Patents Examined by Virginia Manoharan
  • Patent number: 7927464
    Abstract: A vapor compression distillation system (10) is provided and includes a fluid inlet (12) for receiving a fluid, a fluid outlet (14) for a distillate that has been distilled from the fluid, a heat exchanger (16) connected to the fluid inlet (12) and the fluid outlet (14) to transfer heat from the distillate to the fluid; and an integrated motor/compressor unit (18) connected to the heat exchanger (16) to receive vaporized distillate therefrom and to supply pressurized distillate thereto. The system 10 may further include a coolant system (20) connected to the integrated motor/compressor (18) to supply a coolant flow thereto. The system (10) may also include an air oil mist system (22) that is connected to the integrated motor/compressor unit (18) to supply an air oil mist thereto for bearing lubrication and cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Mechanical Equipment Company, Inc.
    Inventors: George V. Gsell, Kim C. Klein
  • Patent number: 7927463
    Abstract: The present invention provides a novel tritium distillation device, which includes a container, a radiator covered on top of the container with a protrusion at the bottom, a conduit penetrating the container with an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being arranged in correspondence with the protrusion, and a heating device fixed below the container. The method of operating the tritiated water distillation includes the steps of adding environmental tritiated water in the container, covering the radiator on top of the container closely, heating environmental tritiated water to cause tritiated water steam to be condensed to the bottom of the radiator, and collecting the tritiated water condensation dropped from the protrusion with conduit. The present invention uses a simple structure to ease assembly and reduce the cost of cooling water source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Institute of Nuclear Energy Research
    Inventor: Hsin-Fa Fang
  • Patent number: 7922875
    Abstract: A method of enriching a heavy oxygen isotope by distillation of the present invention includes: a first distillation step of feeding oxygen and ozone generated by an ozonizer 12 into a distillation column 13 filled with a diluent gas, and separating the oxygen, and the ozone and the diluent gas; a photodecomposition step of introducing a mixed gas of the ozone and the diluent gas from a bottom of the distillation column into a photoreaction cell 14, and irradiating the mixed gas with a laser light to selectively decompose the ozone containing the heavy oxygen isotope; and a second distillation step of returning non-decomposed ozone and oxygen containing the heavy oxygen isotope to the distillation column, and separating the oxygen, and the ozone and the diluent gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation
    Inventors: Takashi Kambe, Hitoshi Kihara, Norihisa Nara, Hiroshi Kawakami
  • Patent number: 7922873
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for desalinating water combined with power generation, wherein a desalination system is used for desalinating coastal seawater and is operationally related to a power generation system, wherein such dual purpose cogeneration facility captures the heat vapor exhausted or a steam turbine generator's condenser is replaced by the desalination plant's heat exchanger enabling such captured heat energy to reduce the energy requirements of the desalination plant, and wherein brine solution being utilized by the desalination plant is circulated from and to the substrata sea water table via supply and return wells.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Inventors: Girard Charles St. Germain, Richard N. Barnett
  • Patent number: 7922876
    Abstract: In a method for recovering acid from an aqueous etching mixture containing HF, HNO3, H2SiF6 and HNO2 which has been used for purifying polycrystalline silicon, the used etching mixture is distilled progressively so that approximately from 20 to 50 wt. % of the mixture is distilled off as dilute acid containing more than 90 wt. % of the silicon dissolved as hexafluorosilicic acid in a first fraction, and the water contained in the used etching mixture having been reduced by approximately 10-30 wt. %, this water-depleted mixture is then concentrated by evaporation to a residue of about 1 to 5 wt. % of the initial amount of used etching mixture during which a second fraction is distilled off, and the residue is disposed of.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Wacker Chemie AG
    Inventors: Hanns Wochner, Christian Gossmann, Wolfgang Stoiber
  • Patent number: 7922874
    Abstract: A multi-effect evaporator, having an upstream and a downstream end, adapted for distillation of water. It comprises a plurality of effects serially connected and arranged into groups. Each group has a common parallel water feed inlet adapted to supply all effects in the group with feed water. The evaporator further includes a main feed water line in fluid communication with the most upstream group. An array of heaters is disposed along the line, adapted for heating the feed water before its entry into the effects of the latter group. Each effect comprises means for forwarding the second outlet vapor into one of the heaters for heating the feed water. Each group comprises a pump adapted to extract the concentrate from the effects of the group and pump it into the common parallel water feed of an adjacent downstream group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: I.D.E. Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Avraham Ophir, Joseph Weinberg
  • Patent number: 7922872
