Portably Mounted Patents (Class 202/83)
  • Patent number: 6080280
    Abstract: Contaminated glycol in a natural gas dehydration plant is refined by vacuum distillation. The equipment to perform the refining by vacuum distillation is mounted upon a trailer. The equipment on the trailer is connected by an inlet line to the dehydration plant to receive the contaminated glycol from the plant. The refined glycol is continuously pumped back to the dehydration plant by a conduit. Detergents may be added to the glycol unit so that the circulating glycol cleans the equipment of the dehydration plant as the hazardous materials is separated from the glycol. The dehydration plant remains in operation during the time that the glycol is refined and the dehydration plant equipment cleaned. When the process is complete at one dehydration plant the trailer is towed to another dehydration plant for refining the glycol and cleaning the dehydration plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2000
    Inventor: John W. Moore, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6063242
    Abstract: An evaporation system for separation of a fluid mixture into its component parts, especially for the reclamation of solvents, has a vacuum pump connected to the evaporator, especially a rotation evaporator, with at least one separator being connected to the suction side of the vacuum pump and at least one secondary condenser being connected at the pressure side of the vacuum pump. A fine regulating valve (8) is installed in the connecting pipe (7) between the rotation evaporator (2) and the separator (9), which is connected in front of the vacuum pump (10), for regulation of the boiling pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2000
    Assignee: KNF Neuberger GmbH
    Inventor: Erwin Hauser
  • Patent number: 6009238
    Abstract: Disclosed is a water distiller of the type having a raw water container, a heater for boiling water in the container and a thermostat for disabling the heater. In the improvement, the container includes a water cavity having a upper perimeter around a panel and the heater is mounted in heat-transfer relationship to the panel. The container includes a thermostat in heat-transfer relationship to the panel and connected to the heater. When water diminishes to a level at which the panel is no longer submerged, the panel temperature rises and trips the thermostat.A heater retention member secures the heater to the panel and a reflective heat shield has a first portion spaced from the retention member. The heater is between the panel and the first portion. The thermostat projects through an aperture in the retention member and an opening in the heat shield so that such thermostat is in intimate, heat-transfer relationship to the panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1997
    Date of Patent: December 28, 1999
    Assignee: The West Bend Company
    Inventor: David C. Belongia
  • Patent number: 5951825
    Abstract: A portable distiller convertible between an operating mode and a storage mode which permits easy transport includes a boiler vessel, a condenser, and a collection container. The condenser is mounted on a two-way lid which engages the top of the boiler in an operating mode to support the condenser over the boiler. The lid is insulated to prevent the transfer of heat from the boiler to the condenser. The lid is reversible to allow the condenser to be inserted into the boiler vessel for storage. The container may also be stored in the boiler, and preferably receives the condenser for storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Inventor: Glenn E. Land
  • Patent number: 5932073
    Abstract: A water distiller incorporates a removable vessel for containing water, a heat source disposed below the removable vessel for heating the water to produce steam, a condenser for condensing the steam into distilled water, and an outlet from the condenser for directing distilled water into a collection container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Inventor: Glenn E. Land
  • Patent number: 5882486
    Abstract: Contaminated glycol is refined by vacuum distillation. Specifically the evaporator is heated to a temperature below the degradation temperature of the glycol. The vacuum is used to bring the flashpoint down sufficiently so that glycol evaporates or flashes at that temperature. The glycol is condensed and filtered through activated granular carbon. The principal use of refining the glycol is to refine the triethylene glycol used in natural gas dehydration plants. For such purposes the equipment is mounted upon a trailer to be taken to the plant for cleaning glycol. In such instance, in addition to refining the glycol, a cleaning agent (which contains a degreaser) is added to the refined glycol. The glycol is refined while the natural gas dehydration plant is in normal operation and therefore it is not necessary to stop the natural gas dehydration plant for refining the glycol used therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Inventor: John W. Moore, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5762762
