Abstract: Moisturized organic material is treated by communicating with a vacuum pump (44) to selectively reduce pressure within a vessel (12) below atmospheric pressure and to a vaporization point, such as at 30 to 17.8° C., for a period of time sufficient to create an internal pressure to rupture cell walls. While being subjected to vacuum below atmospheric pressure, the vessel (12) is rotated to homogenize the moisturized organic material. The organic material can be moisturized by non-potable water including moisture collected by a moisture collector (44b) in the conduit (44a) between the vessel (12) and the vacuum pump (44) and by chilled feed water acting as the seal fluid in the vacuum pump and heated while flowing through a heat exchanger (148) of the moisture collector (44b). Heat can be added by a heater (46) to raise the temperature of low ambient temperature moisturized organic material.

Abstract: A compact and portable liquid concentrator includes a gas inlet, a gas exit and a flow corridor connecting the gas inlet and the gas exit, wherein the flow corridor includes a narrowed portion that accelerates the gas through the flow corridor. A liquid inlet injects liquid into the gas stream at a point prior to the narrowed portion so that the gas-liquid mixture is thoroughly mixed within the flow corridor, causing a portion of the liquid to be evaporated. A demister or fluid scrubber downstream of the narrowed portion removes entrained liquid droplets from the gas stream and re-circulates the removed liquid to the liquid inlet through a re-circulating circuit. Fresh liquid to be concentrated is also introduced into the re-circulating circuit at a rate sufficient to offset the amount of liquid evaporated in the flow corridor.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for assisting a thermally-induced change to a nano-sized solute or dispersed-phase in a liquid. The method comprises the step of passing gas bubbles through the liquid, the gas in the gas bubbles having a temperature higher than the bulk temperature of the liquid.

Abstract: A compact and portable liquid concentrator includes a gas inlet, a gas exit and a flow corridor connecting the gas inlet and the gas exit, wherein the flow corridor includes a narrowed portion that accelerates the gas through the flow corridor. A liquid inlet injects liquid into the gas stream at a point prior to the narrowed portion so that the gas-liquid mixture is thoroughly mixed within the flow corridor, causing a portion of the liquid to be evaporated. A demister or fluid scrubber downstream of the narrowed portion removes entrained liquid droplets from the gas stream and re-circulates the removed liquid to the liquid inlet through a re-circulating circuit. Fresh liquid to be concentrated is also introduced into the re-circulating circuit at a rate sufficient to offset the amount of liquid evaporated in the flow corridor.

Abstract: A liquid concentrator system includes a concentrator section having a gas inlet, a gas outlet, and a mixing corridor disposed between the gas inlet and the gas outlet. A liquid inlet is disposed in the mixing corridor between the gas inlet and a narrowed portion. A demister is disposed downstream of the concentrator section. The demister includes a liquid collector to remove liquid from gas flowing through the demister, and a reservoir that collects the removed liquid. A re-circulating circuit is disposed between reservoir and the mixing corridor to transport liquid within the reservoir to the mixing corridor, and a secondary re-circulating circuit includes a settling tank to separate saturated liquid and suspended solids. A custom brine mixing device is operatively coupled to the settling tank.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for producing a solid product and a liquid product, comprising the steps of a. heating by direct steam injection a finely divided starting material, b. separating the heated starting material in the solid product and an aqueous liquid, c. heating and pressurizing the aqueous liquid, and d. reducing the pressure of the aqueous liquid thereby generating steam and the liquid product, wherein the steam generated in step d is returned to step a for injection into the finely divided starting material. The process suggests a solution for extracting the additional water appearing in the aqueous liquid due to condensed steam.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an evaporation system for wastewater wherein the staging tank is utilized to pretreat the wastewater to strip hydrocarbons from the staging tank before sending to the evaporator by sparging the wastewater in staging tank with air from the blower and or hot gases from the combustion utilized in the evaporation system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for drying salts with a water of crystallisation content in convective apparatuses that can additionally be indirectly heated. The invention is primarily characterised in that the drying process takes place with a moisture content of the drying gas above a determined level. The gas surrounding the salt particles during the drying process therefore has a specific humidity. In this way, the rate of drying is positively influenced.

Abstract: A compact and portable liquid concentrator includes a gas inlet, a gas exit and a flow corridor connecting the gas inlet and the gas exit, wherein the flow corridor includes a narrowed portion that accelerates the gas through the flow corridor. A liquid inlet injects liquid into the gas stream at a point prior to the narrowed portion so that the gas-liquid mixture is thoroughly mixed within the flow corridor, causing a portion of the liquid to be evaporated. A demister or fluid scrubber downstream of the narrowed portion removes entrained liquid droplets from the gas stream and re-circulates the removed liquid to the liquid inlet through a re-circulating circuit. Fresh liquid to be concentrated is also introduced into the re-circulating circuit at a rate sufficient to offset the amount of liquid evaporated in the flow corridor.

