Spraying Patents (Class 159/48.1)
  • Publication number: 20110257059
    Abstract: A process for the production of a spray-dried detergent powder including a hexagonal-phase-in-water-forming surfactant the process including the steps of: (i) spraying into a spray-drying tower a detergent slurry preferably free of a hexagonal-phase-in-water-forming surfactant; and (ii) simultaneously spraying a paste having a hexagonal-phase-in-water-forming surfactant, whereby droplets of the slurry encounter droplets or powder of the hexagonal-phase-in-water-forming surfactant paste so as to form composite granules.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 14, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: Nigel Patrick Somerville Roberts, Hossam Hassan Tantawy, Eric San Jose Robles
  • Patent number: 8016977
    Abstract: Dry pond water evaporation systems and methods are used to evaporate large quantities of water from industrial waste water sources, such as water produced by oil and gas wells. Dry pond systems include a water evaporation system that emits waste water into the air as a fine spray or mist to promote evaporation. Water that falls to the ground and any initially dissolved solids are captured in a water capture depression. Water and solids are transferred from the water capture depression to a water collection pool. Water from the water collection pool is recirculated through the water evaporation system to further concentrate the total dissolved solids (TDS). When the TDS are sufficiently concentrated, they may be harvested, such as by evaporating off the water and recovering salts or minerals as a solid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Reform Water, LLC
    Inventors: Rodney Rasmussen, Paul C. Cox
  • Publication number: 20110100560
    Abstract: The invention relates to a spray drying system and a method for its operation that provides a composition of dry. or essentially solvent free, particles from a solution of an agent. The system comprises a generally vertical tube reactor arranged for counter-current removal of solvent from a process flow fed with aerosol droplets of solution descending from the top said reactor with an ascending gas flow. The reactor includes a perforated process tube for transportation of the process flow from the outlet of an aerosol generating device to a dry particle collecting device. A membrane sleeve essentially surrounds the peripheral area of said process tube and separates the descending process stream from the ascending gas stream. Vaporized solvent is transported from the process stream to the ascending gas stream. A reactor housing is sealingly covering said process tube and membrane sleeve and is provided with means for introducing and/or removing the process fluids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Inventor: Per Gerde
  • Publication number: 20110052786
    Abstract: Method for spray drying a high-viscosity fluid product using a spraying device, wherein the method comprises projecting the fluid product out of an outflow opening of the spraying device for obtaining droplets of the fluid product, wherein the spraying device is arranged to cause a pressure drop in the fluid product across the outflow opening which is larger than 15 bar and at least partially drying the droplets in a drying medium, such as air, to become particles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2006
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Albert Thijs Poortinga, René Jos Houben
  • Patent number: 7892644
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a microcapsular powder having a latent heat storage material as a capsule core and a capsule wall constructed of from 10% to 100% by weight of one or more C1-C24-alkyl esters of acrylic and/or methacrylic acid (monomers I), from 0% to 80% by weight of a water-insoluble or substantially water-insoluble bi- or polyfunctional monomer (monomers II), and from 0% to 90% by weight of other monomers (monomer III) all based on the total weight of the monomers, having an average particle size in the range of 150-400 ?m and having 80% by weight of particles ?90 ?m in diameter, to a process for its production and to its use in bindered building materials, textiles and dumped beds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Patrick Amrhein, Albert Spannagel, Hermann Ascherl, Gabriele Lang-Wittkowski
  • Publication number: 20110031101
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a fractionation process for producing at least two concentration fractions of a fluid including a solute, suspended or dissolved content using at least two fluidly connected evaporator units. The process includes the steps of: feeding a feed fluid including a solute, suspended or dissolved content into at least a first evaporator unit; evaporating a first amount of fluid from the feed fluid in at least the first evaporator unit to produce a first concentrated fluid; feeding at least a portion of the first concentrated fluid into at least a second evaporator unit; and evaporating a second amount of fluid from the first concentrated fluid in at least the second evaporator unit to produce a second concentrated fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2009
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventor: Stephen Shelley
  • Publication number: 20110024057
    Abstract: A process vessel containing both an evaporation zone for evaporating a liquid feed and a treatment zone for treating the resulting vapor comprises an injector having an orifice, the orifice being in the evaporation zone, at least one evaporation surface for evaporating feed and generating vapor, the evaporation surface being located in the evaporation zone, wherein the injector orifice and the evaporation surface are positioned to prevent the formation of a drop at the orifice, a treatment zone for treating the vapor and at least one heater associated with at least a portion of the process vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Arne Karlsson, Ivar M. Dahl, Jonny Engedahl, Mark A. Krawczyk, Ara J. Alexanian
