Gas humidity reduction device and method of use thereof

Abstract

A humidity reduction apparatus and method for reducing humidity in a volume of gas. The humidity reduction apparatus includes: a gas delivery pipeline, at least one heat transfer medium positioned in line within at least a portion of the gas delivery pipeline, and a cooler in contact with at least a portion of the gas delivery pipeline to cool the gas delivery pipeline and the at least one heat transfer medium. The gas delivery pipeline includes at least one conductive portion. A first side of the cooler is configured to cool the at least one conductive portion of the gas delivery pipeline and the at least one heat transfer medium. A voltage applied across the cooler can be selectively reversed so that the first side heats the at least one conductive portion of the gas delivery pipeline and the at least one heat transfer medium.

Description

Background Art

[0001] Industrial and commercial systems may use in-line gas detection systems to detect the presence of various gases within a gas flow path (e.g., a closed gas flow). The increased humidity present in the gas flowing through the gas detection system may subject the gas sensor within the gas detection system to various undesirable conditions. For example, when interacting with a volume of gas including an increased relative humidity, a photoionization detector (PID) may experience current leakage and / or quenching effects, among other effects. For example, when a PID experiences current leakage, an undesirable amount of current leaks from between electrodes in the sensor, often resulting in a false positive output signal. In addition, the PID may experience quenching under conditions of increased relative humidity, wherein water molecules within the PID block UV light from the gas of interest, resulting in reduced sensor responsiveness. These conditions affect the performance of the gas sensor, often resulting in inaccurate sensor measurements, reduced measurement sensitivity, and / or other sensor failure conditions.

[0002] Therefore, a need exists for a solution system configured to reduce the humidity of a volume of gas flowing through a gas flow path, for example, to avoid damage to a gas detection sensor. Summary of the invention

[0003] Various embodiments are directed to methods and apparatus for reducing the humidity of a volume of gas.

[0004] Various embodiments are directed to an apparatus for reducing the humidity of a volume of gas, the apparatus comprising: a gas delivery pipeline; at least one heat transfer medium positioned in line within at least a portion of the gas delivery pipeline; and a cooler in contact with at least a portion of the gas delivery pipeline to cool the gas delivery pipeline and the at least one heat transfer medium. In various embodiments, the apparatus may also include a housing, which may include an outer housing portion and an inner housing portion. In various embodiments, at least a portion of the gas delivery pipeline, the at least one heat transfer medium, and the cooler are enclosed within the inner housing portion. In various embodiments, the at least one heat transfer medium may be configured to allow a volume of gas to pass therethrough. Additionally, in various embodiments, the at least one heat transfer medium may include a copper material. In various embodiments, the gas delivery pipeline may include at least one conductive portion, the at least one conductive portion including a heat transfer sidewall, and the at least one heat transfer medium may be positioned within an inner portion of the at least one conductive portion of the gas delivery pipeline.

[0005] In various embodiments, the cooler may be in contact with at least one conductive portion of the gas delivery conduit. In various embodiments, the cooler may be implemented as a solid-state thermoelectric cooler and may define a first side and a second side, wherein, based at least in part on a voltage applied across the cooler, the first side may be configured as a cooling side and the second side may be configured as a heating side. In various embodiments, at least a portion of the gas delivery conduit is in contact with the first side. In various embodiments, the device may be configured to selectively reverse the voltage applied across the cooler so that the first side may be configured as a heating side and the second side may be configured as a cooling side. In various embodiments, at least one heat transfer medium may include a first heat transfer medium and a second heat transfer medium positioned within an interior portion of a first conductive portion of the gas delivery conduit and an interior portion of a second conductive portion of the gas delivery conduit, respectively; the first conductive portion of the gas delivery conduit may be in contact with the first side of the cooler, and the second conductive portion of the gas delivery conduit may be in contact with the second side of the cooler.

[0006] In various embodiments, the apparatus may further include a pump configured to direct a volume of gas to flow through the gas delivery conduit.

[0007] Various embodiments are directed to a method for reducing humidity in a volume of gas, the method comprising passing the volume of gas through a gas delivery conduit in a first flow direction, wherein the gas delivery conduit includes at least one conductive portion, and wherein at least one heat transfer medium is positioned in line within the at least one conductive portion of the gas delivery conduit; and cooling the heat transfer medium within the conductive portion of the gas delivery conduit via a cooler in contact with an outer surface of the conductive portion of the gas delivery conduit to condense humidity within the volume of gas on a surface of the at least one heat transfer medium. In various embodiments, the cooler may be a solid-state thermoelectric cooler, and cooling the heat transfer medium may include applying a voltage to the cooler in a first direction to cool a first side of the cooler, wherein the first side of the cooler may be in contact with the at least one conductive portion of the gas delivery conduit. In various embodiments, the pump may be configured to change the directional flow of the volume of gas within the gas delivery conduit between the first flow direction and the second flow direction. In various embodiments, the device may be configured to be fluidly connected to the photoionization detector and positioned upstream of the photoionization detector.

[0008] In various embodiments, the method may further include reversing the voltage applied to the cooler to heat the first side of the cooler to heat the at least one thermally conductive medium to remove condensed water from the gas delivery conduit. Additionally, in various embodiments, the method may further include changing the directional flow of a volume of gas through the gas delivery conduit to a second flow direction opposite to the first flow direction via a pump. In various embodiments, at least one conductive portion of the gas delivery conduit is fluidly connected to the photoionization detector and positioned upstream of the photoionization detector. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] Figure 1 Exemplary devices according to various embodiments are schematically illustrated.

[0010] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of an exemplary apparatus as described herein is illustrated.

[0011] Figure 3 Exemplary devices according to various embodiments are illustrated.

[0012] Figure 4 A cross-sectional view of an exemplary apparatus as described herein is illustrated.

[0013] Figure 5 Exemplary devices according to various embodiments are illustrated.

[0014] Figure 6 Exemplary devices according to various embodiments are illustrated.

[0015] Figure 7 An exemplary test configuration according to various embodiments is shown.

[0016] Figure 8 The diagram shows Figure 7 Test results for the test configuration shown in Figure .

