Abstract: A solar still includes a relatively shallow chamber with a pyramid shaped transparent cover and a transparent base. The still also includes a pair of rollers and an endless heat absorbing belt rotatable about the rollers. The still is positioned to receive solar energy passing through the transparent cover and impinging on an upper surface of the heat absorbing belt in order to vaporize seawater within the chamber. The efficiency of the still is increased by one or more mirrors disposed below the still for reflecting sun light up through the transparent base to impinge on a lower outer surface of the belt to enhance the vaporization of the seawater. One or more fans are also provided for cooling the cover to enhance the condensation of water that will then run down the cover and into a pure water receptacle.

Abstract: A multistage evaporation system is proposed in which the first evaporator is heated via a jet wet washer with superheated, air-containing waste steam, for example of a drier. The product vapor of the first evaporator stage is fed via a mechanical compressor to a second evaporator stage for heating. The compressor ensures firstly a lowering of the dew point in the evaporator space of the first evaporator stage and secondly a temperature increase of the product vapor fed to the second evaporator stage for heating.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process for the distillation of ionic liquids, in which a pressure not higher than ambient pressure is set in a first step and the ionic liquid is heated to a temperature in the range from 60° C. to 350° C. in a second step. The process is employed, in particular, for the purification of ionic liquids.

Abstract: A column for distillation or fluid-fluid separation is oriented at an angle to the horizontal other than vertical to provide increased transfer plate surface area within the interior of a column of determined diameter and to reduce overall height of the structure.

Abstract: A heat integrated distillation column including a cylindrical shell having an upper and a lower end and at least one first inner volume and at least one second inner volume in the shell, and being in heat exchanging contact with each other through a wall separating the volumes. The heat integrated distillation column having the capacity to exchange heat through the wall from the first volume into the second volume, whereby the inside of the heat exchanging means is in open connection with the first volume.

Abstract: When fresh water is produced from salt water or similar by evaporation of untreated or crude liquid in an evaporation device under partial vacuum and by vapor condensation in a condensation device connected with the vapor outlet of the evaporation device a high degree of evaporation and cost effectiveness can be obtained in that the evaporation device and the condensation device in a disconnected condition, are filled with crude or clean liquid, respectively, and are subsequently exposed to a partial vacuum created by volume enlargement under hermetically sealed conditions and that the evaporation device and the condensation device are not flow-connected with each other until they are under partial vacuum.

Abstract: A distillation unit (10) employs a fluid circuit (FIG. 8) in which a counterflow heat exchanger (102, 104, 106, 108, 110) transfers heat from condensate and concentrate to feed liquid to be distilled. The pumping system (100, 238) that drives fluid through the circuit is arranged to keep the pressure in the counterflow heat exchanger's condensate higher than that in its feed-liquid passage. This tends to discourage the contamination that could otherwise occur in the concentrate if the fluid isolation ordinarily maintained between those passages is compromised.

Abstract: A sub-atmospheric pressure desalinating still employs a closed top, open bottom pipe filled with source water to be distilled, such as seawater, having a height greater than the height of a column of seawater that can be supported by the pressure at the bottom of the tank so that a subatmospheric pressure volume is formed at the top. Water from the source is also pumped into the subatmospheric volume and passed through an evaporator which enlarges its surface volume. A small percentage of the water is vaporized and the balance is cooled to provide the heat of vaporization and falls into the top of the seawater column, creating a downward flow. The vapor is drawn from the vacuum and condensed, preferably in a second subatmospheric volume above a column of fresh water.

Abstract: Device for distillation, for example extraction of fresh water from sea water, including a number of chambers (3) at least in one row, an inlet (10) for distillation fluid, an outlet (11) for the distillation residue, an outlet (5) for the distillate, and a gas compressor (13). Further, the device includes two pipe systems (1,2), where the first pipe system (1) has an inlet (10) for the distillation fluid and an outlet (11) for the distillation residue, together with an outlet (12) for damp. The second pipe system (2) has a number of chambers (3) in a row, each row (3) having an upper inlet (4) for damp and a lower outlet (5) for distillate. The inlets (4) are connected in parallel, and the outlets (5) are connected in parallel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a compact rectifying unit for separation of mixed fluids using for heat transfer purpose a fluid heat carrier and its vapours on one of the sides of heat and mass exchanging walls. In order to increase the efficiency of the heat and mass exchange process, the heat and mass exchange tubes of the rectifying part and/or of the evaporator part have means to provide irregular/varying amounts of heat transfer between the inside and the outside of tube wall along the height of the heat and mass exchange tubes. This allows for a reduction in the rectification column height by 3-10 times.

