Abstract: An apparatus for batch distilling a liquid at sub-atmospheric pressure, without the aid of a vacuum pump. The apparatus includes an evaporator section having a valved entry port through which a batch of liquid in a first atmospheric condition is added to the evaporator section. A condenser section receives distillate and is in communication with the evaporator section. A valved vent is provided for sealing said apparatus from the outside atmosphere to form a second atmospheric condition which is sealed from the atmosphere after a heating element vaporizes said liquid into an initial sufficient amount of a first vapor to purge the first atmospheric condition from the apparatus through the valved vent. A condenser is disposed for condensing a sufficient amount of the first vapor to form a third atmospheric condition at a pressure below the first atmospheric condition, and for condensing a second vapor to produce distillate.

Abstract: A distillation plant contains a column with packings as well as a vaporizer. The elements of the column are arranged along a vertical axis and assembled as a constructional unit. They are executed in such a manner that a slight pressure drop sets in during the operation of the plant between a sump and a head. At least two vaporizers are provided, namely a first vaporizer, which is arranged in or directly above the sump, and an intermediate vaporizer which is arranged above the first vaporizer and a lower packing section; and/or at least two liquefiers are provided, namely a first liquefier, which is arranged in the head of the column, and an intermediate liquefier, which is arranged below the first liquefier and an upper packing section.

Abstract: A distillation plant includes a heat pump whose working fluid is compressed by a vapor jet compressor. A collection location for a liquid is arranged in the stripper part of a distillation column of the plant. At least a portion of the collected liquid is provided in the vaporized form as strip vapor. Connections lead from the collection location to a first vaporizer and to a second vaporizer. The liquid can be vaporized in these vaporizers at an elevated and at a reduced pressure respectively. The vapor jet compressor is connected to the two vaporizers and to the column in such a manner that the vapor from the second vaporizer can be compressed under a driving jet action of the vapor from the first vaporizer and used in the column as strip vapor. A pump is arranged in the connection to the first vaporizer and at least one restrictor member is contained in the connection to the second vaporizer.

Abstract: When waste liquid is concentrated using a radiant heat section and a heat absorbent section of a heat pump circuit, in the proper place of the heating region of the heat pump circuit, a detector for detecting the pressure and/or temperature of the heat transfer medium is provided, or a detector for detecting the value of an electric current flowing through or the amount of electric power consumed in a system which includes a compressor for the heat pump circuit, is provided, and by the provision of a control system which can halt the concentration operation when the detected value exceeds a set value, both with a liquid in which the concentration of the non-volatile component is low so that a comparatively long time is required for the concentration operation, and, conversely, with a liquid in which the concentration of the non-volatile component is high so that the concentration operation is completed in a comparatively short time, the concentration operation has good efficiency, and can always be halted at

Abstract: A method and apparatus for desalinizing salt water which includes pumping refrigerant vapor from a first reservoir to a second reservoir wherein pressure is maintained to condense refrigerant vapor pumped into said second reservoir to condense. Salt water admitted into a third reservoir in thermal contact with the second reservoir such that seawater in said third reservoir is evaporated and passes through a vapor trap into a fourth reservoir. The fourth reservoir is in thermal contact with the first reservoir such that heat generated by water vapor condensing in the fourth reservoir is absorbed by liquid refrigerant in the first reservoir such as to aid in evaporation of refrigerant to complete the refrigerant cycle.

Abstract: A method for processing waste liquids, having high solids content. The process includes the steps of spraying and evaporating the waste liquid together with a dry gas in a counterflow of dry gas within a spray tower, collecting the solids of the waste water in a lower section of the spray tower, discharging the moist gas from an upper section of the spray tower, and bringing the moist gas in heat exchange with an evaporator of a refrigerating means to condensed the liquid from the evaporator. The cooled dry gas is directed in heat exchange with the condenser of said refrigerating means and heated to be returned in a closed loop to repeat the cycle of operation.

