Abstract: Particles of sand coated with oil are loaded into a housing (1). A fluidizing unit (3) is provided towards the bottom of the housing. The fluidizing unit fluidizes the particles and discharges them from the housing to a separator, such as one or more hydrocyclones (8, 14), in which the oil and sand particles are separated. The coated particles can be introduced in the housing (1) via a cyclonic separator (50, 52) which provides some preliminary separation.

Abstract: A process for preparing and/or extracting samples by heating them together with a solvent in a container under pressure, using a Soxhlet apparatus. The samples are dried by heating in a container; and the resultant vapors are drawn off to generate a vacuum in the container.

Abstract: A solvent recovery method and apparatus recover waste wash liquid generated in automatic washing of a printing machine so as to enable a printing machine washing of high productivity, excellent safety and health effect, and low cost. The solvent recovery apparatus has a gravity separation tank (1) for receiving waste wash liquid used for washing of the printing machine and separating it by a specific gravity difference. A vaporizer (2) receives, heats and vaporizes the separated liquid from the tank (1) in order from a lower layer liquid (H) to an upper layer liquid (L). A condenser (3) receives, cools and condenses, by water (W), the vapor from the vaporizer (2). A distillate gravity separation tank (4) receives liquid from the distillate gravity separation tank (4) receives liquid from the condenser (3) and holds it statically to separate the liquid into organic solvent (S) and water (W).

Abstract: A simple, portable and efficient water desalination device uses deep ocean water, solar energy and the dynamics of generated secondary vortices. The device includes a tower, a heat exchanger positioned inside the tower near the top of the tower, a cold water source, a cold water receiving tank, a condensate catchment grille, a freshwater collecting tank, a rotor extending upward between the side walls of the tower from a lower portion of the tower, a power source for driving the rotor, a warm salt water pan positioned in the bottom of the tower and a warm salt water source. The cold water source is cold deep ocean water that is siphoned to the top of the tower through rollable, transportable fabric pipes. The warm salt water source is solar heated ocean water. In the tower, a hurricane is simulated by a rotating column that induces a circulation of air which approximates that of a hurricane.

Abstract: A vortex evaporator having a holder for holding at least one container presents a chamber wherein liquid is evaporated from a liquid and solid solution in a container. The vortex evaporator also includes a drive mechanism, coupled to the holder, for moving each container in an orbital motion within the chamber to cause the solution in the container to form a vortex configuration. The vortex evaporator further includes a gas supply system for directing gas into the container to increase the evaporation rate of the liquid and a control system for controlling operation of the vortex evaporator. In an alternative embodiment, a vacuum supply system may be utilized instead of the gas supply system. Further, the vortex evaporator will preferably include a heater, at least one liquid level sensor, a heat sensor and a motion dampening assembly all located within the chamber.

Abstract: An evaporator flask for a rotary evaporator is formed in two portions: a bowl and a lid secured to the bowl by a connecting ring. The lid is connected to a rotary drive means, and a conduit passes through the lid to provide fluid communication between the interior of the flask and a condenser. A mechanical scraper or stirrer is affixed to the end of the conduit within the bowl portion of the flask.

Abstract: An orbital rod drive arrangement for an orbital tube whip rod heat exchanger includes a single drive plate driving a plurality of countercranks, each countercrank supporting a whip rod from its upper end within a tube as it is driven in an orbital manner. The countercrank provides for balancing the whip rods within the tubes by mounting them in an offset manner. Furthermore, the whip rod is suspended as well as driven at its upper end to thereby leave the lower ends of the tubes unobstructed for the free flow of process fluid out the bottom of the tube. The countercrank includes an upper peripheral lip for supporting a single drive plate and the countercrank may be supported by the tube sheet which mounts the uniformly spaced tubes in the heat exchanger vessel. Variations are disclosed for the countercrank including providing different numbers of holes in the countercrank for balancing the whip rod mass about the circumference of the countercrank.

Abstract: A method for the separation and recovery of volatiles from a sludge containing about 1 to 80% by weight liquid solvents and 20 to 99% by weight solids, in which said sludge is fed with a reagent powder material in an amount effective to form a mixture having a high surface area to a distillation vessel, said mixture is heated to a temperature up to about 350.degree. C. while said mixture is advanced through the vessel for a time sufficient to distil a sufficient portion of the solvents to yield a solid residue powder, distilled solvents are condensed, and the solid residue powder recovered. The vessel preferably is a mechanical fluidized bed distillation vessel and said mixture is fluidized while being heated therein under a partial vacuum in a non-oxidizing atmosphere. The effective amount of reagent powder material includes about 5 to 70 wt % of the reagent powder material.

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: A method for the production of an industrial diluent which includes the steps of heating a liquid waste from a facility that manufactures coatings, inks, lacquers, adhesives, or dyes in a mixer-reactor to generate a vapor, flowing the vapor into a distillation column, distilling the vapor to form distillation components, and transferring each component to a tank designated for such component. The method may include the additional steps of mixing at least two of the components in a predetermined amount, and thoroughly mixing the liquid waste during the heating step. The heating step is preferably effected by applying heat substantially uniformly to the liquid waste.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for reclaiming or concentrating waste aqueous solutions of gas treating chemicals, such as alkanolamines, used for removing acid components or water vapor from natural gas. The process involves heating the waste solution under a high vacuum to form a vapor and a liquid residue. The temperature and vacuum can be varied to form a vapor consisting mainly of water vapor or a vapor containing both water vapor and vaporized gas treating chemical. The vapor is subsequently condensed or passed through a wash column to produce a concentrated solution. The liquid residue is heated by passing it through a single pass, generally co-current heater at a rate which avoids localized overheating of a liquid to a temperature above the decomposition temperature of the gas treating chemical. The heated liquid residue is then used to heat the feed waste solution by being thoroughly mixed with it, thus avoiding overheating of the feed solution.

Abstract: A solar still of the type having a container for holding a supply of liquid to be evaporated and an inclined solar transmissive cover mounted in an inclined position thereon, is provided with a vibrating device for imparting vibrations to the cover member to facilitate the coalescing and downward flow of condensation droplets formed on the underside of the cover member.

Abstract: A heat transfer apparatus for processing a liquid continuously has a positive mechanical drive for a set of vertical whip rods each disposed in a vertical heat transfer tube. Each whip rod is free-standing on its lower end and is sufficiently flexible to conform closely to the inner surface of the tube as it orbits. The orbital drive propels the whip rod directly through a pair of horizontal, vertically spaced plates that engage the rods in loose openings that serve as fluid inlets from the drive plate. A motor rotates a drive shaft coupled to at least one of the drive plates through at least one eccentric crank. Each plate can be an opposed pair of plates with a separate eccentric drives 180.degree. out of phase with one another for a self balancing. Another form of drive plate uses a rigid circular ring that mounts rod-engaging sleeves via a network of wires supported by the ring.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the distillation of liquids which is particularly suited for the removal of soluble impurities and insoluble and non-volatile particles of 10 microns to 0.2 micron or less in size. A substantially elongated distillation chamber having walls equipped with axially disposed concentric boiling rings spaced from the walls near the bottom, and a packing stop, packing redirector rings for condensed vapor, and a reflux condenser in the upper part of the distillation chamber provide, during distillation, a smooth convective upward flow of distilling liquid and vapor proximate the walls and boiling rings and a smooth convective downward flow of distilling liquid and vapor substantially centrally of the distillation chamber.

Abstract: A wastewater evaporator system is provided for evaporating wastewater at a rate of about seven gallons per hour. Such system includes a heater, a blower, a plurality of honeycombed plates, a drive element including an electric motor, and a tank. Such system improves the environment and allows safe, reliable, and economical disposal of wastewater.

