Abstract: A continuous process and apparatus for drying aqueous solids by evaporation using a fluidizing oil and a surfactant wherein the fluidizing oil and surfactant are recovered and recycled separately or together. The aqueous solids may, or may not, have a heavy, natural oil associated with them.

Abstract: In the distillation of fresh water from sea water, the sea water is passed ownwardly in a falling film evaporator through a multiplicity of vertical tube evaporator (VTE) stages and multiple stage flash (MSF) evaporators. After the sea water passes through the first VTE stage where it forms a liquid component and a steam component, the liquid component is distributed evenly into the next VTE stage while the steam component enters an adjoining MSF stage. Condensed fresh water flows downwardly from one MSF stage to the next and experiences flash evaporation. The sea water or brine component and the fresh water distillate flow downwardly through the VTE and MSF stages so that the brine component can be removed from the final VTE stage and the fresh water distillate from the final MSF stage.

Abstract: In the distillation of fresh water from sea water, the sea water is passed ownwardly in a falling film evaporator through a multiplicity of vertical tube evaporator (VTE) stages and multiple stage flash (MSF) evaporators. After the sea water passes through the first VTE stage where it forms a liquid component and a steam component, the liquid component is distributed evenly into the next VTE stage while the steam component enters an adjoining MSF stage. Condensed fresh water flows downwardly from one MSF stage to the next and experiences flash evaporation. The sea water or brine component and the fresh water distillate flow downwardly through the VTE and MSF stages so that the brine component can be removed from the final VTE stage and the fresh water distillate from the final MSF stage.

Abstract: An evacuator system employed in an evaporative waste recovery system uses an eductor to create a partial vacuum. The partial vacuum is selectively employed to evacuate concentrate and distillate from an evaporator unit for transferal to respective concentrate and distillate containers. A plurality of air operated valves are automatically operated to transfer concentrate and distillate for reuse in a plating process system.

Abstract: An apparatus for removing light oil from solids. The invention is particularly applicable to the removal of residual light oil from solids obtained in an apparatus where aqueous solids are mixed with a light fluidizing oil and subjected to dehydration by heat evaporation. Aqueous solids are mixed with a low viscosity, relatively volatile, water-immiscible light fluidizing oil in a fluidizing tank to obtain a mixture which will remain fluid and pumpable after removal of essentially its entire water content. The mixture of solids, water and fluidizing oil is subjected to a dehydration step by heat evaporation whereby substantially all of the water and at least part of the light oil are evaporated and subsequently recovered. The light fluidizing oil is then largely separated from the solids in a liquid-solid separating means. The solids carrying residual light fluidizing oil are then brought into direct contact in a deoiler apparatus with a hot, inert gas, referred to herein as "blowing gas.

Abstract: In a thermally driven multi-effect distillation process and apparatus liquid is introduced into a plurality of evaporating and condensing stages or chambers while heat energy is passed through the stages or chambers in a direction countercurrent to the direction of flow of the liquid which undergoes evaporation to form condensate and distilland in each stage or chamber while transferring the heat of condensation to the next downstream stage or chamber and maintaining a minimum temperature differential between stages or chambers, and separately removing condensate and distilland from each stage or chamber while rotating the stages or chambers about an axis passing through the points of introduction thereto of the liquid and heat energy. The apparatus includes a plurality of adjacent evaporation and condensation chambers and devices for introducing liquid and heat energy thereto in countercurrent directions. The walls of the chambers, formed of spaced heat conductive sheets, act to transfer heat.

Abstract: Polluted industrial waste water having a high chemical demand for oxygen and fine particles in suspension is purified using the following steps: directly heating and evaporating the polluted water without subjecting it to the usual prior steps of mechanical separation such as sieving or decanting; separating sludges from the evaporated water; condensing the evaporated water; subjecting the condensed evaporated water to a physico-chemical purifying process of the coagulation-flocculation type; and filtering the purified condensed evaporated water. The purified water is pure enough to be recycled through a dyeing works. The installation includes an evaporator (10) which is preferably built in several stages with the vapor from each stage other than the first being used to evaporate the polluted water in the next stage.

