Patent Publication Number: US-7721460-B2

Title: Micro-cycle energy transfer systems and methods

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of People&#39;s Republic of China Patent Application 200310122814.4, filed 21 Dec. 2003, People&#39;s Republic of China Patent Application 200320122847.4, filed 21 Dec. 2003, People&#39;s Republic of China Patent Application 200310122820.x, filed 21 Dec. 2003, and People&#39;s Republic of China Patent Application No. 200410015955.0, filed 15 Jan. 2004. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to systems and methods for transferring properties, such as heat and mass, between substances, such as fluids and/or solids. 
     2. Background of the Invention 
     Changing the energy content of a substance is often required in scientific experimentation and analyses and in air handling and management applications in which heating and cooling is provided. Changing the energy of a substance can involve changing the heat content of the substance, the mass or moisture content of the substance, or both. Such is the case with substances such as gases, liquids, and various types of solid material. In order to produce a desired change in the energy content of a given substance, the substance must be treated with a mechanical heat transfer device, such as a heating unit or a cooling unit, or a mechanical mass transfer device, such as a humidifier or a dehumidifier or selective membranes that operate with a sizable pressure differential. However, using such devices is expensive and requires large amounts of electrical power, which is not entirely acceptable and desired, especially in situations where such devices are not available or during periods of mechanical failure. Furthermore, heat transfer devices and mass transfer devices are bulky and not entirely practical in situations in which space is at a premium. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Disclosed herein are exemplary embodiments of systems and methods for transferring energy between different substances which are low in cost, efficient, easily controlled, easy to implement, and useful in scientific applications, and heating and cooling applications, such as air conditioning systems, liquid conditioning systems, gas/liquid conditioning systems, in systems in which energy transfer between one or more solids and one or more liquids is desired. 
     According to the invention, a system includes a carrier supporting property-transferring material and including a first portion exposed to a first property and a second portion exposed to a second property. The first property is different from the second property causing the property-transferring material to develop micro-cyclic property transfer between the first and second properties. The first and second properties each include at least one of heat and mass. In one embodiment, the material is hydrophilic material. In another embodiment, the material is hydrophobic material. A property-changing device is associated with at least one of the carrier and the property-transferring material in particular embodiment of the invention. In yet a further embodiment, a property-changing device is associated with at least one of the first property and the second property. The first and second portions of the carrier can include first and second surfaces of the carrier, first and second extremities of the carrier, or a combination of one or more surfaces and one or more extremities of the carrier. The first property is carried by at least one fluid, or at least one solid, and the second property is carried by at least one fluid, or at least one solid. 
     According to the invention, a method includes providing a carrier supporting property-transferring material, exposing the property-transferring material to a first property at a first portion of the carrier, exposing the property-transferring material to a second property at a second portion of the carrier, the first property being different from the second property, and the property-transferring material developing micro-cyclic property transfer between the first and second properties in response to exposing the property-transferring material to the first property at the first portion of the carrier and to the second property at the second portion of the carrier. In one embodiment, the material is hydrophilic material. In another embodiment, the material is hydrophobic material. The method further includes associating a property-changing device with at least one of the carrier and the property-transferring material, and in a further embodiment associating a property-changing device with at least one of the first property and the second property. The first property is carried by at least one fluid, or at least one solid, and the second property is carried by at least one fluid, or at least one solid. 
     Consistent with the foregoing summary of preferred embodiments, and the ensuing detailed description, which are to be taken together, the invention also contemplates associated system/apparatus and method embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Referring to the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic representation of gas-to-gas heat and mass transfer system constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic representation of a gas-to-gas heat transfer system constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a schematic representation of a gas-to-gas mass transfer system constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic representation of a gas-to-liquid heat and mass transfer system constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic representation of a gas-to-liquid heat transfer system constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic representation of a gas-to-liquid mass transfer system constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic representation of a liquid-to-liquid heat and mass transfer system constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic representation of a liquid-to-liquid heat transfer system constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic representation of a liquid-to-liquid mass transfer system constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention; 
         FIG. 10A  is a schematic representation of an energy-transfer system constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention; 
         FIG. 10B  is a schematic representation of the system of  FIG. 10A  showed as it would appear employed with a liquid and a gas; 
         FIG. 10C  is a schematic representation of the system of  FIG. 10A  showed as it would appear employed with liquids; 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic vertical sectional view of an energy transfer apparatus/system that is constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic vertical sectional view of another embodiment of an energy transfer apparatus/system that is constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention; 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic top plan view of the apparatus/system of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a schematic vertical sectional view of yet another embodiment of an energy transfer apparatus/system that is constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a schematic vertical sectional view of yet still another embodiment of an energy transfer apparatus/system that is constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention; 
         FIG. 16  is a schematic vertical sectional view of a further embodiment of an energy transfer apparatus/system that is constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention; 
         FIG. 17  is a schematic top plan view of the apparatus/system of  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 18  is a schematic vertical sectional view of yet a further embodiment of an energy transfer apparatus/system that is constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention; 
         FIG. 19  is a schematic top plan view of the apparatus/system of  FIG. 18 ; and 
         FIG. 20  is a schematic vertical sectional view of yet still a further embodiment of an energy transfer apparatus/system that is constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Disclosed herein are property-transferring systems and methods for transferring heat and/or mass between one or more substances, such as fluids and/or solids. The present invention employs property-transferring material supported by a carrier having opposing portions, such as opposing surfaces and/or opposing extremities. A first portion of the carrier is exposed to a first property and a second portion exposed to a second property. The first property is different from the second property, which, according to the principles of the invention, causes the property-transferring material to develop micro-cyclic property transfer between the first and second properties. The first and second properties each include at least one of heat and mass, at is it to be understood that the term “property” in this disclosure is intended to mean heat and/or mass (i.e., moisture). The first and second portions of the carrier can be opposing surfaces of the carrier, opposing extremities of the carrier, or one or more opposing surfaces and one or more opposing extremities. The first and second properties are each delivered or otherwise carried by a substance, such as one or more fluids and/or one or more solids. A fluid employed with the invention can be one or more liquids and/or one or more gases. 
     In a particular mode of the invention, the carrier is infused/permeated with material that is capable of transferring heat and/or mass between different substances, such as one or more fluids and/or solids. The substances, namely, the one or more fluids and/or solids, act as the heat and/or mass source and sink, according to the principle of the invention, and transferring heat and/or mass between substances changes the energy content of those substances. As previously mentioned, the fluids can be gases and/or liquids, and the solids can be a mass of solid particles, one or more blocks, bricks, slabs of rigid or semi-rigid materials, foam, wood, etc., in which energy, i.e. heat and/or mass, transfer therebetween is desired. A fluid used with the invention can be flowing, if desired. The property-transferring material is preferably in liquid form, in which the carrier is a liquid permeable substrate or combination of liquid-permeable substrates allowing the liquid property-transferring material to circulate therein in response to temperature and/or concentration fluctuations in the liquid property-transferring material due to exposure of the liquid property-transferring material to different properties at different portions of the substrate. 
     When the property-transferring material supported by the carrier is exposed to different properties at different portions thereof, it develops a micro-cyclic property transfer in which the property content of the two properties, which are each carried by one or more fluids and/or solids, change and, moreover, are essentially equalized. In other words, the property change to one of the properties is balanced by a corresponding change to the other property. Although the invention is particularly useful for transferring energy between two properties, it can be employed for transferring energy between three or more properties, in which the summation of the property contents of the properties are essentially equalized by way of the property-transferring material supported by the carrier. Altering the heat, composition or concentration, and/or flow characteristics of a property-transferring material employed in a carrier in accordance with the invention serves to alter the property-transferring properties of a property-transferring system constructed and arranged in accordance with the principles of the invention. In particular, the property-transferring material can be heated or cooled before being applied to the carrier. Alternatively, the carrier can be furnished with a heating and/or cooling unit, such as heating and/or cooling coils, for heating and/or cooling the property-transferring material after it is applied to the carrier, in accordance with the principles of the invention. The amount and/or type of property-transferring material can be varied, as can the type of carrier employed. The carrier and/or the property-transferring material can be provided to accept a specific property and reject another. A carrier of a property-transferring system constructed in accordance with the invention allows exchange of the property-transferring material between the two properties applied to the different portions of the carrier. 
     Referring now to the drawings, in which like reference characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is first directed to  FIG. 1  in which there is seen a property-transferring system  100  for transferring heat and mass between substances including a carrier  103  interposed between the two substances, which, in the immediate embodiment, consist of air streams  101  and  102 . Carrier  103  is a liquid permeable substrate  104  having one portion facing air stream  101  and an opposing portion facing air stream  102 . In this specific example, the portion facing air stream  101  consists of a surface or side  105  of carrier  103 , and the portion facing air stream  102  consists of an opposing surface or side  106  of carrier  103 . 
