Distilland-level Control Patents (Class 202/193)
  • Patent number: 11174173
    Abstract: The disclosure provides systems methods and apparatus for purifying water. A purification device includes a heating vessel adapted to receive impure water and output water or water vapor. The device further includes at least one heating element arranged outside and in thermal contact with the heating vessel, configured to provide heat to the impure water. The device also includes at least one heat exchanger to exchange heat between the impure water and the water vapor to raise the temperature of the impure water. In some example implementations, the at least one heating element can include a Peltier cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Benz Research and Development Corp.
    Inventors: Savannah Abbey Benz, Patrick H. Benz
  • Patent number: 7232504
    Abstract: A distilling apparatus and method use a two step distillation and purification process for processing a waste liquid, such as an impure sulfuric acid solution, to form a highly concentrated sulfuric acid solution. First, the waste liquid is stored in a concentrating column, where it is heated. A condenser, which uses the waste liquid as a cooling medium, condenses the vapor generated by the heater. The condensed vapor is passed through a filter, which separates impurities out of the waste liquid, prior to feeding the waste liquid back into the concentrating column. Water is then removed from the waste liquid via a distilling process. The resulting concentrated liquid is then fed to a purifying column, where it is again heated, to remove residue, and condensed, resulting in a highly pure waste liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Hiroshi Osuda, Toru Matoba, Daisuke Adachi, Masataka Fukuizumi
  • Patent number: 6846388
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for heating fluid with a gas heater and distilling fluid with the pilot light of the gas heater are disclosed. The apparatus for heating fluid and distilling fluid includes a main tank for containing fluid to be heated, a heater, adapted to have a pilot light, for heating the fluid in said main tank and an evaporator tank for vaporizing fluid received therein with heat from the pilot light. The method of heating fluid and distilling fluid includes heating a first volume of fluid with a heater having a pilot light and heating a second volume of fluid with the pilot light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Inventor: Freeman Wilks
  • Publication number: 20030079981
    Abstract: A distilling apparatus and method use a two step distillation and purification process for processing a waste liquid, such as an impure sulfuric acid solution, to form a highly concentrated sulfuric acid solution. First, the waste liquid is stored in a concentrating column, where it is heated. A condenser, which uses the waste liquid as a cooling medium, condenses the vapor generated by the heater. The condensed vapor is passed through a filter, which separates impurities out of the waste liquid, prior to feeding the waste liquid back into the concentrating column. Water is then removed from the waste liquid via a distilling process. The resulting concentrated liquid is then fed to a purifying column, where it is again heated, to remove residue, and condensed, resulting in a highly pure waste liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2002
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Applicant: FUJITSU LIMITED
    Inventors: Hiroshi Osuda, Toru Matoba, Daisuke Adachi, Masataka Fukuizumi
  • Patent number: 5980695
    Abstract: A system for the vacuum distillation of contaminated solvents incorporates a tank for holding a liquid contaminated solvent, a heating chamber surrounding the tank for heating the liquid contaminated solvent into an evaporated solvent, a drift elimination and fractionation device for separating contaminants out of the evaporated solvent, a heat exchanger circuit for cooling the evaporated solvent from the drift elimination and fractionation device, a pump circuit connected to receive the evaporated solvent from the drift elimination and fractionation device and to circulate the evaporated solvent through the heat exchanger circuit, and a control circuit connected to at least the heating element and the pump so as to control operation their based on parameters of a solvent selected to be processed. The control circuit includes a plurality of sensors for monitoring operating conditions of at least the tank, the heating chamber and the heat exchanger circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1996
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: TransGlobal Industrial Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffory David Cox, Robert Grayson Martin
  • Patent number: 5368698
    Abstract: A water distillation apparatus includes a cylindrical housing with a first cover thereon, a pair of spaced apart funnel-shaped partitions, a second cover on the uppermost partition and a skirt extending downwardly from the periphery of the cover and the uppermost partition to a location above the bottom of the housing, the partitions and skirt dividing the interior of the housing into an inlet reservoir chamber for cold water above the first partition, a lower boiling chamber beneath the second partition and an inclined condensation passage between the partitions. Cold water is introduced through a pipe and solenoid valve into the bottom of the reservoir chamber for overflow through an opening in the second cover into the boiling chamber. A heater in the boiling chamber heats the water to produce steam which rises, passing into the condensation passage and flowing downwardly to a central drain for discharge into a distilled water reservoir beneath the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: Big Iron Drilling Ltd.
