Abstract: A system for cooling a heated juice by partial low-pressure evaporation, said juice comprising a charged liquid, preferably juice from a harvested crop, said system comprising a vat in which the juice is subjected to various pressure reductions, said vat (4) comprising at least two compartments(5,6) which communicate with each other by means of a pulsed-effect valve, said juice being subjected to two different decreasing pressure reductions in said compartments, each compartment being connected to a condenser (19,25) which can condense the vapor produced by the pressure reduction. The condensers are serially mounted or parallel mounted and connected to a common vacuum pump (34) by means of at least one control valve (18) which can permanently adjust the pressure in each condenser to a value which is lower than the saturating vapor pressure corresponding to the temperature of the vapor created in each of the condensers.

Abstract: This invention exploits the concept of Staged Heat and Mass Transfer (SHMT) to enhance operability, control robustness and intrinsic safety in preventing corrosion while recovering material, and energy if desirable, in process waste streams. Two applications illustrating the improvements based on the SHMT concept are given. One application illustrates novel design features to recover vent from a steam boiler deaeration system, positively eliminating the risk of oxygen and carbon dioxide accumulation in deaerator. The other application illustrates process adaptations of the same SHMT concept to recover steam, steam condensate, and fugitive emissions involving particulate materials if desirable, from any process vents from vessels that are opened to the atmosphere. Again, without the risk of corrosion by atmospheric oxygen.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed toward a novel pressurized vapor cycle for distilling liquids. In an embodiment of the invention, a liquid purification system is revealed, including the elements of an input for receiving untreated liquid, a vaporizer coupled to the input for transforming the liquid to vapor, a head chamber for collecting the vapor, a vapor pump with an internal drive shaft and an eccentric rotor with a rotatable housing for compressing vapor, a condenser in communication with the vapor pump for transforming the compressed vapor into a distilled product, and an electric motor with motor rotor and magnets hermetically sealed within the fluid pressure boundary of the distillation system.

Abstract: Incoming wastewater is preheated in a heat exchanger before delivery to a flash chamber through an orifice for flashing into water vapor rising into an upper section of the flash chamber which also has a bottom section into which liquid waste oil or other contaminants settles. Rise of such water vapor into the upper chamber section is induced by a vacuum established therein by a vacuum pump withdrawing the water vapor in a superheated and compressed condition for cooling within a condenser from which the incoming wastewater is delivered to a heat exchanger for preheating. The water vapor during rise into the upper section of the flash chamber is filtered to extract contaminates therefrom while liquefied water vapor thereafter formed therein is collected before the remaining water vapor is cooled into the condensate for collection within a distillate tank from which it is withdrawn for overboard discharge after being monitored for oil content.

Abstract: A distillation and recycling treatment device is disclosed.

Abstract: A liquid sample 3 held in an open container 2 and including a volatile solvent, is evaporated by continuously removing inert gas rich in vapor by means of a suction tube 5 whose open end is held close to the top surface of the liquid. Vapor in the gas is then extracted in a refrigerated condensing vessel 6, from where the purified gas is fed by a pump 7 for recirculation back into a sealed chamber 1 in which the container is mounted. In a modification, the inert gas is fed directly through a nozzle 17 into the container 2 wile the gas/vapor mixture is extracted from the chamber 1 for recirculation, after passing through a condenser 6 or the like.

Abstract: A solar still apparatus is described for the multi-effect distillation of a fluid such as water. A transparent condenser air duct overlies an evaporator air duct having a light-absorbing floor, both sharing a transparent plastic film wall. Air, blown by a fan, flows through the lower duct, where it progressively warms and evaporates a feedstock fluid. At the hot end of the lower duct, the air enters the upper duct where it flows in a reverse direction, progressively cooling and condensing its vapor, a portion of the heat of condensation being transferred through the shared wall to the lower duct. Thermal gradients established within the still facilitate the evaporation and condensation of the fluid with minimal heat loss to the environment and maximal recuperation of the heat of condensation for fluid evaporation. A working fluid may be used to extract useful power from the still's thermal gradients.

