Abstract: An apparatus for fractional distillation under vacuum, comprising an evacuable vessel enclosing a first zone for liquid to be distilled, a second zone for distillate and a third zone for residue. The vessel is provided with a plurality of vertical tubular elements having side walls forming evaporator surfaces and being provided with inlet means at their upper ends for directing liquid to be distilled from the first zone towards the evaporator surface. Each hollow element surrounds at least partly a vertical cooling surface to cause condensation of vaporized liquid to form distillate, each hollow element being further provided with means for separately withdrawing distillate and residue from its interior into the second zone and the third zone, respectively. The vessel preferably consists of detachably interconnected wall portions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for vaporizing and recovering, by condensation, a composite liquid solution of at least two components having substantially different vaporizing temperatures. The apparatus includes at least one liquid condensate vaporizing chamber wherein the vapor of the lower vapor point component will be condensed from a vapor zone above the vapor zone of the vapor of the higher vapor point component. The apparatus further includes at least two weir or other means to define the vapor levels of each vaporized component and the condensing means for each component are disposed on the opposite side of the weir from the vapor zone.

Abstract: Method and device in which a suspension in air or other gas of liquid droplets or fine particles containing an electromagnetic energy absorbent component is subjected to microwave radiation to apply energy to the droplets or particles as they fall to a collection point.

Abstract: A closed cycle recovery system and apparatus for continuously recovering residual products which have been washed or flushed from tank trucks, tank cars, and other transportation or storage containers while simultaneously separating and recovering the water, solvent or other fluids which are used to wash or flush such tanks and containers in which a mixture of the water, solvent, and other fluids, and the residual product is separated by evaporation of the water, solvent, or other fluids by passing the mixture through a distillation chamber having a series of tube and flat plate heat exchange surfaces so that the individual fluids and product may be purified and separately stored for further use.

Abstract: An electrodialysis desalination process for seawater comprising the steps of collecting seawater and heating same by solar heat; subjecting seawater thus heated to electrodialysis; and separating same into two portions of a diluted solution and a concentrated brine, is provided, as well as the same system comprising a preheater utilizing solar heat for preheating seawater, an electrodialyser for separating seawater thus preheated by said preheater into said two portions, and means for supplying seawater to the preheater and then from the preheater to the electrodialyser. Various modifications of the above process and system are disclosed. According to the present inventions, electric power consumption in the electrodialysis is saved and solar heat is utilized effectively.

Abstract: A vapor generating and recovering apparatus for vaporizing a liquid and condensing a vapor, the apparatus including a container having a liquid therein with a heating and cooling system in heat transfer relation with the liquid and vapor in the container. The heating and cooling system includes means to vaporize the liquid; means to condense the vaporized liquid; and, means to compress a refrigerant. The means to compress the refrigerant is in fluid communication on its high pressure side with the means to vaporize a liquid or heat a liquid and on its low pressure side with the means to condense or cool a liquid. The heating and cooling system further includes a complementary condenser system on the high pressure side of the means to compress a refrigerant, discharging its heat external to said apparatus and pump down valve means selectively closeable so that refrigerant can be pumped out of the means to compress a refrigerant.

Abstract: An evaporator apparatus (10) and method for converting a contaminated fluid including mostly water and water soluble substances into a vapor and a residue. Apparatus (10) includes a container (11) for retaining the fluid. A heat source (17) is utilized for supplying heat to evaporate the fluid. A flue assembly (18) positioned in the fluid conveys the heat from the heat source (17) through the fluid. A draft mechanism (20) draws off the resulting vapors as they are formed.

Abstract: A method for recovering clean solvent from a mixture of solvent and contaminants. An open top tank is 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. The bag can be disposed of after the solvent has been vaporized therefrom.

Abstract: A tank for receiving water to be desalinated supports a vacuum pump at the upper end thereof. The inlet of the pump communicates with the tank for reducing the interior of the tank to a subatmospheric pressure and the outlet of the pump communicates with heat transfer coils submerged just below a water level in the tank. The vacuum pump has an outer casing defining a heating area which traps the heat generated by operation of the pump. An inlet for water to be desalinated leads through the heated area around the pump and is discharged above the water level at the heat transfer coils for vaporization of the incoming water. The heat transfer coils communicate with condensing coils leading downwardly in the tank. The heat transfer coils are supported on a float and have an inlet and outlet arrangement providing for even distribution of vapor.