    Inventors: George R. Field, Wallace B. Bolte, Norman N. Pepin
  • Patent number: 5286350
    Abstract: A water distiller includes a raw water chamber for storing raw water, a main vaporization tank coupled with the raw water chamber for vaporizing raw water, a condensation device coupled with the main vaporization tank for condensing steam from the main vaporization tank, and a distilled water chamber communicated with the condensing conduit unit for accepting and storing distilled water. An auxiliary vaporization tank is communicated with the main vaporization tank and is mounted on the top end portion of the main vaporization tank. Each of the main and auxiliary vaporization tanks has a generally conical top wall which has a lower end portion that is provided with an annular water collecting groove formed in the inner surface thereof. Each of the water collecting grooves has a bottom wall which has a discharge opening formed therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Inventor: Shan-Meng Huang
  • Patent number: 5286351
    Abstract: A water distiller is provided which is used in conjunction with a hot water heater where normally wasted energy is used to preheat the hot water heater inlet. The distiller includes a heat storage tank, an evaporator tank having a water inlet, a heater and a steam outlet, and a first and second heat exchanger located within the heat storage tank. Steam generated in the evaporator tank passes through the first heat exchanger and condenses, forming distilled water. The heat rejected during condensation is absorbed within the heat storage tank. The second heat exchanger is used to preheat the water flowing to the hot water heater inlet by passing the water through the second heat exchanger on an as needed basis where it absorbs heat from the heat storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 15, 1994
    Assignee: Terrill Designs, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael E. Salmon
  • Patent number: 5271810
    Abstract: A distillation device for separating a liquid mixture from contaminants contained therein. The device partially cools, using an air radiator or equivalent passive heat-exchange device, a fluid of that contains at least one component of the mixture to be separated; the temperature of the fluid does not fall the ambient air temperature, thus preventing condensation on the heat exchanger. The partially cooled fluid is introduced into an aspirator and combined therein with a gaseous stream produced by heating the mixture to boiling in a separate chamber. Because of the high surface area of contact between vapor and aspirated liquid, the heat transfer is completely effective to condense the gaseous mixture, which settles into a pool. The components can then be separated mechanically or by gravity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1993
    Assignee: Environmental Solvents Corporation
    Inventors: Gene E. Keyser, Robert L. Klopfenstein
  • Patent number: 5047124
    Abstract: An apparatus for feeding gas into a heated saline solution for pressure measurement or to pump this solution. The gas is introduced into the solution through a gas bubbling-in pipe having a gas outlet opening. The gas is heated prior to being introduced into the solution and is charged with moisture until the saturation of the gas comes close to or corresponds to the saturation conditions in the solution at the gas outlet opening. This minimizes clogging by crystallization at the feeder pipes carrying the measuring or purge gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 10, 1991
    Assignee: Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Wiederaufarbeitung von Kernbrennstoffen mbH
    Inventor: Karlheinz Haberland
  • Patent number: 4957200
    Abstract: A water distillation apparatus has an outer chamber and an inner chamber suspended within the outer chamber by support arms. The inner chamber suspends a heating element to create steam. Heat is transferred from the inner chamber to the outer chamber, wherein the heated water in the outer chamber is allowed to degassify. Degassification removes unpleasant tasting chemicals from the water before distillation. Openings are provided for air circulation to remove the gasses. A condenser is also suspended by the support arms. The stem exits the inner chamber and goes into the condenser. A fan provides air circulation through the condenser. The outer chamber is not penetrated by any openings, thereby precluding the possibility of any leaks. The support arms bear on the outer chamber walls; the inner chamber is removed from the outer chamber for cleaning simply by lifting up. In one embodiment the outer and inner chambers are made of a ceramic material to better regulate heat transfer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1990
    Inventors: William F. Turner, James K. Dews
  • Patent number: 4954223
    Abstract: A distillation apparatus including a pair of vertical lower vessels each open at its upper end, and a pair of elongate upper vessels each having an open lower end, slidably mounted in a respective one of the lower vessels. A heat exchanger is mounted in each of the upper vessels, with the upper end of one upper vessel being connected to the inlet of the heat exchanger in the other vessel, and vice versa. A reciprocating drive mechanism drives the two upper vessels up and down in opposite directions so as to simultaneously effect compression in the space above the liquid level in the downwardly moving vessel while expanding the space above the liquid in the other vessel, driving vapor from the downwardly moving vessel into the heat exchanger in the other vessel, where it condenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Inventors: Joseph E. Leary, Edward L. Parr
  • Patent number: 4946558