[0017] Fig. 9 A flow chart of an exemplary method for reducing the humidity of a volume of gas according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0018] Fig.10 A flow chart of an exemplary method for reducing the humidity of a volume of gas according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0019] Fig.11 A flow chart of an exemplary method for reducing the humidity of a volume of gas according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] The present disclosure more fully describes various embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be understood that some but not all embodiments are shown and described herein. In fact, the embodiments may take many different forms, and therefore, the present disclosure should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. On the contrary, these embodiments are provided so that the present disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. The same numbers always refer to the same elements.

[0021] First, it should be understood that although illustrative embodiments of one or more aspects are described below, the disclosed components, systems, and methods may be implemented using any number of techniques, whether currently known or not yet in existence. The present disclosure should not be limited in any way to the illustrative embodiments, drawings, and techniques described below, but may be modified within the scope of the appended claims together with the full scope of their equivalents. Although the dimensional values ​​of various elements are disclosed, the drawings may not be drawn to scale.

[0022] As used herein, the word “example” or “exemplary” is intended to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “example” or “exemplary embodiment” is not necessarily preferred or advantageous over other implementations.

[0023] Overview .

[0024] Described herein are methods and apparatus for reducing the humidity of a volume of gas moving through a gas pipeline (e.g., before flowing the volume of gas through a gas detection sensor). In an example embodiment, a humidity reduction apparatus as discussed herein is configured to extract a volume of water from a volume of gas flowing through a gas pipeline using a cooling system, thereby reducing the relative humidity of the gas. Such a configuration can reduce the humidity of a volume of gas while the volume of gas is flowing through the gas pipeline.

[0025] As described herein, a humidity reduction device may receive a volume of gas passing through a gas delivery pipeline and cool at least a portion of the gas delivery pipeline using a cooler to reduce the temperature of the volume of gas therein. As described herein, the cooler may be implemented as a solid (or Peltier type) cooler having two opposing sides and may be configured such that when a voltage is applied across the cooler, heat is removed from a first side (thereby cooling the first side) and transferred to an opposing second side (thereby heating the second side). As described herein, one or both sides of the cooler may be in contact with a corresponding portion of the gas delivery pipeline. As described herein, a humidity reduction device may utilize a thermally conductive porous medium (e.g., a porous metal mesh, a sintered metal filter, and / or the like) positioned within the gas delivery pipeline to facilitate effective heat transfer between the cooler and a volume of gas flowing through the gas delivery pipeline by increasing the surface area of ​​the material within the pipeline affected by the cooler. Because the residence time of the gas flowing through the thermally conductive porous medium is relatively short, the effective heat transfer effect of the porous medium on the gas increases the effective cooling of the gas as it flows through the gas delivery pipeline, thereby also increasing the effectiveness of the humidity reduction effect.

[0026] In an exemplary embodiment, a volume of gas may flow through a conductive portion of a gas delivery conduit having a conductive sidewall (e.g., a metal sidewall) in contact with a first cooling side of a cooler. As described herein, as the gas flows through the cooled porous thermally conductive material within the cooled conductive portion, a decrease in humidity within the volume of gas may cause liquid water condensate within the gas delivery conduit to accumulate over time. In embodiments utilizing a solid-state cooler, the apparatus may be configured to reverse the voltage applied across the cooler, thereby heating the first side of the cooler and, therefore, heating the previously cooled portion of the gas delivery conduit including the accumulated condensate. When heated, at least a portion of the accumulated condensate evaporates, while increasing the humidity of the gas flowing therethrough (e.g., air blown through the conduit during a purge cycle / process) such that the condensate may be removed from the gas delivery conduit.

[0027] Humidity reduction equipment .

[0028] In various embodiments, as disclosed herein, a humidity reducing device 10 may include a gas delivery conduit, at least one heat transfer medium positioned linearly within at least a portion of the gas delivery conduit, and a cooler for cooling the gas delivery conduit and the at least one heat transfer medium.

[0029] Figure 1An exemplary humidity reduction device 10 positioned upstream of a gas detection sensor 150 is illustrated, the exemplary humidity reduction device 10 comprising a gas delivery conduit 100. As shown, the gas delivery conduit of the humidity reduction device 10 has an inlet 101 (for receiving gas flowing to the humidity reduction device 10) and an outlet 102 (for directing gas flowing out of the humidity reduction device 10), and can be configured to direct the flow of a volume of gas between the inlet 101 and the outlet 102. It should be understood that the humidity reduction device 10 can be positioned in a straight line along a continuous length of the gas delivery conduit, and thus, the inlet 101 can be implemented as a portion of the continuous length of the gas delivery conduit adjacent to (and upstream of) the cooler, and the outlet 102 can be implemented as a portion of the continuous length of the gas delivery conduit adjacent to (and downstream of) the cooler. In various embodiments, the gas can travel in a first flow direction or a second flow direction, wherein the second flow direction is opposite to the first flow direction. The humidity reduction device 10 can be directional, such that the humidity reduction device 10 is more effective for gas flowing in a first direction than for gas flowing in an opposite second direction. However, it should be understood that certain embodiments may be reversible such that the effectiveness of the humidity reduction device 10 is independent of the direction of gas flow through the humidity reduction device 10. In various embodiments, the volume of gas may include one or more different types of gas.

[0030] In various embodiments, the gas delivery conduit 100 may include at least one conductive portion. The at least one conductive portion may include a heat conductive sidewall and a hollow interior portion to allow a volume of gas to pass therethrough. In various embodiments, the heat conductive sidewall of the at least one conductive portion may include a material having a high thermal conductivity. For example, the heat conductive sidewall may include copper, tin, aluminum, brass, and / or other heat conductive materials. In various embodiments, as Figure 1 As shown, at least one conductive portion of the gas delivery conduit 100 may include a single conductive portion 110. In various embodiments, at least one conductive portion of the gas delivery conduit 100 may be linear, defining a single passage across the cooler 130. For example, Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1 , the conductive portion 110 is linear and defines a single channel across the first side 131 of the cooler.

