Systems and methods for water desalination and brine mining

Abstract

Water desalination systems and methods are designed to provide high recovery of saline water and highly concentrated water while minimizing energy usage. The systems process pre-treated water using fluidly coupled pumps and filters. A pump increases the pressure of the pre-treated water to a desired value for a specific filter. The filter separates the pre-treated water into a permeate water stream and a concentrated water stream. The systems further include multiple brine-concentration (BC) membranes that are interconnected in either a series or a parallel arrangement. These membranes are coupled with optional upstream and downstream reverse-osmosis (RO) membranes to produce high-purity permeate water. Energy recovery devices are integrated into the systems to recover hydraulic energy from the concentrated water and thus reduce energy consumption. The systems utilize optional salinity-adaptive multistage reverse-osmosis (SAMRO) pretreatment to achieve recoveries beyond conventional reverse-osmosis systems.

Description

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR WATER DESALINATION AND BRINE MININGCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This Application is an International PCT Patent Application that claims the benefit of, and priority to, pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 63 / 654, 119, filed May 31, 2024, 63 / 712,285, filed October 25, 2024, 63 / 801,306, filed May 21, 2025, 63 / 786,959, filed April 10, 2025, and 63 / 813,341, filed May 28, 2025, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for water desalination and brine mining, and more specifically to multistage water desalination systems and methods for providing high recovery of reverse osmosis saline water (e.g., Brackish water, seawater, saline water, any other type of non-permeate water, or any combination thereof) and highly concentrated water using advanced water purification technologies while minimizing system energy usage.BACKGROUND

[0002] Global water scarcity has been an increasing crisis to humankind. To tackle this problem, many countries have been focused their investments in building infrastructure, developing technologies, and improving water management and conservation. One critical area to address water scarcity is to develop efficient and sustainable desalination and water purification technologies. Among many options, desalination technologies, such as reverse osmosis desalination, have significantly improved efficiency and reduced costs. However, in a typical reverse osmosis method, some pretreatment is usually required to prevent filters, i.e., membranes, from being fouled by microbes and other deposits or suspended matter in seawater. Chemicals, such acids to lower pH of the seawater and anti-scaling agents, are sometimes added in the pretreatment. Other processes and systems may be added to remove specific suspended matter or algae. The costs of maintenance of these pretreatment systems are a significant percentage of the total cost of the system. Thus, it is economical to maximize the recovery of water from the pretreated water streams. However, high recovery will result in consumption of higher energy as higher pressures are required to overcome the osmotic pressures of the brine with increasedsalinities. In addition, running the reverse osmosis system at the higher pressures will result in a high flux, i.e., flowrate, in the membranes, thus resulting in high fouling and short life of the membranes. To overcome this problem, some methods use multistage reverse osmosis technologies. These methods, including semi-batch reverse osmosis, full batch reverse osmosis, and multistage reverse osmosis, could reduce the overall energy consumption of the system. Such methods, however, require higher capital expenditures, multiple high-pressure pumps, and multiple reverse osmosis membranes.

[0003] To efficiently tackle the global water scarcity problem, many countries have been focused their efforts on developing efficient and sustainable desalination and water purification technologies. Among many options, reverse osmosis desalination systems have significantly benefited the industry with improved efficiency and reduced costs. However, concentrated water, e g., saline brines, resulted from the desalination systems and processes pose significant environmental risks. If not properly managed, the saline brines may potentially contaminate soil, freshwater aquifers, and surface water. Among conventional remedies, a preferred strategy is the complete evaporation of the saline brines followed by secure disposal of produced solids. This approach, such as multi-effect evaporation and mechanical vapor compression, prevents the spread of contaminants. This approach also transforms waste into a potential resource such as useful minerals and compounds. But this technology generally is energy-intensive and costly.

[0004] Membrane-based technologies offer more energy and cost efficient alternatives. Concentrating saline brines presents an opportunity to recover valuable water and improves the economics of resource recovery. A key technical challenge to the technology is the extremely high osmotic pressures of concentrated brines. These pressures normally exceed the capabilities of standard high-rejection reverse osmosis membranes and conventional high pressure pumps.

[0005] Generally, concentrating brines by means of reverse-osmosis is limited by the pressure limit of high-pressure pumps used in the process. Since hydraulic pressure is the driving force of separation / filtration, osmotic pressure differential between the concentrate and permeate may not be higher than the hydraulic pressure of the concentrate. Using a membrane with high solute selectivity in some implementations, osmotic pressure of the permeate may be negligible. When reaching certain high concentrations, these systems have a driving force approaching zero. Consequently, the water flux of the system approaches zero, thus making the system operation impractical. Overcoming this limitation is essential to unlocking the full environmental andeconomic benefits of high-recovery desalination and brine concentration technologies.

[0006] Increased concentration presents another challenge that increases the risk of inorganic, organic and bio fouling of membranes. Prior developments in the field include osmotically assisted reverse osmosis processes. One approach for these processes is to introduce brine to the permeate side of the membrane, thereby reducing the osmotic pressure differential across the membrane. This approach enables continuous water flux even at very high brine concentrations. Thus, the osmotic pressure differential between the permeate and concentrate remains below the maximum hydraulic pressure of high-pressure pumps. However, this approach requires a special membrane structure, which generally exhibits reduced flux at high concentrations.

[0007] Electrodialysis (ED) has also been employed to concentrate desalination brines. However, ion back-diffusion from the high-concentration side to the low-concentration side leads to increased energy demand, resulting in high energy consumptions similar to thermal desalination methods. Therefore, there remains a need in the art for more energy-efficient and effective systems and methods for brine concentration.SUMMARY

[0008] According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a water desalination system and method are designed for providing high recovery of permeate water, i.e., purified water, from concentrated water (e.g., Brackish water, seawater, saline water, any other type of non-permeate water, or any combination thereof) using reverse osmosis saline water purification technology while reducing system energy usage. The water desalination system includes a first storage tank, a first pump, a filter, and a control system. The first storage tank is configured to store concentrated water. The filter is fluidly coupled to the first pump and the first storage tank. The control system includes one or more processors and a memory device. The memory device has stored machine-readable instructions thereon. The one or more processors of the control system is configured to execute the machine-readable instructions to cause the system to: (i) flow a pre-treated water stream to the first pump, (ii) using the first pump, increase the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure and flow the pre-treated water stream to the filter, (iii) using the filter, separate the pre-treated water stream into a permeate water stream and a concentrated water stream, (iv) flow the concentrated water stream to the first storage tank, and (v) flow the permeate water stream to a permeate storage tank.

[0009] According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a method of water desalination includes obtaining a first storage tank configured to store concentrated water. The method fluidly couples a first pump to the first storage tank. Then the method fluidly couples a filter to the first pump and flows a pre-treated water stream to the first pump. Using the first pump, the method increases the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure and flows the pre-treated water stream to the filter. Additionally, using the filter, the method separates the pre-treated water stream into a permeate water stream and a concentrated water stream, and flows the concentrated water stream to the first storage tank. Moreover, the method flows the permeate water stream to a permeate storage tank.

[0010] According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a system for water desalination includes a first storage tank configured to store concentrated water. A first pump is fluidly coupled to the first storage tank. An energy recovery device is fluidly coupled to the first pump. A filter is fluidly coupled to the energy recovery device and the first storage tank. A memory device has stored thereon machine-readable instructions. Moreover, a control system has one or more processors configured to execute the machine-readable instructions to cause the system to flow a pre-treated water stream to the first pump. Using first pump, the system increases the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure and flows the pre-treated water stream to the energy recovery device. Additionally, using the energy recovery device, the system increases the pretreated water stream to a second pressure and flows the pre-treated water stream to the filter. Using the filter, the system separates the pre-treated water stream into a permeate water stream and a concentrated water stream. Then, the system flows the permeate water stream to a permeate storage tank and the concentrated water stream from the filter to the energy recovery device. Moreover, using the energy recovery device, the system flows the concentrated water stream to the first storage tank.

[0011] According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a system for water desalination includes a first storage tank configured to store concentrated water. An energy recovery device is fluidly coupled to the first storage tank. A filter fluidly is coupled to the energy recovery device and the first storage tank. A memory device has stored thereon machine-readable instructions. And a control system has one or more processors configured to execute the machine- readable instructions to cause the system to flow a pre-treated water stream to the energy recovery device. Using the energy recovery device, the system increases the pre-treated water stream to afirst pressure and flows the pre-treated water stream to the filter. Additionally, using the filter, the system separates the pre-treated water stream into a permeate water stream and a concentrated water stream. Moreover, the system flows the permeate water stream to a permeate storage tank. Further, the system flows the concentrated water stream from the filter to the energy recovery device. Then, using the energy recovery device, the system flows the concentrated water stream to the first storage tank.

[0012] According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a system for water desalination includes a water storage tank configured to store pre-treated water. The water storage tank includes a housing and an internal structure. The internal structure is interiorly attached to the housing. The system further includes a first pump and a filter. The filter is fluidly coupled to the first pump and the water storage tank. A memory device has stored thereon machine-readable instructions. And a control system has one or more processors configured to execute the machine- readable instructions to cause the system to: (1) flow a pre-treated water stream from the water storage tank to the first pump; (2) using the first pump, increase the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure and flow the pre-treated water stream to the filter; (3) using the filter, separate the pre-treated water stream into a permeate water stream and a concentrated water stream; (4) flow the concentrated water stream to the water storage tank, wherein the internal structure is configured to aid in delaying mixing of the concentrated water stream with the pre-treated water; and (5) flow the permeate water stream to a permeate storage tank.

[0013] According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a method of water desalination includes obtaining a water storage tank configured to store pre-treated water. The water storage tank has a housing and an internal structure. The internal structure is interiorly attached to the housing. Additionally, the method fluidly couples a first pump to the water storage tank. Then, the method fluidly couples a filter to the first pump and the water storage tank. The method flows a pre-treated water stream from the water storage tank to the first pump. Moreover, using the first pump, the method increases the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure and flows the pre-treated water stream to the filter. Further, using the filter, the method separates the pretreated water stream into a permeate water stream and a concentrated water stream. The method flows the concentrated water stream to the water storage tank. Additionally, the internal structure is configured to aid in delaying mixing of the concentrated water stream with the pre-treated water. Moreover, the method flows the permeate water stream to a permeate storage tank.

[0014] According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a system for water desalination includes a plurality of water storage tanks configured to store pre-treated water. Each of the plurality of water storage tanks includes a housing and an internal structure. The internal structure is interiorly attached to the housing. The system further includes a first pump and a filter. The filter is fluidly coupled to the first pump and each of the plurality of water storage tanks. A memory device has stored thereon machine-readable instructions. And a control system has one or more processors configured to execute the machine-readable instructions to cause the system to: (1) flow a pre-treated water stream from each of the plurality of water storage tanks to the first pump; (2) using the first pump, increase the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure and flow the pre-treated water stream to the filter; (3) using the filter, separate the pre-treated water stream into a permeate water stream and a concentrated water stream; (4) flow the concentrated water stream to each of the plurality of water storage tanks, wherein the internal structure is configured to aid in delaying mixing of the concentrated water stream with the pre-treated water; and (5) flow the permeate water stream to a permeate storage tank.

[0015] According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a method of water desalination includes obtaining a plurality of water storage tanks configured to store pre-treated water. Each of the plurality of water storage tanks has a housing and an internal structure. The internal structure is interiorly attached to the housing. The method then fluidly couples a first pump to each of the plurality of water storage tanks. The method further fluidly couples a filter to the first pump and each of the plurality of water storage tanks. Additionally, the method flows a pre-treated water stream from one or more of the plurality of water storage tanks to the first pump. Using the first pump, the method increases the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure. The method then flows the pre-treated water stream to the filter. Moreover, using the filter, the method separates the pre-treated water stream into a permeate water stream and a concentrated water stream. Further, the method flows the concentrated water stream to one or more of the plurality of water storage tanks. The internal structure is configured to aid in delaying mixing of the concentrated water stream with the pre-treated water. Further, the method flows the permeate water stream to a permeate storage tank.

[0016] According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a system for multistage water desalination includes a plurality of desalination stages. Each of the plurality of desalination stages is interconnected in series. Moreover, each of the plurality of desalination stages includesa first pump and a filter. The filter is fluidly coupled to the first pump. An energy recovery device is fluidly coupled to the filter. Furthermore, a memory device has stored thereon machine-readable instructions. And a control system has one or more processors configured to execute the machine- readable instructions to cause the system to: (1) flow a pre-treated water stream to a first desalination stage of the plurality of desalination stages; (2) using the filter of the first desalination stage, separate the pre-treated water stream into a first permeate water stream and a first concentrated water stream; (3) using the energy recovery device of the first desalination stage, flow the first concentrated water stream to a second desalination stage of the plurality of desalination stages; and (4) using a permeate storage tank, receive the first permeate water stream.

[0017] According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a method of multistage water desalination includes obtaining a plurality of desalination stages. Each of the plurality of desalination stages includes a first pump. A filter fluidly is coupled to the first pump. Additionally, an energy recovery device is fluidly coupled to the filter. The method further fluidly interconnects each of the plurality of desalination stages in series. The method then flows a pre-treated water stream to a first desalination stage of the plurality of desalination stages. Using the filter of the first desalination stage, the method separates the pre-treated water stream into a first permeate water stream and a first concentrated water stream. Moreover, using the energy recovery device of the first desalination stage, the method flows the first concentrated water stream to a second desalination stage of the plurality of desalination stages. Further, using a permeate storage tank, the method receives the first permeate water stream.

[0018] According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a system for high recovery water desalination and brine mining includes a water storage tank configured to store pre-treated water. A first pump is fluidly coupled with the water storage tank. A first filter is fluidly coupled with the first pump. A second filter is fluidly coupled with the first filter. A second pump is fluidly coupled with the second filter and the first filter. Additionally, a flow detector is fluidly coupled with the second filter, the second pump, and the water storage tank. Additionally, the flow detector is configured to detect a fluid flowrate between the second pump and the water storage tank. A memory device has stored thereon machine-readable instructions. And a control system has one or more processors configured to execute the machine-readable instructions to cause the system to: (1) flow a pre-treated water stream from the water storage tank to the first pump; (2) using the first pump, increase the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure and flowthe pre-treated water stream to the first filter; (3) using the first filter, separate the pre-treated water stream into a first permeate water stream and a first concentrated water stream; (4) flow the first concentrated water stream to the second filter; (5) using the second filter, separate the first concentrated water stream into a second permeate water stream and a second concentrated water stream; (6) flow the second permeate water stream to the second pump; (7) using the second pump, increase the second permeate water stream to the first pressure and flow the second permeate water stream to the first filter; and (8) upon the fluid flowrate exceeding a first predetermined value, flow the second permeate water stream to the water storage tank through the flow detector.

[0019] According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a method of high recovery water desalination and brine mining includes obtaining a water storage tank configured to store pre-treated water. The method fluidly couples a first pump to the water storage tank and a first filter fluidly to the first pump. Additionally, the method fluidly couples a second filter to the first filter. The method then fluidly couples a second pump with the second filter and the first filter. Moreover, the method fluidly couples a flow detector with the second filter, the second pump, and the water storage tank. The flow detector is configured to detect a fluid flowrate between the second pump and the water storage tank. The method flows a pre-treated water stream from the water storage tank to the first pump. Using the first pump, the method increases the pretreated water stream to a first pressure and flows the pre-treated water stream to the first filter. Additionally, using the first filter, the method separates the pre-treated water stream into a first permeate water stream and a first concentrated water stream. The method then flows the first concentrated water stream to the second filter. Using the second filter, the method separates the first concentrated water stream into a second permeate water stream and a second concentrated water stream. Additionally, the method flows the second permeate water stream to the second pump. Using the second pump, the method increases the second permeate water stream to the first pressure and flows the second permeate water stream to the first filter. Further, upon the fluid flowrate exceeding a first predetermined value, the method flows the second permeate water stream to the water storage tank through the flow detector.

[0020] According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a system for high recovery water desalination and brine mining includes a water storage tank configured to store pre-treated water. A first pump is fluidly coupled with the water storage tank. The system also includes a plurality of filters. Each of the plurality of filters is fluidly interconnected in series.Additionally, the plurality of fdters includes a first filter, a second filter, and an end filter. The first filter is fluidly coupled with the first pump. A second pump is fluidly coupled with the second filter and the end filter of the plurality of the filters. Moreover, a flow detector is fluidly coupled with the second pump, the water storage tank, and the downstream filter. The flow detector is configured to detect a fluid flowrate between the second pump and the water storage tank. A memory device has stored thereon machine-readable instructions. And a control system has one or more processors configured to execute the machine-readable instructions to cause the system to: (1) flow a pre-treated water stream from the water storage tank to the first pump; (2) using the first pump, increase the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure and flow the pre-treated water stream to the first filter of the plurality of the filters; (3) using the first filter, separate the pretreated water stream into a first permeate water stream and a first concentrated water stream; (4) flow the first concentrated water stream to the second filter; (5) using the second filter, separate the first concentrated stream into a second permeate water stream and a second concentrated water stream; (6) flow the second concentrated water stream to the downstream filter; (7) using the downstream filter, separate the second concentrated stream into a downstream permeate water stream and a downstream concentrated water stream; (8) flow the downstream permeate water stream to the second pump; (9) using the second pump, increase the downstream permeate water stream to a second pressure and flow the downstream permeate water stream to the second filter; (10) using a concentrated water storage tank, receive the downstream concentrated water stream; and (11) upon the fluid flowrate reaching a first predetermined value, flow the downstream permeate water stream to the water storage tank through the flow detector.

[0021] According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a method of high recovery water desalination and brine mining includes obtaining a water storage tank configured to store pre-treated water. The method fluidly couples a first pump with the water storage tank. Additionally, the method fluidly couples a first filter of plurality of filters to the first pump. Each of the plurality of filters is fluidly interconnected in series. Moreover, the method fluidly couples a second pump with a second filter and a downstream filter of the plurality of the filters. The method then fluidly couples a first flow detector with the second pump, the water storage tank, and the downstream filter. The first flow detector is configured to detect a first fluid flowrate between the second pump and the water storage tank. Moreover, the method flows a pre-treated water stream from the water storage tank to the first pump. Using the first pump, the methodincreases the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure and flows the pre-treated water stream to the first filter of the plurality of the filters. Additionally, using the first filter, the method separates the pre-treated water stream into a first permeate water stream and a first concentrated water stream. Using a permeate storage tank, the method receives the first permeate water stream and flows the first concentrated water stream to the second filter. Moreover, using the second filter, the method separates the first concentrated stream into a second permeate water stream and a second concentrated water stream. Further, the method flows the second concentrated water stream to the downstream filter. Using the downstream filter, the method separates the second concentrated stream into a downstream permeate water stream and a downstream concentrated water stream. Additionally, the method flows the downstream permeate water stream to the second pump. Using the second pump, the method increases the downstream permeate water stream to a second pressure and flows the downstream permeate water stream to the second filter. Further, using a concentrated water storage tank, the method receives the downstream concentrated water stream. Upon the first fluid flowrate reaching a first predetermined value, the method flows the downstream permeate water stream to the water storage tank through the first flow detector.

[0022] According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a system for multistage water desalination and brine mining includes a plurality of first-stage filters. Each of the plurality of first-stage filters is fluidly interconnected with one another in series. The plurality of first-stage filters includes a first filter and one or more downstream filters. A first pump is fluidly coupled to the first filter of the plurality of first-stage filters. Additionally, the system includes a plurality of second-stage filters. Each of the plurality of second-stage filters is fluidly interconnected with one another in series. And each of the one or more downstream filters of the plurality of first-stage filters is fluidly coupled to a corresponding filter of the plurality of second-stage filters. Moreover, a memory device has stored thereon machine-readable instructions. And a control system having one or more processors is configured to execute the machine-readable instructions to cause the system to: (1) flow a pre-treated water stream to the first pump; (2) using the first pump, increase the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure and flow the pre-treated water stream to the first filter; (3) using the first filter, separate the pre-treated water stream into a first permeate water stream and a first concentrated water stream; (4) flow the first concentrated water stream to the one or more downstream filters; (5) using the one or more downstream filters, separate the first concentrated water stream into a second permeate water stream and a second concentrated waterstream; (6) flow the second permeate water stream to the corresponding filter of the plurality of second-stage filters; (7) separate the second permeate stream into a second-stage permeate water stream and a second-stage concentrated water stream; (8) using a permeate storage tank, receive the first permeate water stream and the second-stage permeate water stream; and (9) using a concentrated water storage tank, receive the second concentrated water stream and the second- stage permeate water stream.

[0023] According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a method of multistage water desalination and brine mining includes providing a plurality of first-stage filters. Each of the plurality of first-stage filters is fluidly interconnected with one another in series. The plurality of first-stage filters includes a first filter and one or more downstream filters. The method fluidly couples a first pump to the first filter of the plurality of first-stage filters. Additionally, the method provides a plurality of second-stage filters. Each of the plurality of second-stage filters is fluidly interconnected with one another in series. Additionally, each of the one or more downstream filters of the plurality of first-stage filters is fluidly coupled to a corresponding filter of the plurality of second-stage filters. Moreover, the method flows a pre-treated water stream to the first pump. Using the first pump, the method increases the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure and flows the pre-treated water stream to the first filter. Using the first filter, the method separates the pre-treated water stream into a first permeate water stream and a first concentrated water stream. The method then flows the first concentrated water stream to the one or more downstream filters. Using the one or more downstream filters, the method separates the first concentrated water stream into a second permeate water stream and a second concentrated water stream. Further, the method flows the second permeate water stream to the corresponding filter of the plurality of second-stage filters. The method then separates the second permeate stream into a second-stage permeate water stream and a second-stage concentrated water stream. Using a permeate storage tank, the method receives the first permeate water stream and the second-stage permeate water stream. Additionally, using a concentrated water storage tank, the method receives the second concentrated water stream and the second-stage permeate water stream.

[0024] According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a system for high recovery water desalination and membrane brine concentration includes a water storage tank configured to store pre-treated water. A first pump is fluidly coupled to the water storage tank. A first filter is fluidly coupled to the first pump. A second pump is fluidly coupled to the first filter.A second filter is fluidly coupled to the second pump. A sweep pump is fluidly coupled to the first filter. A sweep water storage tank is configured to store sweep water. The sweep water storage tank is fluidly coupled to the sweep pump and the second filter. Additionally, a memory device has stored thereon machine-readable instructions. And a control system has one or more processors configured to execute the machine-readable instructions to cause the system to: (1) flow a pre-treated water stream from the water storage tank to the first pump; (2) using the first pump, increase the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure and flow the pre-treated water stream to the first filter; (3) using the first filter, separate the pre-treated water stream into a first permeate water stream and a first concentrated water stream; (4) flow the first concentrated water stream to the water storage tank; (5) using the sweep pump, flow a sweep water stream from the sweep water storage tank to the first filter; (6) using the first filter, combine the sweep water stream with the first permeate water stream into a diluted water stream; (7) using the second pump, flow the diluted water stream to the second filter; (8) using the second filter, separate the diluted water stream into a second permeate water stream and a second concentrated water stream; (9) using a permeate storage tank, receive the second permeate water stream; and (10) using the sweep water storage tank, receive the second concentrated water stream.

[0025] According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a method of high recovery water desalination and membrane brine concentration includes flowing a pre-treated water stream from the water storage tank to the first pump. Using the first pump, the method increases the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure and flows the pre-treated water stream to the first filter. Additionally, using the first filter, the method separates the pre-treated water stream into a first permeate water stream and a first concentrated water stream. The method then flows the first concentrated water stream to the water storage tank. Using the sweep pump, the method flows a sweep water stream from the sweep water storage tank to the first filter. Moreover, using the first filter, the method combines the sweep water stream with the first permeate water stream into a diluted water stream. Using the second pump, the method flows the diluted water stream to the second filter. Additionally, using the second filter, the method separates the diluted water stream into a second permeate water stream and a second concentrated water stream. Moreover, using a permeate storage tank, the method receives the second permeate water stream. Further, using the sweep water storage tank, the method receives the second concentrated water stream.

[0026] According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a system for multistagewater desalination and membrane brine concentration includes a water storage tank configured to store pre-treated water. A first pump is fluidly coupled with the water storage tank. The system further includes a plurality of filters. Each of the plurality of filters is fluidly interconnected in series. The plurality of filters includes a first filter, a second filter, and an end filter. The first filter is fluidly coupled with the first pump. A second pump is fluidly coupled with the second filter and the end filter of the plurality of the filters. A stage pump is fluidly coupled to the plurality of filters. Additionally, a stage flowmeter is fluidly coupled to the stage pump and configured to measure a stage flowrate. A first flowmeter is fluidly coupled to the first filter and the stage flowmeter. The first flowmeter is configured to measure a first flowrate. An end flowmeter is fluidly coupled to the end filter, the first flowmeter, and the stage flowmeter. The end flowmeter is configured to measure an end flowrate. Moreover, a reinjection flowmeter is fluidly coupled to the second pump, the first flowmeter, the end flowmeter, and the stage flowmeter. The reinjection flowmeter is configured to measure a reinjection flowrate. A second-stage filter is fluidly coupled with the stage pump, the stage flowmeter, the water storage tank, and the permeate water storage tank. Further, a memory device has stored thereon machine-readable instructions. And a control system has one or more processors configured to execute the machine-readable instructions to cause the system to: (1) flow a pre-treated water stream from the water storage tank to the first pump; (2) using the first pump, increase the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure and flow the pre-treated water stream to the first filter; (3) using the first filter, separate the pre-treated water stream into a first permeate water stream and a first concentrated water stream; (4) flow the first concentrated water stream to the second filter; (5) using the second filter, separate the first concentrated water stream into a second permeate water stream and a second concentrated water stream; (6) flow the second concentrated water stream to the end filter; (7) using the end filter, separate the second concentrated water stream into an end permeate water stream and an end concentrated water stream; (8) upon the end flowrate being equal to the reinjection flowrate, flow the end permeate water stream to the second pump; (9) using the second pump, increase the end permeate water stream to the second pressure and flow the end permeate water stream to the second filter; (10) upon the first flowrate being equal to the state flowrate, flow the first permeate water stream to the state pump; (11) using the stage pump, increase the first permeate water stream to a stage pressure and flow the first permeate water stream to the second-stage filter; (12) using the second-stage filter, separate the first permeate water stream into a stage permeate water stream anda stage concentrated water stream; (13) flow the stage concentrated water stream to the water storage tank; and (14) using a permeate water storage tank, receive the stage permeate water stream.

[0027] According to some implementations of the present disclosure, a method of multistage water desalination and membrane brine concentration includes fluidly coupling a first pump with a water storage tank configured to store pre-treated water. The method obtains a plurality of filters. Each of the plurality of filters is fluidly interconnected in series. The plurality of filters includes a first filter, a second filter, and an end filter. Then, the method fluidly couples the first filter to the first pump. Additionally, the method fluidly couples a second pump with the second filter and the end filter of the plurality of the filters. The method further fluidly couples a stage pump to the plurality of filters. Moreover, the method fluidly couples a stage flowmeter to the stage pump. The stage flowmeter is configured to measure a stage flowrate. The method fluidly couples a first flowmeter to the first filter and the stage flowmeter. The first flowmeter is configured to measure a first flowrate. Additionally, the method fluidly couples an end flowmeter to the end filter, the first flowmeter, and the stage flowmeter. And the end flowmeter is configured to measure an end flowrate. The method then fluidly couples a reinjection flowmeter to the second pump, the first flowmeter, the end flowmeter, and the stage flowmeter. The reinjection flowmeter is configured to measure a reinjection flowrate. Further, the method fluidly couples a second-stage filter with the stage pump, the stage flowmeter, the water storage tank, and the permeate water storage tank. Moreover, the method flows a pre-treated water stream from the water storage tank to the first pump. Additionally, the method increases the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure using the first pump and flows the pre-treated water stream to the first filter. The method then separates the pre-treated water stream into a first permeate water stream and a first concentrated water stream. Further, the method flows the first concentrated water stream to the second filter. The method then separates the first concentrated water stream into a second permeate water stream and a second concentrated water stream. The method flows the second concentrated water stream to the end filter. Additionally, the method separates the second concentrated water stream into an end permeate water stream and an end concentrated water stream. Upon the end flowrate being equal to the reinjection flowrate, the method flows the end permeate water stream to the second pump. Further, the method increases the end permeate water stream to the second pressure using the second pump and flows the end permeate water stream to the second filter. Upon the first flowratebeing equal to the state flowrate, the method flows the first permeate water stream to the state pump. Moreover, using the stage pump, the method increases the first permeate water stream to a stage pressure and flowing the first permeate water stream to the second-stage filter.

