Abstract: An apparatus for reversing flow of partially evaporated maple syrup in at least one evaporating pan includes a transfer line having an inlet for connected to a heating and pan for receiving partially evaporated maple syrup from the heating pan. A first sub-line extends from the transfer line and can connect to a first port of the evaporating pan(s). A second sub-line extends from the transfer line and can connected to a second port of the evaporating pan(s). A first outlet line extends from the transfer line or the first sub-line. A second outlet line extends from the transfer line or the second sub-line. When the first and second sub-lines are connected to the first and second ports respectively, the transfer line is positioned at a height no higher than the heights of the first and second ports. The first and second outlet lines are positioned at a height no higher than the transfer line.

Abstract: A process includes forming a bio-derived crosslinking material from biorenewable aconitic acid. The process includes initiating a chemical reaction to form a bio-derived crosslinking material that includes multiple functional groups. The chemical reaction includes converting each carboxylic acid group of a biorenewable aconitic acid molecule to one of the multiple functional groups.

Abstract: An embodiment of a distillation system is disclosed having an influent column with an influent column first end and an influent column second end and having therein, a gas deflector. The influent column may contain at least an influent liquid and vapor from the influent liquid. The influent column first end may be in fluid communication with an influent liquid source. A distillation system is disclosed as having at least one effluent column having an effluent column first end and an effluent column second end and further comprising a condensation chamber adjacent the effluent second end. The effluent column may be positioned within the influent column and may contain at least an effluent liquid and vapor. A primary vacuum source may be in fluid communication with an influent column and positioned at an influent second end. A blower may be provided and connected to the condensation chamber.

Abstract: The invention is generally directed to solar distillation methods and systems for recovering potable water from non-potable water. In certain embodiments, a process for water distillation includes a cycled arrangement, alternating between a day cycle and a night cycle to enhance the yield of potable water. Additionally, in certain embodiments, the system includes a solar still having a design and orientation to maximize solar energy capture.

Abstract: A water purification system having an oil and vapor separation subsystem for removing many heavy duty and toxic contaminants from the water. The subsystem removes volatile vapors from the feed water, heats the feed water, and by imparting a swirling vortex action to the heated water, the oils are separated from the water. The water separated from the oil is pumped by a high pressure pump through a helical coil that is heated to a high temperature by the burner. The high temperature, hot water is then fed to an expansion nozzle in an expansion chamber to flash the hot water into steam. The steam is passed through a condenser which converts the steam to purified water.

Abstract: A system for recovering products from a gas stream comprises a cooled chamber having an inlet that feeds the gas stream to a plurality of sequential conduit loops within the chamber. A critical orifice follows each loop, and each loop includes an output port. Based upon the physical characteristics of each loop, the sizing of the critical orifice following the loop, and the temperature within the chamber, different products are condensed from the gas stream through the output ports. The system may be configured to condense hydrocarbonaceous products such as ethane, propane, butane or methane, as well as fundamental products such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen or hydrogen. Gaseous products may be stored in gas or liquid form or vented to atmosphere depending upon amount, purity, and so forth.

Abstract: A distillation device for treating liquid to be purified comprising: a) a boiler having an upper chamber (1B) and a lower chamber (1A); b) a liquid delivery system (1) for delivering the liquid to the lower chamber (1A); c) a heater (14) to heat the lower chamber (1A) to a predetermined temperature at which the liquid will be vaporized upon entering and/or contacting a surface of the lower chamber (1A); d) a vapor collector (9, 11) located in the upper chamber (1B) to receive and collect the vapor emanating from the lower chamber (1A); and e) a condenser (1C) in communication with the vapor collector (9, 11) to receive and condense that vapor into purified liquid.