Abstract: A device for recovering drinking water from condensate includes a self-supporting moulded part 11 formed of a transparent synthetic resin such as PET or PC, which is resistant to UV radiation. The moulded part 11 presents an open bottom area 16 with a collecting channel 15 on the edge side, with the collecting channel 15 presenting an inner wall 18 oriented towards the circumferential surface 12 and serving, at the same time, as floating aid, and with the moulded part 11 being provided with a pouring opening in its upper section 13 . For the manufacture of this device, a vacuum is created in a special deep-drawing tool not only in the region of the circumferential surface to be produced but also in the region of the collecting channel to be formed, and the moulded part is separated from a separated deep-drawing tool element outside the zone of the collecting channel.

Abstract: A continuous supply of fresh water achieved through desalinization by a system of Venturi shafts to increase the velocity and pressure of air flow allowing for increased condensation and processing of evaporated water through a structure (1) that incorporates a blackened evaporation surface (16), concave Venturi wind walls (50), a vertical Venturi wind shaft (10), condensation chambers (5) connected by horizontally stacked hollow cylinders (61), a heat transfer duct (40) that draws cool air from a water body, vents hot air through an air exhaust port (48), and a water drainage port (35) that flows water to a reservoir (36).

Abstract: A process for rectificatively separating at least one (meth)acrylic monomer-containing fluid by feeding the fluid into a rectification column containing at least one sieve tray without a runoff segment, wherein an elementary cell is obtained from a number of centers of passages in a sieve tray, and the cell shifts regularly and repeatedly along its edges, the lengths of two shifting vectors being the lengths of the edges of the cell along which the shifting is effected; an arrangement of the centers is such that the positions of an ideal center and a real center are separated by ?1% of half of the sum of the lengths of the two shifting vectors; and an arrangement of the passages is such that the sum of non-overlapping surface areas of an ideal passage with a real passage and vice versa is ?1% of the surface area of the ideal passage.

Abstract: Mercury is removed from solutions contaminated with mercury, the solution contaminated with mercury being introduced into a distillation column above the column bottom, solvent being distilled off and solution depleted in mercury being stripped off at the column bottom.

Abstract: The invention relates to an evaporator tube for a sea water desalination system, whereby drinking water or water for domestic or industrial purposes, respectively, is extracted from the sea in particular in areas having scarce fresh-water resources. The evaporator tube of the invention is characterized by being formed of a steel that is sea water resistant and at the same time acid resistant, and by having a wall thickness between 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm. The evaporator tube of the invention may be furnished and utilized economically, and is characterized in particular by a high corrosion resistance at good heat transition owing to the thin wall, and by good resistance against low pH values. In addition, scaling on the evaporator tubes may reliably be prevented. It is therefore also suited for economical operation in intermittently operated sea water desalination systems such as, e.g., wind energy-powered sea water desalination systems.

Abstract: A mechanical water still (10) includes an impervious dome-like upper surface (12) and a membrane base (14) that is coupled (26) to the impervious dome-like structure (12) to form, when inflated, a chamber (20). The membrane base (14) supports a water pervaporation process therethrough. A water collection well (16) has an opening into which water droplets condensed from the water pervaporation process collect. The water collection well (16) is sited within the membrane base (14) and generally extends outwardly and downwardly from the membrane base (14), as shown in FIG. 1. In use, a contaminated water source (24) is brought into, ideally, complete contact with the membrane base (14), with the water collection well (16) arranged both to act as a heat sink into the water source (24) and to provide stability to the water still (10) when floating and immersed in the water source (24).

