Abstract: A process for minimizing evaporator scaling during the recovery of liquids and solids from the aqueous effluent discharged during a partial oxidation gasification, wherein the aqueous effluent contains ammonium chloride (NH.sub.4 Cl). The aqueous effluent is evaporated to produce a distillate water and a brine having an NH.sub.4 Cl concentration of about 10 to 60 weight percent. The brine can be further concentrated and ammonium chloride crystals are recovered. The distillate water is recycled to the gasification reaction. No effluent discharges to the environment.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming an array of multiple parallel flow orifices, for example by holes drilled through a plate in a selected pattern and spacing and of selected sizes or flow diameters, and whereby these orifices are used to provide an approximately equal and adequate distribution of liquid flowing through them as parallel streams of liquid and into an evaporation zone or a parallel array of evaporation channels, and wherein the orifices can be adjusted in flow diameter to control the flowrate of liquid in generally parallel streams with an array of orifice adjusting apparatus, for example an adjacent sliding orifice plate which provides for orifice flow rate adjustment with orifices through this second plate corresponding in position to those of the first orifice plate, and the use of such dual orifice plates for supporting a pool of liquid there-above and for controlling the flowrate of liquid through the first array of orifices by reducing or enlarging their orifice flow diameters to control

Abstract: A method of treating water to inhibit the formation of salt scale is disclosed. The method is particularly effective at inhibiting the formation and deposition of mineral salts in brine concentration and evaporation systems. The method comprises introducing into the system a polyepoxysuccinic acid of the general formula: ##STR1## where n ranges from about 2 to about 50, M is hydrogen or a water soluble cation such as Na.sup.+, NH.sub.4.sup.+ or K.sup.+ and R is hydrogen, C.sub.1-4 alkyl or C.sub.1-4 substituted alkyl.

Abstract: Methods for inhibiting organic fouling of heat transfer surfaces in contact with an alcohol distillation stream are discussed. The methods include adding to the alcohol distillation stream an effective inhibiting amount of a treatment including a high molecular weight anionic polymer.

Abstract: Methods for controlling the formation of proteinaceous fouling deposits in high temperature evaporators and concentrators as employed in processing steepwater in the wet milling of corn. The methods comprise adding lecithin, or a long chain fatty acid to the steepwater in an amount ranging from about 150 parts per million to about 500 parts per million steepwater.

Abstract: In concentrating solutions containing 1 to 10% by weight of salts and resins, the yield and economics and trouble-free running can be improved by using a flow tube which has a steady curvature at least in the last third and is sized in its diameter in such a way that the mean flow velocity at the tube outlet is at least 50 m/second, and at least 90% by weight of the vaporizable components are evaporated off at driving temperature gradients of 20.degree. to 200.degree. C. between the heating medium and the solution.

Abstract: An evaporation assembly for concentrating liquids having an evaporation area for conveying a liquid to be concentrated and a heating system for heating and concentrating the liquid conveyed through the evaporation area. The evaporation area includes a liquid inlet for introducing liquid to be concentrated into the evaporation area, and a liquid and vapor outlet for conveying the liquid through the evaporation area. A vapor circulating system is coupled between the liquid inlet end and the liquid and vapor outlet of the evaporation area for increasing the velocity of the liquid to be concentrated for impeding or removing precipitated particles or deposits from the heat exchange surfaces.

Abstract: In the thermal separation of solutions and suspensions into a free-flowing solid and into a largely solid-free distillate, the useful product can be almost completely recovered in a pure state, and the amount of waste product can thus be reduced, by carrying out the concentrating in a first heatable flow pipe (6) up to an upper limit which is given by a creeping coverage of the inside wall with solid and/or by a total blockage of the flow cross-section and then continuing the concentrating in a second flow pipe (9) which is made as a rotary pipe or as a paddle shaft apparatus and whose inside wall (12) is scraped continuously, and separating the vapors and solids from one another at the end of this flow pipe (9).

Abstract: A vertical tube evaporation process for the concentration of saline water and other liquids, including the addition of an anionic mono-molecular dispersant thereto which interacts with materials precipitated during concentration and inhibits the formation of scale or fouling depositions on evaporator surfaces, and wherein the additive is incorporated into the precipitated materials and improves their removal during the descaling or defouling of evaporator surfaces by rendering such precipitates redispersable in fresh water or in a non-saturated liquid used for descaling or defouling of evaporator surfaces.

