Abstract: A method for distilling a raw material liquid containing (meth)acrylic acid substantially free from azeotropic solvents, collected with a collection agent from a mixed gas obtained by gas phase catalytic oxidation reactions which includes feeding to a distillation column the raw material liquid which temperature is substantially equal to that of the entrance place in the column.

Abstract: A process for recovering N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone is provided which allows to recover N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone efficiently and steadily and in high purity by continuous distillation from a mixed liquid containing N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone, N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-pyrrolidone, compounds having a higher boiling point than N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone and water. The process includes continuously distilling the mixed liquid using a distilling column, controlling the temperature of the bottom liquid of the distilling column at 180° C. or less.

Abstract: A method to treat wastewater brines to remove the salts prior to discharge. The method includes evaporating the water component of the pretreatment effluent into the atmosphere.

Abstract: An extractive distillation tower 4 supplied with a feedstock containing butadiene and a solvent and for distilling the feedstock to separate and purify the butadiene.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for water degasification and distillation in an apparatus having a container for a reservoir of water to be degassed and distilled, a relatively small boiler adjoining the container and having a feed water conduit connecting the container and boiler so that a selected water level in the container will fill the boiler to the same level, a coiled tube condenser within the container immersed in the water therein, the condenser coil having a vertically disposed longitudinal axis, a second conduit in the boiler connecting the space above the water level therein to the inlet of the condenser so that steam flows from the boiler to the condenser, an outlet on the condenser extending through a container wall for discharging the condensed steam as degassed distilled water, a heater in the boiler for heating the water therein, a motor driven stirrer axially of the coiled tube condenser for generating a swirling movement of the reservoir water with formation of steam bubbles therein and an ozone ge

Abstract: Pertaining mainly to the field of the petrochemical industry the method essentially includes delivery of a motive liquid into a liquid-gas ejector from a separator by a pump, feeding a liquid-gas mixture obtained in the ejector into the separator, cooling of the motive liquid with simultaneous heating of a circulating portion of a distillation residual while the motive liquid is pumped through a heat-exchanger/heater by the pump, and maintaining such an operational mode while the temperature of mediums in the separator is higher than the temperature of the motive liquid at the nozzle inlet of the ejector, where the latter is higher than the temperature of the distillation residual at the point of discharge from a rectification column and the temperature of a gas-vapor phase at the gas inlet of the ejector is lower than the temperature of the distillation residual at the point of discharge from the column.

Abstract: A process for the recovery of ethane, ethylene, propane, propylene and heavier hydrocarbon components from a hydrocarbon gas stream is disclosed. In recent years, the preferred method of separating a hydrocarbon gas stream generally includes supplying at least portions of the gas stream to a fractionation tower having at least one reboiler, and often one or more side reboilers, to supply heat to the column by withdrawing and heating some of the tower liquids to produce stripping vapors that separate the more volatile components from the desired components. The reboiler and side reboilers (if any) are typically integrated into the feed stream cooling scheme to provide at least a portion of the refrigeration needed to condense the desired components for subsequent fractionation in the distillation column.

Abstract: A method of distillation for separating a material which is solid at ambient temperature from a lower boiling and lower melting point material, and the apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for condensing moisture from an air stream. The apparatus is a heating, extracting and condensing system and method for efficiently recovering an ingredient from a raw material. The condenser is a housing having one or more fins or the like that are efficiently cooled by one or more thermoelectric coolers. A plurality of condensers can be arranged in series to improve efficiency.

Abstract: A horizontal distillation system includes a series of collection tanks interconnected by condensing tubes. Each condensing tube has an ascending portion, a transition portion and a descending portion. Liquid which condenses from a multi-component vapor feed falls into the collection tanks. Each tank may include a heating element to heat or reboil the liquid collected in each tank. The last tank may include a cooling element to condense any remaining vapors.

Abstract: The present invention provides a distillation separation method whereby tertiary butyl acetate is separated by distillation as an overhead stream from a bottoms acetic acid stream with the proviso that water is incorporated in the system such that the bottoms acetic acid stream contains water in amount of 0.1 to 5 wt %.

Abstract: A distilling device for converting unprocessed water into pure water comprising a fill tank, a base having a removable water tray with a boiling chamber therein for holding the unprocessed water, a removable mist chamber disposed above the base and having a heater depending therefrom into the boiling chamber to boil the unprocessed water and to convert it into a purified steam which rises into a condensation coil where a fan cools the coil and steam, causing the steam to condense into purified water and flow into a reservoir tank which also functions as a serving pitcher.

