KR20010012481A - Adsorbent refrigerator with separator - Google Patents

Abstract

The heat transfer device 2 generates a cooling effect by using the adsorbent material 10. The heat transfer device 2 comprises a first vessel 4 containing an adsorbent material 10 and a second vessel 6 connected to the first vessel 4. The agent is contained in the two containers 4, 6. The working substance is drawn out of the second vessel 6 in the form of steam and sent to the first vessel 4 to cool the second vessel 6. Separator 430 separates at least a portion of the vapor sent from the second vessel 6 to the first vessel 4 so that the adsorbent material 10 in the first vessel 4 is saturated with steam. Delay the saturation point. The adsorbent material 10 may include carbon fibers 613 and 910 for detaching the active material when a current flows. The carbon fiber 613 may be disposed in the container 600 to discharge the fluid in the container 600 when the carbon fiber is detached.

Description

Adsorbent refrigerator with separator}

Adsorption has been used previously to generate cooling effects. Adsorption is the process of exploiting the inherent affinity for a particular adsorbent material. A typical cooling cycle using adsorption involves two stages. In one step, the dried or charged adsorbent material is exposed to the liquid adsorbate. The affinity of the adsorbent for the adsorbate causes the adsorbent to enter the gaseous state as it is attracted to the adsorbent. The conversion of the adsorbate from the liquid state to the gaseous state is an endothermic reaction that removes heat from the environment surrounding the liquid, thus cooling the environment and heating the adsorbent. In the second step, additional heat is supplied to the adsorbent to expel, ie desorb, the adsorbed vapor, thereby recharging the adsorbent. Desorbed steam is condensed and cooled, and this two-stage cycle is repeated.

Zeolites, the so-called "sieve", are the generic name for metal-alumina silicate adsorbents of chemical composition similar to sand. More than 40 natural and more than 100 artificial zeolites are known. Has a large internal area of up to 100 m ² / g and a crystal lattice shape with a strong electrostatic field. When desorbed by, it leaves the same chemical state as when it enters in. The very strong adsorption of zeolites is mainly due to the cations exposed to the crystal lattice, which attracts the negative ends of polar molecules Acts as a strong local positive charge site with miracle bonds. The greater the dipole motion of a molecule, the stronger Polar molecules are generally asymmetric and contain O, S, Cl, or N atoms Water is a kind of such molecule Under the influence of local strong positive charges on cations, molecules have a dipole inside them. The polar molecules are then strongly adsorbed by the electrostatic traction of the cation, with less saturated molecules being more polarized and more strongly adsorbed.

Desorption from zeolite powder shows no hysteresis. Adsorption and desorption are completely reversible. However, with pelletized zeolite materials, more adsorption can occur at pressures near saturated steam pressure through condensation of the liquid in the pellet space outside of the zeolite crystals. Hysteresis may occur when the microport adsorbate is desorbed.

In a typical installation, the adsorbent vessel and the condensation vessel are connected to each other. The adsorbent vessel contains an adsorbent such as zeolite, and the condensation vessel is U.S. Patent No. It contains a working fluid such as a mixture of water and brine disclosed in 4,584,842. Assuming that the adsorbent is uncharged, the adsorbent vessel is heated to evaporate the working fluid contained therein and sends the working fluid from the adsorbent vessel to the condensation vessel and condenses there. After that both containers are cooled. As the adsorbent vessel cools, it begins to adsorb vapor from the working fluid in the condensation vessel. As the working fluid enters the gas phase, it absorbs heat of vaporization from its surroundings and cools the condensation vessel and the working fluid remaining therein. Once the adsorbent is saturated with working fluid vapor, the cycle is complete. The adsorbent vessel is then reheated and the steam is returned to the condenser to condense and the previous cycle is repeated.

A disadvantage of the device described above is that working fluids, which are usually water, require the addition of salt to form the brine mixture. Water without brine completely freezes and expands and destroys the condensation vessel and its associated hardware. For example, an ideal condensation vessel contains thin and fine heat exchange tubes to maximize the cooling rate of the condensation vessel. Such tubes are particularly prone to breakage when water freezes. In addition, the remaining water remaining in the condensation vessel tends to harden when the working fluid is adsorbed, thereby lowering the heat transfer efficiency from the condensation vessel.

Another disadvantage of conventional adsorption chillers is that the cavity of the adsorbent does not match the volume of the agonist. If the adsorption cavity is too small, the adsorbent will saturate whether the agent is in fluid or solid state. This is inefficient because the adsorbent will have to be refilled more frequently than if sized to fully adsorb all working fluid. If the adsorption cavity is too large, the adsorbent vessel will be larger than necessary and therefore inefficient to heat.

Therefore, there is a need for an adsorption apparatus that has an amount of agonist that matches the cavity of the adsorbent and that can continue adsorbing the agonist, whether in the liquid or solid state, without causing damage to the apparatus. The present invention fulfills this need and provides many advantages associated with it.

The present invention relates to a heat transfer device that generates a cooling effect using an adsorbent material.

In short, the present invention relates to a heat transfer device that generates a cooling effect using an adsorbent material. This invention improves upon the prior art in that it can adsorb not only liquid phase but also solid phase substances, thereby eliminating the need for brine or another additive that lowers the freezing point of the substances. This invention is an improvement over the prior art in that the amount of adsorbent material is adjusted to adsorb almost all of the agents, thereby maximizing the cooling effect of the agents contained in the heat transfer device.

According to one embodiment of this invention, the heat transfer device comprises a first vessel containing an adsorbent material and a second vessel connected to the first vessel by a conduit. The conduit provides a flow path between the vessels, which together with the conduit form a hermetic volume capable of maintaining a pressure below atmospheric pressure. The closed volume contains a large amount of agonist selected to be almost completely adsorbed by the adsorbent material. The second vessel is cooled as the agonist is adsorbed. Once the agonist is fully adsorbed, the first vessel is heated to detach the agonist and return to the second vessel.

In another aspect of this invention, some of the agonist disposed in the second container is in a solid state. The solid substance is completely adsorbed into the adsorbent material contained in the first vessel by sublimation.

In another embodiment of this invention, the second container is embedded in an insulated cooling chamber. During adsorption, the second vessel cools the cooling chamber appropriately to store food or other material that requires refrigeration.

In another embodiment of this invention, the second vessel is intended to be used in conjunction with the expanding substance upon freezing. The second container contains a compressible material that can be compressed as the agent changes from a liquid state to a solid state. The amount of compressive material contained in the second container and the amount of the agent are selected such that the force exerted by the agent and the compressed compressive material on the second container when the agent freezes is less than the breakdown pressure limit of the second container.

In another embodiment of this invention, a first vessel is used to heat the high temperature bath of a Stirling engine and a second vessel is used to cool the low temperature bath of the engine. The first vessel and the second vessel increase the temperature difference between the high temperature tank and the low temperature tank in which the Stirling engine operates to increase the engine efficiency.

In another embodiment of this invention, the conduit between the first vessel and the second vessel houses a turbine. The turbine is connected to a power train outside the conduit so that when steam is moved from the second conduit to the first conduit by adsorption, the steam rotates the rotor of the turbine to generate power delivered to the power train.

In still another embodiment of the present invention, the heat transfer device includes a thermally dynamic electric element having a high temperature side and a low temperature side. The apparatus is arranged to increase the output voltage of the thermal electrokinetic element by raising the temperature on the high temperature side by the adsorbent vessel and by decreasing the temperature on the low temperature side by the condensation vessel.

The invention also provides a method of transferring heat and agents between a first vessel containing adsorbent material and a second vessel connected to the first vessel by a conduit. The method involves evaporating the liquid portion of the agonist by adsorption and transferring it from the second vessel to the first vessel to freeze the liquid agonist of the remainder in the second vessel, and until the agonist is fully adsorbed. Continuing adsorbing by freezing.

In another embodiment of this invention, the separation mechanism is intimately connected with the conduit and fluid passage between the first vessel and the second vessel. The separator removes some of the working substance that is sent from the second vessel to the first vessel upon adsorption. Some of the agonist removed by the separator can be returned to the second vessel for another cycle without requiring the first vessel to be heated. Therefore, the separation mechanism delays the heating point of the first vessel that is heated to release the agent.

In another embodiment of this invention, the first vessel and the separation mechanism are connected to a hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell. The adsorbent material in the first vessel draws water from the fuel cell, thereby cooling the fuel cell and improving fuel cell efficiency. The separation mechanism may be used to remove some of the water sent to the outside of the fuel cell to delay the release point at which the first vessel should be removed.

In another embodiment of this invention, the first vessel comprises a heat transfer conduit in thermal contact with the adsorbent material. In one such embodiment, the heat transfer conduit includes an electrical heating element for heating the adsorbent material of the first vessel upon detachment. The heat transfer conduit is connected to a cooling air source for cooling the conduit and the first vessel after desorption. In another of such embodiments, the electrical heating element is removed and hot and cold air are alternately sent through the heat transfer conduit to desorb the active material and cool the adsorbent material. In another of such embodiments, the first vessel comprises a heat transfer tube in thermal contact with the adsorbent material. The heat transfer tube delivers the hot fluid to desorb the substance from the first vessel, replenishes the heat provided by the heat transfer conduit, and delivers the low temperature fluid after cooling to cool the first vessel.

In another embodiment of this invention, the second container comprises a first container having a very rigid wall and a second container disposed within the first container and having a flexible wall. The flexible wall pushes the agonist between the first and second containers towards the rigid wall of the first container to increase heat transfer between the first container and its environment.

In another embodiment of this invention, the second container comprises a very rigid wall connected to a flexible wall to define the inner product containing the agent. The flexible wall can be moved to prevent the second container from breaking when the agent freezes and expands.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the adsorbent material includes carbon fiber material which desorbs water when current flows and adsorbs water when current is removed. Carbon fiber materials can be used to create a cooling effect or can be used to move liquids or gases to form valves, pumps or other outlets.

These and other features of this invention will become apparent upon reference to the following detailed description and the appended claims.

1 is a partially cutaway perspective view of one embodiment of this invention in which an adsorbent vessel is connected to a condensation vessel;

2 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of the present invention in which the condensation container includes a heat exchange pipe and is embedded in a cooling box.

3 is a detailed side view illustrating the heat exchange pipe of FIG. 2 including a compressible material insert and a fin;

4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3,

5 is a detail view of the compressive material insert of FIG. 3,

6 shows an embodiment of this invention in which two adsorbent vessels are connected to a single condensation vessel,

FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of this invention in which two adsorbent vessels are connected to each of the separate heat exchangers to provide continuous cooling of the cooler,

8 is a schematic diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention in which two adsorbent vessels are used to drive a turbine together with a condensation vessel.

9 is a schematic diagram showing another embodiment of the present invention in which the adsorbent vessel and the condensation vessel are integrated into the basic Stirling engine cycle,

FIG. 10 shows an embodiment of this invention in which two adsorbent vessels are connected to a single condensation vessel and include a regenerator for precondensing the working materials, FIG.

11 is a view showing an embodiment of the present invention including a gas combustion heat source and a heat source;

12 is a view showing an embodiment of the present invention that includes an internal heat source, a preservative processed adsorbent material, and an external annular heating or cooling device,

13 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 12 taken along lines 13-13,

FIG. 14 illustrates a hollow internal heat transfer source and an external heat transfer source, wherein such heat transfer sources illustrate one embodiment of the present invention suitable for heating or cooling an adsorbent material,

15 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 14 taken along lines 15-15,

16 is a partially cutaway side view of one embodiment of the present invention having a separator disposed in an adsorbent vessel and a heat exchanger,

17 is a partially cutaway side view of one embodiment of this invention having a separation mechanism and a plurality of heat exchangers connected to a single adsorbent vessel,

18 is a partially cutaway side view of one embodiment of this invention having a heater disposed within a heat transfer conduit of an adsorbent vessel,

19 is a partially cutaway side view of another embodiment of the heat transfer conduit of FIG. 18;

20 is a partially cutaway side view of an embodiment of this invention having an adsorbent vessel and separator connected to a hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell,

21 is a partially cutaway side view of an embodiment of this invention with ferromagnetic material disposed within an adsorbent vessel,

22 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the heat exchange piping of FIG. 16 including an expandable inner container,

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the heat exchange piping of FIG. 21 including an expandable piping wall;

24 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the heat exchanger of FIG. 16,

25 is an isometric view of a device having a carbon material according to another embodiment of this invention,

FIG. 26 is an isometric view of another embodiment of the carbon material shown in FIG. 25, FIG. 27 is an isometric view of a device having a carbon material coated in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention,

28 is an isometric view of a ferromagnetic material attached to a solid heat sink in accordance with another embodiment of this invention,

29 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of the heat exchange pipe shown in FIG. 22,

30A is a partially cutaway side view of a conduit having a pocket valve in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

30B is a partially cutaway side view of a conduit having multiple pockets in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

30C is a partially cutaway side view of a conduit having pellets of a plurality of adsorbent materials in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

31 is an isometric view of a portion of an arrangement of adsorbent material portions connected to each other.

As described above, the present invention relates to an apparatus for generating a cooling effect using a heat source. The device includes an adsorbent material that periodically adsorbs and desorbs the agent to cause heat transfer. This invention increases the efficiency of the adsorption cycle by matching the cavity of the adsorbent to the amount of agonist. The present invention increases the efficiency of the adsorption cycle by accommodating the functional substances which do not break when the functional substances solidify in the container and continuing the adsorption even after the functional substances solidify.

A representative apparatus according to this invention is shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration. As shown in FIG. 1, the adsorbent vessel 4 of the apparatus 2 is connected to the condensation vessel 6 by a pipe 8 passing through a hole 9 at the bottom of the adsorbent vessel. The adsorbent vessel 4 is packaged with an adsorbent substance 10 having a strong affinity for polar agonists. Pipe 8 extends through adsorbent vessel 4 and is surrounded by adsorbent material 10. The pipe 8 comprises a perforation 12 which allows steam to travel back and forth between the adsorbent material 10 and the pipe. The mesh coating 14 covers the porous portion 12 and prevents the adsorbent material 10 from entering the pipe 8 through the porous portion. The adsorbent vessel 4 includes a plug 16 for emptying the adsorbent vessel and for accessing the vessel for maintenance.

