Tubular Patents (Class 202/237)
  • Patent number: 11772008
    Abstract: The disclosure relates to systems for treating water and method for use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: Renew Health Ltd
    Inventors: William Tally, Dereck Kowalski, Brian McCann
  • Patent number: 11325097
    Abstract: A reactor and process for the production of bio-diesel. The reactor includes one or more coiled reaction lines. The lines are positioned within a tank containing a heat transfer media such as molten salt, maintained at about 750° F. A pump circulates the media within the tank. An emulsion of alcohol; refined feed stock, including glycerides and/or fatty acids; and preferably water is pumped through the reaction lines at temperatures and pressures sufficient to maintain the alcohol in a super-critical state. The curvature of the coils, pump pulsing, and the flow rate of the emulsion keep the emulsion in a turbulent state while in the reactor, ensuring thorough mixing of the alcohol and feed stock. The alcohol reacts with the glycerides and fatty acids to form bio-diesel. The reaction is fast, efficient with regard to energy input and waste generation, and requires minimal alcohol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2022
    Assignee: LOUISIANA ECO GREEN, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Kemper J McSpadden, Gerard M Thomassie
  • Patent number: 10967354
    Abstract: A reactor and process for the production of bio-diesel. The reactor includes one or more coiled reaction lines. The lines are positioned within a tank containing a heat transfer media such as molten salt, maintained at about 750° F. A pump circulates the media within the tank. An emulsion of alcohol; refined feed stock, including glycerides and/or fatty acids; and preferably water is pumped through the reaction lines at temperatures and pressures sufficient to maintain the alcohol in a super-critical state. The curvature of the coils, pump pulsing, and the flow rate of the emulsion keep the emulsion in a turbulent state while in the reactor, ensuring thorough mixing of the alcohol and feed stock. The alcohol reacts with the glycerides and fatty acids to form bio-diesel. The reaction is fast, efficient with regard to energy input and waste generation, and requires minimal alcohol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: LOUISIANA ECO GREEN
    Inventors: Kemper J McSpadden, Gerard M Thomassie
  • Patent number: 9161558
    Abstract: A method and a system comprising pressurizing the vapor generated by evaporation, and circulating the pressurized vapor through the maple water above boiling temperature, so as to evaporate water from the maple water. As a result, once the steady state is reached, the main source of energy for water maple evaporation is the pressurized vapor, produced by a compressor. The compressor may be powered by an electrical or an internal combustion engine for example. The initial heating stage, needed to first get vapor from the maple water, is performed by an auxiliary heating unit, such as direct acting electrical heating elements, or a indirect heat source such as wood, oil, etc. for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: TOLE INOX INC.
    Inventors: Jocelyn Caux, Michel Bochud
  • Patent number: 9028654
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system comprising an evaporation unit comprising a first heat exchanger in fluid communication with a second heat exchanger; where the first heat exchanger is operative to heat an effluent stream comprising an amine solvent and/or amine byproducts and water and to discharge the effluent stream to the second heat exchanger; where the second heat exchanger is operative to convert the effluent stream into a distillate stream and a concentrate stream; and a reverse osmosis unit in fluid communication with the evaporation unit; where the reverse osmosis unit comprises a first reverse osmosis unit that is operative to receive the distillate stream and to separate water from byproducts of the amine solvent such that the water has a purity of greater than 95%, based on the weight of the distillate stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: ALSTOM Technology Ltd
    Inventors: Bjoern Ungerer, Christoph Weingaertner, Hans-Peter Dornik
  • Patent number: 9005393
    Abstract: A method of operating an evaporator is described. In evaporator feed water, a Taylor bubble is developed which has an outer surface including a thin film in contact with an inner surface of an outer wall of an evaporator tube. The Taylor bubble is heated as it rises within the evaporator tube so that liquid in the thin film transitions into vapor within the bubble.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Kingston Owens
  • Patent number: 8951391
    Abstract: A solar distillation apparatus utilizing a substantially vertical reactor assembly is disclosed. The reactor includes a tubular outer shell, a base, a cap, and a central tension member. The annular space between the outer tube and the central tension member forms the reactor chamber. Seawater or other feed liquid enters the reactor chamber through the base plate. Reflected or direct solar energy heats the feed liquid, generating low pressure vapor. The vapor exits the reactor through the cap structure or the base. The concentrate left behind settles by gravity to the bottom region of the reactor's liquid column. Extension tubes on the feed openings allow feed liquid to enter the liquid column above the concentrate layer and avoid excessive mixing of the feed liquid and the concentrate. The concentrate exits the reactor through one or more openings in the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Inventor: Miles McClure
