Abstract: To provide a power generation system that recovers heat from low-temperature exhaust gas of not more than 150° C. and utilizes the heat to increase an amount of generated electric power of a steam turbine, whereby efficiency in thermal use can be improved. A power generation system includes heat exchangers and configured to exchange heat of a heat medium and heat of water, and a vacuum flasher configured to supply steam to a vacuum stage of a steam turbine, wherein heat media are supplied to the heat exchangers and so as to generate a water fluid having a temperature exceeding a water boiling point under vacuum of a vacuum stage, the water fluid is supplied to the vacuum flasher to generate steam under vacuum of the vacuum stage, and the steam is introduced into the vacuum stage of the steam turbine, whereby an amount of generated electric power is increased.

Abstract: A thin film distiller is provided which applies distilland to an evaporative side by the use of wicks which work by capillary action. The evaporated vapor is transferred to the condensate side after being compressed to a higher pressure where it is condensed and removed by similar wicks. The condensing and evaporating surfaces are formed on opposing sides of a bellows-like sheet of heat conducting material. The sheet would preferably be formed into a cylindrical shape with the evaporative stage on the outside and the condensing stage on the inside of the cylinder. Either the wicks or the heat conducting material are moved with respect to the other such that the wicks place a thin film of distilland on the evaporative surface. Removal of condensate is performed in a similar manner by the wicks in the condensate stage.

Abstract: A process and system are provided for the separation of a fermentation process byproduct into its constituent components and for the subsequent recovery of those constituent components. The process is remarkably simple--requiring only 1) heating of a mixture containing the byproduct so as to separate the oil from a base component of the byproduct to which the oil is bound, followed by 2) recovering the base product, oil, and possibly other substances such as molasses from the mixture. The process can be performed on a large scale and in a continuous fashion using a mechanical separator to recover fibers from a heated mixture to produce a solids stream and a liquor stream and by then removing oil and insoluble substances from the liquor stream in an evaporator assembly.

Abstract: In a novel process for the production of particles or powders, a substance or mixture of substances to be treated is provided in a pressure vessel. A highly compressible fluid is dissolved under pressure in the substance or mixture of substances provided until a solution containing 5% to 90% by weight of said highly compressible fluid has formed. The melting point of said highly compressible fluid is at least around 40 K lower than the melting point of the substance or mixture of substances to be treated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming an array of multiple parallel flow orifices, for example by holes drilled through a plate in a selected pattern and spacing and of selected sizes or flow diameters, and whereby these orifices are used to provide an approximately equal and adequate distribution of liquid flowing through them as parallel streams of liquid and into an evaporation zone or a parallel array of evaporation channels, and wherein the orifices can be adjusted in flow diameter to control the flowrate of liquid in generally parallel streams with an array of orifice adjusting apparatus, for example an adjacent sliding orifice plate which provides for orifice flow rate adjustment with orifices through this second plate corresponding in position to those of the first orifice plate, and the use of such dual orifice plates for supporting a pool of liquid there-above and for controlling the flowrate of liquid through the first array of orifices by reducing or enlarging their orifice flow diameters to control

Abstract: A process and apparatus for improving the thermal efficiency of a steam turbine power generating plant while simultaneously desalinating seawater or brine and purifying water which contains minerals, salts, and other dissolved solids. Exhaust gases from a power plant is heat exchanged against water in a secondary ecomomizer which circulates water at a temperature near, or slightly above the dewpoint of the combustion exhaust of the high-pressure boiler. The heated water is flashed to produce low-pressure steam. The low-pressure steam is condensed against the last effect of a multi-effect desalinization unit. Steam from the first effect of the desalination unit is condensed against steam condensate from the power plant turbine to preheat the condensate and thereby recover heat from the power plant's exhaust gas. Salinous water is fed to the multi-effect desalinization unit to produce fresh water and a concentrated brine.