A heat source 18 is arranged to heat the adsorbent vessel and its contents at a position adjacent the adsorbent vessel 4. The heat source 18 generates heat to heat the adsorbent vessel 4 and to an active position that causes the adsorbent material 10 to release (desorb) vapor and an inert position that allows the adsorbent vessel 4 and its contents to cool. It may be cycled between. The heat source may use a heater, combustion heat, or the sun, and heating may be performed by passing a magnet over a copper pipe such as, for example, the container 4. Of course, other known heating methods can be used.

In one embodiment, the pipe 8 receives the vacuum valve 20 and the bellows 22. The vacuum valve 20 can be moved between the open-pressure position shown by the solid line in FIG. 1 and the closed position shown by the dotted line in FIG. 1, and in the open position, the condensation vessel 6 passes through the pipe 8 with the adsorbent vessel ( It can exchange fluid with 4), and in the closed position, the condensation container is blocked with the adsorbent container. The condensation vessel 6 has a monitoring window 24, which allows viewing of the condensed liquid agonist 26 and the solid agonist 28 contained in the condensation vessel. In other embodiments, the vacuum valve 20 and bellows 22 are replaced with a conventional vacuum valve or other suitable valve arrangement.

The adsorbent vessel 4 has a second hole 30 connected to the vacuum valve 32 by a pipe 34. The vacuum valve may be connected to the vacuum source 33 to evacuate the adsorbent vessel 4. An expansion joint 11 is provided between the pipe 34 and the adsorbent vessel 4 to allow thermal expansion of the pipe and the adsorbent vessel upon desorption. In order to lower the temperature at which the liquid acting substance 26 is evaporated and adsorbed by the adsorbent substance 10, it is preferable to lower the pressure of the adsorbent vessel 4. However, depending on the characteristics of the adsorbent material 10 and the working material, a pressure above atmospheric pressure may be possible. The vacuum valve 32 may be disposed between an open position and a closed position, in the open position allowing fluid passage between the adsorbent vessel 4 and the vacuum source 33, in the closed position the adsorbent vessel 4 is vacuumed. It is sealed from the circle.

Prior to operation of this apparatus 2, the vacuum valve 32 is opened to provide a fluid passage between the adsorbent vessel 4 and the vacuum source 33. The vacuum valve 20 is then opened to provide a fluid passage between the adsorbent vessel 4 and the condensation vessel 6. The pressure in the adsorbent vessel 4 and the condensation vessel 6 is reduced. After that, the vacuum valve 32 is closed, and the apparatus 2 is put into operation. In one embodiment, the pressure in the vessel 4 is lowered to an absolute pressure of 4 mm of mercury (ie 4 mm of mercury or more than full vacuum), but the device and the type of adsorbent material 10 and the agonists contained therein. Therefore, other pressures are also acceptable.

In operation, the apparatus 2 is cycled between the adsorption step and the desorption step. In the desorption step, the heat source 18 is activated to heat the adsorbent vessel 4 and the adsorbent material 10 to evaporate all liquid agonists contained in the adsorbent material 10. Agonist vapor is sent from the adsorbent material (10) through the mesh coating (14) and the porous portion (12) into the pipe (8) and the condensation vessel (6) to condense to form a pool of liquid agonist (26). In one embodiment where the agonist is water, the adsorbent vessel is heated to a temperature of 250 ° F. to desorb the agonist vapor. Depending on the nature of the adsorbent material 10 and the agonist and the amount of agonist desorbed during the desorption process, Temperature is of course possible. As shown in FIG. 1, the condensation vessel is preferably disposed below the adsorbent vessel 4 so that gravity assists the passage of condensate from the adsorbent vessel to the condensation vessel.

When desorbed from the working substance vapor adsorbent vessel 4 into the condensation vessel 6, the vacuum valve 20 is closed and the condensation vessel 6 and the adsorbent vessel 4 are cooled. In one embodiment, the adsorbent vessel and the condensation vessel are cooled to room temperature, about 70 ° F. The cooling rate of the adsorbent vessel 4 can be accelerated by adding a cooling source 36. However, no cooling source is required for the operation of this device 2. Examples of cooling sources are fans, water jackets and other thermal dumps. Although the cooling source shown in FIG. 1 is outside of the adsorbent vessel 4, it may extend into the adsorbent vessel to cool the adsorbent material 10 therein more efficiently.

When the adsorbent vessel 4 and the condensation vessel 6 are cooled, the adsorption chiller 2 waits to start the adsorption step. The vacuum valve 20 is opened to allow fluid passage between the adsorbent vessel 4 and the condensation vessel 6 and provide an immediate cooling effect. The adsorbent material 10 adsorbs the liquid agonist 26 to phase change from liquid to vapor and sends it into the adsorbent material 10 through the pipe 8, the porous part 12, and the reticulated sheath 14. As the liquid agonist goes from the liquid state to the gaseous state, the heat of vaporization is taken from the surrounding liquid agonist and the condensation vessel 6 to cool the water and the condensation vessel. As the condensation vessel 6 and its contents cool, the liquid agonist begins to form a solid agonist 28. As the adsorption step continues, the liquid agonist 26 disappears by being adsorbed by the adsorbent material 10 or completely turned into a solid 28.

When the liquid agent 26 disappears from the condensation vessel 6, the adsorption continues as the solid agent 28 is directly sublimated into the vapor adsorbed by the adsorbent 10. Once the liquid 26 and the solid 28 are almost completely adsorbed, the cycle is complete. The heat source is then reactivated to return water vapor through the pipe 8 to the condensation vessel 6 and repeat the cooling cycle. As used herein, the term “nearly adsorbed” means that almost all of the agents, whether in liquid or solid form, are adsorbed in the gas phase and transferred from the condensation vessel 6 to the adsorbent vessel 4.

The cavity of the adsorbent material 10 (i.e. the maximum amount of the agent it holds) relative to the amount of the agent in this device 2 is an important feature of this invention. In one embodiment, the adsorbent material 10 is a MOLSIV Type 13X zeolite manufactured by UOP Inc., Des Plaines, Illinois, and the agent is water. In this embodiment, the cavity of the adsorbent material 10 is set such that the adsorbent material completely adsorbs the liquid water 26 and the ice 28. The volume of adsorbent material 10 is selected such that the desired cooling load and speed are 22 cubic inches (ie, .51 pounds). The agonist is selected to be 60 cubic centimeters of water (ie 28.5% by weight of the adsorbent material 10) and the volume of the condensation vessel 6 is set equal to the agonist. The amount of water desorbed by the adsorbent material 10 is 20 cubic centimeters when the adsorbent material is heated to 250 ° F. Residue 40 cubic centimeters of water remains in the adsorbent material 10 after desorption. In this combination, the water remaining in the condensation vessel 6 is completely frozen about 11 seconds after the vacuum valve 20 is opened and the adsorptive phase of the cycle begins. If no direct workload is applied to the system (ie no heat source is applied to the condensation vessel), the frozen residue is completely adsorbed by the adsorbent material 10 after about 120-160 minutes.

The ratio and temperature of the adsorbent to agent selected as above was chosen to provide the indicated number of cooling times. Other ratios and temperatures are also possible that adsorb and desorb more than the total agent. Such a ratio will lower the frequency at which the adsorbent material 10 should be detached.

As described above, in one embodiment the adsorbent material 10 is zeolite and the action material is water. Other agonists and adsorbents which have affinity for the agonists are of course also possible. Such agents include fluorides, chlorides, hydrates and mixtures thereof as well as NH ₃ , H ₂ , S, N ₂ , CO ₂ , and the like. These materials have a variety of affinity for adsorbent materials, as described below. Other adsorbent materials include structures of molecular sieves, including silicon, powdered, pellets, particles, solids and gels, silicon gels, activated aluminas and sodalites.

The outer area of the adsorptive molecular sieve crystal can be used for adsorption of molecules of all sizes, while the inner area can only be used for molecules small enough to enter the pores. The inner area is only about 1% of the total surface area. Materials that are too large to be adsorbed inside are generally adsorbed to the outside in the range of 0.2% to 1% by weight. Various types and shapes of molecular sieves may be used. By selecting appropriate adsorbents and operating conditions, molecular sieves can be applied to a myriad of applications. Molecular sieves not only separate molecules according to size and shape, but also adsorb according to polarity and degree of unsaturation. In molecular mixtures small enough to enter the pores, the smaller the volatility, the greater the polarity, or the greater the degree of unsaturation, the tighter the crystals remain.

For example, in one embodiment of this invention, the working fluid is a mixture of CO ₂ and water. CO ₂ evaporates more easily than water. At the beginning of the cycle's adsorption step, CO ₂ evaporates immediately, providing an immediate cooling effect. Water evaporates more slowly but provides cooling over time. CO ₂ reduces the time and energy required to desorb the adsorbent material by improving the rate of heat transfer from the heat source 18 to the adsorbent material 10 in addition to providing an immediate cooling effect. Substances such as nitrogen may also be used in combination with water. Nitrogen provides thermal conductivity to increase the efficiency of heat transfer away from the adsorbent material upon desorption. Since the adsorbent material 10 does not adsorb nitrogen as strongly as water, nitrogen does not prevent the adsorbent material 10 from adsorbing water.

In one embodiment of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1, the vacuum valve 20 is removed. As a result, the adsorbent material continuously adsorbs the working material and continuously cools the condensation vessel and its contents rather than abruptly.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the diameter of the adsorbent vessel 4 is 2.4 times the diameter of the pipe 8, but other diameters and shapes of other pipes are of course possible. For example, a portion of the pipe 8 disposed in the adsorbent vessel 4 is divided into a number of small pipes, each having a perforation 12 and a reticulated coating 14. Increasing the number of pipes increases the steam transfer rate between the adsorbent 10 and the condensation vessel 6.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the heat source 18 is disposed outside of the adsorbent vessel 4, although other arrangements are possible. For example, the heat source 18 may be disposed within the adsorbent vessel 4 to heat the adsorbent material 10 more efficiently. In one such embodiment, the heat source 18 comprises a water resistant incaloelement, and the adsorbent material 10 attaches directly to such elements to provide intimate bonding for efficient heat transfer. In this embodiment, the incaloy or other suitable material can be exposed to air without melting under heat load. The binding material may be polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) or aluminum phosphate (). Aluminum phosphate is good as a binder because it adds structural strength by combining activated alumina and / or aluminum oxide with zeolite and can be heated to 600 ° F or more. PPS does not add much strength but does not require the addition of activated alumina or aluminum oxide so that 100% of the adsorbent may be zeolite.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, a machined adsorptive material in which the adsorbent material is stacked on a solid heating element 52 formed from a material such as incaloy or the like and can be electrically heated by applying a voltage to the cable 53. It is in the form of a disk 50. Each adsorptive disk 50 has a hole 54 that allows desorbed vapor to pass between the adsorptive disk 50 and the pipe 8. The adsorbent disk 50 may be machined to provide a rough surface 55 that allows air to pass between the adsorbent disks 50 to cool or heat the detached adsorbent disk 50. The heat transfer jacket 56 annularly surrounds the outer surface of the adsorptive disk 50. The heat transfer jacket 56 is connected to the heat exchange source 57 to change the temperature of the adsorbent vessel 4. Fluid 58, such as water, passes between the heat transfer jacket 56 and the heat exchange source 57 to transfer heat between the adsorptive disk 50 and the heat exchange source 57. The adsorbent disk 50 may be machined into any suitable shape and may be stacked on heating elements 52 having various lengths to fit within adsorbent vessels 4 having various dimensions.

As shown in FIG. 12, heat exchange source 57 and heat transfer jacket 56 may operate to exchange heat with adsorbent disk 50. If the heat exchanger source 57 and the heat transfer jacket 56 operate to heat the adsorptive disk 50, they are required to desorb the adsorbent vessel 4 by increasing the rate at which the adsorbent disk 50 desorbs the active substance. This reduces the time required to do so, thereby reducing the overall cycle time. When the heat transfer jacket 56 and the heat exchange source 57 operate to cool the adsorptive disk 50, they are required to immediately cool the adsorptive disk 50 to cool the adsorptive disk 50 before the next adsorption step. Reduce time, thereby reducing overall cycle time.

In other embodiments shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the adsorbent material 10 is in the form of a powder or pellets. The heating element 300 formed from a material such as incaloy or the like is connected to the heat exchange source 57 through the adsorbent material 10. The heating element 300 has an annular cavity 302 through which the fluid 58 passes. Heat transfer jacket 56 is also connected to heat exchange source 57 and receives fluid 58.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, the pipe 8 branches into the perforations 310, 312. The perforations 310 and 312 contain a perforated portion 12 through which the vapor passes between the adsorbent material 10 and the perforated portion and a reticulated coating 14 which prevents the adsorbent material from entering the perforated portion. Although two perforations 310, 312 are shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, a larger number of perforations are also possible to maximize the rate of vapor transfer between the adsorbent material 10 and the perforations. As described above in connection with the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, the heat exchange source 57, heat transfer jacket 56 and the annular heating element 300 may operate to cool the adsorbent material 10. When a high temperature fluid, such as water or other suitable fluid, is sent from the heat exchange source 57 through the heat transfer jacket 56 and the annular cavity 302 and the heating element is heated by the current supplied through the cable 53, it is adsorbable. The rate at which material 10 detaches is increased to reduce the time required for adsorbent vessel 4 to prepare for adsorption. From the low temperature fluid heat exchange source 57 such as water or other suitable fluid, etc., it is sent through the heat transfer jacket 56 and the annular cavity 302, and once the adsorbent material 10 is cooled immediately, the adsorbent vessel 4 is heated. Reduce the time required to prepare for adsorption before later desorption.

