Abstract: A method of distillation having the steps of drawing a volume of untreated water containing impurities into a container, applying a vacuum to the container, applying an oscillating electric charge to the untreated water thereby producing water vapor from the untreated water, capturing the water vapor in a vapor pipe, and condensing the water vapor back into a liquid form in a collecting chamber. An oscillating frequency of 2.6 gigahertz, either by sonic or electric charge, displaces the hydrogen bonding between water molecules. This displacement permits distillation at a low temperature without the infusion of large amounts of energy common in previously known methods.

Abstract: A process for producing detergent tablets by exposing a detergent composition to microwave radiation in the frequency range from 3 to 300,000 MHz while treating the detergent composition with hot air having a temperature of 50.degree. C. to 300.degree. C.

Abstract: A process for producing detergent tablets containing more than 10% by weight of anionic surfactant wherein the detergent tablets contain detergent components which are at least partly in hydrated form and the anionic surfactant is present in the form of one or more compounds containing up to 95% by weight of surfactants, by exposing a mixture of the detergent components and the anionic surfactant to microwaves in the frequency range from 3 to 300,000 MHz.

Abstract: A process for preparing and/or extracting samples by heating them together with a solvent in a container under pressure, using a Soxhlet apparatus. The samples are dried by heating in a container; and the resultant vapors are drawn off to generate a vacuum in the container.

Abstract: A microwave distillation apparatus is provided. The apparatus includes a microwave heating chamber having a plurality of walls. A vessel is located within the chamber for containing a liquid to be distilled. The vessel has a mouth for receiving the liquid. A connecting tube extends though an opening formed in one of the plurality of chamber walls. The connecting tube has a first end thereof for sealably engaging the mouth of the vessel, and a second end thereof extending outwardly from the chamber. A biasing assembly is located outside of the chamber, and engages the connecting tube with a biasing force to maintain the seal between the connecting tube and the mouth of the vessel. A distillate capture assembly is connected to the connecting tube for receiving vapors emitted from the liquid when heated, and for condensing the vapors into a liquid distillate for capture and storage.

Abstract: A method for increasing the rate of evaporation of water in a humid atmosphere by providing a high frequency electric field at the evaporating surface of the water. The method is an energy-efficient alternative to attempts to lower the humidity of the air surrounding water to be evaporated.

Abstract: A method for the separation and recovery of volatiles from a sludge containing about 1 to 80% by weight liquid solvents and 20 to 99% by weight solids, in which said sludge is fed with a reagent powder material in an amount effective to form a mixture having a high surface area to a distillation vessel, said mixture is heated to a temperature up to about 350.degree. C. while said mixture is advanced through the vessel for a time sufficient to distil a sufficient portion of the solvents to yield a solid residue powder, distilled solvents are condensed, and the solid residue powder recovered. The vessel preferably is a mechanical fluidized bed distillation vessel and said mixture is fluidized while being heated therein under a partial vacuum in a non-oxidizing atmosphere. The effective amount of reagent powder material includes about 5 to 70 wt % of the reagent powder material.

Abstract: A rotary evaporator is described utilizing a magnetically driven fluorocarbon cylinder, operating within a solvent container, to create a thin solvent film for rapid evaporation without the usual requirement for rotating the entire solvent container assembly. Infra-red heating is employed for efficient evaporation rates. Solvent heating is controlled during evaporation by a single temperature probe, turning the infra-red heater on and off on demand of the probe. Over heating of the product is prevented by maintaining a solvent residue at or near the conclusion of an evaporation.

Abstract: In isolating fullerenes from fullerene-containing soot the soot is heated by using microwaves to from 300.degree. to 800.degree. C. and the evaporating fullerenes are condensed.

Abstract: A concentrator for reducing the volume of a mixture containing a solvent and various dissolved and/or undissolved solids includes a chamber adapted to receive the mixture and a heater coupled to the chamber for applying heat to the mixture within the chamber, the heat being provided at a temperature sufficient to vaporize the solvent. A condensing tower receives the vapors from the chamber and including a first stage and at least one second stage. A plurality of walls included in each of the first stage and the second stage of the tower direct the vapors along a torturous path including at least one reversal of direction in each of the stages. A coolant is provided to cool the second stage of the tower but not the first stage in order to facilitate condensation of the vapors in the second stage but not in the first stage of the tower. The coolant may include water in order to facilitate the processing of aqueous solutions.

Abstract: There is described an apparatus for distilling liquids in a vacuum, having a receptacle for a liquid that can be connected to a vacuum pump, a heating arrangement for heating the receptacle causing the liquid to evaporate, a condenser for condensing the vapour, and a collecting vessel for the condensate. To be able to handle the apparatus quickly and more simply and to make it overall more economical and make it possible to carry out continuous distillation, the heating arrangement includes a vacuum-tight receiving chamber (1) for the receptacle (2) and a microwave generator (13, 13.

