A leakage sensor for a heating unit of an absorption cooling device for a recreational vehicle, a heating unit, an absorption cooling device, a vehicle and a method for operating an absorption cooling device are provided. The leakage sensor uses sensor pins to detect cooling fluid leaking from the boiler of the heating unit of the absorption cooling device into the boiler insulation by measuring the electrical resistance and/or conductivity within the boiler insulation.

An absorber or desorber contains one or more micro-channels that have a 3-D structured heat-exchanging surface and a membrane on the microchannel situated distal to the 3-D structured heat-exchanging surface, where the membrane is permeable to a solvent of a solution employed in the absorber or desorber. The 3-D structured surface promotes mixing of hot and cold solution between the 3-D structured heat-exchanging surface and a vapor-exchanging surface proximal to the membrane. The mixing reduces the differences in concentration and temperature of the bulk solution and the solution at the vapor-exchanging surface to enhance the efficiency and rate of absorption or desorption of the solvent.

The present disclosure provides a method of collecting, including condensing, vapour of a polar fluid inside a liquid that is subjected to continuous flow in a process system, the liquid having a low vapour pressure (i.e. non-volatile) and being a non-polar liquid. The collection of the vapour, by condensation, occurs via four transition steps: (1) vapour (e.g. vapour of water) transferring sensible heat to the liquid (e.g. oil), (2) bubbles containing vapour collapse and become water in hot oil, (3) dissolved vapour liquefies through heat removal at elevated temperatures, and (4) oil and water are separated due to the difference in polarity between the polar fluid and the non-volatile non-polar liquid. The present method converts low grade (i.e. low temperature) waste heat into high grade heat source suitable for efficient heat rejection or heat recovery applications. An apparatus for collecting vapour of a polar fluid in a non-volatile non-polar liquid is also provided.

The present disclosure provides a method of collecting, including condensing, vapour of a polar fluid inside a liquid that is subjected to continuous flow in a process system, the liquid having a low vapour pressure (i.e. non-volatile) and being a non-polar liquid. The collection of the vapour, by condensation, occurs via four transition steps: (1) vapour (e.g. vapour of water) transferring sensible heat to the liquid (e.g. oil), (2) bubbles containing vapour collapse and become water in hot oil, (3) dissolved vapour liquefies through heat removal at elevated temperatures, and (4) oil and water are separated due to the difference in polarity between the polar fluid and the non-volatile non-polar liquid. The present method converts low grade (i.e. low temperature) waste heat into high grade heat source suitable for efficient heat rejection or heat recovery applications. An apparatus for collecting vapour of a polar fluid in a non-volatile non-polar liquid is also provided.

A liquid desiccant air conditioning system comprises an energy exchange unit comprising a sump and a plurality of media pads positioned above the sump, first, second, and third desiccant outlets fluidly connected to the sump, and at least one retractable gate positioned above the sump, configured to partition the sump into at least first and second compartments, wherein the first compartment is fluidly connected to the first desiccant outlet and the second compartment is fluidly connected to the second desiccant outlet, and wherein effective volumes of the first and second compartments can be modified by opening and closing the at least one retractable gate. A method of controlling desiccant circulation in a liquid desiccant air conditioning system is also described.

A liquid desiccant air conditioning system comprises an energy exchange unit comprising a sump and a plurality of media pads positioned above the sump, first, second, and third desiccant outlets fluidly connected to the sump, and at least one retractable gate positioned above the sump, configured to partition the sump into at least first and second compartments, wherein the first compartment is fluidly connected to the first desiccant outlet and the second compartment is fluidly connected to the second desiccant outlet, and wherein effective volumes of the first and second compartments can be modified by opening and closing the at least one retractable gate. A method of controlling desiccant circulation in a liquid desiccant air conditioning system is also described.

The present invention provides a heat pump that includes an absorber/evaporator module having a solution channel and a refrigerant channel along with first and second liquid channels. A porous membrane is positioned between the refrigerant channel and the solution channel; the porous membrane permits flow of vapor molecules therethrough while restricting flow of absorbent molecules. A membrane-based generator/condenser module with a similar structure is in fluid communication with the absorber/evaporator module. The membrane-based modules offer a large specific surface area with integrated solution/refrigerant flows, which enables formation of a highly compact heat pump exhibiting strong heat/mass transfer.

A liquid desiccant air conditioning system comprises an energy exchange unit comprising a sump and a plurality of media pads positioned above the sump, first, second, and third desiccant outlets fluidly connected to the sump, and at least one retractable gate positioned above the sump, configured to partition the sump into at least first and second compartments, wherein the first compartment is fluidly connected to the first desiccant outlet and the second compartment is fluidly connected to the second desiccant outlet, and wherein effective volumes of the first and second compartments can be modified by opening and closing the at least one retractable gate. A method of controlling desiccant circulation in a liquid desiccant air conditioning system is also described.

An absorption cycle system, which permits water heating, dehumidifying, and/or evaporative cooling, includes a desorber, absorber, heat exchanger, and, optionally, an evaporator, is constructed to heat a process water that is plumbed through the absorber, heat exchanger, and condenser. In the absence or isolation of the evaporator, the system can dehumidify ambient air to the absorber. The water vapor released by evaporative cooling at the evaporator can be provided to the absorber in a controlled manner to simultaneously maintain a desired humidity while cooling the air ambient by the evaporator. The absorption cycle system can be housed within a single unit or can be compartmentalized.