Abstract: An accelerated vapor recompression apparatus 10 converts incoming flow 35a to a concentrate 35c by developing a concentration profile 146 within a tank 30 holding a liquid 23 containing dissolved solids. The resulting curve 160 of saturation temperature of the stratified liquid 23 (such as a brine 23 or other material 23) moves away from the curve 162 corresponding to fully mixed conditions. The shift 174, 180 in saturation temperature results in increased boiling without increased energy from a heater 70 or compressor 50. A method 90, 200 of control of the system provides interventions 203, 204, 205, 206 at different levels 92, 94, 96, 98 of control, ranging from mass flows 35 to work of a compressor 50, heat from a heater 70, and a predictive processing 215 of feedback 217 for controlling commands 216 algorithmically.

Abstract: In a process, a portion of a liquid mixture flow is vaporized to produce a vapor and a depleted flow of liquid. The vapor is introduced to a brine which is adapted to exothermically absorb one or more components therefrom, and heat is withdrawn, to produce at least a flow of heat and a flow of brine which is enriched in the one or more components. The heat previously withdrawn is transferred, to drive the vaporization. This transfer can be associated with the change of a working fluid from a gaseous into a liquid state. In this case, the heat withdrawal involves the change of the working fluid from the liquid to the gaseous state. In the liquid state, the working fluid flows only by one or more of gravity, convection and wicking. In the gaseous state, the working fluid flows only by one or more of diffusion and convection.

Abstract: Device for purifying water, including a hollow structure in turn including a first space, includes a supply opening for water to be purified and a boiling device for such water, arranged to heat the water to the boiling point using energy from focused sunlight supplied via a supply device for sunlight to a heating location in the first space; a condenser for condensing water vapour from the boiling device; and a conduit device for water vapour, arranged to bring water vapour from the first space to the condenser. The heat exchanger is arranged to transfer thermal energy from either hot water vapour which has been boiled off in the boiling device or condensed water which is still warm and originates from such vapour, to water to be purified and which is to be introduced into the first space through the supply opening. A method for purifying water is also described.

Abstract: This invention provides a method for purifying a chlorine supply that includes a chlorine component, a bromine component, and nitrogen trichloride. The method includes the steps of introducing the chlorine supply into a vaporizer, heating the chlorine supply in the vaporizer to form a vapor, and introducing the vapor into a distillation system to provide purified chlorine gas, a distillate that includes liquid chlorine and the bromine component, and a bottoms component including the nitrogen trichloride. The method also includes the steps of condensing the vapor in a reflux condenser, heating the condensate in a reboiler, removing the purified chlorine gas from the distillation system, and removing the distillate from the distillation system.

Abstract: An accelerated vapor recompression apparatus 10 converts incoming flow 35a to a concentrate 35c by developing a concentration profile 146 within a tank 30 holding a liquid 23 containing dissolved solids. The resulting curve 160 of saturation temperature of the stratified liquid 23 (such as a brine 23 or other material 23) moves away from the curve 162 corresponding to fully mixed conditions. The shift 174, 180 in saturation temperature results in increased boiling without increased energy from a heater 70 or compressor 50. A method 90, 200 of control of the system provides interventions 203, 204, 205, 206 at different levels 92, 94, 96, 98 of control, ranging from mass flows 35 to work of a compressor 50, heat from a heater 70, and a predictive processing 215 of feedback 217 for controlling commands 216 algorithmically.

Abstract: A method and system for purifying liquid using waste heat is provided. Initially, a liquid is mixed with an anti-sealant agent in a first filtering unit to form a liquid mixture. Thereafter, the liquid mixture is filtered in the first filtering unit to separate foreign objects from the liquid mixture. Subsequently, the liquid mixture is heated in a pipe arrangement connecting the first filtering unit and one or more second filtering units to generate steam. The steam obtained from the heated liquid mixture is then purified in the one or more second filtering units. Thereafter, the purified steam is condensed in the pipe arrangement to obtain the purified liquid.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for the desalination of water, and particularly sea water. The apparatus includes a pump such as a progressive cavity pump driven by a motor, an initial gas/liquid separator such as a gravity separator, a liquid entrainment section such as a serpentine coil, a final in-line gas/liquid separator to separate the moisture-laden air stream from the brine, and a condenser to condense the moisture in the air stream to produce clean water.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for regenerating a contaminated solvent wherein said solvent is first separated from higher-boiling contaminants in an evaporator, and then contaminants having a lower boiling point than said solvent are separated out in a condenser in which the temperature of said lower-boiling contaminants coming out of said condenser and the temperature of said solvent coming out of said condenser are separately controlled.

