With Condensate-treating Devices Patents (Class 202/202)
  • Patent number: 6428656
    Abstract: A water-cooled distilling apparatus for purifying or distilling raw water. The apparatus includes a boiler, cooling tray assembly, and collection vessel. In use, raw water is initially poured into the boiler which has a self-regulating screen in it. As the water beings to boil, the screen rises to float above the raw water. The height of the screen above the water automatically adjusts proportionately to the rate of boil to proportionately expose more or less surface area of the screen. A water film forms on the exposed surface area of the screen and clean steam rises therefrom into the cooling tray assembly where it is deflected into a condensing area on each level of the assembly. In each condensing area, heat is transferred from the steam into coolant water in a reservoir, causing the coolant water to evaporate from the reservoir and the steam to condense on the bottom of the surface of the reservoir. Distillate formed by the condensing steam is then collected and transferred to a collection vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: PSI-ETS, a North Dakota Partnership
    Inventors: Joel J. Bleth, Edward T. Strickland, Doug Walter
  • Patent number: 6258215
    Abstract: The system for the recovery of water from urine aboard spacecraft includes a urine intake and pretreatment unit, a unit for water reclamation from urine and a condensate purification unit. The unit for water reclamation from urine is made on the basis of a rotary multistage vacuum distiller, each stage of which is formed by at least one heat-transfer plate and comprises an evaporation zone and a condensation zone. The stages of the distiller are separated from each other by separation plates, a chamber for collecting condensate and noncondensable gases being disposed downstream of the last stage and communicated with all the condensation zones of all the stages through water seals of condensate overflow and openings for the removal of noncondensable gases in disks mounted in the condensation zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Otkrytoe aktsionernoe obschestvo “Nauchno-Issledovatelsky I Konstruktosky Institut Kkhimicheskogo Mashinostroenia (A. O. Neikhimmash”)
    Inventors: Nikolai Mikhailovich Samsonov, Leonid Sergeevich Bobe, Vladimir Gustavovich Rifert, Petr Alexeevich Barabash, Vladimir Viktorovich Komolov, Vadim Iliich Margulis, Vladimir Mikhailovich Novikov, Boris Yakovlevich Pinsky, Nikolai Nikolaevich Protasov, Valentin Vasilievich Rakov, Nikolai Sergeevich Farafonov
  • Patent number: 6258206
    Abstract: A process for evaporating spent liquor or other waste liquids from cellulose cooking, The evaporation is performed in a multiplicity of evaporators which are coupled in series and in which the evaporation is driven using the liquor steam. The condensates from the steam are divided, in one of more effects, into at least two fractions with respect to purity. The parer fraction from one effect is conveyed, at a high level, into a subsequent effect in the direction of movement of the liquor, while the dirtier fraction is conveyed, at a high level or at the very top, into a preceding effect in the direction of movement of the liquor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Kvaerner Pulping AB
    Inventors: Lars Gunnar Olausson, Lars Eric Pettersson, Olof Tryggve Wennberg, Anders Henrik Wernqvist
  • Patent number: 6214173
    Abstract: Provided is a novel on-site system and method for providing ultra-high-purity nitric acid to a point of use. The system includes a source of nitric acid at a concentration greater than 68 wt %; a reflux distillation column having an inlet in communication with the nitric acid source for introducing nitric acid into the column, a reboiler, and a condensate outlet to provide a flow of nitric acid condensate from the column; a reservoir in communication with the condensate outlet for receiving the flow of nitric acid condensate; and piping for delivering nitric acid from the reservoir to a point of use. The system and method can be used as an on-site subsystem, in a semiconductor device fabrication facility for supplying the nitric acid condensate to points of use in the semiconductor device fabrication facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Assignee: Air Liquide Electronics Chemicals & Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Mindi Xu, Wallace I. Yuan, Tracey Jacksier, Hwa-Chi Wang, Joe G. Hoffman, R. Scot Clark
  • Patent number: 6164087
    Abstract: An apparatus for purifying waste streams having water, dissolved noxious substances and volatile organic compounds, comprising a distillation unit having distillate and bottoms products, a freeze-concentration unit and a processing unit. The distillate product is processed in the processing unit and the bottoms product is processed in the freeze-concentration unit, where purified water is extracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Niro Process Technology B.V.
