Abstract: An oil separator for separating an oil in a blow-by gas, includes a housing forming a flow passage, and defining an annular shoulder face facing a downstream side; a valve member reciprocatable between a blocking position abutting an end face thereof against the annular shoulder face to block the flow passage, and an open position separating the end face from the annular shoulder face to open the flow passage; a spring device urging the valve member toward the blocking position; and a reflux device for refluxing the oil separated from the blow-by gas. The valve member includes a first side face facing a wall face of the flow passage and spaced from the wall face at a predetermined interval. A relation wherein a gap between the end face of the valve member and the annular shoulder face in the open position is narrower than the predetermined interval is always established.

Abstract: A system and a method of measuring a particle's size in a select aerosol using the optical diameter of the particle to perform a mobility and/or aerodynamic diameter conversion without any knowledge about the particle's shape and its optical properties in the aerosol being characterized. In one example embodiment of the invention, the method includes generating a set of calibration data and finding the optimal refractive index and shape that best fits the calibration data. In addition, the method includes creating a new calibration curve that provides a mobility-equivalent or aerodynamic-equivalent diameter.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus for separating liquid from a gas/liquid mixture, including: a housing; a gas/liquid mixture inlet located at a lower side of the housing; a coalescer placed in the housing above the gas/liquid mixture inlet for extending the volume of liquid droplets from the mixture passing the coalescer; at least one liquid feed, which liquid feed runs at least partially through the coalescer and ends at location below the gas/liquid mixture inlet; a liquid outlet for the separated liquid fraction located at a lower side of the housing under the coalescer; and a gas outlet for the separated gas fraction located at an upper side of the housing above the coalescer.

Abstract: A moisture and dust removing louver pack is composed of a set of pivotable louvers which can pivot between open and closed positions in an air passageway, the louvers allowing air to pass through the passageway when in the open position and having moisture and dust removing structure for air to impinge upon to remove moisture and dust from the air passing through the passageway.

Abstract: A method for extracting process air loaded with overspray from a coating plant, which includes leading overspray picked up by an air stream as process air along a flow path to a conditioning device. The process air is led on the flow path through at least one replaceable flow module having an inlet opening and an outlet opening, on the inner surfaces of which overspray can be deposited and, after a limiting loading with overspray has been reached, can be replaced by an unloaded flow module. An apparatus for extracting process air loaded with overspray having at least one replaceable flow module having an inlet and an outlet opening arranged in the flow path of the process air. On the inner surfaces of the flow module, overspray can be deposited. The flow module can be replaced with an unloaded flow module after a limiting loading with overspray is reached.

Abstract: An oil separator includes a casing that has an inlet for air and an outlet for air, and an impingement member that is provided inside the casing. Air that contains oil is introduced through the inlet into the casing and caused to strike the impingement member so that the oil is separated from the introduced air and is recovered. The outlet opens in the horizontal direction of the casing. The oil separator further includes an L-shaped elbow member that is attached to the outlet. The elbow member protrudes in the horizontal direction from the outlet and is bent upward.

Abstract: A fiber bed assembly used to remove aerosols and/or wetted soluble solids from a moving gas stream includes a fiber bed support and a fiber bed supported by the fiber bed support so that the gas stream passes through the fiber bed moving from an upstream space to a downstream space with respect to the fiber bed. A re-entrainment control device is located within a downstream space defined by the fiber bed so that at least a portion of the gas stream passes through the re-entrainment control device. The re-entrainment control device is shaped to change the direction of the average flow path of the gas stream as the gas stream passes through the re-entrainment control device so as to cause aerosols and/or wettable solids contained therein to be separated from the gas stream by inertial force. A re-entrainment control device and method of use are also disclosed.

Abstract: An emissions cleaning module is provided including a flow conduit having an upstream end fluidly connected to a source of exhaust fluid and a downstream end fluidly connected to a mixer module. The flow conduit includes a bend upstream of the mixer module. An inner side of the bend of the flow conduit includes a funnel portion. The emissions cleaning module provides an improved arrangement for the flow of exhaust fluid.

Abstract: An air filter is provided and may include a first housing and a filter media disposed within the first housing. A second housing may include an inlet port receiving air at a first pressure from the first housing and an outlet port returning the air to the first housing at a second pressure, less than the first pressure. The second housing may remove debris from the air prior to returning the air to the first housing.