    Abstract: A distillation apparatus of the present invention includes a distillation column group in which a plurality of distillation columns including a condenser and a reboiler is connected in the form of a cascade; a gas-feeding line which feeds gas from the distillation column to a latter distillation column; a gas line which introduces the gas from the distillation column to the condenser attached to the distillation column; a liquid-line which withdraws a condensed liquid from the condenser; a liquid-reflux line which introduces a part of the condensed liquid from the liquid-line to the distillation column; a liquid-return line which returns the remainder of the condensed liquid from the liquid-line to a former distillation column; a valve provided on the liquid-return line; and a bypass line which connects the liquid-return line and the gas line so as to flow an evaporated gas generated in the liquid-return line to the gas line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation
    Inventors: Hitoshi Kihara, Takashi Kambe
  • Patent number: 7909966
    Abstract: The invention disclosed relates to catalytic distillation column internals providing improved liquid reaction mixture and catalyst contacting for simultaneous catalytic reaction and separation of the reaction mixture. The invention is an improved catalytic distillation apparatus providing optimum balance of catalytic reaction and mass transfer steps, wherein distribution, mixing and feeding of liquid reaction mixture to the reaction zone and distillation section are better controlled and more uniformly applied. At least one catalyst bed is situated in at least one receiving pan of a distillation tray so that the tray performs the functions of both of the reaction section and the distillation section of the catalytic distillation column simultaneously within a stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignees: AMT International, Inc., CPC Corporation, Taiwan
    Inventors: Kuang-Yeu Wu, Pai-Yu Polly Chiang, Tzong-Bin Lin, Hung-Chung Shen, Karl T. Chuang
  • Patent number: 7897019
    Abstract: Systems and methods for desalting seawater by distillation are disclosed. Warm air is fed into the bottom of a natural draft tower. The warm air passes through seawater in an exchange means to increase the water content of the air. The moisture-laden air then rises and is drawn through a condensing means. The condensing means is cooled by cold water drawn from deep ocean depths. Desalted seawater is collected from the condensing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Inventor: Alan Dayton Akers
  • Patent number: 7892403
    Abstract: A condenser includes: a top face of a tube plate on which acrylic acid may be condensed inside the condenser; a spray for spreading a polymerization inhibitor on the tube plate; a first polymerization inhibitor supply tube for supplying the polymerization inhibitor to the spray; and a supporter for supporting the spray at a predetermined position. The supporter supports the first polymerization inhibitor supply tube outside the condenser. The condenser allows a stable continuous operation for a long period of time by preventing polymerization of an easily polymerizable compound in the condenser into which a vapor of an easily polymerizable compound is supplied with a simple structure thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Shuhei Yada, Yasushi Ogawa, Yoshiro Suzuki, Kimikatsu Jinno
  • Patent number: 7879197
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the purification of an aqueous solution of an organic acid having a boiling point at atmospheric pressure of less than 450° C., which further has approximately 275 g carboxylate ions/l or less, preferably 250 g carboxylate ions/l or less, and preferably less than 1% by weight ionic impurities, calculated on the basis of the total solution. In particular, the invention relates to a method and a device for the continuous purification and concentration, on an industrial scale, of an aqueous solution of an organic acid having a boiling point at atmospheric pressure of less than 450° C. According to the method, this solution is subjected to two or more distillation steps, the first distillation step being carried out at a temperature of from 80° to 150° C. and a pressure of from 50 to 250 mbar, and the second distillation step being carried out at a temperature of from 80° to 200° C. and a pressure of from 0.01 to 50 mbar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: Purac Biochem B.V.
    Inventors: Hendrik Martinus Winkelaar, Jan Van Breugel, Margarita Camprubi Vila, Jose Maria Vidal Lancis
  • Patent number: 7879198
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to processes and systems for purifying technical grade trichlorosilane and/or technical grade silicon tetrachloride into electronic grade trichlorosilane and/or electronic grade silicon tetrachloride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Assignee: MEMC Electronic Materials, Inc.
    Inventor: Gianfranco Ghetti
  • Patent number: 7875153
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the purification of an aqueous solution of an organic acid having a boiling point at atmospheric pressure of less than 450° C., which-further has approximately 275 g carboxylate ions/1 or less, preferably 250 g carboxylate ions/1 or less, and preferably less than 1% by weight ionic impurities, calculated on the basis of the total solution. In particular, the invention relates to a method and a device for the continuous purification and concentration, on an industrial scale, of an aqueous solution of an organic acid having a boiling point at atmospheric pressure of less than 450° C. According to the method, this solution is subjected to two or more distillation steps, the first distillation step being carried out at a temperature of from 80° to 150° C. and a pressure of from 50 to 250 mbar, and the second distillation step being carried out at a temperature of from 80° to 200° C. and a pressure of from 0.01 to 50 mbar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Purac Biochem B.V.
