Contacting Tube Patents (Class 159/13.2)
  • Patent number: 11045779
    Abstract: A shell-and-tube equipment has a cylindrical geometry and is arranged along a vertical axis. The shell-and-tube equipment comprises an upper chamber and a lower chamber connected to a common tube bundle on opposite sides. The upper chamber is provided with at least an inlet nozzle for inletting a first fluid. The tube bundle is surrounded by a shell provided with nozzles for inletting and outletting a second fluid which exchanges heat with the first fluid through the tube bundle. The upper chamber encloses at least a distribution device configured for uniformly delivering the first fluid towards the tube bundle. The distribution device comprises an annular channel which is arranged around the vertical axis and is in fluid communication with the inlet nozzle. The distribution device comprises a plurality of channel modules of circular trapezoid shape, tightly joined together at their respective vertical edges for forming the annular channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Assignee: ALFA LAVAL OLMI S.P.A
    Inventor: Alberto Gozzini
  • Patent number: 10974162
    Abstract: A plant for dealcoholising alcoholic beverages includes a rectification column having at least one inlet for the alcoholic beverage, a sump and a top. The rectification column is operable such that dealcoholised beverage can be removed from the sump and exhaust vapour can be removed from the top. At least one evaporator is configured to supply the rectification column with vapour. A condenser arrangement condenses the exhaust vapour removed from the top of the rectification column, at least in part. The plant further includes a heat pump which can operate the evaporator as well as the condenser arrangement. A method for dealcoholising alcoholic beverages in a rectification column is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: GEA WIEGAND GMBH
    Inventors: Frank Kinner, Kai Stoeßel
  • Patent number: 10962307
    Abstract: A stacked heat exchanger including a core portion having a plurality of plates stacked on each other to define a flat refrigerant passage and a flat heat medium passage. A first connection member that provides an inlet and an outlet for allowing the refrigerant to flow into the refrigerant passage. A second connection member that provides an inlet and an outlet for allowing the heat medium to flow into the heat medium passage, in which the inlet and the outlet are configured in a state where the heat medium flowing into the heat medium passage flows in an opposite direction to that of the refrigerant flowing in the refrigerant passage. The core portion includes an offset fin disposed in at least the refrigerant passage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eizo Takahashi, Isao Tamada
  • Patent number: 10702794
    Abstract: A distillation system having a plurality of chambers, an input conduit connected to each chamber to deliver an aqueous fluid to each chamber; a pressure reducing valve connected to the input conduit; a waste output conduit connected to a waste collection compartment of each chamber; and condensate output conduit connected to a condensate collection compartment of each chamber. An evaporation wall of each chamber is constructed to maintain an evaporation surface temperature that is greater than a condensation surface temperature of a condensation wall of each chamber. The aqueous fluid forms a fluid coating, which moves down the evaporation wall. A saturation pressure differential is created as water from the aqueous fluid evaporates from the evaporation wall and condenses on the condensation wall forming an aqueous condensate, which moves down the condensation wall and is collected as an aqueous distillate in the condensate collecting compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: The Board of Regents of the University of Oklahoma
    Inventors: Hamidreza Shabgard, Kumar Parthasarathy
  • Patent number: 10703644
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a method for producing a treated water stream. The method includes receiving a feed stream including at least one substance dissolved in a water phase, and processing the feed water stream in a plurality of stages arranged in operation from a lowest temperature and pressure to a highest temperature and pressure, to produce the treated water stream and a concentrated stream. Each stage includes a vessel, a heat exchanger, an evaporator, and a condenser. Each evaporator is configured to evaporate an amount of water using one of direct heat or indirect heat. Each condenser is configured to condense at least a portion of steam generated by a successive stage. In accordance with various embodiments, the plurality of stages is arranged in series. In other embodiments, the plurality of stages is arranged in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventors: Mourad Victor Younes, Regis Didier Alain Vilagines, Guillaume Robert Jean-Francois Raynel
  • Patent number: 10434437
    Abstract: An evaporation device including an agitation vessel to which raw material liquid is supplied. The agitation vessel has a volatile component outlet and a concentrate outlet, a jacket provided on an outer circumference and configured to heat an inner wall, and a liquid-distributing portion configured to cause the raw material liquid to flow down the inner wall. The agitation vessel includes storage portion surrounded by a bottom, the inner wall, and a partition wall portion configured to temporarily store the raw material liquid that flows down, the liquid-distributing portion is constituted by a rotating shaft and at least one channel part having a flow passage which, as the rotating shaft rotates, the raw material liquid temporarily stored in the storage portion flows upward from a lower side of the agitation vessel. The channel part is mounted to the rotating shaft, and the concentrate outlet is provided in the bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Kansai Chemical Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tadahiro Mukaida, Hiroshi Yamaji, Hideo Noda
  • Patent number: 10293345
    Abstract: A collector composition comprising (a) refined tall oil wherein the refined tall oil is any tall oil that has been subjected to one or more refining or processing steps that results in an increase in acid value; and (b) a fatty acid wherein the refined tall oil has an acid value of at least 90 mg KOH/g and a weight average molecular weight of at least 750 g/mol. A mineral slurry comprising (a) an ore comprising a mineral of interest; (b) a collector composition comprising (i) a refined tall oil; and (ii) a fatty acid; and (c) a liquid. A method for the beneficiation of an ore, the method comprising (a) preparing a slurry comprising the ore dispersed in a liquid; (b) contacting the slurry with a collector composition comprising a refined tall oil; and (c) recovering a beneficiated ore.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Kraton Chemical, LLC
    Inventors: Gerald W Heebner, Lloyd A Nelson
  • Patent number: 10215458
    Abstract: A falling film evaporator (12) for a heating ventilation and cooling (HVAC) system includes a housing (52) and a plurality of evaporator tubes (26) positioned at least partially in the housing (52) through which a volume of thermal energy transfer medium is flowed. A distribution system (34) is located in the housing to distribute a flow of liquid refrigerant (20) over the plurality of evaporator tubes (26). The distribution system (34) includes a distribution vessel having a plurality of drip openings (38) to flow the liquid refrigerant onto the plurality of evaporator tubes (26), a feed pipe (42) to flow refrigerant into the distribution box (36), and one or more pressure regulators (58) in the distribution system, thereby regulating the flow of liquid refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: CARRIER CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jack Leon Esformes, Marcel Christians, Satyam Bendapudi
  • Patent number: 10150681
    Abstract: A system and method for distilling water is disclosed. The system comprises a heat source, and a plurality of open-cycle adsorption stages, each stage comprising a plurality of beds and an evaporator and a condenser between a first bed and a second bed, wherein each bed comprises at least two vapor valves, a plurality of hollow tubes, a plurality of channels adapted for transferring water vapor to and from at least one of the condenser or the evaporator, a porous media, a hygroscopic material, and a plurality of graphite flakes, and wherein each vapor valve connects a bed to either the condenser or the evaporator. The method utilizes a number of open-cycle adsorption stages operate in an alternating cycle of forcing and relaxing, whereby both the latent heat of vaporization and the latent heat of adsorption are multiply reused to distill water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Inventor: Howard Y. Yuh
  • Patent number: 10065130
    Abstract: Systems and methods for generating a thin film of a fluid are described. In an embodiment, a fluid support structure may be configured to receive a fluid, such as water, at a top surface and to support the fluid over at least a portion of the top surface. Channels may be formed in the top surface of the fluid support structure. Wiper blades may be configured to move over the top surface in contact with at least a portion of the fluid to form the fluid into a thin film. The wiper blades may include protrusions corresponding to the channels. As the wiper blades move over the top surface, the protrusions may move within the channels forming a thin film of the fluid within the channels. According to some embodiments, the fluid support structure may be configured as an evaporation surface configured to facilitate the evaporation of the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: EMPIRE TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT LLC
    Inventor: Hao Wang
  • Patent number: 10060565
    Abstract: A fluid transfer coupling is described that includes first and second connectable coupling members that together contain a sealed interior space when connected. A gas or steam purge inlet and a purge outlet are disposed in fluid communication with the sealed interior space for purging potential contaminants out of the interior space. The coupling also includes a vacuum port in fluid communication with the sealed interior space for drawing a vacuum on the sealed interior space and optionally testing the space for an adequate seal. The first coupling member includes a first fluid transfer conduit and the second coupling member includes a second fluid transfer conduit. The first and second fluid transfer conduits are positioned such that they can be connected together within the sealed interior space when the first and second coupling members are connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: HAMILTON SUNDSTRAND CORPORATION
    Inventor: Benjamin Elmer Bishop, Jr.