     Air streams  101  and  102  are each developed by one or more fans, blowers, and/or air handlers (not shown), and flow counter currently relative to one another, in which air stream  101  flows in the direction as indicated by the arrowed line denoted at  101 A and air stream  102  flows in the opposite direction as indicated the arrowed line denoted at  102 A. It is to be understood that carrier  103  and air streams  101  and  102  may be maintained in a housing of, for instance, an air handling or conditioning system, in which carrier  103  is mounted in place, and air streams  101  and  102  are contained, for instance, in ducts or conduit structures or channels on either side of carrier  103  such that air streams  101  and  102  contact and move or flow over and across sides  105  and  106 , respectively, of carrier  103 . 
     According to the invention, substrate  104  is wetted with a property-transferring material that is capable of transferring heat and mass from air stream  101  to air stream  102  through substrate  104 . The property-transferring material is in the form of a liquid, and in this embodiment consists of a liquid desiccant  110 . 
     Liquid desiccant  110  is hydrophilic/hygroscopic, and can be a single liquid desiccant or a mixture of different liquid desiccants. Suitable liquid desiccants useful with the invention include, as a matter of example, lithium bromide, lithium chloride, a saline solution, or other similar hydrophilic liquid/solution or combination of hydrophilic liquids/solutions. It is to be understood that the term “liquid desiccant” is intended to include not only a single liquid desiccant but also a mixture of two or more liquid desiccants. When wetted with liquid desiccant  110 , substrate  104  supports liquid desiccant  110 , in which the liquid permeable character of substrate  104  permits liquid desiccant  110  to move/circulate there through from side  105  to side  106 . The combination of substrate  104  and the infusion thereof with liquid desiccant  110  together create a dividing wall or partition dividing and isolating air streams  101  and  102  and preventing them from mixing and interacting with one another, in accordance with the principle of the invention. 
     Air streams  101  and  102  have different heat and mass contents, and thus have different energies. Moisture in a stream of fluid, whether gas or liquid, is commonly referred to as “mass” by those skilled in the art, and the term “mass” is used herein to defining the property of moisture. In the present embodiment, the heat and mass contents of air stream  101  are greater than the heat and mass contents of air stream  102 . Liquid desiccant  110 , which permeates substrate  104 , consists of a solution of water and salt present at a predetermined concentration, in which the water is denoted at  111 , and the salt is denoted at  112 , and this is a common characteristic among desiccant liquids/solutions. 
     Air streams  101  and  102  flow against sides  105  and  106  of substrate  104 , and interact with liquid desiccant  110  carried by substrate  104  at sides  105  and  106 , respectively. Because the heat and mass content of air stream  101  is greater than the heat and mass content of air stream  102 , an energy imbalance exists across substrate  104 , and liquid desiccant  110  interacting with air stream  101  at side  105  of substrate  104  picks up heat H and mass M from air stream  101 , which heats and also weakens the concentration of the liquid desiccant  110  at side  105  relative to that of the liquid desiccant  110  at side  106 . As a result of this temperature and concentration differential/imbalance of liquid desiccant  110  across substrate  104  from side  105  to side  106 , which is created by the energy imbalance across substrate  104  caused by the different properties of air streams  101  and  102  interacting with liquid desiccant  110  at sides  105  and  106 , the liquid desiccant  110  at side  105  becomes diluted/hypotonic and the liquid desiccant  110  at side  106  becomes correspondingly concentrated/hypertonic. As a result, water  111  will diffuse/flow from the “hypotonic” side  105  of substrate  104  to the “hypertonic” side  106  of substrate  104  to equalize the concentration differential, and salt  112  will diffuse/flow from the “hypertonic” side  106  of substrate  104  to the “hypotonic” side  105  of substrate  104  to equalize the concentration differential. 
     The water  111  that flows from side  105  of substrate  104  to side  106  of substrate  104  carries the heat and mass picked up from air stream  101 . When the water  111  carrying the heat and mass picked up from air stream  101  reaches side  106 , air steam  102  comes into contact with this water at side  106  and interacts with it, in which the colder drier air stream  102  will pick up the heat and mass transferred to side  106  of substrate from side  105  of substrate  104 . According to the invention, liquid desiccant  110  in substrate  104  transfers heat and mass from hotter moisture air stream  101  to colder drier air stream  102 , in which air stream  101  is cooled and dried and air stream  102  is heated and moisturized, in accordance with the principle of the invention. 
     When the water  111  that picked up the heat and mass from air stream  101  reaches side  106 , the water momentarily dilutes the hypertonic side  106  of substrate  104 , and also releases its heat and mass into air stream  102  from side  106 , which relieves this momentary dilution of the hypertonic side  106  of substrate  104 . When the momentary dilution of the hypertonic side  106  of substrate  104  occurs, salt  112  diffuses/flows from side  105  of substrate  104  to side  106  of substrate and water flows in the opposite direction, which essentially recharges the system so that the heat and mass transfer function facilitated by liquid desiccant  110  can continue to occur in this cyclic nature. 
     And so as the hotter moister air of air stream  101  continues to flow across side  105  of substrate  104  interacting with liquid desiccant  110 , and the cooler drier air of air stream  102  continues to flow across side  106  of substrate  104 , substrate  104 , which is permeable to liquid desiccant  110 , and liquid desiccant  110  together function as an engine continually and cyclically transferring heat and mass from hotter moisture air stream  101  to colder drier air stream  102 , in accordance with the principle of the invention. Accordingly, air stream  101  is cooled and dried with system  100 , and air stream  102  is heated and moisturized with system  100 . After having been conditioned with system  100 , air stream  101  can be directed through an outlet into, for instance, a habitable structure for providing cooling air, in which air stream  102  may be discharged through an outlet into the environment as “waste.” Prior to entering a habitable structure, air stream  101  may be further conditioned, i.e., heated or cooled, by a selected heat transfer apparatus, such as a compressor or other heat-transfer apparatus or system. Alternatively, after having been conditioned with system  100 , air stream  102  can be directed through an outlet into, for instance, a habitable structure for providing heating air, in which air stream  101  may be discharged through an outlet into the environment as “waste.” Prior to entering a habitable structure, air stream  102  may be further conditioned, i.e., heated or cooled, by a selected heat transfer apparatus, such as a compressor or other heat-transfer apparatus or system. Air streams  101  and  102  conditioned with system  100  can be used for any desired purpose, such as heating, cooling, scientific purposes, etc. 
     In  FIG. 1  it is seen that air streams  101  and  102  run counter-currently relative to one another. Air streams  101  and  102  can run concurrently relative to one another, if desired, which will have no bearing on the function of system  100 . Also, although two air streams are interacting with carrier  103  in system  100 , system  100  can be facilitated with more than two air streams, if desired. 
     According to the principles of the invention, the invention provides infusing a liquid permeable carrier  103  with a liquid desiccant for providing a foundation for the development of micro-cyclic heat and mass transfer regions along carrier  103  when opposing sides  105  and  106  of carrier  103  are exposed to air streams containing an unequal energy content, in which the energy content of the air streams is defined by differing heat and mass contents of the air streams in the embodiment designated  100 . The micro-cycles are developed by liquid desiccant  110  across carrier  103 , and are discrete areas along carrier  103  in which heat and mass transfer events from side  105  of substrate  104  to side  106  of substrate  104  take place. Streams  101  and  102  can be at atmospheric pressure, at high pressure, and can also be present in a vacuum, in which each such condition impacts the rate and nature of property transfer. Although the fluids in the embodiment designated at  100  are in the form of streams, one of or each of the fluids can be still as in the form of a layer, if desired, and it will be understood that this applies to all ensuing embodiments utilizing fluid streams. The fluids can be at high or low temperatures, and may be provided in different volumes or flow rates, and this also applies to all ensuing embodiments utilizing fluid streams. 
     The occurrence of micro-cycles is unique and caused by the circulation of liquid desiccant  110  through carrier  103  from side  105  to side  106  (i.e., the circulation of water and salt ions back and forth through carrier  103  from side  105  to side  106 ), are random, self-inducing, and self-circulating along the extent of carrier  103 , and have no defined direction other than circulation. The micro-cycles are induced by a combination of diffusion or capillary force and salt or ion diffusion caused by the combination of temperature differentials in liquid desiccant  110  across carrier  103 , concentration variances in liquid desiccant  110  as it picks up mass from one air stream and transfers it to another drier air stream, the coincident surface tension differentials of liquid desiccant  110  at sides  105  and  106 , and, in certain instances, gravitational forces. 
     And so micro-cycles refer to random self-induced cycles of property-transferring materials within a carrier driven by forces resulting from the difference of properties of the substance and/or other natural forces, including, but not necessarily limited to, capillary forces, diffusion forces, temperature-induced pressure variances, gravity, etc. In a carrier permeated with liquid that is exposed to gas streams in accordance with the principle of the invention, the liquid acts as a property-transferring material that develops micro-cycles caused by capillary force and diffusion. In a carrier permeated with gas that is exposed to liquids in accordance with the principle of the invention, the gas acts as a property-transferring material that develops micro-cycles caused by pressure differentials due to temperature differentials and diffusion. In this regard, in a situation in which property-transfer is desired between two substances, the property-transferring material in the carrier can be a gas. 