Abstract: A method for improving fuel efficiency of a vehicle and an exclusive energy saving and emission reduction device thereof are provided. The key points of the technical solutions are as follows. An exhaust separation device is installed in a crankcase of an engine. An oil-gas separation technology is adopted to manufacture an oil-gas separator and a diffusion vortex chamber. According to an aerodynamic principle, the separation degree of the exhaust is improved through compression and high speed vortex in the energy saving device, in such a manner that engine oil vapor in the exhaust is separated from combustible mixed gases, and then sent to the engine via an air intake throttle. The present invention enables complete combustion of the fuel, so as to achieve effects of oil-saving and emission-reducing.

Abstract: The oil mist separator includes a cylinder head cover made of a resin and having a form in which the bottom face is opened; and a baffle plate made of a resin and arranged so as to block the bottom face of the cylinder head cover. An introduction port which introduces the blow-by-gas, a circumferential wall having such a form as to extend upward from the circumference of the introduction port, and an oil inflow preventive board arranged on the lower side of the introduction port are formed in the baffle plate. The circumferential wall is welded, at its upper end part, with the cylinder head cover . Also, a nozzle hole through which the blow-by gas flows is formed in the circumferential wall. A separating means (for example, collision board) which separates the oil component from the blow-by gas having passed through the nozzle hole is provided on the downstream side of the nozzle hole.

Abstract: The present oil separator is an oil separator for capturing oil contained in blow-by gas generated in an engine, and includes a housing provided independently of a body of the engine and a gas-liquid separation unit which is provided in the housing and separates blow-by gas into a gas component and an oil component. The housing includes a lead-in port through which the blow-by gas is led in, a lead-out port through which the gas component is led out, and a drain port through which the oil component is discharged. And the housing has an attachment portion inside to which a plurality of types of the gas-liquid separation units respectively are attachable, to which attachment portion, selected one of the plurality of types of gas-liquid separation units is attached.

Abstract: A cyclone separator (1) for separating particles from a gas flow, includes: a first housing component (3) with a guiding apparatus (7) for providing the inflowing gas flow with an angular momentum, a second housing component (4) with an immersion tube (10) through which the cleaned gas flow can be discharged, and a cyclone tube (9) which surrounds the immersion tube (10) and on which at least one opening (11) is formed for discharging the particles that are separated from the gas flow. The cyclone tube (9) is formed on the second housing component (4).

Abstract: An oil separator is provided with a case that has an air inlet and a plurality of expansion chambers formed within the case. Air that contains oil is introduced into the case via the inlet and caused to strike a impingement plate to thereby separate the oil from the introduced air and recover the oil. The transverse cross-sectional area of each expansion chamber is greater than the open area of the inlet. Partition walls with orifice holes formed therein are provided between the expansion chambers.

Abstract: An oil separator has a container main body and an flow channel. A partition wall member faces the opening of the flow channel and extends along a wall of the container main body. An upper end member seals the space between the upper end of the partition wall member and the container main body. A side end member seals a space between one side end of the partition wall member and the wall of the container main body. A gap between the partition wall member and the wall of the container main body is narrower than an inner diameter of the flow channel and is largest at an open side end. An outer circumference of the partition wall member is longer than half of the inner diameter of the flow channel and shorter than half of the circumferential length of the inner wall of the container main body.

Abstract: A water separator reduces a water content of an air stream, which is used in an HVAC unit for a vehicle. The water separator includes a diverter wall and an adjacent wall spaced from the diverter wall to define an air passage. The diverter wall has a terminal end extending into the air passage for changing a direction of the air stream flowing through the air passage to separate water droplets from the air stream to reduce the water content of the air stream. A gutter is coupled to the terminal end of the diverter wall and extends into the air passage. The gutter defines a drainage channel configured to receive the water droplets that form on the diverter wall for preventing the water droplets from reentering the air stream flowing through the air stream passage.

Abstract: A dynamic particle separator is described for cyclone separation of sand from a gas stream in connection with petroleum related production of oil and gas, where the separator comprises a housing (14) containing as cyclone tank (4) that is equipped with an upper inlet opening (1) for the gas stream and an upper and a lower outlet opening (2,12) for export of gas and particles, respectively, from the tank (4).

