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: A solar distillation apparatus utilizing a substantially vertical reactor assembly is disclosed. The reactor includes a tubular outer shell, a base, a cap, and a central tension member. The annular space between the outer tube and the central tension member forms the reactor chamber. Seawater or other feed liquid enters the reactor chamber through the base plate. Reflected or direct solar energy heats the feed liquid, generating low pressure vapor. The vapor exits the reactor through the cap structure or the base. The concentrate left behind settles by gravity to the bottom region of the reactor's liquid column. Extension tubes on the feed openings allow feed liquid to enter the liquid column above the concentrate layer and avoid excessive mixing of the feed liquid and the concentrate. The concentrate exits the reactor through one or more openings in the base.

Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for concentrating a solution. The system includes a humidification device and a solution flow path for flow of a solution to be concentrated to the humidification device. The humidification device includes humidification media to facilitate evaporation of liquid from the solution to be concentrated to gas as the solution to be concentrated passes through the humidification media thereby concentrating the solution. The method includes flowing a solution to be concentrated along a flow path to a humidification device including humidification media, flowing a gas through the humidification media, and flowing the solution to be concentrated through the humidification media. There is evaporation of liquid from the solution to the gas as the solution passes through the humidification media thereby concentrating the solution and producing a humidified gas. The solution to be concentrated may be salt water and the gas may be air.

Abstract: An improved water desalination system is disclosed, in which contaminated water such as seawater or brackish water is preheated and fed into a primary pressure vessel through a distribution head. The seawater is distributed from the distribution head over a non-adherent surface such as a plurality of silicone chords hanging below a distribution tank or a cone- and cylindrical-shaped surface. The water is exposed to a high temperature steam environment in the chamber to cause at least a portion of the water in the contaminated water to evaporate, while the remaining concentrated salts from the contaminated water fall to the bottom of the chamber. A portion of the steam in the primary pressure vessel is withdrawn to be condensed into fresh water. The energy withdrawn with the steam extracted from the primary pressure vessel is made up by a supplemental energy apparatus, such as a steam generator.

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.

Abstract: The present invention provides a configuration of a multi stage flash cross tube evaporator wherein flash stages are arranged in a plurality of at least two tiers with a first flash stage to which a heated solution is fed, a plurality of intermediate flash stages and a last flash stage from which the concentrated solution is discharged in each tier, wherein the flash stages in each tier are in a serial flow communication and the flash stages of each tier are in parallel flow communication to the flash stages in the other tier(s). Such configuration allows to minimize the size of the tube bundles, flash stages and evaporator shell and consequently minimizing evaporator weight and cost.

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: The solar-powered distillation system is particularly adapted for small scale seawater distillation to produce fresh water. The system includes a single heat-absorbent evaporation panel having mutually opposed evaporation surfaces, the panel being contained within a single housing. Each side of the housing includes a lens panel. The lenses of each panel focus solar energy onto the respective surfaces of the evaporation panel. A mirror is positioned to each side of the housing to reflect solar energy onto the respective lens panels. Contaminated water enters the top of the housing to run down the surfaces of the evaporation panel. A fresh water collection pipe extends from the top of the housing to a collection tank. A scraper mechanism removes salt and/or other residue from the surfaces of the evaporation panel to allow the residue to be removed periodically from the bottom of the housing.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide an apparatus or process for devolatilization of flowable materials (such as molten polymers with entrained or dissolved solvent or unreacted monomers or comonomers) using a plate heater having heating channels, the design or operation of which heating channels maintains the flowable material above its bubble point pressure during passage through a larger first zone and then induces flashing in, or downstream of, a smaller second zone of the heating channel. The apparatus enables a higher throughput per heating channel while achieving equivalent or better devolatilization, as compared to current devolatilization apparatus.

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.

Abstract: A fluid delivery apparatus is provided for supplying a fluid mixture to a distillation column or reactor. The apparatus can be used to enhance the heat duty, the flow and/or the flow stability of an existing thermosiphon reboiler which supplies a heated fluid to the column or reactor. The apparatus includes an integrated eductor which receives and increases the fluid velocity of a supplemental fluid into which the heated fluid is aspirated to form a fluid mixture then delivered to the column or reactor. A process and a system utilizing the apparatus are also disclosed, as well as a method of retrofitting an existing system with the apparatus.

