Abstract: Methods for removing volatile organic substances from water employ flash vaporization techniques. The methods comprise providing water which contains volatile organic substances and is at a pressure of at least about 35 psig, releasing the water into a vacuum chamber maintained under a vacuum in the range of about 1 to about 5 psia, removing resulting vapors from the chamber, and collecting liquid water from the chamber. At least a portion of the volatile organic substances originally contained in the water are removed as vapors from the vacuum chamber.

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.

Abstract: Ammonia which is present in fuel cell power plant water in free form, in ionic form, and in forms combined with carbon dioxide, is removed from the power plant water by steam stripping. Water which has been used to cool the fuel reformer effluent, and thus has become contaminated with ammonia, is fed to a first steam stripper wherein a first portion of the ammonia contaminant is removed. The partially stripped water is then fed to a second steam stripper wherein further amounts of ammonia are removed from the water with steam. The ammonia laden steam from the two strippers is combined and vented through a single vent thus conserving the amount of water lost from the system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating the distilled water obtained from an evaporation process sea water desalination plant is provided wherein carbon dioxide is extracted from sea water in the high temperature stages of the desalination plant and where the carbon dioxide thus extracted is dissolved into the water, along with calcium, thereby converting the distilled water into the quality suited for city tap water.

Abstract: An improved vacuum distillation system is disclosed for purifying contaminated liquids, such as seawater, brackish water and chemical effluents. In the preferred embodiment, the system includes a vertical separation chamber in which contaminated liquid (e.g.

Abstract: This document describes an improved method and apparatus for recycling energy in counterflow heat exchange and distillation. The basis of the invention is transferring heat with thin sheets of material having extensive surface area relative to the flow rate through the system. A distillation apparatus (11 and 12), a counterflow heat exchanger (11), a clothes dryer (FIG. 9), a power generator (FIG. 12), and other embodiments of the invention are described.

Abstract: A wobbling-type evaporator mounts a container 1 holding at least one vertically oriented heat transfer tube 30 fed by a liquid inlet 35 to the container 1. The container 1 is supported with respect to a base 10 so that it wobbles in response to the rotation of an orbiting counterweight 2,2' the counterweight and container wobble as a two body system about common axis. In one form a set of struts 6 located around the container are part of the support system. The invention also includes inlet water distribution systems, compatible with this orbital drive.

Abstract: A method of increasing the rate the transport of volatiles through porous barriers (13) such as membranes consists of subjecting the porous barriers (13) to a vacuum for sufficient time to remove any permanent gas from the pores (V), admitting a non-wetting liquid through inlet (14) to the barrier (13) either before or during the application of the vacuum whereby the non-wetting liquid forms films or bubbles (16) which seal the pores (V) to create a low pressure region within each pore (V) which is filled with vapor of the non-wetting liquid. The invention may be used to transport volatiles such as ethanol across a membrane and to transfer heat across a membrane.

Abstract: A compact and energy efficient water distillation unit is disclosed including a housing divided by shared interior walls into deaerator, heater and evaporator chambers. A deaerator is mounted in the deaerator chamber. An evaporator is mounted in the evaporator chamber and a vapor compressor is provided for drawing water vapor produced by the evaporator through a demister and outputting the vapor into a duct open to the evaporator. The duct is at least partially located above the heater chamber and open thereto. A heater is mounted in the heater chamber. A duct interconnects the evaporator with the deaerator chamber and a vertical standpipe connects the deaerator and evaporator chambers.

Abstract: A multi-flash evaporator having modular vertical cyclone chambers designed to generate a paraboloid of revolution providing an extended surface area for release of flashed vapors and attaining equilibrium. With multiple stages, the system incorporates deep loop seals to prevent blowby between stages at all levels of capacity and employs a vapor lift system to permit low pressure differentials between stages at high vacuum. The cyclone chambers employ an intermediate tangential inlet whereby the flashing vapors propel the liquid at higher velocities to generate a deeper paraboloid of revolution and centrifugally separate the heavier liquid from the flashing vapor. An anti-creep ring is interdisposed at the top of the cyclone to prevent the liquid from entering a mesh so only vapor impinges on the mesh and passes to the heat recovery condensers embodying a bayonet augmented tube heat exchanger.

