection port injects air into the chamber. A vacuum port removes a volume of NOx gas not absorbed by the water from the sealed nitrogen/oxygen chamber.

There is provided an aerosol generating system configured to heat an aerosol-forming substrate, the system including an aerosol generating device and a cartridge, a vaporizer configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate to form an aerosol, at least one air inlet and at least one air outlet. The air inlet and the air outlet are arranged so as to define an air flow route between the air inlet and the air outlet. The aerosol generating system further includes a flow control configured to adjust a size of the at least one air inlet, so as to control an air flow speed in the air flow route.

A device for dissolving a gas in a liquid is provided, the device comprising a device body, the device body comprising a liquid inlet; a liquid outlet; a plurality of substantially conical dissolving chambers located between the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet. The device may comprise a plurality of chamber connectors of or connected with the dissolving chambers. Each of the plurality of conical dissolving chambers may comprise a wider end towards the liquid outlet, the wider end comprising a chamber outlet for flow of liquid out of the dissolving chamber; and a narrower end towards the liquid inlet, the narrower end comprising a chamber inlet for flow of liquid into the dissolving chamber. The plurality of chamber connectors may define a substantially longitudinally straight passage extending through the plurality of dissolving chambers. Also provided is a related method of dissolving a gas in a liquid.