Abstract: A method and apparatus for the dehydration of cattle and horse manure, cow dung or pig droppings, characterized by the action of a flow of hot air and of ultrasonic radiation along the path of the matter to be dehydrated, and that of microwave radiation at a preferred frequency of 2450 MHz which produces internal heating, these actions taking place separately or in conjunction. Manure from which gas has previously been removed by aspiration at temperature lower than that of self-ignition, is utilized. Combustible gases are recovered and used preferably to the heating of the air.Two types of apparatus are envisaged, one incorporating a conveyor belt and the other a helical worm provided with a plurality of perforations for the hot air to pass through. The ultrasonic radiation accelerates evaporation and discourages matter from adhering to the surfaces.

Abstract: Method of concentrating sodium or potassium hydroxide liquids by means of a heated evaporator whereby for a preliminary pre-evaporation of the liquid to be concentrated the liquid is first of all heated by direct contact with the superheated evaporation vapors issuing from the evaporator; a suitable apparatus for this method is disclosed which comprises an evaporator and a pre-evaporator this arranged at the upstream side of the evaporator and heated by direct contact with the evaporation vapors issuing from the evaporator.

Abstract: An improved thin-film rotary evaporator wherein a meshtype deentrainment material having a large amount of free space is secured in the vapor chamber to the rotor shaft for rotation therewith to entrain particles from the vapor phase without a large pressure drop.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the recovery of acrylonitrile and other monomers from an aqueous polymer dispersion by continuous distillation in a thin-layer evaporator under reduced pressure, condensation of the evaporated monomers in a condenser under the same or similar reduced pressure and subsequent condensation or absorption respectively of the monomer vapors which have not been condensed in the condenser at a higher pressure.

Abstract: A method for continuously crystallizing a solid component by continuously feeding a solution of the solid component in water or an organic solvent to a centrifugal film evaporator equipped with a scraper blade, which comprises feeding the solution from the top of the evaporator which comprises a heating section in the upper stream and a cooling section in the lower stream, forming a film of the solution on the wall of the evaporator, passing the film of the solution down into the heating section in order to evaporate the solvent, discharging the evaporated solvent from an upper outlet by feeding an inert gas or aspirating the solvent vapor in order to prevent the passage of evaporated solvent into the cooling section and contacting the cooling section of the evaporator with the concentrated solution whereby a crystallized solid or a slurry of solid particles is formed.This is a continuation, of application Ser. No. 443,519, filed Feb. 19, 1974 now abandoned.

Abstract: Dried tea flakes are prepared by vacuum drum drying. A tea extract having a solids content of 40 to 55% is applied to a drum in a film having a thickness of up to 0.09 centimeters. The drum is maintained at an internal temperature of 95.degree. to 125.degree.C. Water is evaporated from the film under vacuum of 3 to 15 Tor or in 10 to 150 seconds to result in dried product having an apparent density of less than 12 grams per 100cc.

Abstract: Heat-sensitive, foamable liquids such as latex, are concentrated in a continuous process without foaming by feeding a heated liquid to a tubular evaporation chamber maintained at a reduced pressure where the liquid is adiabatically vaporized and forms an annularly flowing two-phase stream. The liquid and vapor phases are largely separated in the evaporation chamber by centrifugal forces acting on the stream. The final separation and isolation of the liquid phase is achieved in a separator consisting of a cyclone separator, a reservoir for the concentrated liquid and a settling chamber.

Abstract: A supersaturated sugar syrup is crystallized following the catastrophic homogeneous nucleation induced by application of a shear force having a velocity gradient of at least 5000 cm/sec/cm, e.g. by a colloid mill or a homogenizer.

