Abstract: A thermal desalination system adapted to produce distilled water from feed water which may be sea water, based on a forward feed evaporator made up of a main water feed line, a vapor feed line, a distilled water main line and any number of effect groups. The effect groups include any number of effects which in turn include vapor inlets, water inflow lines, concentrate outflow lines that drain into a common concentrate drainage line, a vapor and water outlet in fluid communication with the distilled water main line, and heat transfer means that condense part of an inlet vapor to produce the distilled water.

Abstract: A system and method for separating at least a part of the solids from brine having an initial temperature T1, the system comprising a crystallizer comprising a crystallizer inlet for receiving therein said brine, a crystallizer first outlet for discharging vapor having a first pressure P1, evaporated from at least a part of said brine, and a crystallizer second outlet for discharging a slurry having a final temperature T2 lower than said initial temperature T1; a separator comprising a separator inlet for receiving therein said slurry, a separator first outlet for discharging therefrom said part of the solids separated from said slurry, and a separator second outlet for discharging therefrom a remaining liquid having a temperature substantially equal to T2; a compressor comprising a compressor inlet for receiving therein said vapor, and a compressor outlet for discharging therefrom a compressed vapor having a second pressure P2 higher than said pressure P1; and a condenser comprising a condenser first inlet f

Abstract: A multi-effect evaporator, having an upstream and a downstream end, adapted for distillation of water. It includes a plurality of effects connected in a series manner 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 includes means for forwarding the second outlet vapor into one of the heaters for heating the feed water. Each group includes 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.

Abstract: A multi-effect evaporator, having an upstream and a downstream end, adapted for distillation of water. It includes a plurality of effects connected in a series manner 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 includes means for forwarding the second outlet vapor into one of the heaters for heating the feed water. Each group includes 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.

Abstract: A rotor for mounting blades thereon to form an impeller rotatable about a main axis thereof. Each of the blades has a mounting portion. The rotor includes primary slots and auxiliary slots, each of the primary slots is adapted for receiving the mounting portion of the blade. The primary and auxiliary slots are adapted to change their dimensions during rotation of the impeller due to centrifugal forces and thermal effects caused by the rotation thereof. The change in dimensions is adapted to exert pressure on the mounting portion of the blade to retain it within the primary slot.

Abstract: A system and method for separating at least a part of the solids from brine having an initial temperature T1, the system comprising a crystallizer comprising a crystallizer inlet for receiving therein said brine, a crystallizer first outlet for discharging vapor having a first pressure P1, evaporated from at least a part of said brine, and a crystallizer second outlet for discharging a slurry having a final temperature T2 lower than said initial temperature T1; a separator comprising a separator inlet for receiving therein said slurry, a separator first outlet for discharging therefrom said part of the solids separated from said slurry, and a separator second outlet for discharging therefrom a remaining liquid having a temperature substantially equal to T2; a compressor comprising a compressor inlet for receiving therein said vapor, and a compressor outlet for discharging therefrom a compressed vapor having a second pressure P2 higher than said pressure P1; and a condenser comprising a condenser first inlet f

Abstract: A multi-effect evaporator, having an upstream and a downstream end, adapted for distillation of water. It comprises a plurality of effects connected in a series manner 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.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a compact heat pump using water as refrigerant, comprising an evaporator located at a first end section of the heat pump casing, adapted to allow evaporation of water therefrom, One or more compressors located at a second end section of the heat pump casing adapted to induce said evaporation by maintaining vacuum, provided with an intake conduit extending from the evaporator to the compressor leading vapor thereto. A condenser is located in the intermediate section of the casing wherein the intake conduit passes therethrough, adapted for condensing the vapor. The heat pump also comprises vacuum means allowing creating and maintaining vacuum in the casing. There is also provided a snow dome allowing skiing and snow related activities in above zero conditions using the heat pump for creation of snow or ice slurry.

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.

Abstract: Disclosed is a compact heat pump using water as refrigerant, including a casing having a first and second end sections and an intermediate section located therebetween, with an evaporator located at the first end section, configured for containing said water and allowing evaporation of at least a part of the water to produce vapor and remove heat from the remainder of the water. At least one agitator scoop is located within said evaporator, with one or more demisters installed between the evaporator and the compressor. The one or more compressors induce evaporation by maintaining vacuum at least at an intake conduit, and are configured for receiving the vapor through the intake conduit after passing through a heated demister. The condenser is configured for receiving the compressed vapor from the compressor, lowering the vapor temperature and condensing it back into a liquid state.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a rotor (20) for mounting of a plurality of blades (30) thereon to form an impeller (10) rotatable about a main axis thereof. Each of the blades has a mounting portion (32). The rotor comprises primary slots (24) and auxiliary slots (26), each of the primary slots being adapted for receiving the mounting portion of the blade. The primary and auxiliary slots are adapted to change their dimensions during rotation of the impeller due to centrifugal forces and thermal effects caused by the rotation thereof.

Abstract: A piston for a linear spool valve, the valve comprising a body having a inner surface. The body is made of a material with a relatively low heat expansion coefficient ?1. The piston comprises a contact member having an outer surface and being adapted to reciprocate within the body of the valve so that the outer surface is in contact with the inner surface. The contact member has at least a first layer made of a material with a heat expansion coefficient ?2 essentially greater than ?1, i.e. ?2>>?1, and at least a second layer made of a material with a heat expansion coefficient ?3 close to ?1. This causes the contact member to be adapted to behave, along said outer surface, as a material having a heat expansion coefficient essentially closer to ?1 than to ?2. One of the layers constitutes an outer layer of the contact member and comprises the outer surface.

