Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
136 words
An apparatus for concentrating a liquid solution, comprising a plurality of spaced apart plates arranged for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis extending through a centre region of said plates, each of said plates having at least one outer layer comprising an open-pore material having the ability to absorb such solution; means for supplying solution to the surfaces of said plates, said surfaces being arranged to be exposed to heat and/or a flowing gas for the purpose of vapourizing a relatively vapourizable constituent from the solution supplied to said surfaces; and means for collecting concentrated products, wherein the radially inner region of said outer layer extends into a storage space for solution to be concentrated, said storage space being shielded by shielding means from the parts of said outer-surfaces exposed to said heat and/or said gas.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
136 words
An apparatus for concentrating a liquid solution, comprising a plurality of spaced apart plates arranged for rotation about a substantially horizontal axis extending through a centre region of said plates, each of said plates having at least one outer layer comprising an open-pore material having the ability to absorb such solution; means for supplying solution to the surfaces of said plates, said surfaces being arranged to be exposed to heat and/or a flowing gas for the purpose of vapourizing a relatively vapourizable constituent from the solution supplied to said surfaces; and means for collecting concentrated products, wherein the radially inner region of said outer layer extends into a storage space for solution to be concentrated, said storage space being shielded by shielding means from the parts of said outer-surfaces exposed to said heat and/or said gas.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
57 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the plates are mounted on a tubular shaft having a cavity which is arranged to accommodate a solution to be concentrated; and wherein said tubular shaft is provided with an inlet for said solution, passage means being arranged for passing solution to the radially inner region of said outer layers.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
An apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the shielding means comprises spacer rings mounted externally on the tubular shaft between said plates, said passage means comprising a clearance between the inner surface of each spacer ring and the outer surface of the tubular shaft and openings arranged in said shaft for establishing communication between the cavity of the tubular shaft and the clearances.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
28 words
An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the plates comprise a rigid intermediate layer which is covered on both sides thereof with a porous outer layer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
An apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the porous outer layers comprise a soft porous material.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said porous outer layers comprise a soft porous material, and wherein distance elements of substantially rigid material extend through the plates between adjacent spacer rings for preventing the porous outer layers between said spacer rings being squashed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the plates comprise a rigid intermediate layer which is covered on both sides thereof with a porous outer layer.