The device (1) for bringing a gas and a liquid into contact includes an enclosure (E), first means (5) for introducing into the enclosure and circulating therein a gas stream (G), second means (6) for introducing into the enclosure and circulating therein a liquid stream (L) that circulates inside the enclosure (E) in the same direction as the gas stream (G), and means (4A) for mixing the gas stream (G) and the liquid stream (L). These mixing means (4A) are positioned inside the enclosure (E) in the path of the gas stream and liquid stream and are capable of locally deflecting upward, and/or of locally causing to rise, at least one portion of the gas stream and liquid stream, so as to locally create turbulences in the gas stream and in the liquid stream.

The device (1) for bringing a gas and a liquid into contact includes an enclosure (E), first means (5) for introducing into the enclosure and circulating therein a gas stream (G), second means (6) for introducing into the enclosure and circulating therein a liquid stream (L) that circulates inside the enclosure (E) in the same direction as the gas stream (G), and means (4A) for mixing the gas stream (G) and the liquid stream (L). These mixing means (4A) are positioned inside the enclosure (E) in the path of the gas stream and liquid stream and are capable of locally deflecting upward, and/or of locally causing to rise, at least one portion of the gas stream and liquid stream, so as to locally create turbulences in the gas stream and in the liquid stream.

A steam press system and methods of controlling steam generation and recycling steam therein are provided. The steam press system includes a first steam plate and a second steam plate configured to receive and evacuate steam. The steam press system further includes a first pump configured to draw steam from the first steam plate and the second steam plate, a heat exchanger configured to condense the steam into fresh water and heat the fresh water. The steam press system further includes a third pump to pump the heated water into a storage tank. The steam press system further includes a fourth pump configured to pump the heated water from the storage tank to a steam generator. The steam generator is configured to receive the heated water, boil the heated water to generate steam and to deliver the steam to the first steam plate and the second steam plate.

A method for separating a dissolved product from a liquid is disclosed. A carrier liquid is cooled in a direct-contact exchanger, the direct-contact exchanger using a liquid coolant to cool the carrier liquid. The carrier liquid comprises a dissolved product. The carrier liquid and the liquid coolant are substantially immiscible. A portion of the dissolved product is condensed, frozen, deposited, desublimated, or a combination thereof out of the carrier liquid as a solid product at a liquid-liquid interface between the liquid coolant and the carrier liquid. The solid product is entrained in the carrier liquid, the liquid coolant, or a combination thereof. The solid product is separated from the carrier liquid, the liquid coolant, or a combination thereof.

A vapor collection system that can be used at an extra-terrestrial body is envisioned to collect target gaseous atoms and molecules that are floating around in a shielded environment at a pressure at or less than 1?10.sup.?5 bar. The shielded environment is defined within sidewalls and in some cases is defined within a cover. A condensation surface in the shielded environment is maintained at a temperature between 2? Kelvin and 100? Kelvin to collect the target gas that is floating around, which condenses on the condensation surface as a liquid. A collection receptacle at the condensation surface collects the liquid. A heating element in the shielded environment is made to heat and release the target gas from minerals at or beyond the rim. The gas floats around in the shielded environment.

A vapor collection system that can be used at an extra-terrestrial body is envisioned to collect target gaseous atoms and molecules that are floating around in a shielded environment at a pressure at or less than 1?10.sup.?5 bar. The shielded environment is defined within sidewalls and in some cases is defined within a cover. A condensation surface in the shielded environment is maintained at a temperature between 2? Kelvin and 100? Kelvin to collect the target gas that is floating around, which condenses on the condensation surface as a liquid. A collection receptacle at the condensation surface collects the liquid. A heating element in the shielded environment is made to heat and release the target gas from minerals at or beyond the rim. The gas floats around in the shielded environment.