Apparatus and method for separating mixtures in liquids

Abstract

To provide a device for separating mixtures in liquid that effectively separates and removes a mixture included in liquid, which is simply configured and can be easily maintained.SOLUTION: A device for separating mixtures in liquid has a structure in which a condensing apparatus (2) and a heat exchanger (6) are arranged above an evaporation apparatus (1), in the distillation apparatus (3) constituted of the evaporation apparatus (1), the condensing apparatus (2) and the heat exchanger (6), and has a function of being able to effectively condense components evaporated in the evaporation apparatus (1) and to reduce quantities of heat that is supplied by a heating device installed in the evaporation apparatus (1) to liquid including mixtures (energy-saving effect).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus for separating a mixture contained in a liquid by distillation based on the difference in boiling point, and relates to a distillation apparatus consisting of an evaporator (1), a condenser, and a heat exchanger (6). By disposing the condenser and heat exchanger (6) on the top of the evaporator, the components vaporized in the evaporator can be effectively condensed, and the liquid containing the mixture flowing into the evaporator can be heated by the heat contained in the components vaporized in the evaporator and the heat of condensation generated when a part of the components is condensed, thereby reducing the amount of heat supplied to the liquid containing the mixture by the heating device installed in the evaporator (energy saving effect). By linking a level sensor installed in the evaporator with a control valve installed in the middle of the piping through which the liquid containing the mixture flows into the evaporator, the amount of liquid remaining in the evaporator can be controlled, and the apparatus has a structure and function that does not require power to flow the liquid containing the mixture into the evaporator, and relates to the provision of an apparatus having characteristics of being simple in structure and easy to maintain and repair. [Background technology]

[0002] On Earth, there are many situations where various mixtures are mixed in liquids. However, in the field of science and technology, there is a demand for technology to remove mixtures contained in source fluids and increase the purity of the raw fluid as much as possible, such as removing water from sludge and oil. In recent years, separation methods using centrifuges that utilize centrifugal force, separation methods that utilize inertial force, separation methods that utilize sedimentation, and combinations of these methods, as well as methods that use the difference in boiling points of mixtures contained in liquids, such as heating the liquid to vaporize it and condense it to further increase the purity, have been used.

[0003] Among these methods, as described in Patent Documents 1 and 2, for example, there are reports that mixtures can be separated and removed using only physical techniques such as centrifugal force, inertial force, gravity, and pressure difference. However, in order to put into practical use an apparatus that can effectively separate and remove mixtures contained in a source fluid, the apparatus must have the following characteristics: a simple structure (easy to process and highly durable) and easy maintenance and servicing (almost maintenance-free). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 09-248404 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2017-205713

[0005] In response to this, for example, as described in Patent Documents 3 and 4, there is a method in which the liquid is placed in a vessel under reduced pressure, and the liquid is heated to vaporize and condense, thereby separating the liquid from the mixture in the liquid.

[0006] [Patent Document 3] Patent Publication No. 2008-237943 [Patent Document 4] Patent Publication No. 2009-028726 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, in general, if a device that can separate and remove mixtures contained in a source fluid using only physical methods such as centrifugal force, inertial force, gravity, and pressure difference is given the characteristics of being simple in structure and easy to maintain, the separation capacity may decrease and the device may become larger. Furthermore, when using a method in which a liquid is placed in a decompressed container, heated to vaporize and condense it, and separated from the mixture in the liquid, generally, a pump for transferring the liquid into the evaporator and a vacuum pump for decompressing the inside of the evaporator are required, as well as a device for supplying heat to heat the liquid in the evaporator to its boiling point and a device for emitting heat to lower the temperature of the components vaporized in the evaporator to their freezing points in the condenser. Also, a device is required to control the amount of liquid flowing into the evaporator.

[0008] Therefore, the present invention aims to provide an apparatus characterized by the structure and function in which, in a distillation apparatus consisting of an evaporator, a condenser, and a heat exchanger, by arranging the condenser and heat exchanger above the evaporator, the components vaporized in the evaporator can be effectively condensed, and the liquid containing the mixture flowing into the evaporator can be heated using the heat contained in the components vaporized in the evaporator and the heat of condensation when a portion of the components condenses, thereby reducing the amount of heat supplied to the liquid containing the mixture by the heating device installed in the evaporator (energy saving effect). [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The invention described in claim 1 is a distillation apparatus (3) composed of an evaporator (1) and a condenser (2) that has the function of separating components within a specific boiling point range based on the difference in boiling points by heating a liquid composed of multiple components with different boiling points, or a liquid composed of multiple components with different boiling points and a solid contained in the liquid, characterized in that the condenser (2) is installed inside the evaporator (1) in order to effectively condense the components vaporized due to the difference in boiling points.

