JP2003504177A - Steam control system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [Problem] To provide a steam control system with a higher condensation and recovery rate of a volatile solvent. A distillation module including a distillation chamber and a heating means for the chamber for vaporizing a solvent, a direct condensation module including a vessel for condensing vapor and collecting the solvent in a liquid phase, and a method for condensing the vapor from the distillation chamber without condensation. Conduit means inclined down towards the distillation chamber so that any condensate formed in the conduit leading to the direct condensation module is discharged into the distillation chamber; A steam control module for condensing, the steam outlet located on the surface of the liquid in the direct condensation module and communicating with the steam control module for passage of steam from the direct condensation module to the steam control module; Steam recovery system.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

  The present invention relates to steam control systems.

[0002]

[Prior art]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Volatile solvents are used in many industrial processes used for cleaning purposes. As a result of such use, volatile solvents are contaminated with foreign substances. Due to the cost of such volatile solvents, environmental concerns, and the cost of treating such contaminated volatile solvents, by recycling the contaminated volatile solvent to a purified form for further use in industrial processes. It is desirable to maximize the use of volatile solvents that can result from the removal of contaminants.

In addition to the industrial processes requiring purification and the purification and recovery of volatile solvents, there are also many industrial processes in which controlling the release of vapors from volatile liquids is important. Emissions of vapor from such volatile liquids represent environmental and occupational health problems, and the financial cost of vapor loss. Current procedures to prevent or reduce vapors are to provide scrubbing systems in tanks, vessels or stacks where volatile liquids or vapors are stored. While scrubbing systems may reduce or even eliminate the environmental problems of steam loss, they do not overcome the cost of such steam loss. Moreover, the scrubbing material used presents itself with environmental treatment problems. Examples of such vessels include oil storage tanks and gas tanks. Another example is gun-washing in an automobile paint shop.
ng) including containment of vapors from the stack or from recycled solvent in processes such as.

Currently, the common methods for purifying and recovering contaminated volatile solvents are distillation and condensation. Typically the solvent is boiled to form a vapor. The vapor is passed through a spiral or serpentine tube where it is cooled by air blown across the tube or by heat exchange by another liquid flowing around the outside of the tube. The heat exchange leads to condensation in the liquid phase in the tube. This liquid phase then flows to an open collection container. This method suffers from the disadvantage that the vapor is condensed in the tube, which can lead to a "champagne effect", ie, an increase in back pressure in the distillation vessel that causes more vigorous boiling and cavitation than controlled evaporation. Have. This has the consequence of potential safety risks, reduced efficiency, and increased operating costs.

Furthermore, the flow to the open collection vessels used in conventional systems leads to environmental loss of volatile solvents. Loss of solvent to the environment from this open collection vessel reduces solvent recovery and poses an environmental hazard to the operator around such tanks.

Another problem with conventional processes is the presence of uncondensed vapor in the collection vessel. Furthermore, the sealing of the collection vessel or the connection from the distillation vessel to the collection vessel in conventional systems causes an increase in pressure unless vented. The rise in pressure or back pressure caused by uncondensed vapor in the collection vessel or the conduit leading to it can result in "foaming" in the distillation vessel. The collection vessel should be vented to prevent an increase in back pressure in the collection vessel and the resulting distillation vessel. Similarly, any container in which or in which the volatile solvent is placed requires a vent to avoid vapor lock. The conventional means of venting leads to the loss of volatile solvents to the atmosphere in the form of vapor, thereby reducing the efficiency of the conventional means of distillation and condensation and creating environmental hazards.

[0007]

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention]

Therefore, there is a need for a means of condensing volatile solvents that ideally prevents any significant loss of volatile solvent from the system and enhances recovery and condensation of vapors into liquids. The result of this increased recovery of volatile solvents is a reduction in the overall cost of vapor recovery, improved safety of the system, and reduced potential environmental pollution.

[0008]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention is a solvent vapor recovery system comprising: a distillation chamber for the solvent and a distillation module comprising heating means for the chamber for vaporizing the solvent; condensing the vapor and in a liquid phase. A direct condensation module comprising a container for collecting the solvent; conduit means for conducting the vapor from the distillation chamber to the direct condensation module substantially without condensation, wherein any condensate formed in the conduit is in the distillation chamber. Said conduit means sloping downwards towards said distillation chamber so as to be discharged into the distillation chamber; a vapor control module for condensing the vapor remaining uncondensed by said direct condensation module; and said in said direct condensation module. A vapor outlet located on the surface of the liquid, the vapor control from the direct condensation module Providing vapor recovery system for efficient and safe collection consisting of the steam outlet communicating with said steam control module for the passage of vapor to the Joule.

