Abstract: An apparatus (10; 20; 30; 40; 60) for removing moisture from a surface (522) in a container (500; 5001, 5002; 500?), characterized by: a centrifuging element comprising a mount (140; 1401, 1402) for attaching said container (500; 5001, 5002; 500?) to said centrifuging element and a drive (105) coupled to said mount (140; 1401, 1402) for rotating said attached container (500; 5001, 5002; 500?) and centrifuging said moisture off said surface (522) in said attached container (500; 5001, 5002; 500?); and a heating element (200) for providing heat energy and evaporating said moisture from said surface (522) in said attached container (500; 5001, 5002; 500?), and a corresponding method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a rotary evaporator having a rotary drive, having an evaporator flask rotatable about an axis of rotation by the rotary drive, having a vapor tube, and having a glass structure adjoining the vapor tube in the direction of vapor flow, wherein a filter connected upstream of the glass structure, in particular upstream of the vapor tube, is provided for filtering solids from a vapor flow.

Abstract: A spray drying system for drying liquid into powder including an elongated body and a closure arrangement at opposite upper and lower ends of the elongated body for forming a drying chamber within the elongated body. One of the closure arrangements including a drying gas inlet for introducing drying gas into the drying chamber. A spray nozzle assembly is supported in one of the closure arrangements. The lower end closure arrangement including a powder collection vessel for collecting powder dried in the drying chamber. The powder collection vessel is configured such that a blanketing gas may be directed into the interior of the powder collection vessel to blanket the powder in the powder collection chamber and thereby protect the powder from exposure to the drying gas from the drying chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved method for drying microorganisms, especially lactic acid bacteria, in a spray dryer.

Abstract: A multi-pass distillation system has a boiling flask with a side exit portal which is functionally connected to a condenser, which is, in turn, functionally connected to one or more cold traps. The condenser condenses wet vapors into liquid while the cold traps protect a pump which is used to suction the air through the system from the boiling flask through the condenser and cold traps. In this manner, one can more accurately collect fractions by way of a sideways exit from the boiling flask, near the top of the flask, with a condenser extending into a body of the spherical flask, such as at a 45 degree angle.

Abstract: A vacuum cooling device for the cooling of foodstuff, in particular hot bakery products has a vacuum chamber, which contains a product chamber for receiving the foodstuff for its cooling and a separation chamber, a vacuum source, which is connected with the product chamber or the separation chamber and a vapor condenser for condensation of vapor containing discharge air generated during the cooling process in the product chamber. The vapor condenser is arranged below the product chamber, whereby the vapor condenser can contain a cooling medium, if the vacuum cooling device is in the operating state. The vapor condenser comprises a cooling medium distribution device to distribute the cooling medium in the vapor condenser. The product chamber has at least an opening for supplying the vapor containing discharge air into the cooling medium.

Abstract: A spray-drying device includes a spray nozzle that sprays the dehydrated filtrate from the desulfurization wastewater, in a spray-drying device body, an inlet that is provided in the spray-drying device body and introduces flue gas for drying spray liquid, a dry area that is provided in the spray-drying device body and dries the dehydrated filtrate by the flue gas, an outlet that discharged the flue gas contributing to the drying, a plurality of thermometers that are provided in the dry area and measure temperatures of the inside, a determination unit that determines whether or not a spray-drying state of the dehydrated filtrate is satisfactory on the basis of the measurement results of the thermometers, and a control unit that adjusts the flue gas or the dehydrated filtrate when it is determined that the spray-drying is not satisfactory as a result of the determination of the determination unit.

Abstract: One evaporator includes a housing defining a generally enclosed interior area and a stepped cascade separating the interior area into an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The stepped cascade includes sequential trays and risers. At least one tray has a hole connecting the upper chamber with the lower chamber, and at least one riser has a hole connecting the upper chamber with the lower chamber. An input device selectively introduces wastewater into the upper chamber, and a heat source selectively introduces heat into the lower chamber sufficient to evaporate water from the wastewater atop and passing through the stepped cascade. A gas exit provides a passage for gas from the interior area to outside the housing.

