Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for the treatment of paint sludge and for reducing volatile organic compound emissions from a paint spraybooth operation, thereby obtaining a recyclable material for use in new coating products. In such an operation, uncured paint resins mixed with volatile organic compounds are sprayed onto an article to be painted and at least a portion of the overspray is mixed with water to form a waste stream containing water, uncured paint resin, volatile organic compounds and inorganic substances. The method includes the steps of: removing a portion of the water and liquid volatile organic compounds from the waste stream; heating the resultant sludge to volatilize the residual water and liquid volatile organic compounds and to cure the uncured paint resin; collecting the residual solids stream, and removing all of the volatilized organic compounds from the resultant stream, thereby generating a volatile organic compound-free gas effluent.

Abstract: A water distillation apparatus has an outer chamber and an inner chamber suspended within the outer chamber by support arms. The inner chamber suspends a heating element to create steam. Heat is transferred from the inner chamber to the outer chamber, wherein the heated water in the outer chamber is allowed to degassify. Degassification removes unpleasant tasting chemicals from the water before distillation. Openings are provided for air circulation to remove the gasses. A condenser is also suspended by the support arms. The stem exits the inner chamber and goes into the condenser. A fan provides air circulation through the condenser. The outer chamber is not penetrated by any openings, thereby precluding the possibility of any leaks. The support arms bear on the outer chamber walls; the inner chamber is removed from the outer chamber for cleaning simply by lifting up. In one embodiment the outer and inner chambers are made of a ceramic material to better regulate heat transfer.

Abstract: A water distiller is provided which is used in conjunction with a hot water heater where normally wasted energy is used to preheat the hot water heater inlet. The distiller includes a heat storage tank, an evaporator tank having a water inlet, a heater and a steam outlet, and a first and second heat exchanger located within the heat storage tank. Steam generated in the evaporator tank passes through the first heat exchanger and condenses, forming distilled water. The heat rejected during condensation is absorbed within the heat storage tank. The second heat exchanger is used to preheat the water flowing to the hot water heater inlet by passing the water through the second heat exchanger on an as needed basis where it absorbs heat from the heat storage tank.

Abstract: A method and device for removing, from liquid such as water, dissolved volatile substances and gases when water is being distilled or evaporated. Feed water of a distilling apparatus or evaporator is heated to a sufficiently high temperature, whereby part of the feed water changes into vapor, and is then conducted to a purifying device. The feed water is discharged in the purifying device in the form of a thin film. The gaseous substances present in the feed water or liquid are separated by a separator device provided in the purifying device, and then conducted away through a connector provided on the purifying device.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a waste solution generated when a photosensitive material is processed by an automatic developing machine includes a waste solution reservoir which is maintained at a constant level. A drum, partially immersed in the waste solution, is rotated to coat its surface. The drum is heated to produce a waste vapor. The waste vapor is condensed by a condenser and filtered and solid wastes are scraped from the surface of the drum. The condenser has a drain tank for collecting condensate and a non-condensable gas component. The interior of the drain tank is sealed to form an air tight seal and has a vent for exhausting the non-condensable gas component from the interior portion to the outside. The air vent includes an absorption tower to treat the non-condensable gas component.

Abstract: The vacuum column system distills liquid under partial vacuum conditions. The system rigorously splashes and boils liquid in a boiler chamber so as to form vapor and a rising mist from the splashing liquid. The vapor and mist rise in a circularly converging path through a mist collector. The heavier mist strikes the surfaces of the mist collector and deposits on those surfaces, thereby separating itself from the vapor. The vapor is then drawn to a condensor chamber where droplets of treated liquid are sprayed through it and fall into a shallow pool of treated liquid. The droplets seed condensation of the vapor directly onto the droplets. Also, the droplets assist in encapsulating bubbles of vapor in the pool as the droplets fall into the pool. The bubbles are then entrained with other treated liquid of the pool as the treated liquid is drawn from the pool down an entrainment conduit.

