Abstract: The deodorization and/or physical refining of high-boiling organic edible oils, fats and esters is carried out according to the principle of continuous counter-current falling film stripping steam distillation in an internally imposed temperature field in at least two different zones having different flow conditions for the liquid film and the vapors, respectively, prevailing therein. In the initial zone 10 directly adjacent the liquid charge and ensuring at least two separation stages the vapors flow through trickle passages having a hydraulic equivalent diameter of 73 to 150 mm. If necessary, this initial zone may be subdivided, wherein in the first sub-zone the trickle passages are provided with hydraulic equivalent diameters of 120 to 150 mm and in the second sub-zone the trickle passages are provided with hydraulic equivalent diameters of 73 to 120 mm.

Abstract: A still comprises a housing, a hollow rotor rotatably mounted in the housing and having one or more outlets for liquid at the periphery thereof, means for rotating the rotor about its axis, a plurality of concentric lamellar bodies of thermally conductive material mounted in the hollow interior of said rotor so as to provide a labyrinthine path within the rotor for liquid moving radially outwardly under centrifugal force and for vapor moving radially inwardly with respect to the rotor, vaporizing means for vaporizing liquid to be distilled, liquid inlet means for introducing liquid to a radially inner part of the hollow interior of said rotor, vapor outlet means communicating with a radially inner part of the hollow interior of said rotor, and liquid outlet means for removal of liquid from the housing, whereby in use vapor is constrained to move radially inwardly and liquid to move radially outwardly under centrifugal force within said rotor, fractionation occurring at least in part by condensation of vapor o

Abstract: The present invention concerns a process for the thin layer evaporation of liquid in which the thin layer to be evaporated is formed by centrifugation.It is characterized in that the pointed part of the said cone is immersed in a reserve of liquid to be evaporated and a communication is established between the external face of the said pointed part of the cone and the internal face of this cone, so that the thin layer subjected to evaporation is formed on the internal face and on the external face of the cone.It concerns a device and installation for the distillation by evaporation in thin layers, particularly for hydrocarbons, and process for operating this device.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for recovering a solvent from a mixture containing the solvent is disclosed. In certain aspects, a portion of the recovered liquid is recycled and used in the evaporative process, such as for the seal liquid in a liquid ring vacuum pump. In another aspect, the initial separation is achieved in a thin film evaporator operating under partial vacuum from the liquid ring vacuum pump.

Abstract: A closed cycle recovery system and apparatus for continuously recovering residual products which have been washed or flushed from tank trucks, tank cars, and other transportation or storage containers while simultaneously separating and recovering the water, solvent or other fluids which are used to wash or flush such tanks and containers in which a mixture of the water, solvent, and other fluids, and the residual product is separated by evaporation of the water, solvent, or other fluids by passing the mixture through a distillation chamber having a series of tube and flat plate heat exchange surfaces so that the individual fluids and product may be purified and separately stored for further use.

Abstract: An apparatus for concentrating a dilute solution comprising a heat receiving thin plate which has a good thermal conductivity and is provided on its rear surface not facing a heat source with a liquid absorbing layer for absorbing a solution supplied thereto for concentration, and at least one condensation thin plate which has a good thermal conductivity and is provided with a liquid absorbing layer on at least one surface thereof, the heat receiving plate and the condensation plate or plates being arranged in parallel spaced relationship with each other and each of them being partly formed with at least one groove for supplying the solution to be concentrated to the liquid absorbing layers. A dilute solution supplied to and impregnated in the liquid absorbing layers through the grooves is concentrated by the heat supplied to the heat receiving plate or the latent heat of condensation released to the condensation plate.

Abstract: Elastic scraper for high-capacity continuous molecular evaporation and reactors with a wiped-off film, the scraper being in the form of a plurality of wiping segments mounted upon a wiping device having a plurality of circumferentially spaced parallel supporting rods which rotate with respect to the surface of the apparatus from which the film is to be wiped. The wiping segments are held from above by an elastic spring which connected them to their respective supporting rods. The supporting rods may be floatingly mounted, as by connecting segments which are mutually joined whereby to provide the supporting rods and the wiping segments supported thereby with limited concumferential movement with respect to the surface to be wiped.