  • Publication number: 20100300627
    Abstract: Collection containers (17) are heated by head conduction from a container rack (18) with a heater (19) as the heat source. When an eluting solvent is supplied into a trap column (7) by a pump (5), an eluate containing a target compound exiting from the column (7) flows through a preparative separation passage (13) and drips from a solution nozzle (13a), and this solution is separated into fine droplets by a gas stream blowing from a gas ejection nozzle (15a). When a droplet touches an inner wall of the container (17), the volatile solvent immediately vaporizes, leaving the target compound precipitated in solid forms on the inner wall. Thus, the process of vaporizing and drying the eluate to collect the target compound is completed within a short period of time. This process can be performed online and hence is suitable for laborsaving.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Publication date: December 2, 2010
    Applicant: Shimadzu Corporation
    Inventors: Yutaka Kono, Masayuki Nishimura, Bob Boughtflower, Przemyslaw Stasica
  • Publication number: 20100264097
    Abstract: The present invention refers to a hollow microsphere having a porous circumferential wall comprised of nanofilaments.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2008
    Publication date: October 21, 2010
    Applicant: NANYANG TECHNOLOGICAL UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Delai Darren Sun, Pei Fung Lee, Xiwang Zhang, Jianhong Du, James O. Leckie
  • Publication number: 20100258251
    Abstract: A systems design is disclosed which converts Geopressured-Geothermal (GPGT) brine into saturated brine in concert with the production of electricity from GPGT brine energy. The design integrates a GPGT conversion system which super-concentrates a portion of the GPGT brine, utilizing that portion's thermal energy, with a system designed to produce electricity from the remainder of GPGT brine energy. The end-brine from the electricity producing system is concentrated (sub-saturated) in a spray evaporation pond, which serves as a heat sink for both systems, and is combined with the super-saturated product brine from the GPGT conversion system, resulting in a saturated brine end-product. The saturated brine can be used for beneficial purposes, including for use as bulk material in the construction of salinity gradient solar ponds (SGSP), which collect, store, and deliver solar thermal baseload power (e.g., for electricity generation).
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2009
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Inventor: George Nitschke
  • Patent number: 7771567
    Abstract: The salt water distillation system includes a sprinkler to form a mist of salt water over a distillation plate. The distillation plate is heated by applying electrical current to a heating coil. The steam is transferred to a condensation chamber and condensed fresh water is collected. During the desalination process, salt impurities are deposited on the hot distillation plate. A sludge remover, i.e., a steam head and movable ram, is provided to clean the distillation plate of the salt impurities. An exhaust fan is provided to cool fresh water condensate and lower air pressure in the system. Heat transferred from the steam during condensation is used to pre-heat the salt water to increase efficiency of the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Inventors: Michael L. Rives, James O. Riley
  • Patent number: 7744786
    Abstract: A method and device for manufacturing extremely fine particles and porous materials by controlled low temperature drying. An ambient-pressure and ambient-temperature atomizer atomizes a particle precursor solution to create a precursor mist. The precursor mist and dryer gas are fed into a dryer tube through a tangential inlet (swirl generating inlet). The mixed stream forms a helical flow structure within the dryer tube. The swirling mist undergoes drying and particle formation at a relatively low temperature. The flow continues to swirl and drying process continues with repeated passes until the required drying duration is reached. This dryer structure allows for a compact dryer with full control of residence time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2010
    Assignee: Nanomist Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Kayyani C. Adiga
  • Patent number: 7722739
    Abstract: A self-contained evaporation system for use in disposing of excess water from oil and gas drilling operations is provided. The system includes a water holding tank in which the wastewater is preheated, an evaporation chamber mounted over the holding tank and having an open top, a nozzle system located within the chamber for producing a fine liquid mist, and fans disposed within the chamber for producing an air flow that carries the mist out the open top of the chamber. The system can be set up and taken down by one person in an hour or less, can be used with pond or tank operations, and is capable of operating in high winds and sub-zero temperatures. The system can be carried and mounted on a trailer for easy transport to and from various drilling sites.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2010
    Assignee: Evaporite Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Darrin Niles Haslem, Michael Talmadge Lawing
  • Patent number: 7682484
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Process Development Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter R. Cowley, Randolph E. Newman