Abstract: An evaporation assembly for concentrating liquids having an evaporation area for conveying a liquid to be concentrated and a heating system for heating and concentrating the liquid conveyed through the evaporation area. The evaporation area includes a liquid inlet for introducing liquid to be concentrated into the evaporation area, and a liquid and vapor outlet for conveying the liquid through the evaporation area. A vapor circulating system is coupled between the liquid inlet end and the liquid and vapor outlet of the evaporation area for increasing the velocity of the liquid to be concentrated for inpeding or removing precipitated particles or deposits from the heat exchange surfaces.

Abstract: A process for decreasing the tendency to form deposits in plants for evaporating spent sulfite liquors used to produce woodpulp. In the process, the liquors are treated with polyacrylic acids having a low molecular weight. In order to prevent virtually any deposition and to increase the evaporation rate, an aqueous solution of polyacrylic acid having a low molecular weight is added to the spent sulfite liquor in an entrance stage of the multiple-effect sulfite liquor in an entrance stage of the multiple-effect evaporating system and an aqueous solution of a copolymer of sulfonated styrene and maleic anhydride or an aqueous solution of a polyacrylic acid having a low molecular weight is added to the spent sulfite liquor in at least one succeeding stage of the multiple-effect evaporating system.

Abstract: A method for concentrating salt water. Salt water is separated from oil-water mixture which has been produced from a well. Salt water is introduced into a recirculating weir and mixed with more concentrated brine. Brine is recirculated through a thermal syphon apparatus. Recirculation includes passing brine, including some salt water, from weir into boiler vessel. Brine is heated within boiler vessel to a boiling temperature whereby brine, while boiling, generates steam which passes up out of weir. All of foregoing steps are performed at atmospheric pressure. The density of brine is sensed at a location in the lower vicinity of weir. Concentrated brine is released from lower vicinity when density at sensed temperature is at a level corresponding to a brine concentration near the precipitation of salt from solution. Salt water and brine is passed through a magnetic water treating unit. The concentrated brine, as released, is passed into a holding vessel.

Abstract: A continuous process and apparatus for drying aqueous solids by evaporation using a fluidizing oil and a surfactant wherein the fluidizing oil and surfactant are recovered and recycled separately or together. The aqueous solids may, or may not, have a heavy, natural oil associated with them.

Abstract: Scale-forming metal oxides and carbonates, such as cupric oxide, can be precipitated from an ammoniacal leaching solution with minimum scale buildup by distilling the solution in an externally heated distillation chamber mounted for rotation about a generally horizontal axis. The distillation chamber includes a plurality of axially spaced annular baffles defining a plurality of compartments containing a tumbling medium, such as spherical balls. The solution is continuously introduced into the inlet end of the chamber and heated under pressure to a temperature above its boiling point as it flows over the baffles toward the outlet end of the chamber. A slurry containing the precipitated cupric oxide is continuously withdrawn from the outlet end and the evaporated gases are continuously withdrawn from the inlet end.

Abstract: In a multiphase flow tube for drying pumpable suspensions to form solids having low residual moisture contents, the process uses brief increases in the pressure of the gas stream to prevent blockages.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing alcohol fuel in an efficient and continuous manner are provided. The apparatus and method utilize otherwise lost heat to reduce the amount of heat required to convert feed stock into alcohol fuel. The apparatus and method utilize the supply of feed stock from a hopper through an auger to a cooker vessel, and then in turn to enzyme and fermenting tanks or vessels, which in turn discharge fermented mash to a strainer for separation of the alcohol beer from the mash. The beer is then discharged to a level controlled beer tank which regulates a residue valve controlling the amount of residue liquid returned to the apparatus and maintained under process. From the beer tank, the flow of the beer is regulated by passage through a non-clogging control valve into a reflux column.

Abstract: The instant invention is directed to a method of inhibiting and dispersing deposit formation on metal surfaces of an evaporator used for the processing of black liquor which comprises the step of treating black liquor, at any point prior to completion of said processing, with a deposit inhibiting concentration of low molecular weight cationic polymer selected from the group consisting of poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride), polymethacrylamidopropyltrimethylammonium chloride, poly-2-methacryloxyethyltrimethylammonium methosulfate, and poly-2-methacryloxyethyltrimethylammonium chloride.

