Abstract: Liquids, such as juices, milk, molten metal and the like are concentrated by forming uniformly-sized, small droplets in a precision droplet forming assembly (14) and deploying the droplets in free fall downwardly as a central column within an evacuated tower (12) having cool walls (32). A portion of the solvent evaporates. The vapor flows to the wall (32), condenses, and usually flows down the wall as a film (62) to condensate collector (26) and drain (28). The vertical column of freely-falling droplets enters the splash guard (68). The condensate can be collected, sent to other towers or recycled.

Abstract: A process for removing the water from an enzyme-containing aqueous medium is disclosed which comprises spraying the medium onto a heated, fluidized bed of inert substrate particles and recovering a dry enzyme concentrate therefrom.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distilling, especially vacuum refining and deodorizing edible oils and fats utilizing sheets of oil driven downwardly in a distiller with a vacuum source at its top. A nozzle includes pressure equalization chambers, cantilever adjustment screws, and a central drag sheet to produce longer lasting and more uniform thin oil sheets to be driven in the distiller. A continuous process deaerates, dehydrates, degums, bleaches, refines, removes tocopherol, deodorizes, and strips peroxides and hydroperoxides from raw oil in a series of isothermal stages utilizing driven sheet distillers. No stripping steam is used except in the stage which strips peroxides and hydroperoxides. The method produces valuable, pure products such as tocopherol and fractionated fatty acids. It is especially efficient in heat exchange and low in waste and pollution producing products.

Abstract: An apparatus for concentrating aqueous solutions of hygroscopic organic liquid having boiling points higher than the normal boiling point of water is disclosed. The apparatus includes an airtight evacuated chamber, means for injecting a preheated temperature adjusted solution into the chamber to vaporize water from the solution and produce a concentrated aerosol of organic liquid, and means for coalescing the concentrated aerosol. Also included is a system for recovery of organic vapor leaving the chamber along with the vaporized water.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a process for making alkali metal phosphates, especially alkali metal polyphosphates, from alkali metal phosphate solutions or suspensions. To this end the solutions or suspensions are forced to flow through a plurality of single opening nozzle structures under a pressure of 6 to 66 bars and sprayed inside a tower through a flame zone produced by a plurality of burners arranged in annular fashion. The disclosure also relates to a device for carrying out the process, wherein a cylindrical spray tower (1) having a tapered lower end and being closed by means of a cover (2) has a solvent feed pipe (5) terminating in a spray means (6) centrally passed through the cover, and wherein a plurality of burners is passed through the cover (2), concentrically around the solvent feed pipe (5). The spray means (6) is comprised of a feed pipe (15) and at least one spray head (12), which has a plurality of single opening nozzle structures (17) disposed in its terminal surface area (13).

Abstract: A concentrator including a vacuum evaporator having a cylindrical upper part and a lower part in the form of an inverted cone. A pipe for introducing a feedstock solution is installed with a downwardly opening end thereof positioned in substantially the center of the vacuum evaporator. A pipe is provided for removing solvent vapor from the evaporator, and a pipe is provided for recovering concentrated solution from the bottom of the evaporator.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a process for making alkali metal phosphates, especially alkali metal polyphosphates, from alkali metal phosphate solutions or suspensions. To this end the solutions or suspensions are forced to flow through a plurality of single opening nozzle structures under a pressure of 6 to 66 bars and sprayed inside a tower through a flame zone produced by a plurality of burners arranged in annular fashion. The disclosure also relates to a device for carrying out the process, wherein a cylindrical spray tower (1) having a tapered lower end and being closed by means of a cover (2) has a solvent feed pipe (5) terminating in a spray means (6) centrally passed through the cover, and wherein a plurality of burners is passed through the cover (2), concentrically around the solvent feed pipe (5). The spray means (6) is comprised of a feed pipe (15) and at least one spray head (12), which has a plurality of single opening nozzle structures (17) disposed in its terminal surface area (13).

Abstract: A process for producing a granular detergent composition containing a surface active agent, a zeolite, an alkali metal silicate, and other detergent builder is described. This granular detergent composition is produced by either (1)(a) preparing an aqueous slurry containing, as a dispersing medium, the surface active agent;(b) bubbling a gas into the aqueous slurry to form a slurry containing bubbles having an average bubble diameter of 40 through 100 microns and having a specific gravity of 0.7 through 0.

