Abstract: A thermally reflective membrane apparatus comprises a housing structure, and a thermally reflective membrane contained within the housing structure. The thermally reflective membrane comprises a semipermeable structure, and a porous, thermally reflective structure physically contacting the semipermeable structure. The porous, thermally reflective structure comprises discrete thermally reflective particles, and a binder material coupling the discrete thermally reflective particles to one another and the semipermeable structure. A fluid treatment system and method of treating a fluid are also described.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for processing pyrolysis oil from vehicular tires and effecting a steam distillation for separation of the pyrolysis oil to create a lighter fraction which may be subjected to fractional distillation and a heavy fraction which is usable as a fuel oil.

Abstract: Method for collecting water vapor from air as liquid water. The method includes a refrigerant compressor circulating refrigerant through a controlled dimensioned condenser into a tubing loop. A portion of the tubing loop functions as a condenser. This tube conveys the pressurized refrigerant through an expansion valve. The refrigerant pressure and temperature decreases. Ambient water vapor collects on the exterior surface of the cooled section of tube now functioning as an evaporator. The water drops from the tube surface into a reservoir for use. The tube loop extends through a multiport control valve. The method includes a control valve that cyclically and sequentially directs the refrigerant pumped from the compressor into alternate ends of the tubing loop. The cycles continually repeat. The cycles can be controlled by fluid temperature. The device can include a power supply and microprocessor controlling the generator and valves.

Abstract: Device for collecting water vapor from air as liquid water. Included is a refrigerant compressor circulating refrigerant through a controlled dimensioned condenser into a tubing loop. A portion of the tubing loop functions as a condenser. This tube conveys the pressurized refrigerant through an expansion valve. The refrigerant pressure and temperature decreases. Ambient water vapor collects on the exterior surface of the cooled section of tube now functioning as an evaporator. The water drops from the tube surface into a reservoir for use. The tube loop extends through a multiport control valve. The control valve can direct the refrigerant pumped from the compressor into alternate ends of the tubing loop. The device can include a power supply and microprocessor controlling the generator and valves. The device may utilize a switch that detects water or ice deposits on the tube. The device can comprise a moveable frame supporting all above components.

Abstract: Certain aspects of natural gas liquid fractionation plant waste heat conversion to simultaneous power and cooling capacities using integrated organic-based compressor-ejector-expander triple cycles system can be implemented as a system. The system includes a first waste heat recovery heat exchanger network thermally coupled to multiple heat sources of a Natural Gas Liquid (NGL) fractionation plant. The first heat exchanger network is configured to transfer at least a portion of heat generated at the multiple heat sources to a first buffer fluid flowed through the first heat exchanger network. The system includes an integrated triple cycle system configured to generate cooling capacity to cool one or more heat sources of the plurality of heat sources. The system includes a second waste heat recovery heat exchanger network thermally coupled to the integrated triple cycle system, and configured to vaporize at least a portion of a second buffer fluid flowed through the integrated triple cycle system.

Abstract: The present application relates to a distillation device. The distillation device of the present application can minimize energy loss occurring in a purification process of the olefin monomer, the solvent, and the raw material including, for example, 1-octene, iso-octene, and n-hexane, used in a polymerization process of the polyolefin elastomer, and can increase economic efficiency by isolating a high-purity product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to energy saving method and apparatus for preparing styrene and alpha-methylstyrene concurrently, by which economic feasibility may be improved by reusing energy during preparing styrene and alpha-methylstyrene concurrently.

Abstract: A device for setting watches arranged to be pressed onto a crystal of a watch and including plural display mechanisms. The device is arranged to enable the user to see the display mechanisms of the watch as they are set.

Abstract: An ash filter and reboiler (ash filter/reboiler) includes an inlet tube heat exchanger including an outer column (column) having a vapor inlet tube through an inlet of the column coupled therein to receive fuel vapors including entrained ash particles and to direct the fuel vapors including the entrained ash particles out from a bottom of the vapor inlet tube toward a bottom portion of the column. A cooler over the bottom portion of the column for condensing the fuel vapors including the entrained ash particles to liquid fuel. A pump coupled to an outlet in a bottom of the column is for pumping out an ash particle laden portion of the liquid fuel. A heater is above the cooler for vaporizing the liquid fuel into reboiled vapor, and a vapor outlet is at a top of the column for releasing the reboiled vapors out from the column.