  • Patent number: 9771277
    Abstract: An evaporative system for separating solid salt from a saline solution is provided. The system comprises conveyor belts arranged to move the saline solution and evaporate water from it, using natural solar radiation, reflected solar radiation, mechanically induced evaporation and heat storing materials, which accumulate heat during the day and release the heat during the night to allow continuous production. The system may be adapted to different saline solution sources and terrain conditions as well as to varying meteorological conditions. The conveyor belts may be interspaced by separators that remove from the saline solution each type of salt as it solidifies on the corresponding conveyor belt. Conveyor belts may further be used to deliver the solid salt or wastes back to saline solution source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: S.G.B.D. TECHNOLOGIES LTD.
    Inventor: Alexander Brodt
  • Patent number: 9322599
    Abstract: Disclosed is a concentration plant with differently-functioning sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: CFT S.P.A.
    Inventors: Roberto Catelli, Stefano Romei
  • Patent number: 9091488
    Abstract: The invention relates to an evaporator (10) for heat exchange between fluids, comprising a housing (12) having at least one inlet (20; 27) and at least one outlet (26, 28; 29) for each fluid, the inlet and outlet for each fluid being connected to one another by a flow path (38; 58), the flow path (38) of a first fluid comprising multiple heat exchange modules (60) comprising at least one longitudinal hollow tube (36), wherein the modules (60) are arranged in a stack spaced apart from the housing (12) leaving free a gap (59), and wherein a module (60) is provided with at least one connector (50) for connecting to a co-operating connector of an adjacent module, such that the gap (59) between the housing and the stack defining at least a liquid recycle zone for containing the second fluid and a phase separation zone for separating a vapor phase and a liquid phase of the second fluid and the space (56) enclosed between adjacent modules in the stack defining a flow path (58) for a second fluid, parallel to the flo
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2015
    Assignee: HeatMatrix Group B.V.
    Inventors: Ron Postma, Bart Jan Van Den Berg, Robert Sakko, Hans Constant Dikhoff
  • Patent number: 9005393
    Abstract: A method of operating an evaporator is described. In evaporator feed water, a Taylor bubble is developed which has an outer surface including a thin film in contact with an inner surface of an outer wall of an evaporator tube. The Taylor bubble is heated as it rises within the evaporator tube so that liquid in the thin film transitions into vapor within the bubble.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Kingston Owens
  • Patent number: 8951392
    Abstract: A modular portable evaporator system for use in a Steam Assisted Gravity Drainage (SAGD) systems having an evaporator, with a sump including an oil skimming weir, a short tube vertical falling film heat exchanger including an outer shell containing short tubes provided for lower water circulation rate. The system further having external to the evaporator, a compressor for compressing evaporated steam from the tube side of the heat exchanger and routing to the shell side of the same exchanger, a distillate tank to collect hot distilled water, a recirculation pump to introduce liquids from the sump into the heat exchanger and an external suction drum protecting the compressor from liquid impurities. The evaporator system receives produced water from the SAGD process into the sump and provides cleaned hot water to a boiler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: 1nSite Technologies Ltd.
    Inventor: Kenneth James
  • Patent number: 8871062
    Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for controlling the thickness of a flowing, laminar fluid film. The film flow may be gravity-induced or the result of an alternative force. The fluid is deposited on an upper end of a flow surface where a relatively thick layer of the film forms. The film flows over a fluid dispersal region where the surface area is rapidly expanding, which results in rapid thinning of the film thickness. The fluid then flows over an active region where the surface area is designed to control the fluid film thickness. For example, in some applications, it may be desirable to maintain an approximately constant film thickness as the fluid flows over the active region of the surface. The geometry of the flow surface is used to obtain the desired control over the fluid film thickness. The flow surface is the outer surface of a solid with a closed upper end and a lower end that may be open or closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Inventors: Charles David Gilliam, Stefanie Renee Gilliam
  • Publication number: 20140100382
    Abstract: Apparatus and processes for removing dioxane from a composition, e.g., an ethoxylated fatty alcohol sulfate paste, utilize an evaporator having an inlet chamber and one or more heated channels. The process includes the step of heating the composition at a location upstream of the flow restriction to a temperature above the flashing temperature of water at a pressure of the channel inlet and applying a pressure to the heated composition to avoid such flashing. The process further includes the step of passing the pressurized, heated composition through the evaporator. The process can further include injecting a vapor into the channel. The purified, concentrated product can be diluted with water to a desired concentration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: The Chemithon Corporation