[0031] like Figure 1As shown in the embodiment of , the humidity reducing device 10 also includes a cooler 130. As shown, the cooler 130 contacts at least a portion of the conductive portion of the gas delivery pipeline 100, thereby facilitating conductive heat transfer between the cooler 130 and the gas delivery pipeline 100. In certain embodiments, the cooler 130 can be configured to selectively cool and / or heat the portion of the gas delivery pipeline 100. In various embodiments, the cooler 130 can define a first side 131 and a second side 132. In various embodiments, at least a portion of the gas delivery pipeline 100 can be in contact with the first side 131 of the cooler. Figure 1 , for example, the first side 131 of the cooler can be positioned at least substantially adjacent to the conductive portion 110 of the gas delivery conduit such that the first side 131 of the cooler is in contact with the thermally conductive sidewall of the conductive portion 110. In various embodiments, the cooler 130 can be fixedly or removably attached to at least a portion of the gas delivery conduit 100. Although not shown, in certain embodiments, the conductive portion 110 of the gas delivery conduit can be secured relative to the first side of the cooler 130 via a thermally conductive adhesive (e.g., a silicone heat transfer compound).

[0032] In various embodiments, the cooler 130 may be implemented as, for example, a solid-state thermoelectric cooler. In such exemplary embodiments, the cooler 130 may be configured to generate a temperature difference between the first side 131 and the second side 132 based at least in part on a voltage applied across the cooler 130 - a phenomenon known as the "Peltier effect." In various embodiments, a voltage may be applied across the cooler 130 such that one of the first and second sides 131, 132 of the cooler is configured as a cooling side and the other is configured as a heating side. For example, in various embodiments, a voltage may be applied across the cooler 130 in a first direction such that the first side 131 of the cooler may be configured as a cooling side and the second side 132 of the cooler may be configured as a heating side. Figure 1, the first side 131 of the cooler can be configured to cool at least a portion of the gas delivery conduit 100. The first side 131 of the cooler can be configured to cool the conductive portion 110, thereby reducing the temperature of the thermally conductive sidewalls of the conductive portion 110 and the interior thereof (e.g., including the thermally conductive medium 111, as described herein). In various embodiments, a volume of humid gas present within the gas delivery conduit 100 can flow through the conductive portion 110 (which is cooled by the first side 131 of the cooler), and the gas can experience a reduction in temperature. In such exemplary embodiments, the reduction in the temperature of the volume of gas can result in a volume of water condensing from the volume of gas, effectively reducing the humidity of the volume of gas. In various embodiments, the condensed water can accumulate within the interior portion of the conductive portion 110. In various embodiments, the voltage applied to the solid state thermoelectric cooler can be reversed so that the voltage can be applied across the cooler 130 in a second direction to configure the first side 131 of the cooler as a heating side to heat the conductive portion 110, thereby increasing the temperature of both the thermally conductive sidewalls of the conductive portion 110 and the interior thereof. In various embodiments, such exemplary configurations may cause at least a portion of condensate present within conductive portion 110 to evaporate into a gas stream so that it may be removed from the device via inlet 101 or outlet 102 of gas delivery conduit 100 (e.g., during a purge process / cycle of operation of the humidity reduction device).

[0033] In some embodiments, the cooler 130 may be connected to a power source that is configured to receive power and power the humidity reduction device 10. As non-limiting examples, the power source may include one or more batteries, one or more capacitors, one or more constant power sources (e.g., a wall outlet), and / or the like. In various embodiments, the cooler 130 may be powered between 1 and 12 volts (e.g., 5 volts). In various embodiments, the cooler 130 may include one or more of a counterflow shell and tube heat exchanger, a plate heat exchanger (i.e., a "plate chiller"), a plate shell heat exchanger, an adiabatic wheel heat exchanger, a plate fin heat exchanger, a pillow plate heat exchanger, and / or the like.

[0034] Although not in Figure 1 1 , but in various embodiments, the humidity reducing device 10 may further include at least one heat transfer medium positioned in line within at least a portion of the gas delivery conduit 100 . Figure 2 Picture shows Figure 1, wherein at least one heat transfer medium comprises a single heat transfer medium 111. In various embodiments, at least one heat transfer medium may be configured to allow a volume of gas to pass therethrough. In various embodiments, at least one heat transfer medium may comprise a material having a high thermal conductivity, such as copper. As described herein, at least one heat transfer medium may be configured to increase the surface area of ​​the heat transfer material present within the gas delivery conduit 100. Thus, the heat transfer medium may be implemented as a highly porous sintered metal filter, mesh, porous screen, and / or the like. In certain embodiments, the heat transfer medium may have a high surface area for interacting with the gas passing through the heat transfer medium while minimizing the pressure drop of the fluid flow across the heat transfer medium. Furthermore, it is believed that the heat transfer medium may additionally generate turbulence of the gas passing through the heat transfer medium, thereby further facilitating conduction and / or convection heat transfer between the heat transfer medium and the gas flowing therethrough.

[0035] like Figure 2 As shown in , the heat transfer medium 111 can be positioned within an interior portion of the conductive portion 110 of the gas delivery pipe and can contact the interior surface of the side wall of the conductive portion 110 of the gas delivery pipe to facilitate conductive heat transfer between the side wall of the conductive portion 110 of the gas delivery pipe and the heat transfer medium 111.

[0036] For example, the thermally conductive medium 111 may be welded to the interior of the conductive portion 110 of the gas delivery conduit, may be adhered (e.g., via a thermally conductive adhesive) within the gas delivery conduit 110, and / or the like. Figure 1 As described, the first side 131 of the cooler may be in contact with the conductive portion 110. In various embodiments, the first side 131 of the cooler may be configured to cool the conductive portion 110 and the included heat-conductive medium 111 (e.g., via conductive heat transfer). In various embodiments, the heat-conductive medium 111 may be configured to facilitate a reduction in temperature within the interior of the conductive portion 110. Additionally, in various embodiments, the heat-conductive medium 111 may increase the surface area of ​​the heat-conductive material conductively connected to the cooler 130, thereby increasing heat transfer between a volume of gas flowing through the gas delivery pipeline 100 and the cooler. Thus, as described herein, a volume of humid gas flowing through the gas delivery pipeline 100 may flow through the conductive portion 110 and the heat-conductive medium 111 cooled by the first side 131 of the cooler, which may result in a reduction in the temperature of the gas flowing through the conductive portion 110, thereby resulting in a reduction in humidity within the gas. In various embodiments, a volume of water condensed from a volume of gas may accumulate within the heat-conductive medium 111 and / or the conductive portion 110 of the gas delivery pipeline.

