Still Supported Patents (Class 202/189)
  • Patent number: 9732460
    Abstract: A fabric treatment appliance capable of indicating when a fabric load is sanitized, implementing a sanitizing by modifying a predetermined operation cycle, or implementing a sanitizing cycle after the completion of a predetermined operation cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Benne, Matthew T. Doll, Carolyn Y. Groppel, Claudia Schuler, Casey J. Tubman
  • Publication number: 20150129411
    Abstract: In some embodiments, a distillation device having a first portion including a ringed area for resting on a boiling vessel is provided. A second portion is coupled to the first portion and a rest, coupled to the second portion and configured to receive a condensation surface above the second portion is provided. The second portion is configured to combine with a condensing surface to provide a condensation region the condensation region is configured to be in fluid communication with the boiling vessel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventor: Glenn E. MEDER
  • Patent number: 8910702
    Abstract: Vapor flow-diverting devices that re-direct upwardly flowing vapor, for example, in a downward direction across condenser tubes disposed in the upper or top section of a vapor-liquid contacting apparatus, are described. These devices are particularly beneficial in tubular condensers within distillation columns and may be used in combination with other associated equipment (e.g., a deflector plate and divider plate) as well as in combination with the tube surface enhancements to improve the heat transfer coefficient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Phillip F. Daly, Steven P. Lankton, Raymond E. Tucker
  • Publication number: 20140339070
    Abstract: A hot-plate stirrer comprising at least one non-contact IR temperature sensor and an engagement/positioning means to couple a holder for a glass container for chemicals is disclosed. Furthermore a holder for a glass container for chemicals is disclosed. The holder comprises an engagement/positioning means to couple to an engagement/positioning means of the hot-plate stirrer. An apparatus for extracting an extract from a substance is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: Francesco Visinoni, Pirola Camillo
  • Patent number: 8858762
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Inventor: Anthony D. Young
  • Patent number: 8834683
    Abstract: Heat exchanger steam condenser water distillation is described. In one aspect, a water distillation condenser has a heated air conduit in air flow communication with a heat exchanger. A cold raw water compartment is disposed above the heated air conduit and at least a bottom surface of the cold raw water compartment disposed at an angle. A heated raw water channel is defined between the heated air conduit and the raw water compartment. A floor of the heated raw water channel is defined by a top of the heated air conduit. A distilled water trough is disposed below a lower extent of the cold raw water compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: King Saud University
    Inventors: Mazen A. Ba-abbad, Hany A. Al-Ansary, Essam A. Al-Ammar
  • Patent number: 8734618
    Abstract: Apparatus for treating a gaseous hydrocarbon fraction to obtain a gaseous fraction and a liquid fraction which apparatus includes a shell-and-tube heat exchanger and a distillation column, wherein the shell-and-tube heat exchanger includes an inlet and an outlet for cooling fluid which inlet and outlet are in fluid communication with the tube side of the heat exchanger, and an inlet for the gaseous hydrocarbon fraction at the upper end of the heat exchanger which inlet is in fluid communication with the shell side of the heat exchanger, and a conduit for guiding hydrocarbons from the heat exchanger to the distillation column which distillation column includes an outlet for gas at its upper end and an outlet for liquid at its lower end, and process in which such apparatus is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: George Anderson
  • Publication number: 20130240346
    Abstract: An anti-thermosensitization rectification tower comprising a rectification tower, a T-shaped condenser, a baffle plate, a tower bottom, a falling-film reboiler and a recirculation system, wherein the T-shaped condenser is secured exactly on the top of the rectification tower without any pipeline in between, and the circular baffle plate is installed in the T-shaped condenser; an annular sump located between the rectification tower and the T-shaped condenser for collecting the liquid condensed in the T-shaped condenser and channeling it out of the rectification tower into a liquid-collecting tank, and a centrifugal pump utilized to connect together the tower bottom and the falling-film reboiler to form a high-speed circulation system, wherein the tower bottom is an elongated conduit and the falling-film reboiler is in the form of a stout shell-and-tube heat exchanger is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Applicant: NANJING UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Zhibing Zhang, Zheng Zhou, Gaodong Yang, Defang Sun, Ling Zhang