Abstract: A system for clarifying liquids, having particular utility in dry cleaning operations. The system includes a filter apparatus which includes a plurality of axially spaced filter elements each having a high pressure side through which unclarified liquid is directed and upon which solids in the unclarified liquid accumulate and a low pressure side in communication with a liquid outlet of the filter apparatus. A liquid agitating impeller is disposed between respective adjacent pairs of the filter elements for defining a predetermined spacing between the filter elements and for creating liquid turbulence and agitation between the filter elements in response to rotation of a common shaft upon which the filter elements and impellers are mounted for effecting substantially complete removal of accumulated solids on the high pressure sides of the filter elements without movement between the impellers and filter elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a distillation method and an apparatus for the concentration and purification of water-containing liquid chemicals. The distillation is performed using constant, predetermined distillation parameters.

Abstract: An orbital evaporator has a vertical heat transfer tube or tubes mounted in a container driven in an orbital motion. A stiff whip rod is freely movable within the tube. Its lower end rests on a horizontal plate. The orbital motion causes the rod to roll over the interior surface of the tube to distribute the liquid in a thin film and to control fouling. A set of fins is mounted on the exterior of the tube to collect and channel the condensate to improve heat transfer through the tube. The fins are preferably longitudinal and the whip rod is preferably hydrophobic. Operating the evaporator with boiling temperatures substantially below 100.degree. C. in combination with the fins and a rolling whip rod allows operation as a desalinization unit for an indefinite period of time with a high total heat transfer coefficient. The evaporator preferably also includes a degasser to control the formation of a gas barrier at the exterior surface of the tube.

Abstract: A system for continuously recovering renewable volatile compounds by boiling points from waste organic solvent with minimum energy loss, and an improved thin membrane distillation apparatus for efficient distillation of renewable volatile compounds from waste organic solvent and enforced discharge of the residue or sludge. The waste treatment system includes a thin membrane distillation apparatus, a cooling unit, a first distillation unit, and a second distillation unit connected in this sequence. Alternatively, the system includes two thin membrane distillation apparatus, a reduced pressure distillation unit, and a normal pressure distillation unit connected in this sequence. The thin membrane distillation apparatus includes a decompression chamber, a waste inlet, an outlet for volatile compound, an air-tight chamber, and a breaking mechanism with a screw head movable into the air-tight chamber.

Abstract: Distillation chamber for extracting solvent from sludge, in particular for dry-cleaning machines, having a bottom shaped like a half-cylinder with a horizontal axis. The bottom is provided, in a downward position, at one end, with an outlet for extracting dried sludge. A shaft is axially and rotatably mounted in the chamber and spatula-like sectors, suitable for stirring the sludge and for pushing it toward the outlet upon the rotation of the shaft, are fixed to the shaft itself.

Abstract: A method for water degasification and distillation in an apparatus having a container for a reservoir of water to be degasified and distilled, a relatively small boiler adjoining the container and having a feed water conduit connecting the container and boiler so that a selected water level in the container will fill the boiler to the same level, a coiled tube condenser within the container immersed in the water therein, the condenser coil having a vertically disposed longitudinal axis, a second conduit in the boiler connecting the space above the water level therein to the inlet of the condenser so that steam flows from the boiler to the condenser, an outlet on the condenser extending through a container wall for discharging the condensed steam as degasified distilled water, a heater in the boiler for heating the water therein, and a motor driven stirrer axially of the coiled tube condenser for generating a swirling movement of the reservoir water with formation of steam bubbles therein.

Abstract: A method and device for removing organic compounds from soil, solids, sludges and other types of contaminated materials utilizing a non-rotating contactor which can be tightly sealed from air infiltration. Binders such as cement, lime, flyash or kiln dust may be added to the soil prior to treatment so as to aid in the volatilization of the volatile organics and to immobilize the non-volatile constituents in the treated solids. The contaminated materials are fed to a chamber with a movable rake therein and are subjected to temperatures sufficiently high to violatize the organic constituents. The volatilized contaminants are purged with small amounts of air or other non-condensible gas and with superheated steam. The organic constituents can be captured in a vapor phase or they can be condensed and captured in the condensed liquid.