    Abstract: A water distiller is provided which is used in conjunction with a hot water heater where normally wasted energy is used to preheat the hot water heater inlet. The distiller includes a heat storage tank, an evaporator tank having a water inlet, a heater and a steam outlet, and a first and second heat exchanger located within the heat storage tank. Steam generated in the evaporator tank passes through the first heat exchanger and condenses, forming distilled water. The heat rejected during condensation is absorbed within the heat storage tank. The second heat exchanger is used to preheat the water flowing to the hot water heater inlet by passing the water through the second heat exchanger on an as needed basis where it absorbs heat from the heat storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 7, 1990
    Assignee: Terrill Designs, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael E. Salmon
  • Patent number: 4919257
    Abstract: In a gas dehydration system utilizing glycol a condensate skimming reflux column separates and skims natural gas condensate off glycol by a settling tank-type reservoir having a syphon-type glycol outlet to a reflux section spaced a predetermined distance below a condensate outlet pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 24, 1990
    Inventors: Leslie E. Brigham, Sr., Leslie E. Brigham, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4917770
    Abstract: A vertically extending distillation cylinder has a closed top and an open bottom having an electric heating element disposed therein to form a closure. Adjacent to the top of the distillation cylinder is connected a condensing tube. The condensing tube extends down through a condenser having a cooling water inlet at the bottom and a water discharge at the top. A throttle valve regulates the flow of cooling water. From the water discharge, a trough carries the water to impinge on the distillation cylinder causing pollutants to vaporize. The water collects below in a basin surrounding the distillation cylinder. A feed tube carries water from the basin to the bottom of the distillation cylinder. A discharge tube also connected to the bottom of the distillation cylinder carries water up to where it makes a U-turn. This regulates water height in the distillation cylinder. The discharge tube and an over flow tube from the basin discharge into a funnel from which water is conveyed to a sewer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 17, 1990
    Inventors: Charles T. Asbury, Genevieve J. Asbury
  • Patent number: 4861435
    Abstract: A water distillation apparatus having a distilled water storage tank and a water boiling tank. Components associated with the boiling tank control the level of water therein and production of steam from the water contained therein. A steam flow line permits steam flow from the boiling tank into the storage tank. A distilled water cooling coil disposed in the storage tank at a lower region below the distilled water level is connected with a cool water infeed flow line. A steam condensing coil disposed in the storage tank at an upper region thereof above the desired water level and the cooling coil is connected with the cooling coil. Steam which enters the storage tank can directly contact the condensing coil exterior surface for causing the steam to condense into distilled water in the storage tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 29, 1989
    Inventor: Herbert F. Sweet, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4561940
    Abstract: The overcharge prevention device is installed in a solvent processing plant in a vacuum evaporator of a heat exchanger. It assures that the level of the cleaning solution in the vacuum evaporator cannot randomly rise when a feed valve malfunctions. A float body of an overcharge valve extending into the vacuum evaporator exerts a pressure through a double-arm lever and a valve plunger upon a ball valve and a valve seat in normal operation and holds the overcharge valve in a closed position. As the level of the cleaning solution undesirably rises, the buoyant action of the cleaning solution acts on the float body, causing the pressure on the valve seat to diminish, and the overcharge valve opens. This permits air to enter into the vacuum evaporator through the overcharge valve. The generated vacuum collapses and the suction force employed to ingest the cleaning solution disappears.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1984
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1985
    Assignee: Mentec Ag
    Inventor: Rene Meier
  • Patent number: 4394216
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for recovering two immiscible fluids in a vapor generating and recovery apparatus wherein water, an immiscible cleaning solvent, and an emuslifying agent are subjected to sufficient heat in a first chamber to vaporize the water and the immiscible solvent and then condense in a second chamber the water and immiscible solvent, returning in separate streams the water and solvent to the first chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 1981
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1983
    Inventor: James W. McCord
  • Patent number: 4364797
    Abstract: An electrically and/or solar heated distillation and fractionation system for separating ethanol-water mixtures comprised with an insulated inclined vaporization chamber divided into an upper solar absorbent vaporization section and a lower pre-heating section by a vaporization floor, float means to automatically control the ethanol-water feed to the lower portion of the preheating section when distillation is taking place, means to evenly distribute the ethanol-water mixture on the vaporization floor, means to heat the ethanol-water mixture in the distillation chamber, a packed fractionation column through which the vapors from the distillation chamber must pass, means to control the temperature at the top of the fractionation column-condensing means to recover and/or recycle distillate exiting to the upper portion of the distillation column and means to remove or recycle residual aqueous liquid from the lower end of the vaporization section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1982
    Assignee: Stil Sun Oil, Inc.