In another aspect of the invention, a steam control system includes a vessel containing a heat absorbing material, a vent, a steam inlet, and means for directing steam from the steam inlet through the heat absorbing material to the vent. The steam is conducted by conduit means extending between the steam inlet and the vent, the conduit passing through the heat absorbing material. Alternatively, the vessel may include a solid heat absorbing material that is permeable to vapor and condensate and through which vapor passes from the vapor inlet to the vent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a preferred embodiment of a vapor recovery system consisting of a distillation unit, a direct condensing module and a vapor control module. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the distillation unit of the vapor recovery system described in FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the distillation unit of the vapor recovery system described in FIG. 1, where the heating means is located at the top of the distillation chamber. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the inner-covered distillation chamber of the vapor recovery system described in FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the direct condensing module of the vapor recovery system described in FIG. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the steam control module of the steam recovery system described in FIG. FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a vapor control module, where the heat absorbing material is in solid form. FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a thermal control system used in the distillation module to control the evaporation rate of the solvent.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments A preferred embodiment of the vapor recovery system for the solvent of the present invention is shown in FIG. In this aspect, the vapor recovery system [10] includes a distillation module [1], a direct condensation module [11] and a vapor control module [31]. In this aspect of the invention, the solvent or solvent mixture to be recovered is heated in the distillation module [1] to generate solvent vapor. This solvent vapor then enters the condensation module [11] directly via the downwardly inclined conduit [12], via the vapor inlet [13]. Said downwardly sloping conduit [12] in a preferred embodiment of the invention extends directly inside the condensing module [11] and towards the bottom. Conduit [12
There is virtually no condensation of vapors in [], but any condensate formed will flow into the condensing module [11] and therefore no back pressure will result from condensate formation. The condensing module [11] has a cooling liquid [1] which is the same solvent as the solvent to be distilled.
4] has been introduced. Therefore, in the condensing module [11], the vapor is the solvent whose heat-absorbing material is to be recovered in the liquid phase [14] in the first cooling state, as described in more detail below. Placed in. Some vapor passes through this liquid phase [14] and exits them. This steam, with air, then passes through the condensation module [11] and into the steam control module [31] via the steam outlet [32]. In the steam control module [31], a mixture of steam and air is required to pass through the heat absorbing material [44], and this heat exchange step is
It leads to the condensation of further vapor from the mixture. The remaining gas is then vented [
42] exits the vapor control module [31] and is substantially free of any solvent. Preferably, any agglomerates formed in the vapor control module [31] flow back into the condensation module [11]. However, the condensate formed in the steam control module [31] may also be flushed into the second vessel, if desired.

In the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the distillation module [1] comprises a distillation chamber [2] in which the contaminated solvent or solvent mixture to be recovered is collected. The distillation chamber [2] is closed to prevent any vapor generated therein from escaping except through the conduit [12]. The dimensions of the conduit [12] and the opening of the vapor inlet [13] to the condensing module [11] allow the free passage of vapor from the distillation chamber [2] without pressure buildup in the distillation chamber [2]. It should be enough to allow. Furthermore, the conduit [12] is ideally located towards the upper end of the distillation chamber [2], as hot steam rises. This distillation chamber [2] is located in a large heating tank [3] containing an oil bath [5]. The heating tank [3] is fed with one or more heating elements immersed in oil, and in operation each heating element [4] heats the oil [5], which in turn The distillation chamber [2] is heated at least until the solvent [S] in the distillation chamber has reached its boiling point and vapors have formed. Once the solvent reaches the boiling point, the power supplied to the heating element is controlled to adjust the rate of evaporation of the solvent until substantially all of the solvent has evaporated.

It is essential that the oil [5] has a boiling point higher than the boiling point of the recovered solvent, or in the case of solvent mixtures, the highest boiling component of the mixture. Furthermore, the oil [5] should not be flammable within the temperature range in which the distillation module [1] operates. In a preferred embodiment, the oil [5] in the heating tank [3] is at least up to the conduit [12] to ensure that there is sufficient heat to maintain the evaporated solvent in the vapor phase in the distillation chamber [2]. Surrounding a significant portion of (eg, up to level 5a in FIG. 2).