Abstract: A flow of fermenting liquor from a fermentor is separated into a yeast concentrate flow, which is recirculated to the fermentor, and a yeast-free flow which is separated in a simple evaporator unit into a first ethanol-enriched vapor flow and a first liquid bottom flow. The first vapor flow is treated to produce the desired ethanol while a major part of the first liquid bottom flow is recirculated to the fermentor. A minor, residual part of the latter flow is fed to a stripping unit where it is separated into a second ethanol-enriched vapor flow and a second liquid bottom flow exhausted of ethanol.

Abstract: An apparatus for concentrating a dilute solution comprising a heat receiving thin plate which has a good thermal conductivity and is provided on its rear surface not facing a heat source with a liquid absorbing layer for absorbing a solution supplied thereto for concentration, and at least one condensation thin plate which has a good thermal conductivity and is provided with a liquid absorbing layer on at least one surface thereof, the heat receiving plate and the condensation plate or plates being arranged in parallel spaced relationship with each other and each of them being partly formed with at least one groove for supplying the solution to be concentrated to the liquid absorbing layers. A dilute solution supplied to and impregnated in the liquid absorbing layers through the grooves is concentrated by the heat supplied to the heat receiving plate or the latent heat of condensation released to the condensation plate.

Abstract: In an apparatus for the desalination of sea water using a multi-effect evrator process, a sea water preheater and a falling film evaporator are both formed of similar stamped heat exchanger plates. The heat exchanger plates have a uniform arrangement of projections-depressions disposed in a grid-like manner with rows of the projections-depressions extending perpendicularly to one another. The plates are assembled in facing contact so that one pair of plates form tubular ducts and adjacent plates on each side of the pair combine with the plates forming the tubular ducts and provide slot-like ducts separated from and extending perpendicularly to the tubular ducts. Adjacent plates are welded together. The plates in the preheater form a continuous unit divided into stages. The plates in the falling film evaporator are arranged in individual units with each unit forming a separate stage.

Abstract: Apparatus for carrying out thermodynamic processes in which a work medium undergoes mutually opposite phase transitions. The apparatus comprises casings consisting of confining plates and spacers therebetween, the casings being arranged in stacked relationship. Each casing encloses a plurality of phase transition compartments in superposed relationship. There are orifices in the confining plates through which pairs of phase transition compartments open directly into one another so as to form a number of work chambers. These are also passages delimited by the spacers in the casings for connecting the work chambers in series and passages delimited by the spacers in the casings for introducing and drawing work medium into and from the phase transition compartments. Finally, there are passages delimited by the spacers in the casings for supplying and abducting heat to and from the work medium.

Abstract: An apparatus for distilling water in which a heat receiving plate member and a plurality of cooling plate members have a means for holding water to be treated on each reverse side thereof and are arranged in parallel spaced relationship with each other, and the water vapor produced by heating the heat receiving surface of the heat receiving plate member is condensed on the condensing surface of the adjacent cooling plate member, while giving the latent heat of the condensation to the cooling plate member and heating a water held on its back to produce the water vapor which is condensed on the condensing surface of the next cooling plate member, such evaporation by the latent heat and condensation being conducted according the number of rooms partitioned by adjacent two cooling plate members. There are apparatuses of two types, i.e.

Abstract: A composite membrane structure is used in a distillation apparatus and method. The composite membrane separates a distilland and a distillate, such as salt water and fresh water. The composite membrane comprises a thin lyophobic microporous layer or membrane and a thin lyophilic layer or membrane. Evaporation and condensation takes place within the micropores of the lyophobic membrane. The lyophilic layer prevents intrusion of distilland into the pores of the lyophobic layer.

