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CLASS 202,	DISTILLATION: APPARATUS
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SECTION I - CLASS DEFINITION

GENERAL STATEMENT OF CLASS SUBJECT MATTER

This class includes all apparatus except as noted herein below for distillation of either solids or liquids, and associations of distillation apparatus and other apparatus adapted to prepare material for distillation. For the purposes of this classification distillation is defined as the volatilization of a substance for the purpose of recovering material from the vapor produced by condensation or absorption. The product obtained by condensation must be a liquid. Generally the volatile material separated existed as a definite chemical entity in the substance, but in the case of thermolytic distillation it may be formed from other compounds during and by the heating. The absence from the claims of means for performing condensation or absorption in an apparatus patent does not exclude it from this class if it is disclosed, evident or well known that the apparatus is designed to be used in connection with such a step.

When all claims are generic and the disclosure indicates that the apparatus is of wide utility, the patent is classified here (class 202) and cross-referenced to the classes disclosed. When the patent includes generic claims and the disclosure is limited to a class other than Class 202, the patent is classified in the class disclosed. When a patent contains generic distillation apparatus claims and species claims including a Class 202 species, see Lines With Other Classes, below.

For classification purposes in this class three forms of distillation are recognized, defined as follows:

Autothermic distillation, in which the distilland, either by combustion of a portion of itself or by other chemical change, furnishes at least part of the heat for thermolysis and volatilization of either the inherent or thermolized volatile matter.

Separatory distillation, in which the substances separated pre-exist in the material subjected to distillation, called herein the distilland, and are recovered usually without chemical change of composition.

Thermolytic distillation, in which a compound or compounds found in the distilland undergo chemical decomposition, thermolysis, and form different chemical compounds, at least some of which are volatile at the temperature employed, and can be recovered by condensation or absorption. In this are included coal, oil shale, peat, and wood distillation when the latter produces charcoal.

SECTION II - LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES AND WITHIN THIS CLASS

(A) DISTILLATION PROCESSES

Patents claiming a distillation process and claiming distillation apparatus of general utility within the purview of Class 202 are classified in the appropriate distillation process class and cross-referenced to this Class (202). See References to Other Classes, below, for processes including a distillation operation.

(B) DISTILLATION APPARATUS

Patents claiming distillation apparatus of general utility are classified here unless otherwise provided for.

(1) Class 34, Drying and Gas Vapor Contact With Solids, is distinguished from Class 202 in that in Class 34 the combination of means for removing an extraneous liquid from a solid and means for condensing vapor produced must leave the solid chemically unchanged. In Class 202 apparatus is utilized to chemically alter the solid being treated.

(2) Class 48, Gas: Heating and Illuminating, takes apparatus for making heating and illuminating gases. The line between the apparatus in this class (202) for thermolytic distillation and the apparatus in Class 48 is that the apparatus in Class 48 has no solid carbonaceous material left in the material acted upon.

(3) Class 62, Refrigeration, takes apparatus for vaporizing a liquid mixture having a boiling point at atmospheric pressure below 0°C. (32°F.) and condensing the vapor except as otherwise provided in the Class Definition of Class 62. When a patent contains claims to Class 62 apparatus and Class 202 apparatus, the patent is classified in Class 62 and cross-referenced to Class 202.

(4) Class 134, Cleaning and Liquid Contact With Solids, takes processes and apparatus for contacting solids with liquids for cleaning or any purpose not provided for in other classes. The combination of means for contacting a solid with a liquid and means for distilling the liquid is in Class 134. The subcombination of distilling apparatus of general utility is classified here (202).

(5) Class 435, Chemistry: Molecular Biology and Microbiology, takes processes for fermentation including a distillation operation and apparatus that is peculiar to, or specialized and designed for use in, processes classified in Class 435.

(6) Class 196, Mineral Oils: Apparatus, takes all patents drawn to apparatus for distilling mineral oil. When a patent contains claims to apparatus for distilling mineral oil and claims to apparatus for distilling within the purview of Class 202, the patent is classified in Class 202 and cross-referenced to Class 196.

(7) Class 266, Metallurgical Apparatus, takes apparatus for heating metalliferous material combined with means for condensing the vapor. The line between Class 202 and Class 266 is that Class 266 takes apparatus for distilling metals, such as mercury and zinc, from their ores.

(8) Class 588, Hazardous or Toxic Waste Destruction or Containment, a process class, subclass 900 for a cross-reference art collection of apparatus used in the destruction of hazardous or toxic waste.

C. EVAPORATING APPARATUS

Apparatus designed to heat material to remove vapor therefrom without condensing at least a portion of the vapor is excluded from Class 202. Some classes which provide for apparatus including means for concentrating or evaporating without necessarily including condensing means are listed in References to Other Classes, below.