    Abstract: Water distillation apparatus for convenient domestic use including a housing containing a condenser coil and having a vapor inlet and a distillate outlet. A fan cools and condenses vapor. A boiler is releasably connected to the housing by a vapor discharge outlet in the form of an inwardly-directed cylinder and the vapor inlet has a cooperating spigot termination so that the boiler may be moved away from the vapor inlet and filled with water for batch distillation. The distilland water is heated with an electric heating element and the distillate is discharged through a carbon filter into a discrete glass pitcher adjacent to the boiler. The arrangement permits easy removal of the boiler from the housing for filling with distilland or cleaning, as well as the convenient replacement of the boiler in the housing afterwards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 9, 1998
    Assignee: The Breithaupt Family Trust
    Inventors: Walter T. Breithaupt, Richard Merritt
  • Patent number: 5744008
    Abstract: A simple, portable and efficient water desalination device uses deep ocean water, solar energy and the dynamics of generated secondary vortices. The device includes a tower, a heat exchanger positioned inside the tower near the top of the tower, a cold water source, a cold water receiving tank, a condensate catchment grille, a freshwater collecting tank, a rotor extending upward between the side walls of the tower from a lower portion of the tower, a power source for driving the rotor, a warm salt water pan positioned in the bottom of the tower and a warm salt water source. The cold water source is cold deep ocean water that is siphoned to the top of the tower through rollable, transportable fabric pipes. The warm salt water source is solar heated ocean water. In the tower, a hurricane is simulated by a rotating column that induces a circulation of air which approximates that of a hurricane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Oceanit Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: John P. Craven
  • Patent number: 5662779
    Abstract: A water purification apparatus positionable on an existing dispenser has a valve control member positionable in the water plenum of the dispenser to control release of purified water from the apparatus to the dispenser. A feedwater tank receives supply water which is fed to a water level control tank to maintain the water level in the boiler of the apparatus above the heating element. The control tank includes a partition separating a main reservoir from a de-foamer control chamber within which anti-foaming agent may be added. A condenser is coiled into a number of convolutions about a central opening and has external heat exchanger fins. An end cap assembly closes the central opening except for a small portion through which air is blown by a fan so that substantially all of the air flows over the fins. The boiler is a cylindrical container having a peripheral lip about an open end on which a lid having a steam outlet tube is positioned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 1995
    Date of Patent: September 2, 1997
    Assignee: Market Design & Development, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph G. Greene, David G. Palmer
  • Patent number: 5609732
    Abstract: A portable water distiller comprising a vaporization chamber containing an inclined electric coil heating element, a finned tube condenser coil and an electric fan. The heating element is provided with forward and rear portions, the forward portion being elevated relative to the rear portion with the thermostatic control means positioned above the forward elevated position and maintained in contact with the substantially uniform water level. Accordingly, when the uniform water level dips below the thermostatic control means, the heating element is immediately de-energized thereby preventing the residual heat in the heating elements from quickly evaporating the raw water in the raw water receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 11, 1997
    Assignee: Genesis, An Environmental Corp.
