1715 results about "Liquid water" patented technology

Methods and apparatus for extracting liquid water from ambient air, including ambient air in severely arid and hot climates, are described. An example apparatus uses a sorption-desorption-condensation cycle using a sorption wheel to extract moisture from ambient air and concentrate the water vapor driven off from the sorption material in a circulating gas, with condensation of liquid water from the circulating gas.

Provided is a method of makinga stretched, multilayer breathable film having the combination of properties of: (i) providing a barrier to microorganisms; and (ii) providing a barrier to blood and bodily fluids; said method comprising the steps of: (a) simultaneously extruding at least a five-layer film from a die, said five-layer film having as a minimum the following structure: C:A:B:A:C; where B comprises a microporous core layer containing at least one thremoplastic polymer and at least one particulate filler; C comprises an outer monolithic layer containing a hydrophilic polymeric resin capable of absorbing and desorbing moisture and providing a barrier to aqueous fluids and microorganisms, said C layer being substantially free of particulate filler; and A comprises a microporous adhesive layer for bonding said C layers to said core layer B, wherein said C layer sustantially prevents the buildup of particulate filler material on said die during said extrusion step; (b) stretching said extruded five-layer film to thereby form micropores in said microporous core layer and said microporous adhesive layer, wherein said stretching step is conducted and said microporous core layer and said microporous adhesive layers have been formulated so as to provide micropores which allow the passage of gaseous water but substantially prevent the passage of liquid water. The invention also relates to a multilayer film.

An improved gas-diffusion cathode for use in an electrochemical cell comprising an electrically conductive cathode member having a first side communicable with an aqueous electrolyte and a second side communicable with a gaseous medium; and a water-impermeable membrane adjacent said cathode member second side to reduce passage of liquid water between said cathode member and said gaseous medium and having a membrane first side and a membrane second side wherein said membrane first side faces said cathode member and wherein said water-impermeable membrane comprises one or more portions defining one or more openable and closeable apertures the improvement wherein said apertures are associated with one or more integrally-formed resiliently flexible flaps on said membrane first side to effect said opening and closing. The batteries have reduced unwanted water vapour ingress and egress characteristics in its no-load mode.

A moisture vapor permeable metalized composite sheet is formed by coating a moisture vapor permeable sheet-with at least one metal layer and at least one outer organic coating layer. The moisture vapor permeability of the composite sheet is at least about 80% of the moisture vapor permeability of the starting sheet. The composite sheet provides a barrier to air and liquid water infiltration while having high moisture vapor permeability and good thermal barrier properties. The composite sheet material is suitable for use as a building construction wrap such as roof lining and house wrap.

The invention relates to an active device having variable energy/light transmission properties (100) comprising an active system (1, 12) between a protective substrate (2) and a protective cover (3), selected from an essentially inorganic electrochromic system, a light valve system, a liquid crystal system, a gasochromic system, a thermochromic system, means leakproof to liquid water and/or water vapor, a surround (50) made from at least one metal based part (5a, 5b) on the periphery of the device, the surround being assembled with the cover and with the substrate by assembling means (61′ to 64′) forming at least part of the means leakproof to water vapor.

A membrane exchange humidifier employs a water permeable membrane comprising a microporous polymer and a hydrophilic additive. In operation, the membrane preferably has favorable water transmission properties and resists transmission of reactant gas or other components. The membrane is suitable for use even when permeable in its dry condition to the wet or dry gases in the humidifier, and/or when the wet and dry gases are of different composition. By wetting the membrane, the presence of an amount of liquid water in the wet gas can reduce gas transmission through the membrane to an acceptable level. The humidifier is useful in fuel cell systems in which a reactant gas supply stream, such as the oxidant supply stream, is humidified primarily using water vapor from a fuel cell reactant exhaust stream. The humidifier is particularly suitable for use in conjunction with solid polymer fuel cell systems. The improved mechanical and welding properties of the membrane allow for a simpler humidifier configuration.

Breathable medical circuit components and materials and methods for forming these components are disclosed. These components incorporate breathable foamed materials that are permeable to water vapor and substantially impermeable to liquid water and the bulk flow of gases. The disclosed materials and methods can be incorporated into a variety of components, including tubes, Y-connectors, catheter mounts, and patient interfaces and are suitable for use in a variety of medical circuits, including insufflation, anesthesia, and breathing circuits.