Abstract: A process to isolate dianhydride from an exchange reaction comprises extracting a bisimide/anhydride exchange reaction aqueous phase with an organic solution comprising an exchange catalyst at a first temperature and pressure to form an extracted aqueous phase comprising water, exchange catalyst and a dianhydride precursor; removing water from the extracted aqueous phase at a second temperature and pressure to form a molten phase, wherein the second pressure is less than the first pressure; removing water and exchange catalyst from the molten phase at a third temperature and pressure to form an isolation mixture; and converting the dianhydride precursor in the isolation mixture to dianhydride at a fourth temperature and pressure, wherein the fourth temperature is greater than the second and third temperatures and the fourth pressure is less than the second and third pressures.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for process control in a distillation column are disclosed. The method allows undesirable interactions among control parameters to be minimized, and results in improved process control and operational stability. Process control of a liquid assisted nitrogen generator using the improved method is disclosed as an illustrative example.

Abstract: A water purification system and method for residential or commercial application having a first support structure coupled to a water supply having a first heat source of sufficient magnitude to change the water into steam, thus abandoning any insoluble material dispersed within the liquid. The steam is further heated in a second support structure to form a substantially gaseous vapor and exposed to a second heat source of sufficient magnitude to super-heat the vapor to a temperature capable of destroying most, if not all living matter. Preferably, the second heat source is an electrical field of sufficient voltage to increase the temperature of the vapor in excess of 2000° F. The super-heated vapor is then allowed to condense to form potable water. This system may be powered by a standard 120 volt outlet found in the home.

Abstract: A distillation system is provided having an evaporation conduit and a condensing conduit connected by a transfer system for transferring distillate vapour from the evaporation conduit to the condensing conduit to condense the distillate. The evaporation and condensing conduits operate under vacuum pressure. An intake conduit and a return conduit communicate in an unrestricted manner between a source of solution and the evaporation conduit. A distillate conduit communicates with the condensing conduit for dispensing condensed distillate therefrom. A radiant heat capturing system is provided for capturing and using heat radiated from the distillate conduit to generate power.

Abstract: The inventive device for distilling a medium comprises at least one reservoir (11, 51) or accommodating the medium (15, 55) to be distilled, a heating element (12, 52) for vaporizing the medium (55), and comprises at least one collecting vessel (20, 60), which is situated downstream and which is provided with a cooling element for condensing the produced distillation vapor. In addition, a pipe (19, 59) or the like is provided on the top side of the reservoir (11, 51). Said pipe leads into the collecting vessel (20, 60) and connects the vapor space (14, 54) located inside the reservoir (51) to that which is located inside the collecting vessel (20, 60). To this end, means are provided, which, for the most part, completely remove foreign gases from the vapor spaces (14, 24; 54, 64) before or at the beginning of the distillation process.

Abstract: A distillate system, especially of the sea water, by using the sun as heat source and the sea water as cold source, falling the work pressure to the boiling point of the sea water between the temperature generated by the sun and the temperature of the sea water. The sea water and the fresh water are entered/removed to/from the distillation system at the same time, by compensating the pressure differences.

Abstract: A process and system for conditioning a bulk container for ultra-high purity liquefied gas. Vapor is generated in the container from a conditioning quantity of the ultra-high purity liquefied gas by imposing a temperature difference on the container so that the vapor condenses when a temperature difference is achieved. The resulting liquid reflux, e.g., the condensed liquid drips or flows back to the conditioning quantity of the liquified gas, washes or removes contaminants, e.g., particles, metal and moisture, from the interior surface of the container. A portion of the vapor is vented from the container for reclamation. The used conditioning liquid may also be reclaimed.

Abstract: A method is described for evaporating liquid samples contained in sample holders mounted within a chamber and rotated by the rotor during an evaporation process in which the pressure in the chamber is reduced below atmospheric and the sample holders are rotated at high speed so as to exert centrifugal force on the contents of the holders. Heat is supplied to elevate the temperature of the liquid component of the samples to assist in the evaporation process. The temperature of the sample material is continuously or regularly monitored during the evaporation process and temperature signals are transmitted to a remote computing means which is programmed to generate a control signal for controlling the supply of heat to the samples and controlling the evaporation process. The temperature may be sensed by a probe in a sample holder containing an evaporating liquid sample, or in an adjoining sample holder containing a buffer liquid.

