Abstract: A process for production of minerals using an evaporation unit comprising an evaporation element for exposing thereof to the atmosphere for evaporation of a liquid solution therefrom. The evaporation element comprises an evaporation surface and a texture for deflecting the solution during movement along the surface, leaving minerals on the surface as a result of evaporation of the solution. The texture allows the minerals to detach from the element under the sole influence of normal forces of nature before the minerals reach a weight capable of damaging the evaporation 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 the minerals on the surface reach a weight capable of damaging the unit.

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 and apparatus for heating or cooling a fluid. An inlet conduit coupled to a plurality of distribution nozzles in fluid communication with a channel at the periphery of the apparatus. An insert and a sleeve cooperatively define a thin gap, in fluid communication with the channel, through which the fluid flows. Thermal inserts near the thin gap generate heat flux into or out of the fluid, which exits through an outlet conduit.

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 technology can efficiently dry the high-boiling point solvent contained in the object and achieve the space-saving and energy-saving of a drying apparatus. A drying method for drying an object containing a first solvent while conveying the object into a chamber (38), comprises: a first drying step of drying the object up to a drying point in the prestage of the chamber (38); and a second drying step of forming a vapor atmosphere of a second solvent having a lower boiling point than the first solvent in the chamber (38) and drying the object such that the temperature of the object in an inlet port of the chamber (38) is made to be lower by a predetermined temperature difference than the temperature of the vapor atmosphere.

Abstract: A one step method and system for producing nanofluids by a particle-source evaporation and deposition of the evaporant into a base fluid. The base fluid such (i.e. 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. A heater-boat-evaporator having an evaporant material (particle-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, the evaporated material absorbed by the liquid film to form nanofluid.

Abstract: A manufacturing apparatus for a liquid crystal device having a pair of substrates facing each other, an oriented film formed on an facing surface of at least one substrate in the pair of the substrates, and a liquid crystal held between the pair of substrates, includes: a film formation chamber; an evaporating section having an evaporation source, evaporating an inorganic material on the substrate in the film formation chamber by a physical vapor deposition, and forming an oriented film and a base film arranged under the oriented film; a base film formation area forming the base film and located substantially above the evaporation source in the film formation chamber; and an oriented film formation area located obliquely above the evaporation source in the film formation chamber, forming the oriented film and having a shielding plate having an elongated opening for selectively evaporating an inorganic material.

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: This invention relates to a process and/or method and associated apparatus for use in spray freeze drying a fluid substance such as fruit juice, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, tea and coffee. A fluid substance is sprayed (atomised) and reduces in temperature to below its eutectic temperature; thereby inducing a phase change of fluids in the fluid substance. The atomised fluid substance (AFS) is then subjected to a vacuumous drying chamber in which the AFS is subjected to an energy source to assist sublimation of fluid from the AFS as it is conveyed through the chamber. Such an energy source can provide a temperature gradient through which the AFS passes and is exposed to, all carried out so as to preferably minimise or reduce the likelihood of degradation of the substance being dried (reducing the fluid content).

Abstract: An evaporation source device comprises a fusion section 24, a retainer section 21, an evaporator section 22, and an ejector section 23. When cylindrical heaters 241 and 211 are electrically energized, a linear evaporation material 31 is fused. A molten evaporation material 32 runs from a heating container 242 and retains in a heating container 212. The evaporation material 32 in the heating container 212 runs down from a descending opening 216 along a descending column 224. The evaporation material 32 evaporates by the radiation heat from the cylindrical heater 221 on the falling process. The vapor of the evaporation material 32 is ejected from the nozzle 232 onto the substrate 61. Each of the cylindrical heaters 241, 211, 221, and 231, which is made of graphite, generates heat when a voltage is applied between electrodes 213 and 214, between electrodes 214 and 222, or between electrodes 232 and 233.

Abstract: An apparatus useful for disseminating volatile liquid such as fragrance into an atmosphere from an evaporating surface adapted to oscillate in the atmosphere. Oscillation is caused and maintained by means of two magnets, one a permanent magnet, the other an electromagnet, one of which is attached to the evaporating surface. The electromagnet is caused to repel the permanent magnet at such points in the oscillation that the oscillation is maintained.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for reducing the amount of waste water and recovering reusable constituents from a waste stream comprising at least two constituents having different relative volatilities. The system includes a vapor thermocompression evaporator, into which the waste stream is directed, to vaporize one of the constituents within the waste stream without appreciably vaporizing other constituents in the waste stream. The vapor thermocompression evaporator also has a vapor compressor for compressing the vaporized fraction of the first constituent and delivering this compressed vaporized fraction to transfer heat to the waste stream. The system further has a film evaporator in series with the vapor thermocompression evaporator which transfers heat to the stream after it leaves the vapor thermocompression to vaporize substantially all of the first constituent without appreciably vaporizing the second constituent.

Abstract: A distillation device with a rotating evaporator flask disposed within a heated bath. The heated bath is movable down and away from the evaporator flask to provide space for an evaporator flask support below the evaporator flask. The evaporator flask support holds the evaporator flask while it is connected or disconnected from the rotary drive. In addition, a U-shaped case accommodates the collecting flask and/or evaporator flask. The case supports the flask in an upright manner and facilitates positioning and transporting of the flask.