  • Publication number: 20090199972
    Abstract: A fluid evaporation system includes a housing bounding a fluid reservoir and an air flow path that is disposed over top of the fluid reservoir. The housing has an inlet opening and a spaced apart outlet opening that both provide communication between the outside environment and the air flow path. A fan is positioned to draw the air out of the air flow path through the outlet opening. A baffle projects into the air flow path at a location between inlet opening and the outlet opening so as to constrict the area of the air flow path thereat. A plurality of spray nozzles are positioned within air flow path between the baffle and the first end of the housing. A pump is configured to draw fluid from the reservoir and deliver it to the plurality of spray nozzles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2008
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: CJC HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: Janos I. Lakatos, Edward Clay Slade, Clayton R. Carter
  • Publication number: 20090120590
    Abstract: A heating system for a spray dryer has a heating element, a heating unit having an open-pore metal foam, and a fluid input and a fluid output. The metal foam is arranged between the fluid input and the fluid output so that fluid which flows in through the fluid input and out through the fluid output is laminarized. A method for simultaneously heating and laminarizing a fluid with the aid of an open-pore metal foam is also disclosed, as is an electrostatic precipitator having a sleeve-shaped electrode connected to a base part of the precipitator. Also disclosed is a device for detaching particles from an inner surface of a sleeve-shaped electrode, a method for detaching particles, and a spray dryer with a heating system as above and/or with an electrostatic precipitator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2008
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Applicant: BUCHI LABORTECHNIK AG
    Inventors: Mathias Schon, Ralph Baumgartner
  • Patent number: 7524442
    Abstract: A method and device for manufacturing extremely fine particles and porous materials by controlled low temperature drying. An ambient-pressure and ambient-temperature atomizer atomizes a particle precursor solution to create a precursor mist. The precursor mist and dryer gas are fed into a dryer tube through a tangential inlet (swirl generating inlet). The mixed stream forms a helical flow structure within the dryer tube. The swirling mist undergoes drying and particle formation at a relatively low temperature. The flow continues to swirl and drying process continues with repeated passes until the required drying duration is reached. This dryer structure allows for a compact dryer with full control of residence time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2009
    Assignee: Nanomist Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Kayyani C. Adiga
  • Patent number: 7513972
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a comprehensive, efficient, and cost effective portable evaporator unit, method, and system for the treatment of brine. The evaporator unit, method, and system require a pretreatment process that removes heavy metals, crude oil, and other contaminates in preparation for the evaporator unit. The pretreatment and the evaporator unit, method, and system process metals and brine at the site where they are generated (the well site). Thus, saving significant money to producers who can avoid present and future increases in transportation costs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: Hart Resource Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul John Hart, Bruce G. Miller, Ronald T. Wincek, Glenn E. Decker, David K. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20090065153
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method of crystallization of salt from brine on top of any soil surface through airborne brine droplet crystallization, controlled moisture depth, capillary action and enhanced renewable energy to grow a layer of salt which can be collected. The brine is pumped from an underground source, sprayed in ambient air over a solid surface and, if water is not completely evaporated, allowed to seep through the surface to saturate the capillary zone. Water is evaporated while the sprayed brine is in the air or on the surface where capillary action brings it up to the surface for the water component to be evaporated by net heat gained from the environment resulting in salt crystallization. The evaporation of sprayed brine is enhanced by smaller droplet size, residence time due the spray height and wind machines to reduce humidity and increase natural thermal input.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Inventor: Mansur Abahusayn
  • Publication number: 20080318048
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a microcapsular powder having a latent heat storage material as a capsule core and a capsule wall constructed of from 10% to 100% by weight of one or more C1-C24-alkyl esters of acrylic and/or methacrylic acid (monomers I), from 0% to 80% by weight of a water-insoluble or substantially water-insoluble bi- or polyfunctional monomer (monomers II), and from 0% to 90% by weight of other monomers (monomer III) all based on the total weight of the monomers, having an average particle size in the range of 150-400 ?m and having 80% by weight of particles ?90 ?m in diameter, to a process for its production and to its use in bindered building materials, textiles and dumped beds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2006
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Patrick Amrhein, Albert Spannagel, Hermann Ascherl, Gabriele Lang-Wittkowski
  • Publication number: 20080283199