Abstract: A process is described for producing a high molar mass polylactic acid, which comprises the following steps: a) polycondensation in a reactor (R1) of a lactic acid solution, by heating in the form of temperature gradients and under controlled pressure, resulting in a polylactic acid oligomer within the range of 300 to 5000 g/mol; b) conversion, in reactor (200), of the polylactic acid of low molar mass obtained in step a) to a lactide, in the presence of a depolymerization catalyst; c) separation of the volatile fractions; d) recrystallization of the lactide in the vessel (R3), in order to obtain ethanol; e) polymerization, in a tube reactor (300), of the recrystallized lactide obtained in step d), via ring opening in the presence of the catalyst, producing a high molar mass polylactic acid; f) devolatilization, at (400), of the polymeric mass obtained in step e); and g) recovery of the final polylactic acid product with a high degree of purity, with a molar mass of between 50 000 and 200 000 g/mol and a reac

Abstract: A system and method for providing operational control to a dehydration unit involves monitoring a rate of liquid extraction from material in the unit. The volumetric flow rate of condensate from air extracted from the dehydrating unit may be monitored and used to control operation of the dehydrating unit, particularly termination of the heating process of the dehydrating unit.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is provided an evaporator/calciner in which hazardous materials, such as radioactive liquids, are converted into chemically stable, solid forms by evaporating, drying and calcination within a single vessel, that can then be sealed and used for long term storage.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the controlled evaporation of a liquid drop (2) in a closed or confined type microfluidic device (1), enabling the concentration of analytes possibly present in the drop (2) to be increased. According to the invention, a drop (2) and/or a bubble (4) are brought into contact with each other, said contact enabling the drop (2) to evaporate in the bubble (4).

Abstract: This invention describes a low temperature, self-sustainable desalination process operated under natural vacuum conditions created and maintained by barometric pressure head.

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.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating particulate material has a process chamber for receiving and treating the material. A bottom is composed of a plurality of overlapping guide plates which are placed one above the other and between which annular slots for process air to pass through are formed. An annular-gap nozzle is arranged centrally in the bottom, the orifice of this annular-gap nozzle being designed in such a way that a planar spray pancake which runs approximately parallel to the bottom plane can be sprayed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for devolatilizing a polymer including passing the polymer through a devolatizer including a plate heat exchanger wherein the plates of the plate heat exchanger are heated by a plurality of heating tubes and wherein the heating tube including a return tube nested inside of a supply tube. The use of the disclosed invention allows for a comparatively small heat profile across heating plates as compared to prior art plate heat exchangers.

Abstract: Process for producing a nitric acid of a concentration from 75 to 99.9% from a more diluted nitric acid, wherein a nitric acid of a concentration of about 45 to 70% is rectified in contact with a liquid extraction medium to prevent the formation of a nitric acid-water-azeotropic mixture, and the vapors of the concentrated nitric acid are condensed and a concentrated nitric acid is obtained and wherein additionally the extraction medium is reconstituted through reconcentration and returned into the extractive rectification, wherein the nitric acid to be concentrated is fed as a boiling liquid or partially vaporized to the extractive rectification preferably carried out in two columns (K 1.0, K 1.

Abstract: A compact, self-contained apparatus for treating wastewater containing as impurities and pollutants various non-volatile (at water boiling points) fluids such as greases, oils and soaps, a vessel for collecting the wastewater, a heating chamber including electric heating elements and a heat transfer liquid such as mineral oil to heat the wastewater admixture to boil off the water and to reduce the volume of liquid for disposal, and a wastewater supply tank positioned under the apparatus. The apparatus may further include a disposable liner to isolate the wastewater from the vessel itself and facilitate rapid and clean removal and disposal of waste material after evaporation of the water, and thermally-activated sensors to maintain a desired temperature differential between the heating elements and the heat transfer liquid contained in the apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus for evaporating liquid samples contained in sample holders mounted within a chamber and by rotated by the rotor during an evaporation process in which the pressure in the chamber is reduced below atmospheric and the sample holders are rotated at high speed so as to exert centrifugal force on the contents of the holders. Heat is supplied to elevate the temperature of the liquid component of the samples to assist in the evaporation process. The temperature of the sample material is continuously or regularly monitored during the evaporation process and temperature signals are transmitted to a remote computing means which is programmed to generate a control signal for controlling the supply of heat to the samples and controlling the evaporation process. The temperature may be sensed by a probe in a sample holder containing an evaporating liquid sample, or in an adjoining sample holder containing a buffer liquid. The rotational speed is also sensed and a speed signal conveyed to the computing means.

