Abstract: A solar distillation system includes solar panels, and receivers adjacent the solar panels to receive process water to be processed to purified process water. The process water flows from a first receiver to a last receiver and is heated by reflected sunlight. Vapor tubes are coupled to the receivers, with each respective vapor tube coupled between adjacent receivers. Water vapor is generated as the process water is heated within each receiver. The water vapor flows via the respective vapor tubes between the adjacent receivers towards the last receiver. A return vapor tube is coupled to the last receiver. A distillation tube is coupled to the return vapor tube to receive the water vapor. The distillation tube extends through the receivers from the last receiver to the first receiver. As the water vapor travels through the distillation tube it changes to a liquid, with the liquid being the purified process water.

Abstract: A method of batch distilling including providing a first substrate that upon distillation releases vapour having deleterious sulfur compounds, providing an inert still, adding the first substrate to the still, installing at least one first reactive article in the still and subsequently performing a first distillation run on the first substrate, such that the installed at least one first reactive article has a first exposed area that is exposed to the distillate, and collecting a first desired fraction from the first run. The distillation during the collection of the first desired fraction is performed at a rate of less than 5 L/(hr*m2) of collected first fraction per first exposed area. Compatible still and kit are also provided.

Abstract: An integrated circuit package includes a portion of a lead frame disposed within an encapsulation. The lead frame includes a first conductor including a first conductive loop and a third conductive loop disposed substantially within the encapsulation. A second conductor formed in the lead frame is galvanically isolated from the first conductor and includes a second conductive loop disposed substantially within the encapsulation proximate to the first conductive loop to provide a communication link between the first and second conductors. The third conductive loop is wound in an opposite direction relative to the first conductive loop. A transmit circuit is disposed within the encapsulation and is coupled to the second conductor to provide a transmitter current. A receive circuit is disposed within the encapsulation and is coupled to the first conductor to receive a transmitter induced signal in response to the transmitter current.

Abstract: An integrated circuit package includes an encapsulation and a lead frame with a portion of the lead frame disposed within the encapsulation. The lead frame includes first and second conductive loops. A first voltage is induced between first and second ends of the first conductive loop in response to an external magnetic field that passes through the integrated circuit package. A second voltage is induced between third and fourth ends of the second conductive loop of the lead frame in response to the external magnetic field that passes through the integrated circuit package. The first conductive loop is coupled to the second conductive loop such that the first voltage between the first and second ends combined with the second voltage between the third and fourth ends substantially cancel.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to techniques for forming underground caverns, and also to desalinization processes that may be employed in conjunction therewith. Particular embodiments form a salt cavern by introducing heated water into a salt formation, followed by removal of the resulting brine to leave a salt cavern. The injected water is provided as a result of a desalinization process of the brine. Concentrated brine resulting from the desalinization process, is used to form a solar pond whose stored thermal energy provides the heat source for the injected water. The resulting underground cavern may be employed to house large volumes of materials such as pressurized natural gas, liquid hydrocarbons, or compressed gas for energy storage. Also disclosed is a particular desalinization process based upon a Regenerative Evaporative Distiller (RED) structure, which efficiently leverages low grade heat available from the solar pond by relying primarily upon a latent heat of evaporation and condensation.