Abstract: A system for controlling the composition of color coupler on a real time basis, the system comprises a mixer for mixing the color coupler with a non-permanent solvent for forming a preliminary solution. A heat exchanger receives the preliminary solution for altering the temperature of the preliminary solution, and a separator receives the preliminary solution from the heat exchanger for separating the preliminary solution into a color coupler solution suitable for use in producing photographic paper and into a residual vapor. An in-line viscometer receives the color coupler solution from the separator for determining the viscosity of the color coupler solution, and a process control system alters the temperature of the heat exchanger in response to a signal received from the viscometer for optimizing the composition of the color coupler solution.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of a carbonylation product from a liquid reaction composition of an iridium-catalysed carbonylation reaction of a carbonylatable reactant includes subjecting the composition to a vaporization with or without the addition of heat to produce a vapor-fraction and a liquid fraction, the vapor fraction includes carbonylation product and the liquid fraction has a water concentration of at least 0.5% by weight to stabilise the iridium catalyst.

Abstract: An improved process for separating oil and water from an emulsion containing toxic light ends by flashing the heated and pressurized emulsion, condensing and separating the vaporized water and light ends, recovering the light ends, and recycling the condensed water. The resulting liquid water product has a reduced content of toxic light ends, such as benzene.

Abstract: A method of removing solvents from a paste includes introducing a heated paste into a channel of a dryer under pressure selected so as to avoid flashing of any of the components of the paste. At the inlet of the channel, the pressure is dropped, resulting in the flashing of selected components of the paste. As the paste advances through the channel heat is applied to the paste. Vapor liberated during the flashing acts as a motive force to convey the paste along the channel. The resulting concentrate is collected at an outlet of the channel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of adjusting the sulphur balance of a sulphate cellulose plant, in which method black liquor is concentrated and heat treated by keeping it at a temperature higher than the cooking temperature for a certain time period to separate the sulphur compounds contained in the black liquor as gaseous sulphur compounds therefrom in the last evaporation stage of a series of evaporation stages.

Abstract: Multiple sequential chemical reactions on a polymeric feedstock are carried out in an extruder with multiple reaction zones. Each reaction zone has means for introduction of reagents, for mixing of reagents with polymer and for removal of by/co-products or unreacted reagents.

Abstract: An improved ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) system which includes a novel combined evaporator/condenser. The combined evaporator/condenser further includes a plurality of evaporator spouts and a mist eliminator, wherein the pressure is maintained across the plurality of evaporator spouts. The OTEC system also generates fresh water as a primary product and generates only enough electricity, as a secondary product, to operate the OTEC system itself.

Abstract: Desalination of sea water is achieved using a solar pond that includes a halocline interposed between a convective upper wind mixed layer exposed to the ambient atmosphere, and a lower heat storage layer of hot, concentrated brine, Hot brine from the heat storage layer is flashed into steam which is condensed into desalted water using an indirect heat exchanger cooled by saline water. The latent heat of condensation of the steam warms the saline water and effects evaporation of water therefrom in the form of vapor. The last mentioned water vapor is condensed into desalted water using a two-stage condenser, the first stage of which is an indirect heat exchanger cooled by saline feed water which is heated as a result producing warmed saline feed water that constitutes the saline water used for condensing the steam produced by flashing the brine from the heat storage layer of the pond.

Abstract: Multiple sequential chemical reactions on a polymeric feedstock are carried out in an extruder with multiple reaction zones. Each reaction zone has means for introduction of reagents, for mixing of reagents with polymer and for removal of by/co-products or unreacted reagents.

Abstract: Multiple sequential chemical reactions on a polymeric feedstock are carried out in an extruder with multiple reaction zones. Each reaction zone has means for introduction of reagents, for mixing of reagents with polymer and for removal of by/co-products or unreacted reagents.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for purifying polymerized monovinyl aromatic compounds such as polystyrene by reducing the residual monomer content of the finished polymer, said methods and apparatus including a combination of heat exchangers and devolatilizers used in conjunction with a monovinyl aromatic polymerization reactor system.