Abstract: The method and system of the present invention is designed to minimize exergy consumption consistent with a given level of product purity. For example, in a distillation system, the design employs a plurality of thermostatted trays which are maintained at a sequence of temperatures specified by finding the optimal control for an irreversible thermodynamic process. The specified temperatures at each tray are achieved with the help of a tandem heat pump which works over the range of required temperatures and which delivers the specified heat demands.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein generally relates to a system and a method for supplying a carbon dioxide fluid feed to a plurality of applications. The method of the invention comprises the steps of directing a fluid feed, that includes a carbon dioxide component, from a carbon dioxide purifying means to a plurality of applications including at least two distinct applications, whereby contaminants are combined with the fluid at said applications, thereby forming an effluent that includes at least a portion of the carbon dioxide component and at least a portion of said contaminants; directing said effluent from at least one of the applications to said carbon dioxide purifying means; and purifying the carbon dioxide of the effluent at the carbon dioxide purifying means, thereby producing the carbon dioxide component of the fluid feed. The system of the invention is an apparatus for conducting the method of the invention.

Abstract: A distillation system (10) is provided for recovering water from sea water and other polluted water source. The system (10) has a heat engine (12) embodying Carnot cycle and a Rankine cycle formed by heat exchangers (16 and 24), flash evaporator (26) and condenser (32). Burnt gases from the engine (12) such as a jet engine no longer fit for flying are directed into a duct (14) where the exchangers (16) and (24) are located. Sea water is pumped into the heat exchanger (24) for preheating by residue heat in the duct (14) and then into the exchanger (16) for further heating. A recirculating pump (20) raises water pressure in the exchanger (16) for increasing boiling point to about 165° C. The heated water is fed into the evaporator (26) where it changes into vapour and the condensed into water by the condenser (32). The jet air stream is used to create Venturi effect for maintaining sub-atmospheric pressure in the evaporator (26). Any solid left in the evaporator (26) is removed by a transfer mechanism (50).

Abstract: A control method and apparatus for regulating the rate of vapor flow in the two adjacent sections of a dividing wall fractional distillation column are presented. The liquid level on a tray at the top of each section is used to control the rate of vapor flow through the tray. The liquid level is controlled by measuring the pressure differential across the tray in each section and varying the flow of liquid to this tray in response to the differential.

Abstract: A distilling apparatus and method use a two step distillation and purification process for processing a waste liquid, such as an impure sulfuric acid solution, to form a highly concentrated sulfuric acid solution. First, the waste liquid is stored in a concentrating column, where it is heated. A condenser, which uses the waste liquid as a cooling medium, condenses the vapor generated by the heater. The condensed vapor is passed through a filter, which separates impurities out of the waste liquid, prior to feeding the waste liquid back into the concentrating column. Water is then removed from the waste liquid via a distilling process. The resulting concentrated liquid is then fed to a purifying column, where it is again heated, to remove residue, and condensed, resulting in a highly pure waste liquid.

Abstract: The operation of the dividing wall section of a dividing wall column is controlled by a control apparatus comprising a ratio controller which divides the liquid flowing into the dividing wall section. The rate of return of overhead liquid to the column is set by monitoring the temperature in the top of the product dividing wall section and the sidecut product draw rate is set by monitoring a temperature in the bottom of the product dividing wall section.

Abstract: A combination reflux/distillation apparatus is provided having interchangeable reflux and distillation columns, a segmented collection trough and an integrated indirect heating provision. The apparatus is uniquely adapted for refluxing and distilling small quantities of materials without the losses attendant to larger apparatus.

Abstract: A repairable short-path still is manufactured by forming the still body containing the cooling jacket and the vacuum adapter with two ring seals.

Abstract: A closed tunnel system for distilling fresh water from ocean salt water is provided with an elongated evaporation plate adapted to hold ocean water for evaporation therefrom. During the distillation process, a vacuum is drawn in the tunnel, and sunlight is focused onto the evaporation plate with a concave lens-structure roof. External concave mirrors automatically track the sun and focus additional sunlight onto the lens-structure roof. An agitator-wiper unit agitates the ocean water on the evaporation plate to maintain a homogeneous liquid mixture, and to present additional water surface area for evaporation of fresh water. The fresh water vapor then condenses under pressure in heat exchangers that simultaneously pre-heat the ocean water prior to entry onto the evaporation plate.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to reduce the number of instruments used in a distillation apparatus to thereby simplify control.