Abstract: Tetrahydrofuran is recovered by a two stage distillation procedure from a crude hydrogenation product resulting from vapor phase hydrogenation of diethyl maleate and containing water, ethanol and a minor amount of n-butanol, and possibly also dissolved hydrogen, in addition to butane-1,4-diol, gamma-butyrolactone and "heavies" such as diethyl ethoxysuccinate. In the first distillation stage, conveniently operated substantially at atmospheric pressure, ethanol, water, and tetrahydrofuran are recovered as overhead product, are condensed to separate the condensible components from a hydrogen stream which can be vented, and then redistilled in the presence of a molar excess of a hydroxylic solvent containing at least two hydroxyl groups, such as butane-1,4-diol, in a second distillation zone.

Abstract: In a gas dehydration system utilizing glycol a condensate skimming reflux column separates and skims natural gas condensate off glycol by a settling tank-type reservoir having a syphon-type glycol outlet to a reflux section spaced a predetermined distance below a condensate outlet pipe.

Abstract: A vertically extending distillation cylinder has a closed top and an open bottom having an electric heating element disposed therein to form a closure. Adjacent to the top of the distillation cylinder is connected a condensing tube. The condensing tube extends down through a condenser having a cooling water inlet at the bottom and a water discharge at the top. A throttle valve regulates the flow of cooling water. From the water discharge, a trough carries the water to impinge on the distillation cylinder causing pollutants to vaporize. The water collects below in a basin surrounding the distillation cylinder. A feed tube carries water from the basin to the bottom of the distillation cylinder. A discharge tube also connected to the bottom of the distillation cylinder carries water up to where it makes a U-turn. This regulates water height in the distillation cylinder. The discharge tube and an over flow tube from the basin discharge into a funnel from which water is conveyed to a sewer.

Abstract: A process for removing substantial quantities of volatile liquid e.g. hydrocarbon from a mixture of polymer and such liquid is provided. This process includes the initial step of introducing the mixture, and a liquid which is immiscible with the polymer, into a mixing/kneading zone provided with heated heat transfer surfaces having a temperature higher than the boiling point of the lowest boiling liquid component in the mixing/kneading zone. The mixture and the immiscible liquid are subjected to a period of continuous mixing and kneading within the mixing/kneading zone, to bring the mixture into continuously moving contact with the heat transfer surfaces. During this period of continuous mixing/kneading, the heated heat transfer surfaces are repeatedly mechanically cleaned to prevent buildup of solid polymer thereon.

Abstract: A highly efficient distillation unit is provided for heating water and condensing the generated steam to remove the contaminants from the water. Efficiency is enhanced by providing a compact air cooled fin-and-tube heat exchanger which removes heat from the steam, with a powered blower passing air by the fins. A removable bowl which houses the evaporating water is suspended from a rod biased toward its upper position. Mechanical linkage interconnects the rod and a valve which controls incoming water flow to the bowl. The valve closure member is incrementally moved from an opened position to a closed position as a function of the weight of the water in the heating bowl. A low density electrical heating element is powered with from 40 to 55 watts per square inch of submerged heating element exterior surface. The bowl is configured to have a large surface area of heated water to heater input power, thereby further maximizing efficiency.

Abstract: A distillation type of water purification system has a raw water inlet valve for admitting raw water continuously to a boiling tank at a rate greater than the rate at which raw water is converted to treated water. A drain valve located at the bottom of the boiling tank is energized by a raw water level sensing device whenever the raw water level reaches a predetermined level, to discharge water from the boiling tank. Treated water is stored in a storage tank having a pump for discharging treated water to the user upon demand. A single conductivity sensor in the storage tank controls the pump to allow it to operate only if the sensed conductivity is above a first predetermined value but not at or above a second predetermined value greater than the first value. An improved condenser has two sets of tubes, each set is arranged in a pair of planes oriented transverse the flow of cooling air with the tubes parallel. The internal cross-sectional area of one set is about twice that of the other.

