This disclosure relates to aggregating, neutralizing, and filtering ultra-fine particles in fluids such as air and water. Fluid may be drawn from an ambient environment into a neutralization chamber. Within the neutralization chamber, particles in the fluid may be agglomerated. An acoustic field may be applied to the fluid to agglomerate the particles. The agglomerated particles may be exposed to light. The light may denature or deactivate the agglomerated particles. The agglomerated and inert particles may be passed through a filter. After agglomeration and neutralization, the fluid may be released back into the ambient environment.

Exemplary embodiments are directed to a gas liquid separator that includes a chamber, a fluid mixture inlet, a solvent outlet and a gas outlet. The gas liquid separator can include a phase-change inducing mechanism disposed in or proximate to the fluid mixture inlet. Exemplary methods of improving separation of a fluid mixture in a gas liquid separator and CO.sub.2-based chromatography flow systems including a gas liquid separator are also provided.

Disclosed is a device, suitable for use as an acoustic resonator, including a base adapted to be coupled to at least one acoustic wave generator, a spacer including an aperture and a reflector, wherein the base includes a protruding part having a thickness t; the aperture of the spacer is complementary to the protruding part of the base; the device further includes a housing having an aperture complementary to the protruding part of the base and wherein the inner edge of the aperture has the same thickness t than the protruding part; and the housing is positioned between the spacer and the reflector, such that the thickness of the inner edge of the spacer defined the thickness of a cavity between the protruding part and the reflector. Also disclosed is a method of trapping particles in a fluid.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a method for converting energy. The method comprises receiving energy from an external source, using the received energy for inducing a mass exchange process to release thermodynamic energy, and converting the thermodynamic energy directly into electrical energy at sufficient amount for performing work therewith. In some embodiments of the present invention, a portion of the released energy is converted to a pressure wave, and the mechanical energy constituted by the pressure wave is converted to non-mechanical energy.

According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present invention there is provided a method for converting energy. The method comprises receiving energy from an external source, using the received energy for inducing a mass exchange process to release thermodynamic energy, and converting the thermodynamic energy directly into electrical energy at sufficient amount for performing work therewith. In some embodiments of the present invention, a portion of the released energy is converted to a pressure wave, and the mechanical energy constituted by the pressure wave is converted to non-mechanical energy.

A particle agglomeration system for improving filtering capacity of an HVAC system is disclosed. The system may include a first plate. The first plate may include a first sound generator. The system may include a second plate. The second plate may include a second sound generator. The system may include a frame. The frame may be configured to position the first plate relative to the second plate. A standing sound wave may be formable between the first sound generator and the second sound generator.

A particle agglomeration system for improving filtering capacity of an HVAC system is disclosed. The system may include a first plate. The first plate may include a first sound generator. The system may include a second plate. The second plate may include a second sound generator. The system may include a frame. The frame may be configured to position the first plate relative to the second plate. A standing sound wave may be formable between the first sound generator and the second sound generator.

A gas compressor apparatus including a liquid-injected gas compressor device having a compressor inlet for receiving a gas and a compressor outlet through which a compressed gas stream flows, the compressed gas stream having liquid droplets therein, and a separator device communicating with the compressor outlet for receiving the gas stream for separating the liquid droplets from the gas stream, the separator device includes two liquid separators arranged in series and configured to allow the gas stream to flow in a connecting element from a separator outlet of the first liquid separator to a separator inlet of the second liquid separator, and means provided on or in the connecting element for creating radial standing waves in the gas stream to cause the liquid droplets therein to fuse together into larger liquid droplets.

A gas compressor apparatus including a liquid-injected gas compressor device having a compressor inlet for receiving a gas and a compressor outlet through which a compressed gas stream flows, the compressed gas stream having liquid droplets therein, and a separator device communicating with the compressor outlet for receiving the gas stream for separating the liquid droplets from the gas stream, the separator device includes two liquid separators arranged in series and configured to allow the gas stream to flow in a connecting element from a separator outlet of the first liquid separator to a separator inlet of the second liquid separator, and means provided on or in the connecting element for creating radial standing waves in the gas stream to cause the liquid droplets therein to fuse together into larger liquid droplets.

A particle agglomeration system for improving filtering capacity of an HVAC system is disclosed. The system may include a first plate. The first plate may include a first sound generator. The system may include a second plate. The second plate may include a second sound generator. The system may include a frame. The frame may be configured to position the first plate relative to the second plate. A standing sound wave may be formable between the first sound generator and the second sound generator.