At the same time a preferred embodiment discloses heating means for a distillation chamber [2] comprising a heating vessel [3] containing one or more heating elements [4] immersed in oil [5]. On the one hand, other means of heating the distillation chamber [2] are possible. In another preferred embodiment, the heating means of the distillation chamber [2] is an infrared lamp [L] located towards the top of the distillation chamber [2] as shown in FIG. The heating provided by such a lamp can be adjusted by controlling the resistance of the lamp intensity. In this aspect of the invention, the solvent [S] in the distillation chamber [2] is heated from top to bottom. This top heating offers the advantage that only the upper phase of the liquid to be distilled needs to be heated to guide the distillation. Moreover, as the distillation proceeds, it is only the energy of vaporization of the upper phase of the liquid that needs to be given to continue the distillation.

The distillation chamber [2] is preferably equipped with an anti-vacuum valve [V] which prevents vapors from escaping the distillation chamber [2], but when the pressure in the distillation chamber [2] drops below atmospheric pressure. It is activated to allow the inflow of outside air. Since the distillation chamber [2] is cooled with the distillation, the pressure in the distillation chamber [2] is reduced. The conduit [12] is an anti-vacuum valve [V] in the distillation chamber [2].
], Provides a path from the distillation chamber [2] to the vapor inlet [13] that connects with the liquid to be condensed in the condensation module [11], so the reduction in pressure means that the condensed solvent is condensed module [11]. ] Through the steam inlet [13] to the conduit [12
] To the backflow state.

In another embodiment of the distillation module [1], there is a line through which contaminated solvent is sent directly to the distillation module [1] through the source inlet [7]. In this embodiment, means are provided to prevent backflow from the condensation module [11] to the distillation chamber [2]. Furthermore, the anti-vacuum valve can be shut off so that the distillation chamber [2]
Any negative pressure generated therein can be used to draw more contaminated solvent for recovery when cooling down through the source inlet [7] to the distillation chamber [2].
This allows a continuous flow without the need for a separate pump, thus acting as a natural pump that can be used as part of the process.

One aspect of the present invention is used in a distillation module to control the rate of vaporization of a solvent or solvents, as illustrated in FIG. In the distillation module, the solvents are separated from the impurities in the solution and also separated from each other. The control system is designed to do this in a time efficient manner while also minimizing operator intervention.

The heating control system comprises three key components, a variable heating means [61], eg a plurality of heating elements [4] in FIG. 2, a temperature sensing means [62], eg a platinum thermistor or a thermocouple. One has a temperature probe [6] (see FIG. 2) and a control computer [63], eg a microprocessor with the necessary software. By using the control principle the control computer [63]
In response to a temperature reference signal input from the temperature sensing means [62] to the control computer [63], the heating means [61] is energized in a permuted and orderly manner between the power supply and the heating means [61]. Selectively activate the relay [64]. In a preferred embodiment, which is particularly beneficial when a mixture of solvents is distilled, an important element of this control system is the control principle in which the system operates in two modes. The first mode is the solvent mode in which the system begins heating the mixture of solvents until the solvent with the lowest boiling point reaches the boiling point. At its lowest boiling temperature, the power supplied to the heating means is maintained at a constant level to provide the desired rate of vaporization energy until the original solvent is substantially distilled from the solution. Once the first solvent has been substantially distilled, the power supplied to the system no longer has to supply the energy of the required vaporization and no further heat is lost as a result of the heated vapor, and hence the distillation The temperature of the liquid in chamber [2] begins to rise. The power supplied to the heating means can be increased again until the next solvent reaches the boiling point. This controlled circulation is repeated until all the solvent has evaporated.

The second mode is the water mode. The stepwise regulation of temperature in the water mode of the control system has no advantages. Water has a relatively high specific heat capacity and requires considerable energy input for boiling. Therefore, in water mode, there is no need to tightly regulate the temperature. In other words, in water mode, the distillation chamber and its contents can be constantly heated until evaporation is complete, at which point a heating cycle of a set time can be initiated. Two modes of control system allow the distillation chamber to be used for vaporization of water and organic solvents. The distillation can be carried out without foam formation with a mixture of water and / or organic solvent.