Abstract: An apparatus for distilling a source liquid which utilizes a substantially vertical liquid column. The liquid column is contained by a tubular container closed at the top and open at the bottom. The open bottom of the tubular container is submerged within a source liquid reservoir. The height of the tubular container is greater than the maximum obtainable height for the given density of the portion of source liquid contained within the column. A vacuum is located within the tubular container above the surface of the portion of source liquid contained in the column. In the area of the vacuum, there is located a centrifugal compressor which is to function to move vapor from the vacuum section of the tubular container and compress such along with the transfer of heat to the point that the vapor becomes liquid. This now product liquid is to be removed from the apparatus.

Abstract: A process for the continuous production of boiler feed water from process waters in the oil extraction industry during which salts and hydrocarbons are removed from the water, without Fe.sup.++ precipitating. The heavy hydrocarbons are mechanically separated, the volatile hydrocarbons are separated from the water, by means of a thermal degassing, and the low boiling and the non-condensable hydrocarbons are separated in a shower evaporation step with downstream vapor compression, wherein the low boiling non-condensable hydrocarbons are evaporated with the waste water within the shower evaporator and the non-condensable hydrocarbons then are drawn off from a downstream separator. A salt-free oxygen-free pure water is removed from a separator.

Abstract: A highly efficient water purification device includes a degasification apparatus, a distillation apparatus and an ion removal device to purify contaminated water. When a partial vacuum is applied to the degasification apparatus, dissolved gases leave the water, and a heat exchange process occurs which heats the gases and cools the degassed water. A gas exhaust channel transfers the warmed gases to a heating coil in the distillation apparatus to preheat water for evaporation therein while the cooled, degassed water is transferred to a condenser to condense vapor and steam. The degasification apparatus may include one or more towers in which a vacuum is formed by first filling the towers with water, sealing the tower top, and then draining water from the tower bottom; this vacuum may be applied to the distillation apparatus and a reservoir by transferring the vacuum from the towers through a depressurization conduit to thereby achieve boiling in the distillation apparatus at reduced temperatures.

Abstract: A vacuum distillation system uses a tower having an open bottom submerged within a tank of solution exposed to atmospheric pressure. The solution within the tower is elevated to barometric level by a high vacuum or low absolute pressure on the tower top. As solution flows through the open bottom and upward, the solution is heated and then cooled to cause degasification and precipitation, and then withdrawn from the tower top. The treated solution is flowed to a vaporization chamber that is subjected to a low absolute pressure. A heater maintains the solution at a selected chamber temperature above the boiling point of water at the selected chamber pressure. The chamber pressure and temperature may be selected as desired to yield the purest water distillate for almost any solution of water and impurities. Water vapor is pumped from the vaporization chamber by a vapor pump to a condenser, where condensation results from increased pressure and decreased temperature.

Abstract: A de-salinator 10 for brackish- or salt-water has a heat insulating shell 11 closed by end plates 12. A heat exchanger 22 in the bottom of the chamber 13 is heated by engine coolant from a marine engine 27, while a pair of condensor coils 19, connected to manifolds 33, 34, use sea water to cool the fresh water vapour which is drawn off by outlets 21. The engine driven pump 37 which draws the water through the condensor coils 19 operates an eductor 36 which generates a partial vacuum in the chamber 13, drawing off brine from the bottom of the chamber and any excess water in the chamber. The level of water in the chamber 13 is maintained by drawing off a portion of the heated water passing through the condensor tubes 19. The condensate is drawn from the outlets 21 via an eductor 46 which is driven by a suction pump 45 connected to the fresh water tank 47.

