Robert Lee Kohnen
Engineers at Infirmary Rd, Dayton, OH

4157281, Jun 5, 1979

Jul 14, 1977

5/815646

Daniel F. Burkhardt - Kettering OH
Carl A. Evers - Kettering OH
Anthony H. Kohnen - Kettering OH
Robert L. Kohnen - Centerville OH
Gary E. Smith - Alpha OH
Thomas J. Wittman - Dayton OH

B01D 114

202176

A solvent-bearing sludge material is pumped by a variable speed positive displacement pump from a preparation mixing tank through a pressure responsive valve which distributes the material into the upper portion of an insulated distilling or processing vessel. Steam is introduced into the lower portion of the vessel and mixes with the material to volatize the solvents which are directed through a condenser and pump to a storage tank. Water and suspended solid particles are continuously pumped from the bottom of the vessel to an insulated settling tank where the solid particles settle and are continuously removed by a drag-out conveyor. The hot water in the upper portion of the settling tank is pumped back into the vessel, and may have sufficient velocity to increase agitation within the vessel, or a mechanical agitator may be installed within the bottom portion of the vessel. The continuous feed of material into the vessel and the continuous removal of hot water and suspended particles from the vessel cooperate with continuous separation and removal of the solid particles and the return of the hot water to the vessel to eliminate agglomeration of the solids within the bottom portion of the vessel and to provide for an effective and efficient solvent reclaiming process.