Abstract: A system and method for purifying liquefied corrosive gases of metallic impurities is described. The principle for this purification method relies on vapor-phase transfilling the vapor phase from a source container into a receiving container. This method has been observed to decrease metal concentrations by a factor of at least 1000 and, decreases the metallic impurity levels in the resulting condensate. The vapor transfer is accomplished by controlled differential pressure rather than mechanical pumping, thereby generating no particle or metal impurities.

Abstract: The present invention is a distillation system with individual fractionator tray temperature control, with the use of either a heating element or a cooling element, and in some preferred embodiments, the use of both a heating element and a cooling element in a plurality of fractionator trays. There is at least, and typically more than one distillation column having a plurality of fractionation trays, and having feed input, liquid removal, and vapor removal with the plurality of trays including at least one of a heating element and a cooling element. Controls are included for separate control of each of the heating element(s) and/or said cooling element(s). These controls may be regulated by a programmable microprocessor, and feedback from temperature sensors may be employed to provide discrete tray-by-tray temperature controls.

Abstract: There is provided a reduced-pressure distillation system, which is relatively simple in construction, easy in operation without depending only on driving of a vacuum pump, and therefore can be manufactured and operated at low costs. The system includes an impure water tank, a separating tank, a drainage tank, and a collecting tank. The impure water tank, the drainage tank, and the collecting tank each has an outside pressure communicating chamber, which makes contact with outside pressure, and a cell, which communicates with the outside pressure communicating chamber corresponding thereto and is sealed with respect to the outside pressure during operation of the system. The separating tank is sealed with respect to outside pressure and has an evaporator provided therein. Impure water is fed from the cell of the impure water tank to the evaporator, by using an effective head between levels of the impure water in the impure water tank and priming supplied to the drainage tank.

Abstract: A process comprising electrically activating a thermoelectric module (24) to provide a first module heated surface (26) and a module cooler surface (28); feeding the impure liquid to the first module heated (26) surface to produce vapour of the liquid; and transferring the vapour to the module cooler surface (28) to effect heath transfer to the module cooler surface (28), the improvement comprising (a) directing a first portion of the vapour adjacent to or onto the module cooler surface (28) to effect heat transfer to the module cooler surface to produce a first condensed liquid (b) directing a second portion of the vapour to condenser means (18) comprising a second cooler surface (46) remote from the module cooler surface (28) to effect heat transfer to the second cooler surface (46) to produce a second condensed liquid; and (c) collecting the first and second condensed liquids; wherein the condensation means is such as to accept the balance of the latent heat contained in the vapour produced by the first mo

Abstract: The invention consists of a cost-effective process and facilities for obtaining high quality drinking water and high-grade brine as a chemical raw material from raw water regardless of how much salt it contains. When combined with a thermal power-generation process, the plant also produces electric power with a fuel utilization of over 85%.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein provides methods for monitoring performance and efficiency for multi-effect evaporator systems. The invention also provides methods for monitoring the nonvolatile content of liquid products by determination of a boiling point rise. The invention involves monitoring methods that are improved over previous methods in view of their simplicity, and/or effectiveness, and/or, low cost. The methods of the invention enable system monitoring and problem diagnosis using measurements of a relatively small number of relatively easily accessible process operating parameters.

Abstract: Device for evaporation and condensation in a closed environment The present invention relates to a device (1) for evaporation and condensation in a closed environment consisting essentially of an evaporation receptacle (2), a heating means (7) for said evaporation receptacle (2) and a condensation receptacle (3) connected in a substantially sealed manner to said evaporation receptacle (2), characterised in that said evaporation (2) and condensation (3) receptacles are connected to each other, at their openings (2′, 3′), extending on either side of a common separation plane (4) in such a way that the arrangement of said receptacles (2, 3) forms substantially an inverted “V” with a sharp point and in that substantially the entire surface area of the wall (6) forming the evaporation receptacle (2) is brought, by said heating means (7), to the same temperature T1 higher than the highest temperature T2 of the wall (5) forming the condensation receptacle (3).

