Abstract: An apparatus for extracting, concentrating, and separating biochemical compounds from plant or animal biological substances. It has a heating vessel for the substance to be treated, and is connected at its lower part to an evaporation circuit. The evaporation circuit is connected to the upper part of the heating vessel and, by a valve, to the bottom of a distillation column. A condenser is connected to a vacuum source and, by a valve to the top of the distillation column. A decanter is connected by a valve to the condenser and then successively to a first tank for recovering essential oil, a second tank for recovering aromatic water, and to the vacuum source. A dual discharge circuit has its first circuit connected by two valves to a third tank for receiving light aromatic compounds and to a fourth tank for receiving regenerated solvents.

Abstract: Disclosed is an evaporator apparatus and method for encapsulating individually isolated particles with a coating material wherein uniformally sized droplets, normally having no more than one particle, are formed from a mixture of the coating material, the suspended particles, and a carrier liquid; the droplets then being charged, steered by an electrostatic arrangement of a tubular electrode and at least one other electrode so as to be retained in a temperature controlled, predetermined area for a sufficient time period to allow the complete evaporation of the carrier liquid.

Abstract: A storage stable Lowenstein-Jensen medium is prepared by spray drying the liquid medium at an outlet temperature of up to 212.degree. F. to provide a powder having a moisture content of less than 9% by weight. The spray-dried powder is stable at ambient temperature for at least six months and may be easily reconstituted to the fluid Lowenstein-Jensen medium and used in testing for tuberculosis by simple mixing at ambient conditions.

Abstract: A method of evaporating liquids to separate solid substances contained therein to form a residue of the substances characterized by applying subatmospheric pressure to at least one discrete portion of the liquid at a first pressure level and subsequently applying subatmospheric pressure to the discrete portion at a second pressure level lower than the first level to gradually evaporate the liquid from the discrete portion thereby leaving a residue of solid substances. Apparatus for performing the foregoing method preferably comprises an enclosure within which a support means is used for supporting at least one discrete portion of the liquid to be separated, a vacuum pump connected to the enclosure for evacuating atmosphere from within the enclosure, and a valve means between the pump and enclosure operable automatically to apply first and second subatmospheric pressure levels to within the enclosure.