    Inventor: Stanley I. Magidson
  • Patent number: 5582680
    Abstract: A compact, transportable and self-contained apparatus for treating wastewater containing as impurities and pollutants various non-volatile (at water boiling points) fluids such as greases, oils and soaps, having a vessel/evaporator for receiving the wastewater, a heater below the evaporator to heat the wastewater admixture and boil off the water, a collector to draw off the non-volatile fluids from substantially the entire height of the water evaporator, and automatic refill/shutdown control devices for the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: December 10, 1996
    Assignee: Raymond E. Vankouwenberg
    Inventors: Raymond E. Vankouwenberg, Robert D. Gendreau
  • Patent number: 5398806
    Abstract: A mini-distillation and reflux system, kit and method in which a heating and glassware arrangement includes a heat source in contact with a heater block having apertures in its top surface for housing boiling tubes upright during a distillation or reflux operation. The boiling tubes contain sample and are for attachment of various configurations of glassware assemblies made up of individual, interchangeably connectable glassware pieces so assembled to perform different types of distillations and refluxes. The glassware pieces are of a scaled down size so that numerous distillations and refluxes can be performed simultaneously at a single heat source within a compact space to consume less laboratory space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: EA Engineering, Science & Technology
    Inventor: Lisa C. Quinn
  • Patent number: 5372680
    Abstract: A plant for processing vegetal stock includes a container mounted on a twheel trailer, and provided with bubblers for live steam which are arranged under a net for accommodation of the vegetal stock, and a detachable cover communicating through a steam pipe with a cooler which communicates with a separator through a distillate admission pipe provided with a splitter for preventing plug-shaped formation of oil therein. The bubblers for live steam are arranged in two planes perpendicular to the axis of the container and mounted in the cover is an additional bubbler.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: Aktsionernoe obschestvo "Sistemy novykh tekhnology" (SINTO Ltd)
    Inventors: Nikolai I. Bezdolny, Vladimir P. Kostylev
  • Patent number: 5366595
    Abstract: A loading mechanism places waste material into a porous rotatable cylinder that is mounted for relative rotation within an air-tight housing. Once loaded, the housing is sealed and oxygen is evacuated. A microwave heating device heats the waste material within the cylinder and breaks the waste material down into solid and fluid products. A drive motor simultaneously rotates the cylinder at high speed, creating centrifugal force on the waste material. The fluid products escape outwardly from the porous cylinder and are transferred to a heat exchanger chamber where they are cooled. A fractional distillation system stratifies the fluid products according to weight for purposes of recovery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1994
    Inventors: Michael A. Padgett, Douglas B. Kuiper, Steven R. Rehnborg
  • Patent number: 5316743
    Abstract: A portable refinery including a refining vessel, a heater for providing heat to the refining vessel, dewatering devices, and a storage tank mounted on a skid which can be quickly and easily transported to a reservoir of petroleum or waste petroleum products to refine the petroleum or waste petroleum into diesel grade fuel at the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 31, 1994
    Inventors: Ralph W. LeBlanc, Robert M. Bingham
  • Patent number: 5259931
    Abstract: A system for removing volatile constituents (e.g., hydrocarbons) from a liquid (e.g., water) containing the same by which there is a continuous countercurrent contact between the liquid and a forced air flow. Water collected in a reservoir is continuously pumped to the top of a stripping tower where it is dispersed downwardly over packing material. A blower forces air upwardly in the tower so as to remove the volatile constituents that exit the tower with the exit air. Since the water flow is continuous, multiple passes occur through the tower to enhance separation efficiency. Water from the base of the tower returns to the reservoir via overflow from a standpipe. A lower liquid level sensor in the reservoir initiates operation of the water pump to the tower, and an upper liquid level sensor initiates operations of another pump for pressure discharge from the base of the tower to an exterior site.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1993
    Inventor: James R. Fox
  • Patent number: 5217580
    Abstract: A water distiller includes a base having a front portion for supporting a container and having a housing extended upward from the rear portion, a vessel disposed in the housing for containing water, a heater disposed below the vessel for heating the water contained in the vessel into steam, and an arm extended forward from the housing. A radiator is disposed in the arm for cooling the steam flowing into the arm, and the condensed water is collected in the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 8, 1993
    Inventor: Ching-Dien Chen
  • Patent number: 5200033
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1993
    Assignee: LWV Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Leo Weitzman
  • Patent number: 5196093
    Abstract: A water distiller has a housing having an open interior area and a door that can be opened and closed to permit and block access into the interior area. A steam chamber is located in the interior area. The steam chamber includes a movable tray for holding water to be distilled. The tray seats against a fixed top where steam created in the chamber by heating the water in the tray is collected. By opening the door to the distiller, the tray can be unseated and removed for cleaning. After cleaning, the tray can be returned to the distiller and reseated against the top steam collecting portion by closing the door. In a preferred arrangement, the tray includes a chamber for holding a water soluble disinfectant for release during the distillation process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Assignee: Emerson Electric Co.
