A swirler includes a base and one or more fins coupled to the base. The swirler also includes a distribution member configured to divert or guide fluid. In some implementations, the distribution member includes an annular member coupled to the base and positioned at least partially around the longitudinal axis. The swirler may be included in an adsorption column.

A filter element (1) comprising a central tubular body/core (2) and a plurality of radially outwardly directed fins (3) forming the main structure of the element, the radially outwardly directed fins (3) projecting outwardly from said central tubular body/core (2) and whose radial length increases stepwise from each end of the central body or core to a maximum length located centrally of the length of the body or core (2), thereby effectively providing a generally double back-to-back conical appearance, a stiffening ring (8) arranged to encircle with a gap therebetween the body/core (2) at a mid-region thereof and whose plane is perpendicular to the axis of the body or core (2), the central tubular body/core (2) including one or more radially inwardly directed ribs (12).

A fluidized bed reactor designed for in situ gas phase impregnation. The reactor comprises a tube with an upstream zone and a downstream zone, the upstream zone and the downstream zone being separated by a separation filter. A method for a controlled-deposition of a sublimated precursor onto a fluidized solid support. The method is remarkable in that it is carried out in situ within the tube of the fluidized bed reactor in accordance with the fluidized bed reactor.

A cooling tower (2) for cooling a liquid (4) with a gas (6), which cooling tower (2) comprises: (i) a vessel (8) for receiving the gas (6) passing upwardly and the liquid (4) passing downwardly, with the liquid (4) being hotter than the gas (6); (ii) a gas outlet (4) which is at a top portion (16) of the vessel (8) and which is for allowing the gas (6) to pass out of the vessel (8), (iii) a support member (20) which is positioned across a bottom portion (22) of the vessel (8): (iv) a plurality of apertures (24) which are in the support member (20) and through which the gas (6) and the liquid (4) are able to pass; (v) a fluidised bed (26) of packing elements (28) on the support member (20); (vi) liquid emitting means (30) which is positioned in the vessel (8) above the fluidised bed (26), and which is for emitting alas liquid (4) to be cooled such the liquid (4) passes downwardly towards the fluidised bed (26); (vii) pump means (32) for pumping the liquid to the liquid emitting means (30); and (viii) a fan (34) for blowing the pas upwardly through the fluidised bed (26), and the cooling tower (2) being such that it includes (ix) control means (31) for controlling (a) the velocity of the gas through die vessel (8), and (b) the liquid to gas ratio in the vessel (8), whereby the fluidised bed (26) is caused to operate at a tumbling rate which when combined with selected pre-fluidised packing height causes an approach temperature of below 10° F. (5.6° C.); (x) wherein the tumbling rate is controlled by a combination of controlled gas velocity and liquid to gas ratio creating turbulent mixing and tumbling of packing elements (28) in the fluidised bed (26); (xi) and wherein the pre-fluidised height of the fluidised bed (26) is from 0.15-1.0 m.

The invention relates to the development of a carrier material providing high surface area for biofilm formation in wastewater treatment plants and a carrier material surface modification method for accelerating and enriching biofilm formation.

Packing element for heat and/or mass transfer, including a plurality of circumferentially spaced panel shaped wall members, each wall member extending radially outward from an inner end extending along a central axis of the packing element to an outer edge opposite to the inner end and at least part of the outer edge extending along a surface of revolution having the central axis as an axis of revolution.

Mass transfer packing with a minimal surface or a triply periodic minimal surface which enables significantly improved performance for separation and mixing applications particularly with respect to distillation, liquid-liquid contacting, and heat exchange applications.

Packing element for heat and/or mass transfer, comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced panel shaped wall members, each wall member extending radially outward from an inner end extending along a central axis of the packing element to an outer edge opposite to the inner end and at least part of the outer edge extending along a surface of revolution having the central axis as an axis of revolution.

A carrier element (1; 10; 20) for growth of biofilm thereon is designed for free-flowing in liquid to be purified and has surfaces (3; 13) for biofilm growth which are protected from the abrasion from other carrier elements or surfaces in a container containing the liquid to be purified by ridges (4; 12) having a height corresponding to a desired thickness of a biofilm intended to grow on the protected surfaces (3; 13). The ratio between the surfaces (3; 13) for biofilm growth and the area of the ridges ranges from 1:1 to 1:20.

Mass transfer packing with a minimal surface or a triply periodic minimal surface which enables significantly improved performance for separation and mixing applications particularly with respect to distillation, liquid-liquid contacting, and heat exchange applications.