Liquid purifying apparatus

• US 4,194,950 A
• Filed: 11/09/1977
• Issued: 03/25/1980
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/1977
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Robert I. Zalles
• Original Assignee: Robert I. Zalles
• Inventors: Zalles, Robert I.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bascomb, Jr., Wilbur L.
• Application Number:
  US05/849,931
• Time in Patent Office: 867 Days
• Field of Search: 203/49, 203/100, 203/89, 203/10, 203/11, 203/42, 203/DIG. 1, 203/86, 202/236, 202/234, 202/185 A, 202/185 R, 159/1 S, 159/1 SF, 210/180
• US Class Current: 202/185.1
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/10 by direct contact with a particulate solid or with a fluid, as a heat transfer medium
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/18 Transportable devices to obtain potable water

Abstract

Liquid purifying apparatus in which an infeed chamber, an evaporator chamber and a condenser chamber are arranged in that order along a flow path. A first inflatable bag is interposed across the flow path between the infeed chamber and the evaporator chamber, and a second inflatable bag is interposed across the flow path between the evaporator chamber and the condenser chamber. These bags are respectively located substantially entirely in the evaporator and condenser chambers, and the bags each comprise a flexible layer of highly absorbent fibrous material including a plurality of plies. The liquid to be purified is introduced into the infeed chamber, and it flows into the evaporator chamber to a level such that a portion of the first bag is immersed in the liquid. The liquid spreads by immersion and capillary action over substantially all of the fibers in the first bag to form thin liquid films along the individual fibers. Upon the introduction of air into the infeed chamber and through the first bag to the evaporator chamber, the bag inflates, and the air passes over the individual fibers to vaporize the liquid films. The vapor proceeds through the secong bag into the condenser chamber to inflate the second bag and form the condensate. Previously purified liquid is used to form thin films on the fibers of the second bag to provide an additional evaporation effect and thereby reduce the temperature within the condenser chamber. In some embodiments this cooling action is augmented by directing the residual vapor through a series of perforations in the wall of the condenser chamber in a manner such that a further evaporation effect takes place as the vapor is discharged.

Claims

1. Liquid purifying apparatus comprising, in combination;

means defining an infeed chamber, an evaporator chamber and a condenser chamber arranged in that order along a flow path;

first bag means interposed across the flow path between the infeed chamber and the evaporator chamber, the first bag means being disposed substantially entirely in the evaporator chamber;

second bag means interposed across the flow path between the evaporator chamber and the condenser chamber, the second bag means being disposed substantially entirely in the condenser chamber;

each of the bag means comprising a flexible fibrous layer of a material which is highly absorbent with respect to the liquid to be purified;

means for introducing the liquid to be purified into said infeed chamber, the liquid flowing into the evaporator chamber to the interior of the first bag means and spreading over substantially all of the fibers in the first bag means to form thin liquid films around the individual fibers;

means for introducing gaseous fluid into the infeed chamber and through the first bag means into the evaporator chamber, the gaseous fluid passing over said individual fibers to vaporize the liquid films thereon;

the vapor in the evaporator chamber flowing through the second bag means into the condenser chamber and being condensed therein; and

means for recovering the condensate from the condenser chamber.

2. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, which further comprises:

means for maintaining the first bag means and the second bag means is spaced relationship with the interior walls of the evaporator chamber and the condenser chamber, respectively.

12. Apparatus as defined in claim 1, in which the condenser chamber includes a multiplicity of closely spaced perforations in only the upper portion thereof to permit the discharge of vapor from said condenser chamber.

3. Liquid purifying apparatus comprising, in combination:

means defining an infeed chamber, an evaporator chamber and a condenser chamber arranged in that order along a flow path;

first bag means introposed across the flow path between the infeed chamber and the evaporator chamber, the first bag means including a first inflatable bag disposed substantially entirely in the evaporator chamber;

second bag means interposed across the flow path between the evaporator chamber and the condenser chamber, the second bag means including a second inflatable bag disposed substantially entirely in the condenser chamber;

each of the bag means comprising a flexible layer having a multiplicity of fibers of a material which is highly absorbent with respect to the liquid to be purified;

means for introducing the liquid to be purified into said infeed chamber, the liquid flowing into the evaporator chamber to the interior of the first bag and spreading over substantially all of the fibers in the first bag to form thin liquid films around the individual fibers;

means for introducing gaseous fluid into the infeed chamber and through the first bag into the evaporator chamber, the gaseous fluid inflating the first bag and passing over said individual fibers to vaporize the liquid films thereon;

the vapor in the evaporator chamber flowing through the second bag into the condenser chamber, the vapor inflating the second bag and passing over the fibers therein and being condensed in the condenser chamber; and

means for recovering the condensate from the condenser chamber.