Abstract: A method of concentrating and drying water-containing fluent media, especially waste water concentrates, wherein an additive is incorporated in the water-containing fluent media for separating the solids thereof without the formation of scale and the liquid is evaporated. The additive comprises precipitates containing hydroxides, phosphates or arsenates of magnesium, calcium, zinc, aluminum or iron.

Abstract: In an apparatus for treatment of an ammoniacal waste liquid comprising a reaction tank for effecting a decomposition reaction of fixed ammonia by adding a calcium series alkali so as to obtain a reaction product comprising free ammonia and a calcium salt, a solid-liquid separator for effecting separation of the calcium salt so as to obtain a separated liquid, a distillation column for steam-stripping of the free ammonia from the separated liquid, and a pipe passage connecting consecutively said reaction tank, said separator and said distillation column, the improvement comprising a heat aging tank interposed in the pipe passage between the solid-liquid separator and the distillation column so that the calcium salt present in a dissolved state in the separated liquid may be separated out and aged in the aging tank where the liquid is raised to the temperature at the top of the distillation column, thus preventing blocking in the distillation column.

Abstract: An improved method for scavenging dissolved oxygen from alkaline waters which comprises treating said waters with at least 10 ppm of methylene blue in its reduced or leuco base form.

Abstract: A process is provided for treating spent geothermal brine to remove silica. The process includes introducing the brine into the reaction zone of a reactor-clarifier and allowing the brine to flow therefrom into the clarification zone of the reactor-clarifier. In the clarification zone, particles settle from the brine and are urged to the center of the tank beneath the reaction zone, and the settled particles are drawn upwardly into the reaction zone by an impeller. The particles mix with the brine in the reaction zone to form a substantially uniform distribution therein to provide nuclei for silica precipitation from the brine. A stream of sludge is removed from the bottom of the reactor-clarifier and disposed of.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for recovering clean water and solids from aqueous solids. Aqueous solids are mixed with a low viscosity, relatively volatile, water-immiscible light fluidizing oil to obtain a mixture which will remain fluid and pumpable after removal of essentially its entire water content. The mixture of solids, water and fluidizing oil is subjected to a dehydration step by heat evaporation whereby substantially all of the water and at least part of the light oil are evaporated and subsequently recovered. The light fluidizing oil is then largely separated from the solids. Those solids carrying residual light fluidizing oil are then brought into direct contact with steam, referred to herein as "blowing steam". The presence of the blowing steam reduces the boiling point of the water-immiscible light fluidizing oil to effect its more efficient removal from the solids. Effluent blowing steam and light oil vapor removed from the solids may be used to supply heat to the overall process.

Abstract: The addition of a small amount of hydrazine or a derivative or salt thereof serves to inhibit the corrosive effect of caustic such as sodium hydroxide on metal surfaces during the manufacture of the caustic or in processes using same. For instance, aqueous sodium hydroxide solutions having hydrazine or a derivative or salt thereof added thereto in an effective concentration in the range of from as little as about 2 ppm or less and up to about 1000 ppm, preferably of from about 2 to about 200 ppm, and most preferably from about 3 to about 40 ppm, can be concentrated by evaporation in nickel or nickel alloy equipment at temperatures as high as 150.degree.-175.degree. C. without causing undue corrosion.

Abstract: An evaporator for increasing the solids content of a liquid-solids mixture employs vapor compressor means to recycle superheated vapors that are boiled off the mixture by a heat transfer fluid. The super-heated vapors are forced into the mixture before the mixture is heated by passage over a heat transfer surface, and the vapors cause the mixture to flow past such heat transfer surface at sufficient velocity to prevent excessive solids from depositing on the heat transfer surface.

Abstract: Water containing dissolved compounds is preheated, and is then pressurized in stages of water pressure, while receiving a quantum of steam. Scale-forming compounds in the water are thermally precipitated, and clarified post-thermal water is formed. This is flash vaporized in stages corresponding to the stages of water pressure, and the flashed vapors are compressed to form each said quantum of steam. Alternately, the flashed vapors themselves comprise each said quantum of steam, by being induced into the water as it flows through an eductor means. Flash-cooled, post-thermal water, substantially devoid of scale-forming compounds, is employed as such, or more generally is evaporated to form fresh water and an end concentrate of dissolved compounds.

