Abstract: The invention relates to separator apparatus for an evaporator plant which is connectible to a heat exchanger and comprises a drop separator having an inlet at its upstream end receiving a liquid/vapor mixture from a heat exchanger, a liquid outlet, and a vapor outlet aperture downstream of the drop separator.

Abstract: The thermal efficiency of an ammonia still is significantly increased by the use, in conjunction with the usual countercurrent steam stripping medium, of an auxiliary inert gas stripping medium initially heated and humidified by passage through a heat exchanger together with hot still bottoms derived from the still.

Abstract: A liquid-vapor separation device and method, including a generally horizontally-disposed arcuate passageway which interconnects the outlet of the tube side of a heater component of an evaporator to a condensor or subsequent effect heater. A floor plate is disposed in the arcuate passageway in spaced-away relation from the side walls thereof so as to permit drainage of liquid collected on the interior walls of the passageway into a liquid-collecting section which is provided with a suitable drain for removal of the thus-collected liquid. The floor plate is of sufficient size to minimize re-entrainment of the collected liquid. Adjacent the outlet end of the device anti-swirl baffles are provided to eliminate turbulence in the vapor adjacent such outlet end.

Abstract: Liquid treating apparatus especially useful for water purification, including an output section and an input section interconnected at their tops by a closed condensation chamber. The input section includes raw liquid supply and return columns, opening at their bottoms into a raw liquid supply open to the atmosphere, and the output section includes treated liquid supply and return columns open at their bottoms into a treated liquid container also open to the atmosphere.Treated liquid is cooled and circulated in the output section to produce and maintain negative pressure at one end of the condensation chamber, and raw water in mixed liquid and vapor form is supplied by aspiration in the input section, the vapor phase passing through the condensation chamber, and the liquid phase being used to drive the pump which causes the circulation in the output section. Several embodiments of the invention are shown.

Abstract: An in-line distillation system for separating volatile components entrained in a liquid includes a distillation device for separating the volatile components from the liquid. A distribution device is connected in fluid communication with the outlet of the distillation and has a first conduit portion for flowing the separated volatile component from the outlet of the distillation device, and a second conduit portion for flowing the liquid from the outlet of the distillation device. A trap device resists the flow of the separated volatile component from entering the second conduit and thus forces the flow of volatile component into the first conduit. The trap device includes a reservoir container device for receiving liquid from the second container. An outlet at the upper portion of the container device spaced by a substantial distance above the exit end of said second conduit permits the flow of liquid therefrom.

Abstract: A separator assembly (30) for an evaporator comprises an ensemble of spaced-apart corrugated vanes (31) mounted in a hollow cylindrical configuration at the outlet (22) of the evaporator. The spacing between adjacent vanes (31) is such as to prevent line-of-sight passage of vapor between adjacent vanes (31) from the outer wall (33) to the inner wall (34) of the ensemble. The upper end of the ensemble of vanes (31) is secured to an annular support member (32), which is secured to the evaporator circumjacent the outlet (22). A closure member (40) is secured to the lower end of the ensemble. The annular support member (32) and the closure member (40) prevent vapor from leaving the evaporator via any path other than tortuous path between adjacent vanes (31) in a direction from the outer wall (33) to the inner wall (34). Droplets entrained in the vapor passing through the separator assembly (30) impinge upon the vanes (31) and are thereby separated from the vapor.

Abstract: A vapor compression distiller has a vertically oriented cylindrical tank and a heat exchanger having a plurality of groups of heat exchange tubes disposed one above the other. Internal baffling channels vapor through the groups of heat exchange tubes in a serial relation commencing with the vertically lowest group. Feed liquid is distributed from the upper end of the vessel downwardly over the surfaces of the tubes. This causes the evaporation of a first portion of the feed liquid and a condensation of the vapor. The evaporated and unevaporated portions of the feed liquid pass downwardly past the heat exchange tubes with the unevaporated portion collecting in a liquor well at the lower end of the vessel and the vapor passes upwardly along the sides of the vessel heat exchanger and outwardly to a compressor, the outlet of which is connected to the vapor inlet of the system.

Abstract: A sparged air distilled water recovery system comprising a closed tank having spaced end walls. Passing through one end wall is a conduit that is connected at one end to a source of supply of water under pressure and terminating in a jet nozzle. An overflow drain is mounted in the opposite end wall and maintains substantially constant the level of water in the tank. A closed vapor and air circulating system extends from the end wall having the overflow drain to the end wall in which the jet nozzle is mounted. This system comprises a tube having one end mounted in the end wall with the overflow and which end is open at a level above the water in the tank. Included in this tube is a blower for circulating the mixture of water vapor and air. The other end of this tube then enters a condenser at one end while a second tube extends from the other end of the condenser to the end wall in which the jet nozzle is mounted.