Abstract: A method is provided for separating a liquid mixture into its aqueous and non-aqueous liquid phases. The method comprises the steps of introducing the liquid mixture into a gas-tight vessel; rotating the vessel at a surface speed of approximately 19 to 190 ft/min (0.095 to 0.950 m/s) to cause filming of the liquid composition, while simultaneously heating the vessel to cause the aqueous phase to evaporate; removing the water vapor under vacuum; and condensing the water vapor for removal.

Abstract: A solids/liquid admixture is introduced into an atmosphere (temperature and reduced pressure) in which the liquid is immediately converted to a saturated vapor and thus relieved of associated solids, which are withdrawn. The saturated vapor is then conducted to a surface on which it condenses and from which it is collected. Suitable apparatus is provided in the form of modules, which are efficiently operated in multiples of four in a common temperature-stabilizing medium.

Abstract: Salinated or other contaminated water is fed to a chamber and sprayed into an evaporation chamber that is maintained at a relatively low pressure by means of a vacuum pump or the like. This evaporates the water so that desalinated water vapor is drawn out through the pump and discharged into a collection chamber at a higher pressure whereupon it condenses and may be discharged into a storage area The solids removed by the evaporation of the water collect at the base of the evaporation chamber and can be removed periodically through an air lock.

Abstract: A vapor compression distiller having a shell for enclosing a pair of heat exchange tube bundles each having one end connected to a steam chest and its other end connected to a condensate collecting chamber. A vapor compressor has its inlet connected to the shell and the outlet to one steam chest which is coupled to a second steam chest through a steam ejector for elevating the inlet pressure to the second heat exchange tube bundle. A half partition extends across the lower end of the vessel and between the wells to divide the lower portion of the vessel into two sections which are in communication across the upper end of the vessel. One well is connected to receive fresh feed liquid and the other includes a density sensor to discharge a portion of the concentrate to therein maintain a desired concentrate level and each well is connected to a spray nozzle manifold disposed in its respective shell section.

Abstract: A vapor compression distiller has a vertically oriented cylindrical tank and a heat exchanger having a plurality of groups of heat exchange tubes disposed one above the other. Internal baffling channels vapor through the groups of heat exchange tubes in a serial relation commencing with the vertically lowest group. Feed liquid is distributed from the upper end of the vessel downwardly over the surfaces of the tubes. This causes the evaporation of a first portion of the feed liquid and a condensation of the vapor. The evaporated and unevaporated portions of the feed liquid pass downwardly past the heat exchange tubes with the unevaporated portion collecting in a liquor well at the lower end of the vessel and the vapor passes upwardly along the sides of the vessel heat exchanger and outwardly to a compressor, the outlet of which is connected to the vapor inlet of the system.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for the production of solid particles of bioinjurious waste, e.g., radioactive concentrates, wherein a liquid, and in a given case a binder containing waste is divided into drops and supplied energy in a gaseous medium, the liquid is evaporated and the drops form solid particles. There is supplied carrier free energy to at least partially vaporize the liquid of the drops, in a given case under reduced pressure and in a given case with a binder forming solid particles from the drops.

Abstract: The spiral agitator in a vessel for separating steam from polymer is modified by providing holes in the ribbon flight at locations adjacent to the locations where the ribbon flight is supported by struts for the purpose of allowing the polymer to flow through the holes and sweep the area directly behind the struts to prevent gel buildup in these locations.

Abstract: An apparatus for drying and degassing oil, comprising a treatment tank; an oil circulation circuit including a pumping set, heating means, and spraying means; and a vacuum pump for bringing the oil in the tank under partial vacuum. The pumping set is arranged entirely within the treatment tank and is immersed in the oil. A spring-loaded mass of distributing elements is arranged in a distribution space opposite the spraying means.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for purifying industrial waste gases, and during the process of purifying the waste gases, a solution of polluted water is obtained which is subsequently passed through additional associated apparatus in order to recover comparatively pure water. The apparatus includes an in-line condenser for reducing the temperature of the industrial waste gases prior to being conducted to a waste gas purifier. The solid particulate matter of the industrial waste gases are collected in suitable disposal containers, while the liquid waste from the gas purifier is conducted to a liquid collection means from which the liquid waste is passed through a thermal energy generator for producing super-heated steam that is subsequently conducted to a condensing box for recovering comparatively pure water.