[0028] The above summary is not intended to represent each implementation or every aspect of the present disclosure. Additional features and benefits of the present disclosure are apparent from the detailed description and figures set forth below.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a water desalination system, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0030] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a water desalination system including an energy recovery device coupled to a generator, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram of a water desalination system including an energy recovery device coupled to a feed pressure exchanger, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 3B is a schematic diagram of a water desalination system including an energy recovery device without a pump, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 3C is a schematic diagram of a water desalination system including an energy recovery device coupled to a second pump, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the electrical and / or control connections and / or data / signal flows among various components of the water desalination system of FIG. 3B, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0035] FIG. 5A is a flowchart showing a water desalination process for providing permeate water and concentrated water from a pre-treated water stream, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0036] FIG. 5B is a flowchart showing a water desalination process of the water desalination system for providing permeate water and concentrated water from the pre-treated water stream using the first pump and an energy recovery device

[0037] FIG. 5C is a flowchart showing a water desalination process of the water desalination system for providing permeate water and concentrated water from the pre-treated water stream using the energy recovery device without the first pump

[0038] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an alternative water desalination process using the energy recovery device to recover at least in part energy of a concentrated water stream of the system, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0039] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing another alternative water desalination process using the second pump for providing permeate water from pre-treated water, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0040] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a water desalination process providing permeate water from concentrated water generated in a previous process performed by the system, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0041] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an alternative water desalination process providing permeate water from concentrated water generated in a previous process performed by the system, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0042] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a water desalination method for providing permeate water and concentrated water from the pre-treated water stream, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0043] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an alternative water desalination method using the energy recovery device for providing permeate water and concentrated water from the pre-treated water stream, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0044] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing another alternative water desalination method using the energy recovery device and the second pump for providing permeate water and concentrated water from the pre-treated water stream, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0045] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing a process of the water desalination method for providing permeate water by processing the concentrated water generated in a previous process of the method, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0046] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an alternative process of the water desalination method for providing permeate water by further processing the concentrated water generated in a previous process of the method, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0047] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of a water desalination system that uses one water storage tank to store both pre-treated water and concentrated water, and a control system of the water desalination system that uses the water storage tank to store both pre-treated water and concentrated water, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0048] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a water storage tank having a housing that includes an internal structure of vertically positioned staggered shelves, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0049] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a water storage tank having an internal structure of horizontally positioned staggered shelves, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0050] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a water storage tank having a housing of cylindrical shape, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0051] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a water storage tank having an internal structure that includes a medium, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0052] FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing a water desalination method for providing permeate water and concentrated water from a pre-treated water stream stored in a water storage tank, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0053] FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing a water desalination method for providing permeate water and concentrated water from the pre-treated water stream stored in a water storage tank that receives the concentrated water, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0054] FIG. 22 is a flowchart showing an alternative water desalination method for providing pre-treated water to the water storage tank from a water pretreatment plant, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0055] FIG. 23 is a flowchart showing another alternative water desalination method using a water storage tank for providing a pre-treated water stream to a filter and receiving a concentrated from the filter, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0056] FIG. 24 is a flowchart showing a water desalination system for providing permeate water using a plurality of tanks, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0057] FIG. 25 is a flowchart showing a water desalination method for providing permeate water from a pre-treated water stream stored in a plurality of water storage tanks that also receive a concentrated water stream, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0058] FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing another water desalination method for providing permeate water from a pre-treated water stream stored in a plurality of water storage tanks that also receive a concentrated water stream from an energy recovery device, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0059] FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing an alternative water desalination method for providingpermeate water using an energy recovery device and a second pump, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0060] FIG. 28A is a flowchart showing a multistage system for water desalination that includes a plurality of desalination stages to provide permeate water, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0061] FIG. 28B is a schematic diagram illustrating a control system and electrical / control connections, and / or data / signal flows the control system and the plurality of desalination stages of the multistage water desalination system of FIG. 28A, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0062] FIG. 29 is a flowchart illustrating a method of multistage water desalination for providing permeate water, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0063] FIG. 30 is a flowchart illustrating an alternative method of multistage water desalination for providing permeate water, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0064] FIG. 31 is a flowchart illustrating another alternative method of multistage water desalination for providing permeate water, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0065] FIG. 32 is a flowchart illustrating yet another alternative method of multistage water desalination for providing permeate water, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0066] FIG. 33 is a flowchart illustrating a further alternative method of multistage water desalination for providing permeate water, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0067] FIG. 34 is a flowchart illustrating yet another alternative method of multistage water desalination for providing permeate water, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0068] FIG. 35 is a schematic diagram of a water desalination and brine mining system, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0069] FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing a method of water desalination and brine mining for providing permeate water and concentrated water, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0070] FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing an alternative method of water desalination and brine mining using a flow detector, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0071] FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing another alternative method of water desalination and brine mining using a water pretreatment plant, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0072] FIG. 39 is a flowchart showing yet another alternative method of water desalination and brine mining using an energy recovery device, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0073] FIG. 40 is a flowchart showing a further alternative method of water desalination and brine mining using a third pump, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0074] FIG. 41 is a schematic diagram of a high recovery water desalination and brine mining system, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0075] FIG. 42 is a schematic diagram of a multistage high recovery water desalination and brine mining system, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0076] FIG. 43A is a flowchart showing a method of multistage water desalination and brine mining for providing permeate water and concentrated water, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0077] FIG. 43B is a flowchart showing a second part of the method in FIG. 43A, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0078] FIG. 44 is a flowchart showing an alternative method of multistage high recovery water desalination and brine mining using a second-stage fdter, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0079] FIG. 45 is a flowchart showing another alternative method of multistage high recovery water desalination and brine mining using a second-stage filter, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0080] FIG. 46 is a flowchart showing yet another alternative method of multistage high recovery water desalination and brine mining using a second energy recovery device, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0081] FIG. 47 is a flowchart showing a system of multistage high recovery water desalination and brine mining using a plurality of first-phase filters and a plurality of second-phase filters, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0082] FIG. 48 is a flowchart showing another system for multistage water desalination and brine mining, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0083] FIG. 49 is a flowchart showing a method of multistage water desalination and brine mining for providing permeate water and concentrated water, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0084] FIG. 50 is a flowchart showing an alternative method of multistage water desalination and brine mining for providing permeate water and concentrated water, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0085] FIG. 51 is a schematic diagram of a system for high recovery water desalination and membrane brine concentration, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0086] FIG. 52 is a flowchart showing a method of high recovery water desalination and membrane brine concentration, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0087] FIG. 53 is a flowchart showing an alternative method of high recovery water desalination and membrane brine concentration, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0088] FIG. 54 is a flowchart showing another alternative method of high recovery water desalination and membrane brine concentration using a first energy recovery device, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0089] FIG. 55 is a flowchart showing yet another alternative method of high recovery water desalination and membrane brine concentration using a first energy recovery device and a third pump, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0090] FIG. 56 is a flowchart showing yet another alternative method of high recovery water desalination and membrane brine concentration using a second energy recovery device, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0091] FIG. 57 is a flowchart showing yet another alternative method of high recovery water desalination and membrane brine concentration using a second energy recovery device and a fourth pump, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0092] FIG. 58 is a schematic diagram of a system for multistage water desalination and membrane brine concentration, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0093] FIG. 59A is a flowchart showing the first part of a method of multistage water desalination and membrane brine concentration, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0094] FIG. 59B is a flowchart showing the second part of the method of multistage water desalination and membrane brine concentration in FIG. 59A, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0095] FIG. 60 is a flowchart showing an alternative method of multistage water desalinationand membrane brine concentration, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0096] FIG. 61 is a flowchart showing another alternative method of multistage water desalination and membrane brine concentration, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0097] FIG. 62 is a flowchart showing yet another alternative method of multistage water desalination and membrane brine concentration, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0098] FIG. 63 is a flowchart showing a further alternative method of multistage water desalination and membrane brine concentration, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure.

[0099] While the present disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific implementations and implementations thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the present disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the present disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0100] Water desalination systems and methods are designed to provide permeate water (e.g., purified water) and concentrated water. In the systems and methods of the present disclosure, a water stream is pressurized by a first pump to drive an optimum flux in a filter (e.g., a membrane) at a low recovery of permeate water, for example, 30% for a brackish water desalination system. The resulting brine, e.g., concentrated water, is stored in a first storage tank. Once the first storage tank is full, the concentrated water therein is re-fed to the first pump where pressure is slightly increased to achieve the optimum flux and the same low recovery in the filter. The resulting, more concentrated water is stored in a second storage tank until all the less concentrated water in the first storage tank is consumed. The concentrated water in the second storage tank is re-fed to the first pump, and permeate water and further concentrated water separated by the filter. The process is repeated for as many times as desired to achieve a target recovery. In each repetition, an energy recovery device is used to recover energy of the concentrated water before storage. Optionally, chemical pre-treatments can be applied to the concentrated water whenever needed, for example,when the solubility limit of some salt therein is exceeded. In some implementations, the chemical pre-treatments result in a relative reduction in chemical consumption. The first storage tank and the second storage tank can be used as precipitation tanks to remove specific salts and can also be used to adjust pH of the concentrated water as needed. The low recovery in each repetition allows uniform flux across the filter and higher flux compared with high recovery repetitions, thus can result in smaller system size. In addition, the varying water salinity across the filter / membrane over time reduces the potential for biofouling therein.

[0101] An additional storage tank or two will increase capital expenditure of the system, but only slightly. For example, in a 1,000 m3 / day system, the size of a storage tank is of the order of 50 m3for brackish water. However, this capital expenditure increase can be compensated by allowing a higher flux, smaller number of filters / membranes and overall smaller system size. A precision instrumentation of the system and method allows smooth operation and transition between the storage tanks. Additionally, with a control system, the system is designed to operate intelligently to adapt to varying water salinity and conditions. The systems and methods of the present disclosure are configured to have full utilization of artificial intelligence (Al) technologies to precisely adjust operational parameters to optimize energy consumption and productivity. Further, the present systems and methods allow treatment of difficult waters that contain scaling and fouling components / contaminants by utilizing the intermediate storage tanks as clarifiers, settling tanks, or oxidation reactors to remove scaling and fouling components / contaminants.

[0102] To further minimize the capital expenditure and footprint, the system uses a single water storage tank. This water storage tank stores pre-treated water that comes from a water pretreatment plant or any other sources. A pre-treated water stream flows from the water storage tank, through the first pump and the filter, thus generating a permeate water stream and a concentrated water stream. The permeate water stream flows to and is stored in a permeate water storage tank. The concentrated water stream flows back to the water storage tank that has a housing and an internal structure. The internal structure is designed to be attached to interior walls of the housing and aids in delaying the concentrated water stream flowing into the existing pre-treated water. For example, the internal structure is designed to have vertically arranged staggered shelves. This staggered shelf structure effectively slows down mixing of the concentrated water stream with the pre-treated water inside the water storage tank.

[0103] Moreover, a plurality of tanks is configured in parallel to provide pre-treated water forproducing permeate water. In this design, each of the plurality of tanks receives concentrated water from the filter. This configuration maximizes the permeate production and slat concentration of the concentrated water, especially in batch mode operations. When combined with an energy recovery device, the system and method provide optimal desalination to achieve maximum yields of permeate water and highly concentrated water, and maximum energy recovery from the concentrate water stream flowing out of the filter.

[0104] Furthermore, a multistage desalination system is designed to provide a continuous product of permeate water. This multistage system maximizes the permeate water production from feed water including pre-treated water. The multistage system includes a plurality of desalination stages. Each stage uses a pump and a filter to produce a permeate water stream and a concentrated water stream. Additionally, each stage has an energy recovery device that is used to recover energy in the resulted concentrated water stream. In this design, each stage is interconnected with another stage in series. For example, a first stage is interconnected with a second stage that is a downstream stage to the first stage. The feed water is then supplied to the first stage. The permeate water stream produced in the first stage flows to a permeate storage tank. The resulted concentrated water stream is then fed to the adjacent downstream stage, e.g., the second stage to further produce a permeate water stream. The permeate water stream produced from each stage is received in the permeate water storage tank, while the concentrated water stream flows to a concentrated water storage tank.

[0105] The water desalination systems and methods of the present disclosure reduce energy consumption by avoiding exergy destruction and can achieve higher flux, longer filter / membrane life, and lower chemical consumption. Compared to prior multistage reverse osmosis systems, the present systems and methods can have as many repetitions as is practically possible while prior multistage reverse osmosis systems are limited by high additional capital expenditure induced by each additional stage. As a result, the energy usage reductions of the present systems and methods are much higher than those multistage reverse osmosis systems. In addition, unlike prior multistage reverse osmosis systems, the present systems mitigate biofouling because of the varying salinity of the concentrated water being desalinated in the filter / membrane. For sea water reverse osmosis desalination, for example, the current system and method can save as much as 20% in energy cost compared to a two-stage reverse osmosis system. Compared to prior single stage reverse osmosis systems, the present systems can save as high as 30% in energy consumption.Compared to a commercial semi-batch reverse osmosis system, the present systems and methods are not limited to low salinity brackish / wastewater reverse osmosis systems because the present systems do not introduce exergy destruction and does not require an additional circulation pump. The present systems can be competitive with reverse osmosis system up to 9% brine concentration. Further, the present systems and methods are highly competitive in applications that require high recovery desalination and minimum liquid discharge because of a capability to deal with brackish water concentrations (1-10 g / 1) and achieve sea water reverse osmosis brine concentration, e.g., up to 90 g / 1, using a single system.

[0106] In some implementations of the present disclosure, use of the systems, e.g., the systems 100, 200, 300, 301, and 302, as described below, results in reduction of the energy usage compared with prior systems by an amount between about 5% to 60%. For example, use of the present systems provides a reduction of the energy usage between about 10% to about 30%, between about 20% to about 50%, between about 30% to about 50%, between about 40% to about 60%, or amount therebetween. Specifically, the present systems achieve these advantages over the prior systems because: (a.) The present systems save energy by utilizing sufficient energy to drive optimum flux at a certain salinity through the filter / membrane. (b.) The time variation of salinity reduces the potential of filter / membrane fouling, extending the life of the filter / membrane and lowering the use of biocides, (c.) The low recovery per repetition reduces the flux variation inside the filter, thus resulting a higher flux and a smaller system size, (d.) The variation in salinity from high at the highest recovery to low in the next cycle is not conducive to scaling as sealants have shorter time to create scale layers and increases the chance of redissolving or flushing the scale in the next repetition.

[0107] Multistage water desalination systems and methods are designed to provide permeate water (e.g., purified water) and highly concentrated brine water. In these systems and methods, a cascade is formed by multistage filters (e.g., membranes) and high-pressure pumps to achieve a high recovery rate of permeate water and brine water. For example, in the cascade system, multiple brine-concentration (BC) membranes are interconnected in either a series or a parallel arrangement. Additionally, these membranes may be coupled with upstream and downstream reverse-osmosis (RO) membranes to produce high-purity water. The system also utilizes optional salinity-adaptive multistage reverse-osmosis (SAMRO) pretreatment to achieve recoveries beyond conventional reverse-osmosis systems.

[0108] Increasing concentration of brines is possible by increasing the hydraulic pressure of the system. But the elevated pressure will increase equipment cost and the risk of membrane damage such as rupture. Another possible solution is to reduce the osmotic pressure differential. To achieve this, in some implementations, the system and method uses a membrane with lower solute selectivity. In other implementations, the system and method takes advantage of a sweep solution. Using a sweep pump, the system introduces the sweep solution to the support layer side of the membrane. The sweep solution is then mixed with the permeate water to form a diluted solution. Accordingly, the diluted solution lowers the osmotic pressure differential across the membrane.

[0109] Moreover, the multistage cascade systems integrate energy recovery devices to effectively reduce energy consumption relative to thermal processes such as various evaporation methods. Permeate recycling, anti-scalant injection, and staged pressure operation mitigate fouling and scaling at feed salinities exceeding seawater. Therefore, the multistage systems and methods provide both hardware architectures and process configurations for producing (i) a high- salinity concentrated water suitable for zero-liquid-discharge or mineral recovery, and (ii) a low- salinity permeate water suitable for reuse.

[0110] Further, multistage water desalination systems and methods use various flowmeters and flow detectors to control the fluid flowrates of high pressure pumps and energy recover devices to selectively direct desired fluids to specific stages or phases of the process. For example, one system uses a flowmeter for each stage of the filtration process, e.g., each filter or membrane. Based on the fluid flowrates of individual flowmeters, the system controls the flows of permeate water streams from the corresponding filters to a downstream desalination.

[0111] Another system uses a reinjection flowmeter to control a reinjection pump. Upon the detection of a certain fluid flowrate by the reinjection flowmeter, the reinjection pump automatically reinjects the permeate water stream of a filter back to the process. Instead of directing the permeate water stream down to the next filter or the permeate water storage tank, the reinjection pump directs the permeate water stream back to an upstream filter to dilute the concentrated water stream before filtration. Combined with multiple stages of desalination and brine concentration, the system can achieve highly purified water and highly concentrated brine solution.

[0112] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a water desalination system 100. The waterdesalination system 100 is designed to provide high yield of reverse osmosis saline water purification while keeping the system energy consumption low. The water desalination system 100 includes a first storage tank 110, a first pump 120, a filter 130, and a permeate storage tank 116. The first storage tank 110 is configured to store concentrated water. The filter 130 is fluidly coupled to the first pump 120 and the first storage tank 110.

[0113] The first storage tank 110 is a water storage facility that receives and holds concentrated water. Additionally, the first storage tank 110 is configured to flow a concentrated water stream, from the concentrated water stored therein, to other parts of the water desalination system 100, e.g., the first pump 120. Further, the water desalination system 100 may include, but not be limited to, other storage tanks. For example, the water desalination system 100 includes a second storage tank 180 as shown in FIG. 1. The second storage tank 180 functions substantially the same as the first storage tank 110, e.g., receiving and storing concentrated water, flowing a concentrated water stream to any other parts, including the first storage tank 110, of the water desalination system 100.

[0114] The first pump 120 is designed to increase the pressure of a water stream entering the filter 130 to a predetermined pressure to achieve an optimal flowrate through the filter 130. The predetermined pressure depends on the specific water stream, e.g., a pre-treated water stream, a concentrated water stream with a specific salinity. The higher the salinity of the water stream, the higher predetermined pressure may be required for the first pump 120 to maintain the optimal water flowrate through the filter 130. For example, the first pump 120 is a high-pressure pump, any suitable pump, or any combination thereof.

[0115] The filter 130 is used to filter pre-treated water, saline water, or brackish water into permeate water and concentrated water, i.e., brine. For example, the filter 130 may include, but not be limited to, a reverse osmosis membrane, a nanofiltration membrane, a hollow fiber membrane, a spiral wounded flat sheet membrane, a low solute rejection membrane, or any combination thereof. Additionally, the filter 130 has a water permeability greater than 0.1 L / m2- h-bar.

[0116] As shown in FIG. 1, the permeate storage tank 116 is fluidly coupled to the filter 130. The permeate storage tank 116 is configured to store permeate water, also referred to as “desalinated water,” “freshwater,” “purified water,” “treated water,” or “filtered water.”

[0117] In some implementations, the water desalination system 100 further includes a pre-treated water storage tank 141 , and / or a water pre-treatment plant 145. The pre-treated water storage tank 141 is configured to store pre-treated water and provide a pre-treated water stream therein to the first pump 120. In this example, the pre-treated water storage tank 141 is fluidly coupled to the first pump 120 to flow the pre-treated water stream thereto. The water pre-treatment plant 145 is configured to provide pre-treated water to the first pump 120. In this example, the water pre-treatment plant 145 is fluidly coupled to the first pump 120 to flow the pre-treated water stream thereto. Further, the water pre-treatment plant 145 is fluidly coupled to the pre-treated water storage tank 141 and configured to flow the pre-treated water thereto. In this example, the water pre-treatment plant 145 is used to fill the pre-treated water storage tank 141 with pre-treated water when the pre-treated water storage tank 141 is empty or reaches a low-level requiring refill of the pre-treated water.

[0118] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of a water desalination system 200, which is similar to the water desalination system 100, in that the water desalination system 200 includes a first storage tank 210, a second storage tank 280, a first pump 220, a filter 230, a permeate storage tank 216, a pre-treated water storage tank 241, a water pre-treatment plant 245, which are the same as, or similar to, the first storage tank 110, the second storage tank 180, the first pump 120, the filter 130, and the permeate storage tank 116, the pre-treated water storage tank 141, the water pretreatment plant 145. The water desalination system 200 mainly differs from the water desalination system 100 in that it further includes an energy recovery device 260 and a generator 290.

[0119] As shown in FIG. 2, the energy recovery device 260 is fluidly coupled to the filter. The energy recovery device 260 is generally designed to flow a high-pressure concentrated water stream through one side thereof, to recover the pressure (i.e., hydraulic) energy of the high-pressure concentrated water stream. The energy recovery device 260 typically has an energy exchange portion positioned on a different side. The energy exchange portion effectuates the energy exchange between the two water streams while keeping the two water streams separate without mixing. Thus, the energy recovery device 260 reuses, at least in part, the pressure energy of the concentrated water stream flowing out of the filter 230. In this example, the energy recovery device 260 is coupled to a generator 290. The pressure energy recovered by the energy recovery device 260 is used by the generator 290 to generate electrical energy. In some implementations, the electrical energy generated by the generator 290 is used to power the first pump 220, the filter 230, the first storage tank 210, the second storage tank 280 the pre-treated water storage tank 241,and / or the water pre-treatment plant 245. In other implementations, the generator 290 is coupled to an energy storage 295 to store energy generated by the generator 290, as shown in FIG. 2. The concentrated water stream, after at least partial pressure energy being recovered by the energy recovery device 260, has a reduced pressure. The concentrated water stream then flows to the first storage tank 210, or the second storage tank 280. Further, the energy recovery device 260 includes, but is not limited to, a pressure exchanger, a turbocharger, a centrifugal energy recovery device, an isobaric energy recovery device, a positive displacement isobaric energy recovery device, or any combination thereof.

[0120] FIG. 3 A shows a schematic diagram of a water desalination system 300 which is similar to the water desalination system 200, in that the water desalination system 300 includes a first storage tank 310, a second storage tank 380, a first pump 320, a filter 330, a permeate storage tank 316, a pre-treated water storage tank 341, a water pre-treatment plant 345, an energy recovery device 360, which are the same as, or similar to, the first storage tank 210, the second storage tank 280, the first pump 220, the filter 230, the permeate storage tank 216, the pre-treated water storage tank 241, the water pre-treatment plant 245, and the energy recovery device 260. The water desalination system 300 mainly differs from the water desalination system 200 in that the energy recovery device 360 is coupled to a pump 365. In some implementations, the pump 365 is solely powered by the energy recovery device 360. In some other implementations, the pump 365 is powered in part by the energy recovery device 360 and in part by a second energy source (not shown). Additionally, the water desalination system 300 does not include the generator 290, and / or the energy storage 295. Specifically, the pump 365 is fluidly coupled with the first pump 320 and the filter 330. The energy recovery device 360 is fluidly coupled with the filter 330, the first storage tank 310, and the second storage tank 380. The energy recovery device 360 is designed to use a high-pressure concentrated water stream, flowing through one side thereof, to increase the pressure of a pre-treated water stream, flowing through the pump 365 that is positioned on a different side of the energy recovery device 360. The pump 365 is designed to effectuate the energy exchange between the two water streams while keeping the two water streams separate from mixing. The two water streams are: (1) a pre-treated water stream, or a concentrated water stream flowing from either the first storage tank 310 or the second storage tank 380, and (2) the concentrated water stream flowing from the filter 330. The pump 365 increases a pressure of the pre-treated water stream to be the same as, or substantially similar to the first pressure of the pre-treated water stream flowing out of the first pump 320. In some implementations, the pre-treaded water stream is replaced by the concentrated water stream flowing from either the first storage tank 310 or the second storage tank 380, as shown in FIG. 3A. Thus, the energy recovery device 360 reuses, at least in part, the pressure energy of the concentrated water stream flowing out of the filter 330. In this example, the energy recovery device 360 includes a turbocharger.

[0121] FIG. 3B shows a schematic diagram of a water desalination system 301 that includes an energy recovery device 361 coupled to a pump 366. The water desalination system 301 mainly differs from the water desalination system 300 in that it does not include the first pump 320. The energy recovery device 361 operates as a pump that is powered in part by an external energy source and in part by the concentrated water stream received from the filter 330. Specifically, the pump 366 is a pump that is solely powered by the energy recovery device 361. In some other implementations, the pump 366 is a pump that is powered in part by the energy recovery device 361 and in part by a second energy source (not shown). Similar to the first pump 320 in the water desalination system 300, the pump 366 is fluidly coupled with the filter 330 to flow a feed stream into the filter 330. Similar to the pump 365 in the water desalination system 300, the pump 366 is also fluidly coupled with the pre-treatment plant 345, the pre-treated water storage tank 341, the first storage tank 310, and the second storage tank 380. The energy recovery device 361 is fluidly coupled with the filter 330, the first storage tank 310, and the second storage tank 380. The water desalination system 301 does not include the first pump 320. Thus, the energy recovery device 361 reuses, at least in part, the pressure energy of the concentrated water stream flowing out of the filter 330 to increase the pressure of the feed water stream, e.g., the pre-treated water stream or the concentrated water stream from either the first storage tank 310 or the second storage tank 380. The energy recovery device 361 is powered, at least in part, by an external energy source. In this example, the energy recovery device 361 includes a Pelton turbine. The pump 366 is powered in part by an external energy source and in part by the concentrated water stream received from the filter 330.

[0122] FIG. 3C shows a schematic diagram of a water desalination system 302 that includes an energy recovery device 362 coupled to a second pump 370. The water desalination system 302 mainly differs from the water desalination system 301 in that it further includes the first pump 320 and a second pump 370. Specifically, the second pump 370 is fluidly coupled to the energy recovery device 360 and the filter 330. The second pump 370 is designed to circulate, and / orincrease a pressure of, the pre-treated water stream from either the pre-treated water storage tank 341 or the water pre-treatment plant 345 to the filter 330. The second pump 370 is provided to compensate for a pressure difference, if any, between the pre-treated water streams from the energy recovery device 362 and from the first pump 320. In some implementations, the pre-treaded water stream is the concentrated water stream flowing from either the first storage tank 310 or the second storage tank 380, as shown in FIG. 3C. Moreover, the second pump 370 includes a circulation pump. Further, the energy recovery device 362 includes a pressure exchanger.

[0123] FIG. 4 shows a schematic diagram of electrical connections and data / signal flows among various components of the water desalination system 302. Specifically, the water desalination system 302 includes a control system 350. The control system 350 is electrically connected and communicates with the first pump 320, the filter 330, the energy recovery device 362, and the second pump 370. The control system 350 includes one or more processors 351, a memory device 352, and a storage device 353. The memory device 352 has stored thereon machine-readable instructions. The one or more processors 351 is electrically connected and digitally communicates with the memory device 352 and the storage device 353. Moreover, the machine-readable instructions may be saved in the storage device 353. Further, both the memory device 352 and the storage device 353 may have, stored thereon, specific predetermined pressure values for specific pre-treated water, concentrated water, a type of filter for the filter 330, various members of the filter 330, specific optimal water flowrates for specific predetermined pressure values.

