Variable area mass or area and mass species transfer device and method

Abstract

Disclosed herein is a-variable-area or mass or area and mass ratio species transfer device, one embodiment with a plurality of species transfer masses. At least one actuator is disposed in communication with the species transfer masses, capable of selectively moving one or more of the masses independently of other one or more of the masses into at least contact with a first fluid stream and into contact with a second fluid stream. Yet further disclosed herein is a method for controlling species transfer in a species transfer device. The method includes: selecting an appropriate mass/area ratio between a portion of a variable area or mass or area and mass ratio species transfer device exposed to a higher-temperature fluid and a portion of the species transfer device exposed to a lower-temperature fluid; exposing one selected portion of the species transfer device to the higher-temperature fluid; and exposing another selected portion of the species transfer device to the lower-temperature fluid.

1 . A variable area or mass or area and mass ratio species transfer device comprising: 
 a plurality of species transfer masses, each mass actuatable independently or actuatable as a subset of the plurality of masses to reside in contact with a first species or a second species; and    at least one actuator in operable communication with said species transfer masses, capable of selectively moving one or more of the masses independently of other one or more of the masses into at least contact with the first species and into contact with the second species.    
   
   
       2 . A variable area or mass or area and mass ratio species transfer device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the species transfer device further comprises a controller in operable communication with the at least one actuator.  
   
   
       3 . A variable area or mass or area and mass ratio species transfer device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of species transfer masses is embodied in a module which includes the at least one actuator.  
   
   
       4 . A variable area or mass or area and mass ratio species transfer device as claimed in  claim 3  wherein each module further includes blanks to stop flow through a selected passage.  
   
   
       5 . A variable area or mass or area and mass ratio species transfer device as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the blanks are arranged in position and in number to facilitate selection of a species transfer mass in one or the other of two species passageways.  
   
   
       6 . A variable area or mass or area and mass ratio species transfer device as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the blanks are arranged in position and in number to facilitate selection of a species transfer mass in one or in neither of the two species passageways.  
   
   
       7 . A variable area or mass or area and mass ratio species transfer device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the device further comprises at least an inlet passageway wherein average fluid movement is substantially unidirectional.  
   
   
       8 . A variable area or mass or area and mass ratio species transfer device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the plurality of species transfer masses is linearly moveable.  
   
   
       9 . A variable area or mass or area and mass ratio species transfer device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein each of the plurality of species transfer masses is rotationally moveable.  
   
   
       10 . A variable area or mass or area and mass ratio species transfer device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the first species is a higher temperature fluid stream.  
   
   
       11 . A variable area or mass or area and mass ratio species transfer device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the second species is a lower temperature fluid stream.  
   
   
       12 . A variable area or mass or area and mass ratio species transfer device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the first species is humidity.  
   
   
       13 . A variable area or mass or area and mass ratio species transfer device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the first species is a species adsorbable at a first pressure and desorbable at a second pressure.  
   
   
       14 . A variable area or mass or area and mass ratio species transfer device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the device is in operable communication with a controller.  
   
   
       15 . A real-time variable area or mass or area and mass ratio species transfer device comprising: 
 a transfer mass;    an inlet having a variable-dimension fluid-contact area with said transfer mass; and    an outlet having a variable-dimension fluid-contact area with said transfer mass.    
   
   
       16 . A variable area or mass or area and mass ratio species transfer device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said species transfer device includes a clamping seal.  
   
   
       17 . A variable area or mass or area and mass ratio species transfer device as claimed in  claim 16  wherein said species transfer mass is discontinuously moveable.  
   
   
       18 . A variable area or mass or area and mass ratio species transfer device as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said species transfer device includes a scraping or sliding seal.  
   
   
       19 . A variable area or mass or area and mass ratio species transfer device as claimed in  claim 18  wherein said species transfer device species transfer mass is discontinuously movable.  
   
   
       20 . A variable area or mass or area and mass ratio species transfer device as claimed in  claim 18  wherein said species transfer device species transfer mass is continuously movable.  
   
   
       21 . A method for controlling species transfer in a species transfer device comprising: 
 selecting an appropriate mass/area ratio between a portion of a variable area or mass or area and mass ratio species transfer device exposed to first species and a portion of the species transfer device exposed to a second species;    exposing one selected portion of said species transfer device to said first species; and    exposing another selected portion of said species transfer device to said second species.    
   
   
       22 . A method for controlling heat transfer in a species transfer device as claimed in  claim 21  wherein each said exposing comprises moving one or more individual or groups of a plurality of species transfer masses.  
   
   
       23 . A method for controlling heat transfer in a regenerator as claimed in  claim 21  wherein each said exposing comprises changing a contact area of an inlet and a contact area of an outlet.  
   
   
       24 . A method for controlling heat transfer in a regenerator as claimed in  claim 21  wherein said first species is a higher-temperature fluid.  
   
   
       25 . A method for controlling heat transfer in a regenerator as claimed in  claim 21  wherein said second species is a lower-temperature fluid.  
   
   
       26 . A method for controlling heat transfer in a regenerator as claimed in  claim 21  wherein the method further comprises causing at least one of the first and second species to move substantially unidirectionally through a supply plenum.  
   
   
       27 . A variable area or mass or area and mass ratio species transfer device comprising: 
 a species transfer mass; and    a variable size duct in fluid communication with the mass.    
   
   
       28 . A variable area or mass or area and mass ratio species transfer device as claimed in  claim 27  wherein the duct includes actuators to vary area of exposed mass.  
   
   
       29 . A variable area or mass or area and mass ratio species transfer device as claimed in  claim 27  wherein said duct comprises: 
 a housing receptive of fluid communication with a species transfer mass; and    a movable wall disposed at the housing and capable of adjusting an exit area of the duct thereby enlarging or restricting an area of the species transfer mass open to a fluid flow through the duct.    
   
   
       30 . A variable area or mass or area and mass ratio species transfer device as claimed in  claim 27  wherein average fluid flow through the duct is unidirectional.  
   
   
       31 . A variable area or mass or area and mass ratio species transfer device as claimed in  claim 27  wherein said duct is an adjustable opening iris.  
   
   
       32 . A method for controlling species transfer in a species transfer device comprising: 
 adjusting an area of a species transfer mass exposed to a species.    
   
   
       33 . A method for controlling species transfer in a species transfer device as claimed in  claim 27  wherein the species is a fluid flow.  
   
   
       34 . A variable area active species transfer device.  
   
   
       35 . A variable ratio active species transfer device.  
   
   
       36 . A variable mass active species transfer device.  
   
   
       37 . An active species transfer device comprising: 
 a variable area or mass or area and mass species transfer mass;    a means for adjusting the area or mass or area and mass transfer mass.    
   
   
       38 . An active species transfer device configured to modify a pressure drop thereacross while in operation.  
   
   
       39 . A method for controlling pressure drop across an active species transfer device comprising: 
 measuring mass fluid flow incident the species transfer device; and    continuously or periodically adjusting an area of available fluid flow to maintain a steady pressure drop across the species transfer device.    
   
   
       40 . A reversibly variable mass regenerator.  
   
   
       41 . A reversibly variable area regenerator.  
   
   
       42 . A method for modifying heat transfer in a regenerator comprising: 
 adjusting a mass of heat transfer material exposed to an incoming fluid at a selected time.