Abstract: Provided is a pure liquid manufacturing apparatus capable of manufacturing pure liquid such as pure water efficiently. Together with a series of units, from a heating unit to a condensation unit, for obtaining pure liquid from vapor, a drain tank unit for storing liquid is disposed, after the liquid discharged from the vaporization unit and the separation unit and new liquid are mixed in advance in the drain tank unit, the mixed liquid is pressurized by a pump unit and supplied to the heating unit. Consequently, the drain tank unit serves as a buffer for pressure, thus making it possible to maintain easily the pressure in the respective units such as the vaporization unit, etc., and reduce load of a vacuum exhaust unit to ensure a reduced pressure state, and dispose the required minimum valves for maintaining the pressure, thereby achieving the simplification of the apparatus structure.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and/or apparatuses for treating wastewater produced at a thermoelectric power plant, other industrial plants, and/or other industrial sources are disclosed. The wastewater is directed through a wastewater concentrator including a direct contact adiabatic concentration system. A stream of hot feed gases is directed through the wastewater concentrator. The wastewater concentrator mixes the hot feed gases directly with the wastewater and evaporates water vapor from the wastewater. The wastewater concentrator separates the water vapor from remaining concentrated wastewater. A contained air-water interface liquid evaporator may be arranged to pre-process the wastewater before being treated by the wastewater concentrator.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to high efficiency solar still assemblies and their components, and more particularly, a solar still capable of absorbing direct sunlight and redirected sunlight using a mobile heliostat configured to align the still evaporator, the heliostat and a counter-current heat exchanger with the sun.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for the evaporation and condensation of water by utilizing latent heat of condensation and solar heating is provided. Various embodiments include a module that may be associated with a body of water and incorporate first and second dendritically liquid receiving channels, a dome, a lower chamber and an upper chamber. The first channel conducts water from the body of water to a reservoir located within the module. The second channel is in heat exchange relationship with the first liquid receiving channel and conducts water from the reservoir to the exterior of the module below the reservoir. The dome encloses the top of the reservoir and forms a vaporization chamber. An exit drain in the vaporization chamber leads to a collection channel for conducting demineralized condensate out of the module. Still other embodiments utilize at least two membrane layers having a plurality of dendritically-configured and/or nested channels.

Abstract: There is described a water distillation system comprising a boiler assembly and a condenser assembly communicating by means of superheated steam through a passive magnetic valve opening directly under force of pressure. This allows the recovery of the latent heat of evaporation through a passive process. Additional features are described which complement the efficient transfer and recapture of heat energy, and the management of miscible fluid constituents. The distillation system described is useful for producing potable water and can be transportable or fixed in location and/or scaled for residential, neighborhood and municipal application. The distillation system may also be used for efficiently clarifying other fluids, such as for ‘de-watering’ ethanol.

Abstract: Air flow-circulation seawater desalination apparatus includes a condensation region pipe having upper and lower ends opening in a main body and constituting a boundary wall between an evaporation region outside the pipe and condensation region inside the pipe, a heat supply section for storing heat and keeping an upper part in the main body at a high temperature, an airflow circulator by the lower part of the main body to circulate airflow from the condensation region to the evaporation region, a seawater preheat pipe for preheating raw seawater carried from the outside to the upper part of the evaporation region after penetrating the lower part of the apparatus and passing through the condensation region pipe, and a seawater spray device for spraying the seawater from a high position in the evaporation region and evaporating the seawater to produce high-temperature steam at a high position in the apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process and a system for producing alcohol by distillation with energy optimization using split-feed technology. The process of the present invention comprises the steps of: a) splitting a stream of wine (1) to feed two depuration columns (2, 3), the depuration column (2) generating a stream of phlegma (4) and the depuration column (3) generating a stream of phlegma (5) and a stream of vinasse (6); b) feeding the stream of phlegma (4) into at least one rectification column (7) generating a top flow (8) and a stream of hydrated alcohol (9); c) effecting the heat exchange between the top flow (8) from at least one rectification column (7) and the stream of vinasse (6) from the depuration column (3) in at least one heat exchanger (10); and d) feeding the stream of phlegma (5) into a rectification column (11) generating a stream of hydrated alcohol (12).

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for desalinizing raw water are disclosed. The method can include wicking the raw water into a porous material by capillary action and heating the raw water in the porous material with a heating element to form water vapor. The water vapor then can be condensed to form purified water. The apparatus can include a chamber for holding raw water, a heating element, a sheet of porous material and a chamber for collecting water vapor evaporated from the raw water in the porous material.