     Capillary force is related to the surface tension of liquid desiccant  110  and to the temperature and concentration of liquid desiccant  110 . A temperature change or concentration change in liquid desiccant  110  develops a capillary force change and, thus, a micro-cycle, namely, a micro-cyclic heat and mass transfer event. In accordance with system  100 , air stream  101  increases the temperature of liquid desiccant  110  at side  105  and lowers its concentration as it picks up heat and mass from air stream  101 . This increase in temperature and decrease in concentration of liquid desiccant  110  at side  105  reduces the surface tension of liquid desiccant  110 , which causes water  111  to move through carrier  103  from side  105  to side  106  thus coming into contact with air stream  102 . The resulting diffusion force caused by the resulting concentration differential of liquid desiccant  110  causes salt (i.e., ion) exchange from side  106  of carrier  103  to side  105  of carrier  103 . In sum, this water and salt or ion transfer back and forth across carrier  103  from side  105  to side  106  caused as a result of exposure of sides  105  and  106  to air streams having different energy properties or contents produces in carrier  103  and liquid desiccant  110  it supports a heat and mass transfer engine, in accordance with the principle of the invention. 
     As a further example, a cool and dry air stream would decrease the temperature of the liquid desiccant, lower its concentration, and reduce its surface tension. In this example, the desiccant is caused to circulate through the carrier in contact with the colder and dryer air stream and dry by means of capillary force. A diffusion force causing ion exchange is created owing to carrier contact with the colder air stream. The desiccant, now colder and with a higher concentration, will provide for ion diffusion through the carrier to contact the cooler desiccant of lower concentration. 
     It will be understood that although system  100  is described in an environment in which air stream  101  has an initial heat and mass content which is greater than the initial heat and mass content of air stream  102 , system  100  will work equally well in the environment in which air stream  101  has an initial heat and mass content which is less than the initial heat and mass content of air stream  102 , in which case the operation of system  100  is reversed. Furthermore, the heat transfer function of liquid desiccant  110  and the mass/moisture transfer function of liquid desiccant  110  can work independently from one another. In this respect, liquid desiccant  110  functions to transfer heat from a hotter stream of air, namely, air stream  101 , to a colder stream of air, namely, air stream  102 , and this function is carried out by liquid desiccant  110  regardless of the mass/moisture difference between the respective air streams. Moreover, liquid desiccant  110  functions to transfer mass/moisture from a moist stream of air, namely, air stream  101 , to a drier stream of air, namely, air stream  102 , and this function is carried out by liquid desiccant  110  regardless of the temperature/heat difference between the respective air streams. 
     Property change to one fluid stream exiting the carrier will balance the property change to the other fluid stream also exiting the carrier. In cases utilizing two or more fluid streams, the summation of property content entering the system from all fluid streams will equal the summation of property content of the fluid steams exiting the system. In order to add or subtract energy, an external energy or property-changing source can be provided. This energy change may be one or more of a change in the temperature of the property-transferring material, a change in the composition of the property-transferring material, a change in the flow of the property-transferring material through the carrier, and change in the flow of the fluid streams interacting with the property-transferring material supported by the carrier, and/or a property change one or more of the fluid streams. To create an imbalance in the property change to the fluid steams utilized in the system, one or more auxiliary energy sources can be provided, including one to heat and or cool one or more of the fluids applied to the system, and/or to heat and or cool the property-transferring substance supported by the carrier. Also, the flow of the property-transferring material on one portion of the carrier can be greater than a flow of the property-transferring material on an opposing portion of the carrier. Again, the energy change may be a change in the temperature of the property-transferring material, and/or a change in the composition of the property-transferring material, and/or a change in the flow rates of property-transferring material at different parts of the carrier. Furthermore, in addition to changing the temperature or concentration of the property-transferring material, energy may also be imparted by utilization of direct temperature change, such as associating a heat exchange device with the carrier. As a matter of illustration, a heat exchange device  115 , such as a heat transfer coil or the like, is associated with carrier  103  in  FIG. 1 , which can be activated and used to heat and/or cool the property-transferring material supported by carrier  103 . Although only one heat transfer device is incorporated with carrier  103 , more can be provided, if desired. One or more heat transfer device can be incorporated with the carriers of the ensuing embodiments of the invention to be presently discussed, if desired. 
     Substrate  104  can be provided in various forms and structural configurations, including one or more of a relatively flat sheet or membrane, an elongate member, an elongate generally tubular member, a disk, a sphere, a combination of two or more of the foregoing substrate forms, etc. Substrate  104  is preferably substantially self-supporting. Sides  105  and  106  can be corrugated, if desired, for maximizing the surface area of each in contact with the fluid streams. Substrate  104  is fashioned of a liquid permeable material, or combination of liquid-permeable materials, and is liquid absorbent, relatively rugged and not easily damaged, capable of withstanding pressure differentials, and can withstand prolonged exposure to property-transferring materials and periodic wash-downs or cleanings with cleansing fluids. Suitable materials that can be used for substrate  104  include, treated paper or cellulosic material, permeable plastic, high-density foam material, high-density mesh material, a matrix of woven and/or unwoven polyester, polyethylene, or like material, or combination of any of the foregoing materials or similar materials. The substrate can be formed as an integral component, or as a combination of different materials that are joined together. The substrate could be a sandwich or laminate structure, and can be configured with different materials, such as netting and/or corrugated spacers, etc., for favoring heat transfer, or for favoring mass transfer. The substrate can also be made of different materials over its length, such as a one or more sections favoring heat transfer and one or more sections favoring mass transfer. Also, the portions of the substrate at which the different properties interact with the property-transferring material can be treated to reduce surface tension or to increase surface tension, which will alter the rate or quality of property transfer through the carrier as will be presently described. 
     Substrate  104  is a single component, which characterizes carrier  103  in the immediate embodiment. Carrier  103  can be configured as a combination of separate substrates, if desired, such as a plurality of substrate sheets, modules, components, elongate members, etc. A carrier can also be configured in multiple-tubular formats such that one or more fluid streams is contained within a series of tubular confines. A carrier can be continuous along its length, or can be broken up in to a plurality of substrate sections divided by non-property transferring spacers, dividers, blocks, partitions, etc. 
     The property-transfer characteristic of the property-transferring material applied to the carrier as in the embodiment designated  100  can be controlled by the type of property-transferring material used, by using a plurality of different property-transferring materials, in which the term “material” is intended to include a single property-transferring material or a combination of different property-transferring materials, including even different compositions of the same material. The portions of the carrier at which property transfer takes place can furnished with different amounts of the same property-transferring material, different compositions of the same property-transferring material, or different property-transferring materials. Application of property-transferring material to the carrier can be provided by forced distribution, and the carrier can be replenished with property-transferring material on a continuous basis, or a periodic basis. If the property-transferring material is applied by forced distribution, different portions of the carrier can be provided with different levels of the property-transferring material for controlling its property-transfer characteristic. 
     Distribution of a property-transferring material to a carrier in a system constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention can be made with a wicking system, in which a portion of the carrier is disposed in the property-transferring material such that it wicks into the carrier. The carrier can be furnished with wicking material or a combination of wicking materials for enhancing the desired wicking effect, and various wicking structures may be used, including metal powder and the like. 
     Further embodiments of the invention will now be discussed. It is to be understood that the general principles of the invention discussed in conjunction with system  100  also apply to the ensuing embodiments. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a system  120  for transferring heat between air streams is shown, which, in common with system  100 , shares carrier  103  including substrate  104  and sides  105  and  106 , air stream  101 , and air stream  102 . Unlike system  100  discussed in conjunction with  FIG. 1 , substrate  104  is wetted with a hydrophobic liquid  121 . Hydrophobic liquid can be a single hydrophobic liquid or a combination of different hydrophobic liquids. A suitable and preferred hydrophobic liquid is silicone oil, and other hydrophilic oils/liquids or selected combination of hydrophilic oils/liquids may be used if desired. It is to be understood that the term “hydrophobic liquid” is intended to include not only a single hydrophobic liquid but also a mixture of two or more hydrophobic liquids. 
     When wetted with hydrophobic liquid  121 , substrate  104  acts as a carrier or support structure for hydrophobic liquid  121 , in which the liquid permeable character of substrate  104  permits hydrophobic liquid to move/circulate there through from side  105  to side  106 . The infusion of hydrophobic liquid  121  in substrate  104  together create a dividing wall or partition which divides and isolates air streams  101  and  102  and prevents them from mixing and interacting with one another, in accordance with the principle of the invention. 