Abstract: Water is removed from methanesulfonic acid to produce an anhydrous product of high purity by spraying wet methanesulfonic acid (MSA) onto the walls of a vertical, heated tube which is maintained at reduced pressure. The water evaporates as the acid flows down the walls of the tube and dry MSA is removed at the bottom.

Abstract: In a process for the utilization of the heat content of combustible components in sludges, in particular in clarification sludges, the sludge, which still contains a proportion of water, is burnt in a pressure-tight furnace. The resulting steam and exhaust gases are conducted through heat exchangers and a thin layer evaporator, and the exhaust heat and heat of condensation effect, in one or more stages, a heating and thickening of the sludge to be burnt. Pressure-drop machines can be driven by the excess pressure of the exhaust gases, steam circuits and liquid circuits.

Abstract: Concentration of a liquid by evaporation is performed in a heat exchanger having riser tubes for the liquid and a granular mass fluidized by the liquid to occupy the tubes. At their upper and lower ends the tubes open into upper and lower chambers. A hot medium contacts the tubes to transfer heat to the liquid. In order to render this heat exchanger effective for evaporation concentration, means are provided for vapor collection and discharge from the upper chamber, the riser tubes extend above the base of the upper chamber. A return conduit for recirculation of the liquid and granular mass connects the upper chamber to the lower chamber, opening in each case at a lower level than the riser tubes. Supply and discharge connections for the liquid are at levels lower than the upper ends of the riser tubes.

Abstract: Crude tall oil and water undergo a mass transfer at predetermined temperature and pressure values so as to remove salts from the oil. The flow of the crude oil through a collector disposed beneath an evaporator is maintained at a speed 8 to 80 times less than the trickling speed of the crude oil flowing through the evaporator. Salts are also precipitated from the crude oil by a cooling process.

Abstract: An energy efficient falling film evaporator having a plurality of substantially vertical and equidistant heat exchange elements made of a synthetic polymeric material. Each evaporating surface is in contact with a liquid spreading means, and each heat exchange element is heated by steam having a condensation temperature slightly higher than the boiling point of the aqueous solution from which water is being evaporated. Steam formed by evaporation of water either is recompressed and reintroduced as heating steam in a single-stage process or is used as heating steam for another stage, operating at a lower temperature and pressure, in a multistage process. Heating steam condenses to fresh water, which is recovered. This process is operated at a lower temperature and pressure, in a multistage apparatus. Heating steam condenses to fresh water, which is recovered.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a method and an apparatus for the vaporization of liquid in a heat exchanger of the vertical-tube type, in which exchanger the vapor or liquid delivering the heat is passed through the tubes of the group (7) of tubes in the heat exchanger preferably from the bottom upwards. The group (7) of tubes is passed through at least one nozzle plate (18) or nozzle basin (22) so that nozzle openings (16, 20, 23) surrounding the tubes are formed between the openings in the nozzle plates and the tubes. In the heat exchanger the liquid to be vaporized is passed to the mantle side into the upper part of the heat exchanger or into each nozzle basin of the heat exchanger separately and is guided so as to flow downwards on the outer face of the group (7) of tubes as a liquid film.

Abstract: A process for dehydrating vegetables comprises first comminuting whole, uncooked vegetables to produce a puree. By passing the puree through a first-stage finishing step, and a second-stage finishing step having a finer screen size than the first stage, a puree substantially free from hardened vegetable particles is obtained. The puree may be dried by a variety of techniques to obtain a dehydrated product which, when reconstituted, displays a particularly smooth texture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for purifying (deodorizing and/or deacidifying) high-boiling, heat-sensitive organic liquids, the method including passing the impure organic liquid in counter-current flow to a carrier vapor of low molecular weight (steam) while the organic liquid is in the form of thin films falling through a multiplicity of parallel, vertically-oriented tubular flow channels, the inside diameters of the flow channels being between 34 and 72 mm, their lengths being between 6 and 16 meters, a heating medium also being present in association with the flow channels, the flow rates and temperatures of the various fluids being controlled to reduce the consumption of carrier vapor and provide a short thermal stress time for the organic liquid.

Abstract: Long chain fatty alcohols can be removed from alkylpolysaccharide products in thin film evaporators to achieve fatty alcohol levels of less than about 2% without excessive discoloration of the alkylpolysaccharide.

