Abstract: Membranes for membrane distillation include at least one hollow fiber porous hydrophobic membrane, the at least one membrane including carbon nanotubes incorporated into the pore structure of the membrane. Membrane distillation systems may include a heat exchanger operably connected to a hollow fiber membrane module with one or more membranes including carbon nanotubes. Methods of solvent removal, sample preconcentration and desalination employing hollow fiber porous hydrophobic membranes with carbon nanotubes are disclosed.

Abstract: A device (1) comprises a source (20) for emitting ultraviolet light, an inlet (30) for letting in fluid to the device (1), an outlet (40) for letting out fluid from the device (1), and means (51, 52) for performing a straightening action of a flow of fluid through the device (1). The flow straightening means comprise at least one flow straightening element (51, 52) having inlet openings for letting in fluid at one side and outlet openings for letting out fluid at another side, wherein each inlet opening is in communication with a plurality of outlet openings, and wherein the element (51, 52) comprises a maze of randomly arranged, interconnected holes. In such a structure, a water element that is moving from one side of the element (51, 52) to another side may take one of various paths, as a result of which variations in inlet conditions can be dampened.

Abstract: A system and process for the preparation of high quality gasoline through recombination of catalytic hydrocarbon includes fractionator and extractor. The upper part of the fractionator is equipped with light petrol pipeline, the lower part of the fractionator is equipped with heavy petrol pipeline, the middle part of the fractionator is equipped with medium petrol pipeline. The medium petrol pipeline is connected with a medium petrol extractor, the upper part of the medium petrol extractor is connected with the medium petrol raffinate oil hydrogenation unit through the pipeline, the lower part of the medium petrol extractor is connected with the medium petrol aromatic hydrocarbon hydrogenation unit through the pipeline.

Abstract: A desalination system wherein a latent heat of condensation produced by the temperature gradient across a membrane distillation (MD) module is transferred directly to a latent heat of vaporization during desalination of a liquid flow stream. The desalination system comprises the MD module disposed within an object and configured to receive an input feed stream for desalination and produce an output flow stream of a product. The system also comprises a vapor compressor in fluidic communication with the MD module and configured to introduce a hot steam to a high temperature side of the MD module and extract a cool steam, having a temperature less than the hot steam, from a low temperature side of the MD module, thereby creating a temperature gradient across of the MD module. A desalination method is also presented.

Abstract: Accumulation of polymer on equipment, which is in contact with polymerizable material during normal process operation, is minimized by the method and apparatus of the present invention. The method involves positioning and affixing the equipment, such as a pressure relief device, to process apparatus, such as a distillation column, proximate to a wetted region formed by liquid phase fluid in the process apparatus, such that the moving liquid phase fluid is at least intermittently in contact with the equipment and one or more of accumulated polymerizable material, condensate including same, and polymer, is washed off of the equipment. The apparatus of the present invention is effective for maintaining the service-readiness of the equipment, which provides for safe long-term operation of the process apparatus.

Abstract: A pyrolysis process is provided. The process includes the steps of: depositing a quantity of waste into a porous container, the porous container adapted to allow a convective stream of substantially anaerobic gas to flow therethrough; inserting the porous container into a pyrolysis thermal processor; sealing the thermal processor; circulating the convective stream of gas through the pyrolysis thermal processor; heating the waste according to a first time-temperature profile to pyrolyze the waste and form a carbonaceous char; and cooling the carbonaceous char by circulating the convective stream of gas through a cooler. An oil product and a gaseous hydrocarbon product are produced during the pyrolysis. The carbonaceous char is further processed to form a carbon black product and a recyclable metal product.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for the purification of a liquid by membrane distillation comprising: passing a heated vapourising stream of a liquid (retentate stream) through a retentate channel along a porous hydrophobic membrane (10), whereby vapour of the liquid flows via the pores of the membrane to the other side of said membrane, and condensing said vapour on the other side of said membrane to give a distillate stream in a distillate channel (5) which distillate is created by passing the heat of condensation (latent heat) towards a condenser surface (3), said condenser surface forming a non-porous separation between a feed stream of the liquid to be purified and said distillate stream, which feed stream is passed through a feed channel (2) in counter-current with the retentate stream, in which feed channel a space material (4) is arranged whereby at least part of the latent heat is transferred via the condenser surface to the feed stream, and whereby a positive liquid pressure difference is applied be

Abstract: A method of and apparatus is disclosed for water desalination including steps of transferring water vapor from salt-water in a vaporization zone 7, via a water vapor transfer zone 12, to a condensation zone 11, and condensing the water vapor into fresh-water. The water vapor transfer zone 12 is maintained substantially free of any gas other than water vapor. Heat is supplied to the vaporization zone 7 and extracted from the condensation zone 11, at relative rates such that there is a net transfer of water from the vaporization zone to the condensation zone. Also disclosed is a method of and apparatus for degassing salt water using at least two degassing chambers 17A, 17B each provided with a valved vent 47 and a valved inlet 21,29,90,91, with a valved pipe circuit 17a, 72-82,85-87, having a pump 71.

