Abstract: The high pressure waste water from a reverse osmosis unit is conveyed to an eductor where it creates a source of low pressure for operating a degasifier that removes carbon dioxide from the water treated by the reverse osmosis unit.

Abstract: A leak-tight noncontaminative joint connecting a section of titanium, tantalum, zirconium or stainless steel tubing with second section of titanium, tantalum, zirconium or stainless steel tubing of a larger diameter is formed by placing a compressible O-ring, a slidable, nontitanium, nontantalum, nonzirconium or nonstainless steel ferrule and a fixed, nontitanium, nontantalum, nonzirconium or nonstainless steel mechanical stop around the outer surface of the smaller tubing and inserting the smaller tubing into the larger tubing so as to compress the O-ring between the two sections, until the ferrule, which conformably engages the inner surface of the larger tubing, is driven firmly against the mechanical stop. In this arrangement the fluid being transported within the titanium, tantalum, zirconium or stainless steel tubings is unable to pass by the O-ring and thus does not contact either the nontitanium, nontantalum, nonzirconium or nonstainless steel ferrule or stop.

Abstract: The waste water output of an RO unit in a distillation system is conveyed to a still's condenser cooling coil to minimize water requirements of the system. A portion of the heated water fron the condenser, in one embodiment, is circulated to the RO unit inlet, where a temperature mixing valve maintains an optimum temperature for the RO inlet water by mixing feed water and condenser output water in the desired proportions.

Abstract: In an apparatus for distilling liquids an improvement is provided wherein distillate is heated within an auxiliary reboiler for further removal of volatile impurities, with the operating environment of the auxiliary reboiler being isolated from the main ambient atmosphere of the apparatus so that evaporated impurities can be vented without recontaminating the distillate of impairing the efficiency of the apparatus. Countercurrent flow of distillate and vapors within the auxiliary reboiler produces enhanced purity of the distillate.

Abstract: The rejection flow from a water ultrafiltration system is passed through a filtration means for removal of bacteria, viri, pyrogens, and colloids, the effluent of which is reintroduced into the affluent presented to the ultrafiltration surface. Treatment of the refjection flow prior to ultrafiltration after removal of bacteria, viri, pyrogens, and colloids may include carbon filtration followed by ion exchange treatment.

Abstract: In an apparatus for distilling liquids an improvement is provided wherein distillate is heated within an auxiliary reboiler for further removal of volatile impurities, with the operating environment of the auxiliary reboiler being isolated from the main ambient atmosphere of the apparatus so that evaporated impurities can be vented without recontaminating the distillate or impairing the efficiency of the apparatus. Countercurrent flow of distillate and vapors within the auxiliary reboiler produces enhanced purity of the distillate.

Abstract: By the use of a degassing chamber within distillation apparatus dissolved volatile material is expelled and water of enhanced purity is produced. The chamber is designed such that the distillate is forced to flow along a shallow, horizontal path kept hot enough to boil it, before exiting from the distillation unit.

Abstract: A leak-tight non-contaminative joint, for connecting tin lined copper tubing with a tin lined coupling member, is formed by exposing the tin lining at the tube end and inserting an elastic "O"-ring between the exposed lining and the surrounding coupling, so that the fluid within the tubing and coupling does not contact any metal other than tin. A clamp for holding the coupling member and tubing together is also disclosed.