SECTION III - REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES

SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:

SECTION IV - GLOSSARY

CHAR

The generic term applied to the carbonaceous residue from a thermolytic distillation of any carbonaceous material. It encompasses such terms as bone black, charcoal and coke.

COKE

Strictly this is the amorphous, solid residue of coal after the volatile material has been distilled off in a thermolytic distillation. The term is also applied in the art to the solid, carbonaceous residue from the thermolytic distillation of such materials as oil shale, petroleum and pitch.

CONDENSATE

See distillate in the Class Definition.

DESTRUCTIVE DISTILLATION

See thermolytic distillation.

DISTILLAND

The material which is undergoing a distillation operation.

DISTILLATE

The liquid product condensed from vapor during the distillation operation.

EXTRACTIVE DISTILLATION

A separatory distillation in which a generally less volatile substance, often referred to as a solvent, is added to the distillation column to preferentially remove some components of the vapor by dissolving it. The added substance and the dissolved component are removed below the point at which the less volatile substance is added to the distillation column.

FRACTIONAL DISTILLATION

A separatory distillation operation in which distillate is collected over specific temperature intervals.

SUBLIMATION

A process in which a solid passes into the vapor state without liquefaction and the vapor returns to the solid state without passing through the liquid phase.

EVAPORATION

The process of changing a solid or liquid into a vapor. This is the generic term for both sublimation and vaporization. It differs from "distillation" in that distillation includes the additional step of condensing vapor produced to a liquid.

VAPORIZATION

The process of changing a liquid into a vapor. See "Evaporation".

SUBCLASSES

81	APPARATUS:
	This subclass is indented under the class definition.  Apparatus and devices relating to the art of distillation not provided for in the subclasses below. (1) Note. For heating see Search Notes below. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 62,  Refrigeration,   appropriate subclasses, for processes and apparatus involving compressing, cooling and expanding a fluid. 110,  Furnaces,   for furnaces. 122,  Liquid Heaters and Vaporizers,   for boilers. 126,  Stoves and Furnaces,   for heating. 137,  Fluid Handling,   for fluid handling apparatus. 159,  Concentrating Evaporators,   for evaporators. 201,  Distillation: Processes, Thermolytic,   appropriate subclass, for a process of thermolytically carbonizing a solid carbonaceous material. 203,  Distillation: Processes, Separatory,   appropriate subclass, for a process of separatory distillation. 219,  Electric Heating,   for heating. 432,  Heating,   for heating.

82	Systems:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 81.  Combinations and associations of apparatus not provided for in the subclasses indented hereunder.

83	Portably mounted:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 82.  Groupings of distilling apparatus mounted for moving from place to place as an entirety. This also includes patents claiming movable heating elements used in connection with distilling apparatus. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 213, for a kiln structure designed to be moved from place to place. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 110,  Furnaces,   subclass 241 for a portable incinerator.

84	Separatory and thermolytic:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 82.  Systems of apparatus including kilns, retorts, or chambers in which the distilland is subjected to both separatory and thermolytic distillation. The two species of distillation may occur simultaneously in separate chambers or successively in a single chamber.

85	Thermolytic and autothermic:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 82.  Associations of kilns, retorts, and/or chambers, in which thermolytic distillation occurs, part of the necessary heat being supplied by the combustion (or chemical change) of the distilland.

86	Retort and kiln:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 85.  Assemblies of retorts in which material is distilled by externally-applied heat, and chambers or kilns in which material is distilled by combustion or a portion thereof. The retorts may be heated by other means or by the heat carried by the distillate from the kiln. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 48,  Gas: Heating and Illuminating,   subclasses 76 , 77 and 78, and indented subclasses. 110,  Furnaces,   subclass 242 , for a closed retort for incinerating garbage. 201,  Distillation: Processes, Thermolytic,   subclasses 15+ , for a process in which at least a part of the original material is burned.

87	Retort heated by combustion:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 86.  The retort is heated by combustion of the gases from the kiln, which latter may be a producer. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 48,  Gas: Heating and Illuminating,   subclasses 76 , 77 and 78, and indented subclasses.

88	Kiln and directly heated chamber:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 85.  Assemblies of kiln and chamber. The distillation gases and/or products of combustion from the kiln pass through the chamber in direct contact with its contents. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 48,  Gas: Heating and Illuminating,   subclasses 76 and 203.

89	Interchangeable:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 88.  The kiln and chamber are identical in construction and may interchange functions.

90	Chamber externally heated:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 88.  The chamber in which distillation is performed by the direct action of the heated gas is also heated externally, frequently by combustion of a part of the gas coming from the kiln.

