Abstract: Vaporization chambers (distillation “pots”) are disclosed in which the liquid contained in such a pot is heated and circulated to establish thermal uniformity of the liquid and to route the circulated liquid past a thermally conductive member that contacts the liquid. The thermally conductive member extends from a location on a wall of the pot in a portion of the pot that holds the liquid as the liquid is being heated in the pot and conducts thermal energy directly from the liquid to a location outside the pot corresponding to the location on the wall. The pot desirably is divided into an upper portion and lower portion, wherein the liquid circulates from the lower portion to the upper portion and from the upper portion to the lower portion during heating. During this circulation, bubbles formed in the liquid can be routed into the upper portion in a manner resulting in fracture of the bubbles and recovery of liquid entrained in the bubbles, thereby preventing foam accumulation in the pot.

Abstract: A solvent recovery system is provided which is characterized by improved efficiency and safety. The system includes an evaporator unit having a heat source for vaporizing contaminated solvent. The resulting vapors are subsequently liquified in a condensing unit. During evaporation and condensation of the solvent, a negative pressure is maintained within the system using a vacuum generator. After condensation, the liquid solvent passes into at least one accumulator which is periodically drained. The accumulator and vacuum generator operate in synchronization so that a vacuum is maintained in the system while drainage of the accumulator occurs. Since the evaporation and condensation systems of the invention are maintained at a negative pressure, any leaks therein do not result in the escape of flammable vapors.