Abstract: A thermally driven multi-effect distillation process and apparatus are disclosed in which liquid is introduced into a plurality of evaporating and condensing stages or chambers while heat energy is passed through the stages or chambers in a direction countercurrent to the direction of flow of the liquid which undergoes evaporation to form condensate and distilland in each stage or chamber while transferring the heat of condensation to the next downstream stage or chamber and maintaining a minimum temperature differential between stages or chambers, and separately removing condensate and distilland from each stage or chamber while rotating the stages or chambers about an axis passing through the points of introduction thereto of the liquid and heat energy.Generally the apparatus comprises a plurality of adjacent evaporation and condensation chambers and means for introducing liquid and heat energy thereto in countercurrent directions.

Abstract: Distillation apparatus in which a group of pairs of heat-transfer tubes are each driven to wobble about a vertical axis which passes through a wobbling center. A stream of fluid is directed to flow down inside each tube. The fluid stream tends to cling to the inner surface of the tube away from the wobbling center while it revolves with respect to the tube in response to the wobbling motion. The revolving flow stream wipes the inside surface of the tube to form a thin film which offers low heat resistance to facilitate the evaporation, carries away the residue by its lateral motion and carries the reflux downward with little restriction.

Abstract: An improved distillation method and apparatus are provided for recovering anhydrous ethanol from fermentation or synthetic feedstocks. The system includes at least one stripper-rectifier tower, a dehydrating tower, and an azeotropic agent stripping tower. Substantial energy savings are realized by operating the dehydrating tower, and preferably also the azeotropic agent stripping tower, at a higher pressure than the stripper-rectifier tower and by condensing the overhead vapors from the dehydrating tower (or dehydrating tower and azeotropic agent stripping tower) to provide the heat required in the stripper-rectifier tower. In a preferred embodiment, two stripper-rectifier towers are used, one operating at a higher pressure than the other, in which case the higher pressure tower is heated as just described and the overhead vapors from the higher pressure tower are condensed to supply the heat required in the lower pressure tower.

Abstract: A multiple effect diffusion distillation system includes a plurality of parallel plates for continuous recovery of heat having opposed evaporation and condensation faces for alternately evaporating and condensing phases of a liquid fed on to the upper end of the plates in a thin film for gravity flow along the evaporator face of the plates with vapor condensing on the condensation faces and with means for collecting and recovering the condensed product from the system. Alternate embodiments including a solar heat input system and others include multiple modular systems.

Abstract: Concentrated alcohol and distillery slop are produced from fermented beer with a reduced amount of energy by employing a vapor recompression distillery slop evaporator in which evaporator vapors are used to strip alcohol from the fermented liquor before they are returned as the heat source for evaporation. Vents in the evaporator permit passage of uncondensed vapors used to drive the evaporator to a rectifier, in which they constitute the principal heat and alcohol source. Condensed vapors from the evaporator and the bottom stream from the rectifier are stripped of their remaining alcohol content in a condensate stripper, which is also driven by the recompressed vapors from the evaporator. This prevents dilution of the slops and the additional energy cost that would be necessary if the water content of these streams had to be removed in the slop evaporator.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing fresh water from sea water in which a vertical accumulator utilizes the sensible heat of sea water so as to evaporate said sea water to a temperature above 100.degree. C. under pressure, a heat-exchanger connecting between the upper and lower portions of said accumulator causes a high temperature liquid to effect heat-exchange with sea water to be evaporated, a fresh sea water feed line connected to the lower portion of said accumulator adjusts the pressure within the accumulator and an evaporator receives higher temperature sea water. The accumulator accumulates heat in such a manner that the upper portion of said accumulator holds higher temperature sea water and the lower portion of the accumulator holds lower temperature sea water so that when heat is accumulated, the amount of said higher temperature sea water increases and when heat is radiated, the amount of higher temperature decreases whereby sea water evaporates at all times.

