Importance

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Abstract

A vapor compression distillation process and apparatus is provided wherein the apparatus includes a container having a generally vertical longitudinal center axis and bottom and top end caps, a plurality of generally vertical tubes spacedly disposed within the container, the tubes being fixedly held in position by opposing top and bottom tube sheets defining a condensing chamber therebetween wherein the condensing chamber has an upper, partially sectioned off chamber, an evaporation chamber within the container between the top tube sheet and a top end cap, a vapor compressor communicating with an upper area of the evaporation chamber and with the upper chamber of the condensing chamber, heat input communicating with the container, and a plurality of passages for passing a liquid into or out of the container. The process involves passing a liquid upwardly through the tubes, boiling the liquid to cause evaporation and create vapor, passing the vapor through a vapor compressor, passing the compressed vapor into the upper chamber of the condensing chamber and then to a remainder of the condensing chamber where condensation occurs and a distillate is formed. Movement of the tubes within the container provides a self-cleaning feature wherein scale build-up and potential is automatically reduced.

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First Claim