Abstract: A process for treating produced water to generate high pressure steam. Produced water from heavy oil recovery operations is treated by de-oiling the produced water to provide a de-oiled evaporator feedwater that is fed to an evaporator. The pretreated produced water stream is evaporated to produce (1) a distillate having a trace amount of residual solutes therein, and (2) evaporator blowdown containing substantially all solutes from the de-oiled produced water feed. The distillate may be directly used, or polished to remove the residual solutes therein, before being fed to a steam generator. Steam generation in a once-through steam generator, or in a packaged boiler such as a water tube boiler having a steam drum and a mud drum with water cooled combustion chamber walls, produces high pressure steam for down-hole use.

Abstract: A vacuum dehydrator for processing an oil containing entrained contaminants such as water, air, and particulates comprises a tower enclosing upper and lower chambers. A random packing is contained in the upper chamber. The oil is preheated to a temperature above the boiling point of water and is introduced into the upper chamber for downward flow through the random packing into the lower chamber. Entrained air and water is retained as water vapor in the upper chamber, and particulates are retained in the random packing. Heated ambient air is introduced into the lower chamber for upward flow through the random packing into the upper chamber, and the upper chamber is cooled to condense the water vapor. Oil and condensed water are pumped respectively from the lower and upper chambers.

Abstract: An in situ system used for treating an oil and gas well drilling fluid and treating water after a well is completed. The system includes a fluid treatment unit used in a reserve pit and a water treatment unit disposed next to the pit. The fluid treatment unit includes a floating electrocoagulation unit in the reserve pit for destabilizing contaminates in the fluid and dropping out stable precipitates. The clear treated fluid is then pumped, using a submersible pump, to the water treatment unit. The water treatment includes a number of components including a pre-filter, an activated carbon filter and a heat exchanger for first treating the fluid. The filtered and heated fluid is then piped into a reverse osmosis unit for removing salt and any remaining minerals found therein. From the reverse osmosis unit, approximately 70 to 80% of the filtered water is cleaned and piped to a clean water storage tank for reuse.

Abstract: A process for obtaining process water by condensation of mist or by evaporation of water comprising salts or impurities and condensation of the evaporated water, and plants for carrying out the process and the use thereof for obtaining drinking water.

Abstract: Method of purifying a feed stream containing carbon dioxide wherein the feed stream after having been compressed and dried is partly cooled and then used to reboil a stripping column. Thereafter, the feed stream is further cooled and expanded to a lower operational temperature of the stripping column. A carbon dioxide product stream composed of the liquid column bottoms of the stripping column is expanded at one or more pressures to generate refrigeration, then fully vaporized within the main heat exchanger and compressed by a compressor to produce a compressed carbon dioxide product. Refrigeration is recovered in the main heat exchanger from a column overhead stream extracted from the stripping column within the main heat exchanger either directly or indirectly by auxiliary processing in which carbon dioxide is further separated and optionally recycled back to the main compressor used in compressing the feed stream.

Abstract: Membrane tubes or similar membrane devices are arrayed in layers so that liquid placed on their outer surfaces may be evaporated and also drain onto lower membrane devices. The entire array is subjected to moving air to enhance evaporation. The membrane devices function as filters while permeating water from industrial fluids while also providing evaporative surfaces to reduce the volume of used aqueous industrial fluids. The retentate surfaces of the membrane devices may also be on the interiors of the devices, and the permeate contacted with flowing air to evaporate the permeate. Unevaporated permeate is collected in either configuration for use as clean water, and concentrated fluid may be more easily handled, disposed or, and/or its components recycled. A cavitation device may be used to heat the aqueous industrial fluid to enhance permeation and evaporation rates with minimal scaling.

Abstract: A dehydration method for removing water from a hydrolysis reaction mixture containing unreacted water generated when monochlorobenzene is hydrolyzed to produce phenol, the method for dehydrating the hydrolysis reaction mixture comprising the steps of supplying a hydrolysis reaction mixture to a distillation tower, supplying a liquid containing monochlorobenzene to the tower top portion of the distillation tower, and removing the substantially whole amount of the water in the hydrolysis reaction mixture together with monochlorobenzene from the tower top portion by distillation.