     Like system  100 , air streams  101  each contain two properties, namely, heat and mass, i.e., moisture. The heat and mass contents of air stream  101  are greater than the heat and mass contents of air stream  102 , although the mass contents of air streams  101  and  102  really have no bearing in system  120 . Air streams  101  and  102  flow against sides  105  and  106  of substrate  104 , and interact with hydrophobic liquid  121  carried by substrate  104  at sides  105  and  106 , respectively. Because the heat and mass content of air stream  101  is greater than the heat and mass content of air stream  102 , an energy imbalance exists across substrate  104  and hydrophobic liquid  121  interacting with air stream  101  at side  105  of substrate  104  picks up only heat H from air stream  101  becoming hot relative to hydrophobic liquid  121  at side  106 , which develops a temperature differential in hydrophobic liquid  121  across substrate  104  from side  105  to side  106  and causing the hydrophobic liquid  121  at side  105  to wick across substrate  104  from side  105  to side  106 . The hydrophobic liquid  121  that wicks/flows from side  105  of substrate  104  to side  106  of substrate  104  carries the heat picked up from air stream  101 , but not moisture do to its hydrophobic character, namely, its lack of affinity for water. When the hydrophobic liquid  121  carrying the heat picked up from air stream  101  reaches side  106 , air steam  102  comes into contact with this heated hydrophobic liquid  121  and interacts with it. Because the heat content of air stream  101  is greater than that of air stream  102 , the colder air stream  102  will pick up the heat from the hydrophobic liquid  121  transferred to side  106  of substrate from side  105  of substrate  104 . According to the invention, hydrophobic liquid  121  in substrate  104  functions to transfer heat from hotter air stream  101  to colder stream  102 , in which air stream  101  is cooled and air stream  102  is heated, in accordance with the principle of the invention. Because system  120  utilizes a hydrophobic liquid  121 , hydrophobic liquid  121  rejects moisture and will not transfer moisture between air streams  101  and  102 . As hot hydrophobic liquid  121  wicks from side  105  to the colder hydrophobic liquid  121  at side  106 , the colder hydrophobic liquid at side  106  is displaced and is forced to side  105 , which essentially recharges the system. 
     And so as the hotter air of air stream  101  continues to flow across side  105  of substrate  104  interacting with hydrophobic liquid  121 , and the cooler air of air stream  102  continues to flow across side  106  of substrate  104 , substrate  104 , which is permeable to hydrophobic liquid  121 , and hydrophobic liquid  121  function as micro-cyclic heat-transfer engine continually transferring heat from hotter air stream  101  to colder air stream  102  as heated and cooled hydrophobic liquid circulates through carrier  103  from side  105  to side  106 , in accordance with the principle of the invention. Air stream  101  is cooled with system  120 , and air stream  102  is heated with system  100 . 
     According to the principles of the invention, the invention provides infusing a liquid permeable carrier  103  with a hydrophobic liquid for providing a foundation for the development of micro-cyclic heat transfer regions along carrier  103  when opposing sides  105  and  106  of carrier  103  are exposed to air streams containing an unequal energy content, in which the energy content of the air streams is defined by differing heat contents of the air streams in the embodiment designated  120 . The micro-cycles are developed by hydrophobic liquid  121  across carrier  103 , and are discrete areas along carrier  103  in which heat transfer events from side  105  of substrate  104  to side  106  of substrate  104  take place as hot and cold hydrophobic liquid  121  circulates back and forth through carrier  103  from side  105  to side  106 . 
     It will be understood that although system  120  is described in an environment in which air stream  101  has an initial heat content which is greater than the initial heat content of air stream  102 , system  120  will work equally well in the environment in which air stream  101  has an initial heat content which is less than the initial heat content of air stream  102 , in which case the operation of system  120  is reversed. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 3 , in which there is seen a system  140  for transferring mass between two opposing air streams  141  and  142  including a carrier  143  interposed between air streams  141  and  142 . In this exemplary embodiment, carrier  143  is a substrate  144  that consists of united, superimposed layers including a central layer  145  and two opposing outer layers  146  and  147 . Layer  146  has a face or side  148  facing air stream  141 , and layer  147  and a face or side  149  facing air stream  142 . 
     Air streams  141  and  142  are each developed by one or more fans, blowers, and/or air handlers (not shown) and flow counter currently relative to one another, in which air stream  141  flows in the direction as indicated by the arrowed line denoted at  141 A and air stream  142  flows in the opposite direction as indicated the arrowed line denoted at  142 A. Air streams  141  each contain two properties, namely, heat and mass. The heat and mass contents of air stream  141  defining the energy content of air stream  141  are greater than the heat and mass contents of air stream  142  which define its energy content. Carrier  143  and air streams  141  and  142  are maintained in a housing of an air handling or conditioning system, in which carrier  143  is mounted in the housing and air streams  141  and  142  contained, for instance, in ducts on either side of carrier  143  such that air streams  141  and  142  contact and move or flow over sides  148  and  149 , respectively, of carrier  143 . 
     Substrate  144 , which constitutes carrier  143  in this embodiment, is fashioned of a combination of liquid permeable materials. According to the invention, substrate  144  is wetted with material that is capable of transferring heat and mass from air stream  141  to air stream  142  through substrate  144 . In the present embodiment, the material is liquid desiccant  160 . Liquid desiccant  160  is similar to liquid desiccant  110 , and it is to be understood that the discussion of desiccant  110  applies to desiccant  160 . When wetted with liquid desiccant  160 , substrate  144  acts as a carrier or support structure for liquid desiccant  160 . The infusion of liquid desiccant  160  in substrate  144  together create a dividing wall or partition which divides and isolates air streams  141  and  142  and prevents them from mixing and interacting with one another, in accordance with the principle of the invention. 
     Layers  146  and  147  and wick layers  161  are each fashioned of a liquid permeable material or a combination of materials like that of substrate  104 , and layer  145  is fashioned of alternating wick layers  161  and insulator layers  162 , in which wick layers  161  provide wicking passages for liquid desiccant  160  to circulate between layers  146  and  147 , and insulator layers  162  absorb heat substantially preventing heat transfer through substrate  144 , in accordance with the principle of the invention. Insulator layers  162  are fashioned of an insulating material or combination of materials, such as ceramic material or other heat-absorbing material or combination of heat-absorbing materials. With the exception of insulator layers  162  substantially preventing heat transfer through substrate  144 , system  140  functions identically to system  100  transferring moisture from a moist air stream to a drier air stream, in which the discussion of system  100  applies to system  140  in this regard. However, because insulator layers  162  absorb heat and thereby substantially prevent heat transfer through substrate  144 , system  140  transfers only mass (i.e., moisture) between air streams  141  and  142 , in accordance with the principle of the invention. It will be readily understood that carrier  143  is configured to reject heat transfer, and facilitate mass transfer. 
     Air streams  141  and  142  flow against sides  148  and  149  of substrate  144 , and interact with liquid desiccant  160  carried by substrate  144  at sides  148  and  149 , respectively. Because the heat and mass content of air stream  141  is greater than the heat and mass content of air stream  142 , an energy imbalance exists across substrate  144  and liquid desiccant  160  interacting with air stream  141  at side  148  of substrate  144  picks up heat and mass M from air stream  141 , which weakens the concentration of liquid desiccant  160  at side  148  relative to the concentration of liquid desiccant  160  at side  149 . As a result of this concentration differential of liquid desiccant  160  across substrate  144  which is created by the energy imbalance across substrate  144  caused by the different properties of air streams  141  and  142  interacting with liquid desiccant  160  at sides  148  and  149 , liquid desiccant  160  at side  148  becomes diluted/hypotonic and the liquid desiccant  160  at side  149  becomes correspondingly concentrated/hypotonic. As a result, the water of liquid desiccant  160  will diffuse/flow through wick layers  161  from the “hypotonic” side  148  of substrate  144  to the “hypertonic” side  149  of substrate  144 , and the salt of liquid desiccant  160  will diffuse/flow through wick layers  161  from the “hypertonic” side  149  of substrate  144  to the “hypotonic” side  148  of substrate  104 . 
     The water that flows from side  148  of substrate  144  to side  149  of substrate  144  carries the heat and mass picked up from air stream  141 . As the water carrying the heat and mass picked up from air stream  141  passes through wick layers  161 , insulator layers  162  absorb the heat carried by the water in which the concentration differential in liquid desiccant  160  across substrate  144  maintains the flow of the water into layer  147  and air steam  102  comes into contact with this water and interacts with it and picks up the mass transferred from air stream  141 . According to the invention, liquid desiccant  160  in substrate  144  functions to transfer mass from hotter moisture air stream  141  to colder drier air stream  142 , in which insulator layers  162  prevent heat transfer between air streams  141  and  142  and air stream  141  is cooled and dried and air stream  142  is moisturized, in accordance with the principle of the invention. 