Abstract: This invention relates to a solar still wherein the evaporation takes place in partially evacuated tubings which are heated by sunlight. The water to be distilled is supplied from a reservoir vessel which is sealed off after batch loading. The reservoir vessel is elevated above the solar collector. The water is fed into the heater tubings routed through the solar collector by gravity, through an orifice and a heat exchanger-condenser. The steam tubing branches off from the heater tubing in the solar collector vertically, and is routed through the heat exchanger-condenser. At this end, it is connected to a vertical tubing of a sizable length that empties into the distilled water reservoir. The exit end of the heater tubing routed through the solar collector is connected to another vertical tubing of a sizable length that empties into an overflow tank.

Abstract: In the distillation of fresh water from sea water, the sea water is passed ownwardly in a falling film evaporator through a multiplicity of vertical tube evaporator (VTE) stages and multiple stage flash (MSF) evaporators. After the sea water passes through the first VTE stage where it forms a liquid component and a steam component, the liquid component is distributed evenly into the next VTE stage while the steam component enters an adjoining MSF stage. Condensed fresh water flows downwardly from one MSF stage to the next and experiences flash evaporation. The sea water or brine component and the fresh water distillate flow downwardly through the VTE and MSF stages so that the brine component can be removed from the final VTE stage and the fresh water distillate from the final MSF stage.

Abstract: In the distillation of fresh water from sea water, the sea water is passed ownwardly in a falling film evaporator through a multiplicity of vertical tube evaporator (VTE) stages and multiple stage flash (MSF) evaporators. After the sea water passes through the first VTE stage where it forms a liquid component and a steam component, the liquid component is distributed evenly into the next VTE stage while the steam component enters an adjoining MSF stage. Condensed fresh water flows downwardly from one MSF stage to the next and experiences flash evaporation. The sea water or brine component and the fresh water distillate flow downwardly through the VTE and MSF stages so that the brine component can be removed from the final VTE stage and the fresh water distillate from the final MSF stage.

Abstract: An evacuator system employed in an evaporative waste recovery system uses an eductor to create a partial vacuum. The partial vacuum is selectively employed to evacuate concentrate and distillate from an evaporator unit for transferal to respective concentrate and distillate containers. A plurality of air operated valves are automatically operated to transfer concentrate and distillate for reuse in a plating process system.

Abstract: A liquid distillation apparatus provides recirculating flow of unevaporated liquid and recovery of energy from the liquid circulation. Liquid columns in communication with each other are provided differing liquid levels to enhance circulation of the liquid, and to provide efficient operation of the apparatus. Aeration is used to raise the level of the liquid in one of the liquid columns as well as to improve vapor generation for use in a condenser. The two liquid columns are separated from one another except for a connection at the tops and bottoms thereof to permit recirculation of the liquid. The aeration system may be operated by energy recovered from the circulating liquid.

Abstract: A water purification process is described for the removal of ammonia and optionally one or more acid gases from wastewaters such as coke-plant or coal conversion wastewaters. The process involves adding alkali to these wastewaters in amounts sufficient to react with fixed ammonia salts present in the wastewater and to enable substantial amounts of the ammonia to be evolved upon distillation, and subjecting the thus treated wastewater to distillation to remove substantial amounts of the ammonia and acid gases present from the wastewater. This process is achieved by two separate and successive distillations. In this process, the vapor streams being withdrawn from the first and/or second distillations are subjected to an impurity removal process to thereby produce a vapor stream substantially reduced in impurities, and useful as a stripping vapor in this process, and then reusing this vapor stream as a stripping vapor in the process.

Abstract: A conventional cross-flow or paired-stage multi-stage flash evaporator plant is provided with duct means for collecting distillate from collection trays in the successive evaporator units in the plant. Distillate from individual units is diverted to a bypass flow path from the duct means when it is detected to be contaminated with brine.

