Vacuum Patents (Class 202/205)
  • Patent number: 11662156
    Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for a latent-heat exchanger chamber, usable in distillation devices, which comprises an evaporator in a capillary evaporation regime on the inner face thereof and a condenser in a capillary condensation regime on the outer face thereof, with a system for the dosed supply of liquid into microgrooves or micro undulations of the inner evaporator face, preventing the formation of thin films of water on the evaporator face, the arrangement achieving high latent-heat transfer coefficients.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2023
    Assignee: WGA WATER GLOBAL ACCESS S.L.
    Inventors: Juan Eusebio Nomen Calvet, Dan Alexandru Hanganu
  • Patent number: 11617986
    Abstract: Method and Apparatus for separating at least one CO isotope compound, especially isotope compound 13C16O, from natural CO, comprising: a rectification column system (110) comprising a plurality of rectification sections (112,114,116,118,120) arranged adjacent to one another in a chain-like manner, including an upper rectification section (112) and a plurality of lower rectification sections (114,116,118,120), each rectification section comprising a heating means (112a,114a,116a,118a,120a) to maintain evaporation of liquid present therein, provided that the heating means (112a) of the at least one of the plurality of rectification sections (112) is provided to comprise a heat pump cycle (112b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Linde GmbH
    Inventor: Alexander Alekseev
  • Patent number: 11541325
    Abstract: A device for evaporating a fluid medium in a filling product filling plant includes an inclined evaporator surface, a medium supply line for applying the fluid medium that is to be evaporated to the evaporator surface, and grooves in the evaporator surface for conducting the fluid medium. The grooves along the evaporator surface have a non-linear design.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2023
    Assignee: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Michael Peter, Juergen Soellner
  • Patent number: 11447718
    Abstract: Methods are described for removing contaminants, including glycidyl fatty acid esters, 3-monochloropropane diol and toxins from edible oils by using short path stripping at reduced temperatures and pressures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: Artisan Industries Inc.
    Inventor: Perry Alasti
  • Patent number: 11403480
    Abstract: A method for detecting an object in a housing, includes: determining a first scene inside the housing using a time of flight sensor, wherein the housing is empty during determination of the first scene; determining, by a processor, a second scene inside the housing using the time of flight sensor; comparing, by the processor, the first scene with the second scene; and determining, by the processor, a presence or an absence of the object in the housing based on a result of comparing the first scene with the second scene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2022
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS (ROUSSET) SAS
    Inventors: Patrick Calenzo, Sylvain Coquel, Julien Terrier, Loic Welter
  • Patent number: 11332437
    Abstract: A urea production process which includes and a synthesis section, a recovery section and evaporation section and a finishing section wherein the evaporation section includes a first evaporator and downstream thereof a second evaporator for urea solution. The second evaporator operates a lower pressure than the first evaporator to provide a urea melt and second vapor, solidifying the urea melt in a finishing section to provide a solid urea produce and off gas, scrubbing the off gas followed by condensing to produce a first condensate and second condensate; supplying the first condensate to a wastewater treatment section and supply the second condensate to the scrubber wherein the second condensate is used as a scrub liquid in the scrubber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: STAMICARBON B.V.
    Inventors: Rahul Patil, Petrus Anna Maria Robertus Simons, Branislav Manic
  • Patent number: 11241637
    Abstract: A device for the thermal treatment of material comprises a housing having a heatable housing jacket, which surrounds a treatment chamber and forms a rotationally symmetrical treatment surface extending in an axial direction, and a drivable rotor, which is arranged in the treatment chamber and extends coaxially. The rotor comprises a shaft, arranged in a manner distributed over the circumference of which are spreading elements. The device also comprises a condensation space, in which a condenser is formed and into which gaseous material components escaping from the material during the thermal treatment can pass, a condensate outlet for discharging the material components condensed in the condensation space, and a vacuum connection, which is fluidically connected to the condensation space. The vacuum connection is arranged in a region of the housing that lies downstream of the treatment surface, as viewed in the transport direction of the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: BUSS-SMS-CANZLER GMBH
    Inventors: Rainer Naef, Johannes Böing, Michael Rüger
  • Patent number: 11209217
    Abstract: The invention relates to a mechanical vapour compression (MVC) desalination arrangement having a low compression ratio, with latent-heat exchangers having a high latent-heat exchange coefficient, with a temperature gradient between primary vapour and secondary vapour of approximately 1° C. or less, a compression ratio of 1.11 or less, high vapour volume, low overheating and a low-temperature saline solution to be desalinated, which arrangement allows industrial desalination with less specific energy per unit of desalinated water and is coupled to 100% renewable off-grid energy sources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: WGA WATER GLOBAL ACCESS S.L.
    Inventors: Juan Eusebio Nomen Calvet, Dan Alexandru Hanganu
  • Patent number: 11193761
    Abstract: An automatic x-ray inspection system and method for inspecting objects, containing a cabinet, a path for an object to roll within the cabinet, from an entry point to an exit point, wherein the path utilizes gravity to alter the position and orientation of the object as it travels along the path, an x-ray imaging system to image the object along the path within the cabinet, wherein the x-ray imaging system has a field of view that captures views of the object along the object's travel, and a computer algorithm to determine a thickness of at least one of a shell and center of the object, wherein if a uniform thickness is determined, the object is tagged as passed or non-passed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Creative Electron, Inc.
    Inventors: Guilherme Cardoso, Griffin Lemaster, Carlos Valenzuela
  • Patent number: 11067041
    Abstract: A novel control device for an internal combustion engine capable of highly accurately estimating an EGR amount (rate) during the transient state is provided. A first EGR rate is determined using, as an input, a detection signal of an EGR sensor provided on the downstream side of a throttle valve which adjusts the flow rate of a mixed gas of air and EGR gas flowing through an intake pipe, a second EGR rate is estimated by calculating a predetermined equation using, as an input, at least a detection signal of an air flow sensor and an EGR valve opening degree sensor, a third EGR rate is determined by carrying out delay processing on the second EGR rate corresponding to a response delay of the EGR sensor, and the second EGR rate is subjected to learning correction by reflecting a difference between the third EGR rate and the first EGR rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: HITACHI AUTOMOTIVE SYSTEMS, LTD.
    Inventors: Takafumi Arakawa, Yoichi Iihoshi, Kunihiko Suzuki, Toshio Hori
  • Patent number: 10913010
    Abstract: In an improved method of distilling fluids, some or all of the fluid is recovered as distillate and the fluid is situated in the shell side of a first shell and tube heat exchanger. The fluid to be recovered as distillate is successively boiled, demisted, compressed and then introduced into upper ends of the tubes. A second shell and tube heat exchanger is located below the first heat exchanger, and distillate from upper ends of the tubes in the second heat exchanger are arranged to receive distillate liquid and/or vapor from the lower ends of tubes of the first heat exchanger. The fluid is located in the shell of the second heat exchanger and that fluid is heated but is not boiled. A mechanism is provided to supply at least some of the heated fluid to the shell of the first heat exchanger.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: THE QUEENSTOWN TRUST
    Inventor: John Fleming
  • Patent number: 10532934
    Abstract: A heat exchange system having at least one closed compartment containing in a first portion a first liquid having a first temperature at or near the first liquid's boiling point; a first thermally conductive conduit, containing a first fluid having a second temperature higher than the first temperature, submerged in the first liquid, causing at least a portion of the first liquid to absorb latent heat and boil within the at least one closed compartment, and convert to vapors; and a second thermally conductive conduit, containing a second fluid having a third temperature lower than the first temperature, passing through a second portion of the at least one closed compartment where the vapors contact the second thermally conductive conduit containing the second fluid, causing the vapors to lose latent heat and condense, and join the first liquid in the first portion of the at least one closed compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Inventor: Arthur Francisco Hurtado
  • Patent number: 10371469
    Abstract: A device for controlling the temperature of cooling water includes a three-way valve having a first inlet, a second inlet, and an outlet; a first feed pipe; a second feed pipe; and a return pipe for connecting between an outlet of the temperature-control target and an inlet of the cooling water supply unit. The device also includes a return-side bypass pipe for connecting between the return pipe and the second inlet of the three-way valve; a pump provided on the second feed pipe for circulating the cooling water between the three-way valve and the temperature-control target; and a temperature measuring unit for measuring a temperature of the cooling water flowing in the second feed pipe. In addition, the device includes a controller for controlling the three-way valve and the pump in accordance with a detection result of the temperature measuring unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Gigaphoton Inc.
    Inventors: Yasufumi Kawasuji, Masazumi Komori, Osamu Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 10350526
    Abstract: A closed lubrication or hydraulic system that eliminates the traditional breather cap and includes (1) oxygen absorber that removes oxygen molecules and (2) a desiccant to dry the air that communicates with hydraulic fluid or lubricant in a reservoir. A metallic heat conduction rod is partially exposed to internal air and partly exposed to ambient air. The conduction rod is in close proximity to the oxygen absorber and desiccant in the cartridge. A cool portion on the conduction rod attracts hot humid internal air causing condensation of water near the surface of the conduction rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Inventors: John J Paoluccio, John A Paoluccio
  • Patent number: 10058796
    Abstract: An evaporator (1) adapted for a counter-current flow of at least one liquid and one vapor therein is disclosed. The evaporator (1) comprises an evaporator sub-unit (70), an internal sub-unit (90) having a surface (92), a heat exchanger sub-unit (100), and a condenser sub-unit (110), all in communication with one another and contained within one common vessel (12), wherein the internal sub-unit (90) is located above the evaporator sub-unit (70), the heat exchanger sub-unit (100) is located above the evaporator sub-unit (70), and the condenser sub-unit (110) is located above the heat exchanger sub-unit (100) and the internal sub-unit (90). The present invention further relates to a process to separate components using the evaporator (1) and also to the use of the evaporator (1) or the process in the purification and/or concentration of a thermally-sensitive compound and/or in the removal of a solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Sulzer Chemtech AG
    Inventor: Michel Gentner
  • Patent number: 9603357
    Abstract: A method to evaporate active ingredients from a liquid solution, in which said liquid solution includes a solvent and at least one type of active ingredient, the method including dispensing in controlled time periods doses of said liquid solution on a liquid retaining support, where the solvent is evaporated from the support such that only the active ingredient remains on the support, and where the active ingredient is evaporated from the support after most of the solvent has evaporated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2017
    Assignee: ZOBELE HOLDING SPA
    Inventors: Fabio Marchetti, Cedric Morhain, Franco Zobele, Stefano Deflorian
  • Patent number: 9321052
    Abstract: A container for collecting water samples to determine dissolved gas includes a flask-type pouch with a spout. A removable cap and valve install on the spout. The valve includes an adapter that fits with an O-ring or other seal inside the mouth of the spout. The valve includes a valve element, which can be a one-way, self-closing type of valve, that fits with an O-ring or other seal inside the end of the adapter. A cap of the container fits over the adapter and affixes to the spout to hold the valve on the spout. In use, the cap can be removed so that the valve element and adapter can be removed for filling the pouch. Otherwise, the cap can remain in place so filling can be performed through the valve element. A tamper-evident ring on the cap may be provided to ensure the integrity of the sample contained in the flask.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Weatherford/Lamb, Inc.
    Inventors: Todd M. Coleman, Gavin A. Steele
  • Patent number: 9180423
    Abstract: An apparatus for cooling a reactive mixture, comprising: a reactor configured to form the reactive mixture; a quench chamber comprising a frusto-conical body having a wide end, a narrow end, and a quench region formed between the wide and narrow end, wherein the quench chamber is configured to receive the reactive mixture from the plasma reactor through a reactive mixture inlet into the quench region, to receive a conditioning fluid through at least one fluid inlet, and to flow the conditioning fluid into the quench region, wherein the frusto-conical body is configured to produce a turbulent flow within the quench region with the flow of the conditioning fluid into the quench region, thereby promoting the quenching of the reactive mixture to form a cooled gas-particle mixture; and a suction generator configured to force the cooled gas-particle mixture out of the quench chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2015
    Assignee: SDCmaterials, Inc.
    Inventors: Maximilian A. Biberger, Frederick P. Layman
  • Patent number: 9132404
    Abstract: A system operating in an environment having an ambient pressure, the system comprising: a reactor configured to combine a plasma stream, powder particles and conditioning fluid to alter the powder particles and form a mixture stream; a supply chamber coupled to the reactor; a suction generator configured to generate a suction force at the outlet of the reactor; a fluid supply module configured to supply the conditioning fluid at an original pressure; and a pressure regulation module configured to: receive the conditioning fluid from the fluid supply module, reduce the pressure of the conditioning fluid from the original pressure to a selected pressure relative to the ambient pressure regardless of any changes in the suction force at the outlet of the reactor, and supply the conditioning fluid at the selected pressure to the supply chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2015
    Assignee: SDCmaterials, Inc.
    Inventor: Fredrick P. Layman
  • Publication number: 20150047964
    Abstract: A device for separating oil from an oil-water mixture includes a first pump which is connected with a separation tank. The first pump pumps the oil-water mixture to the separation tank. A first valve is connected between the first pump and the separation tank. The separation tank has a heating unit and a cooler is connected to the top of the separation tank. The cooler is connected with a vacuum pump and a container. The oil is separated from the oil-water mixture effectively.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2014
    Publication date: February 19, 2015
    Inventor: KO-JEN HUANG
  • Patent number: 8916029
    Abstract: A contaminated solvent recycling system is disclosed and claimed. The system comprises a distillation vessel having an upper distillation zone and a separate, lower, waste collection zone. A heater heats contaminated solvent feed within the distillation zone to distill off the solvent. By separating the distillation zone from the waste collection zone, the distillation zone can process consecutive batches of contaminated solvent feed. The waste collection zone can accommodate waste accumulating from the distillation process for extended periods of time between waste removal operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: ChemChamp, LLC
    Inventors: Charles Harland, Dennis William Mount, Mathieu Fredette
  • 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: 8784648
    Abstract: A method is provided for producing vacuum in a vacuum oil-stock distillation column and includes pumping a gas-vapor medium out of a column by an ejector into a condenser; feeding a gas mixture and a high-pressure gas into a second gas-gas ejector from which the vapor-gas mixture is fed into a second condenser. A condensate is directed from the condensers into a separator in which the condensate is separated into a water-containing condensate and a hydrocarbon-containing condensate. The hydrocarbon-containing condensate is removed while the water-containing condensate is fed into a steam generator in which heat is supplied to the water-containing condensate from a hot distillate removed from the vacuum column and steam is produced from the water-containing condensate, the steam is fed as a high-pressure gas into the gas-gas ejectors. A plant for carrying out the method is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Inventor: Valery Grigorievich Tsegelsky
  • Patent number: 8771478
    Abstract: A modular distillation apparatus including at least one heat exchanger that preheats contaminated liquids: a heater that heats the contaminated liquid from the heat exchanger; an evaporator condenser adapted o boil the contaminated liquid coming out of the heater to produce water vapor and contaminant concentrate, and condenser the water vapor into distilled water; a vacuum chamber capable of operating at below atmospheric pressure, the vacuum chamber housing the evaporator condenser and including at least one partition to separate the distilled water from the contaminate concentrate; a vapor compressor operably associated with the vacuum chamber to receive water vapor from the evaporator condenser in the vacuum chamber and pump the water vapor at pressure back through the evaporator condenser, wherein the heat exchanger recovers sensible heat from outgoing condensed distilled water and contaminant concentrate recycled from the vacuum chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Equus Environmental Ltd.
    Inventor: Dudley Edgar James Ward
  • Patent number: 8747622
    Abstract: The present invention comprises a process for recovery of sulfolane used in a solvent-extraction or extractive-distillation process. A recovery column for the sulfolane solvent comprises a liquid-jet ejector for maintaining the needed vacuum conditions, preferably using water as the liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignee: UOP LLC
    Inventors: Deepak Bisht, Anup Dhaigude, Sandeep Gupta
  • Publication number: 20140144767
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the vacuum distillation of a liquid, in particular by means of a rotary evaporator, wherein at least one fraction of the liquid is evaporated at a reducing pressure, a vapor temperature correlating with a boiling temperature is determined by means of a temperature sensor and a pressure present at the time of the determination of the vapor temperature and correlating with a boiling pressure is determined and a minimal pressure, which may not be undercut in the distillation, is automatically determined by using the determined vapor temperature and to the determined pressure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: Hans Heidolph GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Patrick N. Jost, Jan Welzien
  • Patent number: 8715461
    Abstract: A system and method for preparation of meat flavorants, and flavorants, having increased flavor and aromatic intensity and which more closely resemble the natural flavor and aroma of cooked meat. Preheated edible, food grade oils and fats are exposed to temperatures between 290° C. and 475° C. under vacuum, in the presence of oxygen. The developing flavor vapors are immediately and completely removed from the heated oils and fats. The mixture of air-purge/flavor-vapor is immediately carried away from the heat transfer surface of the edible oil or fat. An evaporator, preferably a spinning disc, spinning band or thin film evaporator, without a condenser is used as process equipment. The air-purged flavor-vapors are diffused and absorbed in an absorption device into suitable food-grade liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Activ International, Inc.
    Inventors: Jurgen D. Scheide, John M. Stefanicha
  • Patent number: 8696873
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for purification of bilge and sludge water on a ship, especially at sea, using excess heat from the ship's engine(s) to a level of oil contamination of less than 15 ppm. The invention also relates to a plant for carrying out the method, and a vessel including such plant, as well as the use of the method and plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: PPM-Clean AB
    Inventors: Benny Karlström, Jan Hedkvist
  • Patent number: 8618334
    Abstract: Methods for continuously preparing cyclohexanone from phenol make use of a catalyst having at least one catalytically active metal selected from platinum and palladium. The process includes enriching phenol in a distillation fraction as compared to a subsequent fraction, wherein the subsequent fraction includes phenol and side-products having a higher boiling point than phenol. Distillation is carried out in a vacuum distillation column equipped with trays in the lower part of the column. In an upper part of the column, i.e., in the part above the feed inlet, packing material is present instead of trays in at least part thereof. The packing material has a comparable or improved separating efficiency, and provides a reduction of the pressure drop by at least 30%, preferably more than 50%, as compared to the case with trays in the upper part, under otherwise similar distillation conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: DSM IP Assets B.V.
    Inventors: Marleen Horsels, Rudy Francols Marla Jozef Parton, Johan Thomas Tinge
  • Patent number: 8617359
    Abstract: A method for distilling a starting material that includes a liquid Fd to be distilled, uses a gas-tight container system that is resistant to excess and/or negative pressure. The container system includes a condenser for condensing the liquid Fd, which has turned to vapor and whose temperature can be adjusted, to give the condensation product, and a vapor chamber connecting the evaporator and the condenser. The pressure and temperature in the vapor chamber are monitored and controlled so that distillation is always carried out in a range close to the saturation vapor pressure of the liquid Fd to be distilled. If the pressure is too high, it is reduced so that especially foreign gas is removed. An installation includes a container for distillation according to method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Inventors: Markus Lehmann, Markus Braendli
  • Publication number: 20130243922