    Inventors: Thomas J. Weber, Dale L. Garrison, Richard E. Forrest
  • Patent number: 5194069
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for the refinement of organic material is disclosed. Converting and processing organic material is achieved with or without organic and inorganic additions. The base material uses waste material, i.e. forest industry waste and slaughter-house waste. The method and apparatus produce a packeted end product, specifically carbon powder/granulate as full and charcoal for grilling/smoking, as well as active coal and additives for steel production.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1993
    Assignee: Productcontrol Limited
    Inventor: George E. Someus
  • Patent number: 5167763
    Abstract: A spray dryer which has a tank for receiving batches of differing materials to be spray dried. The tank is rotatable about a horizontal axis. The tank has an open top and a cover which is hinged on an axis perpendicular to the tank axis. The cover carries atomizer which has a shaft extending through the cover into the tank when the cover is closed. A spray disk is attached to the atomizer shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1992
    Assignee: Sakamoto Engineering Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Tetsuo Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 5102503
    Abstract: A system for on-site recovery of reusable industrial waste components, such as solvents, from a liquid waste stream includes a trailer that is internally partitioned to separate system components through which the waste stream passes in a first partitioned section of the trailer from support and control components in the second trailer section. Input waste is fed into a horizontal thin-film evaporator within the first trailer section, while steam is fed in a closed loop through the evaporator from the second section of the trailer for evaporating volatile solvents in the waste stream, and thereby separating the volatile solvents from non-volatile liquid and solid components of the waste stream. The evaporated volatile solvents are fed to a heat exchanger, again enclosed within the first partitioned section of the trailer, for recondensation through heat exchange with a coolant fed to the heat exchanger in a closed loop from the second trailer section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1992
    Assignee: Environmental Technology Group Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas J. Silinski, Robert A. Walz
  • Patent number: 5037510
    Abstract: An integrated system provides combined space heating, water heating and water distillation. The system is adapted for supplying combined services to residential and commercial buildings. The system may be used in retrofitting existing space heating furnaces and/or water heaters to provide an energy and cost efficient combined system. A portable water heating/water distilling unit can be used with an existing portable self-contained heater.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Inventor: Nils Nygards
  • Patent number: 4983259
    Abstract: A mobile petroleum processor or refinery. In particular a petroleum processor or refinery which has been constructed on railroad flatbed cars. The different units that make up the refinery are mounted on individual flat bed railroad cars and connected together. These cars can be moved over railroad networks to provide a petroleum refinery which can be moved in, set up, operated and taken down in a short time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1991
    Inventors: James W. Duncan, Lawner L. Knox
  • Patent number: 4954223
    Abstract: A distillation apparatus including a pair of vertical lower vessels each open at its upper end, and a pair of elongate upper vessels each having an open lower end, slidably mounted in a respective one of the lower vessels. A heat exchanger is mounted in each of the upper vessels, with the upper end of one upper vessel being connected to the inlet of the heat exchanger in the other vessel, and vice versa. A reciprocating drive mechanism drives the two upper vessels up and down in opposite directions so as to simultaneously effect compression in the space above the liquid level in the downwardly moving vessel while expanding the space above the liquid in the other vessel, driving vapor from the downwardly moving vessel into the heat exchanger in the other vessel, where it condenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 4, 1990
    Inventors: Joseph E. Leary, Edward L. Parr
  • Patent number: 4818344
    Abstract: A portable water distiller comprising a vaporization chamber containing an electric coil heating element, a finned tube condenser coil, and an electric fan motor for cooling the condenser coil's outer surface. In a preferred embodiment, the vaporization chamber includes an upper vertical tube having an open bottom and closed top communication with the condenser, and a raw water receptacle with its rim surrounding the tube at a distance and with its bottom near the bottom end of the tube. The receptacle of the portable water distiller is automatically kept full with water up to a predetermined level, and is readily removable from the distiller for cleaning of residue, the lower portion of the tube is similarly removable for access to the heating element. The condenser coil is designed to offer low flow resistance resulting in only a small over-pressure in the vaporization chamber thus affecting only a small depression of the water level therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Inventor: Dov Z. Glucksman
  • Patent number: 4693786
    Abstract: A portable solvent recovery distillation apparatus for improved on-site recovery of highly flammable solvent from a batch of spent solvent. Both evaporation of the spent solvent and condensation of the purified solvent vapors are conducted within a common tank under reduced pressure conditions maintained by an air-operated vacuum pump. Heating of the spent solvent is accomplished by a hot fluid circulating in indirect heat exchange relationship with the spent solvent. The apparatus is totally non-electrical for increased safety of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1987
    Assignee: Techserve Engineering Corp.