[0037] In various embodiments, as described above with respect to Figure 1 As described, the cooler 130 may be configured to selectively heat the conductive portion 110 of the gas delivery pipeline to evaporate condensed water therein (e.g., during a purge process / cycle) to facilitate removal of accumulated condensate from the gas delivery pipeline 110. For example, a voltage may be applied across the solid-state thermoelectric cooler 130 in a second direction such that the first side 131 of the cooler may be configured as a heating side to heat the conductive portion 110, thereby increasing the temperature of the interior portion and the heat-conductive sidewalls of the conductive portion 110 and the heat-conductive medium 111. In various embodiments, such exemplary configurations may cause at least a portion of the condensate present within the heat-conductive medium 111 to evaporate so that it may be removed from the device through the inlet 101 or outlet 102 of the gas delivery pipeline 100.

[0038] It should be understood that although the conductive portion 110 of the gas delivery pipe is illustrated as having a substantially rectangular cross-section, any of the at least one conductive portion may have a cross-section of any shape and may include any number of sidewalls suitable for operation of the humidity reduction device 10 as described herein. Similarly, it should be understood that although the heat conductive medium 111 is illustrated as having a substantially circular cross-section, any of the at least one heat conductive medium may have a cross-section of any shape and may include any number of sidewalls suitable for operation of the humidity reduction device 10 as described herein. The heat conductive medium 111 may fill the interior of the conductive portion 110 of the gas delivery pipe such that the length and cross-sectional area of ​​the porous heat conductive medium 111 are at least substantially equal to the length and cross-sectional area of ​​the interior of the conductive portion 110 of the gas delivery pipe, respectively. In such embodiments, the cross-sectional shape of the porous heat conductive medium 111 may correspond to (e.g., match) the cross-sectional shape of the conductive portion 110 of the gas delivery pipe. For example, the conductive portion 110 of the gas delivery pipe may have a circular cross-section, and the porous heat conductive medium 111 may have a corresponding circular cross-section. However, in other embodiments, as described herein, the cross-sectional shape of the porous thermally conductive medium 111 need not correspond to the cross-sectional shape of the conductive portion 110 of the gas delivery pipe. For example, the conductive portion 110 of the gas delivery pipe may have a square or rectangular cross-section, and the porous thermally conductive medium 111 may have a circular cross-sectional shape. Furthermore, in various embodiments, the length of the porous thermally conductive medium 111 need not correspond to the length of the interior of the conductive portion 110 of the gas delivery pipe. For example, the porous thermally conductive medium 111 may have a length that is less than the length of the interior of the conductive portion 110 of the gas delivery pipe, such that the porous thermally conductive medium 111 does not extend along the entire length of the interior of the conductive portion 110 of the gas delivery pipe along the fluid flow path of the gas delivery pipe 100.

[0039] In various embodiments, such as Figure 1, the gas detection sensor 150 may be positioned downstream of the humidity reduction device 10 and may be fluidly connected to the gas delivery pipeline outlet 102 such that the gas exiting the gas delivery pipeline outlet 102 enters the inlet of the gas detection sensor 150. In various embodiments, the gas detection sensor 150 may include, for example, one of an electrochemical gas sensor, a catalytic gas sensor, a solid-state gas sensor, a non-dispersive infrared gas sensor (NDIR), a PID, and / or the like. For example, the humidity reduction device 10 may be fluidly connected to the PID and positioned upstream of the PID to reduce the humidity of a volume of gas before the gas is evaluated by the PID.

[0040] Figure 3 An exemplary humidity reducing device 10 is illustrated wherein at least one conductive portion of a gas delivery conduit 100 includes a first conductive portion 110 and a second conductive portion 210. In various embodiments, both the first conductive portion 110 and the second conductive portion 210 may be in contact with a cooler 130, thereby facilitating conductive heat transfer between the cooler 130 and the respective conductive portions 110, 210. In various embodiments wherein the humidity reducing device 10 is configured such that a volume of gas travels along the gas delivery conduit in a first flow direction, as described herein, the first conductive portion 110 may be upstream of the second conductive portion 210. In various embodiments, the gas delivery conduit 100 may be non-linear, defining one or more passages across the cooler. As described herein, the first conductive portion 110 may be upstream of the second conductive portion 210. Figure 3 As shown in FIG. 1 , the gas delivery conduit is non-linear, thereby defining two channels across the cooler 130 .

[0041] like Figure 3 As shown in , the first conductive portion 110 can be in contact with the first side 131 of the cooler, and the second conductive portion 210 can be in contact with the second side 132 of the cooler. In various embodiments, as described herein, a voltage can be applied across the cooler 130 in a first direction to configure the first side 131 of the cooler as a cooling side and the second side 132 of the cooler as a heating side. The first side 131 of the cooler can be configured to cool at least a portion of the gas delivery pipeline 100, and the second side 132 of the cooler can be configured to heat at least a portion of the gas delivery pipeline 100. Figure 3, the first side 131 of the cooler can be configured to cool the first conductive portion 110, thereby reducing the temperature of the heat-conductive sidewalls and the interior of the first conductive portion 110 (e.g., including the first heat-conductive medium 111, as described herein). Conversely, the second side 132 of the cooler can be configured to heat the second conductive portion 210, thereby increasing the temperature of the heat-conductive sidewalls and the interior of the second conductive portion 210 (e.g., including the second heat-conductive medium 211, as described herein). In such an exemplary configuration, and also when the humidity reduction device 10 is configured such that a volume of gas travels along the gas delivery conduit in a first flow direction, the first conductive portion 110 (which is cooled by the first side 131 of the cooler) can be upstream of the second conductive portion 210 (which is heated by the second side 132 of the cooler).