91	Autothermic:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 81.  Systems in which the kilns or chambers in which the destructive distillation occurs are heated by chemical change (as combustion) of the distilland itself.

92	Open kiln:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 91.  The distilland is placed in a structure without a top or is piled upon the ground or upon a platform and heated by means of the combustion of a part or its substance.

93	Closed kiln:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 91.  The kiln is closed and partial combustion of its contents furnishes the heat to distill the remainder. This is the broad subclass for the beehive ovens.

94	With steam generator:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 93.  The kiln is closed, and a steam generator of some form is associated in the system. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 122,  Liquid Heaters and Vaporizers,   subclass 7 .

95	With residue quencher or cooler:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 93.  A device for cooling the residue either by a liquid or a fluid or by preservation from air is associated with the system. The residue may be cooled within the kiln or after withdrawal therefrom. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 227+, for quenching apparatus. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 201,  Distillation: Processes, Thermolytic,   subclass 39 , for a thermolytic distillation process directed to cooling the residue by quenching with an inert medium.

96	Thermolytic:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 81.  Thermolytic systems in which thermolytic distillation occurs, not provided for in the subclasses indented hereunder. (1) Note. Apparatus for treating the vapor or condensate from thermolysis, unless provided for in the subclasses indented hereunder, is found in this class, subclasses 182 and 202 and indented subclasses. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 110,  Furnaces,   subclasses 235+ , for furnaces for incinerating garbage. 201,  Distillation: Processes, Thermolytic,   appropriate subclass for a process of carbonizing solid carbonaceous material. 208,  Mineral Oils: Processes and Products,   subclasses 390 , 391 and 400-435, for a process of recovering mineral oils from solid natural material not otherwise classified.

97	Stalls:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 96.  Horizontal chambers having one end closed, the other closable, and heated either directly or indirectly, into which a receptacle containing a distilland may be run and withdrawn.

98	Tunnels:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 97.  The stall is openable and closable at both ends and not necessarily horizontal, and the receptacles are introduced at one end and withdrawn at the other. Heated directly or indirectly. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 432,  Heating,   subclasses 121+ , for a residual material heating furnace having means by which work is progressed or moved mechanically.

99	Directly heated chamber:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 96.  A chamber equipped with means introducing heat into its interior in direct contact with the distilland, either by means of heated solids or heated gaseous fluids. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 107, SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 48,  Gas: Heating and Illuminating,   subclasses 76 and 203. 432,  Heating,   subclass 41 , for a residual material heating furnace in which the material is heated by contact with combustion products.

100	Rotary chamber:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 99.  The directly heated chamber is arranged to be rotated. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 131, 136, 216, and 218, for a rotary retort. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 34,  Drying and Gas or Vapor Contact With Solids,   subclass 108 , for a rotating hollow receptacle through which the material to be treated is carried and see (8) Note thereunder for related fields of search. 110,  Furnaces,   subclass 246 for a rotary drum incinerator. 432,  Heating,   subclasses 105+ , for a residual rotary drum tumbler type furnace in which combustion products directly contact the material being heated.

101	Dome ovens:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 96.  The distilling chamber has the form of the beehive oven, but is heated from the outside through walls or floor, or both.

102	Hearths:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 96.  The distilling chamber is heated from the bottom. Heating flues in the lower portion of the side walls if auxiliary in function do not exclude from this subclass. The chamber may have means also for the introduction of gas or vapor to assist the distillation or react with the distilland. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 124+, for a chamber having flues, subclasses 138+ and 220, for a retort having flues also subclasses 121, 129, and 134, for a retort with fluid injection means. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 201,  Distillation: Processes, Thermolytic,   subclasses 31 and 38+, for a carbonization process in which fluid is passed into the carbonizing zone.

103	Distilland transferring:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 102.  The hearth has means for moving the distilland over and off its surface. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 432,  Heating,   subclasses 153+ , for a residual heating apparatus in which the work is pushed across a heating surface.

104	Vertical series:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 103.  The hearths lie in a vertical series. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 432,  Heating,   subclass 132 , for a residual material heating apparatus in which the material is moved across vertically spaced heated shelves and drops from shelf to shelf.

105	Retort:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 96.  Closed vessels of metal, clay, brick, or other material designed to contain the distilland and with means for external heating. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 48,  Gas: Heating and Illuminating,   for pertinent subclass(es) as determined by schedule review. 110,  Furnaces,   subclass 242 for a closed retort incinerator. 266,  Metallurgical Apparatus,   subclasses 148+ especially subclass 153, for externally heated ore containing vessels combined with vapor condensing structure. 432,  Heating,   subclasses 120+ , for a residual material heating chamber having heating means.