Abstract: This invention relates to a simple, convenient, portable mini-distillation apparatus for the production of essential oils and hydrosols, said apparatus is useful to distill essential oils and hydrosols such as rose water, ajowain water from fresh and dried plant material like leaves, flowers, roots and rhizomes by water distillation, water and steam distillations and as an optional, steam distillation can also be perform at atmospheric pressure as well as slightly higher and lower than atmospheric pressure, said apparatus can be heated on brick-clay furnace with small agro-waste, LPG cooking gas, electrically heated stove or kerosene/diesel burner etc. and requires minimum attention during handling; since the apparatus is made of stainless steel and glass, the essential oil distilled is of better quality.

Abstract: A system and method for purifying liquefied corrosive gases of metallic impurities is described. The principle for this purification method relies on vapor-phase transfilling the vapor phase from a source container into a receiving container. This method has been observed to decrease metal concentrations by a factor of at least 1000 and, decreases the metallic impurity levels in the resulting condensate. The vapor transfer is accomplished by controlled differential pressure rather than mechanical pumping, thereby generating no particle or metal impurities.

Abstract: A cancellation circuit removes interfering signals from desired signals in electrical systems having antennas or other electromagnetic pickup systems. The cancellation circuit provides amplitude adjustment and phase adjustment to electrical signals induced in an electrical system by received electromagnetic signals. The cancellation circuit may be adapted to process received electromagnetic waves having multiple frequencies. Phase adjustment compensates for electrical path-length differences between signals resulting from propagation delays, circuit delays, and multipath. The amplitude-adjusted and phase-adjusted signals are combined to cancel the effects of electromagnetic interference. In an electromagnetic receiver, a plurality of receiver elements provide the cancellation circuit with different complex proportions of desired and interfering signals to enable removal of the interfering signals.

Abstract: A system and method for purifying liquefied corrosive gases of metallic impurities is described. The principle for this purification method relies on vapor-phase transfilling the vapor phase from a source container into a receiving container. This method has been observed to decrease metal concentrations by a factor of at least 1000 and decreases the metallic impurity levels in the resulting condensate. The vapor transfer is accomplished by controlled differential pressure rather than mechanical pumping, thereby generating no particle or metal impurities.

Abstract: Wastewater treatment apparatus having a fluid receiving vessel for collecting and heating wastewater to a temperature below boiling, a superheated vaporizing chamber and at least one spray head to spray wastewater into the vaporizing chamber for conversion of the wastewater to vapor to be withdrawn from the apparatus, with the contaminants in the wastewater collected in the apparatus for separate removal.

Abstract: Renovation of a heating wall, in particular a heating wall of a coke oven battery, includes starting with a vertical wall raising of a part to be renovated on a wall protective plate of the part, abutting a new masonry exactly on the wall protection plate, and arranging between the new masonry and the old masonry a vertically extending welding joint from a ceramic material.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for reclaiming or concentrating waste aqueous solutions of gas treating chemicals, such as alkanolamines, used for removing acid components or water vapor from natural gas. The process involves heating the waste solution under a high vacuum to form a vapor and a liquid residue. The temperature and vacuum can be varied to form a vapor consisting mainly of water vapor or a vapor containing both water vapor and vaporized gas treating chemical. The vapor is subsequently condensed or passed through a wash column to produce a concentrated solution. The liquid residue is heated by passing it through a single pass, generally co-current heater at a rate which avoids localized overheating of a liquid to a temperature above the decomposition temperature of the gas treating chemical. The heated liquid residue is then used to heat the feed waste solution by being thoroughly mixed with it, thus avoiding overheating of the feed solution.

Abstract: An apparatus for separating a partially miscible solvent from a contaminated water stream. The apparatus includes a fully enclosed containment vessel having an internal volume bounded by a plurality of walls which define the width, length and height of the internal volume. Devices for feeding the contaminated water, for discharging a solvent rich vapor stream, and for discharging a purified water stream are provided. A dam separates the internal volume into a phase separation zone and a falling film stripping zone with the dam located proximate one end of the internal volume. The dam includes a wall sealably disposed across the entire width of the internal volume and extended upward to a terminal location a distance from the bottom of the internal volume over a portion of the height of the internal volume. In use, the dam determines and maintains a maximum liquid level in the phase separation zone.