[0010] A distillation apparatus that has the function of separating components within a specific boiling range based on differences in boiling points by heating a liquid composed of multiple components with different boiling points, or a liquid composed of multiple components with different boiling points and a solid contained in this liquid, uses an apparatus and method in which the mixture is heated in an evaporator to above the boiling point of the component to be separated to vaporize it, and then the vaporized component is condensed in a condenser by cooling it to below the boiling point.

[0011] In general, the evaporator and the condenser are manufactured as independent devices, and are structured to be connected by pipes. When using a distillation apparatus consisting of an evaporator and a condenser having such a structure to remove water from sludge, remove water contained in oil, etc., it is necessary to heat the liquid containing the mixture to 100°C, which is the boiling point of water under normal pressure. In addition, when extracting oil from a mixture (sludge-like material containing oil) generated in the refining process of vegetable oil (edible oil), it is necessary to heat the temperature of the mixture to 350 to 400°C, which is the boiling point of vegetable oil under normal pressure. In an evaporator, a mixture is usually filled up to a set liquid level position in an evaporation container, and when this is heated and vaporized, a space is provided at the top of the container so that the mixture near the liquid level does not reach the pipe (connecting pipe) connecting the evaporator and the condenser and mix with the vaporized components (priming phenomenon in a boiler). If this space is not properly insulated, the vaporized components at the liquid level are cooled and condensed by the wall of the container that forms the space, and may not reach the pipe (connecting pipe) connecting the evaporator and the condenser. In addition, the fluid vaporized in the evaporator at 100°C or higher must be guided to the condenser via piping (connecting pipes) that connect the evaporator and condenser. However, since the vaporized component (fluid) will condense when its temperature falls below its boiling point, particularly in the case of high-temperature fluids, the connecting pipes must be insulated and designed to prevent condensation within the pipes.

[0012] Since it is difficult to confirm this phenomenon from the outside, if the insulation of the container wall above the evaporator is insufficient, the heated mixture in the evaporator absorbs the heat of vaporization and becomes a gaseous fluid, which is then cooled on the container wall above the evaporator, releasing the heat of condensation and liquefying, causing the vaporized fluid to never reach the piping (connecting pipe) connecting the evaporator and condenser. In the present invention, by installing the condenser in the space above the evaporator, (1) There is no need for piping (connecting pipes) connecting the evaporator and condenser. (2) There is no need for a container to constitute a condensing device. (3) Heat loss from the top of the evaporator can be reduced. This has the effect of reducing the installation volume, installation costs, and heat loss.

[0013] The invention described in claim 2 is characterized in that in a distillation apparatus (3) composed of an evaporator (1) and a condenser (2) having the function of separating components within a specific boiling point range due to differences in boiling points by heating a liquid composed of multiple components with different boiling points, or a liquid composed of multiple components with different boiling points and a solid contained in the liquid, the condenser (2) is installed inside the evaporator (1) in order to effectively condense the components vaporized due to the difference in boiling points.

[0014] By using the method described in the present invention, the structure, installation volume, installation costs, and heat loss within the equipment can be significantly reduced.

[0015] The invention described in claim 3 is an apparatus for separating a mixture contained in a liquid based on the difference in boiling point, and is characterized in that by using a vacuum pump (7) to reduce the pressure inside a distillation apparatus (3) consisting of an evaporator (1) and a condenser (2) to below atmospheric pressure, the boiling points of the components to be separated based on the difference in boiling point are lowered (reduced), thereby preventing the components to be separated based on the difference in boiling point from changing and / or deteriorating due to an increase in temperature, and reducing the amount of heat required to separate a mixture contained in a liquid based on the difference in boiling point (energy saving effect).

[0016] When a liquid composed of multiple components with different boiling points, or a liquid composed of multiple components with different boiling points and a solid contained in the liquid are heated to separate components in a specific boiling range based on the difference in boiling points, the mixture must be heated to a temperature higher than the boiling point of the target component, so the components to be separated based on the difference in boiling points may be altered and / or deteriorated due to the increase in temperature. For example, when removing moisture contained in food, heating a food containing moisture to 100°C may alter the components other than moisture in the food. In addition, when extracting oil from a mixture (sludge-like material containing oil) generated in the refining process of vegetable oil (edible oil), heating the mixture to 350-400°C, which is the boiling point of vegetable oil under normal pressure, may alter the components of the vegetable oil.

