Abstract: Reactor for recovery or recycling of hydrocarbon products from hydrocarbon-containing material by decomposing and gasifying the material in a reactor housing, comprising a gas/particle separator device arranged to separate solid particles accompanying the gas and to return these particles directly to the reactor housing in the opposite direction to axially flowing gasified hydrocarbon products, and/or comprising a rotor shaft with axially running channels which are in flow communication with a coolant, and/or comprising a radial play formed between the periphery of a rotor and the inside of the reactor housing and amounting to at least 3 cm and at most 6 cm.

Abstract: A system and process for decontaminating a bio-contaminated wastewater fluid as from a slaughterhouse or similar facility. The system and process recovers purified vapor/steam through a decontamination unit having a plurality of alternating rotating trays and fixed baffles in a processing vessel producing separate purified and contaminant streams. One or more filter/strainer units are disposed in parallel before the decontamination unit, and may be used alternately while the other is cleaned. A rotating shaft connected to the rotating trays may also connected to an electrical generator to provide electricity for circuits and controls in the system.

Abstract: A water purification system that produces freshwater from saltwater/contaminated water via two closed but connected and offset heating-evaporation-condensation-cooling processes that share energy via two heat exchangers. The system includes a closed air subsystem and a closed refrigerant subsystem. The closed air subsystem uses air repeatedly heated via a heat exchanger and a supplemental heating source. In the air/refrigerant heat exchanger, hot compressed gas refrigerant from the closed refrigerant system releases heat and undergoes a phase change to a liquid refrigerant. The supplemental heating source adds heat energy to produce hot, dry air delivered to a water evaporator containing saltwater/contaminated water. The hot, dry air causes evaporation of the saltwater/contaminated water forming hot air/water vapor. The hot air/water vapor is then delivered to an expander/condenser heat exchanger, where it is condensed into freshwater by the phase change of the liquid refrigerant back into a gas refrigerant.

Abstract: Systems and methods of onsite distillation of contaminated fluid are disclosed, including a fluid distillation system comprising a tank having one or more exhaust outlet in one or more sidewall; a mid-floor plate within the tank dividing the tank into an upper chamber and a lower chamber; the exhaust outlet positioned in the lower chamber; one or more divider wall positioned in the lower chamber of the tank thereby dividing the lower chamber into two or more sections; one or more heating tube assembly, positioned between the bottom of the tank and the exhaust outlet, comprising: an outer burn chamber positioned outside the tank and having an inlet and a connecting tube; and an internal burn chamber extending from the connecting tube of the outer burn chamber through the one or more side wall of the tank.

Abstract: The present disclosure is drawn to systems and methods of treating or utilizing water, including water for cooling applications or separation of compounds from wastewater, using evaporation panels, evaporation panel systems, evaporation panel securing systems, evaporation panel sub-assemblies, evaporation panel assemblies, groups of evaporation panel assemblies, wastewater evaporative separation systems, evaporative cooling systems, splash containment shields, water delivery trough systems, and the like.

Abstract: A device for and method of hot swapping one or more electronic devices from an immersion cooling tank having a first opening, the device including a condensing device removably locatable in the first opening of the immersion cooling tank, the condensing device having a condensing coil forming a second opening through which the electronic device(s) is removable and an apparatus coupled to the condensing device for selectively adjusting a height and/or a location of the condensing device about the first opening of the immersion cooling tank.

Abstract: The production process comprises a step (A) in which an alkali-treated tobacco source is heated to make the tobacco source release a flavoring ingredient into a gas phase, a step (B) in which the flavoring ingredient released into the gas phase is brought into contact with a given solvent which is a liquid substance at ordinary temperature, thereby trapping the flavoring ingredient in the given solvent, and a step (C) in which the given solvent is added to a constituent element.

Abstract: A water treatment system (220) heats raw water, gasifies a portion thereof by an evaporator (34), and condenses the gasified steam at a condensation area (240) to obtain condensed water. The water treatment system (220) includes a heater (32) for heating raw water, a steam conducting part (35, 36) for conducting, to the condensation area (240), steam gasified from the raw water heated by the heater (32), and a pipe (221) for conducting circulating water from the condensation area (240) to the evaporator (34), causing heat exchange between the steam conducted to the condensation area (240) by the steam conducting part (35, 36) and the circulating water, as well as causing heat exchange between the raw water and the circulating water at the evaporator (34).

