초록 ▼

A highly efficient distillation unit is provided for heating water and condensing the generated steam to remove the contaminants from the water. Efficiency is enhanced by providing a compact air cooled fin-and-tube heat exchanger which removes heat from the steam, with a powered blower passing air b

A highly efficient distillation unit is provided for heating water and condensing the generated steam to remove the contaminants from the water. Efficiency is enhanced by providing a compact air cooled fin-and-tube heat exchanger which removes heat from the steam, with a powered blower passing air by the fins. A removable bowl which houses the evaporating water is suspended from a rod biased toward its upper position. Mechanical linkage interconnects the rod and a valve which controls incoming water flow to the bowl. The valve closure member is incrementally moved from an opened position to a closed position as a function of the weight of the water in the heating bowl. A low density electrical heating element is powered with from 40 to 55 watts per square inch of submerged heating element exterior surface. The bowl is configured to have a large surface area of heated water to heater input power, thereby further maximizing efficiency. The unit of the present invention is particularly well suited for home or office use, and may be easily cleaned and economically operated.

대표청구항 ▼

A distillation apparatus for removing contaminants from water, the apparatus comprising: an outer enclosure including an incoming water inlet port and a condensed water outlet port; a preheat unit including (a) a steam receiving bowl for receiving steam from the evaporator unit, and (b) an incoming

A distillation apparatus for removing contaminants from water, the apparatus comprising: an outer enclosure including an incoming water inlet port and a condensed water outlet port; a preheat unit including (a) a steam receiving bowl for receiving steam from the evaporator unit, and (b) an incoming water bowl within the steam receiving bowl for removing heat from the steam to preheat water to the evaporator unit; a water inlet conduit for passing incoming water from the inlet port to the incoming water bowl; a valve for controlling the flow of incoming water through the water inlet conduit; an evaporation unit for heating incoming water with contaminants to generate steam, the evaporation unit including (a) a heating bowl disposed within the enclosure for housing the incoming water, (b) an electrical heating element positioned within the heating bowl, and (c) a first cover affixed within the enclosure and over the heating bowl; a substantially vertical steam chimney extending from the heating bowl, through the cover, and to the steam receiving bowl; a substantially vertical water chimney positioned within the vertical steam chimney for passing water from the incoming water bowl to the heating bowl while removing heat from the steam in the vertical steam chimney to heat the water passing through the water chimney; and a condenser unit for cooling the steam to form condensate water, the condenser unit comprising a fin-and-tube heat exchanger including (a) at least one tube in fluid communication at one end with the steam receiving bowl and in fluid communication at the opposite end to the condensed water outlet port for condensing steam to form condensate water, (b) a plurality of spaced fins each thermally connected to at least one tube for transmitting heat from at least one tube to the fins, and (c) a powered blower for blowing air between the fins and thus removing heat from the condenser unit.