[0124] As shown in FIG. 4, in some implementations, the filter 330 includes a first membrane 331 and a second membrane 332. In this example, the control system 350 is configured to cause the system to selectively flow: the pre-treated water stream through the first membrane 331 or the concentrated water stream through the second membrane 332 of the filter 330. In other examples, the filter 330 may include a plurality of membranes 333 that includes the first membrane 331 and a second membrane 332. Additionally, each of the plurality of membranes 333 has a water permeability greater than 0.1 L / m2-h-bar.

[0125] FIG. 5A shows a flowchart of a water desalination process 400 of the water desalination system for providing permeate water and concentrated water from the pre-treated water stream using a first pump. Specifically, in the process 400 of the water desalination system, the one or more processors of the control system is configured to execute the machine-executable instructionsto cause the water desalination system to: (i) flow the pre-treated water stream to the first pump 401, (ii) using the first pump, increase the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure and flow the pre-treated water stream to the filter 403, (iii) using the filter, separate the pre-treated water stream into the permeate water stream and the concentrated water stream 405, (iv) flow the concentrated water stream to the first storage tank 407, and (v) flow the permeate water stream to the permeate storage tank 409, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 5A. Additionally, the control system is configured to cause the system to flow the pre-treated water stream from the pre-treated water storage tank to the first pump. Alternatively, the control system is configured to cause the system to flow the pretreated water stream from the water pre-treatment plant to the first pump. As shown in FIG. 3A, in some implementations, the control system is configured to cause the system to flow the concentrated water stream from (1) the first water storage tank, or (2) the second storage tank to the first pump.

[0126] FIG. 5B shows a flowchart of a water desalination process 401 of the water desalination system for providing permeate water and concentrated water from the pre-treated water stream using the first pump and an energy recovery device. Specifically, in the process 401 of the water desalination system, the one or more processors of the control system is configured to execute the machine-executable instructions to cause the water desalination system to: (i) flow a pre-treated water stream to the first pump 481, (ii) using first pump, increase the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure and flow the pre-treated water stream to the energy recovery device 482, (iii) using the energy recovery device, increase the pre-treated water stream to a second pressure and flow the pre-treated water stream to the filter 483, (iv) using the filter, separate the pre-treated water stream into a permeate water stream and a concentrated water stream 484, (v) flow the permeate water stream to a permeate storage tank 485, (vi) flow the concentrated water stream from the filter to the energy recovery device 486, and (vii) using the energy recovery device, flow the concentrated water stream to the first storage tank 487, as shown in FIG. 3A and FIG. 5B. Additionally, the control system is configured to cause the system to flow the pre-treated water stream from the pre-treated water storage tank to the first pump. Alternatively, the control system is configured to cause the system to flow the pre-treated water stream from the water pre-treatment plant to the first pump. As shown in FIG. 3A, in some implementations, the control system is configured to cause the system to flow the concentrated water stream from (1) the first water storage tank, or (2) the second storage tank to the first pump.

[0127] FIG. 5C shows a flowchart of a water desalination process 402 of the water desalination system for providing permeate water and concentrated water from the pre-treated water stream using the energy recovery device without the first pump. Specifically, in the process 402 of the water desalination system, the one or more processors of the control system is configured to execute the machine-executable instructions to cause the water desalination system to: (i) flow a pre-treated water stream to the energy recovery device 491, (ii) using the energy recovery device, increase the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure and flow the pre-treated water stream to the filter 492, (iii) using the filter, separate the pre-treated water stream into a permeate water stream and a concentrated water stream 493, (iv) flow the permeate water stream to a permeate storage tank 494, (v) flow the concentrated water stream from the filter to the energy recovery device 495, and (vi) using the energy recovery device, flow the concentrated water stream to the first storage tank 496, as shown in FIG. 3B and FIG. 5C. Additionally, the control system is configured to cause the system to flow the pre-treated water stream from the pre-treated water storage tank to the first pump. Alternatively, the control system is configured to cause the system to flow the pre-treated water stream from the water pre-treatment plant to the first pump. As shown in FIG. 3B, in some implementations, the control system is configured to cause the system to flow the concentrated water stream from (1) the first water storage tank, or (2) the second storage tank to the first pump.

[0128] FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of an alternative water desalination process of the water desalination system using the energy recovery device to recover, at least in part, energy of the concentrated water stream. In this process 410, the control system is configured to cause the system to: (i) flow the concentrated water stream from the filter to the energy recovery device 411, (ii) flow a first portion of the pre-treated water stream to the first pump and a second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the energy recovery device 413, (iii) using the first pump, increase the first portion of the pre-treated water stream to a second pressure and flow the first portion of the pre-treated water stream to the filter 415, (iv) using the energy recovery device, increase the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to a third pressure and flow the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the filter 417, (v) receive, in the filter, as a combined pre-treated water stream of the first portion of the pre-treated water stream and the second portion of the pretreated water stream 419, and (vi) using the energy recovery device, flow the concentrated water stream to the first storage tank 421. In Step 417 of the process 410, the third pressure of the secondportion of the pre-treated water stream is the same as, or substantially similar to, the first pressure. Thus, the first portion of the pre-treated water stream and the second portion of the pre-treated water stream can be mixed with a minimum or zero pressure difference. The first pressure may be the predetermined filter pressure for the pre-treated water stream, designed to achieve an optimized water flowrate through the filter and / or, one or more membranes thereof. Accordingly, the control system is configured to monitor the first pressure to achieve an optimal water flowrate through the filter to minimize fouling and degradation thereof. Moreover, the energy recovery device is configured to transfer the pressure energy of the concentrated water stream from the filter to the second portion of the pre-treated water stream. This energy transfer starts and continues as long as the concentrated water stream flows through the energy recovery device. Further, the control system is configured to monitor a temperature of the pre-treated water stream at a predetermined temperature.

[0129] FIG. 7 shows a flowchart of another alternative water desalination process of the water desalination system using the second pump for providing permeate water from pre-treated water. In this process 430, the control system is configured to cause the system to: (i) using the energy recovery device, flow the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the second pump 431, and (ii) using the second pump, flow the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the filter 433. The second pump is fluidly coupled to the energy recovery device and the filter as shown in FIG. 3C. The second pump, in Step 431, is used to increase the third pressure of the second portion of the pre-treated water stream coming from the energy recovery device and before flowing into the filter. This alternative process is designed to use the second pump to overcome any pressure difference between the third pressure and the first pressure as described in the process 310. Since this pressure difference is controlled to be minimum or zero, the energy consumption of the second pump is significantly lower compared to the first pump.

[0130] FIG. 8 show a flowchart of a water desalination process of the water desalination system providing permeate water from concentrated water generated in a previous process. Specifically, in the process 450 of the water desalination system, the control system is configured to cause the system to flow a concentrated water stream from the first storage tank to the first pump 451, and flow the concentrated water stream from the filter, through the energy recovery device, to the second storage tank 453. In this process 450, the concentrated water stream from the first storage tank, instead of a pre-treated water stream, flows to the filter. In this example, theconcentrated water stream from the first storage tank may be generated from the processes 400, 410, and / or 430. Thus, the energy recovery device, in Step 453, transfers the pressure energy of the more concentrated water stream from the filter to the second portion of the concentrated water stream from the first storage tank. Moreover, the concentrated water stream flowing into and stored in the second storage tank is more concentrated, i.e., having a higher salinity, than that stored in the first storage tank. Thus, the water desalination system filters the concentrated water stored in the first storage tank to provide permeate water.

[0131] FIG. 9 show a flowchart of an alternative water desalination process providing permeate water from concentrated water generated in the previous process performed by the system. Specifically, in the process 470 of the water desalination system, the control system is configured to cause the system to flow a concentrated water stream from the second storage tank to the first pump 471, and flow the concentrated water stream from the filter to the first storage tank 473. In this process 470, the water supply to the filter is switched to the second storage tank. Additionally, the more concentrated water stream flows to and stores in the first storage tank. For example, the control system may switch to the second storage tank when the first storage tank is filled to a predetermined level, e.g., being full. Moreover, the concentrated water stream flowing into and stored in the first storage tank is more concentrated, i.e., having a higher salinity, than that stored in the second storage tank. Thus, the water desalination system filters the concentrated water stored in the second storage tank to provide permeate water.

[0132] Both processes 450 and 470 of the water desalination system are designed to repeatedly filter the concentrated water produced from the initial pre-treated water in a previous process, e.g., the process 410 or 430. The processes 450 and / or 470 may be repeated to achieve the desired recovery of the concentrated water. Even though each process may have a small recovery, the total recovery of the initial pre-treated water is increased comparing with a single filtration process. In both processes 450 and 470, the control system controls the desalination of the concentrated water between the two storage tanks, the first storage tank and the second storage tank. Additional storage tanks may be efficiently incorporated into the water desalination system to increase the capacity thereof. The capital costs of such capacity increase are estimated to be relatively low comparing with multi-stage systems. Moreover, the operating costs are relatively low because during each process of filtering the concentrated water or the pre-treated water, the energy recovery device provides significant operating cost reductions of substantial energy recovery. Further, thelow recovery in each process, e.g., process 410, 430, 450, or 470, allows a uniform and high-water flowrate across the filter and the membrane(s) thereof, thus resulting in smaller system size than other existing systems.

[0133] In both processes 450 and 470, the concentrated water stream flowing out of the filter has a higher concentration, i.e., higher salinity, than the concentrated water stream flowing out of either of the first storage tank and the second storage tank. The higher the salinity / concentration of the concentrated water flowing into the filter, the higher pressure is required for the filtration therein. Thus, the control system is configured to monitor the first pressure, for each iteration of the filtration of the concentrated water stream, to achieve an optimal water flowrate through the filter to minimize fouling and degradation thereof. Furthermore, the water stream of varying salinity, flowing across the filter and the membrane(s) thereof, over time reduces the potential for biofouling.

[0134] In both processes 450 and 470 of the water desalination system, the control system is configured to empty the concentrated water in each of the first storage tank and the second storage tank before receiving the concentrated water stream from the energy recovery device. Additionally, the control system is configured to monitor a temperature of the concentrated water stream at a predetermined temperature. In some implementations, the control system may monitor a pH of the concentrated water stream at a predetermined value.

[0135] Further, the water desalination system may include chemical pretreatments for the concentrated water stored in the first storage tank and the second storage tank. The chemical pretreatments can be precisely applied to the concentrated water according to the salts concentration thereof and only whenever needed, for example, when the solubility limit of some salt is exceeded. The chemical pre-treatments result in a relative reduction of chemicals consumption. Specifically, the water desalination system may include a plurality of process units that is disposed within each of the first storage tank and second storage tank. The plurality of process units includes a dissolved air floatation process, a dissolved gas floatation process, a multimedia filter, a decanting process, or a precipitation process to prevent fouling, scale formation and membrane degradation.

[0136] FIG. 10 shows a flowchart of a water desalination method 500 for providing permeate water and concentrated water from a pre-treated water stream. Specifically, the water desalination method 500 obtains a first storage tank that is configured to store concentrated water 501. Themethod 500 fluidly couples a first pump to the first storage tank 503, and fluidly couples a filter to the first pump 505. Next, the method 500: (i) flows the pre-treated water stream to the first pump 507, (ii) using the first pump, increases the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure and flow the pre-treated water stream to the filter 509, (ii) using the filter, separates the pre-treated water stream into the permeate water stream and the concentrated water stream 511, (iv) flows the concentrated water stream to the first storage tank 513, and (v) flows the permeate water stream to the permeate storage tank 515. Additionally, the method 500 may flow the pre-treated water stream from the pre-treated water storage tank to the first pump. Alternatively, the method 500 may flow the pre-treated water stream from the water pre-treatment plant to the first pump.

[0137] FIG. 11 shows a flowchart of an alternative water desalination method 530 using an energy recovery device for providing permeate water and concentrated water from the pre-treated water stream. In this example, the method 530 fluidly couples an energy recovery device to the filter and the first storage tank. Subsequently, the method 531 : (i) flows the concentrated water stream from the filter to the energy recovery device 533, (ii) flows a first portion of the pre-treated water stream to the first pump and a second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the energy recovery device 535, (iii) using the first pump, increases the first portion of the pre-treated water stream to a second pressure and flow the first portion of the pre-treated water stream to the filter 537, (iv) using the energy recovery device, increases the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to a third pressure and flow the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the filter 539, (v) receives, in the filter, as a combined pre-treated water stream of the first portion of the pre-treated water stream and the second portion of the pre-treated water stream 541, and (vi) using the energy recovery device, flows the concentrated water stream to the first storage tank 543. In Step 539 of the process 530, the third pressure of the second portion of the pre-treated water stream is the same as, or substantially similar to, the first pressure. Thus, the first portion of the pretreated water stream and the second portion of the pre-treated water stream can be mixed with a minimum or zero pressure difference. The first pressure may be the predetermined filter pressure for the pre-treated water stream, designed to achieve an optimized water flowrate through the filter and / or, e.g., one or more membranes thereof. Accordingly, the method 510 monitors the first pressure to achieve an optimal water flowrate through the filter to minimize fouling and degradation thereof. Moreover, the energy recovery device is configured to transfer the pressure energy of the concentrated water stream from the filter to the second portion of the pre-treatedwater stream. This energy transfer starts and continues as long as the concentrated water stream flows through the energy recovery device. Further, the method 530 monitors a temperature of the pre-treated water stream at a predetermined temperature.

[0138] FIG. 12 shows a flowchart of another alternative water desalination method 550 using the energy recovery device and a second pump for providing permeate water and concentrated water from the pre-treated water stream. Specifically, the method 550 fluidly couples a second pump to the energy recovery device and the filter. Subsequently, the method 550: (i) using the energy recovery device, flows the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the second pump 551, and (ii) using the second pump, flows the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the filter 553. The second pump, in Step 551, is used to increase the third pressure of the second portion of the pre-treated water stream coming from the energy recovery device and before flowing into the filter. This method 550 is designed to use the second pump to overcome any pressure difference between the third pressure and the first pressure as described in the process 510. Since this pressure difference is controlled to be minimum or zero, the energy consumption of the second pump is significantly low compared to the first pump.

[0139] FIG. 13 show a flowchart of a water desalination method 570 for providing permeate water by processing concentrated water generated in a previous process of the method. Specifically, the method 570 obtains a second storage tank that is configured to store concentrated water 571. Then, the method 570 flows a concentrated water stream from the first storage tank to the first pump 573, and flows the concentrated water stream from the filter, through the energy recovery device, to the second storage tank 575. In this method 570, the concentrated water stream from the first storage tank, instead of a pre-treated water stream, flows to the filter. The concentrated water stream from the first storage tank may be generated from the methods 500, 530, and / or 550, described above. Thus, the energy recovery device, in Step 575, transfers the pressure energy of the more concentrated water stream from the filter to the second portion of the concentrated water stream from the first storage tank. Moreover, the concentrated water stream flowing into and stored in the second storage tank is more concentrated, i.e., having a higher salinity, than that stored in the first storage tank. Thus, the method 570 filters the concentrated water stored in the first storage tank to provide permeate water.

[0140] FIG. 14 shows a flowchart of an alternative water desalination method 590 for providing permeate water by further processing the concentrated water generated in the previousmethod. Specifically, the method 590 flows a concentrated water stream from the second storage tank to the first pump 591 and flows the concentrated water stream from the filter to the first storage tank 593. In this method 590, the water supply to the filter is switched to the second storage tank. Additionally, the more concentrated water stream flows to and stores in the first storage tank. For example, the method 590 may switch to the second storage tank when the first storage tank is filled to a predetermined level, e.g., being full. Moreover, the concentrated water stream flowing into and stored in the first storage tank is more concentrated, i.e., having a higher salinity, than that stored in the second storage tank. Thus, the method 590 filters the concentrated water stored in the second storage tank to provide permeate water.

[0141] FIG. 15 shows a schematic diagram of a water desalination system 1500 that uses one water storage tank 1510 for both pre-treated water and concentrated water. The water desalination system 1500 uses one and does not require more than one water storage tank 1510. Specifically, the water desalination system 1500 is designed to provide high yield of reverse osmosis saline water purification while keeping the system energy consumption low. Specifically, the water desalination system 1500 includes a water storage tank 1510, a first pump 1520, a filter 1530, and a permeate storage tank 1516. The water storage tank 1510 i s configured to store pre-treated water. For example, the pre-treated water comes from a water pretreated plant 1545. In some implementations, the water treatment plant 1545 is configured to supply pre-treated water to the water storage tank 1510 via a pre-treated water pipe 1546 until filled to the predetermined water level inside the water storage tank 1510. In other implementations, the pre-treated water comes from any other sources.

[0142] As shown in FIG. 15, the water storage tank 1510 is fluidly coupled with the first pump 1520. Moreover, the first pump 1520 is fluidly coupled to the filter 1530. The filter 1530 is fluidly coupled with both the permeate storage tank 1516 and the water storage tank 1510. A pre-treated water stream from the water storage tank 1510 flows through the first pump 1520 and the filter 1530. In the filter 1530, the pre-treated water stream is separated into a permeate water stream and a concentrated water stream. The permeate water stream flows to and is stored in the permeate storage tank 1516 via a permeate water pipe 1532. The concentrated water stream then flows back to the water storage tank 1510 via a concentrate water pipe 1531.

[0143] Moreover, FIG. 15 shows a schematic diagram of a control system 1550 of the water desalination system 1500 that uses the water storage tank 1510 to store both pre-treated water andconcentrated water. Specifically, the water desalination system 1502 includes a control system 1550. The control system 1550 is electrically connected and communicates with the first pump 1520 and the filter 1530. The control system 1550 includes one or more processors 1551, a memory device 1552, and a storage device 1553. The memory device 1552 has stored thereon machine-readable instructions. The one or more processors 1551 is electrically connected and digitally communicates with the memory device 1552 and the storage device 1553. Moreover, the machine-readable instructions may be saved in the storage device 1553. Further, both the memory device 1552 and the storage device 1553 may have, stored thereon, specific predetermined pressure values for specific pre-treated water, concentrated water, a type of filter for the filter 1530, various members of the filter 1530, specific optimal water flowrates for specific predetermined pressure values.

[0144] Referring to FIG. 16, a water storage tank 1610 is illustrated for use in a water desalination system, such as, for example, water desalination system 1500. The water storage tank 1610 can be the same as, or similar to, the water storage tank 1510 of the water desalination system 1500. The water storage tank 1610 has a housing 1605 that includes an internal structure 1630 of vertically positioned staggered shelves 1631. In some implementations, the water storage tank 1605 has a hexahedron shape. The housing 1605 of the water storage tank 1600 has a first end 1611, a second end 1612, an inlet 1651, and an outlet 1652. Specifically, the inlet 1651 is positioned on the first end 1611 and the outlet 1652 on the second end 1612. Additionally, the inlet 1651 is fluidly coupled with the filter 1530 and configured to receive the concentrated water stream into the water storage tank 1600. The outlet 1652 is fluidly coupled with the first pump 1520 and configured to flow feed water, e.g., the pre-treated water stream and the concentrated water stream to the filter 1530, as shown in FIG. 15. Further, the one or more staggered shelves 1630 within the housing 1605 aids in delaying mixing of the concentrated water stream with the pre-treated water in the water storage tank 1610.

[0145] As shown in FIG. 16, the housing 1605 has interior surfaces 1613 and 1614. The interior surface 1613 and the interior surface 1614 are positioned on the housing 1605 opposite each other. Moreover, the internal structure 1630 includes one or more staggered shelves 1631 that are attached to the interior surfaces 1613 and 1614. In some implementations, the one or more staggered shelves 1631 are arranged in parallel.

[0146] Referring to FIG. 17, a water storage tank 1710 is illustrated for use in a waterdesalination system, such as, for example, water desalination system 1500. The water storage tank 1710 can be the same as, or similar to, the water storage tank 1510 of the water desalination system 1500. The water storage tank 1710 has an internal structure 1730 that includes horizontally positioned staggered shelves 1731. FIG. 17 is substantially similar to FIG. 16 in that a housing 1705 includes a first end 1711, a second end 1712, an inlet 1751, an outlet 1752, interior surfaces 1713 and 1714, and an internal structure 1730. FIG. 17 differs from FIG. 16 in that one or more staggered shelves 1731 of the internal structure 1730 are oriented horizontal and attached to the interior surfaces 1713 and 1714 of the housing 1705. In some implementations, the internal structure 1730 has one or more staggered shelves 1731 that are arranged in parallel. The water storage tank 1710, for example, has a hexahedron shape like the one shown in FIG. 16.

[0147] Referring to FIG. 18, a water storage tank 1810 is illustrated for use in a water desalination system, such as, for example, water desalination system 1500. The water storage tank 1810 can be the same as, or similar to, the water storage tank 1510 of the water desalination system 1500. The water storage tank 1810 has a housing 1805 that is of a cylindrical shape. FIG. 18 is the same as FIG. 17 except for the shapes of the housing 1810 and an internal structure 1830 of the housing 1805.

[0148] Referring to FIG. 19, a water storage tank 1910 is illustrated for use in a water desalination system, such as, for example, water desalination system 1500. The water storage tank 1910 can be the same as, or similar to, the water storage tank 1510 of the water desalination system 1500. The water storage tank 1910 has a housing 1905. The housing 1905 has an internal structure 1930 that includes a medium 1970. In some implementations, the medium 1970 is a porous medium that has a material selected from a group consisting of ceramic, plastic, polymer, metal, and any combination thereof. In other implementations, the medium 1970 includes a plurality of ceramic pebbles 1970. In some implementations, the water storage tank 1910 has a hexahedron shape. The housing 1905 of the water storage tank 1910 has a first end 1911, a second end 1912, an inlet 1951, and an outlet 1952. Specifically, the inlet 1951 is positioned on the first end 1911 and the outlet 1952 on the second end 1912. Additionally, the inlet 1951 is fluidly coupled with the filter 1530 and configured to receive the concentrated water stream into the water storage tank 1910. The outlet 1952 is fluidly coupled with the first pump 1520 and configured to flow feed water, e.g., the pre-treated water stream and the concentrated water stream to the filter 1530, as shown in FIG. 15. Further, the medium 1970 within the housing 1905 aids in delaying mixing ofthe concentrated water stream with the pre-treated water in the water storage tank 1910.

[0149] FIG. 20 shows a water desalination method 2000 for providing permeate water and concentrated water from a pre-treated water stream stored in a water storage tank. Specifically, the one or more processors of the control system is configured to execute the machine-executable instructions to cause the water desalination system to flow a pre-treated water stream from the water storage tank to the first pump 2001, (ii) using the first pump, increase the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure and flow the pre-treated water stream to the filter 2003, (iii) using the filter, separate the pre-treated water stream into the permeate water stream and the concentrated water stream 2005, (iv) flow the concentrated water stream to the water storage tank, wherein the internal structure is configured to aid in delaying mixing of the concentrated water stream with the pre-treated water 2007, and (v) flow the permeate water stream to the permeate storage tank 2009.

[0150] FIG. 21 shows flowchart of a water desalination method 2100 for providing permeate water and concentrated water from the pre-treated water stream stored in a water storage tank that receives the concentrated water. Specifically, the water desalination method 2100 obtains a water storage tank that is configured to store pre-treated water, wherein the water storage tank has a housing and an internal structure, the internal structure being interiorly attached to the housing 2101. The method 2100 fluidly couples a first pump to the first storage tank 2103, and fluidly couples a filter to the first pump 2105. Next, the method 2100 flows the pre-treated water stream to the first pump 2107. Using the first pump, the method 2100 increases the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure and flows the pre-treated water stream to the filter 2109. Additionally, using the filter, the method 2100 separates the pre-treated water stream into the permeate water stream and the concentrated water stream 2111. Further, the method 2100 flows the concentrated water stream to the first storage tank, wherein the internal structure is configured to aid in delaying mixing of the concentrated water stream with the pre-treated water 2113. The method 2100 also flows the permeate water stream to the permeate storage tank 2115.

[0151] FIG. 22 shows a flowchart of an alternative water desalination method 2200 for providing pre-treated water to the water storage tank from a water pretreatment plant. The alternative method 2200 includes fluidly coupling the water pretreatment plant to the water storage tank 2201. Additionally, the method 2200 includes flowing the pre-treated water stream from the water pretreatment plant to the water storage tank 2203.

[0152] FIG. 23 shows another alternative water desalination method 2300 using an inlet andan outlet of the water storage tank to flow the pre-treated water stream and the concentrated water stream. Specifically, the method 2300 includes positioning the inlet and the outlet on the housing of the water storage tank, the housing having a first end and a second end, the inlet being positioned on the first end and the outlet being positioned on the second end 2301. Additionally, the method 2300 includes fluidly coupling the inlet with the filter, wherein the inlet is configured to receive the concentrated water stream into the water storage tank 2303. Further, the method 2300 includes fluidly coupling the outlet with the filter, the outlet with the first pump, wherein the outlet is configured to flow the pre-treat water stream from the water storage tank to the first pump 2305.

[0153] FIG. 24 shows a water desalination system 2400 for providing permeate water using a plurality of water storage tanks 2410. The system 2400 further includes a pretreatment plant 2445, a first pump 2420, a filter 2430, a permeate storage tank 2416, an energy recovery device 2462, and a second pump 2470. Specifically, members of the plurality of tanks 2410 are positioned in parallel to each other to simultaneously supply a pre-treated water steam to a filter 2430. The plurality of water storage tanks 2410 is configured to store pre-treated water. Additionally, each of the plurality of water storage tanks 2410 is the same as, or substantially similar to, the water storage tanks shown in FIG. 16 to FIG. 19.

[0154] As shown in FIG. 24, each of the plurality of water storage tanks 2410 is fluidly coupled with the pretreatment plant 2445. The pretreatment plant 2445 provides pre-treated water to be stored in each of the plurality of water storage tanks 2410. The pre-treated water then may be used in either continuous or batch processing modes of the water desalination system 2400.

[0155] As shown in FIG. 24, a control system 2450 used in the water desalination method 2400. Similar to FIG. 4, the control system 2450 is electrically connected and communicates with the first pump 2420, the filter 2430, the energy recovery device 2462, and the second pump 2470. The control system 2450 includes one or more processors 2451, a memory device 2452, and a storage device 2453. The memory device 2452 has stored thereon machine-readable instructions. The one or more processors 2451 is electrically connected and digitally communicates with the memory device 2452 and the storage device 2453. Moreover, the machine-readable instructions may be saved in the storage device 2453. Further, both the memory device 2452 and the storage device 2453 may have, stored thereon, specific predetermined pressure values for specific pretreated water, concentrated water, a type of filter for the filter 2430, various members of the filter 2430, specific optimal water flowrates for specific predetermined pressure values.

[0156] The filter 2430 is fluidly coupled to the first pump 2420 and each of the plurality of water storage tanks 2410. The control system 2450 has the one or more processors configured to execute the machine-readable instructions to cause the system to flow a pre-treated water stream from each of the plurality of water storage tanks 2410 to the first pump 2420. The control system 2450 uses the first pump 2420 to increase the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure and flow the pre-treated water stream to the filter 2430. Additionally, the control system 2450 separate the pre-treated water stream into a permeate water stream and a concentrated water stream using the filter 2430.

[0157] After separating the pre-treated water stream in the filter 2430, the control system 2450 flows the concentrated water stream to each of the plurality of water storage tanks 2410. Moreover, the internal structure of each of the plurality of water storage tanks 2410 is configured to aid in delaying mixing of the concentrated water stream with the pre-treated water. Then, the control system 2450 flows the permeate water stream to the permeate storage tank 2416.

[0158] As shown in FIG. 24, the energy recovery device 2462 is coupled to a second pump 2470. The second pump 2470 is designed to circulate, and / or increase a pressure of, the pre-treated water stream from the plurality of water storage tanks 2410 before flowing to the filter 2430. The second pump 2470 is provided to compensate for a pressure difference, if any, between the pretreated water streams from the energy recovery device 2462 and from the first pump 2420. In some implementations, the pre-treaded water stream is the concentrated water stream flowing from plurality of water storage tanks 2410.