Abstract: In a process/system for the purification of aromatic dicarboxylic acid (ACA), crude ACA solids are slurried with water recycled from at least a filtration step in a feed preparation zone. Flash steam in vapour phase is supplied to the zone from at least one of a crystallisation step, a filtration step, and a drier step. The slurried ACA solids are preheated to form a solution that is then hydrogenated. The ACA is allowed to crystallise and then crystals of pure ACA are filtered out and water is recovered in a single stage filtration process. Recovered water is supplied to the feed preparation zone and the crystals are dried and recovered. The flash steam recovered from the crystallisation step, filtration step and/or drier step is recovered as a vapour phase stream having a pressure from about atmospheric to 5 barg and supplied to the feed preparation zone without phase change.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for air conditioning, capturing combustion contaminants, desalination, and other processes using liquid desiccants.

Abstract: Apparatus for evaporating waste water having chemicals therein which cause foaming comprises a holding tank having an inlet for receiving waste water, one or more submerged combustion chambers with burners suspended within the holding tank, and, one or more foam skimming weirs located in an upper portion of the holding tank, the one or more foam skimming weirs defining one or more foam collection zones.

Abstract: Apparatus for evaporating waste water having dissolved solids therein comprising a holding tank having an inlet for receiving waste water, a submerged combustion chamber with burner suspended within the holding tank, the submerged combustion chamber having a plurality of vertical slots defined therein near a bottom thereof which span a substantial portion of a height of the submerged combustion chamber, a blower connected to provide air under positive pressure to the burner, and, a vent stack coupled to an upper portion of the holding tank for allowing water vapor to exit the holding tank.

Abstract: Water supply systems use readily available heat sources like the sun and waste heat from industrial plants to heat intake air and water so more water can be used to saturate the intake air. That extra water is condensed out at another place even miles away where the now distilled water would be more useful.

Abstract: A combined tangential shear homogenizing and flashing apparatus for destructuring pretreated biomass comprises a housing connectable to a source of pressurized pretreated biomass, and a stator and a rotor mounted within the housing. The stator and rotor being confrontationally disposed and spaced apart by an axial gap. The gap as a radially outer region having a uniform dimension and a radially inner region having at least one section exhibiting a non-uniform dimension. The radially outer region defines a valve. In use, rotational movement of the rotor with respect to the stator imparts a tangential shear to a volume of pretreated biomass. The tangential shear homogenizes the biomass while a pressure difference causes a partial phase separation of the homogenized biomass into vapor and liquid phases such that the pretreated biomass undergoes at least a three-fold total volumetric increase and a weight transition to a vapor of at least one percent.

Abstract: A catalytic reaction-rectification integrated process and a catalytic reaction-rectification integrated column, and the specialized device of such process is provided. The reactants are preheated and mixed with catalysts, and then fed into a jet agitation reaction section located in the middle of the catalytic reaction-rectification integrated column from a feeding inlet. The jet agitation reaction section is a kettle-like reactor located in the middle of the catalytic reaction-rectification integrated column. After pressurized by a centrifugal pump, the reactant materials are admitted into a subsonic or transonic agitator located within the reaction section. The reactant materials are ejected into the jet agitation reaction section at high speed, to efficiently mix the solid and liquid phases in the reaction section and to reinforce heat and mass transfer efficiency during the reaction. The liquid reaction mixture is separated and purified directly in the catalytic reaction-rectification integrated column.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing high purity distillate in evaporators is useful for evaporation of waters where volatile silica or organic compounds are encountered such as in production of hydrocarbons from geological formations. An evaporator having a contaminant reduction system is provided. The contaminant reduction system includes an upflow first mist eliminator portion to remove entrained liquid droplets and produce an intermediate purity water vapor stream. A continuous spray system provides a spray of dilute caustic solution in a selected spray configuration for mass transfer contact with the passing intermediate purity water vapor stream, to remove volatile silica compounds therefrom, and produce a partially decontaminated steam stream having mist particles therein. An upflow second mist eliminator portion is provided to remove the residual mist particles, and produce a high purity water vapor stream. The high purity water vapor stream is condensed to provide a high purity distillate stream.