     When the water  111  that picked up the mass from air stream  141  reaches side  149 , the water momentarily dilutes the hypertonic side  149  of substrate  144 , and also releases its mass into air stream  142  from side  149 , which relieves this momentary dilution of the hypertonic side  149  of substrate  144 . When the momentary dilution of the hypertonic side  149  of substrate  144  occurs, the salt of liquid desiccant  160  diffuses/flows from side  149  of substrate  144  to side  148  of substrate and water flows in the opposite direction, which essentially recharges the system so that the mass transfer function facilitated by liquid desiccant  160  can continue to occur in this cyclic or micro-cyclic nature. 
     And so as the hotter moister air of air stream  141  continues to flow across side  148  of substrate  144  interacting with liquid desiccant  160 , and the cooler drier air of air stream  142  continues to flow across side  149  of substrate  144 , substrate  144  and liquid desiccant  160  function as an engine continually and cyclically pulling heat and mass out of air stream  141 , and transferring mass from hotter moisture air stream  141  to colder drier air stream  142  via wick layers  161  and absorbing heat via insulator layers  162 , in accordance with the principle of the invention. Accordingly, air stream  141  is cooled and dried with system  140 , and air stream  142  is moisturized with system  100 . 
     It will be understood that although system  140  is described in an environment in which air stream  141  has an initial heat and mass content which is greater than the initial heat and mass content of air stream  142 , system  140  will work equally well in the environment in which air stream  141  has an initial heat and mass content which is less than the initial heat and mass content of air stream  142 , in which case the operation of system  140  is reversed. 
     In  FIG. 3  it is seen that air streams  141  and  142  run counter-currently relative to one another. Air streams  141  and  142  can run concurrently relative to one another, if desired, which will have no bearing on the function of system  140 . 
     According to the principles of the invention, the invention provides infusing a liquid permeable carrier  143  with a liquid desiccant for providing a foundation for the development of micro-cyclic mass transfer regions along carrier  143  when opposing sides  148  and  149  of carrier  143  are exposed to air streams containing an unequal energy content, in which the energy content of the air streams is defined by differing heat and mass contents of the air streams in the embodiment designated  140 . The micro-cycles are developed by liquid desiccant  160  across carrier  143 , and are discrete areas along carrier  143  in which heat and mass transfer events from side  148  of carrier  143  to side  149  of carrier  143  take place, in which wick layers  161  in carrier  143  permit mass transfer between sides  148  and  149  of carrier  143  and insulator layers  162  in carrier  143  substantially prevent heat transfer between sides  148  and  149  of carrier  143 . 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 4  a system  180  for transferring heat and mass between an air stream and a liquid stream is shown, which, in common with system  100  discussed in conjunction with  FIG. 1 , shares carrier  103  including substrate  104  and sides  105  and  106 , liquid desiccant  110 , and air stream  101  flowing along side  105 . Unlike system  100 , air stream  102  in system  100  is replaced with a liquid stream  181 , which can be a stream of aqueous material. Air stream  101  and liquid stream  181  flow counter currently relative to one another, in which air stream  101  flows in the direction as indicated by arrowed line  101 A and liquid stream  181  flows in the opposite direction as indicated the arrowed line denoted at  181 A. Streams  101  and  181  can flow concurrently relative to one another, if desired. Also, one or each of streams  101  and  181  can be still, as in the form of a layer, if desired. 
     Like system  100 , carrier  103  is wetted with liquid desiccant  110 , which is hydrophilic. System  180  functions identically to system  100 , and the discussion of system  100  applies to system  180 , with the exception that the heat and mass transfer in system  180  occurs between air stream  101  and liquid stream  181 , rather than between air stream  101  and another air stream, such as air stream  102  as in system  100 . Also, although an air stream and a liquid stream are interacting with carrier  103  in system  180 , system  180  can be facilitated with more than two air and liquid streams, if desired. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a system  190  for transferring heat between an air stream and a liquid stream is shown, which, in common with system  120 , shares carrier  103  including substrate  104  and sides  105  and  106 , hydrophobic liquid  121 , and air stream  101 . Unlike system  120  discussed in conjunction with  FIG. 2 , air stream  102  in system  120  is replaced with a liquid stream  191  in system  190 , which can be a stream of aqueous material. Air stream  101  and liquid stream  191  flow countercurrently relative to one another, in which air stream  101  flows in the direction as indicated by arrowed line  101 A and liquid stream  191  flows in the opposite direction as indicated the arrowed line denoted at  191 A. Streams  101  and  191  can flow concurrently relative to one another, if desired. Also, one or each of streams  101  and  191  can be still, as in the form of a layer, if desired. 
     Substrate  104  is wetted with hydrophobic liquid  121 . So wetted with hydrophobic liquid  121 , substrate  104  acts as a carrier or support structure for hydrophobic liquid  121 , in which the liquid permeable character of substrate  104  permits hydrophobic liquid  121  to move/circulate therethrough from side  105  to side  106 . The infusion of hydrophobic liquid  121  in substrate  104  together create a dividing wall or partition which divides and isolates air stream  101  from liquid stream  191  and prevents them from mixing and interacting with one another, in accordance with the principle of the invention. System  190  functions identically to system  120 , and the discussion of system  120  applies to system  190 , with the exception that the heat transfer in system  120  occurs between air stream  101  and liquid stream  191 , rather than between air stream  101  and another air stream, such as air stream  102  as in system  100 . Also, although an air stream and a liquid stream are interacting with carrier  103  in system  190 , system  190  can be facilitated with more than two air and liquid streams, if desired. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 6 , in which there is seen a system  200  for transferring mass between an air stream and a liquid stream, which, in common with system  140 , shares carrier  143  including substrate  144  with layers  145 , 146 , 147 , sides  148  and  149 , liquid desiccant  160 , wick layers  161 , insulator layers  162 , and air stream  141 . Unlike system  140  discussed in conjunction with  FIG. 3 , air stream  142  in system  140  is replaced with a liquid stream  201  in system  200 , which can be a stream of aqueous material. Air stream  141  and liquid stream  201  flow countercurrently relative to one another, in which air stream  141  flows in the direction as indicated by arrowed line  141 A and liquid stream  201  flows in the opposite direction as indicated the arrowed line denoted at  201 A. Streams  141  and  201  can flow concurrently relative to one another, if desired. Also, one or each of streams  141  and  201  can be still, as in the form of a layer, if desired. 
     Substrate  144  is wetted with liquid desiccant  160 . So wetted with liquid desiccant  160 , substrate  144  acts as a carrier or support structure for liquid desiccant  160 , and the infusion of liquid desiccant  160  in substrate  144  together create a dividing wall or partition which divides and isolates air stream  141  from liquid stream  201  and prevents them from mixing and interacting with one another, in accordance with the principle of the invention. System  200  functions identically to system  140 , and the discussion of system  120  applies to system  200 , with the exception that the heat transfer in system  200  occurs between air stream  101  and liquid stream  201 , rather than between air stream  101  and another air stream, such as air stream  102  as in system  140 . Also, although an air stream and a liquid stream are interacting with carrier  143  in system  200 , system  200  can be facilitated with more than two air and liquid streams, if desired. 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , shown is a system  210  for transferring heat and mass between liquid streams, which, in common with system  180  discussed in conjunction with  FIG. 4 , shares carrier  103  including substrate  104  and sides  105  and  106 , liquid desiccant  110 , and liquid stream  181 . Unlike system  180 , air stream  101  in system  180  is replaced with a liquid stream  211 , which can be a stream of aqueous material. Liquid stream  211  and liquid stream  181  flow countercurrently relative to one another, in which liquid stream  181  flows in the direction as indicated by arrowed line  181 A and liquid stream  211  flows in the opposite direction as indicated the arrowed line denoted at  211 A. Streams  211  and  181  can flow concurrently relative to one another, if desired. Also, one or each of streams  211  and  181  can be still, as in the form of a layer, if desired. 
     Like system  180 , carrier  103  is wetted with liquid desiccant  110 , which is hydrophilic. System  210  functions identically to system  180 , and the discussion of system  180  applies to system  210 , with the exception that the heat and mass transfer in system  210  occurs between liquid streams  211  and  181 , rather than between air stream  101  and liquid stream  181 . Also, although two liquid streams are interacting with carrier  103  in system  210 , system  210  can be facilitated with more than two air and liquid streams, if desired. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a system  220  for transferring heat between liquid streams is shown, which, in common with system  190 , shares carrier  103  including substrate  104  and sides  105  and  106 , hydrophobic liquid  121 , and liquid stream  191 . Unlike system  190  discussed in conjunction with  FIG. 5 , air stream  101  in system  190  is replaced with a liquid stream  221  in system  220 , which can be a stream of aqueous material. Liquid stream  221  and liquid stream  191  flow countercurrently relative to one another, in which liquid stream  191  flows in the direction as indicated by arrowed line  191 A and liquid stream  221  flows in the opposite direction as indicated the arrowed line denoted at  221 A. Streams  221  and  191  can flow concurrently relative to one another, if desired. Also, one or each of streams  211  and  191  can be still, as in the form of a layer, if desired. 
