Abstract: A float member is provided defining a hollow chamber therein and a vertically elongated conduit depends downwardly from the float member and includes an upper portion projecting upwardly and opening into the hollow chamber to a level above the liquid level on the exterior of the float member. Heating structure is provided within the chamber in good heat transfer relation with the upper portion thereof projecting into the hollow chamber and condenser structure is provided for condensing liquid vapors. In addition, vapor conveying structure is provided and communicates the interior of the chamber with the condenser structure for conveying hot liquid vapors from the chamber into the condenser structure for condensing therein.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing contaminants from water having solid contaminants dissolved therein. Contaminated water flows across a grid and into a storage tank. The grid utilizes solar energy to heat that water to a predetermined temperature. A heat transfer structure which is dome-shaped and receives water from the storage tank and a preheater means utilizing solar energy heats the water to a further predetermined temperature. An evaporator means receives the heated water and exposes it to a vacuum condition so that the temperature of the water is above the saturation temperature. The water is thus vaporized, and solid contaminants dissolved therein are separated therefrom. The solids are deposited on a plurality of moving belts and are then moved into a solids removal system. The solids removal system comprises a plurality of trap door pairs upon which the solids are deposited and which are sequentially opened so that the vacuum conditions existing in the evaporator are not disturbed.

Abstract: A distillation unit for purification of water, to be coupled to a water line or other source of water. The unit consists of a relatively slender boiler with an internal diffuser screen, which is fed water at the same rate as it is removed by the distilling process. The steam from the boiler is led to a detachable condenser, the distillate being collected in a novel collector system, two forms of which are shown.

Abstract: A process for simultaneously generating power and recovering potable water from a source of salinous water-- e.g. ocean and/or sea water. A first portion of salinous water, from the surface of the source, or from a colder, deeper depth, is increased in temperature via indirect contact with a plurality of non-salinous vaporous phases (i) derived from the salinous water and, (ii) obtained therefrom at an elevated temperature and a subatmospheric pressure. The warmed salinous water is further increased in temperature by being maintained in a solar radiation heat sink and exposed therein to radiant solar energy to increase its temperature to a level within the range of about 135.degree. F. to about 210.degree. F. Heated salinous water is introduced into a plurality of vacuum flash separation zones, each succeeding one of which is maintained at a lower absolute pressure. At least one of the resulting vaporous phases is passed into and through a turbine, from the resulting motion of which power is generated.

Abstract: A water-containing pond for collecting solar energy for utilization in a process for recovering potable water from non-potable water and/or for the generation of power. The solar pond is designed to increase the quantity and efficiency of water evaporation, from heated pond water, into a heated flowing air stream. Construction in such that there is afforded an increase in the absorptivity/emissivity (a/e) ratio with respect to the incidence of solar radiation.

Abstract: There is described a solar still comprising a pair of juxtaposed corrugated sheets which in a preferred embodiment are positioned at an angle to one another whereby the upper sheet rests on the raised portions of the lower sheet. A thermally insulating, solar energy transmitting window overlies the upper sheet. The upper sheet is made of solar energy absorbent material and the lower portions of the sheet are adapted to contain water to be distilled. A plurality of vents are provided in the uppermost portions of the upper sheet and the lower sheet and are adapted to be placed on the ground or a body of water for cooling and act as a condenser for vapor passing through the vents into the space below the upper sheet.

Abstract: A municipal water supply system for providing potable water under pressure from sea water including a nuclear reactor heated boiler for raising the temperature of sea water to at least 250.degree. F and at superatmospheric pressure means for conveying the superheated steam to an expansion turbine, whereby the superheated steam drives the turbine while the temperature of the steam is reduced to about the boiling point of water at atmospheric pressure, a heat exchanger for condensing the exhaust from the turbine while simultaneously preheating incoming sea water to the system, and liquid pumping means driven by the expansion turbine for conveying the condensed water under pressure to a municipal distribution system. Additionally, means are provided for controlling the temperature within the boiler chamber by controlling the volume of incoming sea water.

Abstract: Impurities or unwanted by-products are distilled off from an oily liquid by means of an ancillary stripping agent. The vaporization temperatures of the impurities and of the ancillary stripping agent lie below that of the oily liquid. Spontaneous distillation takes place in a decompressor to which the materials to be treated are supplied from a mixer or contactor. The decompressor comprises two nozzles arranged in series. In the decompressor the materials to be treated are subjected to a pressure considerably below the mixer pressure and somewhat below the separator pressure. Decomposition of the oil stream occurs in the decompressor into a non-volatile liquid phase and a vapor phase containing the ancillary stripping agent and the impurities originally in the oil feed. The mixed vapor/liquid stream enters the separator which is at a pressure which lies considerably below the pressure obtaining in the mixer.