    Inventors: Walter A. Jessup, Burton Brooks, W. Brad Sheats
  • Publication number: 20130206343
    Abstract: A falling film evaporator, includes an outer shell formed by a cylindrical shell and convex ends, at least one tube bundle formed of vertical tubes arranged inside the outer shell, whereby a heat-releasing, condensable vapour can be fed into the vertical tubes from below upwards, and a heat-receiving, vaporizable liquid can be fed to the upper end of the tube bundle to flow downwards along the outer surface of the vertical tubes as a thin liquid layer, whereby an element for discharging non-condensable gases contained in the heat-releasing vapour has been arranged in the tube bundle. The evaporator includes two or more tube bundles each being provided with a tube plate of its own, whereby the vertical tubes of each tube bundle are at their lower ends attached to the tube plate of the corresponding tube bundle and at their upper ends to collecting manifolds of the corresponding tube bundle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2011
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: RINHEAT OY
    Inventors: Arvi Artamo, Pentti Juhola
  • Patent number: 8486223
    Abstract: A falling film evaporator having a shell pass, multiple tubes parallel to each other, a condensed steam outlet, an inlet for an aqueous solution on the top of the tube pass, an outlet for the aqueous solution at the bottom of the tube pass, a distributing assembly having a plurality of distributing trays arranged vertically from top to bottom in incremental diameters and each having multiple holes, and a plate for collecting the aqueous solution below the distributing assembly. The tubes are straight and installed vertically in the evaporator; inner wall of the tubes is smooth, and the top portion of the tubes is protruded above a horizontal plane of the plate. The evaporator is particularly useful for concentrating an aqueous solution containing thermosensitive materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Jiangsu Sinorgchem Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiaogen Feng, Nongyue Wang, Xiaohui Mao, Ruibiao Yu, Qianwen Cheng
  • Publication number: 20130092328
    Abstract: The invention relates to a concentration plant with differently-functioning sections.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2010
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: CFT S.P.A.
    Inventors: Roberto Catelli, Stefano Romei
  • Patent number: 8309874
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for heating or cooling a fluid. An inlet conduit coupled to a plurality of distribution nozzles in fluid communication with a channel at the periphery of the apparatus. An insert and a sleeve cooperatively define a thin gap, in fluid communication with the channel, through which the fluid flows. Thermal inserts near the thin gap generate heat flux into or out of the fluid, which exits through an outlet conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Tao Hou, Son T. Nguyen, Kenric Choi, Anh N. Nguyen
  • Publication number: 20120145386
    Abstract: We provide an evaporator technology for treatment of produced water that may be deoiled water. Systems described herein utilize a vertical tube heat exchanger bundle where the brine is distributed in a falling film along the inside of the tube wall. Condensing steam causes a portion of the deoiled water to evaporate; this water vapor travels upward in a counterflow direction relative to the deoiled water. This evaporator technology provides several design advantages over the conventional vertical tube co-current flow evaporators (where the vapor flows downward with the falling film). These advantages include a minimal total installed cost (TIC) as well as offering optimal design features for water chemistry management.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2011
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Inventors: Daniel P. Bjorklund, David Kersey, Gregory J. Mandigo, Chandrakant Tiwari
  • Patent number: 8034214
    Abstract: A reciprocating film type evaporator for solvents and other chemicals which eliminates the need for a large powerful motor, and other associated equipment such as rotary gaskets, by using reciprocation, versus 360 degree rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Tracera LLC
    Inventors: Collin McKinney, Rob Musser
  • Patent number: 7998309
    Abstract: A one step method and system for producing nanofluids by a nanoparticle-source evaporation and deposition of the evaporant into a base fluid. The base fluid such oil or ethylene glycol is placed in a rotating cylindrical drum having an adjustable heater-boat-evaporator and heat exchanger-cooler apparatus. As the drum rotates, a thin liquid layer is formed on the inside surface of the drum. An insulated heater-boat-evaporator having an evaporant material (nanoparticle-source) placed within its boat evaporator is adjustably positioned near a portion of the rotating thin liquid layer, the evaporant material being heated thereby evaporating a portion of the evaporant material and forming nanoparticles, the nanoparticles absorbed by the liquid film to form nanofluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2011
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Milivoje Kostic, Mihajlo Golubovic, John Hull, Stephen U. S. Choi
  • Patent number: 7959768