Abstract: Mercury is removed from solutions contaminated with mercury, the solution contaminated with mercury being introduced into a distillation column above the column bottom, solvent being distilled off and solution depleted in mercury being stripped off at the column bottom.

Abstract: A system and method for removing water from a liquid desiccant such as a glycol used to dry cooled air in order to restore the desiccant to a purity up to around 97% in a closed continuous flow process. Liquid desiccant can be sprayed into cooled air in a conditioner where it gains moisture. The wet or gained desiccant can be optionally preheated in an economizing heat exchanger and then routed into a concentrator. Desiccant pure to around 97% can be removed from the concentrator, passed through an economizing heat exchanger to provide the preheating and returned to the conditioner holding area. The concentrator can be heated by steam or other means such as natural gas to boil the wet desiccant causing mixed vapor to enter a vertical distillation column where most of the glycol condenses out on the column packing or plates and returns to the concentrator.

Abstract: Water processing method, in particular for producing fresh water from salt water by membrane distillation. In comparison with previously known methods, a significant reduction in investment cost and operating cost can be achieved by the combination of the following measures: The water to be processed is kept in a supply chamber the wall of which is formed at least in part by a hydrophobic membrane being permeable for water vapor. A hydrophilic membrane having a greater thickness in comparison with the hydrophobic membrane and a lower thermal conductivity per unit area runs in parallel with the hydrophobic membrane. By the pumping action a vapor pressure difference is produced between the water to be processed and the fresh water so that the membrane distillation is driven by the vapor pressure difference resulting from the pumping action, the water condensing in the pores of the hydrophilic membrane.

Abstract: A process for separating a component from a low molecular weight organic mixture by pervaporation. The process uses fluorinated membranes and is particularly useful for treating mixtures containing light organic components, such as methane, propylene or n-butane.

Abstract: A process for light water detritiation which includes the steps of water distillation for tritium stripping and enriching, followed by chemical conversion of tritium enriched water to elemental hydrogen, and finally by one or more thermal diffusion columns for final tritium enrichment. The combination of process steps takes advantage of water distillation large throughput capability at low tritium concentration with the simplicity of thermal diffusion for small throughput final tritium enrichment. The water distillation front-end and the thermal diffusion back end processes are compatible with any intermediate chemical conversion process such as electrolysis or water gas shift reaction to convert tritiated water to elemental hydrogen.

Abstract: A process for dewatering hydrocyanic acid by distillation, which includes distilling crude hydrocyanic acid containing from 50 to 99.9% by weight of HCN, from 0.1 to 40% by weight of water, from 0 to 15% by weight of carbon oxides and optionally from 0.01 to 1% by weight of an involatile stabilizer, at a pressure of from 1 bar to 2.5 bar, a bottom temperature of from 100° C. to 130° C. and a top temperature of from 25° C. to 54° C., in the absence of a volatile stabilizer, in a distillation column to obtain a top draw stream containing purified, anhydrous hydrocyanic acid and carbon oxides and a bottom draw stream including water and, optionally, the involatile stabilizer.

Abstract: An improved distillation of water. involves distilling significant quantities of water at temperatures well below the boiling point. During distillation, a compound is taken from a liquid-phase to a gas-phase and then condensed to the liquid-phase again to get a pure liquid. The present invention uses water sprayed (105) and absorbed onto a solid surface such as micro-powder (104) made from wood as a starting material. Absorbing water onto such a surface results in rapid evaporation with a relatively low temperature gradient when the water and particles are agitated. The present invention could be characterized as solid-phase distillation.

Abstract: Aromatic amines are produced by catalytic hydrogenation of aromatic nitro compounds. The reaction mixture generated by this hydrogenation is then worked up by distillation in a manner which makes it possible to substantially free the amine of water with increased energy efficiency. Water free of amine and low boilers and the low boiling materials are also obtained.