    Inventors: Boyd R. Beck, Lamar H. Stewart, Steven Tapp, Don L. Anderson, Jr., Daniel E. Nuffer
  • Patent number: 4342625
    Abstract: Water distillation apparatus including separable evaporator storage reservoir and condensing modules coupled to each other in vertical succession. A fluid coil is suspended within the condensing module and is coupled to feed water from a source such as a domestic tap to the evaporator module. A vapor column including a spiral baffle extends through the storage reservoir module to direct steam generated in the evaporator module to the vicinity of the fluid coil, such that the coil affects heat exchange between inlet water and the surrounding steam to preheat the water prior to entry into the evaporator module and to condense the steam for flow by gravity into the storage reservoir module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1982
    Inventor: Clifford C. Dennison
  • Patent number: 4261796
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 1978
    Date of Patent: April 14, 1981
    Inventor: Kenneth D. Lemoine
  • Patent number: 4239601
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1979
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1980
    Inventor: Kenneth D. Lemoine
  • Patent number: 4230530
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1978
    Date of Patent: October 28, 1980
    Assignee: Kenneth D. Lemoine
    Inventors: Kenneth D. Lemoine, Robert R. Keegan
  • Patent number: 4156631
    Abstract: A casing is supported above a kettle such as an electric kettle or the like and contains a condensing unit or coil connected to a source of cooling water. Steam from the kettle passes upwardly through the coil and into the casing and is condensed and collected at the base and discharged as distilled water. A feed from the heated cooling water replenishes the water supply in the kettle and may be automatic if desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1979
    Inventor: Wesley Andrei
  • Patent number: 4081331
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1978
    Inventor: Gunther Weiss
  • Patent number: 4010080
    Abstract: A solar powered distilling device, and more particularly, a device wherein a plurality of convex lenses concentrate the heat energy of sunlight to heat and vaporize a quantity of water, said water vapor rising from a vaporization chamber to a cooling chamber by virtue of spaces provided between troughs located there between, the water vapor is cooled by virtue of the circulating air in an air cooling chamber condensing the vapor into water droplets; said droplets being collected in said collection troughs provided for this purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1977
    Inventors: Yaw Jenn Tsay, Kuo-Chuan Lin
  • Patent number: 3935077
    Abstract: An automatic water distiller has an insulated evaporator to which water is supplied after being preheated by cooling the steam, which is produced by the evaporator, in a condensing chamber with which the water is in heat exchange relation. Air also flows in heat exchange relation with the condensing chamber to aid in condensing the steam. A storage chamber is disposed above the evaporator and beneath the condensing chamber to receive the condensed steam and the air, which flows over the condensing chamber to cool the steam therein, is first passed in heat exchange relation with the distilled water in the storage chamber. The vapors in the condensing chamber are vented to the chamber in which the water is in heat exchange relation with the condensing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 1974
    Date of Patent: January 27, 1976
    Inventor: Clifford C. Dennison