Abstract: Apparatus for concentrating and dehydrating maleic acid to form maleic anhydride, comprising: at least a first and a second vertical, independent and distinct, falling thin-film, multitubular evaporators of the static type arranged in series, wherein the first thin-film multitubular evaporator of the static type has an upper part and a lower part and includes a feedpipe at the upper part and a discharge pipe at the lower part; a separator connected by its sidewall to the discharge pipe from the first evaporator and including a first discharge pipe at the upper portion thereof and a second discharge pipe at the lower part; the second thin-film multitubular evaporator of the static type having a feedpipe having an upper part and a lower part connected to the second discharge pipe from the separator and including a discharge pipe only at the lower part thereof; a boiler having an upper part and a lower part, said upper part of said boiler being connected to and in open communication with the lower portion of the

Abstract: An improved process for purification of glycerol obtained from natural sources comprising alkalizing a glycerol-containing crude mixture in the presence of air for oxidation, evaporating the mixture in a thin-layer evaporator with redistillation of the residue, rectification and reevaporation in a packed column characterized by low-pressure-loss plates with a falling-film evaporator designed for internal and external partial condensation and to separate off unwanted constituents of the mixture, bleaching the product with activated carbon and separating the bleach in known manner.

Abstract: A process for the multi-stage condensation of an overhead fraction is disclosed. The process facilitates optimal response to changes in distillation column controls wherein column top reflux condensation is preferentially returned to said distillation column, but auxiliary surge capacity is obtained by connection to a first accumulator section of an accumulating zone, which surge capacity is supplemented by one-way flow of liquid from a cooler, second section in said accumulation zone.

Abstract: An apparatus for vaporizing a liquid and condensing the vapor includes at least one chamber in which the liquid is vaporized and at least one chamber in which the vapor is condensed. The apparatus has a conveyor inlet channel preferably at one end of the vaporizing chamber, and a conveyor outlet channel preferably at the opposite end of the vaporizing chamber. A conveyor for moving items to be treated through the apparatus extends through the conveyor inlet channel into the vaporizing chamber and out of the vaporizing chamber through the conveyor outlet channel. The apparatus includes a heat emitting device in the vaporizing chamber providing a surface temperature above the vaporizing temperature for substantially instantaneously vaporizing the liquid condensate maintaining a predetermined vapor level in the vaporizing chamber, and a cooling device in the condensate chamber for condensing the vapor.

Abstract: An apparatus for vaporizing a liquid and condensing the vapor includes at least one chamber in which the liquid is vaporized and at least one chamber in which the vapor is condensed. The apparatus has a conveyor inlet channel preferably at one end of the vaporizing chamber, and a conveyor outlet channel preferably at the opposite end of the vaporizing chamber. A conveyor for moving items to be treated through the apparatus extends through the conveyor inlet channel into the vaporizing chamber and out of the vaporizing chamber through the conveyor outlet channel. The apparatus includes a heat emitting device in the vaporizing chamber for vaporizing the liquid therein, and a cooling device in the condensing chamber for condensing the vapor.

Abstract: A process for the nondegenerative distillation of C.sub.6 -C.sub.24 -fatty acids, of the type obtained by splitting natural fats and oils or by synthetic processes, such as for example the oxidation of paraffins, the crude product is thermally dried under reduced pressure, the dried and heated crude product is subjected to fractional evaporation in falling-film evaporators, optionally in the presence of superheated steam, and the various vapor fractions are deposited in condensers. The thermal drying process is conducted at a temperature of 60.degree.-80.degree. C. and a pressure of 90-100 mbars. The de-watered crude product is fractionated in a film-forming evaporator and, after distillation, passes to a rectification column which condenses the low boiling constituents as the main runnings.