Abstract: A desalination process including heating brine in a preheating chamber and transferring the brine to a rotary kiln to be sprayed against the wall structure of the rotary kiln to boil to steam and a residue of salt/impurities, the exiting steam being pressurized in a compressor and passed to an externally powered heater to be heated and then fed to a hollow wall structure of the rotating kiln in which the steam condenses to pure water to be transferred to the preheating chamber to preheat the incoming brine, the rotating kiln being arranged to rotate past a scraper to remove salt/impurities from the wall structure for collection at the base of the kiln.

Abstract: Provided is a heat integrated distillation apparatus includes: rectifying column including a trayed section or a packed bed section; stripping column including a trayed section or a packed bed section located higher than rectifying column; first pipe for connecting top part of the stripping column with bottom part of the rectifying column; and compressor that compresses vapor from top part of the stripping column to feed the compressed vapor to bottom part of the rectifying column. The heat integrated distillation apparatus further includes: heat exchanger located either at the trayed section or a packed bed section of rectifying column or at the trayed section or a packed bed section of stripping column; second pipe; and third pipe for circulating fluids through the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A method and device for evaporating a predeterminable volume of fluid includes successive addition of partial volumes of the predeterminable volume to a supply line at different adding rates, at least partially evaporating the partial volumes forming vapor film between them and a supply line wall, conveying the partial volumes through the supply line to an evaporator surface, and applying the partial volumes to an evaporator surface region varying as a function of mass and/or volume adding rate of the partial volume, permitting effective evaporation of fluid, particularly urea/water solution. Utilization of the highest possible proportion of evaporator surfaces is achieved by mass and/or volume addition rate-dependent distribution of impingement surfaces on the evaporator surface. This heating strategy in the supply line region ensures the Leidenfrost effect when individual partial volumes are added.

Abstract: A vessel header comprising a plurality of lateral flow tubes arranged in a parallel configuration and entering the vessel header through alternating header penetrations with a single header penetration per lateral flow tube. A method of increasing the throughput of a polymerization reaction comprising conducting the polymerization reaction in a reaction vessel comprising a plurality of lateral flow tubes arranged in a parallel configuration and entering the vessel header through alternating header penetrations with a single header penetration per lateral flow tube wherein the polymerization reaction displays an increase in throughput of 10% and a decrease in volatiles of from 5% to 10% when compared to a polymerization reaction carried out in a reaction vessel lacking a plurality of lateral flow tubes arranged in a parallel configuration and entering the vessel header through alternating header penetrations with a single header penetration per lateral flow tube.

Abstract: A method of assembly of an evaporation assembly module. The evaporation assembly module comprises an evaporation element, a pipe having at least one fluid outlet and configured for wetting at least a portion of the evaporation element by passing fluid through the fluid outlet, and a support structure configured for holding the evaporation element in a suspended position.

Abstract: A dividing wall column is described which includes the following segments: a) an upper column region (1), b) an enrichment section (2) of the feed section, c) a stripping section (4) of the feed section, d) an upper part (3) of the offtake section, e) a lower part (5) of the offtake section, f) an intermediate region (9) of the feed section, g) an intermediate region (10) of the offtake section and h) a lower column region (6). The dividing wall column has a dividing wall (7) is located vertically between the segments b) (2) and d) (3) and between the segments c) (4) and e) (5). The segments b) (2), d) (3), c) (4) and e) (5) have separation-active internals, Segment b (2) has a cross-sectional area Ab which is at least 10% smaller than the cross-sectional area Ad of segment d) (3), and segment c) has a cross-sectional area Ac which is at least 10% greater than the cross-sectional area Ae of segment e) (5).

Abstract: The present disclosure is generally directed to a solar distillation system capable of recovering potable water from non-potable water. In certain embodiments, the system includes a substantially air tight solar still having a roof top composed of a solar light-transmitting material. The solar still includes a tube positioned below and running underneath the roof top, the tube having an exit end. Additionally, the solar still includes a heating surface positioned below the roof top and adapted for receiving at least a portion of the non-potable water exiting the tube at the exit end. Non-potable water on the heating surface is solar heated and a portion of the non-potable water evaporates and condenses on the outside of the tube to be collected as potable water.