[0159] Moreover, in some implementations, the energy recovery device 2462 is a pressure exchanger. The energy recover device 2462 is fluidly coupled with the filter 2430 and the plurality of water storage tanks 2410. The concentrated water stream flowing out of the filter 2430 flows to the energy recovery device 2462. The concentrated water stream carries with it energy due to high pressure. This energy is recovered in the energy recovery device 2462 to increase the pressure of the pre-treated water stream flowing from the plurality of water storage tanks 2410. This recovered energy compensates the pressure difference between the portion of pre-treated water stream accelerated by the energy device 2462 and the portion of pre-treated water stream flowing out of the first pump 2420. Then, the energy recovery device 2462 flows the concentrated water stream to the plurality of water storage tanks 2410.

[0160] FIG. 25 shows a water desalination method 2500 for providing permeate water from apre-treated water stream stored in a plurality of water storage tanks that also receive a concentrated water stream. The method 2500 includes obtaining a plurality of water storage tanks configured to store pre-treated water 2501. Specifically, each of the plurality of water storage tanks has a housing and an internal structure that is interiorly attached to the housing. The method 2500 fluidly couples a first pump to each of the plurality of water storage tanks 2503. Additionally, the method 2500 fluidly couples a filter to the first pump and each of the plurality of water storage tanks 2505. The method 2500 flows a pre-treated water stream from one or more of the plurality of water storage tanks to the first pump 2507. Using the first pump, the method 2500 increases the pretreated water stream to a first pressure 2509. Moreover, the method 2500 flows the pre-treated water stream to the filter 2511. Then, using the filter, the method 2500 separates the pre-treated water stream into a permeate water stream and a concentrated water stream. Further, the method 2500 flows the concentrated water stream to one or more of the plurality of water storage tanks 2513. The internal structure inside the one or more of the plurality of water storage tanks is configured to aid in delaying mixing of the concentrated water stream with the pre-treated water. And the method 2500 flows the permeate water stream to a permeate storage tank 2515.

[0161] FIG. 26 shows another water desalination method 2600 for providing permeate water from a pre-treated water stream stored in a plurality of water storage tanks that also receive a concentrated water stream from an energy recovery device. Specifically, the method 2600 fluidly couples an energy recovery device to the filter and each of the plurality of water storage tanks 2601. The method 2600 flows the concentrated water stream from the filter to the energy recovery device 2603. Additionally, the method 2600 flows a first portion of the pre-treated water stream to the first pump and a second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the energy recovery device 2605. Using the first pump, the method 2600 increases the first portion of the pre-treated water stream to a second pressure and flows the first portion of the pre-treated water stream to the filter 2607. Moreover, using the energy recovery device, the method 2600 increases the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to a third pressure and flows the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the filter 2609. The method 2600 receives, in the filter, as a combined pre-treated water stream the first portion of the pre-treated water stream and the second portion of the pretreated water stream 2911. Furthermore, using the energy recovery device, the method flows the concentrated water stream to one or more of the plurality of water storage tanks 2613.

[0162] FIG. 27 is a flowchart showing an alternative water desalination method 2700 forproviding permeate water using an energy recovery device and a second pump, according to certain aspects of the present disclosure. Specifically, the method 2700 fluidly couples a second pump to the energy recovery device and the filter 2701. Using the energy recovery device, the method 2700 flows the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the second pump 2703, Moreover, the method 2700 uses the second pump to flow the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the filter 2705.

[0163] FIG. 28A illustrates a multistage system 2800 for water desalination designed to provide permeate water. The system 2800 has a plurality of desalination stages 2801. In some implementations, the plurality of desalination stages 2801 includes a first desalination stage 2802, a second desalination stage 2803, and a downstream desalination stage 2809. Moreover, each of the plurality of desalination stages 2800 is interconnected in series. Further, each of the plurality of desalination stages 2800 includes a first pump 2820 / 2821 / 2829, a filter fluidly coupled to the first pump 2820 / 2821 / 2829, and an energy recovery device 2860 / 2861 / 2869 fluidly coupled to the filter 2830 / 2831 / 2839.

[0164] FIG. 28B shows a control system 2850 and electrical, control connections, and / or data / signal flows between the control system 2850 and the plurality of desalination stages 2801 in the multistage water desalination system 2800 in FIG. 28A. Similar to FIG. 4, the control system 2850 includes one or more processors 2851, a memory device 2852, and a storage device 2853. The memory device 2852 has stored thereon machine-readable instructions. The one or more processors 2851 is electrically connected and digitally communicates with the memory device 2852 and the storage device 2853. Moreover, the machine-readable instructions may be saved in the storage device 2853. Further, both the memory device 2852 and the storage device 2853 may have, stored thereon, specific predetermined pressure values for specific pre-treated water, concentrated water, a type of filter pressure, specific optimal water flowrates for specific predetermined pressure values. Unlike FIG. 4, the control system 2850 is electrically connected and communicates with each of the plurality of desalination systems 2801.

[0165] As shown in FIG. 28A and FIG. 28B, the control system 2850 is configured to execute the machine-readable instructions to cause the system 2800 to flow a pre-treated water stream to the first desalination stage 2802 of the plurality of desalination stages 2801, specifically, the filter 2830. The filter 2830 of the first desalination stage 2802 separates the pre-treated water stream into a first permeate water stream and a first concentrated water stream. Moreover, using theenergy recovery device 2860 of the first desalination stage 2802, the control system is configured to flow the first concentrated water stream to the second desalination stage 2803 of the plurality of desalination stages 2801. Furthermore, a permeate storage tank 2816 receives the first permeate water stream.

[0166] As shown in FIG. 28A and FIG. 28B, the control system 2850 of the system 2800 is configured to cause the first desalination stage 2802 of the plurality of desalination stages 2801 to flow the pre-treated water stream to the first pump 2820. Using the first pump, the control system 2850 increases the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure and flows the pre-treated water stream to the filter 2830. Moreover, the permeate storage tank 2816 is configured to receive the first permeate water stream. Additionally, the control system 2850 flows the first concentrated water stream to the energy recovery device 2860. Further, using the energy device, the control system 2850 flows the first concentrated water stream to the second desalination stage 2803 of the plurality of desalination stages 2801.

[0167] As shown in FIG. 28A and FIG. 28B, the control system 2850 of the system 2800 is further configured to cause the first desalination stage 2802 of the plurality of desalination stages 2801 to flow a first portion of the pre-treated water stream to the first pump 2820 and a second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the energy recovery device 2860. Using the first pump 2820, the control system 2850 increases the first portion of the pre-treated water stream to a second pressure and flow the first portion of the pre-treated water stream to the filter 2830. Then, using the energy recovery device 2860, the control system 2850 increases the second portion of the pretreated water stream to a third pressure and flows the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the filter 2830. Moreover, the filter 2830 of the first desalination stage 2802 receives, as a combined pre-treated water stream, the first portion of the pre-treated water stream and the second portion of the pre-treated water stream.

[0168] As shown in FIG. 28A and FIG. 28B, the first desalination stage 2802 of the plurality of desalination stages 2801 further includes a second pump 2870 fluidly coupled to the energy recovery device 2860 and the filter 2830. Additionally, using the energy recovery device 2860, the control system 2850 is configured to cause the first desalination stage 2802 to flow the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the second pump 2870. Further, using the second pump 2870, the control system 2850 flows the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the filter 2830.

[0169] As shown in FIG. 28A and FIG. 28B, the control system 2850 is configured to cause the second desalination stage 2803 of the plurality of desalination stages 2801 to flow the first concentrated water stream to the first pump 2821 of the second desalination stage 2803. Additionally, using the first pump 2821, the control system 2850 increases the first concentrated water stream to a first pressure and flows the first concentrated water stream to the filter 2831 of the second desalination stage 2803. Using the filter 2831, the control system separates the first concentrated water stream into a second permeate water stream and a second concentrated water stream. Moreover, the control system 2850 uses the permeate storage tank 2816 to receive the second permeate water stream and flows the second concentrated water stream to the energy recovery device 2861. Further, using the energy recovery device 2861, the control system 2850 flows the second concentrated water stream to a downstream desalination stage 2809 of the plurality of the stages 2801.

[0170] As shown in FIG. 28A and FIG. 28B, the control system 2850 is configured to cause the second desalination stage 2803 of the plurality of desalination stages 2801 to flow a first portion of the first concentrated water stream to the first pump 2821 and a second portion of the first concentrated water stream to the energy recovery device 2861. Using the first pump 2821, The control system 2850 increases the first portion of the first concentrated water stream to a second pressure and flows the first portion of the first concentrated water stream to the filter 2831. Moreover, using the energy recovery device 2861, the control system 2850 increases the second portion of the first concentrated water stream to a third pressure and flows the second portion of the first concentrated water stream to the filter 2831. The filter 2831 receives, as a combined first concentrated water stream the first portion of the first concentrated water stream and the second portion of the first concentrated water stream.

[0171] As shown in FIG. 28A and FIG. 28B, the second desalination stage 2803 of the plurality of desalination stages 2801 further includes a second pump 2871 that is fluidly coupled to the energy recovery device 2861 and the filter 2831. Using the energy recovery device, the control system 2850 is configured to cause the second desalination stage 2803 to flow the second portion of the first concentrated water stream to the second pump 2871. Moreover, using the second pump 2871, the control system is configured to flow the second portion of the first concentrated water stream to the filter 2831.

[0172] As shown in FIG. 28A and FIG. 28B, the control system 2850 is configured to receivea concentrated water stream of each of the plurality of desalination stages 2801 using a concentrated water storage tank 2880. Similarly, the control system 2850 is configured to cause the system 2800 to receive a permeate water stream from the filter 2830 / 2831 / 2839 of each desalination stage of the plurality of desalination stages 2801 using the permeate storage tank 2816.

[0173] FIG. 29 shows a method 2900 of multistage water desalination for providing permeate water. The method 2900 includes obtaining a plurality of desalination stages 2901. Specifically, each of the plurality of desalination stages includes a first pump, a filter fluidly coupled to the first pump, and an energy recovery device fluidly coupled to the filter. Additionally, the method 2900 includes fluidly interconnecting each of the plurality of desalination stages in series 2903. The method then includes flowing a pre-treated water stream to a first desalination stage of the plurality of desalination stages 2905. Using the filter of the first desalination stage, the method 2900 separates the pre-treated water stream into a first permeate water stream and a first concentrated water stream 2907. Moreover, using the energy recovery device of the first desalination stage, the method 2900 flows the first concentrated water stream to a second desalination stage of the plurality of desalination stages 2909. Further, using a permeate storage tank, the method 2900 receives the first permeate water stream 2911.

[0174] FIG. 30 shows a flowchart of an alternative method 3000 of multistage water desalination for providing permeate water. The method 3000 includes flowing the pre-treated water stream to the first pump of the first desalination stage of the plurality of desalination stages 3001. Additionally, the method 3000 includes increasing, using the first pump, the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure and flowing the pre-treated water stream to the filter the first desalination stage 3003. The method 3000 flows the first concentrated water stream to the energy recovery device 3005. Moreover, the method 3000 includes flowing, using the energy device, the first concentrated water stream to the second desalination stage of the plurality of desalination stages 3007.

[0175] FIG. 31 shows a flowchart of another alternative method 3100 of multistage water desalination for providing permeate water. The method 3100 includes flowing a first portion of the pre-treated water stream to the first pump and a second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the energy recovery device 3101. Using the first pump, the method 3100 increases the first portion of the pre-treated water stream to a second pressure and flows the first portion of the pretreated water stream to the filter 3103. Additionally, the method 3100 uses the energy recoverydevice to increase the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to a third pressure and to flow the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the filter 3105. Further, the method 3100 uses the filter to receive, as a combined pre-treated water stream, the first portion of the pre-treated water stream and the second portion of the pre-treated water stream 3107.

[0176] FIG. 32 shows a flowchart of yet another alternative method 3200 of multistage water desalination for providing permeate water. The method 3200 includes fluidly coupling a second pump to the energy recovery device and the filter of the first desalination stage of the plurality of desalination stages 3201. Using the energy recovery device, the method 3200 flows the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the second pump 3203. Moreover, using the second pump, the method flows the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the filter 3205.

[0177] FIG. 33 shows a flowchart of a further alternative method 3300 of multistage water desalination for providing permeate water. The method 3300 includes flowing the first concentrated water stream from the first desalination stage to the first pump of the second desalination stage of the plurality of desalination stages 3301. Using the first pump, the method 3300 increases the first concentrated water stream to a first pressure and flow the first concentrated water stream to the filter of the second desalination stage 3303. Additionally, using the filter, the method 3300 separates the first concentrated water stream into a second permeate water stream and a second concentrated water stream 3305. Using the permeate storage tank, the method 3300 receives the second permeate water stream 3307. Moreover, the method 3300 flows the second concentrated water stream to the energy recovery device of the second desalination stage 3309. Further, the method 3300 uses the energy recovery device to flow the second concentrated water stream to a downstream desalination stage of the plurality of the stages 3311.

[0178] FIG. 34 shows a flowchart of another alternative method 3400 of multistage water desalination for providing permeate water. Specifically, the method 3400 uses the permeate storage tank to receive a permeate water stream from the filter of each desalination stage of the plurality of desalination stages 3401. Additionally, The method 3400 uses a concentrated water storage tank to receive a concentrated water stream of each of the plurality of desalination stages 3403.

[0179] FIG. 35 shows a water desalination and brine mining system 10100. The system 10100 is designed to provide high recovery of reverse osmosis saline water purification and highly concentrated water, e g., brine. Specifically, the system 10100 includes a water storage tank101 10, a first pump 10120, a second pump 10121, a third pump 10122, a first filter 10130, a second filter 10140, an energy recovery device 10150, a flow detector 10160, a first pretreatment device 10171, a second pretreatment device 10172, a permeate storage tank 10116, a concentrated water storage tank 10118, and a water pretreatment plant 10119.

[0180] Referring to FIG. 35, the water storage tank 10110 is a facility that receives and holds pre-treated water such as seal water, saline water, and brine. The water storage tank 10110 is configured to flow a pre-treated water stream to other parts of the system 10100, e.g., the first pump 10120. Additionally, the water storage tank 10110 is fluidly coupled with the water pretreatment plant 10119. The water pretreatment plant 10119 is designed to provide pre-treated water to fill the water storage tank 10110.

[0181] The first pump 10120 is designed to increase the pressure of a water stream entering the first filter 10130 to a predetermined pressure, e g., a first pressure to achieve an optimal flowrate through the first filter 10130. For example, the first pressure is greater than 1,000 psi. Moreover, the predetermined pressure depends on the specific water stream, e.g., a pre-treated water stream or a concentrated water stream with a specific salinity. The higher the salinity of the water stream, the higher predetermined pressure may be required for the first pump 10120 to maintain the optimal water flowrate through the first filter 10130. In some implementations, the first pump 10120 is a high-pressure pump or any suitable pump.

[0182] The first filter 10130 and the second filter 10140 are used to filter pre-treated water, saline water, concentrated water, or brackish water into permeate water and concentrated water, e.g., brine. For example, the first filter 10130 and the second filter 10140 may include, but not be limited to, a reverse osmosis membrane, a nanofiltration membrane, a hollow fiber membrane, a spiral wounded flat sheet membrane, a low solute rejection membrane, or any combination thereof. Additionally, the first filter 10130 and the second filter 10140 each has a water permeability greater than 0.1 L / m2-h-bar. In some implementations, the first filter 10130 and the second filter 10140 are brine concentration (BC) membranes that are high permeation membrane. For example, a brine concentration (BC) membrane is a hollow fiber membrane that has low solute selectivity and thus low pressure differential across the membrane. Through the multistage brine concentration (BC) membranes, highly concentrated brine is produced without requiring greater-than-normal hydraulic power of individual pumps, e.g., the first pump 10120.

[0183] Further, the first filter 10130 is designed to separate the pre-treated water stream fromthe water storage tank 101 10 into a first permeate water stream and a first concentrated water stream. The first permeate water stream is directed to the permeate water storage tank 10116 while the first concentrated water stream flows to the second filter 10140.

[0184] Referring to FIG. 35, the second filter 10140 is fluidly coupled with the first filter 10130. The second filter 10140 may be of the same type of filter as that of the first filter 10130. Additionally, the second filter 10140 and the first filter 10130 may have different physical properties such as water permeability. In some implementations, the second filter 10140 is a different type of filter than that of the first filter 10130. Moreover, the second filter 10140 is designed to separate the first concentrated water stream from the first filter 10130 into a second permeate water stream and a second concentrated water stream.

[0185] The second pump 10121 is fluidly coupled with the second filter 10140 and the first filter 10130. Specifically, the second pump 10121 is designed to increase the pressure of the second concentrated water stream from the second filter 10140 to the first pressure and direct the second concentrated water stream to the first filter 10130 for further desalination. Moreover, the second pump 10121 is fluidly coupled to the flow detector 10160.

[0186] Further, the flow detector 10160 is fluidly coupled with the water storage tank 10110 and the second filter 10140. Specifically, the flow detector 10160 fluidly connects both the second filter 10140 and the second pump 10121 with the water storage tank 10110. The flow detector 10160 is designed to provide critical safety protection to the system 10100 during normal operations. For example, when the second pump 10121 malfunctions, flow detector 10160 detects a fluid flowrate that causes the system 10100 to flow: (101) a backup water stream from the water storage tank 10110 to the second pump 10121 upon the fluid flowrate reaching a second predetermined value, or the second concentrate water stream from the second filter 10140 to the water storage tank 10110 while deactivating the second pump 10121 to protect the second filter 10140 and the first filter 10130. In some implementations, the first predetermined value is around 0 liters / minute.

[0187] Referring to FIG. 35, the permeate water storage tank 10116 is fluidly coupled to the first filter 10130. The permeate water storage tank 10116 is configured to store permeate water, also referred to as “desalinated water,” “freshwater,” “purified water,” “treated water,” or “filtered water.”

[0188] In some implementations, the system 10100 further includes a water pretreatment plant101 19. The water pretreatment plant 10119 is fluidly coupled to the water storage tank 10110. The water pretreatment plant 10119 is used to fdl the water storage tank 10110 with pre-treated water when the pre-treated water storage tank 10110 is empty or reaches a low-level requiring refdl of the pre-treated water.

[0189] Referring to FIG. 35, the system 10100 further includes a control system 10190. The control system 10190 is electrically connected and communicates with the first pump 10120, the second pump 10121, the third pump 10122, the first filter 10130, the second filter 10140, the energy recovery device 10150, the flow detector 10160, the first pretreatment device 10171, the second pretreatment device 10172, and the water pretreatment plant 10119. Each of the first pretreatment device 10171 and the second pretreatment device 10172 is configured to include a pretreatment process that includes biological treatment, softening treatment, oxidation, media filtration, cartridge filtration, ultrafiltration, membrane brine concentration, clarification, carbon filtration, coagulation, electrocoagulation, nanobubbles, diffuse air filtration (DAF), screening, decanting or press filtration, and any combination thereof

[0190] The control system 10190 includes one or more processors 10191, a memory device 10192, and a storage device 10193. The memory device 10192 has stored thereon machine- readable instructions. The one or more processors 10191 is electrically connected and digitally communicates with the memory device 10192 and the storage device 10193. Moreover, the machine-readable instructions may be saved in the storage device 10193. Further, both the memory device 10192 and the storage device 10193 may have, stored thereon, specific predetermined pressure values for specific pre-treated water, concentrated water, types of filter for the first filter 10130 and the second filter 10140, various members of the first filter 10130 and the second filter 10140, specific optimal water flowrates for specific predetermined pressure values.

[0191] Referring to FIG. 35, the control system 10190 is configured to execute the machine- readable instructions to cause the system 10100 to flow a pre-treated water stream from the water storage tank 10110 to the first pump 10120. Using the first pump 10120, the system 10100 increases the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure and flows the pre-treated water stream to the first filter 10130. Then, using the first filter 10130, the system 10100 separates the pre-treated water stream into a first permeate water stream and a first concentrated water stream. Additionally, the system 10100 flows the first concentrated water stream to the second filter 10140. Using the second filter 10140, the system 10140 separates the first concentrated water stream into a secondpermeate water stream and a second concentrated water stream. Moreover, the system 10100 flows the second permeate water stream to the second pump 10121 to increase the second permeate water stream to the first pressure. Then, the system 10100 flows the second permeate water stream to the first filter 10130. Upon the fluid flowrate exceeding a first predetermined value, the system 10100 flows the second permeate water stream to the water storage tank 10110 through the flow detector 10160. Further, the system 10100 flows the first permeate water stream to the permeate water storage tank 10116 for storage. And the system 10100 flows the second concentrated water stream to the concentrated water storage tank 10119.

[0192] Referring to FIG. 35, the energy recovery device 10150 is fluidly coupled to the first filter 10130, the second filter 10140, the water storage tank 10110, and the concentrated water storage tank 10118. The energy recovery device 10150 is generally designed to recover the pressure (i.e., hydraulic) energy of a high-pressure concentrated water stream to pressurize a low- pressure pre-treated water stream without mixing the two water streams. Specifically, the energy recovery device 10150 uses, at least in part, the pressure energy of the second concentrated water stream from the second filter 10140 to increase the pressure of a pre-treated water stream from the water storage tank 10110.

[0193] More specifically, the control system 10190 is configured to cause the system 10100 to flow the second concentrated water stream from the second filter 10140 to the energy recovery device 10150. Additionally, the system 10100 flows a first portion of the pre-treated water stream to the first pump 10120 and a second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the energy recovery device 10150. Using the first pump 10120, the system 10100 increases the first portion of the pretreated water stream to a second pressure and flow the first portion of the pre-treated water stream to the first filter 10130. Using the energy recovery device 10150, the system 10100 increases the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to a third pressure and flows the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the first filter 10130. The first filter 10130 receives, as a combined pre-treated water stream, the first portion of the pre-treated water stream and the second portion of the pre-treated water stream. Further, using the energy recovery device, the system 10100 flows the second concentrated water stream to the concentrated water storage tank 10118.

[0194] Moreover, the energy recovery device 10150 is fluidly coupled to a third pump 10122. The third pump 10122 is further fluidly coupled to the first filter 10130. The third pump 10122 is designed to circulate, and / or increase the second pressure of, the pre-treated water stream from theenergy recovery device 10150 to a third pressure. In some implementations, the third pressure is the same as, or substantially similar to, the first pressure. The third pump 10122 is thus provided to compensate for a pressure difference, if any, between the second pressure and the first pressure of the pre-treated water stream from the energy recovery device 10150. Moreover, the third pump 10122 includes a circulation pump. Further, the energy recovery device 10150 includes a pressure exchanger.

[0195] FIG. 36 shows a method 10200 of water desalination and brine mining for providing permeate water and concentrated water. Specifically, the method 10200 obtains and utilizes a water storage tank that is configured to store pre-treated water 10202. The method 10200 fluidly couples a first pump to the water storage tank 10204. Additionally, the method 10200 fluidly couples: (i) a first filter fluidly to the first pump and a second filter to the first filter 10206, (iii) a second pump with the second filter and the first filter 10208, and (iv) a flow detector with the second filter, the second pump, and the water storage tank 10210.

[0196] The flow detector is configured to detect a fluid flowrate between the second pump and the water storage tank. The method 10200 then flows a pre-treated water stream from the water storage tank to the first pump 10212. Using the first pump, the method 10200 increases the pretreated water stream to a first pressure and flows the pre-treated water stream to the first filter 10214. And using the first filter, the method 10200 separates the pre-treated water stream into a first permeate water stream and a first concentrated water stream 10216.

[0197] Moreover, the method 10200 flows the first concentrated water stream to the second filter 10218. Using the second filter, the method 10200 separates the first concentrated water stream into a second permeate water stream and a second concentrated water stream 10220. Then, the method 10200 flows the second permeate water stream to the second pump 10222. Using the second pump, increases the second permeate water stream to the first pressure and flows the second permeate water stream to the first filter 10224. Further, upon the fluid flowrate exceeding a first predetermined value, the method 10200 flows the second permeate water stream to the water storage tank through the flow detector 10226.

[0198] FIG. 37 shows an alternative method 10300 of water desalination and brine mining using a flow detector. The method 10300 flows a backup water stream from the water storage tank through the flow detector to the second pump upon the fluid flowrate reaching a second predetermined value 10302. During normal operation of method 10300, the second pump maymalfunction.

[0199] In order to protect the first filter and the second filter, the method 10300 uses the flow detector to balance the fluid flow between the second pump and the water storage tank so that the fluid flowrate across the flow detector is maintained at an optimal value. In some implementations, this value is the same as, or substantially similar to, the first predetermined value. The second predetermined value, for example, is the same as, or substantially similar to the first predetermined value. In some implementations, the second predetermined value is different than the first predetermined value.

[0200] Moreover, in some implementations, the method 10300 deactivates the second pump upon the fluid flowrate reaching a third predetermined value. The third predetermined value, for example, is the same as, or substantially similar to the first predetermined value, or the second predetermined value. In other implementations, the third predetermined value is different than either the first predetermined value or the second predetermined value, or both, based on the actual operating conditions of the method 10300. The third predetermined value is critical for the method to safeguard the normal operations of the method without causing any damages to components such as the first filter and the second filter due to malfunctioning of other components, e.g., the second pump.

[0201] FIG. 38 shows another alternative method 10400 of water desalination and brine mining using a water pretreatment plant. Specifically, the method 10400 fluidly couples a water pretreatment plant to the water storage tank 10402. Additionally, the method 10400 flows pretreated water from the water pretreatment plant to fill the water storage tank. The method 10400 controls the filling of the water storage tank to a desired level.

[0202] FIG. 39 shows a method 10500 of water desalination and brine mining using an energy recovery device. The method 10500 is designed to recuperate the hydraulic energy of the high pressure concentrate water stream from the second filter. Additionally, the method 10500 effectively uses the recovered energy to pressurize a pre-treated water stream from the water storage tank that is directed into the first filter. This energy recovery and exchange is efficiently performed by the energy recovery device.

[0203] Specifically, the method 10500 fluidly couples an energy recovery device to the first filter, the water storage tank, and the second filter 10502. The method 10500 then flows the second concentrated water stream from the second filter to the energy recovery device 10504.Additionally, the method 10500 flows a first portion of the pre-treated water stream to the first pump and a second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the energy recovery device 10506. Using the first pump, the method 10500 increases the first portion of the pre-treated water stream to a second pressure and flows the first portion of the pre-treated water stream to the first filter 10508.

[0204] Then, using the energy recovery device, the method 10500 increases the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to a third pressure and flows the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the filter 10510. Further, the method 10500 receives, in the first filter, as a combined pre-treated water stream the first portion of the pre-treated water stream and the second portion of the pre-treated water stream 10512. Using the energy recovery device, the method 10500 flows the second concentrated water stream to a concentrated water storage tank 10514.

[0205] FIG. 40 shows an alternative method 10600 of water desalination and brine mining using a third pump with an energy recovery device. Specifically, the method 10600 fluidly couples the third pump to the energy recovery device and the first filter 10602. Then, using the energy recovery device, the method 10600 flows the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the third pump 10604. Further, using the third pump, the method 10600 flows the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the first filter 10606.