Abstract: A distilling device having a vapor compression distiller. The vapor compression distiller can include a reservoir for receiving liquid for distillation. Evaporation surfaces can receive the liquid and evaporate the liquid into evaporated vapor for subsequent condensing. Condensing surfaces can receive the vapor and condense the vapor into distillate. A compressor can deliver the vapor to the condensing surfaces. The distilling device can also include an engine that produces heat. A boiler can be heated by the heat from the engine for producing a working vapor. A vapor turbine can be driven by the working vapor. The vapor turbine can be mechanically coupled to the compressor for mechanically driving the compressor, thereby reducing electrical power needs of the vapor compression distiller.

Abstract: An accelerated vapor recompression apparatus 10 converts incoming flow 35a to a concentrate 35c by developing a concentration profile 146 within a tank 30 holding a liquid 23 containing dissolved solids. The resulting curve 160 of saturation temperature of the stratified liquid 23 (such as a brine 23 or other material 23) moves away from the curve 162 corresponding to fully mixed conditions. The shift 174, 180 in saturation temperature results in increased boiling without increased energy from a heater 70 or compressor 50. A method 90, 200 of control of the system provides interventions 203, 204, 205, 206 at different levels 92, 94, 96, 98 of control, ranging from mass flows 35 to work of a compressor 50, heat from a heater 70, and a predictive processing 215 of feedback 217 for controlling commands 216 algorithmically.

Abstract: The present application concerns a process for the removal of hydrocarbons from an aqueous stream, which process may include conducting a phenol-containing water stream into a separation column, separating the phenol-containing water in the column using heat to form an overhead portion and a bottoms portion, and collecting the overhead portion as well as the bottoms portion. Further, the process may include adding an eluent to an aqueous stream, thereby forming an aqueous mixture, subsequently conducting the aqueous mixture into a separation vessel, wherein it is allowed to settle into two phases, which form a hydrocarbon stream and a phenol-containing water stream, subsequently collecting the hydrocarbon stream, and conducting the phenol-containing water stream to the separation column for further separation.

Abstract: A method and system for managing heat energy in a fluid purification system is provided. Initially, air is compressed using one or more compressors to obtain a compressed hot air. Then one or more fluids are purified using the heat energy associated with the compressed hot air in one or more fluid purification units thereby releasing a compressed cooled air. One or more hot purified fluids are stored in one or more fluid storage tanks obtained in response to the purification of the one or more fluids. Thereafter, the compressed cooled air is heated using a heat energy associated with the one or more hot purified fluids to obtain a heated compressed air. Subsequently, one or more turbines are operated using heat energy associated with the heated compressed air to obtain an expanded cooled air. The expanded cooled air is utilized for cooling.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling the pressure of distillation columns, for example those operating under vacuum pressure and conventionally equipped with a steam ejector system, are described. Representative distillation columns are used in the separation of thermally unstable components, such as the physical solvent sulfolane, having relatively low volatility. Such columns are employed in aromatic hydrocarbon extraction processes for the recovery of purified C6-C8 aromatic hydrocarbons from a hydrocarbon feed stream (e.g., obtained from the catalytic reforming of naphtha).

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a system and a method for planning the operation of, monitoring processes in, simulating, and/or optimizing a technical installation comprising several units that can be combined with each other. Said system comprises at least one process planning module, at least one process simulation module, and at least one process optimization module. Components for modeling, simulating, and optimizing the technical installation are stored in said modules. The interrelated modules cooperate with a data management layer via at least one interface, said data management layer making available actual measured and/or historical process data for determining parameters and/or operational data for the modules in order to plan operations as well as simulate and optimize processes. The parameters and/or operational data determined in the modules can be fed to the data management layer for further processing by taking into account the stored components.

Abstract: Method for dewatering a mixture of mostly ethanol and water which is split into a first partial feed flow (3) that is directed to a distillation column (32) as a reflux flow while a second partial feed flow (4) is directed to an evaporator unit (31) as an evaporator inlet flow and leaves the top of the evaporator unit as an evaporator outlet flow (6). A top discharge flow (7) from distillation column (32) is returned and combined with the evaporator outlet flow (6) to a combined flow (8) at an overpressure and which in a compressor unit (33) is compressed to a combined, compressed flow (10) which enters a dewatering unit (34) in which it is split into a water-rich permeate flow (14) and a retentate flow (11) in the form of substantially water free ethanol.

