Method and apparatus for separating solvents from solutions by distillation activated by pressure

• US 3,129,146 A
• Filed: 10/18/1962
• Issued: 04/14/1964
• Est. Priority Date: 10/18/1962
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gerald L. Hassler
• Original Assignee: Gerald L. Hassler
• Inventors: Hassler, Gerald L.
• Application Number:
  US04/232,665
• Time in Patent Office: 544 Days
• US Class Current: 203/10
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2319/025 Permeate series
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/364 Membrane distillation
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/3641 comprising multiple membrane distillation steps
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 63/082 comprising a stack of flat membranes
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 63/0821 Membrane plate arrangements for submerged operation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 159/27 Micropores
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 203/18 Control

Claims

1. A CELL FOR SEPARATING SOLVENT FROM SOLUTION BY DIFFUSION TRANSFER ACTIVATED BY PRESSURE COMPRISING:

(A) AN ENCLOSED BODY OF SOLVENT;

(B) AN ENCLOSED BODY OF SOLUTION CONTAINING SAID SOLVENT MAINTAINED UNDER A PRESSURE GREATER THAN THE PRESSURE ON SAID BODY OF SOLVENT, SAID SOLUTION PRESSURE BEING SUFFICIENT TO INCREASE THE VAPOR PRESSURE OF THE SOLVENT THEREIN ABOVE THE VAPOR PRESSURE OF SAID BODY OF SOLVENT;

(C) A PAIR OF CLOSELY SPACED, THIN, PERMEAVLE SHEETS SEPARATING SAID BODY OF SOLVENT FROM SAID BODY OF SOLUTION, SAID SHEETS HAVING A NARROW GAP THEREBETWEEN;

AND (D) A BODY OF FLUID ENCLOSED IN SAID GAP AT A PRESURE GREATER THAN THE PRESSURE ON SAID BODY OF SOLUTION BUT INSUFFICIENT TO RENDER SAID CELL INOPERATIVE, (1) SAID BODY OF FLUID BEING ADAPTED TO PERMIT THE FLOW OF SOLVENT VAPOR FROM SAID SOLUTION AND TO PREVENT THE FLOW OF SOLUTION FROM SAID BODY OF SOLUTION TO SAID BODY OF SOLVENT, AND (II) SAID SHEET PRODUCING SUFFICIENT CAPILLARY FORCES TO MAINTAIN SAID BODY OF FLUID IN SAID GAP AND THE PRESSURE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SAID GAP AND SAID BODY OF SOLVENT.