     Substrate  104  is wetted with hydrophobic liquid  121 . So wetted with hydrophobic liquid  121 , substrate  104  acts as a carrier or support structure for hydrophobic liquid  121 , in which the liquid permeable character of substrate  104  permits hydrophobic liquid  121  to move/circulate therethrough from side  105  to side  106 . The infusion of hydrophobic liquid  121  in substrate  104  together create a dividing wall or partition which divides and isolates liquid stream  221  from liquid stream  191  and prevents them from mixing and interacting with one another, in accordance with the principle of the invention. System  220  functions identically to systems  190 , and the discussion of system  190  applies to system  220 , with the exception that the heat transfer in system  220  occurs between liquid streams  221  and  191 , rather than between air stream  101  and liquid stream  191 . Also, although two liquid streams are interacting with carrier  103  in system  220 , system  220  can be facilitated with more than two air and liquid streams, if desired. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , a system  230  for transferring mass between liquid streams is shown, which, in common with system  200 , shares carrier  143  including substrate  144  with layers  145 , 146 , 147 , sides  148  and  149 , liquid desiccant  160 , wick layers  161 , insulator layers  162 , and liquid stream  201 . Unlike system  200  discussed in conjunction with  FIG. 6 , air stream  141  in system  200  is replaced with a liquid stream  231  in system  230 , which can be a stream of aqueous material. Liquid stream  201  and liquid stream  231  flow countercurrently relative to one another, in which liquid stream  201  flows in the direction as indicated by arrowed line  201 A and liquid stream  231  flows in the opposite direction as indicated the arrowed line denoted at  231 A. Streams  231  and  201  can flow concurrently relative to one another, if desired. Also, one or each of streams  231  and  201  can be still, as in the form of a layer, if desired. 
     Substrate  144  is wetted with liquid desiccant  160 . So wetted with liquid desiccant  160 , substrate  144  acts as a carrier or support structure for liquid desiccant  160 , and the infusion of liquid desiccant  160  in substrate  144  together create a dividing wall or partition which divides and isolates liquid stream  231  from liquid stream  201  and prevents them from mixing and interacting with one another, in accordance with the principle of the invention. System  230  functions identically to system  200 , and the discussion of system  200  applies to system  230 , with the exception that the heat transfer in system  230  occurs between liquid streams  231  and  201 , rather than air stream  141  and liquid stream  201 . Also, although two liquid streams are interacting with carrier  143  in system  230 , system  230  can be facilitated with more than two air and liquid streams, if desired. 
     Respecting the embodiments set forth in  FIGS. 1-9 , it is to be understood that the carriers and the property-transferring materials govern the energy transfer between fluid streams, whether gas streams, gas and liquid streams, or liquid streams. Management of the carriers and the property-transferring materials also governs energy transfer, as does the flow rates of fluid streams. The flow characteristics of a liquid desiccant through a carrier are variable by varying the concentration of the liquid desiccant, and also varying the viscosity of the liquid desiccant. The flow characteristics of a hydrophobic liquid through a carrier are variable by varying the viscosity of the hydrophobic liquid, and also by varying the heat of the hydrophobic liquid. A carrier for use with the invention can also be made of varying liquid permeable materials for controlling the flow rate of a property-transferring material therethrough. According, energy transfer events carried out in the various embodiments of the invention set forth in  FIGS. 1-9  can be controlled by controlling and/or varying the concentrations of liquid desiccants, the viscosity of liquid desiccants, the temperature of liquid desiccants, the temperature of hydrophobic liquids, the viscosity of hydrophobic liquids, the rate of flow of a property-transferring liquid through a carrier, introduction of heat or cold to carrier, heating or cooling a property-transferring material before it is applied to a carrier, and suitable combinations of the foregoing, and it is to be understood that this applies to all embodiments of the invention. 
     Again, fluids used in various embodiments set forth in  FIGS. 1-9  need not be flowing or in the form of streams, but may be still, or circulating fluids, if desired. Also, the various embodiments of the invention set forth in  FIGS. 1-9  may be used in conjunction with fluids and/or solids, if so desired, in which a solid can be a mass of solid particles, one or more blocks, bricks, slabs of rigid or semi-rigid materials, foam, wood, etc. Any combination of one or more fluids and/or one or more solids can be used in the various embodiments of the invention for providing property-transfer therebetween. 
     Further, in the embodiments set forth in  FIGS. 1-9 , property transfer occurs between opposing sides or surfaces of a carrier. As previously mentioned, property transfer can occur between other portions of a carrier, such as between opposing extremities of a carrier, and system  239  the embodiment in  FIG. 10A  is an example of this as it illustrates an upright carrier  240  having opposing extremities  241  and  242 , and a transverse dividing wall  243  intersecting carrier  240  between extremities  241  and  242  defining opposing upper and lower regions  244  and  245  for accommodating substances, respectively, such fluids and/or solids, each of which can be present on one of the sides of carrier  240  or one both sides of carrier  240 . In  FIG. 10A , system  239  is employed with air streams, including air stream  246 A at upper region  244  and air stream  246 B at lower region  245 . Air streams  246 A and  246 B interact with the same side of carrier  240 , but can be located at opposing sides of carrier  240  or on both sides of carrier  240  if desired. Like the foregoing embodiments, carrier  240  is furnished with property-transferring material. Substances of unequal property-content at regions  244  and  245  interacting with the property-transferring material at extremities  241  and  242  produce in the property-transferring material micro-cyclic property transfer between extremities  241  and  242 , in which the property-transfer material circulates between extremities  241  and  242  providing the disclosed micro-cyclic property transfer. Substances can be applied to opposing sides of carrier  240  at the opposing regions  244  and  245 , in which micro-cyclic property transfer is made to occur not only between extremities  241  and  242 , but also between opposing surfaces of extremities  241  and  242 . 
     In  FIG. 10B , system  239  is shown employed with an air stream and a liquid stream, including liquid stream  247 A at upper region  244  and air stream  246 B at lower region  245 . Streams  247 A and  246 B interact with the same side of carrier  240 , but can be located at opposing sides of carrier  240  or on both sides of carrier  240  if desired. In  FIG. 10C , system  239  is shown employed with liquid streams, including liquid stream  247 A at upper region  244  and liquid stream  247 B at lower region  245 . Streams  247 A and  247 B interact with opposing sides of carrier  240 , but can be located on the same side of carrier  240  or on both sides of carrier  240  if desired. Although the embodiments set forth in  FIGS. 10A-C  are employed with streams of fluid, for each embodiment one or each of the streams can be still as in a layer, if desired. Solids can be employed as well. 
     From a structural standpoint, the foregoing embodiments of the invention can be implemented in various ways, and  FIGS. 11-22  are set forth in an effort to show different implementations of foregoing described embodiments of the invention. The ensuing embodiments utilize the same carrier and property-transferring material properties as with the embodiments set forth in  FIGS. 1-9 . 
     Referring first to  FIG. 11 , an energy transfer system/apparatus  250  includes a housing  251  defining a chamber  252 , a carrier  253  disposed in chamber  252 , fluid inlets  254  and  255 , and devices  254 A and  255 A, such as fans or blowers or the like, operative for developing fluid streams  254 B and  255 B into chamber  252  through inlets  254  and  255 . Fluid streams  254 B and  255 B are streams of gas in the instant embodiment. Carrier  253  is in the form of a sheet or panel of liquid permeable substrate material like that of  FIG. 1 . A sump  260  supports property-transferring material  261 , which is pumped by a pump  262  through a conduit  263  to nozzles  264 , which discharge material  261  onto carrier  253 . In system  250 , it is to be understood that plumbing, namely, pump  262  and conduit  263 , functions to deliver material  261  to carrier  253 . Pump  262  can operate continually for continuing providing carrier  253  with material  261 , intermittently for periodically providing carrier  153  with material  261 , etc., and may be operated manually or automatically such as by way of a timer, etc. Carrier  253  is located above sump  260 , which collects material  261  from carrier  253 . 
     Fluid streams  254 B and  255 B pass into chamber  252  from inlets  254  and  255 , interact with carrier  253  and material  261 , and discharge outwardly through outlets  270  and  271 , respectively, in which interaction of fluid streams  254 B and  255 A with material  261  supported by carrier  253  produces micro-cyclic energy transfer between fluid streams  254 B and  255 B. Depending on the type of material used for material  261 , and also the nature of carrier  253 , as in the embodiments set forth in  FIGS. 1-9 , the micro-cyclic energy transfer between fluid steams  254 B and  255 B can be heat and mass, heat, or mass. A conduit  272  couples a conventional filter unit  273  to conduit  263  between pump  262  and nozzles  264  for diverting property-transferring material  261  from conduit  263  to remove particulate matter therefrom before it is returned to sump  260 . A valve  274  in conduit  272  is provided for regulating the flow of material  261  to filter  273 . A heat transfer device  280 , such as heat transfer coils or the like, is positioned at inlet  255 , which can be used to heat or cool fluid stream  255 B before it interacts with the property-transferring material carried by carrier  253 . A heat transfer device can also be used in conjunction with inlet  254 , if desired. Ensuing embodiments of the invention can also incorporate such heat transfer devices at inlets for heating or cooling the fluid streams before interaction with property-transferring material support by one or more carriers, in accordance with the principle of the invention. 