    Abstract: The invention relates to a falling film evaporator, which is fitted with a liquid distributor which is divided into segments, such that it is possible to charge only a limited number of evaporator tubes with liquid and the evaporator can be operated in an optimum manner even with a partial load. The invention also relates to a method for operating said falling film evaporator, the aim of which is to transfer heat, which is released when a gas-vapor mixture is condensed, to a liquid which is to be evaporated at least partially. It would be useful to use said falling film evaporator thus fitted in heat recuperation systems such as those used in the production of 1,2 dichloroethane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2011
    Assignee: UHDE GmbH
    Inventors: Peter Porscha, Michael Benje, Harald Hafenscher
  • Patent number: 7955476
    Abstract: A multiple application recycling and purification device has a coaxial core that is horizontally oriented, non-rotating, cylindrical distillation chamber. The enhanced, completely coaxial configuration continuously cleans the entire distillation chamber and spreads a thin film of liquid to enhance distillation and positively aid in the removal of remaining contaminants. Through a timed and positioned valve, the device removes and purges lower-temperature contaminants. Timed valves and sensors control all phases of the distillation to provide a coaxially integrated, stand-alone, adaptable, scalable and maintenance free distillation unit that self-monitors, self-cleans and economically functions to produce the pure distilled liquid, e.g., water. This device can be modified to purify any numerous array of liquids and can be scaled to produce any amount of purified liquids for either household, commercial, or industrial applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Mansur Corporation
    Inventor: Pierre G. Mansur
  • Patent number: 7799178
    Abstract: An improved method for efficiently adding additional heat values into a distillation process to optimize the production of distillate from water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Black & Veatch Holding Company
    Inventor: Michael J. Eddington
  • Patent number: 7785448
    Abstract: A method of operating an evaporator is described. In evaporator feed water, a Taylor bubble is developed which has an outer surface including a thin film in contact with an inner surface of an outer wall of an evaporator tube. The Taylor bubble is heated as it rises within the evaporator tube so that liquid in the thin film transitions into vapor within the bubble.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2010
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Kingston Owens
  • Patent number: 7718033
    Abstract: A one step method and system for producing nanofluids by a particle-source evaporation and deposition of the evaporant into a base fluid. The base fluid such (i.e. ethylene glycol) is placed in a rotating cylindrical drum having an adjustable heater-boat-evaporator and heat exchanger-cooler apparatus. As the drum rotates, a thin liquid layer is formed on the inside surface of the drum. A heater-boat-evaporator having an evaporant material (particle-source) placed within its boat evaporator is adjustably positioned near a portion of the rotating thin liquid layer, the evaporant material being heated thereby evaporating a portion of the evaporant material, the evaporated material absorbed by the liquid film to form nanofluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2010
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the United States Department of Energy
    Inventors: Milivoje Kostic, Mihajlo Golubovic, John R. Hull, Stephen U. S. Choi
  • Patent number: 7670456
    Abstract: In a multi-effect falling-film evaporator, purified water for special purposes is produced. In each effect, a steam phase and a water phase is produced from the feed water. The steam phase is used for heating in the subsequent effect, whereby it condenses to product water, and the water phase becomes the feed stream for the subsequent effect. A reject stream is removed from the process to carry off impurities separated from the water. According to the invention, a reject stream is removed from each effect. Preferably, each reject stream is a condensed fraction of the steam generated in the respective effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: STERIS Europe Inc. Suomen Sivuliike
    Inventors: Teppo Nurminen, Mauri Salmisuo
  • Patent number: 7666281
    Abstract: Purified water for special purposes is produced using a falling-film multieffect evaporator. From the feed water, each effect produces a steam phase and a water phase. The steam phase is used for heating in the subsequent evaporating step, whereby the steam phase condenses to product water, and the water phase becomes feed water for the subsequent evaporation step. According to the invention, the product water may be wholly or partly recycled to the initial feed water, allowing process startup and sterilisation of the plant without conducting hot product water to the drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: STERIS Europe Inc. Suomen Sivuliike
    Inventors: Ilkka Olavi Laitinen, Teppo Nurminen, Mauri Salmisuo
  • Patent number: 7611604
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the production of pure steam. A falling-film evaporator is used. Of the water-steam mixture leaving the evaporator unit, part of the water is collected at the bottom of the device, and a fraction mainly consisting of steam enters a rising spiral channel for the separation of impurities. In the periphery of the spiral channel apertures are provided for separating impurity-containing droplets, which condense on a surface outside the apertures. The liquid formed is removed from the device. The water phase collected at the bottom enters a recycle line connected to the feed end of the evaporator unit. Feed water is supplied to the recycle line to compensate for pure steam consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: STERIS Europe Inc.