  • Publication number: 20130118888
    Abstract: A desalination unit for production of potable water from sub-soil brine including in combination a trapezoidal basin, a condenser, a feed tank, a header, a heat exchanger, a flush valve, a sprinkling system, exhaust heat pipe and water collecting channel; where the exhaust heat pipe is connected to a heat source at one end and to the header at the another end, the header being coupled with the heat exchanger to provide the heat flow, and the heat exchanger being fitted at the inner portion of the trapezoidal basin to heat the sub-soil brine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: COUNCIL OF SCIENTIFIC AND INDUSTRIAL RESEARCH
    Inventors: Pushpito Kumar Ghosh, Girish Rajanikant Desale, Bhavin Hasmukhlal Khatri, Rajeshkumar Naranbhai Patel, Sanatkumar Natavarlal Patel, Jayanta Kumar Pothal, Niitin Ganesh Borle, Mahesh Ramjibhai Gajjar, Hiteshbhai Mohanbhai Tadvi
  • Publication number: 20130068608
    Abstract: Heat exchanger steam condenser water distillation is described. In one aspect, a water distillation condenser has a heated air conduit in air flow communication with a heat exchanger. A cold raw water compartment is disposed above the heated air conduit and at least a bottom surface of the cold raw water compartment disposed at an angle. A heated raw water channel is defined between the heated air conduit and the raw water compartment. A floor of the heated raw water channel is defined by a top of the heated air conduit. A distilled water trough is disposed below a lower extent of the cold raw water compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: King Saud University
    Inventors: Mazen A. Ba-abbad, Hany A. Al-Ansary, Essam A. Al-Ammar
  • Patent number: 8226799
    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. The influent column may have at least one vertically positioned influent conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Inventor: Anthony D. Young
  • Publication number: 20120138447
    Abstract: A system for creating desalinated water from seawater and also creating electricity includes a solar furnace unit. This furnace unit includes a vessel for receiving and evaporating seawater which is heated by a solar energy concentrator. Seawater can be input into the vessel and brine can be removed from the vessel. A riser pipe for steam extends upward from the vessel to a higher-elevation steam turbine generator. A drop pipe for draining desalinated water extends downward from the steam turbine generator to a hydroturbine generator. Desalinated water generates electricity as it moves through the hydroturbine generator. The desalinated water can then be subsequently used. The input for feeding seawater to the vessel includes one or more pumps that are powered from a solar-initiated wind power generating system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Inventor: Kenneth P. GLYNN
  • Patent number: 7927463
    Abstract: The present invention provides a novel tritium distillation device, which includes a container, a radiator covered on top of the container with a protrusion at the bottom, a conduit penetrating the container with an inlet and an outlet, the inlet being arranged in correspondence with the protrusion, and a heating device fixed below the container. The method of operating the tritiated water distillation includes the steps of adding environmental tritiated water in the container, covering the radiator on top of the container closely, heating environmental tritiated water to cause tritiated water steam to be condensed to the bottom of the radiator, and collecting the tritiated water condensation dropped from the protrusion with conduit. The present invention uses a simple structure to ease assembly and reduce the cost of cooling water source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2011
    Assignee: Institute of Nuclear Energy Research
    Inventor: Hsin-Fa Fang
  • Patent number: 7381310
    Abstract: A sea water desalination installation that employs an evaporation-condensation system which operates continuously at a low temperature and which enables the recovery of energy released. The installation includes a cylindrical evaporator having a large evaporation surface and a concentric condenser with a large surface area. Sea water is used to cool the condenser and said water is subsequently sent to the evaporator. A static high-pressure ventilator is used to: (i) drive the vapor/air in a closed circuit between the evaporator and the condenser and (ii), using a calibrated nozzle, create a pressure gradient that is equivalent to the pressure of the saturated vapor at working temperature between said two zones. The aforementioned evaporator and condenser are thermally insulated in relation to one another and to the external environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Inventors: Maria Fernando Hernandez Hernandez, Francisco Fernadnez De Mazarambroz Bernabeu
  • Patent number: 7252743
