With Separator Patents (Class 202/197)
  • Patent number: 11958760
    Abstract: An atomizer for use in a water treatment system includes an influent inlet, to receive a flow of fluid containing contaminants a gas flow inlet, to receive a flow of gas to be mixed with the fluid in a mixing zone, an airflow controlling component, including an array of vanes disposed between the gas flow inlet and the mixing zone to impart a rotational component to a direction of flow of the gas. A channel receives the flow of fluid containing contaminants, and conducts the flow of fluid containing contaminants to the mixing zone, wherein radially outwardly flowing fluid containing contaminants is mixed with radially inwardly flowing gas to atomize the fluid containing contaminants, and an outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Inventor: Kelly Rock
  • Patent number: 11198622
    Abstract: A water purification system, a water dispenser and a washing basin applying the same for purifying a raw water to be treated without filtering to a usable fresh water. The water purification system includes a water filtering device coupled to a water intake to filter a raw water to be treated; a first water storage tank coupled to the water filtering device for storing the raw water after being filtered; a nebulization device coupled to the first water storage tank for nebulizing the raw water after being filtered into a water fog; a condensation device coupled to the nebulization device for condensing the water fog; and a second water storage tank coupled to the condensation device for storing a recycled water generated by condensing the water fog.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2021
    Assignees: Ginger Water Processing Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Lin-Song Weng
  • Patent number: 10836738
    Abstract: An improved process for the recovery of ethylene oxide from the aqueous scrubbing solution in which the ethylene oxide is recovered into a vaporous stream highly enriched in ethylene oxide.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Scientific Design Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Chun Chau Chan, Eunice Yamada, Barry Jay Billig
  • Patent number: 9896974
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for the recovery mechanical power from heat energy sources using a common working fluid comprising, in some embodiments, an organic refrigerant flowing through multiple heat exchangers and expanders. The distribution of heat energy from the source may be portioned, distributed, and communicated to each of the heat exchangers so as to permit utilization of up to all available heat energy. In some embodiments, the system utilizes up to and including all of the available heat energy from the source. The expanders may be operatively coupled to one or more generators that convert the mechanical energy of the expansion process into electrical energy, or the mechanical energy may be communicated to other devices to perform work.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: ElectraTherm, Inc.
    Inventors: Hank Leibowitz, Hans Wain, David Williams
  • Patent number: 9481628
    Abstract: Embodiments of an invention disclosed herein relate to methods to produce terephthalate esters, the methods include esterifying at least one C6-C13 alcohol with dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) in the presence of a catalyst to produce the terephthalate esters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2016
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventor: Nicholaas A. De Munck
  • Patent number: 8986508
    Abstract: A thermal desalination system adapted to produce distilled water from feed water which may be sea water, based on a forward feed evaporator made up of a main water feed line, a vapor feed line, a distilled water main line and any number of effect groups. The effect groups include any number of effects which in turn include vapor inlets, water inflow lines, concentrate outflow lines that drain into a common concentrate drainage line, a vapor and water outlet in fluid communication with the distilled water main line, and heat transfer means that condense part of an inlet vapor to produce the distilled water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: I.D.E. Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Avraham Ophir, Joseph Weinberg
  • Patent number: 8951392
    Abstract: A modular portable evaporator system for use in a Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) systems having an evaporator, with a sump including an oil skimming weir, a short tube vertical falling film heat exchanger including an outer shell containing short tubes provided for lower water circulation rate. The system further having external to the evaporator, a compressor for compressing evaporated steam from the tube side of the heat exchanger and routing to the shell side of the same exchanger, a distillate tank to collect hot distilled water, a recirculation pump to introduce liquids from the sump into the heat exchanger and an external suction drum protecting the compressor from liquid impurities. The evaporator system receives produced water from the SAGD process into the sump and provides cleaned hot water to a boiler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: 1nSite Technologies Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenneth James
  • Patent number: 8864949
    Abstract: A system and method for decontaminating water and generating water vapor includes introducing contaminated water in to a vessel. The water is moved through a series of rotating trays alternately separated by stationary baffles so as to swirl and heat the water to effect the vaporization thereof to produce a vapor having at least some of the contaminants separated therefrom. The vapor is removed from the vessel for condensing apart from the separated contaminants and the remaining water. The vapor may be passed through a turbine connected to an electric generator. Sensors in a controller may be employed to adjust the speed of rotation of the trays or water input into the vessel in response to the sensed conditions. The treated water may be recirculated and reprocessed through the vessel to increase the purification thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2014
    Assignee: Verno Holdings, LLC
    Inventors: John D. Riley, Dana L. Johnson
  • Patent number: 8771477
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for water purification and desalination. The systems have a preheater, a degasser, multiple evaporation chambers with demisters, heat pipes, and a control system, wherein the control system permits continuous operation of the purification and desalination system without requiring user intervention or cleaning. The systems are capable of recovering hear from each distillation stage, while removing, from a contaminated water sample, a plurality of contaminants including: microbiological contaminants, radiological contaminants, metals, salts, and organics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Sylvan Source, Inc.