Abstract: Distillation or concentration of a solution is carried out within a series of chambers C.sub.1, C.sub.2 . . . C.sub.n in which the pressures and the temperatures are of progressively decreasing value. Evaporation of the solution takes place within chamber C.sub.1 by indirect heat exchange with an auxiliary fluid. Evaporation of the solution takes place within each chamber C.sub.2 to C.sub.n by indirect heat exchange on the one hand with the vapor formed within the preceding chamber in order to condense the vapor and on the other hand with the auxiliary fluid which is continuously circulated from chamber C.sub.1 to chamber C.sub.n, the vapor formed within chamber C.sub.n being in turn condensed.

Abstract: An evaporator for increasing the solids content of a liquid-solids mixture employs vapor compressor means to recycle superheated vapors that are boiled off the mixture by a heat transfer fluid. The superheated vapors are forced into the mixture before the mixture is heated by passage over a heat transfer surface, and the vapors cause the mixture to flow past such heat transfer surface at sufficient velocity to prevent excessive solids from depositing on the heat transfer surface.

Abstract: A flow of fermenting liquor from a fermentor is separated into a yeast concentrate flow, which is recirculated to the fermentor, and a yeast-free flow which is separated in a simple evaporator unit into a first ethanol-enriched vapor flow and a first liquid bottom flow. The first vapor flow is treated to produce the desired ethanol while a major part of the first liquid bottom flow is recirculated to the fermentor. A minor, residual part of the latter flow is fed to a stripping unit where it is separated into a second ethanol-enriched vapor flow and a second liquid bottom flow exhausted of ethanol.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus for the desalination of sea water or brine. The apparatus comprises one or more vertical columns divided into a number of cylindrical portions. Each portion constitutes one stage comprising one or more film evaporators formed by vertical tubes, a single brine collection tank of circular section provided with upper lateral apertures, a throttle system, one or more syphon tubes and one or more preheaters having vertical tubes expanded into the same tube plates as the vertical tubes of the film evaporators. The apparatus also comprises pipes and water boxes located inside the tanks for connecting the preheaters of the several stages, connecting pipes between the stages and a final tube bundle condenser positioned below the last stage.

Abstract: A solar desalting method and apparatus includes a storage tank for receiving heated sea water at a first rate from a solar collector during daylight hours and for delivering the same to a flash evaporator a second rate. The flash evaporator is connected for delivery of the evaporated and unevaporated portions of the feed water as the heating vapor and feed liquid, respectively, to a serially connected multi-effect film evaporator. Sea water is used to condense the vapor from the last evaporator effect as the distillate product of the system. The storage tank permits nighttime operation with the brine from the last effect and a portion of the cooling water being fed to the solar collector during the daytime and discharged at night.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for distilling water in which a heat receiving plate member and a plurality of cooling plate members have a means for holding water to be treated on each reverse side thereof and are arranged in parallel spaced relationship with each other, and the water vapor produced by heating the heat receiving surface of the heat receiving plate member is condensed on the condensing surface of the adjacent cooling plate member, while giving the latent heat of the condensation to the cooling plate member and heating a water held on its back to produce the water vapor which is condensed on the condensing surface of the next cooling plate member, such evaporation by the latent heat and condensation being conducted according the number of rooms partitioned by adjacent two cooling plate members. There are apparatuses of two types, i.e.

Abstract: A multiple effect diffusion distillation system includes a plurality of parallel plates for continuous recovery of heat having opposed evaporation and condensation faces for alternately evaporating and condensing phases of a liquid fed on to the upper end of the plates in a thin film for gravity flow along the evaporator face of the plates with vapor condensing on the condensation faces and with means for collecting and recovering the condensed product from the system. Alternate embodiments including a solar heat input system and others include multiple modular systems.

Abstract: Disclosed are solar energy systems which provide for the distillation of liquids and/or the production of electricity using photovoltaic cells. Apparatus are disclosed which include an undulated system for conducting the liquid to be distilled, a linear lens disposed to concentrate solar energy on or below the undulated system, and a conduit transparent to visible light interposed between the undulated system and the linear lens. A cooling fluid is supplied to the conduit for assisting condensation of liquid evaporated from the undulated system on the lower wall of the conduit. The condensed liquid, the condensate and a concentrate of the liquid being distilled are collected. An array of photovoltaic cells may be disposed in the undulated system at a location of the concentration of solar energy to thereby provide for both distillation of the liquid and generation of electricity.

