Vertical continuous degassing apparatus

A vertical continuous degassing apparatus for degassing a mix of at least one member selected from the group consisting of a liquid, a mix of liquids, a mix of a liquid and solids and combinations thereof comprising: a vacuum chamber, a mechanism for adjusting the pressure therein, the vacuum chamber having an upper inlet zone including an inlet port, a lower discharge zone including a discharge port, and an intermediate zone therebetween. An annular skirt is positioned in the intermediate zone of the vacuum chamber for receiving, distributing and expediting the degassification of the mix entering the vacuum chamber through the upper inlet port. A vacuum seal is provided by the mix entering the inlet port and by the degassed mix exiting the discharge port. A method for degassing a mix of at least one member selected from the group consisting of a liquid, a mix of liquids, a mix of a liquid and solids, and combinations thereof which comprise the steps of: exposing in a vacuum chamber a quantity of the mix to a vacuum to evacuate entrapped air in the mix allowing the mix to free fall by gravity in the vacuum; interrupting the free falling mix by diverting the mix outwardly; degassing the mix by forming a thin layer of film comprising the diverted mix while continuing to expose the diverted mix to the vacuum; and discharging the degassed mix.