Abstract: Demineralized crude water is distilled during flow along a first path which is defined by stationary parts. Such water is evaporated and thereafter cooled and condensed by a heat transfer medium which is circulated along an endless second path. Evaporation of crude water results in condensation of the medium, and condensation of resulting water vapors into distillate results in evaporation of the medium. The medium is caused to pass through a heat pump which raises its pressure and temperature before the thus heated medium exchanges heat with and evaporates crude water in the first path. The medium and/or the distillate can be used for preheating crude water upstream of the evaporating station, and the vapors are preferably purified by one or more cyclones, by an electrostatic filter and/or by ultrasonic waves intermediate the evaporating and condensing stations.

Abstract: A distillation apparatus utilizing a flexible heat exchange medium with a nonwettable condensation face and an opposing readily wettable wicked evaporation face arranged in envelope configurations which provide large heat transfer areas within relatively small volumes.

Abstract: A desalinization device including a portable, spherical tank with conduits to introduce water to be converted into steam in the lower zone of the tank and guide structure to guide the steam into a condensate bowl within the tank where it is collected; the device also includes a conduit means to conduct cooling water to a cooling coil arranged in the condensate bowl to condense the steam; and within the conduits there is provided a Venturi arrangement in communication with the interior of the tank to reduce the pressure within the tank, hence lowering the boiling point of the water being heated; in a preferred embodiment Peltier devices are included as heat exchanging means in a heating and cooling circuit.

Abstract: A system for the distillation of sea water comprising a sea water input conduit, an evaporator, a work extractor, a float, a condenser, a distilled water output conduit, and a brine solution output conduit. The evaporator is connected to the input conduit. The work extractor comprises a cylinder, a piston slideably engaging the interior of the cylinder, and a piston rod extending from the piston. The piston rod is pivotally coupled to the float. The cylinder is pivotally attached to a second float. The second float is connected to the first float. A conduit connects the piston-and-cylinder arrangement with the condenser. The condenser communicates with the distilled water output conduit. The evaporator communicates with the brine solution output conduit. The energy for this system is provided by the wave motion of a body of water.

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 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 process for heating and softening of hard water by direct heat exchange with steam. The steam is directly sparged into the hard water within a reaction zone and condensed in the water under a pressure sufficient to prevent boiling at the reaction zone temperature. The heated water is then withdrawn from the reaction zone without substantial vaporization of water and filtered to remove scale precipitates resulting from the heating step. At least a portion of the softened water may be heated to generate wet steam which is then recirculated to the reaction zone and sparged into the hard water therein.

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 continuous process of spreading a film of a solids/liquid admixture over walls of a chamber, maintaining a saturated vapor atmosphere within the chamber, vaporizing liquid of the film to provide the saturated vapor and solids, discharging the saturated vapor and solids from the chamber and condensing the discharged vapor is effected in a hollow module having two spaced-apart chambers, one within the other, and means to move saturated vapor from the inner chamber to the outer chamber.

Abstract: A method is provided for separating a liquid mixture into its aqueous and non-aqueous liquid phases. The method comprises the steps of introducing the liquid mixture into a gas-tight vessel; rotating the vessel at a surface speed of approximately 19 to 190 ft/min (0.095 to 0.950 m/s) to cause filming of the liquid composition, while simultaneously heating the vessel to cause the aqueous phase to evaporate; removing the water vapor under vacuum; and condensing the water vapor for removal.

Abstract: A recycle water treatment system for separating oil vapor from steam recovering the oil and heat from the steam and destroys microorganisms and exotoxins which incorporates an inclined duct connected to a barometric condenser with a container for oil at the lower end of the condenser. Oil entrained in the steam is carried up the duct and over the barometric condenser. The steam heats the condenser water that is recovered while the entrained oil flows back down the duct into a recovery container. The condenser water-steam condensate mixture is maintained at about 180.degree. F. for a period of time sufficient to destroy microorganisms and exotoxins.

Abstract: A thermally driven multi-effect distillation process and apparatus are disclosed in which liquid is introduced into a plurality of evaporating and condensing stages or chambers while heat energy is passed through the stages or chambers in a direction countercurrent to the direction of flow of the liquid which undergoes evaporation to form condensate and distilland in each stage or chamber while transferring the heat of condensation to the next downstream stage or chamber and maintaining a minimum temperature differential between stages or chambers, and separately removing condensate and distilland from each stage or chamber while rotating the stages or chambers about an axis passing through the points of introduction thereto of the liquid and heat energy.Generally the apparatus comprises a plurality of adjacent evaporation and condensation chambers and means for introducing liquid and heat energy thereto in countercurrent directions.

Abstract: Distilling equipment comprising input apparatus (21) including a boiling chamber (83) and means (80-82, 104-107, 110, 111) for supplying raw liquid to the boiling chamber at a predetermined level, a closed condensation chamber (22) above the predetermined level and connected to the top of the boiling chamber (96) to receive therefrom only vapor from the raw liquid, and output apparatus (20) including a liquid collection container (25) below the condensation chamber and liquid circulating structure (29-34, 44-55) for withdrawing liquid from the container, cooling the liquid, discharging it within the condensation chamber, and returning it to the container.

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

Abstract: 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: A mechanical energy conversion method and system for the restoration of dissipated heat energy, contained in natural or artificial water bodies at or near ambient temperatures, to industrial process heat, mainly in the form of steam up to 200.degree.-400.degree. C. The sensible heat contained in a water body is concentrated as latent heat in low pressure water vapor which is thermo-compressed by steam ejection to an intermediate pressure level, wherefrom mechanical compression takes over, generating highly superheated output steam. The ejecting steam is not generated in a boiler, but is continuously regenerated by the compressor and routed back for repeated ejection. The compressor is driven by a heat engine whose reject heat is collected and upgraded as well. The output of heat energy is essentially equal to the sun of the heating value of the fuel consumed and the intake of latent heat and amounts thus to substantially more than the heating value of the fuel alone.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for improved thermal membrane distillation utilizes a composite membrane comprised of a microporous lyophobic layer having deposited thereon an essentially nonporous lyophilic coating.

Abstract: An improved process for the removal of urea, ammonia, and carbon dioxide from process condensate derived from coupled urea and ammonia syntheses by hydrolysis of urea and desorption of ammonia and carbon dioxide. Process condensate poor with respect to ammonia is treated at a pressure of between about 15 and 42 bar and a temperature of between about 200.degree. C. and 320.degree. C. in a reaction column with steam to form a gas mixture containing ammonia, carbon dioxide, and water vapor, and an aqueous liquid virtually free of urea, ammonia, and carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A method of separating acids or bases from vapors which are conveyed along with distillation vapors during concentration of a solution, comprising, passing said distillation vapors containing an acid or base, while being maintained at their existing pressure and temperature, through a salt solution which boils at said temperature and pressure, wherein, if an acid is to be removed from the distillation vapors, the salt solution contains a salt having an anion corresponding to that of the acid while being supplied with a base in an amount required to neutralize the acid, the cation of the base proportion corresponding to that of the salt, while, if a base is to be removed from the distillation vapors, the salt solution contains a salt having a cation corresponding to that of the base while being supplied with an acid in an amount required to neutralize the base in the distillation vapors, the anion of the acid corresponding to that of the salt so that salts are formed during neutralization which correspond to t

Abstract: This invention utilizes distillation to purify water but instead of the usual application of heat to boil the water and then condense it, heat is applied to a relatively small quantity of water which is confined until it is superheated. When the pressure reaches a pre-set level the water is released allowing sudden expansion to a vapor to create a high velocity directed through a venturi to suck water from the main body of water lifting it into an expansion chamber located at the elevation above the main body of water equaling the maximum lift by suction. The vapor is then led through a heat exchanger where it will circulate until it is condensed. Some of the condensate will replenish the water to be heated while the remainder is led around the vacuum chamber to heat the water therein and then to storage.