Abstract: A membrane module comprising an outer casing having an interior region, a seal disposed within the outer case, thereby dividing the interior region into a first chamber and a second chamber, and a plurality of hollow fiber membranes extending through the first chamber and the second chamber, where at least a portion of the plurality of hollow fiber membranes have first segments located within the first chamber and second segments located within the second chamber, the first segments being configured to allow vapor transmission therethrough, and the second segments being configured to substantially prevent vapor transmission therethrough, and further configured to allow transmission of thermal energy therethrough.

Abstract: Insulating members are provided for use in nozzles of elevated temperature process vessels employing a structural metal shell (24), an insulating refractory lining (14) and a corrosion-resistant membrane (18) lining between the structural shell and refractory lining. The insulating members comprise pre-formed insulating sleeves and inserts and are made of a thermally insulating material having sufficient thickness and sufficiently low thermal conductivity such that, when the sleeve or insert is heated by the process temperature during operation of the vessel, the thermal energy transmitted through the sleeve or insert to the membrane is insufficient to raise the temperature of the membrane above a target temperature. The most preferred thermally insulating materials are fluoropolymers such as poly(tetrafluoroethylene) flouropolymer resins.

Abstract: A solar distiller with a two part distilling chamber and a concentrating mirror which is designed to be lightweight and compact for ease of transport. The distilling chamber has two main parts; a trough for holding a liquid that will be distilled, and a condensing roof on which the liquid will condense that has channels for collecting the distilled liquid. The two part distilling chamber allows for simple operation and easy maintenance. The concentrating mirror is made from a flexible reflective sheet, which is formed into a nearly parabolic shape by the mirror frame. The mirror is designed so that it can be easily assembled and then later disassembled for storage or transport. A stand holds the distilling chamber at the approximate focus of the concentrating mirror. The concentrating mirror allows a relatively large amount of sunlight to be focused onto the distilling chamber producing a proportionately large amount of distilled liquid.

Abstract: A retort heating apparatus for processing a feed material includes a heating chamber bounded at least in part by a side wall. A plurality of baffles are at least partially disposed within the heating chamber. Each baffle includes an elongated body having a top surface, at least a portion of the top surface being arched. The plurality of baffles are vertically and horizontally spaced apart so that substantially all of the feed material that vertically passes through the heating chamber is horizontally displaced as the feed material passes by the baffles. Systems are also provided for heating the feed material within the heating chamber.

Abstract: A method and system for extracting hydrocarbon fuel products from plastic material provides extraction of usable fuel components from waste plastic materials. The materials (or hydrocarbon portion thereof) are liquified and introduced to a chamber where the liquid material is agitated and a negative relative pressure (vacuum) is applied. The liquid is maintained at a substantially constant temperature and the vacuum draws the off-gas hydrocarbon products out for condensation and further processing, while unconverted char is removed to an ash dump. An auger feed unit with agitator buckets is used to propel the char through a feed while agitating the liquid to enhance the rate of gas removal.

Abstract: An improved process and apparatus for the destructive distillation or pyrolysis of rubber, such as used rubber tires, to produce liquid and gaseous hydrocarbons and a solid carbonaceous char. A heat transfer gas circulating in a circulation loop is used to cool the hot char produced in the distillation chamber of a distillation oven, the circulation loop having some means for removing the heat transferred to the heat transfer gas from the hot char. In one embodiment, two distillation ovens are operated in off-set, batchwise distillation cycles. The distillation cycles in the two ovens are coordinated so that a fresh charge of rubber feed is introduced into the distillation chamber of one of the ovens as the distillation of rubber in the other oven is concluded.

Abstract: A system for transporting and dewatering solids in a fluid system. An auger is used to transport solids and provide first stage compaction. A dewatering plate having a restricted opening provides second stage compaction and dewatering. The auger maybe be shafted or shaftless. First stage compaction is achieved by a change in helical pitch of the auger immediately preceding the location of the dewatering plate.