[0017] In the present invention, a vacuum pump is connected to the distillation apparatus to reduce the pressure inside the condensation apparatus, which is composed of an evaporator and a condenser, to atmospheric pressure or less, thereby lowering the boiling point of the target component and enabling it to be vaporized at a temperature at which other components are not altered.

[0018] The invention described in claim 4 is an apparatus for separating a mixture contained in a liquid based on the difference in boiling point, and is characterized in that by using a vacuum pump (7) to lower the pressure inside a distillation apparatus (3) consisting of an evaporator (1) and a condenser (2) to below atmospheric pressure, the boiling points of the components to be separated based on the difference in boiling point are lowered (reduced), thereby preventing the components to be separated based on the difference in boiling point from changing and / or deteriorating due to an increase in temperature, and reducing the amount of heat required to separate a mixture contained in a liquid based on the difference in boiling point (energy saving effect).

[0019] The invention described in claim 5 is an apparatus for separating a mixture contained in a liquid based on the difference in boiling point, and is characterized in that a heat exchanger (6) is installed on the way that a liquid composed of multiple components with different boiling points, or a liquid composed of multiple components with different boiling points and a solid contained in this liquid, flows into an evaporator (1), and the liquid composed of multiple components with different boiling points, or a liquid composed of multiple components with different boiling points and a solid contained in this liquid are heated by the heat amount possessed by the components heated and vaporized in the evaporator (1) (the latent heat when the components vaporized in the heat exchanger (6) change phase and the sensible heat associated with the temperature change), thereby reducing the amount of heat supplied by the heating device (13) installed in the evaporator (1) to the liquid containing the mixture (energy saving effect).

[0020] The invention described in claim 6 is an apparatus for separating a mixture contained in a liquid based on the difference in boiling point, and is characterized in that by using a method in which a heat exchanger (6) is installed in the middle of the liquid composed of multiple components with different boiling points, or a liquid composed of multiple components with different boiling points and a solid contained in this liquid, flowing into an evaporator (1), the liquid composed of multiple components with different boiling points, or a liquid composed of multiple components with different boiling points and a solid contained in this liquid are heated by the amount of heat possessed by the vaporized components (latent heat when the vaporized components change phase in the heat exchanger (6) and sensible heat associated with temperature change), thereby reducing the amount of heat supplied by the heating device (13) installed in the evaporator (1) to the liquid containing the mixture (energy saving effect).

[0021] The invention described in claim 7 is an apparatus for separating a mixture contained in a liquid based on the difference in boiling point, and is characterized in that it has a condensate reservoir (11) installed at the bottom of the condenser (2) in order to recover (collect for a certain purpose) the liquid condensed in the condenser (2) outside the distillation apparatus (3), a pipe (10a) that slopes downward from the bottom of the condensate reservoir (11), passes through the distillation apparatus (3), and is connected to a container (8) installed outside the distillation apparatus (3), and a pipe (10b) that connects the container (8) installed outside the distillation apparatus (3) to the distillation apparatus (3).

[0022] The invention described in claim 8 is an apparatus for separating a mixture contained in a liquid based on the difference in boiling point, and is characterized in that in order to recover (collect for a certain purpose) the liquid condensed in the condenser (2) outside the distillation apparatus (3), the apparatus uses a condensate reservoir (7) installed at the bottom of the condenser (2), a pipe (10a) that slopes downward from the bottom of the condensate reservoir (7), passes through the distillation apparatus (3), and is connected to a container (8) installed outside the distillation apparatus (3), and a pipe (10b) that connects the container (8) installed outside the distillation apparatus (3) to the distillation apparatus (3).

[0023] The invention described in claim 9 is an apparatus for separating a mixture contained in a liquid based on the difference in boiling point, characterized in that it has a plurality of containers (8) installed outside the distillation apparatus, and is provided with flow path switching valves (10a), (10b) with backflow prevention function provided midway through a pipe that slopes downward from the bottom of the condensate reservoir (11), passes through the distillation apparatus (3), and is connected to the plurality of containers (8) installed outside the distillation apparatus (3), and a pipe that connects the containers (8) installed outside the distillation apparatus (3) to the distillation apparatus (3).

