Abstract: The present invention encompasses methods and apparati for heating a load (9) such as clothes immersed in a medium (such as water) during a heating period. A method embodiment of the present invention comprises heating the load (9) and medium within an enclosure (10) by subjecting said load (9) and medium to heated air (104) originated from a conventional energy source (1); and applying heat to said load (9) and medium within the enclosure (10) via an AC electrical field, embodied as a capacitor, originated from an RF power source (2).

Abstract: The present disclosure concerns a drying or heating apparatus that is capable of independently controlling the temperature of the product being heated (e.g., to achieve a desired temperature profile) and the wavelength of the radiation (e.g., to maximize the heat transfer rate). To such ends, a drying apparatus can be provided with one or more heat sources that are movable relative to the product being heated in order to increase or decrease the gap or spacing between the heat source and the product. By adjusting the gap between the product and the heat source, it is possible to control the source temperature in such a manner that produces the desired product temperature and wavelength of radiation.

Abstract: The system contains a liquid-tight enclosure. An input source is connected to the liquid-tight enclosure for inputting water into the liquid-tight enclosure. A heating element is in thermal communication with at least a portion of the water within the liquid-tight enclosure. A plurality of substantially vertical plates are aligned along a substantially horizontal axis within the liquid-tight enclosure. Each of the substantially vertical plates has an opening. A groove is formed along each of the substantially vertical plates. A first end of the groove on each of the substantially vertical plates is proximate to the opening. At least one manifold extends through a plurality of the openings of the substantially vertical plates. The manifold is in fluid communication with a plurality of the first ends of the grooves. An output opening is formed in the liquid-tight enclosure. The output opening is arranged in fluid communication with the manifold.

Abstract: A reciprocating film type evaporator for solvents and other chemicals which eliminates the need for a large powerful motor, and other associated equipment such as rotary gaskets, by using reciprocation, versus 360 degree rotation.

Abstract: A one step method and system for producing nanofluids by a nanoparticle-source evaporation and deposition of the evaporant into a base fluid. The base fluid such oil or ethylene glycol is placed in a rotating cylindrical drum having an adjustable heater-boat-evaporator and heat exchanger-cooler apparatus. As the drum rotates, a thin liquid layer is formed on the inside surface of the drum. An insulated heater-boat-evaporator having an evaporant material (nanoparticle-source) placed within its boat evaporator is adjustably positioned near a portion of the rotating thin liquid layer, the evaporant material being heated thereby evaporating a portion of the evaporant material and forming nanoparticles, the nanoparticles absorbed by the liquid film to form nanofluid.

Abstract: Thin film thermal oxidative engine oil or other oleaginous liquid deposit device has an oleaginous test liquid placement volume; a heatable depositor surface in liquid communication with the volume; a supply for at least one of an oxidant and another substance which can adversely affect the test liquid; and a relatively thin film forming unit which delivers the test liquid to the depositor surface in a relatively thin film. Thin film thermal oxidative engine oil or other oleaginous fluid deposit method is also provided, which includes providing an oleaginous test liquid in an oleaginous test liquid placement volume; providing a depositor surface and heating said surface; delivering the test liquid as a relatively thin film to the heated depositor surface; providing to the test liquid an oxidizing and/or other substance which can adversely affect the test liquid; and observing any deposits or other activity thereabout. The invention is useful in oil testing.

Abstract: Liquid organic material is controllably delivered to a receptacle located in the center of a heated surface capable of horizontally rotating about its central axis. As the heated surface rotates, material deposited within the central receptacle is forced outwardly and across the rotating surface. As the material moves radially, it evaporates into a vapor which is then transported to one or more nozzles. From the nozzles, the vapor is applied to a substrate and condensed. Relative to existing devices and methods, the present invention enables the evaporation of a wider variety of organic liquids, greater reliability in continuous operation, a decrease in maintenance, and a larger and more constant material flow rate.

Abstract: Liquid organic material is controllably delivered to a receptacle located in the center of a heated surface capable of horizontally rotating about its central axis. As the heated surface rotates, material deposited within the central receptacle is forced outwardly and across the rotating surface. As the material moves radially, it evaporates into a vapor which is then transported to one or more nozzles. From the nozzles, the vapor is applied to a substrate and condensed. Relative to existing devices and methods, the present invention enables the evaporation of a wider variety of organic liquids, greater reliability in continuous operation, a decrease in maintenance, and a larger and more constant material flow rate.

Abstract: An apparatus for extracting solid residues from an aqueous slurry. The slurry is applied to the upper surfaces of disks that rotate in a hollow cylindrical vessel so that an evaporation enclosure is defined by the vessel and at least in part by the upper surfaces of the disks. Oscillating slurry dispensing arms are oriented radially relative to the axis of a hollow shaft that supports the disks. Slurry flattening rollers press the slurry on to these disk upper surfaces and slurry scraping means remove the residue from the rotating disk upper surfaces. Finally, a condensation enclosure is provided for removing liquid condensate from the vapor produced in the evaporation disclosure, and means is provided for eliminating non-condensable gases periodically from a condensation enclosure.

Abstract: A rotary evaporator is described utilizing a magnetically driven fluorocarbon cylinder, operating within a solvent container, to create a thin solvent film for rapid evaporation without the usual requirement for rotating the entire solvent container assembly. Infra-red heating is employed for efficient evaporation rates. Solvent heating is controlled during evaporation by a single temperature probe, turning the infra-red heater on and off on demand of the probe. Over heating of the product is prevented by maintaining a solvent residue at or near the conclusion of an evaporation.

Abstract: A counter-current contacting device which includes a number of features which increase the efficiency and/or increase the pressure differential across the device is disclosed. Systems for reducing the alcohol content of an alcohol containing beverage or wine, for stripping aroma and flavor from a fruit juice and for desulphuring a liquid containing dissolved sulphur dioxide are also disclosed. Each of these systems incorporate a counter-current contact device of the invention.

Abstract: A rotary evaporator for laboratory scale solvent evaporative procedures is described. A magnetically driven fluorocarbon coated rotor, being open at its base and closed at its top, operating within a container for solvents, creates a thin film for rapid solvent evaporation without the usual requirement for rotating the entire solvent assembly. Rotary seals are eliminated, increased control over bubbling and foaming at higher vacuum is obtained, and continuous solvent addition is simplified.

Abstract: A rotary evaporator for laboratory scale solvent evaporative procedures is described. A magnetically driven fluorocarbon coated rotor, operating within a container for solvents, creates a thin film for rapid solvent evaporation without the usual requirement for rotating the entire solvent container assembly. Rotary seals are eliminated, increased control over bubbling and foaming at higher vacuum is obtained, and continuous solvent addition is simplified.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for purifying raw feedwater. The raw feedwater is directed into an evaporator module submerged in a solar pond or other body of heated liquid. The evaporator module includes a rotating housing through which a plurality of spaced apart substantially horizontal open ended heat transfer tubes extend. A heating liquid is directed through the heat transfer tubes. The raw feedwater is distributed within the evaporator module so as to cause the feedwater to descend into heat transferring contact with the heat transfer tubes and thereby vaporize a portion of the feedwater. The vapor formed in the evaporator module is withdrawn from the evaporator module and directed to a suitable condensor.A preferred embodiment of the evaporator module is disclosed which includes cavitation fins or urging the heated liquid through the evaporator module.

Abstract: A liquid seal for a multistage molecular evaporator which is in the form of an elongated vessel having convex evaporating surfaces for carrying out a continuous redistillation. The evaporator includes at least two vacuum stages superposed one over the other in the vessel. The upper stage has two inwardly extending troughs one superposed over the other. An overflow tube extends from the upper trough into a collecting trough of the adjacent lower vacuum stage to form a first liquid seal. A collecting member in the upper stage extends into the lower trough of the upper stage to collect distillate therein and to form a second liquid seal therein. The upper and lower vacuum stages have evaporator bodies which are connected to each other by sealing means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for vacuum dehydrating heat sensitive liquid material, particularly fruit juices including citrus and tomato juices. A top loading, endless belt conveyor for the thin liquid film is disposed in a vacuum dehydrator chamber which is maintained at about 2 mm. Hg. The belt travels through a cooling zone and a heating zone to attain substantially complete dehydration of the thin film. The liquid material is continuously applied to the upper side of the belt in the cooling zone by means of an applicator system comprising a grooved metering roll and a counter-rotating applicator roll which continuously deposits a uniform film of about 0.005 to 0.05 inches thickness on the endless belt. Dry product at about 0.5-2.5% moisture is removed from the belt in the cooling zone by means of a doctor blade which scrapes the product from the endless belt just prior to the portion of the cooling zone where the applicator system feeds additional liquid material onto the belt.

Abstract: Sludge containing metal hydroxide is first subject to a separation treatment where solid particles are removed, and then dewatered to obtain a greater concentration of the metal hydroxide. The dewatered sludge attains a thixotropic character whereupon it is applied to a carrier in a film-like manner. The film is heated and then sintered so as to achieve a metal oxide that is harmless and easily handable. The separation and dewatering steps of the process are carried out in a first apparatus having a suction drum surrounded by a filtering cloth that removes the water contained in the sludge and transfers it to a second apparatus having a rotating carrier for receiving on the circumference thereof the metal hydroxide in a film form, whereupon the film is heated during rotation of the carrier and sent to a sintering apparatus for conversion to a metal oxide in a granular or powder form.