    Inventor: Eugene Thiers
  • Patent number: 8771478
    Abstract: A modular distillation apparatus including at least one heat exchanger that preheats contaminated liquids: a heater that heats the contaminated liquid from the heat exchanger; an evaporator condenser adapted o boil the contaminated liquid coming out of the heater to produce water vapor and contaminant concentrate, and condenser the water vapor into distilled water; a vacuum chamber capable of operating at below atmospheric pressure, the vacuum chamber housing the evaporator condenser and including at least one partition to separate the distilled water from the contaminate concentrate; a vapor compressor operably associated with the vacuum chamber to receive water vapor from the evaporator condenser in the vacuum chamber and pump the water vapor at pressure back through the evaporator condenser, wherein the heat exchanger recovers sensible heat from outgoing condensed distilled water and contaminant concentrate recycled from the vacuum chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Equus Environmental Ltd.
    Inventor: Dudley Edgar James Ward
  • Patent number: 8753487
    Abstract: An evaporation device has an inner tube and an outer tube. The inner tube is made of a hydrophilic membrane, such as DutyionT. The outer tube is preferably made of a material that readily absorbs solar radiation and is a good heat conductor. There is a gap between the inner tube and the outer tube for the flow of air. The inner tube contains a flow of impure water. The hydrophilic membrane allows water to pass to the outside of the inner tube as vapor, but prevents impurities from passing through. Air flowing in the gap takes up the water vapor and humidified air exits the evaporation device. This humidified air is subsequently cooled to collect the vapor and provide purified water, e.g. at a condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Design Technology and Innovation Ltd
    Inventor: Mark Christopher Tonkin
  • Patent number: 8696873
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for purification of bilge and sludge water on a ship, especially at sea, using excess heat from the ship's engine(s) to a level of oil contamination of less than 15 ppm. The invention also relates to a plant for carrying out the method, and a vessel including such plant, as well as the use of the method and plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: PPM-Clean AB
    Inventors: Benny Karlström, Jan Hedkvist
  • Publication number: 20140083837
    Abstract: A system for the enrichment of at least one component in a source liquid containing at least two components intermixed. The system includes: a tower of superimposed subunits, the uppermost subunit being a vapor chamber; an intermediate subunit functioning as a heating chamber; and a lowest subunit functioning as a sedimentation chamber; a wall partially separating the vapor chamber from the heating chamber; at least one heating unit; at least one shutter at the bottom of the intermediate subunit disposed above the sedimentation chamber to facilitate release of sediments into the sedimentation chamber; an intermediate storage container for storing liquid at equilibrium pressure with the atmosphere; an inlet for refilling the intermediate subunit by pumping; and an outlet for releasing processed liquid from the uppermost vapor chamber to an external container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Inventor: Shaul Yaakoby
  • Publication number: 20140034478
    Abstract: An evaporator assembly includes an inlet member and a diffuser, and receives a mixture of a gas and a solution to vaporize a portion of a solvent from the solution. First portions of the diffuser and of the inlet member collectively define a first flow path. A second portion of the diffuser defines a second flow path that diverges. A third portion of the diffuser and a second portion of the inlet member collectively define an evaporation volume between the first flow path and the second flow path. At least one of the diffuser or the inlet flow member includes multiple vanes that produce a rotation within a flow of the mixture when the flow exits the first flow path into the evaporation volume. A separator receives the mixture to produce a first flow of a portion of the solvent and a second flow of a portion of the solute.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: MICRONIC TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Micronic Technologies, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20130319845
    Abstract: A contaminated solvent recycling system comprises a distillation vessel having a distillation zone and a separate waste collection zone and heating means for heating contaminated solvent feed within the distillation zone vessel to distill off the solvent. By separating the distillation zone from the waste collection zone, the distillation zone can be made small enough to process small consecutive batches of contaminated solvent feed whilst the waste collection zone can be made large enough to accommodate waste accumulating from the distillation process for extended periods of time between waste removal operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventor: Todd S. Parkhurst
