US4595460A — Method and apparatus for water distillation with …

Claim 1

Independent Claim 283 words

Apparatus for distilling a liquid supplied thereto comprising: (a) fifst column forming means for forming a first column of the liquid having a first liquid level and receiving the supplied liquid therein, (b) a second column forming means for forming a second column of the liquid having a second liquid level, (c) level changing means for providing a differential between the liquid levels of said first and second columns and further for causing said second liquid level to be higher than said first liquid level, said level changing means comprising aerating means for supplying a gas to one of said first and second columns for aerating the liquid therein, (d) first connecting means for connecting bottom portions of said first and second columns, (e) condensing means for condensing liquid vapor generated in said second column and for providing a distillate thereof, (f) second connecting means for connecting top portions of said first and second columns and for returning unevaporated liquid from said second column to said first column, (g) said second column forming means including an aeration tank for aerating the liquid therein, (h) said aerating means of said level changing means comprising supply means for supplying the gas to said second column and for aerating the liquid therein, (i) pressurizing means for pressurizing the gas supplied by said supply means, (j) said pressurizing means comprising gas pumping means comprising compressor means and blower means for rapidly pressurizing gas in a storage tank and for maintaining pressure within said storage tank, respectively, and (k) each of said compressor means and said blower means comprising driving motor means and heat exchange means for heating the gas by waste heat of said driving motor means.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 283 words

Apparatus for distilling a liquid supplied thereto comprising: (a) fifst column forming means for forming a first column of the liquid having a first liquid level and receiving the supplied liquid therein, (b) a second column forming means for forming a second column of the liquid having a second liquid level, (c) level changing means for providing a differential between the liquid levels of said first and second columns and further for causing said second liquid level to be higher than said first liquid level, said level changing means comprising aerating means for supplying a gas to one of said first and second columns for aerating the liquid therein, (d) first connecting means for connecting bottom portions of said first and second columns, (e) condensing means for condensing liquid vapor generated in said second column and for providing a distillate thereof, (f) second connecting means for connecting top portions of said first and second columns and for returning unevaporated liquid from said second column to said first column, (g) said second column forming means including an aeration tank for aerating the liquid therein, (h) said aerating means of said level changing means comprising supply means for supplying the gas to said second column and for aerating the liquid therein, (i) pressurizing means for pressurizing the gas supplied by said supply means, (j) said pressurizing means comprising gas pumping means comprising compressor means and blower means for rapidly pressurizing gas in a storage tank and for maintaining pressure within said storage tank, respectively, and (k) each of said compressor means and said blower means comprising driving motor means and heat exchange means for heating the gas by waste heat of said driving motor means.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 33 words

Apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising mechanical means arranged to be driven by downward flow of said liquid in one of said first and second columns for recovering mechanical energy therefrom.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 34 words

Apparatus as recited in claim 2 further comprising electrical generating means operated by said mechanical means for providing electrical energy responsive to downward flow of supplied and returned unevaporated liquid in said first column.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 20 words

Apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising first heating means for heating the gas supplied by said supply means.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 19 words

Apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising second heating means for heating the liquid in said second column.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 15 words

Apparatus as recited in claim 5 wherein said second heating means comprises a solar heater.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 15 words

Appatatus as recited in claim 5 wherein said second heating means comprises electrical heating means.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 44 words

Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said pressurizing means comprises gas pumping means driven by energy recovered from the liquid flowing in said first column by a mechanical means arranged to be driven by downward flow of said liquid in said first column.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 42 words

Apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising heating means for heating the gas supplied by said supply means, said heating means arranged for recovery of waste heat generated by said pressurizing means and for applying the recovered heat to the gas.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 19 words

Apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising storage tank means for storing gas pressurized by said pressurizing means.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 47 words

Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said first and second column forming means comprise first and second pipes having first and second ends, said pipes oriented to provide vertical displacement between the respective first and second ends thereof, said pipes connected at the bottom portions thereof.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 23 words

Apparatus as recited in claim 11 wherein said first pipe includes a turbine therein arranged to be driven by downwardly flowing liquid therein.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 64 words

Apparatus as recited in claim 1 wherein said first and second columns are formed in a tank, the tank having a separator therein disposed to have a vertical displacement between two ends thereof, said separator forming said first and second columns in conjunction with surfaces of said tank, said separator arranged to permit communication of liquid between bottom portions of the columns formed thereby.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 17 words

Apparatus as recited in claim 13 wherein said level changing means comprises a weir atop said separator.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 26 words

Apparatus as recited in claim 13 wherein said aerting means is operable for supplying the gas to said second column and for aerating the liquid therein.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 35 words

Apparatus as recited in claim 13 further comprising a mechanical means within said first column, driven by flow of said liquid in said first column, and an electrical generating means driven by said mechanical means.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 27 words

Apparatus as recited in claim 13 further comprising a heating means within said second column formed in said tank for heating the liquid in said second column.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 14 words

Apparatus as recited in claim 17 wherein said heating means comprises a solar heater.