[0206] FIG. 41 illustrates a system 10700 that provides multistage high recovery water desalination and brine mining. The system 10700 is similar to the system 10100, as shown in FIG. 35, in that the system 10700 includes a water storage tank 10710, a first pump 10720, a second pump 10721, a third pump 10722, a first filter 10731, a second filter 10732, an energy recovery device 10750, a first pretreatment device 10771, a second pretreatment device 10772, a permeate storage tank 10716, a concentrated water storage tank 10718, and a water pretreatment plant 10719, and a control system 10790, which are the same, or substantially similar to, the water storage tank 10110, the first pump 10120, the second pump 10121, the third pump 10122, the first filter 10130, the second filter 10140, the energy recovery device 10150, the first pretreatment device 10171, the second pretreatment device 10172, the permeate storage tank 10116, the concentrated water storage tank 10118, and the water pretreatment plant 10119. Additionally, the control system 10790 of the system 10700 is the same as, or substantially similar to the control system 10190 of the system 10100 in that the control system 10790 includes one or more processors 10791, a memory device 10792, and a storage device 10793, which are the same as, orsubstantially similar to, one or more processors 10191, the memory device 10192, and the storage device 10193 of the control system 10190.[002071 Moreover, the system 10700 differs from the system 10100 in that the system 10700 includes a plurality of filters 10730. The plurality of filters 10730 includes the first filter 10731, the second filter 10732, and a downstream filter 10739. Further, the system 10700 includes a flow detector 10760, which is the same as, or substantially similar to, the flow detector 10160 of the system 10100 as shown in FIG. 35.

[0208] As shown in FIG. 107, each of the plurality of filters 10730 is fluidly interconnected in series with one another. The first filter 10731 is fluidly coupled with the first pump 10720. The second pump 10721 is fluidly coupled with the second filter 10732 and the downstream filter 10739 of the plurality of the filters 10730. In some implementations, each of the plurality of filters, e g., the first filter 10731, the second filter 10732, and the downstream filter 10739, is a brine concentration (BC) membrane that is a high permeation membrane. For example, a brine concentration (BC) membrane is a hollow fiber membrane that has low solute selectivity and thus low pressure differential across the membrane. Through the individual multistage brine concentration (BC) membranes of the plurality of filters 10730, highly concentrated brine is produced without requiring greater-than-normal hydraulic power of individual pumps, e.g., the first pump 10720 and the second pump 10721.

[0209] The flow detector 10760 is fluidly coupled with the second pump 10721, the water storage tank 10710, and the downstream filter 10739. Additionally, the flow detector 10760 is configured to detect a fluid flowrate between the second pump 10721 and the water storage tank 10710. Facilitated by the control system 10790, the system 10700 flows a pre-treated water stream from the water storage tank 10710 to the first pump 10720. Using the first pump 10720, the system 10700 increases the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure and flows the pre-treated water stream to the first filter 10731 of the plurality of the filters 10730. Then, using the first filter 10710, the system 10700 separates the pre-treated water stream into a first permeate water stream and a first concentrated water stream. Moreover, using the permeate storage tank 10716, the system 10700 receives the first permeate water stream and flows the first concentrated water stream to the second filter 10732.

[0210] As shown in FIG. 107, the system 10700 uses the second filter 10732 to separate the first concentrated water stream into a second permeate water stream and a second concentratedwater stream. Using a permeate water storage tank 10716, the system 10700 receives the second permeate water. In some implementations, the system 10700 flows the second permeate water to the water storage tank 10710, or to the first filter 10720. Moreover, the system 10700 flows the second concentrated water stream to the downstream filter 10739. And using the downstream filter 10739, the system 10700 separates the second concentrated water stream into a downstream permeate water stream and a downstream concentrated water stream.

[0211] The system 10700 then flows the downstream permeate water stream to the second pump 10721. Using the second pump, the system 10700 increases the downstream permeate water stream to a second pressure and flows the downstream permeate water stream to the second filter 10732. Further, using the concentrated water storage tank 10718, the system 10700 receives the downstream concentrated water stream. Upon the fluid flowrate 10760 reaching a first predetermined value, the system 10700 flows the downstream permeate water stream to the water storage tank 10710 through the flow detector 10760.

[0212] FIG. 42 shows a system 10800 for multistage high recovery water desalination and brine mining system. The system 10800 is similar to the system 10700, as shown in FIG. 107, in that the system 10800 includes a water storage tank 10810, a first pump 10820, a second pump 10821, a third pump 10822, a first filter 10831, a second filter 10832, an energy recovery device 10850, a flow detector 10860, a first pretreatment device 10871, a second pretreatment device 10872, a permeate storage tank 10816, a concentrated water storage tank 10818, and a water pretreatment plant 10819, and a control system 10890, which are the same, or substantially similar to, the water storage tank 10710, the first pump 10720, the second pump 10721, the third pump 10722, the first filter 10730, the second filter 10740, the energy recovery device 10750, the flow detector 10760, the first pretreatment device 10771, the second pretreatment device 10772, the permeate storage tank 10716, the concentrated water storage tank 10718, the water pretreatment plant 10719, and the control system 10790 of the system 10700.

[0213] FIG. 42 differs from FIG. 41 in that FIG. 42 includes a stage flow detector 10861 and a second stage of water desalination of the system 10800. Specifically, the system 10800 includes a fourth pump 10823, a second-stage filter 10840, a second energy recovery device 10851, and a third pretreatment device 10873. The fourth pump 10823 is fluidly coupled to the first filter 10831 and the second filter 10832 of the plurality of filters 10830. Additionally, the fourth pump 10823 is fluidly coupled to the second-stage filter 10840. The second-stage filter 10840 is also fluidlycoupled with the water storage tank 10810 and the permeate water storage tank 10816, as shown in FIG. 42.

[0214] Further, the stage flow detector 10861 is the same as, or substantially similar to, the flow detector 10860. The stage flow detector 10861 is fluidly coupled to the water storage tank 10810, the first filter 10831 and the second filter 10832 of the plurality of filters 10830, the third pretreatment device 10873, and the fourth pump 10823. Moreover, the stage flow detector 10861 is configured to detect a stage fluid flowrate between the water storage tank 10810 and the fourth pump 10823.

[0215] Through the control system 10890, the system 10800 combines the first permeate water stream from the first filter 10831 and the second permeate water stream from the second filter 10832 into a fourth permeate water stream. Then, using the fourth pump 10823, the system 10800 increases the fourth permeate water stream to a fourth pressure and flows the fourth permeate water stream to the second-stage filter 10840. The fourth pressure is designed to be a suitable pressure for the second-stage filter 10840 to desalinate the fourth permeate water stream and produce a permeate water stream of a high purity. The second-stage filter 10840, for example, is a seawater reverse osmosis membrane.

[0216] Moreover, using the second-stage filter 10840, the system 10800 separates the fourth permeate water stream into a second-stage permeate water stream and a second-stage concentrated water stream. In some implementations, the second-stage filter 10840 is a salinity-adaptive multistage reverse-osmosis (SAMRO) membrane, or a seawater reverse-osmosis membrane. The second-state filter 10840 is used to achieve high purity permeate water by further processing the fourth permeate water stream from first filter 10831 and the second filter 10832 of the plurality of the filters 10830.

[0217] Then, the system 10800 flows the second-stage concentrated water stream to the water storage tank 10810 for reprocessing. Further, the system 10800 flows the second-stage permeate water stream to the permeate water storage tank 10816.

[0218] As shown in FIG. 42, the system 10800 further includes the second energy recovery device 10851. The second energy recovery device 10851 is fluidly coupled to the second-stage filter 10840, the water storage tank 10810, and the first filter 10831 and the second filter 10832 of the plurality of filters 10830. Using the control system 10890, the system 10800 flows the second- stage concentrated water stream from the second-stage filter 10840 to the second energy recoverydevice 10851.

[0219] Then, the system 10800 flows a first portion of the fourth permeate water stream to the fourth pump 10823 and a second portion of the fourth permeate water stream to the second energy recovery device 10851. Using the fourth pump 10823, the system 10800 increases the first portion of the fourth permeate water stream to a fifth pressure and flows the first portion of the fourth permeate water stream to the second-stage filter 10840. Additionally, using the second energy recovery device 10851, the system 10800 increases the second portion of the fourth permeate water stream to a six pressure and flows the second portion of the fourth permeate water stream to the second-stage filter 10840.

[0220] Moreover, the system 10800 receives, in the second-stage filter 10840, as a combined fifth permeate water stream the first portion of the fourth permeate water stream and the second portion of the fourth permeate water stream. Further, using the second energy recovery device 10851, the system 10800 flows the second-stage concentrated water stream to the water storage tank 10810.

[0221] As shown in FIG. 42, the third pretreatment device 10873 is fluidly coupled to the first filter 10831 and the second filter 10832 of the plurality of filters 10830, and the fourth pump 10823. The third pretreatment device 10873 is the same as, or substantially similar to, the first pretreatment device 10871 and the second pretreatment device 10872.

[0222] FIG. 43 A shows a method 10900 of multistage water desalination and brine mining for providing permeate water and concentrated water. Specifically, the method 10900 obtains a water storage tank configured to store pre-treated water 10902. The method 10900 fluidly couples a first pump with the water storage tank 10904. Additionally, the method 10900 fluidly couples a first filter of a plurality of filters to the first pump 10906. Each of the plurality of filters is interconnected with one and another in series.

[0223] The method 10900 further fluidly couples a second pump with a second filter and a downstream filter of the plurality of the filters 10908. Then, the method 10900 fluidly couples a first flow detector with the second pump, the water storage tank, and the downstream filter 10910. The first flow detector is configured to detect a fluid flowrate between the second pump and the water storage tank.

[0224] Moreover, the method 10900 flows a pre-treated water stream from the water storage tank to the first pump 10912. Using the first pump, the method 10900 increases the pre-treatedwater stream to a first pressure and flows the pre-treated water stream to the first filter of the plurality of the filters 10914. Then, using the first filter, the method separates the pre-treated water stream into a first permeate water stream and a first concentrated water stream 10916.

[0225] The method 10900 then uses a permeate storage tank to receive the first permeate water stream 10918. At the same time, the method 10900 flows the first concentrated water stream to the second filter 10920. Using the second filter, the method 10900 separates the first concentrated water stream into a second permeate water stream and a second concentrated water stream 10922.

[0226] FIG. 43B shows a second part of the method in FIG. 43 A. The method 10900 uses a permeate water storage tank to receive the second permeate water 10924, while flowing the second concentrated water stream to the downstream filter 10926. Moreover, using the downstream filter, the method 10900 separates the second concentrated water stream into a downstream permeate water stream and a downstream concentrated water stream 10928.

[0227] As shown in FIG. 43B, the method 10900 then flows the downstream permeate water stream to the second pump 10930. And using the second pump, the method increases the downstream permeate water stream to a second pressure and flows the downstream permeate water stream to the second filter 10932. Additionally, using a concentrated water storage tank, the method 10900 receives the downstream concentrated water stream 10934. Upon the first fluid flowrate reaching a first predetermined value, the method 10900 flows the downstream permeate water stream to the water storage tank through the first flowmeter 10936.

[0228] FIG. 44 shows an alternative method 101000 of multistage high recovery water desalination and brine mining using a second-stage filter. The method 101000 fluidly couples a fourth pump to the first filter and the second filter of the plurality of filters 101002. Additionally, the method 101000 fluidly couples a second-stage filter to the fourth pump, the water storage tank, and the permeate water storage tank 101004.

[0229] FIG. 45 shows another alternative method 101100 of multistage high recovery water desalination and brine mining using a second-stage filter. Specifically, the method 101100 combines the first permeate water stream and the second permeate water stream into a fourth permeate water stream 101102. Then, using the fourth pump, the method increases the fourth permeate water stream to a fourth pressure 101104.

[0230] Moreover, the method 101100 flows the fourth permeate water stream to the second- stage filter 101106. In the second-stage filter, the method 101100 separates the fourth permeatewater stream into a second-stage permeate water stream and a second-stage concentrated water stream 101108. Further, the method 101100 flows the second-stage concentrated water stream to the water storage tank 101110, and the second-stage permeate water stream to the permeate water storage tank 101112.

[0231] FIG. 46 shows yet another alternative method 101200 of multistage high recovery water desalination and brine mining using a second energy recovery device. First, the method 101200 fluidly couples a second energy recovery device to the second-stage fdter, the water storage tank, and the first filter and the second filter of the plurality of filters 101202. Second, the method 101200 flows the second-stage concentrated water stream from the second-stage filter to the second energy recovery device 101204.

[0232] Additionally, the method 101200 flows a first portion of the fourth permeate water stream to the fourth pump and a second portion of the fourth permeate water stream to the second energy recovery device 101206. Then, using the fourth pump, the method 101200 increases the first portion of the fourth permeate water stream to a fifth pressure and flowing the first portion of the fourth permeate water stream to the second-stage filter 101208.

[0233] Moreover, using the second energy recovery device, the method 101200 increases the second portion of the fourth permeate water stream to a six pressure and flowing the second portion of the fourth permeate water stream to the second-stage filter 101210. The method 101200 then receives, in the second-stage filter, as a combined fifth permeate water stream the first portion of the fourth permeate water stream and the second portion of the fourth permeate water stream 101212. Further, using the second energy recovery device, the method 101200 flows the second- stage concentrated water stream to the water storage tank 101214.

[0234] As shown in FIG. 46, the method 101200 fluidly couples a third pretreatment device to the first filter and the second filter of the plurality of filters, and the fourth pump 101216. The third pretreatment device is the same as, or substantially similar to, the first pretreatment device and the second pretreatment device.

[0235] FIG. 47 shows a system 101300 of multistage high recovery water desalination and brine mining using a plurality of first-phase filters and a plurality of second-phase filters. The system 101300 is similar to the system 10800, as shown in FIG. 42, in that the system 101300 includes a water storage tank 101310, a first pump 101320, a second pump 101321, a third pump 101322, a fourth pump 101323, a first filter 101331, a second filter 101332, a downstream filter101339, a second-stage filter 101340, a first energy recovery device 101350, a second energy recovery device 101351, a first flow detector 101360, a second flow detector 101361, a first pretreatment device 101371, a third pretreatment device 101373, a permeate storage tank 101316, a concentrated water storage tank 101318, and a water pretreatment plant 101319, and a control system 101390, which are the same as, or substantially similar to, the water storage tank 10810, the first pump 10820, the second pump 10821, the third pump 10822, the fourth pump 10823, the first filter 10831, the second filter 10832, the downstream filter 10839, the second-stage filter 10840, the first energy recovery device 10850, the second energy recovery device 10851, the flow detector 10860, the first pretreatment device 10871, the third pretreatment device 10873, the permeate storage tank 10816, the concentrated water storage tank 10818, and the water pretreatment plant 10819, and the control system 10890 of the system 10800.

[0236] The system 101300 differs from the system 10800 in that the system 101300 includes a plurality of first-phase filters 101301, a plurality of second-phase filters 101302, a plurality of downstream-phase filters 101309, a fifth pump 101324, and a downstream pump 101325. The plurality of first-phase filters 101301 is fluidly connected with the first filter 101331 in parallel. Additionally, each of the plurality of first-phase 101301 is fluidly interconnected with one another in parallel. For example, the plurality of first-phase filters 101301 includes an upstream first-phase filter 101361 and a downstream first-phase filter 101381. Both the upstream first-phase filter 101361 and the downstream first-phase filter 101381 are fluidly connected with the first filter 101331 in parallel. In this implementation, the pre-treated water stream flows simultaneously to the first filter 101331, upstream first-phase filter 101361, and the downstream first-phase filter 101381, via the first pump 101320.

[0237] Moreover, the system 101300 further includes the plurality of second-phase filters 101302 that is fluidly connected with the second filter 101332 in parallel. Additionally, each of the plurality of second-phase filters 101302 is fluidly interconnected with one another in parallel. In some implementations, the plurality of second-phase filters 101302 includes an intermediate second-phase filter 101362. The intermediate second-phase filter 101362 is fluidly connected to the second filter 101332 in parallel. Additionally, the intermediate second-phase filter 101362 is fluidly connected to the upstream second-phase filter 101361 in series. Further, each of the plurality of second-phase filters 101302 is fluidly connected to the fifth pump 101324. And the fifth pump 101324 is also fluidly connected to each of the plurality of first-phase filters 101301.Moreover, the fifth pump 101324 is designed to pressurize a combined concentrated water stream from each of the plurality of second-phase filters 101302. Then, the fifth pump 101324 flows the combined concentrated water stream to each of the plurality of first-phase filters 101301.

[0238] Further, in some implementations, the system 101300 includes the plurality of downstream -phase filters 101309 that extends the system 101300 beyond two phases of membrane desalination and brine mining. Specifically, each of the plurality of downstream-phase filters 101309 is fluidly connected to the plurality of second-phase filters 101302 in series. Additionally, each of the plurality of downstream-phase filters 101309 is fluidly interconnected in parallel. With filters arranged in multiple stages and multiple phases, the system 101300 is designed to maximize the recovery of water desalination and brine mining while reducing energy use.

[0239] As shown in FIG. 47, the downstream pump 101325 is fluidly coupled to the downstream filter 101339 and the concentrated water storage tank 101318. The downstream pump 101325 is configured to pressurize the downstream concentrate water stream from the downstream filter 101339 to be combined with the downstream permeate water stream. Additionally, the combined water stream is directed to each of the plurality of second-phase filters 101302 via the second pump 101321. Moreover, the third pretreatment device 101373 is fluidly coupled with each of the plurality of first-phase filters 101301, the fourth pump 101423, and the second energy recovery device 101351. The third pretreatment device 101373 is the same as, or substantially similar to, the first pretreatment device 101371.

[0240] FIG. 48 shows another system 101400 for multistage water desalination and brine mining. The system 101400 includes a first pump 101420, a plurality of first-stage filters 101430, and a plurality of second-stage filters 101440. Specifically, each of the plurality of first-stage filters 101430 is fluidly interconnected with one another in series. Additionally, the plurality of first-stage filters 101430 includes a first filter 101431, a second filter 101432, and one or more downstream filters 101439. The first pump 101420 is fluidly coupled to the first filter 101431 of the plurality of first-stage filters 101430. Each of the plurality of second-stage filters 101440 is fluidly interconnected with one another in series. Each of the one or more downstream filters 101439 of the plurality of first-stage filters 101430 is fluidly coupled to a corresponding filter of the plurality of second-stage filters 101440.

[0241] The system 101400 further includes a control system 101490 that is the same as, or similar to, the control system 101390 of the system 101300, as shown in FIG. 47. The controlsystem 101490 is configured to cause the system 101400 to flow a pre-treated water stream to the first pump 101430. Using the first pump 101320, the system 101400 increases the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure and flows the pre-treated water stream to the first filter 101431 of the plurality of first-stage filters 101430. Then, using the first filter 101431, the system 101400 separates the pre-treated water stream into a first permeate water stream and a first concentrated water stream. Moreover, the system 101400 flows the first concentrated water stream to the one or more downstream filters 101439.

[0242] Using the one or more downstream filters 101439, the system 101400 separates the first concentrated water stream into a second permeate water stream and a second concentrated water stream. Then, the system 101400 flows the second permeate water stream to the corresponding filter of the plurality of second-stage filters 101440. Additionally, the system 101400 separates the second permeate water stream into a second-stage permeate water stream and a second-stage concentrated water stream. Further, using a permeate storage tank 101416, the system receives the first permeate water stream and the second-stage permeate water stream. And using a concentrated water storage tank 101418, the system 101400 receives the second concentrated water stream and the second-stage permeate water stream.

[0243] As shown in FIG. 48, the system 101400 further includes a pre-treated water storage tank 101410 that is designed to store pre-treated water. The pre-treated water storage tank 101410 is fluidly coupled to the first pump 101420. Additionally, the control system 101490 is configured to cause the system 101400 to flow the pre-treated water stream from the pre-treated water storage tank 101410 to the first pump 101420.

[0244] Moreover, the system 101400 includes a water pretreatment plant 101419 that is configured to provide pre-treated water. Specifically, the water pretreatment plant 101419 is fluidly coupled to the first pump 101420. Additionally, the control system 101490 is configured to cause the system to flow the pre-treated water stream from the water pretreatment plant 101419 to the first pump 101420.

[0245] As shown in FIG. 48, the system 101400 further includes a second pump 101421 that is fluidly coupled to the one or more downstream filters 101432 of the plurality of first-stage filters 101430 and the corresponding filter of the plurality of second-stage filters 101440. The plurality of second-stage filters 101440 includes a foremost filter 101441, one or more intermediate filters 101442, and a final filter 101449.

[0246] Moreover, the control system 101490 is configured to cause the system 101400 to fluidly couple the foremost filter 101441 to the second pump 101421. Additionally, the system 101400 fluidly couples the one or more intermediate filter 101442 to the second pump 101421. Using the second pump 101421, the system 101400 flows the second permeate water stream to the foremost filter 101441. Then, using the foremost filter 101441, the system 101400 separates the second permeate water stream into a foremost permeate water stream and a foremost concentrated water stream.

[0247] The system 101400 then flows the foremost concentrated water stream to the one or more intermediate filter 101442. Using the one or more intermediate filter 101442, the system 101400 separates the foremost concentrated water stream into an intermediate permeate water stream and an intermediate concentrated water stream. Further, using the second pump 101421, the system flows the intermediate permeate water stream to the foremost filter 101441. And using the permeate storage tank 101416, the system 101400 receives the foremost permeate water stream. Then, using the concentrated water storage tank 101418, the system 101400 receives the intermediate concentrated water stream.

[0248] FIG. 49 shows a method 101500 of multistage water desalination and brine mining for providing permeate water and concentrated water. The method 101500 provides a plurality of first-stage filters 101502. Specifically, each of the plurality of first-stage filters is fluidly interconnected with one another in series. Additionally, the plurality of first-stage filters includes a first filter and one or more downstream filters. The method 101500 then fluidly couples a first pump to the first filter of the plurality of first-stage filters 101504.

[0249] Moreover, the method 101500 provides a plurality of second-stage filters. Each of the plurality of second-stage filters is fluidly interconnected with one another in series 101506. Additionally, each of the one or more downstream filters of the plurality of first-stage filters is fluidly coupled to a corresponding filter of the plurality of second-stage filters. The method 101500 then flows a pre-treated water stream to the first pump 101508. Using the first pump, the method increases the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure and flows the pre-treated water stream to the first filter 101510.

[0250] Moreover, using the first filter, the method 101500 separates the pre-treated water stream into a first permeate water stream and a first concentrated water stream 101512. Then, the method flows the first concentrated water stream to the one or more downstream filters 101514.Using the one or more downstream filters, the method separates the first concentrated water stream into a second permeate water stream and a second concentrated water stream 101516. Additionally, the method 101500 flows the second permeate water stream to the corresponding filter of the plurality of second-stage filters 101518.

[0251] The method 101500 then separates the second permeate water stream into a second- stage permeate water stream and a second-stage concentrated water stream. Using a permeate storage tank, the method receives the first permeate water stream and the second-stage permeate water stream. Further, using a concentrated water storage tank, the method 101500 receives the second concentrated water stream and the second-stage permeate water stream.

[0252] FIG. 50 shows an alternative method of multistage water desalination and brine mining for providing permeate water and concentrated water. The method 101500 fluidly couples a second pump to the one or more downstream filters of the plurality of first-stage filters and the corresponding filter of the plurality of second-stage filters 101602. Specifically, the plurality of second-stage filters includes a foremost filter and one or more intermediate filters. The method 101600 fluidly couples the foremost filter to the second pump 101604. Additionally, the method 101600 fluidly couples the one or more intermediate filter to the second pump 101606. Using the second pump, the method 101600 flows the second permeate water stream to the foremost filter 101608. Then, using the foremost filter, the method 101600 separates the second permeate water stream into a foremost permeate water stream and a foremost concentrated water stream 101610.

[0253] As shown in FIG. 50, the method 101600 further flows the foremost concentrated water stream to the one or more intermediate filter 101612. Using the one or more intermediate filter, the method 101600 separates the foremost concentrated water stream into an intermediate permeate water stream and an intermediate concentrated water stream 101614. Then, using the second pump, the method 101600 flows the intermediate permeate water stream to the foremost filter 101616. Moreover, using the permeate storage tank, the method 101600 receives the foremost permeate water stream 101618. Further, using the concentrated water storage tank, the method 101600 receives the intermediate concentrated water stream 101620.

[0254] FIG. 51 shows a system 101700 for high recovery water desalination and membrane brine concentration. The system 101700 includes a water storage tank 101710, a first pump 101720, a second pump 101722, a third pump 101723, a fourth pump 101724, a sweep pump 101760, a first filter 101730, a second filter 101740, a first energy recovery device 101750, asecond energy recovery device 101751 , a sweep water storage tank 101719, a permeate water storage tank 101716, a diluted water storage tank 101717, and a control system 101790. The control system 101790 is the same as, or substantially similar to, the control system 10790 of the system 10700, as shown in FIG. 51.

[0255] As shown in FIG. 51, the water storage tank 101710 is configured to store pre-treated water. The first pump 101720 is fluidly coupled to the water storage tank 101710. The first filter 101730 is then fluidly coupled to the first pump 101720. Additionally, the second pump 101722 is fluidly coupled to the first filter 101730. The second filter 101740 is fluidly coupled to the second pump 101722.

[0256] The sweep pump 101760 is fluidly coupled to the first filter 101720. Moreover, the sweep water storage tank 101717 is fluidly coupled to the sweep pump 101760 and the second filter 101740. The sweep water storage tank is designed to store sweep water. The sweep water is pressurized by the sweep pump 101760 and directed to the first filter 101730. Additionally, the sweep water is used to dilute the permeate water in the first filter 101730. Thus, the pressure difference across the first filter is reduced than a filter without such a sweep water flow.

[0257] As shown in FIG. 51, the control system 101790 is configured to cause the system 101700 to flow a pre-treated water stream from the water storage tank 101710 to the first pump 101720. Using the first pump, the system 101700 increases the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure and flows the pre-treated water stream to the first filter 101730. Then, using the first filter 101730, the system 101700 separates the pre-treated water stream into a first permeate water stream and a first concentrated water stream.

[0258] The system 101700 then flows the first concentrated water stream to the water storage tank 101710. And using the sweep pump 101760, the system 101700 flows a sweep water stream from the sweep water storage tank 101719 to the first filter 101730. Additionally, using the first filter 101730, the system 101700 combines the sweep water stream with the first permeate water stream into a diluted water stream. Then, using the second pump 101722, the system 101700 flows the diluted water stream to the second filter 101740.

[0259] Moreover, using the second filter 101740, the system 101700 separates the diluted water stream into a second permeate water stream and a second concentrated water stream. Further, using a permeate storage tank 101716, the system receives the second permeate water stream. And using the sweep water storage tank 101719, the system 101700 receives the secondconcentrated water stream.

[0260] As shown in FIG. 51, the diluted water storage tank 101719 is designed to store the diluted water stream. Specifically, the control system 101790 is configured to cause the system 101700 to fluidly couple the diluted water storage tank 101719 to the first filter 101730 and the second pump 101722. Using the first filter 101730, the system 101700 flows the diluted water stream to the diluted water storage tank 101717. Additionally, using the second pump 101722, the system 101700 flows the diluted water from the diluted water storage tank 101717 to the second filter 101740.

[0261] The first energy recovery device 101750 of the system 101700 is fluidly coupled to the first filter 101730 and the water storage tank 101710. Specifically, the control system 101790 is configured to cause the system 101700 to flow the first concentrated water stream from the first filter 101730 to the first energy recovery device 101750. Moreover, the system 101700 flows a first portion of the pre-treated water stream to the first pump 101720 and a second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the first energy recovery device 101750. Then, using the first pump, the system 101700 increases the first portion of the pre-treated water stream to a second pressure and flow the first portion of the pre-treated water stream to the first filter 101730. Further, using the first energy recovery device 101750, the system 101700 increases the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to a third pressure and flows the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the first filter 101750.

[0262] As shown in FIG. 51, the system 101700 further receives, in the first filter 101730, as a combined pre-treated water stream the first portion of the pre-treated water stream and the second portion of the pre-treated water stream. Then, using the first energy recovery device 101750, the system 101700 flows the first concentrated water stream to the water storage tank 101710.

[0263] The third pump 101723 of the system 101700 is fluidly coupled to the first energy recovery device 101750 and the first filter 101730. The control system 101790 is configured to cause the system 101700 to, using the first energy recovery device 101750, flows the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the third pump 101723. Additionally, using the third pump 101723, the system 101700 flows the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the first filter 101730.