Abstract: A carbonizing waste processing apparatus is operable to rotate and heat a radiant tube for carbonizing waste therein so as to generate granular char and vapors from the waste, transfer waste into an upstream end of the tube, temporarily impede movement of the waste through the tube at upstream and downstream locations therein so as to ensure that residence time of the waste in the tube is sufficient at the upstream location to carry out evaporation of moisture from the waste and at the downstream location to elevate the temperature of any solids in the waste for completion of carbonization of the waste, discharge the granular char and vapors from the tube, and flow the generated and discharged vapors through a succession of finned heat exchanger tubes so as to condense and separate the vapors into oil, water and methanol.

Abstract: Distillation apparatus comprises a condensing chamber and a heating chamber arranged on an enclosure. Liquid feed into the condensing chamber is pre-heated and flows to the heating chamber where it is boiled to produce vapor. Gas sparging in the condensing chamber enhances heat transfer and absorbs additional vapor generated by pre-heating. The condenser is a helical or other horizontal tube heat exchanger.

Abstract: A simultaneous system for the distillation and elevation of water on top of the water table itself, which drastically reduces the effects of scaling and corrosion, which, driven by thermo solar energy in an autonomous operation allows for the transportation and generation of electrical power.

Abstract: An apparatus for the desalination or purification of water includes a non-solid vessel (3) having a bottom defining an opening, the vessel (3) capable of being partially submerged below the surface of a body of water, a pan (5) located within the vessel (3), the pan (5) being flexibly connected to the inner wall of the vessel (3) and being located beneath the surface of the water (13), a lens fixably connected to the top of the vessel (3), wherein the lens is focused beneath the surface of the water (13) and above the surface of the pan (5) a device for varying the orientation of the vessel (3) in accordance with the location of the sun, and a device for condensing steam generated in the non-solid vessel (3), whereby steam generated in the non-solid vessel (3) is condensed outside of the non-solid vessel (3).

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: An apparatus for the desalination or purification of water comprises a non-solid vessel (3) having a bottom defining an opening, the vessel (3) capable of being partially submerged below the surface of a body of water, a pan (5) located within the vessel (3), the pan (5) being flexibly connected to the inner wall of the vessel (3) and being located beneath the surface of the water (13), a lens fixably connected to the top of the vessel (3), wherein the lens is focused beneath the surface of the water (13) and above the surface of the pan (5) means for varying the orientation of the vessel (3) in accordance with the location of the sun, and means for condensing steam generated in the non-solid vessel (3), whereby steam generated in the non-solid vessel (3) is condensed outside of the non-solid vessel (3).

Abstract: A water purification device comprises a unitized self regulating water distillation unit for processing drinking water. The distillation system is simple, rugged, and inexpensive to install, operate, and maintain. Two internal float switches in combination with an in-line, normally closed water supply valve and with an internal and always submerged heating element that are controlled by an electrical circuit including two electrical relays that when effectively combined enable water to be distilled through an air-cooled condensing coil housed in a compact unitized body. A mechanical insulation barrier is also provided, insulating the exterior of the device from the heat of the distillation process as well as internally directing the heat generated by the distillation process so that may be exhausted. Water may therefore be processed easily and routinely on a daily basis with a minimal amount of effort, cost, and maintenance by the owner or owners of such a system.

Abstract: A distilling device for converting unprocessed water into pure water including 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: A water distiller includes a shell, a container, a heater, a thermal conductive plate, a thermostat, a cover, a condenser coil, and a fan. The shell provides a compartment for receiving the container, the heater, the thermal conductive plate, and the thermostat. The container includes a bottom wall with an inclined surface to which the heater is connected. A higher end of the inclined surface is connected to the thermal conductive plate and the thermostat. The thermostat is mounted in a room provided between the shell and the container, and a first spring is provided to bias the thermostat to be in an intimate contact with cylindrical side wall of the container. A cap is mounted outside the room and a push button is mounted in the cap with an end exposed outside the cap for manual operation. A second spring is mounted in the cap for biasing the push button to a position for the manual operation. The cover mounted on top of the shell provides a compartment for receiving the condenser coil and the fan.