Abstract: A film evaporator formed by a cylindrical body section (50) with a heating jacket (53) and angled scraping blades (84) mounted on a rotatable shaft (76) to move the thickened material downwardly through the evaporator. Below the body section (50) is an inverted frusto-conical section (62) containing inclined scraping blades (86) also mounted on the shaft (76) and a smaller diameter lower body section (64) through which the thickened product can be discharged by a screw (93) of opposite hand to the scraping blades (84). The screw (93) is carried on a lower shaft (88) which is journalled to the shaft (76) so that the shafts can be rotated independently and in opposite directions.

Abstract: Method for the recovery of solvent from a solvent-based wash liquid containing non-hazardous waste resulting from an equipment cleaning operation. The wash solution typically averaging approximately 90 percent solvent and 10 percent resin, pigments and other dissolved or suspended solids is continuously tumbled in a tumbler/evaporator vessel together with a highly porous, adsorbent extender in granulated form, while maintaining temperatures sufficient to evaporate the solvent and prevent the solid matter from sticking together after processing. The extender is a substantially inert, material and may be selected from diatomaceous earth, powdered calcium silicate, powdered glass (100 mesh), oak sawdust (100 mesh), cedar sawdust (100 mesh), bentonite, charcoal (100 mesh) and ground corn cobs. The amount of extender introduced into the vessel is of the order of 5 to 20 percent by weight of the wash solution. The system may employ jacketed ribbon, double cone or rotating helix blenders.

Abstract: Controlled heating unit for extracting solvent from sludge by distillation, in particular for dry-cleaning machines, having a sludge tank with a flattened shape which is arranged at the base of a sealed box-like chamber and above which inlets for microwaves generated by a microwave source are present, a mixer for the sludge to be treated, at least one sludge temperature sensor which switches off the microwave source when the sludge reaches a temperature which is proximate to the degradation temperature of the solvent.

Abstract: A system for clarifying liquids, having particular utility in dry cleaning operations. The system includes a filter apparatus which includes a plurality of axially spaced filter elements each having a high pressure side through which unclarified liquid is directed and upon which solids in the unclarified liquid accumulate and a low pressure side in communication with a liquid outlet of the filter apparatus. A liquid agitating impeller is disposed between respective adjacent pairs of the filter elements for defining a predetermined spacing between the filter elements and for creating liquid turbulence and agitation between the filter elements in response to rotation of a common shaft upon which the filter elements and impellers are mounted for effecting substantially complete removal of accumulated solids on the high pressure sides of the filter elements without movement between the impellers and filter elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a new process for the purification, by distillation, of thermolabile compounds wherein a thermolabile compound is introduced into a twin screw extruder which is heated, in at least one zone, to the boiling temperature of the compound. The volatilized compound is drawn off and condensed.

Abstract: A thin-layer evaporator particularly suited for treating high-viscosity fluids, including a treating chamber surrounded by a heating or cooling shell, and a rotor equipped with feed and thrust elements. The feed and thrust elements include at least two axial, equidistant and staggered rows of blade members having the same pitch and sloping with respect both to the rotor axis and to the axial plane passing through their connection line; each member being offset, with respect to the members of the adjacent rows, by a space equal to the half pitch of the member.

Abstract: The vacuum column system distills liquid under partial vacuum conditions. The system rigorously splashes and boils liquid in a boiler chamber so as to form vapor and a rising mist from the splashing liquid. The vapor and mist rise in a circularly converging path through a mist collector. The heavier mist strikes the surfaces of the mist collector and deposits on those surfaces, thereby separating itself from the vapor. The vapor is then drawn to a condensor chamber where droplets of treated liquid are sprayed through it and fall into a shallow pool of treated liquid. The droplets seed condensation of the vapor directly onto the droplets. Also, the droplets assist in encapsulating bubbles of vapor in the pool as the droplets fall into the pool. The bubbles are then entrained with other treated liquid of the pool as the treated liquid is drawn from the pool down an entrainment conduit.