Abstract: A heat-transfer medium is heated by a solar heat collector and then adiabatically compressed. The heat-transfer medium thus compressed exchanges heat with the seawater to heat it, and is then adiabatically expanded with the heated seawater being evaporated and the steam thus produced, upon heat exchange with the seawater, changed into fresh water.

Abstract: A novel fractional distillation process and applications thereof to the production of thermal or mechanical energy from two low level heat sources wherein a mixture of two highly non-ideal reactive solutions such, for example, as of the water/ammonia type, is separated into its water and ammonia components in an apparatus comprising a cascade of condensers and evaporators operating respectively at the temperature of the cold source and at the temperature of the hot source and at staggered pressures. The residue and distillate formed are remixed in a mixing apparatus when it is desired to recover the thermal energy of dilution of the solutions.The invention is applicable, in particular, to the heating of buildings from low level thermal energy and from the thermal energy of "cold wind".

Abstract: A solar desalination system in which fresh water is derived from sea water by focussing solar ray energy from a collecting reflector onto an evaporator tube located at substantially the focal apex of the reflector. The reflector/evaporator tube assembly is mounted on a horizontal open grid platform which may support a plurality of parallel reflector/evaporator tube assemblies. The reflectors may serve as pontoons to support the desalination system unit on a body of sea water. The solar heat generated vapor is condensed in condenser tubes immersed in the sea water. Intermittently sea water concentrate is withdrawn from the evaporator tubes. Velocity of the vapor passing from the evaporator tubes to the condensers may be utilized for generating power.

Abstract: A method of centrifugal evaporation such as may be employed for reclaiming used industrial solvent having water and solid contaminants, including injecting the contaminated solvent into a cyclonic still, heating the contaminated solvent in the still to vaporize the solvent and water content, the solid contaminant being separated and discharged as a wet sludge, conducting the co-mingled solvent and water vapors to a condenser in which the vapors are condensed to liquids, separating the condensed liquids into solvent for reuse and water for disposal, passing the wet sludge into an inclined elongated dryer where the sludge is heated, vaporizing the liquid which is drawn off, the dried solid contaminant being collected for reuse or disposal.

Abstract: An apparatus for the distillation of a fluid containing at least two constituent components is disclosed. The apparatus includes a microwave energy source and a solar energy collector, both of which may be used to heat a subject fluid to a greater temperature for the purpose of distillation of same. Further, the disclosed invention combines a vacuum within the apparatus to facilitate operation and enhance the overall energy efficiency of the apparatus.

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.

Abstract: Solar distillation apparatus is disclosed in which the released heat of condensation of the condensing liquid is recovered in a transparent conduit disposed over the liquid to be distilled. Solar energy passes through the transparent conduit and is received on an undulated plate system over which the liquid to be distilled is conducted. A cooling fluid is circulated through the conduit to absorb heat released by the condensing liquid. In one embodiment, the conduit does not concentrate the solar energy. The conduit is preferably disposed at an angle of up to about 25.degree. with the horizontal so that the system is subjected to minimal pressure. In another embodiment the conduit defines a fluid lens system which concentrates the solar energy on the plate system. Provision is also made to recover heat from the condensate and a concentrate of the liquid to be distilled.

Abstract: A continuous process for reducing the arsenic content of phosphorus is described in which the impure phosphorus is continually passed through a heat exchanger and heated to vaporize a portion of the phosphorus at a temperature not above 200.degree. C., separating the vaporized phosphorus in a disengaging zone under subatmospheric pressure and introducing it into a fractionating zone under subatmospheric pressure, fractionating the phosphorus from the less volatile arsenic, condensing under subatmospheric pressure low-arsenic phosphorus rising from the fractionating zone, returning a portion of the low-arsenic phosphorus condensate as reflux to the column, removing high-arsenic liquid phosphorus as bottoms from the fractionating zone, and recovering the remaining portion of low-arsenic phosphorus condensate as product.

Abstract: A process is provided for recovering epsilon-caprolactam of a purity in excess of 99.9 wt. %, in a two-stage distillation operation. Each stage comprises an evaporator and a rectification column having a pressure drop across the theoretical trays thereof of less than about 2.5 MBAR.

Abstract: According to the present invention a saturated aqueous solution comprising at least one alkali metal hydroxide and at least one alkali metal nitrate is provided which can be spray added to a fused anhydrous bath which contains alkali metal materials.

