Series Patents (Class 202/173)
  • Patent number: 11834348
    Abstract: A cyclone-assisted distillation system including an energy supply system configured to generate water vapor; a cyclone-generating device configured to generate a vortex with the water vapor received from the energy supply system, the vortex generating a water vapor jet; and a distillation system configured to generate distillated water from saltwater, based on a steam jet obtained from (1) the water vapor of the energy supply system and (2) the water vapor jet from the cyclone-generating device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: KING ABDULLAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Kim Choon Ng, Muhammad Burhan, Muhammad Wakil Shahzad, Doskhan Ybyraiymkul
  • Patent number: 11628378
    Abstract: This disclosure describes energy efficient process to distill a process stream in a production facility. A process uses multiple effect evaporators, ranging from one evaporator to eight evaporators in each effect. The process arrangement shows an example of four effect evaporators, with a zero-effect evaporator having a single evaporator, a first-effect evaporator having a set of three evaporators, a second-effect evaporator having a set of three evaporators, and a third-effect evaporator having a set of evaporators to create condensed distillers solubles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: ICM, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles C Gallop, Keith Tjaden
  • Patent number: 11596873
    Abstract: The present system is for simultaneous recovery of purified water and dissolved solids from impure high TDS water (1) which is achieved in a single step and eliminates the use of external thermal energy for making the system significantly efficient. It eliminates the use of boiler, cooling tower that reduces the overall capital cost and continuous requirement of external thermal energy for making system efficient. The simultaneous recovery of the purified water and solids from high TDS input effluent reduce the energy intensity of the system. Said system provides a vacuum system as heat pump which enables the system to be self-sufficient in thermal energy requirements for evaporation process and reduces GHG emissions significantly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: ETHICAL ENERGY PETROCHEM STRATEGIES PVT. LTD
    Inventor: Dhiren M Desai
  • Patent number: 11465068
    Abstract: A multi-stage flash reversal unit includes a housing; plural stages located inside the housing; an evaporation port that receives a water feed having a first temperature; a condensation port that outputs a concentrated water feed having a second temperature, which is lower than the first temperature; and a cooling unit that cools down the concentrated water feed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: KING ABDULLAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Ahmad S. Alsaadi, Noreddine Ghaffour, Lijo Francis
  • Patent number: 11192048
    Abstract: Methods and systems for conducting batch multi-effect distillation are disclosed. A multi-effect distillation system and one or more isolation devices are provided. A feed stream, consisting of water and a solute, is passed from a feed source into a brine side of the plurality of heat exchangers. The feed source is isolated from the plurality of heat exchangers by closing the one or more isolation devices. A first of the plurality of heat exchangers is heated by the heat source. A steam stream and a brine concentrate stream are produced in all but a last of the plurality of heat exchangers. A condensate stream from the steam stream is produced in all but the first of the plurality of heat exchangers. A warmed feed stream is produced in the last of the plurality of heat exchangers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Hall Labs LLC
    Inventors: David R Hall, Michael Hall, Miguel Lazaro, Jacob Dean, Chandler Flinders, Keylan Jensen
  • Patent number: 10926222
    Abstract: Dumping a reverse osmosis (RO) reject stream from a wastewater treatment and reclamation plant (WWTRP) into the sea directly destroys aquatic life and indirectly affects public health. This triggers solving the problem by methods and systems provided herein. One embodiment begins with utilizing two types of waste; one is the RO reject stream in its entirety, and the other is letdown steam from once-through-steam-generators (OTSGs) or steam from a standalone OTSG fueled by co-produced sour gas. It ends with thermally sterilizing toxicity and isolating it by the alkalinity content of the RO reject stream itself, combating sulfate scale and recovering it as a useful product, and producing distillate for heavy oil recovery by steam injection and de-scaled brine for improved oil recovery by water flooding. The vehicle to attain this set of solutions is a recycle-brine multi-stage flash (RB-MSF) desalination train with two modified flashing stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Inventor: Mansour S. Bader
  • Patent number: 10661195
    Abstract: Processes and systems suitable for purifying or otherwise treating liquids to remove contaminants therein, including but not limited to contaminated water, to permit reclaiming, recycling, and reuse of the liquids. Such a process and system entails the use of a cascading distillation system that evaporates a liquid from the feedstock and then condenses and collects a more purified form of the liquid. The cascading distillation system can be operated to selectively process the feedstock through any of a series of vessels at which different amounts and/or contaminants may be removed from the feedstock.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Inventor: Rickey S. Lutterbach
