Abstract: A process for recovering processing liquids such as gas-treating liquids wherein a feed mixture containing the processing liquid and components or impurities that are more volatile and less volatile than the processing liquid is initially heated in a first heating zone to a temperature sufficient to volatilize at least one of the more volatile components and a portion of the processing liquid, the temperature being maintained below the decomposition temperature of the processing liquid to produce a vapor stream containing the less volatile component and the vaporized portion of the processing liquid and a residuum containing the processing liquid, a reduced concentration of the more volatile components and the less volatile components, the vapor stream being separated from the residuum in a first separation zone, a portion of the residuum being passed through a second heating zone at a temperature below the decomposition temperature of the processing liquid to produce a first heated recycle stream, the heated

Abstract: The latex is treated by passage through a heat exchanger consisting of a closed chamber 1 divided into two distinct superposed parts, the unobstructed upper part 3 being placed under reduced pressure and communicating with a plant for recovery of the residual monomer or monomers, and the lower part 4 being equipped with a partitioning 9 bounding two separate extended and adjoining circuits 10 and 11, one of the circuits 10 being traversed by the latex to be treated and being maintained in communication, via its top and over its entire path, with the upper part 3 of the chamber, and the other circuit 11, isolated from the upper part 3 of the chamber, being traversed by a heat-transfer fluid maintained at a temperature of 40 to 100.degree. C.Preferably, the two circuits 10 and 11 are bounded by a partitioning 9 arranged in the form of a double spiral.

Abstract: A process has been invented for removing contaminants (including solvent) from a flowing polymer, the process, in one aspect, including dissolving a sparingly soluble stripping agent into a flowing polymer, the sparingly soluble stripping agent stripping contaminants from the flowing polymer creating a mixture of contaminants and sparingly soluble stripping agent, which flows out from the flowing polymer, and separating the mixture from the polymer. In one aspect, recyclable sparingly soluble stripping agent is recovered and re-used.

Abstract: A water purification apparatus positionable on an existing dispenser has a valve control member positionable in the water plenum of the dispenser to control release of purified water from the apparatus to the dispenser. A feedwater tank receives supply water which is fed to a water level control tank to maintain the water level in the boiler of the apparatus above the heating element. The control tank includes a partition separating a main reservoir from a de-foamer control chamber within which anti-foaming agent may be added. A condenser is coiled into a number of convolutions about a central opening and has external heat exchanger fins. An end cap assembly closes the central opening except for a small portion through which air is blown by a fan so that substantially all of the air flows over the fins. The boiler is a cylindrical container having a peripheral lip about an open end on which a lid having a steam outlet tube is positioned.

Abstract: A splash shield for the boiler of a distillation type water purification apparatus includes at least two grades of porous media which cooperatively inhibit bubble formation and splashing, thereby preventing transfer of contaminants from the boiler water to the upper, interior surfaces of the boiler and into the distilled, contaminant free water. A first porous media is open cell reticulated foam having relatively large cells. Typically, at least a portion of the open cell foam is disposed above the operating liquid level of the boiler. The second porous media is fabric or screen having pores preferably smaller than about one thousand microns. The screen is disposed above the liquid level of the boiler. The open cell foam inhibits bubble production and breaks down bubbles and the screen intercepts drops and droplets that might otherwise travel to, contact and contaminate the upper boiler chamber surfaces and output to a condenser.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of removing organic solvent from a solution containing an emulsifier capable of foaming. The pressure in a chamber, in which the solution is disposed, is reduced. The foaming condition of the solution in the chamber is detected. Thereafter, the reduced pressure is regulated in accordance with the foaming condition of the solution.

Abstract: A rotary evaporator for laboratory scale solvent evaporative procedures is described. A magnetically driven fluorocarbon coated rotor, operating within a container for solvents, creates a thin film for rapid solvent evaporation without the usual requirement for rotating the entire solvent container assembly. Rotary seals are eliminated, increased control over bubbling and foaming at higher vacuum is obtained, and continuous solvent addition is simplified.