    Inventor: Ray Sircy Ruemekorf
  • Patent number: 6120650
    Abstract: An apparatus for separating vaporous mixtures of hydrocarbons, water and emulsifier derived from the remediation of wellbore fluid, such as a mud containing solid particulate material in which the vaporous mixture is quenched with a hydrocarbon stream which is at a temperature above the boiling point of water and below the boiling point of the hydrocarbons in the vaporous stream. Most of the hydrocarbons in the vaporous stream and substantially all of the emulsifier are condensed into the hydrocarbon quench to form an oil stream. The water is recovered from the hydrocarbon quench as a vaporous stream and quenched with water. The quenched water and any residual heavier hydrocarbons are separated by phase separation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2000
    Assignee: Onsite Technology LLC
    Inventors: James O. Nye, Robin M. Pate
  • Patent number: 6113744
    Abstract: A water distillation apparatus includes a degasification chamber having a top and a bottom. A liquid inlet is positioned adjacent to the bottom. A gas outlet is positioned adjacent to the top. A liquid outlet is positioned intermediate the top and the bottom. A float/valve assembly is provided for controlling the level of liquid within the chamber. A boiling chamber is provided having a top and a bottom. A liquid inlet is positioned intermediate the top and the bottom connected by a first transfer conduit to the liquid outlet of the degasification chamber. A steam outlet is positioned adjacent the top. A heating element is disposed within the boiling chamber whereby liquids within the boiling chamber are heated to the boiling point with the resulting steam passing out through the steam outlet. A condensation chamber is provided having a steam inlet and a liquid outlet. The steam inlet is connected by a second transfer conduit to the steam outlet of the boiling chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2000
    Inventor: James Munro
  • Patent number: 6080280
    Abstract: Contaminated glycol in a natural gas dehydration plant is refined by vacuum distillation. The equipment to perform the refining by vacuum distillation is mounted upon a trailer. The equipment on the trailer is connected by an inlet line to the dehydration plant to receive the contaminated glycol from the plant. The refined glycol is continuously pumped back to the dehydration plant by a conduit. Detergents may be added to the glycol unit so that the circulating glycol cleans the equipment of the dehydration plant as the hazardous materials is separated from the glycol. The dehydration plant remains in operation during the time that the glycol is refined and the dehydration plant equipment cleaned. When the process is complete at one dehydration plant the trailer is towed to another dehydration plant for refining the glycol and cleaning the dehydration plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Inventor: John W. Moore, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6001246
    Abstract: A process wastewater treatment plant, and a process relating thereto, which converts process wastewater generated in battery manufacturing and the like into clean process water and sodium sulfate salt by treating the process wastewater to remove impurities and contaminants, including debris, oil/grease, heavy metal oxides, lead and other heavy metals, suspended solids, bacteria, organic compounds, and/or gases, from the wastewater to obtain a clean neutral sodium sulfate brine, subjecting the brine to heat to obtain distilled water and sodium sulfate salt, and purifying the distilled water by reverse osmosis for reuse as clear process water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Inventor: Charles M. Suenkonis
  • Patent number: 5961787
    Abstract: A solvent extraction apparatus which includes a heating plate, a vessel for containing a solvent, an extraction thimble to obtain a sample to be extracted from said vessel and a cooler for condensing evaporated solvent vapors. The cooler is connected to the vessel for containing the solvent, preferably by an adaptor. A lifting rod is provided which passes through the cooler which, at its lower portion, is provided with a drip rim on which the extraction thimble is detachably fixed. The thimble can be moved vertically by the lifting rod and the flow of solvent into and out of the cooler can be regulated by the lifting rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Foss Tecator AB
    Inventors: Goran Persson, Finn Alstin
  • Patent number: 5922174
    Abstract: Distilling equipment including evaporation apparatus having a boiling chamber and equipment and conduits for supplying raw liquid to the boiling chamber, a plurality of cells with the first cell being connected to the top of the boiling chamber to receive gas therefrom and condense the gas by contact with cold recycled distillate from the first cell, with each stage having vertical vacuum producing bubble tubes through which distillate and gas bubbles pass downward to a collection chamber through the bubble tubes. Cell recycle conduits and pumps recycle fluid from collection chamber to condensing chamber. Distillate is drawn from the condensing chamber of the first cell only. Gas by-pass tubes connect the collecting chamber of a cell to the condensing chamber of the next cell and provide the only connection between the cells to sum the vacuum generated by each cell's bubble tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Eco-Still Corporation
    Inventor: Philip G. Youngner