Abstract: A method of distilling a chemical mixture, the method including receiving, in a vessel comprising a complex, the chemical mixture comprising a plurality of fluid elements, applying electromagnetic (EM) radiation to the complex, wherein the complex absorbs the EM radiation to generate heat at a first temperature, transforming, using the heat generated by the complex, a first fluid element of the plurality of fluid elements of the chemical mixture to a first vapor element, and extracting the first vapor element from the vessel, where the complex is at least one selected from a group consisting of copper nanoparticles, copper oxide nanoparticles, nanoshells, nanorods, carbon moieties, encapsulated nanoshells, encapsulated nanoparticles, and branched nanostructures.

Abstract: In the production of isobutylene-based elastomers the product obtained from the polymerization process is often in the form of a stream. Described herein are an apparatus and a process for removal of hydrocarbon liquids from the elastomer. The process comprises the steps of obtaining a stream comprising hydrocarbon liquids, either solvents or diluents, and an isobutylene-based elastomer; passing the stream through a kneader to volatize the hydrocarbon liquids from the elastomer.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for separating diluted tailings containing a hydrocarbon diluent into a recovered diluent component and a diluent recovered tailings component. The method includes introducing the diluted tailings into a diluent recovery vessel so that they form a tailings pool in the diluent recovery vessel, introducing an amount of stream directly into the tailings pool, mixing the diluted tailings which are contained in the tailings pool, and maintaining the diluted tailings in the diluent recovery vessel for a residence time. The apparatus includes a diluent recovery vessel having a tailings pool section, a steam distributor located in the tailings pool section, and a mixing device associated with the tailings pool section.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating frac water may include a vacuum container to support a vacuum, a heating device to heat the vacuum container, a spiral auger to rotate to separate the frac water being positioned within the vacuum container, a condenser to condense the water vapor to liquid water, a second vacuum chamber to receive the liquid water and a storage container to store the liquid water.

Abstract: An immersion cooler comprising an agitator motor having a drive shaft, an evaporator located in a tank and surrounding the drive shaft, and an agitator coupled to the drive shaft. The agitator is configured to draw a fluid from the tank and distribute the fluid around a periphery of the agitator and toward the evaporator. An agitator and a method of manufacturing an immersion cooler are also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for frictionally heating one or more fluids to produce one or more distilled fluids and to separate impurities from the one or more fluids. The apparatus includes a housing for receiving the one or more fluids. The apparatus also includes one or more rotatable cylinders enclosed within the housing. The one or more rotatable cylinders include a plurality of friction elements. On rotating the one or more rotatable cylinders, the impurities are separated from the one or more fluids and the plurality of friction elements frictionally interact with the one or more fluids to generate vapors. Thereafter, the one or more impurities are collected in an impurity collector associated with the housing. The vapors generated due to the frictional interaction are received by one or more condensers which condense the vapors to produce one or more distilled fluids.

Abstract: A system and method for processing a fluid, including decontaminating water and generating water vapor includes introducing the fluid into a vessel. The fluid is moved through a series of rotating trays alternately separated by stationary baffles so as to swirl and heat the fluid to effect the vaporization thereof to produce a vapor having at least some of the contaminants separated therefrom. The vapor is removed from the vessel for condensing apart from the separated contaminants and the remaining water. The vapor may be passed through a turbine connected to an electric generator. Sensors in a controller may be employed to adjust the speed of rotation of the trays or fluid input into the vessel in response to the sensed conditions. The treated fluid may be recirculated and reprocessed through the vessel to increase the purification thereof.

Abstract: Provided is a water purifying apparatus capable of efficiently producing purified water from raw water. The water purifying apparatus comprises: a casing (11) having a circulation path; a splitter device (15) disposed within the casing (11) and adapted to split raw water into droplets and create a carrier airflow (A1) capable of circulating along the circulation path and carrying water vapor evaporated from the droplets (D1); and a condenser (19) disposed within the casing (11) at a position downstream of the splitter device (15) in a direction of the carrier airflow and adapted to condense the water vapor to create purified water. The splitter device (15) comprises a rotary shaft (15a) extending in an up-down direction of the casing (11), and a blade (152A to 152Q) radially attached to the rotary shaft (15a) and having irregularities (152p, 152q, 152r, 152s, 152t).

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for separating diluted tailings containing a hydrocarbon diluent into a recovered diluent component and a diluent recovered tailings component. The method includes introducing the diluted tailings into a diluent recovery vessel so that they form a tailings pool in the diluent recovery vessel, introducing an amount of stream directly into the tailings pool, mixing the diluted tailings which are contained in the tailings pool, and maintaining the diluted tailings in the diluent recovery vessel for a residence time. The apparatus includes a diluent recovery vessel having a tailings pool section, a steam distributor located in the tailings pool section, and a mixing device associated with the tailings pool section.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for air conditioning, capturing combustion contaminants, desalination, and other processes using liquid desiccants.