    Abstract: Techniques used with a solution in which a solid is dissolved in a liquid. In one technique, drops of the solution are sprayed into a stream of gas. The drops are sized to fall through and out of the stream of gas before they are completely evaporated. The partial evaporation leaves the solid entrapped in the drops and the evaporated vapor in the stream of gas. In another technique, the drops are carried by the stream of gas. As the drops are carried, most of the drops are completely evaporated, producing vapor and particles of the solid. A filter filters out the particles. Some of the drops are not completely evaporated when they reach the filter and solution from these drops continuously rinses the filter. Large drops of the rinsing solution fall from the filter, through the stream of gas, and out of the stream of gas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2008
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventor: William F. Hartman
  • Patent number: 7435317
    Abstract: An improved distillation of water. involves distilling significant quantities of water at temperatures well below the boiling point. During distillation, a compound is taken from a liquid-phase to a gas-phase and then condensed to the liquid-phase again to get a pure liquid. The present invention uses water sprayed (105) and absorbed onto a solid surface such as micro-powder (104) made from wood as a starting material. Absorbing water onto such a surface results in rapid evaporation with a relatively low temperature gradient when the water and particles are agitated. The present invention could be characterized as solid-phase distillation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Biomass Conversions, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Seiji Hata
  • Publication number: 20080142166
    Abstract: This invention relates to a process and/or method and associated apparatus for use in spray freeze drying a fluid substance such as fruit juice, pharmaceuticals, nutraceuticals, tea and coffee. A fluid substance is sprayed (atomised) and reduces in temperature to below its eutectic temperature; thereby inducing a phase change of fluids in the fluid substance. The atomised fluid substance (AFS) is then subjected to a vacuumous drying chamber in which the AFS is subjected to an energy source to assist sublimation of fluid from the AFS as it is conveyed through the chamber. Such an energy source can provide a temperature gradient through which the AFS passes and is exposed to, all carried out so as to preferably minimise or reduce the likelihood of degradation of the substance being dried (reducing the fluid content).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2005
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Inventors: James Kenneth Carson, Harold Keith Hill, Donald Michael Graham, Grant Brian Schou
  • Patent number: 7160469
    Abstract: Many areas in the world already suffer shortages of water, and others will suffer from it in the coming years. Therefore more efficient water sweetening is essential for our survival on this planet. The most commonly used water sweetening methods are: Reversed osmosis, distillation, electrodyalisis, and partial freezing. However, these methods suffer from low efficiency and high energy consumption, thus making them significantly more expensive than naturally obtained water. The present invention describes a system & method for efficient and low energy sweetening of water, based on borderline fast fluctuation between liquid to gaseous state and back, by using centrifugal forces to make water droplets fly at a high speed, so that they evaporate for a split second, the salt is separated, and they condense again. The present invention tries to make the process energy-efficient by enabling the use of lower speeds and smaller droplet sizes and solving various problems involved with that.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2007
    Inventors: Yaron Mayer, Boris Dechovich, Haim Gadassi
  • Patent number: 6998026
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ruprecht Kroker, Gerhard Nestler, Werner Schmitt, Winfried Schumm
  • Patent number: 6962006
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for making particles comprising: (a) spraying an emulsion, solution, or suspension, which comprises a solvent and a bulk material (e.g., a pharmaceutical agent), through an atomizer and into a primary drying chamber, having a drying gas flowing therethrough, to form droplets comprising the solvent and bulk material dispersed in the drying gas; (b) evaporating, in the primary drying chamber, at least a portion of the solvent into the drying gas to solidify the droplets and form particles dispersed in drying gas; and (c) flowing the particles and at least a portion of the drying gas through a jet mill to deagglomerate or grind the particles. By coupling spray drying with “in-line” jet milling, a single step process is created from two separate unit operations, and an additional collection step is advantageously eliminated. The one-step, in-line process has further advantages in time and cost of processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Assignee: Acusphere, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Chickering, III, Sridhar Narasimhan, David Altreuter, Paul Kopesky, Mark Keegan, Julie A. Straub, Howard Bernstein
  • Patent number: 6921458
