Abstract: The performance of multiple downcomer type fractionation trays is stabilized against the effects of any rocking motion to which the surrounding column is subjected by the provision of vapor and liquid flow control baffles on the tray deck. One such baffle is perpendicular to the downcomers and extends upward. Vertical baffles are provided within and over the downcomers. A large number of bubble-promoting devices line the periphery of the tray.

Abstract: A crosslinked composite membrane having high permeation velocity and separation factor and a process for producing the same. The membrane comprises a skin layer comprising a crosslinking reaction product of a water-soluble polysaccharide having a sulfonate group and/or a sulfonic acid group and a polyfunctional melamine compound. The crosslinked composite membrane can be formed on a porous base such as an ultrafilter.

Abstract: A wobbling-type evaporator mounts a container 1 holding at least one vertically oriented heat transfer tube 30 fed by a liquid inlet 35 to the container 1. The container 1 is supported with respect to a base 10 so that it wobbles in response to the rotation of an orbiting counterweight 2,2' the counterweight and container wobble as a two body system about common axis. In one form a set of struts 6 located around the container are part of the support system. The invention also includes inlet water distribution systems, compatible with this orbital drive.

Abstract: A compact and energy efficient water distillation unit is disclosed including a housing divided by shared interior walls into deaerator, heater and evaporator chambers. A deaerator is mounted in the deaerator chamber. An evaporator is mounted in the evaporator chamber and a vapor compressor is provided for drawing water vapor produced by the evaporator through a demister and outputting the vapor into a duct open to the evaporator. The duct is at least partially located above the heater chamber and open thereto. A heater is mounted in the heater chamber. A duct interconnects the evaporator with the deaerator chamber and a vertical standpipe connects the deaerator and evaporator chambers.

Abstract: In a tray-type gas-liquid contactor, such as a distillation, rectification, or absorption column, in which mass transfer is effected between gas and liquid through a gas-liquid contact, the height of both wing parts of a weir provided along the periphery of the tray is made not less than 1.2 times that of the central part so that, when the contactor is installed, for example, on a floating offshore structure, the performance of the apparatus is not adversely affected by an inclination or oscillating motion.

Abstract: A desalinization device including a portable, spherical tank with conduits to introduce water to be converted into steam in the lower zone of the tank and guide structure to guide the steam into a condensate bowl within the tank where it is collected; the device also includes a conduit means to conduct cooling water to a cooling coil arranged in the condensate bowl to condense the steam; and within the conduits there is provided a Venturi arrangement in communication with the interior of the tank to reduce the pressure within the tank, hence lowering the boiling point of the water being heated; in a preferred embodiment Peltier devices are included as heat exchanging means in a heating and cooling circuit.

Abstract: An offshore water electrolysis plant which produces pressurized gas by electrolysis of fresh water and wave power includes the combination of a wave-powered electric generator at the ocean surface, an electrolyzer and storage vessels located on the ocean bottom for providing gas under pressure, and a source of fresh water at the ocean surface forced down to the submerged electrolyzer through the use of a water-filled standpipe. In one embodiment, the electric power generating system includes a tethered floating helix coupled to an electric generator, in which the helix is automatically aligned with the wave propagation direction, while in another embodiment linear alternators are mounted for reciprocation on a column which extends through the air-sea interface, with each alternator provided with a donut-shaped float, such that electric power is generated as each float moves vertically up and down responsive to wave motion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for high volume distillation of impure liquid, particularly of binary mixtures of relatively low boiling organic substances and water, comprises fractionally distilling the impure liquid to form a vapor of a low boiling organic substance; compressing the vapor; passing at least a portion of the compressed vapor through a vapor composition adjustment zone wherein the organic substance may catalytically or otherwise react or merely stabilize following compression; compressing the vapor exiting the adjustment zone to form a recompressed vapor; cooling the recompressed vapor in heat transfer relation with the impure liquid whereby the vapor at least partially condenses, transferring sufficient heat to the impure liquid for evaporating the liquid and to form the aforementioned low boiling organic vapor; and collecting the condensed low boiling organic vapor.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tubular reaction furnace for the indirect heating of crackable fluids, particularly for cracking hydrocarbons used for the extraction of gas rich in CO and H.sub.2. The furnace has a plurality of vertical reaction tubes arranged in a firing chamber which is heated by a plurality of internal burners mounted in the furnace ceiling, the flue gas being withdrawn via an appreciable number of flue gas ducts on the furnace floor. The invention primarily relates to furnaces in which cracking takes place at high pressures and temperatures and which are installed on floating carriers, i.e. floating plant platforms.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tubular reaction furnace for the indirect heating of crackable fluids, particularly for cracking hydrocarbons used for the extraction of gases rich in CO and H.sub.2, said furnace consisting of a plurality of vertical reaction tubes arranged in a firing chamber with internal fuel-gas burners. The invention primarily relates to furnaces in which cracking takes place at high pressures and temperatures and which are installed on floating carriers such as ships.

Abstract: An improved condenser for distillation purposes which is particularly suited for use in distilling alcohol. The condenser is in the form of a cylinder, open at its ends, and formed of a double jacket wall of spaced concentric cylindrical sheets, preferably of copper or aluminum metal. The jacket interior is joined at an upper end to an inlet pipe fitting that may be coupled to tube leading from a mash cooker unit. A drain tube for the distilled alcohol-water mixture extends from the bottom end of the jacket interior. A plurality of spaced legs extend from the periphery of the lower open end of the cylinder so that in use the condenser is mounted with its central axis extending on a vertical line, and with the open cylinder and located above the surface to which the cylinder legs rest or are fixed.

Abstract: A distillation tray is described which is suitable for use in a distillation column of a barge-mounted plant. This distillation tray is provided with a plurality of cup-like cavities, each cavity having an apertured bottom for upward passage of vapor and being provided with respective weir means and downpipe means for feeding excess liquid to the tray below. In use of such a distillation tray a body of liquid can be maintained in each cavity for contact with the upflowing vapor and for providing a liquid seal between stages despite tilting of the tray. Each cavity can be provided by an insert comprising an apertured bottom plate, upstanding walls defining together with the bottom plate a cup-like cavity, at least one of the walls being provided with weir means for overflow of excess liquid from the cavity and downpipe means mounted below the bottom plate for transferring excess liquid that has overflowed the weir means to the tray below.