Abstract: A water separating container for a motor vehicle is provided. An air stream sucked in from outside the vehicle passes through the water separating container, which separates water present in the air stream. The water separating container includes an air inlet having an air inlet opening and an air outlet having an air outlet opening. An impact wall for separating the water present in the air stream is disposed between the air inlet and the air outlet.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for separating particles within a gas flow traveling through a gas flow passage of an engine. In one embodiment, a particle separator includes a plurality of vanes positioned across a gas flow passage through which gas flow passes, the plurality of vanes angled with respect to a flow direction of the gas flow, and a particle trap for collecting separated particles, the particle trap disposed in the gas flow passage.

Abstract: Moisture separator configuration for separating water droplets from steam of a flow having a mixture of steam and water droplets, such that the cited flow travels through the moisture separator configuration so that this separation is achieved. The moisture separator configuration includes a plurality of plates oriented in line with the flow. The plurality of plates form channels through which the flow travels. The channels have progressive cross section variation along the flow direction, in order to collect progressively the water droplets separated from the steam in the flow.

Abstract: A gas-liquid separator applicable to a refrigeration system includes a cylindrical body, an inlet pipe fixedly connected to an upper end of the cylindrical body and an outlet pipe fixedly connected to a lower end of the cylindrical body, and further includes a gas guiding element, the gas guiding element further including a baffle, a flange located at one end of the baffle, and a bottom plate located at the other end of the baffle, the baffle being located above the outlet pipe and blocking a gas inlet of the outlet pipe; the flange being fixedly connected to an inner wall of the cylindrical body; and the bottom plate being fixedly connected to a side wall of a gas inlet end of the outlet pipe.

Abstract: A gas distributor for a granular moving-bed filter comprises a distribution module, arranged inside a granular moving-bed filter. The distribution module comprises at least one flow-distributing curtain to be used for allowing a turbulent gas flow with dust mixed therein to flow therethrough, resulting that before the turbulent gas flow enters the granular moving-bed filter, the turbulent gas flow is transformed into a more uniformly distributed gas flow and the dust contained therein are partially filtered out.

Abstract: A particle separator is provided and includes a vessel and a scupper. The vessel is receptive of a fluid flow and configured to output the fluid flow at first and second outlets. The vessel includes a curved, inwardly facing surface. The scupper is disposed within the vessel to define a first flowpath along which the received fluid flow is directed to flow toward the first outlet between the curved, inwardly facing surface and a first side of the scupper, and a second flowpath along which the received fluid flow is directed to flow toward the second outlet along a second side of the scupper, which is opposite the first side.

Abstract: A multi-phase separation apparatus shapes fluid flow in a flow shaping line preferably shaped to have a plurality of loops with consecutively decreasing diameters. Shaping the two-phase flow drives the heavier, denser fluids to the outside wall of the flow shaping line and allows the lighter, less dense fluids such as gas to occupy the inner wall of the flow shaping line. With the gas positioned on the inner wall, an exit port on the inner wall permits a majority, if not all, of the gas, along with a minimal amount of liquid, to be diverted to a conventional gas-liquid separator at a flow rate much lower than the total flow rate within the flow shaping line. The remaining liquid flow in the flow shaping line is subsequently introduced into an adjustable phase splitter to separate different liquid components from one another.

Abstract: A system for removing liquids from a fluid stream having a mixture of gas and liquid phase components comprises a flare stack riser configured to couple to a gas flare module. A liquid collector has an input port, an internal cavity, and an output port. The input port is configured to receive a fluid stream, the fluid stream comprising gas and entrained liquid. The input port being further configured to direct the fluid stream into the internal cavity. The internal cavity being configured to separate at least a portion of the entrained liquid from the fluid stream and to permit the gas to exit through the output port. The output port being formed integrally with the flare stack riser.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing high purity distillate in evaporators is useful for evaporation of waters where volatile silica or organic compounds are encountered such as in production of hydrocarbons from geological formations. An evaporator having a contaminant reduction system is provided. The contaminant reduction system includes an upflow first mist eliminator portion to remove entrained liquid droplets and produce an intermediate purity water vapor stream. A continuous spray system provides a spray of dilute caustic solution in a selected spray configuration for mass transfer contact with the passing intermediate purity water vapor stream, to remove volatile silica compounds therefrom, and produce a partially decontaminated steam stream having mist particles therein. An upflow second mist eliminator portion is provided to remove the residual mist particles, and produce a high purity water vapor stream. The high purity water vapor stream is condensed to provide a high purity distillate stream.

