Abstract: An improved multistage flash evaporator comprises a plurality of cylindrical shells parallelly and horizontally extending in spaced relation, tube sheets in pairs supported by opposite end portions of the cylindrical shells, each pair of the sheets holding a bundle of cooling tubes therebetween, a top plate connecting the upper portions of the shells to one another, internal bulkheads connecting the lower portions of the shells to a bottom plate, and demisters mounted between the shells, whereby the bulkheads are reduced in height and wall thickness to an economic advantage as compared with the conventional bulkheads, and the demisters are made adjustable in surface areas according to the evaporation loads to be encountered.

Abstract: Vertically elongate pockets are defined between fixed and horizontally movable vertical refractory walls. When the bottom of the pocket is closed, coal dropped into the pocket from above is compressed between the fixed and movable walls and heated to coking temperature by hot gases in vertical flues extending through the refractory walls. When coked, the moveable wall recedes and the coke therein drops into a shaft furnace below, where devolatilization is complete and the coke is quenched in an inert gas atmosphere, which is totally enclosed to prevent air pollution.

Abstract: A solar distillation unit is disclosed capable of operating entirely off solar radiation and intended for large scale industrial use offshore. A lens focusing system housed within an enclosed shell focuses the incident radiation from the sun on a heating element. Saltwater or contaminated fresh water is ejected toward the heating element at a predetermined rate resulting in the immediate evaporation of the water. The water vapor migrates and condenses on the cooler inner surface of the shell running to the bottom where it is collected and removed as fresh water.

Abstract: A solar distillation apparatus is provided which employs at least one pan which is adapted to contain a distilland therein and which has its upper portion heated directly by solar radiant energy passing through a transparent cover disposed above the pan and has its lower portion at least partially heated by radiant energy reflected from a reflective inside surface comprising a bottom wall of the apparatus such that simultaneous heating of both the upper and lower portions of the distilland is achieved and results in a more efficient heating and the provision of vapors from such distilland which engage the bottom surface of the cover and condense thereon to define a distillant which because the apparatus and cover are disposed at an angle to a horizontal plane move under the influence of gravity along such bottom surface into a reservoir therefor.

Abstract: A solar still apparatus having a condensation chamber is disclosed. A plurality of hollow columns are connected to the chamber at the open upper ends of the hollow columns and the lower ends of the hollow columns are adapted to engage a support surface for the still apparatus. The hollow columns also function to contain distilland liquid and to support parabolic solar collectors for heating the liquid to form vapor at the upper end of the hollow columns. The vapor is introduced into the condensation chamber for condensing to form a distillate liquid. Means including a shield and an evaporative surface layer are disclosed to aid the cooling of the condensation chamber relative to the vapor to facilitate the condensation of the vapor in the chamber.