Abstract: A method of drying a gas making use of the distillation of a liquid desiccant, the method comprising the introduction of a stream of make-up liquid containing water and of an organic solvent miscible with water, the solvent being a more volatile solvent than water under the conditions of the method and forming no azeotropes with water, in an intermediate zone of an elongated vertical contact and fractional distillation zone.

Abstract: A method for the fractional distillation of a mixture of at least two compounds with different boiling points, a rising flow of vapor is brought into intimate contact with a descending flow of liquid obtained within a column (1) by the partial condensation of the flow of vapor itself by heat exchange with a cooled surface which extends through a filling (37).

Abstract: The invention consists of an energy-saving circuit for rectification columns in continuously operated distillation plants and various embodiments of this circuit. Both the total dephlemation heat and the total waste heat of the depleted solution stream can be simultaneously utilized for preheating enriched initial solution by using this circuit, over a wide range of separations.This heat recovery is possible using a parallel-flow dephlegmator whose vapor sides are connected in parallel to the rectification column enrichment section and which is preferably cooled by a portion of the cold enriched initial solution stream. From a partial stream of the vapor mixture existing at the beginning of the rectification column stripping section, product vapor of the required purity and condensate reflux for the vapor side of the unloaded column enrichment section are obtained simultaneously, in this manner.

Abstract: The invention concerns a process for the degassing, dehydrating and lower boiling component separation during straight-run distillation of crude fatty acids. The crude fatty acids are degassed in the degassing stage at such temperatures and pressures in counter current flow with stripping steam that no appreciable dehydration or lower boiling component separation takes place at this stage, then the degassed crude fatty acid is then led to a precut column for dehydration and lower boiling component separation, whereby the falling film concentrator column operates as a partial condensation stage for the creation of the reflux of the fatty acids, which is necessary for the lower boiling component separation, and that the easily boiling component evaporates almost completely in the precut column and is led off from the precut column in vapor form, together with the water.

Abstract: An improved evaporation process for accomplishing the separation of a solution into its volatile and non-volatile components. The improvement over conventional evaporation, according to which the solution is fed to a calandria where it is heated and partially vaporized and the resulting calandria vapor stream is subjected to vapor-liquid separation for the removal of entrainment, relates to the practice of an additional and intermediate step in which the calandria vapor is contacted with the feed solution.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for producing alcohol fuel in an efficient and continuous manner are provided. The apparatus and method utilize otherwise lost heat to reduce the amount of heat required to convert feed stock into alcohol fuel. The apparatus and method utilize the supply of feed stock from a hopper through an auger to a cooker vessel, and then in turn to enzyme and fermenting tanks or vessels, which in turn discharge fermented mash to a strainer for separation of the alcohol beer from the mash. The beer is then discharged to a level controlled beer tank which regulates a residue valve controlling the amount of residue liquid returned to the apparatus and maintained under process. From the beer tank, the flow of the beer is regulated by passage through a non-clogging control valve into a reflux column.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distillation wherein the heat of partial condensation and the heat of evaporation are incrementally utilized as produced thus guiding the gaseous phase of the distillation along the dew-point line of the enthalpy-concentration diagram and guiding the fluid phase along the bubble-point line of the enthalpy-concentration diagram of the mixture to be rectified.

Abstract: A process and apparatus especially suited for distilling alcohol from aqueous fermentation liquors wherein liquid vapors from a body of a liquid mixture (4) which is to be distilled pass from a container (2) holding the liquid mixture to a vapor heating chamber (8) disposed above the container where the vapors are heated by solar radiation and/or heat exchange with a source of process heat. The vapors are then withdrawn from the vapor heating chamber, compressed, passed in heat exchange relation with the liquid mixture and introduced into a reflux column (15) disposed in the interior of the body of liquid to be distilled near the center of the container. An aqueous fraction (24) is collected from the bottom of the reflux column, and an alcohol vapor fraction is withdrawn from the top of the reflux column and further condensed in heat exchange contact with the liquid mixture to produce an alcohol fraction (32).

Abstract: A float valve arrangement is disposed in a mixing condenser that is arranged intermediate the first and second stage of a two-stage evaporation installation suitable for purifying radio-active liquids. In normal operation, vapor evaporated in the first stage extends via a first conduit into the mixing condenser where such vapor is condensed by contact with a portion of the liquid in the second stage that is circulated back to the mixing condenser via a pump. The normal vapor pressure generated in the first stage keeps the float valve open and permits the steam to displace, into the second stage, liquid present in the mixing condenser. During start-up and shutdown of the installation wherein vapor from the first stage is no longer present, the resulting rise in liquid level in the mixing condenser causes the float valve to close and to prevent any backflow of liquid into the first stage via the first conduit.