4. Liquid purifying apparatus comprising, in combination:

means defining an infeed chamber, an evaporator chamber and a condenser chamber arranged in that order along a flow path, the condenser chamber having outlet means for discharging purified liquid and a multiplicity of closely spaced perforations separate from the outlet means;

first bag means interposed across the flow path between the infeed chamber and the evaporator chamber, the first bag means being disposed substantially entirely in the evaporator chamber;

second bag means interposed across the flow path between the evaporator chamber and the condenser chamber, the second bag means being disposed substantially entirely in the condenser chamber;

each of the bag means comprising a flexible layer having a multiplicity of fibers of a material which is highly absorbent with respect to the liquid to be purified;

means for introducing the liquid to be purified into said infeed chamber, the liquid flowing into the evaporator chamber to the interior of the first bag means and spreading over substantially all of the fibers in the first bag means to form thin liquid films around the individual fibers;

means for introducing gaseous fluid into the infeed chamber and through the first bag means into the evaporator chamber, the gaseous fluid passing over said individual fibers to vaporize the liquid films thereon;

the vapor in the evaporator chamber flowing through the second bag means into the condenser chamber, a substantial portion of the vapor being condensed in the condenser chamber and the remaining portion being discharged through said perforations; and

means for recovering the condensate from the outlet means of the condenser chamber.

5. Apparatus as defined in claim 4, in which each of the bag means comprises a plurality of plies of said highly absorbent material.

6. Liquid purifying apparatus comprising, in combination:

means defining an infeed chamber, an evaporator chamber, a connecting chamber and a condenser chamber arranged in that order along a flow path;

first inflatable bag means interposed across the flow path between the infeed chamber and the evaporator chamber;

second inflatable bag means interposed across the flow path between the connecting chamber and the condenser chamber;

each of the bag means comprising a flexible layer having a multiplicity of fibers of a material which is highly absorbent with respect to the liquid to be purified;

means for introducing the liquid to be purified into said infeed chamber, the liquid flowing into the evaporator chamber to the interior of the first bag means and spreading over substantially all of the fibers in the first bag means to form thin liquid films around the individual fibers;

means for introducing gaseous fluid into the infeed chamber and through the first bag means into the evaporator chamber, the gaseous fluid inflating the first bag means and passing over said individual fibers to vaporize the liquid films thereon;

the vapor in the evaporator chamber flowing into the connecting chamber and through the second bag means into the condenser chamber, the vapor inflating the second bag means, and being condensed in the condenser chamber; and

means for recovering the condensate from the condenser chamber.

7. Liquid purifying apparatus comprising, in combination:

means defining an infeed chamber, an evaporator chamber, a connecting chamber and a condenser chamber arranged in that order along a flow path;

first bag means interposed across the flow path between the infeed chamber and the evaporator chamber, the first bag means including a first inflatable bag disposed substantially entirely in the evaporator chamber;

second bag means interposed across the flow path between the connecting chamber and the condenser chamber, the second bag means including a second inflatable bag disposed substantially entirely in the condenser chamber;

each of the bag means comprising a flexible layer having a multiplicity of fibers of a material which is highly absorbent with respect to the liquid to be purified;

means for introducing liquid fluid to be purified into said infeed chamber, the liquid fluid flowing into the evaporator chamber to the interior of the first bag and spreading over substantially all of the fibers in the first bag to form thin liquid films around the individual fibers;

means for introducing gaseous fluid into the infeed chamber and through the first bag into the evaporator chamber, the gaseous fluid inflating the first bag and passing over said individual fibers to vaporize the liquid films thereon;

means for maintaining at least one of the introduced fluids at an elevated temperature within the range of from about 70°

C. to about 80°

C.;

the vapor in the evaporator chamber flowing into the connecting chamber and through the second bag into the condenser chamber, the vapor inflating the second bag and being condensed in the condenser chamber; and

means for recovering the condensate from the condenser chamber.