Abstract: In the concentration of radioactive combustible waste comprising evaporating and drying a radioactive combustible waste slurry by a thin film drier, the radioactive combustible wastes and an incombustible material, such as sodium sulfate, etc. obtained from a nuclear reactor effluent are mixed together in an amount of not more than 70% by weight, preferably 43 to 70% by weight, of radioactive combustible waste on the basis of a mixture on dry basis, and the mixture is fed to the thin film drier and evaporated and dried therein. A risk of powder explosion and fire is prevented in the drying step thereby.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the continuous contact and the subsequent separation from one another of immiscible fluids differing in density from one another, in which the entrainment of either fluid by the other is suppressed by obliging the less dense fluid to flow radially inward, from an annular passage between the interlapped walls of two coaxial conduits, through a generally continuous spinning ring of the denser fluid connecting the overlapped outlet of the inner conduit with the overlapping wall of the outer conduit, the two immiscible fluids separating centrifugally from one another with the less dense fluid being withdrawn from an inner space closer to the axis of spin than the surrounding denser fluid being separately withdrawn from the outer conduit.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for removing volatile matter such as solvents and monomers from highly viscous materials such as synthetic polymers by the use of a falling-film evaporator.When a polymer composition containing a high concentration of the volatile matter, solvent and/or unreacted monomer, is preheated and then fed to a falling-film evaporator, the monomer reacts at a high temperature in the preheating, yielding its polymer of low molecular weight, and as a result the polymer quality deteriorates. When fed at a relatively low temperature, the polymer composition increases its viscosity with the vaporization of the solvent and/or monomer and becomes liable to partly solidify on account of the temperature drop due to the latent heat of vaporization, so that smooth treatment is difficult.

Abstract: An alkaline solution film flowing from the top toward the bottom in falling-film evaporator tubes (1) is heated by a heat-transfer fluid flowing from the bottom toward the top in a narrow heating jacket (5). Since large temperature differences occur between the heat-transfer fluid and the alkaline solution film in the upper heated portion of the evaporator tube (1), in contrast to the lower portion, especially at high flow rate as it occurs in a narrow heating jacket (5), the heat flow density can at that location lead to a lack of wetting of the evaporator tube. To avoid such critical heat flow densities, the upper section (5a) of the heating jacket (5) is conically widened and thus the flow rate in this section is reduced to such an extent that a critical heat flow density is not reached at that point.

Abstract: An energy-efficient water evaporation process uses a falling film evaporator having a plurality of substantially vertical and equidistant heat exchange elements made of a synthetic polymeric material. Each evaporating surface is in contact with a liquid spreading means, and each heat exchange element is heated by steam having a condensation temperature slightly higher than the boiling point of the aqueous solution from which water is being evaporated. Steam formed by evaporation of water either is recompressed and reintroduced as heating steam in a single-stage process or is used as heating steam for another stage, operating at a lower temperature and pressure, in a multistage process. Heating steam condenses to fresh water, which is recovered. This process is operated at a low feed rate, preferably below 45 Kg of incoming aqueous solution per linear meter of horizontal width of each evaporating surface, and is capable of providing a 50% fresh water recovery per pass from sea water.

Abstract: A continuous process is disclosed which comprises introducing a sulfonatable or sulfatable organic liquid onto a rotating reaction surface as a thin film, rotating the reaction surface at a velocity such that the thin film is continuously moved toward the periphery of the reaction surface, dividing the reaction surface into a plurality of areas, depositing within each area a controlled quantity of gaseous sulfur trioxide over the liquid film, maintaining the pressure during the reaction at subatmospheric levels, controlling the temperature of the reaction surface, moving the reaction product by centrifugal action to the periphery of the reaction surface and continuously collecting the reaction product.An apparatus for carrying out such a process is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of thermally treating flowable material by spreading the material mechanically on a wall of a treatment chamber, wherein resulting vapors are passed co-currently with the material in a first upstream section of the treatment zone, and counter-currently in an adjoining second, downstream, section of the treatment zone and removed from the treatment zone through an inlet to a discharge tube which inlet is generally in a transverse plane between the sections.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for concentrating aqueous urea solutions in which an aqueous urea solution is allowed to flow as a falling film in countercurrent contact with a stream of hot inert gas to concentrate it to 95-99% by weight and the aqueous urea solution so concentrated is then passed through a packed zone in cocurrent contact with a stream of hot inert gas to concentrate it to not less than 99.5% by weight.

