In general, the subject matter described herein relates to wettable materials that can be used to expose a liquid phase to a gas phase. An example method includes: providing a material including a polymeric substrate and at least one of: a silicate coating disposed over the polymeric substrate; or a polar mineral additive dispersed within the polymeric substrate at a loading from about 1% to about 25%, by weight; and using the material in a chemical process in which the material is at least partially covered by a liquid phase and the liquid phase is exposed to a gas phase.

In general, the subject matter described herein relates to wettable materials that can be used to expose a liquid phase to a gas phase. An example method includes: providing a material including a polymeric substrate and at least one of: a silicate coating disposed over the polymeric substrate; or a polar mineral additive dispersed within the polymeric substrate at a loading from about 1% to about 25%, by weight; and using the material in a chemical process in which the material is at least partially covered by a liquid phase and the liquid phase is exposed to a gas phase.

In general, the subject matter described herein relates to wettable materials that can be used to expose a liquid phase to a gas phase. An example method includes: providing a material including a polymeric substrate and at least one of: a silicate coating disposed over the polymeric substrate; or a polar mineral additive dispersed within the polymeric substrate at a loading from about 1% to about 25%, by weight; and using the material in a chemical process in which the material is at least partially covered by a liquid phase and the liquid phase is exposed to a gas phase.

A device is provided having a structure for conducting a first fluid, the structure having in addition an interface for conducting a second fluid. The first fluid can be brought into contact with the second fluid at the interface of the structure. A flow interrupter (120.0) for interrupting a flow of the second fluid is situated at the interface of the structure.

Methods, systems, and techniques for desalinating a saltwater using a humidifier unit. The humidifier unit has a housing, which has a carrier gas inlet and a saltwater inlet. The humidifier unit also includes a packing, within the housing, having a surface with a critical surface tension of less than 25 mN/m according to the Zisman method. The packing is arranged to facilitate a saltwater that enters the housing through the saltwater inlet and a carrier gas that enters the housing through the carrier gas inlet to contact each other. The contact facilitates evaporation of the saltwater, which produces salt solids on at least a surface of the packing, a humidified gas and a concentrated brine.

An open mesh member for insertion into a cooling tower utilizing polluted or clean water and counterflow or crossflow airflow includes a plurality of corrugations including upper support frames, lower support frames and a wall strand. The upper and lower support frames extend at a corrugation angle relative to a height axis. The corrugations have a plurality of openings through a thickness of the mesh member. A planar edge positioned at a first end of the mesh member. A beveled edge positioned at a second end of the mesh member. The beveled edge includes a first bevel extending distally from one of the upper support frames. The bevel includes first and second legs and a distal end. The first and second legs extend substantially parallel relative to the associated upper support frame.

A mechanical assembly for securing a first sheet to a second sheet includes a first projection having a first sidewall and a first top wall. The first sidewall extends from the first top wall at a first acute angle. The first sidewall includes a first top end and a first bottom end. A first discontinuity is defined in the first sidewall between the first top end and the first bottom end. A first base wall extends from the first bottom end. The first base wall extends generally parallel to the first top wall.

Filling bodies for the use in unstructured packings. The filling body has a fibre-reinforced carbon flat material. Two strip regions of the carbon flat material, which are separated by a cut, transition into two connecting regions of the carbon flat material.

A mechanical assembly for securing a first sheet to a second sheet includes a first projection having a first sidewall and a first top wall. The first sidewall extends from the first top wall at a first acute angle. The first sidewall includes a first top end and a first bottom end. A first discontinuity is defined in the first sidewall between the first top end and the first bottom end. A first base wall extends from the first bottom end. The first base wall extends generally parallel to the first top wall.

A tower packing element (100), a tower packing (300), a packing tower, and a mixer including the tower packing element (100) are provided. The tower packing element (100) are manufactured by a deformed plate and includes a plurality of strip assemblies (10) arranged along a longitudinal direction of the tower packing element (100) and a connecting plate portion (20) connected between adjacent strip assemblies (10). Each of the strip assemblies (10) defines a central passage (30) therein, and the central passage (30) is extended in a lateral direction of the tower packing element (100). The connecting plate portion (20) is extended along the lateral direction of the tower packing element (100). The adjacent strip assemblies (10) and the connecting plate portion (20) connected therebetween define a side passage (40) parallel to the central passage (30).