[0024] The invention described in claim 10 is an apparatus for separating a mixture contained in a liquid based on the difference in boiling point, characterized in that the apparatus uses a method in which a plurality of containers (8) are installed outside the distillation apparatus, a pipe that slopes downward from the bottom of the condensate reservoir (7), passes through the distillation apparatus (3) and is connected to a plurality of containers (8) installed outside the distillation apparatus (3), and a pipe that connects the containers (8) installed outside the distillation apparatus (3) to the distillation apparatus (3), and flow path switching valves (10a), (10b) with a backflow prevention function are installed midway through each of the pipes.

[0025] The invention described in claim 11 is an apparatus for separating a mixture contained in a liquid based on the difference in boiling point, characterized in that each of a plurality of containers (8) installed outside the distillation apparatus is provided with a level sensor, and each of the containers has on-off valves (11a), (11b) at the top and bottom thereof that communicate with the atmosphere, and is characterized in that, when the liquid level in each of the containers rises to a set position, the apparatus has a function of activating the plurality of containers (8) installed outside the distillation apparatus, a tube that has a downward inclination from the bottom of the condensate reservoir (7), passes through the distillation apparatus (3) and is connected to the plurality of containers (8) installed outside the distillation apparatus (3), flow path switching valves (10a), (10b) with a backflow prevention function located in the middle of the tube that connects the inside of the containers (8) installed outside the distillation apparatus (3) to the inside of the distillation apparatus (3), and on-off valves (11a), (11b) installed in each of the containers that communicate with the atmosphere.

[0026] The invention described in claim 12 is an apparatus for separating a mixture contained in a liquid based on the difference in boiling point, characterized in that a level sensor is provided in each of a plurality of containers (8) installed outside the distillation apparatus, and each of the containers has an on-off valve (11a), (11b) at the top and bottom thereof that opens to the atmosphere, and when the liquid level in each container rises to a set position, the method of operating the plurality of containers (8) installed outside the distillation apparatus, a pipe that has a downward inclination from the bottom of the condensate reservoir (11) and passes through the distillation apparatus (3) and is connected to the plurality of containers (8) installed outside the distillation apparatus (3), and flow path switching valves (10a), (10b) with backflow prevention function provided in the middle of the pipe connecting the inside of the containers (8) installed outside the distillation apparatus (3) to the inside of the distillation apparatus (3), and the on-off valves (11a), (11b) installed in each of the containers that open to the atmosphere are operated.

[0027] The invention described in claim 13 is an apparatus for separating a mixture contained in a liquid based on the difference in boiling point, characterized in that a hollow tubular material is placed in a spiral shape in the upper part of a distillation apparatus (3) consisting of an evaporator (1) and a condenser (2), with steps from the outer periphery to near the center of the evaporator (1) so that the center is at the bottom, and a liquid consisting of multiple components with different boiling points that flows into the evaporator (1), or a liquid consisting of multiple components with different boiling points and a solid contained in this liquid are made to flow inside the spiral structure, and then the hollow tubular material placed inside the evaporator (1) is made to have two roles as a heat exchanger (6) and a condenser (2).

[0028] The invention described in claim 14 is an apparatus for separating a mixture contained in a liquid based on the difference in boiling point, characterized in that a hollow tubular material is arranged in a spiral shape in the upper part of a distillation apparatus (3) consisting of an evaporator (1) and a condenser (2) with steps from the outer periphery to near the center of the evaporator (1) with the center being the lowest part, and a liquid consisting of multiple components with different boiling points that flows into the evaporator (1), or a liquid consisting of multiple components with different boiling points and a solid contained in this liquid are made to flow inside the spiral structure, and then the hollow tubular material arranged inside the evaporator (1) with steps from the outer periphery to near the center of the evaporator (1) with the center being the lowest part, can be made to have two roles as a heat exchanger (6) and a condenser (2).

[0029] The invention described in claim 15 is an apparatus for separating a mixture contained in a liquid based on the difference in boiling point, characterized in that a hollow tubular material is placed inside an evaporator (1) in a spiral shape with steps from the outer periphery to near the center of the evaporator (1) with the center being the lowest part, and a fluid for cooling and condensing the components vaporized in the evaporator (1) is caused to flow inside the spiral structure with steps from the outer periphery to near the center of the evaporator (1) with the center being the lowest part, thereby giving the hollow tubular material placed inside the evaporator (1) the role of a condenser (2).