Abstract: A device and a related method are provided for reclaiming or recovering dry cleaning solvent from otherwise disposable fluid contained within a separator or other suitable receptacle of a dry cleaning machine. The device includes an evaporator and a fluid transfer mechanism for transporting fluid evaporated by the evaporator through a filter that removes substantially all of the solvent present within the evaporated fluid. Alternatively, a filter can be interposed between the separator or other suitable receptacle and the evaporator so that solvent is filtered before reaching the evaporator. Consequently, the device substantially reclaims or recovers dry cleaning solvent that may still be present within the fluid that is to be otherwise disposed of from the separator or other suitable receptacle.

Abstract: A method and device for removing organic compounds from soil, solids, sludges and other types of contaminated materials utilizing a non-rotating contactor which can be tightly sealed from air infiltration. Binders such as cement, lime, flyash or kiln dust may be added to the soil prior to treatment so as to aid in the volatilization of the volatile organics and to immobilize the non-volatile constituents in the treated solids. The contaminated materials are fed to a chamber with a movable rake therein and are subjected to temperatures sufficiently high to violatize the organic constituents. The volatilized contaminants are purged with small amounts of air or other non-condensible gas and with superheated steam. The organic constituents can be captured in a vapor phase or they can be condensed and captured in the condensed liquid.

Abstract: Controlled heating unit for extracting solvent from sludge by distillation, in particular for dry-cleaning machines, having a sludge tank with a flattened shape which is arranged at the base of a sealed box-like chamber and above which inlets for microwaves generated by a microwave source are present, a mixer for the sludge to be treated, at least one sludge temperature sensor which switches off the microwave source when the sludge reaches a temperature which is proximate to the degradation temperature of the solvent.

Abstract: When regenerating gas treating chemicals such as diethanolamine solution, the usual practice is to subject the chemicals to steam stripping. Ultimately such action is ineffective, and it is necessary to discard the chemicals. The waste chemical can be reclaimed by preheating the chemical in a countercurrent heat exchanger, in which heat is recovered from an already processed product; using a still to separate the preheated, partially vaporized chemical from the remainder of the chemicals; i.e. impurities or still bottoms; heating the still bottoms and recycling such bottoms for mixing with partially vaporized chemical immediately upstream of the still; returning the separated vapor product from the still to the heat exchanger for heating feed chemical; and separating the thus partially condensed product in a separator to yield reclaimed gas treating chemical.

Abstract: A liquid evaporator includes an air-tight outer container containing liquid therein, the liquid container having support legs adjacent the bottom surface thereof; an inner container mounted on the legs for partitioning the interior space of the outer container, the inner container having a wall made of insulating material; and a heater fixed to an upper portion of the outer container and positioned inside the inner container. The liquid evaporator may be combined with a deodorizing device for forming a urine treating device, wherein the urine treating device includes a deodorizing housing having an upper portion provided with a secondary heater therein, a catalyst surrounding the secondary heater, a blower provided outside the housing, and a diffusion pipe provided at the upper portion of the housing.

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 brine concentrator utilizing two separate concentrating devices in combination wherein a first concentrating device comprises a plurality of serpentine pipes interposed within a concentrator tank containing a dilute brine solution and a second concentrating device, including a venturi, is attached to the upper end of the concentrator tank and connected to receive exhaust gases from an exterior source. The brine solution which has been concentrated by the first concentrating device exit the tank through an output opening and is introduced into the venturi via a plurality of nozzles where it is mixed with the exhaust gases.A venting stack is also attached to the upper end of the tank for venting the exhaust gases emitted from the venturi and pre-heating dilute brine solution, which is introduced into the tank through the venting stack. As the solution travels down the stack and into the tank, it comes into contact with the exhaust gases exiting the tank from the venturi.