Abstract: A process for removing substantial quantities of volatile liquid e.g. hydrocarbon from a mixture of polymer and such liquid is provided. This process includes the initial step of introducing the mixture, and a liquid which is immiscible with the polymer, into a mixing/kneading zone provided with heated heat transfer surfaces having a temperature higher than the boiling point of the lowest boiling liquid component in the mixing/kneading zone. The mixture and the immiscible liquid are subjected to a period of continuous mixing and kneading within the mixing/kneading zone, to bring the mixture into continuously moving contact with the heat transfer surfaces. During this period of continuous mixing/kneading, the heated heat transfer surfaces are repeatedly mechanically cleaned to prevent buildup of solid polymer thereon.

Abstract: A closed circuit solvent stripping and reclaiming apparatus for recovering solvent from filters used in dry cleaning machines comprising a steam cabinet (2), and condenser (3), a water solvent separator (4), a recirculating tank (5), a blower (6) and a carbon bed adsorber (7). Dry cleaning filters are disassembled and their constituents separated and placed in foraminous trays (9) inside the steam cabinet (2). The filter material is agitated with a shaker and alternately subjected to dry heat, vaporized recycled solvent saturated water, and live steam. Steam and solvent vapors derived from the filters are conducted to a condenser (3) for liquification followed by separation in the water solvent separator (4). Solvent is thereby reclaimed and solvent saturated water is collected and stored in the recycling tank for reintroduction into the steam cabinet for subsequent stripping cycle.

Abstract: To remove solvents such as alcohol from bulk material the solvent-laden bulk material is intensively loosened mechanically into a virtual fluidized bed through which a liquid in gaseous phase such as steam is passed so that the solvent having a lower boiling point than water is expelled from the bulk material and is evacuated with excess steam while at least part of the steam condenses on the particles of the bulk material which thereby is humidified. The solvent expelled from the bulk material is separated from the steam and can be used again. The treatment is carried out in a closed vessel in which the bulk material and the steam are moved relative to each other.

Abstract: In a technique for recovering hydrocarbon values from a heavy hydrocarbon-water mixture, the mixture is first delivered through a sub-assembly to remove solid particulates. Then the mixture is delivered through a series of heat exchanger--kettle arrangements in which the mixture is heated above the boiling point of water. Some of the steam formed is allowed to escape through steam removal devices in the heat exchanger. The inside of the heat exchanger includes a plurality of discrete baffles which are unconnected to the heat exchanger and which can be readily removed therefrom. Heating of the mixture continues in the kettles where the bulk of the water is boiled off the mixture. A heavy hydrocarbon oil is recovered in the liquid outlet from the last kettle. The vapors boiled off are recovered and condensed to recover a light hydrocarbon oil and quite pure water.

Abstract: An evaporator which is formed, in combination, of a first evaporator of a centrifugal falling-film type; and a second evaporator having a shape formed of a heating side wall portion of a downward-pointing conical configuration, a cover portion defining at least one opening, through which a liquid to be treated is charged and resulting volatile components are discharged, and a bottom portion defining at least one opening permitting discharge of an evaporation residue. A scraping agitator is built in the second evaporator. The side wall portion is externally wrapped with a pipe or the like, whereby a heating medium is caused to pass therethrough for heating the side wall portion. The evaporation residue discharge opening of the first evaporator is connected to the opening of the cover portion of the second evaporator.The above evaporator is suitable to recover a volatile component from a high-viscosity liquid containing tar-like substances. It can achieve a high recovery rate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided wherein liquid is removed from a liquid-solids mixture by employing both filtration and low pressures to achieve vaporization of liquid. The mixture is introduced to a vessel in which the mixture is filtered so that a substantial portion of the liquid is withdrawn from the vessel. The vessel is then depressurized to an extent necessary to vaporize a substantial portion of the remaining liquid. Such vapor is withdrawn from the vessel. During vaporization, the contents of the vessel are agitated and heated.