Abstract: A spark arrestor and dust arrestor for same are provided. In one embodiment, the spark arrestor includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet, wherein the outlet is positioned on a dust arrestor mounting side of the housing, and a turn baffle disposed in the housing in a position that creates a tortuous flow path through the housing between the inlet and the outlet. The tortuous flow path includes a low inertia channel formed in the housing having an orientation that directs particles passing through the low inertia channel through an upper portion of the outlet of the housing, and a high inertia channel formed in the housing, wherein a downstream portion of the high inertia channel has an orientation that directs particles passing through the high inertia channel through a lower portion of the outlet of the housing.

Abstract: Air filter having a preseparator with an optimized intake geometry, wherein an outflow geometry of a preseparator is matched to an intake geometry of a filter element.

Abstract: A system and process for extending turndown in a gas-liquid separator is presented. The system includes a first mist extractor with a first operating range and a second mist extractor with a second operating range. The mist extractors are generally of the same type, with the second operating range being different than the first operating range. A gas stream containing entrained liquid droplets flows through the first mist extractor and then through the second mist extractor. Each mist extractor coalesces and captures the liquid droplets within its own operating range, expanding the overall operating range of the separator. Additional mist extractors may be added to cover any gap between the first and second operating ranges.

Abstract: A filter apparatus and assembly for use in association with a shale shaker is described, the apparatus including a generally annular housing, a fluid inlet and outlet, and an air flow-path extending therethrough, the apparatus being adapted to remove contaminants and debris from a fluid flowing from a drilling operation into a shale shaker. In accordance with select aspects of the invention, the filtering assembly has at least one deflection plate mounted inside the housing to aid in reducing or disrupting the velocity of debris within the fluid.

Abstract: A water separator reduces a water content of an air stream, which is used in an HVAC unit for a vehicle. The water separator includes a diverter wall and an adjacent wall spaced from the diverter wall to define an air passage. The diverter wall has a terminal end extending into the air passage for changing a direction of the air stream to reduce the water content of the air stream. A filter assembly is disposed through a receiving slot in the diverter wall and is within the air passage downstream of the terminal end.

Abstract: An air cleaning system (10) is disclosed comprising a fire protection system. The fire protection system comprises at least one of (i) a spark arrestor (21), (ii) a particle feeder (31), (iii) a fire detection system; and (iv) a fire extinguishing system. A preferred spark arrestor comprises a particle pre-separator (22). A preferred particle pre-separator has a core-and-vane assembly that prevents air traveling through the particle pre-separator from traveling in a straight line.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for preventing coke formation in a plenum are provided. The apparatus can include a turbulator for use in a plenum. The turbulator can include a deflector disposed inside the plenum proximate an inlet to the plenum from a cyclone, wherein the plenum and the cyclone are disposed in a fluid catalytic cracker.

Abstract: A fiber bed assembly used to remove aerosols and/or wetted soluble solids from a moving gas stream includes a fiber bed support and a fiber bed supported by the fiber bed support so that the gas stream passes through the fiber bed moving from an upstream space to a downstream space with respect to the fiber bed. A re-entrainment control device is located within a downstream space defined by the fiber bed so that at least a portion of the gas stream passes through the re-entrainment control device. The re-entrainment control device is shaped to change the direction of the average flow path of the gas stream as the gas stream passes through the re-entrainment control device so as to cause aerosols and/or wettable solids contained therein to be separated from the gas stream by inertial force. A re-entrainment control device and method of use are also disclosed.

Abstract: An enhanced vane bundle design that provides additional inlet chord area. An enhanced vane bundle for use in separator vessels includes top and bottom convexly-curved outlet baffles that extend horizontally from the outlet-side of the vane pack, the outlet baffles including a plurality of corresponding holes. The enhanced vane bundle further includes curved plates affixed to the convexly-curved outlet baffles, the curved plates and the convexly-curved outlet baffles define vertical pockets that extend vertically through an entirety of an outlet chord area on an outlet side of the enhanced vane bundle. The enhanced vane bundle further includes a plurality of tubes connecting the corresponding holes of the outlet baffles and extending vertically through the entirety of the outlet chord area.