The electric power applied to the heating means [61] during the vaporization phase for any particular solvent supplies the energy for vaporization of that solvent. Therefore, controlling the power applied to the heating means [61] is also used to control the rate of vaporization and to maintain equilibrium of vapor condensation rates in the system.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the temperature sensing means is a probe [6] used to monitor the temperature of the distillation chamber [2]. The probe [6] detects an increase in the temperature of the distillation chamber [2] when the solvent is heated. The rate of evaporation of the solvent from the distillation chamber [2] is adjusted by means of the control system of FIG.

Controlling the rate of evaporation of the solvent in the distillation chamber [2] means that the vapor pressure in the distillation chamber [2] is tightly regulated. Distillation module [
Since it is important that the pressure between the 1] and the condensing module [11] is different, this fine adjustment of the vapor pressure increases the efficiency of vapor recovery. Furthermore, by strictly controlling the rate of evaporation of the solvent, it is possible to reduce the amount required for solvent condensation in the condensation module [11].

After the liquid in the distillation chamber [2] is evaporated, a timed heating cycle is provided by means of a timer system (not shown) which maintains the temperature of the distillation chamber [2] for a predetermined time. It is started. This post-evaporation heating ensures that essentially all of the solvent recovered is distilled. In addition, the constant heating removes any residual solvent and bake any contaminants in the distillation chamber [2] so the resulting solids can be treated more easily at a lower cost, compared to unbaked contaminants. And environmental problems are reduced. As shown in FIG. 4, in an embodiment of the invention, the distillation chamber [2] is lined on the inside with a bag [8], so that the entire bag [8] containing baked contaminants following baking is ]
Can be treated. The bag [8] is stable within the temperature range of the distillation chamber [2]. Furthermore, it is important that the bag [8] is inert with respect to the solvent to be distilled. It is clear that the bag [8] is heat stable, does not react with the solvent to be distilled and can be made from any material that is impermeable, such as Teflon (registered trademark of polytetrafluoroethylene).

As can be seen more clearly with reference to the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 5, the condensing module [11] comprises a container [20] into which the recovered vapor enters via the vapor inlet [13]. ] Is included. The condensing module is filled with a predetermined volume of solvent recovered in the liquid phase [14]. This liquid [14] is clean. The vapor entering the condensation module [11] is liquid [14] through the inlet [13].
Is directed under the surface [15] of the so that the vapor bubbles past the liquid.

Ideally, the vapor entering the condensation module [11] is forced by the inlet [13] to the bottom of the vessel [20]. Since some of the vapor is cooled by the liquid [14], the vapor condenses and combines with the liquid. As a result of such condensation, the water level of the liquid in the container [20] rises. In the absence of an external source to cool the liquid, condensation will lead to an increase in the temperature of the liquid [14]. However, the container [2
The natural increase in the volume of liquid [14] in 0] indicates that the vapors that enter container [20] must travel a longer distance through liquid [14]. Furthermore, the most chilled liquid is the condensed vapor, which is the condensation module [11].
It will fall to the bottom of the entering container [20].

Some vapor passes through the liquid [14] and above the volume [21] of the container [20].
] On top of the surface [15]. The only way the accumulated vapor can be released from the vessel [20] is the vapor outlet [3] located at the top of the upper volume [21].
2]. Steam entering the steam outlet [32] from the condensing module [11] then enters the steam control module [31] through the outlet [32].

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 6, the steam control module [
31] includes a closed chamber [45] containing a serpentine tube [43] connecting a vapor outlet [32] at its inlet end and a vent [42] at its outlet end. The mixture of solvent vapor and air exiting the condensation module [11] is conducted via an outlet [32] through a tube [43] surrounded by a cooling medium [44] inside a closed chamber [45]. Get burned. Since the cooling medium [44] absorbs heat and thus causes further condensation of the vapor, substantially all of the vapor leaving the condensation module [11] is condensed and reaches the atmosphere through the vent [42]. prevent. The medium [44] can be any suitable cooling medium. Ideally, the medium [44] provides sufficient heat absorption for the condensation of all vapors so that only air exits the system through the vent [42].

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the medium [44] is water mixed with a salt to have a low expansion rate and to form a crystallized mass safely contained in a closed chamber [45]. Is. The tube [43] allows the condensed solvent to flow back by gravity through the outlet [32] into the condensation module [11], while at the same time leaving uncondensed vapor (if any very small amount) and air vents. Exit the vapor control module [31] through [42] towards the atmosphere. The condensate is discharged at the outlet [
32] and continues to flow into the air / steam stream and is collected in vessel [20] of the condensation module [11], or in another vessel.