Abstract: There is disclosed a solar still having a hollow, porous absorber body (8), body positioning means (9) to expose the absorber body to solar radiation, feed means (13) to introduce feed liquid into the absorber body, condenser means (14) composed of non-porous material that is substantially transparent to solar radiation, the condenser (14) substantially enveloping the absorber body (8), flow control means (19) to regulate the rate of flow of feed liquid into the absorber body (8), and harvesting means (23) for the removal of distillate from the condenser means (14).

Abstract: A system for recovering glycol from glycol and brine mixtures produced from oil or natural gas wells that combines energy efficiency with a capability for handling salt and other solids contained in the mixture. The system comprises three effect evaporator systems in series. Each effect evaporator system comprises an evaporator, a separator vessel, product pumps, and a solids removal system. The process utilizes the system to remove salt and other solids as well as excess water leaving a glycol stream that can be reused as a hydrate inhibitor. The process begins by preheating a glycol/brine stream comprising approximately fifty percent (50%) glycol. The stream is then subjected to three evaporation cycles. The first evaporation cycle comprises introducing the preheated stream into a suppressed boiling point evaporator where the stream is heated under a constant pressure. The stream pressure is then dropped to cause a portion of the water contained in the stream to vaporize or flash.

Abstract: A method to treat wastewater brines to remove the salts prior to discharge. The method includes evaporating the water component of the pretreatment effluent into the atmosphere.

Abstract: An extractive distillation tower 4 supplied with a feedstock containing butadiene and a solvent and for distilling the feedstock to separate and purify the butadiene.

Abstract: A method of distillation for separating a material which is solid at ambient temperature from a lower boiling and lower melting point material, and the apparatus.

Abstract: A horizontal distillation system includes a series of collection tanks interconnected by condensing tubes. Each condensing tube has an ascending portion, a transition portion and a descending portion. Liquid which condenses from a multi-component vapor feed falls into the collection tanks. Each tank may include a heating element to heat or reboil the liquid collected in each tank. The last tank may include a cooling element to condense any remaining vapors.

Abstract: A distilling device for converting unprocessed water into pure water comprising a fill tank, a base having a removable water tray with a boiling chamber therein for holding the unprocessed water, a removable mist chamber disposed above the base and having a heater depending therefrom into the boiling chamber to boil the unprocessed water and to convert it into a purified steam which rises into a condensation coil where a fan cools the coil and steam, causing the steam to condense into purified water and flow into a reservoir tank which also functions as a serving pitcher.

Abstract: An evaporation product discharged from a lower end a falling-film evaporator (1, 2) enters a downpipe (7), makes a 180° turn at a bottom of the downpipe, and moves upward through an annular rising channel (9) defined between the downpipe and an intermediate housing (10). As the evaporation product moves along a spiral path (12) defined by the spiral fins, centrifugal forces urges water droplets and impurities to a radial outward periphery where they pass through openings (13) in the intermediate shell as pure steam continues through the spiral path and out a pure steam outlet (21). A cooling jacket (15) chills a peripheral wall of an outer shell (14) adjacent the holes such that the discharged water droplets condense on the outer shell and flow down a reject water return path to a reject water reservoir at the bottom of the outer shell.

Abstract: A film-type vaporizer in a vaporization enclosure, for example the upper column of a double air-distillation column, is associated with a measurement and analysis box where a polished surface and a spillway reconstruct the flow of liquid in the vaporizer in order to check for the absence of the deposition of impurities in the liquid that is to be evaporated. If deposition occurs, the impurities involved are quantified and analyzed and appropriate action taken on the settings of the machine.

Abstract: Liquid organic material is controllably delivered to a receptacle located in the center of a heated surface capable of horizontally rotating about its central axis. As the heated surface rotates, material deposited within the central receptacle is forced outwardly and across the rotating surface. As the material moves radially, it evaporates into a vapor which is then transported to one or more nozzles. From the nozzles, the vapor is applied to a substrate and condensed. Relative to existing devices and methods, the present invention enables the evaporation of a wider variety of organic liquids, greater reliability in continuous operation, a decrease in maintenance, and a larger and more constant material flow rate.

