Abstract: Volatile reactants are heated under reflux in a reactor and form volatile reaction by-products which are continuously removed in a vapor effluent from a reflux column and partial condenser. The effluent, which entrains some of the reactants, is condensed in a first total condenser and is fed to a distillation apparatus for separation of the volatile reactants and by-products and return of the separated reactants to the reactor. Before the condensate reaches the distillation apparatus, it is temporarily stored in a receiver from which it is controllably fed to a pre-heater where it is evaporated and then fed as a vapor to the distillation column of the distillation apparatus for separation. The distillation column includes at one end a reboiler which retains the reactants. The other end of the distillation column is coupled to a second total condenser in which the volatile by-products are condensed and withdrawn through a cooler for disposal.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing contaminants from water having solid contaminants dissolved therein. Contaminated water flows across a grid and into a storage tank. The grid utilizes solar energy to heat that water to a predetermined temperature. A heat transfer structure which is dome-shaped and receives water from the storage tank and a preheater means utilizing solar energy heats the water to a further predetermined temperature. An evaporator means receives the heated water and exposes it to a vacuum condition so that the temperature of the water is above the saturation temperature. The water is thus vaporized, and solid contaminants dissolved therein are separated therefrom. The solids are deposited on a plurality of moving belts and are then moved into a solids removal system. The solids removal system comprises a plurality of trap door pairs upon which the solids are deposited and which are sequentially opened so that the vacuum conditions existing in the evaporator are not disturbed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing contaminants from water having solid contaminants dissolved therein. Contaminated water flows across a grid and into a storage tank. The grid utilizes solar energy to heat that water to a predetermined temperature. A heat transfer structure which is dome-shaped and receives water from the storage tank and a preheater means utilizing solar energy heats the water to a further predetermined temperature. An evaporator means receives the heated water and exposes it to a vacuum condition so that the temperature of the water is above the saturation temperature. The water is thus vaporized, and solid contaminants dissolved therein are separated therefrom. The solids are deposited on a plurality of moving belts and are then moved into a solids removal system. The solids removal system comprises a plurality of trap door pairs upon which the solids are deposited and which are sequentially opened so that the vacuum conditions existing in the evaporator are not disturbed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing contaminants from water having solid contaminants dissolved therein. Contaminated water flows across a grid and into a storage tank. The grid utilizes solar energy to heat that water to a predetermined temperature. A heat transfer structure which is dome-shaped and receives water from the storage tank and a preheater means utilizing solar energy heats the water to a further predetermined temperature. An evaporator means receives the heated water and exposes it to a vacuum condition so that the temperature of the water is above the saturation temperature. The water is thus vaporized, and solid contaminants dissolved therein are separated therefrom. The solids are deposited on a plurality of moving belts and are then moved into a solids removal system. The solids removal system comprises a plurality of trap door pairs upon which the solids are deposited and which are sequentially opened so that the vacuum conditions existing in the evaporator are not disturbed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing contaminants from water having solid contaminants dissolved therein. Contaminated water flows across a grid and into a storage tank. The grid utilizes solar energy to heat that water to a predetermined temperature. A heat transfer structure which is dome-shaped and receives water from the storage tank and a preheater means utilizing solar energy heats the water to a further predetermined temperature. An evaporator means receives the heated water and exposes it to a vacuum condition so that the temperature of the water is above the saturation temperature. The water is thus vaporized, and solid contaminants dissolved therein are separated therefrom. The solids are deposited on a plurality of moving belts and are then moved into a solids removal system. The solids removal system comprises a plurality of trap door pairs upon which the solids are deposited and which are sequentially opened so that the vacuum conditions existing in the evaporator are not disturbed.

Abstract: A method and a device for controlling the flow through a distillation apparatus for separating components of a mixture, particularly a dissolved substance, such as an oil, a wax, a polishing agent or alike, from a liquid mixture, particlularly containing a chlorinated solvent, such as tri- or perchlorethylene. According to the present invention, the feeding of new liquid mixture or solution into the boiling vessel of the distillation apparatus is controlled in response to the liquid level in the boiling vessel, whereas the draining of substance-enriched liquid or separated substance from the boiling vessel is controlled in response to the distillation temperature, or to a variable being co-variant therewith, so as to maintain the distillation temperature within predetermined limits and the flow through the apparatus at an optimal, high level.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing contaminants from water having solid contaminants dissolved therein. Contaminated water flows across a grid and into a storage tank. The grid utilizes solar energy to heat that water to a predetermined temperature. A heat transfer structure which is dome-shaped and receives water from the storage tank and a preheater means utilizing solar energy heats the water to a further predetermined temperature. An evaporator means receives the heated water and exposes it to a vacuum condition so that the temperature of the water is above the saturation temperature. The water is thus vaporized, and solid contaminants dissolved therein are separated therefrom. The solids are deposited on a plurality of moving belts and are then moved into a solids removal system. The solids removal system comprises a plurality of trap door pairs upon which the solids are deposited and which are sequentially opened so that the vacuum conditions existing in the evaporator are not disturbed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing contaminants from water having solid contaminants dissolved therein. Contaminated water flows across a grid and into a storage tank. The grid utilizes solar energy to heat that water to a predetermined temperature. A heat transfer structure which is dome-shaped and receives water from the storage tank and a preheater means utilizing solar energy heats the water to a further predetermined temperature. An evaporator means receives the heated water and exposes it to a vacuum condition so that the temperature of the water is above the saturation temperature. The water is thus vaporized, and solid contaminants dissolved therein are separated therefrom. The solids are deposited on a plurality of moving belts and are then moved into a solids removal system. The solids removal system comprises a plurality of trap door pairs upon which the solids are deposited and which are sequentially opened so that the vacuum conditions existing in the evaporator are not disturbed.