Abstract: A distilled water apparatus which comprises in nested vapor-sealed arrangement, a bottom raw water tank, a storage tank and a cooling and condensing tank. The storage tank has an outer annular storage compartment surrounding a vertical vapor passage and can be equipped with a basket for holding coffee or the like so that the device acts as a self-contained distilled water coffee maker.

Abstract: A solar energy collector floating on water is supported by fluid cushion and comprises elements each of them consist of a solar energy absorbing layer arranged between two heat insulating layers.

Abstract: A vapor compression type distillation unit is provided for distilling brackish water or seawater wherein high heat transfer rates are achieved in a vertical shell and tube type vaporizer while avoiding carry-over normally resulting from excessive foaming and its entrainment of liquid droplets in the vapor. A pool of liquid is maintained at the lower end of the vaporizer to be fed into the tubes with the level of the liquid being relatively low so that most of the length of the tube is filled with a frothy mixture conducive to high heat transfer rates. The mixture of vapor and liquid discharged from the upper ends of the tubes is caused to flow laterally and then downwardly through a downtake passage communicating with the lower end of the vaporizer. A vapor outlet is provided intermediate the ends of the downtake passage in such a manner that the vapor must change its direction of flow, preferably substantially 180.degree.

Abstract: The invention provides unusally efficient distillation apparatus configured into a compact structure which conserves material in its construction and power consumption in its operation. The present structure particularly provides horizontally disposed flash effect distillation chambers coupled "back-to-back" across a common wall, the chambers being operable as a distillation system for water purification and/or solute concentration or as a sub-system in multi-effect distillation systems.

Abstract: A process and system for recovering the materials from an aqueous solution is disclosed. Dissolved materials in the aqueous solution are solidified as the aqueous solution is caused to be changed from liquid to vapor state, and the solidified materials along with suspended materials, if any, are collected. The aqueous solution is caused to be changed from liquid to vapor state at a filter which passes the vapor but blocks passage of liquid, and the filter has a vacuum at the side opposite to that of the aqueous solution so that the vapor is withdrawn through the filter and the solid materials collected on the filter. The system includes a thin film filter that is releasably clamped against a container so that one side of the filter contacts aqueous solution such as water in the container with a vacuum pumping device exerting vacuum pressure on the other side of the filter of less than about 4 mm of Hg. The system is particularly useful for determining impurities in water.

Abstract: A flash evaporator to be used for purposes such as distilling sea water has a series of evaporator stages in which vapor derived from liquid flowing through the successive evaporator stages is condensed to form a distillate. A wall structure situated in each evaporated stage defines therein an elongated narrow gap the length of which is substantially greater than the width of each evaporator stage with this gap forming an orifice through which the liquid is compelled to issue while flowing from an inlet to an outlet of each evaporator stage. Between the inlet and the gap in each evaporator stage the wall structure defines an upstream flow path the cross section of which decreases from the inlet toward the gap. From the gap toward the outlet of each stage the wall structure defines a downstream flow path the cross section of which increases from the gap toward the outlet.

Abstract: The portable water distiller is constructed to distill water placed within a housing and to dispense it directly into a separate storage vessel or to a distilled water space in the housing. In the latter case, the distillers are provided with a flexible impermeable partition which may be in the form of a bag and which divides the interior of the housing into a raw water space and a distilled water space. A boiler is disposed within the raw water space in order to vaporize the water and a compact radiator and fan assembly is mounted on top of the housing in order to condense the vapor into distilled water for delivery to the distilled water space within the housing. A heater-thermostat shut-off means is also provided for turning off the heater when the supply of water is too low.

Abstract: A water purification apparatus capable of treating water having impurities producing substantial foaming includes a boiler tank having a water inlet and heater, and a stack portion thereabove containing contact surface means and a heater for heating the contact surface means to a temperature above the vaporization temperature of water. In this manner water droplets which may be carried by the steam vapors from the boiler and/or foam will be immediately vaporized as it comes in contact with the contact surface means. The steam vapors pass through a condenser assembly, and the condensate passes through a filter assembly before storage in a tank. The contact surface means desirably comprises screen members providing a tortuous path and high heat conductivity. Baffle members may be interposed in the flow path for vapors from the boiler tank to the stack.

Abstract: By the use of a degassing chamber within distillation apparatus dissolved volatile material is expelled and water of enhanced purity is produced. The chamber is designed such that the distillate is forced to flow along a shallow, horizontal path kept hot enough to boil it, before exiting from the distillation unit.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for purifying industrial waste gases, and during the process of purifying the waste gases, a solution of polluted water is obtained which is subsequently passed through additional associated apparatus in order to recover comparatively pure water. The apparatus includes an in-line condenser for reducing the temperature of the industrial waste gases prior to being conducted to a waste gas purifier. The solid particulate matter of the industrial waste gases are collected in suitable disposal containers, while the liquid waste from the gas purifier is conducted to a liquid collection means from which the liquid waste is passed through a thermal energy generator for producing super-heated steam that is subsequently conducted to a condensing box for recovering comparatively pure water.