    Inventors: Mauri Salmisuo, Ilkka Olavi Laitinen
  • Patent number: 7594980
    Abstract: Device for distillation, for example extraction of fresh water from sea water, including a number of chambers (3) at least in one row, an inlet (10) for distillation fluid, an outlet (11) for the distillation residue, an outlet (5) for the distillate, and a gas compressor (13). Further, the device includes two pipe systems (1,2), where the first pipe system (1) has an inlet (10) for the distillation fluid and an outlet (11) for the distillation residue, together with an outlet (12) for damp. The second pipe system (2) has a number of chambers (3) in a row, each row (3) having an upper inlet (4) for damp and a lower outlet (5) for distillate. The inlets (4) are connected in parallel, and the outlets (5) are connected in parallel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: GND Water AS
    Inventor: Olav E. Sandstad
  • Patent number: 7591930
    Abstract: A thin-film evaporator with a vertical drum (1), a supply line (4) that is arranged in the upper region of the drum (1) and is used to supply a medium to be evaporated, a heating jacket (3) arranged on the periphery of the drum and forming vapors, a discharge line (20) for discharging the residue left in the lower end of the drum, and a condenser (11) supplied with a coolant, for increasing the separating capacity and optionally for performing chemical reactions, is characterized in that an inner device (24) influencing the action of the thin-film evaporator is provided in the path of the vapors from the heating jacket (3) to the condenser (11).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: VTU Holding GmbH
    Inventors: Wolfgang Glasl, Matthaeus Siebenhofer, Michael Koncar
  • Patent number: 7540944
    Abstract: The present water reclamation system comprises a series of concentric thin shells. The shells mount within a housing that can be maintained under vacuum or low pressure. The shells rotate at high velocity. Contaminated liquid from outside the housing is injected into the space between half the shells. The centrifugal force causes the liquid to form a thin film along the inward facing surface of the shell. A compressor lowers the pressure adjacent the thin film causing the liquid to boil. The compressor carries the vapor to the other side of those shells at a slightly higher temperature. There the vapor encounters the wall, which is cooler and its heat is transferred to boil the contaminated liquid. The vapor condenses, and rotation throws the condensate against the adjacent wall where it is collected. When condensing, the heat of condensation transfers to the shell for boiling the incoming contaminated liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2009
    Inventors: Jack Bitterly, Steven Bitterly
  • Publication number: 20080230184
    Abstract: A total evaporator for fluids, including a cold chamber to prevent pre-evaporation, an evaporation region connected thereto having narrow flow cross-section for fast evaporation of the fluid, and a subsequent vapor chamber for pulsation damping and the controlled superheating of the vapor, the evaporation region being formed by a gap between concentrically nested cylindrical and/or conical tube sections and heat required for the evaporation and superheating processes is supplied by electric heating and/or by hot fluid and/or by catalytic or homogeneous combustion via the wall of the concentric tubes.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2006
    Publication date: September 25, 2008
    Inventors: Gerhart Eigenberger, Gerhard Friedrich, Gudrun Friedrich, Andreas Freund, Grigorios Kolios, Clemens Merten, Jens Bernnat
  • Publication number: 20080196839
    Abstract: The invention relates to a falling film evaporator, which is fitted with a liquid distributor which is divided into segments, such that it is possible to charge only a limited number of evaporator tubes with liquid and the evaporator can be operated in an optimum manner even with a partial load. The invention also relates to a method for operating said falling film evaporator, the aim of which is to transfer heat, which is released when a gas-vapor mixture is condensed, to a liquid which is to be evaporated at least partially. It would be useful to use said falling film evaporator thus fitted in heat recuperation systems such as those used in the production of 1,2 dichloroethane.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2005
    Publication date: August 21, 2008
    Inventors: Peter Porscha, Michael Benje, Harald Hafenscher
  • Patent number: 7153394
    Abstract: A process to isolate dianhydride from an exchange reaction comprises extracting a bisimide/anhydride exchange reaction aqueous phase with an organic solution comprising an exchange catalyst at a first temperature and pressure to form an extracted aqueous phase comprising water, exchange catalyst and a dianhydride precursor; removing water from the extracted aqueous phase at a second temperature and pressure to form a molten phase, wherein the second pressure is less than the first pressure; removing water and exchange catalyst from the molten phase at a third temperature and pressure to form an isolation mixture; and converting the dianhydride precursor in the isolation mixture to dianhydride at a fourth temperature and pressure, wherein the fourth temperature is greater than the second and third temperatures and the fourth pressure is less than the second and third pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Thomas Link Guggenheim, David Anthony Mongilio