Abstract: A three-way two-position poppet valve (10) comprising a housing (12) with a generally cylindrical valve chamber (14), a first (20) and a second (16) port with coaxial 1 valve seats (26, 28) at the ends of the chamber, and a third lateral working port (18). A poppet body (36) is disposed reciprocably in the valve chamber so that in a first position of the poppet body the first valve seat (26) is sealed and the second port communicates with the working port, and in a second position the second valve seat (28) is sealed and the first port communicates with the working port. The valve is characterized in that the housing has two coaxial cylindrical passages (24, 30) adjacent the respective valve seats, while the poppet body has two coaxial cylinder parts (44, 48) slidingly and sealingly fitting the cylindrical passages, so that the poppet body is always supported in at least one of the cylindrical passages and fluid communication between the first and the second port is always prevented.

Abstract: A piston for a linear spool valve, the valve comprising a body having a inner surface. The body is made of a material with a relatively low heat expansion coefficient ?1. The piston comprises a contact member having an outer surface and being adapted to reciprocate within the body of the valve so that the outer surface is in contact with the inner surface. The contact member has at least a first layer made of a material with a heat expansion coefficient ?2 essentially greater than ?1, i.e. ?2>>?1, and at least a second layer made of a material with a heat expansion coefficient ?3 close to ?1. This causes the contact member to be adapted to behave, along said outer surface, as a material having a heat expansion coefficient essentially closer to ?1 than to ?2. One of the layers constitutes an outer layer of the contact member and comprises the outer surface.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a compact heat pump using water as refrigerant, comprising an evaporator (20) located at a first end section of the heat pump casing (12), adapted to allow evaporation of water therefrom, One or more compressors (40) located at a second end section of the heat pump casing adapted to induce said evaporation by maintaining vacuum, provided with an intake conduit (32) extending from the evaporator (20) to the compressor (40) leading vapor thereto. A condenser (30) is located in the intermediate section of the casing (12) wherein the intake conduit (32) passes therethrough, adapted for condensing the vapor. The heat pump also comprises vacuum means (39) allowing creating and maintaining vacuum in the casing. There is also provided a snow dome allowing skiing and snow related activities in above zero conditions using the heat pump for creation of snow or ice slurry.

Abstract: A multi-effect evaporator (10), having an upstream and a downstream end, adapted for distillation of water. It comprises a plurality of effects (20a a20d) connected in a series manner 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 (11) in fluid communication with the most upstream group. An array of heaters (24) 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 (21) adapted to extract the concentrate (23) from the effects of the group and pump it into the common parallel water feed of an adjacent downstream group.

Abstract: A three-way two-position poppet valve (10) comprising a housing (12) with a generally cylindrical valve chamber (14), a first (20) and a second (16) port with coaxial 1 valve seats (26, 28) at the ends of the chamber, and a third lateral working port (18). A poppet body (36) is disposed reciprocably in the valve chamber so that in a first position of the poppet body the first valve seat (26) is sealed and the second port communicates with the working port, and in a second position the second valve seat (28) is sealed and the first port communicates with the working port. The valve is characterized in that the housing has two coaxial cylindrical passages (24, 30) adjacent the respective valve seats, while the poppet body has two coaxial cylinder parts (44, 48) slidingly and sealingly fitting the cylindrical passages, so that the poppet body is always supported in at least one of the cylindrical passages and fluid communication between the first and the second port is always prevented.

Abstract: A gasdynamic arrangement for a multi-stage centrifugal turbomachine, such as a two-stage compressor, comprising two coaxial impellers assembled on a common shaft with axial intake ports and radial peripheral discharge zones, the intake ports of the two impellers preferably pointing away from each other; a cylindrical vessel concentrically housing the impellers and the intake duct; a partition wall between the two impellers having a first and a second group of apertures; a first array of curved ducts conveying the flow from the first impeller discharge zone to the first group of apertures in the partition wall, the flow further passing through a chamber in the vessel to the intake port of the second impeller, and a second array of curved ducts conveying the flow from the second impeller discharge zone to the second group of apertures in the partition wall, the flow further going to the discharge port, the two flows bypassing each other in opposing directions at the partition wall.

Abstract: A gasdynamic arrangement for a multi-stage centrifugal turbomachine, such as a two-stage compressor, comprising two coaxial impellers assembled on a common shaft with axial intake ports and radial peripheral discharge zones, the intake ports of the two impellers preferably pointing away from each other; a cylindrical vessel concentrically housing the impellers and the intake duct; a partition wall between the two impellers having a first and a second group of apertures; a first array of curved ducts conveying the flow from the first impeller discharge zone to the first group of apertures in the partition wall, the flow further passing through a chamber in the vessel to the intake port of the second impeller, and a second array of curved ducts conveying the flow from the second impeller discharge zone to the second group of apertures in the partition wall, the flow further going to the discharge port, the two flows bypassing each other in opposing directions at the partition wall.

Abstract: A method is provided for improving the performance of a heat-pump installation for making ice operating on the principle of mechanical water vapor compression. The installation comprises an evaporator-freezer chamber communicating with a compressor chamber having a centrifugal compressor unit. The method comprises a) providing a first droplet separator of the louver type between the evaporator-freezer chamber and the compressor chamber, for primary separation of the coarser droplets; b) providing a second droplet separator of the knitmesh type downstream of the first droplet separator, for secondary separation of the remaining fine spray, and c) providing a continuous or intermittent spray of a dilute solution of a highly water-soluble inorganic salt in counter-current to the vapor flow from a plurality of spray nozzles located between the first and the second droplet separators and facing the first droplet separator.