Abstract: An improved system for separating gas from a process stream by providing a stripping unit at the overhead stream of a fractionation column to selectively and effectively remove the gas using a stripping fluid without providing a dedicated light-ends separations unit. The stripper unit may be connected to the reflux drum at the overhead stream. The system for separating gas further achieves greater thermodynamic efficiency by means of a split column design using mechanical vapor recompression with the reboiler and condenser integrated in a falling-film evaporator- or thermosiphon-type vapo-condenser.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates a system for the treatment of water. The water treatment system may be linked an aquatic protection system or a water filtration system.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods for CC bond formation using organolithium compounds under continuous flow conditions in a micro or mesoreactor system, wherein an organic substrate is reacted with an alkyl lithium compound in the presence of a donor solvent to form a Li intermediate, which can be reacted in situ or subsequently in a second reaction step with an electrophile to form an organic secondary product, the organolithium compound RLi being used as a solution in a hydrocarbon or hydrocarbon mixture and the RLi concentration being at least 3 M, preferably at least 4 M.

Abstract: In a method and a system for decolorizing and deodorizing a polyhydric alcohol according to embodiments of the present invention, a mixture liquid containing a first polyhydric alcohol obtained by a separation process is prepared. The mixture liquid is subjected to a distillation treatment to preliminarily remove substances with different colors and odors to generate a pre-treatment liquid. The pre-treatment liquid is subjected to an adsorption treatment. Through a combination of the distillation treatment and the adsorption treatment, the removing efficiency of the substances with different colors and odors can be increased.

Abstract: A waste water processing system includes an upflow contacting column having a flue gas input for receiving flue gas having a temperature of at least 500 degrees F., a waste water input, and a flue gas output. The waste water input is coupled to a fluid injector, e.g., atomizing nozzles, positioned in the throat of a Venturi portion of the upflow contacting column or in a sidewall of the throat of the Venturi portion of the upflow contacting column. The flue gas in the upflow contacting column has a high velocity, e.g., a gas velocity exceeding 65 fps in the throat of the Venturi portion of the upflow contacting column at a position where the fluid injector is located. Drying additives such as recycled ash, lime, and/or cement may be, and sometimes are, input into the upflow contacting column downstream of the waste water input.

Abstract: A screw extruder which extrudes a kneaded material includes a screw having a helical flight provided on an outer peripheral surface of a shaft portion thereof, and a chamber housing the screw. In the screw extruder, a flight thickening portion is provided at a part which is a tip portion of the flight and is on the reverse side of a rotation direction of the flight.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of tocols [tocopherols (T) and tocotrienols (T3)] and squalene from vegetable oil refining by-products like fatty acid distillates. It particularly relates to the process of preparation of tocopherols, tocotrienols and squalene without any degradation from the fatty acid distillates obtained during processing of oils from the palm.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for a continuous drying apparatus and a method of using the apparatus in the preparation of dried solids from slurries. The methods and apparatus are useful for the production of fine chemicals and pharmaceuticals, particularly using Integrated Continuous Manufacturing (ICM), but can also be integrated with other manufacturing processes, such as batch and semi-continuous processes.

Abstract: A method of making precooked meat pieces using a hybrid cooking system comprises preheating meat pieces to a temperature of at least approximately 140° F. to create preheated meat pieces. The preheated meat pieces are transferred to an oven heated with an external heating source. The oven includes internal surfaces, and the external heating source assists in keeping the internal surfaces at a temperature below a smoke point of fat from the meat pieces. The preheated meat pieces are cooked in the oven to a water activity level of 0.92 or less to create precooked meat pieces. Optionally, flavoring could be applied to the precooked meat pieces after the precooked meat pieces have been removed from the oven and before the precooked meat pieces have cooled.