Abstract: Dilute solutions of corrosive products, such as sulphuric or phosphoric acid, are concentrated by pre-concentrating the dilute solution and then introducing the pre-concentrated solution into a tunnel in which it flows in a thin layer over successive cascades while being heated, preferably by indirect radiant heating. An installation for carrying out the process is also described.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for converting a liquid material such as a solution or slurry into a powder.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for vacuum dehydrating heat sensitive liquid material, particularly fruit juices including citrus and tomato juices. A top loading, endless belt conveyor for the thin liquid film is disposed in a vacuum dehydrator chamber which is maintained at about 2 mm. Hg. The belt travels through a cooling zone and a heating zone to attain substantially complete dehydration of the thin film. The liquid material is continuously applied to the upper side of the belt in the cooling zone by means of an applicator system comprising a grooved metering roll and a counter-rotating applicator roll which continuously deposits a uniform film of about 0.005 to 0.05 inches thickness on the endless belt. Dry product at about 0.5-2.5% moisture is removed from the belt in the cooling zone by means of a doctor blade which scrapes the product from the endless belt just prior to the portion of the cooling zone where the applicator system feeds additional liquid material onto the belt.

Abstract: Evaporation of water from a salt-saturated liquid is facilitated by adding a particulate solid having a density greater than that of the saturated liquid, and by maintaining a thin surface layer of liquid by settlement of the solids to leave an optimum one to two mils thickness of said layer.Agitation is employed to restore the optimum thin layer, as required to overcome excessive settling or too rapid evaporation of the thin layer, referred to respectively, as a heavy layer of liquid, or a dry surface skin.

Abstract: A brine is absorbed in a brine absorbing means and water is evaporated from the absorbed brine to form a concentrated brine which is removed from the brine absorbing means and recovered.

Abstract: Maleic anhydride is recovered by evaporating the effluent from the production of phthalic anhydride at from 40.degree. to 150.degree.C and from 50 to 760 mm to a water content of less than 10% by weight, heating the concentrate in a thin-film or falling-film evaporator at from 100 to 600 mm at from 120.degree. to 180.degree.C and distilling it in a column. The pure maleic anhydride is withdrawn laterally and the aqueous condensate is recycled to the offgas scrubber.

Abstract: Sludge containing metal hydroxide is first subject to a separation treatment where solid particles are removed, and then dewatered to obtain a greater concentration of the metal hydroxide. The dewatered sludge attains a thixotropic character whereupon it is applied to a carrier in a film-like manner. The film is heated and then sintered so as to achieve a metal oxide that is harmless and easily handable. The separation and dewatering steps of the process are carried out in a first apparatus having a suction drum surrounded by a filtering cloth that removes the water contained in the sludge and transfers it to a second apparatus having a rotating carrier for receiving on the circumference thereof the metal hydroxide in a film form, whereupon the film is heated during rotation of the carrier and sent to a sintering apparatus for conversion to a metal oxide in a granular or powder form.

Abstract: Water evaporates from a thin film, which can be developed over the surface of soil/water slurries, at a rate as much as 30 times that of the normal pan evaporation rate in a given locale. Utilizing this discovery, a slurry having suspended solid particles which are heavier than water are placed in a shallow lagoon. The slurry is then periodically agitated through its entire profile. This agitation is repeated as often as either the formation of a dry surface appears over the lagoon or, alternatively, a noticeable clear water skin forms over the suspended solids of the slurry. By the expedient of sequentially repeating the agitation, evaporation of water present in the slurry can occur at a rate on the order of 30 times the normal pan evaporation rate of a given locale.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for recovering residual oil from solids previously substantially dehydrated by a process wherein a slurry of water-wet solids in oil is subjected to a heat evaporation step to substantially remove the water. The oil is then largely expressed from the solids after which the solids still containing some oil as residual oil are extracted with a relatively low viscosity and relatively volatile water-immiscible light oil. The light oil-laden solids are then brought into direct contact with steam whereby the presence of the steam effectively reduces the boiling point of the water-immiscible light oil to effect its more efficient removal from the solids. Excess externally supplied steam and light oil vapor are used to supply heat to the overall process.

Abstract: In the processing of a corrosive liquid mixture, such as 50 to 80% aqueous sulfuric acid, by its passage over one surface of a wall of inert heat resistant material, and heating the other surface of said wall, thereby to evaporate from said corrosive liquid mixture the more volatile component thereof, the improvement which comprises heating said wall by contact with an inert liquid material, and heating said inert liquid material indirectly through heat exchange with a normally solid molten material. Desirably the wall of inert material is a pipe surrounded by a molten metal in a first annular jacket and a molten salt in a second annular jacket.