Abstract: Drying radioactive waste water concentrates from evaporators to produce a dried product of low residual moisture by(a) preheating a waste water concentrate with a solids content of at most 20% by weight to a temperature of 50.degree.-70.degree. C.,(b) passing the preheated concentrate with a solids content of at most 20% by weight into a two-cylinder drier at the rate of 10 to 20 liters per square meter of usable cylinder surface per hour,(c) maintaining the cylinder temperature between about 160.degree. to 210.degree. C.,(d) retaining the concentrate in the drier for a residence time of 7 to 18 seconds on the cylinder to produce a dried product of low residual moisture on the cylinder surface, and(e) discharging the dried product of low residual moisture from the cylinder surface.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for treating a slurry of cuttings in an oil base oil well drilling fluid, such as is typically used in drilling production wells. The cuttings having a coating of hydrocarbon substances after treatment in the apparatus are sufficiently free of hydrocarbons to be dischargeable into a body of water without creating an environmental problem or a discernible film on the surface of the water. A two-stage continuous process is used for raising the temperature of a relatively thin layer of pulverized rock fragments or other cuttings to effect serial evolution of hydrocarbons in gaseous form. In the first stage, the incoming rock fragments are forced into a thin annular region bounded by a surrounding wall of corrosion-resistent metal raised to a temperature at which the bulk of hydrocarbon products are gasified for removal.

Abstract: This invention relates to a distillation column for removing vinyl chloride monomer or other volatile material from an emulsion, suspension or dispersion containing such material. The apparatus comprises a column in which a series of inverted cones are mounted. The dispersion or emulsion is pulled downwardly over the cones and steam is fed into the column through sparges and flows upwardly against the descending stream of material. The low boiling materials are distilled out and recovered for reuse. The strips emulsion or dispersion are collected at the bottom of the column.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved waste heat disposal process characterized primarily by splitting the total cooling load between two or more open-looped evaporative cooling circuits, staging the circuits in series such that each successive circuit has a greater dissolved solids carrying capacity than the preceding one, using the brine blown down from a preceding circuit as the coolant circulated within the next succeeding one, and treating only the blowdown from one circuit to the relatively greater extent necessary to accommodate the increased solids-carrying capacity of the next. The invention also includes the feature of essentially staging the heat load by dividing same into two or more parts and handling the different parts by separate and distinct evaporative cooling loops.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the continuous contact and the subsequent separation from one another of immiscible fluids differing in density from one another, in which the entrainment of either fluid by the other is suppressed by obliging the less dense fluid to flow radially inward, from an annular passage between the interlapped walls of two coaxial conduits, through a generally continuous spinning ring of the denser fluid connecting the overlapped outlet of the inner conduit with the overlapping wall of the outer conduit, the two immiscible fluids separating centrifugally from one another with the less dense fluid being withdrawn from an inner space closer to the axis of spin than the surrounding denser fluid being separately withdrawn from the outer conduit.

Abstract: An apparatus for concentrating polyvinyl alcohol liquid which comprises a supply line for supplying a liquid containing polyvinyl alcohol, a filter in connection with the supply line for filtering foreign materials from the liquid, a first tank for receiving the liquid after the liquid is passed through the filter, a preliminary mixing apparatus in fluid connection with the first tank, an evaporator in fluid connection with the preliminary mixing apparatus, the evaporator including a plurality of pipes through which the liquid may flow, a steam heating assembly in connection with the evaporator for heating the liquid flowing through the plurality of pipes, a second tank in fluid connection with the evaporator, the second tank receiving the liquid from the plurality of pipes within the evaporator, a return pipe in fluid connection with the second tank for returning liquid contained within the second tank to the preliminary mixing apparatus such that the liquid may be combined within the preliminary mixing appa

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the adiabatic flashing of liquids and more particular, to flashing in a series of sequential stages to obtain vapor at successively lower pressure for each succeeding stage. A common application of such flashers is in the multistage flash process for desalination of sea water and brackish water.