Abstract: A system for decontaminating and separating individual refrigerants from a mixture of refrigerants contaminated with solids, liquids and non-condensible gasses, includes three stages. In the first stage, solid and liquid contaminants are removed. In the second stage, the mixture of refrigerants passes through a condensation column where successive condensation stages remove individual refrigerants from the mixture of refrigerants. The remaining mixture of refrigerants passes through a third stage where non-condensible gas contaminants are removed.

Abstract: A water distillation system (10) includes a boiling chamber (11) and a condensation chamber (12). Water is fed via an inlet pipe (13) to a degassing chamber (15) where volatile gases are removed from the water. The water is evaporated in the boiling chamber (11) and vapour is, in turn, condensed in the condensing chamber (12). Distilled water is collected in a water storage tank (30) and is used, with a pump (28) and entrainment device (27), to provide a substantial vacuum within the system (10).

Abstract: System and method for treating toxic washwater from ink, paint, pesticides and the like. The wash water is heated to a temperature on the order of 100.degree. F. in a sump positioned beneath a bed of horse manure media containing aerobic fungi and bacteria. Washwater is foam lifted from the sump to a level above the media and allowed to filter down through the media. Hot dry air is blown into the media from the side to maintain the media at a temperature on the order of 100.degree. F. and thereby promote microbiological activity and evaporation of the water in the media. Warm moist air from the media is cooled to condense the moisture, and the condensed moisture is collected as distilled water. A prefilter removes excessive amounts of solids from the washwater before it is introduced into the sump, and a Carnot cycle system provides the necessary heating and cooling for the water, media and air.

Abstract: A process and device for purifying organically polluted waste water utilizing a primary system and a closed secondary system. The primary system includes a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger and a cyclone located between the two heat exchangers. The first heat exchanger evaporates the waste water into a waste water vapor and a waste water sump solution. The heat for evaporating the waste water in the first heat exchanger is obtained primarily from raw water in the secondary system. A second heat exchanger in the primary system condenses the waste water vapor and in the process causes evaporation of raw water in the secondary system. The level of waste water in the primary system is monitored as is an operational parameter in the secondary system. With the data obtained from this monitoring, the drawing off of the waste water sump solution is controlled.

Abstract: The invention relates to a distillation apparatus (1) which is suitable in particular for the distillation of sea water into fresh water. The apparatus comprises a plurality of flat, bag-like elements (3) formed from a thin film material such as plastic film and placed one against the other, the elements serving as heat exchangers between a vaporizing liquid flowing along the exterior surfaces of the element and a condensing vapor directed to the inside of the element, and a compressor (15) for increasing the pressure and temperature of the generated vapor before it is directed to the inside of the elements. The essential idea of the invention is that the inside of each element (3) is divided into parallel vapor ducts (12) extending vertically from one end of the element to the other, into which ducts the vapor is fed from apertures (25) at the upper edge of the element.

Abstract: An apparatus for concentrating a photographic processing solution in which there are provided an evaporation chamber, a heater for heating the solution to generate a vapor in the evaporation chamber, a condensation chamber communicated to the evaporation chamber for recieving the vapor, a cooling device for cooling the vapor to generate a condensation, and an ejector for reducing the pressure in the evaporation chamber and the condensation chamber. There is further provided a heat pump having a heat radiating portion used for the heater and a plurality of heat absorbing portions, one of which is used for the cooling device.

Abstract: A process for separating ethylbenzene and styrene by distillation is described. The process provides the advantages of a vapor compression/heat pump system, and is designed in such a manner that the energy applied is optimally utilized. The head pressure of the distillation column (1) is controlled in a simple manner, whereby a surprisingly stable column is achieved.

Abstract: A distilled water fountain which is capable of supplying the users with purified icy, warm and hot drinking water and composed of a pre-heating exchanger, a condensing-and-heating exchanger, a distilled water tank, a steam generator, and an electronic chilling device. Running water flows into the pre-heating exchanger through water intake pipe, and further flows through the condensing-and-heating exchange into a steam generator wherein the water is vaporized and then condensed into distilled water for storage in the distilled water tank. The distilled water may be made available directly in warm water condition, or may be cooled into icy water through electronic chilling device, or heated into hot water through steam generator for drinking by users.