Abstract: The invention relates to a molecular distillation apparatus of the type comprising a metallic conical rotor (12) rotatably driven and fed in its center with a liquid to be distilled, a vacuum bell (10) defining an enclosure housing the cone and means for inductively heating the rotor which are located beneath and in proximity to the latter.According to the invention, the heating means comprise at least two concentric inductors (100a, 100b, 100c) supplying different thermal power densities to homologous regions of the rotor and an inner inductor (100a) supplies a greater thermal power density to the rotor than the power density supplied to the rotor by an outer inductor (100c).The invention also relates to a process for manufacturing an assembly of a rotor and inductors for such an apparatus.

Abstract: A vacuum concentrator uses microwave heating to enhance the rapid drying of a liquid specimen. Microwave heating without excessive arcing is made possible in a vacuum chamber by controlling the power of a microwave generator, by modifying antenna-like objects, and by interposing air in a direct path between opposing edges of microwave injection slots, while maintaining the vacuum condition in the vacuum chamber. This can be accomplished by using air filled plastic bosses passing through, and substantially filling the microwave injection slots. An alternate to the air filled bosses can be a non-metallic closure plate that excludes the microwave injection slots from the vacuum chamber, while allowing energy to be injected freely into the chamber. The microwave heating energy is absorbed by a vacuum chamber cover and dissipated to the atmosphere as heat.

Abstract: Controlled heating unit for extracting solvent from sludge by distillation, in particular for dry-cleaning machines, having a sludge tank with a flattened shape which is arranged at the base of a sealed box-like chamber and above which inlets for microwaves generated by a microwave source are present, a mixer for the sludge to be treated, at least one sludge temperature sensor which switches off the microwave source when the sludge reaches a temperature which is proximate to the degradation temperature of the solvent.

Abstract: A laboratory apparatus for continuously producing high purity distilled water includes a distillation flask, a carboy and condenser unit. A double walled microwave oven with a spacing between the walls, large enough to accommodate piping and valving means for controlling the flow of water to the distillation flask. The microwave oven supplies the heat to the system.

Abstract: A method of synthesizing ultrafine powders using microwaves is described. A water soluble material is dissolved in water and the resulting aqueous solution is exposed to microwaves until the water has been removed. The resulting material is an ultrafine powder. This method can be used to make Al.sub.2 O.sub.3, NiO+Al.sub.2 O.sub.3 and NiO as well as a number of other materials including GaBa.sub.2 Cu.sub.3 O.sub.x.

Abstract: Method and device in which a suspension in air or other gas of liquid droplets or fine particles containing an electromagnetic energy absorbent component is subjected to microwave radiation to apply energy to the droplets or particles as they fall to a collection point.

Abstract: An apparatus for the distilling and evaporating of sea water so to produce pure fresh water on a large production basis; the apparatus including an evaporator having a baffle system of novel design therein so as to separate evaporated steam from non-evaporated water drops, a duct for conveying the evaporated steam to a condenser and a pure water supply tank; the evaporator being supplied by sea water.

Abstract: Liquid compositions containing solid or semi-solid constituents are resolved by atomizing the liquid to droplets of approximately 0.5 to 6 microns diameter, projecting the droplets at speed of 600 feet per second to sonic velocities into an ambient air entrainment zone wherein the droplets lose water rapidly by evaporation within a short distance, e.g., 30 cm. from their point of ejection, and recovering solids and liquids from the entrainment zone. The entire process is conducted at ambient temperature in the absence of any added heat.

Abstract: Patent discloses a method and an apparatus for the recovery of organic solvents from mixtures of organic solvents and polymers soluble or dispersible in the organic solvents. The method comprises the heating, by microwave radiation utilizing a magnetron type radiation source, of the mixture causing said mixture to reach the heat of flashing and/or evaporation of the solvent, collecting the solvent as it so vaporizes and recovering fresh solvent. The dry cake can be discarded or reused depending upon the extent of polymerization.

Abstract: A method of forming dried, solid particulate products from carbohydrate solutions, including complex carbohydrate solutions in the presence of recycled dried product using dielectric heating to supply heat of water vaporization.

Abstract: An electron beam evaporation device for vacuum evaporators, comprises, a supporting bar and a retainer for the material to be evaporated, an electron beam source and a deflecting magnet for directing the electron beam onto the material to be evaporated or mounted on said supporting bar. At least two of the elements are mounted on the bar so as to be displaceable thereon. Preferably, the retainer for the material to be evaporated is provided on one end of the bar and the electron beam source and the deflecting magnet are displaceable along the bar.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for the production of solid particles of bioinjurious waste, e.g., radioactive concentrates, wherein a liquid, and in a given case a binder containing waste is divided into drops and supplied energy in a gaseous medium, the liquid is evaporated and the drops form solid particles. There is supplied carrier free energy to at least partially vaporize the liquid of the drops, in a given case under reduced pressure and in a given case with a binder forming solid particles from the drops.

Abstract: A method for spray drying an aqueous slurry in a spray drying tower. Hot effluent gases containing steam are divided into two portions. One portion is heated and recycled to the spray drying tower as part of the heated gas stream which dries the slurry. The other portion is condensed and subjected to a contaminant-removal operation such as scrubbing or electrostatic precipitation, under controlled conditions.

Abstract: A process for forming a dispersion of dicalcium phosphate in montmorillonite clay comprising mixing sodium montmorillonite with dicalcium phosphate and some water, and subjecting the mixture to dry heat.

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 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.