[0042] although Figure 3 Although not shown in the figure, the one or more heat transfer media of the humidity reducing device 10 may include a first heat transfer medium 111 and a second heat transfer medium 211. Figure 4 As shown in , the first heat transfer medium 111 and the second heat transfer medium 211 may be positioned within the interior portion of the first conduction portion 110 of the gas delivery pipe and the interior portion of the second conduction portion 210 of the gas delivery pipe, respectively. In addition, the first heat transfer medium 111 and the second heat transfer medium 211 may contact the interior surface of the sidewalls of the first and second conduction portions 110, 210 of the gas delivery pipe, respectively, to facilitate conductive heat transfer between the sidewalls of the first and second conduction portions 110, 210 of the gas delivery pipe and the first and second heat transfer mediums 111, 211, respectively. The first heat transfer medium 111 may fill the interior of the first conduction portion 110 of the gas delivery pipe, such that the cross-sectional area of ​​the heat transfer medium 111 is at least substantially equal to the cross-sectional area of ​​the interior of the first conduction portion of the gas delivery pipe 100. Similarly, the second heat transfer medium 211 may fill the interior of the second conduction portion 210 of the gas delivery pipe, such that the cross-sectional area of ​​the second heat transfer medium 211 is at least substantially equal to the cross-sectional area of ​​the interior of the second conduction portion of the gas delivery pipe 100. In such embodiments, the respective cross-sectional shapes of the first and second heat conducting media 111 may correspond to (e.g., match) the cross-sectional shapes of the first and second conducting portions 110, 210 of the gas delivery conduit, respectively. For example, the first conducting portion 110 of the gas delivery conduit may have a circular cross-section, and the first heat conducting medium 111 may have a corresponding circular cross-section. However, in other embodiments, the respective cross-sectional shapes of the first and second heat conducting media 111, 211 need not correspond to the cross-sectional shapes of the first and second conducting portions 110, 210. For example, the second conducting portion 210 of the gas delivery conduit may have a square or rectangular cross-section, and the second heat conducting medium 211 may have a circular cross-sectional shape.

[0043] For example, the first and second heat conducting media 111, 211 can be welded to the interior of the first and second conducting portions 110, 210 of the gas delivery conduit, respectively, can be adhered (e.g., via a heat conducting adhesive) within the first and second conducting portions 110, 210, respectively, and / or the like. Additionally, as described herein, the first conducting portion 110 can be in contact with the first side 131 of the cooler, and the second conducting portion 210 can be in contact with the second side 132 of the cooler.

[0044] In various embodiments, as described herein, based at least in part on a voltage applied across cooler 130 , first side 131 of the cooler may be configured to cool first conductive portion 110 and included first thermally conductive medium 111 , while second side 132 of the cooler may be configured to heat second conductive portion 210 and included second thermally conductive medium 211 (e.g., via conductive heat transfer).

[0045] Optionally, in various embodiments, the voltage applied to the solid-state thermoelectric cooler can be reversed such that a voltage can be applied across the cooler 130 in a second direction to configure the first side 131 of the cooler as a heating side and the second side 132 of the cooler as a cooling side. In such a configuration, the first side 131 of the cooler can be configured to heat at least a portion of the gas delivery conduit 100, while the second side 132 of the cooler can be configured to cool at least a portion of the gas delivery conduit 100. Figure 3 As shown in , when a voltage is applied across the cooler 130 in a second direction, the second side 132 of the cooler can be configured to cool the second conductive portion 210, thereby reducing the temperature of the heat-conductive sidewalls of the second conductive portion 210 and the interior thereof (e.g., including the second heat-conductive medium 211, as described herein). Conversely, the first side 131 of the cooler can be configured to heat the first conductive portion 110, thereby increasing the temperature of the heat-conductive sidewalls of the first conductive portion 110 and the interior thereof (e.g., including the first heat-conductive medium 111, as described herein). In various embodiments, a volume of humid gas present in the gas delivery conduit 100 can flow through the second conductive portion 210 (which is cooled by the second side 132 of the cooler), and the gas can experience a reduction in temperature. In such exemplary embodiments, the reduction in the temperature of the volume of gas can result in a volume of water condensing from the volume of gas, effectively reducing the humidity of the volume of gas. In various embodiments, the condensed water can accumulate within the interior portion of the second conductive portion 210.

[0046] In various embodiments, the humidity reduction device may further include a pump 160 configured to direct a volume of gas to flow through the gas delivery conduit 100. Figure 3, the pump 160 may be positioned in line with the gas delivery pipeline 100. In various embodiments, the pump 160 may be configured to change the directional flow of a volume of gas within the gas delivery pipeline between a first flow direction and a second flow direction. In various embodiments, the first flow direction may extend along the gas delivery pipeline 100 from the inlet 101 toward the outlet 102, and the second flow direction may extend along the gas delivery pipeline 100 from the outlet 102 toward the inlet 101. In various embodiments, as described herein, by providing power to the pump 160 (where the pump 160 was not previously powered), the directional flow of a volume of gas within the gas delivery pipeline 100 may be changed from the first flow direction to the second flow direction. Optionally, as described herein, by reversing the polarity of the pump input signal, the directional flow of a volume of gas within the gas delivery pipeline 100 may be changed between the first flow direction and the second flow direction. For example, in one configuration (in which a certain volume of gas flows directionally in a first flow direction such that the outlet 102 is downstream of the inlet 101), the pump 160 may be configured to reverse the directional flow of the certain volume of gas from the first flow direction to a second flow direction such that the outlet 102 is upstream of the inlet 101 based on a reversal of one or more pump input signals.

[0047] In some embodiments, the pump 160 can be connected to a power source that is configured to receive power and power the humidity reduction device 10. As non-limiting examples, the power source can include one or more batteries, one or more capacitors, one or more constant power sources (e.g., a wall outlet), and / or the like. In various embodiments, the pump 160 can be powered between 1 and 12 volts (e.g., 5 volts).

[0048] In various embodiments, the humidity reduction device may further include a controller 170. In various embodiments, the controller 170 may be configured to distribute power to the cooler 130, one or more additional coolers, and / or the pump 160, as described herein. In some embodiments, the cooler 130 and / or the pump 160 may be connected to the controller 170 (e.g., for electronic communication), which may be configured to facilitate functional control therebetween. In various embodiments, the controller 170 may include at least one processor and / or a memory (e.g., a non-transitory memory). In another example, the memory may be a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing computer-executable program code instructions that, when executed by a computing system, cause the computing system to perform various operations described herein. The memory may be configured to store information, data, content, signals, applications, instructions (e.g., computer-executable program code instructions), or the like, to enable the controller 170 to perform various functions according to example embodiments of the present disclosure. In various embodiments, for example, the processor may be configured to control the direction of the voltage across the cooler 130, control the pump 160, or perform one or more humidity reduction cycles for the humidity reduction device 10. For example, in various embodiments, the processor may be configured to change the direction of the voltage across the cooler 130 from a first direction to a second direction and from the second direction to the first direction. In various embodiments, the processor may be configured to control the power state and directional configuration of the pump 160. In various embodiments, the processor may be configured to execute various instructions related to heat reduction cycles, such as, for example, instructions to change the direction of the voltage across the cooler 130, or control the power state and / or directional configuration of the pump 160, so as to cool at least a portion of the gas delivery pipeline and subsequently remove at least a portion of the accumulated condensate from the gas delivery pipeline 100, as described herein.

