Pressurized Vapor Cycle Liquid Distillation

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention are directed toward a novel pressurized vapor cycle for distilling liquids. In some embodiments of the invention, a liquid purification system is revealed, including the elements of an input for receiving untreated liquid, a vaporizer coupled to the input for transforming the liquid to vapor, a head chamber for collecting the vapor, a vapor pump with an internal drive shaft and an eccentric rotor with a rotatable housing for compressing vapor, and a condenser in communication with the vapor pump for transforming the compressed vapor into a distilled product. Other embodiments of the invention are directed toward heat management, and other process enhancements for making the system especially efficient.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A water vapor distillation system comprising:
 an evaporator condenser in communication with a head chamber;   a compressor connected to and in communication with the head chamber;   a vessel connected to and in communication with the compressor, the vessel comprising an orifice; and   a back pressure regulator comprising:
 an arm hingably attached to the vessel at a pivot point, the arm having a closed position and an open position; 
 a movable stop attached to the arm wherein the distance between the movable stop and the pivot point is maintained and wherein when the arm is in the closed position, the movable stop covers the orifice and when the arm is in the open position, the movable stop does not cover the orifice; 
 an axis attached to the arm; and 
 a counter mass suspended from the arm and slidably connected to the axis wherein the distance between the counter mass and the pivot point is variable, 
   wherein when the pressure in the compressor exceeds a set point the arm and the stop moves from the closed position to the open position.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein changing the counter mass position with respect to the arm changes the set point. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the counter mass is adjustably attached such that the lowest set point is substantially less than or equal to 10 psig. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the counter mass is adjustably attached such that the highest set point is substantially greater than or equal to 17 psig. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a leak vent when the arm is in the closed position. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the movable stop is substantially ball-shaped. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the vessel further comprising a drain orifice. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , where the backpressure regulator further comprising a housing. 
     
     
         9 . A water vapor distillation system comprising:
 an evaporator condenser;   a compressor connected in communication with the evaporator condenser;   a vessel connected to and in communication with the compressor, the vessel comprising an orifice; and   a back pressure regulator comprising:
 an arm hingably attached to the vessel at a pivot point, the arm having a closed position and an open position; 
 a movable stop attached to the arm wherein the distance between the movable stop and the pivot point is maintained and wherein when the arm is in the closed position, the movable stop covers the orifice and when the arm is in the open position, the movable stop does not cover the orifice; 
 an axis attached to the arm; and 
 a counter mass suspended from the arm and slidably connected to the axis wherein the distance between the counter mass and the pivot point is variable, 
   wherein when the pressure in the compressor exceeds a set point the arm and the stop moves from the closed position to the open position.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein changing the counter mass position with respect to the arm changes the set point. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the counter mass is adjustably attached such that the lowest set point is substantially less than or equal to 10 psig. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the counter mass is adjustably attached such that the highest set point is substantially greater than or equal to 17 psig. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising a leak vent when the arm is in the closed position. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the movable stop is substantially ball-shaped. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the vessel further comprising a drain orifice. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 9 , where the backpressure regulator further comprising a housing. 
     
     
         17 . A water vapor distillation system comprising:
 an evaporator condenser;   a compressor connected in communication with the evaporator condenser;   a vessel connected to and in communication with the compressor, the vessel comprising an orifice; and   a back pressure regulator comprising:
 a housing; 
 an arm hingably attached to the vessel at a pivot point, the arm having a closed position and an open position; 
 a movable stop attached to the arm wherein the distance between the movable stop and the pivot point is maintained and wherein when the arm is in the closed position, the movable stop covers the orifice and when the arm is in the open position, the movable stop does not cover the orifice; 
 an axis attached to the arm; and 
 a counter mass suspended from the arm and slidably connected to the axis wherein the distance between the counter mass and the pivot point is variable, 
   wherein when the pressure in the compressor exceeds a set point the arm and the stop moves from the closed position to the open position.   
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein changing the counter mass position with respect to the arm changes the set point. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , further comprising a leak vent when the arm is in the closed position. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the vessel further comprising a drain orifice.