Solar thermal units and methods of operating solar thermal units for the conversion of solar insolation to thermal energy are provided. In some examples, solar thermal units have an inlet, and a split flow of heat absorbing fluid to either side of the solar thermal unit, along a first fluid flow path and a second fluid flow path. Optionally, one or more photovoltaic panels can be provided as part of the solar thermal unit, which may convert solar insolation to electric power that may be used by a system connected to the solar thermal unit.

Provided is a carbon dioxide removal apparatus capable of reducing heat loss that can be caused when carbon dioxide is desorbed from an adsorbent. The carbon dioxide removal apparatus includes a frame, and an adsorption-desorption part supported by the frame. A clearance is provided between the frame and the adsorption-desorption part, and an air guide having flexibility is provided in the clearance.

Solar thermal units and methods of operating solar thermal units for the conversion of solar insolation to thermal energy are provided. In some examples, solar thermal units have an inlet, and a split flow of heat absorbing fluid to either side of the solar thermal unit, along a first fluid flow path and a second fluid flow path. Optionally, one or more photovoltaic panels can be provided as part of the solar thermal unit, which may convert solar insolation to electric power that may be used by a system connected to the solar thermal unit.

Disclosed is a CO.sub.2 concentration reducing device for separating and removing CO.sub.2 from a gas containing CO.sub.2 with a CO.sub.2 adsorbent, the CO.sub.2 concentration reducing device including: an adsorbent container which contains the CO.sub.2 adsorbent; and a heating unit which heats the CO.sub.2 adsorbent by an induction heating or a dielectric heating. Thus, a ventilation quantity can be reduced when CO.sub.2 accumulated in a room is removed, and an electric power required for the ventilation and the electric power required for air conditioning can be reduced.

A drying system includes an assembly with a housing defining an interior space. The housing has an inner wall with a first opening through which the inner chamber communicates with the outer chamber. The housing has an outer wall with a second opening. A rechargeable desiccant and a door are disposed in the outer chamber, and the door is movable between a first position and a second position. The door at least partially seals the second opening and unseals the first opening when in the first position, and at least partially seals the first opening and unseals the second opening when in the second position. A shape memory alloy actuator moves the door between the first position and the second position in response to a change in temperature of the shape memory alloy.

A dehumidifier includes a compressor, a flow path switch, a first heat exchanger, a pressure-reducing device, a second heat exchanger, a moisture adsorption member that is arranged between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger, a fan, a storage unit configured to store an operation time map, and a temperature and humidity detection unit. The controller controls the flow path switch that switches a first operation mode to adsorb moisture by the moisture adsorption member and a second operation mode to desorb moisture adsorbed by the moisture adsorption member. The controller acquires a first time and a second time corresponding to the temperature and humidity detected by the temperature and humidity detection unit from the operation time map, and controls the flow path switch in accordance with the acquired first time and second time.

A highly efficient combined cooling, heating, and power (CCHP) system is capable of providing 100% utilization of an energy generator used by the system by distributing thermal and electrical outputs of the energy generator to loads and/or other storage apparatuses. The CCHP system includes an energy generator, which can be a fuel cell and a waste heat recovery unit that assists in recovering thermal energy from the energy generator and returning it to the energy generator, and/or providing it to a thermal load, or a storage as needed or desired.

A packed bed for a heat exchanger may comprise a frame and a first fin layer disposed within the frame. A second fin layer may be disposed within the frame. A first perforated sheet may be disposed between the first fin layer and the second fin layer. A sorbent material may be disposed within a volume of at least one of the first fin layer or the second fin layer.

A water-harvesting system can operate with a material that can take up and release water with minimum energy requirements and powered by low-grade energy sources, such as sunlight, in order to potentially allow its deployment into households, especially those located in sunny regions. A water-harvesting method and system can include vapor adsorption using a porous metal-organic framework. In certain embodiments, the porous metal-organic framework can include metal-organic framework in ambient air with low relative humidity, typical of the levels found in most dry regions of the world.

A sampling adsorber, a heat desorption chamber device, a sampling apparatus and an analyzer apparatus. The sampling adsorber includes an outer barrel, which includes an outer barrel first end and an outer barrel second end, and a core located in the outer barrel, the core having a core first end and a core second end, and the outer barrel first end and the core first end are located at a same side of the sampling adsorber. The core includes an adsorbent portion configured to adsorb a sample and a core body portion, the adsorbent portion connected to the core body portion. Sizes of the outer barrel and the core are formed such that a gap is provided between them to allow external gas to enter the gap through the adsorbent portion and to subsequently be discharged from a downstream portion of the gap.