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

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for upgrading low pressure steam or brine, such as from a geothermal well, to prepare the steam or brine for any one of a number of uses, such as for conversion to pure, high pressure, high temperature steam for driving turbines. The system operates in a degasification phase in which a small amount of superheated steam is applied to the brine to scrub the same to cause the removal of concentrated gases therefrom. The degasified product is then pumped to a high pressure, heated countercurrently, and directed through a demineralized phase to remove the salts and solids in a liquid phase and convert the bulk of the water into pure, high pressure saturated steam. The steam output from the demineralizing phase can then be used to produce useful work, such as driving a turbine. In addition to forming saturated steam from geothermal brine, the system can be used to form pure saturated steam from impure water from any suitable source.

Abstract: The energy requirements of a solution rubber process are significantly improved by employing solvent which has been removed in subsequent process steps.The invention concerns the separation treatment of the solvents and the polymer solutions produced by solution polymerization. In one embodiment a polymer solution is flashed to remove solvent vapor overhead and a concentrated polymer solution is removed as bottoms. The flashed solvent vapor is divided into at least two streams. A first stream is used as a stripping vapor medium in a zone for stripping a wet solvent to recover a wet solvent vapor overhead from the stripping zone and a dry solvent liquid as bottoms; the second flashed solvent vapor stream is used to preheat the wet solvent feed to the stripping zone by indirect contact heat exchange; a third portion of said solvent vapor can be combined with the second portion downstream of the heat exchange step, and the combined stream can be condensed.

Abstract: The invention provides a means for reducing the energy consumed by thermally activated separation processes such as fractional distillation. This is done by recovering at least part of the reject heat from such processes and upgrading it for recycle back to input heat. The upgrading is accomplished by another low temperature source of heat which may also be the separation process reject heat. A simple and reliable heat pump using the reverse absorption principle is incorporated in the separation process to accomplish this upgrading.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for purifying (deodorizing and/or deacidifying) high-boiling, heat-sensitive organic liquids, the method including passing the impure organic liquid in counter-current flow to a carrier vapor of low molecular weight (steam) while the organic liquid is in the form of thin films falling through a multiplicity of parallel, vertically-oriented tubular flow channels, the inside diameters of the flow channels being between 34 and 72 mm, their lengths being between 6 and 16 meters, a heating medium also being present in association with the flow channels, the flow rates and temperatures of the various fluids being controlled to reduce the consumption of carrier vapor and provide a short thermal stress time for the organic liquid.

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

Abstract: In a fractional distillation process in which a heating fluid and waste heat stream are utilized to supply heat to a fractional distillation column and in which the heat supplied from the waste heat stream is not controllable, control of the liquid level in the fractional distillation column is accomplished by manipulating the flow rate of the heating fluid so as to maintain a desired liquid level until such time as the flow rate of the heating fluid becomes zero at which time the flow rate of the external reflux to the fractional distillation column is manipulated to maintain a desired liquid level in the fractional distillation column. A switching of control of the liquid level provides a means by which an uncontrollable heat input may be provided to the fractional distillation column without losing control of the liquid level in the fractional distillation column.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing fresh water from sea water in which a vertical accumulator utilizes the sensible heat of sea water so as to evaporate said sea water to a temperature above 100.degree. C. under pressure, a heat-exchanger connecting between the upper and lower portions of said accumulator causes a high temperature liquid to effect heat-exchange with sea water to be evaporated, a fresh sea water feed line connected to the lower portion of said accumulator adjusts the pressure within the accumulator and an evaporator receives higher temperature sea water. The accumulator accumulates heat in such a manner that the upper portion of said accumulator holds higher temperature sea water and the lower portion of the accumulator holds lower temperature sea water so that when heat is accumulated, the amount of said higher temperature sea water increases and when heat is radiated, the amount of higher temperature decreases whereby sea water evaporates at all times.

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.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for distilling readily polymerizable liquid such as readily polymerizable monomers without causing the formation of an undesirable polymerization product is disclosed. This distillation is effected by(a) vaporizing the polymerizable liquid from a liquid phase containing the same in an evaporator by externally heating the liquid phase;(b) converting the vapor of the polymerizable liquid to a superheated state by externally heating, and introducing the vapor of the polymerizable liquid to the inlet of a condenser, while the vapor is maintained at the superheated state; and, then,(c) condensing the vapor in the condenser, while a portion of the condensed fraction is circulated to the inlet of the condenser, whereby the condensation surface thereof is wetted.

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

Abstract: Method for the use of heat, especially "Waste Heat", from geothermal steam or brines for the manufacture of chemicals such as alcohol, which comprises, according to one embodiment, flashing the brine to produce steam, passing the steam to a turbine for electrical energy generation, and employing the steam from the turbine discharge and/or the flashed brine to provide some or all of the heat requirements for the fermentation-distillation process for production of alcohols, e.g. (methanol and/or ethanol) from agricultural wastes. The method can also be utilized for the production by distillation and/or by industrial fermentation and/or by hydrolysis of other chemicals (such as furfural and acetone).