Abstract: A process for the production of alcohol from a fermented feed wherein insoluble organic matter is separated prior to entry into a first distillation column. The insoluble organic matter is dried under pressure to produce dried distillers grain and wherein excess vapor is removed from the drying zone to provide heat to the distillation system. The present process also includes removing excess water vapor from the evaporation zone, obtained from supplemental heating supplied by the overhead from said first distillation column, compressing said water vapor, and recycling it to the distillation columns and the evaporation zone.

Abstract: An improved distillation method and apparatus are provided for recovering hydrous ethanol from fermentation or synthetic feedstocks. Substantial energy savings are realized by utilizing a pair of stripper-rectifier towers in which overhead vapors from one tower operating at a higher pressure supply the heat required for the other tower operating at a lower pressure and by preheating the feedstock in multiple heat exchange steps. The feedstock is split into two portions of unequal size, the larger portion being supplied to the higher pressure tower and the smaller portion to the lower pressure tower.

Abstract: In recovering the multi-solvent portion of the oil solvent mixture in a solvent dewaxing process, decomposition of a thermally unstable, lower boiling solvent component is substantially avoided by recovering the solvent in a series of controlled evaporations whereby the major portion of the lower boiling solvent component is removed from the mixture prior to the removal of the remaining portion of the solvent. The solvent removal may be conducted in a high pressure evaporator having an upper section and a lower section separated by an annular tray.

Abstract: An improved rendering process and system including the use of both a slurry evaporator and cooker. Renderable material is ground and mixed with oil to form a slurry which is then cooked under vacuum in an evaporator to remove some moisture. The resulting partially dewatered slurry is partially deoiled, and the solids residue resulting from deoiling is cooked in a cooker to remove additional moisture. The hot vapors generated by cooking the material in the cooker are used in the steam jacket of the evaporator. Preferably the dewatered solids residue from the cooker is further deoiled.

Abstract: Multi-stage purification installation offering a great flexibility in the treatment of the residues produced and involving a relatively low energy consumption. Each stage comprises two heat exchangers connected in series and is fed independently with the liquid compound to be treated. At the outlet of each stage there is produced a polyphase mixture which is then separated into vaporized component(s) and sludges, the vaporized component(s) serving as heating fluid in the next following stage.

Abstract: A process for solvent extraction of oil from oil bearing diatomite ore and an apparatus for use therewith, wherein the ore is extracted by countercurrent decantation with a hydrocarbon solvent, solvent is recovered from the extract by multiple effect evaporation followed by stripping, and the spent diatomite is contacted with water to displace a major portion of the solvent therefrom, and solvent is recovered from the aqueous slurry of the spent diatomite by stripping with steam at superatmospheric pressure.

Abstract: The thermal energy required for spray drying a solution of a solid product in a volatile, liquid solvent is effectively utilized by partly converting the solvent to a gaseous phase in a multiple-effect evaporator and by spray drying the resulting concentrate by means of a gaseous fluid at least partly preheated by heat exchange with solvent vapor or condensate from at least two effects in respective stages of a multiple-stage heating arrangement.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for purifying waste water which comprises introducing said waste water into a separation zone, removing a portion of the impurities recovered from said separation zone, and concentrating said impurities by their introduction into an evaporation system to form a still fluid residue and remaining impurities composed of impurities in gaseous and vapor form together with waste vapors, transferring said remaining impurities to an oxidation chamber, and supplying said oxidation chamber with heat and air, thereby oxidizing said remaining impurities through spontaneous combustion, wherein the proportion of the low boiling-point impurities in the waste water introduced into the separation zone is adjusted to a predetermined value.