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for making particles comprising: (a) spraying an emulsion, solution, or suspension, which comprises a solvent and a bulk material (e.g., a pharmaceutical agent), through an atomizer and into a primary drying chamber, having a drying gas flowing therethrough, to form droplets comprising the solvent and bulk material dispersed in the drying gas; (b) evaporating, in the primary drying chamber, at least a portion of the solvent into the drying gas to solidify the droplets and form particles dispersed in drying gas; and (c) flowing the particles and at least a portion of the drying gas through a jet mill to deagglomerate or grind the particles. By coupling spray drying with “in-line” jet milling, a single step process is created from two separate unit operations, and an additional collection step is advantageously eliminated. The one-step, in-line process has further advantages in time and cost of processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2005
    Assignee: Acusphere, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Chickering, III, Sridhar Narasimhan, David Altreuter, Paul Kopesky, Mark Keegan, Julie A. Straub, Howard Bernstein
  • Patent number: 6918991
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for making particles comprising: (a) spraying an emulsion, solution, or suspension, which comprises a solvent and a bulk material (e.g., a pharmaceutical agent), through an atomizer and into a primary drying chamber, having a drying gas flowing therethrough, to form droplets comprising the solvent and bulk material dispersed in the drying gas; (b) evaporating, in the primary drying chamber, at least a portion of the solvent into the drying gas to solidify the droplets and form particles dispersed in drying gas; and (c) flowing the particles and at least a portion of the drying gas through a jet mill to deagglomerate or grind the particles. By coupling spray drying with “in-line” jet milling, a single step process is created from two separate unit operations, and an additional collection step is advantageously eliminated. The one-step, in-line process has further advantages in time and cost of processing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Assignee: Acusphere, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald E. Chickering, III, Sridhar Narasimhan, David Altreuter, Paul Kopesky, Mark Keegan, Julie A. Straub, Howard Bernstein
  • Publication number: 20040261952
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a comprehensive, efficient, and cost effective portable evaporator unit, method, and system for the treatment of brine. The evaporator unit, method, and system require a pretreatment process that removes heavy metals, crude oil, and other contaminates in preparation for the evaporator unit. The pretreatment and the evaporator unit, method, and system process metals and brine at the site where they are generated (the well site). Thus, saving significant money to producers who can avoid present and future increases in transportation costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Inventors: Paul John Hart, Bruce G. Miller, Ronald T. Wincek, Glenn E. Decker, David K. Johnson
  • Patent number: 6830654
    Abstract: In the production of water vapor, particularly in the production of especially clean water vapor, dissolved gases, mainly atmospheric gases, are removed from feed water (2). The feed water is sprayed by a spray nozzle (3) mounted in a hemispherical chamber (1) in a spray pattern which matches an area of an upper end (4) of an arrangement of vertical feed tubes of a falling film evaporator. The dissolved gases are liberated quickly from the sprayed droplets and removed through outlets (5) in the hemispherical chamber. The sprayed droplets collect at the upper ends of the vertical evaporation channels and are distributed evenly thereamong before atmospheric gases can be redissolved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2004
    Assignee: Steris Europe Inc Suomen Sivuliike
    Inventor: Mauri Salmisuo
  • Patent number: 6820865
    Abstract: This method achieves spray drying by injection super heated slurry type material counter currently into a duct delivering preheated drying gas. Drying gas velocity is above flooding velocity, and the feed spray is delivered by a variable-flow nozzle valve which maintains constant kinetic energy per unit mass of spray over its flow range. Spray cone angle is also adjusted over the same flow range. Conventional facilities are used for heating drying gas and for collecting dried solids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Inventor: David Nicholson Low
  • Patent number: 6802941
    Abstract: A distillation unit (10) employs a rotary heat exchanger (32) forming a multiplicity of evaporation chambers (56) into which a liquid to be purified is sprayed for evaporation. Spray arms (58) spray at a steady rate into all of the evaporation chambers (56) simultaneously but not at a rate that is adequate to maintain the wetting required for efficient transfer of heat to the liquid. A scanning sprayer (140) supplements this steady spray with spray from nozzles (142 and 144) into only a few of the evaporation chambers at a time, visiting all of them cyclically. The overall rate of spray from the two sources thus combined to spray the chamber cyclically maintains proper wetting even though on average it is lower than the rate that would be required of a constant-rate spray into all of the evaporation chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2004
    Assignee: Ovation Products Corporation
    Inventor: William H. Zebuhr
  • Patent number: 6780450
    Abstract: A process for the production of a fat-containing milk powder by preparing a liquid milk, feeding the prepared liquid milk into an evaporator having at least one stage to obtain a pre-concentrate, homogenizing the pre-concentrate, further evaporating the homogenized pre-concentrate in an evaporator having at least one stage to obtain a concentrate having a total solids content of at least 50%, and then spray drying the concentrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2004
    Assignee: Nestec S.A.