Abstract: A closed circuit solvent stripping and reclaiming apparatus for recovering solvent from filters used in dry cleaning machines comprising a steam cabinet (2), and condenser (3), a water solvent separator (4), a recirculating tank (5), a blower (6) and a carbon bed adsorber (7). Dry cleaning filters are disassembled and their constituents separated and placed in foraminous trays (9) inside the steam cabinet (2). The filter material is agitated with a shaker and alternately subjected to dry heat, vaporized recycled solvent saturated water, and live steam. Steam and solvent vapors derived from the filters are conducted to a condenser (3) for liquification followed by separation in the water solvent separator (4). Solvent is thereby reclaimed and solvent saturated water is collected and stored in the recycling tank for reintroduction into the steam cabinet for subsequent stripping cycle.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for on-site clean-up of dirty solvents. An open top liner for receiving dirty solvent is provided in a still housing. A head sits down over the top of the liner to form an enclosed space. Hot heating oil is provided beneath the liner and in the annular space between the liner and the housing. Dirty solvent is placed in the liner and is heated. The solvent vapors are fed to condensation coils for recovery. The heating oil is next removed and then the cap or head is removed and the contaminants are removed from the liner.

Abstract: Deodorizing and/or physical refining of relatively small, varying charges of high-boiling liquids, viz. fatty acids, edible oils, fats, glycerides and other high-boilding esters, is conducted continuously in a single-stage or multi-stage falling-film column (20) through the trickle passages (23) of which stripping steam is passed in counter-current flow. In the supply conduit (15, 15', 15", 15'") leading to the falling-film column and in the discharge conduit (30, 30', 30", 30'") leading away from the bottom (26) of the falling-film column a plug-flow of the liquid is maintained. Upon a change of charge the fresh liquid to be treated is normally introduced into the supply conduit--without any blank charge--directly following the liquid of the preceding charge. Charging of the liquid onto the deflector (22) in the head (21) of the falling-film column is interrupted for a short period of time when the front of the liquid of the fresh charge has reached a check valve (16) disposed adjacent said deflector.

Abstract: Air stripping is a common technique used to remove organic impurities from water found in underground aquifers. When this technique is used, bacteria already present in the underground water, and bacteria and oxygen introduced into the water by the incoming air, cause slime deposits to form on the packing material inside the stripping towers. The slime will build up to a point where the pressure drop through the column will increase and the air flow will decrease, which causes the stripping efficiency of the column to drop considerably. In the practice of this invention, the decontaminated water is heated to a temperature of from about 175.degree. F. to 190.degree. F. and recycled through the stripping towers. As the hot water passes through the packing section in each tower, it destroys the slime material and removes it from the packing material.

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: An apparatus and method are provided wherein liquid is removed from a liquid-solids mixture by employing both filtration and low pressures to achieve vaporization of liquid. The mixture is introduced to a vessel in which the mixture is filtered so that a substantial portion of the liquid is withdrawn from the vessel. The vessel is then depressurized to an extent necessary to vaporize a substantial portion of the remaining liquid. Such vapor is withdrawn from the vessel. During vaporization, the contents of the vessel are agitated and heated.

Abstract: An apparatus for vaporizing a liquid and condensing the vapor includes at least one chamber in which the liquid is vaporized and in which the vaporized liquid is condensed. The vaporizing chamber contains a heat emitting device providing a surface temperature above the vapor temperature for substantially instantaneously vaporizing the liquid condensate maintaining a predetermined vapor level in the vaporizing chamber, and a heat absorbing device for condensing the vaporized liquid.

Abstract: This invention discloses a solar still comprising a plurality of twin conduits routed through a plurality of solar collectors wherein the liquid is evaporated in the evaporation conduit constituting the first of the twin conduits and the vapor is condensed in the condensation conduit constituting the second conduit of the twin conduits. The evaporation conduit and the condensation conduit are separated from one another by a heat conducting element. A plurality of vapor conduits branching off from the evaporation conduits are connected to the condensation conduits via at least one pump or blower. The liquid fed to the evaporation conduit evaporates to vapor under an evacuated state provided by the pump or blower after being heated by the solar energy collected and supplied by the solar collector and/or by the latent heat released in and supplied by the condensation conduit wherein the vapor is condensed to liquid under a pressurized state provided by the pump or blower.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for using a heated waste gas stream to evaporate a volatile component such as water or a solvent from a liquid solution comprises a flue to feed the gas stream from the source of heated gas; a container having an inner chamber to hold the liquid for evaporation of the volatile compound and an outer chamber connected to the flue which forms a gas channel substantially surrounding the inner chamber through which at least a portion of the gas stream flows to supply heat to the inner chamber and evaporate the volatile component of the liquid solution; an inlet to feed the liquid solution into the inner chamber; upper and lower liquid level sensors to control the quantity of liquid solution fed into the inner chamber to establish a liquid level therein; a sparger for agitating the liquid solution in the inner chamber; a sump below the container and connected to the flue to receive any condensate from the gas stream and any liquid leaking from the inner chamber; an outlet to combine, vent and d

