A distillation apparatus includes a first distillation column and one or more second distillation columns. A higher-pressure part of the first distillation column includes at least part of a rectifying section, and performs gas-liquid contact at a relatively high pressure. A lower pressure-part of the first distillation column includes at least part of a stripping section and performs gas-liquid contact at a relatively low pressure. A vapor line, which includes a pressurizing means, directs a vapor discharged from a column top of the lower-pressure part to a column bottom of the higher-pressure part. A liquid line directs a liquid discharged from the column bottom of the higher-pressure part to the column top of the lower pressure part. Corresponding heat exchange structures transfer heat in both directions between the rectifying section of the first distillation column and at least one second distillation column.

Systems and methods for heat exchange during gas adsorption and desorption cycling, one method including removing heat from an adsorbent material during gas adsorption to the adsorbent material; storing the removed heat for later use during desorption of gas from the adsorbent material; heating the adsorbent material during desorption of gas from the adsorbent material using at least a portion of the removed heat; and recycling heat during the step of heating to prepare a working fluid for the step of removing heat via temperature reduction of the working fluid.

A system and method for producing liquid hydrocarbons is disclosed. In one embodiment, the system includes at least one renewable power system configured to generate a DC electric power output; at least one water electrolysis system in electrical communication with the renewable power system and configured to utilize the DC electric power to produce a hydrogen output; and a liquid hydrocarbon synthesis system in fluid communication with the water electrolysis system and configured to utilize the hydrogen output and a carbon dioxide feed to produce a liquid hydrocarbon product.

One method disclosed herein of processing a process fluid that comprises dissolved gas includes performing a degassing process on the process fluid by heating the process fluid via heat transfer with a heat transfer fluid, wherein at least some amount of the heat transfer fluid condenses in the first heat transfer process and latent heat of the heat transfer fluid as it condenses is used to increase the temperature of the process fluid. Thereafter, the heat transfer fluid is passed through an expansion device so as to produce a post-expansion heat transfer fluid. The temperature of the heated process fluid is decreased by performing a second heat transfer process between the post-expansion heat transfer fluid and the heated process fluid, wherein the temperature of the post-expansion heat transfer fluid is increased and the latent heat that was supplied to the process fluid in the first heat transfer process is removed.

An energy saving and emission reduction system for chemical separation and purification process is disclosed. The chemical separation and purification process includes a synthesis section and/or a distillation section and/or a recovery section. The energy saving and emission reduction system includes an energy comprehensive utilization maximizing energy saving module. The energy comprehensive utilization maximizing energy saving module comprehensively evaluates the chemical separation and purification process, and acquires a lowest energy consumption value according to initial and final material flow parameters. Then energy integration optimization and energy saving technical modification are performed on the synthesis section and/or distillation section and/or recovery section according to the lowest energy consumption value. The disclosure involves a comprehensive and extensive energy saving and emission reduction system for chemical separation and purification process, and has achieved good environmental benefits.

A system for treating a produced water stream to separate the water into a final concentrated brine stream and a final distillate stream includes a first flash vessel for separating the produced water stream into a first distillate stream and a first concentrated brine stream, a second flash vessel connected to the first flash vessel separates the first concentrated brine stream into a second distillate stream and a second concentrated brine stream, a third flash vessel connected to the second flash vessel separates the second concentrated brine stream into a third distillate stream and a final concentrated brine stream, a first pre-heater heat exchanger for heating the produced water stream by the final distillate stream of combination of the first distillate stream from the first flash vessel, the second distillate stream from the second flash vessel and the third distillate stream from the third flash vessel, a second pre-heater heat exchanger connected to the first pre-heater heat exchanger, for heating the produced water stream from the first pre-heater heat exchanger by the concentrated brine stream from the third flash vessel, a third pre-heater heat exchanger connected to the second pre-heater heat exchanger, for heating the produced water stream from the second pre-heater heat exchanger by the third distillate stream from the third flash vessel, a pump connected to the third pre-heater heat exchanger for pumping the produced water stream at positive pressure, an electrical heater connected to the pump for heating the produced water stream, and a waste heat exchanger connected to the first electrical heater for heating the produced water stream.

Disclosed herein are devices for the purification of water that use a heat pump. The purification system comprises a heat pump and the heat pump comprises a refrigerant condenser, a refrigerant evaporator, a compressor, and a throttle valve that are fluidly connected with a circulating refrigerant along a refrigerant line. The circulating refrigerant transfers heat to a contaminated feedstock at the refrigerant condenser to vaporize at least a portion of the contaminated feedstock. Also disclosed are methods of purifying water, washing systems comprising a washer and a water purification system, washing and drying systems comprising a washer, a dryer, and a water purification system, and methods for cleaning and/or drying of clothes.

A hydro-thermal exchange unit (HTEU) for desalinating feed water in accordance with a humidification-dehumidification includes feed water, fresh water and gas conduit circuits for transporting feed water, fresh water, and gas, respectively. The unit also includes an evaporator through which a portion of the feed water conduit and the gas conduit pass. The evaporator causes evaporation of a portion of the feed water to produce vapor that is transported through the gas conduit. The unit also includes a condenser through which a portion of the gas conduit and the fresh water conduit pass. The condenser has input and output ports for coupling the gas and fresh water conduit circuits. The condenser extracts moisture from the vapor transported therethrough by the gas conduit. The extracted moisture is discharged through the fresh water conduit. The unit also includes a heat exchanger through which a portion of the fresh water conduit and the feed water conduit pass to thereby extract residual heat from the fresh water such that the residual heat heats the feed water.

The invention concerns a fluid distribution device (1) comprising: at least one inlet tube (2) comprising openings (7) and having a first and a second end (3, 4); a cap (5) comprising a principal body (6) with a lenticular shape and with a circular section elongated by a skirt (8) extending in the direction of the second end (4) towards the first end (3) of the inlet tube (2), said cap (5) having an outer surface and an inner surface, the cap being integral with the second end (4) of the tube via the inner surface and the principal body (6) being provided with a plurality of holes (10);
and in which the cap (5) comprises at least one deflection means (14) disposed on its outer surface and configured to direct or maintain the gas towards or at the periphery of said cap (5).

A method for the production of tomato concentrate is described, comprising the steps of: chopping the tomato so as to obtain chopped tomato with peels and seeds, subjecting the chopped tomato with peels and seeds to an enzymatic deactivation process, subjecting the chopped tomato with peels and seeds to an extraction process to obtain a tomato juice, subjecting said tomato juice to an evaporation process to obtain a concentrated juice and vapour, using said vapour to heat the chopped tomato with peels and seeds before subjecting it to the extraction process.