  • Patent number: 5910233
    Abstract: For production of mineralized drinking water, water is distilled and then passed through a layer of soil which is taken from an area adjoining the source of natural mineral water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1999
    Inventors: Gary Berg, Dmitriy Taubman, Jakov Verchivker
  • Patent number: 5814192
    Abstract: A vapor compression distillation apparatus includes a vessel for containing a liquid to be distilled and a heat exchanger of the shell and tube type immersed in the liquid. The heat exchanger has top and bottom manifolds and vertical tubes surrounded by a shell. Foraminous vortex-drag induction plates extend across the shell between adjacent rows of tubes for inducing turbulence in the vortices to provide a better heat transfer from vapor passing through the shell to liquid in the tubes. Baffles are provided at selected intervals across the shell, between adjacent rows of tubes to produce a sinuous flow path for the heating medium. Steam injecting sparging tubes extend along the lower manifold of the heat exchanger to inject steam bubbles into the liquid to be evaporated. This produces turbulence in the tubes of the heat exchanger, promotes a better flow through the tubes and scrubs the tube interiors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1998
    Assignee: Terra Mannix Inc.
    Inventors: Lee Pittmon, Randy Wasilenko, Brian Fisk
  • Patent number: 5810976
    Abstract: A device for processing water having high concentrations of scale forming compounds and high solids content in a high efficiency vapor compression distillation system wherein a plate-in-frame heat exchanger is submerged in a boiling solution contained in a boiler drum. An impeller in the drum continuously circulates the boiling solution through the heat exchanger at a velocity to prevent suspended solids from accumulating and to inhibit scale formation on the boiling surfaces of the heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1998
    Assignee: Grand Environmental Corporation
    Inventor: Robert C. Keith
  • Patent number: 5744010
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the preparation of acesulfam salts by reaction of salts of amidosulfonic acid with diketene to give a salt of acetoacetamidosulfonic acid (I), ring closure by the action of at least about an equivalent amount of SO.sub.3, at least this ring closure reaction being carried out in the presence of a halogenated, aliphatic hydrocarbon as an inert solvent, treatment of the cyclization product with water and conversion of the resulting acesulfam-H (II) into the form of a non-toxic salt, which comprises, in the work-up by distillation of the resulting crude solvent, after removal of water and low-boilers and recovery of solvent sufficiently pure for reuse in the preparation of compounds (I) and/or (II), directly returning :he remaining, solvent-containing distillation residue, without further purification, into the system downstream of the reaction vessel for carrying out the ring closure reaction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Gunter Roscher, Heinz Litterer, Axel Engelmann, Wolf-Dietmar Kaufmann, Bernd Laugwitz, Hans-Dietmar Schnabel
  • Patent number: 5720856
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for the production of a beverage distills aqueous influent into a forerun overhead fraction that is the first result of a distillation operation, a distillate, and a bottom products fraction that is left over from the aqueous influent without being distilled. The forerun overhead fraction is removed, the distillate is sterilized and remineralized into the beverage, and the bottom products fraction is removed so the process can begin again with more aqueous influent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1995
    Date of Patent: February 24, 1998
    Inventor: Bruno Pirone
  • Patent number: 5643418
    Abstract: A device for intercepting liquid obtained from a stream of mixed fluids contains an enclosure having an upper opening and a lower opening. The upper opening is connectible to a source of suction while the lower opening is connectible to a source of the mixed fluids. A partition between the openings divides the enclosure into a liquid collecting section which includes the upper opening and a liquid discharging section which includes the lower opening. The partition has a liquid flow passage at the lower end thereof and an orifice at the upper end thereof, and the orifice provides a pressure drop between the two openings. A liquid collecting basin is formed at the bottom of the enclosure, and the lower opening is provided with an overflow for the basin. In operation, the suction source draws a stream of mixed fluids from the mixed fluid source. Liquid is derived from the stream in or above the liquid collecting section and forms a pool in the liquid collecting basin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 1, 1997
    Inventor: William A. Witschi
  • Patent number: 5630913
    Abstract: A water distillation system (10) includes a boiling chamber (11) and a condensation chamber (12). Water is fed via an inlet pipe (13) to a degassing chamber (15) where volatile gases are removed from the water. The water is evaporated in the boiling chamber (11) and vapour is, in turn, condensed in the condensing chamber (12). Distilled water is collected in a water storage tank (30) and is used, with a pump (28) and entrainment device (27), to provide a substantial vacuum within the system (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1997
    Inventor: Davoud Tajer-Ardebili