  • Patent number: 8506761
    Abstract: An assembly for recycling a solvent from a contaminated solvent solution includes a recycler module including a distillation assembly and an air handler assembly. The distillation assembly includes a distiller and a conduit that includes a condenser and a sight glass. The air handler assembly includes a duct having an intake port, an exhaust port and a source of air flow. The condenser is disposed within the duct and the sight glass is disposed external to the duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Safety-Kleen Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Rudy Publ, David Kisela, Tim Rothwell, Greg Merz, Gary Myers
  • Patent number: 8506762
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: David F. Bednarek, Jason A. Demers, Timothy P. Duggan, James L. Jackson, Scott A. Leonard, David W. McGill, Kingston Owens
  • Patent number: 8470137
    Abstract: An assembly for recycling a solvent from a contaminated solvent solution includes a reservoir module connected to a recycler module. The reservoir module includes a mounted reservoir including an interior volume and a removable lid that reduces the interior volume and includes an access port. The recycler module includes a distillation assembly and an air handler assembly. The distillation assembly includes a distiller and a conduit including a condenser and a sight glass. The air handler assembly includes a duct having an intake port, an exhaust port and a source of air flow. The condenser is disposed within the duct and the sight glass is disposed external to the duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Safety-Kleen Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Rudy Publ, David Kisela, Tim Rothwell, Greg Merz, Gary Myers
  • Patent number: 8470136
    Abstract: An assembly for removing contaminants from objects and recycling a solvent from a contaminated solvent solution includes a parts washer assembly including a container for a contaminated solvent solution and a recycling assembly that includes a reservoir module connected to a recycler module. The reservoir module includes a mounted reservoir including an interior volume and a removable lid that reduces the interior volume and includes an access port. The recycler module includes a distillation assembly and an air handler assembly. The distillation assembly includes a distiller and a conduit including a condenser and a sight glass. The air handler assembly includes a duct having an intake port, an exhaust port and a source of air flow. The condenser is disposed within the duct and the sight glass is disposed external to the duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Safety-Kleen Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Rudy Publ, David Kisela, Tim Rothwell, Greg Merz, Gary Myers
  • Patent number: 8470138
    Abstract: A distillation assembly that reduces malodors resulting from a process of recycling a solvent from a contaminated solvent solution that includes a distillation chamber defined by a top wall, a side wall and a bottom wall, a heating element disposed in the distillation chamber including an active portion and an inactive portion. The contaminated solvent solution disposed at a level within the distillation chamber such that the active portion always disposed below the level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Safety-Kleen Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Rudy Publ, David Kisela, Gary Myers
  • Patent number: 8460509
    Abstract: A fluid evaporation system includes a housing bounding a fluid reservoir and an air flow path that is disposed over top of the fluid reservoir. The housing has an inlet opening and a spaced apart outlet opening that both provide communication between the outside environment and the air flow path. A fan is positioned to draw the air out of the air flow path through the outlet opening. A baffle projects into the air flow path at a location between inlet opening and the outlet opening so as to constrict the area of the air flow path thereat. A plurality of spray nozzles are positioned within air flow path between the baffle and the first end of the housing. A pump is configured to draw fluid from the reservoir and deliver it to the plurality of spray nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Total Water Management, LLC
    Inventors: Janos I. Lakatos, Edward Clay Slade, Clayton R. Carter
  • Patent number: 8430993