    Inventors: Dennis A. Brett, Clay R. Runshe
  • Patent number: 4622102
    Abstract: The invention provides a compact automatically operating distillation apparatus comprising a baseplate that will free-stand, but is more usually located on a reservoir to receive the distillate, which usually is water. A boiler container having an electric heater is removably mounted on a support, which is movably mounted on the baseplate with the weight of the container and the water opposed by a spring. The support operates electric switches that open a solenoid-operated valve to supply water to the boiler when its weight decreases a predetermined amount, and that will switch off the heater if the boiler has insufficient water. The output of the boiler goes to a condenser coil which is supplied with cooling air by a fan. A float in the reservoir controls another switch that will stop operation when the reservoir is full.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: November 11, 1986
    Assignee: Moyer Diebel Limited
    Inventor: Howard Diebel
  • Patent number: 4601181
    Abstract: In an installation comprising a solvent regeneration circuit and a solvent recovery circuit, each solvent container is connected independently to the boiler of a distillation unit for cleaning purposes. The relative arrangement of the solvent containers is such that the solvent circulates under the action of gravity from a condenser to the boiler and from each container to the boiler. The boiler is removable for subsequent disposal after filling with solvent residues and waste materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 22, 1986
    Inventor: Michel Privat
  • Patent number: 4496431
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1985
    Inventor: Leslie L. Fowler
  • Patent number: 4488933
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a process and apparatus for safely distilling relatively small batches of organic compounds such as paint solvents by directly and safely heating the compounds in a vessel having a relatively thick bottom with electrical heating units cast in it and a relatively thick side wall integrally attached to the bottom. The side wall may be integrally attached to the bottom by a weld that penetrates the joint between the side wall and bottom preferably by 100% in order to provide a complete heat transfer from the bottom to the side wall. The vessel is so designed so as to provide a relatively uniform temperature throughout the inner periphery of the vessel thereby avoiding hot spots and insuring that the hottest spot of the inner periphery of the vessel does not exceed the auto ignition temperature of the compound being processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1982
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1984
    Assignee: Finish Engineering Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles K. Claunch, David Bowes
  • Patent number: 4457805
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for recovering clean solvent from a mixture of solvent and contaminants. The apparatus includes an open top tank mounted in a housing below a sink in which articles to be cleaned with solvent are placed. The sink has a tap through which solvent is directed so that the articles can be cleaned by hand in the sink itself. A disposable, plastic bag is receivable in the tank and the tank is closed by a cover. Contaminated solvent can flow from the sink, through the cover and into the bag in the tank. Contaminated solvent in the bag is heated by heating a liquid surrounding the side wall of the tank and below the bottom of the tank so that the solvent in the bag will vaporize. A tube leading out of the tank carries solvent vapor into a heat exchanger where the vapor is condensed to form clean, liquid solvent, and the liquid solvent is collected in a reservoir. A pump is coupled to the reservoir for pumping liquid solvent to the tap at the sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 3, 1984
    Assignee: Zerpa Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Manuel G. Pastor
  • Patent number: 4450966
    Abstract: A survival kit comprising, inter alia, a replacement cap for a conventional canteen, a gasket, and a collapsible tube. The cap includes a crown and an annular depending skirt; a passage is defined clear-through the crown and the skirt is internally screw threaded so that the cap can be secured to the threaded neck of a canteen. The gasket is a flat annular washer with a central aperture. The collapsible tube is formed of several telescoping sections and one end of the tube is threaded.When the survival kit is utilized to obtain potable water from salt water, contaminated water, vegetable matter, etc., the cap of the canteen is removed, and the collapsible tube is removed from the interior of the canteen. The gasket is positioned atop the neck of the canteen, and the replacement cap is secured thereover after partially filling the canteen. The collapsible tube is extended, and the threaded end thereof is secured within the aperture in the replacement cap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 29, 1984
    Inventors: Enrique Villavicencio, Jr., Enrique Villavicencio, Sr.
  • Patent number: 4372818
    Abstract: An apparatus unit for the fractional distillation and rectification of liquid mixtures includes a plurality of horizontal superimposed tubular main sections interconnected in series by a plurality of tubular connecting sections, e.g. U-shaped, to define an elongated space along which liquids and vapors flow. Intimate contact between liquids and vapors and efficient heat and mass transfer are provided by a stirrer rotating within the main section about horizontal axes and magnetically driven from the outside. Suitable inlet and outlet ports and heating and cooling devices are provided. An arrangement for joining the adjacent sections without the use of flanges or threaded portions is provided. A number of such units are preferably associated to form a modular apparatus, the individual units being operatively connected as desired to provide series, parallel or mixed flow of the fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 8, 1983
    Assignee: Hydrola Ltd.
    Inventors: Yaacov Kaganovsy, Yosef Kustanovich, Shimshon Shmuter, Vadim Gelfer, Shimon Muchnik
  • Patent number: 4371623
    Abstract: Apparatus for preparation and distillation of low-alcohol-content, fermentation products into high-alcohol-content, fuel-grade product using solar energy to carry out the fermentation and distillation. The apparatus includes a solar collector with reflectors, fermenting tanks, a distillation column, and temperature controls. The working fluid for the solar collector is isolated from the fluid being distilled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: February 1, 1983
    Assignee: William N. Durkin
    Inventor: G. Brandt Taylor
  • Patent number: 4366781
    Abstract: To provide fuel for a vehicle, a product of fermentation such as a water/ethanol mixture is circulated in the cooling circuit of the engine of the vehicle. The fuel is distilled from the cooling circuit and at least a portion of the distilled fuel is burned in the engine, either as a vapor or as a condensate. Also disclosed are a sensor for determining when the fuel content of the distillate is sufficiently high for combustion and a carburetor for the distilled fuel, which is of varying alcohol content.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1981
    Date of Patent: January 4, 1983
    Inventor: Herman Laub
  • Patent number: 4364337
    Abstract: A system for distilling alcohol from mash onboard a motor vehicle is provided. The system uses the waste heat normally exchanged to the atmosphere by a vehicle radiator to drive a two-stage distillation process and uses the velocity of the vehicle to provide moving air to condensors liquefying the alcohol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1982
    Inventor: Frederick McCann
  • Patent number: 4363638
    Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a biomass gas producer having a tiltable gassifier in which the gassifier for performing endothermic chemical reactions of solid material having combustible gas forming and liquifiable constituants has a top charging end and an ash discharge end. A platform support means is provided for the gassifier. An adjustable support means is carried by the platform for supporting the gassifier for tilting from a substantially vertical endothermic reaction or firing mode to a low height inclined charging mode for introducing the material to be fired. A tilt means is connected to the adjustable support means to incrementally tilt the major axis of the gassifier between a firing mode position and a loading and waste discharge mode position. The gassifier also has means for directing the burnable gas produced therein to operate a prime mover for example a boiler, internal combustion equipment or turbine to drive power take off shafts to perform useful mechanical tasks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1981
    Date of Patent: December 14, 1982
    Inventor: Eliseo O. Mariani
  • Patent number: 4356785
    Abstract: The present invention relates to process modules designed for interconnection during shipment as well as installation. The process modules may be of a single deck design adapted to be stacked and transported on specially designed ships, as in LASH vessels, or the process modules may be of a design that is connectable to a specially designed ship as a part of the ship's hull. Fabrication of the process modules is performed at a shipyard facility. The completely fabricated modules are transportable in an assembled manner to a remote plant site aboard a LASH barge vessel or other special vessel where the modules are again assemblied either as a floating or land-based process plant installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1978