  • Patent number: 10202286
    Abstract: Treating brine to produce distilled water and dried NaCl. The brine enters a crystallization plant and is heated. Once heated, the brine is circulated to an evaporator. The evaporator increases the concentration of NaCl in the brine to a point about the super saturation level. Once above the super saturation level, NaCl crystals are formed. The larger crystals are circulated to a centrifuge for drying and the smaller crystals are recirculated through the evaporator for continued growth. The NaCl crystals are dried in the centrifuge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Eureka Resources, LLC
    Inventors: Daniel J. Ertel, Kent McManus, Jerel Bogdan
  • Patent number: 9644500
    Abstract: An electricity-water co-generation system and method, the method comprising: step 1, heating saline water by spent steam, crystallizing a calcium magnesium compound in the saline water, then filtering the saline water; step 2, distilling the descaled water, and discharging strong saline water; step 3, converting the heat energy of the saturated steam into electric energy, dividing condensed water generated by releasing heat energy of the saturated steam into two parts, one part being output as fresh water; step 4, heating the other part of condensed water, and converting the heat energy of the overheated steam into electric energy, then feeding spent steam to heat the saline water and distilling the descaled water at a high temperature. The system comprises a descaling device, a mixed heat exchanger, a residual heat generator and a thermal power generation device, and the working process of the system is accordance with the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Inventor: Datong Mu
  • Patent number: 9365438
    Abstract: There is provided an apparatus 2 for desalinating non-potable water. The apparatus has a first vapor producing module 5 configured to receive a heated working fluid for producing vapor from a volume of non-potable water for driving at least one first distillation module 10 for producing condensate 12. The apparatus also includes a second vapor producing module 14 configured to receive working fluid from the first vapor producing module 5 for producing additional vapor from a further volume of non-potable water 8?.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2016
    Assignee: The University of Western Australia
    Inventors: Hui Tong Chua, Xiaolin Wang, Klaus Regenauer-Lieb
  • Patent number: 9169132
    Abstract: A system and method for processing a fluid, including decontaminating water and generating water vapor includes introducing the fluid into a vessel. The fluid is moved through a series of rotating trays alternately separated by stationary baffles so as to swirl and heat the fluid to effect the vaporization thereof to produce a vapor having at least some of the contaminants separated therefrom. The vapor is removed from the vessel for condensing apart from the separated contaminants and the remaining water. The vapor may be passed through a turbine connected to an electric generator. Sensors in a controller may be employed to adjust the speed of rotation of the trays or fluid input into the vessel in response to the sensed conditions. The treated fluid may be recirculated and reprocessed through the vessel to increase the purification thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Verno Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: John D. Riley, Dana L. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20150094508
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for separating a selected xylene isomer. The method includes separating a feed stream including a plurality of aromatic hydrocarbons into a first stream including toluene and isomers of xylene, and a second stream including isomers of xylene. The method further includes separating the first stream into a third stream including toluene and a fourth stream including isomers of xylene. The method further includes combining the second stream and the third stream in an adsorptive separation unit including an adsorbent configured to adsorb the selected xylene isomer from the second stream. The third stream desorbs the selected xylene isomer to produce a fifth stream including the selected xylene isomer and toluene and a sixth stream including non-selected xylene isomers and toluene. Still further, the method includes separating the sixth stream into a seventh stream including the non-selected xylene isomers and the third stream including toluene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 27, 2013
    Publication date: April 2, 2015
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Jason T. Corradi, Gregory Werba, Rajeswar Gattupalli
  • Publication number: 20150014147
    Abstract: Saline water from a body of water is desalinated using a water purification system. Chambers of a plurality of tanks are filled with a volume of saline water. The saline water is heated to increase a pressure and produce water vapor within the chamber of each tank. A condensation valve disposed within a condensing tube is moved to an open position such that the water vapor is released into a respective condensing tube. The water vapor is condensed to provide potable water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventor: Herbert J. Roth, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20140367244
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Publication date: December 18, 2014
