Abstract: A heating apparatus comprising a heating chamber in which a heater is configured to heat a heating liquid, a heat exchanger configured to receive the heating liquid from the heating chamber and to transfer heat energy from the heating liquid to a separate heating fluid and a pressure regulator configured to control a pressure inside the heating chamber, wherein the regulator is coupled at a first side to a pressure in the heating chamber and at a second side to atmospheric pressure outside the apparatus. A method of heating is also described.

Abstract: A method for vaporizing a liquid stream includes cycling a heat transfer fluid in a closed circuit; feeding the heat transfer fluid to a first heat transfer zone; feeding a liquid stream to be vaporized to the first heat transfer zone; providing heat from the heat transfer fluid to the liquid stream in the first heat transfer zone thereby vaporizing the liquid stream and at least partially condensing the heat transfer fluid; removing the vaporized liquid stream and the at least partially condensed heat transfer fluid and passing the latter to a second heat transfer zone; providing heat from ambient air to the at least partially condensed heat transfer fluid thereby vaporizing the heat transfer fluid; recycling the vaporized heat transfer fluid to the first heat transfer zone using gravitational force exerted on the heat transfer fluid being cycled in the closed circuit.

Abstract: A tank is suspended in an enclosure and defines therebetween a chamber completely surrounding the tank. A fluid or air within the chamber is heated to create a thermal blanket and an oven-like condition completely around the tank to maintain the tank and used oil and coagulant within the tank at a substantially constant temperature for an extended period of time for settling of contaminants towards the bottom of the tank. Clean oil remaining at the top of the tank is removed for reuse. The invention is particularly useful for heavy users of lubricating oil such as railroads or shipping companies.