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 rotating evaporator device is disclosed for the distillation or concentration of liquids. The rotating evaporator device of the present invention utilizes a multiplicity of pairs of disks wherein each disk pair forms a cavity within which heating vapor condenses on the interior surfaces of the disk pair and evaporation occurs from a thin film of distilland deposited on the outside surfaces of the disk pair by means of flexible wipers pressing on the outside surfaces of the disk pair. The centrifugal force created by the rotation of the disks causes the distillate and distilland films to be very thin resulting in very high heat transfer coefficient. The pairs of disks are joined together at the inside peripheries and are rotated about a stationary hollow shaft wherein heating vapor is introduced into the cavities through ports in the shaft and stationary scoops are connected to the shaft to withdraw the condensate from the circumferential peripheries of the cavities.

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 of controlling a rotating vacuum evaporation system is disclosed. The rotating flask, containing the medium to be evaporated, is buoyantly supported in a liquid bath and the relative elevation between the flask and the liquid level in the bath is measured. The relative elevation is utilized as the control signal to control the addition of fluid medium to the flask, and to shut off the system when desired.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for producing a vitric solid solution comprising mainly the solid content of a radioactive waste solution of sodium borate discharged from a pressurized water reactor, the apparatus comprising a waste solution feed tank equipped with a hopper for stabilizing agent in water, a thin film evaporator, a heating type dehydrator, a powder drier connected with a microwave generator through a microwave guide tube and equipped with a stirrer, and a melting furnace connected with a microwave generator through a microwave guide tube, the above units being combined by pipes or a powder-transferring means.

Abstract: An evaporation or distillation apparatus uses one or more tubes driven to wobble about a vertical wobble axis that is aligned with the tube. A fluid distributor supplies a fluid to the inner surface of the wobbling tube at its upper end. A flexible whip rod located at least in part within the tube slides around over the inner surface as the tube wobbles. The pressure generated between the wobbling whip rod and the tube spreads the incoming fluid stream into a very thin film having a uniform thickness over the entire length of the tube. In the preferred form the whip rod is anchored at its lower end to a stationary base and is restrained against rotation about its own longitudinal axis, but is sufficiently flexible at its lower end to act as a universal joint. In this preferred form the whip rod has a flexible core surrounded by at least one length of tubular sheathing.

Abstract: A film evaporator is made up of a central shaft with conical surface elements fixed on it, each of which has a conically convex side and a conically concave side, said conical surface elements walling off an evaporation space. There is a means for running a product feed to limits of inner openings in the rotating conical surface elements so that same may be spread out from said limits in the form of a film and after heating by said heat vehicle may be run off out of the evaporator as a concentrate. The outer faces of the surface elements are heated by a heat vehicle. To make certain that the film of product is kept unbroken on its way through the apparatus there are tubelets with a small diameter running out radially from the outer limits of the surface elements. At their inner limits the tubelets each have an inner diameter such that the sum of the inner circumferences of all the tubelets on a given surface element is equal to the circumference of the surface element in question at its outer limit.

Abstract: Distillation apparatus in which a group of pairs of heat-transfer tubes are each driven to wobble about a vertical axis which passes through a wobbling center. A stream of fluid is directed to flow down inside each tube. The fluid stream tends to cling to the inner surface of the tube away from the wobbling center while it revolves with respect to the tube in response to the wobbling motion. The revolving flow stream wipes the inside surface of the tube to form a thin film which offers low heat resistance to facilitate the evaporation, carries away the residue by its lateral motion and carries the reflux downward with little restriction.

Abstract: Distillation apparatus in which a group of heat-transfer tubes are each driven to wobble about a vertical axis which passes through a wobbling center. A stream of fluid is directed to flow down inside each tube. The fluid stream tends to cling to the inner surface of the tube away from the wobbling center while it revolves with respect to the tube in response to the wobbling motion. The revolving flow stream wipes the inside surface of the tube to form a thin film which offers low heat resistance to facilitate the evaporation, carries away the residue by its lateral motion and carries the reflux downward with little restriction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing contaminants from water having solid contaminants dissolved therein. Contaminated water flows across a grid and into a storage tank. The grid utilizes solar energy to heat that water to a predetermined temperature. A heat transfer structure which is dome-shaped and receives water from the storage tank and a preheater means utilizing solar energy heats the water to a further predetermined temperature. An evaporator means receives the heated water and exposes it to a vacuum condition so that the temperature of the water is above the saturation temperature. The water is thus vaporized, and solid contaminants dissolved therein are separated therefrom. The solids are deposited on a plurality of moving belts and are then moved into a solids removal system. The solids removal system comprises a plurality of trap door pairs upon which the solids are deposited and which are sequentially opened so that the vacuum conditions existing in the evaporator are not disturbed.

Abstract: An apparatus of small dimensions may be used to operate the water contained in the processing baths of automatic processing machines. The solid residue may be collected and sent to silver recovery plants, whereas the evaporated water serves to heat the drying station of the processing machine whereinafter it may be fed to the washing station. In so doing, a considerable amount of wash water is recovered and no chemical compounds are discharged to the sewer through which pollution of surface waters is practically eliminated.

Abstract: A brine is absorbed in a brine absorbing means and water is evaporated from the absorbed brine to form a concentrated brine which is removed from the brine absorbing means and recovered.