GB368729A - Improvements in apparatus for the treatment of fluids by heat interchange - Google Patents

Abstract

In distilling liquids, e.g. oils, in an externally heated rotary cylinder on the inside of which the liquid is distributed by centrifugal force while the vapours evolved are condensed on cooled surfaces within the cylinder, separate annular channels are provided for delivering and removing the liquid and the condensate which prevent mixing of these liquids, and the ingress of air to the apparatus is prevented by flexible glands sealed by lubricant. Alternatively the liquids may be discharged from the apparatus by internally mounted pumps. A rotary drum 1 is formed with endplates 3, 3a mounted on hollow shafts 4, 4a rotating on bearings 5, 5a permitting axial expansion. The shaft is connected by a flexible bearing 6 to a motor and is provided with concentric tubes 8, 9 for the supply and removal of cooling water to a condenser 10. The tubes 8, 9 are provided with adjacent orifices 8a, 9a, communicating with separate channels 8b, 9b in a sleeve 12 connecting with supply and return conduits 13, 14. Grooves 15 trap any water passing along the sleeve. The shaft 4a is forged in one piece with a chamber 16 in which are formed annular channels 17 . . 20 the inner walls of which are closed by a fixed tubular member 47, resilient spring rings 22 which rotate with the drum forming a fluidtight joint and throwing back liquid leaking from the channels into grooves 23. Liquid is fed through a tube 28 to the channel 18 and thence through pipes 56 to the far end of the drum while residual liquid is removed from the near end of the drum through ducts 25 to the channel 17 from which it is discharged by a scoop 24 to a pipe 27a fitted with a non-return valve 26. Distillate is discharged to the channels 19, 20 through scoops 39 supplied by collecting channels 38 on the condenser 10 mounted on a hollow axle 11, Fig. 6, supported on the end-pieces 3, 3a by members 33, 30, the latter fitting on to the flange of the shaft 4. The condensing surfaces comprise a number of hollow fins 35 to which cooling water is supplied from the axle 11 under the influence of centrifugal force, excess water being evacuated through an inner hollow perforated tube 32. Curved troughs 38 collect condensate and a shield 40 is provided to trap condensate thrown off the axle 11. The troughs and shield may be constructed of sheet metal interleaved with asbestos. Ingress of air is prevented by feeding sealing liquid, e.g. oil, through a tube 4 between the surface of the shaft 47 and a light brass sleeve 41 machined to revolve thereon and beneath the extending end of the plate 4a, and covered by a tubular flexible connection 42 of rubber &c. When high vacua are used the pressure gradient along <PICT:0368729/III/1> <PICT:0368729/III/2> <PICT:0368729/III/3> <PICT:0368729/III/4> <PICT:0368729/III/5> the film of sealing oil is progressively reduced by providing two sealing guts 43, 43a, Fig. 12, and a channel 44 between them connected to a rough vacuum pump. The feed liquid may be preheated by the residual liquid passing out of the cylinder through a coiled pipe. The cylinder may be divided by annular partitions or dams so that the liquid may be distilled in stages. The cylinder may be heated regeneratively and molten liquid may be admitted thereto and retained against the walls by centrifugal force. The liquid may be discharged by an internally mounted pump comprising a piston 46, Fig. 8, reciprocated in a cylinder 48 by a tubular member 50 driven by an eccentric 45 mounted on the member 47.