A method is disclosed for improving the energy efficiency of biorefinery drying operations through integration of a dryer that utilizes the heat of condensation of process vapors to dry material whose emissions are captured with energy recovery. The dryer separates clean process vapors (e.g., ethanol) and steam from vapors containing volatile organic compounds and entrained materials, to minimize the need for vapor cleanup. An indirect dryer condenses vapors in a tube dryer similar to a steam tube dryer, but utilizing compressed process vapors, transferring the heat to wet material undergoing drying. The resulting exhaust vapors are either directed to a process stage that requires heat (e.g., distillation) and minimizes the need for vapor cleanup or to an out-of-contact heat exchanger that produces vapors for process use, or to another dryer as an additional effect. Mechanical-vapor recompression or thermal-vapor recompression are employed to produce vapors that optimize overall energy recovery.

The invention discloses a synthesis method and device for rapidly producing lactide at high yield. The method comprises: adding a single component of lactic acid or two components of lactic acid and catalyst, passing the mixture through a mixer to enter an oligomer preparation system, increasing a residence time through bottom circulation, synthesizing oligomeric lactic acid, and passing a gas-phase component through a rectification system. With the adoption of the device, the lactide is capable of being efficiently synthesized, crude lactide with a yield of 94% to 98% is capable of being obtained.

The Cryo-Thermo Desalinator (CTD) is a “fire and ice” approach to potability and water reuse using liquid natural gas (LNG) for systemic fuel and cooling. The upstream key heat exchanger (HX) uses LNG to differentiate raw water into pretreated ice melt and cryo-brine blowdown. Ice melt-diluted raw water is primarily sent to the mid-stream key HX condenser where it and LNG tube bundles collapse water vapor into potable water. The downstream key HX uses LNG to separate cryo-brine and thermo-brine into heavy brine and skimmed saline ice which is reinjected into pretreated raw water for maximum corrosion and scaling dilution and extra potability. Heavy brine discharge is more easily dewatered for mining salts, mineral and elements. Pressurized LNG, becoming high pressure natural gas, adds desirable latent heat of vaporization to downstream gas users, including the integrated CCGT/HRSG and is roughly-proportional to thirsty residential/industrial gas users which the CTD serves.

The invention relates to a mechanical vapour compression (MVC) desalination arrangement having a low compression ratio, with latent-heat exchangers having a high latent-heat exchange coefficient, with a temperature gradient between primary vapour and secondary vapour of approximately 1° C. or less, a compression ratio of 1.11 or less, high vapour volume, low overheating and a low-temperature saline solution to be desalinated, which arrangement allows industrial desalination with less specific energy per unit of desalinated water and is coupled to 100% renewable off-grid energy sources.

The present specification provides a method for preparing 1,3-butadiene, the method comprising: (A) obtaining a first product comprising a light component, 1,3-butadiene, and a heavy component from a reactant comprising butene; (B) separating the heavy component from a second product comprising the 1,3-butadiene and the light component by condensing the heavy component after heat exchanging the first product; and (C) separating concentrated heavy component by reboiling the condensed heavy component.

Method for collecting water vapor from air as liquid water. The method includes a refrigerant compressor circulating refrigerant through a controlled dimensioned condenser into a tubing loop. A portion of the tubing loop functions as a condenser. This tube conveys the pressurized refrigerant through an expansion valve. The refrigerant pressure and temperature decreases. Ambient water vapor collects on the exterior surface of the cooled section of tube now functioning as an evaporator. The water drops from the tube surface into a reservoir for use. The tube loop extends through a multiport control valve. The method includes a control valve that cyclically and sequentially directs the refrigerant pumped from the compressor into alternate ends of the tubing loop. The cycles continually repeat. The cycles can be controlled by fluid temperature. The device can include a power supply and microprocessor controlling the generator and valves. The device may utilize a switch that detects water or ice deposits on the tube. The device can comprise a moveable frame supporting all above components.

Apparatus for producing water (1) from ambient humidity comprising a heat exchanger (10), comprising a desiccant (11a′) of ambient humidity, a solar thermal panel (30) for giving up heat to the heat exchanger (10) and the solar thermal panel (30) being a concentrated one.

The invention relates to a process for separating a component mixture (K) comprising hydrogen, methane, hydrocarbons having two carbon atoms and hydrocarbons having three or more carbon atoms, wherein in a deethanization at least a portion of the component mixture (K) is subjected to a first partial condensation by cooling from a first temperature level to a second temperature level at a first pressure level to obtain a first gas fraction (G1) and a first liquid fraction (C1), at least a portion of the first gas fraction (G1) is subjected to a second partial condensation by cooling from the second temperature level to a third temperature level at the first pressure level to obtain a second gas fraction (G4) and a second liquid fraction (C2), and at least a portion of the first liquid fraction (C1) and at least a portion of the second liquid fraction (C2) are subjected to a rectification to obtain a third gas fraction (G3) and a third liquid fraction (C3+). The first liquid fraction (C1) or its part subjected to the rectification and the second liquid fraction (C2) or its part subjected to the rectification are expanded to a second pressure level and the rectification is carried out at the second pressure level, the first pressure level being 25 to 35 bar and the second pressure level being 14 to 17 bar. An overhead gas formed during the rectification is cooled to −25 to −35° C. and partially condensed, wherein a condensed portion of the overhead gas is used partially or completely as a reflux in the rectification and an uncondensed portion of the overhead gas is provided partially or completely as the third gas fraction (G3). The present invention likewise provides a corresponding plant (100, 200).

A method for removing moisture from moist air in an appliance, such as a treating chamber of a dishwasher, wherein a drying system includes a condensing system and heat exchange systems that enhance condensation with both ambient air and cold water. The method includes storing cold water for use during a cycle of operation; recirculating the moist air in the treating chamber through a condenser; during the recirculating, flowing ambient air over the condenser; and during the recirculating and after the flowing ambient air, flowing the cold water over the condenser.

A process for producing biomethane by scrubbing a biogas feed stream includes introducing the feed gas stream into a pretreatment unit wherein a CO.sub.2-depleted gas stream is partially separated from a CO.sub.2 stream and an oxygen stream and is compressed to a pressure P1 above 25 bar abs. Subjecting the CO.sub.2-depleted gas stream to cryogenic separation in a distillation column to separate a nitrogen stream and produce a CH.sub.4-enriched stream, the distillation column comprising n plates, n being an integer between 8 and 100. Recovering a pressurized CH.sub.4-enriched stream by pumping the CO.sub.2-depleted gas stream to a pressure P2 above 25 bar absolute.