Abstract: Unwanted contaminants or by-products of oily streams can be removed by distillation at reduced pressure and elevated temperatures using an ancillary distilling agent which lowers the boiling temperatures of the impurities. The efficiency of such removal is enhanced by the formation of a true solution of the ancillary agent in the oily stream at the molecular level. To bring about this solution, the ancillary agent in the superheated gaseous state is brought into intimate contact with the oily stream in a mixing vessel or contactor at substantially equal pressures but at slightly differing temperatures. The oil temperature is such as to cause condensation of the ancillary agent, but not to significantly cool the oil.

Abstract: A process for recovering potable water from a source of salinous water -- e.g. sea and/or ocean water. Certain modifications afford the simultaneous generation of power. A portion of salinous water and an air stream are introduced into a solar radiation heat sink, with the air stream flowing over the salinous water. Heated, water-containing air is withdrawn from the heat sink and reduced in temperature to recover potable water. The heated salinous water, from the heat sink, may be recycled thereto, or at least in part introduced into a flash separation zone, maintained at a subatmospheric pressure to provide a non-salinous vaporous phase which is passed through a turbine, from the resulting motion of which power is generated. The exiting turbine vapors are cooled and/or condensed via indirect contact with a second portion of salinous water to recover additional potable water.

Abstract: A process for recovering potable water from a source of salinous water -- e.g. sea and/or ocean water. Certain modifications afford the simultaneous generation of power. A portion of salinous water and an air stream are introduced into a solar radiation heat sink, with the air stream flowing over the salinous water. Heated, water-containing air is withdrawn from the heat sink and reduced in temperature to condense potable water. The heated salinous water, from the heat sink, is at least in part recycled thereto, while the remainder is introduced into a plurality of flash separation zones, each succeeding one of which is maintained at a lower subatmospheric pressure than the preceding, and through which the liquid phase passes in series. In order to afford a 24-hour continuous process, the hourly rate of heated salinous water withdrawal, including evaporated water, is less than the rate of salinous water introduction to the heat sink.

Abstract: Desalination apparatus utilizing solar heating of metal member(s) such as balls, rollers, or metal endless belt(s) in a heating chamber and vaporizing saline water with the latent heat in said metal member(s) by spraying saline water thereon in a vaporizing chamber, a water-cooled condenser to condense the vapors, a trough to collect the condensate, a rinse tank to remove salt deposits and/or saline water from the metal member(s), and means for returning the rinsed metal member(s) for solar reheating.

Abstract: A solar powered distilling device, and more particularly, a device wherein a plurality of convex lenses concentrate the heat energy of sunlight to heat and vaporize a quantity of water, said water vapor rising from a vaporization chamber to a cooling chamber by virtue of holes provided in the partition therebetween, the water vapor is cooled by virtue of the circulating air in an air cooling chamber, condensing the vapor into water droplets; said droplets being collected in special collection troughs provided for this purpose on the top portion of said partition.

Abstract: The solar distillation apparatus has a cover readily movable or removable from a first position for distilling, condensing, and collecting liquid to a second position exposing the distilland basin and materials therein. Said materials may be liquids or solids, absorbent or non-absorbent, for aiding in the process of recovery of water from the atmosphere while the cover is in its first or second positions and in conjunction with natural or forced air movement.

Abstract: A process for the purification of water comprises a step-wise procedure for heating and evaporating water to be purified at different location and then condensing water thus evaporated. The water is heated in the form of a sheet by solar energy while in a pan at least part of the bottom of which is capable of absorbing the heat content of solar radiation, and in which it is covered by a layer of liquid which transmits solar radiation therethrough, is immiscible with water and which has a vapor pressure less than that of water. The liquid is usually an oil. Various mechanical devices are disclosed for optimizing utilization of solar radiation reaching the pan. Evaporation of heated water removed from the sheet of water to the evaporator is preferably effected under reduced pressure.

Abstract: Liquid radioactive wastes are concentrated to form a pasty radioactive concentrate by evaporation below the boiling point of the waste by injecting a hot gaseous medium tangentially in a vortex stream over the entire surface of the liquid waste, thereby entraining vapor evaporated from the liquid surface, removing the gaseous medium together with the entrained vapor, drying and reheating the removed gaseous medium and recirculating it in a vortex stream over the surface of the waste, which may then be stored in the same container in which the evaporation took place.