Abstract: An improved polymer devolatilization apparatus including a flat plate heater having a multiplicity of flat plates defining a plurality of channels, each channel having a substantially uniform height but varying width over its length, each channel including three zones:a first zone in operative communication with the polymer solution supply device, characterized by decreasing width as a function of distance from its beginning,a second zone beginning at the terminus of the first zone, characterized by at least one occurrence of a restrictive cross-sectional area, anda third zone beginning at the end of the second zone and terminating at a liquid/vapor collection and separation region operating at reduced pressure, said third zone characterized by increasing width as a function of distance from its beginning, and provided further that the ratio of maximum width of the third zone to the maximum width of the second zone is from 2:1 to 20:1.

Abstract: A process and apparatus provide for the evaporation of spent liquors in several stages, and recovery of volatile substances from spent liquors of organic solvent pulping processes. The recovery system for volatiles is integrated with the evaporation of spent liquors. Heating condensation is carried out in each evaporator effect on several heat surfaces separated from each other. Pure water, vapor condensate, or steam may be injected to the warmer side of an evaporator effect in order to increase the condensing temperature of the vapor. The volatiles are typically alcohols (methanol and/or ethanol) used as the cooking liquor in organic solvent pulping.

Abstract: The process of this invention is directed to recovering diluted aqueous latex paint collected during cleaning of latex paint manufacturing equipment. The collected aqueous diluted latex paint is subjected to vacuum evaporation at temperatures between about 120.degree. F. and 170.degree. F. at reduced pressures of at least about 25 inches of mercury vacuum to produce a distillate containing above 99% by weight water and concentrated latex paint reusable as latex paint or as blend in latex paint products.

Abstract: A highly energy efficient process for removing hydrocarbons from polymer slurries is disclosed. The process includes feeding a hydrocarbon-containing polymer slurry to a flash tank to flash a portion of the hydrocarbon from the slurry. Thereafter, the resulting slurry is fed to a fluid bed dryer wherein additional hydrocarbon is stripped from the polymer. Subsequently, the resulting polymer powder is transferred to a powder silo wherein further hydrocarbon is removed from the polymer utilizing a heated purge gas flowing countercurrent to the polymer powder. The polymer output preferably has a low hydrocarbon content, on the order of 100 ppm or less.

Abstract: To decrease the sulfur emissions of a sulfate cellulose mill, black liquor is heated before the last effect of the evaporation at a temperature higher than the cooking temperature of the sulfate cook and the sulfidity of white liquor is adjusted by adjusting the temperature and/or retention time of the heat treatment so that a predetermined amount of sulfur compounds are separated from the gaseous black liquor. Preferably, the sulfur containing gas is thereafter divided into different fractions and separately combusted.

Abstract: In concentrating solutions containing 1 to 10% by weight of salts and resins, the yield and economics and trouble-free running can be improved by using a flow tube which has a steady curvature at least in the last third and is sized in its diameter in such a way that the mean flow velocity at the tube outlet is at least 50 m/second, and at least 90% by weight of the vaporizable components are evaporated off at driving temperature gradients of 20.degree. to 200.degree. C. between the heating medium and the solution.

Abstract: A continuous evaporation process for drying water-wet waste solids and sludges, using a paraffin oil solvent, until the waste is dried to a near-zero wastewater product, without experiencing sticky solids. The invention involves (1) mixing the input solids or sludges with a paraffin oil solvent, (2) feeding the mixture into two or more stages of evaporation in parallel to evaporate some of the water present in the input solids or sludges and to extract some of the indigenous solvent-soluble compounds from the solids, (3) feeding the slurry from the parallel stages of evaporation to one or more final evaporation stages in series, and (4) feeding the slurry from the final stages of evaporation to a centrifuge or other device for separating most of the solvent from the solids.