8. Liquid purifying apparatus comprising, in combination:

means defining an infeed chamber, an evaporator chamber, a connecting chamber and a condenser chamber arranged in that order along a flow path, the condenser chamber having outlet means for discharging purified liquid and a multiplicity of closely spaced perforations separate from the outlet means;

first bag means interposed across the flow path between the infeed chamber and the evaporator chamber, the first bag means including a first inflatable bag disposed substantially entirely in the evaporator chamber;

second bag means interposed across the flow path between the connecting chamber and the condenser chamber, the second bag means including a second inflatable bag disposed substantially entirely in the condenser chamber;

each of the bag means comprising a flexible layer of fibrous material including a plurality of plies of a material which is highly absorbent with respect to the liquid fluid to be purified;

means for introducing liquid fluid to be purified into the infeed chamber, the liquid fluid flowing into the evaporator chamber to the interior of the first bag and spreading over substantially all of the fibers in the first bag to form thin liquid films around the individual fibers;

means for introducing gaseous fluid into the infeed chamber and through the first bag into the evaporator chamber, the gaseous fluid inflating the first bag means and passing over said individual fibers to vaporize the liquid films thereon;

the vapor in the evaporator chamber flowing into the connecting chamber and through the second bag into the condenser chamber to inflate the second bag, a substantial portion of the vapor being condensed in the condenser chamber and the remaining portion being discharged through said perforations;

means for supplying previously purified liquid to the fibers of the second bag, the supplied liquid being evaporated as the vapor passes through the second bag to reduce the temperature within the condenser chamber; and

means for recovering the condensate from the outlet means of the condenser chamber.

9. Liquid purifying apparatus comprising, in combination:

means defining an infeed chamber, an evaporator chamber, a connecting chamber and a condenser chamber arranged in that order along a flow path;

first bag means interposed across the flow path between the infeed chamber and the evaporator chamber, the first bag means including a first inflatable bag disposed substantially entirely in the evaporator chamber;

second bag means interposed across the flow path bewteen the connecting chamber and the condenser chamber, the second bag means including a second inflatable bag disposed substantially entirely in the condenser chamber;

each of the bag means comprising a flexible layer having a multiplicity of fibers of a material which is highly absorbent with respect to the liquid to be purified;

means for introducing liquid fluid to be purified into said infeed chamber, the liquid flowing into the evaporator chamber to submerge a portion of the first bag and thoroughly wet the same, said liquid fluid spreading over substantially all of the fibers in the first bag means to form thin liquid films around the individual fibers;

means for introducing gaseous fluid into the infeed chamber and through the first bag into the evaporator chamber, the gaseous fluid inflating the first bag means and passing over said individual fibers to vaporize the liquid films thereon;

means for maintaining at least one of the introduced fluids at an elevated temperature within the range of from about 70°

C. to about 80°

C.;

the vapor in the evaporator chamber flowing into the connecting chamber and through the second bag into the condenser chamber, the vapor inflating the second bag and being condensed in the condenser chamber;

means for supplying previously purified liquid to the fibers of the second bag, the supplied liquid being evaporated as the vapor passes through the second bag to reduce the temperature within the condenser chamber; and

means for recovering the condensate from the condenser chamber.

10. Liquid purifying apparatus comprising, in combination:

means defining an infeed chamber, an evaporator chamber, a connecting chamber and a condenser chamber arranged in that order along a flow path, the condenser chamber having outlet means for discharging purified liquid and a multiplicity of closely spaced perforations separate from the outlet means;

first bag means interposed across the flow path between the infeed chamber and the evaporator chamber, the first bag means including a first inflatable bag disposed substantially entirely in the evaporator chamber and means for maintaining the first inflatable bag in spaced relationship with the interior wall of the evaporator chamber;

second bag means interposed across the flow path between the connecting chamber and the condenser chamber, the second bag means including a second inflatable bag disposed substantially entirely in the condenser chamber and means for maintaining the second inflatable bag in spaced relationship with the interior wall of the condenser chamber;

each of the bag means comprising a flexible layer of fibrous material including a plurality of plies having a multiplicity of fibers of a material which is highly absorbent with respect to the liquid fluid to be purified;

means for introducing liquid fluid to be purified into the infeed chamber, the liquid fluid flowing into the evaporator chamber to the interior of the first bag, a portion of the first bag being immersed in the liquid fluid in the evaporator chamber and the liquid fluid spreading over the fibers in the first bag to form thin liquid films around the individual fibers;

means for introducing gaseous fluid into the infeed chamber and through the first bag into the evaporator chamber, the gaseous fluid inflating the first bag means and passing over said individual fibers to vaporize the liquid films thereon;

means for maintaining at least one of the introduced fluids at an elevated temperature within the range of from about 70°

C. to about 80°

C.;

the vapor in the evaporator chamber flowing into the connecting chamber and through the second bag into the condenser chamber to inflate the second bag, a substantial portion of the vapor being condensed in the condenser chamber and the remaining portion being discharged through said perforations;

means for supplying previously purified liquid to the fibers of the second bag, the supplied liquid being evaporated as the vapor passes through the second bag to reduce the temperature within the condenser chamber; and

means for recovering the condensate from the outlet means of the condenser chamber.

11. Apparatus as defined in claim 10, in which the outlet means comprises a layer of fibrous material for receiving the purified liquid from the condenser chamber.