Abstract: A process is proposed for the distillation or reactive distillation of a mixture that includes at least one toxic component, the process being carried out in a column containing a structured packing, having at least one packing layer (1) having a lower end (2) and an upper end (3), the packing layer having an internal geometry varying over its height, in such a manner that in the distillation or reactive distillation, in a first, lower region (6) of the packing layer (1) a bubbling layer having a predominantly disperse gas phase can be established and simultaneously in a second, upper region (7) of the packing layer (1) a film flow having a predominantly continuous gas phase can be established.

Abstract: A solar water desalination and purification device includes an outer liquid-tight containment and an inner liquid-tight containment disposed within the outer containment. The outer containment collects liquid that forms from condensing water vapor that evaporates within the inner containment and passes through the inner containment material. The inner containment is made from hydrophobic material that allows water vapor to pass through the material as the sunlight evaporates the contaminated water within the inner containment. An inlet communicates with the inner containment for allowing the contaminated water to fill the inner containment. An outlet communicates with the outer containment to allow discharge of condensed water vapor collected within the outer containment to be used as drinking water.

Abstract: Incoming wastewater is preheated in a heat exchanger before delivery to a flash chamber through an orifice for flashing into water vapor rising into an upper section of the flash chamber which also has a bottom section into which liquid waste oil or other contaminants settles. Rise of such water vapor into the upper chamber section is induced by a vacuum established therein by a vacuum pump withdrawing the water vapor in a superheated and compressed condition for cooling within a condenser from which the incoming wastewater is delivered to a heat exchanger for preheating. The water vapor during rise into the upper section of the flash chamber is filtered to extract contaminates therefrom while liquefied water vapor thereafter formed therein is collected before the remaining water vapor is cooled into the condensate for collection within a distillate tank from which it is withdrawn for overboard discharge after being monitored for oil content.

Abstract: A method and system for treating feedwater includes evaporating a portion of the feedwater in a first evaporation chamber so as to separate water vapor from the remaining feedwater. Droplets of the remaining feedwater are dispersed into a stream of hot air produced in a second evaporation chamber. The droplets evaporate and solids in the feedwater precipitate. The precipitated solids are collected in the lower section of the second evaporation chamber. Water vapor discharged from both evaporation chambers can be treated in a cyclone separator to remove residual solids therefrom. The cleansed water vapor output from the cyclone separator can be condensed to recover clean water. Dry solids can be discharged from the second evaporation chamber and the cyclone separator for recovery.

Abstract: A vessel is provided for collecting a process stream and fractionating the process stream into a liquid and gas phase in the vessel. Cooling may be provided by an internal bath and/or an external bath. The liquid phase retained in the vessel and the gas phase collected in lots from the vessel may be delivered to a lab for analysis.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method for vaporizing a liquid by slowly evaporating the liquid from a liquid phase to a vapor phase below the boiling point of the liquid; and applying an effective amount of microwave power to maintain the slow evaporation of the liquid to produce a purified liquid.

Abstract: By using a dephlegmator which conducts distillation concurrently with heat exchange within at least one distillation column, or a portion of one distillation column, of a distillation cascade, the quantity of liquid holdup within the distillation apparatus is reduced and the start-up time is shortened. Consequently, the operational costs associated with startup are reduced, and productivity is improved markedly.

Abstract: This invention resides in providing a method for the prevention of possible polymerization of the easily polymerizable substance during the purification thereof by a column provided with (a) at least one tray directly fixed to a support ring with a bolt and a nut and/or (b) at least one tray fixed to a support ring with a vertical clamp or a distillation column provided in the lower part thereof with a splash collision plate.

Abstract: In a thermal separating process between at least one gaseous and at least one liquid stream, of which at least one comprises (meth)acrylic monomers, in a separating column containing sieve trays as separating internals, at least some of the sieve trays are operated above an entrainment fraction of 10% by weight.

