Abstract: Herein are disclosed an improved method and apparatus for separating a mixture of liquids of differing volatilities by fractional distillation in a plate-type apparatus. Plates consisting at least in part of a porous structure having capillary-type passages extending between openings on one side of the plate and openings on the other side of the plate are employed. The capillary-type passages are adapted to be wetted and filled at least in part by the liquid condensate resulting from the condensation of a vapor mixture, with the consequent formation of menisci in the capillary-type passages and the generation of capillary pressures that cause the condensed liquid to be lodged within the capillary-type passages and transmitted through the plate while preventing the passage of vapor.

Abstract: Herein are disclosed a method and apparatus whereby dispersed matter in the form of finely-divided particles, and/or in the form of molecular species such as molecules, and atoms are separated from a gaseous or liquid medium by subjecting same by a corona discharge via a perforated separating electrode to repel same and continuously removing the charged matter.