Abstract: Apparatus usable to heat fluid comprises:(a) a steam vessel having an inlet for water and an outlet for steam,(b) heating means associated with the vessel to heat water received therein and produce steam, and(c) a condenser connected with the vessel outlet to receive steam, the condenser adapted to extend in heat transfer relation with the fluid to heat that fluid in response to condensation of steam in said condenser, the condenser having a condensate outlet, and(d) other means to remove solid particles from the vessel.

Abstract: The apparatus includes a housing enclosing a boiler in the lower portion and a water-filled condenser in the upper portion with an insulated partition between them. The entry of boiler feed water is controlled by a float valve in the boiler, and steam from the boiler is conveyed through the partition and thus through a condenser coil substantially immersed in the water in the condenser.

Abstract: A still for the distillation of water or other liquids, the still having a boiling chamber with a heater, a vapor condenser chamber, and a vapor separator chamber all supported by a frame having a catch basin below the chambers and a distilled liquid sump below the catch basin into which the condenser discharges. The chambers telescopically plug together in position on the frame and are easily separated and knocked-down for cleaning without requiring tools. The chambers are tubes having their ends removably plugged, and one of the plugs in the boiling chamber carries the heater with it, the heater coils supporting a convection sleeve which is easily separated therefrom for cleaning. The water level in the boiling chamber is controlled by connection with a separate tank having a float valve setting its own level, and the unit has automatic electrical shut-off switches operative when the sump is full or in case of overheating.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for concentrating and collecting solar energy are disclosed. In accordance with the invention, solar energy is concentrated by economical refringent lenses or lens systems including fluid lenses and/or Fresnel-type lenses. The lenses concentrate the solar energy preferably along lines in continuous linear foci or in discrete foci at an elongated collector comprising one or more fluid-carrying conduits and one or more fluids therein. In one embodiment, a plurality of photoelectric cells are located in or on the collector along the linear foci or at the discrete foci and operate at increased efficiency with heat being removed by the collector. A first fluid in the collector is heated by the concentrated solar energy and in a preferred embodiment is used to heat a second fluid contiguous to the first fluid, the first fluid having a boiling point exceeding that of the second fluid.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a container closed to free communication with the atmosphere, and means for maintaining therein a body of crude volatile liquid at a predetermined surface level with an evacuated space thereabove containing a low pressure mixture of evaporated volatile liquid vapor and incondensible gas, an array of heat conducting tubes immersed in said body of crude liquid with their lower ends entering into a closed drum member, a fan blower arranged to maintain a pressure differential for heating said mixture by compression and friction and impelling it into the upper ends of the tubes, whereby through heat exchange the vapor is condensed to liquid and passes into the drum member together with incondensible gas.

Abstract: A water purification system for use in combination with a domestic hot water heating tank. The system includes a water container for containing water separate from the water in the tank. A conduit carries hot water from the tank to the container, passing in close proximity to the heating unit of the hot water tank. A duct leading from the container conveys water vapor formed in the container to a receptacle. The water in the receptacle having been evaporated and condensed is thus purified for domestic use.

Abstract: There is disclosed a water distiller, primarily for producing water for human consumption which includes a boiler with an electric heater, a fractional distillation tower extending about two or more feet above the boiler, a gas trap at the top of the tower, and a steam conduit exiting from the tower below the gas trap and leading into a condensation tube with a water-cooled jacket. The boiler and tower are of uniform cross-section to facilitate cleaning by running a swab through this tube. An unprocessed water inlet is located in the bottom of the water jacket, and at the top of the water jacket is an exit orifice for preheated input water. A conduit for preheated input water leads to the bottom-most part of the boiler of the distiller. An overflow conduit is provided which is directly opposite the preheated water inlet; the highest point of the overflow conduit serves to automatically regulate the depth and volume of water in the boiler.

Abstract: A water distillation apparatus having a feed water pre-heater, an evaporator tank, and a storage tank. The storage tank has an upper surface and depending walls, the pre-heater and evaporator tank being on the upper surface, and extending, with the other components, to approximately the same height, all components being within the periphery of the walls. A mixing vessel including a level controlling overflow pipe receives water from the pre-heater, and a short, straight, large diameter conduit connects the mixing vessel and evaporator tank. The mixing vessel contains a valve to drain it and the evaporator tank. The pre-heater comprises two dished elements in facing relation, with a divider plate between them, the elements being joined at their peripheries. A serpentine path is provided in each of the two spaces of the pre-heater, formed by a pair of L-shaped separators extending linearly from one end of the space to a point spaced from the other end.

Abstract: A compact integral apparatus is provided for the continuous distillation of water. The apparatus comprises an upright cylindrical boiling vessel communicating at an upper portion thereof with a vapor condensation tube which leads into a water cooling tube disposed within a reservoir vessel. Water is supplied to said reservoir vessel through a float-controlled valve adapted to maintain a substantially constant amount of water in said reservoir vessel at a height sufficient to immerse said water cooling tube and thereby receive heat therefrom. Water to be distilled flows by gravity from said reservoir vessel to said boiling vessel. The component parts are structurally interconnected to facilitate facile mounting of the apparatus on a support structure.