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1982
    Inventor: Robert E. Bailie
  • Patent number: 4345974
    Abstract: Solar apparatus for producing alcohol including a fermentation section and a distillation section; the fermentation section including a shallow pan with a large top opening inclined at an angle to the horizontal, a transparent sealing member disposed over the top opening of the fermentation pan, a cover for the fermentation pan; mechanism for introducing fermentable material into the fermentation pan, mechanism for removing liquid from the fermentation pan, solar heating mechanism for the liquid, mechanism for transferring the heated liquid to the distillation pan; the distillation section including a shallow pan with a large top opening inclined at an angle to the horizontal, the distillation pan including a bottom section with a plurality of spaced rib members, the rib members being disposed in a substantially horizontal, parallel orientation, a transparent sealing member disposed over the top opening of the distillation pan, mechanism for selectively reducing the solar exposure of the distillation pan, liq
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1982
    Inventor: Walton W. McCarthy
  • Patent number: 4342623
    Abstract: A portable water distiller having an insulated container for raw water and a removable cover for the container with a low pressure seal which engages the container wall. A condenser coil is provided in the cover along with a motor-driven fan, and inlet and outlet ports are provided about the periphery of the cover to allow cooling air to be drawn into the cover over the condenser coils and motor. An inlet tube connected to the condenser coil receives steam from the container generated by a heater connected to the container bottom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 1980
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1982
    Assignee: Arthur D. Little, Inc.
    Inventor: Herbert H. Loeffler
  • Patent number: 4323429
    Abstract: A spent solvent purification apparatus for treating spent acetone includes an evaporation unit, a condensing unit, and a housing for the units which has upper and lower sections and a panel section that divides the housing interior into separate compartments for the respective units. The evaporating unit is housed by the upper section and it includes a container with an interior wall that divides the interior into upper and lower chambers. The lower chamber has a heater for heating a heat exchange fluid that is contained therein and the upper chamber is for containing the spent solvent during the batch distillation procedure to which it is subjected. Both chambers have temperature sensors which are designed to break the control circuit when the temperature in either chamber exceeds a temperature that is predetermined and set for each sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1980
    Date of Patent: April 6, 1982
    Inventor: Jack W. Hoover
  • Patent number: 4312709
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods for concentrating and collecting solar energy are disclosed. In accordance with the invention, solar energy is concentrated by economical refringent lenses or lens systems including fluid lenses and/or Fresnel-type lenses. The lenses concentrate the solar energy preferably along lines in continuous linear foci or in discrete foci at an elongated collector comprising one or more fluid-carrying conduits and one or more fluids therein. In one embodiment, a plurality of photoelectric cells are located in or on the collector along the linear foci or at the discrete foci and operate at increased efficiency with heat being removed by the collector. A first fluid in the collector is heated by the concentrated solar energy and in a preferred embodiment is used to heat a second fluid contiguous to the first fluid, the first fluid having a boiling point exceeding that of the second fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1977
    Date of Patent: January 26, 1982
    Assignee: North American Utility Construction Corp.