    Inventors: Hendrik Martinus Winkelaar, Jan Van Breugel, Jose Maria Vidal Lancis, Margarita Camprubi Vila
  • Patent number: 7867365
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for producing ethanol from an organic source and that operates to purify and dry ethanol from a beer source. The system for producing substantially anhydrous ethanol comprises: (a) a first distillation stripping column; (b) a second distillation rectifying column having a higher operating temperature than said stripping column; (c) a molecular sieve dehydration means in fluid communication with said rectifying column. Heat from the overhead of the second distillation rectifying column and the molecular sieve dehydration are used to heat the first distillation stripping column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Thermal Kinetics Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher J. Brown
  • Patent number: 7862692
    Abstract: A method of evaporating liquid in a liquid evaporating system having heat exchangers, evaporators, and steam reheaters, includes: preheating condensed water in the heat exchangers; distilling in the evaporators the condensed water from the heat exchangers, wherein the evaporators each has a horizontal plane evaporating chamber at an upper side thereof and a horizontal plane steam heating chamber at a lower side thereof, wherein heating steam is provided from an external boiler to the heating chamber; exchanging heat between the evaporating chamber and the heating chamber using a heat exchange boundary face formed in a concavo-convex shape, wherein the heat exchange boundary face is formed of a metal plate; and reheating in the steam reheaters the steam from the respective evaporators, wherein the reheaters each are coupled to a subsequent one of the heating chambers to serve as a heating source of the subsequent heating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Inventor: Jeong-Ho Hong
  • Patent number: 7857944
    Abstract: The method and apparatus for improving the esterification procedure, in particular for improving the esterification procedure to obtain an ester of low carbon number such as the ethyl acetate and the isopropyl acetate, are provided. By applying the provided method and apparatus, the conversion ratio of the esterification procedure is significantly increased and hence an ester product of a relatively high purity, up to the industrial specification, is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: National Taiwan University
    Inventors: Huang Hsiao-Ping, Yu Cheng-Ching, Lee Ming-Jer, Hung Shih-Bo, Lai I-Kuan
  • Patent number: 7857940
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid radioactive waste treatment system. The liquid radioactive waste treatment system includes a plurality of evaporation plates and each of the evaporation plates has an uneven surface, in a housing comprised of a glass. A liquid radioactive waste is dispersed via a liquid waste dispersing unit to the evaporation plate, and the liquid radioactive waste is evaporated using solar heat and airflow in the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute
    Inventors: Tae-Kuk Kim, Jong-Sik Shon, Kwong-Pye Hong, Han-Seok Cho
  • Patent number: 7857945
    Abstract: A solar still includes a relatively shallow chamber with a pyramid shaped transparent cover and a transparent base. The still also includes a pair of rollers and an endless heat absorbing belt rotatable about the rollers. The still is positioned to receive solar energy passing through the transparent cover and impinging on an upper surface of the heat absorbing belt in order to vaporize seawater within the chamber. The efficiency of the still is increased by one or more mirrors disposed below the still for reflecting sun light up through the transparent base to impinge on a lower outer surface of the belt to enhance the vaporization of the seawater. One or more fans are also provided for cooling the cover to enhance the condensation of water that will then run down the cover and into a pure water receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Ahmed Al-Garni, Ayman Kassem, Farooq Saeed
  • Patent number: 7850826
    Abstract: The present invention provides a multi stage flash long tube evaporator with flash stages arranged in a plurality of at least three tiers, wherein each tier is divided into a plurality of at least two flash stages and a plurality of at least three tube bundles are arranged in parallel and in a longitudinal direction in each tier. This configuration allows to minimize the evaporator shell volume, shell surface, foot print and weight, minimizing the cost of an evaporator and other related plant cost. This configuration is in particular suitable for large evaporator unit capacities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Inventor: Friedrich Alt
  • Patent number: 7846304
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for purifying 2-chloro-5-chloromethyl-1,3-thiazole represented by the formula (I): characterized in that a crude 2-chloro-5-chloromethyl-1,3-thiazole represented by the formula (I) is treated with a lower alcohol before the distillation, and then is distilled. The present purification process is a new one for purifying 2-chloro-5-chloromethyl-1,3-thiazole, suitable for industrial practice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2010
    Assignee: Toyo Boseki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Toshikazu Oga, Toru Kofukuda