[0049] In various embodiments, the humidity reduction device may further include a valve assembly 103, which may be configured to remove at least a portion of the accumulated condensate from within the gas delivery pipeline. In various embodiments, the valve assembly 103 may include a valve positioned along the gas delivery pipeline 100. In various embodiments, the valve assembly 103 may be positioned upstream or downstream of at least one conductive portion of the gas delivery pipeline 100. In various exemplary embodiments, such as, for example, during a purge process / cycle, the valve may be configured to allow a certain volume of accumulated condensate to be removed from the gas delivery pipeline. For example, as Figure 3, during a purge process / cycle, wherein air is flowing through the gas delivery pipeline 100 in the second fluid flow direction, the valve assembly 103 can be configured to remove a volume of accumulated condensate traveling from the conduction portion 110 via the valve to exit the gas delivery pipeline inlet 101. In various embodiments, the valve assembly 103 can also include a storage tank that is fluidly connected to the valve and configured to receive and store a volume of water removed from the gas delivery pipeline 100 via the valve.

[0050] Figure 4 Picture shows Figure 3 A cross-sectional view of components of an exemplary humidity reduction device 10 is shown in FIG. Figure 4 As shown in and discussed herein, at least one heat transfer medium may include a first heat transfer medium 111 and a second heat transfer medium 211 positioned in line within at least a portion of the gas delivery conduit 100. In various embodiments, the first and second heat transfer mediums 111, 211 may include the same or different materials and may exhibit the same or different material properties. In various embodiments, the first and second heat transfer mediums 111, 211 may be configured to facilitate temperature changes of a volume of gas flowing through the conductive portion 110, 210 of the gas delivery conduit.

[0051] Figure 5 An exemplary humidity reduction device 10 is illustrated, wherein at least one conductive portion of the gas delivery pipeline 100 includes a first conductive portion 110, a second conductive portion 210, and a third conductive portion 310, and wherein the exemplary humidity reduction device 10 further includes a second cooler 230. Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , the cooler 130, the first heat-conducting portion 110 of the gas delivery pipeline, and the second heat-conducting portion 210 of the gas delivery pipeline are collectively configured as described above with respect to Figure 3 and 4 The configuration is the same as described in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in .

[0052] In various embodiments, the humidity reduction device 10 may include one or more additional coolers in addition to the cooler 130. In various embodiments, the one or more additional coolers may be in contact with at least a portion of the gas delivery pipeline 100 and may be configured to selectively cool and / or heat the portion of the gas delivery pipeline 100. Figure 5As shown in , the one or more additional coolers include a second cooler 230. In various embodiments, the second cooler 230 may define a first side 231 and a second side 232. In various embodiments, at least a portion of the gas delivery conduit 100 may contact both the first side 231 of the second cooler and the second side 232 of the second cooler. Figure 5 , for example, the first side 231 of the second cooler can be positioned at least substantially adjacent to the second conductive portion 210 of the gas delivery pipeline, such that the first side 231 of the second cooler contacts the heat conductive sidewall of the second conductive portion 210, and the second side 232 of the second cooler can be positioned at least substantially adjacent to the third conductive portion 310, such that the second side 232 of the second cooler contacts the heat conductive sidewall of the third conductive portion 310. In such an exemplary configuration, the first and second ends 231, 232 of the second cooler can be conductively connected to the second and third conductive portions 210, 310, respectively, to facilitate heat transfer between the components. In various embodiments, the second cooler 230 can be fixedly or removably attached to at least a portion of the gas delivery pipeline 100.

[0053] In various embodiments, the second cooler 230 may include a solid-state thermoelectric cooler and may be configured to operate and function in a manner similar to the cooler 130. In various embodiments, as described herein with respect to the cooler 130, a voltage may be applied across the cooler 130 such that one of the first and second sides 231, 232 of the second cooler is configured as a cooling side and the other is configured as a heating side. For example, in various embodiments, one or more additional coolers may include a cooler type other than a solid-state thermoelectric cooler.

[0054] In various embodiments, such as Figure 5 As shown in , the humidity reduction device 10 may also include a housing 140. The housing 140 may include an outer housing portion and an inner housing portion. In various embodiments, at least a portion of the gas delivery pipeline 100, at least one heat transfer medium, and the cooler 130 may be enclosed in the inner housing portion of the housing 140. In addition, in various embodiments, one or more of the pump 160, the controller 170, and one or more additional coolers may also be enclosed in the inner housing portion of the housing 140. Figure 5 As shown in FIG. 1 , cooler 130 , second cooler 230 , at least a portion of gas delivery conduit 100 (including first, second and third conducting portions 110 , 210 , 310 of the gas conduit), and pump 160 are each enclosed within an interior housing portion of housing 140 .

[0055] Figure 6An exemplary humidity reduction device 10 is illustrated, wherein at least one conductive portion of the gas delivery conduit 100 includes a first conductive portion 110, a second conductive portion 210, a third conductive portion 310, and a fourth conductive portion 410, and wherein one or more additional coolers of the humidity reduction device 10 as described herein include a second cooler 230. Figure 6 As shown in FIG. 1 , the cooler 130, the first heat-conducting portion 110 of the gas delivery pipeline, and the second heat-conducting portion 210 of the gas delivery pipeline are configured together as described above with respect to Figure 3 and 4 The configuration is the same as described in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in .

[0056] like Figure 6 , for example, the first side 231 of the second cooler may be positioned at least substantially adjacent to the third conductive portion 310 of the gas delivery conduit such that the first side 231 of the second cooler contacts the heat conductive sidewall of the third conductive portion 310, and the second side 232 of the second cooler may be positioned at least substantially adjacent to the fourth conductive portion 410 such that the second side 232 of the second cooler contacts the heat conductive sidewall of the fourth conductive portion 410. In such an exemplary configuration, the first and second ends 231, 232 of the second cooler may be conductively connected to the third and fourth conductive portions 310, 410, respectively, to facilitate heat transfer between the components.

[0057] Experimental tests and results .

[0058] Experimental testing was conducted to verify the effectiveness of the embodiments as described herein.Data was collected in multiple test sessions using various combinations of the embodiments described above.