[0030] The invention described in claim 16 is an apparatus for separating a mixture contained in a liquid based on the difference in boiling point, characterized in that a hollow tubular material is arranged in a spiral shape inside an evaporator (1) with steps from the outer periphery to near the center of the evaporator (1) with the center being the lowest part, and a fluid is made to flow inside the material for cooling and condensing the components vaporized in the evaporator (1), thereby making it possible to give the hollow tubular material arranged inside the evaporator (1) a spiral structure with steps from the outer periphery to near the center of the evaporator (1) with the center being the lowest part, the function of a condenser (2). Effect of the Invention

[0031] By using the present invention, it is possible to provide an apparatus that can effectively condense the vaporized components in the evaporator, and that can heat the liquid containing the mixture flowing into the evaporator using the heat contained in the vaporized components in the evaporator and the heat of condensation when some of the components condense, thereby reducing the amount of heat supplied to the liquid containing the mixture by a heating device installed in the evaporator (energy saving effect). [Brief description of the drawings]

[0032] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an apparatus for separating and removing a mixture contained in a fluid according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an apparatus for separating and removing a mixture contained in a fluid according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing an example of an operating state. [Diagram 3] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an apparatus for separating and removing a mixture contained in a fluid according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing an example of an operating state. [Figure 4] 1 shows an example of the shape of a heat exchanger installed inside an evaporator in the present invention. [Diagram 5] 1 shows an example of the shape of a condenser installed inside an evaporator and a device for collecting the fluid liquefied in the condenser and directing it to the outside of the distillation device in the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 shows an example of a model diagram of a distillation apparatus according to the present invention, which is composed of an evaporator and a condenser equipped with a heating feed, the shape of the condenser, a condensate reservoir and a tube for transferring the fluid liquefied in the condenser to the outside of the distillation apparatus, and a phase change of the vaporized substance in the condenser. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an apparatus for separating and removing a mixture contained in a fluid according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, the main part of this device is a distillation device (3) consisting of an evaporator (1) and a condenser (2). A level sensor (4) is installed in the evaporator (1), and a flow control valve (5) is installed to keep the amount of fluid (liquid level) in the evaporator (1) constant. When the distillation device (3) is in operation, the fluid in the evaporator (1) is constantly being heated and evaporated, so the liquid level will drop if left unattended. To prevent this, the level sensor (4) installed in the evaporator (1) detects the state of the liquid level, and a control device is provided to adjust the opening of the flow control valve (5) so that the liquid level is always constant. A heat exchanger (6) is provided above the evaporator (1), and the fluid that flows into the distillation apparatus (3) via the flow control valve (5) is heated in the heat exchanger (6). A vacuum pump (7) is provided to lower the boiling point of the fluid to be separated, thereby reducing the amount of heat required to heat it up to the boiling point. The fluid condensed in the condenser (2) and the heat exchanger (6) is stored in a container (8) that is installed outside the distillation apparatus (3) and temporarily stores the condensed fluid. This container (8) is equipped with a level sensor (9), and has a control device for switching backflow prevention valves (10) and (11) installed in the pipes connecting the inside of the distillation apparatus (3) to the container and in the pipes connecting the inside of the distillation apparatus (3) to the line extending from the distillation apparatus (3) to the vacuum pump (7) to the container when the liquid level in each container reaches a set position.

[0034] FIG. 2 shows an example of an operating state in a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an apparatus for separating and removing a mixture contained in a fluid according to an embodiment of the present invention. As described in the explanation of Fig. 1, the fluid condensed in the condenser (2) and the heat exchanger (6) is stored in a container (8) for temporarily storing the condensed fluid, which is installed outside the distillation apparatus (3). This container (8) is equipped with a level sensor (9), and has a control device for switching backflow prevention function-equipped switching valves (10) and (11) installed in the pipes connecting the inside of the distillation apparatus (3) to the container and in the pipes connecting the inside of the distillation apparatus (3) to the line extending from the distillation apparatus (3) to the vacuum pump (7) to the container when the liquid level in each container reaches a set position. In Fig. 2, the container (8a) is connected to the inside of the distillation apparatus (3) and to the inside of the distillation apparatus (3) and to a line extending from the distillation apparatus (3) to the vacuum pump (7), and the container (8b) is open to the atmosphere. In this state, the pressure inside the distillation apparatus (3) incorporating the condenser (2) and the heat exchanger (6) and the pressure inside the container (8a) are equal even if the distillation apparatus (3) is evacuated, so the fluid liquefied in the condenser (2) and the heat exchanger (6) is temporarily stored in the container (8a). In addition, because the container (8b) is open to the atmosphere, the fluid temporarily stored in the container can be discharged outside the container.

