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: A pure water tank for distillation equipment comprises a casing on a water tank proper and a communicating pipe via which interiors of the casing and tank proper communicate each other. Water in the casing prevents air from entering into the pure water tank through a condenser when generation of steam is halted.

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 vapor generating and recovering apparatus for separating one component from a second component of a liquid solution and recovering one of the components comprising at least one chamber for generating vapor from the liquid solution and a condensing chamber for condensing the vapor. The at least one vaporizing chamber and condensing chamber being divided by an overflow weir having a controlled overflow area so that liquid solution will be caused to overflow at a preselected location along the length of the weir.

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: The overcharge prevention device is installed in a solvent processing plant in a vacuum evaporator of a heat exchanger. It assures that the level of the cleaning solution in the vacuum evaporator cannot randomly rise when a feed valve malfunctions. A float body of an overcharge valve extending into the vacuum evaporator exerts a pressure through a double-arm lever and a valve plunger upon a ball valve and a valve seat in normal operation and holds the overcharge valve in a closed position. As the level of the cleaning solution undesirably rises, the buoyant action of the cleaning solution acts on the float body, causing the pressure on the valve seat to diminish, and the overcharge valve opens. This permits air to enter into the vacuum evaporator through the overcharge valve. The generated vacuum collapses and the suction force employed to ingest the cleaning solution disappears.

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 membrane distillation module is provided with a thin, flexible microporous membrane positioned against an impermeable condensor sheet that is stiffer in bending than the membrane. Distillate vapor diffuses through the membrane from the hot feed flowing rapidly past the membrane, and condenses and collects between, and in intimate contact with, the membrane and the condensor sheet. The condensed distillate is stripped by forces exerted by the hot feed acting on the distillate across the membrane, and flows toward a distillate outlet located in the downstream direction of the hot feed flow. Cold feed flows past the condensor sheet in the counter direction to that of the hot feed for absorbing the latent heat of condensation, and is subsequently additionally heated and introduced into the hot feed channel. Expanded microporous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is the preferred membrane material, and a spiral-wound assembly is the preferred configuration.

Abstract: A method of centrifugal evaporation such as may be employed for reclaiming used industrial solvent having water and solid contaminants, including injecting the contaminated solvent into a cyclonic still, heating the contaminated solvent in the still to vaporize the solvent and water content, the solid contaminant being separated and discharged as a wet sludge, conducting the co-mingled solvent and water vapors to a condenser in which the vapors are condensed to liquids, separating the condensed liquids into solvent for reuse and water for disposal, passing the wet sludge into an inclined elongated dryer where the sludge is heated, vaporizing the liquid which is drawn off, the dried solid contaminant being collected for reuse or disposal.

Abstract: A system for treating waste effluent and recovering solids and solvent material including a reservoir mounted on a stand connected by means to a solvent migrator including an adjustable trough for receiving new solution, a secondary reservoir with a cloth or absorbent material designed to contact the fluid in the secondary reservoir, while parallel to the sun's rays, an automatic leveling means and apparatus for recirculation of waste effluent including a leveling ball, and suction tubing for the recirculation of fluid, a solar unit comprised of glass panels to form a collecting dome with collecting troughs and a bonnet to shade the top of the pyramid formed by the dome panels and mirrors for the reflection of sunlight, all of which is connected to a chemical trap and subsequently a collecting means for the pure product.

Abstract: Solar distillation apparatus is disclosed in which the released heat of condensation of the condensing liquid is recovered in a transparent conduit disposed over the liquid to be distilled. Solar energy passes through the transparent conduit and is received on an undulated plate system over which the liquid to be distilled is conducted. A cooling fluid is circulated through the conduit to absorb heat released by the condensing liquid. In one embodiment, the conduit does not concentrate the solar energy. The conduit is preferably disposed at an angle of up to about 25.degree. with the horizontal so that the system is subjected to minimal pressure. In another embodiment the conduit defines a fluid lens system which concentrates the solar energy on the plate system. Provision is also made to recover heat from the condensate and a concentrate of the liquid to be distilled.

Abstract: Distilling equipment comprising input apparatus (21) including a boiling chamber (83) and means (80-82, 104-107, 110, 111) for supplying raw liquid to the boiling chamber at a predetermined level, a closed condensation chamber (22) above the predetermined level and connected to the top of the boiling chamber (96) to receive therefrom only vapor from the raw liquid, and output apparatus (20) including a liquid collection container (25) below the condensation chamber and liquid circulating structure (29-34, 44-55) for withdrawing liquid from the container, cooling the liquid, discharging it within the condensation chamber, and returning it to the container.

Abstract: Apparatus for condensing vapors at reduced pressure including a cooled vapor condenser having a liquid level sensor therein with a vacuum pump being connected by way of a control valve for drawing vapor from the vapor chamber of the condenser. The liquid level sensor opens and closes the control valve to control drawing of vapor from the vapor chamber in accordance with the level of liquid in the condenser.

Abstract: A paired stage flash evaporator unit is provided with an elongated shell having respective higher temperature and lower temperature evaporation chambers extending along a bottom portion of the shell space and separated from each other by an interstage elongated partition wall. A condenser tube bundle extends longitudinally between opposite shell end walls in an upper portion of the shell space. A transverse interstage partition separates the tube bundle into separate condenser chambers. Each condenser chamber is paired with an evaporation chamber by means of shroud and other isolation structure thereby forming two paired stages in the unit.In each stage, a liquid separator mesh extends coextensively with the evaporation chamber and both condenser chambers to direct vapor from the evaporation chamber into a flow path above the mesh.

Abstract: A paired stage flash evaporator unit is provided with an elongated shell having respective higher temperature and lower temperature evaporation chambers extending along a bottom portion of the shell space and separated from each other by an interstage elongated partition wall. A condenser tube bundle extends longitudinally between opposite shell end walls in an upper portion of the shell space. A transverse interstage partition separates the tube bundle into separate condenser chambers. Each condenser chamber is paired with an evaporation chamber by means of shroud and other isolation structure thereby forming two paired stages in the unit.In each stage, a liquid separator mesh extends coextensively with the evaporation chamber and both condenser chambers to direct vapor from the evaporation chamber into a flow path above the mesh. A distillate collection tray is supported beneath the tube bundle and it is divided into stage-separated tray portions by the transverse interstage partition.

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: Apparatus is provided for converting sea or other undrinkable waters to drinkable water without the use of driven or moving parts. Reliance upon gradient effects is made to effect the vaporization of, for example, sea water, followed by the condensation of the vapor to form distilled water. Gradient effects are achieved through the provision of differentials in the thermal conductivity, capillary activity, adsorptive, absorptive and/or pressure characteristics of particulate materials, or combinations of such physicals. For example, a column is packed with material graded as to its conductivity, the least thermally conductive material being nearest the cold or ambient water that is to be purified. In packing the column each successive layer of material has a greater thermal conductivity than the layer beneath it with the most conductive being at the top near the outlet arm of the column.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for concentrating and collecting solar energy are disclosed. In accordance with the invention, solar energy is concentrated by economical refringent lenses or lens systems including fluid lenses and/or Fresnel-type lenses. The lenses concentrate the solar energy preferably along lines in continuous linear foci or in discrete foci at an elongated collector comprising one or more fluid-carrying conduits and one or more fluids therein. In one embodiment, a plurality of photoelectric cells are located in or on the collector along the linear foci or at the discrete foci and operate at increased efficiency with heat being removed by the collector. A first fluid in the collector is heated by the concentrated solar energy and in a preferred embodiment is used to heat a second fluid contiguous to the first fluid, the first fluid having a boiling point exceeding that of the second fluid.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a container closed to free communication with the atmosphere, and means for maintaining therein a body of crude volatile liquid at a predetermined surface level with an evacuated space thereabove containing a low pressure mixture of evaporated volatile liquid vapor and incondensible gas, an array of heat conducting tubes immersed in said body of crude liquid with their lower ends entering into a closed drum member, a fan blower arranged to maintain a pressure differential for heating said mixture by compression and friction and impelling it into the upper ends of the tubes, whereby through heat exchange the vapor is condensed to liquid and passes into the drum member together with incondensible gas.

Abstract: In an apparatus for distilling liquids an improvement is provided wherein distillate is heated within an auxiliary reboiler for further removal of volatile impurities, with the operating environment of the auxiliary reboiler being isolated from the main ambient atmosphere of the apparatus so that evaporated impurities can be vented without recontaminating the distillate of impairing the efficiency of the apparatus. Countercurrent flow of distillate and vapors within the auxiliary reboiler produces enhanced purity of the distillate.

Abstract: An apparatus for desalinating ocean waters by distillation and furnishing electrical power, utilizes an evaporator, barometric leg conduits, a closed condenser, ocean water circulating circuits for circulating warm surface water to the evaporator and cool ocean water to the condenser and using the mass flow of vapors evolved from the evaporator to drive a prime mover which in turn drives an electrical generator. A portion of the electrical power so-generated is used to control the operation of respective pumps and valves in the apparatus. The liquid level of the condensate water is controlled in a barometric leg condensate outlet conduit. The system is also provided with a vacuum pump at least for initiating a reduced pressure and particle separator channel means is provided to prevent liquid entrainment in the condenser.

Abstract: An apparatus for preventing microorganisms from passing from outside into sterile closed systems containing sterile water or fluids for general or biomedical use wherein an ultraviolet light source is attached to the outlet valve, exposing it to an effective amount of ultraviolet light of a wavelength range of 2300A.degree. to 2900A.degree..