A portable, potable-water generator for producing high-purity liquid water by condensation of water vapor from ambient air. The generator (125) employs an air filter (119) to remove particulates and aerosols from the incoming air. An enclosed heat absorber cools the filtered air to its dew point and collects droplets of condensate into a condensate collector (5). Before discharge, the collected dew is treated in a bacteriostat loop to destroy adventitious living organisms and to filter out undesirable and dangerous contaminants. A recirculation loop provides the ability to recirculate stored condensate, including during periods of inactivity. Further, quick disconnect fittings (55b) and variable length flexible tubing allows use of the invention to serve remote dispensers and/or appliances and allow use of municipal water treated through the apparatus in low condensate situations.

An apparatus and system for mixing and separating ozonated water is provided. The apparatus is especially useful as a component of a system for cycling sanitizing ozonated water to a body of water such as a pool, spa or pond. The apparatus generally includes a separating vessel including a mixing tower, preferably located substantially entirely within the separating vessel and including a diffuser element for enhancing mixing of ozonated water without increasing turbulence in the separating vessel. Preferably, the apparatus includes a seal mechanism that substantially prevents liquid water from escaping the separating vessel with vented off-gas. The invention further provides an ozone destruct assembly including a condensate collection portion, and may also include a return line for passing a treated off-gas into the body of water.

A massive body, e.g., a tablet, for producing a thickened solution of chlorine dioxide when the massive body is added to liquid water is disclosed. The massive body comprises a metal chlorite, an acid source and a thickener (incorporated directly into the massive body or added as a component separate from the massive body) and optionally a source of free halogen. The concentration of free chlorine in the solution will be: (a) less than the concentration of chlorine dioxide in said solution on a weight basis and the ratio of the concentration of chlorine dioxide to the sum of the concentrations of chlorine dioxide and chlorite anion in said solution is at least 0.25:1 by weight; or (b) equal to or greater than the concentration of chlorine dioxide in said solution on a weight basis and the ratio of the concentration of chlorine dioxide to the sum of the concentrations of chlorine dioxide and chlorite anion in said solution is at least 0.50:1 by weight.

A monopolar fuel cell stack comprising proton exchange membrane fuel cells supplied with a gaseous anodic reactant, preferably hydrogen, and a gaseous cathodic reactant, preferably air. The monopolar fuel cell stack, forming at least one substantially planar array, includes a liquid water retention barrier disposed over an electrode to retain liquid water within the fuel cells. The barrier is preferably used over the cathode side of each fuel cell and allows excess air flow to cool the fuel cell stack without drying the membrane in each fuel cell. The liquid water retention barrier may be either: (i) a thin, gas permeable, liquid water impermeable membrane; (ii) a thin, porous sheet of material; or (iii) a thin, substantially solid sheet of material except for a plurality of small through-holes that penetrate from one side of the sheet to an opposing side of the same sheet.

A water resistant garment is disclosed having regions of high MVTR while maintaining water resistance. The garment has a fabric layer adjacent one major surface of a nanofiber layer. The surface of the nanofibers are coated with a coating containing a fluorocarbon polymeric moiety and a resin binder or extender which is soluble in water and/or other solvents. The coated nanofiber layer has a contact angle of greater than 145°. The garment optionally includes a second fabric layer adjacent the other major surface of the nanofiber layer. The garment has regions having a Frazier air permeability of between about 0.5 m³/min/m² and about 8 m³/min/m², an MVTR of greater than about 500 g/m²/day and a hydrostatic head of at least about 50 cmwc.

The invention provides a cover detection device and an electric pressure cooker with the same. The cover detection devices includes a body, an induction device which is arranged on the body, and a pressure transmitting device which is arranged on the body movably. A contact part contacted with the induction device is arranged on the press transmitting device. The pressure transmitting device has a first position contacted with the induction device and a second position separated with the induction device, and the induction device is above the contact part. The induction device of cover detection devices and electric pressure cookers with the same is above the contact part. When the liquid water flows from the pressure transmission device, the liquid water can be effectively prevented from contacting with the induction device, so as to avoid the failure of the induction device.

A massive body, e.g., a tablet, for producing a solution of chlorine dioxide when the massive body is added to liquid water. The massive body comprises a metal chlorite such as sodium chlorite, an acid source such as sodium bisulfate and a source of free halogen such as the sodium salt of dichloroisocyanuric acid or a hydrate thereof. The concentration of free halogen in the solution will be:

• • (a) less than the concentration of chlorine dioxide in said solution on a weight basis and the ratio of the concentration of chlorine dioxide to the sum of the concentrations of chlorine dioxide and chlorite anion in said solution is at least 0.25:1 by weight; or
  • (b) equal to or greater than the concentration of chlorine dioxide in said solution on a weight basis and the ratio of the concentration of chlorine dioxide to the sum of the concentrations of chlorine dioxide and chlorite anion in said solution is at least 0.50:1 by weight.

Disclosed is a process for humidifying syngas to achieve a water to carbon monoxide molar ratio in the product syngas within a desired range and in which the molar ratio which can be varied over time in response to changes in downstream syngas requirements. The raw syngas is produced by reacting a carbonaceous material with oxygen, water, or carbon dioxide and can be combined with a diluent to produce a diluted syngas stream which can be cooled and contacted with liquid water to give a humidified syngas. The H₂O:CO molar ratio of the humidified syngas may be adjusted in response to time-varying downstream syngas requirements by changing the amount and/or temperature of the diluent that is combined with the raw syngas stream, by adjusting quench and heat exchange conditions, or a combination thereof. The application of the process to the coproduction of chemicals and power are also disclosed.

An internal combustion engine/water source system for a vehicle powered by a internal combustion engine wherein liquid water is produced by cooling a portion of engine exhaust gases in a vortex tube to induce condensation. In one embodiment, engine exhaust gases are pumped into the vortex tube by a compressor. After removing a portion of water vapor, cooled exhaust gases may be re-introduced to engine's combustion chamber thereby providing an exhaust gas recirculation. In an automotive vehicle, liquid water generated by the invention may be collected and provided to an electrolytic cell for electrolysis into gaseous hydrogen to reduce exhaust pollutants during cold engine start. Alternatively, water generated by the invention may be injected into engine combustion chamber to increase power and to reduce production of nitrogen oxides.

A vacuum container mounted on an inclined slope and having a liquid water storage container mounted beneath the incline of the vacuum container. The water storage container may support the vacuum container. The slope may be of sufficient angle to allow debris to be emptied from the vacuum container by gravity when the access door is opened. A filter housing may be mounted to and supported by the vacuum container. By flush mounting the clean out end of the filter housing with the clean out end of the vacuum container, a single access clean out door may be used to access both simultaneously. This compact design provides efficient interaction and plumbing between the water tank, vacuum tank and filter housing as well as concentrating weight and reducing floor space.

A process is described for producing an olefins stream from a first vapor effluent stream from an oxygenate to olefin conversion reaction, said first vapor effluent stream comprising C₂ and C₃ olefins, C₄ hydrocarbons, and C₂ to C₆ carbonyl compounds. In the process, the temperature and pressure of the first vapor effluent stream are adjusted to produce a second vapor effluent stream having a pressure ranging from about 100 psig to about 350 psig (790 to 2514 kPa) and a temperature ranging from about 70° F. to about 120° F. (21 to 49° C.), said second vapor effluent stream containing about 50 wt. % or more C₄ hydrocarbons based upon the total weight of C₄ hydrocarbons in the first vapor effluent stream. The second vapor effluent stream is then washed with a liquid alcohol-containing stream to produce a third vapor effluent stream, whereafter the third vapor effluent stream is washed with liquid water to provide a fourth vapor effluent stream comprising the C₂ and C₃ olefins and about 1.0 wt. % or less C₂ to C₆ carbonyl compounds.

A closed-loop cooling system is provided for a hydrogen/oxygen based combustor. A combustion reaction between hydrogen and oxygen in the combustor produces steam. The steam is used to generate work from a turbine shaft, which is used to drive a propulsion system for the underwater vessel. After the steam passes through the turbine, the steam is cooled back to liquid water by a condenser that uses a seawater cooling loop to cool the steam into cold water. The cold water is then injected into the combustor, and pumped into passages along the walls of the combustor, thus absorbing the heat. The cold water absorbs this heat until it becomes hot water or steam, which is then injected into the combustor with the hydrogen and oxygen to act as a diluent, thus reducing the reaction temperature of the hydrogen/oxygen combustion reaction. The reaction produces more steam, and the cycle repeats.