Abstract: A total evaporator for fluids, including a cold chamber to prevent pre-evaporation, an evaporation region connected thereto having narrow flow cross-section for fast evaporation of the fluid, and a subsequent vapor chamber for pulsation damping and the controlled superheating of the vapor, the evaporation region being formed by a gap between concentrically nested cylindrical and/or conical tube sections and heat required for the evaporation and superheating processes is supplied by electric heating and/or by hot fluid and/or by catalytic or homogeneous combustion via the wall of the concentric tubes.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed toward a novel pressurized vapor cycle for distilling liquids. In some embodiments of the invention, a liquid purification system is revealed, including the elements of an input for receiving untreated liquid, a vaporizer coupled to the input for transforming the liquid to vapor, a head chamber for collecting the vapor, a vapor pump with an internal drive shaft and an eccentric rotor with a rotatable housing for compressing vapor, and a condenser in communication with the vapor pump for transforming the compressed vapor into a distilled product. Other embodiments of the invention are directed toward heat management, and other process enhancements for making the system especially efficient.

Abstract: A vessel-based system and method for disposing of wastewater including bilge water from a bilge of the vessel. The system including a treatment unit for receiving and treating the wastewater to produce a substantially oil-free treated water and, an evaporator for receiving the treated water from the treatment unit. In an embodiment, the evaporator having an evaporation element for transferring heat to the treated water to evaporate the treated water.

Abstract: Saline waters are made suitable for use in large quantities in petroleum refining operations by evaporative desalination of a water source having a dissolved salt content of at least 30,000 ppmw with the heat liberated during the steam condensation used as low quality heat for petroleum refining operations. Sea water is most suitable for evaporative purification processes.

Abstract: Systems and methods for separating a multi-component fluid are provided. The method can include introducing a multi-component fluid to a dividing wall column. The multi-component fluid can be heated to provide a first product, a second product, an intermediate distillate, and a process fluid. At least a portion of the first product can be compressed to provide a compressed first product. Heat can be indirectly transferred from the compressed first product to at least a portion of the intermediate distillate to provide a heated intermediate distillate. The heated intermediate distillate can be recycled to the dividing wall column. The compressed first product can be expanded.

Abstract: When obtaining a target substance by gradually cooling the reaction liquid by cooling in a plurality of stages divided in series, and then distilling the cooled reaction liquid by distillation in a plurality of stages divided in series, this method and this apparatus include: circulating a heating medium to be used for cooling in the plurality of the stages by way of; sequentially passing the heating medium toward the most upstream cooling stage from the most downstream cooling stage of the reaction liquid; cooling the heating medium which has been discharged from the most upstream cooling stage by using the heating medium for keeping or raising the temperature of the liquid which has been discharged from the distillation in the plurality of the stages; and returning the cooled heating medium back to the most downstream cooling stage of the reaction liquid.

Abstract: A distillation drinking fountain includes a liquid providing unit having a liquid entry; a heat-exchanging tube having liquid incoming and liquid outgoing ends and a heat-exchanging room, wherein the liquid providing unit connects to the liquid incoming end and communicates with the heat-exchanging room; a hot water tank having a body and a heating unit, wherein the body has a heating room connecting to the liquid outgoing end and communicating with the heat-exchanging room; a steam pipe having first and second ends, wherein the first end communicates with the heating room, and a part of the steam pipe is received in the heat-exchanging room; a condensing unit having a condenser tube, wherein the condenser tube has one end communicating with the second end; a water-collecting unit having a water-storing room connecting to another end of the condenser tube; and an outlet valve communicating with the water-storing room.

Abstract: One exemplary embodiment can be an apparatus for treating a hydrocarbon stream having one or more compounds with a boiling point of about 140° to about 450° C. The apparatus can include an extraction zone and a regeneration zone. The extraction zone can include at least one settler. Each settler can have a height and a length. Typically the length is greater than the height. Also, the settler can form a boot, which can be adapted to receive a feed at one end. The regeneration zone may include a regenerator for an ionic liquid. The regenerator can include a column adapted to provide a regenerated ionic liquid to the extraction zone.