     Looking now to  FIG. 12 , an energy transfer system/apparatus  290  includes a housing  291  defining a chamber  292 , upright carriers  293  disposed in chamber  292 , fluid inlets  294  and  295 , and devices  294 A and  295 A, such as fans or blowers or the like, or such as propeller pumps or other kinds of liquid moving devices operative for developing fluid streams  294 B and  295 B into chamber  292  through inlets  294  and  295 . Carriers  293  are columns of liquid permeable substrate material in the embodiment set forth in  FIG. 11 .  FIG. 13  is a schematic top plan view of system  290  illustrating carriers  293 , and although twelve carriers  293  are employed, less or more can be used as desired. A sump  300  supports property-transferring material  301 , which is pumped by a pump  302  through a conduit  303  to nozzles  304 , which discharge material  301  onto carriers  293 . In system  290 , it is to be understood that plumbing, namely, pump  302  and conduit  303 , functions to deliver material  301  to carriers  293 . Pump  302  can operate continually for continuing providing carriers  293  with material  301 , intermittently for periodically providing carriers  293  with material  301 , etc., and may be operated manually or automatically such as by way of a timer, etc. Carriers  293  are located above sump  300 , which collects material  301  from carriers  293 . 
     Fluid streams  294 B and  295 B pass into chamber  292  from inlets  294  and  295 , interact with carrier  293  and material  301 , and discharge outwardly through outlets  310  and  311 , respectively, in which interaction of fluid streams  294 B and  295 A with material  301  supported by carrier  293  produces micro-cyclic energy transfer between fluid streams  294 B and  295 B. Depending on the type of material used for material  301 , and also the nature of carrier  293 , as in the embodiments set forth in  FIGS. 1-9 , the micro-cyclic energy transfer between fluid steams  294 B and  295 B can be heat and mass, heat, or mass. A conduit  312  coupled to sump  300  can be provided, if desired, and used to direct material  301  to a heat exchange/altering device (not shown) than can be configured to change or maintain the temperature of material  301  before it is returned to sump  300  by way of conduit  313 . In this way, the temperature of material  301  in sump  300  can be controlled, and also maintained at relatively constant suitable temperatures. 
     Looking now to  FIG. 14 , an energy transfer system/apparatus  400  includes a housing  401  defining a chamber  402 , upright carriers  403  disposed in chamber  402 , fluid inlets  404  and  405 , and devices  404 A and  405 A, such as fans or blowers or the like, or such as propeller pumps or other kinds of liquid moving devices operative for developing fluid streams  404 B and  405 B into chamber  402  through inlets  404  and  405 . Fluid streams  404 B and  405 B are streams of gas in the instant embodiment. Carriers  403  are columns of liquid permeable substrate material in the embodiment set forth in  FIG. 14 . Although four carriers  403  are employed, less or more can be used as desired. A sump  410  supports property-transferring material  411 , and lower ends of carriers  403  are positioned in material  411 , in which material  411  is drawn upwardly into carriers  403  by way of wicking. A supply sump  412  also supports material  411 , which is pumped by a pump  413  through a conduit  414  sump  410  to replenish it with material  411  as the need arises. In system  400 , it is to be understood that wicking functions deliver material  401  to carriers  403 . 
     Fluid streams  404 B and  405 B pass into chamber  402  from inlets  404  and  405 , interact with carrier  403  and material  411 , and discharge outwardly through outlets  420  and  421 , respectively, in which interaction of fluid streams  404 B and  405 A with material  411  supported by carrier  403  produces micro-cyclic energy transfer between fluid streams  404 B and  405 B. Depending on the type of material used for material  411 , and also the nature of carrier  403 , as in the embodiments set forth in  FIGS. 1-9 , the micro-cyclic energy transfer between fluid steams  404 B and  405 B can be heat and mass, heat, or mass. A conduit  422  coupled to supply sump  412  can be provided, if desired, and used to direct material  411  to a heat exchange/altering device (not shown) than can be configured to change or maintain the temperature of material  411  before it is returned to sump  412  by way of conduit  423 . In this way, the temperature of material  411  in sump  412  can be controlled, and also maintained at relatively constant suitable temperatures. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 15 , an energy transfer system/apparatus  500  includes a housing  501  defining a chamber  502 , upright carriers  503  disposed in chamber  502 , fluid inlets  504  and  505 , and devices  504 A and  505 A, such as fans or blowers or the like, or such as propeller pumps or other kinds of liquid moving devices operative for developing fluid streams  504 B and  505 B into chamber  502  through inlets  504  and  505 . Fluid streams  504 B and  505 B are streams of gas in the instant embodiment. Carriers  503  are columns of liquid permeable substrate material in the embodiment set forth in  FIG. 15 . Although four carriers  503  are employed, namely, carriers  503 A- 503 D, less or more can be used as desired. Carrier  503 A and  503 B have three discrete sections x 1 ,x 2 ,x 3 , respectively, corresponding to three different substrate materials having different liquid permeability characteristics, and carriers  503 C and  503 D have two discrete sections y 1 ,y 2  corresponding to two different substrate materials having different liquid permeability characteristics. A sump  510  supports property-transferring material  511 , which is pumped by a pump  512  through a conduit  513  to nozzles  514 , which discharge material  511  onto carriers  505 . In system  500 , it is to be understood that plumbing, namely, pump  512  and conduit  513 , functions to deliver material  511  to carriers  503 . Pump  512  can operate continually for continuing providing carriers  503  with material  511 , intermittently for periodically providing carriers  503  with material  511 , etc., and may be operated manually or automatically such as by way of a timer, etc. Carriers  503  are located above sump  510 , which collects material  511  from carriers  503 . 
     Fluid streams  504 B and  504 B pass into chamber  502  from inlets  504  and  505 , interact with carriers  503  and material  511 , and discharge outwardly through outlets  520  and  521 , respectively, in which interaction of fluid streams  504 B and  505 A with material  511  supported by carriers  503  produces micro-cyclic energy transfer between fluid streams  504 B and  505 B. The liquid permeable characteristics of carriers  503 A and  503 B are different from the liquid permeable characteristics of carriers  503 C and  503 D, in which material  511  flows through carriers  503 C and  503 D faster than carriers  503 A and  503 B. This difference in flow rates of material  511  causes energy transfer events between fluid streams at carriers  503 C and  503 D to be different from the energy transfer events between fluid streams at carriers  503 A and  503 B. Depending on the type of material used for material  511 , and also the nature of carrier  503 , as in the embodiments set forth in  FIGS. 1-9 , the micro-cyclic energy transfer between fluid steams  504 B and  505 B can be heat and mass, heat, or mass. A conduit  522  coupled to sump  510  replenishes sump  510  with material  511  as the need arises. Consistent with the discussion of system  500 , it is to be understood that carriers  503  may each be constructed having any selected material  511  flow characteristics, according to the principle of the invention. A conduit  530  coupled to sump  510  can be provided, if desired, and used to direct material  511  to a heat exchange/altering device (not shown) than can be configured to change or maintain the temperature of material  511  before it is returned to sump  510  by way of conduit  531 . In this way, the temperature of material  511  in sump  510  can be controlled, and also maintained at relatively constant suitable temperatures. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 16 , in which there is seen an energy transfer system/apparatus  600  including a housing  601  defining a chamber  602 , a set  603  upright carriers  603 A and a set  604  of upright carriers  604 A disposed in chamber  602 , fluid inlets  606  and  607 , and devices  6046  and  607 A, such as fans or blowers or the like, or such as propeller pumps or other kinds of liquid moving devices operative for developing fluid streams  607 B and  608 B into chamber  602  through inlets  607  and  608 . Fluid streams  607 B and  608 B are streams of gas in the instant embodiment. Carriers  603 A and  604 A are columns of liquid permeable substrate material in the embodiment set forth in  FIG. 16 .  FIG. 17  is a schematic top plan view of system  600  illustrating carriers set  603  of carriers  603 A and set  604  of carriers  604 A. Although six carriers  603 A are employed with set  603 , less or more can be used. Although six carriers  604 A are employed with set  604 , less or more can be used. 
     Sumps  610  and  611  support property-transferring materials  610 A and  611 A, in which property-transferring material  610 A is different from property-transferring material  611 A. Material  610 A is pumped by a pump  612  through a conduit  613  to nozzles  614 , which discharge material  610 A onto carriers  603 A. Material  611 A is pumped by a pump  615  through a conduit  616  to nozzles  617 , which discharge material  611 A onto carriers  604 A. 