Abstract: The reflux divider for a separation column has portions for the transfer of material arranged in parallel which are mutually bounded by a vertical dividing wall and which include members for the controlled dividing of a liquid to be treated. A reflux divider feeds part flows to the respective portions employing connection lines that are feed from a common container. A restrictor valve is used in one connection line to control the flow based on signals from a pair of flow meters.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid cleaning device that is intended for purifying liquid from pollutants, which liquid cleaning device includes a vessel, having a lower chamber and an upper chamber, which lower chamber is connected to a heating member arranged to heat the liquid in said lower chamber, as well as further including a riser and liquid-distributor member, which riser is arranged to transport heated liquid from said lower chamber up to the upper part of said upper chamber, where the liquid-distributor member is arranged to impart the heated liquid an increased area of exposure to surrounding air, the liquid then, by means of the gravity, running back downward outside the riser and being collected in the lower part of the upper chamber of the vessel, said upper chamber and lower chamber being in at least conditioned communication with each other in order to allow transfer of the liquid from the upper chamber to the lower chamber.

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: A mobile waste processing system and method is disclosed for processing materials in a tank, typically an underground storage tank. A mobile fluid processing module is disposed adjacent to or over the tank, and sealingly connected to the tank through a tank riser. Support equipment, which may include an electric power module, a chiller module, a heating module, and a control and monitor module, are disposed a distance from the processing module, and connected thereto. A pump and optionally a dispersal nozzle are deployed from the processing module into the tank, and effluent is extracted for processing. The processing trailer includes effluent processing equipment such as an evaporator and demister, condenser, vacuum pump, and interim storage tank. The effluent is processed, and at least a portion is removed. Some of the processed effluent may be returned to the tank.

Abstract: An improved de-entrainment device for use in distillation towers, especially vacuum distillation towers used for fractionating petroleum atmospheric resids is in the form of a baffle which is to be located in the portion of the tower below the feed zone and at the top of the flash zone. The baffle is in the form of an apertured plate above the stripping zone and in its preferred form comprises number of radial fins or blades, resembling a static fan with openings between the fins to permit vapors from the lower portions of the tower to pass upwards through the baffle with a minimal pressure drop. The fins of the baffle are preferably oriented at an angle between 30° and 60° away from the incoming feed so that the incoming feed stream skims over the top edges of the fins.

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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a liquid radioactive waste treatment system. The liquid radioactive waste treatment system includes a plurality of evaporation plates and each of the evaporation plates has an uneven surface, in a housing comprised of a glass. A liquid radioactive waste is dispersed via a liquid waste dispersing unit to the evaporation plate, and the liquid radioactive waste is evaporated using solar heat and airflow in the housing.

Abstract: A design method of batch falling strand devolatilizers is disclosed. The method includes following steps. Firstly, construct a database that contains data of batch falling strand devolatilizer vs. devolatilization of at least one kind of polymer. Then data in the database is substituted into a mass balance difference equation to get a backmixing parameter. When the backmixing parameter is zero or is approaching zero, a liquid diffusion stage efficiency equation having a film equation or a pool equation is integrated with the mass balance difference equation to get a devolatilization process efficiency equation. By optimizing of a theoretical value of the backmixing parameter, a theoretical value of the process efficiency from calculation of the devolatilization process efficiency equation approaches the value of the process efficiency.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device and method for preparing liquid from solid materials such as medicinal materials. It includes liquid and materials for preparing the liquid at the beginning and the end of the process. The device uses a steam generator, an intermediate switch valve and a material chamber, which are connected sequentially with pipes, and further includes an outlet pipe, which is at the bottom of the material chamber. The method involves the steps of: distillation and absorption; immersion; and repetition. The device and method for preparing liquid alternates the distillation and immersion steps, which reduces harmful substance in the prepared liquid that would otherwise occur by conventional methods. The method not only extracts soluble effective matter, but also reduces loss of volatile effective matter. Ultimately, the method makes the steps for preparing liquid simple and clear, and it can prepare liquid quantitatively, effectively and without pasty and shrinkable characteristics.