Abstract: A system and method for removing water from a liquid desiccant such as a glycol used to dry cooled air in order to restore the desiccant to a purity up to around 97% in a closed continuous flow process. Liquid desiccant can be sprayed into cooled air in a conditioner where it gains moisture. The wet or gained desiccant can be optionally preheated in an economizing heat exchanger and then routed into a concentrator. Desiccant pure to around 97% can be removed from the concentrator, passed through an economizing heat exchanger to provide the preheating and returned to the conditioner holding area. The concentrator can be heated by steam or other means such as natural gas to boil the wet desiccant causing mixed vapor to enter a vertical distillation column where most of the glycol condenses out on the column packing or plates and returns to the concentrator.

Abstract: A glycerol preparation method for preparation of medical grade glycerol from a by-product of a bio-diesel process includes a first stage phosphoric acid chemical reaction process and a posterior by-product centrifugal separation process to have the phosphoric acid chemical reaction by-product be separated into free fatty acid, potassium phosphoric acid, and a crude glycerol and methanol mixture. The crude glycerol and methanol mixture is further processed through a first step of thin film evaporation process where methanol is reclaimed, a second step of thin film evaporation process where the mixture is dehydrated, a third step of molecular distillation process where an industrial grade glycerol of purity over 95% is extracted, and a fourth step of molecular distillation process where a medical grade glycerol of purity in exceed of 99.75% that meets USP/BP standards is extracted.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for evaporation and possibly distillation of liquids by means of a heat pump. By using a heat pump (2), energy is taken from energy reservoirs (1) such as rivers, lakes, sea water, air, sun or ground heat. It is however difficult to obtain temperatures to evaporate water at atmospheric conditions. According to the invention, low temperature heat is utilized by means of a heat pump by using the condenser (high pressure part) of the heat pump to evaporate liquids in an evaporator (4?) at a pressure lower than the atmospheric pressure, and thus at a lower evaporation temperature. A pump or a compressor (10) after the evaporator (4?) together with a pressure reducing device (9) at the inlet of the evaporator (41) ensures lower evaporation pressure. To fully utilize the heat energy from the heat pump, the liquids may be preheated in heat exchangers (5) before the pressure reducing means, or as part of the same means.

Abstract: A method of evaporating liquid in a liquid evaporating system having heat exchangers, evaporators, and steam reheaters, includes: preheating condensed water in the heat exchangers; distilling in the evaporators the condensed water from the heat exchangers, wherein the evaporators each has a horizontal plane evaporating chamber at an upper side thereof and a horizontal plane steam heating chamber at a lower side thereof, wherein heating steam is provided from an external boiler to the heating chamber; exchanging heat between the evaporating chamber and the heating chamber using a heat exchange boundary face formed in a concavo-convex shape, wherein the heat exchange boundary face is formed of a metal plate; and reheating in the steam reheaters the steam from the respective evaporators, wherein the reheaters each are coupled to a subsequent one of the heating chambers to serve as a heating source of the subsequent heating chamber.

Abstract: A tilted multi effect distillation module comprising a plurality of distillation stages, each stage defined by a first and a second sheet member arranged in parallel to each other, the second sheet member above the first sheet member, and by one or more frame members (5) enclosing the space between the sheet members; each stage comprising an inlet (21), at least one first outlet (31) at the other end of the first sheet member, and at least one second outlet. The sheet members are plane, unin-terrupted plates of tempered glass. Separator members arranged between the sheet members may include inlets (21) and outlets (31) to/from the stages. The invention also relates to a system, where such a distillation module cooled by means of the feed liquid is combined with a solar collector of the thermo siphon type.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for thermal processing of slurry, slurry is combined with a bio-mass to produce a mixture. The mixture is subjected in a heated mixer pump to a cracking temperature, thereby allowing the mixture to catalytically undergo a cracking reaction to produce a reaction mixture which is directly outgased in the mixer pump to produce an outgased portion and a solid portion. The outgased portion and the solid portion are separately discharged from the mixer pump; with the low boiling fraction of the outgased portion allowed to cool down for further processing, and the solid portion collected in a residual matter container for further processing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for cooling rising vapor (3) in a desorption column (2) by means of a condenser, which is situated at the head of the desorption column, is configured as an indirect heat exchanger and is traversed by a coolant (1). According to said method, the coolant enters at the bottom of the condenser (1) and flows upwards through conduits (8) that are arranged vertically in the condenser. The coolant is enriched with hydrogen sulphide prior to its entry into the condenser (1) and after the absorption of heat, escapes as an overflow (6) from the top of the condenser (1) through upper openings (10) of the conduits (8). The invention also relates to a desorption column (2) for carrying out said method.