Abstract: A control system for use in a condensation heating facility to control the secondary vapor blanket used to prevent loss of primary vapor. The control system includes a pair of secondary vapor sensors which detect a secondary vapor blanket slightly below and alternatively slightly above a design depth. The sensors are connected to control relays which energize a high rate dispensing pump to build the secondary vapor blanket when it is below the low depth and to energize a low rate dispensing pump when the secondary vapor blanket is between the low depth and the high depth. Additional control is arranged to inhibit dispensing of secondary liquid when the secondary vapor blanket is above the high depth or the primary vapor blanket is below its designed depth or finally during a vapor phase heating cycle where the primary and secondary vapor blankets collapse as a function of heating during the cycle.

Abstract: An apparatus for fractional distillation under vacuum, comprising an evacuable vessel enclosing a first zone for liquid to be distilled, a second zone for distillate and a third zone for residue. The vessel is provided with a plurality of vertical tubular elements having side walls forming evaporator surfaces and being provided with inlet means at their upper ends for directing liquid to be distilled from the first zone towards the evaporator surface. Each hollow element surrounds at least partly a vertical cooling surface to cause condensation of vaporized liquid to form distillate, each hollow element being further provided with means for separately withdrawing distillate and residue from its interior into the second zone and the third zone, respectively. The vessel preferably consists of detachably interconnected wall portions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for vaporizing and recovering, by condensation, a composite liquid solution of at least two components having substantially different vaporizing temperatures. The apparatus includes at least one liquid condensate vaporizing chamber wherein the vapor of the lower vapor point component will be condensed from a vapor zone above the vapor zone of the vapor of the higher vapor point component. The apparatus further includes at least two weir or other means to define the vapor levels of each vaporized component and the condensing means for each component are disposed on the opposite side of the weir from the vapor zone.

Abstract: A distillation apparatus is provided for the fractionation of a hydrocarbon stream. A part of the heat energy to operate the apparatus is provided by heat exchange of a recycled bottom liquid stream with an overhead vapor stream which has been compressed with a concurrent increase in temperature. Such an apparatus may be used to fractionate a C.sub.4 hydrocarbon feed.

Abstract: An apparatus for generating at least two vapor zones, one above the other, by vaporizing a fluid mixture having at least two compounds therein having different vaporizing temperatures. The apparatus includes a chamber with vaporizing means, and vapor condensing means. Condensate recovery means is provided for recovering the condensed vapor and the condensate recovery means is in flow communication with a separation device for receiving the condensate from the condensate recovery means. The flow communication between the condensate recovery means and the separation device is external of the chamber. The separation means revaporizes the liquid with the lower vaporizing temperature for return to the vapor zone in the upper portion of the chamber and separates as a liquid the fluid having a higher vaporizing temperature.

Abstract: A vapor generating and recovering apparatus for vaporizing a liquid and condensing a vapor, the apparatus including a container having a liquid therein with a heating and cooling system in heat transfer relation with the liquid and vapor in the container. The heating and cooling system includes means to vaporize the liquid; means to condense the vaporized liquid; and, means to compress a refrigerant. The means to compress the refrigerant is in fluid communication on its high pressure side with the means to vaporize a liquid or heat a liquid and on its low pressure side with the means to condense or cool a liquid. The heating and cooling system further includes a complementary condenser system on the high pressure side of the means to compress a refrigerant, discharging its heat external to said apparatus and pump down valve means selectively closeable so that refrigerant can be pumped out of the means to compress a refrigerant.

Abstract: The distillation apparatus includes a rectifying column, a reflux condenser and a product condenser. The reflux condenser communicates directly with the interior of the rectifying column in order to return condensed reflux at or near its boiling point. The product condenser is connected to the output of the reflux condenser to condense the product vapors passing from the reflux condenser to obtain a product of high purity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus particularly suitable for the production of alcohol from fermentable substances such as grain. In this method, mash cooking, fermentation, and boiling are carried out sequentially in a single vessel. Boiling produces a first vapor rich in alcohol which is partially condensed to form a liquid condensate and a second vapor which is further enriched in alcohol. The liquid condensate is returned to the vessel and an alcohol product is recovered from the second vapor, preferably without the addition of external heat. Alcohol recovery is effected by passing the second vapor to a second vessel. Vapor from the second vessel is partially condensed to form a third vapor which is still further enriched in alcohol and a liquid condensate which is returned to the second vessel where it is contacted by the second vapor introduced thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus for purifying impure vaporizable liquid, e.g. heavy water, which provides for the removal of dissolved inorganic solid contaminants from such liquid to produce a high purity liquid product.