[0059] Figure 7 Components of the humidity reduction device 10 used in an exemplary test configuration are shown. A test pump 703 is used to drive a volume of gas to flow through a primary portion of a gas delivery conduit 700 to a gas delivery conduit inlet 705. Prior to reaching the gas delivery conduit inlet 705, the volume of gas is exposed to a chamber 707 at least partially filled with a volume of water, thereby artificially creating at least substantially 100% relative humidity within the volume of gas. A hygrometer 701 is positioned upstream of the gas delivery conduit inlet 705 to measure the relative humidity of the volume of gas before entering the humidity reduction device 10. Additionally, a hygrometer 702 is positioned downstream of the gas delivery conduit outlet 704 to measure the relative humidity of the volume of gas after it passes through the humidity reduction device 10.

[0060] The humidity reduction device 10 as used in the exemplary test configuration includes a single solid-state thermoelectric cooler, a first heat transfer medium positioned in line within a first conductive portion of a gas delivery conduit, and a second heat transfer medium positioned in line within a second conductive portion of the gas delivery conduit. Figure 3 and 4 , wherein the gas delivery conduit defines a non-linear fluid flow path and defines two channels across the cooler at the first conductive portion and the second conductive portion. In the exemplary tested embodiment, the exemplary cooler is configured to cool the first conductive portion of the gas delivery conduit and the first heat transfer medium positioned therein. The first conductive portion of the gas delivery conduit and the first heat transfer medium positioned therein are positioned upstream of the second conductive portion of the gas delivery conduit and the second heat transfer medium positioned therein.

[0061] Figure 8 Shown are graphical representations of data collected during various experimental trials of embodiments of the claimed invention. Figure 8 A comparison of two measured data points is graphically illustrated: the relative humidity of a volume of gas before it enters an exemplary humidity reduction apparatus - represented by the measurement of hygrometer 1 - and the relative humidity of a volume of gas after it passes through the exemplary apparatus - represented by the measurement of hygrometer 1. The two data points were each collected on five different occasions starting at 9 hours and 30 minutes after the exemplary apparatus began operating (i.e., voltage began to flow across the cooler), and then every 60 minutes for the next four hours. Figure 8 Further graphically illustrated is the percentage reduction between the two hygrometer measurements; that is, the percentage reduction in the relative humidity of a volume of gas after having passed through the exemplary test apparatus. Figure 8 As shown in , the relative humidity percentage is measured along the primary (left) y-axis, and the calculated relative humidity reduction percentage is measured along the secondary (right) y-axis. The data collected at each of the five time intervals is clearly arranged in chronological order from left to right along the x-axis. Figure 8 The data shown in Table 1 below are represented graphically:

[0062] Table 1

[0063] time Hygrometer 1(%RH) Hygrometer 2 (%RH) reduce% 09:30 96.5 76 21% 10:30 96.8 80.2 17% 11:30 96.5 80.6 16% 12:30 96.5 84.3 13% 13:30 96.5 89.6 7%

[0064] If Figure 8As shown, throughout the test, the inlet relative humidity (i.e., the measured humidity at hygrometer 1) was maintained at approximately 96.5% in order to simulate a worst-case scenario. It is noteworthy that in each data collection scenario, the exemplary humidity reduction device 10 test configuration successfully reduced the relative humidity of the measured volume of gas. The reduction in the measured relative humidity percentage between the first and second hygrometers ranged between 5% and 21%. It should be understood that Figure 8 The specific test results illustrated in and described herein are the product of an exemplary humidity reduction device 10 test configuration as described herein. In various embodiments, the relative humidity reduction percentage may be increased or decreased based on various test configuration variables such as, for example, inlet relative humidity, the configuration of the humidity reduction device 10, and the amount of time between when the device is turned on and when data is collected.

[0065] method .

[0066] Fig. 9 Illustrated is a block diagram of an exemplary method 900 for reducing the humidity of a volume of gas according to some embodiments discussed herein.

[0067] At block 901, a volume of gas is passed through a gas delivery conduit along a first flow direction. The gas delivery conduit includes at least one conductive portion, and at least one heat transfer medium is positioned linearly within the at least one conductive portion of the gas delivery conduit. In various embodiments, the first flow direction may extend along the gas delivery conduit from an inlet toward an outlet.

[0068] Additionally, at block 902, at least one heat transfer medium is cooled via a cooler in contact with an outer surface of a conductive portion of the gas delivery conduit to condense humidity within a volume of gas on a surface of the at least one heat transfer medium. In various embodiments, the cooler may be a solid-state thermoelectric cooler, and cooling the heat transfer medium may include applying a voltage to the cooler in a first direction to cool a first side of the cooler, wherein the first side of the cooler is in contact with the at least one conductive portion of the gas delivery conduit.

[0069] Fig.10 Illustrated is a block diagram of an exemplary method 1000 for reducing humidity of a volume of gas according to some embodiments discussed herein. Blocks 1001 and 1002 of the exemplary method 1000 are at least substantially similar to the steps previously disclosed at blocks 901 and 902, respectively.

[0070] At block 1003, the exemplary method 1000 also includes reversing the voltage applied to the cooler to heat the first side of the cooler to heat the at least one heat transfer medium to remove condensed water from the gas delivery pipeline. In various embodiments, as one or more volumes of gas pass through the at least one heat transfer medium over time, condensate extracted from the one or more volumes of gas may begin to accumulate. After a period of time, the accumulated condensate on the surface of the at least one heat transfer medium will accumulate to such an extent that the volume of condensate present in the gas delivery pipeline will begin to negatively affect the reduction of humidity described herein. In various embodiments, the negative impact of the accumulated condensate in the gas delivery pipeline and the amount of time before the negative impact can be achieved may depend on one or more variables, such as, for example, the flow rate and relative humidity of the volume of gas passing through the gas delivery pipeline. For example, in various embodiments, the accumulated condensate in the gas delivery pipeline may begin to negatively affect the reduction of humidity of the volume of gas between 2 and 10 hours (e.g., 8 hours) after the cooler has begun cooling the volume of gas. Thus, a voltage applied to the cooler can be reversed from a first direction to a second direction, thereby switching the configuration of the first side of the cooler from a cooling configuration to a heating configuration, as described herein. Upon heating at least one conductive portion of the gas delivery conduit and, thus, at least one heat transfer medium positioned therein, at least a portion of the accumulated condensate can evaporate. The evaporated condensate (i.e., vapor) can be removed from the gas delivery conduit via a volume of gas flow.