Abstract: A method for removing dissolved solids, particularly salts, from water. An apparatus for performing the inventive method is disclosed. The aqueous solution to be treated, for example sea water, is atomized using special non-pneumatic nozzles, and sprayed into an evaporation chamber through which air, heated by waste heat, is blown. The micro-droplets undergo rapid evaporation in the chamber, resulting in the separation of the salt solids from the vapor phase of the water. The mixture of suspended solids and water vapor is filtered to remove and collect the salts, and the water vapor is condensed to collect the salt-free water.

Abstract: The invention concerns appliances, one of which uses solar energy as sole source of power. It comprises an accumulation solar water heater (222) and quasi-reversible liquid/vapour heat exchanging alveolar elements, provided with hydrophilic coatings. Elements of types E and C, respectively assigned to water evaporation (224a, b, c) and to vapour condensation (226a-b) are interposed, with narrow free spaces, in a heat-insulated treatment chamber (223), arranged above the boiler (222). Hot water coming from the heater (222) flows in closed circuit, by thermosiphon, from the top downwards of elements E and from the bottom upwards of elements C. A slightly cooling member (242) is interposed between the bottom collectors (240-244) of elements E and C. Hot water spills over slowly from the top of the hydrophilic coatings of elements E and the vapour produced is condensed opposite, on the walls of elements C.

Abstract: A distillation system is provided having an evaporation conduit and a condensing conduit connected by a transfer system for transferring distillate vapour from the evaporation conduit to the condensing conduit to condense the distillate. The evaporation and condensing conduits operate under vacuum pressure. An intake conduit and a return conduit communicate in an unrestricted manner between a source of solution and the evaporation conduit. A distillate conduit communicates with the condensing conduit for dispensing condensed distillate therefrom. A radiant heat capturing system is provided for capturing and using heat radiated from the distillate conduit to generate power.

Abstract: One or more water distillation chambers are provided wherein water containing salt or other impurities enters an upper inlet at a chamber and flows down a solar heated evaporative surface. The evaporative surface may be the interior of a pipe or the surface of a bottom sheet enclosed by a cover. In this way, the steam produced in the process will be constrained and be guided into a steam drum. The steam drum interior has cooling tubes whereby vapor entering the steam drum will be condensed into fresh water and collected for use. The cover may be heated to limit the amount of vapor condensing back into water before entering the steam drum. Multiple evaporation chambers and steam collection stages limit the distance water vapor must travel before entering a steam drum of a given stage, thereby minimizing the loss of water vapor through re-condensation before the vapor enters the steam drum.

Abstract: Commercial grade ammonia is purified for use in production of semiconductors by initially passing the liquid ammonia through a liquid phase oil separation system. This removes the vast majority of the impurities. The filtered liquid ammonia is then passed through a vaporizer which quiescently forms ammonia vapor and prevents entrainment of impurities within the ammonia vapor. The vapor passes through a vapor filtration system and subsequently to a bubble column. The bubble column is designed so that the bubbles are small enough and travel at a rate which ensures that any entrapped particle within the bubble will have time to migrate to the surface of the bubble and thereby pass through the liquid phase. The collected vapor is directed through subsequent vapor filters and is collected. If anhydrous ammonia is desired, the ammonia vapor is collected upstream of the bubble column.

Abstract: A method for removing volatile components from polymer solutions is disclosed. The method, yielding products having low content of residual volatile components and causing no thermal damage to the polymer, entails using apparatuses in which surfaces which come into contact with the product are made from materials which are low in iron content.

Abstract: The invention consists of a cost-effective process and facilities for obtaining high quality drinking water and high-grade brine as a chemical raw material from raw water regardless of how much salt it contains. When combined with a thermal power-generation process, the plant also produces electric power with a fuel utilization of over 85%.