    Abstract: A fluid evaporation system includes a housing bounding a fluid reservoir and an air flow path that is disposed over top of the fluid reservoir. The housing has an inlet opening and a spaced apart outlet opening that both provide communication between the outside environment and the air flow path. A fan is positioned to draw the air out of the air flow path through the outlet opening. A baffle projects into the air flow path at a location between inlet opening and the outlet opening so as to constrict the area of the air flow path thereat. A plurality of spray nozzles are positioned within air flow path between the baffle and the first end of the housing. A pump is configured to draw fluid from the reservoir and deliver it to the plurality of spray nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Total Water Management, LLC
    Inventors: Janos I. Lakatos, Edward Clay Slade, Clayton R. Carter
  • Patent number: 8343316
    Abstract: A vacuum dehydrator for processing an oil containing entrained contaminants such as water, air, and particulates comprises a tower enclosing upper and lower chambers. A random packing is contained in the upper chamber. The oil is preheated to a temperature above the boiling point of water and is introduced into the upper chamber for downward flow through the random packing into the lower chamber. Entrained air and water is retained as water vapor in the upper chamber, and particulates are retained in the random packing. Heated ambient air is introduced into the lower chamber for upward flow through the random packing into the upper chamber, and the upper chamber is cooled to condense the water vapor. Oil and condensed water are pumped respectively from the lower and upper chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Mortimer Daniel Williams, John G. Donnelly, Eric M. Laliberte, J. Rafael Lazo, Juan Alejandro Segrelles Sacristan, Anselmo Garcia Gracia
  • Publication number: 20120228118
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and equipment for treating pulp mill black liquor so as to recover the energy in chemicals therein. In the invention the black liquor is pyrolysed in a pyrolysis reactor (4), where causticizing material consisting of metal oxide and sodium oxide and heated in a burning unit (6) is conveyed, and gaseous components formed in pyrolysis are conveyed for utilization and solids are returned to the burning unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Inventor: Timo Honkola
  • Patent number: 8206558
    Abstract: A processing apparatus (1) for the processing of process or industrial wastewaters is provided. The processing apparatus (1) has an evaporator (4) in which a tube bundle heat exchanger is provided, whose pure distillate side is connected to a separating apparatus for separating the distillate from floating organic phase or similar free liquid constituents. This separating apparatus is intended to collect the floating organic phase from the condensate, in order that this phase can be sucked back into the evaporator (4). In addition, the vapor mixture is conducted from the separating apparatus (8) to a recuperator (3) and cooled to such an extent that the water, the volatile solvents and the organic material dissolved in the vapor can be condensed and discharged separately or can be sucked back into the evaporator (4). This allows significantly better distillate qualities to be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: H20 GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Fickenscher, Daniel Ladenberger
  • Patent number: 8202403
    Abstract: A distillation tower for use in a petrochemical or petroleum operation effects liquid and vapor separation by using centrifugal force applied to the feed introduced into a ring from a tangential inlet. The feed is separated into a liquid component that flows into the bottoms section of the tower and a vapor component that flows upwardly through the core of the ring to a wash zone in the tower. De-entrainment devices are provided in the core so that the vapor swirling upwardly impacts the devices and any remaining entrained liquid is separated from the vapor. As a result, overflash with decreased resid can be collected from the wash zone and used as feed suitable for a fluid catalytic cracking operation, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research & Engineering Company
    Inventors: Theodore Sideropoulos, Arun K. Sharma
  • Patent number: 8183400
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure include processes and systems for recovering alkylene oxide. System embodiments include a stripping section located in an alkylene oxide recovery column to convert a feed stream comprising to a first gas phase portion comprising alkylene oxide, a condensing zone comprising at least a first condenser and a second condenser configured in series, and a reabsorption region located in the alkylene oxide recovery column above the last of the at least two condensers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Dow Technology Investments LLC
    Inventors: John F. Szul, James H. Mccain, Floyd L. Pfeffer, Harvey E. Andresen, Phillip R. Fairchild, Kent E. Newman
  • Patent number: 8083901
