Patent ID: 8603301

Claim:
A method for producing high purity distillate from a contaminated steam stream that is produced within an evaporator system, said method comprising: (a) providing a contaminated steam stream having entrained water droplets therein, said entrained water droplets comprising solutes therein; (b) separating said entrained water droplets from said contaminated steam stream by passing said contaminated steam stream through a contaminant reduction system, said contaminant reduction system comprising (1) an upflow first mist eliminator portion, said first mist eliminator portion removing said entrained water droplets from said contaminated steam stream to produce an intermediate purity water vapor stream, (2) an upflow second mist eliminator portion, said second mist eliminator portion located at least in part vertically above said upflow first mist eliminator portion, and (3) a continuous spray system, said continuous spray system located above said upflow first mist eliminator portion and below said upflow second mist eliminator portion, said continuous spray system providing droplets of dilute caustic solution spray in a selected configuration for mass transfer contact with said intermediate purity water vapor stream to produce a partially decontaminated steam stream having mist particles therein; (c) said contaminant reduction system substantially removing said entrained water droplets from said contaminated water vapor stream, and removing said mist particles from said partially decontaminated steam stream to produce a high purity water vapor stream; (d) condensing said high purity water vapor stream to produce said high purity distillate.