Abstract: A devolatilizer apparatus and method for devolatilization of viscous polymer liquids yields polymer products with very low levels of residual volatile components. A stream of liquid polymer is dropped through a first vacuum chamber, thereby removing a portion of the volatile components. The stream is collected at the bottom of the first chamber, and is re-circulated to a manifold and liquid distributor assembly in a second chamber in the same vessel. The stream flows by gravity through the second chamber, which is maintained at a higher level of vacuum than the first chamber. Improved devolatilization is accomplished by exposing the polymer liquid to multiple stages of vacuum in a single vessel. The first chamber may be located generally above the second chamber, but in the same vessel, with the stream falling through the second chamber a first time before re-circulation to the manifold.

Abstract: An industrial evaporation apparatus having a specified structure in which there are guides that do not themselves have a heat source, a flow path controlling member having a function of making the liquid fed onto a perforated plate from a liquid receiving port flow mainly from a peripheral portion toward a central portion of the perforated plate is provided in a liquid feeding zone, and formula (1) to (5), or formula (1) to (10), or formula (1) to (12), are satisfied.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus is provided for the separation of liquid-liquid and liquid-solids compositions by flash evaporation in a heated vacuum chamber. The compositions are injected through an atomizing spray nozzle having a spray cone downward of about 30 to 150 degrees. The compositions are preheated and injected under pressure into the preheated vacuum evaporation chamber. The vaporized liquid that is formed is collected in a condenser which draws the vapors by vacuum or pressure differential. Any solids are collected at the bottom of the vacuum chamber as semi-dry or dry solids.

Abstract: An evaporator for receiving waste fluid stream and producing separate streams of an evaporated fluid and a condensate liquid for use in industrial waste treatment has a curved pathway bounded by a casing having an inlet port through which the waste fluid enters the casing. The casing defines a pathway having a flow direction therein through which the waste fluid stream flows, and within which casing the evaporated fluid is produced. The casing has a drain beneath the pathway through which the condensate passes, and an outlet through which the evaporated fluid is drawn. A series of fins of elongate aerofoil cross-section are located in and extend across the pathway in the flow direction of the waste fluid stream flowing along the pathway. The casing is curved and the fins are arranged parallel to a tangent of the curve.

Abstract: A liquid evaporator with a liquid reserve (1) of a liquid to be evaporated, with at least one liquid feed duct (2, 22, 23, 24), with an evaporating unit (16) adjoining the at least one liquid feed duct (2, 22, 23, 24), with at least one working electrode (3, 4), which forms at least one portion of a wall of the liquid feed duct (2, 22, 23, 24), and at least one counterelectrode (7, 8) arranged at a spaced location from the at least one working electrode (3, 4). An electrical field generated by an electric voltage between the working electrode (3, 4) and the counterelectrode (7, 8) brings about motion of the liquid through the liquid feed duct (2, 22, 23, 24).

Abstract: A mobile waste processing system and method is disclosed for processing materials in a tank, typically an underground storage tank. A mobile fluid processing module is disposed adjacent to or over the tank, and sealingly connected to the tank through a tank riser. Support equipment, which may include an electric power module, a chiller module, a heating module, and a control and monitor module, are disposed a distance from the processing module, and connected thereto. A pump and optionally a dispersal nozzle are deployed from the processing module into the tank, and effluent is extracted for processing. The processing trailer includes effluent processing equipment such as an evaporator and demister, condenser, vacuum pump, and interim storage tank. The effluent is processed, and at least a portion is removed. Some of the processed effluent may be returned to the tank.

Abstract: This invention features methods and apparatus for producing syngas from any carbon-containing feed material. In some embodiments, a substoichiometric amount of oxygen is used to enhance the formation of syngas. In various embodiments, both oxygen and steam are added during the conversion of the feed material into syngas. Some variations employ eductors for facilitating flow of solid and gas phases in the processes of the invention. The syngas can be converted to alcohols, such as ethanol, or to other products.