Abstract: A high purity aqueous solution of hydroxylamine product is prepared by treating an aqueous solution of hydroxylammonium salt with a base like ammonia at low temperatures. A novel process can be carried out by separating the ammonium salt side product from hydroxylamine with a low temperature filtration and a resin-exchange process. The concentration of the hydroxylamine product is further improved by a safe distillation process that produces a high purity and high concentration hydroxylamine product with reduced risks of explosion.

Abstract: In a method for recovering acid from an aqueous etching mixture containing HF, HNO3, H2SiF6 and HNO2 which has been used for purifying polycrystalline silicon, the used etching mixture is distilled progressively so that approximately from 20 to 50 wt. % of the mixture is distilled off as dilute acid containing more than 90 wt. % of the silicon dissolved as hexafluorosilicic acid in a first fraction, and the water contained in the used etching mixture having been reduced by approximately 10-30 wt. %, this water-depleted mixture is then concentrated by evaporation to a residue of about 1 to 5 wt. % of the initial amount of used etching mixture during which a second fraction is distilled off, and the residue is disposed of.

Abstract: A method of separating water from air is provided comprising the steps of (a) contacting air having water vapor with an hygroscopic liquid mixture to produce a water rich hygroscopic liquid mixture, (b) heating at least a portion of the water rich hygroscopic liquid mixture to produce a gaseous mixture including water vapor and at least one other gaseous component, (c) condensing at least a portion of the water vapor in the gaseous mixture to produce liquid water and a depleted gaseous mixture at a first pressure, and (d) removing at least a portion of the at least one other gaseous component to maintain the first pressure below a predetermined pressure, wherein the depleted gaseous mixture is in fluid communication with the water rich hygroscopic liquid mixture. An absorber vessel is also provided for effecting the method of separating water from air.

Abstract: A process for light water detritiation comprised of water distillation for tritium stripping and enriching, followed by chemical conversion of tritium enriched water to elemental hydrogen, and finally by one or more thermal diffusion columns for final tritium enrichment. The combination of process steps takes advantage of water distillation large throughput capability at low tritium concentration with the simplicity of thermal diffusion for small throughput final tritium enrichment. The water distillation front-end and the thermal diffusion back end processes are compatible with any intermediate chemical conversion process such as electrolysis or water gas shift reaction to convert tritiated water to elemental hydrogen.

Abstract: The invention is directed to an improved desalination process to produce potable water. The process represents an improvement of hybrid of membrane and desalination technologies. The improvement of the invention comprises the operation of an ion selective membrane at a variable pressure as a function of the cost of electricity to form a softened salt water that is blended in variable proportions, to increase the top operating temperature of the desalination system and increase recovery of potable water, with untreated salt water.

Abstract: Process for the manufacture of a concentrated solution, like a concentrated aqueous hydrogen peroxide solution, by distillation and evaporation of a dilute solution, in which the distillation and the evaporation are carried out in two distinct pieces of equipment which are easy to dismantle and to transport. Aqueous hydrogen peroxide solutions having a concentration of at least 90% are obtainable.

Abstract: A process for treating liquids containing organic compounds and water. The process includes a pervaporation step in conjunction with a dephlegmation step to treat at least a portion of the permeate vapor from the pervaporation step. The process yields a membrane residue stream, a stream enriched in the more volatile component (usually the organic) as the overhead stream from the dephlegmator and a condensate stream enriched in the less volatile component (usually the water) as a bottoms stream from the dephlegmator. Any of these may be the principal product of the process. The membrane separation step may also be performed in the vapor phase, or by membrane distillation.

Abstract: The invention provides a hydrofluoric acid wastewater treatment method that achieves efficient recovery of hydrofluoric acid from hydrofluoric acid wastewater and also achieves sufficient reduction in the hydrofluoric acid concentration of the dehydrofluorinated water after treatment.