106	With steam generation:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 105.  The distilling vessel is heated from the outside and has associated with it, so as to be heated by the products of the combustion which heat the retort, or by other sources of waste heat, means for generation of steam. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 122,  Liquid Heaters and Vaporizers,   subclass 7 .

107	With digester:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 105.  The system contains a chamber in which the distilland is treated with a liquid which frees the material to be distilled. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 99, and indented subclass.

108	With direct heating:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 105.  The retort is also heated internally by direct contact of its contents with a heating medium. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 201,  Distillation: Processes, Thermolytic,   subclasses 10+ , for a thermolytic distillation process including the step of heating the retort internally by direct contact with a heating medium and subclasses 36+ for passing an extraneous gas through the carbonizing zone.

109	With cyclic volatile circulation:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 105.  The volatile matter distilled off is moved in a closed circuit through the retort, with or without intermediate purification. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 201,  Distillation: Processes, Thermolytic,   subclasses 28+ , for a process of thermolytic distillation including removing, treating and recycling a product and subclass 43, for a digest of heating by cyclically circulating a hot, extraneous, inert gas.

110	With distilland pressure:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 105.  The retort system is provided with means for maintaining the distilland under pressure during distillation. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 201,  Distillation: Processes, Thermolytic,   subclass 35 , for a thermolytic distillation process in which the carbonizing zone is under pneumatic pressure. 203,  Distillation: Processes, Separatory,   subclasses 73+ and 91+, for a separatory distillation process under pressure.

111	With recuperators and regenerators:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 105.  The retort system has both double and single surface air and/or gas heaters heated by the heat carried off by the products of combustion. The double-surface heaters are in this class called recuperators, the single surface, regenerators. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 122, 123, 130, 132, 140, 141, and indented subclasses, 146 and 148. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 201,  Distillation: Processes, Thermolytic,   subclasses 15+ , for a carbonizing process including burning a product of the carbonizing step and recovering heat from a product by indirect heat exchange, and subclass 37, for a process in which externally produced combustion gases are passed through the retort.

112	With distillate fixing chamber:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 105.  The distillate is passed through tubes or chambers in which it is subjected to high temperature in order to crack the higher boiling portions thereof. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 48,  Gas: Heating and Illuminating,   subclasses 93 , 94, 109, 110, and 112, and indented subclasses.

113	Plural:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 105.  A plurality of retorts are associated. The arrangement may be either series or parallel. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 110,  Furnaces,   subclasses 208+ and 295+, for a plurality of interconnected furnaces. 201,  Distillation: Processes, Thermolytic,   subclass 26 , for a thermolytic distillation process of carbonizing a plurality of charges in series or parallel.

114	Common heating furnace:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 113.  A plurality of retorts arranged to be heated by a single furnace. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 147, and indented subclasses. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 110,  Furnaces,   subclasses 230+ for a solid fuel furnace provided with coking means. 432,  Heating,   subclasses 207+ , for a residual material heating apparatus including a plurality of structurally related retorts.

115	Annularly arranged:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 113.  The retorts are arranged in a closed chain which is not necessarily circular.

116	Vertical and horizontal or inclined:
	The retorts are arranged in cooperating pairs of vertical and inclined or horizontal units.

117	Conveying:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 105.  The retort has means for moving the distilland through it. It may be fed at top or bottom or end. SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS: 120+, for distillation apparatus so arranged that the distilland passes through it in a vertical direction and subclass 136, for a horizontal retort having a rotary motion. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 110,  Furnaces,   subclasses 186+ , 227+, 255+, and 267+ for refuse incinerators or solid fuel furnaces provided with conveying means. 198,  Conveyors: Power-Driven,   appropriate subclass, for conveying means. 201,  Distillation: Processes, Thermolytic,   subclasses 32+ , for a thermolytic distillation process in which the distilland passes through the retort. 432,  Heating,   subclasses 121+ , for a residual work heating chamber having heating means and means by which the work is progressed or moved mechanically.

118	Screw:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 117.  The conveying means comprises one or more screws. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 198,  Conveyors: Power-Driven,   subclasses 476.1 , 513, 548, 550.6, 550.10, 582, 608, 611, 625, and 657+, for screw conveying means.

119	Reciprocating:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 117.  The conveyor is reciprocating and may be a reciprocating floor or plunger. SEE OR SEARCH CLASS: 110,  Furnaces,   subclasses 109 and 114. 198,  Conveyors: Power-Driven,   subclasses 602 , 614, and 736+, for a reciprocating conveyor.

120	Vertical:
	This subclass is indented under subclass 105