Claim 20

Independent Claim 142 words

A method for distilling a liquid comprising the steps of: (a) supplying the liquid to a first conduit having a vertica. displacement between its two ends; (b) providing the liquid from the lower one of the two ends of said conduit to a lower one of two ends in a second conduit having a vertical displacement between its two ends; (c) causing the liquid in said second conduit to rise to a level higher than the liquid in said first conduit by aerating the liquid in said second conduit with a pressurized gas; heating the gas with waste heat of a motor used for pressurizing the gas; (d) evaporating and condensing a portion of the liquid in said second conduit to obtain a distillate thereof, and (e) returning unevaporated liquid from the high level of said second conduit to said first conduit.

Claim 21

Independent Claim 142 words

A method for distilling a liquid comprising the steps of: (a) supplying the liquid to a first conduit having a vertica. displacement between its two ends; (b) providing the liquid from the lower one of the two ends of said conduit to a lower one of two ends in a second conduit having a vertical displacement between its two ends; (c) causing the liquid in said second conduit to rise to a level higher than the liquid in said first conduit by aerating the liquid in said second conduit with a pressurized gas; heating the gas with waste heat of a motor used for pressurizing the gas; (d) evaporating and condensing a portion of the liquid in said second conduit to obtain a distillate thereof, and (e) returning unevaporated liquid from the high level of said second conduit to said first conduit.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 43 words

A method as recited in claim 19 further comprising the step of using downward flow of the liquid in said first conduit for driving a mechanical apparatus to provide a mechanical output whereby energy is recovered from the downward flow for other uses.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 23 words

A method as recited in claim 20 further comprising the step of driving an electrical generator with the output of said mechanical apparatus.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 29 words

A method as recited in claim 20 further comprising the step of utilizing the energy output by said mechanical apparatus to drive a pressurizing apparatus for pressurizing the gas.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 22 words

A method as recited in claim 22 further comprising the step of heating the gas utilizing heat generated by said pressurizing apparatus.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 54 words

A method as recited in claim 22 further comprising the steps of: (a) using a condenser in said evaporating and condensing step, (b) providing a gas for cooling the liquid vapor in said condenser, and p1 (c) providing at least a portion of the gas used in cooling the condenser to the pressurizing apparatus.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 233 words

Apparatus for distilling waste water supplied thereto comprising: (a) container means for forming first and second columns of water therein; (b) said container arranged for supplying said waste water to said first column; (c) said first and second columns arranged with a connection between lower portions thereof; (d) means for aerating the water in said second column for raising the level thereof relative to said first column; (e) condensing means for receiving water vapor from said second column and for providing a condensate; (f) weir means within said container disposed for maintaining a difference in water level between said first and second columns and for permitting unevaporated water from said second column to flow thereover into said first column; (g) means for recovering energy from downwardly flowing water in said first column and for outputting the recovered energy; (h) said aerating means comprising supply means for supplying a gas to said second column and for aerating the liquid therein, (i) pressurizing means for pressurizing the gas supplied by said supply means, (j) said pressurizing means comprising gas pumping means comprising compressor means and blower means for rapidly pressuring gas in a storage tank and for maintaining pressure within said storage tank, respectively, and (k) each of said compressor means and said blower means comprising driving motor means and heat exchange means for heating the gas by waste heat of said driving motor means.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 233 words

Apparatus for distilling waste water supplied thereto comprising: (a) container means for forming first and second columns of water therein; (b) said container arranged for supplying said waste water to said first column; (c) said first and second columns arranged with a connection between lower portions thereof; (d) means for aerating the water in said second column for raising the level thereof relative to said first column; (e) condensing means for receiving water vapor from said second column and for providing a condensate; (f) weir means within said container disposed for maintaining a difference in water level between said first and second columns and for permitting unevaporated water from said second column to flow thereover into said first column; (g) means for recovering energy from downwardly flowing water in said first column and for outputting the recovered energy; (h) said aerating means comprising supply means for supplying a gas to said second column and for aerating the liquid therein, (i) pressurizing means for pressurizing the gas supplied by said supply means, (j) said pressurizing means comprising gas pumping means comprising compressor means and blower means for rapidly pressuring gas in a storage tank and for maintaining pressure within said storage tank, respectively, and (k) each of said compressor means and said blower means comprising driving motor means and heat exchange means for heating the gas by waste heat of said driving motor means.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 38 words