Abstract: An apparatus for vaporizing and recovering, by condensation, a composite mixture of at least two components, at least one of which is a liquid. The apparatus includes at least one chamber in which the mixture is brought to boiling and includes means to condense the vaporized portion of the mixtures. A liquid of the mixture in the vaporizing chamber is vaporized by heating coils and subjected to circulation to uniformly disperse the mixture. The apparatus may further include a system for continuously filtering the mixture in the vaporizing chamber to remove undesirable particulates, a mixture spray device for spraying the mixture into the vaporizing chamber, and an ultrasonic vibrating means.

Abstract: A wobbling-type evaporator mounts a container 1 holding at least one vertically oriented heat transfer tube 30 fed by a liquid inlet 35 to the container 1. The container 1 is supported with respect to a base 10 so that it wobbles in response to the rotation of an orbiting counterweight 2,2' the counterweight and container wobble as a two body system about common axis. In one form a set of struts 6 located around the container are part of the support system. The invention also includes inlet water distribution systems, compatible with this orbital drive.

Abstract: An apparatus for vaporizing a liquid and condensing the vapor includes at least one chamber in which the liquid is vaporized and in which the vaporized liquid is condensed. The vaporizing chamber contains a heat emitting device providing a surface temperature above the vapor temperature for substantially instantaneously vaporizing the liquid condensate maintaining a predetermined vapor level in the vaporizing chamber, and a heat absorbing device for condensing the vaporized liquid.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method of regenerating an alcohol-based antifreezing liquid, and more particularly to a method of concentrating and regenerating an alcohol-based antifreezing liquid diluted through water absorption by removing water therefrom.The antifreezing liquid containing water is introduced into an evaporation vessel. The liquid is then heated to a temperature at which components other than alcohol of the liquid are unlikely to be affected in their properties while air is fed thereinto. Thus alcohol and water vapors are generated. These vapors are first cooled to a temperature at which only water is condensed. After water is removed, cooling is effected at a lower temperature. At this stage, the alcohol vapor is condensed, and thus concentrated alcohol, almost water-free, is collected.The alcohol thus collected and nonfreezing and high boiling-point components other than alcohol in the evaporation vessel are again mixed into a concentrated antifreezing liquid.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for using a heated waste gas stream to evaporate a volatile component such as water or a solvent from a liquid solution comprises a flue to feed the gas stream from the source of heated gas; a container having an inner chamber to hold the liquid for evaporation of the volatile compound and an outer chamber connected to the flue which forms a gas channel substantially surrounding the inner chamber through which at least a portion of the gas stream flows to supply heat to the inner chamber and evaporate the volatile component of the liquid solution; an inlet to feed the liquid solution into the inner chamber; upper and lower liquid level sensors to control the quantity of liquid solution fed into the inner chamber to establish a liquid level therein; a sparger for agitating the liquid solution in the inner chamber; a sump below the container and connected to the flue to receive any condensate from the gas stream and any liquid leaking from the inner chamber; an outlet to combine, vent and d

Abstract: Volatile matter especially solvents is recovered from waste material using a hot granular material such as sand, as a heat carrier to drive off the solvents, and as a carrier for the non-volatile resin content of the waste; the resins are thermally decomposed in reactions which provide heat to maintain the granular material hot and the granular material is continuously circulated; the exhaust gases from the thermal decomposition of the resins can be used as a source of heat outside the system.

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 method and apparatus for purifying raw feedwater. The raw feedwater is directed into an evaporator module submerged in a solar pond or other body of heated liquid. The evaporator module includes a rotating housing through which a plurality of spaced apart substantially horizontal open ended heat transfer tubes extend. A heating liquid is directed through the heat transfer tubes. The raw feedwater is distributed within the evaporator module so as to cause the feedwater to descend into heat transferring contact with the heat transfer tubes and thereby vaporize a portion of the feedwater. The vapor formed in the evaporator module is withdrawn from the evaporator module and directed to a suitable condensor.A preferred embodiment of the evaporator module is disclosed which includes cavitation fins or urging the heated liquid through the evaporator module.