     In system  600 , it is to be understood that plumbing, namely, pump  612  and conduit  613 , functions to deliver material  610 A to carriers  603 A, and that plumbing, namely, pump  615  and conduit  616 , functions to deliver material  611 A to carriers  604 A. Pumps  612  and  615  can operate continually for continuing providing carriers  603 A and  604 A with materials  610 A and  611 A, respectively, intermittently for periodically providing carriers  603 A and  604 A with materials  610 A and  611 A, respectively, etc., and may be operated manually or automatically such as by way of a timer, etc. Carriers  603 A and  604 A are located above sumps  610  and  611 , respectively, which collect materials  610 A and  611 A from carriers  603 A and  604 A, respectively. 
     Fluid streams  607 B and  608 B pass into chamber  602  from inlets  607  and  608 , interact with carriers  603 A and  604 A and materials  610 A and  611 A, and discharge outwardly through outlets  620  and  621 , respectively, in which interaction of fluid streams  607 B and  608 B with materials  610 A and  611 A supported by carriers  603 A and  604 A produces micro-cyclic energy transfer between fluid streams  607 B and  608 B. 
     Because materials  610 A and  611 A are different, they provide different energy transfer characteristics, such as different types of energy transfer (such as heat for one of sets  603 , 604  and mass for the other of sets  603 ,  604 ), different levels of the same or different types of energy transfer, and/or different rates of the same or different energy transfer, which will depend on the type of material used for each of materials  610 A and  611 A, and also on the nature of carriers  603 A and  604 A as in the embodiments set forth in  FIGS. 1-9 . Materials  610 A and  611 A can be different in many ways, including being different types of materials, different types of materials in which one is of a different temperature than the other, or the same material in which one is of a different temperature than the other. 
     A conduit  618 A coupled to sump  610  can be provided, if desired, and used to direct material  610 A to a heat exchange/altering device (not shown) than can be configured to change or maintain the temperature of material  610 A before it is returned to sump  610  by way of conduit  618 B. In this way, the temperature of material  610 A in sump  610  can be controlled, and also maintained at relatively constant suitable temperatures. Also, a conduit  619 A coupled to sump  611  can be provided, if desired, and used to direct material  611 A to a heat exchange/altering device (not shown) than can be configured to change or maintain the temperature of material  611 A before it is returned to sump  611  by way of conduit  619 B. In this way, the temperature of material  611 A in sump  611  can be controlled, and also maintained at relatively constant suitable temperatures. 
     Referring to  FIG. 18 , an energy transfer system/apparatus  700  is shown, which includes a housing  701  defining a chamber  702 , set  703  upright carriers  703 A and set  704  of upright carriers  704 A disposed in chamber  702 , fluid inlets  705 ,  706 , and  707 , devices  705 A,  706 A, and  707 A, such as fans or blowers or the like, or such as propeller pumps or other kinds of liquid moving devices operative for developing fluid streams  705 B,  706 B, and  707 B into chamber  702  through inlets  705 ,  706 , and  707 , respectively. Fluid streams  705 B,  706 B, and  707 B are streams of gas in the instant embodiment. Carriers  703 A and  704 A are columns of liquid permeable substrate.  FIG. 19  is a schematic top plan view of system  700  illustrating carriers set  703  of carriers  703 A and set  704  of carriers  704 A. Although six carriers  703 A are employed with set  703 , less or more can be used. Although six carriers  704 A are employed with set  704 , less or more can be used. 
     Sumps  710  and  711  support property-transferring materials  710 A and  711 A, in which property-transferring material  710 A is different from property-transferring material  711 A. Material  710 A is pumped by a pump  712  through a conduit  713  to nozzles  714 , which discharge material  710 A onto carriers  703 A. Material  711 A is pumped by a pump  715  through a conduit  716  to nozzles  717 , which discharge material  711 A onto carriers  704 A. 
     In system  700 , it is to be understood that plumbing, namely, pump  712  and conduit  713 , functions to deliver material  710 A to carriers  703 A, and that plumbing, namely, pump  715  and conduit  716 , functions to deliver material  711 A to carriers  704 A. Pumps  712  and  715  can operate continually for continuing providing carriers  703 A and  704 A with materials  710 A and  711 A, respectively, intermittently for periodically providing carriers  703 A and  704 A with materials  710 A and  711 A, respectively, etc., and may be operated manually or automatically such as by way of a timer, etc. Carriers  703 A and  704 A are located above sumps  710  and  711 , respectively, which collect materials  710 A and  711 A from carriers  703 A and  704 A, respectively. 
     Fluid streams  705 B,  706 B, and  707 B pass into chamber  702  from inlets  705 ,  706 , and  707 , interact with carriers  703 A and  704 A and materials  710 A and  711 A, and discharge outwardly through outlets  720 ,  721 , and  722 , respectively, in which interaction of fluid streams  705 B,  706 B, and  707 B with materials  710 A and  711 A supported by carriers  703 A and  704 A produces micro-cyclic energy transfer between fluid streams  705 B,  706 B, and  707 B. 
     Because materials  710 A and  711 A are different, they provide different energy transfer characteristics, such as different types of energy transfer (such as heat for one of sets  703 , 704  and mass for the other of sets  703 , 704 ), different levels of the same or different types of energy transfer, and/or different rates of the same or different energy transfer, which will depend on the type of material used for each of materials  710 A and  711 A, and also on the nature of carriers  703 A and  704 A as in the embodiments set forth in  FIGS. 1-9 . Materials  710 A and  711 A can be different in many ways, including being different types of materials, different types of materials in which one is of a different temperature than the other, or the same material in which one is of a different temperature than the other. 
     A conduit  718 A coupled to sump  710  can be provided, if desired, and used to direct material  710 A to a heat exchange/altering device (not shown) than can be configured to change or maintain the temperature of material  710 A before it is returned to sump  710  by way of conduit  718 B. In this way, the temperature of material  710 A in sump  710  can be controlled, and also maintained at relatively constant suitable temperatures. Also, a conduit  719 A coupled to sump  711  can be provided, if desired, and used to direct material  711 A to a heat exchange/altering device (not shown) than can be configured to change or maintain the temperature of material  711 A before it is returned to sump  711  by way of conduit  719 B. In this way, the temperature of material  711 A in sump  711  can be controlled, and also maintained at relatively constant suitable temperatures. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 20 , in which there is seen an energy transfer system/apparatus  800  including a housing  801  defining opposing chambers  802  and  803 , upright carriers  804 , fluid inlets  805  and  806 , and devices  805 A and  806 A, such as fans or blowers or the like, or such as propeller pumps or other kinds of liquid moving devices operative for developing fluid streams  805 B and  806 B into chambers  802  and  803 , respectively, through inlets  805  and  806 , respectively. Fluid streams  805 B and  806 B can be steams of gas, steams of liquid, or a stream of gas and a stream of liquid. Carriers  804  are shown as columns, which have extremities/sides  804 A disposed in chamber  802  and opposing extremities/sides  804 B disposed in chamber  803 . Although four carriers  804  are employed in system  800 , less or more can be used. Depending on the types of materials used and also the nature of carriers  804 , as in the embodiments set forth in  FIGS. 10A ,  10 B and  10 C, the micro-cycle energy transfer between fluid streams can be heat and mass, heat or mass. 
     Carriers  804  are wetted with a property-transferring material, and fluid streams  805 B and  806 B pass into chambers  802  and  803 , respectively, from inlets  805  and  806 , respectively. Fluids streams  805 B and  806 B interact with sides  804 A and  804 B, respectively, of carriers  804  and the property-transferring material carried thereby, and discharge outwardly through outlets  810  and  811 , respectively, in which interaction of fluid streams  805 B and  806 B with the property-transferring material at sides  804 A and  804 B, respectively, of carriers  804  produces micro-cyclic energy transfer between fluid streams  805 B and  806 B. 
     The fluids used in various embodiments set forth in  FIGS. 11-20  need not be flowing or in the form of streams, but may be still, such as in the form of layers, or circulating fluids, if desired. Also, the various embodiments of the invention set forth in  FIGS. 11-20  may be used in conjunction with fluids and/or solids, when appropriate, in which a solid can be a mass of solid particles, one or more blocks, bricks, slabs of rigid or semi-rigid materials, foam, wood, etc. Any combination of one or more fluids and/or one or more solids, when appropriate, can be used in the various embodiments of the invention for providing property-transfer therebetween. In the case of streams of liquids, fans or blowers for producing air streams can be replaced with suitable fluid pumps. In some instances, gravity can be used as the mechanism for producing a liquid stream. 
     The invention has been described above with reference to preferred embodiments, and the various embodiments set forth in  FIGS. 11-20  are illustrative of various applications of the invention, in which aspects of each may be mixed and matched according to the teachings set forth throughout this specification, and also multiplied as needed for providing the desired results. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that changes and modifications may be made to the embodiments without departing from the nature and scope of the invention. Various changes and modifications to the embodiments herein chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within the scope thereof. 
     Having fully described the invention in such clear and concise terms as to enable those skilled in the art to understand and practice the same, the invention claimed is: