Abstract: A distillation system has a degassing tank, a distiller for generating vapor of raw water taken from the degassing tank, a heater for heating the vapor from the distiller to convert the vapor into a high temperature and pressure vapor, a hydrophobic porous membrane through which the vapor from the heater flows, and a heat transfer unit provided in the distiller for effecting heat exchange between the vapor from the membrane member and the raw water from the degassing tank. The structural elements such as the heat exchange unit, piping, etc., with which the vapor from the membrane or the condensate thereof is brought into contact are made of titanium or titanium alloy.

Abstract: A low temperature vacuum distillation apparatus. The distillation apparatus includes an evaporation section and a condensation section. Fluid flow throughout the system is assisted by an appropriate pump, and heat exchangers, one in each of the evaporation and condensation sections, are interconnected by employment of a heat pump.The condensation section includes a condensation chamber downward from which bubble tubes extend into a collection chamber. Collection chamber is provided with a pump to effect transfer of distillate having volatile impurities entrained therein to a final collection vessel. A pump communicates with vessel to create a partial vacuum therein to ensure venting of the impurities.

Abstract: Micro-distillation apparatus is provided for analyzing acidic anions in which the acidic anion sample is placed in a lower elongated member in water containing an acidifying material, upon heating the acidic anion leaves the lower member as a gas, passing through a permeable membrane into an upper elongated member containing a material which converts the acidic anion to a salt and the salt is recovered for analysis. The micro-distillation apparatus is sized so that a number of samples can be heated in a small heating member, such as a hot block heater.

Abstract: A combined spray dryer and gas filter vessel in which a solution containing sulphuric acid and solids, and a hot drying gas, are introduced vertically through the top of the vessel into a spray zone. Solids are removed at a single point at the bottom of the vessel. Filters located above the spray zone clean gas leaving the vessel, and the cleaned gas exits at the top of the vessel. The compact design reduces insulation requirements while avoiding condensation which would create corrosion and yet it provides good separation of solids from gases.

Abstract: A device for solvent recovery in an ultrasonic cleaning machine is based on utilization of the negative pressure originating from the liquification of the solvent vapor itself in a heat exchanger and the negative pressure from an ejector. Thus, the solvent vapor in a vapor zone is led out of a distillation vessel, cooled outside of the vessel, liquidfied, once again returned to a solvent vessel and, at the same time, the liquification of the solvent vapor which is incompletely liquified from this cooling and liquification process is accelerated even more in the negative pressure section of the ejector. Accordingly, the amount of water mixed into the recovered solvent is extremely reduced so that satisfactory cleaning in the ultrasonic cleaner can be ensured.

Abstract: A vacuum draft submerged combustion system and method for separating combustible hydrocarbons and other components or liquid solutions from their solvents, usually water, includes evaporating volatile components by a submerged combustion burner and condensing the vaporized volatile components under a partial vacuum. The hot gases from the burner are injected under partial vacuum into the first tank. The hot gases bubbled through the solution cause volatile components in the liquid to be evaporated and collected above the level of the liquid. The collected gasses are drawn into a condensing tank where the condensable particulates are condensed and collected.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a technique of concentrating waste water whereby the water content of the waste water is removed with a high decontamination factor, employs a porous membrane having a property allowing gas such as steam to permeate but not allowing a liquid such as water to do, as a membrane for concentrating the waste water, and adopts a method wherein the waste water is turned into a vapor flow and this vapor flow is made to contact the porous membrane so as for the waste water to be concentrated on the occasion when the waste water is to be concentrated by means of this porous membrane. By turning the waste water into the vapor flow, most of various metal ions, a surfactant, etc. existing in the waste water are separated from the vapor flow. Mist, metal ions in the mist and others contained in the vapor flow are removed by the aforesaid porous membrane from the steam while permeating the same.

Abstract: A microdistillation column for the quantitative steam distillation of cyanide, phenolic compounds, hydrogen fluoride, ammonia, sulfites and other volatile analyte compounds from samples of environmental waters and sludge for their subsequent analysis involves volatilizing the water in the sample tube of the microdistillation column. The pressure which develops due to the water vapor forces all volatile compounds from the water sample, including the water itself, through a hydrophobic membrane and into the collector tube of the microdistillation column. The volatile compounds and the water vapor condense in the cooler collector tube and are quantitatively trapped and retained over the membrane. Relatively small samples may be distilled in the column.

Abstract: A distilling apparatus includes an evaporation section which heats raw water and causes the generation of vapor from said raw water, and a hydrophobic porous film through which the thus generated vapor is filtered. Because vapor separated from the raw water is supplied to one surface of the hydrophobic porous film, the proportion of the vapor relative to the fluid supplied to that surface of the film can be increased, thereby enabling the efficient filtering of a large amount of vapor through the film. In addition, because the temperature of condensed water obtained by cooling the vapor can be kept in the vicinity of the boiling point thereof, any gases and volatile substances contained in the raw water are prevented from dissolving in the distilled water, thereby enabling the production of extremely pure distilled water.

Abstract: This invention relates to a cleaning apparatus for cleaning workpieces such as semiconductors and other electronic devices by using chloro-fluoro-carbon solvent such as R113. Chloro-fluoro-carbon vapor is drawn from a lateral position of a layer of chloro-fluoro-carbon vapor through a suction duct and is cooled and liquefied in a collecting tank. The resulting liquid is returned to a cleaning tank through a return duct. This feature allows the gas generated from the chloro-fluoro-carbon vapor to be collected for repeated use, reduces the amount of chloro-fluoro-carbon solvent consumption, and prevents air pollution by the chloro-flouoro-carbon gas. Further, the entire apparatus may readily be constructed as a unit, thus at low manufacturing cost.

Abstract: A closed circuit solvent stripping and reclaiming apparatus for recovering solvent from filters used in dry cleaning machines comprising a steam cabinet (2), and condenser (3), a water solvent separator (4), a recirculating tank (5), a blower (6) and a carbon bed adsorber (7). Dry cleaning filters are disassembled and their constituents separated and placed in foraminous trays (9) inside the steam cabinet (2). The filter material is agitated with a shaker and alternately subjected to dry heat, vaporized recycled solvent saturated water, and live steam. Steam and solvent vapors derived from the filters are conducted to a condenser (3) for liquification followed by separation in the water solvent separator (4). Solvent is thereby reclaimed and solvent saturated water is collected and stored in the recycling tank for reintroduction into the steam cabinet for subsequent stripping cycle.

Abstract: A water distiller includes an inner vessel in which source water is heated, an outer dome or housing on the inner surface of which the vapor from the inner vessel is condensed and a reservoir for receiving the condensate. The inner vessel includes a closure which directs vapor radially of the inner vessel to the dome or housing and which may include a vapor filtration element. A variety of domes or housings are shown including those of double wall construction with ports or vents to direct heat transfer fluid or air between the walls thereof, and those having lower portions which downwardly converge to direct the condensate to a central mouth of a reservoir.

Abstract: A spray dryer consisting of a tower-like drying container with spraying elements for introducing therein the material to be dried, pipelines and heater for injecting a heated drying gas, and a separator for separating dry fine material and gas. The dry fine material is agglomerated inside the drying tower. The separator consists of porous filter tubes, on which a dust-laden gas stream impinges, which covers the entire flow cross-section of the drying tower. Fine product material deposited on the filter tubes is shaken off by surges of compressed air and drops into a drying zone, a spraying zone, and finally, into a collecting hopper.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for the separation of materials obtained by means of high pressure extraction from an extraction agent, wherein extraction agent loaded with extracted material is passed from below into a separator comprising a head (2), a bottom (3), a runback pipe (4) and a heat exchanger (1) in the form of one or more pipes and extract recycled in a forced circulation via the head (2) and the runback pipe (4) to the bottom (3) and there either discharged and/or returned to the heat exchanger (1), the extraction agent evaporated in the heat exchanger being removed via a filter (11) on the head (2).

Abstract: A vacuum distillation system uses a tower having an open bottom submerged within a tank of solution exposed to atmospheric pressure. The solution within the tower is elevated to barometric level by a high vacuum or low absolute pressure on the tower top. As solution flows through the open bottom and upward, the solution is heated and then cooled to cause degasification and precipitation, and then withdrawn from the tower top. The treated solution is flowed to a vaporization chamber that is subjected to a low absolute pressure. A heater maintains the solution at a selected chamber temperature above the boiling point of water at the selected chamber pressure. The chamber pressure and temperature may be selected as desired to yield the purest water distillate for almost any solution of water and impurities. Water vapor is pumped from the vaporization chamber by a vapor pump to a condenser, where condensation results from increased pressure and decreased temperature.

Abstract: An aqueous saline vapor is passed through a porous mass having a temperature no less than that of the vapor and subsequently condensed to provide substantially salt-free water.

Abstract: An electrostatic filtration apparatus is used to significantly reduce contaminants in N.sub.2 O.sub.4 vapor and liquid at ambient temperatures. The apparatus uses an electret vapor filter having therein a stack of layers of electret material through which the N.sub.2 O.sub.4 must pass. A flow blocking filter is added to the electret liquid filter to insure a sufficient time for removal of contaminants by said electret material. The filter is constructed of chemically inert materials to prevent additional contaminants.

Abstract: An apparatus for concentrating aqueous solutions of hygroscopic organic liquid having boiling points higher than the normal boiling point of water is disclosed. The apparatus includes an airtight evacuated chamber, means for injecting a preheated temperature adjusted solution into the chamber to vaporize water from the solution and produce a concentrated aerosol of organic liquid, and means for coalescing the concentrated aerosol. Also included is a system for recovery of organic vapor leaving the chamber along with the vaporized water.

Abstract: Polluted industrial waste water having a high chemical demand for oxygen and fine particles in suspension is purified using the following steps: directly heating and evaporating the polluted water without subjecting it to the usual prior steps of mechanical separation such as sieving or decanting; separating sludges from the evaporated water; condensing the evaporated water; subjecting the condensed evaporated water to a physico-chemical purifying process of the coagulation-flocculation type; and filtering the purified condensed evaporated water. The purified water is pure enough to be recycled through a dyeing works. The installation includes an evaporator (10) which is preferably built in several stages with the vapor from each stage other than the first being used to evaporate the polluted water in the next stage.

Abstract: A closed cycle recovery system and apparatus for continuously recovering residual products which have been washed or flushed from tank trucks, tank cars, and other transportation or storage containers while simultaneously separating and recovering the water, solvent or other fluids which are used to wash or flush such tanks and containers in which a mixture of the water, solvent, and other fluids, and the residual product is separated by evaporation of the water, solvent, or other fluids by passing the mixture through a distillation chamber having a series of tube and flat plate heat exchange surfaces so that the individual fluids and product may be purified and separately stored for further use.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for improved thermal membrane distillation utilizes a composite membrane comprised of a microporous lyophobic layer having deposited thereon an essentially nonporous lyophilic coating.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dehydrating mixtures of organic liquids and water comprising consecutive distillation and membrane permeation, wherein at least a portion of the material retained by the separator is passed into indirect heat exchange relationship within the distillation column and recycled to the separator to provide the heat input required for the permeation process.

Abstract: A mixture of xylenol, water, alcohol and other substances is put into an evaporator tank which is adjusted to a pressure and temperature to evaporate the water and alcohol. The water and alcohol vapors flow through an expansion chamber into a condenser and the condensate flows back through a distributor and a control valve into a collector tank. Through a two-stage control dial a second temperature and pressure is imposed upon the evaporator tank to evaporate the xylenol which is similarly condensed and the condensate flows back through the distributor which control valve has been actuated to direct the xylenol into a second collector tank. A second evaporator is connected through a selectively operable shut-off valve to the expansion chamber. The second evaporator tank is provided with an inlet funnel which can be heated to melt solid paraffin therein. A filter is within this funnel to filter out solid foreign matter.

Abstract: A batch operation water distiller is provided with a venting valve between the boiling chamber and the condenser. Operation of the venting valve during the heating phase prior to boiling allows entrained gases such as chlorine to be vented to the atmosphere rather than into the condenser and hence into the purified water. The valve may also be used as a humidification device for the area in which the distiller is operated. A screen-like shield is provided about the condenser inlet so as to prevent bubbles of unpurified water from entering the condenser passage. Also, a flexible fill tube is provided which allows the distilling chamber to be filled prior to use and then drained after use so as to remove mineral laden water from the chamber.

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, preferably in the form of a polytetrafluoroethylene sheet, 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. The flask is provided with a glass overflow trap. In one variant, the water is fed into the flask via members between the trap and the flask.

Abstract: Apparatus for concentrating an aqueous solution of higher boiling point organic antifreeze medium includes a casing having a first and second upright legs connected by a third inclined leg. The first leg is open at the upper end to provide an ambient air inlet and includes a spray discharge nozzle, heating coils, an extended evaporation surface and a sump vertically disposed with respect to each other. The second leg constitutes a multistage reflex chamber having a plurality of alternately disposed reflex cooling coils and reclaiming screens of glass fiber cloth, each screen formed in a plurality of zigzag stretches. The third leg connects the first and second legs and is inclined downwardly from the second casing to the first casing to permit migration of liquid to the sump. A pump and conduits are provided to supply liquid from the sump to the discharge nozzle.

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: 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 for separating feed solution, such as chrome or nickel plating rinse solutions, into a concentrated liquor portion and a solvent portion, comprising vertical shell and tube evaporator means for generating a stream of vapor and entrained droplets; first impingement means for separating a first liquor portion from the stream; second impingement means for separating a second liquid portion from the stream; mesh entrainment pad means for separating a third liquor portion from the stream to form a stream consisting essentially of pure solvent vapor; reduced pressure generating means for drawing the stream from the evaporator tubes through the impingement and mesh entrainment pad; capacitance means for accumulating a preselected volume of the first, second, and third liquor portions above the lower end of the evaporator; and conduit means for recycling liquor from the capacitance means to the evaporator means.