Abstract: A multi-effect system and a multi-effect method for desalination are provided. The method comprises flowing saline water over a thermally conductive plate of a first evaporation chamber; heating the thermally conductive plate to evaporate the saline water, resulting in vapor; removing the vapor from the first evaporation chamber; compressing, using a compressor, the vapor, thereby creating compressed vapor; pumping the compressed vapor into a first condensation chamber; condensing the compressed vapor in the first condensation chamber, resulting in fresh water. The method further comprises heating, by heat released by the condensing of the compressed vapor, a second thermally conductive plate forming a top of the first condensation chamber and a bottom surface of a next evaporation chamber in a next desalination chamber in the vertical stack of desalination chambers.

Abstract: A device for purifying liquids by distillation includes a first and a second evaporation section, and a first and a second condensation section, where each evaporation section includes a liquid inlet and a vapor outlet and each condensation section includes a vapor inlet and a liquid outlet, the first evaporation section and the second condensation section being in vapor connection through the first evaporation section outlet and the second condensation section inlet, wherein the first evaporation section is in thermal contact with the first condensation section, and the second evaporation section is in thermal contact with the second condensation section, wherein the sections in thermal contact are separated by a non-permeable polymer membrane. The device is compact and efficient in the production of a distillate product.

Abstract: A vessel header includes lateral flow tubes arranged in a parallel configuration. The lateral flow tubes enter the vessel header through alternating vessel header penetrations with a single vessel header penetration per lateral flow tube. Each lateral flow tube has a perforated section within the vessel header having a non-circular cross-section having the shape of a circular sector, an elliptical sector, or an irregular quadrilateral. A method includes passing a molten polymer through the lateral flow tubes of the vessel header. The molten polymer exits the lateral flow tubes as strands through perforations in the lateral flow tubes within the vessel header. The method includes obtaining devolatilized polymer.

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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a fractionation process for producing at least two concentration fractions of a fluid including a solute, suspended or dissolved content using at least two fluidly connected evaporator units. The process includes the steps of: feeding a feed fluid including a solute, suspended or dissolved content into at least a first evaporator unit; evaporating a first amount of fluid from the feed fluid in at least the first evaporator unit to produce a first concentrated fluid; feeding at least a portion of the first concentrated fluid into at least a second evaporator unit; and evaporating a second amount of fluid from the first concentrated fluid in at least the second evaporator unit to produce a second concentrated fluid.

Abstract: Vaporization chambers (distillation “pots”) are disclosed in which the liquid contained in such a pot is heated and circulated to establish thermal uniformity of the liquid and to route the circulated liquid past a thermally conductive member that contacts the liquid. The thermally conductive member extends from a location on a wall of the pot in a portion of the pot that holds the liquid as the liquid is being heated in the pot and conducts thermal energy directly from the liquid to a location outside the pot corresponding to the location on the wall. The pot desirably is divided into an upper portion and lower portion, wherein the liquid circulates from the lower portion to the upper portion and from the upper portion to the lower portion during heating. During this circulation, bubbles formed in the liquid can be routed into the upper portion in a manner resulting in fracture of the bubbles and recovery of liquid entrained in the bubbles, thereby preventing foam accumulation in the pot.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method of reducing volatiles in a mass processable polymer. The apparatus includes a multi-chambered devolatilizer having first and second collectors contained therein. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method that includes passing the mass processable polymer stream from a polymerization process to a first devolatilizer. The method continues by passing the polymer stream from the first devolatilizer to the multi-chambered devolatilizer. The apparatus and method allows for the production of a polymer having less than 100 ppm of volatiles.