Abstract: A single effect solar distillation apparatus of the tilted or inclined floor type is disclosed which absorbs solar energy to evaporate a liquid distilland more efficiently. The present distillation apparatus is especially useful for desalination of sea water and includes a number of structural improvements to utilize the absorbed solar energy in a basically more efficient manner than previous still designs of this type. The distilland is evaporated in the present solar distillation apparatus substantially without turbulence especially at the evaporating surfaces to avoid certain heat transfer losses previously encountered during distillation. This basically novel mode of solar distillation is achieved with a particular relationship between the evaporating and the condensing surfaces in the apparatus which further cooperate with an improved structure where said evaporation takes place.

Abstract: A vapor compression distiller having a shell for enclosing a pair of heat exchange tube bundles each having one end connected to a steam chest and its other end connected to a condensate collecting chamber. A vapor compressor has its inlet connected to the shell and the outlet to one steam chest which is coupled to a second steam chest through a steam ejector for elevating the inlet pressure to the second heat exchange tube bundle. A half partition extends across the lower end of the vessel and between the wells to divide the lower portion of the vessel into two sections which are in communication across the upper end of the vessel. One well is connected to receive fresh feed liquid and the other includes a density sensor to discharge a portion of the concentrate to therein maintain a desired concentrate level and each well is connected to a spray nozzle manifold disposed in its respective shell section.

Abstract: Distillation apparatus in which a group of heat-transfer tubes are each driven to wobble about a vertical axis which passes through a wobbling center. A stream of fluid is directed to flow down inside each tube. The fluid stream tends to cling to the inner surface of the tube away from the wobbling center while it revolves with respect to the tube in response to the wobbling motion. The revolving flow stream wipes the inside surface of the tube to form a thin film which offers low heat resistance to facilitate the evaporation, carries away the residue by its lateral motion and carries the reflux downward with little restriction.

Abstract: A rotor film mass and heat exchanger comprises a casing of a circular cross section with liquid and gas inlet pipe connections at one end and with liquid and gas outlet pipe connections at the other. Installed coaxially and rotatably in the casing is a shaft carrying reflux stages which are formed by bands bent as spirals diverging from said shaft and flanged towards the latter.

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

Abstract: A solar still apparatus having a condensation chamber is disclosed. A plurality of hollow columns are connected to the chamber at the open upper ends of the hollow columns and the lower ends of the hollow columns are adapted to engage a support surface for the still apparatus. The hollow columns also function to contain distilland liquid and to support parabolic solar collectors for heating the liquid to form vapor at the upper end of the hollow columns. The vapor is introduced into the condensation chamber for condensing to form a distillate liquid. Means including a shield and an evaporative surface layer are disclosed to aid the cooling of the condensation chamber relative to the vapor to facilitate the condensation of the vapor in the chamber.

Abstract: A rotor film apparatus for processes with participation of liquid and gas having a casing, at least one refluxing stage arranged rotatably in said casing, and an appliance for delivering liquid to the refluxing stage. The refluxing stage is formed by at least one trough curved into a spiral which uncoils from the axis of the refluxing stage. The hollow of the trough is located at the concave side of the spiral. As the portions of the trough depart gradually from the axis of the refluxing stage, they are displaced in one direction parallel to the axis so that the refluxing stage as a whole is shaped like a bowl.

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

Abstract: An apparatus and method for removing contaminants from water having solid contaminants dissolved therein. Contaminated water flows across a grid and into a storage tank. The grid utilizes solar energy to heat that water to a predetermined temperature. A heat transfer structure which is dome-shaped and receives water from the storage tank and a preheater means utilizing solar energy heats the water to a further predetermined temperature. An evaporator means receives the heated water and exposes it to a vacuum condition so that the temperature of the water is above the saturation temperature. The water is thus vaporized, and solid contaminants dissolved therein are separated therefrom. The solids are deposited on a plurality of moving belts and are then moved into a solids removal system. The solids removal system comprises a plurality of trap door pairs upon which the solids are deposited and which are sequentially opened so that the vacuum conditions existing in the evaporator are not disturbed.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for heat-mass exchange processes with participation of a liquid, comprising at least one sprinkling device installed in the casing with a provision for rotation around its own axis and made up from chutes curved into a multiple-start spiral diverging from the axis of the sprinkling device. At least the peripheral portions of at least two chutes, as they gradually recede from the axis of the sprinkling device, are displaced in a direction parallel to the axis of the sprinkling device so that the peripheral ends of the chutes are arranged in different planes which are perpendicular to the axis of the sprinkling device.

Abstract: The film-type rotary mass-and-heat exchange column comprises a shell which accommodates a vertical shaft carrying the contact stages held in position thereto. The contact stages are formed by the bands curved into the spirals diverging from the shaft and flanged towards the latter at their edges. The bands are provided with longitudinal beads bulging outwards on the concave surface of the bands so as to establish a number of channels adjacent for height.