Abstract: An evaporation product discharged from a lower end a falling-film evaporator (1, 2) enters a downpipe (7), makes a 180° turn at a bottom of the downpipe, and moves upward through an annular rising channel (9) defined between the downpipe and an intermediate housing (10). As the evaporation product moves along a spiral path (12) defined by the spiral fins, centrifugal forces urges water droplets and impurities to a radial outward periphery where they pass through openings (13) in the intermediate shell as pure steam continues through the spiral path and out a pure steam outlet (21). A cooling jacket (15) chills a peripheral wall of an outer shell (14) adjacent the holes such that the discharged water droplets condense on the outer shell and flow down a reject water return path to a reject water reservoir at the bottom of the outer shell.

Abstract: A distiller control circuit includes a power bus including first and second lines and a fan circuit connected across the lines and including a fan motor and a fan thermostat in series. There is also a heater circuit connected across the lines and including a heater and a heater thermostat in series. The fan thermostat is normally open, closes at an elevated temperature and automatically re-opens when the temperature subsides. The heater thermostat is normally closed, opens at an elevated temperature and must be manually reset to the closed position. The raw water vessel has a reset mechanism with a pivot-mounted bar and a contact surface on the bar. When the contact surface is depressed, the bar is urged to the second position for resetting the heater thermostat. The heater circuit terminates in a two-stud male connector and the platform has a two-slot female connector. The studs slide into electrically-conductive engagement with the slots when the raw water vessel is inserted into the condensing platform.

Abstract: A method for removing a contaminant from a fluid feed stream containing the contaminant. The method includes the steps of providing a feed stream and heating it in a first step to at least partially remove some of the contaminants and recover energy from a concentrate and distillate generated. Further heating the feed stream in a second heating step in a heated separator generates a saturated vapor fraction and a concentrated liquid contaminant fraction. The vapor fraction may be compressed to generate a temperature differential in the reboiler exchanger with the vapor fraction being passed into contact with a reboiler exchanger to provide a stream of condensed vapor from the reboiler. The stream may be circulated through the reboiler exchanger and the heated separator to maintain from about 1% to about 50% by mass vapor in the stream. The apparatus includes a unique configuration of a vapor compressor, heated separator in combination with a forced circulation circuit to generate the decontamination result.

Abstract: A method for starting up a distilling column destined to handle an easily polymerizing compound-containing solution characterized by supplying at the start of the operation of the distilling column a polymerization inhibitor to the bottom liquid of the distilling column having a temperature of not higher than 80° C. Further, by supplying a reflux liquid through the top of the distilling column or the middle stage of the column prior to the start of the temperature elevation of the distilling column, thereby preventing the polymerization of the easily polymerizing compound more effectively.

Abstract: Liquid organic material is controllably delivered to a receptacle located in the center of a heated surface capable of horizontally rotating about its central axis. As the heated surface rotates, material deposited within the central receptacle is forced outwardly and across the rotating surface. As the material moves radially, it evaporates into a vapor which is then transported to one or more nozzles. From the nozzles, the vapor is applied to a substrate and condensed. Relative to existing devices and methods, the present invention enables the evaporation of a wider variety of organic liquids, greater reliability in continuous operation, a decrease in maintenance, and a larger and more constant material flow rate.

Abstract: A device allows for continuous regulation of the composition of a fluid mixture that includes at least two components of different polarities. The device is designed, for example, to be inserted in a separation system that the device supplies with a carrier fluid of stabilized composition. The device includes a storage tank (3) receiving a mixture coming from the separation system and at least one auxiliary vessel (6) containing one of the components of the mixture. To control the transfer of this component from auxiliary vessel (6) to storage tank (3), the device further includes at least one tubular capacitive sonde (CS) totally immersed in the fluid mixture, a sonde (TS) for measuring the temperature of the mixture, and a sonde (LS) for measuring the mixture level in storage tank (3).

Abstract: For a process for producing high-purity liquids, particularly liquid chemicals, by distillation it is proposed that the liquid to be purified (1) is heated by microwave radiation (5) preferably in the uppermost layers. To implement this process a device with a liquid container (3), with a heat source (5) acting on the liquid container and with a condensation device (8, 9) connected to the liquid container is proposed, which is distinguished in that the heat source (5) in the form of a microwave radiation source is arranged above the liquid to be purified (1) in such a way that preferably the uppermost layers of the liquid (1) are heated.