    Inventor: Roshan J.J. Jachuck
  • Publication number: 20140283516
    Abstract: The present invention provides an integrated system for the combined purpose of electricity generation and water treatment and biofuel production. The configuration combines complementary sub-systems whereby outputs from one system are used as inputs to another creating a positive feedback mechanism that significantly increases system efficiency and output. Compensatory mechanisms between system components create a natural hedge in energy and water production against temporal variation in solar insolence levels. Secondary benefits of the invention may include carbon abatement, ground water improvements, and land regeneration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2012
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Inventor: Noel McWilliam
  • Patent number: 8771479
    Abstract: Provided is a distillation column assembly combining two distillation columns used in a distillation process. The distillation column assembly is characterized in that a dividing wall column (DWC) that has one inflow point, three outflow points and an internal dividing wall and a typical distillation column that has two inflow points and two outflow points are sequentially connected to each other, and in that streams of the two outflow points of the DWC are introduced into the two inflow points of the typical distillation column. The distillation column assembly improves an existing process apparatus based on two distillation columns, so that it can be easily installed, has a high energy-saving effect, and can be applied to the case where a separation pressure difference and a utility temperature difference are great.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Kyu Lee, Jong Ku Lee, Joon Ho Shin
  • Patent number: 8728219
    Abstract: A feed gas conditioner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Gaumer Company Inc.
    Inventors: Jack L. McClanahan, Craig S. Tiras
  • Patent number: 8691054
    Abstract: The present invention provides a configuration of a multi stage flash cross tube evaporator wherein flash stages are arranged in a plurality of at least two tiers with a first flash stage to which a heated solution is fed, a plurality of intermediate flash stages and a last flash stage from which the concentrated solution is discharged in each tier, wherein the flash stages in each tier are in a serial flow communication and the flash stages of each tier are in parallel flow communication to the flash stages in the other tier(s). Such configuration allows to minimize the size of the tube bundles, flash stages and evaporator shell and consequently minimizing evaporator weight and cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Friedrich Alt
  • Patent number: 8618334
    Abstract: Methods for continuously preparing cyclohexanone from phenol make use of a catalyst having at least one catalytically active metal selected from platinum and palladium. The process includes enriching phenol in a distillation fraction as compared to a subsequent fraction, wherein the subsequent fraction includes phenol and side-products having a higher boiling point than phenol. Distillation is carried out in a vacuum distillation column equipped with trays in the lower part of the column. In an upper part of the column, i.e., in the part above the feed inlet, packing material is present instead of trays in at least part thereof. The packing material has a comparable or improved separating efficiency, and provides a reduction of the pressure drop by at least 30%, preferably more than 50%, as compared to the case with trays in the upper part, under otherwise similar distillation conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: DSM IP Assets B.V.
    Inventors: Marleen Horsels, Rudy Francols Marla Jozef Parton, Johan Thomas Tinge
  • Publication number: 20130245301
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and an apparatus for purifying a mixture of terpene material and tall oil material for the production of biofuels and components thereof. The present invention relates further to hydroprocessing of the purified material to obtain biofuels and components thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2011
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: UPM-KYMMENE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jaakko Nousiainen, Heli Laumola, Arto Rissanen, Jari Kotoneva, Matti Ristolainen
  • Patent number: 8486223
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Jiangsu Sinorgchem Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiaogen Feng, Nongyue Wang, Xiaohui Mao, Ruibiao Yu, Qianwen Cheng
  • Publication number: 20130153398
    Abstract: There is provided an apparatus 2 for desalinating non-potable water. The apparatus comprises a first vapour producing module 5 configured to receive a heated working fluid for producing vapour from a volume of non-potable water for driving at least one first distillation module 10 for producing condensate 12. The apparatus further comprises a second vapour producing module 14 configured to receive working fluid from the first vapour producing module 5 for producing additional vapour from a further volume of non-potable water 8?.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Hui Tong Chua, Xiaolin Wang, Klaus Regenauer-Lieb
  • Publication number: 20130153400