Abstract: A distillation/evaporation/drying apparatus wherein alcohol is removed by a dry, warm carrier gas from an alcohol-containing slurry from a fermenter. Carbon dioxide from the fermenter is used as the carrier gas and is suitably dried, warmed and recycled into contact with the slurry to assist in removing alcohol therefrom. The apparatus includes a reflux section to upgrade the alcohol content of the carrier gas.

Abstract: A control system for a multiple feed fractional distillation column is disclosed in which the flow rate signals of the multiple feed streams are delayed and combined for use in feedforward predictive control of the upper reflux flow, intermediate reflux flow and/or reboiler fluid flow to the fractional distillation column. Temperature measurements of the upper vapor stream, the upper reflux stream, the intermediate vapor stream and the intermediate reflux stream as well as analysis of a product stream can be utilized to provide feedback control of the fractional distillation column.

Abstract: A process for the multistage condensation of an overhead fraction is disclosed. The process employs a single accumulation zone for at least two stages of the condensation, the accumulation zone being characterized by separate accumulation sections formed by a barrier which provides, at or near its bottom, limited liquid flow between the sections.

Abstract: An improved solvent recovery process comprising distilling soiled solvent in a main still and conducting hot solvent vapor through a heat exchanger associated with a tank in which an azeotropic mixture of water and soiled solvent is maintained, which mixture boils at a temperature lower than the boiling point of the solvent alone. A series of tanks feed soiled solvent to the azeotropic mixture tank and then to the main still, and heat exchangers fed by the vapor from the main still and the vapor from the azeotropic mixture tank pre-heat the soiled solvent. Automatic control of water injection into the azeotropic mixture tank in dependence upon the temperature of conductivity of the tank contents maintains the composition of the azeotropic mixture, the injected water being taken from separators which separate water from condensate of the main still and azeotropic mixture tank vapors.

Abstract: Volatile reactants are heated under reflux in a reactor and form volatile reaction by-products which are continuously removed in a vapor effluent from a reflux column and partial condenser. The effluent, which entrains some of the reactants, is condensed in a first total condenser and is fed to a distillation apparatus for separation of the volatile reactants and by-products and return of the separated reactants to the reactor. Before the condensate reaches the distillation apparatus, it is temporarily stored in a receiver from which it is controllably fed to a pre-heater where it is evaporated and then fed as a vapor to the distillation column of the distillation apparatus for separation. The distillation column includes at one end a reboiler which retains the reactants. The other end of the distillation column is coupled to a second total condenser in which the volatile by-products are condensed and withdrawn through a cooler for disposal.

Abstract: An apparatus for the continuous production of high-purity water includes a distillation flask, a carboy and a condenser unit, all of borosilicate glass. A respective filter is provided between the ambient atmosphere and the interiors of the flask, the carboy and the condenser unit to remove airborne bacteria and dust particles. An inlet valve is provided for feeding water to be purified into the flask, all water-contacting parts of this valve being of polytetrafluoroethylene. The open parts are interconnected with flexible, polytetrafluoroethylene tubing. A two-way, stopcock allows high-purity water to be removed from the carboy.

Abstract: A vapor generating and recovering apparatus including vapor condenser control means wherein one component is separated from a second component of a liquid solution by vaporization and then recovered by condensing including at least one chamber for vaporizing the first component from the liquid solution and a second chamber for recovering the vapor, the vapor generating chamber being in heat emitting relation with a heat emitting means and the vapor recovering chamber being in heat abosrbing relation with a heat absorbing means, the heat absorbing means including a temperature sensing device at a preselected position within the second chamber to control the vapor level of the vaporized component, the sensing device actuating a cooling fluid which is included within the heat absorbing means whereby the vapor level in the apparatus is controlled by the temperature sensing device in combination with the heat absorbing control means.

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.