In another embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the condensation vessel is replaced by a heat exchanger 37 disposed in an insulated box 38. The operation of the adsorbent vessel 4 is the same as the operation of the adsorbent vessel described above in connection with FIG. 1. As the heat exchanger cools in the adsorption step, it cools the box 38. The box 38 can then be used to store articles such as foods that require refrigeration. The heat exchanger 37 houses a heat exchange pipe 40 that operates for the same purpose as the condensation vessel 6 of FIG. 1. However, the heat exchange pipe 40 provides a larger heat transfer surface area than the condensation vessel 6, thereby cooling the box 38 more efficiently. The heat exchange pipe 40 is directed downward to take advantage of gravity as the heat exchange pipe is filled with condensate.

The heat exchange pipe 40 is shown in detail in FIG. In this embodiment, the substance is a substance that expands when solidifying, such as water. As shown in FIG. 3, the heat exchange piping 40 accommodates expansion as the working material 26 freezes by receiving bubbles or other compressible material 42. The freezing water exerts pressure on the wall of the heat exchange pipe 40 to generate the hoop stress. Since the compressible material 42 has greater compressibility than the wall of the heat exchanger pipe, it deforms, thereby preventing the pressure from exceeding the hoop strength of the heat exchanger pipe 40 as the working material is completely frozen. When the working substance is completely frozen, it continues to sublimate and is adsorbed by the adsorbent material 10 as described above. Hoop strength as used herein refers to the limiting stress at which the walls of heat exchange piping 40 or other vessels on which compressible material 42 are disposed are broken.

In one embodiment, it is desirable to adjust the size and position of the compressible material 42 in the heat exchange pipe 40 leaving a flow area in the heat exchange pipe suitable for allowing the flow of the working substance vapor through the heat exchange pipe upon adsorption. . At the same time, it is desirable to provide sufficient compressible material 42 such that the icing agent does not completely compress the compressible material 42 and does not break the heat exchange piping 40. Therefore, in one embodiment, the ratio of the volume of the agent to the volume of the compressible material 42 is such that when the agent freezes and expands to compress the compressive material 42, the freezing agent and the remaining liquid agonist and The combined pressure exerted by the compressive material 42 is selected to be less than the hoop strength of the heat exchange piping 40. In one embodiment, the compressive material accommodates the waterproof cell such that the compressible material does not absorb water.

In another embodiment, adjacent portions of compressible material 42 may have different shapes and compressibility depending on the flow distance between such portions and adsorbent material 10 (FIG. 1). For example, portions of the compressive material 42 remote from the adsorbent material 10 are formed so that the cross-sectional area of the heat exchange pipe 40 is completely filled when the compressible material fully expands, whereas Portions of the close compressible material 42 may be formed to fill less than the total cross-sectional area. The compressible material 42 can then compress under the pressure of the working material when it is released from the absorbent material 10 into the heat exchange pipe 40 and expand when the working material is adsorbed. By leaving a space between the compressible material 42 and the wall of the heat exchanger pipe 40 close to the adsorbent material 10, the flow path through the entire heat exchanger pipe 40 is maintained to expand the compressive material uniformly and more active material Can be adsorbed.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the heat exchange piping comprises a single area with holes 46 through which the adsorbent vessel 4 can communicate. Other embodiments are of course also possible. For example, the heat exchange pipe 40 may be divided into several lengths, each length having holes 46 through which the adsorbent container can be communicated. Such an arrangement increases the exposure of the fluid in the heat exchange piping to the adsorbent vessel 4. In another embodiment, the heat exchange pipe 40 is fitted with a plurality of fins 48 that increase the rate of heat transfer from the box 38 to the heat exchange pipe, thereby increasing the rate at which the box is cooled.

In one embodiment of this invention, the compressible material 42 has a triangular cross section as shown in FIG. This shape allows the agent 26 to pass through the tube around the compressible material 42. This shape also pushes the action material contained in the heat exchange pipe 40 to the wall of the pipe to achieve maximum heat transfer efficiency. Other shapes of positioning the agent on the wall for maximum heat transfer are of course possible. As shown in FIG. 5, the notches 44 improve the rate at which liquid and vapor pass through the tube 40 by allowing the agent 26 to pass from one side of the compressible material 42 to the other. In this embodiment, the notches 44 are arranged in a helical shape as shown in FIG. 5 to allow liquid and vapor to more easily pass from one side of the compressible material 42 to the other despite the structure of the compressible material 42. The helical arrangement of the notches also acts to minimize the hoop stresses generated in the heat exchange piping 40 when the compressible material 42 is compressed.

Although arranged in the heat exchanger pipe 40 of the compressible material 42 shown in FIG. 3, the compressible material 42 may be placed in any container that contains liquid that can break if froze and expand. For example, compressible material 42 is disposed in the faucet outside the door to prevent the faucet from breaking when the ambient temperature drops below the freezing point. In this embodiment, the compressible material 42 is not required to be triangular or elongated as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 and may have any shape that matches the shape of the container in which it is provided. The compressible material is disposed in the container adjacent to the first wall of the container and spaced from the second wall of the container. In this way, the compressive material acts to insulate the first wall of the container and to place the agent adjacent to the second wall of the container to maximize heat transfer between the agent and the second side.

Compressible material pellets may be used in containers where the container shape cannot readily accommodate a single piece of compressible material. Although the heat exchange piping 40 is typically made of a rigid thermally conductive material having a thin wall, the compressible material 42 may be installed in a container having a flexible wall. In this embodiment, the walls of the container and the compressible material 42 are warped upon freezing contained therein. Other compressible materials 42 for such use will be appreciated by those skilled in the art.

In another embodiment of this invention shown in FIG. 6, two adsorbent vessels 4 are connected to the condensation vessel 6. Each adsorbent vessel 4 is operated in the same manner as described above, but the two adsorbent vessels are heated by the heat source 18 when one adsorbent vessel adsorbs the agonists from the condensation vessel, thereby providing steam and Has the additional feature of desorbing the condensate into the condensation vessel 6. While the heated vessel desorbs vapor, the vacuum valve 20 directly connected to the vessel is closed to prevent the condensate from being immediately adsorbed by the adjacent adsorbent vessel. The valve 21 opens to allow the condensate to condense in the regenerator 23 without disturbing the simultaneous adsorption performed by the other adsorbent vessel 4. When desorption is completed from the desorption vessel, the valve 20 associated with the desorption vessel is opened to allow the working material to flow from the heat accumulator 23 into the condensation vessel 6. In one embodiment, the heat source 18 and the adsorbent vessel 4 are sized such that when one adsorbent vessel is completely desorbed and cooled to take the atmospheric state for adsorption, the other adsorbent vessel is saturated and takes the atmospheric state to desorb. All. Thereafter, the role of the vessels is reversed, whereby the previously desorbed vessel is adsorbed from the condensation vessel 6 and the previously desorbed vessel is desorbed into the heat storage 23. Although two adsorbent vessels are shown in FIG. 6, other forms of using a larger number of adsorbent vessels are of course possible. Such embodiments are good in that they are not required to exactly match the desorption time of one vessel with the adsorption time of another vessel.

7 illustrates a continuous cycle using multiple adsorption systems together. Each adsorbent vessel 4 is connected to a separate heat exchanger 37 having a heat exchange pipe 40. As in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the adsorbent vessel 4 causes the other adsorbent vessel to desorb the substance to the heat exchanger when one adsorbent vessel 4 adsorbs the substance from the heat exchanger 37 connected thereto. Has additional features that operate. In this way, the insulated box 38 can be maintained at an almost constant temperature.

Box 38 has an upper freezer portion and a lower chiller portion. The upper freezer section has a relatively high density of heat exchange piping per box volume to achieve the low temperatures typically required for food refrigeration. The lower chiller section has a lower density heat exchanger pipe per box volume than the freezer section and is suitable for maintaining food at conventional chiller temperatures above 32 ° F. Other embodiments using two or more adsorbent vessels and heat exchangers are of course also possible. Such embodiments are good in that they are not required to exactly match the desorption time of one vessel with the adsorption time of the other vessel.

8 illustrates one embodiment of this invention, in which two adsorbent vessels 60, 62 are connected to the condensation vessel 66. The flow of adsorption vapor between the adsorbent vessels 60, 62 and the condensation vessel 66 drives the turbine 68 at the inlet 70 of the condensation vessel to transfer power to the power train 72. The valves 74, 76 are open or closed as appropriate to allow either one of the adsorbent vessels 60, 62 to communicate with the condensation vessel 66. Bypass valves 75, 76, 77, 78_ allow condensate to return to condensation vessel 66 through regenerators 79, 71.

In operation, one adsorbent vessel 60 is fully saturated, the other adsorbent vessel 62 is fully detached and filled, one valve 76 is open and the other valve 74 is closed. Another valve 75 is closed and the other valves 77, 78 are closed. In a typical installation, the flow rate of the agent during desorption is too low to generate power in the turbine 68. Therefore, when the first adsorbent vessel 60 is heated, steam leaving the vessel is guided into the regenerator 79 through a bypass tube 64 around the turbine 68. The second adsorbent vessel 62 adsorbs steam from the condensation vessel 66 to allow steam to pass through the turbine 68. As the steam passes through the turbine 68, it rotates the turbine. Rotational movement of the turbine is transmitted by the power transmission device 72 using well-known means such as a tightly sealed shaft or vortex coupling. Once the second adsorbent vessel 62 is saturated with steam and the first adsorbent vessel 60 is fully filled, the roles of the vessels are reversed. Some valves 75, 76, 77 are closed and other valves 74, 78 are open. The first adsorbent vessel 60 adsorbs steam from the condensation vessel 66 and drives the turbine 68, while the second adsorbent vessel 62 enters the heat accumulator 71 through the bypass pipe 65. To desorb the steam.

Of course other adsorption chillers for other uses disclosed in this invention are also possible. For example, the device is used to lower the cold side temperature of a Stirling engine, thereby increasing engine efficiency. 9 is a U.S. reference incorporated herein by reference. Patent No. The basic regenerative sterling engine cycle disclosed in 5,456,076 is shown. Such basic Stirling engine cycles include at least a heat source 81 which supplies thermal energy to the hot zone 82, a heat sink 84 to remove heat from the cold zone 83, and a hot cylinder zone 86 and a low temperature cylinder zone. A heat conducting gas working fluid 85 for transferring thermal energy therebetween; and a displacer piston 88 reciprocating in a displacer cylinder 89 having a high temperature chamber 90 and a low temperature chamber 91; , Means such as a power piston 93 reciprocating in the power cylinder 94, a rotating crankshaft for converting the motion of the power piston into useful power, and means for controlling the relative motion timing of the displacer relative to the power piston. And a high temperature chamber (90) and a low temperature chamber (91) are connected to the thermoelectric reheat exchanger (92). The power piston 93 and the displacer piston 88 can be floated or mechanically connected as in free-floating Stirling linear generators. In this embodiment, the heat source 81 comprises an adsorbent vessel and the heat sink 84 comprises the condensation vessel described above. The adsorbent vessel and the condensation vessel heat and cool the heat source 81 and the heat sink 83, respectively, to increase engine efficiency. In addition, the reheat exchanger 92 may be replaced with the adsorbent vessel / condensation vessel combination described above. The heat source 81 may include solar energy to heat the adsorbent material during the sunshine to fill the adsorbent container. At sunset, the adsorbent vessel adsorbs the action material from the condensation vessel to heat the adsorbent vessel and cool the condensation vessel. Adsorbent vessels and condensation vessels in this manner store solar energy to maintain the operation of the Stirling engine at sunset.

In another embodiment, carbon fiber or carbon foam material may be added to the hot zone 82. As described in greater detail below with reference to FIGS. 25-27, the carbon material is a highly thermally conductive material for transferring heat to the working fluid 85. The carbon material is formed of a highly porous material to increase thermal contact with the working fluid 85 and can be heated by applying current (for carbon fibers) or by convective heat transfer or conduction heat transfer (for carbon fibers or carbon bubbles). have. The carbon material may act as a regenerator by drawing heat from the working fluid 85 as it is sent from the hot zone 82 to the heat sink 84. In another embodiment of this embodiment, the carbon material adsorbs moisture from the working fluid 85 when the working fluid 85 is sent in one direction and desorbs moisture when the working fluid 85 is sent in the other direction, thereby reducing the Improve the efficiency. Sterling engines are incorporated herein by reference and are assigned to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration and are pending. Patent Application No. As described in 08 / 840,111, any type can be used, including the type using ferromagnetic wafers. The heat sink 84 may comprise a carbon foam material that increases the heat drawn out from the working fluid 85 by high porosity and thermal conductivity.

In another embodiment of this invention, an adsorption chiller may be used to improve the efficiency of the thermovolatile cell. Adsorption chillers are used to lower the cold side temperature of the volatile cell, thus increasing the output voltage. Other embodiments are of course also possible. For example, the heat transfer device may be used to cool a flat plate used for fishing, or to cool a computer chip, a power station or an automobile. In each embodiment, relatively low heat, easily obtainable, is used to produce the desired cooling effect.

FIG. 10 illustrates one embodiment of this invention, in which the first and second adsorbent vessels 4, 104 operate together with a single condensation vessel 6 to cool the computer chip 180. While the first adsorbent vessel 4 desorbs to the heat accumulator 23 with the valve 21 open and the bypass valve 27 and the vacuum valve 20 closed, the second adsorbent vessel 104. The vacuum valve 120 and the valve 121 are adsorbed from the condensation container 6 in a state where the bypass valve 127 is closed and the bypass valve 127 is opened. Once the second adsorbent vessel 104 completes adsorption and the first adsorbent vessel 4 completes the desorption, the position of the valve remains and the adsorbent vessel 104 detaches into the regenerator 123 as the position of the valve remains. (4) starts to adsorb. In this way, the computer chip 180 is continuously cooled.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, computer chip 180 is disposed on a conduit between condensation vessel 6 and bypass valves 27, 127. In other embodiments, computer chip 180 may be disposed in the conduit or in the condensation vessel 6. In another aspect of this embodiment, a plurality of computer chips 180 may be disposed on a substrate in a conduit or in a condensation vessel 6. Each computer chip 180 may be attached to a carbon fiber material or a portion of other conductive material, and optionally heated as needed to keep the computer chip 180 at a substantially constant temperature, thereby allowing the substrate to undergo thermal expansion differences. To prevent cracking. The carbon fiber material will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 25 to 31. In another aspect of this embodiment, as the computer chip 180 leaves the condensation vessel 6 upon adsorption, the agent is sprayed throughout to provide a direct cooling effect.

