GB856461A - Improvements in the treatment of liquids - Google Patents

Abstract

Volatile impurities are removed from a liquid by a process wherein the liquid is caused to descend within a casing and in so doing to pass successively on to the open upper surfaces of two or more rotating discs which break up the liquid flow into particles creating two or more superposed transversely extend <PICT:0856461/III/1> ing layers of liquid mist while a vapour is passed upwardly through the casing so that it passes successively through the mist layers entraining volatile impurities, the vapour and entrained impurities are removed from the upper part of the casing and the purified liquid from the lower part. The preferred vapour is steam. The process is applicable to the treatment of lactic liquids such as milk and cream. Casing 1 houses a spindle 2 carrying a number of spinner discs 3. Within the casing are catch plates 8 having a number of upwardly flanged openings 10 permitting the upward passage of vapour and a centrally located downwardly flanged opening 9 directing the liquid to the spinner disc below. The vapour is introduced through perforated ring member 6 and passes out through outlet 7 to ejector condenser 14 which produces a vacuum of, for example, 10-2311 Hg in the casing. Liquid to be purified is introduced by pipe 4 and directed on to the uppermost disc 3. Purified liquid is removed via line 12.