The container [20] is provided with a tap [T] that can be used to drain the liquid [14]. Ideally, this tap is located below the surface of the liquid [15] and at the bottom of the container [20] so that the liquid [14] is more easily drained. The advantage of this arrangement is that the liquid [14] to be collected is available at any time without loss of vapor from the system. Furthermore, the condensed liquid [14] can be removed from the vessel [20] without hindering the condensation.

If desired, a downwardly sloping overflow pipe [D] may be provided in the container [20] at a predetermined overflow water level. A fixed volume of liquid is maintained in the container [20] as the water level [15] of the liquid [14] rises to its overflow water level. Any liquid [14] in excess of its volume enters the overflow tube and moves by gravity into the collection vessel. This offers the advantage that a large volume of material can be used as a coolant.

In another embodiment of the steam control module [31], as shown in FIG.
The air / solvent mixture is vented through the outlet [32] without the use of a tube [43].
42]. In this embodiment, the material [44] is a solid material through which vapor and condensate can pass, such as ball bearings or glass chips. The material may be of a support member [46] that is permeable to both the liquid [14] and the air / vapor mixture but impermeable to the material [44], either by choosing a material particle size that is sufficiently large. Insertions are prevented from retracting into the container [20] through the outlet [32] by either. Heat exchange surface and steam control module [
[31] Maximizing the ratio of the volume of steam entering the steam control module [31]
] Increases the efficiency of condensation in.

In accordance with the present invention, the steam control module [31] can be designed so that there is essentially no steam exiting the vent [42]. This is accomplished by ensuring that the rate of heat input does not exceed the rate of heat absorption at the steam control module. Factors such as steam flow rate, steam temperature, material heat absorption characteristics and length through the steam control module are important. In one embodiment of the invention, the heat absorbing material is a crystalline salt, the pipe [43] is 12 mm in inner diameter and 75 cm in length, is made of a heat conductive metal such as copper, and is a steam control module in the form of steam. The heat input to is 1500W.

In selecting an appropriate solid material [44] in the above embodiment, ideally,
The material should circulate the vapor at about atmospheric pressure, causing the required absorption of heat, and the gravity of the condensed liquid [14] back into the vessel.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various combinations of condensing module [11] and vapor control module [31] are possible. Further, either the condensing module or the steam control module can be used separately from the system where the steam inlet to such module is present. A steam control module [31] can be used to recover steam from any vent or exhaust. Examples of situations in which the steam control module [31] may be used are in vents above the gasometer vents above the oil reservoir vents, or in the spray booth vapor stack. In these situations, the vapor results from the evaporation of the liquid to be recovered.

The condensate formed in such a vapor control module then flows by gravity back into the vent and eventually to the container of liquid or other container to be recovered. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that in these situations the heat absorbing material should be even cooler than the vapor to be recovered.

Furthermore, a preferred embodiment is a condensation module [11] and a steam control module [31
] Both have been used and have been found to give excellent results, each solvent to be recovered will have different requirements. It is certainly possible to expose the vapor directly to the sequential step of condensation and / or the sequential vapor control module [31]. The vapor recovery efficiency determines the most suitable module arrangement.

Although the preferred embodiments described above refer to a particular arrangement of heat absorbing material, it is clear that variations are possible. For example, the condensation module [1
It is not essential to have some liquid in 1]. Alternatively, any substance that absorbs heat from the vapor, but does not chemically react with the vapor, is suitable for use in the condensing module containing solid mass and air. Solid inert masses such as rock or ball bearings are suitable for absorbing heat in the condensation module [11]. Alternatively, the air in the condensing module [11] may rapidly absorb heat from the vapor as it enters the condensing module [11] due to the rapid heat exchange between the gases. Any liquid [14] accumulated as a result of condensation in the condensation module [11]
It functions to absorb heat from the vapor.

Although only particular embodiments of the invention have been described, it will be apparent that various additions and modifications can be made to the invention and various other embodiments selected. It is, therefore, the object of the appended claims to include all such additions, modifications and other aspects as falling within the scope of the invention.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 consists of a distillation unit, a direct condensing module and a vapor control module,
It is a schematic block diagram of the preferable aspect of a vapor recovery system.

2 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the distillation unit of the vapor recovery system described in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the distillation unit of the vapor recovery system described in FIG. 1, where the heating means is located at the top of the distillation chamber.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of an inner-covered distillation chamber of the vapor recovery system described in FIG.