Abstract: An interface between a liquid chromatograph and a mass spectrometer is provided for conducting a liquid stream from the chromatograph to the spectrometer. The stream passes from the chromatograph continuously along a tapered concentrator wire toward the narrow end of the wire. The stream is heated in order to evaporate solvent therefrom and to increase the concentration of the solute therein. When the stream reaches the narrow end of the wire, the vacuum created by the mass spectrometer draws the stream through an elongated capillary tube which has a pointed carrier wire positioned therein. A gap is provided in the tube where the tube and the carrier wire intersect the concentrator wire. The capillary tube is either formed with a reduced diameter at one end adjacent the spectrometer or the carrier wire has a ball of solder at that end in order to partially restrict the flow through the tube.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multiple phase flow tube for evaporating and reacting components in compound mixtures in which a spiral pipe is arranged within a multiple phase flow pipe. The components are propelled by means of an internally flowing gas stream in an annular shaped passage formed by a spiral tube and a second tube arranged as a core of the spiral tube. The second tube contains a heat exchange medium. The spiral tube is arranged within a cylindrical casing which contains a heat exchange medium. A gaseous stream of a reduced amount is then sufficient for carrying out the particular chemical process desired.

Abstract: A process for preparing an aqueous solution of acrylamide, which comprisescatalytically hydrating acrylonitrile in the presence of a metal-containing catalyst to form a mixed aqueous solution containing about 15 to about 35% by weight of acrylamide and about 0.5 to about 20% by weight of acrylonitrile, andconcentrating the mixed aqueous solution to a high concentration aqueous solution of acrylamide having an acrylonitrile concentration of about 0.1% by weight or less using a centrifugal film evaporator in which a stream of mixed aqueous solution and a stream of evaporated vapor flow countercurrently to each other.

Abstract: A thin layer evaporator which has a vapor lock above the solvent inlet is used for the preparation of distillate-free sump product which is obtained as solid from the concentration of solutions of water, organic substances and non-volatile constituents and dissolved in solvents.

Abstract: A corrosive liquid such as sulphuric acid is concentrated using two spaced concentric tubes. A film of the acid flows down the inside of the inner tube and hot flue gases contact the outside of the outer tube. Advantageously, the inner tube transmits radiant energy, e.g. is made of quartz, so the outer tube heats the inner tube by radiation. This absence of mechanical stress on the inner tube increases its life. The water vapor is taken off at the top of the inner tube and concentrated solution at the bottom. If desired, the tubes could be reversed with the flue gases going through the inner tube and the outer tube being of quartz with the liquid flowing on its outside.

Abstract: A process for removing vaporizable constituents from high-viscosity solutions or melts of thermoplastics by continuous evaporation along a heated devolatilization zone and separation of the vapor phase from the liquid phase in a downstream separating vessel. The plastic solution or melt is first heated stepwise in increments, in the devolatilization zone, while the product is in the form of thin layers from about 0.5 to 4 mm, so as to maintain a temperature difference of less than 50.degree. C.

Abstract: A multi-stage apparatus suited for concentrating sulphuric acid comprising at least one high temperature stage and one low temperature stage, the high temperature stage including a surrounding wall defining a flue gas channel, means for delivering hot flue gas to said channel, and means for withdrawing from said channel cooled flue gas, the flue gas heating said surrounding wall which in turn imparts heat to material to be heated thereby, the low temperature stage including a heat exchanger with a first flow path for a heating agent and a second flow path for a material to be heated thereby, means for supplying the said second flow path material to be heated, means for withdrawing from said second flow path material after having been heated therein, and means for withdrawing from said first flow path spent heating agent, the means for withdrawing cooled flue gas from said flue channel of said high temperature stage forwarding heat from said cooled flue gas to said first flow path of said low temperature stage

Abstract: In a process and apparatus for the treatment of liquids containing solid particles, the mixture is first formed into a film to run down the walls of an enclosure having a frustro conical top wall and be subjected to a drying gas flow, and the partially dried mixture is then led back to a spray inlet to discharge as an atomized spray within the same enclosure for a second stage of drying, which may include combustion of solid particles, also within the same enclosure.