    Abstract: An low concentration dope is fed through a nozzle into a concentrating apparatus, and flash evaporation of the low concentration dope is performed at an end of the nozzle. The low concentration dope is concentrated thereby to an concentrating dope which is contained and heated in the concentrating apparatus. Thus part of solvents of the low concentration dope and the concentrating dope is evaporated to a solvent gas. The solvent gas is cooled and condensed in a condensing section of the concentrating apparatus, and thereafter drawn through a first exit from the concentrating apparatus. The concentrating dope is concentrated to a high concentration dope, which is drawn through a second exit from the concentrating apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Fujifilm Corporation
    Inventors: Yukihiro Katai, Tadahiro Tsujimoto, Misao Takahashi
  • Patent number: 7153396
    Abstract: In a rotary evaporator, the rotating speed of the rotating flask is automatically controlled or regulated dependent upon a detected process value, particularly the vibration behavior or the mass moment of inertia of the rotating flask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Inventor: Hans Georg Genser
  • Publication number: 20040108196
    Abstract: This invention relates to a system for distilling liquor. The system is multilayer and has devices including a top layer, a middle layer, a bottom layer and an outer cooling assembly and four units correspondingly arranged in those devices. The layers all have inner walls made of thermal-conductive and anti-corrosive material. The four units are a heating unit, a cracking unit, a purifying distilling unit and a cooling unit. The heating unit boils water to generate heating steam. The heating steam is introduced into the cracking unit to heat alcoholic paste to generate liquor steam.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Inventor: Ching-Piau Lai
  • Patent number: 6740206
    Abstract: A rotary evaporator including a rotating flask (2) to hold the substances to be evaporated, and a drive (6) to rotate the rotating flask around an axis of rotation (R) that runs through the rotating flask, wherein the rotating flask additionally can be swiveled around a swiveling axis (S) which runs outside of the rotating flask and, relative to the force of gravity (G), runs above the axis of rotation of the rotating flask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2004
    Inventor: Hans Georg Genser
  • Publication number: 20040060808
    Abstract: A solar still apparatus is described for the multi-effect distillation of a fluid such as water. A transparent condenser air duct overlies an evaporator air duct having a light-absorbing floor, both sharing a transparent plastic film wall. Air, blown by a fan, flows through the lower duct, where it progressively warms and evaporates a feedstock fluid. At the hot end of the lower duct, the air enters the upper duct where it flows in a reverse direction, progressively cooling and condensing its vapor, a portion of the heat of condensation being transferred through the shared wall to the lower duct. Thermal gradients established within the still facilitate the evaporation and condensation of the fluid with minimal heat loss to the environment and maximal recuperation of the heat of condensation for fluid evaporation. A working fluid may be used to extract useful power from the still's thermal gradients.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Paul Alex LaViolette
  • Patent number: 6635148
    Abstract: A method for refining an easily polymerizable matter while preventing an easily polymerizable matter-containing substance from being polymerized and an apparatus for use in the method are disclosed. The method and apparatus for refining and separating the easily polymerizable matter-containing substance by the use of a distillation column provided with a heat exchanger set the linear velocity of a vapor in a connecting line intervening between the distillation column and the heat exchanger at a level of not less than 5 m per second and the retention time of the vapor at a level of not more than 3 seconds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2003
    Assignee: Nippon Shokubai
    Inventors: Takeshi Nishimura, Yukihiro Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 6623603
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for purifying water by using thermal and/or thermocatalytic processes. The method and apparatus are particularly useful for processing impure water to remove and/or deactivate toxic inorganic, organic, and/or biological species such as Sarin, mustard gas, phosgene, cyanogen chloride, anthrax, E. coli, Giardia cysts, salmonella, hepatitis, and Norwalk viruses. In the thermal process, contaminated water is heated (preferably superheated) forming steam, whereby a majority of inorganic and biological species are removed or deactivated from the water. The steam is then condensed, forming liquid purified water. In the thermocatalytic process, the steam is brought into contact with a hydrolysis catalyst, preferably in the form of a coated surface or replaceable catalyst element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1999
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: MesoSystems Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles J. Call, Alireza Shekarriz, Mike Powell, Seung-Ho Hong, Robert Beckius, Ezra Merrill