  • Patent number: 8858762
    Abstract: An embodiment of a distillation system is disclosed having an influent column with an influent column first end and an influent column second end and having therein, a gas deflector. The influent column may contain at least an influent liquid and vapor from the influent liquid. The influent column first end may be in fluid communication with an influent liquid source. A distillation system is disclosed as having at least one effluent column having an effluent column first end and an effluent column second end and further comprising a condensation chamber adjacent the effluent second end. The effluent column may be positioned within the influent column and may contain at least an effluent liquid and vapor. A primary vacuum source may be in fluid communication with an influent column and positioned at an influent second end. A blower may be provided and connected to the condensation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Inventor: Anthony D. Young
  • 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: 8580085
    Abstract: The invention is generally directed to solar distillation methods and systems for recovering potable water from non-potable water. In certain embodiments, a process for water distillation includes a cycled arrangement, alternating between a day cycle and a night cycle to enhance the yield of potable water. Additionally, in certain embodiments, the system includes a solar still having a design and orientation to maximize solar energy capture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Kll, Inc.
    Inventor: Hillery Thomas Kemp
  • Patent number: 8486223
    Abstract: A falling film evaporator having a shell pass, multiple tubes parallel to each other, a condensed steam outlet, an inlet for an aqueous solution on the top of the tube pass, an outlet for the aqueous solution at the bottom of the tube pass, a distributing assembly having a plurality of distributing trays arranged vertically from top to bottom in incremental diameters and each having multiple holes, and a plate for collecting the aqueous solution below the distributing assembly. The tubes are straight and installed vertically in the evaporator; inner wall of the tubes is smooth, and the top portion of the tubes is protruded above a horizontal plane of the plate. The evaporator is particularly useful for concentrating an aqueous solution containing thermosensitive materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Jiangsu Sinorgchem Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiaogen Feng, Nongyue Wang, Xiaohui Mao, Ruibiao Yu, Qianwen Cheng
  • Publication number: 20120186969
    Abstract: The invention relates to methods and apparatus for drying [18F]fluoride which comprises (i) passing a [18F]fluoride solution comprising water, a solvent, [18F]fluoride, and a cationic counterion through a narrow bore vessel at elevated temperature such that the water and solvent are vaporised forming a vaporised component, and (ii) collecting the resulting vaporised component by condensing into a collection vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: HAMMERSMITH IMANET LIMITED
    Inventor: ERIK ARSTAD
  • 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: 8187429
    Abstract: A wastewater treatment apparatus and method with stair-like heat treatment tanks for performing a breakdown process are disclosed, in which the apparatus comprises: a mixing tank, for evenly mixing wastewater with reaction agents and thus forming a mixed solution; a plurality of heat treatment tanks, for enabling the mixed solution to circulate therein while being heating for a period of time so as to perform an organic destruction process upon the mixed solution and thus cause a discharging liquid to be formed; a heat exchanger, for enabling a heat exchanging process between the discharging liquid and the mixed solution to be performed therein; a condensation tank, for receiving and cooling the discharging liquid; a water purifier, for purifying and thus separating the discharging water into a cleaned water and a concentrated liquid for outputting; an agent recycling unit, for electrolyzing the concentrated liquid so as to recycle the reaction agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Institute of Nuclear Energy Research Atomic Energy Council, Executive Yuan
    Inventors: Jen-Chieh Chung, Ming-Hsin Wu, Yu-Chang Liu
  • Patent number: 8088257
    Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to a solar distillation system capable of recovering potable water from non-potable water. In certain embodiments, the system includes a substantially air tight solar still having a roof top composed of a solar light-transmitting material. The solar still includes a tube positioned below and running underneath the roof top, the tube having an exit end. Additionally, the solar still includes a heating surface positioned below the roof top and adapted for receiving at least a portion of the non-potable water exiting the tube at the exit end. Non-potable water on the heating surface is solar heated and a portion of the non-potable water evaporates and condenses on the outside of the tube to be collected as potable water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2012
    Assignee: KII, Inc.