Abstract: In concentrating polymer solutions up to a desired specification level of residual solvents, encrustations can be prevented and the yield and the degree of purity can be increased, when the product is heated up under pressure, expanded through a restrictor element (3) with vapor formation into a first, preferably coiled flow pipe (7) and concentrated therein as far as possible, the mixture of vapors and polymer solution is whirled at an angle into a second flow pipe (9) in a sloping arrangement and fitted with self-cleaning elements (11, 12) and concentrated therein up to the desired level, and vapors and concentrate are separately discharged only downstream thereof.

Abstract: An improved process and apparatus for producing concentrated kaolin slurries and spray dried kaolin particulates through the use of an arrangement where an evaporation system for producing concentrated slurries is coupled with a spray dryer such that off gases from the spray dryer are used to supply heat energy to the spray dryer and to the evaporation system.

Abstract: To extract a liquid from a workable mass of material a first force is applied to the material in a first direction. A second opposed force is applied to the material within or slightly downstream of a liquid-extraction location. These opposed forces tend to compact the material to extract the liquid. The extracted liquid moves out of the liquid-extraction location along a path which extends generally transverse to the direction of the first and second forces. Third forces are applied to the material along the path in a direction generally opposite to that taken by the exiting liquid to prevent the material from traversing the path but to permit the liquid to exit. The first, second and third forces form a pinch point on the material within or slightly downstream of the liquid-extraction location to substantially obviate liquid flow countercurrent to the direction of the first force.

Abstract: An improved process and apparatus for producing concentrated kaolin slurries and spray dried kaolin particulates through the use of an arrangement where a system for producing concentrated slurries is coupled with a spray dryer such that off gases from the spray dryer are used to supply heat energy to the spray dryer and to the slurry concentrating system.

Abstract: A system and method of concentrating spent caustic at a refinery has a multi-stage flash drum for separating a spent caustic stream into an overhead output stream including vaporized water and volatile organic compounds, and a concentrated spent caustic output stream. The system also has a condenser for condensing the overhead output stream, and a separator for separating the condensed overhead output stream into a volatile organic compound stream, a liquid hydrocarbon stream and a water stream. The system further has an ejector for applying a vacuum to the flash drum to vaporize the spent caustic stream at a reduced temperature, and to the separator to remove the volatile organic compound stream. The volatile organic compounds are removed from the overhead of the separator through the ejector to a burner of a fired heater.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for deaerating a suspension of solids in a liquid such as, for instance, papermaking stock. The suspension is flashed in a vacuum tank connected to a condenser. The vapor released when the suspension is flash cooled in the tank is condensed into an absorption liquid having a higher temperature but a lower vapor pressure than that of the released vapor on a heat exchange surface of the condenser. The flash cooled suspension is used as the cooling medium in the condenser. The diluted absorption liquid is regenerated in an evaporator and recirculated to the condenser. The vapor released in the evaporator can be condensed to heat the suspension further or for other suitable heating purposes.

Abstract: A method for the continuous drying of a material. The temperature of the material is adjusted to below the boiling point of the material at atmospheric pressure. The material is fed into a vacuum chamber and led through the vacuum chamber without a heat supply. Then the dried material is removed through an air lock. The method can be carried out by an assembly including a mechanism for adjusting the temperature of the material, a feeding mechanism for feeding the material into a vacuum chamber, a vacuum chamber, a mechanism for transporting the material through the vacuum chamber and an air lock. The method and assembly are useful for drying materials which are sensitive and/or difficult to solidify.

Abstract: In the thermal separation of solutions and suspensions into a free-flowing solid and into a largely solid-free distillate, the useful product can be almost completely recovered in a pure state, and the amount of waste product can thus be reduced, by carrying out the concentrating in a first heatable flow pipe (6) up to an upper limit which is given by a creeping coverage of the inside wall with solid and/or by a total blockage of the flow cross-section and then continuing the concentrating in a second flow pipe (9) which is made as a rotary pipe or as a paddle shaft apparatus and whose inside wall (12) is scraped continuously, and separating the vapors and solids from one another at the end of this flow pipe (9).