  • Publication number: 20020148718
    Abstract: A rotary evaporator including a rotating flask (2) to hold the substances to be evaporated, and a drive (6) to rotate the rotating flask around an axis of rotation (R) that runs through the rotating flask, wherein the rotating flask additionally can be swiveled around a swiveling axis (S) which runs outside of the rotating flask and, relative to the force of gravity (G), runs above the axis of rotation of the rotating flask.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 20, 2002
    Publication date: October 17, 2002
    Inventor: Hans Georg Genser
  • Patent number: 6428656
    Abstract: A water-cooled distilling apparatus for purifying or distilling raw water. The apparatus includes a boiler, cooling tray assembly, and collection vessel. In use, raw water is initially poured into the boiler which has a self-regulating screen in it. As the water beings to boil, the screen rises to float above the raw water. The height of the screen above the water automatically adjusts proportionately to the rate of boil to proportionately expose more or less surface area of the screen. A water film forms on the exposed surface area of the screen and clean steam rises therefrom into the cooling tray assembly where it is deflected into a condensing area on each level of the assembly. In each condensing area, heat is transferred from the steam into coolant water in a reservoir, causing the coolant water to evaporate from the reservoir and the steam to condense on the bottom of the surface of the reservoir. Distillate formed by the condensing steam is then collected and transferred to a collection vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2002
    Assignee: PSI-ETS, a North Dakota Partnership
    Inventors: Joel J. Bleth, Edward T. Strickland, Doug Walter
  • Patent number: 6387222
    Abstract: A method of distillation for separating a material which is solid at ambient temperature from a lower boiling and lower melting point material, and the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: BASF Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Christian Tragut, Gerd Kaibel
  • Patent number: 6303006
    Abstract: A vacuum type distilling system includes a sealed container including a vaporization chamber for containing a liquid and a condensation chamber, a pressure-reducing device, a condensing device, a heating device, and a vapor-collecting device including a floating piston for separating liquid and vapor and a guide tube for guiding vapor generated in the vaporization chamber into the condensation chamber. Liquid to be distilled is filled into the vaporization chamber and the pressure of the sealed container is reduced such that the boiling point of the liquid in the vaporization chamber is lowered. The heating device heats and thus vaporizes the liquid in the vaporization chamber into vapor which is immediately conveyed into the condensation chamber where vapor is condensed into distilled liquid by a condensing tube of the condensing device that is mounted in the condensation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2001
    Inventors: Chia-Wei Chang, Charlie S. F. Chang, Shen Tsung-Lin
  • Patent number: 6280577
    Abstract: A liquid distiller. The distiller includes a main body having a main housing inside which water is heated to generate steam. The steam is passed through a condenser. A fan is positioned inside the distiller to supply cool air to the condenser. A water output is defined in the main body. Air inlets are defined in a outer periphery of the main housing. An upper lid is mounted on top of the main body and includes an air outlet in an upper side thereof so as to guide air which has passed around the condenser to dissipate out of the main body. An air guide is securely mounted between the upper lid and the main body. The air guides includes a disc with a central opening, an upper tubular member projecting upwardly from an upper side of the disc and having a first through hole communicating with the central opening of the disc, and a lower tubular member projecting downwardly from an underside of the disc and having a second through hole communicating with the central opening of the disc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2001
    Inventor: Long-Ming Wang
  • Patent number: 6099693
    Abstract: A movable water distiller capable of use in conjunction with a water heater includes a frame having a top which supports the water heater. The distiller components are supported on a tray having a guide assembly engaging a track assembly horizontally positioned in the bottom region of the frame. The guide assembly allows the distiller components to be inserted within, and extracted from, the frame interior while the track assembly maintains alignment of the tray. Alternatively, the guide assembly may be attached to the top surfaces of the track assembly. Paneling surrounds the sides and back of the frame, while a front cover is attached to the front of the tray. The front cover and the paneling enclose the interior of the frame and prevent access to the distiller components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Assignee: Pure Water, Inc.