    Inventor: Hillery Thomas Kemp
  • Patent number: 7959768
    Abstract: The invention relates to a falling film evaporator, which is fitted with a liquid distributor which is divided into segments, such that it is possible to charge only a limited number of evaporator tubes with liquid and the evaporator can be operated in an optimum manner even with a partial load. The invention also relates to a method for operating said falling film evaporator, the aim of which is to transfer heat, which is released when a gas-vapor mixture is condensed, to a liquid which is to be evaporated at least partially. It would be useful to use said falling film evaporator thus fitted in heat recuperation systems such as those used in the production of 1,2 dichloroethane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: UHDE GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Porscha, Michael Benje, Harald Hafenscher
  • Patent number: 7955478
    Abstract: A solar distillation apparatus utilizing a substantially vertical reactor assembly is disclosed. The reactor includes a tubular outer shell, a base, a cap, and a central tension member. The annular space between the outer tube and the central tension member forms the reactor chamber. Seawater or other feed liquid enters the reactor chamber through the base plate. Reflected or direct solar energy heats the feed liquid, generating low pressure vapor. The vapor exits the reactor through the cap structure or the base. The concentrate left behind settles by gravity to the bottom region of the reactor's liquid column. Extension tubes on the feed openings allow feed liquid to enter the liquid column above the concentrate layer and avoid excessive mixing of the feed liquid and the concentrate. The concentrate exits the reactor through one or more openings in the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Inventor: Miles McClure
  • Publication number: 20110070635
    Abstract: A combined solar reflector and desalination assembly is provided for generating energy and fresh water from solar radiation. The solar reflector assembly is configured to be deployed on a supporting body of liquid and to reflect solar radiation to a solar collector. A combined solar reflector and desalination assembly comprises an inflatable elongated tube having an upper portion formed at least partially of flexible material and a lower ballast portion formed at least partially of flexible material. A reflective sheet is coupled to a wall of the tube to reflect solar radiation. At least one catchment device and collection assembly are coupled to the tube. The elongated tube may have an axis of rotation oriented generally parallel to a surface of a supporting body of liquid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2010
    Publication date: March 24, 2011
    Applicant: Advanced Lab Group Cooperative
    Inventors: John D.H. King, Nicholas A. Kramer
  • Publication number: 20100326812
    Abstract: A method of operating an evaporator is described. In evaporator feed water, a Taylor bubble is developed which has an outer surface including a thin film in contact with an inner surface of an outer wall of an evaporator tube. The Taylor bubble is heated as it rises within the evaporator tube so that liquid in the thin film transitions into vapor within the bubble.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Publication date: December 30, 2010
    Applicant: DEKA PRODUCTS LIMITED PARTNERSHIP
    Inventor: Kingston Owens
  • Publication number: 20100314237
    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 vapour, but prevents impurities from passing through. Air flowing in the gap takes up the water vapour and humidified air exits the evaporation device. This humidified air is subsequently cooled to collect the vapour and provide purified water, e.g. at a condenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2008
    Publication date: December 16, 2010
    Inventor: Mark Christopher Tonkin
  • Patent number: 7794572
    Abstract: A water purification apparatus (10) includes an evaporating chamber (13), a light concentrator (11), and a heat pipe (12). The evaporating chamber is for containing impure water. The evaporating chamber has a connecting opening (134) and a vapor outlet (131). The light concentrator is for concentrating sunshine. The heat pipe has an evaporating section (121) and a condensing section (122). The evaporating section is irradiated by the concentrated sunshine, and the condensing section is disposed in the evaporating chamber through the connecting opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2010
    Assignee: Hon Hai Precision Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Hsin-Ho Lee
  • Patent number: 7785448
    Abstract: A method of operating an evaporator is described. In evaporator feed water, a Taylor bubble is developed which has an outer surface including a thin film in contact with an inner surface of an outer wall of an evaporator tube. The Taylor bubble is heated as it rises within the evaporator tube so that liquid in the thin film transitions into vapor within the bubble.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Kingston Owens
  • Publication number: 20100044206
    Abstract: A desalination pipeline system (10) including a first pipeline (12) extending from a salt water source (14) for transferring salt water therethrough. The system includes at least one saltwater desalinator (18) in fluid connection with the first pipeline (12), enabling salt water to be drawn from the first pipeline (12) to the at least one desalinator (18). Each of the salt water desalinators (18) is provided to desalinate at least part of the water drawn from the first pipeline (12). Each desalinator (18) is in fluid connection with a second pipeline (24) extending between the salt water source (14) and the target outlet (16), such that the water that has been desalinated in a desalinator (18) is transferred to the second pipeline (24).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: Australia Creative Technologies PTY LTD
