Thin-film evaporator recovers solvents continuously

Journal Article · Fri Nov 01 04:00:00 EST 1985 · Chem. Process. (Chicago); (United States)

OSTI ID:5502605

Roembke, R; Mode, J; Hodel, A E

Reclaimed Energy Company, Inc., Connersville, IN, receives waste generated from a wide variety of industrial applications which include paint, printing and degreasing companies. The wastes are stored in separate tanks and then distilled in batches (pot distillation). The recovered solvents can be returned to the originator. The residue, left after the solvents are distilled, is disposed of using an environmentally safe, economical procedure. The company worked with an engineering and fabrication firm to develop a continuous processing system that employs a mechanically agitated thin-film evaporator to distill the solvents. Successful performance of the evaporator was ensured by processing samples of solvents through the evaporator manufacturer's pilot plant facilities before the full-sized system was designed. Reclaimed Energy Company, Inc., has realized a number of advantages by going from pot distillation to the agitated thin-film evaporator system to distill solvents. First, distillation no longer generates wastewater and no water is added to the distillate. Second, a feed tank of any size can be hooked up and run on a continuous basis until that tank is empty. Third, the residue can be kept fluid and is free of water so that it can be sold as a chemical fuel. Fourth, the high-boiling solvents can be distilled under vacuum, reducing thermal degradation and improving operating efficiency. Fifth, the residence time in the evaporator is extremely short. The extensive automatic controls installed on the skid make the equipment very versatile. The evaporator can be used to run many different products with a minimum of changes requiring operator attention.

• Research Organization: Reclaimed Energy Company, Inc., Connersville, IN
• OSTI ID: 5502605
• Journal Information: Chem. Process. (Chicago); (United States), Journal Name: Chem. Process. (Chicago); (United States) Vol. 48:13; ISSN CHPCA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400105* -- Separation Procedures
520200 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
DESIGN
DISTILLATION
DISTILLATION EQUIPMENT
EFFICIENCY
EQUIPMENT
EVAPORATORS
FILMS
INDUSTRIAL WASTES
LIQUID WASTES
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS RECOVERY
PERFORMANCE
PROCESSING
RECOVERY
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SOLVENTS
THIN FILMS
VACUUM DISTILLATION
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTES