Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process and apparatus for safely distilling relatively small batches of organic compounds such as paint solvents by directly and safely heating the compounds in a vessel having a relatively thick bottom with electrical heating units cast in it and a relatively thick side wall integrally attached to the bottom. The side wall may be integrally attached to the bottom by a weld that penetrates the joint between the side wall and bottom preferably by 100% in order to provide a complete heat transfer from the bottom to the side wall. The vessel is so designed so as to provide a relatively uniform temperature throughout the inner periphery of the vessel thereby avoiding hot spots and insuring that the hottest spot of the inner periphery of the vessel does not exceed the auto ignition temperature of the compound being processed.

Abstract: A top-to-bottom mixer suitable for extending through a small opening in a closed top drum for mixing liquid. The mixer has a tube for extending axially downward into the drum. Since closed top drums in commerce have a maximum top opening of 2" pipe size, this mixer is additionally unique in that it will insert into this small opening.The tube has a circumferentially located opening adjacent the lower end and a shaft extending concentrically into the tube, connected to a turbine at the bottom of the tube or other means for causing downflow. Four spaced inlet openings at the top are provided in the tube adjacent the upper end.