Abstract: A horizontal polymer melt distributor is formed from a prism shaped distributor which cooperates with a horizontal tray positioned below the prism shaped distributor. Polymer melt flows into and expands in the distributor then overflows onto the tray. This design holds the polymer melt in the devolatilizer to reduce the content of monomer, dimers and solvent/diluent in the polymer.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of heat and chemicals from spent liquor by evaporating water out from it in order to concentrate the liquor and be feeding the concentrated liquor thereby obtained and air into the soda-ash furnace. In order to increase the dry-matter content of the liquor to a level higher than usual, without at the same time increasing the viscositty of the liquor immoderately, at least the final concentrating (5, 9) of the liquor and its feeding (16) into the soda-ash furnace (4) are carried out under pressure at a temperature higher than the atmospheric boiling point of the liquor.

Abstract: A process for the devolatilization of polymer solutions including:(a) feeding the solution to a zone of indirect thermal exchange in which the ratio between the surface of thermal exchange and the flow per hour of the solution is over 80 m.sup.2 /m.sup.3 /h;(b) moving the solution forward into each channel at a speed below 0.5 mm/second;(c) keeping the solution of the polymer in each channel for about 120-200 seconds; and(d) separating the volatile components from the devolatilized polymer solution.

Abstract: A finishing process for water-slurried elastomers wherein a partially dewatered elastomer is presented to an enclosed, low shear, self-cleaning, long residence time dryer for drying at low temperatures in order to remove the remaining water and residual volatiles. The dried product is then cooled in a pneumatic conveyor to temperatures required for baling.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein is a single-pass, horizontal heat exchanger, of the shell and tube type, which is designed for preheating of a viscous material, such as the reactor effluent of a polyethylene solution. The heat exchanger is made in three sections, each of which can be heated independently with a heating fluid, so that a temperature profile can be easily maintained along the entire length of the exchanger. Also, each section can be removed from the exchanger unit independently of the other sections, for cleaning, if the section becomes plugged.

Abstract: A process for treating naphthenic fractions with a caustic blend of sodium and potassium hydroxide, preflashing the naphthenic fraction to remove water and then flashing the dewatered fraction to remove the neutral oils and the materials that were not formed into the acid salts. The naphthenic salt mixture is then quenched and acidified so as to recover the naphthenic acids. Naphthenic acids recovered from the process of the present invention have acid numbers which are generally higher than the naphthenic acids heretofore produced from the corresponding feed streams. The process provides for the flashing of the water which otherwise would cause foaming and not permit the recovery of the acid salt for the enhanced separation of the naphthenic acids.

Abstract: An integrated continuous processes for concentrating "weak" nitric acid and concurrently reconcentrating the spent dehydrating agent used to break the nitric acid azeotrope to obtain "strong" nitric acid, the processes involving direct coupling of the nitric acid concentration with the reconcentration of the spent dehydrating agent so that less energy input is required. The major proportion of the feed "weak" nitric acid is vaporized before being fed countercurrently into a column to contact a large volume of the dehydrating agent, this vaporization being one of the two major sources of energy input, the second being through the reboiler at the bottom of the column. Energy input is balanced by energy rejection through condensation of strong nitric acid vapor and water vapor.

Abstract: A distilling apparatus includes an evaporation section which heats raw water and causes the generation of vapor from said raw water, and a hydrophobic porous film through which the thus generated vapor is filtered. Because vapor separated from the raw water is supplied to one surface of the hydrophobic porous film, the proportion of the vapor relative to the fluid supplied to that surface of the film can be increased, thereby enabling the efficient filtering of a large amount of vapor through the film. In addition, because the temperature of condensed water obtained by cooling the vapor can be kept in the vicinity of the boiling point thereof, any gases and volatile substances contained in the raw water are prevented from dissolving in the distilled water, thereby enabling the production of extremely pure distilled water.