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 fuel-efficient method and apparatus for the generation, actually re-generation, of ejecting steam used in a steam ejection system to evacuate process vapor from an enclosed space. In the method, all of the ejecting steam is not generated continuously in a boiler, but a predetermined quantity of steam is reused by continuous mechanical recompression, without intervening condensation, in a returning cycle while alternating between a pressure low after ejection (i.e. expansion) and a pressure high after recompression, whereas the evacuated vapor is branched off from the ejecting steam cycle after ejection and condensed. Parts of the condensate are reconverted to additional steam by heat exchange with all or part of the superheat and friction heat contained in the recompressed ejecting steam and/or by heat exchange with the exhaust and cooling system of a heat engine serving as a prime mover for the compressor.

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: This invention relates to an improved process for the separation and isolation of coffee aroma constituents from roasted coffee, combining the aroma constituents with an edible substance and subsequently incorporating the aromatized substance in a food product.The process involves improving the condensation of vapors generated from the distillation of coffee oil by condensing the distilled aroma constituents onto a sleeve cooled by and snugly surrounding a container filled with coolant. The sleeve is removed and the aroma constituents condensed thereon are then preferably combined with an edible substance by manipulating the condensed constituents quickly and efficiently thus minimizing aroma loss and degradation caused by undesirable prolonged contact with air.

Abstract: A process and installation for the treatment of distillate water recovered by flash evaporation from impure water, such as sea water, in which gases desorbed during the flash evaporation, including carbon dioxide, are recovered and intermixed with the distillate water prior to and inside an absorber so that the carbon dioxide is absorbed by distillate water to thereby improve the property of the distillate water for human consumption.

Abstract: A water distillation system in which the heat supplied to the evaporator and the cooling of the condenser is provided by a refrigeration unit having its condensing coils in the evaporator and its evaporative coils in the condenser.

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 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: The water purification apparatus of this invention is used in combination with a domestic hot water heating tank and comprises a water container mounted on top of the tank. Hot tank water is supplied to the container through a passage controlled by a float-actuated needle valve. Water in the container receives additional heat from a heat-radiating pipe which extends from the tank through the container and back to the tank to maintain a continuous circulation. Water vapor formed in the container is carried away through a duct and condenses. A receptacle is provided for receiving condensate from the discharge outlet of the duct.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating hydrocarbons from flue gas and the like, including a gas scrubber, a collecting container supplying the scrubber with wash oil, and a vacuum distillation container receiving wash oil discharged from the scrubber.

Abstract: Equipment is provided having a distillation tank with a heater and a vapor offtake, with a condenser receiving the offtake vapor and delivering liquid condensate. A control system provides safety features including pressure and temperature responsive devices operative to shut off the heater and further including means for shut off of the heater when the tank is being filled. Still further provision is made for shutting off the heater under the influence of a float valve associated with the condensate discharge line and operative to shut off the heater under the influence of rise in level of condensate in the receiving vessel.

Abstract: Automatic regulation system for a distillation unit including a charging vessel, provided with heating means, surmounted by a distillation column overtopped by a condenser, a withdrawing system and recovery tanks, said system comprising an intermediate tank between the withdrawing system and the recovery tanks, means for controlling the liquid level in said intermediate tank and the discharge of liquid therefrom into the recovery tanks, valve means for applying at will a reduced pressure or the atmospheric pressure to the distillation unit and the intermediate tank and means for changing the recovery tanks in synchronization with the actuation of said valve means.

Abstract: An improved liquid level regulator is associated with the reservoir of a degassing stage of an evaporation installation wherein a pump connected to the output of such degassing stage is effective to propel the distillate at an ideally constant rate out of the degassing stage to a suitable utilization device. A feedback path is connected between the pressure outlet of the pump and the suction input thereof via a float valve. The float valve communicates with the degassing stage in such a manner that changes in the distillate level of the degasser reservoir effect corresponding changes in the liquid level of the float valve, whereby a constant level of such distillate in the reservoir of the degasser is maintained.

Abstract: A water distillation unit is disclosed herein. The unit preferably comprises an upper boiler container and a lower condensation container which are rigidly maintained in spaced apart relationship by a molded coupling member containing a plurality of water passageways and fittings. The coupling member is integral with the condensation container and is removably and threadably attached to the upper boiler container so that same may be easily removed when desired for cleaning. The boiler container receives raw liquid which is vaporized by an interiorly disposed heater element. The condensation container houses a condenser tube which receives steam from the boiler container and conducts distillate exteriorly of the apparatus. To improve thermal efficiency the condenser tube is cooled by raw liquid which is routed through the condensing container.

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.