Abstract: A microchannel device includes several mass transfer microchannels to receive a fluid media for processing at least one heat transfer microchannel in fluid communication with a heat transfer fluid defined by a thermally conductive wall, and at several thermally conductive fins each connected to the wall and extending therefrom to separate the mass transfer microchannels from one another. In one form, the device may optionally include another heat transfer microchannel and corresponding wall that is positioned opposite the first wall and has the fins and the mass transfer microchannels extending therebetween.

Abstract: An energy efficient process scheme for a highly exothermic reaction-distillation system in which the reactor is external to the distillation column and the feed to the reactor is a mixture of at least one liquid product stream from the distillation column with or without other liquid/vapor reactants. The reactor is operated under adiabatic and boiling point conditions and at a pressure that results in vaporizing a portion of the liquid flow through the reactor due to the heat of reaction. Under these conditions, reaction temperature is controlled by reactor pressure. The pressure (and hence the temperature) is maintained at a sufficiently high level such that the reactor effluent can be efficiently used to provide reboil heat for the distillation column.

Abstract: The invention relates to a semibatchwise process for the mild distillative separation of mixtures, in a first stage a column being supplied continuously with a feed and the feed being separated at least into different fractions, one of the fractions being removed continuously into a container, and, in a second step, the fraction removed into the container being recycled to the column and being separated again batchwise into different fractions.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods and apparatus for the energy efficient separation of ethane and propane from any hydrocarbon feed, i.e., from natural gas, natural gas liquids, liquid natural gas, or from gases from refinery or petroleum plants.

Abstract: A feed stream is fed to a first distillation stage comprising at least one distillation column (stripper) and the distillate from the first distillation stage is fed to a second distillation column (rectifier). The feed stream is sub-divided into two streams and fed to two distillation columns, in such a way that the rectifier maintains a predefined energy balance.

Abstract: An energy efficient process scheme for a highly exothermic reaction-distillation system in which the reactor is external to the distillation column and the feed to the reactor is a mixture of at least one liquid product stream from the distillation column with or without other liquid/vapor reactants. The reactor is operated under adiabatic and boiling point conditions and at a pressure that results in vaporizing a portion of the liquid flow through the reactor due to the heat of reaction. Under these conditions, reaction temperature is controlled by reactor pressure. The pressure (and hence the temperature) is maintained at a sufficiently high level such that the reactor effluent can be efficiently used to provide reboil heat for the distillation column.

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: The invention relates to a semibatchwise process for the mild distillative separation of mixtures, in a first stage a column being supplied continuously with a feed and the feed being separated at least into different fractions, one of the fractions being removed continuously into a container, and, in a second step, the fraction removed into the container being recycled to the column and being separated again batchwise into different fractions.

Abstract: A (meth)acryloxy-bearing alkoxysilane is isolated and purified to a high purity by distilling a reaction solution containing the (meth)acryloxy-bearing alkoxysilane in a thin-layer distillation device at a temperature of 90-160° C. and a vacuum of 1-15 mmHg. The resulting alkoxysilane product does not give rise to the quality problem that the product will gradually whiten during storage owing to contact with air. The occurrence of self-polymerization of the alkoxysilane is restrained.

Abstract: A (meth)acryloxy-bearing alkoxysilane is isolated and purified to a high purity by distilling a reaction solution containing the (meth)acryloxy-bearing alkoxysilane in a thin-layer distillation device at a temperature of 90-160° C. and a vacuum of 1-15 mmHg. The resulting alkoxysilane product does not give rise to the quality problem that the product will gradually whiten during storage owing to contact with air. The occurrence of self-polymerization of the alkoxysilane is restrained.

Abstract: A distillator has an outer casing, a boiling device disposed in the outer casing, a hot water box disposed in the outer casing, a cold water box disposed in the outer casing, a first faucet disposed on the hot water box, a second faucet disposed on the cold water box, a first vapor pipe connected to the boiling device and the hot water box, a second vapor pipe connected to the hot water box and the cold water box, a water pipe connected to the boiling device and the cold water box and passing through the hot water box, the water pipe inserted in the first vapor pipe and the second vapor pipe, a heating device disposed on the boiling device, and a heater disposed on the hot water box. A connection is disposed on an end of the water pipe and passes through the cold water box.