Abstract: A water distiller apparatus for purifying and degassing domestic water supplies is provided which is constructed for easy cleaning of all parts and in which inflowing water is preheated by condensing steam within a condenser which preheating allows dissolved gases to dissipate through a vent before the inlet water reaches an evaporator portion. The rate of inflowing water is controlled by a temperature responsive valve that is in thermal communication with the condenser to maximize heat transfer and minimize heat and water loss.

Abstract: A thin film evaporator consists of an enclosure defining a vapor space, a level drive shaft running into the enclosure and a rotor fixed to the shaft and having an axis of rotation disposed horizontally when in operative position, the rotor being made up of spaced coaxial conical evaporator elements, whose evaporation space communicates with the vapor space. The feed to be evaporated is supplied at one end of the rotor at the inner circumference of one or more conical evaporator elements thereof. Such evaporator elements are placed together in pairs so that they taper outwards with the evaporating faces thereof facing each other, so as to form a collection trough at their outer edges for the concentrate. The feed spreads out in the form of a film from the inner edge or edges for the elements and is taken up in the respective collection trough as a preconcentrate.

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: Preparation and recovery of 1-t-butoxy-2-propanol in a high state of purity from a crude etherification reaction product obtained by reaction of isobutylene with propylene glycol in the presence of a solid resin etherification catalyst is disclosed. The crude reaction product is distilled to obtain a 1-t-butoxy-2-propanol-containing distillate, thereby leaving propylene glycol as bottoms; the condensed distillate is then further distilled to separate 1-t-butoxy-2-propanol as an overhead product from higher boiling materials.

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: An electrostatic filtration apparatus is used to significantly reduce contaminants in N.sub.2 O.sub.4 vapor and liquid at ambient temperatures. The apparatus uses an electret vapor filter having therein a stack of layers of electret material through which the N.sub.2 O.sub.4 must pass. A flow blocking filter is added to the electret liquid filter to insure a sufficient time for removal of contaminants by said electret material. The filter is constructed of chemically inert materials to prevent additional contaminants.

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: A water purification and hot water supply apparatus is provided including a feed water intake providing water in excess of the distilled water output, a heater controlling the quantity of water boiled, a waste water exit port to remove accumulated water above a certain level, a distilled water exit port in the vapor space, a condensing device to transfer the heat of condensation to a hot water tank and a waste water heat exchange device to transfer heat from the waste water to the hot water tank. A volatile organic compound removing tank to heat and vent off the contaminants is positioned to receive heat from the water in the still section of the apparatus which then feeds water to the feed water intake.

Abstract: Tri- and dichlorosilanes formed by hydrogenation in the course of the reaction of metallurgical silicon, hydrogen and recycle silicon tetrachloride are employed as feed into a separation column arrangement of sequential separation columns and redistribution reactors which processes the feed into ultrahigh purity silane and recycle silicon tetrachloride. A slip stream is removed from the bottom of two sequential columns and added to the recycle silicon tetrachloride process stream causing impurities in the slip streams to be subjected to reactions in the hydrogenation step whereby waste materials can be formed and readily separated.

Abstract: A power generation system and method of operation for generating electricity by utilizing temperature differences inherently present in the ocean between water near the surface and water from the ocean's depths. A pump provides relatively warm, surface ocean water to a flash evaporator where a portion of the water is flashed into steam. The steam is expanded through a subatmospheric pressure range turbine which exhausts into a condensing enclosure. The steam exhausting into the enclosure is condensed by relatively cold ocean water pumped thereinto. The turbine drives a generator and thus produces the electricity. The turbine speed and generator output are controlled by selectively introducing atmospheric air and relatively warm water into the exhausted motive steam flow. Such selective introduction into the exhausted steam flow of air and/or relatively warm water increases the absolute pressure at the turbine's exhaust end and thus reduces steam flow through the turbine.