5 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the direct condensing module of the vapor recovery system described in FIG.

6 is a cross-sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the steam control module of the steam recovery system described in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a vapor control module, where the heat absorbing material is in solid form.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a thermal control system used in a distillation module to control the evaporation rate of a solvent.

[Explanation of symbols]

61 heating means 62 temperature sensing means 63 control computer

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Claims (55)

[Claims] 1. A solvent vapor recovery system, comprising: a distillation module comprising a distillation chamber for the solvent and a heating means for the chamber for vaporizing the solvent; for condensing the vapor and collecting the solvent in the liquid phase. A direct condensing module comprising a vessel holding a heat absorbing mass through which the vapor is passed; conduit means for directing the vapor from the distillation chamber to the heat absorbing mass in the vessel without substantial condensation; by the direct condensing module A vapor control module for condensing uncondensed vapor remaining; and a vapor outlet located above the surface of the heat-absorbing mass in the vessel for passing vapor from the vessel to the vapor control module A solvent vapor recovery system including the vapor outlet for communicating with the vapor control module. 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said conduit means slopes downwardly toward said heat absorbing mass so that any condensate formed in said conduit flows to said heat absorbing mass. 3. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heat absorbing mass contains a liquid. 4. The heat-absorbing mass contains vapor recovered in its liquid phase.
The described device. 5. The apparatus of claim 1 or 2 wherein said heat absorbing mass comprises a combination of vapor and solids recovered in its liquid phase. 6. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heat absorbing mass is air. 7. An apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the heat absorbing mass is solid. 8. An apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the conduit directs vapor below the surface of the mass. 9. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the conduit directs steam to the bottom of the vessel. 10. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the distillation chamber is located in an oil bath heated by the heating means. 11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said heating means comprises one or more heating elements located in said oil bath. 12. Apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein the distillation chamber is heated by means of an infrared heater located within the chamber. 13. The apparatus further comprises means for connecting the heating means to a power source and control means for controlling the electric power supplied to the heating means by the power source, the control means being a computer or a device in the distillation chamber. Sensing means for sensing a parameter dependent on the rate of evaporation of the solvent and producing a reference signal provided as an input signal to the computer, and opening and closing means for selectively applying power from the power source to the heating means. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the computer is programmed to provide a control signal to the opening and closing means for controlling the amount of power provided to the heating means in accordance with the input signal received from the sensing means. . 14. The apparatus of claim 13, wherein the parameter is the temperature of the distillation chamber. 15. The computer is configured to perform an orderly shutdown of the heating means by selectively activating the opening / closing means to turn off the heating means from the power source in the case of excess. 15. A device as claimed in claim 13 or 14 programmed with a set of parameters based on the input signal received from the sensing means which activates the opening and closing means. 16. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said temperature sensing means comprises one or more platinum thermistor temperature probes. 17. The heating means comprises at least one heating element.
The device according to any one of claims 1 to 16. 18. The apparatus according to claim 13, wherein the heating means comprises a direct heating means. 19. The apparatus according to claim 18, wherein said direct heating means comprises an infrared heating lamp. 20. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 13 to 19, wherein the switching means comprises one or more relays. 21. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said heating means comprises a number of heating elements and said opening and closing means includes a number of relays respectively connecting said heating elements to said power source. 22. The computer is programmed by a control law so that when a mixture of solvents is distilled in the distillation chamber, the computer raises the heating means to a temperature at which the solvent with the lowest boiling point vaporizes. The procedure is carried out, the temperature is then maintained until the solvent is substantially removed from the solution, at which point the temperature is raised until the solvent with the next lower boiling point begins to vaporize and the preferred rate of vaporization of the solvent is reached. 22. Powering the steam heating means to maintain and then repeating the above steps until all solvent has been distilled.
