Abstract: Disclosed are a desalination device and processes of desalination using the device. The device is directly ocean-situated and fully nature-powered with on intake, no brine production, and no electricity consumption. The device contains a heating unit, configured to receive a dry air stream and heat the dry air stream with one or more renewable energy sources to produce a heated air stream; a humidifier, configured to receive the heated air stream, evaporate at least portion of water present in the humidifier and humidify the heated air stream to produce a wet air stream, a cooling unit, configured to receive the wet stream and cool the wet air stream resulting in condensation of at least a portion of the moisture to produce fresh water and a dehumidified air stream; and a fresh water collection tank, configured to collect at least a portion of the fresh water.

Abstract: Systems and methods related to desalination systems are described herein. According to some embodiments, the desalination systems are transiently operated and/or configured to facilitate transient operation. In some embodiments, a liquid stream comprising water and at least one dissolved salt is circulated through a fluidic circuit comprising a desalination system. In some embodiments, a portion of the desalination system (e.g., a humidifier) is configured to remove at least a portion of the water from the liquid stream to produce a concentrated brine stream enriched in the dissolved salt. In certain cases, the concentrated brine stream is recirculated through the fluidic circuit until the concentrated brine stream reaches a relatively high density (e.g., at least about 10 pounds per gallon) and/or a relatively high salinity (e.g., a total dissolved salt concentration of at least about 25 wt %).

Abstract: A membrane distillation arrangement (100) comprising: at least two dividers (120), each divider (120) having a top (122) and a base (124) and at least one side (126) which extends between the top (122) and the base (124); at least one transfer element (132) selected from a membrane, heat transfer component or combination thereof, each transfer element (132) having a top (134) and a base (136), each transfer element (132) being supported between two dividers (120); a plurality of perimeter seals (130), at least one perimeter seal (130) extending around the perimeter of the top (134) or the base (136) of each transfer element (132), each perimeter seal (130) forming a substantially fluid tight seal and a fluid flow space (140, 141) between the respective top (134) or base (136) of each transfer element (132) and a respective adjacent face of a divider (120).

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, methods, and computer program products are disclosed for extracting essential oil from plant material. A distillation chamber is coupleable in fluid receiving communication with a steam source via a first valve and the distillation chamber has a first temperature sensor and a vapor outlet. Steam from a steam source and essential oil vapor operably exit a distillation chamber through a vapor outlet. A condenser is in fluid receiving communication with a vapor outlet of a distillation chamber and steam and essential oil vapor are condensed in the condenser to form liquid water and essential oil product, respectively, that operably exit through a liquid outlet. A controller is configured to control a first valve based on readings from a first temperature sensor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of controlling a smoke generator. The smoke generator is adapted to be connected to a supply of a pressurized gas and a supply of a smoke liquid and further comprises a valve to regulate the pressure of the gas, a fluid driving means, a mixing unit for mixing the smoke liquid and the gas, and a heat exchanger heating the mixture of the pressurized gas and the smoke liquid to vaporize the smoke liquid and form a smoke upon ejection into surrounding air. The control method according to the invention then comprises the steps of receiving a smoke density parameter indicative of a desired amount of smoke to be generated by the smoke generator, measuring a gas pressure at a position between the valve and the heat exchanger, and using these parameters in controlling the valve. The invention further relates to a smoke generator arranged for performing the control method.

Abstract: [Object] To provide a calculation method and calculation device for an average sublimation interface temperature, bottom part temperature, and sublimation rate of the whole to-be-dried material introduced into a drying chamber of a freeze-drying device without contaminating or collapsing the to-be-dried material. [Solution] The present invention is applied to a freeze-drying device that includes a drying chamber DC, a cold trap CT, vacuum adjustment means for adjusting the degree of the vacuum in the drying chamber DC, and a control device CR for automatically controlling the operations of the above elements.

Abstract: A humidification-dehumidification water desalination system uses a contoured interior chamber, essentially onion shaped, in order to balance the thermodynamics of the evaporation/condensation process completely by facilitating the needed fluid bypass with air and the contoured shape of the interior chamber so that the desalination can occur energy efficiently in a single stage humidification-dehumidification system. The contour of the internal wall of the interior chamber is loosely proportional to the differential of the percentage of water vapor that can be carried by air as a function of temperature, with the interior chamber being essentially symmetrical about a horizontal midplane through the interior chamber.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a process for recovery of sulfolane used in a solvent-extraction or extractive-distillation process. A recovery column for the sulfolane solvent comprises a liquid-jet ejector for maintaining the needed vacuum conditions, preferably using water as the liquid.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods for the pre-concentration of a target molecule from feed solution comprising a low concentration of the target molecule.