Abstract: Terpolymers of maleic anhydride, acrylamide or methacrylamide and a third monomer consisting of octene, styrene and the like.Copolymers of maleic anhydride and acrylamide or methacrylamide.Use of the hydrolyzed form of the terpolymer as a scale control agent.Novel process employing a mixture of aromatic and ketonic solvent and a temperature of at least 120.degree. C. which renders the polymers of the invention insoluble in water at ambient temperature.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting the deposition of scale from saline water having bicarbonate alkalinity on to heat exchanger surfaces in a saline water evaporation plant comprises adding a mineral acid to neutralize part, but not all, of the bicarbonate alkalinity, and also adding a scale inhibiting additive to the saline water.

Abstract: The reaction product of long-chain unsaturated hydrocarbons (fatty derivatives) with maleic acid anhydride and/or maleic acid is added to the salt-containing water of a thermal desalination installation to increase the solubility of the calcium and magnesium salts and prevent encrustation of heating surfaces thereby.

Abstract: A fluid medium is conveyed along a conduit. During its passage through the conduit, the fluid medium undergoes temperature change. The change in temperature of the fluid medium is performed in a step-wise manner by indirect heat-exchange with a fluid flowing countercurrent to the fluid medium, that is, by means of a plurality of heat-exchangers arranged along the conduit. The fluid medium forms incrustations and the rate at which incrustations form is different at different temperatures. This is taken into account by providing for the ratio between the lengths of any two heat-exchangers to approximate the ratio between the rates at which incrustations form at the temperatures of the respective heat-exchangers. Of particular interest is the extraction of bauxite with sodium aluminate lye.

Abstract: Apparatus for effecting heat interchange of fluids, at least one of the fluids containing dispersed or dissolved solids, said apparatus having one or more fluids contacted surfaces which are (1) preferentially oil wettable and (2) substantially zero water adsorbent, wherein the contacted surface or surfaces comprise fluorocarbon polymers, preferably FEP fluorinated hydrocarbon resin, and (3) means for supplying oil or the like to said contacted surface or surfaces, to prevent adherence of solids thereto.

Abstract: A thin-film evaporator comprises a substantially cylindrical heating wall, a rotating shaft disposed coaxially with respect to said heating wall, a reversible motor connected to said shaft for driving it in opposite directions, blade means on said rotating shaft for applying liquid to be evaporated to said heating wall to form a thin film thereon during rotation of said shaft in one direction and scraping means on said shaft for scraping possible scales off said heating wall during rotation of said shaft in the other direction.

Abstract: Terpolymers of maleic anhydride, acrylamide or methacrylamide and a third monomer consisting of octene, styrene and the like.Copolymers of maleic anhydride and acrylamide or methacrylamide.Use of the hydrolyzed form of the terpolymer as a scale control agent.Novel process employing a mixture of aromatic and ketonic solvent and a temperature of at least 120.degree. C. which renders the polymers of the invention insoluble in water at ambient temperature.

Abstract: A fluid medium is conveyed along a conduit. During its passage through the conduit, the fluid medium undergoes temperature change. The change in temperature of the fluid medium is performed in a step-wise manner by indirect heat-exchange with a fluid flowing countercurrent to the fluid medium, that is, by means of a plurality of heat-exchangers arranged along the conduit. The fluid medium forms incrustations and the rate at which incrustations form is different at different temperatures. This is taken into account by providing for the ratio between the lengths of any two heat-exchangers to approximate the ratio between the rates at which incrustations form at the temperatures of the respective heat-exchangers. Of particular interest is the extraction of bauxite with sodium aluminate lye.

Abstract: Preheated saline water, typically sea or brackish water, is further heated by quanta of steam, passed to it at differential temperatures and pressures and condensed in the saline water. Scale compounds are precipitated and scale-forming bicarbonates decomposed, with the evolution of carbon dioxide, which is gathered and expelled by steam accessory to the quanta of steam. Post-thermal saline water, which is formed, is multistage flash vaporized while self-cooling. The flashed vapors are compressed to form said quanta of steam. After being further cooled while preheating saline water, post-thermal saline water is evaporated in a multistage vapor compression evaporator, producing brine at a high concentration factor. Relative to equilibrium in scale-compound precipitation between 302.degree. F and 347.degree. F, the recovery of fresh water is 70% to 80% for sea water, and 80% to 90% for brackish waters over a wide range of salinity.