Abstract: A method is provided for the transfer of heat from a source of thermal energy to at least one thermal user or heat consuming apparatus wherein waste water, such as from an industrial process, is used as the heat transfer medium and wherein a portion of the waste water flow is evaporated in an indirect heat exchanger under pressure to yield a mixture of steam and heated liquid waste water. The steam is supplied to an indirect heat exchanger for supplying heat to the heat consuming apparatus and the heated waste water is subsequently vaporized in a plurality of stages by reducing the pressure on the waste water in each stage and by using the steam formed by the vaporization in each stage to supply part of the heat of vaporization for the waste water in the subsequent stage. When the heat requirement of the heat consuming apparatus is reduced, the heat exchanger supplying heat to the heat consuming apparatus may be valved out of the system or the steam flow thereto may be reduced.

Abstract: Minerals are recovered from warm geothermal brines by installing a brine eductor device such as a venturi at the end of a thermally insulated drill casing. The geothermal brine is recovered by flowing a warm, low saline carrier solution at high flow rate through the device to pick up a selected flow of brine. On entering the device the geothermal brine is diluted in an amount sufficient to preclude precipitation and scaling as the mixture flows to the surface. The flow velocity is adequate to entrain any non-dissolved solids without settlement. Thermal losses to the surrounding strata are minimized by the thermal insulation surrounding the casing. The mineral values are recovered from the mixture by flashing, evaporation, and filtration. Clarified solution, filter liquor and make-up water as necessary are combined to form the low salinity carrier solution which is heated in heat exchangers before recycling to the eductor device.

Abstract: In a sea water desalination apparatus, the improvement consisting in the fact that the levels of sea water and fresh water in the several stages of the multistage installation are regulated by a device comprising a plurality of piezometric tubes in combination with cylindrical sleeves surrounding these tubes and having slots so proportioned as to give a preselected pressure drop.

Abstract: A boiling water evaporator having a horizontally disposed shrouded heating tube bundle partially immersed in a liquid container. Improved heat transfer rate and high vapor release rate are obtained.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating a predetermined fraction from a crude oil includes preheating the crude oil to vaporize a portion, and feeding the two-phase crude to a first stage flash evaporator. In the first stage evaporator, a vapor portion is separated from residual liquid and the residual liquid is used by means of heat exchange to preheat the crude oil. The vapor fraction from the first stage evaporator has an approximate 90% ASTM distillation temperature about 50-60.degree. F higher than the first stage evaporator temperature. The vapor fraction is condensed to form a condensate, and the condensate is conveyed to a stripping column for mass transfer with ascending vapors from a second stage boiling type evaporator. The second stage evaporator is operated at a vaporization temperature approximately equal to the 5% ASTM vaporization temperature of the predetermined petroleum fraction collected as liquid from the second stage evaporator.

Abstract: Preheated saline water, typically sea or brackish water, is further heated by quanta of steam, passed to it at differential temperatures and pressures and condensed in the saline water. Scale compounds are precipitated and scale-forming bicarbonates decomposed, with the evolution of carbon dioxide, which is gathered and expelled by steam accessory to the quanta of steam. Post-thermal saline water, which is formed, is multistage flash vaporized while self-cooling. The flashed vapors are compressed to form said quanta of steam. After being further cooled while preheating saline water, post-thermal saline water is evaporated in a multistage vapor compression evaporator, producing brine at a high concentration factor. Relative to equilibrium in scale-compound precipitation between 302.degree. F and 347.degree. F, the recovery of fresh water is 70% to 80% for sea water, and 80% to 90% for brackish waters over a wide range of salinity.

Abstract: Disclosed is a distillatory apparatus in which distilling chambers are disposed in array and the atmospheric pressures in the distilling chambers are selected to gradually lower in the order of them and maintained at such gradually decreased values. The distilling chambers are each supplied with an original liquid. The original liquid supplied to each distilling chamber flows on a partition wall between the distilling chamber and the adjacent one of higher atmospheric pressure. While flowing on the partition wall, the original liquid is heated to be evaporated and vapor makes contact with a partition wall on the side of the adjacent distilling chamber of lower atmospheric pressure and is cooled thereby to be condensed to a distilled liquid.

