Abstract: A process for separating two close-boiling chemical compounds by fractionation wherein the bottoms liquid stream removed from the fractionation column is flashed to produce cool liquid which is then used to condense overhead vapors of the column. The column is reboiled by vapor derived from the flashed bottoms liquid stream and which has been heated by compression in a heat pump.

Abstract: A process for the production of sugar from either sugar beets or cane wherein of the total amount of thin juice processed, only that amount required to produce the vapor needed for the sugar boiling phase and the desired density of thick juice is directly evaporated while the remainder or excess over and above these requirements is recompressed. Essentially only that fraction of the latent heat of vaporization required for process heating is extracted from the already limited amount of vapor employed in sugar boiling by transferring the heat contained in a portion of this vapor to a refrigerant which is then recompressed so as to raise the temperature thereof to a level of approximately 95.degree. C.

Abstract: A vapor compression distiller having a shell for enclosing a generally horizontal heat exchange tube bundle having one end connected to a steam chest and its other end connected to a condensate collecting chamber. A vapor compressor has its inlet connected to the shell and the outlet to the steam chest. The shell includes a pair of spaced apart wells at its lower end which are interconnected by a pipe connected below the expected level of liquid in each well. A half partition extends across the lower end of the vessel and between the wells to divide the lower portion of the vessel into two sections which are in communication across the upper end of the vessel. One well is connected to receive fresh feed liquid and the other includes a density sensor to discharge a portion of the concentrate to therein maintain a desired concentrate level and each well is connected to a spray nozzle manifold disposed in its respective shell section.

Abstract: This invention relates to the use of a heat pump in combination with a column having a low pressure loss for separating mixtures with similar boiling points in a vacuum of 10 Torr up to normal pressure. By using this arrangement,it is possible to separate isomers in particular, saving heat in relation to normal distillation.

Abstract: An apparatus for extracting water from the atmosphere has a chamber or a pair of chambers connected to a compressor by a valve controlled in its operation in response to an operating condition in the chamber or chambers. A suction fan is connected to the chamber or chambers to move air through the chambers. A further valve is arranged in the respective inlet to the chamber or chambers to facilitate an expansion condition or effect in the respective chamber. Where two chambers are used they operate in alternate fashion so that heat is supplied to one chamber while heat is being withdrawn from the other chamber and vice versa, and both chambers are controlled in response to the respective operating condition therein.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for high volume distillation of impure liquid comprises evaporating the impure liquid in an evaporator to form a vapor at a temperature above the freezing point and at or below the boiling point of said liquid at atmospheric pressure and at a pressure corresponding to the evaporation temperature under saturated conditions; compressing said vapor adiabatically; admixing in a mixing chamber the compressed vapor under substantially isobaric conditions directly with hot gases having a temperature sufficiently greater than the temperature of the compressed vapor that the resulting vapor-gas mixture temperature is greater than the temperature of the compressed vapor prior to the mixing; passing the vapor-gas mixture through an expansion engine to motivate the engine and to produce shaft energy, whereby the vapor-gas mixture adiabatically expands and cools; compressing the expanded vapor-gas mixture adiabatically in an independently powered compressor to a predetermined pressure corresponding

Abstract: Saline water is desalted by flowing it in two evaporation stages in series in the form of a film falling on the inside of heat-exchange tubes. The pressure and temperature in the second evaporation stage are lower than in the first stage. The steam evolved in the second stage is compressed and delivered to the first stage where it condenses on the tubes, whereas the steam evolved in the first stage is fed in the second stage where it condenses on the tubes. The condensation heat of the steam is used for vaporizing said saline water from said film. This technique allows a production of 15-50 cu.m/hr of soft water, instead of a production of 15-20 cu.m/hr usually obtained by conventional thermocompression techniques.