Abstract: A vacuum type distilling system includes a sealed container including a vaporization chamber for containing a liquid and a condensation chamber, a pressure-reducing device, a condensing device, a heating device, and a vapor-collecting device including a floating piston for separating liquid and vapor and a guide tube for guiding vapor generated in the vaporization chamber into the condensation chamber. Liquid to be distilled is filled into the vaporization chamber and the pressure of the sealed container is reduced such that the boiling point of the liquid in the vaporization chamber is lowered. The heating device heats and thus vaporizes the liquid in the vaporization chamber into vapor which is immediately conveyed into the condensation chamber where vapor is condensed into distilled liquid by a condensing tube of the condensing device that is mounted in the condensation chamber.

Abstract: The invention pertains to the field of the petrochemical industry. The invention essentially relates to a system and method that includes feeding of a liquid having molecular weight more than 100 (in atomic mass units) into a nozzle of an ejector as a motive liquid, and delivery of a mixed medium from the ejector into a shaped reservoir, where flow velocity is reduced and static pressure is boosted. The outlet of the ejector is connected to the inlet of the shaped reservoir, the inlet of a separator is connected to the outlet of the shaped reservoir. The introduced method and the system for its embodiment ensure a more efficient operation.

Abstract: The invention is based on the discovery that hyperbaric, hydrostatic pressure reversibly alters the partitioning of biomolecules between certain adsorbed and solvated phases relative to partitioning at ambient pressure. The new methods and devices disclosed herein make use of this discovery for highly selective and efficient, low salt isolation and purification of nucleic acids from a broad range of sample types, including forensic samples, blood and other body fluids, and cultured cells. In one embodiment, the invention features a pressure-modulation apparatus. The apparatus includes an electrode array system having at least two (i.e., two, three, four, or more) electrodes; and a conduit interconnecting the electrodes. The conduit contains an electrically conductive fluid in contact with a phase positioned in a pressure chamber. The phase can be, for example, a binding medium or stationary phase.

Abstract: Crude ammonia is separated into a low boiler fraction, a high boiler fraction and an intermediate-boiling pure fraction by continuous fractional distillation in a distillation apparatus configured either as a dividing wall column or as a system of thermally coupled distillation columns. In the process of the present invention, the low boiler fraction is taken off at the top of the distillation apparatus. The intermediate-boiling pure fraction is obtained at a side offtake which is preferably provided with droplet precipitators. In addition, the gas loading of the distillation column is restricted so that the operating pressure is in the range from 2 to 30 bar and the F factor does not exceed 2.0 Pa0.5.

Abstract: A process for the evaporation of an available warm or hot liquid under a vacuum by applying a pressure drop thereon initiating flash-down evaporation, and followed by further flash-down evaporation under an applied pressure gradient whereby the residual liquid is raised by the vapor produced to an elevation sufficient for subsequently discharging the residual liquid from vacuum without a pump; and by separating the vapor phase from the residual liquid phase before condensing the vapor produced into distilled liquid.

Abstract: A fractionator has a fractionation vessel, a reactor effluent vapors inlet, a vapor feed contacting zone, a baffled contacting section above the vapor feed contacting zone, a tops section above the baffled contacting section, a heavy bottoms liquid hold-up pool section below the vapor feed contacting zone, a bottoms outlet, a bottoms recycle system with a heat exchanger. Recycled, cooled bottoms is fed back to the fractionation vessel at the heavy bottoms liquid hold-up pool section and above the vapor feed contacting zone. The improvements involve providing a separation tray and downpipe for separating cooler bottoms liquid from hotter product vapors within the fractionation vessel: to avoid condensation and absorption of product vapors by the liquid pool; to have more rapid and uniform quenching of hot liquid entering the pool; and substantially reduce costly onstream maintenance to clean fouled bottoms recycle exchangers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for recycling and recovering potentially explosive solvents includes providing a contaminated solvent to a distillation tank, vaporizing the solvent in the distillation tank, thereby producing solvent vapor, condensing the solvent vapor, and adding a free radical scavenger substance to the distillation tank during the heating step. The vapor is then condensed and collected in a clean solvent tank where additional free radical scavenger substance is added to the clean solvent tank. Preferably, contaminated solvent is introduced into the solvent recovery system by providing contaminated solvent into contaminated solvent tank which is connected to the distillation tank, and an oxygen displacer substance is provided to the contaminated solvent tank and the clean solvent tank so as to minimize the amount of free oxygen in the tanks.