    Inventor: Stefan Bodenstab
  • Patent number: 6699369
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2004
    Assignee: Aquasonics International
    Inventors: William Francis Hartman, Larry Joe Kepley, Jerry Van Fox
  • Patent number: 6685802
    Abstract: This invention relates to a continuous process and an apparatus (1) for removing dissolved and undissolved solids and/or high boiling point liquid contaminants from a mixture of miscible liquids (9). A recycle liquor stream (6) is fed at high velocity through a heat exchanger having a single flow path (12) and the heat added by the heat exchanger is sufficient to vaporize the feed stream (2) when the recycle liquor and feed stream are mixed upon delivery to the separation vessel (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Inventor: Craig Nazzer
  • Patent number: 6547970
    Abstract: A method for the treatment of a wiping solution, characterized by including: adding a flocculant to a used wiping solution for flocculation of ink contained in said used wiping solution; filtering said used wiping solution for separation of said used wiping solution into sludge and a filtrate; heating said filtrate to produce distilled water and a concentrated solution; returning said distilled water for recycling to serve as a raw material of a wiping solution; and heating said concentrated solution for separation of said concentrated solution into steam and a solid residue. An apparatus for performing the method of the present invention is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2003
    Assignee: Komori Corporation
    Inventor: Nobuyoshi Shinoda
  • Patent number: 6528594
    Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a flowable granulate by means of spray granulation, which comprises using as starting material a formulation in liquid form comprising (a) a substance or a mixture of substances that is in the form of a waxy or cohesive solid at room temperature, and (b) up to 20% by weight, based on the amount of component (a), of a substance having a specific surface >3 m2/g that is insoluble in component (a), yields granulates that have a narrow particle size distribution and a low dust content and that are stable to storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2003
    Assignee: Vantico Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Bauer, Christoph Rickert
  • Patent number: 6500216
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus of producing natural salt or fresh water by treating sea water in an extremely short period of time and with high efficiently. The distilled water and salt components are treated for expediting crystallization of the salt components by evaporating water components by atomizing sea water and blowing warm wind thereto. During this treatment, there are provided a method and an apparatus of arranging net or cloth at one stage or a plurality of stages in a midway of a flow of the evaporated water components and adhering the salt components on the net or the cloth when the evaporated water components pass through the net or the cloth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Inventor: Masakatsu Takayasu
  • Publication number: 20020174960
    Abstract: A deflecting element for the vapors which are released inside an evaporation chamber (1) into which opens a vertical pipe (6) feeding from the top the product to be concentrated, which is sprinkled through a perforated plate (7) fixed to a collet (16) arranged at the end of pipe (6) surrounded by a bell-like body (17), coaxially arranged with respect to it, characterized in that it is formed of a cylindrical cover (11) having the lateral face provided with a plurality of holes (12), the upper circumference (14) fixed in a tight way to the voult of evaporation chamber (1) and the lower circumferences connected to a frustoconical body (13) whose minor base is, in its turn, connected to a cylindrical collar (15) surrounding in a non-tight way the terminal collet (16) of the pipe (6) whereto perforated plate (7) is fixed, which sprinkles the product to be concentrated inside the evaporation chamber (1).