Abstract: A filter including multiple tanks connected in series by connecting ducts. In the filter a flow of gaseous flows encounters multiple obstacles in it, an effect of which is efficiently to block constituents with heaviest molecular weight, without substantially hindering diffusion of lighter constituents. This may be obtained by internal baffles, or by a bank of finer ducts, for example at an inlet of the filter. Such a filter may find application to separation of hydrogen and radon produced by nuclear waste.

Abstract: An engine crankcase breather for oil segregation, from blow-by gases, in an engine. The engine crankcase breather includes a housing with an inlet located in a downstream direction of the blow-by gases and an outlet. The breather also includes a baffle within the housing which poses a tortuous path for the blow-by gases, in order to segregate oil particles from the blow-by gases. The baffle includes a hook-shaped portion, in which the oil segregation takes place. The engine crankcase breather further includes a trough extending within the housing. The trough is aligned with the hook-shaped portion of the baffle, to collect the segregated oil from the blow-by gases.

Abstract: A water electrolysis system includes a high-pressure water electrolysis apparatus and a gas-liquid separation device. The gas-liquid separation device includes a block member which includes a gas-liquid separation opening and a water-level detection opening. The gas-liquid separation opening and the water-level detection opening extend substantially vertically and includes respective bottom portions which integrally communicate with a discharge pipe. The discharge pipe is disposed at a lower side portion of the block member. The water-level detection opening includes a top portion and a top water-level detection section. The block member further includes an inlet hole in which the hydrogen is introduced from the high-pressure water electrolysis device. The inlet hole is disposed at an upper side portion of the block member. The inlet hole is positioned above the top water-level detection section of the water-level detection opening.

Abstract: A moisture separator/heater, including a cylindrical main shell, a moisture separator that removes moisture in steam to be heated that flows in through the bottom of the main shell, a heater disposed above the moisture separator in the main shell, and restricting members disposed in a heating space to sandwich a tube bundle side plate with an outer rail to restrict rounded-back deformation thereof and satisfy an expression of 0.2?L1/L and L2/L?0.4, L represents total length of a straight tube portion, L1 represents distance from one of the pad members closest to a steam heating header to an end of the straight tube portion on the side where the steam heating header is present, and L2 represents distance from one of the pad members closest to a curved tube portion to an end of the straight tube portion on the side where the curved tube portion is present.

Abstract: High molecular weight (HMW) gases are separated from an exhaust gas of a combustion source using a blower and an interior vent within the exhaust stack. The interior vent includes a vent wall having a top portion attached to the interior surface of the exhaust stack along the entire inner perimeter of the exhaust stack and a lower portion that extends downward into the exhaust stack to form an annular space or gap between the vent wall and the interior surface of the exhaust stack, and at least one opening in the interior surface of the exhaust stack between the top and bottom portions of the vent wall. The blower creates a tangential flow of the exhaust gas with sufficient centrifugal force to concentrate substantially all of the HMW gases along the inner surface of the exhaust stack. A transfer pipe removes the HMW gases from the interior vent.

Abstract: High molecular weight (HMW) gases are separated from an exhaust gas of a combustion source using a blower and an interior vent within the exhaust stack. The interior vent includes a vent wall having a top portion attached to the interior surface of the exhaust stack along the entire inner perimeter of the exhaust stack and a lower portion that extends downward into the exhaust stack to form an annular space or gap between the vent wall and the interior surface of the exhaust stack, and at least one opening in the interior surface of the exhaust stack between the top and bottom portions of the vent wall. The blower creates a tangential flow of the exhaust gas with sufficient centrifugal force to concentrate substantially all of the HMW gases along the inner surface of the exhaust stack. A transfer pipe removes the HMW gases from the interior vent.

Abstract: A gas-liquid separator comprises a housing having an inlet for receiving a gas-liquid stream and an outlet for discharging a gas stream. An impactor nozzle structure is supported by the housing and situated downstream of the inlet. The impactor nozzle structure receives the gas-liquid stream and accelerates the gas-liquid stream through an orifice that extends through the impactor nozzle structure. An impaction surface is supported by the housing and situated downstream of the orifice. The impaction surface receives the accelerated gas-liquid stream and causes separation of liquid particles from the gas-liquid stream so as to produce the gas stream, and a baffle situated downstream of the impaction surface modifies a flow of the gas stream so as to reduce carryover of liquid particles in the gas stream. A shroud for an inertial impactor gas-liquid separator is disclosed. A method for separating liquid particles from a gas-liquid stream is disclosed.

