Microwave fluid heating and distillation method

Abstract

A microwave energy emitter ( 108 ) is positioned in a chamber within a vessel ( 106 ) that is transparent to microwave energy absorption that is further surrounded by a microwave reflective means to reflect the waves back into the vessel. The vessel ( 106 ) encloses a material that absorbs microwave energy through molecular vibration of its molecules. An inlet path ( 116 ) and outlet path ( 112 ) is provided for the material to flow in and out of the vessel upon predetermined conditions. Heated material can be condensed via a condensing means ( 124 ) into a collection vessel ( 120 ). A controller means ( 126 ) is provided to send control signals to switching means for controlling the material flow and receiving sensing signals for decision means.

1 . In a microwave distillation apparatus, the microwave distillation apparatus comprising: 
 a material holding vessel defining an enclosure;    a microwave emitting antenna;    an antenna chamber providing physical isolation for the microwave antenna from the material holding vessel, the antenna chamber protruding into the material holding vessel, the antenna chamber substantially transparent where the chamber surrounds the microwave emission area of the microwave emitting antenna;    a microwave reflector on a surface of the material holding vessel, whereby substantially all of the emitted microwaves are first passed through the area of the enclosure of the material holding vessel before striking a reflecting or absorbing surface of the apparatus.    
     
     
         2 . The invention in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the antenna chamber protrudes vertically into the material holding vessel.  
     
     
         3 . The invention in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the surface of the material holding vessel comprises an exterior surface and the microwave reflector is on the exterior surface of the material holding vessel.  
     
     
         4 . The invention in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the material holding vessel is clear of any internal obstruction.  
     
     
         5 . The invention in accordance with  claim 1  further comprising: 
 the material holding vessel having a wall with an exterior surface and an interior surface defining a cavity;    the microwave reflector on the exterior surface of the material holding vessel wall; and    the distance between the antenna and the microwave reflector is a multiple of the wavelength of the emitted microwaves from the microwave emitting antenna.    
     
     
         6 . The invention in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the length and size of the microwave emitting antenna is a multiple of the wavelength of the antenna.  
     
     
         7 . The invention in accordance with  claim 6  wherein the microwave emitting antenna is a half wavelength antenna.  
     
     
         8 . The invention in accordance with  claim 6  wherein the microwave emitting antenna is a full wavelength antenna.  
     
     
         9 . The invention in accordance with  claim 6  wherein the microwave emitting antenna is a   1/128 wavelength antenna.    
     
     
         10 . The invention in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the microwave emitting antenna best for a particular use is less than a half wave length antenna.  
     
     
         11 . The invention in accordance with  claim 1  wherein the microwave emitting antenna is greater than a quarter wave length antenna.  
     
     
         12 . In a microwave distillation apparatus including a microwave emitting antenna, a microwave containment vessel comprising: 
 a microwave transparent material holding vessel with a wall defining a cavity;    an antenna chamber for receiving the microwave emitting antenna and providing isolation from the cavity of the material holding vessel, the antenna chamber being transparent to microwaves and protruding through the material holding vessel wall;    a microwave reflector in close proximity to and substantially following the outline of the exterior surface of the material holding vessel; and    the distance between the antenna and the microwave reflector is substantially a multiple of the wavelength of the microwaves emitted from the microwave emitting antenna.    
     
     
         13 . The invention in accordance with  claim 12  wherein the length and size of the microwave emitting antenna is a multiple of the wavelength of the antenna.  
     
     
         14 . The invention in accordance with  claim 13  wherein the microwave emitting antenna is a half wave length antenna.  
     
     
         15 . The invention in accordance with  claim 13  wherein the microwave emitting antenna is a full wave length antenna.  
     
     
         16 . The invention in accordance with  claim 13  wherein the microwave emitting antenna is a   1/128 wave length antenna.    
     
     
         17 . The invention in accordance with  claim 13  wherein the microwave emitting antenna is less than a half wave length antenna.  
     
     
         18 . The invention in accordance with  claim 13  wherein the microwave emitting antenna is greater than a quarter wave length antenna.  
     
     
         19 . A method of producing a distillate comprising the acts of: 
 providing a containment vessel having a material holding cavity with an interior surface and an antenna chamber formed of a microwave transparent material, the antenna chamber extending through a surface of the microwave containment vessel and into the material holding cavity;    providing material in the material holding cavity;    providing a microwave source coupled to a microwave antenna that is placed in the antenna chamber of the microwave containment vessel;    providing a microwave reflector beyond the interior surface of the material holding cavity;    activating the microwave source to cause the microwave antenna to emit microwaves to heat the material in the material holding cavity;    continuing to heat the material in the material holding cavity to generate vapor;    passing the vapor through a condensation coil in communication with the containment vessel; and    cooling the vapor to form the distillate.    
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising: 
 providing a holding vessel in communication with the condensation coil; and    collecting the distillate in the holding vessel.    
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 19  further comprising: 
 a signal processor/determiner having at least one signal input,    a first level sensor in communication with the signal processor/determiner through a first of the at least one signal inputs,    whereby the level of material in the material holding cavity of the microwave containment vessel is sensed by the first level sensor and is communicated to the signal processor/determiner by the first of the at least one signal inputs.