Abstract: A vertical centrifugal thin film evaporator is equipped with: a cylindrical body in which an central axis of a circle is set in a vertical direction; a rotor that rotates an interior of the cylindrical body in a circumferential direction thereof; a wiper that slides on an inner circumferential surface of the cylindrical body; a fixing support that fixes the wiper and is mounted on the rotor; and a heater that heats a circumferential surface of the cylindrical body. A liquid-withdrawing structure that communicates between a space surrounded by the wiper and the fixing support and a space outside the wiper and the fixing support is formed on at least one of the wiper and the fixing support, thereby preventing a liquid to be processed from being retained between the wiper and the fixing support.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for an expansion reservoir for an engine cooling system. In one example, a cooling system may include a first cooling circuit and a second cooling circuit, the second cooling circuit configured to operate at a different temperature than the first cooling circuit, wherein the expansion reservoir is configured to receive coolant from and return coolant to the first and second cooling circuits. The expansion reservoir may further comprise one or more valves arranged so as to control the flow of coolant from the second cooling circuit to the expansion reservoir and/or from the expansion reservoir to the second cooling circuit depending on the temperature of the coolant.

Abstract: A method and chemical delivery system are provided. The method includes providing a vapor phase of a multi-component liquid source. The method further includes contacting a pre-loaded carrier gas with the vapor phase, wherein the pre-loaded carrier gas includes a carrier gas and at least one component of the multi-component liquid source and delivering a gas stream comprising at least one component of the liquid source to a critical process or application, wherein the amount of the component in the carrier gas is sufficient to keep the ratio of components in the multi-component liquid source relatively constant. The chemical delivery system includes a multi-component liquid source having a vapor phase.

Abstract: A process for the distillation of a mixture which consists to at least 90% by weight of a cyclic N-vinylamide and which comprises a stabilizer, wherein a polyether is added to the mixture before or during distillation and a product is obtained which consists to at least 99.5% by weight of the cyclic N-vinylamide.

Abstract: The flexible belt evaporator employs an endless woven textile belt serving as a carrier for saline or otherwise contaminated water for evaporation of the water therefrom, and also serves as the evaporator surface. Mechanical equipment immersed in the saltwater and corresponding maintenance difficulties are largely avoided by placing most or all belt rollers clear of the liquid water tank of the system. Saltwater or contaminated water is sprayed onto the belt from above. The continuing passage of the belt about the exposed rollers results in water evaporation from the belt. Scale and residue buildup on the belt is removed by passing the belt through a wash tank. The wash tank preferably contains an ultrasonic generator to produce ultrasonic energy for removal of residue from the textile belt. The flexible belt evaporator system may be applied to evaporative cooling systems, humidifying systems, and salt or residue recovery systems.

Abstract: A method of operating an evaporator is described. In evaporator feed water, a Taylor bubble is developed which has an outer surface including a thin film in contact with an inner surface of an outer wall of an evaporator tube. The Taylor bubble is heated as it rises within the evaporator tube so that liquid in the thin film transitions into vapor within the bubble.

Abstract: A modular portable evaporator system for use in a Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) systems having an evaporator, with a sump including an oil skimming weir, a short tube vertical falling film heat exchanger including an outer shell containing short tubes provided for lower water circulation rate. The system further having external to the evaporator, a compressor for compressing evaporated steam from the tube side of the heat exchanger and routing to the shell side of the same exchanger, a distillate tank to collect hot distilled water, a recirculation pump to introduce liquids from the sump into the heat exchanger and an external suction drum protecting the compressor from liquid impurities. The evaporator system receives produced water from the SAGD process into the sump and provides cleaned hot water to a boiler.

Abstract: A reactor comprising a vessel; a fluid dispensing system having a plurality of ports arranged lengthwise along the inner surface of the vessel to distribute the fluid thereon in a controlled manner to maintain substantially uniform thin film flow along the length of the inner surface; and an outlet for removing vapor. A system comprising a fluid source; a first vessel; a heat exchanger for preheating the fluid; a first pathway for directing a preheating fluid from the first vessel to the heat exchanger; and a second pathway for directing preheated fluid toward the first vessel for processing. A method comprising introducing a fluid; distributing the fluid in a controlled manner to form a substantially uniform thin film flow an inner surface of a vessel; evaporating fluid; and removing vapor. A method comprising introducing a fluid; processing the fluid; directing processed fluid into another vessel; and further processing the fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for controlling the thickness of a flowing, laminar fluid film. The film flow may be gravity-induced or the result of an alternative force. The fluid is deposited on an upper end of a flow surface where a relatively thick layer of the film forms. The film flows over a fluid dispersal region where the surface area is rapidly expanding, which results in rapid thinning of the film thickness. The fluid then flows over an active region where the surface area is designed to control the fluid film thickness. For example, in some applications, it may be desirable to maintain an approximately constant film thickness as the fluid flows over the active region of the surface. The geometry of the flow surface is used to obtain the desired control over the fluid film thickness. The flow surface is the outer surface of a solid with a closed upper end and a lower end that may be open or closed.

