Abstract: Concentrated alcohol and distillery slop are produced from fermented beer with a reduced amount of energy by use of a multiple effect distillery slop evaporator in which evaporator vapors from one or more effects are used to strip alcohol from the fermented liquor before they are returned as heat source for the next succeeding effect, and by using vents from the partial condensation of these vapors in an evaporator effect as the principal heat and alcohol source for the rectification system. Condensed vapors from the vented evaporators and the bottom stream from the rectifier are stripped of their remaining alcohol content in a condensate stripper. The overhead stream from the condensate stripper can also be used as a heat source for an evaporator effect before being fed to the rectification system as a source of heat and alcohol.

Abstract: Thermally coupled extractive distillation; a feed stock (for example, a C4 or C5 cut from an ethylene plant) is distilled by thermally coupled extractive distillation to remove paraffins and mono-olefins as a raffinate stream, as well as acetylenic hydrocarbons in a separate steam, thus segregating the C4 or C5 diolefin, the process using extraction solvents such as acetonitrile (ACN), dimethyl formamide (DMF), furfural, acetone, dimethylacetamide or N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone mixed with 0-12 weight percent of water, a bottoms stream of virtually acetylene free solvent further being produced; thermally coupled extractive distillation utilizing one to three coupled vessels to produce at least two and preferably three discrete, different volatility streams therefrom, as well as an extractive solvent recycle stream.

Abstract: A process for the rectification of binary liquid mixtures is disclosed wherein one component of the mixture is more volatile than the other component. A rectification column is employed having rectification, intermediate and depletion stages, with a working fluid comprised of the components to be separated being employed to furnish energy for the rectification process.

Abstract: Alcohol substantially free of water is produced by a process comprising extracting an aqueous alcohol solution with an organic solvent system containing an extractant for said alcohol thereby forming an organic solvent-alcohol phase and an aqueous phase, and vacuum distilling said organic solvent-alcohol phase thereby obtaining the product alcohol substantially free of water.

Abstract: A method for decreasing the external energy input to a fractionation system is disclosed. The method utilizes a compression zone communicating with either the overhead fraction or the bottoms fraction from a fractionation zone. The method is directed at regulating the rate of energy addition and/or removal to the fractionation zone by at least one of the fractions returned to the fractionation zone to maintain the separated fractions within the desired limits.

Abstract: A new distillation equipment for alcohol which consists mainly of a brief concentrating column A, a concentrating column B, a compressor C to compress alcohol vapor generated in column B and water evaporator D heated by the compressed alcohol vapor is developed and this especially fits for a distillation source of a glue like solution obtained by alcohol fermentation because steam generated in the water evaporator D is directly blown into the solution in the concentrating column A.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process and apparatus for the fractionation of close boiling components of a multi-component system and comprised of at least two fractionation columns having a plurality of equilibrium stages wherein the vapor from a down-stream fractionation column is compressed and passed into a lower portion of a preceding fractionation column. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the compressed overhead vapor stream is passed in heat transfer relationship to a liquid stream withdrawn from the preceding fractionation column prior to introduction into the lower portion of such preceding fractionation column.

Abstract: This process provides an efficient means for distillative separation of a gas mixture at a temperature below ambient without requiring either a dual pressure or low pressure distillation column. The process comprises supplying the gas at an elevated pressure to a single pressure distillation column, work-expanding the column overhead gas to drive a heat pump compressor, compressing any of several gases in the heat pump compressor so as to effect phase change heat transfer between condensing column reflux and boiling column bottom product, and separately withdrawing the depressurized gaseous separation products.

Abstract: An energy efficient distillation method is provided which is particularly adapted for use on a dairy farm, and which comprises a distilland evaporating receptacle, a distillate condensing receptacle, and a conduit interconnecting the evaporating receptacle and the condensing receptacle. A vacuum pump is provided for drawing a partial vacuum within the evaporating receptacle, and a vapor compression refrigeration system is provided which includes condenser coils disposed to heat and vaporize the distilland while it is within the evaporating receptacle, and evaporator coils for cooling and condensing the vaporized distilland in the condensing receptacle. A cooling distribution system is also provided whereby a variable portion of the cooling potential of the refrigeration system may be selectively directed to each of the condensing receptacle, a distillate receiver tank, or to a bulk milk container as utilized on a dairy farm or the like.

