Evaporator-condenser unit for producing potable water from sewage

Abstract

An evaporator-condenser unit is disclosed which includes an elongated enclosed chamber into which hot gases are injected to form a cyclonic stream therein. The hot gases impinge and pass around a substantial plurality of tubes containing relatively cool sanitary liquid waste. Condensation thereby forms on the tubes and is blown by the cyclonic action of the hot gas stream to the outer periphery of the cyclonic chamber where the condensation is collected and conveyed away from the chamber. At the same time, the heat from the hot gases is transferred to the liquid sanitary waste which is converted into steam in a steam expansion chest at the top of the cyclonic chamber. The steam is compressed and injected back into the hot gas stream flowing into the cyclonic chamber. The steam is then condensed on the tubes and conveyed away for appropriate utilization. Clogging of the tubes by solid matter contained within the liquid waste is prevented by means of a periodic blow down operation which forces the material in each of the tubes under high pressure into the steam expansion chest. The steam expansion chest includes a sump which collects the liquid and solid waste and conveys same away from the evaporator-condenser unit. The cooled gases after passing through and about the plurality of tubes is conducted away from the cyclonic chamber to a discharge stack.