11 illustrates another embodiment of this embodiment, wherein the adsorbent vessel is introduced through the gas burner assembly 201, the heater element 203, or the inlet 212, which exhausts through the gas port 202, and exits. It may be heated by hot gas or liquid flowing out through 214. The method of heating the adsorbent material 10 contained in the adsorbent vessel 4 may be selected based on the availability of a heating source upon desorption. Inlet 212 and outlet 214 may be connected to any convenient heat source, such as a radiator of an automobile. The cooling heat exchanger 210 may be provided to reduce the temperature of the adsorbent vessel 4 when it is detached. An inlet 205 is provided to allow maintenance of the adsorbent vessel 4 and its control unit 207. The vacuum port 32 may be connected to a vacuum source (not shown) to evacuate the adsorbent vessel to a pressure below atmospheric pressure.

Figure 16 illustrates another embodiment of a device according to this invention. As shown in FIG. 16, the adsorbent vessel 4 of the apparatus 400 may be connected to the heat exchanger 37 by a pipe 8 passing through a hole 9 at the bottom of the adsorbent vessel. The adsorbent container 4 is packaged with an adsorbent material 10 such as zeolite or the like having a strong affinity for polar agonists. Pipe 8 extends into adsorbent vessel 4 and is surrounded by adsorbent material 10. As described above in connection with FIG. 1, the pipe 8 has a perforation 12 that allows steam to move back and forth between the adsorbent material 10 and the pipe. The mesh coating 14 covers the porous portion 12 to prevent the adsorbent material 10 from entering the pipe through the porous portion. Separator 430 is connected to the pipe 8 between the adsorbent vessel 4 and the heat exchanger 37 to separate the working material as it is sent from the heat exchanger to the adsorbent vessel.

The heat exchanger 37 includes an adsorption conduit 440_, one end of which may be connected to a heat exchange pipe 40 extending outward of the cooling space and the other end of which may be connected to an inlet 4320 of the separator 430. In a preferred embodiment, a thermal coupling 441 is disposed between the adsorption conduit 440 and the heat exchange conduit 40 to substantially prevent conduction heat transfer between the wall of the adsorption conduit and the wall of the heat exchange conduit. Heat transfer undesirably results in heating the heat exchange piping when the adsorbent vessel 4 is detached, In one embodiment, the thermal connection device is an elongated silicone piping In another embodiment, the device 400 has thermal insulation. Any material that can withstand the pressure and temperature in the) may be used.

A valve 424 is disposed in the adsorption conduit 440 to open or close the fluid passage between the adsorption conduit and the separator 430. The separator has an outlet 434 connected to a pipe 8 extending into the adsorbent vessel 4. The valve 420 is arranged to open or close the fluid passage between the pipe 8 and the outlet 434.

Separator 430_ extracts at least some of the agent as it passes through the fluid stream flowing out of heat exchanger 37 toward adsorbent vessel 4. The fluid stream may comprise gas and / or liquid. In one embodiment, although separator 430 is a centrifugal separator such as an Eliminex separator manufactured by Reading Technologies, Inc. (Reading, Pennsylvania), other separation mechanisms may be required in other embodiments. In an embodiment, separator 430 has a nearly circular short-circuit shape, and a blocking mechanism 444 in the center of separator 430 is connected to outlet 434. Blocking mechanism 444 and inner wall 446 of the separator An annular gap 442 is disposed between the fluid and the fluid flow including the vapor of the substance enters the inlet 432 in the normal direction and drops toward the liquid collecting port 436 in the gap 442 penetrating arcuately. Vortex As the fluid flow flows into the vortex through the gap 442, the agonist vapor is centrifuged to collect in the form of droplets on the inner wall 446 of the separator.The droplets 436 along the wall 446. Thereafter, the fluid flow is turned up into the blocking mechanism 444 and flows toward the outlet 434. As the fluid is turned up, the agent is reprecipitated from the fluid flow and the liquid collector 436 is flown. The fluid flow then flows through outlet 434 into pipe 8 and adsorbent vessel 4.

The liquid collecting port 436 is connected to the collection conduit 450, and the collection conduit 450 is connected to the condensation conduit 448. A valve 452 is disposed in the collection conduit 450 to regulate fluid flow through the collection conduit 450. A cooling source 36a may be used to cool the liquid collected in the conduit before returning to the heat exchanger 37. In other embodiments, cooling source 36a or a separate cooling source may be used to cool separator 430, in particular the inner wall 446 of the separator. By the cooling separator 430, the temperature difference between the separator and the working material is increased, and the condensation of the working material on the inner wall 446 is increased. As such, this arrangement provides a means other than centrifugal force to separate the agent from the fluid stream. In another aspect of this embodiment, the adsorption conduit is also cooled to improve the condensation of the working material and the removal of the working material from the fluid stream. The valve 422 can be closed to prevent liquid contained in the condensation conduit 448 from adsorbing into the adsorbent vessel 4 through the pipe 8. The return conduit 438 connects the condensation conduit 448 to the heat exchange conduit 40 to return the liquid collected at the collection port 436 (to the heat exchanger 37. A thermal coupling 441a is provided). Disposed between the heat exchange conduit 40 and the conduit 438 to prevent undesirable heat transfer between the conduit and the conduit The valve 426 in the return conduit allows the fluid adsorbed from the heat exchanger 37 to return to the conduit 438. And to prevent passing through bypass inlet 432.

Cooling source 36a is schematically shown in FIG. 16, and other devices may also be used to cool the liquid in condensation conduit 448. In one such embodiment, condensation conduit 448 may be used to heat the thermovolatile cell and thereby condensation conduit to cool. In another embodiment, condensation conduit 448 is used to heat the heat source of the Stirling engine (FIG. 9).

In operation, the adsorbent vessel 4 is circulated between the adsorption step and the desorption step as described above with respect to FIG. 1. When the adsorbent vessel 4 is detached and ready for use, some valves 422 and 426 are closed and the other valves 420 and 424 are opened. A fluid stream comprising an agent vapor is sent from the heat exchanger 37 through the adsorption conduit 440 into the separator 430 through the inlet 432. Vapor is separated from the fluid stream of separator 430 and collected at liquid collection port 436 and enters condensation conduit 448. After the loss of some of the agonist, the fluid flow is sent through the outlet 434 into the pipe 8 and the adsorbent vessel 4. If the adsorption reaction continues to any point, some valves 420 and 424 are closed to prevent the adsorbent material from adsorbing the liquid collected in separator 430 and condensation conduit 448. In one embodiment, the liquid contained in condensation conduit 448 is cooled by cooling source 36a and returned to heat exchanger 37 via return conduit 438 by opening valve 426. Thereafter, the liquid can be used for adsorption and additional cooling of the heat exchanger 37. The cycle is repeated until the adsorbent material 10 is saturated. At that point a heat source 18 is also used to heat the adsorbent vessel and desorb the steam contained therein as described above in connection with 1. At the time of desorption, a valve 422 is opened so that the desorbed vapor enters the condensation conduit 448 to be cooled in liquid form by the cooling source 36a and returned to the heat exchanger 37 to prepare for the next cycle.

In one embodiment, the valves 420, 422, 424, 426 are manually operated. In another embodiment, the valve may be controlled to be opened and closed by the computer based on the number of times the adsorption cycle has been completed. In another aspect of this embodiment, the valve is manufactured by KIP Inc. (Farmington, Connecticut). may be placed on a manifold such as a manifold or the like. The valve may be controlled by multiple inputs. In one embodiment, the valve may be controlled such that adsorption occurs for a certain time. In other embodiments, the valve may be controlled to continue until a certain temperature is obtained in the box 38 where adsorption is insulated. In other embodiments, the valve may be controlled to open and close when any amount of water or other agent is collected at the liquid collector 436 and condensation conduit 448. In other embodiments, other control inputs may be used. In each embodiment, the valve may be controlled to adsorb the heat exchanger 37 vapor until any condition is obtained. At that point, the valve is arranged to prevent additional adsorption, thereby preventing additional vapor from reaching the adsorbent material 10. In this way, the adsorption cavity of the adsorbent vessel 4 is efficiently preserved and prolongs the time that the adsorbent material 10 can be used for adsorption.

The advantage of this apparatus 400 shown in FIG. 16 is that the separator 430 reduces the amount of agonist actually adsorbed by the adsorbent material 10 in the adsorbent vessel 4. Instead of being adsorbed, some of the agonist removed from the heat exchanger 37 is collected at the liquid collector 436. In this way, the cavity of the adsorbent material 10 is efficiently increased. A large amount of agent is removed from the heat exchanger 37 to cool the space 38 in which the heat exchanger and the agent are incorporated but does not cause the removed agent vapor to adhere to the adsorbent material 10. Therefore, the adsorbent material increases the time between desorption cycles by continually removing the remaining substances that remain unsaturated in the heat exchanger 37.

In another embodiment of this invention shown in FIG. 17, the first and second heat exchangers 37a, 37b are connected to a single adsorbent vessel 4. The heat exchangers 37a and 37b operate in the same manner as described above with respect to FIG. 16, but the two heat exchangers prepare to return to the second heat exchanger after the condensed reactant is cooled when the reactant is adsorbed from the heat exchanger. Has an additional feature.

In operation, the adsorbent vessel 4 is desorbed as previously described with reference to FIG. 16. The valves 420 and 424a are opened to allow fluid flow containing the vapor of the substance to be sent from the first heat exchanger 37a through the adsorption conduit 440a into the separator 430. The liquid agonist is collected at the liquid collection port 436 and sent into the collection conduit 450. Valve 452 opens to allow liquid to flow into condensation conduit 448. Some of the agents are sent through the fluid flow outlet 434 into the pipe 8 and the adsorbent vessel 4 after they have been lost. Valves 452, 420, and 422 can be opened and closed to prevent liquid in condensation conduit 448 from adsorbing into adsorbent vessel 4.

At this point, adsorption of the first heat exchanger 37a is stopped and adsorption from the second heat exchanger 37b starts. One valve 424a is closed and the other valve 424b is open. The valve 420_ is opened to allow adsorption from the second heat exchanger 37b. The working material is separated from the fluid flow present in the second heat exchanger 37b and the separator 430 to collect the conduit 450. At this time, the liquid collected from the first heat exchanger 37a into the condensation conduit 448 can be cooled by the cooling source 36a. Is adsorbed from, the valve 424b is closed, and the liquid contained in the condensation conduit 448 is returned to the first heat exchanger 37a and the liquid collected from the second heat exchanger 37b is opened by opening the valve 452. It is discharged into condensation conduit 448. Thereafter, the liquid in the condensation conduit 448 can be cooled and desorbed again from the first heat exchanger 37a. In this way, the adsorbent vessel 4 The substance is selectively removed from the heat exchangers 37a and 37b until it is saturated, at which time adsorption The vessel is desorbed in the manner described above with respect to Fig. 1. Although two heat exchangers are shown in Fig. 17, other forms of use are also possible, of which a larger number of heat exchangers are possible. Vessel 4, which causes one adsorbent vessel to be detached and the other adsorbent vessel to be adsorbed as previously described in connection with Figure 6. Still further embodiments also include multiple separators 430. .

An advantage of the embodiment shown in Fig. 17 is that the activating material is adsorbed continuously or almost continuously from inside the seal 38 by circulating the working material between the plurality of heat exchangers. This makes it easier to maintain the seal 38 at the desired temperature.

In another embodiment shown in FIG. 18, the heat transfer device 500 includes an adsorbent container 504 with a heat transfer conduit 560. The adsorbent container 504 is coupled to a heat exchanger 37 located in an insulated seal 38. The adsorbent vessel 504 and the heat exchanger 37 form a sealed seal containing the active substance as described above.

The adsorbent vessel 504 carries an adsorbent substance 10 such as zeolite so that the adsorbent substance 10 is introduced into the adsorbent vessel 504 through a hole 515 sealed with a plug 516. A heat transfer conduit 560 extends through the adsorbent vessel 504 such that the adsorbent material 10 is positioned between the outer walls of the adsorbent vessel 504 and the heat transfer conduit 560. Since the heat transfer conduit 560 is in intimate thermal contact with the adsorbent material 10, heat transfer may easily occur between the heat transfer conduit and the adsorbent material.

In one embodiment, the heat transfer conduit 560 contains a heat transfer unit 562. As a preferred aspect of this embodiment, the heat transfer unit 562 includes a conductive nickel chromium alloy coil 564, which passes through the heat transfer conduit 560 and insulates the insulating disks 566 therein. Is supported. Insulating disks 566 include holes 567 through which conductive coils 564 pass. Such a heat transfer unit 562 can be obtained from Process Heating Company (Seattle, WA, USA). The heat transfer unit 562 is connected to the power source 568. When the adsorbent material 10 is heated by applying electric power to the heat transfer unit 562, the adsorbent container 504 is detached.

The heat transfer conduit is preferably located closer to the bottom wall 580 than to the top wall 582 of the adsorbent vessel 504. As a result, the heat rising from the heat transfer conduit 560 heats up a larger portion of the adsorbent material 10 in the adsorbent vessel 504. The air inlet duct 570 coupled to the heat transfer conduit 560 is supplied with cooling air after desorption to cool the heat transfer conduit 560. Cooling air is forced through the air inlet duct 570 attached to the cold source 366 to cool the heat transfer conduit 560, the heat transfer unit 562, and the adsorbent material 10. Cold source 366 includes a fan or other similar functional device. In a preferred embodiment air inlet duct 570 is coupled to heat transfer conduit 560 as a removable coupling 572a. This allows the air inlet conduit 570 to be easily removed from the heat transfer conduit 560 thereby accessing the heat transfer unit 562 for maintenance and / or replacement. An air exhaust duct 574 connected to the heat transfer conduit 560 directs the cooling air away from the adsorbent vessel 504 after passing through the heat transfer conduit. In a preferred embodiment, the air exhaust duct 574 is coupled to the heat transfer conduit 560 as a removable coupling 572b to provide easy access to the heat transfer unit 562.

In a preferred embodiment, the adsorbent vessel 504 includes an inner heat transfer tube 576a and an outer heat transfer tube 576b. The heat transfer tubes 576a and 576b are used to increase the heat transfer efficiency with the adsorbent vessel 504. In a preferred embodiment, the heat transfer tubes 576a and 576 are coupled to a cooling water source (not shown) to cool the adsorbent material 10 within the adsorbent vessel 504 after desorption is complete. As a preferred aspect of this embodiment, water is used as the coolant but in other embodiments other liquids or gases are used. If water is used as the coolant, it is preferred to be removed from the heat transfer tubes prior to desorption so that the heat intended to desorb the adsorbent vessel does not heat the water in the heat transfer tubes. The water removed from the heat transfer nubs is warmed as a result of cooling the adsorbent material and can also be used to desorb the adsorbent material. In another embodiment, inner and outer heat transfer tubes may be coupled to a thermal fluid source (not shown) to heat the adsorbent material 10 to facilitate desorption. In a preferred embodiment, inner and outer heat transfer tubes 576a and 576b are wound coiled around heat transfer conduit 560. This allows the heat transfer tubes to bend without breaking during the heating and cooling cycles that result from the alternate adsorption vessel 504 being alternately detached and cooled. As the heat transfer tubes 576a and 576b are bent, these tubes tend to move nearby adsorbent materials, opening up small gaps or passageways through which steam enters and more easily desorbs the adsorbent material 10. To do it. In a preferred aspect of this embodiment, the inner heat transfer tube 576a is located close to the heat transfer conduit 560 to cool and / or heat the adsorbent material 10 in that area. The outer heat transfer tube 576b is further spaced apart from the heat transfer tube 560 to cool and / or heat the adsorbent material further away from the heat transfer conduit. In other embodiments heat transfer tubes are drawn more or less. Adsorbent vessel 504 is coupled to vacuum source 33 by vacuum conduit 534. This vacuum source can reduce the pressure in the adsorbent vessel 504, thereby increasing the efficiency of the adsorption process as described above. The adsorbent vessel 504 is coupled to the heat exchanger 37 via an adsorption type 508 and a condensation pipe 509 as shown in FIG.

A screen 584 is positioned between the bottom wall 580 and the adsorbent material 10 to prevent the adsorbent material from entering the vacuum conduit 534, the adsorption pipe 508, or the condensation pipe 509. Screen 584 is supported on bottom wall 58 with stand offs 586. Adsorbent vessel 504 is coupled to heat exchanger 37 and separator 430 in a manner similar to that described with reference to FIG. Adsorption pipe 508 is coupled to the separator 430. A suction pipe 508 is connected to the outlet 434 of the separator 430. Adsorption conduit 440 is connected to the inlet 432. Condensation conduit 448 collects liquid from liquid collection port 436 and sends this liquid through manifold 588 to heat exchanger 37. The condensation pipe 509 forms a conduit between the adsorbent vessel 504 and the manifold 588 to send the substance removed from the adsorbent vessel 504 to the heat exchanger 37. Cooling sources 36 and 36a cool the agent before it enters the manifold 588 and heat exchanger 37.

In another embodiment, a single cooling source is used to cool the fluid in both condensation pipe 448 and condensation pipe 509. The valves 520, 522, 524, and 526 can be displaced to either adsorb the agonist from the heat exchanger 37 or to send the condensed agonist to the heat exchanger 37.

In the embodiment of the apparatus 500 shown in FIG. 18, the circulator 590 is located in the upper portion of the adsorbent vessel 504. As shown in FIG. The circulator 590 circulates a fluid (liquid or gaseous) around or within the adsorbent material 10 to improve the rate at which the adsorbent material desorbs the acting material.

This circulator improves adsorption by circulating the adsorbed fluid through the adsorbent vessel 504.

By the bot screen 592, the absorbent material 10 does not interfere with the operation of the circulation device 590.

18, in one embodiment, the circulator 590 may be a fan with a rotary blade, and in other embodiments, the circulator may include other means for circulating fluid in the adsorbent vessel 504. .

The operation of the heat transfer device 500 is almost similar to the operation described with reference to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 16. Initially the adsorbent vessel 540 is desorbed by heating the heat transfer unit 562 to allow steam to pass through the condensation pipe 509, where steam enters the manifold 588 through the valve 522. It is cooled by the cooling source 36. Circulator 590 may be activated to facilitate detachment. Once the desorption is completed, the cooling air passes through the inlet duct 570 to cool the heat transfer unit 562, the heat transfer conduit 560, and the adsorbent material 10 positioned near the heat transfer conduit 560. The cooling liquid passes through the inner and outer heat transfer tubes 576a and 576b to further cool the adsorbent material 10.

Once adsorption is complete, valve 526 is closed and valves 524 and 520 are opened. The functional material is adsorbed into the separator 430 in the heat exchanger 37 through the adsorption conduit 440. The liquid agent is separated from the fluid stream removed from the heat exchanger 37 and passes through the liquid collector 436 into the condensation conduit 448. This fluid flow passes through separator 430 into adsorbent pipe 508 and adsorbent vessel 504. After the selected time period, the valves 520 and 524 are closed to prevent adsorption from the condensation conduit 448 and further adsorption from the heat exchanger 37. The liquid in the condensation conduit 448 can be cooled to the cooling source 36a and returned to the heat exchanger 37 by opening the valve 526. This cycle is repeated until a sufficient amount of steam passes through the adsorption pipe 508 to saturate the adsorbent material 10, at which point the adsorbent vessel 504 is released as described above.

As described above, as an advantage of the embodiment shown in Fig. 18, the capacity of the adsorbent container 504 is extended by separating the liquid functional material from the fluid removed from the heat exchanger before the liquid functional material reaches the adsorbent material 10. It is. Another advantage of the embodiment shown in FIG. 18 is that the heat transfer unit 562 effectively heats the adsorbent material 10 to quickly detach the adsorbent vessel 504. The heat exchanger conduit 560 is advantageously configured to facilitate removal and / or maintenance of the heat transfer unit 562. The inner and outer heat transfer tubes 576a and 576b effectively cool the adsorbent material 10 and may likewise be used for supplemental heating of the adsorbent material 10. The spiral shape of the heat transfer tubes 576a and 576b prevents the tubes from breaking or cracking under thermal stress, and advantageously rearranges the adsorbent material 10 in the adsorbent vessel 504 to more easily detach the adsorbent material. . The air duct 570 supplies cooling air to allow the heat transfer unit 562 to cool down quickly after desorption is completed, reducing the amount of time needed to prepare the adsorbent vessel 504 for another cycle. As another advantage of the embodiment shown in FIG. 18, the circulator 590 circulates fluid through the adsorbent vessel 504, increases contact between the adsorbent and adsorbent material 10 during adsorption, and adsorbs during detachment. Increasing heat transfer from the body improves desorption and adsorption.

19 illustrates another embodiment of the heat transfer conduit 560 shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 19, the heat transfer conduit 560 does not include a heat transfer unit 562 for heating the adsorbent vessel 504. As shown in FIG. Instead, a heat transfer conduit 560 is coupled to the hot air duct 570a and the cold air duct 570b. The position of the valve 590 changes to allow fluid passage between the heat transfer conduit 560 and the hot air duct 570a or between the heat transfer conduit 560 and the cold air duct 570b.

In one embodiment, hot air duct 570a is coupled to an exhaust duct of an internal combustion engine, such as an exhaust pipe of a car or truck. The cold air duct 570b is then coupled to an air scoop located in the vehicle to provide cold air to the heat transfer conduit 560.

The operation of the heat transfer apparatus 500 shown in FIG. 19 is almost similar to that of the heat transfer apparatus shown in FIG. In order to desorb the adsorbent material 10 in the adsorbent vessel 504, the valve 590 is positioned as shown by a phantom line in FIG. (10) is heated. When the desorption is completed, the valve 590 goes to the position shown by the solid line in FIG. 19, and cool air flows from the cold air duct 570b into the heat transfer conduit 560 to cool both the heat transfer conduit and the adsorbent material 10 therein. Let's do it. The heating and cooling of the adsorbent material is supplemented by inner and outer heat transfer tubes 576a and 576b as described above with reference to FIG.

As an advantage of the heat accumulator shown in Fig. 19, it is possible to obtain a cold air source and a heat source, particularly suitable for applications such as vehicles such as automobiles and trucks. This application is particularly advantageous because it uses waste heat to desorb the agent and uses air flowing through the vehicle to cool the adsorbent vessel, both of which are readily available.

20 illustrates a heat exchanger 700 of another embodiment, in which the heat exchanger is replaced with a hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell 737. The fuel cell 737 is connected to the adsorption conduit 440, which is connected to the inlet 432 of the separation mechanism 430. The outlet 434 of the separation mechanism is connected to a pipe 8 extending into the adsorbent vessel 4. Valves 420 and 424, respectively located in pipe 8 and adsorption conduit 440, control the flow of agonists from fuel cell 737 to adsorbent vessel 4.

The object collector 436 of the separation mechanism 430 is connected to the collection conduit 450, and the collection conduit 450 is connected to the wastewater conduit 748. This wastewater conduit is also connected to the pipe 8 to receive the action material detached from the adsorbent vessel 4. Valve 422 regulates the flow between pipe 8 and wastewater conduit 748. The dump valve 726 may be opened to remove water from the wastewater conduit 748. In one embodiment, wastewater conduit 748 is coupled to vacuum source 33a, and communication with the vacuum source is controlled by valve 32a. The vacuum source allows for the excretion of the waste water conduit 748, which is preferred for systems operating under atmospheric pressure. In other embodiments, such as systems operating above atmospheric pressure, vacuum source 33a is removed. In such an embodiment, the vacuum source 33 can likewise be removed.

The fuel cell 737 generates energy by deleting hydrogen and oxygen. As a by-product, fuel cell 737 generates water in liquid and vapor form. In one embodiment, the fuel cell is of type FC10K-NG, an Analyke Power Corporation product, Boston, Massachusetts. In other embodiments, other types of hydrogen-oxygen fuel cells are used. In a process substantially similar to that described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 16, the adsorbent vessel 4 removes water from the fuel cell 737 by adsorption.

Since the water contained in the fluid stream is adsorbed from the fuel cell 737, the water passes through the separation mechanism 430, and a part of the water is removed from the fluid flow. This water leaves the separation mechanism via the liquid collecting port 436. When the valve 452 is opened, water flows into the wastewater pipe 748 through the collecting pipe 450 for cooling by the cooling source 36a. The valve 452 is closed after draining the water from the separation mechanism 430.

Any water remaining in the fluid stream is adsorbed into the adsorbent material 10 through the pipe 8. In one embodiment, when the adsorbent material 10, called zeolite, is saturated, it is heated by the heat source 18 to desorb water therein. Desorbed water is completely removed from the system by opening the valve 422 and the desorbed steam enters the wastewater conduit 748. The waste water is then cooled by the cooling source 36a. When desorption is complete, valve 422 is closed to isolate adsorbent vessel 4 and separation mechanism 430 from wastewater conduit 748. The dump valve 726 is opened to discharge water from the waste water pipe. When water is discharged from the waste water pipe, the dump valve 726 is closed and the valve 32a is opened to allow the vacuum source 33a to empty the waste water pipe 748. As mentioned above, this step is necessary only if it is required to maintain the system below atmospheric pressure. In a preferred embodiment, the excretion is completed while the adsorption vessel 4 is being cooled by the cooling source 36. Heat transfer device 700 is ready for another cycle when the pressure in wastewater conduit 748 is approximately equal to the pressure in adsorbent vessel 4 and the adsorbent vessel is cooled. A series of operations of adsorbing water into the adsorbent vessel 4, desorbing the water from the adsorbent vessel, and removing water through the liquid collection port 436 removes the water from the fuel cell 737.

An advantage of the heat transfer device embodiment shown in FIG. 20 is that this device removes wastewater generated by the fuel cell. This wastewater is usually in the form of hot water or steam, and the fuel cell is effectively cooled by removing it from the fuel cell. When the fuel cell is cooled, the efficiency of the fuel cell is increased to increase its output. Moreover, by removing moisture from the thin films commonly used in such fuel cells, this heat transfer device increases the efficiency of the thin films. Another advantage of this heat transferr embodiment is that by removing the water from the fuel cell, the remaining heat not removed from the fuel cell can be used to replenish or replace the heat source 18 to desorb adsorbent vessel 4. This is beneficial for two reasons. First, the power required to detach the adsorbent vessel 4 is reduced. Second, as the fuel cell 737 is further cooled, the efficiency of the fuel cell is increased and power required to cool the fuel cell is reduced. Another advantage of the heat transferr embodiment maintained below atmospheric pressure is that the pressure in the adsorbent vessel is substantially unaffected when the waste water conduit is discharged by isolating the waste water conduit 748 from the adsorbent vessel 4.

21 illustrates another embodiment heat transfer device 400, in which at least one ferromagnetic member 810 is adjacent to the adsorbent material 10 in the adsorbent vessel 4. In one embodiment, the ferromagnetic member 810 includes annular disks 812 concentric with the pipe 8 and located along the supports 814. In other embodiments other shapes are used. In a preferred embodiment this ferromagnetic member 810 comprises gadolinium. In other embodiments this ferromagnetic member may comprise a magnetocaloric effect, that is, any ferromagnetic material or other material having heating properties when placed in a magnetic field and cooling properties when removed from a magnetic field. The magnetic properties of gadolinium are mentioned in the article entitled "The Multi-Mate Frigi Magnet" in the April 19, 1997 "The Economist".

The magnet 816 is located outside of the adsorbent vessel 4. In one embodiment, the magnet is cylindrical and concentric with the adsorbent vessel 4. The magnet 816 is the longitudinal direction of the adsorbent vessel 4? Move axially along the columns. As shown by the solid line in FIG. 21, when the magnet 816 is positioned such that the ferromagnetic member 810 is in the magnetic field generated by the magnet, the ferromagnetic member is heated to detach the working material from the absorbent material 10. As shown in FIG. When the magnet 816 is positioned such that the ferromagnetic member 810 is outside the magnetic field as shown by the dotted line, the ferromagnetic member cools the adsorbent material 10 to prepare for the next adsorption cycle. In a preferred aspect of this embodiment the walls of the adsorbent vessel 4 are made of a material that does not interfere with the magnetic field generated by the magnet 816.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 21, a single magnet 816 is used to heat and cool the ferromagnetic member 810. As shown in FIG. In other embodiments, multiple magnets 816 may be employed. In another aspect of this alternative embodiment, the magnets are coupled to their respective magnetic fields to create a stronger magnetic field, the first position to heat the ferromagnetic member 810, and the respective magnetic fields cancel each other to cool the ferromagnetic member. Relative to each other between the second position. In another embodiment, the magnet 816 may move in a direction other than axial to generate or remove the magnetic field. In another embodiment, the magnet 816 may be an electromagnet. This electromagnet generates a magnetic field when an electric current is applied, and the magnetic field is removed when the electric current disappears. In this way, the ferromagnetic member 810 can be heated and cooled without moving the magnet. In yet another embodiment, a plurality of ferromagnetic materials may be used, each capable of circulating in a different temperature range, to increase the heating temperature of the zeolite or to reduce the cooling temperature.

The advantage of this ferromagnetic material is that it heats and cools the adsorbent material very quickly, thus reducing the time required to adsorb and cool the adsorbent vessel in preparation for another adsorption cycle. Another advantage of this ferromagnetic material is that it can reduce the power required to heat and cool the adsorbent vessel 4.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the magnet 816 can be moved around a mechanism driven by a Stirling engine cycle. This mechanism may be a power piston 93 or a displaced piston 88 (FIG. 9). In another embodiment, a piston or other mechanism contains a ferromagnetic member and is in close proximity to the magnet so that the piston is alternately heated or cooled as it moves through the magnet to provide additional driving force to drive the stirling cycle. In another embodiment, the piston holds a magnet and heats the ferromagnetic member in proximity to the cylinder in which the piston is moving. This ferromagnetic member alternately heats and cools each of the hot zone 82 and the cold zone 83 (Fig. 9).

In another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 28, the ferromagnetic member 810a will be attached to the solid heat sink 820. The ferromagnetic member 810a may comprise a member injected into a solid piece or heat sink 820. The heat sink 820 will include other members of the conductive material, and in one embodiment, will include a carbon material as represented in greater detail at the bottom of FIGS. 25-27.

When the ferromagnetic member 810a is located in the magnetic field, heat is applied to it. The magnetic field may include a magnet source 815, such as a conventional magnet, an electromagnet, an electrical device that generates a magnetic field, a superconducting magnet or other source. Heat is conducted from the ferromagnetic member 810a by the heat sink 820 until the ferromagnetic member is cooled to ambient temperature. The ferromagnetic member 810a is also cooled to physically remove the ferromagnetic member from the magnetic field or to remove the force of the magnetic field. The cooling effect is conducted to the heat sink 820 and will be used to cool the selected device. For example, heat sink 820 will cool magnet source 815. In addition, the heat sink 820 will adsorb and desorb the agonist and will be placed in a sealed container to act in a manner similar to the adsorbent material 10 as shown in detail in FIG. 21. In any case, the heating and cooling effects generated by the ferromagnetic member 810a will be augmented by injecting a magnetic field produced by the ferromagnetic member, for example a superconducting magnet, into a strong magnetic field.

22 is a view illustrating another embodiment of the heat exchange pipe shown in FIG. 16. As shown in FIG. 22, the heat exchange conduit 40 includes an outer container or conduit 600 and an inner container or conduit 610. The outer conduit 600 is sufficiently rigid and thermally conductive so that heat can be effectively conducted from the tubing 40a. The inner conduit 610 is preferably formed by a flexible material and expands between the contracted position shown by the solid line in FIG. 22 and the expanded position shown by the dotted line. The inner conduit 610 is connected to a pressurized gas or liquid (not shown). In a preferred embodiment, the agent is contained within a channel 612 formed between the inner container 610 and the outer container 600. The agonist freezes during adsorption and the inner conduit 610 expands like a freezing material towards the inner wall 614 of the outer container 600. In addition, the freezing material is accommodated in the outer container 600 and sealed, so that the area surrounding the heat exchange pipe 40a is provided to the maximum cooling as located in the insulated enclosure 38 (FIG. 16). The inner container 610 shrinks inwards by the agent freezing it to fill the channel 612 completely, and the inner container 610 compresses and prevents the outer container 600 from rupture.

FIG. 23 illustrates another embodiment of the heat exchange pipe shown in FIG. 22. As shown in FIG. 23, the heat exchange pipe 40b includes a rigid wall 620 connected to a flexible wall 622 formed in a closed channel shape. The flexible wall 622 controls the freezing and expansion of the agents contained therein. In other words, the structural state of the heat exchange pipe 40b is not dangerous as a result of the phase exchange of the substances contained therein.

24 illustrates another embodiment of the heat exchanger shown in FIG. 16. The heat exchanger 37 includes two spatially reversed metal plates 620. The rubber gasket 621 is located between the metal plates and contacts both plates with a series of bolts 622. The bolts are internal to the gasket 621 such that the head 624 of each bolt is received inside the rubber gasket 621, and the shank 626 of each bolt protrudes through the hole 628 of the metal plate 620. Located in The nut 630 is threaded on the shank 628 so as to be connected to the bolt of the metal plate 620. As shown in FIG. 24, the bolts do not pass through the two metal plates as a whole, but rubber gaskets 621 are alternately connected to the first metal plate 620 and the other metal plate little by little. The holes are formed in the rubber gasket 621 to match the adsorption conduit 440 and the return conduit 438. In a preferred embodiment, the plates 620 allow the substances contained therein to contact the metal plate 620 when frozen to maximize the cooling effect provided by the heat exchanger 37. Placed at intervals wherever possible.

An advantage of the heat exchanger and heat exchange piping shown in FIGS. 22-24 is that the heat exchange and piping are suitable for expansion of the active material in freezing without stressing the heat exchange or piping under stress. Another advantage of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 22-24 is that the heat exchanger and piping allow the contained substances therein to be placed in close contact with the surface of the heat exchanger to increase the cooling effect of the freezing substance contained therein. Is that.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the adsorbent material shown in any of the preceding figures will include a carbon foam material that adds or substitutes for another adsorbent material, such as carbon fiber, carbon fiber in a network, or zeolite. I think a suitable material is Washington, D., USA. Seed. US patent application Ser. No. 08 / 358,857, filed Dec. 19, 1994 by Brossel et al., And US patent 08 / 601,672, filed February 15, 1996 by Judkin et al. (All merged here by citation). Carbon will have affinity for water or other agents and will be contained in the adsorbent vessel. The carbon is in fiber form and the carbon fiber will be connected to provide power to the water vapor desorbed from the carbon fiber. Desorption is carried out so that the temperature of the carbon fibers does not increase significantly. Carbon is formed into either fiber or foam and heat will be applied to desorb the hydro group from the carbon. Heat will come from other sources, including the sun. Desorbed water vapor will be collected in a separate condensation vessel and will be separated from carbon as described in detail in FIG. 1 by closing the valve between the adsorbent vessel and the condensation vessel. When the valve is open, carbon tends to adsorb water to freeze at least a small amount of water remaining in the condensation vessel. Small amounts of freeze will be adsorbed by sublimation to increase the additional cooling effect as detailed in the preceding figures.

According to one aspect of the embodiment described above, as shown in detail in FIG. 25, the device 902 includes a container 904 with a carbon fiber 910 disposed therein. Carbon fiber 910 is attached to each end to make electrical contact 910, one of which includes spikes or fins 913 at one end of the heat transfer container 904. The plate 915 is sealed at the opposite end of the container 904 and the container discharges to exclude the active material, such as water. When the current is in electrical contact 911 by the current source 918, the agent is released from the carbon fiber 910 and collected on the inner surface 917 of the plate 915. Thus, the carbon fiber 910 is spaced apart from the inner surface 917 of the plate 915 to allow a space for the agent to accumulate. When the current is removed, the working material is adsorbed from the plate 915 to the carbon fiber 910 and the plate cooling unit. The agent will adsorb during the liquid phase and will be adsorbed continuously by sublimation until the agent solidifies.

In one method of action, adsorption will continue until the solidified agent is completely removed from the plate 917, and in another method, the adsorption will be stopped before the entire agent is removed. In another embodiment, the container 904 will include materials other than carbon fiber to act in a similar manner when electrical current is applied. In another embodiment, the agonist will comprise a material other than water, such that the electrical current may be released from the adsorbent material when passing through it and adsorbed by the adsorbent material when the current is removed. .

As described above, vessel 904 is sealed and discharged to perform repeated adsorption / desorption cycles when using the same agent. In another embodiment, the container 904 will be opened by removing either the contact 911 or the plate 915 such that the carbon fiber 910 is exposed, for example. The carbon fiber 910 may be used by adsorbing moisture in the air when the container is resealed and detached, and residues used for adsorption or other purposes.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 26, carbon fiber 910a will be filled with zeolite. For example, carbon fiber 910a may have openings 920 in the screen to include zeolite pellets 921. This combination allows the zeolite pellets 921 to absorb the agents relatively quickly by the effect of the relatively high temperature conductivity of the carbon fibers 910a (or carbon foam) and to speed up the detachment of the zeolite pellets. There is an advantage of relatively fast detachment of the agonist by the transmission force of.

In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 27, the carbon fiber 910 is active to have affinity for the agonist. For example, the agonist is water and the carbon fiber is hydrophilic. The substrate 915 of the device 902 includes a carbon foam material 924 that acts to support the agonist. For example, the agonist is water and the carbonaceous material 924 is hydrophobic. The carbon foam material 924 and carbon fiber 910 are formed with a rigid vacuum coating layer 923 that forms a sealed volume such that the carbon foam material and carbon fiber are in fluid transfer. The coating layer may be formed from a suitable material, for example metal, copolyimide, which is disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,639,850, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, and which can be used in the technology of Redmond, Washington. have. The agent is adsorbed and detached from the carbon fiber 910 in a similar manner as shown in detail in FIG. 25 to cool the substrate 915. As an advantage of this arrangement, it is easier to extract this water from the minority carbon foam 924 and from a conventional heat exchanger during adsorption because the carbon foam 924 tends to drain the water. As shown in FIG. 27, the carbon fiber 910 is activated to have an affinity for the active material, and the carbon foam material 924 is activated to expel the active material. In another embodiment, the carbon fiber 910 may be activated to evict the agonist, the carbon foam may be activated to have affinity for the agonist, and the carbon fiber 910 and the carbon foam 924 may be reversed. Can be

FIG. 29 is a sectional view of another embodiment of the heat exchanger piping shown in FIG. 22; As shown in FIG. 29, a rod 613 is disposed in the inner conduit 610. The rod 613 may be slightly spaced apart from the inner wall of the inner conduit 610, as shown in Figure 29, or the rod 613 may alternatively be flush with this inner wall. The rod 613 includes a carbon fiber material substantially similar to that described in FIGS. 25-27. The rod 613 has an affinity for the pressurized material (eg, water) initially adsorbed by the rod 613. When current passes through the rod 613, the rod desorbs the pressurized material, causing the pressurized material to fall off the rod and expand the inner conduit 610 toward the outer conduit 600. When the pressurized material is completely released, an additional current is applied to the rod 613 to heat the pressurized material to expand both the pressurized material and the inner conduit. When the current is removed, the rod 613 resorbs the pressurized material and causes the inner conduit 610 to shrink.

The pressurized material inside the inner conduit 610 may be the same as or different from the acting material located between the inner conduit 610 and the outer conduit 600 and depends on the adsorption characteristics of the rod 613. For example, rod 613 may be treated or activated to adsorb water in one embodiment, and may be treated or activated to adsorb other materials in other embodiments.

In one embodiment, an expanding inner conduit 610 is used to circumvent the agent located between the inner conduit 610 and the outer conduit 600 to improve heat transfer to the outer conduit as outlined in FIG. Can be moved towards the conduit. The inner conduit 610 may be used to release or break these materials when the agent or other material is frozen.

30A is a partial cutaway side view of conduit 600 with blade valve 610a. The air valve 610a may be formed of an elastic material that is well bent to expand between the contracted position shown by the solid line in FIG. 30A and the expanded position shown by the dotted line. The valve 610a is "opened" in the retracted position. That is, the fluid (liquid or gas) is moved through the conduit 600 by the valve. The valve 610a is "closed" in the expanded position. That is, the valve is sealed to the inner wall 601 of the conduit 600, the fluid movement is prevented through the conduit 600. The valve 610a may be expanded to an intermediate position between the open position and the closed position to limit fluid movement through the conduit 600. The bleed valve 610a may be approximately spherical in shape as shown in FIG. 30A, or may otherwise be shaped to fit snugly to the conduit 600 or expandable to close or at least restrict flow through the conduit. . In some cases, the valve 610a may include a certain amount of the adsorptive material 613a that detaches the pressurized material when applying a current and adsorbs the pressurized material when the current is removed, similar to that described in FIG. 29. Thus, the valve 610a can expand to the closed position when the current is applied to the adsorbent material 613a and to contract to the open position when the current is removed. The advantage of the valve 610a is that there are fewer moving parts than conventional valves, and therefore the service life lasts longer than conventional valves.

In another embodiment of the present invention shown in Fig. 30B. The conduit 600 may have a plurality of berets 610b, in which a certain amount of adsorbent material 613b is disposed. These billets 610b may be sequentially inflated and / or contracted to move fluid through conduit 600 as shown by arrow A. FIG. Thus, in one embodiment, the billets 610a are substantially cylindrical, so that when the billets expand, they fill the conduit 600 to displace the fluid therein.