[0035] FIG. 3 shows an example of an operating state in a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an apparatus for separating and removing a mixture contained in a fluid according to an embodiment of the present invention. As described in the explanation of Fig. 1, the fluid condensed in the condenser (2) and the heat exchanger (6) is stored in a container (8) for temporarily storing the condensed fluid, which is installed outside the distillation apparatus (3). This container (8) is equipped with a level sensor (9), and has a control device for switching backflow prevention function-equipped switching valves (10) and (11) installed in the pipes connecting the inside of the distillation apparatus (3) to the container and in the pipes connecting the inside of the distillation apparatus (3) to the line extending from the distillation apparatus (3) to the vacuum pump (7) to the container when the liquid level in each container reaches a set position. In Fig. 3, the container (8b) is connected to the inside of the distillation apparatus (3) and to the inside of the distillation apparatus (3) and to a line extending from the distillation apparatus (3) to the vacuum pump (7), and the container (8a) is open to the atmosphere. In this state, the pressure inside the distillation apparatus (3) incorporating the condenser (2) and the heat exchanger (6) and the pressure inside the container (8b) are equal even if the inside of the distillation apparatus (3) is evacuated, so the fluid liquefied in the condenser (2) and the heat exchanger (6) is temporarily stored in the container (8b). In addition, because the container (8a) is open to the atmosphere, the fluid temporarily stored in the container can be discharged outside the container.

[0036] In this way, by linking the level sensors installed in each container (8) with the backflow prevention switching valves (10) and (11), when the liquid level in each container (8) reaches a set position, the backflow prevention switching valves (10) and (11) are switched to use either a container in a state where the condensate is temporarily stored or a container in a state where the temporarily stored condensate can be transferred to the outside, making it possible to continuously transfer the fluid condensed in the condenser (2) and the heat exchanger (6) to the outside.

[0037] FIG. 4 shows an example of the shape of a heat exchanger installed inside an evaporator in the present invention. A liquid composed of multiple components with different boiling points, or a fluid composed of a liquid composed of multiple components with different boiling points and solids contained in this liquid, flows into the distillation apparatus (3) from the top of the heat exchanger (6) and is heated by the fluid that is heated and vaporized in the evaporator (1). Figure 5 shows an example of the structure of the main parts of the heat exchanger. As shown in the figure, a hollow tubular material is placed in a spiral shape at the top of a distillation apparatus (3) consisting of an evaporator (1) and a condenser (2) with steps from the outer periphery to near the center of the evaporator (1) so that the center is at the bottom. Inside the spiral structure, a liquid consisting of multiple components with different boiling points that flows into the evaporator (1), or a liquid consisting of multiple components with different boiling points and solids contained in this liquid are made to flow and then flow into the evaporator (1). This allows the hollow tubular material placed inside the evaporator (1) to have two roles as a heat exchanger (6) and a condenser (2).

[0038] FIG. 5 shows an example of the shape of a condenser installed inside the evaporator and a device for collecting the fluid liquefied in the condenser and directing it to the outside of the distillation apparatus in the present invention. A condenser (2) is installed to liquefy the vaporized fluid in the distillation apparatus (1) by cooling it. The condensed fluid adheres to the heat transfer surface in the condenser (2) and moves downward (towards the center of the earth) due to gravity. By utilizing this characteristic, it is possible to collect the condensed fluid in the condenser. Figure 5 shows an example. A hollow tubular material is placed inside the evaporator (1) in a spiral shape with steps from the outer periphery to near the center of the evaporator (1) with the center being the lowest part, and a fluid for cooling and condensing the components vaporized inside the evaporator (1) is caused to flow inside the material, whereby the hollow tubular material placed inside the evaporator (1) in a spiral shape with steps from the outer periphery to near the center of the evaporator (1) with the center being the lowest part can be made to function as a condenser (2). The fluid liquefied on the surface of the hollow tubular material installed inside the evaporator (1) moves down the inclined surface of the hollow tubular material and is collected in a condensate reservoir (12). A condensate transfer pipe (13) connected to a container (8) for temporarily storing the condensed fluid is installed at the bottom of the condensate reservoir (12), and the fluid condensed in the condenser (2) travels through the condensate transfer pipe (13) to the container (8) for temporarily storing the condensed fluid. In addition, by installing multiple structures inside the evaporator (1) in a spiral shape with steps from the outer periphery to near the center of the evaporator (1) with the center being the lowest part, the heat transfer area of ​​the condenser is increased, and the capacity of the condenser is increased. In addition, as shown by the dashed lines in the figure, by connecting a spirally installed structure inside the evaporator (1) with steps from the outer periphery to near the center of the evaporator (1) with the center being the lowest part, using a groove-shaped material in the radial direction, it is possible to give the spirally installed structure functions such as increasing the strength, increasing the heat transfer area, and guiding the condensed fluid to move downward (towards the center) efficiently.