    Abstract: Certain embodiments provide apparatuses and methods for removing alcohol from alcoholic beverages. In certain embodiments, the apparatus includes a vessel, a fluid conduit configured to be inserted into a beverage, the fluid conduit configured to allow the beverage to flow into the vessel, a heating system comprising a distribution surface within the vessel, the distribution surface configured to receive the beverage and to heat the beverage, and a vacuum system configured to apply a vacuum to the beverage while the beverage is heated by the distribution surface. In certain embodiments, the method includes using the apparatuses described herein to reduce the alcohol content of an alcoholic beverage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 19, 2013
    Inventors: Judd B. Lynn, Kelli Lynn Fuller
  • Patent number: 8491276
    Abstract: A pump includes: a branch pipe extending from a pump body for branching a part of raw water introduced from outside through a raw water inlet; a first tank having an exhaust pipe of an engine accommodated therein, the raw water supplied via the branch pipe being evaporated by heat of the exhaust pipe; a second tank provided over the first tank and having the branch pipe accommodated therein, vapor produced by evaporation of the raw water in the first tank being condensed into water droplets in the second tank; and a communication pipe interconnecting the first and second tanks in communication with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Honda Motor Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Kaku Okabe, Asagi Miwa
  • Patent number: 8480860
    Abstract: A divided exchange column includes a shell column having a first longitudinal axis, a cylindrical wall spaced apart from and surrounding the first longitudinal axis and defining a first interior space, a first divided wall column having a second longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the first longitudinal axis, and a second divided wall column having a third longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the first and the second longitudinal axes, where the first divided wall column and the second divided wall column are positioned in the first interior space of the shell column.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Air Products and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventor: Kenneth William Kovak
  • Patent number: 8444830
    Abstract: A desalination process including heating brine in a preheating chamber and transferring the brine to a rotary kiln to be sprayed against the wall structure of the rotary kiln to boil to steam and a residue of salt/impurities, the exiting steam being pressurized in a compressor and passed to an externally powered heater to be heated and then fed to a hollow wall structure of the rotating kiln in which the steam condenses to pure water to be transferred to the preheating chamber to preheat the incoming brine, the rotating kiln being arranged to rotate past a scraper to remove salt/impurities from the wall structure for collection at the base of the kiln.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Inventor: Garth Davey
  • Patent number: 8361277
    Abstract: An evaporator is provided for evaporation of liquid from a solution or liquid mixtures, together with methods of operation of the evaporator. The evaporator comprises a chamber (1); a liquid reservoir (3) for holding a heat transfer liquid exposed to the interior of the chamber; a support (6) for supporting a container (8) in the chamber, such that the liquid sample in the container is exposed to a fluid path (15) for connection to a condenser (16), the fluid path being separated from the chamber interior, and at least a portion of the container is closely thermally coupled to the chamber interior; and means (4) for heating the heat transfer liquid in the reservoir to create heat transfer liquid vapor, which in use condenses and releases latent heat of vaporization to the liquid sample in the container. As the temperature of the sample is dependent on the saturated vapor temperature of the liquid in the reservoir, the temperature of the samples is reliably limited, thereby avoiding overheating.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: Genevac Limited
    Inventor: Donald Roger Lee-Smith
  • Patent number: 8343316
    Abstract: A vacuum dehydrator for processing an oil containing entrained contaminants such as water, air, and particulates comprises a tower enclosing upper and lower chambers. A random packing is contained in the upper chamber. The oil is preheated to a temperature above the boiling point of water and is introduced into the upper chamber for downward flow through the random packing into the lower chamber. Entrained air and water is retained as water vapor in the upper chamber, and particulates are retained in the random packing. Heated ambient air is introduced into the lower chamber for upward flow through the random packing into the upper chamber, and the upper chamber is cooled to condense the water vapor. Oil and condensed water are pumped respectively from the lower and upper chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Industry, Inc.