Abstract: A solar heat storage system including in combination a liquid vessel for storing solar energy and solar heat collection means comprising a network of serially connected conductive conduits arranged in a serpentine fashion and coupled to a source of antifreeze in a closed loop, said plurality of conduits lying below street level and covered by a layer of blacktop.

Abstract: A system for softening of water in a manner to minimize heat requirements in the water softener unit of the system. Flashed water vapor from a flash box coupled to the downstream end of the softener unit is used to preheat incoming hard feed water by directly contacting the feed water in respective preheating chambers upstream of the softener unit. The system is suitable for use in a distillation plant to produce potable water.

Abstract: A solar powered distilling device, and more particularly, a device wherein a plurality of convex lenses concentrate the heat energy of sunlight to heat and vaporize a quantity of water, said water vapor rising from a vaporization chamber to a cooling chamber by virtue of spaces provided between troughs located there between, the water vapor is cooled by virtue of the circulating air in an air cooling chamber condensing the vapor into water droplets; said droplets being collected in said collection troughs provided for this purpose.

Abstract: A low boiling water immiscible fluid containing two or more molecular species and having a variable boiling point is contacted in the liquid state with relatively hot or warm water such as surface sea water or geothermal water, thereby generating vapor of immiscible fluid (together with a certain amount of water vapor) which is used to drive a prime mover such as a gas turbine and thereby produce mechanical energy; the exhaust vapor from the prime mover is condensed by direct contact with a relatively cool or cold liquid aqueous phase such as deep sea water or water from a lake or stream or cooling tower to condense the vapor; and the condensate is recycled. Provision is made for ridding water discharged from the system of entrained and dissolved immiscible fluid. By countercurrent flow of the liquid phases and by suitable matching techniques greater efficiency is obtained. The invention is also applicable to heat pumps.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing a gaseous developer medium for a diazotype material from a developer solution, which apparatus comprises a vessel provided with a heater and an outlet for residual liquid, for generating a stream of vapor from a liquid,A conduit in which a stream of developer solution flowing in one general direction can come into contact with a stream of vapor flowing in the other general direction, which conduit communicates at one end with the vessel and is provided at, or in the vicinity of, the other end with an inlet for the developer solution,A condenser which communicates with the end of the conduit remote from the vessel, the condenser having an outlet for gaseous developer medium and an outlet for condensed developer medium,And a vaporizing vessel adapted to be located in a developing chamber for diazotype materials, which vaporizing vessel communicates with the outlet for condensed developer medium.

Abstract: A method for decreasing the naphthalene concentration in debenzolized light oil for greater naphthalene removal comprises pumping the primary light oil condensate and oil bled from a naphthalene scrubber or oil type final cooler to a level above the topmost additional tray in the top portion of a wash oil still.

Abstract: A buoyant elongated trough-like structure closed throughout an upper portion thereof by means of a transparent panel for passing radiant energy from the sun therethrough is provided and a portion of the interior of the trough below the transparent panel defines an open top compartment for receiving water to be evaporated and subsequently condensed. Lower and upper portions of one wall of the trough include inlet and outlet openings extending along the trough and a hollow U-shaped manifold extends longitudinally of the slotted side wall of the trough and opens toward the latter including a lower hollow leg opening into the interior of the trough through the lower slot and a hollow upper leg opening into the trough through the upper slot. The ends of the legs of the manifold remote from the trough are joined by means of an integral hollow bight portion.

Abstract: A low boiling, water immiscible medium is directly contacted in liquid state with relatively hot or warm water (e.g. with hot recycled fresh water in a desalination system or with warm surface sea water in an energy production system) and in vapor state with relatively cold or cool water (e.g. surface sea water in a desalination system or deep sea water in an energy production system) whereby thermal energy is efficiently transferred between the phases that are so contacted; the energy transfer is for the purpose of evaporating the immiscible liquid in an energy production system and is for the purpose of evaporating saline water in a desalination system; and the effluent from the process which is returned to its natural environment (e.g. to the sea) is treated to remove all significant amounts of entrained and dissolved immiscible medium.

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

Abstract: A buoyant structure is provided including an upwardly opening solar furnace having a boiler disposed therein and an upper sun ray collecting and concentrating structure at its upper end for collecting and directing rays from the sun incident thereon onto heat transfer and absorbing surfaces of the boiler. The sun ray collecting and concentrating structure is supported above the normal water line of the buoyant structure and the latter supports an exteriorly mounted condenser unit below the water line of the buoyant structure. Air convection lines extend between the boiler and the condenser for the purpose of ducting hot moist air from the boiler into the condenser and cool drier air from the condenser back into the boiler.

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