    Inventor: Stephen Shelley
  • Publication number: 20090283398
    Abstract: A spiral double-tube structure including an inner tube for introducing a solvent vapor resulting from vaporization within a distillation still and an outer tube which a coolant gas cooled by an outdoor machine is passed through is disposed in a buffer tank; the solvent vapor is directly cooled from the surrounding area by the coolant gas with a large temperature difference and thus condensed into a liquid state; by means of an ejector, the liquid is mixed with the solvent suctioned from the buffer tank and returned into the buffer tank; since the solvent in the buffer tank is also directly cooled by the coolant gas, the cooling efficiency is high; accordingly, both the solvent vapor generated from the distillation still and the solvent in the buffer tank for reducing the pressure inside the distillation still can be efficiently cooled without using cooling water, and downsizing of the apparatus can also be attained.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Inventors: Masaru Noro, Katsuhito Nakagawa
  • 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: 7594980
    Abstract: Device for distillation, for example extraction of fresh water from sea water, including a number of chambers (3) at least in one row, an inlet (10) for distillation fluid, an outlet (11) for the distillation residue, an outlet (5) for the distillate, and a gas compressor (13). Further, the device includes two pipe systems (1,2), where the first pipe system (1) has an inlet (10) for the distillation fluid and an outlet (11) for the distillation residue, together with an outlet (12) for damp. The second pipe system (2) has a number of chambers (3) in a row, each row (3) having an upper inlet (4) for damp and a lower outlet (5) for distillate. The inlets (4) are connected in parallel, and the outlets (5) are connected in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: GND Water AS
    Inventor: Olav E. Sandstad
  • Patent number: 7588666
    Abstract: The invention relates to a compact rectifying unit for separation of mixed fluids using for heat transfer purpose a fluid heat carrier and its vapours on one of the sides of heat and mass exchanging walls. In order to increase the efficiency of the heat and mass exchange process, the heat and mass exchange tubes of the rectifying part and/or of the evaporator part have means to provide irregular/varying amounts of heat transfer between the inside and the outside of tube wall along the height of the heat and mass exchange tubes. This allows for a reduction in the rectification column height by 3-10 times.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Inventors: Albert Faritovich Saifutdinov, Oleg Yegorovich Beketov, Viktor Seliverstovich Ladoshkin, Guennadi Anatolievich Nesterov, Anatoly Semenovich Tlousty, Guennady Ivanovich Ivanov
  • Publication number: 20090223805
    Abstract: Processes comprising: (a) reacting dimethylamine and ethylene oxide to form a product mixture comprising N,N-dimethylethanolamine and N,N-dimethylaminoethoxyethanol; (b) distilling the product mixture to obtain a bottom fraction comprising N,N-dimethylaminoethoxyethanol; and (c) distilling the bottom fraction to separate at least a portion of the N,N-dimethylaminoethoxyethanol from the bottom fraction; and apparatus for carrying out said processes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2007
    Publication date: September 10, 2009
    Applicant: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Frank-Friedrich Pape, Alfred Krause, Johann-Peter Melder, Bernd Stein, Joachim-Thierry Anders, Frank Haese
  • Publication number: 20090137833
    Abstract: It is an object of the present invention to provide a specific process that enables a dialkyl carbonate and a diol to be produced on an industrial scale of not less than 2 ton/hr and not less than 1.3 ton/hr respectively with high selectivity and high productivity stably for a prolonged period of time through a reactive distillation system of taking a cyclic carbonate and an aliphatic monohydric alcohol as starting materials, continuously feeding the starting materials into a continuous multi-stage distillation column in which a catalyst is present, and carrying out reaction and distillation simultaneously in the column. Although there have been many proposals regarding processes for the production of the dialkyl carbonate and the diol through the reactive distillation method, these have all been on a small scale and short operating time laboratory level, and there have been no disclosures whatsoever on a specific process or apparatus enabling mass production on an industrial scale.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2006
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: Asahi Kasei Chemicals Corporation
    Inventors: Shinsuke Fukuoka, Hironori Miyaji, Hiroshi Hachiya, Kazuhiko Matsuzaki
  • Patent number: 7517432
    Abstract: A plant for tomato juice concentration uses a falling-film evaporator with an external sleeve which surrounds a vertical bundle of tubes divided into a plurality of sectors in which the tomato juice circulates in succession, and which is combined with a heat exchanger which is arranged externally of the evaporator and which is divided into a plurality of sectors in each of which the tomato juice is circulated and heated as it exits from a sector of tubes of the evaporator before being introduced into a successive sector. The plant also includes a compressor that aspirates steam from a bottom zone, being a separation chamber of the evaporator, compresses it and reintroduces it into the central part of the evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: CFT S.p.A.