The present invention provides a hydrocarbon fuel reformer systems that improve the recovery and utilization of the water vapor and/or the heat energy within the reformer system. In a preferred embodiment, the present invention utilizes a desiccant matrix maintained in a water transfer assembly to collect, in a continuous manner, water from a process stream and transfer the water to a reactivation stream to return the water vapor to the reformer, with or without the use of a heat exchanger, and without requiring the collection and evaporation of liquid water.

Disclosed is a topical composition comprising: (1) a porous spherical disintegrative silica impregnated with a water-insoluble skin benefit agent, wherein: (a) the porous spherical disintegrative silica has an average volume particle size of from about 3 μm to about 20 μm, a maximum particle size of no more than about 50 μm, and a pore volume of from about 1.5 cm³/g to about 3.0 cm³/g; and provides a certain dynamic viscoelasticity when sheared; (b) the water-insoluble skin benefit agent having a solubility in water at less than about 0.1 g/l at 25° C. and having a molecular weight of no more than about 5,000, selected from the group consisting of liquid water-insoluble skin benefit agents, solid water-insoluble skin benefit agents which dissolve in liquid water-insoluble skin benefit agents, solid water-insoluble skin benefit agents which dissolve in emollients and/or volatile solvents, and mixtures thereof; and (2) a suitable carrier.

A regenerative fuel cell is combined with a combustion engine such as a Pulse Detonation Engine (PDE) to create a closed-loop power generation system. Stored hydrogen and oxygen are used by the regenerative fuel cell, and by the combustion engine, in which the reaction of the hydrogen and oxygen produces water in the gas phase (steam). The steam is used to generate work from a turbine shaft, which is used to drive a propulsion system for the marine vessel. After the steam passes through the turbine, the steam is cooled back to liquid water by a condenser, and stored with the water produced by the regenerative fuel cell. The stored water can be converted back into hydrogen and oxygen by using electrical power external to the closed-loop system. After regeneration of the water into hydrogen and oxygen, the closed-loop power system would be ready for operation again.

The present invention aims at adding energy for the liquid water and /or solid water ingeniously from multi-angle and providing a new perspective which is conductive to the escape of the water molecules from the solid ice, the present invention starts from the four angles of ultrasonic disruption, infrared energy adding, microwave activating and magnetization processing, introduces the advantages and the characteristics of the magnetized water, small water molecule clusters and high-energy water into the medical frozen powder (injection) preparations which are produced industrially in a most economical method and to the maximum extend, so as to explore a new path for shortening the production cycle of the normal vacuum frozen drying and further reducing the energy consumption. On the basis, the present invention also provides: a preparation method of medical frozen powder (injection) preparations by infrared vacuum frozen drying, a preparation method of medical frozen powder (injection) preparations by microwave vacuum frozen drying etc.. The two new methods completely overcome the deficiencies of the single channel for transferring the energy of the traditional vacuum frozen drying and can possibly further greatly shorten the production period of the industrial production of the medical frozen powder (injection) preparations, reduce the energy consumption and improve the inherent quality of the products.

The invention relates to an alkali-activated cementing material prepared from siliceous iron tailings and a preparation method of the alkali-activated cementing material. The preparation method comprises the following steps: 1) proportionally and evenly mixing siliceous iron tailing powder, coal ash and slag powder together to obtain iron tailing powder-coal ash-slag powder compound powder; 2) mixing liquid water glass with water to obtain an alkali activating agent solution; 3) adding the alkali activating agent solution to the compound powder and stirring evenly to obtain an alkali-activated cementing material paste; 4) injecting the alkali-activated cementing material paste into a die for vibrating molding and maintaining under a normal temperature condition until knockout, thereby obtaining an alkali-activated cementing material net paste test piece; and 5) performing steam curing on the alkali-activated cementing material net paste test piece. The alkali-activated cementing material has the beneficial effects that the alkali-activated cementing material hardened paste has excellent mechanical properties, the 3d compressive strength of the optimal proportion of the hardened paste is greater than 60MPa and the 28d compressive strength of the hardened paste is greater than 80MPa.