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for the regeneration of absorbed gas rich capture medium such as an absorption solution and the recovery of absorbed gas therefrom, an apparatus and method for the removal and recovery of a target gas from a gas stream, and the use of the same for post combustion carbon capture on a thermal power plant are described. The apparatus and method make use of a regenerative heating process. The apparatus and method are distinctly characterized by the use of CRH steam as a source of thermal energy for the heating process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Scott Alexander Hume, Agnieszka Magdalena Kuczynska
  • Patent number: 8404085
    Abstract: Separation and purification of hydroquinone from crude mixtures thereof essentially containing hydroquinone in combination with very small amounts of impurities including resorcinol and pyrogallol, include a topping distillation allowing the resorcinol to be removed as the distillation top product, and allowing a crude mixture essentially containing hydroquinone and the heavy impurities to be recovered at the column bottom, such mixture then being subjected to a bottoming distillation which allows the pyrogallol to be removed at the column bottom and allows hydroquinone in a purified form to be recovered at the column top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Rhodia Operations
    Inventors: Hubert Gayet, Bruno Heinisch
  • Patent number: 8404086
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Dow Global Technologies LLC
    Inventors: George J. Frycek, Shawn D. Feist, Timothy C. Frank, Zenon Lysenko, Joe D. Phillips, Bruce W. Pynnonen
  • Publication number: 20130066104
    Abstract: Process for purifying unsaturated compounds, and a plant for performing the process. Unsaturated compound obtained by the process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Inventors: Benedikt LAUX, Christian Maul, Volker Schleep, Ingo Sander
  • Publication number: 20120261248
    Abstract: The present invention provides a configuration of a multi stage flash cross tube evaporator comprising a plurality of at least two tiers, wherein each tier comprises a first flash stage a plurality of intermediate flash stages and a last flash stage, wherein the flash stages in each tier are configured in a serial flow communication and the flash stages of each tier are configured to be in parallel flow communication to the flash stages in the other tier(s). Such configuration allows to reduce the size of the tube bundles, flash stages and evaporator shell compared to multi stage flash cross tube evaporators of prior art. With the resulting reduced evaporator weight and reduced foot print the cost of an evaporator and other related cost can be reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2011
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Inventor: FRIEDRICH ALT
  • Patent number: 8277614
    Abstract: The once-through multi-stage flash (MSF) desalination plant with feed cooler is a desalination system utilizing a feed water cooler. Particularly, the plant includes a conventional MSF system, with a separate water cooler for cooling the seawater or brine that is input into the system, prior to the passage of the brine into the condensation conduits and brine heater. In use, the cooled brine is pumped, under pressure, through at least one conduit that passes through a plurality of flash chambers. The brine is then heated and injected into the plurality of flash chambers, where it is flashed into steam. The steam condenses on an external surface of the at least one conduit, and the condensed water is then extracted from the plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: King Abdulaziz University
    Inventor: Majed Moalla Alhazmy
  • Publication number: 20120234667
    Abstract: A desalination apparatus (100) comprises a series of modules (110) which may be mounted on supports (150). Seawater (12) flows through base units (130) along a channel (131) by gravity and is heated by a heating unit (140) such as solar lenses (141) to produce water vapour. A chimney (160) induces an airflow AF laterally across the channel (131) and substantially perpendicularly to the water flow WF. The airflow AF draws the water vapour to a condenser (70) that collects fresh water. The condenser (170) may be mounted within the chimney (160) and may use cold seawater as a coolant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2010
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Inventor: Barry Douglas Coots
  • Patent number: 8246791
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating draw solution solutes and product solvent from a draw solution using a plurality of distillation columns is disclosed. In one embodiment, the draw solution is used in a Forward Osmosis (FO) water desalination process. In this embodiment, the draw solution is directed to the plurality of distillation columns in parallel while the energy stream (heat) is directed to the plurality of distillation columns in series such that the efficiency of heat use is improved and in turn the cost of the heat is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Yale University
    Inventors: Robert L. McGinnis, Menachem Elimelech
  • Publication number: 20120132512
    Abstract: The fluid density-driven desalination system is an evaporative desalination system utilizing gases having differing molecular weights from that at of water vapor in order to assist in the evaporation and condensation of pure water vapor. Evaporation of pure water from a saline solution through a first capillary evaporator plate is assisted by a first gas having a molecular weight less than that of water vapor, thus driving the evaporated water vapor downwardly for collection and condensation. Similarly, evaporation of pure water from brine through a second capillary evaporator plate is assisted by a second gas having a molecular weight greater than that of water vapor, thus driving the evaporated water vapor upwardly for collection and condensation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Publication date: May 31, 2012