Abstract: A water reclamation system for a closed environment includes a mixer that receives brine. A processor is downstream of the mixer, with the processor distilling substantially salt-free water from the brine in the substantial absence of salt crystallization. A crystallizer subsystem is downstream of the processor, with the crystallizer subsystem crystallizing salt from the brine and recycling the brine to the mixer.

Abstract: In the purification of deicing fluid for recovery of glycol, initially solid particles are separated, then dissolved organic compounds and positive and negative ions are separated by an ion exchange in an ion exchanger, and finally water is separated by distillation.

Abstract: A desalination process is disclosed which combining two or more substantially different water treatment processes in a unique manner to desalinate saline water, especially sea water, to produce a high yield of high quality fresh water, including potable water, at an energy consumption equivalent to or less than much less efficient prior art desalination processes. In this process a nanofiltration step is synergistically combined with at least one of sea water reverse osmosis, multistage flash distillation. multieffect distillation of vapor compression distillation to provide an integrated desalination system by which sea water can be efficiently and economically converted to high quality potable water in yields which are at least 70%-80% greater than the yields available from the prior art processes.

Abstract: A process for treating waste water streams containing at least hydrocarbons and salts to yield a clean water product, a concentrated brine product and a hydrocarbon-rich product, which process includes the steps of: (a) feeding the waste water feed into a first distillation column at a stage in the range of from 0.05 to 0.15 from the top, wherein n represents the total number of theoretical stages of the first distillation column and has a value in the range of from 20 to 40; (b) drawing off a vapor stream at a stage in the range of from 0.55 to 0.

Abstract: A process for concentrating spent sulphuric acids particularly sulphuric acids which arise during the nitration of hydrocarbons with nitric acid in the presence of sulphuric acid, wherein single- or multi-stage concentration is effected under vacuum.

Abstract: A process for minimizing evaporator scaling during the recovery of liquids and solids from the aqueous effluent discharged during a partial oxidation gasification, wherein the aqueous effluent contains ammonium chloride (NH.sub.4 Cl). The aqueous effluent is evaporated to produce a distillate water and a brine having an NH.sub.4 Cl concentration of about 10 to 60 weight percent. The brine can be further concentrated and ammonium chloride crystals are recovered. The distillate water is recycled to the gasification reaction. No effluent discharges to the environment.

Abstract: Highly purified ammonia for use in semiconductor manufacturing is prepared on-site by drawing ammonia vapor from a liquid ammonia reservoir, passing the vapor through a filter capable of filtering out particles of less than 0.005 micron in size, and scrubbing the filtered vapor in a high-pH aqueous scrubber.

Abstract: A process for removing water and ammonia from benzophenone imine reactor effluents resulting from the catalytic reaction of benzophenones of the formula I ##STR1## where R.sup.1 and R.sup.2, have the meaning stated in the specification and wherein ammonia is distilled off from effluents and wherein water is either distilled off from the effluents over removed non-distillatively.

Abstract: An aqueous solution of free hydroxylamine is prepared by a process in which the solution obtained by treating a hydroxylammonium salt with a base is separated into an aqueous hydroxylamine solution and a salt fraction by treatment with water or steam at .ltoreq.80.degree.0 C. The novel process can be carried out in a simple and gentle manner and on a large industrial scale. Owing to the low thermal load, the low concentration of hydroxylamine and the short residence time in the process, the risk of decomposition is minimized.

Abstract: A process wastewater treatment plant, and a process relating thereto, which converts process wastewater generated in battery manufacturing and the like into clean process water and sodium sulfate salt by treating the process wastewater to remove impurities and contaminants, including debris, oil/grease, heavy metal oxides, lead and other heavy metals, suspended solids, bacteria, organic compounds, and/or gases, from the wastewater to produce a clean neutral sodium sulfate brine, subjecting the brine to heat to obtain distilled water and sodium sulfate salt, and purifying the distilled water by reverse osmosis for reuse as clear process water.