  • Patent number: 5611895
    Abstract: An arrangement for discharging and collecting the distillate of rotary vacuum evaporators includes a rotating flask and a line for conducting the distillate from the rotating flask to a cooler for liquefying the distillate. The liquified distillate flows from the cooler into a collector and from the collector into a storage container. A safety check valve constructed as a pressure control valve is provided between the collector and the storage container. An excess pressure producer for increasing the pressure of the distillate is provided between the collector and the pressure control valve, wherein the pressure control valve and the excess pressure producer are constructed so as to interact in such a way that the pressure control valve opens when a sufficient excess pressure of the distillate has been reached.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 18, 1997
    Inventor: Hans-Georg Genser
  • Patent number: 5587053
    Abstract: A boiler/condenser assembly for a high efficiency purification system including a plate-in-frame type heat exchanger wherein vertically extending common plate members are provided with corrugated faces having herringbone configurations constructed and arranged to provide a plurality of contact points where the condensing surfaces of adjacent common plate members defining a condensing chamber come into near or direct contact which serve as accumulation points for the liquid forming on the condensing surfaces of both common plate members. The accumulated liquid is caused to flow off the condensing surfaces in a plurality of diagonal liquid flow paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Grano Environmental Corporation
    Inventor: Robert C. Keith
  • Patent number: 5587055
    Abstract: A water distillation apparatus and method include an improved control system for operation and maintenance, condensers with plastic to metal seals between a plastic condenser manifold and metallic cooling tubes, and a filter with steam bypass to allow for easy sterilization of the filter and remaining distillation system. The control system includes a three pronged probe assembly for monitoring conditions within an evaporation chamber. One of the three probes monitors steam conductivity and provides a steam fault signal to indicate an upper level of contaminants in the steam. A purge pump is responsive to fault signals, including the steam fault signal, to pump water from the evaporation chamber. Improved techniques are also provided for periodically dumping a portion or all of the water in the heating pan to reduce contamination of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Michael O. Hartman
    Inventors: Michael O. Hartman, Dale J. Kinder, Randy E. Rainey, Arthur R. Helmich, Daniel E. Willis
  • Patent number: 5587054
    Abstract: A vapor compression distillation system including a boiler/condenser assembly wherein a portion of the condensate is redirected back to the condenser inlet to extract superheat from the compressed vapor and transfer it to the liquid in the boiler. The vapor entering the condenser is reduced to a saturation condition to prevent heat build up in the condenser to improve heat transfer efficiency. When the temperature of the incoming feed water is within the operating range of the boiler/condenser assembly, the system is operated under vacuum sufficient to match the boiler temperature with the temperature of the incoming feed water so that no preheater or waste heat recovery exchanges are required.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 24, 1996
    Assignee: Grano Environmental Corporation
    Inventor: Robert C. Keith
  • Patent number: 5565065
    Abstract: A distilled water supply device including a stand, a condensing unit mounted on the stand and separated by a partition wall into an upper chamber, which receives water from an external water source, and a bottom chamber, which condenses steam into distilled water, a heating unit detachably mounted inside the stand below the condensing unit and controlled to heat water from the upper chamber into steam, permitting steam to be guided into the bottom chamber for condensing, a vertical guide pipe for guiding water from the upper chamber to the heating unit, a vertical steam pipe for guiding steam from the heating unit to the bottom chamber for condensing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 15, 1996
    Inventor: Chin-Tu Wang
  • Patent number: 5549794
    Abstract: An apparatus (10) for continuously extracting a solute from a carrier medium (102) is provided. The apparatus is formed from a vessel (12) including a convergent baffle (22) separating the vessel into a lower distillation chamber (24) and an upper extraction chamber (26). The convergent baffle is configured as an inverted funnel such that it defines a conduit riser (28) projecting upwardly into the extraction chamber and terminating in a vaporized solvent port (30) placing the distillation chamber in fluid-flow direct communication with the extraction chamber. A vapor rotating spheres-condenser (34) is mounted on the upper end of the vessel and opens into the extraction chamber. Solvent is placed in the distillation chamber while the carrier medium containing the solute is placed in the extraction chamber. Solvent is vaporized in the distillation chamber, rises upwardly through the conduit riser, and passes through the carrier medium, thereby extracting solute in a continuous linear-toroidal motion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: H-O-H Research Inc.