    Inventors: David G. Palmer, Mark W. Napier
  • Patent number: 6001222
    Abstract: A solar heating and evaporation plant is described which can be used to either produce distilled potable water from salty water or to heat water for industrial or domestic purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1999
    Inventor: Samuel H. Klein
  • Patent number: 5961787
    Abstract: A solvent extraction apparatus which includes a heating plate, a vessel for containing a solvent, an extraction thimble to obtain a sample to be extracted from said vessel and a cooler for condensing evaporated solvent vapors. The cooler is connected to the vessel for containing the solvent, preferably by an adaptor. A lifting rod is provided which passes through the cooler which, at its lower portion, is provided with a drip rim on which the extraction thimble is detachably fixed. The thimble can be moved vertically by the lifting rod and the flow of solvent into and out of the cooler can be regulated by the lifting rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1999
    Assignee: Foss Tecator AB
    Inventors: Goran Persson, Finn Alstin
  • Patent number: 5951825
    Abstract: A portable distiller convertible between an operating mode and a storage mode which permits easy transport includes a boiler vessel, a condenser, and a collection container. The condenser is mounted on a two-way lid which engages the top of the boiler in an operating mode to support the condenser over the boiler. The lid is insulated to prevent the transfer of heat from the boiler to the condenser. The lid is reversible to allow the condenser to be inserted into the boiler vessel for storage. The container may also be stored in the boiler, and preferably receives the condenser for storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Inventor: Glenn E. Land
  • Patent number: 5919339
    Abstract: A rotary evaporator of the present invention has an insertion area of a rotary joint 33 in a straight shape. This area is movably inserted to a motor rotor 27 of a motor by a sleeve 31 or 31' in an axial direction. Bushes 57 are inserted between the rotary joint 33 and the sleeve 31 or 31' for integrating the rotary joint 33 and the sleeve 31 or 31' by a fastening force generated by a fastening cap 61 or 61' engaged with a screw section of the sleeve 31 or 31'. With the above-described structure, when the outer peripheral surface of the rotary joint 33 is abraded by a sealing member 43, the fastening cap 61 is loosened and the rotary joint 33 is slightly moved to the axial direction so that the rotary joint 33 is moved to an appropriate or an optimum position along the axial direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 6, 1999
    Assignees: Yamato Scientific Co., Ltd, Ikeda Glass Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Naoki Ikeda
  • Patent number: 5728273
    Abstract: Method for bringing a gas and a liquid into contact with one another, the liquid being passed in the form of a film over an evaporator surface (1) provided with small openings and the gas being fed through the openings in the evaporator surface, which gas mixes with the liquid on the surface and absorbs vapor from the liquid, a liquid subsequently being passed in the form of a film over a condenser surface (11) provided with small openings and the gas which has absorbed vapors from the liquid film on the evaporator surface being fed through the openings in the condenser surface, at least some of the absorbed vapor condensing and being carried along with the liquid film on the condenser surface and removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1998
    Inventor: Leendert Aandewiel
  • Patent number: 5662779
    Abstract: A water purification apparatus positionable on an existing dispenser has a valve control member positionable in the water plenum of the dispenser to control release of purified water from the apparatus to the dispenser. A feedwater tank receives supply water which is fed to a water level control tank to maintain the water level in the boiler of the apparatus above the heating element. The control tank includes a partition separating a main reservoir from a de-foamer control chamber within which anti-foaming agent may be added. A condenser is coiled into a number of convolutions about a central opening and has external heat exchanger fins. An end cap assembly closes the central opening except for a small portion through which air is blown by a fan so that substantially all of the air flows over the fins. The boiler is a cylindrical container having a peripheral lip about an open end on which a lid having a steam outlet tube is positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Market Design & Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph G. Greene, David G. Palmer
  • Patent number: 5614066
    Abstract: An apparatus for converting seawater or other contaminated water into pure water for reuse including: a source of the contaminated water; a first horizontal housing connected to the source of contaminated water and having a heat exchanger therein for vaporizing the contaminated water therein; a vertical housing connected to the distal end of the first horizontal housing for fluid communication therebetween; a second horizontal housing connected at its proximate end to the vertical housing for fluid communication therebetween, the second horizontal housing having a heat exchanger therein for condensing vapor therein; a weir vertically mounted in the first housing for retaining a portion of the contaminated water in the first housing and allowing the other portion of the contaminated water to pass through the heat exchange evaporator from the proximate to distal end of the first housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 25, 1997
    Inventor: William R. Williamson
  • Patent number: 5525200