Abstract: A distiller including an evaporator having at least one evaporation surface for evaporating liquid into vapor. At least one movable liquid applicator assembly has a wiper applicator which can move over the at least one evaporation surface, for wiping and applying a thin even film of the liquid on the at least one evaporation surface for evaporation.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for concentrating a solution. The system includes a humidification device and a solution flow path for flow of a solution to be concentrated to the humidification device. The humidification device includes humidification media to facilitate evaporation of liquid from the solution to be concentrated to gas as the solution to be concentrated passes through the humidification media thereby concentrating the solution. The method includes flowing a solution to be concentrated along a flow path to a humidification device including humidification media, flowing a gas through the humidification media, and flowing the solution to be concentrated through the humidification media. There is evaporation of liquid from the solution to the gas as the solution passes through the humidification media thereby concentrating the solution and producing a humidified gas. The solution to be concentrated may be salt water and the gas may be air.

Abstract: A plate evaporator apparatus of the falling film type comprises a housing having an inlet for liquid to be evaporated and having mounted therein a package of heat transferring plates with plate interspaces, every second one of which forms an evaporation space for at least partial evaporation of liquid and the other plate interspaces forming condensation spaces for at least partial condensation of a heat emitting vapour. First seals delimit distribution chambers, each of which is in liquid flow communication with at least one evaporation space by flow ways spaced apart along the package width. The heat transferring plates have through openings aligned to form a passage extending through the plate package. A pipe is connected to the inlet and has apertures distributed along its length in flow communication with the distribution chambers, for supplying the liquid to be evaporated from the inlet to the distribution chambers through the apertures.

Abstract: A total evaporator for fluids, including a cold chamber to prevent pre-evaporation, an evaporation region connected thereto having narrow flow cross-section for fast evaporation of the fluid, and a subsequent vapor chamber for pulsation damping and the controlled superheating of the vapor, the evaporation region being formed by a gap between concentrically nested cylindrical and/or conical tube sections and heat required for the evaporation and superheating processes is supplied by electric heating and/or by hot fluid and/or by catalytic or homogeneous combustion via the wall of the concentric tubes.

Abstract: A wet material having at least a liquid portion is dewatered by providing one or more wicking members of wicking material arranged to transfer moisture passively by wicking therethrough from a contacting portion in contact with the wet material to an evaporating portion where the transferred liquid portion is arranged to be evaporated. In some embodiments conductive elements are included in the wicking member to assist in distributing heat across the wicking member which enhances the evaporation of moisture transferred therethrough from the wet material. In yet further embodiments, a condenser member is provided in proximity to the evaporating portion of the wicking member so as to be arranged to condense and collect at least some of the liquid portion evaporated from the wicking member.

Abstract: A modular distillation apparatus including at least one heat exchanger that preheats contaminated liquids: a heater that heats the contaminated liquid from the heat exchanger; an evaporator condenser adapted o boil the contaminated liquid coming out of the heater to produce water vapor and contaminant concentrate, and condenser the water vapor into distilled water; a vacuum chamber capable of operating at below atmospheric pressure, the vacuum chamber housing the evaporator condenser and including at least one partition to separate the distilled water from the contaminate concentrate; a vapor compressor operably associated with the vacuum chamber to receive water vapor from the evaporator condenser in the vacuum chamber and pump the water vapor at pressure back through the evaporator condenser, wherein the heat exchanger recovers sensible heat from outgoing condensed distilled water and contaminant concentrate recycled from the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A wood pulping process includes producing weak black liquor and cooling the liquor as well as recovering heat therefrom by directing the weak black liquor through a spray film evaporator. A feed or condensate is directed into the spray film evaporator and the feed or condensate is sprayed onto the outer surfaces of a bundle of tubes. This results in the feed or the condensate being vaporized and producing a vapor that can be utilized as a heat source for other processes in a pulp mill.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing high purity distillate in evaporators. is useful for evaporation of waters where volatile silica or organic compounds are encountered such as in production of hydrocarbons from geological formations. An evaporator having a contaminant reduction system is provided. The contaminant reduction system includes an upflow first mist eliminator portion to remove entrained liquid droplets and produce an intermediate purity water vapor stream. A continuous spray system provides a spray of dilute caustic solution in a selected spray configuration for mass transfer contact with the passing intermediate purity water vapor stream, to remove volatile silica compounds therefrom, and produce a partially decontaminated steam stream having mist particles therein. An upflow second mist eliminator portion is provided to remove the residual mist particles, and produce a high purity water vapor stream. The high purity water vapor stream is condensed to provide a high purity distillate stream.