Abstract: A compact and portable liquid concentrator includes a gas inlet, a gas exit and a flow corridor connecting the gas inlet and the gas exit, wherein the flow corridor includes a narrowed portion that accelerates the gas through the flow corridor. A liquid inlet injects liquid into the gas stream at a point prior to the narrowed portion so that the gas-liquid mixture is thoroughly mixed within the flow corridor, causing a portion of the liquid to be evaporated. A demister or fluid scrubber downstream of the narrowed portion removes entrained liquid droplets from the gas stream and re-circulates the removed liquid to the liquid inlet through a re-circulating circuit. Fresh liquid to be concentrated is also introduced into the re-circulating circuit at a rate sufficient to offset the amount of liquid evaporated in the flow corridor.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for producing high purity distillate in evaporators. The method and apparatus is useful for evaporation of waters where volatile silica compounds are encountered, and in cases where volatile organic compounds are encountered, such as in production of hydrocarbons from geological formations. An evaporator having a contaminant reduction system is provided. The contaminant reduction system includes an upflow first mist eliminator portion to remove entrained liquid droplets and produce an intermediate purity water vapor stream. A continuous spray system provides a spray of dilute caustic solution in a selected spray configuration for mass transfer contact with the passing intermediate purity water vapor stream, to remove volatile silica compounds therefrom, and produce a partially decontaminated steam stream having mist particles therein. An upflow second mist eliminator portion is provided to remove the residual mist particles, and produce a high purity water vapor stream.

Abstract: A method is provided of recycling and decontaminating oil-based waste drilling mud and cuttings contaminated with oil-based waste drilling mud. A facility for performing the method is also provided. The method includes vaporizing all residual oil and water from mud solids, and recondensing the oil. The mud may be the subject of additional treatment steps before or after the vaporization step (or both before and after the vaporization step). The method produces a solid “soil” product that is free from oil contamination (or is sufficiently decontaminated to allow reuse), an oil product that is fit for reuse, and clean air emissions. A thermal desorber or a soil dryer can be used to efficiently vaporize the oil at low temperature. Optionally the water fraction of the mud can be vaporized, solutes and salts can be captured as evaporite and then be mixed with the soil product. The method has the unique advantage of producing no persistent hazardous waste.

Abstract: A device for producing drinking water is described, said device comprising supply means (10, 10a, V1, 11) able to provide a quantity of inlet water; a distillation system (20, 21, 23) able to distil said quantity of inlet water so as to obtain a corresponding quantity of distilled water; a salt supply system (40) able to provide, in the form of a concentrated aqueous solution, at least one reserve supply of salts necessary for obtaining water which may be defined as drinking water; and a mixing system (30) able to receive at least a part of this salt reserve and mix it in a controlled manner with the quantity of distilled water, at the same time aerating the latter, so as to provide drinking water; and a dispensing tap (50) able to dispense this quantity of drinking water.

Abstract: Device for desalinating sea water comprising a unit (10) for spraying sea water in the form of droplets, a unit (20) for vaporizing the droplets into steam, a unit (30) for separating steam from salt particles, and a unit (40) for condensing steam into fresh water. The spraying unit comprises a sea water entry (12), an ambient-temperature dry air entry (14), and a device for generating acoustic waves at a frequency greater than 1 MHz focused by means of nozzles (17) receiving the sea water coming from the sea water entry so as to obtain microdroplets having a diameter comprised between about 2.5 microns and about 5 microns.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for thermal processing of slurry, slurry is combined with a bio-mass to produce a mixture. The mixture is subjected in a heated mixer pump to a cracking temperature, thereby allowing the mixture to catalytically undergo a cracking reaction to produce a reaction mixture which is directly outgased in the mixer pump to produce an outgased portion and a solid portion. The outgased portion and the solid portion are separately discharged from the mixer pump; with the low boiling fraction of the outgased portion allowed to cool down for further processing, and the solid portion collected in a residual matter container for further processing.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatus for the separation of volatile components from a feed material.

Abstract: Systems and methods of capturing and sequestering carbon dioxide, comprising mixing a substantially non-aqueous solvent and an alkali such that the solvent and alkali form a solvent suspension, mixing water and a flue gas containing carbon dioxide with the solvent suspension such that a reaction occurs, the reaction resulting in the formation of a carbonate, water and heat.