Abstract: A method for recovering liquid chlorine derivatives of hydrocarbons resides in applying the chlorine derivatives of hydrocarbons to the preheated surface of an inert liquid, the temperature of the inert liquid exceeding the boiling temperature of the chlorine derivatives of hydrocarbons.

Abstract: A process for separating dissolved corrosive gases from aqueous solutions, e.g., scrubbing waters from a coking operation, is disclosed. The process involves directly contacting the solution with a hot liquid heat exchange medium, such as drops of heating oil, to drive off the dissolved gases. Residual ammonia in the solution is thereafter separated out by blowing steam into the treated solution.

Abstract: A process for causing to vibrate at determined frequencies pieces having a relatively large surface, notably plane pieces, wherein a volume comprising the piece or pieces to be caused to vibrate is achieved, said piece or pieces are elastically connected to the walls of said volume wherein a fluid is running so that it supports the surface or surfaces to be caused to vibrate and vibrations are periodically generated in said fluid so as to generate shock-waves in succession which, in turn, cause the vibration at a frequency corresponding to that of the piece or pieces elastically mounted.

Abstract: A continuous method and apparatus for distilling a liquid include conducting the distilling liquid through at least two successive distillation units operating at different temperature levels. The distilling liquid is vaporized in each distillation unit and the obtained vapor condensed into distillate by conducting the vapor into heat exchange relationship with the liquid discharged from the evaporators in a succeeding distillation unit which operates at a lower temperature level. At least one of the distillation units includes a plurality of communicating distillation stages, each distillation stage including an evaporator and a corresponding condenser.

Abstract: Heat transfer apparatus comprises:(a) a heat pump, and(b) a distillation means operatively connected with the heat pump to receive distillable fluid therefrom for condensation and release of latent heat Q.sub.c,(c) the heat pump connected with said distillation means to receive said latent heat for addition of work input and re-transfer to the distillation fluid.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for high volume distillation of impure liquid comprises evaporating the impure liquid in an evaporator to form a vapor at a temperature above the freezing point and below the boiling point of said liquid at atmospheric pressure and at a pressure not exceeding a pressure corresponding to the evaporation temperature under saturated conditions; compressing the vapor; passing a portion of the compressed vapor through an expansion engine to do work upon and motivate the engine and to produce shaft energy, whereby the vapor expands and cools; bypassing the expansion engine with the remainder of the compressed vapor and admixing the remainder directly with the expanded vapor from the expansion engine in a mixing chamber; adding work to the expansion engine to supplement the work done by the vapor expanding therethrough to make up for work lost when the remainder of the compressed vapor bypassed the expansion engine and for other work lost; cooling the admixed vapor in heat transfer relation wi

Abstract: A desalinazation apparatus has the bulk of its piping circuitry composed of black iron pipe, or similar pipe, which is normally subject to corrosion by sea water. Heat transfer to a salt water still includes indirect heat transfer by a thermal oil which is contained in the black iron pipe. A solar collector heat source is used to heat the heat transfer oil. The heat transfer rate from the heat transfer oil is maintained by using turbulence inducing fins in the interior of the heat transfer tubes in the salt water still and by directing high pressure gas at the exterior of the heat transfer tubes in the salt water still. A manifold of jets placed beneath the heat transfer tubes in the salt water still projects the high pressure gas, such as high pressure high temperature steam, onto the exterior of the heat exchange tubes.

Abstract: A urine-water recovery system is described which provides efficient potable water recovery from waste liquids. The design allows use over extended durations such as encountered in space flights. The system has advantages such as low power consumption, compactness, and gravity insensitive operation. The system comprises a vacuum distillation system combining a hollow fiber polysulfone membrane evaporator with a thermoelectric heat pump and condenser. With the system of the present invention, water purified from urine can be produced at a rate of more than 0.5 kg/hr at a total system energy of less than 400 w-hr/kg.

Abstract: Direct contact heat transfer process and system for recovery of energy from geothermal brines or other hot aqueous solutions of a non-volatile solute, or for desalination, using staged evaporator-condenser units operating with a low boiling water-immiscible liquid hydrocarbon. Each stage comprises a closed vessel divided into two compartments, an evaporator and a condenser, by a bubble cap tray similar in construction to those used in distillation. In one embodiment, hot geothermal brine or other hot aqueous liquid is introduced into the liquid hydrocarbon contained in the lower compartment of each stage, causing boiling of the hydrocarbon. Hydrocarbon vapors pass from the evaporator compartment through the bubble caps to the upper condenser compartment where they are condensed in contact with a cooler water stream. The heated water stream under substantial pressure is fed to an expander or turbine to produce work.