Abstract: A device allows for continuous regulation of the composition of a fluid mixture that includes at least two components of different polarities. The device is designed, for example, to be inserted in a separation system that the device supplies with a carrier fluid of stabilized composition. The device includes a storage tank (3) receiving a mixture coming from the separation system and at least one auxiliary vessel (6) containing one of the components of the mixture. To control the transfer of this component from auxiliary vessel (6) to storage tank (3), the device further includes at least one tubular capacitive sonde (CS) totally immersed in the fluid mixture, a sonde (TS) for measuring the temperature of the mixture, and a sonde (LS) for measuring the mixture level in storage tank (3).

Abstract: For a process for producing high-purity liquids, particularly liquid chemicals, by distillation it is proposed that the liquid to be purified (1) is heated by microwave radiation (5) preferably in the uppermost layers.

Abstract: A vacuum type distilling system includes a sealed container including a vaporization chamber for containing a liquid and a condensation chamber, a pressure-reducing device, a condensing device, a heating device, and a vapor-collecting device including a floating piston for separating liquid and vapor and a guide tube for guiding vapor generated in the vaporization chamber into the condensation chamber. Liquid to be distilled is filled into the vaporization chamber and the pressure of the sealed container is reduced such that the boiling point of the liquid in the vaporization chamber is lowered. The heating device heats and thus vaporizes the liquid in the vaporization chamber into vapor which is immediately conveyed into the condensation chamber where vapor is condensed into distilled liquid by a condensing tube of the condensing device that is mounted in the condensation chamber.

Abstract: For a process for producing high-purity liquids, particularly liquid chemicals, by distillation it is proposed that the liquid to be purified (1) is heated by microwave radiation (5) preferably in the uppermost layers. To implement this process a device with a liquid container (3), with a heat source (5) acting on the liquid container and with a condensation device (8, 9) connected to the liquid container is proposed, which is distinguished in that the heat source (5) in the form of a microwave radiation source is arranged above the liquid to be purified (1) in such a way that preferably the uppermost layers of the liquid (1) are heated.

Abstract: A system and method for purifying liquefied corrosive gases of metallic impurities is described. The principle for this purification method relies on vapor-phase transfilling the vapor phase from a source container into a receiving container. This method has been observed to decrease metal concentrations by a factor of at least 1000 and, decreases the metallic impurity levels in the resulting condensate. The vapor transfer is accomplished by controlled differential pressure rather than mechanical pumping, thereby generating no particle or metal impurities.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the field of the petrochemical industry. The invention essentially relates to a system and method that includes feeding of a liquid having molecular weight more than 100 (in atomic mass units) into a nozzle of an ejector as a motive liquid, and delivery of a mixed medium from the ejector into a shaped reservoir, where flow velocity is reduced and static pressure is boosted. The outlet of the ejector is connected to the inlet of the shaped reservoir, the inlet of a separator is connected to the outlet of the shaped reservoir. The introduced method and the system for its embodiment ensure a more efficient operation.

Abstract: A system and method for purifying liquefied corrosive gases of metallic impurities is described. The principle for this purification method relies on vapor-phase transfilling the vapor phase from a source container into a receiving container. This method has been observed to decrease metal concentrations by a factor of at least 1000 and decreases the metallic impurity levels in the resulting condensate. The vapor transfer is accomplished by controlled differential pressure rather than mechanical pumping, thereby generating no particle or metal impurities.

Abstract: Crude ammonia is separated into a low boiler fraction, a high boiler fraction and an intermediate-boiling pure fraction by continuous fractional distillation in a distillation apparatus configured either as a dividing wall column or as a system of thermally coupled distillation columns. In the process of the present invention, the low boiler fraction is taken off at the top of the distillation apparatus. The intermediate-boiling pure fraction is obtained at a side offtake which is preferably provided with droplet precipitators. In addition, the gas loading of the distillation column is restricted so that the operating pressure is in the range from 2 to 30 bar and the F factor does not exceed 2.0 Pa0.5.