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 distillation process for recovering concentrated ethanol from an aqueous fermentate comprises fractionation of components of the aqueous fermentate under reduced pressure with vapor recompression and recovery of waste heat in a manner which obviates the need for substantial external sources of heat to operate the fractionation apparatus. The process includes a preliminary enrichment of the fermentate to separate volatile components, the enrichment also including recompression of a vapor phase and utilization of waste heat. The compression means used during enrichment and fractionation are run by engines which produce the recoverable waste heat. The utilization of vapor recompression and the use of waste heat to dry solid matter separated during the enrichment of the fermentate, for preheating the fermentate and for heating other process streams provides an energy efficient manner in which to recover ethanol from a fermentate.

Abstract: The distillation apparatus includes an upstanding closed boiler which receives a fluid mash, a mixture including alcohol and water, and has a plurality of heating means, including a pre-heat means, to boil the mash and produce a vapor at the top thereof; two heat exchangers are located at the bottom of the boiler; one is heated by fluid from a compressor and one is heated by exhaust gases from an internal combustion engine which drives the compressor. The fluid mash is removed from the boiler at a first point, passed through a solar panel and returned to the boiler at a higher level; the fluid mash is removed from the boiler at a second point, where new mash is added, and both used as the coolant for the engine; when the fluid has cooled the engine it is then passed over an enclosed coil which carries exhaust gases from the engine. It is then returned to the boiler at a higher level; exhaust gases from the engine are injected directly into the fluid mash adding heat thereto.

Abstract: Concentrated alcohol and distillery slop are produced from fermented beer with a reduced amount of energy by employing a vapor recompression distillery slop evaporator in which evaporator vapors are used to strip alcohol from the fermented liquor before they are returned as the heat source for evaporation. Vents in the evaporator permit passage of uncondensed vapors used to drive the evaporator to a rectifier, in which they constitute the principal heat and alcohol source. Condensed vapors from the evaporator and the bottom stream from the rectifier are stripped of their remaining alcohol content in a condensate stripper, which is also driven by the recompressed vapors from the evaporator. This prevents dilution of the slops and the additional energy cost that would be necessary if the water content of these streams had to be removed in the slop evaporator.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process and apparatus for the fractionation of close boiling components of a multi-component system and comprised of at least two fractionation columns having a plurality of equilibrium stages wherein the vapor from a downstream fractionation column is compressed and passed into a lower portion of a preceding fractionation column. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the compressed overhead vapor stream is passed in heat transfer relationship to a liquid stream withdrawn from the preceding fractionation column prior to introduction into the lower portion of such preceding fractionation column.

Abstract: A process and still for removing substantially all water from an alcohol-containing solution. The solution is distilled in a rectification column under reduced pressure of about 40 mm Hg or less, and the distillate later collected and condensed having a water content of about 2% by volume or less. Heating for distilling the original solution and cooling for condensing the distilled alcohol vapors are supplied to the system by an external, closed-loop heat pump.

Abstract: Process for distillatively separating a liquid mixture containing at least two miscible volatile components having different boiling points using low-grade heat and, if necessary, low-grade cooling. Distillation is carried out at a pressure sufficiently low to cause the mixture at the bottom of the distillation column to boil below the temperature of the low-grade heat supplied and condensation of at least a portion of the vapor fraction is carried out at a pressure which permits using available cooling liquid. Condensed liquid is returned as reflux to the distillation column at a temperature and pressure essentially equal to the temperature and pressure prevailing near the top of the column. The progressive increase of vapor recompression in the system makes it possible to provide an increasing proportion of the energy to the system in the form of electrical energy, up to the total energy requirement.

Abstract: The latent heat of condensation released by condensing a process vapor is captured in a fluid contained in a latent heat recirculating system; the captured heat is returned by the fluid to the body of process liquid for continued vaporization.