Abstract: A dividing-wall column having a dividing wall which is essentially disposed along the long direction of the column is proposed, which divides the column interior into a feed part, a take off part, an upper shared column part and a lower shared column part, with feed in whole or in part in the vaporous state of a mixture to be separated between the upper region of the feed part and the lower region of the feed part and/or side stream take off in whole or in part in the vaporous state between the upper region of the take off part and the lower region of the take off part, where if feed is in whole or in part in the vaporous state the cross-sectional area of the upper region of the feed part is increased by plane-parallel displacement of the dividing wall toward the upper region of the take off part, and/or if the side stream take off is in whole or in part in the vaporous state, the cross-sectional area of the lower region of the take off part is increased by displacement of the dividing wall toward the lower r

Abstract: The invention pertains to a device for the condensation of water from an aqueous liquid by using a temperature gradient, which device includes: (a) a vapor chamber that can be brought in contact with a condensation compartment wherein at least part of the water vapor from the aqueous liquid condenses, and wherein inside of said vapor chamber is located (b) an evaporation compartment having a least a wall with an outer surface and which includes a closed, hollow and water permeable membrane wherein the vapor chamber has an outer surface that includes a substantially water-impermeable insulation skirt with an inner and an outer surface, such that there is a gap between the inner surface of the insulation skirt and the outer surface of the evaporation compartment, and wherein the vapor chamber has a lower surface of an active width (w) which is at least 10% of the effective diameter (d) of the evaporation compartment.

Abstract: A perforated tray without downcomer having only a small deviation between the opening ratio based on the diameter of a column and the actual opening ratio and a perforated tray column without downcomer formed by disposing such perforated trays without downcomer are provided. The perforated trays without downcomer are characterized by having a ratio of (A)/(B) in the range of 1.1-1.5, wherein A denotes the opening ratio found from the standard pitch between centers of holes and (B) denotes the opening ratio based on the diameter of a column.

Abstract: A compact, energy efficient, continuous-flow point of use distillation system utilizes stacked, vertically-arranged components to provide a compact and energy efficient distillation process and a device which is quick and easy to service and maintain. A housing contains a double-walled boiler vessel to which water is supplied from an external source through suitable filters. A heating source is provided to boil water in the vessel, producing steam which is supplied through a condenser to a storage container located below the boiler. A noninvasive liquid level sensor maintains the water level in the boiler and the controller is provided to activate the boiler when water is required for the storage reservoir.

Abstract: (Meth)acrylic monomers are separated by a thermal separation process by ascending at least one ascending gaseous stream in a separating column containing a sequence of mass transfer trays and a liquid stream that contains dissolved polymerization inhibitor which descends in the separating column, and in at least one of the streams being (meth)acrylic monomers; and spraying the inner surface of the separating column with the descending liquid stream that contains the dissolved polymerization inhibitor, and the separating column having internals, certain areas of which are shadow regions of the sprayed descending liquid stream; and which shadow regions are equipped by covering means which prevent contact of the shadow regions with (meth)acrylic monomers and consequently undesired polymerization of monomer.

Abstract: A process for obtaining pure 1,3-butadiene from crude 1,3-butadiene by distillation is carried out in a dividing wall column in which a dividing wall is located in the longitudinal direction of the column to form an upper common column region, a lower common column region, a feed section and an offtake section.

Abstract: Process for the purification of toluenediisocyanate from a crude distillation feed which includes toluenediisocyanate, an organic solvent and less than 2% by weight phosgene by separating the crude distillation feed in a dividing-wall distillation column into at least four product fractions P1–P4. P1 is a phosgene enriched low-boiler product, P2 is a solvent-enriched product, P3 is a high boiler enriched bottoms and P4 is a toluenediisocyanate product stream.

Abstract: Toluene diisocyanate is recovered from a crude distillation feed containing less than 2% by weight of phosgene by (a) fractionating the crude distillation feed containing less than 2% by weight of phosgene to remove the solvent and optionally the reaction residues to produce a crude toluene diisocyanate feed containing less than 20% by weight of solvent and (b) separating the crude toluene diisocyanate feed containing less than 20% by weight of solvent in a divided-wall distillation column into four product fractions P1–P4. P1 is a vapor phase low-boiler and solvent-enriched gas stream, P2 is a low-boiler and solvent-enriched product, P3 is a high boiler-enriched bottoms product containing toluene diisocyanate and P4 is a toluene diisocyanate product stream lean in low-boilers, high-boilers and reaction residues.