Abstract: Liquid purifying apparatus in which an infeed chamber, an evaporator chamber and a condenser chamber are arranged in that order along a flow path. A first inflatable bag is interposed across the flow path between the infeed chamber and the evaporator chamber, and a second inflatable bag is interposed across the flow path between the evaporator chamber and the condenser chamber. These bags are respectively located substantially entirely in the evaporator and condenser chambers, and the bags each comprise a flexible layer of highly absorbent fibrous material including a plurality of plies. The liquid to be purified is introduced into the infeed chamber, and it flows into the evaporator chamber to a level such that a portion of the first bag is immersed in the liquid. The liquid spreads by immersion and capillary action over substantially all of the fibers in the first bag to form thin liquid films along the individual fibers.

Abstract: Thin-layer evaporators are described in which evaporation cylinders and a cylindrical vapor-collection vessel of the same height are mounted to expand in parallel between horizontal base and top plates joined by a vertical jacket surrounding the cylinders and vessel and confining together with the plates a steam jacket. Rotors in the cylinders apply thin layers of the substance to be dried to the inner surfaces of the cylinders, from the tops of which vapors are discharged to the top of the vessel. A collecting conduit leads vapor from the bottom of the vessel to a compressor that delivers the compressed vapor to join a supply of super-heated steam passing into the steam jacket. Droplets separated in the vessel are discharged from the vessel through an outflow conduit. Solids and/or concentrates fall out of the evaporation cylinders into a clearing chamber from which they are evacuated into a trap by a rotary scoop.

Abstract: In a thin-layer evaporator having a vapor chamber and a hollow rotor mounted for rotation in such chamber, the rotor defining a chamber to receive a heat-transfer medium and one wall thereof constituting an upwardly facing, conical evaporator surface, a heating system for the heat-transfer medium is provided within the rotor and is thus in direct contact with such medium. The heating system is cylindrical in form and is of a diameter substantially equal to the outside diameter of the evaporator surface.

Abstract: Installation and process for multi-flash evaporation, in particular for the desalinization of sea water, in which the liquid to be evaporated is led through at least one passage channel which is constituted by a series of alternately snail-shell-shaped or volute spaces in which evaporation takes place and buffer spaces acting as a liquid slot or syphon for transporting liquid from a snail-shell-shaped space to the next snail-shell-shaped space.

Abstract: A simplified, essentially maintenance-free yet highly efficient distillation tower and method for waste oil rerefining is provided which allows direct vacuum distillation of additive-supplemented waste oils without chemical pretreatment thereof and yields a highly refined intermediate oil suitable for immediate use or final polishing, along with a valuable bottoms fraction usable in greases or asphalts, for example. The tower includes an upright, cylindrical chamber with a tangential waste oil inlet and cooperating internal baffle for creating a whirling oil flow pattern therewithin, along with means for maintaining the proper temperature conditions within the tower for maximizing vaporization and recovery of hydrocarbons from the waste oil while also preventing undesirable decomposition or cracking of the oil.

Abstract: The temperature of the reflux fed to a fractionating tower is increased after the reflux enters the tower and before it passes onto the reflux return tray by passing the reflux through an atomizer in the fractionating tower above the reflux return tray to produce a downfalling spray of liquid droplets; collecting the droplets on a reflux pan located between the atomizer and the reflux return tray, the reflux pan being designed to allow the passage of hot vapors rising from the reflux return tray; and passing the collected liquid from the reflux pan onto the reflux return tray. The distance between the reflux pan and the atomizer is such as to allow the downfalling droplets to absorb sufficient heat from the hot rising vapors so that the temperature of the reflux fluid collected on the reflux pan is increased to the desired value.

Abstract: A multi-stage apparatus suited for concentrating sulphuric acid comprising at least one high temperature stage and one low temperature stage, the high temperature stage including a surrounding wall defining a flue gas channel, means for delivering hot flue gas to said channel, and means for withdrawing from said channel cooled flue gas, the flue gas heating said surrounding wall which in turn imparts heat to material to be heated thereby, the low temperature stage including a heat exchanger with a first flow path for a heating agent and a second flow path for a material to be heated thereby, means for supplying the said second flow path material to be heated, means for withdrawing from said second flow path material after having been heated therein, and means for withdrawing from said first flow path spent heating agent, the means for withdrawing cooled flue gas from said flue channel of said high temperature stage forwarding heat from said cooled flue gas to said first flow path of said low temperature stage

Abstract: Viscous brines or other viscous solutions are evaporated in a falling film evaporator in which a header having a plurality of distributor arms supplying rapidly moving solution to feed tubes is formed with a graduated cross section and the feed tubes have a total cross-sectional area substantially equal to the cross section of the line through which the viscous solution is pumped so that a substantially constant velocity is maintained throughout the header. To employ a tubular evaporator, the viscous solution from the feed tubes is spread out on a conical distributor positioned at the upper end of each evaporator tube to deposit a film of solution on the interior of these tubes.