Abstract: A decomposition reaction apparatus or distillation apparatus for acrylic acid in which a column bottom liquid heated in a reboiler (5) is supplied from a supply port (1a) provided on a side wall of a column body (1) having: a top plate (12a) above the supply port (1a); and an impingement plate (12b) provided vertically to the top plate (12a), for preventing scattering of the column bottom liquid to a supply direction. The top plate (12a) is provided such that the top face of the top plate (12a) is inclined downward from a base end to a tip end. The present invention allows: suppression of formation of a polymerized product due to flowing of a liquid or gas heated in a reboiler into a column with a simple structure; and a stable continuous operation of column equipment over a long period of time.

Abstract: A sea water desalination installation that employs an evaporation-condensation system which operates continuously at a low temperature and which enables the recovery of energy released. The installation includes a cylindrical evaporator having a large evaporation surface and a concentric condenser with a large surface area. Sea water is used to cool the condenser and said water is subsequently sent to the evaporator. A static high-pressure ventilator is used to: (i) drive the vapor/air in a closed circuit between the evaporator and the condenser and (ii), using a calibrated nozzle, create a pressure gradient that is equivalent to the pressure of the saturated vapor at working temperature between said two zones. The aforementioned evaporator and condenser are thermally insulated in relation to one another and to the external environment.

Abstract: An apparatus for concentrating and collecting one or more analytes in a flowing liquid stream of a carrier solvent composed of one or more solvent components is provided, which includes a transfer tube which forms a bore having an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being adapted to accept the flowing liquid stream, and the outlet being adapted to form continuously replaced, hanging droplets of the liquid stream, and a collection device mounted below the outlet of the transfer tube for collecting the droplets. The apparatus includes a device for heating the liquid stream in the transfer tube to a temperature sufficient to cause partial evaporation of the carrier solvent from the hanging droplets but not exceeding the boiling point of the carrier solvent, and a device for heating the collection device to a temperature sufficient to cause further evaporation of the carrier solvent from the collected droplets.

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.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method of reducing volatiles in a mass processable polymer. The apparatus includes a multi-chambered devolatilizer having first and second collectors contained therein. In one embodiment, the invention provides a method that includes passing the mass processable polymer stream from a polymerization process to a first devolatilizer. The method continues by passing the polymer stream from the first devolatilizer to the multi-chambered devolatilizer. The apparatus and method allows for the production of a polymer having less than 100 ppm of volatiles.

Abstract: A device feeds educts to parallel spaces separated from one another by way of a distributor unit. Outlets of the distributor unit are assigned to the spaces, and evaporator structures for the evaporation of liquid media are provided in the spaces. Each outlet of the distributor unit project into a space. The boiling point of the medium in the distributor unit is maintained above the temperature of the medium in the distributor unit.

Abstract: A tert-C4–C8-alkyl (meth)acrylate is prepared by reacting (meth)acrylic acid with an olefin of the formula where R1 and R2, which may be identical or different, are methyl or ethyl and R3 is H, methyl or ethyl, in homogeneous phase in the presence of an acidic catalyst and isolating the tert-C4–C8-alkyl (meth)acrylate from the reaction mixture, by a process in which the catalyst is separated off as residue by a two-stage distillation of the reaction mixture and the tert-C4–C8-alkyl (meth)acrylate is isolated from the distillates. The novel process makes it possible to use acetic acid-containing (meth)acrylic acid. The danger of cleavage of the ester and of polymerization of (meth)acrylic compounds is reduced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and a device for evaporating liquids, for example black liquor from cellulose cooking, which contain solid and dissolved substances which are to be concentrated. The liquid is heated to close to boiling temperature in a heat exchanger (1) of the falling-film type. The process is characterized in that the pressure on the liquid side in the falling-film heat exchanger (1) is kept so high that boiling does not take place in this heat exchanger and in that the evaporation takes place, by means of flashing, in a separate expansion tank (7) that has a lower steam.

