Abstract: The invention relates to a membrane distillation device, comprising at least one condensation/evaporation stage, which comprises at least one condensation unit and at least one evaporation unit and to which vapor is fed and through which a liquid to be concentrated flows, wherein each condensation unit comprises a first vapor chamber that is bounded at least partially by a condensation wall and to which the fed vapor is supplied and each evaporation unit comprises a second vapor chamber that is bounded at least partially by a vapor-permeable, liquid-tight membrane wall, and in each condensation/evaporation stage at least one flow channel is provided, which is formed between such a condensation unit and such an evaporator unit adjacent to said condensation unit and which conducts the liquid to be concentrated, and thus the liquid to be concentrated is heated by means of the condensation wall, and vapor arising from the liquid to be concentrated enters the second vapor chamber through the membrane wall.

Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to systems and methods for improving quenched coke recovery. More specifically, some embodiments are directed to systems and methods utilizing one or more of a screen, barrier, or reflector panel to contain or redirect coke during or after quenching. In a particular embodiment, a quench car system for containing coke includes a quench car having a base, a plurality of sidewalls, and a top portion. The system can further include a permeable barrier covering at least a portion of the top of the quench car, wherein the permeable barrier has a plurality of apertures therethrough.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a super-hydrophobic surface having excellent surface strength and an evaporator having the super-hydrophobic surface fabricated by the method are provided. The method includes preparing a metal base material, anodizing the metal base material to form a ceramic layer having a complex structure of a microstructure and nano-fiber structures on a surface of the metal base material, and applying a hydrophobic polymer material on the complex structure to form a polymer layer having the same surface shape as the complex structure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fracturing unit for hydraulic fracturing having an engine and a fracturing pump connected to the engine through a variable speed torque converter. Also disclosed is a hydraulic fracturing system using multiple fracturing units which are sized similar to ISO containers. A hydraulic fracturing system may also force flow back water, produced water, or fresh water through a heat exchanger so that heat from the fracturing engines can be transferred to these liquids in order to vaporize them. A force cooled fractioning unit then can accept the vapor/steam in order to condense the various components and produce distilled water for re-use in the fracturing process or for release into the environment.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems, and apparatuses for purifying liquids. One illustrative method includes generating an aerosol from a contaminated liquid. The illustrative method also includes generating a vapor from the aerosol by applying a negative pressure to the aerosol. The illustrative method further includes separating at least one type of contaminant particle from the vapor and converting the vapor into a liquid.

Abstract: A method for producing a coal cake that is suitable for coking and for subsequent charging of a coking oven chamber. At least one vibrating station including a push-table vibrating machine with an oscillatorily mounted vibrating table is provided. A mold box is clamped to the vibrating table. The mold box is filled with granular raw coal material. A weight is placed on top of the mold box. The mold box is vertically oscillated while the weight presses from above into the mold box so as to mold a vibration-compacted coal block. The vibration-compacted coal block is pushed off the vibrating table, using an ejector, onto an underlying support. The vibration-compacted coal block is pushed on the underlying support by a length (x) of the vibration-compacted coal block successive to another vibration-compacted coal block. The vibration-compacted coal blocks are successively stacked so as to form the coal cake. The coal cake is introduced into the coking oven chamber using a transporting device.

Abstract: A method of recycling mixtures of hydrochloric and hydrofluoric acid. In particular, a method of recycling hydrofluoric acid and boron fluoride mixtures. A process for upgrading mixtures of fluoroboron compounds contaminated with chlorides as an aqueous solution of boron fluoride hydrates, including a step of vacuum distillation. Also, a method of producing gaseous boron trifluoride.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems, and apparatuses for purifying liquids. One illustrative method includes generating an aerosol from a contaminated liquid. The illustrative method also includes generating a vapor from the aerosol by applying a negative pressure to the aerosol. The illustrative method further includes separating at least one type of contaminant particle from the vapor and converting the vapor into a liquid.

Abstract: Distillative process for obtaining ditrimethylolpropane from solutions includes separating ditrimethylolpropane from the solution in a first distillation unit into a first tops fraction comprising low-boiling compounds having a lower boiling point than ditrimethylolpropane and a first bottoms fraction; introducing the first bottoms fraction into a second distillation unit having at least 5 theoretical plates, said unit being configured as a thin-film evaporator with a column attachment and drawing off a second tops fraction comprising intermediate-boiling compounds having a lower boiling point than ditrimethylolpropane as well as withdrawing a second bottoms fraction from the second distillation unit and introducing the second bottoms fraction into a third distillation unit having at least 4 theoretical plates, said unit being configured as a thin-film evaporator with a column attachment, such that ditrimethylolpropane is obtained as a third tops fraction and high boilers are removed as a third bottoms fracti

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for the material treatment of raw materials. The apparatus has a heating system, a distillation unit and a reaction unit to be loaded with the raw materials for treatment. The heating system can be opened and closed to be fitted with the reaction unit. The heating system comprises a top element and a jacket element firmly connected to the top element, and supporting elements. The length of the support elements can be varied in the vertical direction, between two end positions, the heating system can be opened and closed in the vertical direction of movement. The invention further relates to a method for operating an apparatus for the material treatment of raw materials.

Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to methods of increasing coke production rates for coke ovens. In some embodiments, a coal charging system includes a false door system with a false door that is vertically oriented to maximize an amount of coal being charged into the oven. A lower extension plate associated with embodiments of the false door is selectively, automatically extended beyond a lower end portion of the false door in order to extend an effective length of the false door. In other embodiments an extension plate may be coupled with an existing false door having an angled front surface to provide the existing false door with a vertically oriented face.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multistage membrane distillation device comprising a heating stage (28), preferably multiple condensing/evaporating stages (12), and a condensing stage (36) through which a liquid to be concentrated is passed in succession. Each condensing/evaporating stage comprises at least one condensing unit (K) and at least one evaporating unit (V). Each condensing unit comprises a first steam chamber that is delimited at least partly by a condensation wall (16), and each evaporating unit comprises a second steam chamber that is delimited at least partly by a steam-permeable liquid-tight membrane wall (20).

Abstract: A distillation key which functions as, or with, a stopper and extends into a distillation chamber with multiple rings extending out there-from is used to catch condensing vapors and prevent condensed vapors from re-condensing at a vacuum port at the bottom of the distillation chamber. The key has one or a plurality of rings which extend outwards from an elongated neck thereof, these rings situated and centered relative to vertical walls of the distillation chamber, in embodiments of the disclosed technology.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for thermally converting or pyrolyzing biomass are provided. In one embodiment, a method of thermally converting biomass includes introducing the biomass to a reactor feed chamber. The method provides for flowing a low oxygen gas into the reactor feed chamber to purge the reactor feed chamber and biomass of oxygen. The method also includes delivering the purged biomass to a thermal conversion reactor and thermally converting the biomass in the thermal conversion reactor.

Abstract: The wastewater evaporator provides for effluent evaporation in a septic system to eliminate need for a drain field. The evaporator tank contains a plurality of evaporator trays in a vertical array. Solids settle in the septic tank, and liquid effluent flows from the septic tank to the evaporator tank and cascades sequentially from the uppermost to the lowermost tray. The multiple trays increase the surface area of liquid contained therein, thereby greatly enhancing evaporation. An above-surface air pump and vent may be provided for air flow through the evaporator tank. An ultrasonic generator may be installed in each tray to increase the surface area of the effluent to enhance evaporation. An additional intermediate pump tank may be provided between the septic tank and the evaporator tank to control effluent flow and delivery to the evaporator tank. A sump pump in the pump tank periodically delivers effluent to the evaporator tank.

Abstract: The present technology is generally directed to coal charging systems used with coke ovens. In some embodiments, a coal charging system includes a charging head having opposing wings that extend outwardly from the charging head, leaving an open pathway through which coal may be directed toward side edges of the coal bed. In other embodiments, an extrusion plate is positioned on a rearward face of the charging head and oriented to engage and compress coal as the coal is charged along a length of the coking oven. In other embodiments, charging plates extend outwardly from inward faces of opposing wings.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing biofuel from biomass material, comprising the steps of (a) pyrolyzing a first fraction of the biomass material having a pyrolysis temperature that is lower relative to the pyrolysis temperature of a second fraction of the biomass material to thereby produce a primary volatile fraction, and (b) separating the primary volatile fraction from the biomass material before pyrolyzing the second fraction, to thereby produce biofuel.

Abstract: Coke is manufactured by blending two or more kinds of coal to form a coal blend and by carbonizing the coal blend. Interfacial tension among coal kinds is used as a control index for determining the blending ratio of each coal when forming the coal blend. It is possible to increase the strength of coke without increasing the material cost of a coal blend.

Abstract: Systems and methods for treating carbon-containing waste materials include a gasifying system, a drier system for pre-drying the material, and an energy-recovery system for recovering waste heat and/or producer gas from the gasifying system/method for use in pre-drying the material. The energy-recovery system can include a recirculation system for recovering the waste heat and/or a thermal oxidizer or other combustion device for burning the producer gas, along with a heat-transfer-loop for transferring the recovered heat energy to the drier for pre-drying the material. In another aspect of the invention, the gasifying systems and methods use a thermal-screw conveyor with a product chamber and rotary thermal screws, and an oxygen-delivery system configured for delivering oxygen into the product chamber for immediate absorption into the material, with or without the dryer system and/or the energy-recovery system.

Abstract: A device and method of accelerating the evaporation of wastewater and concentration of solids wherein an evaporative material contacts wastewater allowing the wastewater to migrate onto the surface of the evaporative material where the sun and wind evaporates the wastewater in an accelerated manner due to the configuration of the evaporative material.