Abstract: A continuous process and apparatus is provided for treating an impure liquid to produce purified liquid. The process includes electrically activating a thermoelectric module (24) to provide a first module heated surface (26) and a module cooler surface (28); feeding the impure liquid to the first module heated surface (26) to produce vapor of the liquid; and transferring the vapor to the module cooler surface (28), to effect heat transfer to the module cooler surface (28). The process further includes (a) directing a first portion of the vapor adjacent to or onto the module cooler surface (28) to effect heat transfer to the module cooler surface to produce a first condensed liquid; (b) directing a second portion of the vapor to condenser means (18) having a second cooler surface (46) remote from the module cooler surface (28) to effect heat transfer to the second cooler surface (46) to produce a second condensed liquid; and (c) collecting the first and second condensed liquids.

Abstract: A process comprising electrically activating a thermoelectric module (24) to provide a first module heated surface (26) and a module cooler surface (28); feeding the impure liquid to the first module heated (26) surface to produce vapour of the liquid; and transferring the vapour to the module cooler surface (28) to effect heath transfer to the module cooler surface (28), the improvement comprising (a) directing a first portion of the vapour adjacent to or onto the module cooler surface (28) to effect heat transfer to the module cooler surface to produce a first condensed liquid (b) directing a second portion of the vapour to condenser means (18) comprising a second cooler surface (46) remote from the module cooler surface (28) to effect heat transfer to the second cooler surface (46) to produce a second condensed liquid; and (c) collecting the first and second condensed liquids; wherein the condensation means is such as to accept the balance of the latent heat contained in the vapour produced by the first mo

Abstract: An improved continuous process and apparatus for treating an impure liquid to produce purified liquid, particularly, water, the process having an electrically activating a thermoelectric module to provide a first heated surface and a cooler surface; feeding the impure liquid to the first heated surface to produce vapour of the liquid; and transferring the vapour to the cooler surface to effect heat transfer to the cooler surface, the improvement being directing a minor portion of the vapour to the cooler surface to maintain the cooler surface at a temperature at or near the boiling point of the liquid; and transferring a major portion of the vapour to a condenser remote from the module to effect heat transfer and condensation of the vapour to produce the purified liquid and collecting the purified liquid from the condenser. The process is continuous in that it does not need to be intermittently stopped, or require auxiliary cooling of the module.