Abstract: In the processing of a corrosive liquid mixture, such as 50 to 80% aqueous sulfuric acid, by its passage over one surface of a wall of inert heat resistant material, and heating the other surface of said wall, thereby to evaporate from said corrosive liquid mixture the more volatile component thereof, the improvement which comprises heating said wall by contact with an inert liquid material, and heating said inert liquid material indirectly through heat exchange with a normally solid molten material. Desirably the wall of inert material is a pipe surrounded by a molten metal in a first annular jacket and a molten salt in a second annular jacket.

Abstract: A method for decreasing fouling of metalliferous surfaces of apparatus wherein water is evaporated from an aqueous system containing components which deposit onto the surfaces as hydrophilic foulants. The method comprises adding to the aqueous system a chelant-surfactant having a hydrophobic moiety and a chelating moiety through which the chelant-surfactant chelates with the metalliferous surfaces and provides a hydrophobic barrier to deposition of hydrophilic foulants.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method of evaporating an aqueous solution containing dissolved solids or mineral salts without adherence of the solids or mineral salts to any surfaces contacting the aqueous solution which comprises the following steps:A. Flowing the aqueous solution as an outside medium mixed with sufficient dispersed oil to form a continuous film on all preferentially oil wettable contacting surfaces, upward through a confined heating and vaporizing zone and therein contacting heating elements the surfaces of which are substantially zero water adsorbent and totally wetted with a film of oil, converting a portion of the aqueous solution to water vapor and precipitated solids.B. Separating this mixture of oil, misty vapors, solids, and remaining aqueous solution (still the outside water medium) into components of thereof in succeeding zones or chambers in which substantially all surfaces contacting these materials are preferentially oil wettable.

Abstract: A process of reclaiming drinking and industrial water from sea water, accing to which the sea water to be processed is subjected to a pretreatment, comprising filtering, acidifying and degassing said sea water. To the thus treated sea water there is then added in suspension finely divided barium sulphate to provide nuclei for the crystal growth of calcium sulphate on the barium sulphate. The thus obtained suspension is then in a continuous process heated and partly evaporated, during which process, temperatures of supersaturation, with respect to calcium sulphate are reached, the water which is evaporated being collected as condensate and distillate.

Abstract: Saline water, typically sea water or brackish water, after deaeration and deoxygenation is preheated, then further heated by steam condensing with the preheated saline water. By the further heating, bicarbonates are thermally decomposed, forming carbon dioxide, while scale compounds, comprising magnesium hydroxide, anhydrite and minor compounds containing silica, iron, alumina, phosphate, etc., are thermally precipitated. Some of the steam is uncondensed and issues from the further heated saline water with included, evolved carbon dioxide. It is condensed in preheating saline water; evolved carbon dioxide is separated from the condensate and recycled to the saline water to prevent alkaline scale in preheating, while condensate is combined with the further heated saline water, forming post-thermal saline water. This is flash vaporized while cooling and the steam is regenerated by compressing the flashed vapors.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method of evaporating an aqueous solution containing dissolved solids or mineral salts without adherence of the solids or mineral salts to any surfaces contacting the aqueous solution which comprises the following steps:A. Flowing the aqueous solution as an outside or continuous medium, mixed with sufficient dispersed oil to form a continuous film on all preferentially oil wettable contacting surfaces, upwardly through a confined heating and vaporizing zone having therein contacting heating elements, the surfaces of which are of substantially zero water adsorbent polymeric fluorocarbon material and totally wetted with a film of oil, thereby converting a portion of the aqueous solution to water vapor and precipitated solids, and forming a mixture of oil, misty vapors, solids, and remaining aqueous solution; andB.

Abstract: In the processing of a corrosive liquid mixture, such as 50 to 80% aqueous sulfuric acid, by its passage over one surface of a wall of inert heat resistant material, and heating the other surface of said wall, thereby to evaporate from said corrosive liquid mixture the more volatile component thereof, the improvement which comprises heating said wall by contact with an inert liquid material, and heating said inert liquid material indirectly through heat exchange with a normally solid molten material. Desirably the wall of inert material is a pipe surrounded by a molten metal in a first annular jacket and a molten salt in a second annular jacket.

Abstract: A method of preventing scale from being deposited in case of producing fresh water from sea water by heating the sea water in a vapour pressure type evaporator and multiple stage flush evaporator and by condensing water vapour evolved to obtain the fresh water comprising adding to the sea water small amount of seed crystal selected from the group consisting of calcium carbonate and magnesium hydroxide together with a surface active agent selected from the group consisting of a nonionic active agent and cation surface active agent.