    Applicant: KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALS
    Inventors: JIHAD HASSAN AL-SADAH, BASIM AHMAD ABUSSAUD
  • Publication number: 20110162952
    Abstract: System and process for producing no-salt water by desalination of salt water, by heating salt water directly with heated synthetic gas produced in a gasification reaction or by using steam produced using heated synthetic gas, to evaporate the salt water and produce no-salt water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John A. Conchieri, Delome D. Fair
  • Publication number: 20110150739
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for reducing the content of boron-containing compounds in compositions I comprising at least one silicon halide, especially of chlorosilanes of the type HnSiCI4-n with n being equal to 0, 1, 2 or 3, by introducing a small amount of moisture into the composition I in a first step and separating the hydrolyzed boron- and/or silicon-containing compounds in a second step in such a way that a pre-purified composition II having a reduced boron content is obtained, wherein, in particular, the first and second steps can be run in at least one or more cycles. Also claimed is an apparatus for performing the method and an overall system into which this apparatus is integrated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2009
    Publication date: June 23, 2011
    Applicant: Evonik Degussa GmbH
    Inventors: Beate Seliger, Norbert Schladerbeck, Ingo Pauli, Andre Mecklenburg, Reinhold Schork, Hartwig Rauleder, Frank Kropfgans, Joachim Diefenbach
  • Publication number: 20110139599
    Abstract: The evaporative desalination system removes salt and contaminants from brine or salt water to produce purified potable water. The evaporative desalination system includes an inclined housing having a raised upper end and a lower end. An upper wall of the inclined housing is formed from an optically transparent material, such as glass. A plurality of stepped evaporator trays are mounted within the inclined housing, and a water collection tray is disposed within the inclined housing adjacent the lower end. Ambient light is transmitted through the optically transparent upper wall, causing the salt water contained within the plurality of stepped evaporator trays to evaporate. Evaporated water vapor rises from each evaporator tray to form a layer of condensed pure water on the inner surface of the upper wall. The condensed pure water drips toward the lower end of the inclined housing to collect in the water collection tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 25, 2010
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Inventors: Ahmed Z. Al-Garni, Ayman H. Kassem, Wael G. Abdelrahman
  • Patent number: 7931782
    Abstract: A method of recovering a liquid medium from a mixture containing the liquid medium, the method including: (a) blowing a first gas into the mixture containing the liquid medium to vaporize the liquid medium, in a first vaporizing means, thereby to form a second gas containing which is a mixture of the first gas and vaporized liquid medium; (b) continuously dropwise feeding the mixture containing the liquid medium into a second vaporizing means and counter-flowingly contacting the mixture containing the liquid medium, with the second gas to vaporize additional liquid medium to form a third gas which is a mixture of the second gas and additional vaporized liquid medium; and (c) feeding the third gas into a condensing means to condense the vaporized liquid medium into a liquid and separate the first gas, which is then blown into the first vaporizing means in step (a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2011
    Assignee: The Institute of Creative Chemistry Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sigeru Torii, Kouichi Miki
  • Patent number: 7922872
    Abstract: A distillation apparatus of the present invention includes a distillation column group in which a plurality of distillation columns including a condenser and a reboiler is connected in the form of a cascade; a gas-feeding line which feeds gas from the distillation column to a latter distillation column; a gas line which introduces the gas from the distillation column to the condenser attached to the distillation column; a liquid-line which withdraws a condensed liquid from the condenser; a liquid-reflux line which introduces a part of the condensed liquid from the liquid-line to the distillation column; a liquid-return line which returns the remainder of the condensed liquid from the liquid-line to a former distillation column; a valve provided on the liquid-return line; and a bypass line which connects the liquid-return line and the gas line so as to flow an evaporated gas generated in the liquid-return line to the gas line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2011
    Assignee: Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation
    Inventors: Hitoshi Kihara, Takashi Kambe
  • Publication number: 20110011726