Abstract: A vapor compression type distillation unit is provided for distilling brackish water or seawater wherein high heat transfer rates are achieved in a vertical shell and tube type vaporizer while avoiding carry-over normally resulting from excessive foaming and its entrainment of liquid droplets in the vapor. A pool of liquid is maintained at the lower end of the vaporizer to be fed into the tubes with the level of the liquid being relatively low so that most of the length of the tube is filled with a frothy mixture conducive to high heat transfer rates. The mixture of vapor and liquid discharged from the upper ends of the tubes is caused to flow laterally and then downwardly through a downtake passage communicating with the lower end of the vaporizer. A vapor outlet is provided intermediate the ends of the downtake passage in such a manner that the vapor must change its direction of flow, preferably substantially 180.degree.

Abstract: A solvent-bearing sludge material is pumped by a variable speed positive displacement pump from a preparation mixing tank through a pressure responsive valve which distributes the material into the upper portion of an insulated distilling or processing vessel. Steam is introduced into the lower portion of the vessel and mixes with the material to volatize the solvents which are directed through a condenser and pump to a storage tank. Water and suspended solid particles are continuously pumped from the bottom of the vessel to an insulated settling tank where the solid particles settle and are continuously removed by a drag-out conveyor. The hot water in the upper portion of the settling tank is pumped back into the vessel, and may have sufficient velocity to increase agitation within the vessel, or a mechanical agitator may be installed within the bottom portion of the vessel.

Abstract: Desalination apparatus using solar energy comprises a main insulated container with a subsidiary preheating container next to it; the main container is covered with a transparent cover serving as a selective filter to provide "the greenhouse effect" and also as a condensation surface for water vapor, and this transparent cover incorporates a hollow space, for example by making the cover double skinned. The hollow space forms part of a syphon which automatically regulates the water levels, transferring salt water from a preheating container to the main container as the level in the main container falls due to loss by evaporation leading to condensation and withdrawal of the desalinated water. The hollow part of the transparent cover thus serves also to preheat the incoming salt water with the heat lost upon condensation by the vapor within the main container.

Abstract: A distillation unit for purification of water, to be coupled to a water line or other source of water. The unit consists of a relatively slender boiler with an internal diffuser screen, which is fed water at the same rate as it is removed by the distilling process. The steam from the boiler is led to a detachable condenser, the distillate being collected in a novel collector system, two forms of which are shown.

Abstract: An apparatus for the continuous production of high-purity water includes a distillation flask, a carboy and a condenser unit, all of borosilicate glass. A respective filter is provided between the ambient atmosphere and the interiors of the flask, the carboy and the condenser unit to remove airborne bacteria and dust particles. An inlet valve is provided for feeding water to be purified into the flask, all water-contacting parts of this valve being of polytetrafluoroethylene. The open parts are interconnected with flexible, polytetrafluoroethylene tubing. A two-way, stopcock allows high-purity water to be removed from the carboy.

Abstract: A system for reclaiming solutions of waste chemicals such as ethelene glycol is provided. The water in the ethelene glycol is distilled or evaporated off at temperatures below the boiling point of the glycol. The system includes two or more interconnected evaporating stages each having a heating coil therein. The last or final evaporating stage is provided with an aqueous solution sensing loop for removing portions of reclaimed solution at predetermined concentration levels and is provided with water sensing station for removing condensed steam or returning contaminated water to the input of the system.

Abstract: A water purification apparatus capable of treating water having impurities producing substantial foaming includes a boiler tank having a water inlet and heater, and a stack portion thereabove containing contact surface means and a heater for heating the contact surface means to a temperature above the vaporization temperature of water. In this manner water droplets which may be carried by the steam vapors from the boiler and/or foam will be immediately vaporized as it comes in contact with the contact surface means. The steam vapors pass through a condenser assembly, and the condensate passes through a filter assembly before storage in a tank. The contact surface means desirably comprises screen members providing a tortuous path and high heat conductivity. Baffle members may be interposed in the flow path for vapors from the boiler tank to the stack.

Abstract: Equipment is provided having a distillation tank with a heater and a vapor offtake, with a condenser receiving the offtake vapor and delivering liquid condensate. A control system provides safety features including pressure and temperature responsive devices operative to shut off the heater and further including means for shut off of the heater when the tank is being filled. Still further provision is made for shutting off the heater under the influence of a float valve associated with the condensate discharge line and operative to shut off the heater under the influence of rise in level of condensate in the receiving vessel.

Abstract: A multi-stage distillation plant consisting essentially of a multi-flash evaporator provided with a multi-flash chamber which is divided into a heat recovery section and a heat rejection section. In this multi-stage flash distillation plant, the aforesaid flash evaporator is provided with a deaerator for deaerating cold sea water, a thickener for separating brine containing a relatively great amount of seeds, from concentrated brine which has been extracted from a front chamber of the final stage flash chamber, and a seed mixing tank for obtaining a seed-mixed brine, whereby part of the sea water which has passed through the deaerator is supplied as a feed sea water to the rear chamber of the final stage flash chamber, while the brine containing a relatively great amount of seed and extracted from the thickener is joined to the seed-mixed brine fed from the seed mixing tank.