Abstract: A process is provided for separating trace amounts of water-immiscible, volatile organic liquids dissolved in aqueous media whereby the aqueous media are subjected to vapor stripping under vacuum at about ambient temperature in conjunction with a heat pump which indirectly recovers the energy of vaporization in its cold loop and returns such energy to the vaporization of the aqueous media in its hot loop. Inasmuch as the entire process is conducted at ambient temperature, there is little loss of energy to the environment and processing energy is recovered and reused to the application of a heat pump system.

Abstract: A liquid evaporating apparatus includes a liquid inlet 1 to which an evaporator 2 is connected which incorporates a gas inlet 28 and gas flow channels defined by vapor-permeable hydrophobic walls 23, 24, 25, 26. The apparatus may be used to moisturize air in a room, in which case it is configured to circulate room air through the evaporator and to discharge vaporized liquid through the output side 22 of the evaporator and into the room. Alternatively, the apparatus may be used to cleanse liquid, in which case it includes a condensing chamber 3 connected to the output side of the evaporator. The apparatus will also include a closed gas loop 4 which is located between the output side and the input side 21 of the evaporator and which incorporates a fan 5 for transporting a vapor-gas mixture continuously to the condensing chamber.

Abstract: A method of recovering a solvent from a mother liquor in a system in which the mother liquor also contains non-volatile matter, volatile solute and volatile solvent, and the solute concentration is low, in which a heat pump distilling column (first column) is so operated as to work only as a concentrating section of a distilling column by feeding a mother liquor to the column bottom of the heat pump distilling column, contact of non-volatile matter with the concentrating section is prevented and the column bottom liquor is sent to an evaporator so as to separate the non-volatile matter by the evaporator, thereafter, a vapor from the evaporator is fed to a distilling column (second column), and distillates of first and second columns and bottoms of the second column are withdrawn as the products. The procedures described above are carried out under specific operation conditions.

Abstract: A water distillation system and process capable of high efficiency operation used in combination with a heat pump system wherein the water distillation apparatus includes a water pre-heating device positioned within the feed water to heat the feed water to approximately 150 degrees Fahrenheit to facilitate operation of a water evaporator device which vaporizes the water by boiling thereof. Contaminants are removed from this pure water vapor which is at approximately 215 degrees Fahrenheit. The water vapor is passed to a water condenser to provide high purity water at approximately 180 degrees Fahrenheit. The heat pump system provides for refrigerant condensing at approximately 225 degrees Fahrenheit to facilitate boiling of the water in the adjacent water evaporator and includes refrigerant vaporization adjacent the water condenser to facilitate absorbing and reclaiming of the latent heat of the distillate.

Abstract: A distillation plant is constructed with an evaporator, separator and distillation column integrated together on a common vertical axis so as to eliminate bends and reduced cross sections in the product flow. The distillation column employs a regular packing to further reduce the pressure drop and operating temperatures over the height of the column. The overall pressure drop in the distillation plant is held to a range of less than 20 mbar.

Abstract: Small quantities of one or more liquids having a low boiling point dispersed with a large quantity of one or more immiscible liquids having a higher boiling point are separated in a rapid and efficient manner. A non-reactive gas (nitrogen, helium, air, or combinations thereof) is heated by recycled energy and make-up energy to a temperature above the boiling point of at least one liquid but below that of at least one other liquid. The heated gas is combined with the unheated or preheated liquid-liquid mixture to be separated, and the liquid-gas blend is mixed, heated and distributed by an improved heat exchanger having thermal conductive gas tubing, metal wools and fins) and nebulizer, forming a mist inside a vessel containing a pool liquid of at least one liquid having a boiling point higher than that of at least one other liquid, which pool liquid has been heated with at least a heat pump means to a temperature above the boiling point of at least one liquid but below the pool liquid's own boiling point.