Abstract: A flash tank, and method of flashing steam utilizing the tank, result in minimum foam generation so that the outlet steam remains uncontaminated. Feed fluid fed into the interior of the tank is positively prevented from splashing into the liquid seal provided adjacent the liquid outlet from the tank. This may be done by directing the feed fluid upwardly when introduced into the tank, and providing a liquid holding tank externally of the flash tank, feed fluid impacting upon a deflecting member and then the conically downwardly tapering walls of a bottom portion of the tank. Another alternative is to feed the feed fluid downwardly into the tank to impact upon a conical deflecting member so that there is minimum loss of momentum of the feed fluid, and again it impacts upon the conically tapering walls of the tank bottom portion.

Abstract: An improved upflow vertical tube evaporator is characterized by providing a distributor plate located within a certain critical distance or gap of the tube inlets in order to dampen cross flow between the tubes. The critical gap for providing stable operation is disclosed as lying between 0.01 and 0.2 of the average tube diameter. In the preferred embodiment, the distributor plate is capable of being translated relative to tube inlets so that the gap may be widened beyond the critical dimension during periods of stable flow in order to decrease the tube-side pressure drop and increase the heat transfer.

Abstract: A vapor compression distiller has a vertically oriented cylindrical tank and a heat exchanger having a plurality of groups of heat exchange tubes disposed one above the other. Internal baffling channels vapor through the groups of heat exchange tubes in a serial relation commencing with the vertically lowest group. Feed liquid is distributed from the upper end of the vessel downwardly over the surfaces of the tubes. This causes the evaporation of a first portion of the feed liquid and a condensation of the vapor. The evaporated and unevaporated portions of the feed liquid pass downwardly past the heat exchange tubes with the unevaporated portion collecting in a liquor well at the lower end of the vessel and the vapor passes upwardly along the sides of the vessel heat exchanger and outwardly to a compressor, the outlet of which is connected to the vapor inlet of the system.

Abstract: A defoaming apparatus comprising a column having three levels, a lower level, an intermediate level, and an upper level. The foam to be broken is injected into the lower level with mud. A shaft in the intermediate level serves as an aspirator. Air or another gas is injected into the shaft and the vacuum thus produced pulls the foam upwardly. The foam is discharged from the shaft against vanes located in the upper level where upon the foam is broken into gas which is discharged and liquid which is recovered. Sediment from the foam is drawn off at the bottom of the apparatus.

Abstract: A foam generator for foaming liquids having two peripheral disc portions each being connected with a housing with a gas inlet to one of the housings. The housings being connected together with the peripheral disc portions forming a hollow space such that gas fed to the hollow space through the gas inlet enters the hollow space and exits between the peripheral disc portions to form air streams to foam the liquids.

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: An anti-foaming agent is added to magnesium chloride containing brine prior to spray drying to produce a spray dried product comprising discrete particles of relatively high bulk density.

Abstract: An antifoam composition is introduced as an aerosol into the main gas stream entering a gas-liquid separation tower. The main gas stream carries the small aerosol particles up the tower through the sieve-like separation trays and the water moving over the plurality of trays. The movement of the antifoam carried in the gas stream to the top of the tower is many times more rapid than the transit of liquid down the tower in countercurrent movement thereto. For antifoam particle sizes in the preferred range, movement of the antifoam continues unabated through a long series of trays in the tower to effectively inhibit foam formation therein.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method of evaporating an aqueous solution containing dissolved solids or mineral salts without adherence of the solids or mineral salts to any surfaces contacting the aqueous solution which comprises the following steps:A. Flowing the aqueous solution as an outside medium mixed with sufficient dispersed oil to form a continuous film on all preferentially oil wettable contacting surfaces, upward through a confined heating and vaporizing zone and therein contacting heating elements the surfaces of which are substantially zero water adsorbent and totally wetted with a film of oil, converting a portion of the aqueous solution to water vapor and precipitated solids.B. Separating this mixture of oil, misty vapors, solids, and remaining aqueous solution (still the outside water medium) into components of thereof in succeeding zones or chambers in which substantially all surfaces contacting these materials are preferentially oil wettable.