Abstract: An evaporator particularly useful for milk evaporation. The evaporator includes a rotor (12) within steam chamber (11) of housing (10). Liquid feed passes through conduit (13) to emit through outlets (14) and (15) onto the inner periphery of evaporator surfaces (16) and (17) of cone pairs (C, C1) and (C2). Concentrate can flow between cone pairs via tubes (22) at the other periphery of the cone pairs. Concentrate is picked up at cone pair (C2) and the lowermost cone pair (C1) to flow through outlet conduit (30). The cone angle of each cone is in the range of 5° to 45° preferably about 10°.

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.

Abstract: The invention concerns a downward flow evaporator, with internal condensation, comprising at least a vertical evaporator tube (12) housed in a casing (10), and a dispensing vessel (16) arranged above the evaporator tube (12), from which a liquid to be evaporated can be brought to the evaporator tube (12), producing a downward flowing film in its tubular housing. In order to ensure condensation of the vapour formed during evaporation of the liquid, there is provided a heat-exchanging device (18, 52), whereof the condensation surfaces consist, in accordance with the invention, of at least a condensation tube (18) arranged vertically in the evaporation tube (12), and having substantially the same axis. Above said pair of tubes (12, 13) are housed reception means (20, 22) in the casing (10), capable of collecting separately, the non-evaporated liquid concentrate, flowing from the evaporator tube (12), and the condensed liquid distillate, flowing from the condensation tube (18).

Abstract: The invention concerns an evaporator, especially for the sugar industry, with at least two heat exchangers, into the top of which the medium to be concentrated is loaded and which are heated with steam with different compositions and/or different pressures in a cross stream, wherein the concentrated medium and the exhaust steam generated, after they come out of the heat exchanger, are carried off separately. To produce an evaporator that is simple and inexpensive in design, the invention proposes that the medium to be concentrated be loaded by a medium distribution common to all heat exchangers and the medium leaving the first heat exchanger go directly into the next heat exchanger. Only after the medium comes out of the second heat exchanger are the exhaust steam and the medium separated. The steam spaces in the heat exchanger separated from the exhaust steam space are separated from one another by a common dividing wall.

Abstract: A strand devolatilizer that includes a degassing container, a product inlet, a product distributor, a product outlet and a vapor outlet is disclosed. The product distributor is in the form of a tube distributor with at least one distributor tube (1) and a plurality of die tubes (2) arranged in parallel, each containing a plurality of apertures (15) in the tube wall. The die tubes (2) are preferably arranged in several planes one above the other and staggered laterally relative to one another.

Abstract: Apparatus for carrying out mass transfer processes with high-viscosity liquids comprising a vertically arranged vessel (1) having a feeder (4) for the liquid to be treated, an outlet (7) for volatile components and an outlet (6) for the treated liquid, the feeder means (4) being equipped with a distributor element (3) having a multiplicity of orifices (8, 10) for subdividing the high-viscosity liquid to be treated into a multiplicity of individual streams, wherein essentially vertically arranged wire loops (2) are disposed in the vicinity of the orifices (8, 10), along which wire loops the high-viscosity liquid runs off under the action of gravity.

Abstract: A method for distilling a fluid which is useful, for instance, in eliminating salt from brackish and/or sea water includes percolating films on plates with multiple effects having several evaporating zones and condensation zones. The evaporation zones (EVAP) and the condensation zones (COND) are vertically arranged. The liquid to be distilled emerges in the top part of the evaporation zone (EVAP). The vapors produced in the evaporation zone (EVAP) are horizontally transferred into the condensation zone (COND) through a communicating connection. The condensed liquid percolates vertically along the walls of the condensation zone and is evacuated from the lower part of the condensation zone. A distilling plant is also provided for implementing the distilling method, and includes plural cascades made up of elementary cells alternatingly assembled in thermal series.

Abstract: A description is given of a process and an apparatus for the removal of volatile constituents, in particular solvents, monomers or oligomers, from polymer compositions or polymer solutions by evaporating the volatile components from the preheated polymer compositions in the form off free-falling films, strands (4) or foaming liquids in an evaporator system (1). In the process, following partial or complete degassing of the volatile components in the degassing space (9) of the evaporator system (1), the degassed polymer composition (4) is received at the lower end of the evaporator system (1) directly by a discharge delivery device (5) and is discharged, thereby avoiding contact of the polymer with the inside wall of the evaporator system (1).