Abstract: A method of distillation employing a heat pump (which may be driven by a compressor) using a vapor stream from within the distillation system as a heat source and a liquid stream from within the distillation system as a heat sink. The selection of heat-source vapors and heat-sink liquid is such that at least one is withdrawn from the phase-contracting region of the distillation system. The return of streams withdrawn from the phase-contacting region of the distillation system to the distillation system is such that at least one of the streams is returned at a temperature different from that of the point from which it was withdrawn, and all withdrawn streams are returned in manner such that a stream removed as vapor is returned at a point with a temperature at most that at the point it was withdrawn, and a stream removed as liquid is returned at a point with a temperature at least that at which it was withdrawn.

Abstract: A low pressure distillation apparatus in which evaporation takes place at sub-atmospheric pressures. An evaporation chamber has a feed liquid inlet port, a concentrated liquid outlet port, and a vapor outlet port. The vapor outlet port is in communication with a vapor treating device immersed in distillate in a distillate chamber. The preferred vapor treating device is a rotating impeller pump which reduces the pressure in the evaporation chamber to a working pressure, draws off vapor boiled from the liquid in the evaporation chamber, entrains the vapor in a stream of distillate, and condenses the vapor in the stream of distillate to transfer the latent heat of condensation of the vapor directly to the distillate.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for separating volatile contaminants from a liquid to be continuously distilled. A continuous still comprises evaporator (1) having a heating coil (2), and condensor coil (6), and distillate collector (5). An entrainment device (11) removes distillate (13) from collector (5) via line (10) and reduces pressure in evaporator (1). Feed liquid (21) containing volatile contaminants is charged batchwise to a pre-chamber (20) at sub-atmospheric pressure which is then sealed (valve 22) from feed supply (21). Volatile contaminants are extracted from the charge in prechamber (20) via line (26) and entrainment device (32). Pre-chamber (20) is subsequently placed in communication (via valve 25) with evaporator (1) whereby to equilibrate pressure between evaporator (1) and pre-chamber (20).

Abstract: A method of distillation employing a heat pump (which may be driven by a compressor) using a vapor stream from within the distillation system as a heat source and a liquid stream from within the distillation system as a heat sink. The selection of heat-source vapors and heat-sink liquid is such that at least one is withdrawn from the phase-contacting region of the distillation system. The return of streams withdrawn from the phase-contacting region of the distillation system to the distillation system is such that at least one of the streams is returned at a temperature different from that of the point from which it was withdrawn, and all withdrawn streams are returned in manner such that a stream removed as vapor is returned at a point with a temperature at most that at the point it was withdrawn, and a stream removed as liquid is returned at a point with a temperature at least that at which it was withdrawn.

Abstract: A volatile component is separated from a mixture by vaporization in an evaporator and condensation in a condenser. The vapor is transported by a carrier gas that is circulated in and between the evaporator and the condenser. A flow of a liquid is circulated in subsequent heat transfer steps from contact with the mixture via a cooler, via contact with the carrier gas in the condenser, via a heater, and back to contact with the mixture.

Abstract: An improved vacuum distillation system is disclosed for purifying contaminated liquids, such as seawater, brackish water and chemical effluents. In the preferred embodiment, the system includes a vertical separation chamber in which contaminated liquid (e.g.

Abstract: A high efficiency open-cycle absorptive approach to compressing steam or other vapor is disclosed, especially useful for industrial evaportion via recompression. Referring to FIG. 1, low pressure steam from evaporator 1 is absorbed in an aqueous absorbent solution so as to release heat in both absorber 7 and GAX exchanger 8. External heat is applied to generator 12. Steam at higher pressure is desorbed from both gnerator 12 and GAX exchanger 8, and used to heat evaporator 1. Absorber 7 heat is also used to heat and evaporate the mixture undergoing evaporation.