Abstract: Apparatus for distilling a fluid such as water includes a vessel and heat transfer plates within the vessel structures to form at least one each cooling channel, evaporative channel, and condensing channel. Air enters the vessel and passes through the cooling channel, where it is cooled due to evaporation taking place in an adjacent evaporative channel. In the evaporative channel, input fluid is supplied to the walls of the heat transfer plates facing into the evaporative channel and evaporation forms vapor. The vapor is condensed in a condensing channel. In some versions of the apparatus, an evaporation channel forms a vacuum chamber and a condensing channel forms a compression chamber.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed toward a novel pressurized vapor cycle for distilling liquids. In some embodiments of the invention, a liquid purification system is revealed, including the elements of an input for receiving untreated liquid, a vaporizer coupled to the input for transforming the liquid to vapor, a head chamber for collecting the vapor, a vapor pump with an internal drive shaft and an eccentric rotor with a rotatable housing for compressing vapor, and a condenser in communication with the vapor pump for transforming the compressed vapor into a distilled product. Other embodiments of the invention are directed toward heat management, and other process enhancements for making the system especially efficient.

Abstract: A process for producing high-purity liquids, in particular liquid chemicals, by distillation, includes the steps of: providing a liquid to be purified from a storage vessel in a sample container arranged in a sample chamber, heating and evaporating the uppermost layers of the liquid to be purified, condensing the sample vapor produced of the liquid to be purified in a condensation device outside the sample chamber, and collecting the distillate in a collecting container. The collecting container being connectable to the storage vessel via a return line for the non-condensed sample vapor and forming a space that is closed off from the surroundings between the space above the liquid surface of the liquid to be purified in the sample chamber and the storage vessel.

Abstract: A water vending apparatus is disclosed. The water vending system includes a water vapor distillation apparatus and a dispensing device. The dispensing device is in fluid communication with the fluid vapor distillation apparatus and the product water from the fluid vapor distillation apparatus is dispensed by the dispensing device.

Abstract: This invention is directed to methods for recovery of C3-C6 alcohols from dilute aqueous solutions, such as fermentation broths. Such methods provide improved volumetric productivity for the fermentation and allow recovery of the alcohol. Such methods also allow for reduced energy use in the production and drying of spent fermentation broth due to increased effective concentration of the alcohol product by the simultaneous fermentation and recovery process which increases the quantity of alcohol produced and recovered per quantity of fermentation broth dried. Thus, the invention allows for production and recovery of C3-C6 alcohols at low capital and reduced operating costs.

Abstract: The present invention provides fractional condensation apparatuses, systems and methods that can recover volatile products from highly diluted liquid and vapor feed mixtures with high purity and recovery yield, both in batch and continuous distillation, while being also designed to achieve low-cost and efficient recovery processes. Single apparatuses and columns can be connected to each other to expand or shrink the column length for desired separation. The apparatuses, systems and methods can be applied to separate mixtures with both narrow and wide boiling point ranges.

Abstract: A distilled water production system (1) includes a main tank (2), a pressure reducer (3), a cooler (4) and a pool (5). Sea water or dirty water is contained in the main tank (2) as raw water for producing distilled water. The pressure reducer (3) brings an inside of the main tank (2) into a reduced pressure state. The cooler (4) is disposed in an upper part within the main tank (2) and cools water vapor produced by evaporation of the raw water occurring in the reduced pressure state. The pool (5) is disposed at a position below the cooler (4) within the main tank (2) and contains the distilled water obtained by cooling and condensation of the water vapor by the cooler (4). According to the distilled water production system (1), the running cost and construction and equipment costs can be suppressed to be low.

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.