    Inventor: Michael W. Mar
  • Patent number: 5538598
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a distillation purifying system. The device has a section which creates a vacuum pressure that is transmitted throughout the system, a distillation/purification zone in which fluids to be distilled/purified are treated, and a collection zone in which the distilled/purified liquids are transferred. The device is effective for certain liquids, solutions, and the like and can be used for water treatment, petroleum processes, and bodily fluid treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: FSR Patented Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Barry Schlesinger, Harold Rapp
  • Patent number: 5536375
    Abstract: A distiller for producing potable water employs a metal boiler tray having a cover member in which there is an inlet for raw water and which together form a steam chamber having an outlet for steam. The boiler tray bottom has a plurality of steps including a highest, an intermediate and a lowest level step which are all covered with water at the beginning of a distillation cycle. The temperature of the highest level step is monitored with a sensor. A rise in the temperature of the highest level step by a predetermined amount above the boiling temperature of water indicates that the highest and intermediate level steps have become dry. This results in a signal to a controller to open a valve and admit replenishment raw water whose amount is dependent on valve open time. Steam evolved from the boiler tray is conducted through a first check valve in the cover member to demister chamber when the mist or carryover water in the steam impinges on a baffle and is separated from the steam as condensate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 16, 1996
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventor: Jonathan C. Vogelman
  • Patent number: 5525200
    Abstract: Apparatus for purifying any type of contaminated liquid. The apparatus includes a series of closed but connected passageways in an S configuration of equal diameter open to each other such that the process is effectuated in one cylindrical device as opposed to several closed chambers. Contaminated liquid is introduced into the apparatus, boiled and evaporated at a low temperature due to a low pressure created by a vacuum pump; the vapor produced proceeds in an upwardly direction through an S configuration of baffleless pathways which is tortuous. Liquid particulates are separated from vapor by the configuration of the apparatus and contained within the contaminated liquid. Pure vapor proceeds through the apparatus and is converted to pure liquid and recovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Inventors: Rene LaNois, Gerald Gajnos, Richard Dent
  • Patent number: 5496447
    Abstract: A distilling apparatus for distillation of water, including a condensing chamber divided into an upper holding space for receiving water from a water source and a lower holding chamber for condensing steam into water, a heating chamber controlled to heat water from the upper holding space into steam and having a steam outlet connected to the lower holding space for guiding steam into the lower holding space for condensing, a hot water chamber, which receives condensed water from the lower holding space of the condensing chamber, and a cold water chamber, which receives distilled water from the hot water chamber and cools it down by an electronic cooler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1996
    Inventor: Chin-Tu Wang
  • Patent number: 5484510
    Abstract: A water distillation apparatus and method include an improved control system for operation and maintenance, condensers with plastic to metal seals between a plastic condenser manifold and metallic cooling tubes, and a filter with steam bypass to allow for easy sterilization of the filter and remaining distillation system. The control system includes a three pronged probe assembly for monitoring conditions within an evaporation chamber. One of the three probes monitors steam conductivity and provides a steam fault signal to indicate an upper level of contaminants in the steam. A purge pump is responsive to fault signals, including the steam fault signal, to pump water from the evaporation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Dew Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventors: Micheal O. Hartman, Dale J. Kinder, Randy E. Rainey, Arthur R. Helmich, Daniel E. Willis
  • Patent number: 5472576