    Inventors: Virgil Stark, Alexandre Vayda, Paul Rousset
  • Patent number: 4306940
    Abstract: A process and apparatus especially suited for distilling alcohol from aqueous fermentation liquors wherein liquid vapors from a body of a liquid mixture (4) which is to be distilled pass from a container (2) holding the liquid mixture to a vapor heating chamber (8) disposed above the container where the vapors are heated by solar radiation and/or heat exchange with a source of process heat. The vapors are then withdrawn from the vapor heating chamber, compressed, passed in heat exchange relation with the liquid mixture and introduced into a reflux column (15) disposed in the interior of the body of liquid to be distilled near the center of the container. An aqueous fraction (24) is collected from the bottom of the reflux column, and an alcohol vapor fraction is withdrawn from the top of the reflux column and further condensed in heat exchange contact with the liquid mixture to produce an alcohol fraction (32).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1980
    Date of Patent: December 22, 1981
    Assignee: Evapro-Tech, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen Zenty
  • Patent number: 4269663
    Abstract: The portable water distiller is constructed to distill water placed within a housing and to dispense it directly into a separate storage vessel or to a distilled water space in the housing. In the latter case, the distillers are provided with a flexible impermeable partition which may be in the form of a bag and which divides the interior of the housing into a raw water space and a distilled water space. A boiler is disposed within the raw water space in order to vaporize the water and a compact radiator and fan assembly is mounted on top of the housing in order to condense the vapor into distilled water for delivery to the distilled water space within the housing. A heater-thermostat shut-off means is also provided for turning off the heater when the supply of water is too low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 1977
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1981
    Inventor: Richard McFee
  • Patent number: 4135984
    Abstract: A water distiller assembly comprising a bottom boiler unit and a top condensing unit incorporates heat exchange passage means for supply water and steam arranged in the condensing unit in such a way in combination with tubular flow connections between the condensing unit and boiler unit that cool, incoming supply water is preheated by steam rising from the boiler unit and flows by gravity down into the boiler unit, with the steam thereby being cooled and condensed to distilled water. Mineral laden residue water in the boiler unit is discharged therefrom continuously by means of a discharge passage providing a predetermined flow restriction against the flow pressure generated by the vapor pressure in the boiler unit. A supply water vessel forming a portion of the condensing unit is removably secured to the top of a boiler vessel by spring clips, which also serve to tightly seat lids covering the supply water vessel and the boiler vessel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 1976
    Date of Patent: January 23, 1979
    Inventor: John D. Kirschmann
  • Patent number: 4081331
    Abstract: A distillation apparatus having an evaporator for vaporizing liquid to be distilled, a substantially vertically disposed up-and-down flowing condenser in communication with the evaporator for condensing vaporized liquid received from the evaporator, and a heater associated with the evaporator for applying heat to and vaporizing fluid in the evaporator. The condenser feeds liquid into the evaporator so as to maintain a constant level of liquid in the evaporator at the highest normal point of flow of liquid in the condenser. The vapor travels downwardly through the condenser so as to become condensed at the bottom of the condenser where a distilled water output is provided for discharge of the distillate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1978
    Inventor: Gunther Weiss
  • Patent number: 4052267
    Abstract: The portable water distiller is constructed to distill water placed within a housing and to dispense it directly into a separate storage vessel or to a distilled water space in the housing. In the latter case, the distillers are provided with a flexible impermeable partition which may be in the form of a bag and which divides the interior of the housing into a raw water space and a distilled water space. A boiler is disposed within the raw water space in order to vaporize the water and a compact radiator and fan assembly is mounted on top of the housing in order to condense the vapor into distilled water for delivery to the distilled water space within the housing. A heater-thermostat shut-off means is also provided for turning off the heater when the supply of water is too low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1975
    Date of Patent: October 4, 1977
    Inventor: Richard McFee
  • Patent number: 4010080
    Abstract: A solar powered distilling device, and more particularly, a device wherein a plurality of convex lenses concentrate the heat energy of sunlight to heat and vaporize a quantity of water, said water vapor rising from a vaporization chamber to a cooling chamber by virtue of spaces provided between troughs located there between, the water vapor is cooled by virtue of the circulating air in an air cooling chamber condensing the vapor into water droplets; said droplets being collected in said collection troughs provided for this purpose.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 1976
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1977
    Inventors: Yaw Jenn Tsay, Kuo-Chuan Lin
  • Patent number: 3980526
    Abstract: A water distillation unit is disclosed herein. The unit preferably comprises an upper boiler container and a lower condensation container which are rigidly maintained in spaced apart relationship by a molded coupling member containing a plurality of water passageways and fittings. The coupling member is integral with the condensation container and is removably and threadably attached to the upper boiler container so that same may be easily removed when desired for cleaning. The boiler container receives raw liquid which is vaporized by an interiorly disposed heater element. The condensation container houses a condenser tube which receives steam from the boiler container and conducts distillate exteriorly of the apparatus. To improve thermal efficiency the condenser tube is cooled by raw liquid which is routed through the condensing container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1975
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1976
    Inventor: John D. Kirschmann