Abstract: In the alkylation of benzene with propylene in a distillation column reactor to produce cumene the overheads from the distillation reactor are fed to a depropanizer where the unreacted benzene is separated from C.sub.3 's. Liquid propylene feed for the distillation column reactor is vaporized by indirect heat exchange with the overheads from the depropanizer to condense the overheads, thereby reducing the pressure in the depropanizer below what would be normally achieved with conventional condensing systems.

Abstract: An improved ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) system which includes a novel combined evaporator/condenser. The combined evaporator/condenser further includes a plurality of evaporator spouts and a mist eliminator, wherein the pressure is maintained across the plurality of evaporator spouts. The OTEC system also generates fresh water as a primary product and generates only enough electricity, as a secondary product, to operate the OTEC system itself.

Abstract: The apparatus is located almost completely under the surface of the sea. The vacua in the de-aeration and the evaporation chambers are generated by a vacuum pump and are maintained by the effects of a pressure reduction device at the inlet for warm seawater and a lifting pump at the outlet for brine. The de-aerator and the evaporator are laid out as heat exchangers and penetrated by heating tubes, which are flowed through passively by warm seawater. The immersion tube forming the steam compartment which is suspended vertically in the sea serves as a condenser. The condenser is cooled passively by cold seawater. The attachment to the bottom of the sea is performed by a single point mooring construction via an anchor chain at an anchor weight. The elevation of the water production unit is controlled automatically by means of an air chamber and an air compressor.

Abstract: A distillation system where a saline fluid (10) is pumped into a pressure vessel (14), through a counterflow heat exchanger (16) and heated to boiling. A salt free distillate (20) is separated from the saline fluid (10). The concentrate valve (24) and the distillate valve (26) restrict egress flow. The concentrate valve (24), the distillate valve (26) and the heater (18) are controlled by a computer control system (32) to attain and maintain a desired value of the Ewing Number. The Ewing Number is a dimensionless measure of performance defined as the heat of vaporization of the distillate (20) at standard atmospheric conditions times the distillate (20) mass flow divided by the system power input.

Abstract: A process is presented for the treatment of wastewater containing non-volatile pollutants and volatile chemically oxidizable organic and inorganic pollutants. The process combines efficient evaporation to concentrate the non-volatile compounds and a catalytic oxidation reaction to convert the volatilized organic and inorganic pollutants. A condensate product may be obtained by treating wastewater according to the inventive process that is of distilled water quality and substantially free of minerals and organics.

Abstract: The process for rectification of phenol prepared from crude phenol being the product of decomposition of cumene hydroperoxide and having previously been distilled to remove large portions of acetone, cumene and alpha methylstyrene which includes:feeding the column overhead vapors to a condenser, thereby condensing a major portion of the overhead vapors;withdrawing a small portion of the overhead vapors from the condenser while still in a vapor state, the small portion being relatively enriched in lights and laden with light acids;returning the condensate from the condenser to the phenol distillation column as reflux; andwithdrawing product phenol from at least one-theoretical stage below the top of the phenol distillation column, the product phenol having improved clarity when dispersed in water, clarity being at least 93 percent light transmission as measured by an electrophotometer in a water light test.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for recovering clean water and solids from aqueous solids are disclosed. Aqueous solids are mixed with a low viscosity, relatively volatile, water-immiscible light fluidizing oil to obtain a mixture which will remain fluid and pumpable after removal of essentially its entire water content. The mixture of solids, water and fluidizing oil is subjected to a dehydration step by means of a plurality of mechanical vapor recompression evaporators operating in staged array whereby substantially all of the water and at least part of the light oil are evaporated and subsequently recovered. The light fluidizing oil is then largely separated from the solids. Residual fluidizing oil may be removed from the solids by direct contact with a hot blowing gas such as blowing steam. The invention is characterized by the conservation of energy through the use of heat exchangers whereby condensate gives up its heat to the feed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for separating volatile contaminants from a liquid to be continuously distilled. A continuous still comprises evaporator (1) having a heating coil (2), and condensor coil (6), and distillate collector (5). An entrainment device (11) removes distillate (13) from collector (5) via line (10) and reduces pressure in evaporator (1). Feed liquid (21) containing volatile contaminants is charged batchwise to a pre-chamber (20) at sub-atmospheric pressure which is then sealed (valve 22) from feed supply (21). Volatile contaminants are extracted from the charge in prechamber (20) via line (26) and entrainment device (32). Pre-chamber (20) is subsequently placed in communication (via valve 25) with evaporator (1) whereby to equilibrate pressure between evaporator (1) and pre-chamber (20).