Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for heat transfer systems at temperatures in the range of 20 C to 800 C. The systems consist of heat pipes configured such that they fit inside conventional heat exchangers, and more effectively transfer or recover heat from hot fluids, and that operate without user intervention over long periods of time.

This invention relates to the field of water purification and desalination. In particular, embodiments of the invention relate to systems and methods of removing essentially all of a broad spectrum of impurities from water in an automated industrial process that requires minimal cleaning or maintenance during the course of several months to several years, with relatively high yields of product water per unit of input water, flexibility with respect to energy sources, compact design with a low industrial foot-print, the ability to recover valuable by-products, and ultra-low energy requirements.

A method for production of crystallized Cobalt (II) Chloride hexahydrate is disclosed, and an implementation includes preparing a first cobalt (II) chloride solution, separating impurities from the first cobalt (II) chloride solution to obtain a second cobalt (II) chloride solution, concentrating the second cobalt (II) chloride solution, cooling the concentrated second cobalt (II) chloride solution, and injecting CO.sub.2 gas into the cooled concentrated second cobalt (II) chloride solution at an atmospheric pressure in order for Cobalt (II) Chloride hexahydrate crystals to form in the cooled concentrated second cobalt (II) chloride solution.

The present invention relates generally to hydroformylation processes. In one embodiment, a process of the present invention comprises: (a) contacting CO, H.sub.2, and at least one olefin under hydroformylation conditions sufficient to form at least one aldehyde product in the presence of a hydroformylation catalyst; (b) removing a product-containing liquid from the reaction zone and sending it to a vaporizer, which comprises a vaporizing zone and a vapor/liquid separation zone, wherein the product-containing liquid, which comprises crude product and catalyst, is heated in the vaporizing zone to form a mixture of gas and catalyst-containing liquid, which mixture is then phase separated in the separation zone, which separation zone has a liquid withdrawal port, a liquid region, a vapor space and a gas-liquid interface, wherein the liquid region comprises at least one divider plate, which optionally contains at least one perforation, wherein at least a portion of at least one divider plate is in proximity to the gas-liquid interface, with the proviso that at least a portion of at least one divider plate is at or below the interface, and wherein the temperature of the catalyst-containing liquid, measured at the liquid withdrawal port, is lower than the temperature of the vapor space.

According to one aspect of the invention, a system to separate salt from uranium. The system has a vessel, a heater, a pump, and a condenser. The vessel is adapted to receive a uranium that has a salt concentration. The heater heats the uranium for a period of time, causing the salt to turn into a salt vapor and the uranium to melt. The melted uranium releases the salt vapor. The pump circulates an inert gas that carries the salt vapor away from the melted uranium. The condenser is adapted to receive the salt vapor.

The present invention is an evaporator comprising a plate holder arranged for rigidly holding a multiwell plate such that the horizontal upper surface thereof is vertically positioned at a desired level; at least one gas heating and injecting manifold arranged above the plate holder and having at least one injection nozzle positionable approximately at said desired level; each nozzle being adapted to inject inert drying gas into a corresponding well of the multiwell plate; and one or more heating elements arranged to warm the inert drying gas upstream of its injection into said wells; wherein at least one heating element is a heat sink integrated into said at least one manifolds. The invention also includes a method of evaporating a solvent wherein inert gas which is pre-heated by aid of one or more heat sinks is used.

The present invention relates generally to hydroformylation processes. In one embodiment, a process of the present invention comprises: (a) contacting CO, H.sub.2, and at least one olefin under hydroformylation conditions sufficient to form at least one aldehyde product in the presence of a hydroformylation catalyst; (b) removing a product-containing liquid from the reaction zone and sending it to a vaporizer, which comprises a vaporizing zone and a vapor/liquid separation zone, wherein the product-containing liquid, which comprises crude product and catalyst, is heated in the vaporizing zone to form a mixture of gas and catalyst-containing liquid, which mixture is then phase separated in the separation zone, which separation zone has a liquid withdrawal port, a liquid region, a vapor space and a gas-liquid interface, wherein the liquid region comprises at least one divider plate, which optionally contains at least one perforation, wherein at least a portion of at least one divider plate is in proximity to the gas-liquid interface, with the proviso that at least a portion of at least one divider plate is at or below the interface, and wherein the temperature of the catalyst-containing liquid, measured at the liquid withdrawal port, is lower than the temperature of the vapor space.

The present invention introduces a capillary distillation method comprising the following steps: heating wastewater, subsequently directing the heated wastewater to one end of a water-diversion fiber material. Through capillary action, the heated wastewater permeates the water-diversion fiber material, diffusing downward along microchannel pathways within the material. Upon reaching the surface of the water-diversion fiber material, the wastewater evaporates. Water vapor is then directed to a condensation module, where it undergoes condensation and collection, resulting in the production of fresh water.

The nature of the technical disclosure contained in the attached utility patent application is the methodology by which liquid and particulate contaminants are removed from used, dirty engine and machinery oil. The methodology includes the use of heat, vacuum and high pressure filtering.

A system for distilling a liquid having high levels of dissolved solids including an initial filter, a dynamic heat generator and a vacuum distillation unit. The liquid may be preheated by an exhaust gas or cooling fluid associated with a power source for operating the dynamic heat generator.