    Abstract: A de-entrainment device separates entrained liquid from vapor in a fluid stream that flows through a chimney tray in a distillation tower. The separated liquid is collected and shielded from the fluid stream to prevent re-entrainment of the liquid in the vapor flowing upward into the tower. The chimney tray includes risers with hats that have gutters to guide liquid toward the tray deck, channels to collect and drain liquid from the top of the hats to the tray deck, and baffles extending from the risers to shield the liquid collected on the tray deck from the vapor flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research & Engineering Company
    Inventors: Arun K. Sharma, Theodore Sideropoulos, Berne K. Stober, Brian D. Albert, Alvin U. Chen, Vikram Singh
  • Patent number: 7981253
    Abstract: An improved de-entrainment device for use in distillation towers, especially vacuum distillation towers used for fractionating petroleum atmospheric resids is in the form of a baffle which is to be located in the portion of the tower below the feed zone and at the top of the flash zone. The baffle is in the form of an apertured plate above the stripping zone and in its preferred form comprises number of radial fins or blades, resembling a static fan with openings between the fins to permit vapors from the lower portions of the tower to pass upwards through the baffle with a minimal pressure drop. The fins of the baffle are preferably oriented at an angle between 30° and 60° away from the incoming feed so that the incoming feed stream skims over the top edges of the fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research & Engineering Company
    Inventors: Arun K. Sharma, Theodore Sideropoulos, Rutton D. Patel, Brian D. Albert, Alvin U. Chen
  • Publication number: 20110089013
    Abstract: An apparatus of produced water treatment, to be adopted in an in-situ recovery method of producing bitumen from oil sand, the apparatus capable of removing the oil from produced water, the produced water of being left by separating the bitumen from bitumen-mixed fluid having been recovered from the oil sand, the apparatus having: a vessel for receiving the produced water; a submerge type filtration membrane module, installed in the vessel, for filtering the produced water in the condition of the membrane being submerged in the produced water; and a bubble generator for generating bubbles to be forwarded toward the submerged filtration membrane in the produced water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Publication date: April 21, 2011
    Inventors: Masaaki Sakurai, Hiroaki Ikebe, Hiroshi Yokohata, Toru Morita, Kiyoshi Ida
  • Publication number: 20110079504
    Abstract: Water is substantially separated from a liquid mixture (e.g., saline water) that includes water using a humidification chamber at a lower pressure and a dehumidification chamber at a higher pressure. A carrier gas is flowed through the humidification chamber; and inside the humidification chamber, the carrier gas directly contacts the liquid mixture to humidify the carrier gas with evaporated water from the liquid mixture to produce a humidified gas flow. The humidified gas flow is then directed through the dehumidification chamber, where water is condensed from the humidified gas flow and collected. The absolute pressure inside the humidification chamber is at least 10% lower than the absolute pressure inside the dehumidification chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicants: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM & MINERALS
    Inventors: Prakash N. Govindan, Mostafa H. Elsharqawy, John H. Lienhard, Syed N. Zubair
  • Patent number: 7842121
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing aqueous stream purification services. The system includes at least one separation unit. Each separation unit may include a mechanical vapor recompression separator, a steam stripper, and a secondary recovery heat exchanger. The system for wastewater purification may receive water from a waste water storage, purify the water, and return the purified water to a purified water storage. The system may include a controller. The controller may include an operating conditions module configured to interpret at least one operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Capital Corporation
    Inventors: Larry D. Sanderson, James W. Schleiffarth, Leslie D. Merrill, Bradford M. Rohwer
  • Patent number: 7837768
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for purifying a waste fluid stream. The system includes a recirculation pump having an inlet for a recirculation stream and an outlet to expel a pressurized stream. The system includes a compressor having an inlet for an evaporation stream and an outlet for a pressurized evaporation stream. A primary heat exchanger has inlets for the pressurized stream and the pressurized evaporation stream, an internal surface area for heat transfer from the evaporation stream to the pressurized stream, and outlets for a cooled product stream and a heated pressurized stream. The heated pressurized stream is formed by heating the pressurized stream and the cooled product stream is formed by cooling the evaporation stream. The system includes an evaporation unit having an inlet for the heated pressurized stream and outlets for an evaporation stream and the recycled liquid bottoms stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: General Electric Capital Corporation as Administrative Agent