Abstract: A membrane distillation module is provided with a thin, flexible microporous membrane positioned against an impermeable condensor sheet that is stiffer in bending than the membrane. Distillate vapor diffuses through the membrane from the hot feed flowing rapidly past the membrane, and condenses and collects between, and in intimate contact with, the membrane and the condensor sheet. The condensed distillate is stripped by forces exerted by the hot feed acting on the distillate across the membrane, and flows toward a distillate outlet located in the downstream direction of the hot feed flow. Cold feed flows past the condensor sheet in the counter direction to that of the hot feed for absorbing the latent heat of condensation, and is subsequently additionally heated and introduced into the hot feed channel. Expanded microporous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is the preferred membrane material, and a spiral-wound assembly is the preferred configuration.

Abstract: A solvent reclaiming unit has a still for distillation of contaminated solvents to recover clean solvent from the solvent vapor. The still has a tapered or conical bottom heat exchange surface surrounded by a heat source. The still has scrapers which wipe the heat exchange surface to prevent scaling of the heat exchange surface. The scrapers are driven during the distillation process by an external motor and reducer. The contact of the scrapers with the heat exchange surface is adjustable from outside of the still to maintain wiping contact. The wiping portion or blades of the scrapers may be formed of brass or other soft material attached to a harder material, such as a spring stainless steel. A safety stop is provided in the interior of the vessel so that the blades may not be adjusted to the point that the harder steel comes in contact with the heat exchange surface.

Abstract: Block short-way evaporator with wiped-off film for vacuum and molecular distillation which is suitable for large-scale production. The evaporator is composed of one or more vacuum chambers in which parallel vertical double-sided flat evaporators with wipers for wiping evaporating areas and double-sided flat condensers are alternately located so that they form a continuous block. On the bottom of each chamber distillate collecting troughs with distillate tubes are formed alternately below double-sided flat condensers using separating partitions, and below double-sided flat evaporators residue collecting troughs with residue outlet tubes are formed, feed tubes being led through the bottom and the double-sided flat evaporators into separating troughs in the upper part of the double-sided flat evaporators.

Abstract: Free oil, often an objectionable impurity in synthetic organic detergents, such as sodium lauryl sulfate, is removed from aqueous solutions by extraction thereof with hexane in the presence of lower alkanol, with the proportion of the alkanol present being in a relatively narrow range with respect to the sodium lauryl sulfate, in which range it helps to promote efficient extraction of the free oil by the hexane without solubilizing the hexane in the aqueous medium to such an extent as to result in an extracted detergent containing an unacceptably high proportion of hexane. Separation of the free oil from the aqueous detergent solution is effected in an extractor, to which the hexane is added, in mixture with a minor proportion of lower alkanol, normally isopropanol, and extraction of the free oil takes place after a preliminary mixing of isopropanol with detergent acid or neutralized base in a neutralization vessel and/or in a mixer upstream of the extractor.

Abstract: Evaporating and cooking of toffee in a closed vessel having an inlet at the base thereof and an outlet towards the top and at one side of the vessel. A toffee premix liquor is continuously fed in the inlet and discharged through the outlet. High speed counter rotating stirrers are provided in the vessel to agitate the liquor in a vigorous and turbulent manner, such as to form the liquor into a vortex, the extremities of which are urged towards the outlet. The vigorous and turbulent agitation of the liquor assists the production of high quality toffee as a continuous process, at a relatively high throughput rate.

Abstract: An atomization/distillation unit for separating a component from a mixture containing that component having a chamber, a container incorporated within the bottom of the chamber for receiving the mixture, a heater for heating the mixture to a temperature sufficient to vaporize the component but insufficient to vaporize the entire mixture, an atomizer located within the container for spraying said mixture upward in the chamber thereby aiding in further vaporization of the component, and agitator plates operating in conjunction with the atomizer for propelling the vapor upward in the chamber. Cooling coils are located in the top portion of the chamber in order to condense the vaporized component. Once condensed, the distillate is easily removed from the chamber. The atomization/distillation system is effective in combining atomization and distillation in order to maximize recovery of the desired component in a highly energy efficient manner.

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.