Abstract: A separation system is disclosed for obtaining pure components from a fluid mixture employing a minimum amount of energy. A rectification column is utilized in which the fluid mixture is separated into its components whereby the heat addition and cooling required is accomplished by means of a heat pump transfer system. The system transfers heat energy to a working fluid to power a compressor structure in a heat pump cycle by supplying heat to the liquid phase. Compressor structure is disclosed in the forms of an ejector and a turbine-powered compressor. As disclosed, the same working fluid is employed in the power cycle and the heat pump cycle. Specific structures are disclosed for obtaining greater efficiency including an arrangement for heat regeneration in the power loop of the heat pump cycle and also disclosed is an arrangement whereby individual systems are staged for the separation of multicomponent mixtures.

Abstract: A vapor compression type distillation apparatus and method is provided for distilling brackish water or seawater wherein increased efficiency can be achieved by virtue of an arrangement and operation which maximizes the average effective temperature differential between steam being condensed and the water being vaporized. Thus a vertical shell and tube vaporizer is provided which includes an array of tubes which array has a width substantially greater than its depth. The liquid discharged from the upper ends of the tubes is caused to flow downwardly in a downtake passage into a body of water at the lower end of the vaporizer along substantially the entire width of the array. Feed water is fed into the body of water at the lower end of the vaporizer at one end of the array and blowdown is taken from such body at the other end of the array.

Abstract: A thermocompression apparatus for desalting saline water, wherein: the evaporator tubes extend vertically above the separating chamber for steam and non-evaporated water and have their lower ends opening into the separating chamber through a lower header plate; the upper ends of the evaporator tubes extend through an upper header plate into a plenum chamber overlying the latter, said plenum chamber being arranged to provide a pool of saline water submerging the upper ends of the evaporator tubes; and each of said upper ends having means therein arranged to receive saline water from the pool and to discharge it in the form of falling film on the inner surface of its respective evaporator tube, whereby the said film and the steam produced therefrom flow co-currently downwardly in the tubes towards the separating chamber.

Abstract: A low temperature purification system is provided which is particularly adapted for use to mechanically purify in a continuous operation solutions containing solids and dissolved substances. The purification system includes a solution supply means, and a centrifugal vacuum evaporator to which the solution to be purified is fed. Drive means is operatively connected to the evaporator for subjecting the solution within the evaporator to centrifugal acceleration and causes the solids in the solution to be displaced outwardly of the axis of rotation of the solution and the liquid of the solution to be displaced inwardly toward the axis of rotation. Outlet means is embodied in the evaporator for discharging the solids therefrom. The liquid as it is being displaced inwardly is simultaneously subjected to a reduced pressure to produce vapor which is conducted to a condenser means wherein the vapor is condensed to a substantially pure liquid.

Abstract: A vapor compression distillation system utilizing a two stage vapor compressor comprising a rotary positive displacement first stage compressor backed by a second stage liquid ring compressor.

Abstract: Saline water is preheated by the hot discharges of a vapor compression evaporator, forming distillate and concentrated brine. Carbon dioxide that has been recycled to saline water prevents alkaline scale during the preheat. The saline water is thence further heated by steam which is condensed in it; scale compounds are precipitated and carbon dioxide formed and expelled for recycle. Mother liquor which is separated is flash vaporized, forming cooled mother liquor and vapor. The mother liquor is further cooled while preheating saline water, and is then evporated. The vapor is compressed to form steam for use in the further heating.

Abstract: A hydrocarbon mixture consisting of an aromatic and a non-aromatic component is subjected to a liquid-liquid extraction and/or an extractive distillation. A solvent is used which selectively dissolves the aromatic component so as to form an extract phase. The extract phase is introduced into a distillation column for separating the solvent and the aromatic component. The column is provided with trays and the extract phase is introduced into the column at about the middle thereof from where the solvent flows downwardly and the aromatic component flows upwardly. Sufficient water is introduced into the sump of the column to insure that the trays above the location at which the extract phase enters the column are filled with water during the separation. This improves the operation of the distillation column. An arrangement for carrying out the above process is also disclosed.