[0039] Figure 6 shows an example of a distillation apparatus according to the present invention, which is composed of an evaporator and a condenser equipped with a heating feed, the shape of the condenser, a condensate reservoir and a tube for moving the fluid liquefied in the condenser out of the distillation apparatus, and a model diagram showing a phase change of the vaporized substance in the condenser. The lower part of the distillation apparatus serves as an evaporator, and is equipped with a heating device for heating a liquid composed of a plurality of components with different boiling points, or a liquid composed of a plurality of components with different boiling points and a solid contained in the liquid. The upper part of the distillation apparatus serves as a condenser, and has a heat-insulating structure to prevent the phenomenon in which the vaporized fluid is cooled and condensed by heat radiation to the outside of the container, and then falls by gravity and returns to the evaporator again. The fluid vaporized in the evaporator (1) is cooled and liquefied in the condenser (2). At this time, the fluid liquefied on the surface of the hollow tubular material installed in the condenser moves downward along the inclined surface of the hollow tubular material, and the amount of condensed (liquefied) fluid per unit time is proportional to the temperature difference between the vaporized fluid in contact with the surface of the hollow tubular material and the fluid for cooling the vaporized fluid flowing inside the hollow tubular material, as well as the thermal conductivity, shape (diameter, wall thickness, etc. of the hollow tubular material) and arrangement (distance between hollow tubular materials, etc.) of the hollow tubular material, and therefore must be designed taking this into consideration. [Industrial Applicability]

[0040] The present invention is applicable to effectively separate mixtures contained in liquids. [Explanation of symbols]

[0041] (1) Evaporation device (2) Condensation device (3) Distillation apparatus (4) Level sensor (5) Flow control valve (6) Heat exchanger (7) Vacuum pump (8) A container for temporarily storing condensed fluids (9) Level sensor (10) Switching valve with backflow prevention function (11) Switching valve with backflow prevention function (12) Condensate pool (13) Condensate transfer pipe (14)Heating device (15) Thermal insulation device

Claims

1. A distillation apparatus (3) comprising an evaporator (1) and a condenser (2) having a function of separating components within a specific boiling range on the basis of their difference in boiling points by heating a liquid composed of a plurality of components with different boiling points, or a liquid composed of a plurality of components with different boiling points and a solid contained in the liquid, characterized in that the condenser (2) is configured to be installed inside a container constituting the evaporator (1), thereby eliminating the need for piping connecting the evaporator and the condenser and the container constituting the condenser, and by connecting a vacuum pump (7) to the distillation apparatus (3), the pressure inside the distillation apparatus (3) composed of the evaporator (1) and the condenser (2) can be made equal to or lower than atmospheric pressure, thereby lowering the boiling points of the components to be separated on the basis of their difference in boiling points.

2. A method for separating a mixture in a liquid, comprising: a distillation apparatus (3) comprising an evaporator (1) and a condenser (2) having a function of separating components within a specific boiling range on the basis of the difference in boiling points by heating a liquid comprising a plurality of components with different boiling points, or a liquid comprising a plurality of components with different boiling points and a solid contained in said liquid; a method in which the condenser (2) is installed inside a vessel constituting the evaporator (1), thereby eliminating the need for piping connecting the evaporator and the condenser and a vessel constituting the condenser; and a method in which the pressure inside the distillation apparatus (3) comprising the evaporator (1) and the condenser (2) is reduced to atmospheric pressure or lower using a vacuum pump (7) connected to the distillation apparatus (3), thereby lowering the boiling points of the components to be separated on the basis of the difference in boiling points.

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