Abstract: A heavy oil emulsified fuel evaporator system is provided in which a heavy oil emulsified fuel, after being preheated at a preheater, flows into an evaporator to be heated and then to a separator for separation of its water content. The water content, after being separated, is used as a preheating source medium for said preheater, wherein water content separation at a predetermined level is enabled irrespective of load change in a heavy oil fuel combustion equipment, and no light oil content is discharged together with the separated water content. Heavy oil emulsified fuel 11a is preheated at a preheater 13, is heated at an evaporator 14 and flows into a separator 15 to be separated of its water content. Water content, after being separated, is sent via a piping 15a to be used as the preheating source medium for the preheater 13.

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.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for continuously removing soluble minor constituents from brines containing soluble major and minor constituents by use of a Helminthoid evaporator.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for increasing evaporation capacity in a multi-stage evaporation plant of spent liquor of a pulp mill. The method includes increasing the pressure of vapor discharged from an evaporation stage by a separate booster, and supplying the vapor having increased pressure to the following evaporation stage. In the arrangement the booster (A-E) is provided in a conduit through which vapor is supplied from one evaporation stage onwards for increasing the pressure of the vapor conducted in the conduit.

Abstract: A process for extracting salt from brine contained in at least one open evaporation basin. At least part of the brine is heated in a heating unit located outside the evaporation basis and returned to the evaporation basin. The heating unit is driven by waste heat from a recooling industrial plant. According to this process, climatic values and the degree of recooling are measured and evaluated in a control unit. At least part of the heated brine and some non-heated brine are sprayed by a spraying device of the evaporation basin. The amount of sprayed brine is regulated by the control unit depending on the measured data.

Abstract: An evaporator includes a tank covered by a lightweight lid which is easily lifted to avoid high pressure in the event of an explosion. The bottom of the tank includes a flat portion which slopes downwardly toward an outlet in the sidewall of the tank. The flat section is substantially wider than the outlet to accommodate use of a square-nosed shovel to clean the tank. A fire tube in the bottom of the tank receives hot gases from a burner. A thermometer senses the temperature of the wall of the fire tube to respond to low liquid level in the tank, scale on the fire tube wall, and buildup of solids in the mixture. The open lower end of an upwardly extending standpipe is in liquid in the tank. The upper end of the standpipe is closed by a ball valve and extends above the mixture in the tank. Devices are provided for making the pressure in the standpipe different from atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: A method for concentrating a clay slurry by subjecting the slurry to indirect heat exchange within a heat exchanger to elevate the temperature of the slurry while specifically suppressing boiling of the liquid within the heat exchanger. The heated slurry is subsequently subjected to a rapid pressure reduction which causes flash evaporation of part of the liquid. The rapid pressure reduction can occur in a separation vessel.

Abstract: An assembly for prepping sulfuric acid for spectrometric analysis comprised of a vessel member having sleeve members formed with channels disposed about an outer peripheral surface and a cap member including a disc shaped top portion and a lower body portion and further including a gasket member to be positioned between the cap member and the vessel member wherein the lower body portion extending into a chamber of the vessel member and wherein the top portion includes channels to be aligned with the channels of the sleeves of the vessel member for receiving mounting devices for rigidly mounting the cap member to the vessel member.

Abstract: Spray drying system for drying a liquid feed which is made up of a solution or suspension of particles in a fluid medium. The system enables the spray drying of wet material and converting the material into powder by evaporation of a liquid medium at reduced pressure or at a vacuum. The system includes a heating chamber and an evacuation device, communicating with the interior of the heating chamber. This provision enables creation of reduced pressure within the chamber, accompanied by evaporation of the fluid medium at temperatures lower than needed for evaporation at normal pressure, and evacuation of the moisture vapor generated during evaporation.

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: A compact, transportable and self-contained apparatus for treating wastewater containing as impurities and pollutants various non-volatile (at water boiling points) fluids such as greases, oils and soaps, having a vessel/evaporator for receiving the wastewater, a heater below the evaporator to heat the wastewater admixture and boil off the water, a collector to draw off the non-volatile fluids from substantially the entire height of the water evaporator, and automatic refill/shutdown control devices for the apparatus.

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: A distillation apparatus by flashing and boiling of solution and condensing the resulting steam having a central rotating partitioned brine conduit with coupling to a two-disk centrifugal distributor and a wiping blade system in a chamber having at least one conically shaped wall heated by a condensing steam in a spirally formed conduit, and a surrounding annular spiral condenser. The vertical stacking of such conically shaped evaporators and annular spiral condensers with brine inflow and outflow through a central rotating partitioned tubular conduit make up the desalination tower. The solution flowing through the central tubular conduit to the centrifugal distributor is pressurized by the centrifugal force before flashing through spray nozzles. The flowing liquid film formed on the heated conical surface boils with further enhancement from thinning action due to a rotating wiping pivoting blade system.