    Inventors: Mortimer Daniel Williams, John G. Donnelly, Eric M. Laliberte, J. Rafael Lazo, Juan Alejandro Segrelles Sacristan, Anselmo Garcia Gracia
  • Patent number: 8337672
    Abstract: The invention relates to the oil processing industry and can be used for producing vacuum in a vacuum petroleum distillation column. The inventive method involves pumping out a vapor-gas medium from the column by of a gas-gas ejector in such a way that a vapor-gas mixture is formed at the entry thereof and supplying said mixture to a condenser for producing a gas mixture and a vapor phase condensate. The gas mixture is supplied from the condenser to a liquid-gas jet apparatus and the condensate is delivered to an additional separator. A hydrocarbon-containing condensate is removed from the additional separator for the intended use thereof and a water-containing condensate is fed to a steam generator for producing steam by supplying heat of a hot distillate evacuated from the vacuum column. The thus obtained steam is used in the gas-gas ejector as a high-pressure gas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Inventor: Valery Grigorievich Tsegelsky
  • Patent number: 8308913
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for recovering an acrylic acid from a mixture containing acrylic acid, acrylic acid dimer and impurities with high boiling point, including: an acrylic acid recovering device that comprises an acrylic acid distillation unit being present within an acrylic acid dimer pyrolysis tank, and is operated under reduced pressure; a separation column for removing impurities with high boiling point from the mixture which is introduced into the acrylic acid recovering device; and a line for introducing the mixture into the acrylic acid recovering device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: LG Chem, Ltd.
    Inventors: Seong Pil Kang, Seok Kwan Choi, Kyoung Su Ha, Jun Seok Ko, Boo Gon Woo, Young Bae Kim
  • 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
  • Patent number: 8206558
    Abstract: A processing apparatus (1) for the processing of process or industrial wastewaters is provided. The processing apparatus (1) has an evaporator (4) in which a tube bundle heat exchanger is provided, whose pure distillate side is connected to a separating apparatus for separating the distillate from floating organic phase or similar free liquid constituents. This separating apparatus is intended to collect the floating organic phase from the condensate, in order that this phase can be sucked back into the evaporator (4). In addition, the vapor mixture is conducted from the separating apparatus (8) to a recuperator (3) and cooled to such an extent that the water, the volatile solvents and the organic material dissolved in the vapor can be condensed and discharged separately or can be sucked back into the evaporator (4). This allows significantly better distillate qualities to be achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: H20 GmbH
    Inventors: Matthias Fickenscher, Daniel Ladenberger
  • Patent number: 8206557
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a housing that has at least an inlet and an outlet. The housing is configured to receive a volume of fluid via the inlet. The volume of fluid is in a substantially liquid state and at least a portion of the volume of fluid includes a dissolved impurity. The apparatus also includes a heat-transfer element coupled to an interior volume of the housing. The heat-transfer element includes a surface, at least a portion of which is disposed at an angle with respect to a horizontal plane. The volume of fluid includes a surface parallel to the horizontal plane. The apparatus further includes a compression component configured to compress at least a portion of fluid boiled from the volume of fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Hydrologic Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: Francis P. Burke, Kenneth J. Horne, David B. Taylor, Stephen R. Topaz
  • Patent number: 8202401
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes moving a first volume of fluid from a region above a heat-transfer element to a region below the heat-transfer element after the first volume of fluid is boiled from a second volume of fluid within the region above the heat-transfer element. The first volume of fluid including an impurity concentration lower than an impurity concentration of the second volume of fluid. The region below the heat-transfer element has a temperature higher than a temperature of the region above the heat-transfer element. The method also includes transferring latent heat from the first volume of fluid to a third volume of fluid on a top surface of the heat transfer element. The latent heat is released when the first volume of fluid condenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Hydrologic Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: David B. Taylor, Stephen R. Topaz
  • Patent number: 8202402
    Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and related methods of water purification by distillation that will operate in a self-contained mode using a passive heat source, such as, without limitation, solar heat, air conditioning waste heat, or waste heat from the exhaust or cooling systems of an internal combustion engine, which may be used to desalinate sea water, saline water, or saline water containing contaminants. The present invention may also be used to distil sewage water, creek water, swamp water or water containing contaminants or used to cleanse or purify water contaminated with mud, chemicals, minerals, or bacteria in a local environment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: Hse Hittt Solar Enerji Anonim Sirkerti
