Abstract: A liquid deaerating apparatus comprises a deaerating tank housing a spray-type deaerator. The latter has a spray nozzle means for spraying the liquid to be deaerated horizontally against a surrounding liquid spray impingement absorbing and contacting means. Below the latter there is disposed packed bed means through which the liquid passes to a collection area within the deaerating tank. The packed bed through whcih the liquid percolates to the collection area comprises a high flow rate system to assist such downward flow of the liquid and release of air and gas.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for vacuum drying a system, wherein the system is evacuated to effect vaporization of a liquid therein and facilitate its removal from the system, wherein at least one sample of the liquid is positioned within the system. The temperature of each sample and of the free space thereabove are monitored and the system is evacuated at a controlled rate so as to maintain the temperature of each sample at or above a pre-set temperature differential with respect to the free space thereinabove, as the temperature of the free space approaches the freezing point of the liquid until evaporation of all the samples is complete and the system is evacuated down to a practically achievable absolute pressure. The system is then isolated and the temperature of the system is allowed to rise, thereby causing any frozen liquid within the system to sublime or re-evaporate.