    Inventors: Larry D. Sanderson, James W. Schleiffarth, Leslie D. Merrill, Bradford M. Rohwer
  • Publication number: 20100243425
    Abstract: The system contains a liquid-tight enclosure. An input source is connected to the liquid-tight enclosure for inputting water into the liquid-tight enclosure. A heating element is in thermal communication with at least a portion of the water within the liquid-tight enclosure. A plurality of substantially vertical plates are aligned along a substantially horizontal axis within the liquid-tight enclosure. Each of the substantially vertical plates has an opening. A groove is formed along each of the substantially vertical plates. A first end of the groove on each of the substantially vertical plates is proximate to the opening. At least one manifold extends through a plurality of the openings of the substantially vertical plates. The manifold is in fluid communication with a plurality of the first ends of the grooves. An output opening is formed in the liquid-tight enclosure. The output opening is arranged in fluid communication with the manifold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2009
    Publication date: September 30, 2010
    Inventor: Samuel T. Kjellman
  • Publication number: 20100137652
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for recovering dichlorohydrins from a mixture comprising dichlorohydrins, one or more compounds selected from esters of dichlorohydrins, monochlorohydrins and/or esters thereof, and multihydroxylated-aliphatic hydrocarbon compounds and/or esters thereof, and optionally one or more substances comprising water, chlorinating agents, catalysts and/or esters of catalysts is disclosed. The mixture is distilled or fractionated to separate a lower boiling fraction comprising dichlorohydrin(s) from the mixture to form a higher boiling fraction comprising the residue of the distillation or fractionation. The higher boiling fraction is stripped to recover remaining dichlorohydrins. Advantages include more efficient recovery of dichlorohydrins for a given distillation column, less waste due to avoiding the conditions conducive to the formation of heavy byproducts, and reduced capital investment in recovery equipment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Publication date: June 3, 2010
    Inventors: Danil Tirtowidjojo, Andrei S. Merenov, Christian D. Kneupper, Bruce D. Hook, Anil I. Mehta
  • Publication number: 20100089740
    Abstract: A method for processing wastewater is provided. The method includes pretreating a flow of the wastewater using at least one of a softening/clarification system, a sludge handling system, a filtration system, and an ammonia stripping system, evaporating the pretreated flow to produce at least a distillate and an evaporator brine; separating the evaporator brine to produce a liquid recycle stream and salt crystal mixture; and channeling the liquid recycle stream to a feed stream. The method eliminates the salt drying process that significantly reduces the costs of construction and operation of the standard zero process water discharge process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 15, 2008
    Publication date: April 15, 2010
    Inventors: Dinh-Cuong Vuong, James Scott Kain
  • Patent number: 7678235
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2010
    Assignee: Sylvan Source, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard J. Deep, Eugene Thiers, Douglas Michael Thom
  • Publication number: 20090308820
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for water purification. Embodiments can generally be applied to demister cyclones (6). Some embodiments allow for more of the pressure change which occurs in demister cyclones to occur in the separating chamber (19) of the demister cyclone. Some embodiments include a demister cyclone having an internal perforated wall (52). Some embodiments include a groove (103) or a baffle (102) on the underside of a boiler cover.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventors: Eugene Thiers, Richard J. Deep, Douglas Michael Thom
  • Patent number: 7628893
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus is provided for the separation of liquid-liquid and liquid-solids compositions by flash evaporation in a heated vacuum chamber. The compositions are injected through an atomizing spray nozzle having a spray cone downward of about 30 to 150 degrees. The compositions are preheated and injected under pressure into the preheated vacuum evaporation chamber. The vaporized liquid that is formed is collected in a condenser which draws the vapors by vacuum or pressure differential. Any solids are collected at the bottom of the vacuum chamber as semi-dry or dry solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignees: Pure Energy Technology Co, PPT Research Inc.