    Abstract: A method for the production of an industrial diluent which includes the steps of heating a liquid waste from a facility that manufactures coatings, inks, lacquers, adhesives, or dyes in a mixer-reactor to generate a vapor, flowing the vapor into a distillation column, distilling the vapor to form distillation components, and transferring each component to a tank designated for such component. The method may include the additional steps of mixing at least two of the components in a predetermined amount, and thoroughly mixing the liquid waste during the heating step. The heating step is preferably effected by applying heat substantially uniformly to the liquid waste.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 5, 1995
    Inventor: Anwar E. Berberi
  • Patent number: 5468350
    Abstract: The apparatus includes a container for accommodating water to be treated and evaporating the water. Container is attached with water supply for supplying the water to be treated into the container. The water to be treated in container is heated by a heater. Vapor evaporated from the inside of container is cooled by a cooler. Distilled water output from cooler is irradiated with ultraviolet light by a ultraviolet light irradiator. An organic decomposed substance contained in the distilled water irradiated with the ultraviolet light is removed by organic decomposed substance removal device, and ultrapure water is obtained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 21, 1995
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Cozy Ban
  • Patent number: 5466344
    Abstract: A pollution control apparatus (10) for controlling water-based liquid waste includes a vacuum distillation vessel (14) for separating water-based liquid waste into a distilled water component and a pumpable sludge component. A pH control system (12) allows the vacuum distillation vessel (14) to operate at maximum efficiency, and a purification system (22) allows the distilled water component to be purified to a level capable for reuse in chemistry, or else suitable for direct discharge into a municipal sewer. A microprocessor allows the apparatus (10) to operate automatically.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: Houston Fearless 76, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul A. Lindke
  • Patent number: 5464531
    Abstract: A water purification device mounted within a housing adapted to be positioned on an existing water cooler/dispenser has a valve control member extending from the base of the housing and is positionable within the water reservoir of the dispenser to control the release of purified water from the device to the reservoir. The device includes a feedwater tank into which supply water is fed and which feeds water to a water level control tank which communicates with the bottom of a boiler which is maintained at the same level as the water in the control tank. The control tank includes a control valve which maintains the water in it to a predetermined level above the level of the heating element in the boiler. The boiler is connected to condenser coils for condensing vaporized water from the boiler to form distilled water which is directed through a carbon filter to a distillate storage tank where the purified water is stored until required by the water cooler/dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 7, 1995
    Assignee: Market Design & Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph G. Greene
  • Patent number: 5441605
    Abstract: Process and apparatus for reclaiming or concentrating waste aqueous solutions of gas treating chemicals, such as alkanolamines, used for removing acid components or water vapor from natural gas. The process involves heating the waste solution under a high vacuum to form a vapor and a liquid residue. The temperature and vacuum can be varied to form a vapor consisting mainly of water vapor or a vapor containing both water vapor and vaporized gas treating chemical. The vapor is subsequently condensed or passed through a wash column to produce a concentrated solution. The liquid residue is heated by passing it through a single pass, generally co-current heater at a rate which avoids localized overheating of a liquid to a temperature above the decomposition temperature of the gas treating chemical. The heated liquid residue is then used to heat the feed waste solution by being thoroughly mixed with it, thus avoiding overheating of the feed solution.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1994
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Assignee: Canadian Chemical Reclaiming Ltd.