    Inventor: Roberto Catelli
  • Patent number: 7504005
    Abstract: A condensing chamber and a heating chamber are arranged in an enclosure. Liquid is fed into the condensing chamber where it is pre-heated. The pre-heated liquid flows to the heating chamber where it is boiled to produce vapor. Gas sparging in the condensing chamber enhances heat transfer and absorbs additional vapor generated by pre-heating. The condenser is a helical or other horizontal tube heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2009
    Inventors: Naisin Lee, Stephen F. Sporer
  • Patent number: 7501046
    Abstract: An evaporation sleeve is placed within a solar distillation loop apparatus to increase the amount of water evaporated by the apparatus. The evaporation sleeve is rotationally attached within the above ground portion of the solar distillation loop so the sleeve lifts impure water into the air flow within the system. The evaporation sleeve significantly increases the water surface area available to the air flow within a solar distillation loop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2009
    Assignee: The United States of American, as represented by the Secretary of the Interior
    Inventor: James Edward Constantz
  • Patent number: 7494573
    Abstract: The invention relates to an evaporator tube for a sea water desalination system, whereby drinking water or water for domestic or industrial purposes, respectively, is extracted from the sea in particular in areas having scarce fresh-water resources. The evaporator tube of the invention is characterized by being formed of a steel that is sea water resistant and at the same time acid resistant, and by having a wall thickness between 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm. The evaporator tube of the invention may be furnished and utilized economically, and is characterized in particular by a high corrosion resistance at good heat transition owing to the thin wall, and by good resistance against low pH values. In addition, scaling on the evaporator tubes may reliably be prevented. It is therefore also suited for economical operation in intermittently operated sea water desalination systems such as, e.g., wind energy-powered sea water desalination systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: Wme Gesellschaft Fur Windkraftbetriebene Meerwasserentsalzung MbH
    Inventor: Ulrich Plantikow
  • 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: 7470349
    Abstract: A device for delivering purified water from a reservoir of salt water including a vapor tube supported concentrically inside a barrier tube The vapor tube has apertures that provide a passage of purified condensate from interior of the purified waste to the space between the space between the outside of the vapor tube and the inside of the barrier tube. A pump between the reservoir of salt water and the interior of the vapor tube generates a pressure differential that forces water vapor from the surface of salt water to the inside of the vapor tube. Condensate inside the vapor tube flows as fresh water to outside the vapor tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Inventor: Joel Miller
  • Patent number: 7462262
    Abstract: A vertical multitubular heat exchanger that can prevent clogging of a polymerized material and is continuously operable for an extended period of time is provided. The vertical multitubular heat exchanger (1) of the present invention introduces a process fluid containing an easily-polymerizable substance into heat exchanger tubes (28) to perform heat exchange. The vertical multitubular heat exchanger (1) includes a shell (2) extending in a vertical direction, an upper tube sheet (8) and a lower tube sheet (10) respectively disposed at the upper portion (4) and the lower portion (6) of the shell (2), and a plurality of heat exchanger tubes (28) whose outer circumferences (26) of both ends are respectively fixed to the upper tube sheet (8) and the lower tube sheet (10). An upper surface (34) of the upper tube sheet (8) is formed to be sloped and at least one of the heat exchanger tubes (28) is disposed in the vicinity of the lowest position of the upper surface (34) of the upper tube sheet (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Rayon Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tomomichi Hino, Akira Ogawa, Shigetoshi Shimauchi, Toshihiro Sato, Yasuhiro Kabu
  • Patent number: 7422663
    Abstract: A compact array of vertical rising film evaporators is disclosed in an evacuated multi-effect process, for desalination of seawater, using waste heat of thermal machines. Vapor produced in one stage is the heat source for the next. This invention is based on a concentric disposition of three different evaporators, at which the first stage is a shell and tube evaporator built in a ring format, where is inserted inside the intermediate stage that is a bundle of vertical tubes in a ring format, and the last stage that is a bundle of vertical tubes placed inside the intermediate stage. By this arrangement, vapor pipelines are eliminated, dimensions are reduced, and heat transfer is improved per the rising film evaporators compared to falling film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Inventor: Sergio Martins Costa
  • Patent number: 7416643