Abstract: A gas drying method is disclosed in which gas streams are dehydrated to low dew points by contacting the wet gas with a dry liquid desiccant, with the liquid desiccant regenerated by heating it in a reboiler containing an internal reboiler vapor condenser and stripping it with a stripping agent that is dried with solid desiccant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating water from a condensate mixture having two or more components drained from a compressed gas system is disclosed. The apparatus has a boiler with an inlet for receiving the condensate mixture and an outlet through which water vapor is removed. The boiler is maintained at sufficient negative pressure to lower the boiling point of the water in the condensate mixture and to enable the water in the boiler to boil at a lower temperature than if the negative pressure were not present. Heat is provided to the boiler to raise the temperature of the condensate mixture to equal or exceed that of the boiling point of the water in the negative pressure environment, but below the boiling point of the remaining components in the condensate mixture.

Abstract: A regenerating system, for the removal of water and potentially harmful organic constituents from a dehydration fluid used to dehydrate gas. The system includes apparatus for converting all the organic constituents to a gaseous phase; and utilizing the gaseous organic constituents in the separation of the water from the dehydration fluid.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved process for storing and transporting toluenediamine, particularly for long term storage or storage in large containers, e.g., shipboard containers. The improvement in the process resides in substantially reducing the melting or freezing point of anhydrous toluenediamine obtained by the fractional distillation of a reaction product generated by the hydrogenation of dinitrotoluene. Such melting point reduction is accomplished by maintaining a water concentration in the toluenediamine in an amount of from 5 to 15% by weight under molten conditions for storage and transport. Preferably the level of water maintained in the toluenediamine is from about 7 to 10% by weight.

Abstract: A process is provided for the recovery of hydrogen chloride in anhydrous form from a dry (containing less than about 500 parts per million by weight of water) mixture of hydrogen chloride with one or more non-condensable gases and which may also contain components heavier than hydrogen chloride, which process comprises distilling the mixture to produce an overheads stream containing the non-condensable gases and about 95 percent or more by weight of the hydrogen chloride in the mixture and a bottoms stream containing about 95 percent or greater by weight of all components heavier than hydrogen chloride, and compressing and refrigerating the overheads stream whereby a selected proportion of the hydrogen chloride in the overheads stream is produced in a liquid anhydrous form containing less than about 50 parts per million by weight of water.

Abstract: A radial-inflow large volume-rate low pressure-differential, single-stage compressor comprising 2 periphiral concentric sets of axial blades spaced circumferentially between two supporting rings and further strengthened against bending by intermediate rings if necessary. The outer set of blades rotates to impart energy to the working fluid and the inner set is stationary to recover kinetic energy. Stationary guide surfaces concentric with the blades direct the radially inward flow to axial. A diverging duct recovers further the kinetic energy. The compressor fills the pressure-ratio gap between blowers and turbo-compressors. Its use in desalination instead of the currently used centrifugal compressors, can scale-up the vapor-compression unit-size to more than three fold.

Abstract: A quantitative enrichment of volatile compounds from substances of the macro- to submicro field in a short time is realized by capillary distillation in a system which includes an evaporator vessel, on the bottom of which one or more filter plates are provided and which is connected to a condensing vessel by means of a capillary tube. The presence of filter plate(s) guarantees a uniform and constant boiling which facilitates the quantitative isolation of the volatile compounds.

Abstract: A gas drying method is disclosed in which gas streams are dehydrated to low dew points by contacting the wet gas with a dry liquid desiccant, with the liquid desiccant regenerated by heating it and stripping it with a stripping agent that is dried with solid desiccant.

