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Abstract

Method and apparatus for separating volatile contaminants from a liquid to be continuously distilled. A continuous still comprises evaporator (1) having a heating coil (2), and condensor coil (6), and distillate collector (5). An entrainment device (11) removes distillate (13) from collector (5) via line (10) and reduces pressure in evaporator (1). Feed liquid (21) containing volatile contaminants is charged batchwise to a pre-chamber (20) at sub-atmospheric pressure which is then sealed (valve 22) from feed supply (21). Volatile contaminants are extracted from the charge in prechamber (20) via line (26) and entrainment device (32). Pre-chamber (20) is subsequently placed in communication (via valve 25) with evaporator (1) whereby to equilibrate pressure between evaporator (1) and pre-chamber (20). Liquid levels in pre-cheamber (20) and evaporator (1) then equilibrate whereby decontaminated liquid is automatically transferred (line 36) from the pre-chamber (20) to evaporator (1) to make up for distillate removed from evaporator (1). Valve (25) is then closed and the cycle repeated. The valves are automatically operated in a timed sequence.

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