In another embodiment, shown in FIG. 30C, the conduit 600 has a number of adsorbent material pellets 613c without a blur. As the current passes through these adsorbent pellets 613c, the adsorbent pellets desorb the pressurized material therein and displace the fluid in its conduit 600. In a manner similar to that described with reference to FIG. 30B, adjacent adsorbent material pellets 613c are sequentially activated to pour fluid through the conduit. In one embodiment adsorbent material pellets 613c may be processed or activated to adsorb or desorb the same fluid as pumped through conduit 600 and adsorbent material pellets 613c as pumped through conduit 600. have. Alternatively, the pressurized material and the pumped fluid may be selected differently, such as when the pressurized material is not harmful to mixing with the pumping fluid or when the pressurized material and the pumping fluid are not intended to mix.

In any of the above-described embodiments described with reference to FIGS. 29-30C, the adsorbent material may comprise carbon fibers as described in FIGS. 25-27, or desorb the pressurized material when a current is applied through the material. It can be any material that can adsorb a pressurized material when the current is removed. In one embodiment, the adsorbent material may be activated to adsorb or desorb water, whereas the adsorbent material may be activated to adsorb and desorb any material that may displace the fluid or fluid upon desorption. The vessel in which the adsorbent material is disposed may comprise a conduit or any type of vessel capable of holding a liquid or gaseous fluid. When this adsorbent material is used to pump the fluid, the size and shape can be selected to obtain the desired flow rate.

The adsorbent material described in FIGS. 1-30 can be assembleably adjustable into smaller shapes. For example, as shown in FIG. 31, an adsorbent composite p30 may be formed by interconnecting several individual molded parts 940 (two of which are shown in FIG. 31), each of which is described herein. As outlined in US Provisional Application No. 60 / 049.6303, filed June 13, 1997, the plates or leaves engaged with the leaves of adjacent forming parts are spaced at a predetermined interval. These molded parts 940 may be connected to each other using mechanical fasteners or adhesives, and may also continue to be connected by friction between the leaves 941. These molded portions 940 may include carbon foam, carbon fiber material, and other materials. For example, one portion 941 of the molded portions may be made of copper and coupled to a current source to electrically conduct adjacent molded portions. Such an arrangement may be appropriate if adjacent molding portions 941 comprise a carbon fiber material that can be detached when a current is applied to the carbon occupant.

Each of the molded parts 941 shown in Fig. 31 has a substantially hexagonal planar outline, thus forming an approximately gapless arrangement when assembled into these molded parts. In other embodiments, the molded parts 941 can have other shapes, such as triangles or squares, such that the molded parts can be assembled without gaps. In another embodiment, the shape of the shaped portions 941 can be selected to leave a gap between the portions.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described for purposes of illustration, as described above, various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, this invention is limited only by the appended claims.

Claims (126)