The apparatus recited in claim 25 further comprising waste water supply means for supplying said waste water to said first column and liquid level responsive control means in said first column for controlling said waste water supply means.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 20 words

Apparatus as recited in claim 25 further comprising discharge means in said container for discharging sediment and remanent solids therefrom.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 22 words

Apparatus as recited in claim 25 wherein said means for recovering energy comprises turbine driven electric generator means for providing electrical energy.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 47 words

Apparatus as recited in claim 28 wherein said pressurizating means for pressurizing a gas includes conduit means for supplying the pressurized gas to a lower portion of said second column, said means for pressurizing connected to be driven by electrical energy provided by said electric generator means.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 35 words

Apparatus as recited in claim 25 wherein said condensing means comprises fin coils for passage of water vapor and condensate therethrough, said fin coils arranged in heat exchanging relationship to be cooled by a fluid.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 50 words

Apparatus as recited in claim 30 wherein said pressurizing means for pressurizing a gas includes conduit means for supplying the pressurized gas to a lower portion of said column, and wherein the fluid cooling said fin coils comprises at least a portion of the gas provided to said pressurizing means.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 20 words

Apparatus as recited in claim 1 further comprising controller means for alternately activating said compressor means and said blower means.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 247 words

Apparatus for gravity assisted distillation of a liquid comprising: recirculating means for recirculating a liquid in two columns to provide generally downwardly flowing liquid in one column and generally upwardly flowing liquid in a second column; said recirculating means comprising aerating means for changing liquid density in said second column to raise liquid level thereof, for enhancing evaporation of the liquid in said second column, and for providing said generally upward flow therein; first connecting means for transferring liquid above a predetermined level in said second column to said one column for combining with externally supplied liquid at an upper portion thereof and for providing said generally downwardly flow therein; second connecting means for transferring liquid from a bottom portion of said one column to a bottom portion of said second column; separate condensing means, connected for withdrawing vapor from an upper portion of said second column for condensing said withdrawn vapor; said aerating means of said recirculating means comprising supply means for supplying a gas to said second column and for aerating the liquid therein, pressurizing means for pressurizing the gas supplied by said supply means, said pressurizing means comprising gas pumping means comprising compressor means and blower means for rapidly pressurizing gas in a storage tank and for maintaining pressure within said storage tank, respectively, and each of said compressor means and said blower means comprising driving motor means and heat exchange means for heating the gas by waste heat of said driving motor means.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 247 words

Apparatus for gravity assisted distillation of a liquid comprising: recirculating means for recirculating a liquid in two columns to provide generally downwardly flowing liquid in one column and generally upwardly flowing liquid in a second column; said recirculating means comprising aerating means for changing liquid density in said second column to raise liquid level thereof, for enhancing evaporation of the liquid in said second column, and for providing said generally upward flow therein; first connecting means for transferring liquid above a predetermined level in said second column to said one column for combining with externally supplied liquid at an upper portion thereof and for providing said generally downwardly flow therein; second connecting means for transferring liquid from a bottom portion of said one column to a bottom portion of said second column; separate condensing means, connected for withdrawing vapor from an upper portion of said second column for condensing said withdrawn vapor; said aerating means of said recirculating means comprising supply means for supplying a gas to said second column and for aerating the liquid therein, pressurizing means for pressurizing the gas supplied by said supply means, said pressurizing means comprising gas pumping means comprising compressor means and blower means for rapidly pressurizing gas in a storage tank and for maintaining pressure within said storage tank, respectively, and each of said compressor means and said blower means comprising driving motor means and heat exchange means for heating the gas by waste heat of said driving motor means.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 24 words

Apparatus as recited in claim 33 further comprising mechanical power withdrawing means driven by said downwardly flow of said liquid in said one column.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 45 words

Apparatus as recited in claim 33 further comprising weir means for maintaining separate levels and separate densities of the liquid in said one and in said second column and for maintaining a common hydrostatic pressure at the bottom of said one and said second columns.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 16 words

Apparatus as recited in claim 6 wherein said second heating means further comprises electrical heating means.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	1989-06-16	1989-12-16	1990-06-17	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	1993-06-16	1993-12-16	1994-06-17	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	1997-06-16	1997-12-16	1998-06-17	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method and apparatus for water distillation with energy recovery

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