[0264] Moreover, the second energy recovery device 101751 is fluidly coupled to the second filter 101740 and the sweep water storage tank 101719. Specifically, the control system 101719is configured to cause the system 101700 to flow the second concentrated water stream from the second filter 101740 to the second energy recovery device 101751. Then, the system 101700 flows a first portion of the diluted water stream to the second pump 101722 and a second portion of the diluted water stream to the second energy recovery device 101751.

[0265] Then, using the second pump 101722, the system 101700 increases the first portion of the diluted water stream to a fourth pressure and flows the first portion of the diluted water stream to the second filter 101740, Moreover, using the second energy recovery device 101751, the system 101700 increases the second portion of the diluted water stream to a fifth pressure and flows the second portion of the diluted water stream to the second filter 101740.

[0266] Further, the system 101700 receives, in the second filter 101740, as a combined diluted water stream the first portion of the diluted water stream and the second portion of the diluted water stream. Then, using the second energy recovery device 101751, the system 101700 flows the diluted water stream to the sweep water storage tank 101719.

[0267] As shown in FIG. 51, the fourth pump 101724 is fluidly coupled to the second energy recovery device 101751 and the second filter 101740. Specifically, the control system 101719 is configured to cause the system 101700 to, using the second energy recovery device 101751, flow the second portion of the diluted water stream to the fourth pump 101724. Additionally, using the fourth pump 101724, the system 101700 flows the second portion of the diluted water stream to the second filter 101740.

[0268] FIG. 52 shows a method 101800 of high recovery water desalination and membrane brine concentration. Specifically, the methos 101800 flows a pre-treated water stream from the water storage tank to the first pump 101802. Using the first pump, the method increases the pretreated water stream to a first pressure and flows the pre-treated water stream to the first filter 101804. Additionally, using the first filter, the method separates the pre-treated water stream into a first permeate water stream and a first concentrated water stream 101806.

[0269] As shown in FIG. 52, the method 101800 then flows the first concentrated water stream to the water storage tank 101808. Using the sweep pump, the method 101800 flows a sweep water stream from the sweep water storage tank to the first filter 101810. Moreover, using the first filter, the method 101800 combines the sweep water stream with the first permeate water stream into a diluted water stream 101812.

[0270] As shown in FIG. 52, using the second pump, the method 101800 further flows thediluted water stream to the second filter 101814. Additionally, using the second filter, the method 101800 separates the diluted water stream into a second permeate water stream and a second concentrated water stream 101816. Further, using a permeate storage tank, the method 101800 receives the second permeate water stream 101818. Then, using the sweep water storage tank, the method 101800 receives the second concentrated water stream.

[0271] FIG. 53 shows an alternative method of high recovery water desalination and membrane brine concentration. Specifically, the method 101900 provides a diluted water storage tank configured to store the diluted water stream 101902. The method 101900 then fluidly couples the diluted water storage tank to the first filter and the second pump 101904. Using the first filter, the method 101900 flows the diluted water stream to the diluted water storage tank 101906. Moreover, using the second pump, the method 101900 flows the diluted water from the diluted water storage tank to the second filter.

[0272] FIG. 54 shows another alternative method of high recovery water desalination and membrane brine concentration using a first energy recovery device. Specifically, the method 102000 fluidly couples a first energy recovery device fluidly coupled to the first filter and the water storage tank 102002. Additionally, the method flows the first concentrated water stream from the first filter to the first energy recovery device 102004. Further, the method 102000 flows a first portion of the pre-treated water stream to the first pump and a second portion of the pretreated water stream to the first energy recovery device 102006.

[0273] As shown in FIG. 54, using the first pump, the method 102000 increases the first portion of the pre-treated water stream to a second pressure and flows the first portion of the pretreated water stream to the first filter 102008. Then, using the first energy recovery device, the method 102000 increases the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to a third pressure and flows the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the first filter 102010. Additionally, the method 102000 receives, in the first filter, as a combined pre-treated water stream the first portion of the pre-treated water stream and the second portion of the pre-treated water stream 102012. Moreover, using the first energy recovery device, the method 102000 flows the first concentrated water stream to the water storage tank 102014.

[0274] FIG. 55 shows yet another alternative method 102100 of high recovery water desalination and membrane brine concentration using a first energy recovery device and a third pump. The method 102100 fluidly couples a third pump to the first energy recovery device andthe first filter 102102. Then, using the first energy recovery device, the method 102100 flows the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the third pump 102104. Moreover, using the third pump, the method 102100 flows the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the first filter 102106.

[0275] FIG. 56 shows yet another alternative method 102200 of high recovery water desalination and membrane brine concentration using a second energy recovery device. Specifically, the method 102200 fluidly couples a second energy recovery device to the second filter and the sweep water storage tank 102202. Then, the method 102200 flows the second concentrated water stream from the second filter to the second energy recovery device 102204. Additionally, the method 102200 flows a first portion of the diluted water stream to the second pump and a second portion of the diluted water stream to the second energy recovery device 102206.

[0276] As shown in FIG. 56, using the second pump, the method 102200 increases the first portion of the diluted water stream to a fourth pressure and flows the first portion of the diluted water stream to the second filter 102208. Then, using the second energy recovery device, the method 102200 increases the second portion of the diluted water stream to a fifth pressure and flows the second portion of the diluted water stream to the second filter 102210. Further, the method 102200 receives, in the second filter, as a combined diluted water stream the first portion of the diluted water stream and the second portion of the diluted water stream 102212. And, using the second energy recovery device, the method 102200 flows the diluted water stream to the sweep water storage tank 102214.

[0277] FIG. 57 shows yet another alternative method 102300 of high recovery water desalination and membrane brine concentration using a second energy recovery device and a fourth pump. Specifically, the method 102300 fluidly couples a fourth pump to the second energy recovery device and the second filter 102302. Then, using the second energy recovery device, the method 102300 flows the second portion of the diluted water stream to the fourth pump 102304. Further, using the fourth pump, the method 102300 flows the second portion of the diluted water stream to the second filter 102306.

[0278] FIG. 58 shows a system 102400 for multistage water desalination and membrane brine concentration. The system 102400 is similar to the system 10800, as shown in FIG. 42, in that the system 102400 includes a water storage tank 102410, a first pump 102421, an second pump102422, a stage pump 102423, a plurality of filters 102430, a first filter 102431, a second filter 102432, an end filter 102435, a second-stage filter 102440, a first energy recovery device 102451, a second energy recovery device 102452, a first pretreatment device 102471 , a second pretreatment device 102472, a third pretreatment device 102473, a permeate storage tank 102416, a concentrated water storage tank 102418, and a control system 102490, which are the same as, or substantially similar to, the water storage tank 10810, the first pump 10820, the second pump 10821, the third pump 10822, the plurality of filters 10830, the first filter 10831, the second filter 10832, the downstream filter 10839, the second-stage filter 10840, the first energy recovery device 10850, the second energy recovery device 10851, the first pretreatment device 10871, the second pretreatment device 10872, the third pretreatment device 10873, the permeate storage tank 10816, the concentrated water storage tank 10818, the water pretreatment plant 10819, and the control system 10890 of the system 10800, as shown in FIG. 42.

[0279] The system 102400 differs from the system 10800 in that the system 102400 includes a tank flowmeter 102460, a first flowmeter 102461, a second flowmeter 102462, a third flowmeter 102463, a fourth flowmeter 102464, an end flowmeter 102465, a reinjection flowmeter 102466, and a stage flowmeter 102467. Additionally, the plurality of filters 102430 includes a third filter 102433 and a fourth filter 102434.

[0280] As shown in FIG. 58, each of the plurality of filters 102430 is fluidly interconnected in series. Moreover, the first filter 102431 of the plurality of filters 102430 is fluidly coupled with the first pump 102421. Furthermore, the second pump 102422 is fluidly coupled with the second filter 102432 and the end filter 102435 of the plurality of the filters 102430.

[0281] The number of filters of the plurality of filters 102430 depends on the target concentration and membranes used. In some implementations, the number of filters is in a range between 101 and 1010, or 1010 to 10100. Each filter of the plurality of filters 102430 includes membrane vessels connected in parallel. Moreover, each membrane produces a dilute brine solution. Further, the concentration of the resulted dilute solution increases with increasing brine concentration. The first filter 102431 produces the dilute brine with the lowest concentration and the end filter 102435 produces the dilute brine with the highest concentration. How the dilute brine will be processed further depends on the concentration and determined per engineering design and specifics of the process can be changed during operation.

[0282] The stage pump 102423 is fluidly coupled to the plurality of filters 102430.Additionally, the stage flowmeter 102467 is fluidly coupled to the stage pump 102423 and configured to measure a stage flowrate. Moreover, the first flowmeter 102461 is fluidly coupled to the first filter 102431 and the stage flowmeter 102467. The first flowmeter 102461 is configured to measure a first flowrate. Further, the end flowmeter 102465 is fluidly coupled to the end filter 102435, the first flowmeter 102461, and the stage flowmeter 102467. The end flowmeter 102465 is configured to measure an end flowrate.

[0283] As shown in FIG. 58, the reinjection flowmeter 102466 is fluidly coupled to the second pump 102422, the first flowmeter 102461, the end flowmeter 102465, and the stage flowmeter 102467. Additionally, the reinjection flowmeter 102466 is configured to measure a reinjection flowrate.

[0284] The second-stage filter 102440 is fluidly coupled with the stage pump 102423, the stage flowmeter 102467, the water storage tank 102410, and the permeate water storage tank 102416. In some implementations, the second-stage filter 10840 is a salinity-adaptive multistage reverseosmosis (SAMRO) membrane, or a seawater reverse-osmosis membrane.

[0285] As shown in FIG. 58, the control system 102490 is configured to cause the system 102400 to flow a pre-treated water stream from the water storage tank 102410 to the first pump 102421. Using the first pump 102421, the system 102400 increases the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure and flows the pre-treated water stream to the first filter 102431 of the plurality of the filters 102430. Additionally, using the first filter 102431, the system 102400 separates the pre-treated water stream into a first permeate water stream and a first concentrated water stream.

[0286] Then, the system 102400 flows the first concentrated water stream to the second filter 102432. Using the second filter 102432, separate the first concentrated water stream into a second permeate water stream and a second concentrated water stream. Additionally, the system 102400 flows the second concentrated water stream to the end filter 102435. Moreover, using the end filter 102435, the system 102400 separates the second concentrated water stream into an end permeate water stream and an end concentrated water stream.

[0287] Further, upon the end flowrate being equal to the reinjection flowrate, the system flows the end permeate water stream to the second pump 102422. Using the second pump, 102422, the system 102400 increases the end permeate water stream to the second pressure and flows the end permeate water stream to the second filter 102432.

[0288] Additionally, upon the first flowrate being equal to the state flowrate, the system102400 flows the first permeate water stream to the state pump 102423. Using the stage pump 102423, the system 102400 increases the first permeate water stream to a stage pressure and flows the first permeate water stream to the second-stage filter 102440.

[0289] Then, using the second-stage filter 102440, the system 102400 separates the first permeate water stream into a stage permeate water stream and a stage concentrated water stream. Moreover, the system 102400 flows the stage concentrated water stream to the water storage tank 102410. Further, using a permeate water storage tank 102416, the system receives the stage permeate water stream.

[0290] As shown in FIG. 58, the second flowmeter 102462 is fluidly coupled to the second filter 102432, the first flowmeter 102461, and the stage flowmeter 102467. Additionally, the second flowmeter 102462 is configured to measure a second flowrate.

[0291] Upon the stage flowrate 102467 being equal to a sum of the first flowrate and the second flowrate, the system 102400 flows a combined permeate water stream of the first permeate water stream and the second permeate water stream to the stage pump 102423. The combined permeate water stream is then filtered in the second-stage filter 102440 to produce permeate water of high purity for reuse.

[0292] As shown in FIG. 58, the third filter 102433 of the plurality of filters 102430 is fluidly interconnected with the second filter 102432 and the end filter 102435. Additionally, the third flowmeter 102463 is fluidly coupled to the third filter 102433, the second flowmeter 102462, the end flowmeter 102465, and the stage flowmeter 102467. And the third flowmeter 102463 is configured to measure a third flowrate.

[0293] Further, the system 102400 flows the second concentrated water stream to the third filter 102433. Using the third filter 102433, the system 102400 separates the second concentrated water stream into a third permeate water stream and a third concentrated water stream. The system 102400 then flows the third concentrated water stream to the end filter 102435. Moreover, upon the stage flowrate being equal to a sum of the first flowrate, the second flowrate, and the third flowrate, the system 102400 flows a combined permeate water stream of the first permeate water stream, the second permeate water stream, and the third permeate water stream to the stage pump 102423.

[0294] As shown in FIG. 58, the fourth filter 102434 of the plurality of filters 102430 is fluidly interconnected with the third filter 102433 and the end filter 102435. Additionally, the fourthflowmeter 102464 is fluidly coupled to the fourth filter 102434, the third flowmeter 102463, the end flowmeter 102465, and the stage flowmeter 102467. The fourth flowmeter 102464 is configured to measure a fourth flowrate.

[0295] Moreover, the system 102400 flows the second concentrated water stream to the third filter 102433. Using the third filter 102433, the system 102400 separates the second concentrated water stream into a third permeate water stream and a third concentrated water stream. Additionally, the system 102400 flows the third concentrated water stream to the fourth filter 102434.

[0296] Further, using the fourth filter 102434, the system 102400 separates the third concentrated water stream into a fourth permeate water stream and a fourth concentrated water stream. Then, the system 102400 flows the fourth concentrated water stream to the end filter 102435.

[0297] Upon the reinjection flowrate 102466 is equal to a sum of the fourth flowrate and the end flowrate, the system 102400 flows a combined permeate water stream of the fourth permeate water stream and the end permeate water stream to the second filter 102432 using the second pump 102422. The combined permeate water stream of the fourth permeate water stream and the end permeate water stream is reinjected to the system 102400 for further desalination and membrane brine concentration.

[0298] Moreover, upon the reinjection flowrate being equal to a sum of the third flowrate, the fourth flowrate, and the end flowrate, the system 102400 flows a combined permeate water stream of the third permeate water stream, the fourth permeate water stream, and the end permeate water stream to the second filter 102432 using the second pump 102422. Thus, the system 102400 controls reinjection of permeate water streams for the plurality of filters 102430 via corresponding flowmeters and the reinjection flowmeter 102466.

[0299] Further, upon the stage flowrate being equal to a sum of the first flowrate and the second flowrate, the system 102400 flows a combined permeate water stream of the first permeate water stream and the second permeate water stream to the stage pump 102423. Additionally, upon the reinjection flowrate being equal to a sum of the fourth flowrate and the end flowrate, the system 102400 flows a combined permeate water stream of the fourth permeate water stream and the end permeate water stream to the second filter using the second pump 102422. Furthermore, upon the tank flowrate being equal to the third flowrate, the system 102400 flows the third permeate waterstream to water storage tank 102410. Thus, by controlling the flowrates of the second pump 102422 and stage pump 102423, the membrane brine concentration process including recycling and reinjecting is controlled automatically.

[0300] As shown in FIG. 58, the system 102400 further includes the concentrated water storage tank 102418 that is configured to receive the end concentrated water stream.

[0301] Moreover, the first energy recovery device 102451 is fluidly coupled to the water storage tank 102410, the concentrated water storage tank 102418, the first filter 102431 and the end filter 102435 of the plurality of filters 102430. Additionally, the second energy recovery device 102452 is fluidly coupled to the second-stage filter 102440, the water storage tank 102410, the permeate water storage tank 102416, and the stage flowmeter 102467.

[0302] As shown in FIG. 58, the first pretreatment device 102471 is fluidly coupled to the first filter 102431 and water storage tank 102410. The second pretreatment device 102471 is fluidly coupled to the second pump 102422 and the reinjection flowmeter 102466. Additionally, the third pretreatment device 102473 is fluidly coupled to the stage flowmeter 102467 and the stage pump 102423.

[0303] Furthermore, each of the first pretreatment device 102471, the second pretreatment device 102472, and the third pretreatment device 102473 is configured to include a pretreatment process that includes biological treatment, softening treatment, oxidation, media filtration, cartridge filtration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, membrane brine concentration, clarification, carbon filtration, coagulation, electrocoagulation, nanobubbles, diffuse air filtration (DAF), screening, decanting or press filtration, electrooxidation, electrowinning, and any combination thereof.

[0304] FIG. 59A illustrates the first part of a method 102500 of multistage water desalination and membrane brine concentration. Specifically, the method 102500 fluidly couples a first pump with a water storage tank configured to store pre-treated water 102502. The method 102500 then obtains a plurality of filters 102504. Each of the plurality of filters is fluidly interconnected in series. Additionally, the plurality of filters includes a first filter, a second filter, and an end filter.

[0305] Moreover, the method 102500 fluidly couples the first filter to the first pump 102506. Then, the method 102500 fluidly couples a second pump with the second filter and the end filter of the plurality of the filters 102508. Furthermore, the method 102500 fluidly couples a stage pump to the plurality of filters 102510.

[0306] The method 102500 then fluidly couples a stage flowmeter to the stage pump 102512. More specifically, the state flowmeter is configured to measure a stage flowrate. Additionally, the method 102500 fluidly couples a first flowmeter to the first filter and the stage flowmeter 102514. The first flowmeter is configured to measure a first flowrate. Further, the method 102500 fluidly couples an end flowmeter to the end filter, the first flowmeter, and the stage flowmeter 102516. Specifically, the end flowmeter is configured to measure an end flowrate.

[0307] Then, the method 102500 fluidly couples a reinjection flowmeter to the second pump, the first flowmeter, the end flowmeter, and the stage flowmeter 102518. The reinjection flowmeter is configured to measure a reinjection flowrate. Moreover, the method 102500 fluidly couples a second-stage filter with the stage pump, the stage flowmeter, the water storage tank, and the permeate water storage tank 102520.

[0308] FIG. 59B illustrates the second part of the method 102500 of multistage water desalination and membrane brine concentration in FIG. 59A. The method 102500 continues with flowing a pre-treated water stream from the water storage tank to the first pump 102522. Additionally, the method 102500 increases the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure using the first pump and flowing the pre-treated water stream to the first filter 102524. Using the first filter, the method 102500 separates the pre-treated water stream into a first permeate water stream and a first concentrated water stream 102526.

[0309] Moreover, the method 102500 flows the first concentrated water stream to the second filter 102528. Using the second filter, the method 102500 separates the first concentrated water stream into a second permeate water stream and a second concentrated water stream 102530.

[0310] Further, the method 102500 flows the second concentrated water stream to the end filter 102532. Using the end filter, the method 102500 separates the second concentrated water stream into an end permeate water stream and an end concentrated water stream 102534. Upon the end flowrate being equal to the reinjection flowrate, the method 102500 flows the end permeate water stream to the second pump 102536.

[0311] The method 102500 further increases the end permeate water stream to the second pressure using the second pump and flows the end permeate water stream to the second filter 102538. Upon the first flowrate being equal to the state flowrate, the method flows the first permeate water stream to the state pump 102540. Moreover, using the stage pump, the method 102500 increases the first permeate water stream to a stage pressure and flowing the first permeatewater stream to the second-stage filter 102542. Further, the method 102500 uses a concentrated water storage tank to receive the end concentrated water stream 102544.

[0312] FIG. 60 illustrates an alternative method 102600 of multistage water desalination and membrane brine concentration. Specifically, using the second-stage filter, the method 102600 separates the first permeate water stream into a stage permeate water stream and a stage concentrated water stream 102602. Moreover, the method 102600 flows the stage concentrated water stream to the water storage tank 102604. Further, using a permeate water storage tank, the method 102600 receives the stage permeate water stream 102606.

[0313] FIG. 61 illustrates a method 102700 of multistage water desalination and membrane brine concentration. Specifically, the method 102700 fluidly couples a second flowmeter to the second filter, the first flowmeter, and the stage flowmeter 102702. The second flowmeter is configured to measure a second flowrate. Additionally, upon the stage flowrate being equal to a sum of the first flowrate and the second flowrate, the method flows a combined permeate water stream of the first permeate water stream and the second permeate water stream to the stage pump 102704.

[0314] Moreover, the method 102700 fluidly interconnects a third filter of the plurality of filters with the second filter and the end filter 102706. The method 102700 then fluidly couples a third flowmeter to the third filter, the second flowmeter, the end flowmeter, and the stage flowmeter 102708. The third flowmeter is configured to measure a third flowrate.

[0315] Further, using the third filter, the method 102700 separates the second concentrated water stream into a third permeate water stream and a third concentrated water stream 102710. Then, the method 102700 flows the third concentrated water stream to the end filter 102712. Upon the stage flowrate being equal to a sum of the first flowrate, the second flowrate, and the third flowrate, the method 102700 flows a combined permeate water stream of the first permeate water stream, the second permeate water stream, and the third permeate water stream to the stage pump 102714.

[0316] FIG. 62 illustrates a method 102800 of multistage water desalination and membrane brine concentration. Specifically, the method 102800 fluidly interconnects a fourth filter of the plurality of filters fluidly interconnected with the third filter and the end filter 102802. Additionally, the method 102800 fluidly couples a fourth flowmeter to the fourth filter, the third flowmeter, the end flowmeter, and the stage flowmeter 102804. The fourth flowmeter isconfigured to measure a fourth flowrate.

[0317] Moreover, the method 102800 flows the third concentrated water stream to the fourth filter 102806. Using the fourth filter, the method 102800 separates the third concentrated water stream into a fourth permeate water stream and a fourth concentrated water stream 102808.

[0318] Further, the method 102800 flows the fourth concentrated water stream to the end filter 102810. Upon the reinjection flowrate being equal to a sum of the fourth flowrate and the end flowrate, the method 102800 flows a combined permeate water stream of the fourth permeate water stream and the end permeate water stream to the second filter using the second pump 102812. Additionally, upon the reinjection flowrate being equal to a sum of the third flowrate, the fourth flowrate, and the end flowrate, the method 102800 flows a combined permeate water stream of the third permeate water stream, the fourth permeate water stream, and the end permeate water stream to the second filter using the second pump 102814. Thus, via the reinjection flowmeter, the method 102800 automatically controls the reinjection of permeate water streams back into a filter of the plurality of filters, e.g., the second filter. Accordingly, the concentrated water streams are diluted by these permeate water streams.

[0319] FIG. 63 illustrates a method 102800 of multistage water desalination and membrane brine concentration. Specifically, the method 102900 fluidly couples a tank flowmeter to the third flowmeter 102902. Upon the stage flowrate being equal to a sum of the first flowrate and the second flowrate, the method 102900 flows a combined permeate water stream of the first permeate water stream and the second permeate water stream to the stage pump 102904.

[0320] Moreover, upon the reinjection flowrate being equal to a sum of the fourth flowrate and the end flowrate, the method 102900 flows a combined permeate water stream of the fourth permeate water stream and the end permeate water stream to the second filter using the second pump 102906. Further, upon the tank flowrate being equal to the third flowrate, the method 102900 flows the third permeate water stream to water storage tank 102908.

[0321] It is contemplated as falling within the scope of the present disclosure that one or more elements or aspects or steps, or any portion(s) thereof, from one or more of any of the above implementations and / or the below claims can be combined with one or more elements or aspects or steps, or any portion(s) thereof, from one or more of any of the other above implementations and / or below claims or combinations thereof, to form one or more additional implementations and / or claims of the present disclosure.

[0322] While the present disclosure has been described with reference to one or more particular implementations or implementations, those skilled in the art will recognize that many changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Each of these implementations and obvious variations thereof is contemplated as falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. It is also contemplated that additional implementations according to aspects of the present disclosure may combine any number of features from any of the implementations described herein.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A system for water desalination, comprising: a first storage tank configured to store concentrated water; a first pump; a filter fluidly coupled to the first pump and the first storage tank; a memory device having stored thereon machine-readable instructions; and a control system having one or more processors configured to execute the machine- readable instructions to cause the system to: flow a pre-treated water stream to the first pump; using the first pump, increase the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure and flow the pre-treated water stream to the filter; using the filter, separate the pre-treated water stream into a permeate water stream and a concentrated water stream; flow the concentrated water stream to the first storage tank; and flow the permeate water stream to a permeate storage tank.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a pre-treated water storage tank configured to store pre-treated water, the pre-treated water storage tank fluidly coupled to the first pump, wherein the control system is further configured to cause the system to flow the pre-treated water stream from the pre-treated water storage tank to the first pump.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a water pre-treatment plant configured to provide pre-treated water, the water pre-treatment plant fluidly coupled to the first pump, wherein the control system is further configured to cause the system to flow the pre-treated water stream from the water pre-treatment plant to the first pump.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising: an energy recovery device fluidly coupled to the filter and the first storage tank; the control system configured to cause the system to: flow the concentrated water stream from the filter to the energy recovery device;flow a first portion of the pre-treated water stream to the first pump and a second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the energy recovery device; using the first pump, increase the first portion of the pre-treated water stream to a second pressure and flow the first portion of the pre-treated water stream to the filter; using the energy recovery device, increase the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to a third pressure and flow the second portion of the pretreated water stream to the filter; receive, in the filter, as a combined pre-treated water stream the first portion of the pre-treated water stream and the second portion of the pre-treated water stream; and using the energy recovery device, flow the concentrated water stream to the first storage tank.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the third pressure is the same as, or substantially similar to, the first pressure.

6. The system of claim 4, further comprising a second pump fluidly coupled to the energy recovery device and the filter, wherein the control system is configured to cause the system to: using the energy recovery device, flow the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the second pump, and using the second pump, flow the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the filter.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the second pump is a circulation pump configured to increase the third pressure of the second portion of the pre-treated water stream from the energy recovery device to a pressure that is the same as, or substantially similar to, the first pressure.

8. The system of claim 4, further comprising a second storage tank configured to store concentrated water, the second storage tank fluidly coupled to the energy recovery device and the first pump, wherein the control system is configured to cause the system to: flow a concentratedwater stream from the first storage tank to the first pump, and flow the concentrated water stream from the filter, through the energy recovery device, to the second storage tank.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the control system configured to cause the system to: flow a concentrated water stream from the second storage tank to the first pump; and flow the concentrated water stream from the filter to the first storage tank.

10. The system of claim 8, further comprising a plurality of process units, the plurality of process units being disposed within each of the first storage tank and the second storage tank; and the plurality of process units including a dissolved air floatation process, a dissolved gas floatation process, a multimedia filter, a decanting process, or a precipitation process to prevent fouling, scale formation and membrane degradation.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the filter includes a first membrane and a second membrane, the control system configured to cause the system to selectively flow: the pre-treated water stream through the first membrane; or the concentrated water stream through the second membrane.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein each of the first membrane and the second membrane is a reverse osmosis membrane, a nanofiltration membrane, a hollow fiber membrane, a spiral wounded flat sheet membrane, a low solute rejection membrane, or any combination thereof, and has a water permeability greater than 0.1 L / m2-h-bar.

13. The system of claim 4, wherein the control system is configured to monitor the first pressure to achieve an optimal water flowrate through the filter to minimize fouling and degradation thereof.14 The system of claim 4, wherein the energy recovery device includes a pressure exchanger, a turbocharger, a Pelton turbine, a centrifugal energy recovery device, an isobaric energy recovery device, a positive displacement isobaric energy recovery device, or any combination thereof.15 The system of claim 4, wherein the energy recovery device is fluidly coupled to a generator to produce electricity.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the control system is configured to monitor a temperature of the pre-treated water stream at a predetermined temperature.

17. The system of claim 8, wherein the control system is configured to monitor a temperature of the concentrated water stream at a predetermined temperature.

18. The system of claim 8, wherein the control system is configured to monitor a pH of the concentrated water stream at a predetermined value.