    Inventors: Todd Beasley, Dwight A. Merritt
  • Patent number: 5441606
    Abstract: This invention involves a distillation process for operating a distillation purifying system. The system includes a section which creates a vacuum pressure that is transmitted throughout the system, a distillation/purification zone in which fluids to be distilled/purified are treated, and a collection zone in which the distilled/purified liquids are transferred. The distillation purifying process and system are effective for certain liquids, solutions, and the like and can be used for water treatment, petroleum processes, and bodily fluid treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 15, 1995
    Assignee: FSR Patented Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Barry Schlesinger, Harold Rapp
  • Patent number: 5372680
    Abstract: A plant for processing vegetal stock includes a container mounted on a twheel trailer, and provided with bubblers for live steam which are arranged under a net for accommodation of the vegetal stock, and a detachable cover communicating through a steam pipe with a cooler which communicates with a separator through a distillate admission pipe provided with a splitter for preventing plug-shaped formation of oil therein. The bubblers for live steam are arranged in two planes perpendicular to the axis of the container and mounted in the cover is an additional bubbler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Aktsionernoe obschestvo "Sistemy novykh tekhnology" (SINTO Ltd)
    Inventors: Nikolai I. Bezdolny, Vladimir P. Kostylev
  • Patent number: 5336376
    Abstract: In a distillation column with vaporous sidestream removal, the vaporous product removed is condensed in a condenser. The vapor pipe provided for the removal of product opens into a dip tank of which the upper end is connected to the condenser while its lower end is connected to a discharge pump. Inert gas present in the condensate is returned to the column above the sidestream removal through an inert gas pipe arranged at the upper end of the condenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 9, 1994
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Siegfried Taurat, Heinrich Steude, Ludwig Deibele, Heinz-Jurgen Alpers
  • Patent number: 5314586
    Abstract: A distilled water fountain which is capable of supplying the users with purified icy, warm and hot drinking water and composed of a pre-heating exchanger, a condensing-and-heating exchanger, a distilled water tank, a steam generator, and an electronic chilling device. Running water flows into the pre-heating exchanger through water intake pipe, and further flows through the condensing-and-heating exchange into a steam generator wherein the water is vaporized and then condensed into distilled water for storage in the distilled water tank. The distilled water may be made available directly in warm water condition, or may be cooled into icy water through electronic chilling device, or heated into hot water through steam generator for drinking by users.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 24, 1994
    Inventor: Chan-Ming Chen
  • Patent number: 5300197
    Abstract: A distillation apparatus includes a distillation unit for distilling feed water. The distillation unit includes an evaporation part, a condensation part and a hydrophobic porous membrane interposed between the evaporation part and the condensation part, which are integrated with one another. A heating unit for heating the feed water and a cooling portion for cooling distillate produced by distillation of the feed water are provided apart from the distillation unit. One or both of the heating unit and the cooling unit are provided with a heat pump. With this construction, an additional heater does not need to be provided, and the distillation unit and both of the heating unit and the cooling unit can be changed in size and performance independently of each other, so that the overall size of the distillation apparatus can be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenji Mitani, Akira Ashida, Katsuya Ebara, Hideaki Kurokawa
  • Patent number: 5290402
    Abstract: An automatic cold/hot distilled water fountain which automatically performs water boiling, condensing, storing and heating processes to provide purified cold/hot drinking water, mainly composed of a distilling chamber, a condensing mechanism, a water reservoir and a heating box, whereby by the automatic control system designed for the water fountain, the water is controllably supplied into the distilling chamber and distilled therein and the distilled water is then collected and stored in the water reservoir to be directly discharged therefrom as a purified cold drinking water or further heated by the heating box to serve as hot drinking water. By the above arrangement, the amount of the water stored in the water fountain is properly kept within a predetermined range and what is most important is the safety and hygiene in water drinking is insured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Inventor: Yao K. Tsai
  • 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: 5281309
    Abstract: A water purification device mounted within a housing adapted to be positioned on an existing water cooler/dispenser has a valve control member extending from the base of the housing and is positionable within the water reservoir of the dispenser to control the release of purified water from the device to the reservoir. The device includes a feedwater tank into which supply water is fed, either automatically, or manually. The feedwater tank, when the water is above a minimal level, feeds water to an anti-backflow control housing which communicates the water from the feedwater tank to the bottom of a boiler which is maintained at the same level as the water in the feedwater tank without the use of a float within the boiler. The anti-backflow housing includes a check valve in the form of a ball that prevents the backflow of heated water from the boiler into the feedwater tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: January 25, 1994
    Assignee: Market Design & Development, Inc.
    Inventor: Ralph G. Greene
  • Patent number: 5269886
    Abstract: In a gas dehydration system utilizing glycol in which a condensate skimming reflux column mounted on a gas fuel burner and heat exchanger unit separates and skims natural gas condensate off glycol in a settling tank-type reservoir, a fluid scrubber and separator interposed in series in a heat exchanger to reflux column wet glycol return line collects and transfers gas to the fuel burner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1993
    Assignee: Alberta G. Brigham
    Inventor: Leslie E. Brigham, Sr.
