A vane inlet device is provided in a vessel to receive and redistribute a fluid stream entering the vessel and to facilitate separation of liquid from the fluid stream. The vane inlet device includes a passageway bounded by a top plate and a bottom plate spaced from the top plate. First and second arrays of vanes extend between the top and bottom plates and are positioned to receive respective portions of the fluid stream flowing from an inlet end of the passageway toward an opposite end and redirecting it out opposite sides of the passageway. A spacing between the first array of vanes and the second array of vanes progressively decreases in a direction from the inlet end of the passageway toward the opposite end. A beam extends from the top plate to the bottom plate between the first and second arrays of vanes to reduce flexure of the top and bottom plates and to separate the respective portions of the fluid stream.

A semi-continuous deodorizer providing a first main vessel, and a second vessel, wherein the second vessel is connected to the first main vessel by a duct for the transport of gases and vapors, the second vessel being connected to a vacuum system, wherein both the first main vessel and the second vessel are made of stainless steel and built hermetically.

A system for producing ethanol comprises a rectifier column that receives a first process stream comprising from about 42% to about 60% ethanol, wherein the rectifier column purifies the first process stream to provide an ethanol product stream that is at least about 90% ethanol, and one or more evaporators configured to evaporate water from a second process stream, wherein the one or more evaporators generate vapor, and wherein at least a portion of the vapor supplies heat energy for separation of ethanol from water in the rectifier column.

An improved surface evaporation system where droplet size and spray configuration is controlled and modified based upon ambient conditions in order to prevent the spreading of salts and other contaminants outside of a treatment pit or specific area. Water droplet size can be controlled by adjustment of the spray nozzle side. Increasing the nozzle size to increase droplet size results in a reduction of mist travel direction (i.e., drift distance). Reducing the nozzle size decreases the droplet size, and increases drift distance. Similarly, changing the configuration of the spray will affect drift distance. For example, changing the spray direction and height from a vertical spray direction to a flatter, more horizontal direction (with resulting greater area) results in a substantially decreased drift distance. In addition, the system also takes into account the effects of wind speed and direction and humidity. Evaporation modules may use standard spray nozzles, or ultrasonic evaporators.

A system of interlocks for controlling flow of low temperature process streams in a manufacturing process through a cold box to equipment or piping not specified for such temperatures by opening and closing valves and starting and stopping pumps. At least one interlock affects streams heated in the cold box. At least one interlock affects the streams cooled in the cold box. The interlocks are activated by temperatures of process lines to prevent exposure of equipment and piping to low temperatures while preventing the shutdown of the cold box. An override controller including a predictive failure capability is also provided.

A system of interlocks for controlling flow of low temperature process streams in a manufacturing process through a cold box to equipment or piping not specified for such temperatures by opening and closing valves and starting and stopping pumps. At least one interlock affects streams heated in the cold box. At least one interlock affects the streams cooled in the cold box. The interlocks are activated by temperatures of process lines to prevent exposure of equipment and piping to low temperatures while preventing the shutdown of the cold box. An override controller including a predictive failure capability is also provided.

The present invention relates to an improved process for the production of alkanesulfonic acids.

1) A method for obtaining a concentrated protein-rich phase from residues of bioethanol production. 2.1) Previously, the separation of a protein-rich phase from whole stillage from bioethanol production has been achieved either by the addition of chemicals or by process steps that are complex in terms of equipment and/or energy. 2.2) Whole stillage from bioethanol production is fed to a solid-liquid separation, and the liquid phase (thin stillage) resulting from this is partially returned to the mashing process. This recirculation increases the raw protein content in the process. Part of the thin stillage is diluted and fed to a simple separation process without the addition of chemicals and temperature treatment, with a protein-rich phase being obtained. 2.3) A protein-rich phase is obtained from residues of bioethanol production.

A system to treat and desalinate wastewater using a low energy ejector desalination system (LEEDS), which employs a static liquid-gas ejector and maximum heat integration in the water treatment system.

A water vapor distillation system. The system includes a water vapor distillation device configured to receive a volume of source water from a fluid source and produce distillate, the device comprising: a concentrate flow path comprising a concentrate output; a distillate flow path comprising a distillate output; at least one source proportioning valve; a first heat exchanger comprising at least a portion of the distillate flow path; a second heat exchanger including at least a portion of the concentrate flow path, wherein the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger in fluid flow communication with the fluid source; a distillate sensor assembly in communication with the distillate flow path and located downstream the first heat exchanger, the distillate sensor assembly configured to generate a distillate temperature measurement; and a controller configured to control the source proportioning valves, the controller configured to: receive the distillate temperature measurement; determine the difference between a first target temperature and the distillate temperature measurement; and split the source water from the fluid source between the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger based on the difference between the first target temperature and the distillate temperature measurement.