Abstract: An apparatus is described for use in combination with a conventional distillation column to provide for measurement and control of reflux flow from a column intermediate fractionation stage at which a liquid side stream draw is taken. The apparatus comprises liquid receiver, flow control, and flow metering elements of particular description, and of particular relative position.

Abstract: There is disclosed a water distiller, primarily for producing water for human consumption which includes a boiler, a distillation tower extending about two or more feet above the boiler, and a steam conduit exiting from near the top of the tower leading into a helically grooved condensation tube with a water-cooled jacket. The boiler and tower are of uniform cross-section to facilitate cleaning. The water jacket has a water inlet located in the bottom and an exit orifice for preheated input water at the top. A conduit from the orifice leads to an evaporator for volatile impurities on top of the tower, and a conduit for preheated input water leads to the bottommost part of the boiler from the evaporator. An overflow conduit with an intermittent siphon is provided connected to the bottom of the boiler; the highest and lowest points of the siphon serve to automatically regulate the maximum and minimum depths of water in the boiler.

Abstract: A fractionation column is provided with a feed inlet and three product outlets, with the product outlets including an overhead vapor outlet, a bottoms liquid outlet and a side draw outlet. A plurality of vertically spaced apart vapor-liquid contact trays are mounted in the column. A generally vertical partition is positioned within the column in a central region between an upper and a lower vapor-liquid contact tray and divides the central region into first and second chambers defined by the upper and lower trays, column shell and partition. The feed inlet opens into the first chamber while the side draw outlet opens into the second chamber. First control means is provided for controlling the various inputs and outputs of the column. Second control means is also provided for measuring various constituent portions of fluid mixtures within the column.

Abstract: There is disclosed a water distiller, primarily for producing water for human consumption which includes a boiler, a distillation tower extending about two or more feet above the boiler, and a steam conduit exiting from near the top of the tower leading into a helically grooved condensation tube with a water-cooled jacket. The boiler and tower are of uniform cross-section to facilitate cleaning. The water jacket has a water inlet located in the bottom and an exit orifice for preheated input water at the top. A conduit from the orifice leads to an evaporator for volatile impurities on top of the tower, and a conduit for preheated input water leads to the bottommost part of the boiler from the evaporator. An overflow conduit with an intermittent siphon is provided connected to the bottom of the boiler; the highest and lowest points of the siphon serve to automatically regulate the maximum and minimum depths of water in the boiler.

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: This invention relates to a vaporizer for generating developer gas, containing ammonia, from aqueous ammonia for developing diazo copying material comprising a first vaporizer unit including a rectifying column and a column head, a gas outlet for taking off the developer gas and an inlet opening into the column head for feeding in aqueous ammonia, and a heatable, steam-generating sump vessel having a base and a residual water outlet, a second unit including a volatilizer with means for heating a base zone thereof, a residual water inlet opening in said base zone, a residual water line connecting said residual water inlet opening to said residual water outlet of said rectifying column, said residual water outlet of said rectifying column projecting upwardly in said sump vessel and having an orifice above the base thereof, said two units being arranged side by side with parallel axes in a single casing, a first connecting branch as said gas outlet for taking off the developer gas and a second connecting branch

Abstract: A water distillation system in which the heat supplied to the evaporator and the cooling of the condenser is provided by a refrigeration unit having its condensing coils in the evaporator and its evaporative coils in the condenser.

Abstract: A direct contact condenser of a distillation system has a condenser vessel comprising a vapor space with a vapor inlet, a condensate pump, with the liquids' level defining the top of the sump and the bottom of the vapor space. The thermal efficiency of the system is improved wherein the heat of condensation is concentrated in one of two coolant effluent lines while the other coolant line removes unheated excess liquid coolant. This is accomplished with the use of two temperature sensors at spaced vertical locations of the sump and a liquid level control together regulating the opening and closing of respective valves in respective influent and effluent lines of the sump.

Abstract: The invention provides unusally efficient distillation apparatus configured into a compact structure which conserves material in its construction and power consumption in its operation. The present structure particularly provides horizontally disposed flash effect distillation chambers coupled "back-to-back" across a common wall, the chambers being operable as a distillation system for water purification and/or solute concentration or as a sub-system in multi-effect distillation systems.

Abstract: An electrically heated still or purifier for the distillation purification of heat transfer fluids such as diphenyl, diphenyl ether and mixtures thereof which are contaminated with high boiling thermal decomposition products. The design incorporates an internal draft tube to induce natural circulation of the boiling liquid and thereby enhance heat transfer coefficients. The purifier is especially adapted for operation with Dowtherm A at temperatures of 700.degree.-750.degree. F. for removal of thermal decomposition products and corresponding superatmospheric pressures for Dowtherm A containing low boiling contaminants or other low boiling organic fluids without danger of overheating the heat transfer fluid.

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: A home water distiller which provides for an efficient distillation process wherein the inlet water supply is controlled as a function of the temperature of the output of the distiller, and which inlet water is preheated by introducing it into a chamber surrounding the condensor coils. After preheating, the water flows into the boiling chamber. The unit is provided with a flowthrough or constant-flush drainage system to keep mineral buildup to a minimum, and to provide for automatic control of the input water.