Abstract: Methods for removing volatile organic substances from water employ flash vaporization techniques. The methods comprise providing water which contains volatile organic substances and is at a pressure of at least about 35 psig, releasing the water into a vacuum chamber maintained under a vacuum in the range of about 1 to about 5 psia, removing resulting vapors from the chamber, and collecting liquid water from the chamber. At least a portion of the volatile organic substances originally contained in the water are removed as vapors from the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A method of and system for recovering a solvent from a mixture of solvent and hydrocarbons, the system comprising at least two evaporation flasks successively fed with a charge consisting of said mixture to be separated, at least one steam generator performing the condensation of the solvent, a circuit for conveying the evaporated solvent and connecting the flasks to the generator and a circuit of an intermediate fluid in gaseous phase including a compressor for raising the condensation temperature of this fluid, the latter circuit connecting the generator to heat exchangers arranged upstream of each flask.

Abstract: A distilling and desalination apparatus comprising an evaporation chamber and a condensing chamber in which the evaporation chamber through a cooling circuit communicates by way of heat exchange with the condensing chamber and rotates in relation thereto. The evaporation chamber is constructed to form a thin fluid film on the inner surface of the evaporation chamber during rotation, surplus water being slung out along the edge and into channels and led tangentially to the rear by blades. The cooling circuit comprises a condensing portion and an evaporation portion, the fluid being evaporated along the inner surface of the coolant condensing portion, and fluid vapors being condensed along the outer surface of the coolant condensing portion, whereupon the drops of fluid are slung outwards and collected.

Abstract: In the purification of ethylene oxide from an ethylene oxide-containing reaction formation gas produced by catalytic gas-phase oxidation of ethylene with a molecular oxygen containing gas, external thermal energy required for heating an ethylene oxide refiner is economized by a method which utilizes the diffusate obtained from the top of an ethylene oxide stripper as a heat source for the refiner. Further, the bottom liquid of the stripper can be used as a heat source for ethylene oxide refiner and/or a light ends stripper.

Abstract: An apparatus for vaporizing and recovering, by condensation, a composite mixture of at least two components, at least one of which is a liquid. The apparatus includes at least one chamber in which the mixture is brought to boiling and includes means to condense the vaporized portion of the mixtures. A liquid of the mixture in the vaporizing chamber is vaporized by heating coils and subjected to circulation to uniformly disperse the mixture. The apparatus may further include a system for continuously filtering the mixture in the vaporizing chamber to remove undesirable particulates, a mixture spray device for spraying the mixture into the vaporizing chamber, and an ultrasonic vibrating means.

Abstract: An n-butane/isobutane splitter is operated by compressing the isobutane overhead to increase its condensing temperature, using the compressed overhead to heat bottoms in a reboiler, which is operated to condense the overhead and cooling the condensed overhead to a temperature no lower than the temperature on the top tray of the splitter and no higher than 20.degree. F. above the temperature on the top tray, whereby the throughput of the splitter is increased by 10 to 20%.

Abstract: An improved vacuum distillation system is disclosed for purifying contaminated liquids, such as seawater, brackish water and chemical effluents. In the preferred embodiment, the system includes a vertical separation chamber in which contaminated liquid (e.g.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing water from a liquid mixture of water and ethanol contacts it with liquid carbon dioxide so that the ethanol is preferentially transferred into solution, dries the solution using an adsorbent, and then recovers dry ethanol by distilling off the carbon dioxide. This process is particularly energy efficient especially when it includes a fermentation process to generate the ethanol and uses the carbon dioxide generated during the fermentation as the source of liquid carbon dioxide. In this case the method and apparatus provide an additional product of dry carbon dioxide.

Abstract: An apparatus for vaporizing a liquid and condensing the vapor includes at least one chamber in which the liquid is vaporized and in which the vaporized liquid is condensed. The vaporizing chamber contains a heat emitting device providing a surface temperature above the vapor temperature for substantially instantaneously vaporizing the liquid condensate maintaining a predetermined vapor level in the vaporizing chamber, and a heat absorbing device for condensing the vaporized liquid.