Abstract: A membrane module comprising an outer casing having an interior region, a seal disposed within the outer case, thereby dividing the interior region into a first chamber and a second chamber, and a plurality of hollow fiber membranes extending through the first chamber and the second chamber, where at least a portion of the plurality of hollow fiber membranes have first segments located within the first chamber and second segments located within the second chamber, the first segments being configured to allow vapor transmission therethrough, and the second segments being configured to substantially prevent vapor transmission therethrough, and further configured to allow transmission of thermal energy therethrough.

Abstract: A rotary heat exchanger includes an evaporation chamber in which sprayers spray a feed liquid to be purified onto the surfaces of heat-exchange members, which heat it and cause some of it to evaporate. The remaining, un-evaporated feed liquid is collected by a rapidly spinning sump, from which scoops skim the spinning sump liquid and direct it back to the sprayers. To make the rate at which feed liquid is supplied to the heat exchanger match that at which the sprayed liquid evaporates, a regulator bases its control of a flow-controlling valve's flow resistance on the internal pressure that prevails in one of the scoops.

Abstract: Process for the stabilization of mercury metal by reaction of the mercury metal with sulphur in the solid state, in which the mercury and the sulphur are brought into contact, at an Hg/S molar ratio of 1/1 to 1/3, in a reactor integral with a hollow pipe in fluid communication with the interior space of the said reactor, the said hollow pipe comprising a first end connected to the wall of the said reactor and a second end distant from the said reactor; the said hollow pipe and the said reactor being hermetically sealed, the said hollow pipe being provided with rotating means external to the said pipe and to the said reactor for rotating the said reactor and the said pipe around the axis of the said pipe, and the said hollow pipe being provided, at its end distant from the reactor, with means for introducing the sulphur and the mercury inside the reactor and discharging the reaction products.

Abstract: A vapor compression distillation system (10) is provided and includes a fluid inlet (12) for receiving a fluid, a fluid outlet (14) for a distillate that has been distilled from the fluid, a heat exchanger (16) connected to the fluid inlet (12) and the fluid outlet (14) to transfer heat from the distillate to the fluid; and an integrated motor/compressor unit (18) connected to the heat exchanger (16) to receive vaporized distillate therefrom and to supply pressurized distillate thereto. The system 10 may further include a coolant system (20) connected to the integrated motor/compressor (18) to supply a coolant flow thereto. The system (10) may also include an air oil mist system (22) that is connected to the integrated motor/compressor unit (18) to supply an air oil mist thereto for bearing lubrication and cooling.

Abstract: A self-contained dehydration toilet having an odor-capturing steam and water recovery system. The dehydration toilet comprises a toilet bowl, a dehydration engine connected to the toilet bowl, a steam, gas and vapor conduit from the dehydrating engine, a water supply infusion tank which receives steam, gases and vapor from the dehydration engine to the infusion water tank, an ozone generator which supplies ozone to the water supply, a vacuum pump connected to the infusion water tank, and a power source supplying power to the dehydrating engine, the ozone generator, a control circuit and the vacuum pump. The dehydrating engine has a heating device and helical paddles to aid in the dehydration process. The dehydrating toilet reuses steam and captures odors and vapors with diffusion chambers in the infusion water tank.

Abstract: Turbulent mixing condensation devices, methods, and systems adapted to condense a working fluid on particles from a sample gas to enlarge the particles for subsequent detection are provided. The device includes a vapor generator adapted to produce a working-fluid saturated carrier gas and a condensation chamber. The working-fluid saturated carrier gas is mixed with a sample gas containing particles to be detected and is then introduced to the condensation chamber. The operating conditions are controlled to enhance the condensation of the working fluid on the particles. The particles are typically forwarded to a particle detection device to detect at least one characteristic, for example, the size, of the particles. The flow of carrier gas to the vapor generator may be regulated to vary the degree of saturation of the carrier gas with working fluid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating the components of a feed material prior to or simultaneously with at least partially vaporizing one of the components is described. The apparatus comprises at least one inlet (8) for admitting the feed material (10) containing the two components to the apparatus (2) wherein a device for introducing a first movement to the feed material is located, such as, for example, an in-line swirl generator (14), which imparts a swirling movement to the feed material to partially separate the components into two swirling flows. The partially separated material on emerging from the in-line swirl generator (14) is in an evaporation tube (20) in which the more volatile component is vaporized to further assist in separating the two components into a liquid component and a gaseous or vapor component. The liquid component and the vapor phase are discharged from the apparatus in two streams through the same outlet (36).