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: The invention relates to a method for removing water from a mixture containing at least one compound having at least one group reactive towards isocyanate and containing water, the mixture being applied to the surface of a rotating body A, the mixture flowing over the surface of the rotating body A to an outer region of the surface of the rotating body A and water evaporating from the mixture. In particular, this method is suitable for removing water from alcohols and amines.

Abstract: Evaporation technology is commonly used to to treat process waters that contain low solubility salts. The technology typically used is a brine boncentrator which uses seeded slurry techniques internal to the falling film evaporator which allows these scaling salts to co-precipitate with the seed crystals instead of scaling on the heat transfer surface. Such systems often employ hydroclones to recover and recycle seed crystals that would otherwise leave the process with the brine blowdown stream. These hydroclones (or other separation devices) often have regions of tight clearance that are susceptible to plugging which can lead to suboptimal process availability and greater maintenance obligations. The inventors have developed an apparatus called a “settling chamber” for separating large solid particles from the feed stream to the hydroclone to eliminate plugging, improve availability and reduce maintenance requirements.

Abstract: A falling film evaporator having a shell pass, multiple tubes parallel to each other, a condensed steam outlet, an inlet for an aqueous solution on the top of the tube pass, an outlet for the aqueous solution at the bottom of the tube pass, a distributing assembly having a plurality of distributing trays arranged vertically from top to bottom in incremental diameters and each having multiple holes, and a plate for collecting the aqueous solution below the distributing assembly. The tubes are straight and installed vertically in the evaporator; inner wall of the tubes is smooth, and the top portion of the tubes is protruded above a horizontal plane of the plate. The evaporator is particularly useful for concentrating an aqueous solution containing thermosensitive materials.

Abstract: A cooling tower that concentrates solids is described, wherein the cooling tower employs a fill material and a set of louvers that are positioned adjacent to the fill material. The cooling tower also employs a buildup prevention system that is permanently affixed to the cooling tower. The build-up prevention system is positioned adjacent to the fill material and configured to reduce solid buildup on the fill material louvers in the set of louvers.

Abstract: Effect separation of a composition of matter that includes at least two seed or plant oil derivatives into at least one desired product stream using at least two separation operations, which are independently selected from among several potential separation operations, in conjunction with at least one recycle stream from a separation operation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for increasing the rate of evaporation for a liquid. Systems and methods include use of evaporation membranes having large surface areas exposed to the ambient environment.

Abstract: A process for mineral production using an evaporation unit comprising an evaporation element for exposing thereof to the atmosphere for evaporation of a liquid solution. The element comprises an evaporation surface oriented for allowing movement of the solution therealong due to gravity and has a texture for deflecting the solution during the movement along the surface, leaving minerals on the surface due to evaporation of the solution. The texture allows the minerals to detach from the element solely under influence of normal forces of nature before they reach a weight capable of damaging the unit. The process includes wetting the element with the solution, which at least partially evaporates and forms precipitated minerals, at least some of which are left on the surface; and letting the minerals detach from the surface solely under the influence of normal forces of nature before they reach a weight capable of damaging the unit.

