Vapor compression distiller and method

A method of evaporating liquids which release substantial amounts of non-condensable gases in a vapor compression distiller system having a vessel, heat exchange tube means disposed within the vessel and including first and second groups of heat exchange tubes, the method comprising:

• contacting one surface of each of the first and second groups of heat exchange tubes with the feed liquid to be evaporated while contacting the other surface of the first group of heat exchange tubes with a first vapor and non-condensable gas mixture and the other surface of said second group of heat exchange tubes with a second vapor and gas mixture whereby a portion of the feed liquid is evaporated and a quantity of non-condensable gas released, a portion of the vapor in each of said first and second gas mixtures condensing,
• compressing the evaporated feed liquid and non-condensable gas and contacting the same with the other surface of said first group of heat exchange tubes as said first vapor and non-condensable gas mixture to at least partially condense said vapor,
• removing said first vapor and gas mixture after contact with the other surface of said first group of heat exchange tubes and the partial condensation of said vapor and increasing the pressure of the same and delivering the vapor and gas mixture of increased pressure to the other surface of said second group of heat exchange tubes as the second vapor and gas mixture.

A distillation system including a vessel,

• heat exchange tubes means disposed within said vessel and including first and second groups of heat exchange tubes, the tubes of each group including inlet and exit ends,
• said vessel including a liquid collector,
• liquid distributing means disposed in said vessel and connected to said liquid collector for circulating liquid from said liquid collector over said heat exchange tubes whereby a portion thereof is evaporated and at least a portion of the vapor therein condenses,
• means for collecting the vapor condensate and for removing the same from said vessel,
• said liquid collector being constructed and arranged for receiving unevaporated liquid from said liquid distributing means,
• feed liquid delivery means for delivering feed liquid to said system and discharge means for discharging concentrate from said liquid collector,
• vapor means for withdrawing evaporated feed liquid from the vessel and for elevating the temperature thereof and for delivering said evaporated feed liquid and noncondensable gases at an elevated temperature to the inlet ends of said first group of heat exchange tubes as the vapor input thereto,
• steam ejector means connected to the exit ends of said first group of heat exchange tubes for receiving the uncondensed vapor and noncondensable gases therefrom, said steam ejector means also being connected to a high pressure steam source for elevating the pressure of said vapor,
• said steam ejector means also being connected to the inlet ends of said second group of heat exchange tubes for delivering vapor at an elevated pressure thereto.

A method of evaporating liquids which release substantial amounts of noncondensable gases in a vapor compression distiller system having a vessel, heat exchange tube means disposed within the vessel and including first and second groups of heat exchange tubes, the method comprising:

• contacting one surface of each of the first and second groups of heat exchange tubes with the feed liquid to be evaporated while contacting the other surface of the first group of heat exchange tubes with a first vapor and noncondensable gas mixture and other surface of said second group of heat exchange tubes with a second vapor and gas mixture whereby a portion of the feed liquid is evaporated and a portion of the vapor in each of said first and second gas mixtures condenser,
• removing said evaporated feed liquid from said vessel,
• collecting said condensed vapors and removing the same from said vessel,
• compressing the evaporated feed liquid and delivering the same and said noncondensable gases at an elevated temperature to the other surface of said first heat exchange tubes as said first vapor and noncondensable gas mixture to at least partially condense said vapor,
• removing said first vapor and gas mixture after contact with the other surface of said first group of heat exchange tubes and the partial condensation of said vapor and increasing the pressure of the same and delivering the vapor and gas mixture of increased pressure to the other surface of said second group of heat exchange tubes as the second vapor and gas mixture.