Abstract: A distillation device for distilling liquids, using concentrated solar energy to evaporate the undistilled liquid. A lens focuses solar rays into a concentrated area on the outer surface of an opaque heat target, the inner surface of which is in contact with the undistilled liquid in a container. The heat target evaporates the liquid, and the steam is condensed within a dome over the container, the dome having a plurality of cooling fins. The dome is cooled by compressed air, which circulates through an air conduit which spirals around the dome from top to bottom. The distilled liquid is conducted through a pipeline through the undistilled liquid in the container, and then out of the container.

Abstract: This invention discloses a solar still comprising a plurality of twin conduits routed through a plurality of solar collectors wherein the liquid is evaporated in the evaporation conduit constituting the first of the twin conduits and the vapor is condensed in the condensation conduit constituting the second conduit of the twin conduits. The evaporation conduit and the condensation conduit are separated from one another by a heat conducting element. A plurality of vapor conduits branching off from the evaporation conduits are connected to the condensation conduits via at least one pump or blower. The liquid fed to the evaporation conduit evaporates to vapor under an evacuated state provided by the pump or blower after being heated by the solar energy collected and supplied by the solar collector and/or by the latent heat released in and supplied by the condensation conduit wherein the vapor is condensed to liquid under a pressurized state provided by the pump or blower.

Abstract: A process of recovering elemental phosphorus from sludge is disclosed wherein the sludge is flash evaporated utilizing a heat transfer means and then separated from the solid impurities contained therein.

Abstract: This invention relates to a distillation device that employs a plurality of twin tubings of coaxial arrangement or of side-by-side arrangement wherein the vaporization takes place at an evacuated state in one tubing and the condensation takes place in the other tubing of the twin tubings. A blower or pump moves the vapor from the vaporization tubing to the condensation tubing and, consequently, creates an evacuated state in the vaporization tubing and a pressurized state in the condensation tubing. As the condensation takes place at a higher pressure in the condensation tubing compared with the vaporization in the vaporization tubing, the temperature of the condensation tubing is higher than the temperature of the vaporization tubing, and consequently, a very high percentage of the latent heat released by the condensing vapor is recycled from the condensation tubing to the vaporization tubing by conduction through the metallic wall dividing the condensation tubing from the vaporization tubing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for purifying raw feedwater. The raw feedwater is directed into an evaporator module submerged in a solar pond or other body of heated liquid. The evaporator module includes a rotating housing through which a plurality of spaced apart substantially horizontal open ended heat transfer tubes extend. A heating liquid is directed through the heat transfer tubes. The raw feedwater is distributed within the evaporator module so as to cause the feedwater to descend into heat transferring contact with the heat transfer tubes and thereby vaporize a portion of the feedwater. The vapor formed in the evaporator module is withdrawn from the evaporator module and directed to a suitable condensor.A preferred embodiment of the evaporator module is disclosed which includes cavitation fins or urging the heated liquid through the evaporator module.

Abstract: Heated distillation still for separating ethanol-water mixtures divided into an upper solar absorbent vaporization section and a lower pre-heating section by a vaporization floor, float means to automatically control the ethanol-water feed to the lower portion of the preheating section when distillation is taking place, means to evenly distribute the ethanol-water mixture on the vaporization floor, means to heat the ethanol-water mixture in the distillation chamber, and means to remove or recycle residual aqueous liquid from the lower end of the vaporization section.

Abstract: A vapor compression distilling device (10) includes a first chamber (30) adapted to contain liquid (32) to be distilled. A compressor (70) is interconnected to the first chamber (30) for withdrawing vapor from the liquid (32) in the first chamber (30). The compressor (70) also functions to compress the vapor. A second chamber (12) is adapted to receive the compressed vapor from the compressor (70) such that the compressed vapor is condensed in the second chamber (12) into a liquid condensate. A device (16) is disposed in the second chamber (12) for boiling, concentrating and circulating the liquid (32) to be distilled. The device (16) is provided with circulating flow connections (18, 36) to the first chamber (30) and extends into the second chamber (12), such that the exterior of the device (16) is exposed to the compressed vapor generated by the compressor (70).