    Abstract: Apparatus for purifying any type of contaminated liquid. The apparatus includes a series of closed but connected passageways in an S configuration of equal diameter open to each other such that the process is effectuated in one cylindrical device as opposed to several closed chambers. Contaminated liquid is introduced into the apparatus, boiled and evaporated at a low temperature due to a low pressure created by a vacuum pump; the vapor produced proceeds in an upwardly direction through an S configuration of baffleless pathways which is tortuous. Liquid particulates are separated from vapor by the configuration of the apparatus and contained within the contaminated liquid. Pure vapor proceeds through the apparatus and is converted to pure liquid and recovered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Inventors: Rene LaNois, Gerald Gajnos, Richard Dent
  • Patent number: 5453165
    Abstract: A system and method for reducing hydrocarbons in wastewater includes an oil separator and a stripper tower. The tower has a housing that includes a stripper section and a condensation section. The stripper section includes a plurality of trays and steam inlet under the trays. The condensation section includes a plurality of trays and a pan tray having provisions to allow vapors to rise from the stripper section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 26, 1995
    Assignee: Atlantic Richfield Company
    Inventor: David E. Bachmann
  • Patent number: 5419814
    Abstract: A thin layer liquid film type evaporator including a cylindrical heating column, a heater for heating the cylindrical heating column, a liquid film forming plate disposed in the cylindrical heating column, a baffle also disposed in the cylindrical heating column and a feed nozzle disposed at the upper center of the cylindrical heating column. The liquid film forming plate has an outer diameter such that a clearance may be formed between the outer edge thereof and the inner circumferential surface of the heating column and that the liquid may flow through the clearance. Thus, a thin layer liquid film type evaporator which has a simple mechanism and can exhibit excellent evaporation efficiency can be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Assignees: Idemitsu Kosan Corporation Limited, Tokyo Rikakikai Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Takatoshi Kunihiro, Takao Katayama, Shinichi Ariga, Mitsuo Tanuma
  • Patent number: 5296103
    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).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 22, 1994
    Assignee: T.I.I. Tecnologie Industriali Innovative S.n.c. di Rosa Corigliano e.C.
    Inventor: Gianclaudio Masetto
  • Patent number: 5176799
    Abstract: An evaporation apparatus including a vessel defining an opening at the top thereof and forming an evaporation chamber to hold a liquid composition; a condenser assembly disposed above and hermetically sealed to the vessel and having a wall defining a condensation chamber communicating with the evaporation chamber through the opening, an accumulator for receiving liquid condensed on the wall, and a drain for removing liquid received by the accumulator; a fluid drive disposed above the condenser assembly and adapted to produce fluid flow downwardly through the condensation chamber and into contact with the liquid composition in the evaporation chamber and then upwardly into the condensation chamber; a heating mechanism for heating the liquid composition in the evaporation chamber so as to cause evaporation thereof; and a cooling means for cooling the wall so as to produce condensation thereon of vapor included in the fluid flowing upwardly from the evaporation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 5, 1993
    Assignee: Zymark Corporation
    Inventors: John S. Roe, Larry A. Simonson
  • Patent number: 5171407
    Abstract: A distillation plant is constructed with an evaporator, separator and distillation column integrated together on a common vertical axis so as to eliminate bends and reduced cross sections in the product flow. The distillation column employs a regular packing to further reduce the pressure drop and operating temperatures over the height of the column. The overall pressure drop in the distillation plant is held to a range of less than 20 mbar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Assignee: Sulzer Brothers Limited
    Inventor: Albert Meili
  • Patent number: 5096543
    Abstract: The waste heat from a steam turbine is condensed and used to desalinate sea water at the same time. The waste steam from a turbine is fed to a condenser through which cold sea water passes. As the cold sea water condenses the waste steam, it is warmed. It is then introduced into a first chamber which includes a number of spray heads disposed over fill (packing) that acts as an evaporator. Any water not evaporated is collected in a sump at the bottom of the first chamber, and the evaporated vapor is passed upwardly under the influence of a fan and ultimately to a second chamber. The second chamber may either be stacked above the first chamber, or in side-by-side relationship with it. A condenser, such as a number of dimpled metal plates, or plastic membranes defining a closed loop, or another set of spray heads and fill, are provided in the second chamber. Air typically recirculates from the bottom of the second chamber back into the first chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: Kamyr, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl L. Elmore
  • Patent number: 4954223
    Abstract: A distillation apparatus including a pair of vertical lower vessels each open at its upper end, and a pair of elongate upper vessels each having an open lower end, slidably mounted in a respective one of the lower vessels. A heat exchanger is mounted in each of the upper vessels, with the upper end of one upper vessel being connected to the inlet of the heat exchanger in the other vessel, and vice versa. A reciprocating drive mechanism drives the two upper vessels up and down in opposite directions so as to simultaneously effect compression in the space above the liquid level in the downwardly moving vessel while expanding the space above the liquid in the other vessel, driving vapor from the downwardly moving vessel into the heat exchanger in the other vessel, where it condenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Inventors: Joseph E. Leary, Edward L. Parr