Abstract: An apparatus for desalinating sea water, comprising a distillation unit which includes a porous hydrophobic membrane which is pervious to steam but impervious to water, and a condensation surface arranged at a distance from the membrane, the distillation arrangement also including a first unit for heating and conducting the water to be distilled on one side of the membrane, and a second unit arranged to conduct a liquid which is colder than the water, on the side of the condensation surface remote from the membrane, distilled water being collected and drawn-off between the membrane and the condensation surface.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for distillation and/or stripping in a column, the lower portion of which is heated and the upper portion of which is cooled. The heating and cooling facilities thereof are coupled with each other by means of a heat pump system. In order to reduce the energy input, the invention provides for driving the heat pump system by means of expansion of a gas or vapor, and with the gas or vapor, after expansion, utilized as the stripping gas in the column.

Abstract: A process for producing anhydrous ethanol, using an apparatus comprising a combination of a concentration column, an azeotropic distillation column and a solvent recovery column, and capable of effectively utilizing the vapor at the tops of the concentration column and the azeotropic distillation column, is provided, which process comprises:(i) connecting an absorption type heat pump functioning as a condenser and a reboiler at the same time, to either one of the concentration column or the azeotropic distillation column;(ii) connecting a combination of a mechanical type heat pump with a heat exchanger functioning as a condenser and a reboiler at the same time to another of the columns;(iii) using a back pressure turbine as a machine for driving the mechanical type heat pump; and(iv) using the back pressure steam generated by operating the mechanical type heat pump as the heat source for the absorption type heat pump.

Abstract: A method of distillation employing a heat pump (which may be driven by a compressor) using a vapor stream from within the distillation system as a heat source and a liquid stream from within the distillation system as a heat sink. The selection of heat-source vapors and heat-sink liquid is such that at least one is withdrawm from the phase-contacting region of the distillation system. The return of streams withdrawm from the phase-contacting region of the distillation system to the distillation system is such that at least one of the streams is returned at a temperature different from that of the point from which it was withdrawn, and all withdrawn streams are returned in manner such that a stream removed as vapor is returned at a point with a temperature at most that at the point it was withdrawn, and a stream removed as liquid is returned at a point with a temperature at least that at which it was withdrawn.

Abstract: An apparatus for vaporizing a liquid and condensing the vapor includes at least one chamber in which the liquid is vaporized and at least one chamber in which the vapor is condensed. The apparatus has a conveyor inlet channel preferably at one end of the vaporizing chamber, and a conveyor outlet channel preferably at the opposite end of the vaporizing chamber. A conveyor for moving items to be treated through the apparatus extends through the conveyor inlet channel into the vaporizing chamber and out of the vaporizing chamber through the conveyor outlet channel. The apparatus includes a heat emitting device in the vaporizing chamber providing a surface temperature above the vaporizing temperature for substantially instantaneously vaporizing the liquid condensate maintaining a predetermined vapor level in the vaporizing chamber, and a cooling device in the condensate chamber for condensing the vapor.

Abstract: An apparatus for vaporizing a liquid and condensing the vapor includes at least one chamber in which the liquid is vaporized and at least one chamber in which the vapor is condensed. The apparatus has a conveyor inlet channel preferably at one end of the vaporizing chamber, and a conveyor outlet channel preferably at the opposite end of the vaporizing chamber. A conveyor for moving items to be treated through the apparatus extends through the conveyor inlet channel into the vaporizing chamber and out of the vaporizing chamber through the conveyor outlet channel. The apparatus includes a heat emitting device in the vaporizing chamber for vaporizing the liquid therein, and a cooling device in the condensing chamber for condensing the vapor.

Abstract: Demineralized crude water is distilled during flow along a first path which is defined by stationary parts. Such water is evaporated and thereafter cooled and condensed by a heat transfer medium which is circulated along an endless second path. Evaporation of crude water results in condensation of the medium, and condensation of resulting water vapors into distillate results in evaporation of the medium. The medium is caused to pass through a heat pump which raises its pressure and temperature before the thus heated medium exchanges heat with and evaporates crude water in the first path. The medium and/or the distillate can be used for preheating crude water upstream of the evaporating station, and the vapors are preferably purified by one or more cyclones, by an electrostatic filter and/or by ultrasonic waves intermediate the evaporating and condensing stations.