  • Patent number: 7112262
    Abstract: A device is disclosed for downward flow evaporation of a liquid substance and subsequent condensation of the vapor formed, which includes a plurality of vertical evaporator tubes housed in a common casing in side-by-side relationship, a distributor tank which is arranged above the evaporator tubes and from which the substance contained therein can be fed to the evaporator tubes with production of a film of the substance running down the tube surface of the evaporator tubes, a heat exchanger arrangement arranged in the casing and having a plurality of vertical condensation tubes having a surface upon which the vapor can be condensed, receiving trays housed below the evaporator tubes and below the condensation tubes in the casing to separately receive unevaporated concentrate of the substance which runs down the tube surface of the evaporator tubes or condensed distillate of the substance which runs down the tube surface of the condensation tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Assignee: GEA Wiegand GmbH
    Inventor: Daniel Bethge
  • Patent number: 6955754
    Abstract: An efficient fluid cleaning system. The efficient system includes a first mechanism for changing the pressure of a fluid from a first pressure to a second pressure, the second pressure being lower than the first pressure. A second mechanism distributes the fluid within an evaporation chamber at the second pressure. The evaporation chamber includes an evaporation surface having capillary channels for dispersing oil about the evaporation surface via capillary action to facilitate evaporation of contaminants from within the fluid. In a specific embodiment, the capillary channels are spiral capillary channels, and the system further includes a vent through a ceiling of the evaporation chamber. The vent includes a valve biased in an open position and lacking a cracking pressure. The valve prevents the escape of the fluid from the system but allows gases to escape from the system unencumbered. The evaporation surface has perforations through which fluid passes onto the evaporation surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2005
    Inventor: Robert de Sylva
  • Patent number: 6830654
    Abstract: In the production of water vapor, particularly in the production of especially clean water vapor, dissolved gases, mainly atmospheric gases, are removed from feed water (2). The feed water is sprayed by a spray nozzle (3) mounted in a hemispherical chamber (1) in a spray pattern which matches an area of an upper end (4) of an arrangement of vertical feed tubes of a falling film evaporator. The dissolved gases are liberated quickly from the sprayed droplets and removed through outlets (5) in the hemispherical chamber. The sprayed droplets collect at the upper ends of the vertical evaporation channels and are distributed evenly thereamong before atmospheric gases can be redissolved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Steris Europe Inc Suomen Sivuliike
    Inventor: Mauri Salmisuo
  • Patent number: 6695951
    Abstract: The present water reclamation system includes a series of concentric thin shells. The shells mount within a housing that can be maintained under vacuum or low pressure. The shells rotate at high velocity. Contaminated liquid from outside the housing is injected into the space between half the shells. The centrifugal force causes the liquid to form a thin film along the inward facing surface of the shell. A compressor lowers the pressure adjacent the thin film causing the liquid to boil. The compressor carries the vapor to the other side of those shells at a slightly higher temperature. There the vapor encounters the wall, which is cooler because its heat was transferred to boil the contaminated liquid. The vapor condenses, and rotation throws the condensate against the adjacent wall where it is collected. When condensing, the heat of condensation transfers to the shell for boiling the incoming contaminated liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Inventors: Jack G. Bitterly, Steven E. Bitterly
  • Publication number: 20040015328
    Abstract: A process to isolate dianhydride from an exchange reaction comprises extracting a bisimide/anhydride exchange reaction aqueous phase with an organic solution comprising an exchange catalyst at a first temperature and pressure to form an extracted aqueous phase comprising water, exchange catalyst and a dianhydride precursor; removing water from the extracted aqueous phase at a second temperature and pressure to form a molten phase, wherein the second pressure is less than the first pressure; removing water and exchange catalyst from the molten phase at a third temperature and pressure to form an isolation mixture; and converting the dianhydride precursor in the isolation mixture to dianhydride at a fourth temperature and pressure, wherein the fourth temperature is greater than the second and third temperatures and the fourth pressure is less than the second and third pressures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2003
