Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
148 words
A distillation process for removing vaporizable components from an aqueous medium comprising: a. introducing an aqueous medium containing vaporizable components into a distillation column for removing a portion of the vaporizable components from the aqueous medium. b. passing through the aqueous medium a current of steam from a thermal compressor to vaporize at least a portion of the vaporizable components, c. passing at least a portion of the vapors from the distillation column through a first space of a first condenser means having a first and second space sufficient to condense at least a portion of the vapors to a condensate. d. passing a recirculation liquid to the second space of the condenser means and from the condenser to a separator to separate steam from aqueous liquid, and e. passing the steam from the separator through the thermal compressor to form steam for introducing into the distillation column.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
148 words
A distillation process for removing vaporizable components from an aqueous medium comprising: a. introducing an aqueous medium containing vaporizable components into a distillation column for removing a portion of the vaporizable components from the aqueous medium. b. passing through the aqueous medium a current of steam from a thermal compressor to vaporize at least a portion of the vaporizable components, c. passing at least a portion of the vapors from the distillation column through a first space of a first condenser means having a first and second space sufficient to condense at least a portion of the vapors to a condensate. d. passing a recirculation liquid to the second space of the condenser means and from the condenser to a separator to separate steam from aqueous liquid, and e. passing the steam from the separator through the thermal compressor to form steam for introducing into the distillation column.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The process of claim 1 including passing the vapors from the first condenser means through a second condenser means to condense substantially all of the vapors.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 2 including recycling at least a portion of the condensed vapors from the second condenser means to the distillation column.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
25 words
The process of claim 2 including passing the condensed vapors from the second condenser means to a decanting means to separate at least two liquids.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 4 including recycling at least a portion of at least one liquid from the decanting means to the distillation column.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 1 including preheating the aqueous medium in a preheater means prior to introducing the aqueous medium to the distillation column.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 6 including passing at least a portion of the recirculation fluid to the preheater means for preheating the aqueous medium.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
The process of claim 1 including passing a bottom stream from the distillation column to the separator.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The process of claim 1 including recycling at least a portion of the aqueous condensate from the first condenser means to the distillation column.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
16 words
The process of claim 1 including adding an aqueous make-up stream to the recirculation fluid stream.