  • Patent number: 5262013
    Abstract: A coolant recycling apparatus has a boiler and condenser for distilling a glycol and water from a used coolant. The glycol and water are recombined in a mixing tank to form a mixture having a desired ratio of water to glycol, and an inhibitor is added to the mixture to obtain a fresh coolant mixture ready for use in an engine cooling system. Contaminants in the used coolant are concentrated to form a sludge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1993
    Assignee: Amalgamated Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Roy E. Beal, Scott A. McCracken
  • Patent number: 5248394
    Abstract: A distillation purifying system including a section which creates a vacuum pressure that is transmitted throughout the system, a distillation/purification zone in which fluids to be distilled/purified are treated, and a collection zone in which the distilled/purified liquids are transferred. The system is effective for use with liquids, solutions, fluids and the like and can be used for water treatment as well as bodily fluid treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Assignee: FSR Patented Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Barry Schlesinger, Harold Rapp
  • Patent number: 5248393
    Abstract: A compact solvent reprocessing system for use in a limited physical area. Solvents to be reprocessed is contacted by deionized water in a water wash column and delivered to a distillation column where waste solvent is separated from materials that boil at a higher temperature than the waste solvent. Distilled solvent is delivered to a drying column and final filters for removal of any other foreign materials. The modular solvent reprocessing system to reclaim/recycle high purity solvents on-site at a manufacturing facility. A system includes a pumpless pressurized tank solvent transfer units, storage tanks, liquid-liquid extraction column, distillation columns, submicron filtration units, and water and acid adsorption columns arranged as necessary to produce ultra-high purity solvents from waste solvent streams. The systems are packaged in modular assemblies with secondary containment to meet U.S. EPA requirements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1993
    Assignee: S&K Products International, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Randolph Schumacher, Gregory E. Carr, Martin J. Striefler
  • Patent number: 5246575
    Abstract: A material extraction nozzle for separating a mixture of materials having different densities, comprising: a nozzle body shell having an outer surface with a tangentially located material inlet at an upper portion thereof and an inner surface defining in part a frustrum of a cone; a substantially conical diffuser section having an outer surface terminating in an apex, the diffuser section axially aligned within the nozzle body shell in a spaced relation therewith so as to form an extraction chamber with the inner surface of the nozzle body shell and the outer surface of the substantially conical diffuser section; an extracted material outlet port positioned axially through the substantially conical diffuser section; and at least one rejected material capillary outlet located below the apex of the diffuser section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1993
    Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation
    Inventor: Richard A. Alexander
  • Patent number: 5242548
    Abstract: An improved distillation device (1) which uses a combination of centrifugal and positive displacement pumps to purify raw liquid in an area of limited space. The device (1) includes evaporation assembly (2) having a boiling chamber (5), a valve and float switches (15, 16, 17) for maintaining the liquid level (20) in the boiling chamber (5) at a predetermined level, and connecting conduit (21) for directing vapor to a condensation apparatus (3). The condensation assembly (3) includes a condensation chamber (6), a collection chamber (7), and at least one bubble tube (22) connecting the two chambers (6, 7). Leading from the collection chamber (7) is first transfer conduit (50), a tube (51) for permitting vapor to bleed from the collection chamber (7) back to condensation chamber (6), and second transfer conduit (52) for returning only distillate from collection chamber (7) to condensation chamber (6) to cool condensation chamber (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1993
    Inventor: Philip G. Youngner
  • Patent number: 5236555
    Abstract: The invention relates to a distillation method and an apparatus for the concentration and purification of water-containing liquid chemicals. The distillation is performed using constant, predetermined distillation parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1993
    Assignee: Athens Corp.
    Inventor: Wallace I. Yuan
  • Patent number: 5232085
    Abstract: A distillation system has a degassing tank, a distiller for generating vapor of raw water taken from the degassing tank, a heater for heating the vapor from the distiller to convert the vapor into a high temperature and pressure vapor, a hydrophobic porous membrane through which the vapor from the heater flows, and a heat transfer unit provided in the distiller for effecting heat exchange between the vapor from the membrane member and the raw water from the degassing tank. The structural elements such as the heat exchange unit, piping, etc., with which the vapor from the membrane or the condensate thereof is brought into contact are made of titanium or titanium alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1993
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuatsu Hayashi, Susumu Horiuchi, Hiroaki Yoda