A solar distillation system for producing a distillate and providing cooling for a structure or appliance, and a method of using the system to produce a distillate and cool a structure or appliance. The system includes a distillate cooling coil, a secondary cooling coil, an expansion valve which is capable of controlling an amount of a coolant that flows through each of the coils. The system also includes a compressor, a plurality of sensors including a temperature sensor and a distillate flow sensor, and a controller which receives input from the sensors and controls the activity of the compressor and expansion valve. The system is capable of producing distillate at night in the absence of solar radiation.

A solid-liquid separating method and system for separating a processing object into solid and liquid, is simplified by using fewer devices. A solid-liquid separating system includes a processing tank that houses a processing object, a first and a second heat exchanger, a material A supplying means, a collecting tank, a closed system including the first and second heat exchangers, a compressor, and an expansion valve, and a material B that circulates while a state is changed in this system. A material A that is gaseous at normal temperature and normal pressure, can dissolve oil when liquefied, and does not dissolve water is gasified in the first heat exchanger while being separated from the oil, is liquefied in the second heat exchanger, and the liquefied material A is supplied to the processing tank by the material A supplying means. The oil is collected in the tank from the first heat exchanger.

A method and apparatus for enzymatic hydrolysis where a plant based feed is hydrolysed using an enzyme to form a hydrolysed product. An additive for preventing enzyme adsorption is fed to an enzymatic hydrolysis stage, the plant based feed, the hydrolysed product, a starting material, and/or a plant based material formed from the starting material. The hydrolysed product is supplied from the enzymatic hydrolysis stage to a first solid-liquid separation stage where a lignin fraction comprising the additive and a liquid composition comprising the enzyme are separated. The liquid composition is mixed with the plant based material in a mixing stage, forming a mixture. A solid and liquid fraction are separated from the mixture in a second solid-liquid separation stage. At least part of the solid fraction comprising the enzyme is fed as the plant based feed to the enzymatic hydrolysis stage.

A method and apparatus for enzymatic hydrolysis where a plant based feed is hydrolysed using an enzyme to form a hydrolysed product. An additive for preventing enzyme adsorption is fed to an enzymatic hydrolysis stage, the plant based feed, the hydrolysed product, a starting material, and/or a plant based material formed from the starting material. The hydrolysed product is supplied from the enzymatic hydrolysis stage to a first solid-liquid separation stage where a lignin fraction comprising the additive and a liquid composition comprising the enzyme are separated. The liquid composition is mixed with the plant based material in a mixing stage, forming a mixture. A solid and liquid fraction are separated from the mixture in a second solid-liquid separation stage. At least part of the solid fraction comprising the enzyme is fed as the plant based feed to the enzymatic hydrolysis stage.

A fluid vapor distillation apparatus. The apparatus includes a source fluid input, and an evaporator condenser apparatus. The evaporator condenser apparatus includes a substantially cylindrical housing and a plurality of tubes in the housing. The source fluid input is fluidly connected to the evaporator condenser and the evaporator condenser transforms source fluid into steam and transforms compressed steam into product fluid. Also included in the fluid vapor distillation apparatus is a heat exchanger fluidly connected to the source fluid input and a product fluid output. The heat exchanger includes an outer tube and at least one inner tube. Also included in the fluid vapor distillation apparatus is a regenerative blower fluidly connected to the evaporator condenser. The regenerative blower compresses steam, and the compressed steam flows to the evaporative condenser where compressed steam is transformed into product fluid. The fluid vapor distillation apparatus also includes a control system.

A fluid vapor distillation apparatus. The apparatus includes a source fluid input, and an evaporator condenser apparatus. The evaporator condenser apparatus includes a substantially cylindrical housing and a plurality of tubes in the housing. The source fluid input is fluidly connected to the evaporator condenser and the evaporator condenser transforms source fluid into steam and transforms compressed steam into product fluid. Also included in the fluid vapor distillation apparatus is a heat exchanger fluidly connected to the source fluid input and a product fluid output. The heat exchanger includes an outer tube and at least one inner tube. Also included in the fluid vapor distillation apparatus is a regenerative blower fluidly connected to the evaporator condenser. The regenerative blower compresses steam, and the compressed steam flows to the evaporative condenser where compressed steam is transformed into product fluid. The fluid vapor distillation apparatus also includes a control system.

A distillation/extraction insert may attach to a vessel containing liquid to be distilled, and may use heated water circulating through a heating coil, as well as draw a partial vacuum to induce boiling. A condensation coil may collect the vapor and condense the vapor into distillate. A controller may monitor various temperatures and vacuum level to precisely control the heated water being used to boil components in the liquid. The heated water may be created by a beer making machine, which may have a temperature controlled recirculating water system. The insert may be a self-contained unit that attaches to a vessel, where the vessel may also be used for fermenting brewer's mash for distillation. In some cases, an extraction chamber may be used for collecting essential oils from various materials.

A distillation/extraction insert may attach to a vessel containing liquid to be distilled, and may use heated water circulating through a heating coil, as well as draw a partial vacuum to induce boiling. A condensation coil may collect the vapor and condense the vapor into distillate. A controller may monitor various temperatures and vacuum level to precisely control the heated water being used to boil components in the liquid. The heated water may be created by a beer making machine, which may have a temperature controlled recirculating water system. The insert may be a self-contained unit that attaches to a vessel, where the vessel may also be used for fermenting brewer's mash for distillation. In some cases, an extraction chamber may be used for collecting essential oils from various materials.

A method and an apparatus for producing and providing sterile water comprising an inlet for process water; a recuperator for preheating process water and for cooling down the sterile water; a heating circuit comprising a pump, a heater for heating preheated process water and a heat retention section for keeping heated process water hot; a temperature sensor for measuring a current temperature of the sterile water leaving the heat retention section; a flow control valve located downstream of the temperature sensor; and a bypass between the flow control valve and the heater. The flow control valve keeps a volume flow in the heating circuit constant, the recuperator cools down the sterile water of a first partial volume flow, when such a first partial volume flow of sterile water is taken from the heating circuit, the bypass returns into the heating circuit a second partial volume flow of sterile water.

A method and an apparatus for producing and providing sterile water comprising an inlet for process water; a recuperator for preheating process water and for cooling down the sterile water; a heating circuit comprising a pump, a heater for heating preheated process water and a heat retention section for keeping heated process water hot; a temperature sensor for measuring a current temperature of the sterile water leaving the heat retention section; a flow control valve located downstream of the temperature sensor; and a bypass between the flow control valve and the heater. The flow control valve keeps a volume flow in the heating circuit constant, the recuperator cools down the sterile water of a first partial volume flow, when such a first partial volume flow of sterile water is taken from the heating circuit, the bypass returns into the heating circuit a second partial volume flow of sterile water.