Abstract: A flashing feed inlet device is used in a vapor/liquid contacting column, such as a distillation column, to decrease the amount of liquid entrainment and maldistribution of vapor occurring when the liquid feed stream is introduced into the column at a temperature and/or pressure conditions higher than those existing in the column. The entrainment of the liquid and the maldistribution of the vapor are decreased by substantially decreasing the linear velocity of the vapor produced by the flashing of the liquid feed stream.

Abstract: A high pressure evaporation vessel which is operated at a predeterminate pressure above atmospheric pressure, is connected to a low pressure expansion vessel which is operated at a predeterminate pressure below the pressure prevailing in the high pressure evaporation vessel, through a U-shaped siphon tube. The U-shaped siphon tube contains a liquid column absorbing the pressure difference existing between the high pressure evaporation vessel and the low pressure expansion vessel.

Abstract: A method of concentrating sludges wherein liquor is heated under pressure indirectly with flue gases from the combustion of previously concentrated sludge, after which the sludge is caused to expand or subjected to reduced pressure which results in evaporation of water and concentration of the sludge to a dry-substance content of over 55%.

Abstract: In a flash-drying process which comprises flashing a solvent solution of a polymer or copolymer maintained at an elevated temperature and pressure into a flashing zone maintained at a lower pressure than the pressure of the solvent solution through a means for releasing said elevated pressure, thereby evaporating and separating the solvent from the solvent solution, the improvement wherein an inert stripping agent is fed into a flow of the solvent solution at any point between said pressure-releasing means and said flashing zone.

Abstract: A flashing feed inlet device is used in a vapor/liquid contacting column, such as a distillation column, to decrease the amount of liquid entrainment and maldistribution of vapor occurring when the liquid feed stream is introduced into the column at a temperature and/or pressure conditions higher than those existing in the column. The entrainment of the liquid and the maldistribution of the vapor are decreased by substantially decreasing the linear velocity of the vapor produced by the flashing of the liquid feed stream.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process of increasing the solids content of black liquor at its recovery in a sulfate pulping process. According to the invention, the liquor is first heated at a pressure which is so high that no boiling occurs at the heating temperature, after which the liquor is led to a tank where its pressure is released to a value below the saturation pressure of steam at the relative temperature of the liquor such that water is evaporated. The liquor thus concentrated can be led to the liquor combustion in the recovery process.

Abstract: A caustic alkali solution is concentrated to high density or high caustic alkali concentration by evaporation under high pressure at elevated temperature and expansion of the thus obtained concentrated caustic alkali solution to low pressure, preferably below atmospheric pressure. The pressure difference between the high pressure evaporator and the low pressure expansion vessel is absorbed gradually by a pressure difference absorber, preferably comprising a liquid column in a U-shaped siphon tube, so that corrosion and erosion are reduced considerably.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for devolatilizing high viscosity polymer solutions are provided wherein high viscosity polymer solutions are heated along a short zone of indirect heat exchange. The residence time within the zone of indirect heat exchange ranges from approximately 5 seconds to 120 seconds.

Abstract: An inlet horn for reducing liquid entrainment of liquid in vapor products in distillation towers. The inlet horn has a tangential entry for the vapor-liquid feed which opens into a peripheral open bottomed horn with a number of deflector vanes angularly disposed horizontally and vertically along the length of the horn to deflect liquid components of the feed radially outwards and vapor components downwards so as to improve their separation. The horn may be used in atmospheric and vacuum crude distillation and other vapor-liquid separation units.

Abstract: Disclosed is apparatus for treating polymers containing volatile matters and removing the volatile matters from the polymers, which comprises a polymer discharge device provided with heating means and adapted to discharge a polymer charged therein in the form of a strand or film and so forth, which device is mounted inside a decompression vessel or on a wall of the vessel.