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 vapor compression distiller having a shell for enclosing a generally horizontal heat exchange tube bundle having one end connected to a steam chest and its other end connected to a condensate collecting chamber. A vapor compressor has its inlet connected to the shell and the outlet to the steam chest. The shell includes a pair of spaced apart wells at its lower end which are interconnected by a pipe connected below the expected level of liquid in each well. A half partition extends across the lower end of the vessel and between the wells to divide the lower portion of the vessel into two sections which are in communication across the upper end of the vessel. One well is connected to receive fresh feed liquid and the other includes a density sensor to discharge a portion of the concentrate to therein maintain a desired concentrate level and each well is connected to a spray nozzle manifold disposed in its respective shell section.

Abstract: A distillation apparatus having an evaporator for vaporizing liquid to be distilled, a substantially vertically disposed up-and-down flowing condenser in communication with the evaporator for condensing vaporized liquid received from the evaporator, and a heater associated with the evaporator for applying heat to and vaporizing fluid in the evaporator. The condenser feeds liquid into the evaporator so as to maintain a constant level of liquid in the evaporator at the highest normal point of flow of liquid in the condenser. The vapor travels downwardly through the condenser so as to become condensed at the bottom of the condenser where a distilled water output is provided for discharge of the distillate.

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: The water purification apparatus of this invention is used in combination with a domestic hot water heating tank and comprises a water container mounted on top of the tank. Hot tank water is supplied to the container through a passage controlled by a float-actuated needle valve. Water in the container receives additional heat from a heat-radiating pipe which extends from the tank through the container and back to the tank to maintain a continuous circulation. Water vapor formed in the container is carried away through a duct and condenses. A receptacle is provided for receiving condensate from the discharge outlet of the duct.

Abstract: A vapor generating and recovering apparatus for separating one component from a second component of a liquid solution and recovering the first component including at least one chamber for generating vapor from the liquid solution and recovering the vapor in a liquid form, the vapor generating portion of the chamber being in heat emitting relation with a heat emitting means and the vapor recovering portion chamber being in heat absorbing relation with a heat absorbing means. A preferred system for providing heat to the vapor generating portion of the chamber and removing heat from the vapor recovering portion of the chamber is a refrigerating system which includes condensing coils and evaporating coils in heat transfer relation with the vapor generating and vapor recovery chamber.

Abstract: A float valve arrangement is disposed in a mixing condenser that is arranged intermediate the first and second stage of a two-stage evaporation installation suitable for purifying radio-active liquids. In normal operation, vapor evaporated in the first stage extends via a first conduit into the mixing condenser where such vapor is condensed by contact with a portion of the liquid in the second stage that is circulated back to the mixing condenser via a pump. The normal vapor pressure generated in the first stage keeps the float valve open and permits the steam to displace, into the second stage, liquid present in the mixing condenser. During start-up and shutdown of the installation wherein vapor from the first stage is no longer present, the resulting rise in liquid level in the mixing condenser causes the float valve to close and to prevent any backflow of liquid into the first stage via the first conduit.

Abstract: A water distillation unit is disclosed herein. The unit preferably comprises an upper boiler container and a lower condensation container which are rigidly maintained in spaced apart relationship by a molded coupling member containing a plurality of water passageways and fittings. The coupling member is integral with the condensation container and is removably and threadably attached to the upper boiler container so that same may be easily removed when desired for cleaning. The boiler container receives raw liquid which is vaporized by an interiorly disposed heater element. The condensation container houses a condenser tube which receives steam from the boiler container and conducts distillate exteriorly of the apparatus. To improve thermal efficiency the condenser tube is cooled by raw liquid which is routed through the condensing container.

Abstract: Apparatus for conducting a continuous, pressurized liquid-state reaction while maintaining internal recycle. The apparatus has a perforated barrier plate which separates a reaction zone from a reboiler zone and has a by-pass conduit which connects these two zones. Control devices maintain the liquid levels in the reaction and reboiler zones. A heater in the reboiler zone evolves vapors in that zone, which vapors return to the reaction zone through the perforated barrier plate.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the separation of a normally liquid stream comprising low, high and intermediate volatility components by distilling the feed stream in a distillation zone, removing a vaporous overhead stream comprising the high volatility components together with some of the intermediate volatility component, removing from a central portion of the zone a vaporous side stream consisting essentially of the intermediate volatility component, the rate of removal of the intermediate volatility component being controlled by the liquid level of the intermediate volatility component condensed from the overhead stream and contained in a reservoir.

Abstract: A combined water distiller and cooler having a boiler and a steam condenser incorporating an expansion chamber with an air inlet over a distilled water accumulating tank so that condensing steam and water condensate may mix with air to improve the potable quality of the distilled water before it drains into the accumulator tank. The evaporator of a refrigeration system used to cool the distilled water is located inside of the distilled water accumulator tank as is the steam condenser coil, so that the combined cooling effect of the refrigerant evaporator and the chilled distilled water are used to condense steam to water in the condenser coil.