Abstract: A liquid having certain undesired elements therein is distilled in a distillation column to form a vapor stream. This vapor stream is fed by means of an inert gas drive to a first container having an array of semi-permeable screens which are rotated at a speed of 3,000-10,000 rpm to generate vertical spiral vortexes which act on the vapor to separate out heavier impurities. An inert gas is employed to drive the vapor stream from the first container to the bottom of a second container having a narrower diameter array of semi-permeable screens, these screens being driven at a velocity of 6000-100,000 rpm. In the second container, the molecular species is separated from the main vapor stream by virtue of the exposure of the vapor to large centrifugal gravity forces generated by the horizontal velocity vectors of the rotating screens.

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: 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 process for re-purifying highly enriched [H2180] for the reclamation and re-purification of highly enriched [H2180] after it has been used in the synthesis of [18F] by means of cyclotron particle bombardment, used in the synthesis of radiopharmacuticals such as [18F-FDG] or other radioactive labeled compounds for use in Positron Emission Tomography, commonly referred to as a P.E.T. Scan in the medical community, and render the re-purification product as clinical grade and suitable for re-introduction into that self-same [18F] production process for which it was previously used. The inventive device includes an evaporation flask, a condensation flask, a distillation adapter with a vacuum takeoff, a heating/magnetic stirring plate, a Teflon magnetic stir bar, a vacuum source, an inert gas source, a labyrinth filter and two glass secondarys.

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 evaporative process employing an undulating flexible membrane (4) as an evaporative surface onto which a vaporizing gas (2) such as, but not limited to, air, contacts a liquid solution (1, 5) such as, but not limited to, water, and evaporation occurs. The membrane (4) is supported (3) with sufficient laxity to permit wavelike undulating motion of the membrane brought about primarily by the evaporative airflow (2) itself. The differential flexing and motion of the undulating membrane (4) results in a breaking and peeling away of any normally fouling scaling or plugging solids which have precipitated or accumulated on the membrane surface (4). The undulation of the flexible membrane (4) thereby providing a self cleaning action. The self cleaning action of the membrane (4) assures successful application to evaporative processes with solutions (1, 5) which are prone to scaling, fouling, plugging or solutes buildup.

Abstract: A thin film distiller is provided which applies distilland to an evaporative side by the use of wicks which work by capillary action. The evaporated vapor is transferred to the condensate side after being compressed to a higher pressure where it is condensed and removed by similar wicks. The condensing and evaporating surfaces are formed on opposing sides of a bellows-like sheet of heat conducting material. The sheet would preferably be formed into a cylindrical shape with the evaporative stage on the outside and the condensing stage on the inside of the cylinder. Either the wicks or the heat conducting material are moved with respect to the other such that the wicks place a thin film of distilland on the evaporative surface. Removal of condensate is performed in a similar manner by the wicks in the condensate stage.

Abstract: A combination liquid distillation unit and heater, where the distilled liquid is heated to an elevated temperature to effect distillation, and then stored and maintained at an elevated temperature in a hot liquid tank. Thermal communication between the distillation unit portion and the storage tank allow heat from the distillation unit to be recovered in the hot distilled liquid in the tank to be transferred back to the feed water and/or to help maintain the hot distilled liquid in the tank at an appropriate elevated temperature. A start-up chamber in the distillation unit stores a reservoir of feed liquid during periods of inactivity, and allows the hot distilled liquid in the tank to preheat this feed liquid so that the feed liquid boils more quickly upon start-up.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for desolventizing particulate material having a solvent carried thereby wherein an upper indirect heating zone and a lower direct heating zone is provided. Each of the zones has a plurality of spaced apart horizontal trays for receiving particulate material. The trays define a vertical series of compartments through which the particulate material passes. Steam is provided to the particulate material indirectly in said indirect heating zone and directly in said direct heating zone are also included. An integral air tight flash chamber below the compartments enhances solvent recovery via vaporization of residual solvent from the condensed steam adhered to the particulate material traveling through the direct heating zone prior to discharge of the particulate material. The recovered residual solvent is delivered under pressure to a predetermined compartment in the direct heating zone provide heat for desolventizing the solvent-laden particulate material.