Abstract: Cultivated field water is desalinated by a series of independent units that float on the water surface, taking up the saline water with a wick, evaporating the water from the wick in desalinating relation by concentrating incident solar radiation with a combination of a lenses and cooperating mirrors onto the upper end portion of the wick while the wick lower end portion is immersed in the field water, capturing the desalinated vapor resulting by condensing within the unit and returning the condensed, desalinated water to the field, and periodically renewing the wick by rinsing the salt from it at a cleaning station beyond the field.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for producing a highly pure, aqueous hydroxylamine solution by distilling an aqueous solution, devoid of salt, of a hydroxyl ammonium salt in a plate column comprising at least two mechanical plates. Said method is characterised in that packing bodies are arranged between at least two plates of the plate column over the cross-section of said column.

Abstract: A solar water still (10) includes an enclosure assembly (12) and an evaporation assembly (14) that float on a body of source water and that are readily collapsed and folded for storage or transport. The enclosure assembly includes a transparent conical dome (20) covering a collection reservoir (18) and an inner float ring (16). The evaporation assembly is placed in the center of the inner float ring. During operation, solar radiation induces water to evaporate from the evaporation assembly. The water vapor is then condensed and collected by the enclosure assembly.

Abstract: Bisphenol-A-bis(neopentylglycolphosphate) products of enhanced properties and processes for preparing them are described. One of the processes includes (a) mixing and reacting neopentyl glycol and bisphenol-A-bis(dichlorophosphate) in an inert polar organic solvent which (1) if mixed by itself with an equal volume of water at 25° C., will form a separate phase, (2) the solvent by itself will dissolve at least about 10 wt % of bisphenol-A-bis(neopentylglycolphosphate) at a temperature in the range of 25 to 50° C., and optionally but preferably (3) the solvent by itself can be completely vaporized at a temperature below about 180° C.; (b) washing bisphenol-A-bis(neopentylglycolphosphate) product formed in a) while dissolved in inert organic solvent having such characteristics at least once with an aqueous alkaline washing solution; and (c) optionally but preferably, recovering bisphenol-A-bis(neopentylglycolphosphate) product from organic solvent having such characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the preparation of pure 2-chloro-5 -chloromethylthiazole by distillation in the presence of oligomeric polyethers.

Abstract: A sulfur-bearing residue treatment system is provided for the recovery of valuable organic components and the reduction of capital costs and operating costs. The treatment system involves the use of a stripping vessel in conjunction with a heating apparatus. All elements of the treatment system may be coupled together to form one integral piece of equipment.

Abstract: An apparatus for and method of distillation uses a high temperature thermoelectric device to heat a liquid, such as water to vapor (steam) and cool the vapor to a purified, distilled liquid. Distillation system has no moving parts, thereby increasing reliability while reducing noise and maintenance. Liquid in a container has a heating section on the container extending into it to boil it into a vapor that is fed to a condenser section disposed on the container adjacent to the heating section. A thermoelectric section provided with a Peltier effect device is interposed between the heating section and condenser section. The Peltier effect device has one side in contiguous contact with the condenser to transfer heat from it and another side is in contiguous contact with the heating section to transfer heat to it to boil the liquid into the vapor and feed the vapor through the condenser that condenses it into distilled liquid.

Abstract: A compact, 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, a vessel for collecting the wastewater, a heating chamber including electric heating elements and a heat transfer liquid such as mineral oil to heat the wastewater admixture to boil off the water and to reduce the volume of liquid for disposal, and a wastewater supply tank positioned under the apparatus. The apparatus may further include a disposable liner to isolate the wastewater from the vessel itself and facilitate rapid and clean removal and disposal of waste material after evaporation of the water, and thermally-activated sensors to maintain a desired temperature differential between the heating elements and the heat transfer liquid contained in the apparatus.

Abstract: A process for inhibiting a polymerization of an easily polymerizable compound purification system is disclosed. According to the present invention, the polymerization of the easily polymerizable compound such as (meth)acrylic acid and (meth)acrylate flowed into a vacuum section can be inhibited by contacting a liquid containing a polymerization inhibitor with the compound directly in the vacuum section. When the vacuum section includes a gas and liquid contact chamber (usually a condenser), the liquid containing a polymerization inhibitor may be supplied to the chamber. When the vacuum section includes a liquid ejector and/or a nash pump as a vacuuming device, the liquid containing a polymerization inhibitor may be circulated by the liquid ejector and/or the nash pump for reducing a pressure of a purifying section. Examples of easily polymerizable compounds are (meth)acrylic acid and (meth)acrylates.