In the heat transfer apparatus for generating a cooling effect using a heat source, A first container having a first hole containing an adsorbent material having a cavity for adsorption; A second container having a second hole connected to the first hole of the first container by a conduit providing a flow path and forming a closed volume; A large amount of agonist capable of being strongly adsorbed by the adsorbent in the fluid stream while passing from the second vessel to the first vessel within the hermetic volume; And a separation mechanism operatively connected to the conduit between the first vessel and the second vessel to separate at least some of the agent from the fluid stream. The method of claim 1, The adsorbent material is a heat transfer device comprising a carbon material capable of desorbing the active material when the current is applied and adsorbing the active material when the current is eliminated. The method of claim 1, Allowing the agent to move between an open position in which the agent freely moves between the first container and the second container and a closed position in which movement of the agent between the first container and the second container is inhibited. And a valve disposed in the conduit. The method of claim 1, If the conduit is referred to as a first conduit, the first conduit connects the separation mechanism to the second vessel and provides a flow path for returning the action material removed from the fluid stream to the second vessel. And a second conduit provided between said second container. The method of claim 1, And a third container fluidly connected to the first container and the separation mechanism, If the portion of the agent is referred to as the first portion and the fluid flow is referred to as the first fluid flow, then the separation mechanism is at least a second of the agent from the second fluid stream passing from the third vessel to the first vessel. A heat transfer device, characterized in that arranged to separate the parts. The method of claim 5, And further comprising a selector valve capable of moving between a first position and a second position, wherein the first fluid flow between the first vessel and the second vessel is freed at the first position. And wherein the first fluid flow between the first vessel and the third vessel is freed in position. The method of claim 1, And the second vessel includes a cooling element for cooling the volume surrounding the second vessel. The method of claim 1, A portion of the working substance in the second vessel is in a solid state, and the working substance in the solid state is sublimed into a gaseous state and is almost completely adsorbed by the adsorbent material. The method of claim 1, And wherein the amount of the agent is not greater than the adsorption cavity of the adsorbent material at any temperature and pressure of the hermetic volume such that the agent can be almost completely adsorbed by the adsorbent material. The method of claim 1, And the separation mechanism permeates an arcuate flow path for centrifuging the agent from the fluid stream. The method of claim 1, And a cooling source arranged to cool the separation mechanism to condense a portion of the working material passing through the separation mechanism. The method of claim 1, And further comprising a heat source disposed in proximity of the adsorbent material to heat the adsorbent material to evaporate the acting material from the adsorbent material, wherein the heat source comprises an active state and an inactive state in which the heat source heats the adsorbent material. Heat transfer device, characterized in that can be controlled between. The method of claim 12, And the heat source is disposed in the first vessel. The method of claim 1, And said adsorbent material is zeolite. The method of claim 1, Heat transfer device, characterized in that the action material is water. The method of claim 1, When the functional substance is referred to as a first adsorbent, the second adsorbent is additionally included, and the rate at which the first adsorbent is adsorbed by the adsorbent is the rate at which the second adsorbent is adsorbed by the adsorbent. Heat transfer device, characterized in that slower. The method of claim 1, Wherein said first adsorbate is water and said second adsorbate is carbon dioxide. The method of claim 1, When the adsorbent is called a first adsorbent and the working substance is called a first adsorbent, the adsorbent further includes a second adsorbent and a second adsorbent, and the rate at which the first adsorbent is adsorbed by the first adsorbent. And the rate at which the second adsorbate is adsorbed by the second adsorbent is different. The method of claim 1, The first container further includes a vacuum valve through which the vacuum hole penetrates and has internal pressure, and connected to the vacuum hole, wherein the vacuum valve is connected to a vacuum source to move between an open position and a closed position. In the open position, the vacuum source is free to fluid flow with the first container to lower the internal pressure of the first container, and in the closed position, the first container is sealed against the vacuum source Heat transfer device. The method of claim 1, It further comprises a Stirling engine having its own engine efficiency and operating between a high temperature tank (high temperature reservoir) and a low temperature tank (low temperature reservoir), and the second vessel is cooled by cooling the low temperature tank. The first vessel and the separation mechanism are arranged to heat the high temperature bath, thereby reducing engine efficiency relative to a sterling engine without such a heat transfer device. Heat transfer apparatus characterized in that for increasing. The method of claim 20, And further comprising a piston moving near or far relative to the magnet that created the magnetic field in the cylinder, the piston comprising a ferromagnetic material and having a temperature rise when disposed within the magnetic field and a temperature when disposed outside the magnetic field. Heat transfer apparatus characterized in that the falling. The method of claim 20, Additionally comprising a piston moving within the cylinder, the piston including a magnet that forms a magnetic field and moving near or away from a ferromagnetic material disposed outside of the piston, the ferromagnetic material being disposed within the magnetic field. The temperature rises when the heat transfer device, characterized in that the temperature drops when disposed outside the magnetic field. In Stirling engine, A high temperature tank, a low temperature tank, a piston moving in the cylinder between the high temperature tank and the low temperature tank and containing a ferromagnetic material, and a magnet forming a magnetic field and disposed outside the cylinder. Include, Stirling engine, characterized in that for heating the ferromagnetic material when the ferromagnetic material of the piston is located in the magnetic field and to cool the ferromagnetic material when the ferromagnetic material of the piston is located outside the magnetic field. In Stirling engine, A piston including a high temperature tank, a low temperature tank, a magnet moving in the cylinder between the high temperature tank and the low temperature tank and forming a magnetic field, and a ferromagnetic material disposed outside the cylinder. A ferromagnetic member comprising: Stirling engine, characterized in that to increase the temperature when the ferromagnetic material is located in the magnetic field and to decrease the temperature when the ferromagnetic material is located outside the magnetic field. The method of claim 24, The ferromagnetic member may be arranged to heat the high temperature bath when the ferromagnetic material is located in the magnetic field and to cool the low temperature bath when the ferromagnetic material is located outside the magnetic field. The method of claim 1, And a thermal voltaic device having a high temperature side and a low temperature side, and an output voltage of its own, wherein the second vessel is arranged to cool the low temperature side and the first vessel and the separation mechanism are at a high temperature. The heat transfer device is arranged to heat the side, thereby increasing the output voltage relative to a voltage element that does not have such a heat transfer device. The method of claim 1, And further comprising a turbine arrangement disposed in a conduit between the first vessel and the second vessel, the turbine arrangement from the second vessel to the first vessel as the working material is adsorbed by the adsorbent material. And a turbine rotor capable of converting linear motion into rotational motion and transferring energy related to the rotational motion to the outside of the conduit. The method of claim 1, The first vessel, the second vessel, the conduit and the working material form a first cooling unit, and additionally include at least one second cooling unit, wherein the second vessel of the cooling unit has a cooling volume. Housed in a confining cooling chamber, wherein the cooling unit can be controlled to maintain the cooling volume at an arbitrary temperature. The method of claim 1, And further comprising a chiller chamber defining an inner area having a temperature of its own, wherein the second vessel is disposed within the inner area of the chiller chamber, the conduit passes through a hole in the chiller chamber, and 1 The vessel is disposed outside the inner area, and the heat transfer device can be controlled to lower the temperature of the inner area lower than the temperature outside the inner area. The method of claim 1, And the amount of the acting substance is approximately equal to the adsorption cavity of the adsorbent material. The method of claim 1, The conduit is an agent conduit and additionally includes a heat transfer conduit having a middle portion between the first end and the opposite second end and both ends, the middle portion disposed in the first container adjacent to the adsorbent material. Heat transfer device characterized in that. The method of claim 31, wherein The heat transfer conduit has a first hole facing the first end and a second hole facing the second end, the first end being connected to a heating gas source for heating the adsorbent material in the first vessel. Heat transfer device made. The method of claim 31, wherein The heat transfer conduit has a first hole towards the first end and a second hole toward the second end, the first end being connected to a gas source for cooling the adsorbent material in the first vessel. Heat transfer device. The method of claim 31, wherein And an electrical heating element disposed in said heat transfer conduit to heat said adsorbent material in said first vessel. The method of claim 34, wherein And the electrical heating element is disposed to be removable in the heat transfer conduit. The method of claim 1, And at least one heat transfer tube having a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion, the intermediate portion extending into the first vessel adjacent the adsorbent material, the first end being the first portion. And a source of fluid to adjust the temperature of the adsorbent material in the vessel. The method of claim 36, And the first end of the heat transfer tube can be connected to a cooled liquid source to cool the adsorbent material. The method of claim 36, And further comprising a heat transfer conduit having an intermediate portion between the first end and the opposite second end and both ends, the intermediate portion disposed in the first vessel adjacent the adsorbent material, the intermediate portion of the heat transfer tube. Is a spiral around the outer side of the middle portion of the heat transfer conduit. The method of claim 36, When the heat transfer tube is called a first heat transfer tube and the fluid source is called a first fluid source, it can be connected to a second fluid source to extend into the first vessel and to control the temperature of the adsorbent material in the first vessel. And a second heat transfer tube. The method of claim 1, And a circulation device disposed in the first vessel to circulate the fluid in the first vessel to increase the contact of the fluid with the adsorbent material. The method of claim 40, The circulator comprises a fan having a vane that rotates relative to the first vessel. The method of claim 1, And further comprising a cooling source arranged to cool a portion of the conduit between the separation mechanism and the second vessel to condense a portion of the acting material passing through the conduit. . According to claim 1, The conduit has a first portion connected to the first vessel and a second portion coupled to the second vessel, allowing fluid passage between the first portion and the second portion and allowing the first portion and the second portion to pass through. And a thermal coupling coupled between the first portion and the second portion to prevent conduction heat transfer therebetween. The method of claim 1, A ferromagnetic member comprising a ferromagnetic material disposed within the first container adjacent to the adsorbent material, and a magnet that can be disposed adjacent to the first container to form a magnetic field around the ferromagnetic member to heat the ferromagnetic member. Additionally includes And said ferromagnetic member rises in temperature when disposed in the magnetic field and drops in temperature when removed from the magnetic field. The method of claim 44, The magnet is movable between a first relative position with respect to the ferromagnetic member that forms a magnetic field around the ferromagnetic member and a second relative position with respect to the ferromagnetic member that cancels the magnetic field around the ferromagnetic member. Heat transfer device. The method of claim 44, When the magnet is referred to as a first magnet, the magnet further includes a second magnet, wherein the first magnet and the second magnet have a first position for forming a magnetic field around the ferromagnetic member and a first for removing the magnetic field. A heat transfer device, which can move relative to each other between positions. The method of claim 44, The ferromagnetic member is referred to as a first ferromagnetic member and the ferromagnetic material is referred to as a first ferromagnetic material, further comprising a second ferromagnetic member comprising a second ferromagnetic material. The method of claim 44, The magnet is an electromagnet which forms a magnetic field when current flows and removes the magnetic field when current does not flow. The method of claim 44, The magnet is connected to a piston of a Stirling engine having its own engine efficiency and operating between a high temperature tank and a low temperature tank. The second vessel is cooled to lower the temperature of the low temperature bath so that the low temperature bath eliminates heat from the Stirling engine, and the first vessel and the separation mechanism are arranged to heat the high temperature bath, thereby providing an engine efficiency. Heat transfer device, characterized in that to increase relatively compared to the Stirling engine does not have such a heat transfer device. The method of claim 1, The second container comprises a first container having a very rigid wall and a second container disposed within the first container and having a flexible wall, The flexible wall of the second container can be stretched between the first state and the second state, In a first state the flexible wall is disposed at a first distance from the rigid wall, In a second state the flexible wall is disposed at a second distance from the rigid wall, And wherein the second distance is shorter than the first distance to push the acting material disposed between the first container and the second container towards a rigid wall of the first container. The method of claim 1, The second container comprises a very solid wall and a flexible wall connected to the rigid wall, The flexible wall and the rigid wall define an inner product that can accommodate the agent, The flexible wall can move between a first position when the agent is a liquid phase and a second position when the agent phase changes from liquid to solid, In a first position a portion of the flexible wall is at a first distance from the rigid wall, And wherein in the second position a portion of the flexible wall is at a second distance longer than the first distance from the rigid wall. A container for containing a substance, A first container having a very rigid wall and a second container disposed within the first container and having a flexible wall, The flexible wall of the second container can be stretched between the first state and the second state, In a first state the flexible wall is disposed at a first distance from the rigid wall, In a second state the flexible wall is disposed at a second distance from the rigid wall, And wherein the second distance is shorter than the first distance to push the material disposed between the first container and the second container towards a rigid wall of the first container. The method of claim 52, wherein The second container may be connected to a pressurized gas source, and the gas of the pressurized gas source may expand the second container from the first state to the second state. A container for containing a material that expands upon phase change from liquid to solid, A very solid wall and a flexible wall connected to said solid wall, The flexible wall and the rigid wall define an inner product that can accommodate the material, The flexible wall can move between a first position when the material is a liquid phase and a second position when the material phase changes from liquid to solid, In a first position a portion of the flexible wall is disposed at a first distance from the rigid wall, Wherein in a second position a portion of the flexible wall is disposed at a second distance from the rigid wall. 55. The method of claim 54, The solid wall is referred to as a first solid wall, and additionally includes a second solid wall spaced from the first solid wall, the flexible wall being disposed between the first solid wall and the second solid wall. And is connected to the first rigid wall and the second rigid wall. The method of claim 55, Each of the first rigid wall and the second rigid wall includes a flat plate, each flat plate having a border extending around the outer edge of each flat plate, and the flexible wall is a border of the flat plate of the first solid wall. And an edge extending between the edges of the flat plate of the second rigid wall and connected to the edges. A heat transfer device for removing heat and water from a hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell, An adsorbent container containing an adsorbent material having an adsorption cavity and connected to a hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell to adsorb and remove water generated by the fuel cell; A separation mechanism for freely connecting a fluid passage between the adsorbent vessel and the fuel cell to pass at least part of the water from the fluid flow including the water and passing from the fuel cell to the adsorbent vessel when the adsorbent material adsorbs water; Heat transfer apparatus comprising a. The method of claim 57, The adsorbent material is a heat transfer device comprising a carbon material capable of desorbing the active material when the current is applied and adsorbing the active material when the current is eliminated. The method of claim 57, The adsorbent material is a heat transfer device, characterized in that the zeolite. The method of claim 57, And a vacuum source connected to the adsorbent vessel to lower the internal pressure of the adsorbent vessel. The method of claim 57, And a heat source disposed adjacent to the adsorbent material to heat the adsorbent material to evaporate water from the adsorbent material, wherein the heat source is between an active state and an inactive state in which the heat source heats the adsorbent material. Heat transfer device, characterized in that can be controlled in. The method of claim 57, And a wastewater conduit for receiving water from said separation mechanism, said wastewater conduit having a valve for controlling fluid passage between said wastewater conduit and said adsorbent vessel. The method of claim 57, And the separation mechanism includes an arcuate flow path for centrifuging a portion of water from the fluid flow. In the heat transfer device, A container having a first portion and a second portion cooperating to define a hermetic volume, a large amount of the active substance in the hermetic volume, and a large amount of adsorbent material disposed in the first portion of the vessel and having an adsorption cavity Including, The adsorbent material is connected to a power source to desorb the agent, The adsorption cavity of the adsorbent material is sufficient to sublimate and adsorb at least a portion of the agent when in the solid state of the agent, and after such a portion of the agent is adsorbed almost all of the agent is in the closed volume. Heat transfer device, characterized in that it remains in the stomach. The method of claim 4, wherein The adsorbent material is a heat transfer device comprising a carbon material. 65. The method of claim 64, The adsorbent material is a heat transfer device, characterized in that it comprises a carbon fiber. 65. The method of claim 64, And a valve disposed between the first portion and the second portion to regulate the passage of fluid between the first portion and the second portion. 65. The method of claim 64, And a power source connected to the adsorbent material to desorb the active material from the adsorbent material. In the heat transfer device, A container having a first portion and a second portion cooperating to define a hermetic volume, a large amount of agonists within said hermetic volume, and a large amount of cavities disposed in said first portion of said container and having a large amount of carbon adsorption cavities. A heat transfer device comprising an adsorbent material. The method of claim 69, wherein The cavity for adsorption of the carbon adsorptive material is sufficient to sublimate and adsorb at least a portion of the agent when in the solid state of the agent, and almost all of the agent is closed after Heat transfer device, characterized in that it remains in the stomach. The method of claim 69, wherein The carbon adsorptive material is a heat transfer device comprising a carbon foam. The method of claim 69, wherein The carbon adsorption island material is a heat transfer device comprising a carbon fiber. The method of claim 69, wherein And a large amount of activated carbon material in the second portion of the vessel activated to push the agent out. The method of claim 73, Wherein said container comprises a coating on said carbon adsorptive material and said activated carbon material. The method of claim 69, wherein And further comprising a zeolite in the first portion of the vessel. The method of claim 69, wherein The cavity for adsorption of the thermally conductive material is sufficient to sublimate and adsorb at least a portion of the agent when in the solid state of the agent, and almost all of the agent is closed after Heat transfer device, characterized in that it remains in the stomach. In the heat transfer device, A ferromagnetic material and a solid thermal conductive material attached to the ferromagnetic material, wherein the ferromagnetic material heats the conductive material when approaching a magnetic field and cools the thermally conductive material when away from the magnetic field. 78. The method of claim 77 wherein And the ferromagnetic material comprises gadolinium. 78. The method of claim 77 wherein The conductive material is a heat transfer device comprising a carbon material. 78. The method of claim 77 wherein The conductive material has an adsorption cavity, Additionally comprising a container having a first portion and a second portion cooperating to define a closed volume and a large amount of an agent within said closed volume, And the conductive material is disposed in the first portion of the vessel. 78. The method of claim 77 wherein A heat transfer device further comprising a magnetic field source. 82. The method of claim 81 wherein The magnetic field source is a heat transfer device, characterized in that it comprises a superconducting magnet. In Stirling engine, High temperature tank, Low temperature tank, A piston moving in the cylinder between the high temperature tank and the low temperature tank to move the working fluid in the cylinder; A sterling engine comprising a carbon material that is in thermal contact with the working fluid to heat transfer between the carbon material and the working fluid. 84. The method of claim 83, The carbon material is a sterling engine, characterized in that it comprises carbon fibers. 85. The method of claim 84, A sterling engine further comprising a power source connected to the carbon fiber to heat the carbon fiber. 84. The method of claim 83, The carbon material is a sterling engine, characterized in that it comprises a carbon foam. In the displacement device, A container having an inner surface and an adsorbent material disposed within the container, The adsorbent material desorbs the pressurized material when a current is applied to the adsorbent material to move the fluid in the container, And the adsorbent material adsorbs the pressurized material when the current is removed. 88. The method of claim 87 wherein And a flexible bag disposed around the adsorbent material in the container, wherein the flexible bag expands to an expanded position when the detaching material detaches the pressurized material and contracts when the adsorbent material adsorbs the pressurized material. Discharge device, characterized in that the contraction to the position. 89. The method of claim 88 wherein The container is a conduit having an adjacent first and second portion and a cross-sectional area of its own between the first and second portions, Wherein said adsorbent material and said bag are formed to fill said cross-sectional area and block fluid passage between said first and second parts when said bag is in an inflated position. 88. The method of claim 87 wherein The container is a conduit having a fluid adjacent to the inner wall, the adsorbent material is one of a plurality of adsorbent material portions, and the adsorbent material portions adjacent to each other pass a current through those adsorbent material portions to drain the fluid through the conduit. Discharge apparatus characterized in that formed to be. The method of claim 87, And a pre-adsorbent material is selected to adsorb and detach the fluid and other pressurized material in the container. 88. The method of claim 87 wherein And the adsorbent material is selected to adsorb and detach the pressurized material similar to the fluid in the container. 88. The method of claim 87 wherein And said adsorbent material comprises carbon fibers. 88. The method of claim 87 wherein Wherein said pressurized material comprises water and said adsorbent material is treated to adsorb and desorb water. In the carbon material assembly having its own shape, A first carbon plate containing a carbon material and a second carbon plate containing a carbon material, The second carbon plate is connected to the first carbon plate and spaced apart to form a receiving hole sized to accommodate a plate having the same thickness as the first carbon plate between the first carbon plate and the second carbon plate, The first carbon plate and the second carbon plate have a planform shape that can be similarly arranged so that the first carbon plate of one carbon material assembly is received by the receiving holes of a plurality of adjacent carbon material assemblies. A carbon material assembly, wherein the carbon material assembly forms an array. 97. The method of claim 95, Carbon material assembly, characterized in that the planform shape of the first carbon plate and the second carbon plate is a hexagon. 97. The method of claim 95, And further comprising a conductive assembly having first and second connected and spaced apart conducting plates, wherein the first conducting plate is received in the receiving hole between the first and second carbon plates, and the first and second 2 The carbon material assembly, characterized in that the conductive plate has a planform shape similar to the planform shape of the first and second carbon plates. 97. The method of claim 95, The first carbon plate is a carbon material assembly, characterized in that it comprises a carbon fiber material. 97. The method of claim 95, The first carbon plate is a carbon material assembly comprising a carbon foam material. The first vessel contains an adsorbent material and the second vessel is connected to the first vessel and the first and second vessels define a closed volume containing a liquid working substance of the first vessel and the second vessel. In the method of transferring heat and a substance between, Evaporating a portion of the agent by adsorption and transferring it out of the second vessel to freeze the remainder of the agent to produce a freezing agent; Separating the first portion of the evaporated agent from the fluid stream comprising the evaporated agent. 101. The method of claim 100, Subliming the freezing material and continuing to adsorb the outside of the second vessel. 101. The method of claim 100, Subliming the freezing material until the freezing material is almost completely removed from the second container and continuing to adsorb the outside of the second container. 101. The method of claim 100, And adsorbing a second portion of the agent delivered to the outside of the second vessel to the adsorbent material in the first vessel. 103. The method of claim 103, Heating the adsorbent to direct a second portion of the working substance contained in the adsorbent in a gaseous state from the adsorbent to the second vessel, and And condensing the agent from a gaseous state to a liquid state. 101. The method of claim 100, Returning said first portion of said agent to said second container. 101. The method of claim 100, Applying current to the adsorbent material to desorb the functional material from the adsorbent material. 107. The method of claim 106, wherein Removing electricity from the adsorbent material to adsorb the functional material. 1. A method of transferring heat and a substance between a first portion and a second portion of a hermetic volume having an adsorbent material, the first portion comprising a first portion and a second portion, Applying current to the adsorbent material to desorb the functional material from the adsorbent material, and Removing current from the adsorbent material to adsorb the functional material to the adsorbent material. 109. The method of claim 108, And wherein said actuating material desorption step comprises transferring said acting material from said first portion of said closed volume to said second portion. 109. The method of claim 108, Closing the valve between the first portion and the second portion of the hermetic volume to isolate the first portion and the second portion from each other. 109. The method of claim 108, And the adsorbing of the agent comprises evaporating a portion of the agent by adsorption to transfer the adsorbent material to freeze the remainder of the agent to produce a freezing agent. 109. The method of claim 108, Subliming the freezing material to continue adsorbing the adsorbent material. 109. The method of claim 108, And continuing adsorbing the freezing material comprises continuously adsorbing the freezing material until the freezing material is almost completely adsorbed. In the method of absorbing water vapor from the atmosphere, Adsorbing the adsorbent material having the adsorption cavity to the atmosphere to adsorb water vapor from the atmosphere, and Desorbing said adsorbent material to release water from said adsorbent material. 119. The method of claim 114, And the step of removing the adsorbent material comprises heating the adsorbent material. 119. The method of claim 114, And the step of removing the adsorbent material comprises applying a current to the adsorbent material. In the heat transfer method, Heating the ferromagnetic member by bringing a ferromagnetic member close to the magnetic field; Cooling the ferromagnetic member by transferring heat from the ferromagnetic member through a solid thermal conductive material; Additionally cooling the ferromagnetic member by removing a magnetic field from the ferromagnetic member. 118. The method of claim 117 wherein The demagnetizing step includes moving the ferromagnetic member relative to the magnetic field. 118. The method of claim 117 wherein The demagnetizing step includes reducing the intensity of the magnetic field by changing the magnetic field from the first state to the second state. In the method for discharging the fluid in the container, Adsorbing the pressurized material to the adsorbent material in the container; Applying an electrical current to the adsorbent material in the container to desorb the pressurized material from the adsorbent material to discharge the fluid. 121. The method of claim 120, And the step of desorbing the pressurized material comprises expanding the flexible bag disposed around the adsorbent material. 121. The method of claim 121, wherein Wherein the container comprises a conduit, and inflating the flexible bladder comprises blocking at least a portion of the conduit with the bladder to restrict the flow of the fluid through the conduit. 123. The method of claim 122 wherein And the bag expansion step includes blocking the flow of fluid through the conduit. 121. The method of claim 120, The container comprises a conduit, The adsorbent material is one of a plurality of adsorbent material parts, And sequentially applying current to adjacent portions of the adsorbent material to move the fluid through the conduit. 121. The method of claim 120, Continuously applying current to the adsorbent material to heat the adsorbent material and expand the pressurized material. 121. The method of claim 120, Adsorbing the pressurized material to the adsorbent material comprises removing current from the adsorbent material.