Abstract: The invention relates to a distillation and reaction device having a reaction section and a distillation-reaction section. The distillation-reaction section has a distillation zone with at least one device for circulation of the effluent from the reaction section to the distillation zone. Effluent from the reaction section is circulated to the distillation zone. The distillation-reaction section also has at least one distillation-reaction zone having at least one catalyst bed. The distillation-reaction zone is distinct from the distillation zone and provides at least partly the reflux of the distillation zone. The distillation-reaction section can also have at least one complementary reaction zone containing at least one catalyst bed. The invention further relates to a process for preparing at least one aliphatic monoalcohol, generally in excess, and at least one olefin.

Abstract: A process for distilling ethylene oxide out of a mixture including ethylene oxide in a column at an absolute pressure of from 2 to 10 bar and a temperature of 20 to 180.degree. C. by withdrawing pure ethylene oxide in the liquid or gaseous state overhead or via a sidestream in the rectifying section of the column includes effecting the distillation in a column having on its inside a plurality of successive zones of structured sheet-metal packing or dumped beds of packing elements, these zones being assigned one or more extinguishing systems on the outside of the column.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for regenerating a contaminated solvent wherein said solvent is first separated from higher-boiling contaminants in an evaporator, and then contaminants having a lower boiling point than said solvent are separated out in a condenser in which the temperature of said lower-boiling contaminants coming out of said condenser and the temperature of said solvent coming out of said condenser are separately controlled.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided in which a vaporizer vaporizes a liquid feed for introduction to a feed conversion unit such as a steam active reformer. A condenser condenses vaporized feed from the vaporizer when introduction of feed to the feed conversion unit is stopped. Condensed, liquid feed is passed back into the vaporizer and is conserved rather than going to flare.

Abstract: The invention is based on the discovery that hyperbaric, hydrostatic pressure reversibly alters the partitioning of nucleic acids between certain adsorbed and solvated phases relative to partitioning at ambient pressure. The new methods and devices disclosed herein make use of this discovery for highly selective and efficient, low salt isolation and purification of nucleic acids from a broad range of sample types, including forensic samples, blood and other body fluids, and cultured cells.

Abstract: Automatic control systems, and corresponding processes, for controlling either an anode adjuster in a chlor/alkali cell or at least one average middle temperature of a distillation column wherein the combination of feedback control from at least one real unit operation variable and an embedded real-time dynamic simulation of that variable are used.

Abstract: An evaporation system for separation of a fluid mixture into its component parts, especially for the reclamation of solvents, has a vacuum pump connected to the evaporator, especially a rotation evaporator, with at least one separator being connected to the suction side of the vacuum pump and at least one secondary condenser being connected at the pressure side of the vacuum pump. A fine regulating valve (8) is installed in the connecting pipe (7) between the rotation evaporator (2) and the separator (9), which is connected in front of the vacuum pump (10), for regulation of the boiling pressure.

Abstract: A method for purifying glyoxylates includes (1) a coarse distillation process in which a crude glyoxylate in which water coexists is, in a film form, continuously subjected to coarse distillation, and (2) an azeotropic dehydration process in which the crude glyoxylate purified through the coarse distillation process is subjected to azeotropic dehydration in the presence of an azeotropic agent such as propyl acetate. By this method, high-purity glyoxylates can be efficiently and easily obtained at lower costs.

Abstract: A distiller control circuit includes a power bus with first and second lines and a fan circuit connected across the lines and having a fan motor and a fan thermostat in series. There is also a heater circuit connected across the lines and having a heater and a heater thermostat in series. The fan thermostat is normally open, closes at an elevated temperature and automatically re-opens when the temperature subsides. The heater thermostat is normally closed, opens at an elevated temperature and must be manually reset to the closed position.The raw water vessel has a reset mechanism with a pivot-mounted bar and a contact surface on the bar. When the contact surface is depressed, the bar is urged to the second position for resetting the heater thermostat. The heater circuit terminates in a two-stud male connector and the platform has a two-slot female connector. The studs slide into electrically-conductive engagement with the slots when the raw water vessel is inserted into the condensing platform.