Abstract: A method for purifying water involves heating impure water in a first reboiler, a second reboiler and a combustion steam generator to ultimately produce about 3 parts by weight of clean water and about 1 part by weight of clean steam for every 4 parts by weight of the impure water. A water treatment system includes a gas-fired combustion steam generator that is operable to produce a hot steam stream. A reboiler is connected in receiving communication with the gas-fired combustion steam generator to receive the hot steam stream. A separator is connected with the reboiler and is operable to separate an output stream from the reboiler.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an evaporation system for wastewater wherein the staging tank is utilized to pretreat the wastewater to strip hydrocarbons from the staging tank before sending to the evaporator by sparging the wastewater in staging tank with air from the blower and or hot gases from the combustion utilized in the evaporation system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing waste water generated during oilfield drilling operations with a mobile processing unit utilizing heat energy sourced from burning hydrocarbon fuel directly and/or capturing and using the exhaust heat energy generated by burning hydrocarbons in engines such as diesel engines in order to vaporize a dominant mass of the aqueous phase of the waste water while clarifying the heat source combustion gasses. The water vapor generated by the vaporization process may be discharged directly to the atmosphere or alternately condensed and captured for use as portable water. The residual waste water is thereby concentrated and the cost to dispose of the waste water is greatly reduced.

Abstract: A compact and portable liquid concentrator includes a gas inlet, a gas exit and a flow corridor connecting the gas inlet and the gas exit, wherein the flow corridor includes a narrowed portion that accelerates the gas through the flow corridor. A liquid inlet injects liquid into the gas stream at a point prior to the narrowed portion so that the gas-liquid mixture is thoroughly mixed within the flow corridor, causing a portion of the liquid to be evaporated. A demister or fluid scrubber downstream of the narrowed portion removes entrained liquid droplets from the gas stream and re-circulates the removed liquid to the liquid inlet through a re-circulating circuit. Fresh liquid to be concentrated is also introduced into the re-circulating circuit at a rate sufficient to offset the amount of liquid evaporated in the flow corridor.

Abstract: A reservoir evaporation system for evaporating fluid from an open reservoir of effluent containing a contaminant includes a fluid evaporator, an air pump, and an air supply conduit functionally connecting the fluid evaporator with the air pump. The fluid evaporator includes a vessel adapted to be positioned in an operative position partially submerged on the top surface of the effluent in the reservoir with a lower chamber submerged in the effluent and an upper chamber extending above the top surface of the effluent. In operation, air from the air pump mixes with the effluent inside the fluid evaporator and subsequently is discharged through exhaust openings. A fluid discharge pipe can also simultaneously discharge aerated effluent back down into the reservoir. Fluid is thereby separated from the effluent in the lower chamber by evaporation in a controlled manner that minimizes spread of contaminants to surrounding environments by wind.

Abstract: Apparatus for evaporating waste water having dissolved solids therein comprising a holding tank having an inlet for receiving waste water, a submerged combustion chamber with burner suspended within the holding tank, the submerged combustion chamber having a plurality of vertical slots defined therein near a bottom thereof which span a substantial portion of a height of the submerged combustion chamber, a blower connected to provide air under positive pressure to the burner, and, a vent stack coupled to an upper portion of the holding tank for allowing water vapor to exit the holding tank.

Abstract: Apparatus for evaporating waste water having chemicals therein which cause foaming comprises a holding tank having an inlet for receiving waste water, one or more submerged combustion chambers with burners suspended within the holding tank, and, one or more foam skimming weirs located in an upper portion of the holding tank, the one or more foam skimming weirs defining one or more foam collection zones.

Abstract: A compact and portable liquid concentrator and contaminant scrubber includes a gas inlet, a gas exit and a flow corridor connecting the gas inlet and the gas exit, wherein the flow corridor includes a narrowed portion that accelerates the gas through the flow corridor. A liquid inlet injects liquid into the gas stream at a point prior to the narrowed portion so that the gas-liquid mixture is thoroughly mixed within the flow corridor, causing a portion of the liquid to be evaporated. A demister or fluid scrubber downstream of the narrowed portion removes entrained liquid droplets from the gas stream and re-circulates the removed liquid to the liquid inlet through a re-circulating circuit. A reagent may be mixed with the liquid to react with contaminants in the liquid.

Abstract: A compact and portable liquid concentrator includes a gas inlet, a gas exit and a flow corridor connecting the gas inlet and the gas exit, wherein the flow corridor includes a narrowed portion that accelerates the gas through the flow corridor. A liquid inlet injects liquid into the gas stream at a point prior to the narrowed portion so that the gas-liquid mixture is thoroughly mixed within the flow corridor, causing a portion of the liquid to be evaporated. A demister or fluid scrubber downstream of the narrowed portion removes entrained liquid droplets from the gas stream and re-circulates the removed liquid to the liquid inlet through a re-circulating circuit. Fresh liquid to be concentrated is also introduced into the re-circulating circuit at a rate sufficient to offset the amount of liquid evaporated in the flow corridor.

Abstract: An air stripper includes a vessel, a gas delivery tube to deliver a gas into the vessel and a contaminated liquid inlet that provides a contaminated liquid to the vessel at a rate sufficient to maintain a controlled constant level of process fluid within the vessel. A weir is disposed within the vessel adjacent the gas delivery tube to form a first fluid circulation path between a first weir end and a wall of the vessel and a second fluid circulation path between a second weir end and an upper end of the vessel. During operation, gas introduced through the tube mixes with the process fluid and the combined gas and fluid flow at a high rate with a high degree of turbulence along the first and second circulation paths defined around the weir, thereby promoting vigorous mixing and intimate contact between the gas and the process fluid.

Abstract: Apparatus for evaporating waste water having chemicals therein which cause foaming comprises a holding tank having an inlet for receiving waste water, one or more submerged combustion chambers with burners suspended within the holding tank, and, one or more foam skimming weirs located in an upper portion of the holding tank, the one or more foam skimming weirs defining one or more foam collection zones.

Abstract: Apparatus for evaporating waste water having dissolved solids therein comprising a holding tank having an inlet for receiving waste water, a submerged combustion chamber with burner suspended within the holding tank, the submerged combustion chamber having a plurality of vertical slots defined therein near a bottom thereof which span a substantial portion of a height of the submerged combustion chamber, a blower connected to provide air under positive pressure to the burner, and, a vent stack coupled to an upper portion of the holding tank for allowing water vapor to exit the holding tank.

Abstract: A compact and portable liquid concentrator includes a gas inlet, a gas exit and a flow corridor connecting the gas inlet and the gas exit, wherein the flow corridor includes a narrowed portion that accelerates the gas through the flow corridor. A liquid inlet injects liquid into the gas stream at a point prior to the narrowed portion so that the gas-liquid mixture is thoroughly mixed within the flow corridor, causing a portion of the liquid to be evaporated. A demister or fluid scrubber downstream of the narrowed portion removes entrained liquid droplets from the gas stream and re-circulates the removed liquid to the liquid inlet through a re-circulating circuit. Fresh liquid to be concentrated is also introduced into the re-circulating circuit at a rate sufficient to offset the amount of liquid evaporated in the flow corridor.

Abstract: A compact and portable liquid concentrator includes a gas inlet, a gas exit and a flow corridor connecting the gas inlet and the gas exit, wherein the flow corridor includes a narrowed portion that accelerates the gas through the flow corridor. A liquid inlet injects liquid into the gas stream at a point prior to the narrowed portion so that the gas-liquid mixture is thoroughly mixed within the flow corridor, causing a portion of the liquid to be evaporated. A demister or fluid scrubber downstream of the narrowed portion removes entrained liquid droplets from the gas stream and re-circulates the removed liquid to the liquid inlet through a re-circulating circuit. Fresh liquid to be concentrated is also introduced into the re-circulating circuit at a rate sufficient to offset the amount of liquid evaporated in the flow corridor.

Abstract: In the methods for treatment of caustic effluents described in the specification, a spent caustic refinery effluent is supplied to a submerged combustion gas evaporator in which hot combustion gas containing carbon dioxide is injected into the caustic liquid to concentrate the liquid and convert a hydroxide constituent to a carbonate. Where the caustic effluent is from a petroleum refinery, oil in the waste liquid is separated from the aqueous constituent before, during or after concentration.

Abstract: A compact evaporation apparatus includes an evaporator vessel with a sloped, bottom chamber. A combustion chamber is mounted to a top of the vessel, with a burner mounted to a top of the combustion chamber, the combustion chamber sized to achieve total combustion of an air/gas mixture supplied to the burner before being released below a liquid surface in the vessel. At least one turbulence diverter plate is located within the vessel beneath the liquid surface, the diverter plate being a submerged perforated plate extending horizontally from the combustion chamber, such that hot combustion gasses are released below the diverter plate, and as large gas bubbles rise to the surface they pass through small perforations in the diverter plate, thereby breaking large, hot gas bubbles into small bubbles, the gas to liquid contact area being maximized to increase system efficiency.

Abstract: A compact evaporation apparatus includes an evaporator vessel with a sloped, bottom chamber. A combustion chamber is mounted to a top of the vessel, with a burner mounted to a top of the combustion chamber, the combustion chamber sized to achieve total combustion of an air/gas mixture supplied to the burner before being released below a liquid surface in the vessel. At least one turbulence diverter plate is located within the vessel beneath the liquid surface, the diverter plate being a submerged perforated plate extending horizontally from the combustion chamber, such that hot combustion gasses are released below the diverter plate, and as large gas bubbles rise to the surface they pass through small perforations in the diverter plate, thereby breaking large, hot gas bubbles into small bubbles, the gas to liquid contact area being maximized to increase system efficiency.

Abstract: Wastewater treatment apparatus having a fluid receiving vessel for collecting and heating wastewater to a temperature below boiling, a superheated vaporizing chamber and at least one spray head to spray wastewater into the vaporizing chamber for conversion of the wastewater to vapor to be withdrawn from the apparatus, with the contaminants in the wastewater collected in the apparatus for separate removal.