Patent attributes
A counter-current apparatus uses solid blocks to carry mass or heat storage medium to opposite sides of mass and heat transfer operations. The blocks are pushed incrementally through two channels. The energy of sensible heat or mass of selected species from a first fluid stream transfers into the solid blocks in a first channel and is stored in the solid storage medium within. Those solid blocks loaded with energy or specific mass from the first channel are pushed to a second channel in which the energy or specific mass stored within is released to a second fluid stream. The solid blocks in the second channel are pushed back into the first channel, continuing the heat transfer or mass transfer cycle. Counter-current flows of the fluid phase and the solid phase are achieved in both channels, for a combined adsorption and desorption cycle, or a combined heating and cooling cycle.