    Inventors: David William Bonser, Irl E. Ward, Alan R. Duly
  • Patent number: 7611604
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the production of pure steam. A falling-film evaporator is used. Of the water-steam mixture leaving the evaporator unit, part of the water is collected at the bottom of the device, and a fraction mainly consisting of steam enters a rising spiral channel for the separation of impurities. In the periphery of the spiral channel apertures are provided for separating impurity-containing droplets, which condense on a surface outside the apertures. The liquid formed is removed from the device. The water phase collected at the bottom enters a recycle line connected to the feed end of the evaporator unit. Feed water is supplied to the recycle line to compensate for pure steam consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: STERIS Europe Inc.
    Inventors: Mauri Salmisuo, Ilkka Olavi Laitinen
  • Patent number: 7597784
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: David F. Bednarek, Jason A. Demers, Timothy P. Duggan, James L. Jackson, Scott A. Leonard, David W. McGill, Kingston Owens
  • Publication number: 20090050467
    Abstract: A processing apparatus (1) for the processing of process or industrial wastewaters is provided. The processing apparatus (1) has an evaporator (4) in which a tube bundle heat exchanger is provided, whose pure distillate side is connected to a separating apparatus for separating the distillate from floating organic phase or similar free liquid constituents. This separating apparatus is intended to collect the floating organic phase from the condensate, in order that this phase can be sucked back into the evaporator (4). In addition, the vapor mixture is conducted from the separating apparatus (8) to a recuperator (3) and cooled to such an extent that the water, the volatile solvents and the organic material dissolved in the vapor can be condensed and discharged separately or can be sucked back into the evaporator (4). This allows significantly better distillate qualities to be achieved.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 3, 2007
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Applicant: H2O GMBH
    Inventors: Matthias Fickenscher, Daniel Ladenberger
  • Patent number: 7476298
    Abstract: A structure for a multiple-effect still includes a horizontal shell encompassing a plurality of effects and a series of vertical compound baffles fastened to the horizontal shell and dividing it into a series of pressure-tight chambers. Each chamber along with its associated apparatus constitutes an effect. Each compound baffle comprises a fixed baffle and a removable baffle. A heat exchanger is fastened to the removable baffle and includes an evaporation surface, a condensation surface, and a pressure chamber isolated from the pressure-tight chamber in which it is located. A port in the compound baffle allows evaporate to pass between the pressure chamber and the pressure-tight chamber of an adjacent effect. The shell is provided with a removable top plate to provide access to the heat exchanger and allow removal of the heat exchanger and removable baffle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Inventor: Timothy R. Stout
  • Patent number: 7476299
    Abstract: A decomposition reaction apparatus or distillation apparatus for acrylic acid in which a column bottom liquid heated in a reboiler (5) is supplied from a supply port (1a) provided on a side wall of a column body (1) having: a top plate (12a) above the supply port (1a); and an impingement plate (12b) provided vertically to the top plate (12a), for preventing scattering of the column bottom liquid to a supply direction. The top plate (12a) is provided such that the top face of the top plate (12a) is inclined downward from a base end to a tip end. The present invention allows: suppression of formation of a polymerized product due to flowing of a liquid or gas heated in a reboiler into a column with a simple structure; and a stable continuous operation of column equipment over a long period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Shuhei Yada, Yasushi Ogawa, Yoshiro Suzuki, Kenji Takasaki
  • Patent number: 7470348
    Abstract: A separation system has a distillation column, an overhead vapor supply pipe connected to the top of the distillation column, first and second branch pipes branching from the overhead vapor supply pipe and a superheater connected to the first branch pipe. A separator downstream of the superheater has a separation membrane for separating overhead vapor from the top of the distillation column into permeable vapor and nonpermeable vapor by allowing only a selected portion of the overhead vapor to permeate the separation membrane. A reflux unit has a condenser connected to the second branch pipe for cooling a portion of the overhead vapor into a liquid and a gas-liquid separator for separating gas from the liquid produced by cooling and returning the separated liquid into the top of the distillation column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignees: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd., Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation
    Inventors: Yoshio Seiki, Kazuto Kobayashi, Yoshiyuki Takeuchi, Hiroyuki Osora, Keiichi Akimoto, Noritaka Matsumoto, Motoki Numata, Hiroaki Shimazu
  • Publication number: 20080314729
    Abstract: A distillation tower for use in a petrochemical or petroleum operation effects liquid and vapor separation by using centrifugal force applied to the feed introduced into a ring from a tangential inlet. The feed is separated into a liquid component that flows into the bottoms section of the tower and a vapor component that flows upwardly through the core of the ring to a wash zone in the tower. De-entrainment devices are provided in the core so that the vapor swirling upwardly impacts the devices and any remaining entrained liquid is separated from the vapor. As a result, overflash with decreased resid can be collected from the wash zone and used as feed suitable for a fluid catalytic cracking operation, for example.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company Law Department
    Inventors: Theodore Sideropoulos, Arun K. Sharma
  • Publication number: 20080202914
    Abstract: A de-entrainment device separates entrained liquid from vapor in a fluid stream that flows through a chimney tray in a distillation tower. The separated liquid is collected and shielded from the fluid stream to prevent re-entrainment of the liquid in the vapor flowing upward into the tower. The chimney tray includes risers with hats that have gutters to guide liquid toward the tray deck, channels to collect and drain liquid from the top of the hats to the tray deck, and baffles extending from the risers to shield the liquid collected on the tray deck from the vapor flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: ExxonMobil Research and Engineering Company Law Department
    Inventors: Arun K. Sharma, Theodore Sideropoulos, Berne K. Stober, Brian D. Albert, Alvin U. Chen, Vikram Singh
  • Patent number: 7416642
    Abstract: A system for cooling a heated juice by partial low-pressure evaporation, the system includes a vat with at least two compartments that are connected to each other through a variably positioned shutter element, where the juice is subjected to decreasing pressure reductions within the vat and the movement of the variably positioned shutter element creates a pulsed effect that removes solid particles contained in the juice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Assignee: Centre National de la Recherche Scientific (CNRS)
    Inventors: Jean-Pierre Nadeau, Dominique Cadiot, Patrick Sebastian, David Callede
  • Patent number: 7413634
    Abstract: A multiple effect distillation chamber includes a plurality of separate distilling chambers and a drain chamber at a downstream end of the distilling chambers. The drain chamber functions to create a vacuum to draw volatile gases and impurities collected at the end of the distilling chambers into the drain chamber. The drain chamber cools the volatile gases via cooling water, whereby the cooling water and volatile gases are not mixed during the cooling process, such that the cooling water may be recycled and reused. The drain chamber may include two heat exchangers, each receiving cooling water from a separate water source. Utilizing separate water sources in conjunction with the dual heat exchangers of the drain chamber enables the flow rates of the cooling water sources to be adjusted to enable the disposal of waste water from the distiller at any desired temperature without affecting other functions of the distillation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Inventor: Mark W Napier
  • Patent number: 7381310
    Abstract: A sea water desalination installation that employs an evaporation-condensation system which operates continuously at a low temperature and which enables the recovery of energy released. The installation includes a cylindrical evaporator having a large evaporation surface and a concentric condenser with a large surface area. Sea water is used to cool the condenser and said water is subsequently sent to the evaporator. A static high-pressure ventilator is used to: (i) drive the vapor/air in a closed circuit between the evaporator and the condenser and (ii), using a calibrated nozzle, create a pressure gradient that is equivalent to the pressure of the saturated vapor at working temperature between said two zones. The aforementioned evaporator and condenser are thermally insulated in relation to one another and to the external environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Inventors: Maria Fernando Hernandez Hernandez, Francisco Fernadnez De Mazarambroz Bernabeu