    Abstract: A solar water desalination and purification device includes an outer liquid-tight containment and an inner liquid-tight containment disposed within the outer containment. The outer containment collects liquid that forms from condensing water vapor that evaporates within the inner containment and passes through the inner containment material. The inner containment is made from hydrophobic material that allows water vapor to pass through the material as the sunlight evaporates the contaminated water within the inner containment. An inlet communicates with the inner containment for allowing the contaminated water to fill the inner containment. An outlet communicates with the outer containment to allow discharge of condensed water vapor collected within the outer containment to be used as drinking water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2008
    Inventor: Robert N. Yonover
  • Publication number: 20080190755
    Abstract: A solar distillation apparatus utilizing a substantially vertical reactor assembly is disclosed. The reactor consists of a tubular outer shell, a base, a cap, and a central tension member. The annular space between the outer tube and the central tension member forms the reactor chamber. Seawater or other feed liquid enters the reactor chamber through the base plate. Reflected or direct solar energy heats the feed liquid, generating low pressure vapor. The vapor exits the reactor through the cap structure or the base. The concentrate left behind settles by gravity to the bottom region of the reactor's liquid column. Extension tubes on the feed openings allow feed liquid to enter the liquid column above the concentrate layer and avoid excessive mixing of the feed liquid and the concentrate. The concentrate exits the reactor through one or more openings in the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2007
    Publication date: August 14, 2008
    Inventor: Miles McClure
  • Patent number: 7368038
    Abstract: An anti-pressure system for a vessel which is subject to internal pressure created by heating or boiling of its contents, the system including first and second spaced-apart outlets for vapor to exit the vessel, each outlet having a first side communicating with the vessel interior and a second side communicating with the vessel exterior. The invention provides a reliable method of protecting a normally un-pressurized vessel, such as an autoclave, distillation vessel, boiler or the like, from dangerous pressure build-up, resulting from its vapor outlet being blocked, regardless of what other pressure release devices, if any, may be present on the vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Chem-Champ (Barbados) Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis William Mount
  • Patent number: 7266173
    Abstract: A method for distillation of sulfur for preparing radioactive phosphorous nuclide includes the steps of: charging powdered sulfur into a target tube designed to have an upper and a bottom neck; degassing the target tube to form a vacuum therein, followed by heating the upper neck to seal the target tube; irradiating neutrons into the sealed target tube to produce radioactive phosphorous nuclide; heating the distillation zone to distill the remaining unreacted sulfur; and cleaving the target tube at the bottom neck to separate the distillation and the cooling zone from each other, the separated zones containing the radioactive phosphorous nuclide and the unreacted sulfur, respectively, whereby the radioactive phosphorous nuclide of high purity can be prepared while the sulfur can be recovered at high efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2007
    Assignee: Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute
    Inventors: Hyon Soo Han, Ul Jae Park, Hyeon Young Shin, Kwon Mo Yoo
  • Publication number: 20040231970
    Abstract: Distillation apparatus comprises a condensing chamber and a heating chamber arranged on an enclosure. Liquid feed into the condensing chamber is pre-heated and flows to the heating chamber where it is boiled to produce vapor. Gas sparging in the condensing chamber enhances heat transfer and absorbs additional vapor generated by pre-heating. The condenser is a helical or other horizontal tube heat exchanger.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2003
    Publication date: November 25, 2004
    Applicant: Lang Chou
    Inventors: Naisin Lee, Stephen F. Sporer
  • Publication number: 20040074757
    Abstract: A method and device for enhancing distillation in an evaporator. The evaporator includes phase change chambers, such as vertically-oriented cylindrical evaporation tubes. Each chamber has an evaporation region that can be heated externally. Each chamber has an inlet for introducing liquid to the chamber and an outlet opening for allowing vapor to exit from the chamber. Packing is inserted into one or more chambers to enhance distillation. The packing may include a rod with bristles emanating from the rod. Other chamber packing may include multiple rods or a mesh.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2003
    Publication date: April 22, 2004
    Inventor: Kingston Owens
  • Patent number: 6695951