Abstract: Failures associate with bad hand pieces and blade failures in an ultrasonic surgical system are distinguished by monitoring the rate of change of the resonance frequency and the rate of change of the resonance impedance of the hand piece/blade as the drive frequency is changed. As the system reaches resonance, the control system locks onto the resonance frequency. When a loss of lock occurs with no recovery, the rate of change of the frequency and rate of change of the impedance are compared to obtain the fastest rate of change which is stored in non-volatile memory of the ultrasonic generator. If the rates of change are higher than normal rates of change due to temperature changes with the longest blades, a “Bad Blade” message is displayed on an LCD.

Abstract: Heat transfer in non-turbulent highly viscous mixed-phase flowing streams can be improved by altering flow characteristics using spiral-shaped elements to eliminate boundary phenomena. The spiral-shaped element promotes helical or spiral flow paths to reduce or eliminate temperature gradients associated with laminar flow characteristics.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for heating fluid with a gas heater and distilling fluid with the pilot light of the gas heater are disclosed. The apparatus for heating fluid and distilling fluid includes a main tank for containing fluid to be heated, a heater, adapted to have a pilot light, for heating the fluid in said main tank and an evaporator tank for vaporizing fluid received therein with heat from the pilot light. The method of heating fluid and distilling fluid includes heating a first volume of fluid with a heater having a pilot light and heating a second volume of fluid with the pilot light.

Abstract: This invention provides a conveyor and tunnel oven, where the conveyor is continuous, the tunnel oven is gas fired, having its ignited and heated gases passed through a tubular system, being attracted by one or more blowers, to generate by conduction infrared energy to furnish curing to products passing along the continuous conveyor. A control system is provided for controlling the operating parameters such as conveyor speed, regulating emitted gas, the velocity generated by the blowers, and the capacity of the BTUs created, during operations of the oven.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for heating fluid with a gas heater and distilling fluid with the pilot light of the gas heater are disclosed. The apparatus for heating fluid and distilling fluid includes a main tank for containing fluid to be heated, a heater, adapted to have a pilot light, for heating the fluid in said main tank and an evaporator tank for vaporizing fluid received therein with heat from the pilot light. The method of heating fluid and distilling fluid includes heating a first volume of fluid with a heater having a pilot light and heating a second volume of fluid with the pilot light.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for refurbishing eroded portions in coke oven doorjambs including refurbishing apparatus having a framework attached to the coke oven structure adjacent the doorjamb. The framework supports a carriage that is simultaneously moveable in an "X" axis direction and a "Y" axis direction within the boundary so that a machine-cutting tool, attached to the carriage, can be moved from one position directly to another position within the framework boundary. The machine-cutting tool is positioned to make cutting passes alone new metal that is fused into the eroded portions of the coke oven doorjamb.

Abstract: A mixture of fatty acids or their esters derived from natural oils and fats including eicosapentaenoic acids or their derivatives is precision distilled under a high vacuum using a plurality of distillation columns, three distillation columns or more in particular, in order to acquire a fraction consisting mainly of fatty acids of carbon number 20 or their esters, which is then subjected to a column chromatography with a reversed-phase distribution system. Eicosapentaenoic acids or their esters, which is useful for preventing or treating thrombus, with a purity as high as 99% and above and with a recovery rate 55% or above, is produced.

Abstract: An improved process for manufacturing melamine from urea simplifies the recovery of melamine, carbamate and ammonia from a fluidized bed reactor effluent stream by operating the process at a pressure between 1.4 and 2 MPa. In such a manner, a carbamate solution can be produced at a sufficiently high concentration for use in a urea plant without an intervening concentration step. In addition, ammonia recycled as a fluidizing gas can be condensed against cooling water to permit easy separation of noncondensables such as oxygen which used in the process as a passivator for carbamate corrosion inhibition. The melamine product is produced as an aqueous solution free of melamine solids. Heat is recovered from the carbamate condensation and used for the vaporization of ammonia which is recycled to the reactor for fluidization.

Abstract: A water distiller has a steam chamber that includes a tray for containing water to be distilled. Water is conveyed from a source to the tray for distillation. A valve operates in an open position to convey water to the tray and a closed position to block the passage of water to the tray. A heating element means extends in the steam chamber for submersion in the water carried by the tray. The heating element is operable within a range of temperatures to heat the water in the tray. The heating element includes a main body portion having an axis that extends in a plane generally parallel to the water in the tray and a section havign an axis that is deflected above the axis of the main body portion. A heat sink surrounds the deflected section of the heating element means. A heat sensor detects the temperature of the heat sink. A control connects the valve and the heat sensor means. The control closes the valve when the sensed temperature of the heat sink is equal to or less than a predetermined amount.