Abstract: In a method for concentrating solar energy waveform energy is directed to a predetermined region of the atmosphere located a pre-established distance above a surface of the earth. The directing of the energy is controlled so as to modulate an index of refraction of air in the predetermined region of the atmosphere to produce a predetermined refraction index pattern in the region. The distribution of solar radiation is modified as it passes through the atmospheric region to thereby concentrate the solar radiation at a predetermined location.

Abstract: A rectangular frame contains a plurality of upwardly opening trays each having a heat absorber element with a plurality of upstanding vanes. A lens associated with each tray concentrates incident solar radiation on the vanes to preferentially heat a portion of the liquid filling the tray to a relatively high temperature at which vaporization is more efficiently accomplished than in prior solar stills. The evaporated liquid is condensed on an overlying surface and is collected for later use. The system may be used in distilling water and in solar refrigeration.

Abstract: Scale-forming metal oxides and carbonates, such as cupric oxide, can be precipitated from an ammoniacal leaching solution with minimum scale buildup by distilling the solution in an externally heated distillation chamber mounted for rotation about a generally horizontal axis. The distillation chamber includes a plurality of axially spaced annular baffles defining a plurality of compartments containing a tumbling medium, such as spherical balls. The solution is continuously introduced into the inlet end of the chamber and heated under pressure to a temperature above its boiling point as it flows over the baffles toward the outlet end of the chamber. A slurry containing the precipitated cupric oxide is continuously withdrawn from the outlet end and the evaporated gases are continuously withdrawn from the inlet end.

Abstract: An ascension pipe for coke oven installations wherein the inner periphery of the pipe is lined with refractory brick and wherein a tube of heat-resistant steel covers the inner periphery of the brick lining. Only minor deposits form on this tube during operation of the coke oven. These deposits can be removed easily by vertically-guided scrapers without damaging the refractory, in contrast to prior art ascension pipes wherein the deposits must be removed from the refractory bricks themselves.

Abstract: A vapor compression distilling device (10) includes a first chamber (30) adapted to contain liquid (32) to be distilled. A compressor (70) is interconnected to the first chamber (30) for withdrawing vapor from the liquid (32) in the first chamber (30). The compressor (70) also functions to compress the vapor. A second chamber (12) is adapted to receive the compressed vapor from the compressor (70) such that the compressed vapor is condensed in the second chamber (12) into a liquid condensate. A device (16) is disposed in the second chamber (12) for boiling, concentrating and circulating the liquid (32) to be distilled. The device (16) is provided with circulating flow connections (18, 36) to the first chamber (30) and extends into the second chamber (12), such that the exterior of the device (16) is exposed to the compressed vapor generated by the compressor (70).

Abstract: An evaporator for increasing the solids content of a liquid-solids mixture employs vapor compressor means to recycle superheated vapors that are boiled off the mixture by a heat transfer fluid. The superheated vapors are forced into the mixture before the mixture is heated by passage over a heat transfer surface, and the vapors cause the mixture to flow past such heat transfer surface at sufficient velocity to prevent excessive solids from depositing on the heat transfer surface.

Abstract: A distillation system for sea water is provided with a fan to force air under pressure through a heating chamber having a heat exchanger to heat the air, a passageway from the heating chamber for directing the heated and pressurized air to an evaporator in which a reservoir of sea water is maintained at a predetermined level and in which cylindrical horizontally disposed brushes are partially submerged in the sea water and rotated as the heated air from the heating chamber passes over the rotating brushes with the brushes rotated at a sufficiently high speed to keep the brushes wet thereby preventing the formation of scale on the brushes. The moisture laden heated air then flows through a condenser which includes a heat exchanger utilizing sea water as the cooling medium and includes an outlet valve which permits the condensed water to be withdrawn for use.

Abstract: An evaporator for increasing the solids content of a liquid-solids mixture employs vapor compressor means to recycle superheated vapors that are boiled off the mixture by a heat transfer fluid. The super-heated vapors are forced into the mixture before the mixture is heated by passage over a heat transfer surface, and the vapors cause the mixture to flow past such heat transfer surface at sufficient velocity to prevent excessive solids from depositing on the heat transfer surface.

Abstract: There is provided a coffeemaker comprising a water reservoir, a quartz-glass tubular heating chamber having an external electrical heating element in contact therewith, an inlet tube for conducting water from the reservoir through the chamber, and an outlet tube for discharging the heated water over ground coffee. Associated therewith is a switch responsive to the temperature of the heating chamber wall for automatically de-energizing the heating element. When the flow of water through the heating chamber ceases, the heat capacity of the heating chamber, the electrical power consumption of the heating element, and the location and the adjustment of the temperature-responsive switch are so related to each other that the heating chamber walls will be rapidly heated to a temperature of at least about 450.degree. C. before the heating element is de-energized by the temperature-responsive switch. The result is that any scale on the heating chamber walls is thereby thermally decomposed and removed.