Abstract: A two stage gas-liquid separator assembly includes a housing having an inlet for receiving a gas-liquid stream and an outlet for discharging a gas stream. A first plenum chamber includes a pre-separator that causes liquid to separate from the gas-liquid stream and to drain to a lower portion of the first plenum chamber. A second plenum chamber includes a main separator downstream of the pre-separator that further causes liquid to separate from the gas-liquid stream and to drain to a lower portion of the second plenum chamber. A first drain port drains liquid from the lower portion of the first plenum chamber and a second drain port drains liquid from the lower portion of the second plenum chamber. Liquid drains from the first and second plenum chambers regardless of a pressure difference between a pressure in the first plenum chamber and a pressure in the second plenum chamber.

Abstract: A heat exchanger assembly is provided which may be modularly constructed for inline or off engine installation. A water extraction device is also provided which may be used independently or with the heat exchanger to remove water from a fluid flowpath.

Abstract: A particle separator comprises a pipeline that allows a fluid to flow in a curved direction of flow. The particle separator includes an inlet region, a curved deflection region, which in the direction of flow follows on from the inlet region, with an inside wall and an outside wall, and a delimitation body. The delimitation body at least in some sections extends between the inside wall and the outside wall in the interior of the deflection region and is curved in the same direction as the deflection region.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides for processes including a coke catcher that may be emptied during normal operation or steam standby, thereby overcoming the deficiencies in the prior design as discussed above, the coke catchers and process flows disclosed herein protecting the secondary transfer line exchanger from foulant while not limiting the time between heater cold shutdowns. The designs consider the impact of decoking options, such as when decoking to a firebox as opposed to a decoking drum. Further, flow and cost considerations are addressed in various embodiments; for example, decoke valves are fairly expensive, and process flows disclosed herein may provide for relocation of the decoke valve to facilitate coke catcher operations while not adding an expensive valve to the overall operating flow scheme.

Abstract: A preferred embodiment of the invention relates to a cyclone separator for a vacuum toilet system, with a casing; an input-side swirl generator, whose input openings impart a swirl to the inflowing fluid; a separating wall arranged in the casing, which encloses the fluid stream in the cyclone separator ring-like and whose interior cross section tapers downstream; and a collection tank in the casing for receiving and accumulating constituents separated out of the fluid. In addition, the invention relates to a wastewater tank and vacuum toilet system having such a cyclone separator.

Abstract: A droplet separator (10) includes a flow passage (5) through which a droplet charged gas can be conducted and through which this droplet charged gas can flow along a main flow direction (6), wherein a separation element (8) is arranged essentially in ring shape about the flow passage (5). The separation element (8) has a base element (11) and a top element (12) as well as a plurality of connection elements (1) which are arranged between the base element (11) and the top element (12). The connection element (1) includes a wall element (3, 13, 30) along which droplets of the droplet charged gas can be conducted as a film in the direction of the base element (11), wherein the wall element (3, 13, 30) has a separation surface which has a mean width of more than 1 mm.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for treating a raw product stream (raw synthesis gas/raw syngas) generated by underground coal gasification (UCG). In one aspect, the invention concerns a method and apparatus for cooling and initial cleaning of raw syngas gas, so that the treated UCG product stream is suitable for downstream applications such as for energy or chemical production. In another aspect, the invention concerns a method and apparatus for isolating, treating and handling a raw UCG product stream that is generated either when igniting or decommissioning an underground coal gasifier and, due to its consistency, is generally unsuitable for energy or chemical production.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing high purity distillate in evaporators. is useful for evaporation of waters where volatile silica or organic compounds are encountered such as in production of hydrocarbons from geological formations. An evaporator having a contaminant reduction system is provided. The contaminant reduction system includes an upflow first mist eliminator portion to remove entrained liquid droplets and produce an intermediate purity water vapor stream. A continuous spray system provides a spray of dilute caustic solution in a selected spray configuration for mass transfer contact with the passing intermediate purity water vapor stream, to remove volatile silica compounds therefrom, and produce a partially decontaminated steam stream having mist particles therein. An upflow second mist eliminator portion is provided to remove the residual mist particles, and produce a high purity water vapor stream. The high purity water vapor stream is condensed to provide a high purity distillate stream.