Abstract: A method for reducing the residual amine content of dried solids by adding water to the dried solids to form a wetted solids mixture and drying the wetted solids mixture to yield a dried product with a final amine content less than the residual amine content of the dried solids. An alkaline composition is also disclosed which further reduces the final amine content of the dried product.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in an evaporator for selectively controlling the flow of solid particles within the evaporator. The apparatus includes a separation chamber having a plurality of apertures, each of which has a critical size. In the separation chamber, solid particles which are larger than a critical size are separated from the remainder of the solution. The separated particles exit the separation chamber via a bypass conduit for circulation directly to the sump of the evaporator for recombining with the separated liquid portion which passed through the separation chamber and was subsequently concentrated in the heat exchange tubes. The apparatus prevents solid particles from clogging the system and allows for continuous circulation of the solution and solid particles.

Abstract: A method for using alkali for recovering amine used in a process for breaking emulsions and sludges. The amine has an inverse critical solution temperature with water. The process breaks a sludge into a water component containing residual amine and oil component if oil is present in the original sludge, and a solid matter component. The present invention uses alkali to minimize the amount of amine lost in the water component and in the solid matter component.

Abstract: Concentrated alcohol and distillery slop are produced from fermented beer with a reduced amount of energy by employing a vapor recompression distillery slop evaporator in which evaporator vapors are used to strip alcohol from the fermented liquor before they are returned as the heat source for evaporation. Vents in the evaporator permit passage of uncondensed vapors used to drive the evaporator to a rectifier, in which they constitute the principal heat and alcohol source. Condensed vapors from the evaporator and the bottom stream from the rectifier are stripped of their remaining alcohol content in a condensate stripper, which is also driven by the recompressed vapors from the evaporator. This prevents dilution of the slops and the additional energy cost that would be necessary if the water content of these streams had to be removed in the slop evaporator.

Abstract: Concentrated alcohol and distillery slop are produced from fermented beer with a reduced amount of energy by employing a vapor recompression distillery slop evaporator in which evaporator vapors are used to strip alcohol from the fermented liquor before they are returned as the heat source for evaporation. Vents in the evaporator permit passage of uncondensed vapors used to drive the evaporator to a rectifier, in which they constitute the principal heat and alcohol source. Condensed vapors from the evaporator and the bottom stream from the rectifier are stripped of their remaining alcohol content in a condensate stripper, which is also driven by the recompressed vapors from the evaporator. This prevents dilution of the slops and the additional energy cost that would be necessary if the water content of these streams had to be removed in the slop evaporator.

Abstract: A fluid distributor for mounting in the upper end of a vertical condenser tube, comprising a ferrule having a downwardly opening cavity therein, the cavity including a lower frusto-conical portion and an upper spherical portion which is tangential to said lower portion. The ferrule has an enlarged head portion containing at least one inlet orifice, the orifice extending upwardly at an angle from a horizontal plane passing through the upper end of the ferrule chamber, and the inner end thereof opening tangentially on the wall defining the spherical chamber portion. Fluid entering the ferrule chamber through the inlet orifice is directed thereby both laterally and downwardly, to establish an inverted vortex from which is formed a uniform hollow cylindrical film of fluid.

Abstract: A method for preventing fouling in apparatus used to separate a solvent from a solute which includes a semi-permeable membrane barrier is disclosed. The method comprises providing a quantity of nucleation crystals in the fluid stream passing through the separation apparatus which causes preferential precipitation of the solute thereby eliminating the formation of deposits on the membrane barrier. An apparatus for carrying out the process of the invention is also disclosed.