Abstract: This procedure includes detecting and rejecting the used mineral motor oils containing polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's) and/or polychlorinated triphenyls (PCT's) before filtering; before the decantation and/or distillation step, if necessary, submitting the used mineral motor oil to thermal shock treatment. In the recycling process, stabilizing the used mineral motor oils that normally contain heavy metals by adding to bitumen, using 0 to 15 percent of used mineral motor oil and a minimum of 85 percent bitumen for bituminous pavements and 1 to 20 percent of used mineral motor oils and a minimum of 80 percent bitumen for bitumen emulsions and paints. Also in the recycling process the used mineral motor oils are mixed with bitumen and paraffinic elastomers, stabilizing the heavy metals contained in the used mineral motor oils, getting usual bituminous pavements, self-draining bituminous pavements, sport pavements, etc. EPM EPDM or butyl rubber are used as paraffinic elastomers.

Abstract: A method of recycling and purifying cleaning chemicals used in the production of semiconductor circuits and containing hydrofluoric acid and or hydrochloric acid. Recycling of such chemicals is accomplished using separation and reconstitution steps Hydrofluoric acid and hydrochloric acid cannot be distilled directly from a chemical solution as they form azeotropes with water. A low vapor pressure substance such as sulfuric acid or phosphoric acid is used to break the azeotrope while increasing the purity of the recovered chemicals and decreasing disposal problems. The method is useable at the point of use of the chemicals.

Abstract: A portable water distiller comprising a vaporization chamber containing an inclined electric coil heating element, a finned tube condenser coil and an electric fan. The heating element is provided with forward and rear portions, the forward portion being elevated relative to the rear portion with the thermostatic control means positioned above the forward elevated position and maintained in contact with the substantially uniform water level. Accordingly, when the uniform water level dips below the thermostatic control means, the heating element is immediately de-energized thereby preventing the residual heat in the heating elements from quickly evaporating the raw water in the raw water receptacle.

Abstract: A process for treating an aqueous solution mainly containing nitric acid and hydrofluoric acid. The process involves distilling to provide an aqueous solution concentrated in nitric acid and hydrofluoric acid for the separation thereof, then separating by distillation.

Abstract: A regenerating system, for the removal of water and potentially harmful organic constituents from a dehydration fluid used to dehydrate gas. The system includes apparatus for converting all the organic constituents to a gaseous phase, and utilizing the gaseous organic constituents in the separation of the water from the dehydration fluid.

Abstract: A process for treating a solid food product having water soluble and water insoluble volatiles soluble in alcohol and ether. The process includes cutting the product into pieces, placing the product pieces in a volume of water containing an anti-oxidant, and drawing a vacuum on the product pieces in the water to pull air out of the cells of the product pieces. The vacuum is released to cause water, and the anti-oxidant to enter the cells of the product pieces. The product pieces are then heated to dry the pieces and to drive off a mixture of water vapor or steam and the water soluble and water insoluble volatiles. The mixture is directed through an adsorbent to remove the water soluble and water insoluble volatiles from the mixture by an adsorption. Steam is passed through the adsorbent to remove the water soluble volatiles from the adsorbent. Ethyl alcohol is passed through the adsorbent to remove the alcohol soluble, water insoluble volatiles from the adsorbent.

Abstract: The invention relates to an improved method and a novel apparatus for the concentration, separation, and purification of contaminated chemical compounds, wherein the chemical compound is less volatile than the contaminant. The distillation is performed using constant, predetermined distillation parameters.

Abstract: Volatile acids containing metal salt impurities, such as metal pickling solutions-are regenerated by a process in which the acid is subjected to sulfuric acid distillation. Resulting volatile acid vapor is condensed and recycled to the pickle tank, while the residual acid mixture is treated in an acid sorption unit, preferably of the acid retardation type. Acid sorbed in the acid sorption unit is periodically eluted with water and recycled, while metal impurities are rejected in a deacidified by-product solution.

Abstract: A high efficiency batch sulfuric acid reprocessor system that is capable of producing high purity acid through distillation. Methods of use are also provided. The distillation is monitored and controlled in accordance with temperatures of the system, in particular, the temperature of the column and the temperature of the vapor in a condensing chamber. A stream splitter enables the invention to selectively collect high purity product as well as remove waste or recycle condensate as reflux.