Abstract: A mobile waste processing system and method is disclosed for processing materials in a tank, typically an underground storage tank. A mobile fluid processing module is disposed adjacent to or over the tank, and sealingly connected to the tank through a tank riser. Support equipment, which may include an electric power module, a chiller module, a heating module, and a control and monitor module, are disposed a distance from the processing module, and connected thereto. A pump and optionally a dispersal nozzle are deployed from the processing module into the tank, and effluent is extracted for processing. The processing trailer includes effluent processing equipment such as an evaporator and demister, condenser, vacuum pump, and interim storage tank. The effluent is processed, and at least a portion is removed. Some of the processed effluent may be returned to the tank.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the purification of an aqueous solution of an organic acid having a boiling point at atmospheric pressure of less than 450° C., which further has approximately 275 g carboxylate ions/l or less, preferably 250 g carboxylate ions/l or less, and preferably less than 1% by weight ionic impurities, calculated on the basis of the total solution. In particular, the invention relates to a method and a device for the continuous purification and concentration, on an industrial scale, of an aqueous solution of an organic acid having a boiling point at atmospheric pressure of less than 450° C. According to the method, this solution is subjected to two or more distillation steps, the first distillation step being carried out at a temperature of from 80° to 150° C. and a pressure of from 50 to 250 mbar, and the second distillation step being carried out at a temperature of from 80° to 200° C. and a pressure of from 0.01 to 50 mbar.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for controlling the thickness of a flowing, laminar fluid film. The film flow may be gravity-induced or the result of an alternative force. The fluid is deposited on an upper end of a flow surface where a relatively thick layer of the film forms. The film flows over a fluid dispersal region where the surface area is rapidly expanding, which results in rapid thinning of the film thickness. The fluid then flows over an active region where the surface area is designed to control the fluid film thickness. For example, in some applications, it may be desirable to maintain an approximately constant film thickness as the fluid flows over the active region of the surface. The geometry of the flow surface is used to obtain the desired control over the fluid film thickness. The flow surface is the outer surface of a solid with a closed upper end and a lower end that may be open or closed.

Abstract: A process for treatment of an aqueous stream to produce a low solute containing distillate stream and a high solute/solids containing blowdown stream utilizing a method to increase the efficiency of an evaporator while providing an essentially scale free environment for the heat transfer surface. Multi-valent ions and non-hydroxide alkalinity are removed from aqueous feed streams to very low levels and then the pH is increased preferably to about 9 or higher to increase the ionization of low ionizable constituents in the aqueous solution. In this manner, species such as silica and boron become highly ionized, and their solubility in the concentrated solution that is present in the evaporation equipment is significantly increased. The result of this is high allowable concentration factors and a corresponding increase in the recovery of high quality reusable water with essentially no scaling.

Abstract: A glycerol preparation method for preparation of medical grade glycerol from a by-product of a bio-diesel process includes a first stage phosphoric acid chemical reaction process and a posterior by-product centrifugal separation process to have the phosphoric acid chemical reaction by-product be separated into free fatty acid, potassium phosphoric acid, and a crude glycerol and methanol mixture. The crude glycerol and methanol mixture is further processed through a first step of thin film evaporation process where methanol is reclaimed, a second step of thin film evaporation process where the mixture is dehydrated, a third step of molecular distillation process where an industrial grade glycerol of purity over 95% is extracted, and a fourth step of molecular distillation process where a medical grade glycerol of purity in exceed of 99.75% that meets USP/BP standards is extracted.

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: The large volume reactor or a thin film evaporator including a housing enclosing a reactor chamber . A reactor rotor driven about an axis of rotation is located in the reactor chamber. The housing comprises a reactor chamber inlet opening and a product outlet. A premixing unit is located adjacent the reactor chamber inlet opening, which is configured to mix a starting material fed through one or more product inlet openings to form a prepared substance which is fed directly to the reactor chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a falling film evaporator, which is fitted with a liquid distributor which is divided into segments, such that it is possible to charge only a limited number of evaporator tubes with liquid and the evaporator can be operated in an optimum manner even with a partial load. The invention also relates to a method for operating said falling film evaporator, the aim of which is to transfer heat, which is released when a gas-vapor mixture is condensed, to a liquid which is to be evaporated at least partially. It would be useful to use said falling film evaporator thus fitted in heat recuperation systems such as those used in the production of 1,2 dichloroethane.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for removing isocyanate from a reaction product of isocyanate with compounds reactive towards isocyanates, the reaction product being applied to the surface of a rotating body A, the reaction product flowing over the surface of the rotating body A to an outer region of the surface of the rotating body A and isocyanate which was used for the preparation of the reaction product and has not reacted evaporating from the mixture in the process.