Abstract: Desalination apparatus utilizing solar heating of metal member(s) such as balls, rollers, or metal endless belt(s) in a heating chamber and vaporizing saline water with the latent heat in said metal member(s) by spraying saline water thereon in a vaporizing chamber, a water-cooled condenser to condense the vapors, a trough to collect the condensate, a rinse tank to remove salt deposits and/or saline water from the metal member(s), and means for returning the rinsed metal member(s) for solar reheating.

Abstract: A sea water desalination system which is composed by a compact and self-contained unit, each unit comprising several evaporation stages, means being provided for recycling the condensates and for dissipating the pressure differential existing between the brine-containing tub and the tube plate of each individual stage.

Abstract: A thin film apparatus for the treatment of flowable materials comprising a rotor arranged within a substantially rotationally symmetrical housing having a section constituting a treatment portion for the material or feed to be processed and a section constituting a separation or separator portion, the inner diameter of which is larger than that of the treatment portion. The section defining the separator portion is connected via a transition element or member having a substantially conical inner surface with the section defining the treatment portion. An inlet stud or connection for the material to be treated opens into the housing at the location of the inner surface of the transition member where a diameter of the aforementioned inner surface is greater than the internal diameter of a treatment chamber or compartment of the treatment portion. The rotor or rotor means is provided with approximately axially extending vanes at least within the treatment portion.

Abstract: An arrangement for multistage vacuum and molecular distilling with a wiped off film using a single evaporator body common for different vacuum stages, with rotating vacuum seals between adjacent vacuum stages provided with a common drive.

Abstract: Saline water is desalted by flowing it in two evaporation stages in series in the form of a film falling on the inside of heat-exchange tubes. The pressure and temperature in the second evaporation stage are lower than in the first stage. The steam evolved in the second stage is compressed and delivered to the first stage where it condenses on the tubes, whereas the steam evolved in the first stage is fed in the second stage where it condenses on the tubes. The condensation heat of the steam is used for vaporizing said saline water from said film. This technique allows a production of 15-50 cu.m/hr of soft water, instead of a production of 15-20 cu.m/hr usually obtained by conventional thermocompression techniques.

Abstract: In the processing of a corrosive liquid mixture, such as 50 to 80% aqueous sulfuric acid, by its passage over one surface of a wall of inert heat resistant material, and heating the other surface of said wall, thereby to evaporate from said corrosive liquid mixture the more volatile component thereof, the improvement which comprises heating said wall by contact with an inert liquid material, and heating said inert liquid material indirectly through heat exchange with a normally solid molten material. Desirably the wall of inert material is a pipe surrounded by a molten metal in a first annular jacket and a molten salt in a second annular jacket.

Abstract: A thermocompression apparatus for desalting saline water, wherein: the evaporator tubes extend vertically above the separating chamber for steam and non-evaporated water and have their lower ends opening into the separating chamber through a lower header plate; the upper ends of the evaporator tubes extend through an upper header plate into a plenum chamber overlying the latter, said plenum chamber being arranged to provide a pool of saline water submerging the upper ends of the evaporator tubes; and each of said upper ends having means therein arranged to receive saline water from the pool and to discharge it in the form of falling film on the inner surface of its respective evaporator tube, whereby the said film and the steam produced therefrom flow co-currently downwardly in the tubes towards the separating chamber.

Abstract: This disclosure is for a solvent flashing process for recovering polymer from dilute solution in discrete, uniform granules substantially free of solvent. The process comprises pressurizing a dilute solution of a polymer dissolved in a solvent, preferably at an elevated temperature, spraying the solution through a first fluid atomizing outlet of a two fluid nozzle, and forcing a hot gas through at least one outlet port of the two fluid nozzle directed so as to intersect with the polymer solution emerging from the nozzle. The solution is atomized into fine droplets from which the bulk of the solvent flashes by both passage through the atomizing nozzle and by a shearing of the solution by the hot gas leaving finely divided granules of polymer which are collected in water. The process is characterized by the use of the two fluid nozzle and by the passage of the hot gas through the nozzle which causes further atomizing of the polymer solution with more efficient heat transfer from the gas to the polymer solution.

Abstract: An improved thin-film rotary evaporator wherein a meshtype deentrainment material having a large amount of free space is secured in the vapor chamber to the rotor shaft for rotation therewith to entrain particles from the vapor phase without a large pressure drop.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the recovery of acrylonitrile and other monomers from an aqueous polymer dispersion by continuous distillation in a thin-layer evaporator under reduced pressure, condensation of the evaporated monomers in a condenser under the same or similar reduced pressure and subsequent condensation or absorption respectively of the monomer vapors which have not been condensed in the condenser at a higher pressure.

Abstract: A vapor compression distillation system utilizing a two stage vapor compressor comprising a rotary positive displacement first stage compressor backed by a second stage liquid ring compressor.