A ring section pump features a low-pressure end configured to receive fluid to be pumped into the ring section pump; a high-pressure end configured to provide the fluid to be pumped from the ring section pump; and an intermediate tie rod combination having a intermediate flange with upper tie rods configured to couple together the intermediate flange and the high-pressure end and with lower tie rods configured to couple together the intermediate flange and the low-pressure end. The low-pressure end has an inlet flange; the high-pressure end has an outlet/discharge flange; and the upper tie rods couple together the intermediate flange and the outlet/discharge flange and the lower tie rods couple together the intermediate flange and the inlet flange.

A distillation apparatus is disclosed herein. The distillation apparatus comprises an evaporation chamber, a heat source arranged to provide heat to the evaporation chamber, one or more condensing chambers located at least partially inside the evaporation chamber, a fluid inlet connected to the evaporation chamber, one or more fluid outlets attached to the one or more condensing chambers and a vapour compressor pump. Also disclosed is a liquid ring pump suitable for use with such a distillation apparatus, the pump comprising a pump body, a pump compression chamber provided within the pump body, a rotor mounted within the compression chamber, a rotor axle to mount said rotor, the rotor being provided with one or more ceramic bearings to mount it to the rotor axle.

A distillation apparatus is disclosed herein. The distillation apparatus comprises an evaporation chamber, a heat source arranged to provide heat to the evaporation chamber, one or more condensing chambers located at least partially inside the evaporation chamber, a fluid inlet connected to the evaporation chamber, one or more fluid outlets attached to the one or more condensing chambers and a vapour compressor pump. Also disclosed is a liquid ring pump suitable for use with such a distillation apparatus, the pump comprising a pump body, a pump compression chamber provided within the pump body, a rotor mounted within the compression chamber, a rotor axle to mount said rotor, the rotor being provided with one or more ceramic bearings to mount it to the rotor axle.

A liquid ring pump manifold comprising at least one integrated spray nozzle, the at least one integrated spray nozzle being configured to spray a liquid into the liquid ring pump manifold. The liquid ring pump manifold may comprise at least one socket in which the at least one integrated spray nozzle is accommodated. The at least one socket may be integrally formed with the liquid ring pump manifold.

A liquid ring pump manifold comprising at least one integrated spray nozzle, the at least one integrated spray nozzle being configured to spray a liquid into the liquid ring pump manifold. The liquid ring pump manifold may comprise at least one socket in which the at least one integrated spray nozzle is accommodated. The at least one socket may be integrally formed with the liquid ring pump manifold.

A liquid ring pump includes a housing, a pump head coupled to the housing and defining an inlet channel, an outlet space, and a cone seal area, and an intake valve movable to control the quantity of a gas entering the inlet channel. A reservoir contains a quantity of sealing liquid, a pump discharge path provides fluid communication between the outlet space and the reservoir, and a first flow member includes a first valve coupled to the reservoir and the inlet channel. A second flow member includes a second valve coupled to the reservoir and the cone seal area, and a rotor is supported for rotation by a shaft. The pump is operable in a start-up mode to draw sealing liquid into the working space via only the first flow member and during a running mode to draw sealing liquid into the working space via only the second flow member.

A liquid ring pump includes a housing, a pump head coupled to the housing and defining an inlet channel, an outlet space, and a cone seal area, and an intake valve movable to control the quantity of a gas entering the inlet channel. A reservoir contains a quantity of sealing liquid, a pump discharge path provides fluid communication between the outlet space and the reservoir, and a first flow member includes a first valve coupled to the reservoir and the inlet channel. A second flow member includes a second valve coupled to the reservoir and the cone seal area, and a rotor is supported for rotation by a shaft. The pump is operable in a start-up mode to draw sealing liquid into the working space via only the first flow member and during a running mode to draw sealing liquid into the working space via only the second flow member.

A centrifugal gas compressor fed with a gas and a processing liquid comprises a rotor rotated by a prime mover. The rotor defines an internal axial cavity with a cylindrical surface, an annular peripheral collection cavity, and a tapered radial channel fluidly connecting the internal axial cavity and the annular peripheral collection cavity. With each rotation of the rotor, a portion of the processing fluid is swept into the inlet of the tapered radial channel and travels radially as a fluid piston under centrifugal force pushing and compressing a column of gas entrained in front of said fluid piston, and is expelled into the annular peripheral collection cavity where it undergoes centrifugal separation, leaving the compressed gas to be drawn off through the compressed gas outlet for downstream use. A method for compressing a gas is also provided.

A centrifugal gas compressor fed with a gas and a processing liquid comprises a rotor rotated by a prime mover. The rotor defines an internal axial cavity with a cylindrical surface, an annular peripheral collection cavity, and a tapered radial channel fluidly connecting the internal axial cavity and the annular peripheral collection cavity. With each rotation of the rotor, a portion of the processing fluid is swept into the inlet of the tapered radial channel and travels radially as a fluid piston under centrifugal force pushing and compressing a column of gas entrained in front of said fluid piston, and is expelled into the annular peripheral collection cavity where it undergoes centrifugal separation, leaving the compressed gas to be drawn off through the compressed gas outlet for downstream use. A method for compressing a gas is also provided.

Liquid ring systems are known for compressing gasses. However, known systems include moving surfaces that require high precision manufacturing. The invention provides a valve arrangement for a liquid ring system comprising: a plurality of plates; a vane set; and a chamber set that comprises at least one chamber, wherein a first chamber of the chamber set comprises: a first valve, disposed on a first plate of the plurality of plates, which is configured to be closer to the first face of a first vane of the vane set than the second face of the second vane of the vane set; and a second valve, disposed on a second plate, which is configured to be closer to the second face of the second vane than the first face of the first vane.