Structure for multiple-effect distillation using tubes or plates

A multiple-effect still comprising:

• a horizontal shell encompassing a plurality of effects, wherein said horizontal shell comprises a main shell body, access means for providing access into main shell body, and a cover over said access means,
• means for temporarily sealingly fastening said cover to said main shell body,
• a series of vertical compound baffle means sealingly fastened to said horizontal shell for dividing said horizontal shell into a series of pressure-tight chambers, wherein each of said pressure-tight chambers along with its associated apparatus constitute an effect of said still and wherein each of said compound baffle means comprises a fixed baffle component and a removable baffle component,
• means for sealing joining said fixed baffle component to said removable baffle component,
• a distillation apparatus fastened to said removable baffle component, wherein said distillation apparatus includes an evaporation surface and a condensation surface and a pressure chamber isolated from the pressure-tight chamber in which it is located,
• a port in the compound baffle means to allow the passage of evaporate between the isolated pressure chamber and the pressure-tight chamber of an adjacent effect,
• means for applying distilland to said evaporation surface,
• means for removing accumulated, unevaporated distilland from the shell, and
• means for removing condensate from the shell,
• wherein said access means is configured to permit passage of the removable baffle and the associated distillation apparatus fastened to it.