Abstract: A system for recovering products from a gas stream comprises a cooled chamber having an inlet that feeds the gas stream to a plurality of sequential conduit loops within the chamber. A critical orifice follows each loop, and each loop includes an output port. Based upon the physical characteristics of each loop, the sizing of the critical orifice following the loop, and the temperature within the chamber, different products are condensed from the gas stream through the output ports. The system may be configured to condense hydrocarbonaceous products such as ethane, propane, butane or methane, as well as fundamental products such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen or hydrogen. Gaseous products may be stored in gas or liquid form or vented to atmosphere depending upon amount, purity, and so forth.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus separate a volatile component from a substance mixture (raw product). The substance mixture is heated, the volatile component is at least partly evaporated and then the vapor formed is condensed. To improve the separating action, the condensate, in the region of the point of condensation, is contacted with a liquid in which the condensate dissolves.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an apparatus and a process that can be used to remove sulfur dioxide other environmentally hazardous contaminants from a gaseous waste stream while at the same time providing a source of purified water. The process can be used for the desalination of sea or brackish water, or for the concentration of contaminated waste water. The method comprises feeding a gaseous waste stream that comprises sulfur dioxide into a diffusion tower. Feed water is sprayed onto a packing material in the diffusion tower to form a thin film of feed water on a surface of the packing material. Sulfur dioxide diffuses into the thin film of feed water to form water that contains sulfur dioxide. The gaseous waste stream is simultaneously humidified. The humidified gaseous waste stream is then subjected to direct contact condensation to obtain purified water.

Abstract: A method and system for removing impurities from water including heating a first gas stream including a first gas or a gas mixture and pre-humidifying the first gas stream using water from an impure water source. Heat may be transferred the first gas stream to a second gas stream, wherein the second gas stream includes a second gas or a gas mixture and wherein the first gas stream and the second gas stream flow in opposing directions. Water may be condensed out of the first gas stream and the second gas stream may be contacted with impure water, evaporating at least a portion of water from the impure water into the second gas stream to humidify the second gas stream. The first gas stream and the second gas stream are sustained at or near ambient pressure.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for water purification. The systems have a preheater, a degasser, an evaporation chamber, a demister, and a control system, wherein the control system permits operation of the purification system through repeated cycles without requiring user intervention or cleaning. The system is capable of removing, from a contaminated water sample, a plurality of contaminant types including: microbiological contaminants, radiological contaminants, metals, salts, volatile organics, and non-volatile organics.

Abstract: The invention provides an assembly for desalinating water comprising a cold air duct open to the dry channels of the evaporative cooler and extending around a humidification chamber disposed between the evaporative cooler and the condenser. The invention provides for a film valve including a flexible sheet intersecting the cold air duct for controlling air flow along the cold air duct to the condenser. The film valve allows for a fraction, or all of the cool air in the cold air duct to be utilized for comfort cooling.

Abstract: A method and system for recovering heat from a pretreated hot biomass stream is described. The method and system for heat recovery includes a flash cooler connected to a direct contact condenser. A liquid portion of the hot biomass stream flashes into vapors upon the hot biomass stream entering the flash cooler. The flashed vapors are transferred to the direct contact condenser. The flashed vapors and an incoming cold biomass stream subsequently come into contact with each other in the direct contact condenser, thereby causing heat to be transferred from the hot biomass stream to the cold biomass stream. As the heat transfer occurs, the flashed vapors condense onto the surface of the cold biomass.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for generating a vacuum and for separating volatile compounds during esterification, transesterification and/or polycondensation reactions. One or several jets of steam comprising a spray condenser, which is arranged up or downstream, are connected to the suction side of a reactor which is to be evacuated and phenol or steam containing phenol is used as propellant steam at a pressure of 0.5 hPa to approximately 1.5 MPa and liquid phenol or a liquid containing phenol is used as a spraying agent.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus separate a volatile component from a substance mixture (raw product). The substance mixture is heated, the volatile component is at least partly evaporated and then the vapor formed is condensed. To improve the separating action, the condensate, in the region of the point of condensation, is contacted with a liquid in which the condensate dissolves.

Abstract: A self-contained dehydration toilet having an odor-capturing steam and water recovery system. The dehydration toilet comprises a toilet bowl, a dehydration engine connected to the toilet bowl, a steam, gas and vapor conduit from the dehydrating engine, a water supply infusion tank which receives steam, gases and vapor from the dehydration engine to the infusion water tank, an ozone generator which supplies ozone to the water supply, a vacuum pump connected to the infusion water tank, and a power source supplying power to the dehydrating engine, the ozone generator, a control circuit and the vacuum pump. The dehydrating engine has a heating device and helical paddles to aid in the dehydration process. The dehydrating toilet reuses steam and captures odors and vapors with diffusion chambers in the infusion water tank.