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: Method and apparatus for distillation of liquids such as sea water, brackish water, waste water, or the like, which also may be used for cooling purposes, are disclosed. The apparatus includes a vacuum tank, or vessel, into which liquid to be distilled, such as saline water, is fed to partially fill the tank. If desired, heating means may be included for heating the liquid adjacent the surface thereof to promote evaporation thereof. Vapor from the region above the liquid surface is fed to vapor condensing means adjacent the bottom of the tank for condensing the same. A condensate discharge tube extends downwardly from the condensing means for discharge of condensate therefrom. Means including a pressure head of condensate within the condensate discharge tube maintains a subatmospheric pressure within the tank to promote evaporation of liquid contained therein.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method of adding CO.sub.2 to softened water flowing through a series of interconnected flash chambers after the softened water has been directed out of a settler. The inlet of the settler receives preheated hard water after the hard water has passed through a series of interconnected preheating chambers, there being a preheating chamber for each flash chamber, respectively. Each preheating chamber and the corresponding flash chamber comprise a stage of a multi-stage water softening system, the preheating and flash chambers of each stage being separated by a partition defining an opening near the top portion of the stage to place the respective first and second chambers of each stage in fluid communication with each other and to allow flashed, heated water vapor from the flash chamber to pass into direct, admixing contact with cooler, hard water sprayed into the preheating chamber to preheat the hard water.

Abstract: Sulfur compounds are separated from aqueous mixtures containing same by employing a stripper having at least two stripping sections with at least a portion of the stripper kettle product being recycled to the lower stripping section. The process is particularly effective in recovering mercaptans from steam condensate. In the production of mercaptans by reacting hydrogen sulfide with olefins, steam condensate contaminated with mercaptans is obtained from the steam ejector employed in the product fractionation column.

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

Abstract: A liquid containing a solvent to be evaporated is fed to a concentration chamber which is fluidly connected to an evaporation chamber maintained at a reduced pressure. A vapor compression means withdraws solvent vapor from the evaporation chamber, compresses the vapor and forces the compressed vapor to a liquification chamber. Regulator means responsive to the density of the liquid remaining within the concentration chamber will regulate the rate of solvent evaporation to provide a concentrate suitable for recycling.A method of operating the still of this invention utilizes the technique of increasing the compressor capacity until the compressor begins to surge and then reducing the capacity a fixed amount to provide the desired efficiency.

Abstract: An energy-efficient water evaporation process uses a falling film evaporator having a plurality of substantially vertical and equidistant heat exchange elements made of a synthetic polymeric material. Each evaporating surface is in contact with a liquid spreading means, and each heat exchange element is heated by steam having a condensation temperature slightly higher than the boiling point of the aqueous solution from which water is being evaporated. Steam formed by evaporation of water either is recompressed and reintroduced as heating steam in a single-stage process or is used as heating steam for another stage, operating at a lower temperature and pressure, in a multistage process. Heating steam condenses to fresh water, which is recovered. This process is operated at a low feed rate, preferably below 45 Kg of incoming aqueous solution per linear meter of horizontal width of each evaporating surface, and is capable of providing a 50% fresh water recovery per pass from sea water.

Abstract: A paired stage flash evaporator unit is provided with an elongated shell having respective higher temperature and lower temperature evaporation chambers extending along a bottom portion of the shell space and separated from each other by an interstage elongated partition wall. A condenser tube bundle extends longitudinally between opposite shell end walls in an upper portion of the shell space. A transverse interstage partition separates the tube bundle into separate condenser chambers. Each condenser chamber is paired with an evaporation chamber by means of shroud and other isolation structure thereby forming two paired stages in the unit.In each stage, a liquid separator mesh extends coextensively with the evaporation chamber and both condenser chambers to direct vapor from the evaporation chamber into a flow path above the mesh.