A wall panel joint apparatus and a system using same is disclosed. The wall panel joint includes a perimeter joint body having a predetermined size and shape. The perimeter joint body floatably attaches to at least two wall panels. Embodiments include where the wall panel joint includes one, two, or more chambers in addition to the wall cavity. The system includes at least two wall panel joints that attach the wall panels to an architectural wall. At the point of intersection of the joints, the joints are mitered. The system also includes a wall attachment device and a means for attaching the joint to the wall attachment device. The system is liquid water impermeable, air permeable, and water vapor permeable system, providing a ventilated, waterproof wall panel attachment joints for use in same.

Stabilized fuels and methods for the encapsulation of fuels are provided. More particularly, methods for the passivation or encapsulation of water reactive, hydrogen gas generating fuels. Water reactive fuels are encapsulated in a water vapor permeable, liquid water impermeable membrane, or coated with a water vapor permeable, liquid water impermeable oil substance to control the quantity of water that is permitted to reach the chemical fuel. In the event of damage, hydrogen generators incorporating the fuels of the invention are protected from explosions that might otherwise result from rapid, uncontrolled hydrogen generation.

The invention relates to a gas diffusion layer with a gradient hole structure for fuel batteries and a preparation method and applications thereof. The gas diffusion layer consists of a macroporous carbon-based support body and a micro-porous layer which are overlapped, wherein the material of the micro-porous layer is embedded in the macroporous carbon-based support body from one side, far from the flow field of a battery, of the macroporous carbon-based support body to form a transitional hole layer; the transitional hole layer is composed of the material of the micro-porous layer and the fiber of the macroporous carbon-based support body and is obtained by embedding the material of the micro-porous layer in the side, far from the flow field of a battery, of the macroporous carbon-based support body; and the curvature of reaction gas transfer from the side next to the flow field to the side next to a catalyst layer in the gas diffusion layer increases gradiently and the air permeability gradually reduces from 4-10s/100ml to 100-900s/100ml. By adopting the gas diffusion layer with the structure, the mass transfer curvatures of water and the gas in the gas diffusion layer (GDL) can be effectively increased, the transfer path of the product-water can be prolonged and liquid water in the battery can be maintained; and the gas diffusion layer is particularly suitable for fuel batteries working under low humidity and the cathodes of alkaline fuel batteries.

An internal combustion engine power cycle wherein a combustion chamber is fitted with an inlet valve, an outlet valve, and movable piston coupled to perform work, includes an generator to form a stream of greater than about 95% molecular oxygen from atmospheric air and a nitrogen waste gas stream; a source of fuel; and a source of liquid water. The power cycle includes admission of the molecular oxygen into the chamber, injection of the fuel into the chamber with combustion, and injection of atomized water into the chamber for generation of steam.

An air system for a proton exchange membrane fuel cell belongs to the technical field of new energy automobiles, and is characterized in that an exhaust recirculating loop is used to lead the gas exhausted from a cathode outlet of a galvanic pile into an inlet loop of the galvanic pile again. According to the invention, the total flow, total pressure and oxygen flow entering into the galvanic pile can be adjusted independently, and the water logging or membrane drying of the galvanic pile can be effectively avoided while the monolithic voltage of the galvanic pile is limited; during the shutdown period, liquid water inside the galvanic pile can be dried quickly, so as to prevent the galvanic pile from being damaged caused by freezing of water residual inside the galvanic pile under the condition of low temperature; during the shutdown period, the whole pipeline can be filled with nitrogen, so as to prevent oxygen from entering into the anode to corrode the galvanic pile with long-term shutdown; and the fresh air amount entering into the system is reduced, and the load of the mechanical and chemical filter is reduced. The measures can effectively improve the service life and the durability of the fuel cell, and meanwhile, as the radiating and humidifying by-pass governing is led in, the machine warming speed of the galvanic pile under the condition of low temperature can be increased.

The process for the treatment of ligno-cellulosic biomass comprises the steps of:

• • A) Soaking a ligno-cellulosic biomass feedstock in vapor or liquid water or mixture thereof in the temperature range of 100 to 210° C. for 1 minute to 24 hours to create a soaked biomass containing a dry content and a first liquid;
  • B) Separating at least a portion of the first liquid from the soaked biomass to create a first liquid stream and a first solid stream; wherein the first solid stream comprises the soaked biomass; and
  • C) Steam exploding the first solid stream to create a steam exploded stream comprising solids and a second liquid.