Patent GB-1054492-A (GB)
IPC: C02F1/04
Abstract: 1,054,492. Distillation of liquids, such as water, without use of heating means. GENERAL KINETICS Inc. June 8, 1964 [June 14, 1963; May 28, 1964], No. 23682/64. Heading BIB. Water is evaporated at ambient temperature from an oscillating column of saline water which leaves a zone of reduced pressure in the containing vessal each time the column moves downwards, and the water-vapour is forced out of the vessal each time the column moves upwards. The energy required for the vaporization is supplied by the latent heat of the saline water. The vapour passes into a chamber containing an oscillating column of fresh water which compresses and condenses the vapour each time the column moves upwards. The two U-tubes of Fig. 1 are joined by conduit 30 and fitted with liquid piston internal combustion engine units 10 and 40. An explosive gas mixture entering through 14 and valve 16 is compressed by a rising column of sea water 24 so actuating a spark plug which explodes the mixture causing the column to be driven downwards in arm 12. A sub-atmospheric pressure is established in the vacated space E and valve 20 opens. The column rises in arm 28 until just below valve 42. The difference in water levels in the two arms of the U-tube is then greater than will be supported by at most atmospheric pressure in chamber E, and the column therefore falls. valve 42 closing. This return surge expels the gases through valve 20 until the valve 20 closes on impact with the water. The volume of gases remaining in upper portion E' acts to cushion the column which then again falls. As the column rises in arm 28 valve 42 opens to discharge the vapour formed in the subatmospheric chamber V brought about by the falling column. Meanwhile fresh fuel gases are drawn into chamber E and the cycle is repeated. The fresh water in U-tube B also oscillates so that when vapours are expelled from chamber V valve 44 is open and column 38 is full up. As the column returns the valve 44 is closed and compression in chamber C condenses the vapour therein. Pipes 46, 48 and 50 allow for replacement and removal of the water and circulation for heat purposes. Alternatively as shown in Fig. 2, motor driven paddles 136 and 138 replace the units 10 and 40. Substantially the only work done by the engines or paddles is to overcome the frictional forces existing between the moving column and the internal surface of the tubes. Since the difference in heights of the water in the two arms of the U-tube must be greater than will be supported by atmospheric pressure, i.e. 34 ft, the first U-tube may be connected to a stand pipe in a well (Fig. 3 not shown) so that the combined height of the water in the arms and in the standpipe exceeds 34 feet. Alternatively, the first U-tube may be connected to a folded manometer tube having a plurality of evacuated upper loops and one end open to atmosphere (Fig. 4, not shown). Again the combined water heights is greater than 34 feet. In the apparatus shown in Fig. 7, the sea water and fresh water oscillate in concentric tubes. The inner tank of Fig. 7 is open bottomed and supported off the floor 159 of tank 158 by stilts. The system is partially filled with a liquid 180 heavier than and immiscible with water, e.g. silicon lubricating oil, the annular volume between the tanks is filled with sea water, and fresh water is introduced into tank 161. The system is placed in oscillatory motion by means of a suitable baffle mechanical piston or (more preferably) a Humphrey engine 170 which also ejects sea water into the annular space. Valves 164 and 165 open to allow water vapour formed above the sea water to pass into the tank above the fresh water, but close during condensing due to rising of the fresh water. Inlet and outlet pipes 167 and 168 are provided. Elements which when placed in the vaporization zone cause the formation of discrete droplets and broken streams of water and assist the vaporization include, a perforated tube, a perforated plate element, a plurality of suspended perforated troughs, a plurality of suspended perforated cub shaped members, and concentric annular perforated members, (Figs. 11-16, not shown).