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Thomas Link Guggenheim, David Anthony Mongilio
  • Patent number: 6656327
    Abstract: An evaporation product discharged from a lower end a falling-film evaporator enters a downpipe (7), makes a 180° turn at a bottom of the downpipe, and moves upward through an annular rising channel (9) defined between the downpipe and an intermediate housing (10). As the evaporation product moves along a spiral path (12) defined by the spiral fins, centrifugal forces urges water droplets and impurities to a radial outward periphery where they pass through openings (13) in the intermediate shell as pure steam continues through the spiral path and out a pure steam outlet (21). A cooling jacket (15) chills a peripheral wall of an outer shell (14) adjacent the holes such that the discharged water droplets condense on the outer shell and flow down a reject water return path to a reject water reservoir at the bottom of the outer shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2003
    Assignee: Steris Europe, Inc. Suomen Sivuliike
    Inventor: Mauri J. Salmisuo
  • Publication number: 20030127315
    Abstract: A tert-C4-C8-alkyl (meth)acrylate is prepared by reacting (meth)acrylic acid with an olefin of the formula 1
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2003
    Publication date: July 10, 2003
    Inventors: Ruprecht Kroker, Gerhard Nestler, Werner Schmitt, Winfried Schumm
  • Patent number: 6506281
    Abstract: A process of evaporating a viscous polymer solution is described. The process includes: (a) providing a viscous polymer solution including at least 30 wt. % of solvents and monomers; (b) introducing the viscous polymer solution into a heated helix (5), the heated helix having a vapor exit velocity of 200 to 300 m/s, (a film flow including a two-phase mixture of polymer melt, and solvent vapors and monomer vapors being formed within the helix); (c) forwarding the film flow from helix (5) into a heated vapor separator (6); (d) expanding the two-phase mixture of polymer melt, and solvent vapors and monomer vapors of the film flow within vapor separator (6) at an absolute pressure of 10 mbar to 800 mbar, (a bottom product including a concentrated melt of the polymer is formed within the vapor separator); and (e) withdrawing the bottom product from vapor separator (6).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2003
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Clemens Casper, Jörgen Weinschenck, Klemens Kohlgrüber, Jürgen Heuser, Christian Kords, Thomas Elsner
  • Publication number: 20030000651
    Abstract: In a rotary evaporator, the rotating speed of the rotating flask is automatically controlled or regulated dependent upon a detected process value, particularly the vibration behavior or the mass moment of inertia of the rotating flask.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Publication date: January 2, 2003
    Inventor: Hans Georg Genser
  • Publication number: 20020038760
    Abstract: An evaporation product discharged from a lower end a falling-film evaporator (1, 2) enters a downpipe (7), makes a 180° turn at a bottom of the downpipe, and moves upward through an annular rising channel (9) defined between the downpipe and an intermediate housing (10). As the evaporation product moves along a spiral path (12) defined by the spiral fins, centrifugal forces urges water droplets and impurities to a radial outward periphery where they pass through openings (13) in the intermediate shell as pure steam continues through the spiral path and out a pure steam outlet (21). A cooling jacket (15) chills a peripheral wall of an outer shell (14) adjacent the holes such that the discharged water droplets condense on the outer shell and flow down a reject water return path to a reject water reservoir at the bottom of the outer shell.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2001
    Publication date: April 4, 2002
    Applicant: STERIS EUROPE, INC.
    Inventor: Mauri J. Salmisuo
  • Patent number: 6258206
    Abstract: A process for evaporating spent liquor or other waste liquids from cellulose cooking, The evaporation is performed in a multiplicity of evaporators which are coupled in series and in which the evaporation is driven using the liquor steam. The condensates from the steam are divided, in one of more effects, into at least two fractions with respect to purity. The parer fraction from one effect is conveyed, at a high level, into a subsequent effect in the direction of movement of the liquor, while the dirtier fraction is conveyed, at a high level or at the very top, into a preceding effect in the direction of movement of the liquor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Kvaerner Pulping AB
    Inventors: Lars Gunnar Olausson, Lars Eric Pettersson, Olof Tryggve Wennberg, Anders Henrik Wernqvist
  • Patent number: 5238964
    Abstract: A method for the treatment of cerebrovascular contraction in mammals involving administration of a pharmaceutical composition containing as an effective ingredient a p-guanidinobenzoic acid derivative represented by the formula ##STR1## wherein R denotes a group represented by the formula ##STR2## or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1993
    Assignee: Torii & Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Haruhiko Kikuchi, Hiroji Yanamoto