[0071] Fig.11 Illustrated is a block diagram of an exemplary method 1100 for reducing humidity of a volume of gas according to some embodiments discussed herein. Blocks 1101, 1102, and 1103 of the exemplary method 1100 are at least substantially similar to the steps previously disclosed at blocks 1001, 1002, and 1003, respectively.

[0072] At block 1103, the exemplary method 1100 also includes changing the directional flow of a volume of gas through the gas delivery conduit to a second flow direction opposite to the first flow direction via the pump. In various embodiments, the second flow direction may extend along the gas delivery conduit from the outlet toward the inlet. In such exemplary configurations, evaporated condensate (i.e., vapor) may be removed from the gas delivery conduit via the inlet by flowing along the second flow direction. In various embodiments, for example, the directional flow of a volume of gas within the gas delivery conduit may be changed to the second flow direction by powering the pump (where the pump was not previously powered) or reversing the polarity of the pump input signal, as described herein.

[0073] in conclusion .

[0074] With the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing description and the associated drawings, many modifications and other embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure belongs. Therefore, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used only in a general and descriptive sense and not for the purpose of limitation.

Claims

1. A device for reducing the humidity of a volume of gas, the device comprising: Gas transmission pipelines; at least one heat transfer medium positioned linearly within at least a portion of said gas delivery conduit; as well as a cooler in contact with at least a portion of the gas delivery pipeline to cool the gas delivery pipeline and the at least one heat transfer medium, wherein the cooler defines a first side and a second side, and wherein the at least one heat transfer medium comprises a first heat transfer medium and a second heat transfer medium positioned within an interior portion of a first conductive portion of the gas delivery conduit and an interior portion of a second conductive portion of the gas delivery conduit, respectively, and wherein the first conductive portion of the gas delivery conduit contacts the first side of the cooler and the second conductive portion of the gas delivery conduit contacts the second side of the cooler.

2. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a housing, wherein The housing comprises an outer housing portion and an inner housing portion, and wherein at least a portion of the gas delivery conduit, the at least one heat transfer medium, and the cooler are enclosed within the inner housing portion.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one heat transfer medium is configured to allow a volume of gas to pass therethrough.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The at least one heat conducting medium includes a copper material.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The gas delivery conduit includes at least one conductive portion including a heat conductive sidewall, and wherein the at least one heat conductive medium is positioned within an interior portion of the at least one conductive portion of the gas delivery conduit, and wherein the cooler is in contact with the at least one conductive portion of the gas delivery conduit.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein: The heat conducting sidewalls of the at least one conducting portion include a copper material.

7. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The cooler is implemented as a solid-state thermoelectric cooler.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein: Based at least in part on a voltage applied across the cooler, the first side is configured as a cooling side and the second side is configured as a heating side, and wherein at least a portion of the gas delivery conduit is in contact with the first side.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein: The device is configured to selectively reverse a voltage applied across the cooler such that the first side is configured as a heating side and the second side is configured as a cooling side.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a pump configured to direct a volume of gas to flow through the gas delivery conduit.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein: The pump is configured to change a directional flow of a volume of gas within the gas delivery conduit between a first flow direction and a second flow direction.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein: The device is configured to be fluidly connected to the photoionization detector and positioned upstream of the photoionization detector.

13. A method for reducing the humidity of a volume of gas, the method comprising: Passing a volume of gas through a gas delivery conduit in a first flow direction, wherein the gas delivery conduit includes at least one conductive portion, and wherein at least one heat transfer medium is positioned linearly within the at least one conductive portion of the gas delivery conduit; and cooling the at least one heat transfer medium within the at least one conduction portion of the gas delivery conduit via a cooler in contact with an outer surface of the at least one conduction portion of the gas delivery conduit to condense humidity within a volume of gas onto a surface of the at least one heat transfer medium, wherein the cooler defines a first side and a second side, and wherein the at least one heat transfer medium comprises a first heat transfer medium and a second heat transfer medium positioned within an interior portion of a first conductive portion of the gas delivery conduit and an interior portion of a second conductive portion of the gas delivery conduit, respectively, and wherein the first conductive portion of the gas delivery conduit contacts the first side of the cooler and the second conductive portion of the gas delivery conduit contacts the second side of the cooler.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein: The cooler is a solid-state thermoelectric cooler, and wherein cooling the at least one heat transfer medium includes applying a voltage to the cooler in a first direction to cool the first side of the cooler.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising reversing the voltage applied to the cooler to heat the first side of the cooler to heat the at least one heat transfer medium to remove condensed water from the gas delivery conduit.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising changing the directional flow of the volume of gas through the gas delivery conduit via a pump to a second flow direction opposite the first flow direction.

17. The method according to claim 13, wherein: The at least one conducting portion of the gas delivery conduit is fluidly connected to a photoionization detector and is positioned upstream of the photoionization detector.

18. An apparatus for reducing the humidity of a volume of gas, the apparatus comprising: a gas delivery pipeline, the gas delivery pipeline comprising a first conducting portion and a second conducting portion; at least one heat transfer medium, the at least one heat transfer medium comprising a first heat transfer medium positioned linearly within the first conductive portion of the gas delivery conduit and a second heat transfer medium positioned linearly within the second conductive portion of the gas delivery conduit; and A cooler is in contact with the first and second conductive portions of the gas delivery pipeline to cool the first and second conductive portions of the gas delivery pipeline and the at least one heat transfer medium.

19. A method for reducing the humidity of a volume of gas, the method comprising: Passing a volume of gas through a gas delivery conduit in a first flow direction, wherein the gas delivery conduit includes a first conductive portion and a second conductive portion, and wherein at least one heat transfer medium includes a first heat transfer medium positioned linearly within the first conductive portion of the gas delivery conduit and a second heat transfer medium positioned linearly within the second conductive portion of the gas delivery conduit; and The at least one heat transfer medium within the first and second conduction portions of the gas delivery conduit is cooled via a cooler in contact with outer surfaces of the first and second conduction portions of the gas delivery conduit to condense humidity within a volume of gas onto a surface of the at least one heat transfer medium.

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