The system for drying lignite according to the present disclosure includes a mill configured to crush the lignite; a dryer configured to receive crushed lignite from the mill, to dry the lignite by heat-exchange with steam and to discharge dried lignite; a condensing-precipitating evaporator in fluid communication with the dryer so as to receive vapor which is evaporated when the lignite is dried, and which is discharged from the dryer. The evaporator is configured to condense the vapor discharged from the dryer by heat-exchange with water. The coal dust contained in the vapor is precipitated into a condensed aqueous solution when the vapor is being condensed, and the condensed aqueous solution is discharged. The system includes a Mechanical Vapor Re-Compression (MVR) configured to receive steam generated from the condensing-precipitating evaporator, to compress the steam into superheated steam, and to supply the compressed superheated steam to the dryer.

Methods are provided for optimizing usage of water harvested or generated on-board a vehicle. An amount of water selected for injection or spraying purposes, as well as an order of water injection responsive to various vehicle operating conditions, is varied based on the amount of water to be delivered, as well as a current water level relative to a predicted future water level. The method allows water usage benefits to be maximized particularly when water availability is limited.

A portable drinking water generator includes a micro gas pump, a micro condenser module, and a micro liquid pump. The portable drinking water generator utilizes the micro gas pump to draw air and transmit the purified air to the micro condenser module. The water in the air is condensed into liquid water by the micro condenser module. Afterwards, the liquid water is collected and transported to a water purification module by the micro liquid pump. The liquid water is filtered by the water purification module and becomes drinkable drinking water. Therefore, the portable drinking water generator can achieve generating drinking water.

A dehydration system energy recycling system (17) and method whereby latent heat energy is transferred from a high proof vapor produced by a dehydration element (16) into a lower proof feed mixture received into the dehydration element. The high proof vapor is first compressed (48) downstream of a dehydration apparatus (18) to increase its saturation temperature, and is then condensed to release latent heat energy. The latent heat energy is used to heat the lower proof feed mixture upstream of the dehydration apparatus. A grain-to-alcohol plant incorporating the dehydration system energy recycling system requires little or no virgin boiler steam to drive the dehydration system, while an associated evaporation element (24) of the plant can be driven by heat energy captured in a dryer exhaust energy recycling (DEER) system (40).

Condensing apparatuses and their use in various heat and mass exchange systems are generally described. The condensing apparatuses, such as bubble column condensers, may employ a heat exchanger positioned external to the condensing vessel to remove heat from a bubble column condenser outlet stream to produce a heat exchanger outlet stream. In certain cases, the condensing apparatus may also include a cooling device positioned external to the vessel configured and positioned to remove heat from the heat exchanger outlet stream to produce a cooling device outlet stream. The condensing apparatus may be configured to include various internal features, such as a vapor distribution region and/or a plurality of liquid flow control weirs and/or chambers within the apparatus having an aspect ratio of at least 1.5. A condensing apparatus may be coupled with a humidifier to form part of a desalination system, in certain cases.

A system and method removes thermal decomposition components from biphenol and/or diphenyl oxide heat-transfer fluids. Light, volatile decomposition components including benzene, water, hydrogen and phenol leave the system for vapor recovery, chemical adsorption or thermal decomposition. Dimerized and polymerized heavy components such as biphenyl phenyl ether, terphenyl and related isomers are concentrated and recovered. The system can be a continuous, semi-continuous or batch operation. Solar electric plants employing the system can use solar field fluids and heating to operate the system during generator operation hours. A wash system operating at or near atmospheric pressure concentrates heavy thermal decomposition components while allowing removal of light, volatile decomposition components for separation from the majority of the thermal fluid components. Temperature-controlled condensation of the majority of the thermal fluid components allows collection of the thermal fluid, while allowing light, volatile decomposition components to be removed prior to vent processing.

The present disclosure relates to a process for treating a feedstock containing tall oil, the process including separation of a light stream from the feedstock, followed by removal of a heavy fraction from the feedstock, in which process the separation of the light stream from the feedstock a fractionator is used and at least one product is collected from the light stream. The disclosure also relates to an apparatus for use in the process and use of a fractionator in dehydration of a feedstock containing tall oil.

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.

A small processor produces potable water from contaminated water. Its components mount in a hermetically sealed housing, which include a boiler-condenser assembly and a compressor unit. Contaminated water is injected onto one or more aluminum shells' inside surface of the boiler-condenser assembly. Shell rotation enhances boiling heat transfer by causing the water to form thin films on the shells' inside surface. Shell rotation also enhances condensing heat transfer by assisting in removing the purified condensate from the shells' outer surface. The change of phase heat of condensation energy from vapor to liquid transfers through the shells to the boilers to cause boiling. Vapor boiled inside the boiler chambers flows toward the compressor, which raises the vapor's pressure and temperature to drive the process. Shell rotation causes centrifugal force that holds and directs concentrated un-boiled remaining water on the shells' inside walls towards the output pumps. Wipers mounted adjacent each shell's boiler surface smooth contaminated water. Wipers adjacent the condenser surfaces help remove condensate from that surface to present a clean condenser for improved condensation.

Described are a high pressure carbamate condenser, urea plant, and urea production process. The high pressure carbamate condenser as described is of the shell-and-tube heat exchanger type with a tube bundle and has a redistribution chamber connected to tubes of the tube bundle and to a duct. The duct extends between the redistribution chamber and the shell.