Abstract: A multiple application recycling and purification device has a coaxial core that is horizontally oriented, non-rotating, cylindrical distillation chamber. The enhanced, completely coaxial configuration continuously cleans the entire distillation chamber and spreads a thin film of liquid to enhance distillation and positively aid in the removal of remaining contaminants. Through a timed and positioned valve, the device removes and purges lower-temperature contaminants. Timed valves and sensors control all phases of the distillation to provide a coaxially integrated, stand-alone, adaptable, scalable and maintenance free distillation unit that self-monitors, self-cleans and economically functions to produce the pure distilled liquid, e.g., water. This device can be modified to purify any numerous array of liquids and can be scaled to produce any amount of purified liquids for either household, commercial, or industrial applications.

Abstract: A vertical wiped thin-film evaporator (WFE) may be bottom fed or top fed. Some embodiments have integral entrainment separation devices. Some embodiments are configured with replaceable rotor blade cartridges to facilitate experimenting with different blade configurations, blade pitches and directions (up or down) of thin film displacement for various modes of operation. Some embodiments can be operated in either co-current or counter-current modes, without requiring modification to their “overheads” (entrainment separation, condensing and vacuum) systems. Some embodiments include a variety of feed nozzles and/or a variety of “bottoms” nozzles. The available nozzles provide flexibility in operating the device, such as selecting a mode (top feeding or bottom feeding) of operation or co-current or counter-current vapor extraction.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the purification of an aqueous solution of an organic acid having a boiling point at atmospheric pressure of less than 450° C., which further has approximately 275 g carboxylate ions/l or less, preferably 250 g carboxylate ions/l or less, and preferably less than 1% by weight ionic impurities, calculated on the basis of the total solution. In particular, the invention relates to a method and a device for the continuous purification and concentration, on an industrial scale, of an aqueous solution of an organic acid having a boiling point at atmospheric pressure of less than 450° C. According to the method, this solution is subjected to two or more distillation steps, the first distillation step being carried out at a temperature of from 80° to 150° C. and a pressure of from 50 to 250 mbar, and the second distillation step being carried out at a temperature of from 80° to 200° C. and a pressure of from 0.01 to 50 mbar.

Abstract: The invention relates to an evaporator for evaporating a liquid containing fluid, having an inlet and an outlet connected to a evaporation volume, the inlet and the outlet defining a main flow path there between, wherein the evaporation volume is equipped with an internal structure and the cross-section of the evaporation volume is substantially constant along the main flow path. The invention further relates to a method for evaporating a liquid containing fluid comprising the steps of: providing an evaporator according to the invention; supplying a liquid containing feed stream to the inlet of the evaporator; exerting heat to the evaporator volume; choosing the operating conditions of the evaporator thus that an annular flow is created within the evaporator volume.

Abstract: An improved method for efficiently adding additional heat values into a distillation process to optimize the production of distillate from water.

Abstract: A method of operating an evaporator is described. In evaporator feed water, a Taylor bubble is developed which has an outer surface including a thin film in contact with an inner surface of an outer wall of an evaporator tube. The Taylor bubble is heated as it rises within the evaporator tube so that liquid in the thin film transitions into vapor within the bubble.

Abstract: The present disclosure teaches a method and apparatus to gel a dopant material, which may be a low viscosity liquid, and apply it towards beneficially coating dopant liquid in the manufacture of a three-dimensional thin-film solar cell substrate. As an alternate to using high viscosity dopants, a dopant coating liquid, which is typically distributed in low viscosity alcohol based liquid forms, may instead be utilized as a dopant material in a gelatinous state towards the manufacture of a three-dimensional thin-film solar cell substrate. The methods and devices disclosed herein provide for enhancing the high viscosity characteristics of a dopant material. The present disclosure teaches the use of the dopant material in its gelatinous state towards an exemplary cavity filling method.