Abstract: A solids/liquid admixture is introduced into an atmosphere (temperature and reduced pressure) in which the liquid is immediately converted to a saturated vapor and thus relieved of associated solids, which are withdrawn. The saturated vapor is then conducted to a surface on which it condenses and from which it is collected. Suitable apparatus is provided in the form of modules, which are efficiently operated in multiples of four in a common temperature-stabilizing medium.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for the concentration of a solution of a "dissolved" material in a "solvent" without the input of any outside heat and by the furnishing of only work, the latter having a value close to the theoretical work of unmixing.

Abstract: A process for fractionating two or more compounds in which the stripping section of the fractionator is maintained at a first pressure and the rectifying section of the fractionator is maintained at a higher pressure. Overhead vapors from the stripping section are compressed in a heat pump where the vapor temperature and pressure are raised, and the heated and compressed vapors are then fed to the bottom of the rectifying section. Overhead vapors from the rectifying section, at a higher temperature than the bottoms from the stripping section, are heat exchanged with stripping section bottoms to condense overhead vapors and to supply reboiling heat to the stripping section.

Abstract: The invention provides unusally efficient distillation apparatus configured into a compact structure which conserves material in its construction and power consumption in its operation. The present structure particularly provides horizontally disposed flash effect distillation chambers coupled "back-to-back" across a common wall, the chambers being operable as a distillation system for water purification and/or solute concentration or as a sub-system in multi-effect distillation systems.

Abstract: Preheated saline water, typically sea or brackish water, is further heated by quanta of steam, passed to it at differential temperatures and pressures and condensed in the saline water. Scale compounds are precipitated and scale-forming bicarbonates decomposed, with the evolution of carbon dioxide, which is gathered and expelled by steam accessory to the quanta of steam. Post-thermal saline water, which is formed, is multistage flash vaporized while self-cooling. The flashed vapors are compressed to form said quanta of steam. After being further cooled while preheating saline water, post-thermal saline water is evaporated in a multistage vapor compression evaporator, producing brine at a high concentration factor. Relative to equilibrium in scale-compound precipitation between 302.degree. F and 347.degree. F, the recovery of fresh water is 70% to 80% for sea water, and 80% to 90% for brackish waters over a wide range of salinity.

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 at or below the boiling point of said liquid at atmospheric pressure and at a pressure corresponding to the evaporation temperature under saturated conditions; compressing said vapor adiabatically; admixing in a mixing chamber the compressed vapor under substantially isobaric conditions directly with hot gases having a temperature sufficiently greater than the temperature of the compressed vapor that the resulting vapor-gas mixture temperature is greater than the temperature of the compressed vapor prior to the mixing; passing the vapor-gas mixture through an expansion engine to motivate the engine and to produce shaft energy, whereby the vapor-gas mixture adiabatically expands and cools; compressing the expanded vapor-gas mixture adiabatically in an independently powered compressor to a predetermined pressure corresponding

Abstract: A low temperature purification system is provided which is particularly adapted for use to mechanically purify in a continuous operation solutions containing solids and dissolved substances. The purification system includes a solution supply means, and a centrifugal vacuum evaporator to which the solution to be purified is fed. Drive means is operatively connected to the evaporator for subjecting the solution within the evaporator to centrifugal acceleration and causes the solids in the solution to be displaced outwardly of the axis of rotation of the solution and the liquid of the solution to be displaced inwardly toward the axis of rotation. Outlet means is embodied in the evaporator for discharging the solids therefrom. The liquid as it is being displaced inwardly is simultaneously subjected to a reduced pressure to produce vapor which is conducted to a condenser means wherein the vapor is condensed to a substantially pure liquid.

Abstract: Saline water, typically sea water or brackish water, after deaeration and deoxygenation is preheated, then further heated by steam condensing with the preheated saline water. By the further heating, bicarbonates are thermally decomposed, forming carbon dioxide, while scale compounds, comprising magnesium hydroxide, anhydrite and minor compounds containing silica, iron, alumina, phosphate, etc., are thermally precipitated. Some of the steam is uncondensed and issues from the further heated saline water with included, evolved carbon dioxide. It is condensed in preheating saline water; evolved carbon dioxide is separated from the condensate and recycled to the saline water to prevent alkaline scale in preheating, while condensate is combined with the further heated saline water, forming post-thermal saline water. This is flash vaporized while cooling and the steam is regenerated by compressing the flashed vapors.