19. The system of claim 8, wherein the control system is configured to empty the concentrated water in each of the first storage tank and the second storage tank before receiving the concentrated water stream from the energy recovery device.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein the filter includes a reverse osmosis membrane, a nanofiltration membrane, a hollow fiber membrane, a spiral wounded flat sheet membrane, a low solute rejection membrane, or any combination thereof.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the filter has a water permeability greater than 0.1 L / m2- h-bar.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein the filter includes a plurality of membranes.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein each of the plurality of membranes is a reverse osmosis membrane, a nanofiltration membrane, a hollow fiber membrane, a spiral wounded flat sheet membrane, a low solute rejection membrane, or any combination thereof, and has a water permeability greater than 0.1 L / m2-h-bar.

24. A method of water desalination comprising: obtaining a first storage tank configured to store concentrated water; fluidly coupling a first pump to the first storage tank; fluidly coupling a filter to the first pump; flowing a pre-treated water stream to the first pump; using the first pump, increasing the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure; flowing the pre-treated water stream to the filter; using the filter, separating the pre-treated water stream into a permeate water stream and a concentrated water stream; flowing the concentrated water stream to the first storage tank; and flowing the permeate water stream to a permeate storage tank.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising: storing pre-treated water in a pre-treated water storage tank; fluidly coupling the pre-treated water storage tank to the first pump; and flowing the pre-treated water stream from the pre-treated water storage tank to the first pump.

26. The method of claim 24, further comprising: fluidly coupling a water pre-treatment plant to the first pump; and flowing the pre-treated water stream from the water pre-treatment plant to the first pump.

27. The method of claim 24, further comprising: fluidly coupling an energy recovery device to the filter and the first storage tank; flowing the concentrated water stream from the filter to the energy recovery device; flowing a first portion of the pre-treated water stream to the first pump and a second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the energy recovery device; using the first pump, increasing the first portion of the pre-treated water stream to a second pressure; flowing the first portion of the pre-treated water stream to the filter;using the energy recovery device, increasing the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to a third pressure; flowing the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the filter; receiving, in the filter, as a combined pre-treated water stream the first portion of the pretreated water stream and the second portion of the pre-treated water stream; and using the energy recovery device, flowing the concentrated water stream to the first storage tank.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the third pressure is the same as, or substantially similar to, the first pressure.

29. The method of claim 27, further comprising: fluidly coupling a second pump to the energy recovery device and the filter; using the energy recovery device, flowing the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the second pump; and using the second pump, flowing the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the filter.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the second pump is a circulation pump configured to increase the third pressure of the second portion of the pre-treated water stream from the energy recovery device to a pressure that is the same as, or substantially similar to, the first pressure.

31. The method of claim 27, further comprising: obtaining a second storage tank configured to store concentrated water; flowing a concentrated water stream from the first storage tank to the first pump; and flowing the concentrated water stream from the filter, through the energy recovery device, to the second storage tank.

32. The method of claim 31, further comprising: flowing a concentrated water stream from the second storage tank to the first pump; and flowing the concentrated water stream from the filter to the first storage tank.

33. The method of claim 31, further comprising obtaining a plurality of process units, the plurality of process units being disposed within each of the first storage tank and the second storage tank, and the plurality of process units including a dissolved air floatation process, a dissolved gas floatation process, a multimedia filter, a decanting process, a precipitation process, or any combination thereof to prevent fouling, scale formation and membrane degradation.

34. The method of claim 31, further comprising: obtaining a first membrane disposed within the filter; obtaining a second membrane disposed within the filter; flowing the pre-treated water stream through the first membrane; or flowing the concentrated water stream through the second membrane.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein each of the first membrane and the second membrane includes a reverse osmosis membrane, a nanofiltration membrane, a hollow fiber membrane, a spiral wounded flat sheet membrane, a low solute rejection membrane, or any combination thereof.

36. The method of claim 34, wherein each of the first membrane and the second membrane has a water permeability greater than 0.1 L / m2-h-bar.

37. The method of claim 24, further comprising monitoring the first pressure to achieve an optimal water flowrate through the filter to minimize fouling and degradation thereof.38 The method of claim 27, wherein the energy recovery device includes a pressure exchanger.

39. The method of claim 27, wherein the energy recovery device is fluidly coupled to a generator to produce electricity.

40. The method of claim 24, further comprising monitoring a temperature of the pre-treated water stream at a predetermined temperature.

41. The method of claim 31, further comprising monitoring a temperature of the concentrated water stream at a predetermined temperature.

42. The method of claim 31, further comprising monitoring a pH of the concentrated water stream at a predetermined value.

43. The method of claim 31, further comprising emptying the concentrated water in each of the first storage tank and the second storage tank before receiving the concentrated water stream from the energy recovery device.

44. The method of claim 24, wherein the filter includes a reverse osmosis membrane, a nanofiltration membrane, a hollow fiber membrane, a spiral wounded flat sheet membrane, a low solute rejection membrane, or any combination thereof.

45. The method of claim 44, wherein the filter has a water permeability greater than 0.1 L / m2- h-bar.

46. A system for water desalination, comprising: a first storage tank configured to store concentrated water; a first pump fluidly coupled to the first storage tank; an energy recovery device fluidly coupled to the first pump; a filter fluidly coupled to the energy recovery device and the first storage tank; a memory device having stored thereon machine-readable instructions; and a control system having one or more processors configured to execute the machine- readable instructions to cause the system to: flow a pre-treated water stream to the first pump; using first pump, increase the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure and flow the pre-treated water stream to the energy recovery device; using the energy recovery device, increase the pre-treated water stream to a second pressure and flow the pre-treated water stream to the filter;using the filter, separate the pre-treated water stream into a permeate water stream and a concentrated water stream; flow the permeate water stream to a permeate storage tank; flow the concentrated water stream from the filter to the energy recovery device; and using the energy recovery device, flow the concentrated water stream to the first storage tank.

47. A system for water desalination, comprising: a first storage tank configured to store concentrated water; an energy recovery device fluidly coupled to the first storage tank; a filter fluidly coupled to the energy recovery device and the first storage tank; a memory device having stored thereon machine-readable instructions; and a control system having one or more processors configured to execute the machine- readable instructions to cause the system to: flow a pre-treated water stream to the energy recovery device; using the energy recovery device, increase the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure and flow the pre-treated water stream to the filter; using the filter, separate the pre-treated water stream into a permeate water stream and a concentrated water stream; flow the permeate water stream to a permeate storage tank; flow the concentrated water stream from the filter to the energy recovery device; and using the energy recovery device, flow the concentrated water stream to the first storage tank.

48. The system of claim 47, wherein the energy recovery device is powered in part by an external energy source.

49. The system of claim 47, wherein the energy recovery device operates as a pump that is powered in part by an external energy source and in part by the concentrated water stream received from the filter.

50. A system for water desalination, comprising: a water storage tank configured to store pre-treated water, the water storage tank including a housing and an internal structure, the internal structure being interiorly attached to the housing; a first pump; a filter fluidly coupled to the first pump and the water storage tank; a memory device having stored thereon machine-readable instructions; and a control system having one or more processors configured to execute the machine- readable instructions to cause the system to: flow a pre-treated water stream from the water storage tank to the first pump; using the first pump, increase the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure and flow the pre-treated water stream to the filter; using the filter, separate the pre-treated water stream into a permeate water stream and a concentrated water stream; flow the concentrated water stream to the water storage tank, wherein the internal structure is configured to aid in delaying mixing of the concentrated water stream with the pre-treated water; and flow the permeate water stream to a permeate storage tank.

51. The system of claim 50, wherein the water storage tank has a hexahedron shape.

52. The system of claim 50, wherein the water storage tank has a cylindrical shape.

53. The system of claim 50, wherein the water storage tank has an inlet and an outlet, the housing having a first end and a second end, the inlet being positioned on first end and the outlet being positioned on the second end.

54. The system of claim 53, wherein the inlet is fluidly coupled with the filter and configured to receive the concentrated water stream into the water storage tank.

55. The system of claim 53, wherein the outlet is fluidly coupled with the first pump.

56. The system of claim 50, wherein the internal structure includes a plurality of staggered shelves that are interiorly attached to the housing.

57. The system of claim 56, wherein members of the plurality of staggered shelves are arranged in parallel.

58. The system of claim 50, wherein the internal structure includes a medium.

59. The system of claim 58, wherein the medium has a material selected from a group consisted of ceramic, plastic, polymer, metal, and any combination thereof.

60. The system of claim 58, wherein the medium includes a plurality of ceramic pebbles.

61. The system of claim 50, further comprising a water pre-treatment plant that is fluidly coupled with the water storage tank and configured to provide the pre-treated water to the water storage tank.

62. A method of water desalination comprising: obtaining a water storage tank configured to store pre-treated water, wherein the water storage tank has a housing and an internal structure, the internal structure being interiorly attached to the housing; fluidly coupling a first pump to the water storage tank; fluidly coupling a filter to the first pump and the water storage tank; flowing a pre-treated water stream from the water storage tank to the first pump; using the first pump, increasing the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure;flowing the pre-treated water stream to the filter; using the filter, separating the pre-treated water stream into a permeate water stream and a concentrated water stream; flowing the concentrated water stream to the water storage tank, wherein the internal structure is configured to aid in delaying mixing of the concentrated water stream with the pre-treated water; and flowing the permeate water stream to a permeate storage tank.

63. The method of claim 62, further comprising: fluidly coupling a water pre-treatment plant to the water storage tank; and flowing the pre-treated water stream from the water pre-treatment plant to the water storage tank.

64. The method of claim 62, wherein the water storage tank has a hexahedron shape.

65. The method of claim 62, wherein the water storage tank has a cylindrical shape.

66. The method of claim 62, further comprising positioning an inlet and an outlet on the housing of the water storage tank, the housing having a first end and a second end, the inlet being positioned on the first end and the outlet being positioned on the second end.

67. The method of claim 66, further comprising fluidly coupling the inlet with the filter, wherein the inlet is configured to receive the concentrated water stream into the water storage tank.

68. The method of claim 66, further comprising fluidly coupling the outlet with the first pump, wherein the outlet is configured to flow the pre-treat water stream from the water storage tank to the first pump.

69. The method of claim 62, wherein the internal structure includes a plurality of staggered shelves that are interiorly attached to the housing.

70. The method of claim 69, wherein members of the plurality of staggered shelves are arranged in parallel.

71. The method of claim 62, wherein the internal structure includes a medium.

72. The method of claim 71, wherein the medium has a material selected from a group consisted of ceramic, plastic, polymer, metal, and any combination thereof.

73. The method of claim 71, wherein the medium includes a plurality of ceramic pebbles.

74. A system for water desalination, comprising: a plurality of water storage tanks configured to store pre-treated water, each of the plurality of water storage tanks including a housing and an internal structure, the internal structure being interiorly attached to the housing; a first pump; a filter fluidly coupled to the first pump and each of the plurality of water storage tanks; a memory device having stored thereon machine-readable instructions; and a control system having one or more processors configured to execute the machine- readable instructions to cause the system to: flow a pre-treated water stream from each of the plurality of water storage tanks to the first pump; using the first pump, increase the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure and flow the pre-treated water stream to the filter; using the filter, separate the pre-treated water stream into a permeate water stream and a concentrated water stream; flow the concentrated water stream to each of the plurality of water storage tanks, wherein the internal structure is configured to aid in delaying mixing of the concentrated water stream with the pre-treated water; and flow the permeate water stream to a permeate storage tank.

75. The system of claim 74, wherein each of the plurality of water storage tanks has a hexahedron shape.

76. The system of claim 74, wherein each of the plurality of water storage tanks has a cylindrical shape.

77. The system of claim 74, wherein each of the plurality of water storage tanks has an inlet and an outlet, the housing having a first end and a second end, the inlet being positioned on first end and the outlet being positioned on the second end.

78. The system of claim 77, wherein the inlet is fluidly coupled with the filter and configured to receive the concentrated water stream into each of the plurality of water storage tanks.

79. The system of claim 77, wherein the outlet is fluidly coupled with the first pump.

80. The system of claim 74, wherein the internal structure includes a plurality of staggered shelves that are interiorly attached to the housing.

81. The system of claim 80, wherein members of the plurality of staggered shelves are arranged in parallel.

82. The system of claim 74, wherein the internal structure includes a medium.

83. The system of claim 82, wherein the medium has a material selected from a group consisted of ceramic, plastic, polymer, metal, and any combination thereof.

84. The system of claim 82, wherein the medium includes a plurality of ceramic pebbles.

85. The system of claim 74, further comprising a water pre-treatment plant that is fluidly coupled with each of the plurality of water storage tanks and configured to provide the pre-treated water thereto.

86. The system of claim 74, further comprising a water pre-treatment plant configured to provide pre-treated water, the water pre-treatment plant fluidly coupled to each of the plurality of water storage tanks, wherein the control system is further configured to cause the system to flow the pre-treated water stream from the water pre-treatment plant to each of the plurality of water storage tanks.

87. The system of claim 74, further comprising: an energy recovery device fluidly coupled to the filter and each of the plurality of water storage tanks; the control system configured to cause the system to: flow the concentrated water stream from the filter to the energy recovery device; flow a first portion of the pre-treated water stream to the first pump and a second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the energy recovery device; using the first pump, increase the first portion of the pre-treated water stream to a second pressure and flow the first portion of the pre-treated water stream to the filter; using the energy recovery device, increase the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to a third pressure and flow the second portion of the pretreated water stream to the filter; receive, in the filter, as a combined pre-treated water stream the first portion of the pre-treated water stream and the second portion of the pre-treated water stream; and using the energy recovery device, flow the concentrated water stream to the plurality of water storage tanks.

88. The system of claim 87, wherein the third pressure is the same as, or substantially similar to, the first pressure.

89. The system of claim 87, further comprising a second pump fluidly coupled to the energy recovery device and the filter, wherein the control system is configured to cause the system to:using the energy recovery device, flow the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the second pump, and using the second pump, flow the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the fdter.

90. The system of claim 89, wherein the second pump is a circulation pump configured to increase the third pressure of the second portion of the pre-treated water stream from the energy recovery device to a pressure that is the same as, or substantially similar to, the first pressure.

91. The system of claim 87, wherein the control system is configured to monitor the first pressure to achieve an optimal water flowrate through the filter to minimize fouling and degradation thereof.92 The system of claim 87, wherein the energy recovery device includes a pressure exchanger, a turbocharger, a Pelton turbine, a centrifugal energy recovery device, an isobaric energy recovery device, a positive displacement isobaric energy recovery device, or any combination thereof.93 The system of claim 87, wherein the energy recovery device is fluidly coupled to a generator to produce electricity.

94. The system of claim 74, wherein the control system is configured to monitor a temperature of the pre-treated water stream at a predetermined temperature.

95. The system of claim 87, wherein the control system is configured to monitor a temperature of the concentrated water stream at a predetermined temperature.

96. The system of claim 87, wherein the control system is configured to monitor a pH of the concentrated water stream at a predetermined value.

97. The system of claim 87, wherein the control system is configured to empty the concentrated water in each of the plurality of water storage tanks before receiving the concentrated water stream from the energy recovery device.

98. The system of claim 74, wherein the filter includes a reverse osmosis membrane, a nanofiltration membrane, a hollow fiber membrane, a spiral wounded flat sheet membrane, a low solute rejection membrane, or any combination thereof.

99. The system of claim 98, wherein the filter has a water permeability greater than 0.1 L / m2- h-bar.

100. The system of claim 74, wherein the filter includes a plurality of membranes.

101. A method of water desalination, comprising: obtaining a plurality of water storage tanks configured to store pre-treated water, wherein each of the plurality of water storage tanks has a housing and an internal structure, the internal structure being interiorly attached to the housing; fluidly coupling a first pump to each of the plurality of water storage tanks; fluidly coupling a filter to the first pump and each of the plurality of water storage tanks; flowing a pre-treated water stream from one or more of the plurality of water storage tanks to the first pump; using the first pump, increasing the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure; flowing the pre-treated water stream to the filter; using the filter, separating the pre-treated water stream into a permeate water stream and a concentrated water stream; flowing the concentrated water stream to one or more of the plurality of water storage tanks, wherein the internal structure is configured to aid in delaying mixing of the concentrated water stream with the pre-treated water; and flowing the permeate water stream to a permeate storage tank.

102. The method of claim 101, further comprising: fluidly coupling a water pre-treatment plant to each of the plurality of water storage tanks; andflowing the pre-treated water stream from the water pre-treatment plant to each of the plurality of water storage tanks.

103. The method of claim 101, further comprising: fluidly coupling an energy recovery device to the filter and each of the plurality of water storage tanks; flowing the concentrated water stream from the filter to the energy recovery device; flowing a first portion of the pre-treated water stream to the first pump and a second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the energy recovery device; using the first pump, increasing the first portion of the pre-treated water stream to a second pressure; flowing the first portion of the pre-treated water stream to the filter; using the energy recovery device, increasing the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to a third pressure; flowing the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the filter; receiving, in the filter, as a combined pre-treated water stream the first portion of the pretreated water stream and the second portion of the pre-treated water stream; and using the energy recovery device, flowing the concentrated water stream to one or more of the plurality of water storage tanks.

104. The method of claim 103, further comprising: fluidly coupling a second pump to the energy recovery device and the filter; using the energy recovery device, flowing the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the second pump; and using the second pump, flowing the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the filter.

105. A system for multistage water desalination, the system comprising: a plurality of desalination stages, each of the plurality of desalination stages being interconnected in series, each of the plurality of desalination stages including: a first pump,a filter fluidly coupled to the first pump, and an energy recovery device fluidly coupled to the filter; a memory device having stored thereon machine-readable instructions; and a control system having one or more processors configured to execute the machine- readable instructions to cause the system to: flow a pre-treated water stream to a first desalination stage of the plurality of desalination stages; using the filter of the first desalination stage, separate the pre-treated water stream into a first permeate water stream and a first concentrated water stream; using the energy recovery device of the first desalination stage, flow the first concentrated water stream to a second desalination stage of the plurality of desalination stages; and using a permeate storage tank, receive the first permeate water stream.

106. The system of claim 105, wherein the control system is configured to execute the machine- readable instructions to cause the first desalination stage of the plurality of desalination stages to: flow the pre-treated water stream to the first pump; using the first pump, increase the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure and flow the pre-treated water stream to the filter; using the permeate storage tank, receive the first permeate water stream; flow the first concentrated water stream to the energy recovery device; and using the energy recovery device, flow the first concentrated water stream to the second desalination stage of the plurality of desalination stages.

107. The system of claim 106, wherein the control system is configured to cause the first desalination stage of the plurality of desalination stages to: flow a first portion of the pre-treated water stream to the first pump and a second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the energy recovery device;using the first pump, increase the first portion of the pre-treated water stream to a second pressure and flow the first portion of the pre-treated water stream to the filter; using the energy recovery device, increase the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to a third pressure and flow the second portion of the pretreated water stream to the filter; and receive, in the filter, as a combined pre-treated water stream the first portion of the pre-treated water stream and the second portion of the pre-treated water stream.

108. The system of claim 107, wherein the first desalination stage of the plurality of desalination stages further includes a second pump fluidly coupled to the energy recovery device and the filter, and wherein the control system is configured to cause the first desalination stage of the plurality of desalination stages to: using the energy recovery device, flow the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the second pump, and using the second pump, flow the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the filter.

109. The system of claim 105, wherein the control system is configured to execute the machine- readable instructions to cause the second desalination stage of the plurality of desalination stages to: flow the first concentrated water stream to the first pump; using the first pump, increase the first concentrated water stream to a first pressure and flow the first concentrated water stream to the filter; using the filter, separate the first concentrated water stream into a second permeate water stream and a second concentrated water stream; using the permeate storage tank, receive the second permeate water stream; flow the second concentrated water stream to the energy recovery device; and using the energy recovery device, flow the second concentrated water stream to a downstream desalination stage of the plurality of the stages.

110. The system of claim 109, wherein the control system is configured to cause the second desalination stage of the plurality of desalination stages to: flow a first portion of the first concentrated water stream to the first pump and a second portion of the first concentrated water stream to the energy recovery device; using the first pump, increase the first portion of the first concentrated water stream to a second pressure and flow the first portion of the first concentrated water stream to the filter; using the energy recovery device, increase the second portion of the first concentrated water stream to a third pressure and flow the second portion of the first concentrated water stream to the filter; and receive, in the filter, as a combined first concentrated water stream the first portion of the first concentrated water stream and the second portion of the first concentrated water stream.

111. The system of claim 110, wherein the second desalination stage of the plurality of desalination stages further includes a second pump fluidly coupled to the energy recovery device and the filter, and wherein the control system is configured to cause the second desalination stage of the plurality of desalination stages to: using the energy recovery device, flow the second portion of the first concentrated water stream to the second pump, and using the second pump, flow the second portion of the first concentrated water stream to the filter.

112. The system of claim 105, wherein the control system is configured to execute the machine- readable instructions to cause the system to: using a concentrated water storage tank, receive a concentrated water stream of each of the plurality of desalination stages.

113. The system of claim 105, wherein the control system is configured to execute the machine- readable instructions to cause the system to: using the permeate storage tank, receive a permeate water stream from the filter of each desalination stage of the plurality of desalination stages.

114. A method of multistage water desalination, comprising: obtaining a plurality of desalination stages, each of the plurality of desalination stages including a first pump, a filter fluidly coupled to the first pump, and an energy recovery device fluidly coupled to the filter; fluidly interconnecting each of the plurality of desalination stages in series; flowing a pre-treated water stream to a first desalination stage of the plurality of desalination stages; using the filter of the first desalination stage, separating the pre-treated water stream into a first permeate water stream and a first concentrated water stream; using the energy recovery device of the first desalination stage, flowing the first concentrated water stream to a second desalination stage of the plurality of desalination stages; and using a permeate storage tank, receiving the first permeate water stream.

115. The method of claim 114, further comprising: flowing the pre-treated water stream to the first pump of the first desalination stage of the plurality of desalination stages; increasing, using the first pump, the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure and flowing the pre-treated water stream to the filter the first desalination stage; flowing the first concentrated water stream to the energy recovery device; and flowing, using the energy recovery device, the first concentrated water stream to the second desalination stage of the plurality of desalination stages.

116. The method of claim 115, further comprising: flowing a first portion of the pre-treated water stream to the first pump and a second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the energy recovery device;using the first pump, increasing the first portion of the pre-treated water stream to a second pressure and flow the first portion of the pre-treated water stream to the filter; using the energy recovery device, increasing the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to a third pressure and flow the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the filter; and receiving, in the filter, as a combined pre-treated water stream the first portion of the pretreated water stream and the second portion of the pre-treated water stream.

117. The method of claim 116, further comprising: fluidly coupling a second pump to the energy recovery device and the filter of the first desalination stage of the plurality of desalination stages; using the energy recovery device, flowing the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the second pump; and using the second pump, flowing the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the filter.

118. The method of claim 114, further comprising: flowing the first concentrated water stream from the first desalination stage to the first pump of the second desalination stage of the plurality of desalination stages; using the first pump, increasing the first concentrated water stream to a first pressure and flow the first concentrated water stream to the filter of the second desalination stage; using the filter, separating the first concentrated water stream into a second permeate water stream and a second concentrated water stream; using the permeate storage tank, receiving the second permeate water stream; flowing the second concentrated water stream to the energy recovery device of the second desalination stage; and using the energy recovery device, flowing the second concentrated water stream to a downstream desalination stage of the plurality of the stages.

119. The method of claim 114, further comprising:using a concentrated water storage tank, receiving a concentrated water stream of each of the plurality of desalination stages.

120. The method of claim 114, further comprising: using the permeate storage tank, receiving a permeate water stream from the filter of each desalination stage of the plurality of desalination stages.

121. A system for high recovery water desalination and brine mining, the system comprising: a water storage tank configured to store pre-treated water; a first pump fluidly coupled with the water storage tank; a first filter fluidly coupled with the first pump; a second filter fluidly coupled with the first filter; a second pump fluidly coupled with the second filter and the first filter; a flow detector fluidly coupled with the second filter, the second pump, and the water storage tank, the flow detector being configured to detect a fluid flowrate between the second pump and the water storage tank; a memory device having stored thereon machine-readable instructions; and a control system having one or more processors configured to execute the machine- readable instructions to cause the system to: flow a pre-treated water stream from the water storage tank to the first pump; using the first pump, increase the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure and flow the pre-treated water stream to the first filter; using the first filter, separate the pre-treated water stream into a first permeate water stream and a first concentrated water stream; flow the first concentrated water stream to the second filter; using the second filter, separate the first concentrated water stream into a second permeate water stream and a second concentrated water stream; flow the second permeate water stream to the second pump; using the second pump, increase the second permeate water stream to the first pressure and flow the second permeate water stream to the first filter; andupon the fluid flowrate exceeding a first predetermined value, flow the second permeate water stream to the water storage tank through the flow detector.

122. The system of claim 121, wherein the control system is configured to cause the system to receive the first permeate water stream using a permeate water storage tank.

123. The system of claim 121, wherein the control system is configured to cause the system to receive the second concentrated water stream using a concentrated water storage tank.

124. The system of claim 121, wherein the control system is configured to cause the system to flow a backup water stream from the water storage tank through the flow detector to the second pump upon the fluid flowrate reaching a second predetermined value.

125. The system of claim 121, wherein the control system is configured to cause the system to deactivate the second pump upon the fluid flowrate reaching a third predetermined value.

126. The system of claim 121, wherein the first predetermined value is around 0 liters / minute.

127. The system of claim 121, further comprising a water pre-treatment plant configured to provide pre-treated water, the water pretreatment plant fluidly coupled to the water storage tank, wherein the control system is further configured to cause the system to flow pre-treated water from the water pretreatment plant to fill the water storage tank.

128. The system of claim 121, further comprising: an energy recovery device fluidly coupled to the first filter, the water storage tank, and the second filter, wherein the control system being configured to cause the system to: flow the second concentrated water stream from the second filter to the energy recovery device; flow a first portion of the pre-treated water stream to the first pump and a second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the energy recovery device;using the first pump, increase the first portion of the pre-treated water stream to a second pressure and flow the first portion of the pre-treated water stream to the first filter; using the energy recovery device, increase the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to a third pressure and flow the second portion of the pretreated water stream to the first filter; receive, in the first filter, as a combined pre-treated water stream the first portion of the pre-treated water stream and the second portion of the pre-treated water stream; and using the energy recovery device, flow the second concentrated water stream to a concentrated water storage tank.

129. The system of claim 128, wherein the third pressure is the same as, or substantially similar to, the first pressure.

130. The system of claim 128, further comprising a third pump fluidly coupled to the energy recovery device and the first filter, wherein the control system is configured to cause the system to, using the energy recovery device, flow the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the third pump, and using the third pump, flow the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the first filter.

131. The system of claim 130, wherein the third pump is a circulation pump configured to increase the third pressure of the second portion of the pre-treated water stream from the energy recovery device to a pressure that is the same as, or substantially similar to, the first pressure.

132. The system of claim 121, further comprising: a first pretreatment device fluidly coupled to the water storage tank and the first pump; and a second pretreatment device fluidly coupled to the second pump and the water storage tank.

133. The system of claim 132, wherein each of the first pretreatment device and the second pretreatment device is configured to include a pretreatment process that includes biological treatment, softening treatment, oxidation, media filtration, cartridge filtration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, membrane brine concentration, clarification, carbon filtration, coagulation, electrocoagulation, nanobubbles, diffuse air filtration (DAF), screening, decanting or press filtration, electrooxidation, electrowinning, and any combination thereof.

134. The system of claim 132, wherein each of the first pretreatment device and the second pretreatment device includes a feed pump and a cartridge filter.

135. The system of claim 121, wherein the first pressure is greater than 1,000 psi.

136. The system of claim 121, wherein each of the first filter and the second filter is an osmotically assisted reverse osmosis (OARO) brine concentration (BC) membrane, a nanofiltration membrane, a reverse osmosis (RO) membrane, or any combination thereof.