Abstract: A method of concentrating or evaporating water from water-containing liquids in a falling-stream or falling-film evaporator through which the liquid is caused to pass downwardly through ribbed tubes which are heated externally. The material to be evaporated is distributed uniformly to the evaporator tubes and driving steam is simultaneously introduced into the latter at a velocity so controlled with respect to the pressure that turbulence develops at the inlet to the tubes. The mixture of the material to be evaporated and drive steam is caused to rotate about the longitudinal axis of the evaporator tubes as the mixture traverses same and the concentrated product is separated from the steam and product vapors at the outlet end of the tubes.

Abstract: Viscous brines or other viscous solutions are evaporated in a falling film evaporator in which a header having a plurality of distributor arms supplying rapidly moving solution to feed tubes is formed with a graduated cross section and the feed tubes have a total cross-sectional area substantially equal to the cross section of the line through which the viscous solution is pumped so that a substantially constant velocity is maintained throughout the header. To employ a tubular evaporator, the viscous solution from the feed tubes is spread out on a conical distributor positioned at the upper end of each evaporator tube to deposit a film of solution on the interior of these tubes.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for heating and removing moisture from moist or watery material, wherein a watery material is introduced into one end of a rotating cylindrical drum having a section divided into a number of longitudinally extending compartments including a center compartment and circumferential compartments surrounding the center compartment and each accommodating freely disposed packing members. A hot gas is blown axially through the drum while the packing members in the respective compartments are caused to tumble in contact with the watery material to transfer the sensible heat of the hot gas thereto.

Abstract: A thin-film wiped evaporator with rotary blades having a helical twist, the twist of the blades increasing from the one to the other end so as to provide a maximum twist at the one or the other end of the evaporator.

Abstract: Dried tea flakes are prepared by vacuum drum drying a tea extract having a solids content of 40-55% which extract is applied to the drum in a film having a thickness of between 0.065 and 0.005 cm. The drum is maintained at an internal temperature of 95.degree.-125.degree. C. Water is evaporated from the film under vacuum from 3-15 torr over a period of from 10-150 seconds to result in a dried product having an apparent density of less than 12 grams per 100 cc.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recovering flux salt and recycling or reusing the same in an aluminum refining method by introducing salt brine into a cylindrical evaporator with hot evaporator gas, rotating the evaporator to expose the brine to the hot gas and removing the slurry from the evaporator.

Abstract: A method for economically concentrating an acrylamide aqueous solution by catalytic hydration without substantial deterioration in the product. According to the method, an acrylamide aqueous solution obtained from catalytic hydration, is concentrated by distillation while maintaining the solution in good contact with at least 0.1 mole. or more of air per mole of water distilled from the acrylamide aqueous solution.

Abstract: Diepoxides of the general formula: ##STR1## wherein n has an average value not exceeding 0.03 and R is the bisphenyl radical of bisphenol-A are recovered from an epoxy resin of the same general formula with n varying from 0.07 to 0.30, by removing the low-boiling substance from the epoxy resin at 0.1-1 mm Hg and 165.degree.-200.degree. C and distilling off said diepoxide from the thus treated epoxy resin at 0.1-0.005 mm Hg and a temperature not exceeding 240.degree. C. The low viscosity, narrow molecular weight distribution and excellent purity of these diepoxides allow their use in critical application fields.

Abstract: A process for removing unreacted monomers or solvents from synthetic rubber latex or synthetic resin latex comprising bringing said latex into contact with an inert gas fluid at a temperature ranging from 40.degree. to 100.degree. C by feeding said latex into the upper part of a wetted-wall tower without imposing any substantial mechanical shear stress.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for manufacturing dry, solid molasses of greatly improved storage stability uses thin-layer cooling to ensure that the dried molasses has been cooled to the core. The cooled molasses is then precrushed and pulverized by impact without crushing or significant friction.

Abstract: A method of treating waste liquors such as those derived from the sulfite or Kraft pulp making process is disclosed which provides recovered by-products of high purity while moreover decreasing the total amount of process steam required. The method comprises steam stripping the evaporator condensate feed to remove volatile chemical by-products therefrom, and thereafter directing the stripping steam for reuse in concentrating additional volumes of feed in the evaporator. In this manner, the only steam lost during the stripping operation is that used for increasing the sensible heat of the evaporator condensate feed within the steam stripping column. The condensed steam and volatile by-products resulting from evaporator heating operation are then preferably directed to a fractionation column or columns in order to separate and recover the valuable by-products for reuse or sale.