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Publication date: November 28, 2002
    Inventor: Giacomo Guatelli
  • Publication number: 20020092759
    Abstract: A distillation unit (10) employs a rotary heat exchanger (32) forming a multiplicity of evaporation chambers (56) into which a liquid to be purified is sprayed for evaporation. Spray arms (58) spray at a steady rate into all of the evaporation chambers (56) simultaneously but not at a rate that is adequate to maintain the wetting required for efficient transfer of heat to the liquid. A scanning sprayer (140) supplements this steady spray with spray from nozzles (142 and 144) into only a few of the evaporation chambers at a time, visiting all of them cyclically. The overall rate of spray from the two sources thus combined to spray the chamber cyclically maintains proper wetting even though on average it is lower than the rate that would be required of a constant-rate spray into all of the evaporation chambers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventor: William H. Zebuhr
  • Publication number: 20020092624
    Abstract: In a distillation unit (10) a rotary heat exchanger (32) receives from a radially inward position feed liquid to be purified and collects on the inner surface of a rotating exterior shell (36) liquid that has passed through its evaporation chambers (56). Stationary scoop tubes (122 and 124) scoop liquid from the resultant liquid layer that forms on the shell (36)'s inner surface, and the kinetic energy of the liquid scooped from the thus-spinning layer drives it radially inward through the scoop tubes (122 and 124) into spray arms (58) for reintroduction into the rotary heat exchanger's evaporation chambers (56).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2001
    Publication date: July 18, 2002
    Inventor: William H. Zebuhr
  • Publication number: 20020088703
    Abstract: A method to treat wastewater brines to remove the salts prior to discharge. The method includes evaporating the water component of the pretreatment effluent into the atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2001
    Publication date: July 11, 2002
    Inventor: Thomas Jeffrey Walker
  • Patent number: 6364996
    Abstract: A bifurcated fan (1) which draws in atmospheric air through air/liquid contact blocks of plastic grids which are sprayed with the liquid to be treated. The blocks change position in order to be sprayed on both front surfaces alternatively and thus remain clean. The liquid evaporates in the contact blocks and the concentrate is dehydrated in a secondary laminar evaporation base. The arrangement into converging sectors provides a geometry with minimal aerodynamic losses in a liquid with organic matter. The device includes a central tank which facilitates an aerobic biopurification process aided by the oxygenation in the contact blocks. Thermal exchanges may be included at the air inlet, using residual energy, particularly from thermal engines to which it provides refrigeration and cleaning of exhaust gases.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Assignee: Igenieria Y Circuitos, S.L.
    Inventor: Jose Manuel Martinez Barrado
  • Patent number: 6338774
    Abstract: A liquid distributor includes a principal container with a perforated bottom, as well as transport members to transmit, by gravity, the liquid from at least one opening in the perforated bottom, to a supply point not in vertical alignment with this opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide Societe Anonyme pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventor: Jean-Yves Lehman
  • Patent number: 6299735
    Abstract: An array of sonic hydraulic nozzles for injecting a mixture of water with dissolved or suspended particulate into a chamber to form a continuous spray of spherical droplets. Low pressure areas form in the wakes of the droplets which promotes a phase change and evaporation upon being submerged in heat vortices created along the edges of the sonic shock waves. All dissolved and/or suspended solid particles in the mixture precipitate from the spray upon the vaporization of the water. Shortly thereafter, the particle-free vapor re-condenses into a dense water mist of substantially pure water, while releasing the excess heat captured in the evaporation vortices. The water mist then is absorbed by nucleating screens located above the nozzles. The screens concentrate the dense mist into water streams through a channel running out of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2001
    Assignee: U.S. Aquasonics Corp.
    Inventor: Manuel G. Lumbreras
  • Publication number: 20010011631
    Abstract: An array of sonic hydraulic nozzles for injecting a mixture of water with dissolved or suspended particulate into a chamber to form a continuous spray of spherical droplets. Low pressure areas form in the wakes of the droplets which promotes a phase change and evaporation upon being submerged in heat vortices created along the edges of the sonic shock waves. All dissolved and/or suspended solid particles in the mixture precipitate from the spray upon the vaporization of the water. Shortly thereafter, the particle-free vapor re-condenses into a dense water mist of substantially pure water, while releasing the excess heat captured in the evaporation vortices. The water mist then is absorbed by nucleating screens located above the nozzles. The screens concentrate the dense mist into water streams through a channel running out of the apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2001
    Publication date: August 9, 2001
    Inventor: Manuel G. Lumbreras
  • Patent number: 6200428
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Inventor: Raymond E. VanKouwenberg
  • Patent number: 6190498
    Abstract: A relatively simple portable evaporator for quickly evaporating large volumes of water includes a stand with adjustable legs, a frame carrying a tubular housing and a motor rotatably mounted on the stand for rotation around a vertical axis, a fan in the housing driven by the motor, a nozzle rotatably mounted on one end of the housing for directing air from the fan upwardly and outwardly from the housing, and a manifold carrying a plurality of jets for receiving water from a tailings pond or other source and spraying the water into a stream of air exiting the nozzle for expediting evaporation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Slimline Mfg. Ltd.
    Inventor: Kim Blagborne