    Abstract: The present water reclamation system includes a series of concentric thin shells. The shells mount within a housing that can be maintained under vacuum or low pressure. The shells rotate at high velocity. Contaminated liquid from outside the housing is injected into the space between half the shells. The centrifugal force causes the liquid to form a thin film along the inward facing surface of the shell. A compressor lowers the pressure adjacent the thin film causing the liquid to boil. The compressor carries the vapor to the other side of those shells at a slightly higher temperature. There the vapor encounters the wall, which is cooler because its heat was transferred to boil the contaminated liquid. The vapor condenses, and rotation throws the condensate against the adjacent wall where it is collected. When condensing, the heat of condensation transfers to the shell for boiling the incoming contaminated liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Inventors: Jack G. Bitterly, Steven E. Bitterly
  • Patent number: 6663751
    Abstract: The device for evaporation and condensation in a closed environment includes an evaporation receptacle, a heating unit for the evaporation receptacle and a condensation receptacle connected in a substantially sealed manner to the evaporation receptacle. The evaporation and condensation receptacles are connected to each other, at their openings, extending on either side of a common separation plane in such a way that the arrangement of the receptacles forms substantially an inverted “V” with a sharp point and in that substantially the entire surface area of the wall forming the evaporation receptacle is brought, by the heating unit, to the same temperature T1 higher than the highest temperature T2 of the wall forming the condensation receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Analab (SARL)
    Inventors: Gérard Manhes, Christa Gopel
  • Patent number: 6635148
    Abstract: A method for refining an easily polymerizable matter while preventing an easily polymerizable matter-containing substance from being polymerized and an apparatus for use in the method are disclosed. The method and apparatus for refining and separating the easily polymerizable matter-containing substance by the use of a distillation column provided with a heat exchanger set the linear velocity of a vapor in a connecting line intervening between the distillation column and the heat exchanger at a level of not less than 5 m per second and the retention time of the vapor at a level of not more than 3 seconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Nippon Shokubai
    Inventors: Takeshi Nishimura, Yukihiro Matsumoto
  • Publication number: 20030150704
    Abstract: One or more water distillation chambers are provided wherein water containing salt or other impurities enters an upper inlet at a chamber and flows down a solar heated evaporative surface. The evaporative surface may be the interior of a pipe or the surface of a bottom sheet enclosed by a cover. In this way, the steam produced in the process will be constrained and be guided into a steam drum. The steam drum interior has cooling tubes whereby vapor entering the steam drum will be condensed into fresh water and collected for use. The cover may be heated to limit the amount of vapor condensing back into water before entering the steam drum. Multiple evaporation chambers and steam collection stages limit the distance water vapor must travel before entering a steam drum of a given stage, thereby minimizing the loss of water vapor through re-condensation before the vapor enters the steam drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2003
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Inventor: Juan M. Posada
  • Publication number: 20030141177
    Abstract: A process for re-purifying highly enriched [H2180] for the reclamation and re-purification of highly enriched [H2180] after it has been used in the synthesis of [18F] by means of cyclotron particle bombardment, used in the synthesis of radiopharmacuticals such as [18F-FDG] or other radioactive labeled compounds for use in Positron Emission Tomography, commonly referred to as a P.E.T. Scan in the medical community, and render the re-purification product as clinical grade and suitable for re-introduction into that self-same [18F] production process for which it was previously used. The inventive device includes an evaporation flask, a condensation flask, a distillation adapter with a vacuum takeoff, a heating/magnetic stirring plate, a Teflon magnetic stir bar, a vacuum source, an inert gas source, a labyrinth filter and two glass secondarys.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Inventor: John W. Countz
  • Patent number: 6551464
    Abstract: A combination reflux/distillation apparatus is provided having interchangeable reflux and distillation columns, a segmented collection trough and an integrated indirect heating provision. The apparatus is uniquely adapted for refluxing and distilling small quantities of materials without the losses attendant to larger apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Inventor: Howard Kimel
  • Patent number: 6338774
    Abstract: A liquid distributor includes a principal container with a perforated bottom, as well as transport members to transmit, by gravity, the liquid from at least one opening in the perforated bottom, to a supply point not in vertical alignment with this opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Jean-Yves Lehman