Abstract: Apparatus for carrying out thermodynamic processes in which a work medium undergoes mutually opposite phase transitions. The apparatus comprises casings consisting of confining plates and spacers therebetween, the casings being arranged in stacked relationship. Each casing encloses a plurality of phase transition compartments in superposed relationship. There are orifices in the confining plates through which pairs of phase transition compartments open directly into one another so as to form a number of work chambers. These are also passages delimited by the spacers in the casings for connecting the work chambers in series and passages delimited by the spacers in the casings for introducing and drawing work medium into and from the phase transition compartments. Finally, there are passages delimited by the spacers in the casings for supplying and abducting heat to and from the work medium.

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: 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: A method and apparatus for high volume distillation of impure liquid, particularly of binary mixtures of relatively low boiling organic substances and water, comprises fractionally distilling the impure liquid to form a vapor of a low boiling organic substance; compressing the vapor; passing at least a portion of the compressed vapor through a vapor composition adjustment zone wherein the organic substance may catalytically or otherwise react or merely stabilize following compression; compressing the vapor exiting the adjustment zone to form a recompressed vapor; cooling the recompressed vapor in heat transfer relation with the impure liquid whereby the vapor at least partially condenses, transferring sufficient heat to the impure liquid for evaporating the liquid and to form the aforementioned low boiling organic vapor; and collecting the condensed low boiling organic vapor.

Abstract: A liquid purification system, method and apparatus includes a plurality of operationally interconnected chambers. A supply or inlet chamber is held at about atmospheric temperature while other chambers of the system are held at a partial vacuum. The liquid to be purified is metered through a pressure differential between the supply or first chamber and a second chamber to induce spontaneous vaporization of the liquid. The temperatures of the chambers are reduced sufficiently so that, in the case of water, temperature-pressure conditions in the second chamber are below the triple point so as to condense ice and precipitate impurities into another chamber from the spontaneous vaporization. Condensation of the vapor in still another chamber recovers pure liquid. A temperature differential mechanism operatively connected to the chambers insures that condensation of the vapor will occur.

Abstract: An apparatus for the distillation of vaporizable liquids, for example alcohol, solvents used for the degreasing of metal and the like, comprises a distillation chamber, a heating unit in the region of the bottom of the distillation chamber, a cooling and condensation unit at an upper portion of the distillation chamber and a cold-generating unit. According to the invention, the cold-generating unit is formed as a heat pump with a circulating refrigerant and has a compressor, a cold branch and a hot branch. The cold branch is connected to the cooling and condensation unit of the distillation chamber while the hot branch transfers heat via a heat exchanger to a heat storage device, e.g. a utility water reservoir from which hot water is drawn to heat the heating unit of the distillation chamber.

Abstract: A water distillation system which includes a storage tank for impure water and a storage tank for distilled water. Impure water is pumped through a heater to an evaporator. Impure water is also pumped through an impure water jet ejector. Distilled water is pumped through a distilled water jet ejector. The impure water jet ejector withdraws water from the bottom of the evaporator. The distilled water jet ejector withdraws water vapor from the top of the evaporator. Distilled water from the distilled water jet ejector passes through a heat exchanger in the impure water tank to heat input water. Impure water from the impure water jet ejector passes through a heat exchanger in the distilled water tank to cool the distilled water.

Abstract: A solar energy desalination process utilizing solar radiation directly for the evaporation of salt water is described. Ambient air takes on water vapor as the air passes through an evaporative medium. It is then directed between a saline water-covered, solar absorbing surface and a solar collecting housing. The resulting heated and moisture-saturated air is cooled in a heat exchange means where condensation of fresh water occurs. Simultaneously, cool salt water is utilized as the cooling water in the heat exchange means, and takes on the heat of condensation given up by the condensing vapor. The heated salt water from the heat exchange means is partially directed over the solar absorbing surface, and at least a portion of it is also directed to wet the evaporative medium. Several optional sub-processes are described for operation of the system during periods of reduced insolation, and an alternative process is described for operation of the process on a floating platform.