Abstract: A method for purifying liquefied corrosive gases of metallic impurities is described. The principle for this purification method relies on vapor-phase transfilling the vapor phase from a source container into a receiving container. This method has been observed to decrease metal concentrations by a factor of at least 1000 and decreases the metallic impurity levels in the resulting condensate. The vapor transfer is accomplished by controlled differential pressure rather than mechanical pumping, thereby generating no particle or metal impurities.

Abstract: A process for recovering processing liquids such as gas-treating liquids wherein a feed mixture containing the processing liquid and components or impurities that are more volatile and less volatile than the processing liquid is initially heated in a first heating zone to a temperature sufficient to volatilize at least one of the more volatile components and a portion of the processing liquid, the temperature being maintained below the decomposition temperature of the processing liquid to produce a vapor stream containing the less volatile component and the vaporized portion of the processing liquid and a residuum containing the processing liquid, a reduced concentration of the more volatile components and the less volatile components, the vapor stream being separated from the residuum in a first separation zone, a portion of the residuum being passed through a second heating zone at a temperature below the decomposition temperature of the processing liquid to produce a first heated recycle stream, the heated

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and device for controlling a distillation or condensation apparatus including a distillation vessel, heat source and condenser. A distillation or condensation apparatus consumes considerable quantities of cooling water which is discharged, through a length of hose connected to the condenser, directly into the drain. The aim of the invention is to propose a method and device for controlling a distillation or condensation apparatus to ensure a significant reduction in cooling-water consumption. The method proposed achieves this by virtue of the fact that the cooling water flowing through the condenser of the distillation or condensation apparatus is passed round in a closed loop, its temperature is measured in this loop and, when an upper temperature limit is reached, cooling water is replaced by feeding in cold water until a lower temperature limit is reached.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming an array of multiple parallel flow orifices, for example by holes drilled through a plate in a selected pattern and spacing and of selected sizes or flow diameters, and whereby these orifices are used to provide an approximately equal and adequate distribution of liquid flowing through them as parallel streams of liquid and into an evaporation zone or a parallel array of evaporation channels, and wherein the orifices can be adjusted in flow diameter to control the flowrate of liquid in generally parallel streams with an array of orifice adjusting apparatus, for example an adjacent sliding orifice plate which provides for orifice flow rate adjustment with orifices through this second plate corresponding in position to those of the first orifice plate, and the use of such dual orifice plates for supporting a pool of liquid there-above and for controlling the flowrate of liquid through the first array of orifices by reducing or enlarging their orifice flow diameters to control

Abstract: A method and apparatus permits concentration of a water-miscible organic liquid in a mixture of such liquid and water, with recovery of a desired concentrate of the water-miscible organic liquid and water, and a relatively clean water containing only a very low content of the water-miscible organic liquid which enables disposal of the water in sewage systems, the method and apparatus thus enhancing the ability to satisfy environmental concerns; the method has particular application to the recovery of a reusable glycol/water mixture from diluted spent aircraft deicer fluid (ADF).

Abstract: A process and apparatus for improving the thermal efficiency of a steam turbine power generating plant while simultaneously desalinating seawater or brine and purifying water which contains minerals, salts, and other dissolved solids. Exhaust gases from a power plant is heat exchanged against water in a secondary ecomomizer which circulates water at a temperature near, or slightly above the dewpoint of the combustion exhaust of the high-pressure boiler. The heated water is flashed to produce low-pressure steam. The low-pressure steam is condensed against the last effect of a multi-effect desalinization unit. Steam from the first effect of the desalination unit is condensed against steam condensate from the power plant turbine to preheat the condensate and thereby recover heat from the power plant's exhaust gas. Salinous water is fed to the multi-effect desalinization unit to produce fresh water and a concentrated brine.

Abstract: A method of separating water from an aqueous emulsion using a minimum of energy includes heating the aqueous emulsion in a sump, conveying concentrated emulsion from the sump to a heat exchanger so as to pass therethrough back to the sump, circulating water vapor and non-condensable gases from the sump through a compressor to raise its temperature and passing the heated water vapor and non-condensable gases through the heat exchanger to condense and heat the concentrated emulsion therein and evaporate water therefrom, a thermostat filled with water and water vapor, together with first and second pressure switches respectively communicating with the sump and the external atmosphere and the heat exchanger and the external atmosphere, maintaining a temperature differential between 0.5.degree. and 3.degree. C. between the aqueous emulsion in the sump and the temperature of the compressed water vapor and noncondensable gases.