    Abstract: A distillation device (1) includes at least one first distillation region (5) with at least one first gas outlet line (6) and at least one second distillation region (8) with at least one further gas outlet line (9, 9?). The distillation regions (5, 8) are connected to each other. The first distillation region (5) is formed by a first line, the second distillation region (8) by a second line, and both lines forming the distillation regions (5, 8) are connected to each other in a controllable way. The invention further relates to methods for operating such a distillation device (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2009
    Publication date: January 20, 2011
    Inventor: Evelyn Jost
  • Patent number: 7867365
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a system for producing ethanol from an organic source and that operates to purify and dry ethanol from a beer source. The system for producing substantially anhydrous ethanol comprises: (a) a first distillation stripping column; (b) a second distillation rectifying column having a higher operating temperature than said stripping column; (c) a molecular sieve dehydration means in fluid communication with said rectifying column. Heat from the overhead of the second distillation rectifying column and the molecular sieve dehydration are used to heat the first distillation stripping column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Thermal Kinetics Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Christopher J. Brown
  • Patent number: 7850826
    Abstract: The present invention provides a multi stage flash long tube evaporator with flash stages arranged in a plurality of at least three tiers, wherein each tier is divided into a plurality of at least two flash stages and a plurality of at least three tube bundles are arranged in parallel and in a longitudinal direction in each tier. This configuration allows to minimize the evaporator shell volume, shell surface, foot print and weight, minimizing the cost of an evaporator and other related plant cost. This configuration is in particular suitable for large evaporator unit capacities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Inventor: Friedrich Alt
  • Publication number: 20100217030
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for purifying unsaturated compounds, said purification being performed in a plant which comprises at least two evaporators which are connected in such a way that a portion of the unsaturated compound is circulated, the vapours condensed in the first evaporator being isolated and the vapours condensed in the second evaporator being introduced into the first evaporator, which is characterized in that the mass flow with which the condensed vapours are isolated from the mixture to be purified in the first evaporator is less than the mass flow with which the condensed vapours from the second evaporator are introduced into the first evaporator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2008
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: EVONIK ROEHM GMBH
    Inventors: Benedikt Laux, Christian Maul, Volker Schleep, Ingo Sander
  • Patent number: 7678227
    Abstract: The present invention provides tube bundle configurations for multi stage flash cross tube type evaporators using concepts with parallel and counter current coolant flow. Those tube bundle configurations allow to build the evaporators more compact and provide the possibilities to lower the thermal and electrical energy consumption for a multi stage flash desalination plant by maintaining or reducing the distilled water generation cost as achievable with cross tube evaporators utilizing single pass tube bundles in serial flow communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Inventor: Friedrich Alt
  • Publication number: 20100000851
    Abstract: Contaminated water stored in an equalization basin is distributed to one or more flash vessels and a desired vacuum is pulled in a filled flash vessel, reducing the boiling point of the contained contaminated water. The suction force is preferably created by passing the contaminated water under pressure through a differential pressure injector. The contaminated water in the flash vessel completes an electrical circuit between conductive plates and a heating element that are submerged therein. An alternating electrical current is applied, some of which is conducted by the contaminated water to a heating element that heats the water, and the rest of which dissipates as thermal energy, heating the contaminated water. The alternating current is preferably generated by passing the contaminated water under pressure through a hydroelectric power generator. Little thermal energy is needed to evaporate the contaminated water, which condenses at the top of the flash vessel and is collected from a collection trough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventor: Eric John Dole
  • Publication number: 20090216042
    Abstract: A concentrating method and a concentrating system for concentrating polyisocyanate residues that that can effectively concentrate polyisocyanate residues from crude polyisocyanate comprising polyisocyanate and polyisocyanate residues in a short time and can also suppress increase in viscosity to provide stable transport of the residues and prevent blockage of the transport line, and a treating method and a treating system for decomposing the concentrated components to polyamine. The polyisocyanate residues are first heated on the boil by the distiller to be concentrated to a midterm concentrating rate, and then, the polyisocyanate residues are concentrated to the final concentrating rate by evaporation using a evaporator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2006
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Applicant: MITSUI CHEMICALS POLYURETHANES , INC.