Abstract: The distillation apparatus includes an upstanding closed boiler which receives a fluid mash, a mixture including alcohol and water, and has a plurality of heating means, including a pre-heat means, to boil the mash and produce a vapor at the top thereof; two heat exchangers are located at the bottom of the boiler; one is heated by fluid from a compressor and one is heated by exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine which drives the compressor. The fluid mash is removed from the boiler at a first point, passed through a solar panel and returned to the boiler at a higher level; the fluid mash is removed from the boiler at a second point, where new mash is added, and both used as the coolant for the engine; when the fluid has cooled the engine it is then passed over an enclosed coil which carries exhaust gases from the engine. It is then returned to the boiler at a higher level; exhaust gases from the engine are injected directly into the fluid mash adding heat thereto.

Abstract: Reconcentration of moist glycol, which has been used to dry natural gas, by heating the moist glycol with flue gas from a reboiler and by thereafter stripping water from the moist glycol with the dried flue gas or with a hydrocarbon gas by-product of the natural gas being dried.

Abstract: A method and closed system for high volume distillation of impure liquids comprises evaporating the impure liquid in an evaporator to form a vapor at a temperature above the freezing point and below the critical point, preferably the boiling point, of the liquid at ambient pressure and at a pressure not exceeding a pressure corresponding to the evaporation temperature under saturated conditions; compressing the vapor in compression means which preferably has a compression ratio variable in the range 1.

Abstract: In the recovery of energy from geothermal brines and other water containing or hot water sources, such brine or hot water under pressure is introduced into direct heat exchange contact with a working fluid such as isobutane, the resulting hot isobutane is expanded in a turbine to produce work, the turbine discharge is condensed and returned to the heat exchanger and the cooled brine is withdrawn from the column. The present invention is directed to recovery of working fluid dissolved and/or entrained in the spent geothermal brine or water withdrawn from the direct contact heat exchanger, including the steps of settling the brine in a settling tank to recover some of the isobutane, flashing the remaining brine to flash off additional isobutane and steam stripping the spent brine to drive off further isobutane, the recovered isobutane in each of the steps being recycled to the direct contact heat exchanger.

Abstract: Reconcentration of moist glycol, which has been used to dry natural gas, by heating the moist glycol with flue gas from a reboiler and by thereafter stripping water from the moist glycol with the dried flue gas or with a hydrocarbon gas by-product of the natural gas being dried.

Abstract: A low pressure, low temperature, solar powered evaporating-condensation system to provide relatively large scale conversion of brackish and seawater to fresh water, utilizes a solar radiation frequency selective material covered evaporation chamber, a throat connected elevated condenser containing energy transferring devices for vapor volume reduction to form a condensate which flows through a water-locked barometric leg to maintain the system at the sub-atmospheric pressure. The system is regenerative and includes means whereby the energy removed from the vapor during condensation is returned to the evaporating chamber and is again utilized in the cycle. Egress valves and locks are provided to maintain balanced flower of raw water, condensate and ejection of residuals. Suitable elevation of the condenser above the evaporator would provide for power generation.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising a solar still and a wind powered generator. Sea water is preheated in a condenser and is supplied to the still where it is heated further either by solar radiation, or by a heated pipe containing brine, or both. The still supplies warm humid air and vapor to the condenser to provide a distilled water condensate, which condensate is supplemented by water collected from the sloping parts of the still roof. The brine in the heated pipe in the still is supplied from a brine pit which is heated by electrodes connected to the wind powered generator. The generator also charges batteries and supplies electrical power to brine pumps and to a ventilator in the still.