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: A two-stage distillation method for separating a mixed liquid such as a dimethylformamide-containing aqueous liquid or a methanol-containing aqueous liquid, into light and heavy fractions. The mixed liquid is first subjected to a distillation treatment in a first distillation zone of a vapor recompression type. When the boiling point of the mixed liquid is close to that of the desired light fraction, the top product from the first distillation zone is recovered as the light fraction, while the bottom product is subjected to a further distillation treatment to obtain the heavy fraction as its bottom product. When the boiling point of the mixed liquid is close to that of the heavy fraction, the bottom product from the first distillation zone is recovered as the heavy fraction, while the top product from the first distillation zone is subjected to a further distillation treatment to obtain the light fraction as its top product.

Abstract: A vapor generating and recovering apparatus for vaporizing a liquid and condensing a vapor, the apparatus including a container having a liquid therein with heating and cooling systems in heat transfer relation with the liquid and vapor in the container. The heating and cooling systems include means to vaporize the liquid and means to condense the vaporized liquid disposed within the container. Temperature or pressure sensing means in the cooling system is utilized to shut down the heating system when a preselected vapor level is exceeded.

Abstract: A vapor generating and recovering apparatus for vaporizing a liquid and condensing a vapor, the apparatus including a container having a liquid therein with a heating and cooling system in heat transfer relation with the liquid and vapor in the container. The heating and cooling system includes means to vaporize the liquid; means to condense the vaporized liquid; and, means to compress a refrigerant. The means to compress the refrigerant is in fluid communication on its high pressure side with the means to vaporize a liquid or heat a liquid and on its low pressure side with the means to condense or cool a liquid. The heating and cooling system further includes a complementary condenser system on the high pressure side of the means to compress a refrigerant, discharging its heat external to said apparatus and pump down valve means selectively closeable so that refrigerant can be pumped out of the means to compress a refrigerant.

Abstract: A heat-transfer medium is heated by a solar heat collector and then adiabatically compressed. The heat-transfer medium thus compressed exchanges heat with the seawater to heat it, and is then adiabatically expanded with the heated seawater being evaporated and the steam thus produced, upon heat exchange with the seawater, changed into fresh water.

Abstract: A vapor generating and recovery apparatus for generating a vapor from a liquid solution and recovering the vapor in a liquid form in at least one chamber of the apparatus, the vapor generating portion of the chamber being in heat emitting relation with a heat emitting means and the vapor recovering portion of the chamber being in heat absorbing relationship with a heat absorbing means. A preferred system for providing heat to the vapor generating portion of the chamber and removing heat from the vapor recovering portion of the chamber is a variable heat system which includes a main heat emitting means and a main heat absorbing means in heat transfer relation with the vapor generating and recovery chamber. The variable heat system further includes a complementary heat emitting means outside the chamber between the main heat emitting means and main heat absorbing means for removing excess heat from the heat transfer fluid leaving the vaporizing portion of the chamber.

Abstract: A vapor generating and recovery apparatus for vaporizing a liquid and condensing the vapor including at least one chamber in which vapor is generated from the liquid and recovering the vapor in liquid form, the vapor generating portion of the chamber being in heat emitting relation with a heat emitting means and the vapor recovery portion of the chamber being in heat absorbing relation with a heat absorbing means. A preferred system for providing heating and cooling to the vapor generating and recovery apparatus is a refrigerant system which includes at least one refrigerant condensing coil (heat emitting means) and at least one refrigerant evaporating coil (heat absorbing means) in heat transfer relationship with the vapor generating portion and vapor recovery portion, respectively, of the chamber, and two refrigerant heat exchanger means, one being downstream and one being upstream of the heat emitting means for removing excess heat from the refrigerant system.