Abstract: An extruder having a reduced nip ratio and a process employing the same.

Abstract: The apparatus is located almost completely under the surface of the sea. The vacua in the de-aeration and the evaporation chambers are generated by a vacuum pump and are maintained by the effects of a pressure reduction device at the inlet for warm seawater and a lifting pump at the outlet for brine. The de-aerator and the evaporator are laid out as heat exchangers and penetrated by heating tubes, which are flowed through passively by warm seawater. The immersion tube forming the steam compartment which is suspended vertically in the sea serves as a condenser. The condenser is cooled passively by cold seawater. The attachment to the bottom of the sea is performed by a single point mooring construction via an anchor chain at an anchor weight. The elevation of the water production unit is controlled automatically by means of an air chamber and an air compressor.

Abstract: A method is indicated of recycling plastic sheet material coated with adhesive and available in chopped form. The method provides for separating the plastic from the adhesive. In a first method step the chopped sheet material (4) is introduced into a solvent bath (1) where the chopped sheet material (4) is moved for a predetermined dispersing time under mechanical action. The mechanical action preferably is exercized by rolling or kneading. In a second method step, the adhesive dispersed in the solvent is separated from the chopped sheet material (4) by mechanical action of forces--preferably by introducing squeezing forces in a conveyor screw.

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: The invention relates to a process for the recovery of heat and chemicals from a mixture of ashes and spent liquor by carrying out the final concentrating (2) of the liquor, and its feeding (8) into the soda recovery unit (5), under pressure and at a temperature higher than the atmospheric boiling point of the liquor. According to the invention, the ashes (1) are not mixed with the waste liquor (7) until after the final concentrating (2) of the liquor, and the mixture is further expansion evaporated (4) before the thus concentrated pressurized liquor is fed into the soda recovery unit (5).

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 device for removing organic compounds from soil, solids, sludges and other types of contaminated materials utilizing a non-rotating contactor which can be tightly sealed from air infiltration. Binders such as cement, lime, flyash or kiln dust may be added to the soil prior to treatment so as to aid in the volatilization of the volatile organics and to immobilize the non-volatile constituents in the treated solids. The contaminated materials are fed to a chamber with a movable rake therein and are subjected to temperatures sufficiently high to violatize the organic constituents. The volatilized contaminants are purged with small amounts of air or other non-condensible gas and with superheated steam. The organic constituents can be captured in a vapor phase or they can be condensed and captured in the condensed liquid.

Abstract: The specification discloses a method for the treatment of black liquor from a kraft or soda pulping process which comprises forcibly conveying the black liquor through an elongate conduit containing at least one vent at a position along its length while subjecting the black liquor to a working action and maintaining the temperature of the black liquor at least about 80.degree. C. so that the black liquor is compressed and mixed as it is conveyed through the conduit to promote the separation of liquid components from the black liquor into the vent by expression and vaporization. As a result, the solids concentration of the material may be increased to provide an improved quality fuel for soda recovery boilers. The process is advantageously carried out using a vented screw extruder which is equipped to supply heat to the black liquor from the screw interiors and barrel housing to promote vaporization of volatiles and to maintain the flowability of the material as it is conveyed through the extruder.

Abstract: A highly efficient distillation unit is provided for heating water and condensing the generated steam to remove the contaminants from the water. Efficiency is enhanced by providing a compact air cooled fin-and-tube heat exchanger which removes heat from the steam, with a powered blower passing air by the fins. A removable bowl which houses the evaporating water is suspended from a rod biased toward its upper position. Mechanical linkage interconnects the rod and a valve which controls incoming water flow to the bowl. The valve closure member is incrementally moved from an opened position to a closed position as a function of the weight of the water in the heating bowl. A low density electrical heating element is powered with from 40 to 55 watts per square inch of submerged heating element exterior surface. The bowl is configured to have a large surface area of heated water to heater input power, thereby further maximizing efficiency.