Abstract: A process for rectificatively separating fluids including (meth)acrylic monomers in a rectification column by directly cooling the vapor including (meth)acrylic monomers rising to the top of the rectification column to form top condensate including (meth)acrylic monomers, the condensation space at the top of the column being separated from the region of the rectification column containing the separating internals only by at least one chimney tray from which the top condensate formed is removed from the rectification column, which includes effecting the direct cooling of the vapor in the condensation space in at least two spray zones which are spatially successive and are flowed through by vapor by spraying supercooled top condensate including added polymerization inhibitor, and the temperature of the sprayed supercooled top condensate becoming lower from spray zone to spray zone in the flown direction of the vapor.

Abstract: A multiple application recycling and purification device has a coaxial core that is horizontally oriented, non-rotating, cylindrical distillation chamber. The enhanced, completely coaxial configuration continuously cleans the entire distillation chamber and spreads a thin film of liquid to enhance distillation and positively aid in the removal of remaining contaminants. Through a timed and positioned valve, the device removes and purges lower-temperature contaminants. Timed valves and sensors control all phases of the distillation to provide a coaxially integrated, stand-alone, adaptable, scalable and maintenance free distillation unit that self-monitors, self-cleans and economically functions to produce the pure distilled liquid, e.g., water. This device can be modified to purify any numerous array of liquids and can be scaled to produce any amount of purified liquids for either household, commercial, or industrial applications.

Abstract: The present invention is a distillation system with individual fractionator tray temperature control, with the use of either a heating element or a cooling element, and in some preferred embodiments, the use of both a heating element and a cooling element in a plurality of fractionator trays. There is at least, and typically more than one distillation column having a plurality of fractionation trays, and having feed input, liquid removal, and vapor removal with the plurality of trays including at least one of a heating element and a cooling element. Controls are included for separate control of each of the heating element(s) and/or said cooling element(s). These controls may be regulated by a programmable microprocessor, and feedback from temperature sensors may be employed to provide discrete tray-by-tray temperature controls.

Abstract: The present invention aims to isolate the azeotropes formed in a distillation column (B1) by methanol, propane and butane. The azeotropes are then liquefied in heat exchanger (E2) and mixed in contactor (M1) with water in order to dissolve the methanol in water. The mixture is then fed into a decantation tank (D2) to separate the aqueous phase from the liquid hydrocarbon phase. Finally, an aqueous phase containing methanol is discharged and the methanol-depleted hydrocarbon phase is recycled to distillation column (B1) as reflux.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the field of oil refining and the petrochemical industry. The proposed plant for the distillation of a liquid has a vacuum rectification column with pipes for feed of a stock product and for bleeding of a gas-vapor phase and at least one liquid fraction; and a vacuum-producing device composed of a liquid-gas jet apparatus, a separator, a pump and a condenser. The gas intake of the liquid-gas jet apparatus is connected to the pipeline for bleeding of a gas-vapor phase, the liquid intake of the jet apparatus is connected to the discharge side of the pump and the outlet of the jet apparatus is connected to the condenser's intake. The intake of the separator is connected to the condenser's outlet, the liquid outlet of the separator is connected to the suction side of the pump and the gas outlet of the separator is connected to consumers of compressed gas.

Abstract: The invention essentially relates to a method for vacuum distillation of liquids that includes feeding a polar liquid into a vacuum-producing liquid-gas jet apparatus as a motive liquid if evacuation of a nonpolar gas-vapor medium is to be effected. Further, the method includes condensing the nonpolar gas-vapor medium, forming a gas-liquid mixture, disengaging a gaseous phase from the mixture, forming a liquid emulsion containing the polar liquid and a nonpolar condensate, separating the emulsion into continuous layers, withdrawing the nonpolar condensate and recycling the polar liquid by pumping it back into the liquid-gas jet apparatus. A nonpolar liquid is to be used as the motive liquid of the liquid-gas jet apparatus if evacuation of a polar gas-vapor medium is required. There is another variant of the method applicable when an evacuated gas-vapor medium contains both polar and nonpolar components.