Abstract: A system for optimal pressure control in a multistage evaporation unit comprising two or more series connected evaporation stages with at least one of the stages preceded by a heat source, where the fresh or feed solution is passed through heat exchangers in which it is heated by means of the vapors from the subsequent evaporation stages, and where a heat exchanger adapted to permit free flow of the vapor condensate through the heat exchanger inner portion or tube portion is arranged in the line through which the vapor leaves the higher-pressure evaporation stage.

Abstract: Saline water is desalted by flowing it in two evaporation stages in series in the form of a film falling on the inside of heat-exchange tubes. The pressure and temperature in the second evaporation stage are lower than in the first stage. The steam evolved in the second stage is compressed and delivered to the first stage where it condenses on the tubes, whereas the steam evolved in the first stage is fed in the second stage where it condenses on the tubes. The condensation heat of the steam is used for vaporizing said saline water from said film. This technique allows a production of 15-50 cu.m/hr of soft water, instead of a production of 15-20 cu.m/hr usually obtained by conventional thermocompression techniques.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for recovering clean water from aqueous wastes by evaporation while avoiding scaling and fouling as well as corrosion of the evaporator tubes. Addition of an oil, preferably a volatile oil, to the aqueous waste feed results in the formation of a coating of said oil on the surfaces of the tubes, thereby preventing corrosion and fouling and build-up of scale deposits. Volatile oil that distills over is separated from the aqueous distillate by conventional means and may be recirculated.

Abstract: There is provided a distillation plant of the multiple stage flash distillation type. The plant comprises a reinforced concrete shell which is divided into a large number of flash chambers and a heat supply chamber by means of separation walls. At least some of a bundle of continuous condensation tubes of plastic extend throughout all of the chambers. The tubes may be extruded in situ so that they directly move into position in the shell. The inlet and outlet manifolds for the tube bundle are defined by an end of the shell and an adjacent separation wall. The shell has preferably a plastic coating or consists of a polymer concrete. Preferably, the walls consist of or comprise plastic so that the bundle of plastic tubes may be sealed to apertures in the walls by gluing or welding.

Abstract: An atmospheric effects still includes a fluid holding tank provided with a supply opening, a top cover of transparent material supported above the tank, and a vertically-disposed tapered hollow tower member having its base resting on the floor of the tank and having an intermediate portion penetrating the top cover. At its base, the tower member has openings in its side walls to permit fluid entry into the tower member beneath the top cover. The tower member has a plurality of vertically-spaced sections of decreasing cross-sectional area, each section including a plurality of short, open tube members extending through two spaced plates. Solar energy heats fluid in the tank and causes a flow of moisture-laden air to rise upwardly through the tower member where clean water is condensed from such vapor.

Abstract: A multiple effect evaporator in which the feed is progressively preheated in an indirect falling film preheater by vapors from the lower temperature effects and then further preheated by direct contact with vapors from higher temperature effects, said preheated feed being degassed during said direct contact preheating, prior to evaporation.

Abstract: A novel apparatus for the desalination of sea water is described. The apparatus comprises a column of a plurality of superposed cylindrical sections, each section including two film evaporators; two basins interconnected between said cylindrical sections; a restriction for passing brine from basin to basin, siphon tubes for withdrawing the condensed water from each section and accessory preheating means and inlet and outlet tubes.

Abstract: Saline water is preheated by the hot discharges of a vapor compression evaporator, forming distillate and concentrated brine. Carbon dioxide that has been recycled to saline water prevents alkaline scale during the preheat. The saline water is thence further heated by steam which is condensed in it; scale compounds are precipitated and carbon dioxide formed and expelled for recycle. Mother liquor which is separated is flash vaporized, forming cooled mother liquor and vapor. The mother liquor is further cooled while preheating saline water, and is then evporated. The vapor is compressed to form steam for use in the further heating.