The apparatus according to claim 1. 23. The computer comprises the opening and closing means for changing the input to the heating means to balance the rate of evaporation of the solvent and the rate of condensation of the same solvent in a separate but connected vessel. 14. The device according to claim 13 for controlling. 24. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the steam control module includes a heat absorbing mass and a conduit extending between an inlet and a vent to the steam controlling module, the conduit passing through the heat absorbing mass. 25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the vent is higher than the vapor outlet of the direct condensing module. 26. An apparatus according to claim 24 or 25, wherein the heat absorbing mass is a liquid. 27. An apparatus according to claim 24 or 25, wherein the heat absorbing mass is a crystal. 28. An apparatus according to claim 24 or 25, wherein the heat absorbing mass is water in a crystallized state by being mixed with a salt. 29. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the steam control module includes a solid heat absorbing mass that is permeable to steam and condensate from which the steam passes from the direct condensation module through the vent. 30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein the heat absorbing mass is a steel ball bearing. 31. The device of claim 29, wherein the heat absorbing mass is a glass chip. 32. A support member for the heat-absorbing mass is provided at the vapor outlet of the direct condensing module, the support member being permeable to steam and condensate, and permeable to the heat-absorbing mass. 32. A device according to any one of claims 29 to 31, not. 33. An apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 32, wherein the container of the direct condensing module is provided with discharge means for discharging liquid from the container. 34. The device of claim 33, wherein said ejecting means comprises a tap. 35. The discharge means includes an overflow pipe in the container.
The described device. 36. A steam inlet and a steam outlet and means for passing steam from the steam inlet through a stationary heat absorbing mass to the steam outlet, the heat absorbing mass comprising steam passing through the mass and A vapor control system which is permeable to condensate and which does not adsorb or contains the same liquid as said condensate. 37. A stationary heat-absorbing mass, a steam outlet, a steam inlet and a conduit passing through the heat-absorbing mass in heat exchange with the heat-absorbing mass and extending between the steam inlet and the steam outlet. A steam control system including a conduit for directing steam from the steam inlet through the conduit to the steam outlet. 38. A device according to claim 36 or 37, wherein the mass comprises a mixture of water and salt. 39. An apparatus according to claim 36 or 37, wherein the heat absorbing mass is a ball bearing made of steel. 40. An apparatus according to claim 36 or 37, wherein the heat absorbing mass is a glass chip. 41. An apparatus according to claim 36 or 37, wherein the heat absorbing mass is air. 42. An apparatus according to claim 36 or 37, wherein the heat absorbing mass is a solid mass. 43. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein said heat absorbing mass comprises a combination of vapor and solid mass recovered in its liquid phase. 44. The apparatus of claim 43, wherein a support member for said solid mass is provided at said vapor inlet, said support member being permeable to vapor and condensate and impermeable to said solid mass. 45. A device for connecting a heating means of a distillation chamber in a solvent vapor recovery system to a power source and a control means for controlling the electric power supplied to the heating means by the power source, the control being a computer, A sensing means for sensing a parameter depending on a vaporization rate of a solvent in the distillation chamber and generating a reference signal supplied to the computer as an input signal; and an opening / closing means for selectively supplying power from the power source to the heating means. An apparatus comprising a computer programmed to provide a control signal to the opening and closing means to control the amount of power supplied to the heating means in accordance with the input signal received from the sensing means. 46. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein the parameter is the temperature of the distillation chamber. 47. The computer executes an orderly shutdown of the heating means by selectively activating the opening / closing means to turn off the power supply from the power source to the heating means in the case of excess. 47. An apparatus according to claim 45 or 46, programmed with a set of parameters based on the input signal received from the temperature sensing means for activating the opening and closing means. 48. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein said temperature means comprises one or more platinum thermistor temperature probes. 49. The heating means comprises at least one heating element.
49. The device according to any one of claims 48 to 48. 50. An apparatus according to any one of claims 45 to 48, wherein the heating means comprises a direct heating means. 51. The apparatus according to claim 50, wherein the direct heating means comprises an infrared heating lamp. 52. An apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 45 to 51, wherein the opening and closing means comprises one or more relays. 53. The apparatus of claim 45, wherein said heating means comprises a number of heating elements and said opening and closing means includes a plurality of relays each connecting to said power source of said heating element. 54. The computer is programmed by a control law so that when a mixture of solvents is distilled in the distillation chamber, the computer raises the temperature to a temperature at which the heating means vaporizes the solvent with the lowest boiling point. The procedure is carried out, the temperature is then maintained until the solvent is substantially removed from the solution, at which point the temperature is raised until the next lower boiling solvent begins to vaporize and the preferred rate of vaporization of the solvent is reached. 54. Powering the heating means to maintain and repeating the process until all solvent has been distilled.
The apparatus according to claim 1. 55. The computer comprises the opening and closing means for changing the input to the heating means to balance the rate of evaporation of the solvent and the rate of condensation of the same solvent in a separate but connected vessel. 46. The device of claim 45 for controlling.