In one embodiment, a plate for an evaporative cooler is disclosed. The plate may comprise a wicking material with an exposed surface and a sealed surface opposite the exposed surface. An impermeable barrier may be coupled to the sealed surface. One or more masks may line a portion of the exposed surface, wherein the masks may comprise an impermeable material. In some embodiments, the mask may be a strip of impermeable material and may be coupled to a flat area of the top surface. In further embodiments, the one or more masks may align with a liquid wick path of the wicking material. In further embodiments, the one or more masks may line the edge of perforations that pass at least partially through the plate.

In one embodiment, a plate for an evaporative cooler is disclosed. The plate may comprise a wicking material with an exposed surface and a sealed surface opposite the exposed surface. An impermeable barrier may be coupled to the sealed surface. One or more masks may line a portion of the exposed surface, wherein the masks may comprise an impermeable material. In some embodiments, the mask may be a strip of impermeable material and may be coupled to a flat area of the top surface. In further embodiments, the one or more masks may align with a liquid wick path of the wicking material. In further embodiments, the one or more masks may line the edge of perforations that pass at least partially through the plate.

A plug assembly is used to block flow through a heat exchanger tube. The plug assembly includes a frusto-conical plug body, a frangible attachment on an end of the plug body, and a ring assembly circumscribing the plug body. When positioned around a larger diameter portion of the plug body, the ring assembly is urged radially outward to seal against and block flow through the tube. An installation device draws the plug body within the ring assembly to set the plug assembly in the tube. The installation device is manually operated, and positions the ring assembly over the larger diameter portion of the plug body by exerting an axial force onto the frangible attachment while simultaneously holding the ring assembly in place. The ring assembly is held in place with a second axial force directed opposite to that of the one applied to the frangible attachment.

A plug assembly is used to block flow through a heat exchanger tube. The plug assembly includes a frusto-conical plug body, a frangible attachment on an end of the plug body, and a ring assembly circumscribing the plug body. When positioned around a larger diameter portion of the plug body, the ring assembly is urged radially outward to seal against and block flow through the tube. An installation device draws the plug body within the ring assembly to set the plug assembly in the tube. The installation device is manually operated, and positions the ring assembly over the larger diameter portion of the plug body by exerting an axial force onto the frangible attachment while simultaneously holding the ring assembly in place. The ring assembly is held in place with a second axial force directed opposite to that of the one applied to the frangible attachment.

A ceramic tube plugging system where a tube plug is inserted into the tube of the tubesheet and a ceramic ferrule is disposed on the tube plug. The ceramic ferrule is held on the tube plug by a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism may be a ceramic plug screw that passes through an opening in the ceramic ferrule and is attached to the tube plug by complementary threaded provision included in the tube plug.

A ceramic tube plugging system where a tube plug is inserted into the tube of the tubesheet and a ceramic ferrule is disposed on the tube plug. The ceramic ferrule is held on the tube plug by a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism may be a ceramic plug screw that passes through an opening in the ceramic ferrule and is attached to the tube plug by complementary threaded provision included in the tube plug.

A direct evaporative cooler includes a liquid delivery system and an assembly of two or more plates. At least one plate of the assembly of two or more plates may include a top surface having a wicking material with an exposed surface for receiving a liquid thereon from the liquid delivery system, and one or more masks lining a portion of the exposed surface. The one or more masks may be impermeable to the liquid thereby preventing the liquid from evaporating through the one or more masks, and the one or more masks may be sized and shaped such that a wick rate of the liquid on the exposed surface exceeds an evaporation rate of the liquid.

A direct evaporative cooler includes a liquid delivery system and an assembly of two or more plates. At least one plate of the assembly of two or more plates may include a top surface having a wicking material with an exposed surface for receiving a liquid thereon from the liquid delivery system, and one or more masks lining a portion of the exposed surface. The one or more masks may be impermeable to the liquid thereby preventing the liquid from evaporating through the one or more masks, and the one or more masks may be sized and shaped such that a wick rate of the liquid on the exposed surface exceeds an evaporation rate of the liquid.

A direct evaporative cooler includes a liquid delivery system and an assembly of two or more plates. At least one plate of the assembly of two or more plates may include a top surface having a wicking material with an exposed surface for receiving a liquid thereon from the liquid delivery system, and one or more masks lining a portion of the exposed surface. The one or more masks may be impermeable to the liquid thereby preventing the liquid from evaporating through the one or more masks, and the one or more masks may be sized and shaped such that a wick rate of the liquid on the exposed surface exceeds an evaporation rate of the liquid.

A direct evaporative cooler includes a liquid delivery system and an assembly of two or more plates. At least one plate of the assembly of two or more plates may include a top surface having a wicking material with an exposed surface for receiving a liquid thereon from the liquid delivery system, and one or more masks lining a portion of the exposed surface. The one or more masks may be impermeable to the liquid thereby preventing the liquid from evaporating through the one or more masks, and the one or more masks may be sized and shaped such that a wick rate of the liquid on the exposed surface exceeds an evaporation rate of the liquid.