Abstract: An improvement in the distillative refining of methylamines containing higher amine impurities wherein the higher amines accumulate in the distillation column, tending to cause flooding and product contamination. The improvement involves purging the column at the point the impurities concentrate, mixing the purge with water to form two phases, separating the phases and recycling the water phase for recovery of its methylamines content.

Abstract: Disclosed is a filter assembly which includes rigid, perforated stainless steel tubes each of which is received in a removable, nylon mesh bag. Also disclosed is a still for reclaiming dry cleaning solvents which includes a free running auger component which is angularly reciprocated over the base of the still to dislodge the residue of the distillation process so that it can be flushed from the still by hot water.

Abstract: A process for purifying a crude olefinically unsaturated nitrile containing hydrogen cyanide and water by feeding the crude olefinically unsaturated nitrile at a point above the middle of a rectifying column for stripping hydrogen cyanide, withdrawing and condensing a vapor of hydrogen cyanide from the top of the column while withdrawing the olefinically unsaturated nitrile and water from the bottom of the column, which process comprises withdrawing a vapor in the column at a point between the top of the column and the point of introduction of the crude olefinically unsaturated nitrile at a substantially constant rate, cooling and condensing the vapor withdrawn in a condenser having an outlet for non-condensing gas while continuously withdrawing non-condensing gas in the vapor from the condenser, and returning the condensate liquid to the column at an intermediate point between the point of introduction of the crude olefinically unsaturated nitrile and the top of the column, and a condenser useful for the abo

Abstract: Coronene deposits are removed from a heat exchange zone of the reforming process by recycling a portion of the normally liquid reformate to the heat exchange zone to dissolve the coronene deposits.

Abstract: Coronene deposits are removed from a heat exchange zone disposed in two parallel trains of heat exchangers in a reforming process by reducing the flow of reforming zone effluent in one of the trains of heat exchangers sufficiently to effect condensation of a portion of the reforming zone effluent in said one train of heat exchangers where the coronene is deposited while simultaneously increasing the flow of reforming zone effluent in the second train of heat exchangers. Control means are provided in each of the heat exchange trains.

Abstract: In a process for treating radioactive liquid waste having an evaporation concentration device, including a concentration vessel, and a steam heater having steam inlet and outlet lines and operating to heat, with heating steam, radioactive liquid waste in the evaporation concentration device so as to concentrate the waste, contamination of the entire steam heater system in the event of leakage is prevented or greatly reduced by the provision of: (1) a sluice valve in the steam outlet line near the heater; (2) a discharge line with a drain valve for discharging any waste fluid between the heater and the sluice valve; and (3) means for receiving radioactive waste discharged through the discharge line. In accordance with the process of the present invention, when the pressure within the steam heater is less than that within the concentration vessel, and the operation of the evaporation concentration device is to be resumed, the sluice valve is first closed and the drain valve is opened.

Abstract: Coronene deposits are removed from a heat exchange zone of a reforming process by operating the reforming zone at conditions such that at least a portion of the reformer effluent condenses in the heat exchange zone where the coronene deposit occurs.

Abstract: A thermocompression apparatus for desalting saline water, wherein: the evaporator tubes extend vertically above the separating chamber for steam and non-evaporated water and have their lower ends opening into the separating chamber through a lower header plate; the upper ends of the evaporator tubes extend through an upper header plate into a plenum chamber overlying the latter, said plenum chamber being arranged to provide a pool of saline water submerging the upper ends of the evaporator tubes; and each of said upper ends having means therein arranged to receive saline water from the pool and to discharge it in the form of falling film on the inner surface of its respective evaporator tube, whereby the said film and the steam produced therefrom flow co-currently downwardly in the tubes towards the separating chamber.

Abstract: A distillation process for removing light ends impurities from alkyl esters of carboxylic acids wherein a purified ester is removed as residue, and wherein an inert gas and water are added to the overhead vapors from the distillation so as to facilitate separation of the light ends therefrom.