    Inventors: Masaaki Sasaki, Tadashi Yoshida, Shigetoshi Suzuki
  • Publication number: 20090205944
    Abstract: The present invention provides a configuration of a multi stage flash long tube evaporator with flash stages arranged in a plurality of at least three tiers, each tier comprises a plurality of at least two flash stages and a plurality of at least three parallel arranged tube bundles. This configuration allows to minimize the evaporator shell volume, shell surface, foot print and weight, minimizing the cost of an evaporator and other related plant cost. This configuration is in particular suitable for medium to large evaporator unit capacities allowing to be expanded to any desired capacities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2008
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventor: FRIEDRICH ALT
  • Patent number: 7431805
    Abstract: A method, system, and apparatuses for simultaneous heat and mass transfer utilizing a carrier-gas at various absolute pressures are described. A method may include: thermally coupling at least two continuous contacting apparatuses together; varying the pressure between the at least two continuous contacting apparatuses; allowing heat removed from the first continuous contacting apparatus to be the heat delivered to the second continuous contacting apparatus. A system may include: at least two continuous contacting apparatuses thermally coupled together and operating at different absolute pressures. A continuous contacting apparatus may include: an evaporation chamber and a dew-formation chamber both operating at an absolute pressure in a vacuum range. A continuous contacting vapor recompression apparatus may include: an evaporation chamber operating at a first absolute pressure; and a dew-formation chamber operating at a second absolute pressure higher than the first absolute pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Arizona Board of Regents
    Inventor: James R. Beckman
  • Patent number: 7422663
    Abstract: A compact array of vertical rising film evaporators is disclosed in an evacuated multi-effect process, for desalination of seawater, using waste heat of thermal machines. Vapor produced in one stage is the heat source for the next. This invention is based on a concentric disposition of three different evaporators, at which the first stage is a shell and tube evaporator built in a ring format, where is inserted inside the intermediate stage that is a bundle of vertical tubes in a ring format, and the last stage that is a bundle of vertical tubes placed inside the intermediate stage. By this arrangement, vapor pipelines are eliminated, dimensions are reduced, and heat transfer is improved per the rising film evaporators compared to falling film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Inventor: Sergio Martins Costa
  • Publication number: 20080185283
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an oxygen isotope separation system and a method therefor. More specifically, the invention relates to a newly invented pressure-driven AGMD (Air Gap Membrane Distillation) system applied to a multi-stage membrane distillation cells which can produce an oxygen isotope effectively and economically, and a method therefor. The invention provides an oxygen isotope separation system including a number of Air Gap Membrane Distillation (AGMD) permeation cells connected in series to separate a feed into a product and a tail, wherein each of the AGMD cell is connected at a tail outlet with a reflux pump and at a product outlet, whereby the product from (i?1)th cell and the tail from (i+1)th cell are pumped as the feed into ith cell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Applicant: KOREA ATOMIC ENERGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: JaeWoo Kim, Hwa-Rim Choi, Dae-Shik Chang, Yun-Young Choi
  • Patent number: 7297237
    Abstract: By using a dephlegmator which conducts distillation concurrently with heat exchange within at least one distillation column, or a portion of one distillation column, of a distillation cascade, the quantity of liquid holdup within the distillation apparatus is reduced and the start-up time is shortened. Consequently, the operational costs associated with startup are reduced, and productivity is improved markedly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2007
    Assignees: Koichi Asano, Taiyo Nippon Sanso Corporation
    Inventors: Koichi Asano, Shigeru Hayashida, Nobuaki Egoshi, Hiroshi Kawakami
  • Publication number: 20070193870
    Abstract: This invention has a series of multiple parallel plates that form desalination chambers between them that have seawater or other saline water flowing down the inside of one plate of each chamber. Steam which is generated by solar heat or other heat source condenses on the outside of first chamber of the series on the plate, which has seawater running down it. This releases heat that evaporates the seawater. The vapor flows to the other wall (plate) of the desalination chamber and condenses, and this releases heat that flows through the plate to the next stage of parallel plates and evaporates seawater flowing down the other side of the plate. Each succeeding stage operates at a lower temperature than the previous stage. The final stage is cooled by the evaporation of seawater into the air. One embodiment of the invention has the parallel plates sloped at an angle to the horizontal so that the seawater flows down on the lower plate and evaporates with heat supplied from below.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2007
    Publication date: August 23, 2007
    Inventor: Melvin L. Prueitt
  • Patent number: 7189377
    Abstract: 1.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Simon Jobson, Derrick John Watson