Abstract: A fuel-efficient method and apparatus for the generation, actually re-generation, of ejecting steam used in a steam ejection system to evacuate process vapor from an enclosed space. In the method, all of the ejecting steam is not generated continuously in a boiler, but a predetermined quantity of steam is reused by continuous mechanical recompression, without intervening condensation, in a returning cycle while alternating between a pressure low after ejection (i.e. expansion) and a pressure high after recompression, whereas the evacuated vapor is branched off from the ejecting steam cycle after ejection and condensed. Parts of the condensate are reconverted to additional steam by heat exchange with all or part of the superheat and friction heat contained in the recompressed ejecting steam and/or by heat exchange with the exhaust and cooling system of a heat engine serving as a prime mover for the compressor.

Abstract: An apparatus to measure the asphaltene content of petroleum products where a precipitation evaporator for the sample is surmounted by a condensing unit. Immediately below the precipitation evaporator is a filtering unit with a rinsing vapor inlet line for conveying washing liquid from a balloon-flask evaporator. The precipitation evaporator is also equipped with an adjustable flap for preventing fluid from passing to the filtering unit.

Abstract: A solar still apparatus having a condensation chamber is disclosed. A plurality of hollow columns are connected to the chamber at the open upper ends of the hollow columns and the lower ends of the hollow columns are adapted to engage a support surface for the still apparatus. The hollow columns also function to contain distilland liquid and to support parabolic solar collectors for heating the liquid to form vapor at the upper end of the hollow columns. The vapor is introduced into the condensation chamber for condensing to form a distillate liquid. Means including a shield and an evaporative surface layer are disclosed to aid the cooling of the condensation chamber relative to the vapor to facilitate the condensation of the vapor in the chamber.

Abstract: An impure liquid is continuously distilled in a deaerated conduit arranged in a coil to present adjacent loops in heat exchange relationship. The conduit is divided by a partial partition into a distilland trough and a distillate trough, the latter being on the outside of each loop. The impure liquid is introduced into the distilland trough for flow therealong and vaporization, and the resultant vapor crosses over to the distillate trough due to centrifugal force and condensation within the distillate trough. As the vapor condenses in the distillate trough, the heat of condensation is transferred to the distilland trough of the adjacent downstream loop and to the incoming liquid flowing in a feed tube lying in the distillate trough. Spaced obstructions to vapor flow in the distillate trough and flow guide fins are employed to increase efficiency. A number of coils may be stacked to provide a multi-unit distillation system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for high volume distillation of impure liquid comprises evaporating the impure liquid in an evaporator to form a vapor at a temperature above the freezing point and at or below the boiling point of said liquid at atmospheric pressure and at a pressure corresponding to the evaporation temperature under saturated conditions; compressing said vapor adiabatically; admixing in a mixing chamber the compressed vapor under substantially isobaric conditions directly with hot gases having a temperature sufficiently greater than the temperature of the compressed vapor that the resulting vapor-gas mixture temperature is greater than the temperature of the compressed vapor prior to the mixing; passing the vapor-gas mixture through an expansion engine to motivate the engine and to produce shaft energy, whereby the vapor-gas mixture adiabatically expands and cools; compressing the expanded vapor-gas mixture adiabatically in an independently powered compressor to a predetermined pressure corresponding

Abstract: In a fractional distillation process and apparatus two columns are intercoupled to provide variable reboil in one and variable reflux in the other so as to approach closely to thermodynamically ideal fractionation. The variable reboil column has a series of heat transfer assemblies at different levels up its height and these are fed with vapor withdrawn from respective different levels of the variable reflux column. Partial condensation of each withdrawn stream takes place in the respective heat transfer assembly, after which the partially condensed stream is returned to the variable reflux column at a level close to the level at which the corresponding vapor was withdrawn. The variable reflux column will ordinarily be at a higher pressure, and mounted at a lower level than the variable reboil column.

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 low temperature purification system is provided which is particularly adapted for use to mechanically purify in a continuous operation solutions containing solids and dissolved substances. The purification system includes a solution supply means, and a centrifugal vacuum evaporator to which the solution to be purified is fed. Drive means is operatively connected to the evaporator for subjecting the solution within the evaporator to centrifugal acceleration and causes the solids in the solution to be displaced outwardly of the axis of rotation of the solution and the liquid of the solution to be displaced inwardly toward the axis of rotation. Outlet means is embodied in the evaporator for discharging the solids therefrom. The liquid as it is being displaced inwardly is simultaneously subjected to a reduced pressure to produce vapor which is conducted to a condenser means wherein the vapor is condensed to a substantially pure liquid.