Abstract: The present invention provides a device and method for desalinating saltwater which utilizes a heatable vessel wherein is placed a sufficient quantity of a salt which will absorb water of crystallisation and which has a dissolution index of not higher than 10?24. Saltwater is then added to the vessel and brought into contact with the salt, so that the salt will bind water from the saltwater and form a crystal hydrate. The excess saltwater with salt concentrate is drained from the vessel. The salt which has absorbed water tom the saltwater and formed a crystal hydrate is then heated in the vessel, and the pure water from the crystal hydrate is released as water vapour, which is collected and cooled to obtain desalinated water.

Abstract: Methods for using a hydrophobic liquid, such as mineral oil, to compress steam include using a compressor to compress a mixture of steam and the hydrophobic liquid. One embodiment includes the steam to be compressed coming from a boiling aqueous solution in an evaporator. The steam compressed with a hydrophobic liquid is routed to a heat exchanger which thermally communicates with the evaporator to create more steam. The resulting mixture of condensed steam and hydrophobic liquid from the heat exchanger is routed to a water/hydrophobic liquid separator. The hydrophobic liquid is also recycled to the compressor from the water/hydrophobic liquid separator.

Abstract: A compact, energy efficient, continuous-flow point of use distillation system utilizes stacked, vertically-arranged components to provide a compact and energy efficient distillation process and a device which is quick and easy to service and maintain. A housing contains a double-walled boiler vessel to which water is supplied from an external source through suitable filters. A heating source is provided to boil water in the vessel, producing steam which is supplied through a condenser to a storage container located below the boiler. A noninvasive liquid level sensor maintains the water level in the boiler and the controller is provided to activate the boiler when water is required for the storage reservoir.

Abstract: A membrane distillation method includes the steps of preparing a membrane distillation module that includes a hydrophobic porous membrane which is permeable to gas or vapor and impermeable to the solution, and injecting a body of the solution into the membrane distillation module and forming nano-grade gas bubbles of inert gas in the solution in the membrane distillation module in such a manner that the solution is emulsified with the nano-grade gas bubbles and that the thus formed nano-grade gas bubbles are allowed to pass through the membrane from one side to the other side of the membrane.

Abstract: Distillation apparatus comprises a condensing chamber and a heating chamber arranged on an enclosure. Liquid feed into the condensing chamber is pre-heated and flows to the heating chamber where it is boiled to produce vapor. Gas sparging in the condensing chamber enhances heat transfer and absorbs additional vapor generated by pre-heating. The condenser is a helical or other horizontal tube heat exchanger.

Abstract: A solar of still of the tilted tray type having a black absorber member forming a plurality of cells. A glass window is positioned closely adjacent the cell distortion of the absorber, and a reflector beneath the absorber.

Abstract: In an apparatus capable of distilling and refining an easily polymerizable substance, piping is performed so that when a strainer in action is switched to a backup strainer, the strainer can be switched after removing the air in the backup strainer to replace the air in the backup strainer to a discharge liquid of a pump. According to the apparatus, switching the strainers installed on the upstream side of the pump for extracting a liquid of a vacuum distillation column which distills and refines the easily polymerizable substance can be performed with no trouble in the operation of the distillation column. When the apparatus comprises a means measuring a differential pressure between the upstream side and the downstream side of the strainer in action, the two or more strainers installed in parallel can be switched at proper times and the easily polymerizable substance can be produced efficiently.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for the purification of phenols in a feedstock containing phenols and neutral oils and/or tar bases. The process includes liquid-liquid extraction of feedstock using a solvent and a counter-solvent, and separating the resulting solvent and counter-solvent layers. Phenols are then recovered from the separated solvent layer, and counter-solvent is recovered form the counter-solvent layer. The process also includes at least one of the following additions steps i) subjecting the separated solvent layer to distillation at atmospheric pressure; ii) subjecting the separated solvent layer to distillation, recovering an organic phase from the overheads product of the distillation step and recycling it to the liquid-liquid extraction step; and iii) recovering solvent from the counter-solvent layer.