Abstract: When a vapor-phase mixture is brought in contact with a liquid absorbent kept at a temperature above the condensation temperature of the vapor-phase mixture, the vapor-phase mixture becomes concentrated for those components which are absorbed by the absorbent in small or negligible amounts. In the method according to the invention, the regeneration of the absorbent essentially utilizes the heat of absorption of the absorbed components. The actual absorption process can be isothermal or adiabatic or a combination of these. The method is particularly suited to the separation of vapor-phase mixtures of minimum boiling point azeotropes.

Abstract: Liquid ring pumps with rotating liners supported by a bearing fluid (pressurized liquid or compressed gas) have a bearing fluid distribution system that compensates for the radially unsymmetric load on the rotating liner. If the liner bearing fluid is compressed gas, the axial ends of the liner may be either open and unsealed so that expended bearing gas escapes into the liquid ring in the pump, or the axial ends of the Liner may be partly closed by radially inwardly extending end plates. Various mechanical and/or liquid seal structures may be used in conjunction with the end plates to seal the axial ends of the liner and/or to flush the clearances adjacent the axial ends of the liner.