    Inventor: Rahmi Oguz Capan
  • Patent number: 8202403
    Abstract: A distillation tower for use in a petrochemical or petroleum operation effects liquid and vapor separation by using centrifugal force applied to the feed introduced into a ring from a tangential inlet. The feed is separated into a liquid component that flows into the bottoms section of the tower and a vapor component that flows upwardly through the core of the ring to a wash zone in the tower. De-entrainment devices are provided in the core so that the vapor swirling upwardly impacts the devices and any remaining entrained liquid is separated from the vapor. As a result, overflash with decreased resid can be collected from the wash zone and used as feed suitable for a fluid catalytic cracking operation, for example.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Research & Engineering Company
    Inventors: Theodore Sideropoulos, Arun K. Sharma
  • Publication number: 20120085634
    Abstract: Described herein is a solution for use in cleaning articles comprising, a dry cleaning agent, wherein the dry cleaning agent comprises a siloxane solvent, a hydrocarbon solvent or a combination thereof, and an enhancer, which raises a KBV value of the solution. The enhancer can be soluble in the dry cleaning agent and water. Also described herein is a dry cleaning system that utilizes the solution, as well as a purification system for purifying the solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2011
    Publication date: April 12, 2012
    Applicant: GREENEARTH CLEANING, LLC
    Inventors: James E. Douglas, Wolf-dieter R. Berndt
  • Patent number: 8137504
    Abstract: A system and method for preparation of meat flavorants, and flavorants, having increased flavor and aromatic intensity and which more closely resemble the natural flavor and aroma of cooked meat. Preheated edible, food grade oils and fats are exposed to temperatures between 290° C. and 475° C. under vacuum, in the presence of oxygen. The developing flavor vapors are immediately and completely removed from the heated oils and fats. The mixture of air-purge/flavor-vapor is immediately carried away from the heat transfer surface of the edible oil or fat. An evaporator, preferably a spinning disc, spinning band or thin film evaporator, without a condenser is used as process equipment. The air-purged flavor-vapors are diffused and absorbed in an absorption device into suitable food-grade liquids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Flavor & Food Ingredients, Inc.
    Inventors: Jurgen D. Scheide, John M. Stefanicha
  • Patent number: 8092646
    Abstract: A vaporization apparatus and related vaporization method is provided that relies on thermocapillary convection. The apparatus of a thermocapillary evaporator has three sections: an evaporation section, a displacement section, and a storage system for storing the liquid to be evaporated. The evaporation section is operable to distribute thermal energy substantially along the entire liquid-gas interface. The method of the present invention includes providing a thermocapillary evaporator. Advantageously, the present invention provides substantial evaporation from relatively low temperature heat sources, compared to conventional evaporators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Inventor: Ward Charles Albert
  • Patent number: 8080138
    Abstract: This invention describes a low temperature, self-sustainable desalination process operated under natural vacuum conditions created and maintained by barometric pressure head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2011
    Assignee: Arrowhead Center, Inc.
    Inventors: Nagamany Nirmalakhandan, Veera Gnaneswar Gude
  • Patent number: 8034214
    Abstract: A reciprocating film type evaporator for solvents and other chemicals which eliminates the need for a large powerful motor, and other associated equipment such as rotary gaskets, by using reciprocation, versus 360 degree rotation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Tracera LLC
    Inventors: Collin McKinney, Rob Musser
  • Patent number: 8034217
    Abstract: A liquid condensation system heats a liquid raw material under a decompressed circumstance and evaporates a volatile component from a liquid surface to condense the liquid raw material. Therefore, the liquid condensation system includes: liquid condensers, each of which condenses the liquid raw material; a vacuum pump that is in communication with the liquid condensers; and a warm water circulation system as a heating source that heats the liquid raw material in the liquid condensers. The volatile component evaporated in the liquid condensers is led to the outside of the liquid condensers through vapor lines. The condensed liquid that is not evaporated in the liquid condensers is led to the outside of the liquid condensers through condensed-liquid lines. Condensed-liquid-line adjusting valves are interposed on the condensed-liquid lines, and heaters are attached to the condensed-liquid lines. A control unit controls the heaters and the condensed-liquid-line adjusting valves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Hitachi Plant Technologies, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yuzuru Ito, Yoshishige Endo, Hidekazu Tsudome, Fumiaki Numajiri