  • Patent number: 4834840
    Abstract: Processes for managing toxic and hazardous waste materials containing distillable solvents or chemicals in which the waste materials are collected and introduced into solar dryers wherein the more volatile solvent or chemical components thereof are distilled and recaptured as pure byproducts which may be recycled for future use and wherein the residue is retained within the solar dryers until such time as the residue is substantially free of all of the contaminant solvents or chemicals and after which such residue may be removed as a non-toxic and non-hazardous byproduct which may be prepared for future use or disposed of in a conventional manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Assignee: Matrix Recovery Systems
    Inventor: Joseph A. Capella
  • Patent number: 4563248
    Abstract: Individually useable wave-powered pumping means, solar distillation means, and cyclonic wind generating means, together with a system which employs each of them for harnessing natural energy sources are disclosed. Wave and solar energy, together with Coriolis acceleration are employed in the system which includes a basin for water situated near an ocean, or other such body of water, having a surface subject to wave action. A solar energy trasmitting cover is provided over the basin for solar heating, and evaporation of water contained therein. Vapor condensing means are located adjacent the bottom of the basin, and an upwardly extending inlet conduit, or passageway, connects the condenser to a source of water vapor above the water surface of the covered basin. Cooled air, and distilled water, are discharged from the condenser to a location outside the covered basin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 1984
    Date of Patent: January 7, 1986
    Inventor: Max F. Anderson
  • Patent number: 4219387
    Abstract: A solar still adapted to float on a body of water has a toroidal evaporating chamber with sunlight admitting and absorbing, respectively, top and bottom walls for vaporizing water from the body admitted to overlie the bottom wall. A surrounding inner float ring and underlying toroidal inflatable float support the chamber. A condenser depends from and communicates with the evaporating chamber through elongate coaxial vapor outlet and air return tubes, and in turn supplies distillate to a pendent holding tank. A rotatable shaft extending coaxially down through the evaporating chamber carries a fan to propel vapor from the evaporating chamber into the condenser due to rotation of a windmill atop the chamber. A curved reflector is rotatably driven atop the inner ring to direct additional sunlight on the evaporating chamber as the sun moves overhead. An outer float ring loosely coaxially surrounds the inner float ring.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 1977
    Date of Patent: August 26, 1980
    Inventor: Leonard R. Gruntman
  • Patent number: 4131513
    Abstract: A float member is provided defining a hollow chamber therein and a vertically elongated conduit depends downwardly from the float member and includes an upper portion projecting upwardly and opening into the hollow chamber to a level above the liquid level on the exterior of the float member. Heating structure is provided within the chamber in good heat transfer relation with the upper portion thereof projecting into the hollow chamber and condenser structure is provided for condensing liquid vapors. In addition, vapor conveying structure is provided and communicates the interior of the chamber with the condenser structure for conveying hot liquid vapors from the chamber into the condenser structure for condensing therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 26, 1978
    Inventor: Harry S. Green
  • Patent number: 3957589
    Abstract: A water purifying apparatus having an inner chamber to be filled with contaminated water which is heated by a heating unit to a point where water vapor or steam is created. The steam is evacuated from the chamber at its upper portion and passes downwardly in contact with a condensing wall having cooling vanes disposed on the exterior thereof into a trough provided near the base of the apparatus from whence it is drained off into a container located below the chamber. A cover surrounds the cooling vanes forming an annular air passage and is so constructed that open areas exist near the base of the cover. The cover has an aperture on the top and a fan is disposed below this aperture. Thus cooling air is carried from the open areas near the base of the apparatus upwardly over the vanes and to the aperture at the top where it is continuously evacuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1974
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1976
    Inventor: Frederick G. Mayer
  • Patent number: 3930959
    Abstract: A combined water distiller and cooler having a boiler and a steam condenser incorporating an expansion chamber with an air inlet over a distilled water accumulating tank so that condensing steam and water condensate may mix with air to improve the potable quality of the distilled water before it drains into the accumulator tank. The evaporator of a refrigeration system used to cool the distilled water is located inside of the distilled water accumulator tank as is the steam condenser coil, so that the combined cooling effect of the refrigerant evaporator and the chilled distilled water are used to condense steam to water in the condenser coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1973
    Date of Patent: January 6, 1976
    Inventor: John D. Kirschmann