Patent ID: 6887344
Filing Date: 2005-05-03
Classification: B01D,C02F,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A compact, self-contained and moveable apparatus for treating wastewater containing a substantial volume of water and substantially less amounts of, at water boiling points, non-volatile contaminants, the apparatus comprising: (a) a fluid vessel to collect wastewater and having a bottom wall, side walls and at least a partially open top, (b) means for delivering wastewater to the fluid vessel, (c) a heating vessel surrounding and spaced from at least the side walls and the bottom wall of the fluid vessel to form with the fluid vessel side walls and bottom wall an interior heating chamber between the heating vessel and the fluid vessel comprising a bottom space extending across the bottom wall of the fluid vessel and side spaces extending the height of the side walls of the fluid vessel, (d) a heat transfer liquid having a boiling point substantially in excess of the boiling point of the collected wastewater and filling at least the bottom space and a substantial portion of the side spaces of the heating chamber around the fluid vessel side walls and bottom wall, (e) heating means positioned in the heating chamber for generating heat sufficient to vaporize substantially entirely the wastewater and form water vapor, the heating means immersed in the heat transfer liquid by which heat generated by the heating means is transferred to the fluid vessel side walls and bottom wall to heat the collected wastewater until substantially entirely vaporized and leaving a dry residue of the contaminants in the fluid vessel, (f) means connected to the heating element for activating the heating means to heat the heat transfer liquid, (g) an outer jacket substantially surrounding the heating vessel and spaced from the heating vessel to define an insulating space between the jacket and heating vessel, (h) vapor exhaust means for expelling the water vapor from the fluid vessel, and (i) the apparatus further comprising control means for maintaining the temperature of the heat transfer liquid within a predetermined range as the collected wastewater is being vaporized.