Abstract: Liquid mixtures which contain (meth)acrylic acid as the main component are continuously separated in a distillation apparatus which comprises a still, a condenser and a connection between still and condenser and to which the liquid mixture to be separated is continuously fed, by a process in which the energy required for evaporation of the liquid mixture is supplied to the distillation apparatus by a procedure in which a part of the liquid content of the still is continuously removed, superheated and recycled to the still.

Abstract: Improved kugelrohr or apparatus for distilling or separating liquids. It includes a rugged, reliable air oven and drive unit with numerous safety features. One or more external guards eliminate burn hazard and risk of accidental contact. A thermal isolation support isolates the oven from its rest surface. A grounded heating element eliminates shock hazards. The oven is fitted with a grommet or bushing to support a flask connected to one or more additional flasks in a series. The outlet of the last flask in the series is connected to a drive tube via a flexible coupling. The drive tube is connected to a rotary bearing assembly mounted on a drive unit. The oven and the flasks may include impellers for circulating air to enhance heating efficiency.

Abstract: A distillation solvent recycling system is provided which is characterized by improved safety features, modular construction, a double insulated solvent reservoir, electronic control and display of system parameters, and self diagnosis of system malfunctions. The components of the system are assembled into a compact unitized structure so as to maximize safety, efficiency, portability, convenience and ease of operation and maintenance. An outer insulative and protective safety casing shields the operator from process hazards while the system is in operation. An inner lid is provided with improved sealing mechanisms for preventing the escape of toxic solvent vapors. An outer safety lid shields the operator from heat and trace vapors in the vicinity of the solvent reservoir.

Abstract: A large and economical type of multi-stack vertical tube evaporator (MS-VTE) having units of multiple stacks of vertical tube bundles or stages mounted in a single vessel, and having its liquid feed pumped to the uppermost VTE bundle stack or stage and having the feed then cascading downward through the lower bundle stacks in series flow, and wherein all the tube bundles are heated with the same waste steam of no or low $-value, e. g. with turbine reject steam in parallel flow under vacuum into the steam-sides of all tube bundles in the unit through a common steam conduit; and wherein the feed liquid is progressively evaporated from stage to stage or stack to stack and the vapors produced in the tubes of each bundle during the partial evaporation of the feed are separated between the stacks and condensed by parallel flow into one or more condensers.

Abstract: In the continuous purification of a propylene oxide feedstock contaminated with water, methanol and acetone wherein an acetone buffer is established in the column, normal distillation conditions are maintained or restored during or after an upset by continuously monitoring predetermined distillation conditions in the acetone buffer zone, and adding additional acetone to the extractive distillation column when the monitored distillation condition deviates from a predetermined value by a predetermined amount.

Abstract: An improved drinking water apparatus is provided which utilizes a microcomputer to detect water level to automatically control water intake and heating. The apparatus includes a heating tank having a heater at the bottom side, a first cooling pipe at the top of the heating tank, a distilled water tank, and a second cooling pipe located at the top of the distilled water tank and connected to the first cooling pipe. The cooling pipes are each provided with a cooling fan for cooking the steam generated by boiling water into distilled water. The temperature of the distilled water is lowered to a degree suitable for drinking purposes.

Abstract: When waste liquid is concentrated using a radiant heat section and a heat absorbent section of a heat pump circuit, in the proper place of the heating region of the heat pump circuit, a detector for detecting the pressure and/or temperature of the heat transfer medium is provided, or a detector for detecting the value of an electric current flowing through or the amount of electric power consumed in a system which includes a compressor for the heat pump circuit, is provided, and by the provision of a control system which can halt the concentration operation when the detected value exceeds a set value, both with a liquid in which the concentration of the non-volatile component is low so that a comparatively long time is required for the concentration operation, and, conversely, with a liquid in which the concentration of the non-volatile component is high so that the concentration operation is completed in a comparatively short time, the concentration operation has good efficiency, and can always be halted at

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the production of a beverage distills aqueous influent into a forerun overhead fraction that is the first result of a distillation operation, a distillate, and a bottom products fraction that is left over from the aqueous influent without being distilled. The forerun overhead fraction is removed, the distillate is sterilized and remineralized into the beverage, and the bottom products fraction is removed so the process can begin again with more aqueous influent.