Abstract: A distiller that includes a micro-wave generating unit in a housing, a water holding chamber for vaporizing water by micro-wave energy and means for conducting water vapor outwardly through the housing while preventing the passage of micro-waves, a condenser for the vapor and a distilled water reservoir. The distiller is automatically operated by sensor operated valves. The heat from the condenser may be used to preheat the feed water.

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.

Abstract: A process and system for obtaining fresh water from salt water such as sea water, by direct contact heat transfer using staged evaporator-condenser units operating with a low boiling water-immiscible liquid hydrocarbon. Each stage comprises a closed vessel divided into two compartments, an evaporator and a condenser, by a bubble cap tray similar in construction to those used in distillation. Relatively hot fresh water is introduced into the liquid hydrocarbon contained in the lower compartment of each stage, causing boiling of the hydrocarbon at a temperature differnce of 2.degree.-4.degree. F. Hydrocarbon vapors pass from the evaporator compartment through the bubble caps to the upper condenser compartment where they are condensed in contact with a colder saline stream, and the condensed hydrocarbon is returned to the lower compartment.

Abstract: A process for the production of alcohol from a fermented feed wherein insoluble organic matter is separated prior to entry into a first distillation column. The insoluble organic matter is dried under pressure to produce dried distillers grain and wherein excess vapor is removed from the drying zone to provide heat to the distillation system. The present process also includes removing excess water vapor from the evaporation zone, obtained from supplemental heating supplied by the overhead from said first distillation column, compressing said water vapor, and recycling it to the distillation columns and the evaporation zone.

Abstract: In an apparatus for distilling liquids an improvement is provided wherein distillate is heated within an auxiliary reboiler for further removal of volatile impurities, with the operating environment of the auxiliary reboiler being isolated from the main ambient atmosphere of the apparatus so that evaporated impurities can be vented without recontaminating the distillate of impairing the efficiency of the apparatus. Countercurrent flow of distillate and vapors within the auxiliary reboiler produces enhanced purity of the distillate.

Abstract: An apparatus for desalinating ocean waters by distillation and furnishing electrical power, utilizes an evaporator, barometric leg conduits, a closed condenser, ocean water circulating circuits for circulating warm surface water to the evaporator and cool ocean water to the condenser and using the mass flow of vapors evolved from the evaporator to drive a prime mover which in turn drives an electrical generator. A portion of the electrical power so-generated is used to control the operation of respective pumps and valves in the apparatus. The liquid level of the condensate water is controlled in a barometric leg condensate outlet conduit. The system is also provided with a vacuum pump at least for initiating a reduced pressure and particle separator channel means is provided to prevent liquid entrainment in the condenser.

Abstract: An energy efficient design of fractionation column in which the liquid at the column bottom must be cooled to prevent thermal degradation, the column being provided with a perforated annular baffle through which liquid from the lowermost tray is channeled to the outlet of the column bottom, while a body of cooler recycled liquid is maintained in the column bottom outside of said baffle.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously producing concentrated alcohol from beer comprises a plurality of concentrator cells and a plurality of salvage cells arranged in a line in side-by-side relation. Liquid beer, supplied to the first upstream concentrator cell through a supply conduit, flows through passages between adjacent cells in response to the volume of beer reaching a predetermined level in the adjacent upstream cell. A microwave ignition bulb is positioned in each cell to heat the liquid beer and boil or vaporize the alcohol content thereof. The gaseous alcohol is serially bubbled through a fluid passage from each concentrator cell to the next adjacent upstream cell until the gaseous alcohol reaches the first concentrator cell where the gaseous alcohol is concentrated and condensed in a column to a liquid solution containing approximately 95% alcohol and approximately 5% water.

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

Abstract: Apparatus for purifying liquid including a container for the liquid, means for heating the liquid when in the container to vaporize the liquid, means for cooling the vapor to form a condensate and a collector for collecting the condensate, the heating means comprising a condenser of a refrigerant circulatory systems and the cooling means comprising an evaporator of the system so that refrigerant liquified in the condenser gives off heat to heat the said liquid and evaporation of the liquid in the evaporator causes heat to be absorbed from the vapor thereby cooling the vapor to for the condensate.