137. A method of high recovery water desalination and brine mining, the method comprising: obtaining a water storage tank configured to store pre-treated water; fluidly coupling a first pump to the water storage tank; fluidly coupling a first filter fluidly to the first pump; fluidly coupling a second filter to the first filter; fluidly coupling a second pump with the second filter and the first filter; fluidly coupling a flow detector with the second filter, the second pump, and the water storage tank, the flow detector being configured to detect a fluid flowrate between the second pump and the water storage tank; flowing a pre-treated water stream from the water storage tank to the first pump; using the first pump, increasing the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure and flowing the pre-treated water stream to the first filter; using the first filter, separating the pre-treated water stream into a first permeate water stream and a first concentrated water stream; flowing the first concentrated water stream to the second filter;using the second filter, separating the first concentrated water stream into a second permeate water stream and a second concentrated water stream; flowing the second permeate water stream to the second pump; using the second pump, increasing the second permeate water stream to the first pressure and flowing the second permeate water stream to the first filter; and upon the fluid flowrate exceeding a first predetermined value, flowing the second permeate water stream to the water storage tank through the flow detector.

138. The method of claim 137, further comprising: flowing a backup water stream from the water storage tank through the flow detector to the second pump upon the fluid flowrate reaching a second predetermined value.

139. The method of claim 137, further comprising: deactivating the second pump upon the fluid flowrate reaching a third predetermined value.

140. The method of claim 137, further comprising: fluidly coupling a water pretreatment plant to the water storage tank; and flowing pre-treated water from the water pretreatment plant to fill the water storage tank.

141. The method of claim 137, further comprising: fluidly coupling an energy recovery device to the first filter, the water storage tank, and the second filter, flowing the second concentrated water stream from the second filter to the energy recovery device; flowing a first portion of the pre-treated water stream to the first pump and a second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the energy recovery device; using the first pump, increasing the first portion of the pre-treated water stream to a second pressure and flow the first portion of the pre-treated water stream to the first filter; using the energy recovery device, increasing the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to a third pressure and flow the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the filter;receiving, in the first filter, as a combined pre-treated water stream the first portion of the pre-treated water stream and the second portion of the pre-treated water stream; and using the energy recovery device, flowing the second concentrated water stream to a concentrated water storage tank.

142. The method of claim 141, further comprising: a third pump fluidly coupled to the energy recovery device and the first filter, using the energy recovery device, flowing the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the third pump; and using the third pump, flowing the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the first filter.

143. A system for high recovery water desalination and brine mining, the system comprising: a water storage tank configured to store pre-treated water; a first pump fluidly coupled with the water storage tank; a plurality of filters, each of the plurality of filters being fluidly interconnected in series, the plurality of filters including a first filter, a second filter, and an end filter, the first filter being fluidly coupled with the first pump; a second pump fluidly coupled with the second filter and the end filter of the plurality of the filters; a flow detector fluidly coupled with the second pump, the water storage tank, and the downstream filter, the flow detector being configured to detect a fluid flowrate between the second pump and the water storage tank; a memory device having stored thereon machine-readable instructions; and a control system having one or more processors configured to execute the machine- readable instructions to cause the system to: flow a pre-treated water stream from the water storage tank to the first pump; using the first pump, increase the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure and flow the pre-treated water stream to the first filter of the plurality of the filters;using the first filter, separate the pre-treated water stream into a first permeate water stream and a first concentrated water stream; flow the first concentrated water stream to the second filter; using the second filter, separate the first concentrated stream into a second permeate water stream and a second concentrated water stream; flow the second concentrated water stream to the downstream filter; using the downstream filter, separate the second concentrated stream into a downstream permeate water stream and a downstream concentrated water stream; flow the downstream permeate water stream to the second pump; using the second pump, increase the downstream permeate water stream to a second pressure and flow the downstream permeate water stream to the second filter; using a concentrated water storage tank, receive the downstream concentrated water stream; and upon the fluid flowrate reaching a first predetermined value, flow the downstream permeate water stream to the water storage tank through the flow detector.

144. The system of claim 143, further comprising: upon the fluid flowrate reaching a second predetermined value, flowing a backup water stream from the water storage tank through the flow detector to the second pump.

145. The system of claim 143, further comprising: upon the fluid flowrate reaching a third predetermined value, deactivating the second pump.

146. The system of claim 143, wherein the first predetermined value is around 0 liters / minute.

147. The system of claim 143, further comprising: a fourth pump fluidly coupled to the first filter and the second filter of the plurality of filters; anda second-stage filter fluidly coupled with the fourth pump, the water storage tank, and the permeate water storage tank.

148. The system of claim 147, further comprising: combining the first permeate water stream and the second permeate water stream into a fourth permeate water stream; using the fourth pump, increasing the fourth permeate water stream to a fourth pressure; flowing the fourth permeate water stream to the second-stage filter; separating the fourth permeate water stream into a second-stage permeate water stream and a second-stage concentrated water stream; flowing the second-stage concentrated water stream to the water storage tank; and flowing the second-stage permeate water stream to the permeate water storage tank.

149. The system of claim 148, further comprising: a second energy recovery device fluidly coupled to the second-stage filter, the water storage tank, and the first filter and the second filter of the plurality of filters.

150. The system of claim 149, further comprising: flowing the second-stage concentrated water stream from the second-stage filter to the second energy recovery device; flowing a first portion of the fourth permeate water stream to the fourth pump and a second portion of the fourth permeate water stream to the second energy recovery device; using the fourth pump, increasing the first portion of the fourth permeate water stream to a fifth pressure and flowing the first portion of the fourth permeate water stream to the second-stage filter; using the second energy recovery device, increasing the second portion of the fourth permeate water stream to a six pressure and flowing the second portion of the fourth permeate water stream to the second-stage filter; receiving, in the second-stage filter, as a combined fifth permeate water stream the first portion of the fourth permeate water stream and the second portion of the fourth permeate water stream; andusing the second energy recovery device, flowing the second-stage concentrated water stream to the water storage tank.

151. The system of claim 150, further comprising a third pretreatment device fluidly coupled to the first filter and the second filter of the plurality of filters, and the fourth pump, wherein the third pretreatment device is configured to include a pretreatment process that includes biological treatment, softening treatment, oxidation, media filtration, cartridge filtration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, membrane brine concentration, clarification, carbon filtration, coagulation, electrocoagulation, nanobubbles, diffuse air filtration (DAF), screening, decanting or press filtration, electrooxidation, electrowinning, and any combination thereof.

152. The system of claim 143, further comprising a stage flow detector that is fluidly coupled to the fourth pump and the water storage tank, wherein the stage flow detector is configured to detect a stage fluid flowrate between the fourth pump and the water storage tank.

153. The system of claim 143, wherein the control system is configured to cause the system to receive the first permeate water stream using a permeate water storage tank.

154. The system of claim 143, wherein the control system is configured to cause the system to receive the second permeate water stream using a permeate water storage tank.

155. The system of claim 143, wherein the control system is configured to cause the system to flow the second permeate water to the water storage tank.

156. The system of claim 143, wherein the control system is configured to cause the system to flow the second permeate water to the first filter.

157. The system of claim 143, further comprising a fifth pump, the plurality of filters further comprising a plurality of first-phase filters and a plurality of second-phase filters, the plurality of second-phase filters fluidly connected to a plurality of first-phase filters in series, and the firthpump fluidly connected with both the plurality of first-phase filters and the plurality of second- phase filters.

158. The system of claim 157, wherein the plurality of first-phase filters is fluidly connected with the first filter in parallel, and each of the plurality of first-phase filters fluidly interconnected with one another in parallel.

159. The system of claim 157, wherein the plurality of second-phase filters is fluidly connected with the second filter in parallel, and each of the plurality of second-phase filters fluidly interconnected with one another in parallel.

160. The system of claim 157, wherein the control system is configured to cause the system to flow, using the fifth pump, a combined concentrated water stream from each of the plurality of second-phase filters to each of the plurality of first-phase filters.

161. The system of claim 157, wherein the plurality of filters further comprises a plurality of downstream-phase filters fluidly connected with the downstream filter in parallel, and each of the plurality of downstream -phase filters fluidly interconnected with one another in parallel.

162. A method of high recovery water desalination and brine mining, the method comprising: obtaining a water storage tank configured to store pre-treated water; fluidly coupling a first pump with the water storage tank; fluidly coupling a first filter of plurality of filters to the first pump, each of the plurality of filters being fluidly interconnected in series; fluidly coupling a second pump with a second filter and a downstream filter of the plurality of the filters; fluidly coupling a first flow detector with the second pump, the water storage tank, and the downstream filter, the first flow detector being configured to detect a first fluid flowrate between the second pump and the water storage tank; flowing a pre-treated water stream from the water storage tank to the first pump;using the first pump, increasing the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure and flowing the pre-treated water stream to the first filter of the plurality of the filters; using the first filter, separating the pre-treated water stream into a first permeate water stream and a first concentrated water stream; using a permeate storage tank, receiving the first permeate water stream; flowing the first concentrated water stream to the second filter; using the second filter, separating the first concentrated stream into a second permeate water stream and a second concentrated water stream; flowing the second concentrated water stream to the downstream filter; using the downstream filter, separating the second concentrated stream into a downstream permeate water stream and a downstream concentrated water stream; flowing the downstream permeate water stream to the second pump; using the second pump, increasing the downstream permeate water stream to a second pressure and flow the downstream permeate water stream to the second filter; using a concentrated water storage tank, receiving the downstream concentrated water stream; and upon the first fluid flowrate reaching a first predetermined value, flowing the downstream permeate water stream to the water storage tank through the first flow detector.

163. The method of claim 162, further comprising: fluidly coupling a fourth pump to the first filter and the second filter of the plurality of filters; and fluidly coupling a second-stage filter to the fourth pump, the water storage tank, and the permeate water storage tank.

164. The method of claim 163, further comprising: combining the first permeate water stream and the second permeate water stream into a fourth permeate water stream; using the fourth pump, increasing the fourth permeate water stream to a fourth pressure; flowing the fourth permeate water stream to the second-stage filter;separating the fourth permeate water stream into a second-stage permeate water stream and a second-stage concentrated water stream; flowing the second-stage concentrated water stream to the water storage tank; and flowing the second-stage permeate water stream to the permeate water storage tank.

165. The method of claim 164, further comprising: fluidly coupling a second energy recovery device to the second-stage filter, the water storage tank, and the first filter and the second filter of the plurality of filters.

166. The method of claim 165, further comprising: flowing the second-stage concentrated water stream from the second-stage filter to the second energy recovery device; flowing a first portion of the fourth permeate water stream to the fourth pump and a second portion of the fourth permeate water stream to the second energy recovery device; using the fourth pump, increasing the first portion of the fourth permeate water stream to a fifth pressure and flowing the first portion of the fourth permeate water stream to the second-stage filter; using the second energy recovery device, increasing the second portion of the fourth permeate water stream to a six pressure and flowing the second portion of the fourth permeate water stream to the second-stage filter; receiving, in the second-stage filter, as a combined fifth permeate water stream the first portion of the fourth permeate water stream and the second portion of the fourth permeate water stream; and using the second energy recovery device, flowing the second-stage concentrated water stream to the water storage tank.

167. The method of claim 166, further comprising: fluidly coupling a third pretreatment device to the first filter and the second filter of the plurality of filters, and the fourth pump.

168. A system for multistage water desalination and brine mining, the system comprising:a plurality of first-stage filters, each of the plurality of first-stage filters being fluidly interconnected with one another in series, the plurality of first-stage filters including a first filter and one or more downstream filters; a first pump fluidly coupled to the first filter of the plurality of first-stage filters; a plurality of second-stage filters, each of the plurality of second-stage filters being fluidly interconnected with one another in series, each of the one or more downstream filters of the plurality of first-stage filters fluidly coupled to a corresponding filter of the plurality of second-stage filters; a memory device having stored thereon machine-readable instructions; and a control system having one or more processors configured to execute the machine- readable instructions to cause the system to: flow a pre-treated water stream to the first pump; using the first pump, increase the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure and flow the pre-treated water stream to the first filter; using the first filter, separate the pre-treated water stream into a first permeate water stream and a first concentrated water stream; flow the first concentrated water stream to the one or more downstream filters; using the one or more downstream filters, separate the first concentrated water stream into a second permeate water stream and a second concentrated water stream; flow the second permeate water stream to the corresponding filter of the plurality of second-stage filters; separate the second permeate stream into a second-stage permeate water stream and a second-stage concentrated water stream; using a permeate storage tank, receive the first permeate water stream and the second-stage permeate water stream; and using a concentrated water storage tank, receive the second concentrated water stream and the second-stage permeate water stream.

169. The system of claim 168, further comprising a pre-treated water storage tank configured to store pre-treated water, the pre-treated water storage tank fluidly coupled to the first pump, and thecontrol system being configured to cause the system to flow the pre-treated water stream from the pre-treated water storage tank to the first pump.

170. The system of claim 168, further comprising a water pretreatment plant configured to provide pre-treated water, the water pretreatment plant fluidly coupled to the first pump, and the control system being configured to cause the system to flow the pre-treated water stream from the water pretreatment plant to the first pump.

171. The system of claim 168, further comprising a second pump fluidly coupled to the one or more downstream filters of the plurality of first-stage filters and the corresponding filter of the plurality of second-stage filters.

172. The system of claim 171, wherein the plurality of second-stage filters includes a foremost filter and one or more intermediate filters.

173. The system of claim 172, wherein the control system is configured to cause the system to: fluidly couple the foremost filter to the second pump; fluidly couple the one or more intermediate filter to the second pump; using the second pump, flow the second permeate water stream to the foremost filter; using the foremost filter, separate the second permeate water stream into a foremost permeate water stream and a foremost concentrated water stream; flow the foremost concentrated water stream to the one or more intermediate filter; using the one or more intermediate filter, separate the foremost concentrated water stream into an intermediate permeate water stream and an intermediate concentrated water stream; using the second pump, flow the intermediate permeate water stream to the foremost filter; using the permeate storage tank, receive the foremost permeate water stream; and using the concentrated water storage tank, receive the intermediate concentrated water stream.

174. A method of multistage water desalination and brine mining, the method comprising:providing a plurality of first-stage filters, each of the plurality of first-stage filters being fluidly interconnected with one another in series, the plurality of first-stage filters including a first filter and one or more downstream filters; fluidly coupling a first pump to the first filter of the plurality of first-stage filters; providing a plurality of second-stage filters, each of the plurality of second-stage filters being fluidly interconnected with one another in series, each of the one or more downstream filters of the plurality of first-stage filters fluidly coupled to a corresponding filter of the plurality of second-stage filters; flowing a pre-treated water stream to the first pump; using the first pump, increasing the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure and flowing the pre-treated water stream to the first filter; using the first filter, separating the pre-treated water stream into a first permeate water stream and a first concentrated water stream; flowing the first concentrated water stream to the one or more downstream filters; using the one or more downstream filters, separating the first concentrated water stream into a second permeate water stream and a second concentrated water stream; flowing the second permeate water stream to the corresponding filter of the plurality of second-stage filters; separating the second permeate stream into a second-stage permeate water stream and a second-stage concentrated water stream; using a permeate storage tank, receiving the first permeate water stream and the second- stage permeate water stream; and using a concentrated water storage tank, receiving the second concentrated water stream and the second-stage permeate water stream.

175. The method of claim 174, further comprising fluidly coupling a second pump to the one or more downstream filters of the plurality of first-stage filters and the corresponding filter of the plurality of second-stage filters.

176. The method of claim 174, wherein the plurality of second-stage filters comprises a foremost filter and one or more intermediate filters.

177. The method of claim 176, further comprising: fluidly coupling the foremost fdter to the second pump; fluidly coupling the one or more intermediate filter to the second pump; using the second pump, flowing the second permeate water stream to the foremost filter; using the foremost filter, separating the second permeate water stream into a foremost permeate water stream and a foremost concentrated water stream; flowing the foremost concentrated water stream to the one or more intermediate filter; using the one or more intermediate filter, separating the foremost concentrated water stream into an intermediate permeate water stream and an intermediate concentrated water stream; using the second pump, flowing the intermediate permeate water stream to the foremost filter; using the permeate storage tank, receiving the foremost permeate water stream; and using the concentrated water storage tank, receiving the intermediate concentrated water stream.

178. A system for high recovery water desalination and membrane brine concentration, the system comprising: a water storage tank configured to store pre-treated water; a first pump fluidly coupled to the water storage tank; a first filter fluidly coupled to the first pump; a second pump fluidly coupled to the first filter; a second filter fluidly coupled to the second pump; a sweep pump fluidly coupled to the first filter; a sweep water storage tank configured to store sweep water, the sweep water storage tank being fluidly coupled to the sweep pump and the second filter; a memory device having stored thereon machine-readable instructions; and a control system having one or more processors configured to execute the machine- readable instructions to cause the system to: flow a pre-treated water stream from the water storage tank to the first pump;using the first pump, increase the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure and flow the pre-treated water stream to the first filter; using the first filter, separate the pre-treated water stream into a first permeate water stream and a first concentrated water stream; flow the first concentrated water stream to the water storage tank; using the sweep pump, flow a sweep water stream from the sweep water storage tank to the first filter; using the first filter, combine the sweep water stream with the first permeate water stream into a diluted water stream; using the second pump, flow the diluted water stream to the second filter; using the second filter, separate the diluted water stream into a second permeate water stream and a second concentrated water stream; using a permeate storage tank, receive the second permeate water stream; and using the sweep water storage tank, receive the second concentrated water stream.

179. The system of claim 178, further comprising a diluted water storage tank configured to store the diluted water stream.

180. The system of claim 179, wherein the control system is configured to cause the system to: fluidly couple the diluted water tank to the first filter and the second pump; using the first filter, flow the diluted water stream to the diluted water tank; and using the second pump, flow the diluted water from the diluted water tank to the second filter.

181. The system of claim 180, further comprising: a first energy recovery device fluidly coupled to the first filter and the water storage tank; wherein the control system being configured to cause the system to: flow the first concentrated water stream from the first filter to the first energy recovery device; flow a first portion of the pre-treated water stream to the first pump and a second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the first energy recovery device;using the first pump, increase the first portion of the pre-treated water stream to a second pressure and flow the first portion of the pre-treated water stream to the first filter; using the first energy recovery device, increase the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to a third pressure and flow the second portion of the pretreated water stream to the first filter; receive, in the first filter, as a combined pre-treated water stream the first portion of the pre-treated water stream and the second portion of the pre-treated water stream; and using the first energy recovery device, flow the first concentrated water stream to the water storage tank.

182. The system of claim 181, further comprising a third pump fluidly coupled to the first energy recovery device and the first filter, wherein the control system is configured to cause the system to, using the first energy recovery device, flow the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the third pump, and using the third pump, flow the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the first filter.

183. The system of claim 178, further comprising: a second energy recovery device fluidly coupled to the second filter and the sweep water storage tank; wherein the control system being configured to cause the system to: flow the second concentrated water stream from the second filter to the second energy recovery device; flow a first portion of the diluted water stream to the second pump and a second portion of the diluted water stream to the second energy recovery device; using the second pump, increase the first portion of the diluted water stream to a fourth pressure and flow the first portion of the diluted water stream to the second filter;using the second energy recovery device, increase the second portion of the diluted water stream to a fifth pressure and flow the second portion of the diluted water stream to the second filter; receive, in the second filter, as a combined diluted water stream the first portion of the diluted water stream and the second portion of the diluted water stream; and using the second energy recovery device, flow the diluted water stream to the sweep water storage tank.

184. The system of claim 183, further comprising a fourth pump fluidly coupled to the second energy recovery device and the second filter, wherein the control system is configured to cause the system to, using the second energy recovery device, flow the second portion of the diluted water stream to the fourth pump, and using the fourth pump, flow the second portion of the diluted water stream to the second filter.

185. A method of high recovery water desalination and membrane brine concentration, the method comprising: flowing a pre-treated water stream from the water storage tank to the first pump; using the first pump, increasing the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure and flowing the pre-treated water stream to the first filter; using the first filter, separating the pre-treated water stream into a first permeate water stream and a first concentrated water stream; flowing the first concentrated water stream to the water storage tank; using the sweep pump, flowing a sweep water stream from the sweep water storage tank to the first filter; using the first filter, combining the sweep water stream with the first permeate water stream into a diluted water stream; using the second pump, flowing the diluted water stream to the second filter; using the second filter, separating the diluted water stream into a second permeate water stream and a second concentrated water stream; using a permeate storage tank, receiving the second permeate water stream; andusing the sweep water storage tank, receiving the second concentrated water stream.

186. The method of claim 185, further comprising: providing a diluted water storage tank configured to store the diluted water stream; fluidly coupling the diluted water tank to the first filter and the second pump; using the first filter, flowing the diluted water stream to the diluted water tank; and using the second pump, flowing the diluted water from the diluted water tank to the second filter.

187. The method of claim 185, further comprising: fluidly coupling a first energy recovery device fluidly coupled to the first filter and the water storage tank; flowing the first concentrated water stream from the first filter to the first energy recovery device; flowing a first portion of the pre-treated water stream to the first pump and a second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the first energy recovery device; using the first pump, increasing the first portion of the pre-treated water stream to a second pressure and flowing the first portion of the pre-treated water stream to the first filter; using the first energy recovery device, increasing the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to a third pressure and flowing the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the first filter; receiving, in the first filter, as a combined pre-treated water stream the first portion of the pre-treated water stream and the second portion of the pre-treated water stream; and using the first energy recovery device, flowing the first concentrated water stream to the water storage tank.

188. The method of claim 187, further comprising: fluidly coupling a third pump to the first energy recovery device and the first filter; using the first energy recovery device, flowing the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the third pump; andusing the third pump, flowing the second portion of the pre-treated water stream to the first filter.

189. The method of claim 185, further comprising: fluidly coupling a second energy recovery device to the second filter and the sweep water storage tank; flowing the second concentrated water stream from the second filter to the second energy recovery device; flowing a first portion of the diluted water stream to the second pump and a second portion of the diluted water stream to the second energy recovery device; using the second pump, increasing the first portion of the diluted water stream to a fourth pressure and flowing the first portion of the diluted water stream to the second filter; using the second energy recovery device, increasing the second portion of the diluted water stream to a fifth pressure and flowing the second portion of the diluted water stream to the second filter; receiving, in the second filter, as a combined diluted water stream the first portion of the diluted water stream and the second portion of the diluted water stream; and using the second energy recovery device, flowing the diluted water stream to the sweep water storage tank.

190. The method of claim 189, further comprising: fluidly coupling a fourth pump to the second energy recovery device and the second filter; using the second energy recovery device, flowing the second portion of the diluted water stream to the fourth pump; and using the fourth pump, flowing the second portion of the diluted water stream to the second filter.

191. A system for multistage water desalination and membrane brine concentration, the system comprising: a water storage tank configured to store pre-treated water; a first pump fluidly coupled with the water storage tank;a plurality of filters, each of the plurality of filters being fluidly interconnected in series, the plurality of filters including a first filter, a second filter, and an end filter, the first filter being fluidly coupled with the first pump; a second pump fluidly coupled with the second filter and the end filter of the plurality of the filters; a stage pump fluidly coupled to the plurality of filters; a stage flowmeter fluidly coupled to the stage pump and configured to measure a stage flowrate; a first flowmeter fluidly coupled to the first filter and the stage flowmeter, the first flowmeter configured to measure a first flowrate; an end flowmeter fluidly coupled to the end filter, the first flowmeter, and the stage flowmeter, the end flowmeter configured to measure an end flowrate; a reinjection flowmeter fluidly coupled to the second pump, the first flowmeter, the end flowmeter, and the stage flowmeter, the reinjection flowmeter configured to measure a reinjection flowrate; a second-stage filter fluidly coupled with the stage pump, the stage flowmeter, the water storage tank, and the permeate water storage tank. a memory device having stored thereon machine-readable instructions; and a control system having one or more processors configured to execute the machine- readable instructions to cause the system to: flow a pre-treated water stream from the water storage tank to the first pump; using the first pump, increase the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure and flow the pre-treated water stream to the first filter; using the first filter, separate the pre-treated water stream into a first permeate water stream and a first concentrated water stream; flow the first concentrated water stream to the second filter; using the second filter, separate the first concentrated water stream into a second permeate water stream and a second concentrated water stream; flow the second concentrated water stream to the end filter; using the end filter, separate the second concentrated water stream into an end permeate water stream and an end concentrated water stream;upon the end flowrate being equal to the reinjection flowrate, flow the end permeate water stream to the second pump; using the second pump, increase the end permeate water stream to the second pressure and flow the end permeate water stream to the second filter; upon the first flowrate being equal to the state flowrate, flow the first permeate water stream to the state pump; using the stage pump, increase the first permeate water stream to a stage pressure and flow the first permeate water stream to the second-stage filter; using the second-stage filter, separate the first permeate water stream into a stage permeate water stream and a stage concentrated water stream; flow the stage concentrated water stream to the water storage tank; and using a permeate water storage tank, receive the stage permeate water stream.

192. The system of claim 191, further comprising a second flowmeter fluidly coupled to the second filter, the first flowmeter, and the stage flowmeter, the second flowmeter configured to measure a second flowrate, wherein the control system is configured to cause the system to cause: upon the stage flowrate being equal to a sum of the first flowrate and the second flowrate, flow a combined permeate water stream of the first permeate water stream and the second permeate water stream to the stage pump.

193. The system of claim 191, further comprising: a second flowmeter fluidly coupled to the second filter, the first flowmeter, and the stage flowmeter, the second flowmeter configured to measure a second flowrate; a third filter of the plurality of filters fluidly interconnected with the second filter and the end filter; and a third flowmeter fluidly coupled to the third filter, the second flowmeter, the end flowmeter, and the stage flowmeter, the third flowmeter configured to measure a third flowrate, wherein the control system is configured to cause the system to: flow the second concentrated water stream to the third filter; using the third filter, separate the second concentrated water stream into a third permeate water stream and a third concentrated water stream;flow the third concentrated water stream to the end filter; and upon the stage flowrate being equal to a sum of the first flowrate, the second flowrate, and the third flowrate, flow a combined permeate water stream of the first permeate water stream, the second permeate water stream, and the third permeate water stream to the stage pump.

194. The system of claim 191, further comprising: a second flowmeter fluidly coupled to the second filter, the first flowmeter, and the stage flowmeter, the second flowmeter configured to measure a second flowrate; a third filter of the plurality of filters fluidly interconnected with the second filter and the end filter; a third flowmeter fluidly coupled to the third filter, the second flowmeter, the end flowmeter, and the stage flowmeter, the third flowmeter configured to measure a third flowrate; a fourth filter of the plurality of filters fluidly interconnected with the third filter and the end filter; and a fourth flowmeter fluidly coupled to the fourth filter, the third flowmeter, the end flowmeter, and the stage flowmeter, the fourth flowmeter configured to measure a fourth flowrate, wherein the control system is configured to cause the system to: flow the second concentrated water stream to the third filter; using the third filter, separate the second concentrated water stream into a third permeate water stream and a third concentrated water stream; flow the third concentrated water stream to the fourth filter; using the fourth filter, separate the third concentrated water stream into a fourth permeate water stream and a fourth concentrated water stream; and flow the fourth concentrated water stream to the end filter.

195. The system of claim 194, wherein the control system is configured to cause the system to: upon the reinjection flowrate being equal to a sum of the fourth flowrate and the end flowrate, flow a combined permeate water stream of the fourth permeate waterstream and the end permeate water stream to the second filter using the second pump.

196. The system of claim 194, wherein the control system is configured to cause the system to: upon the reinjection flowrate being equal to a sum of the third flowrate, the fourth flowrate, and the end flowrate, flow a combined permeate water stream of the third permeate water stream, the fourth permeate water stream, and the end permeate water stream to the second filter using the second pump.

197. The system of claim 194, further comprising a tank flowmeter fluidly coupled to the third flowmeter, wherein the control system is configured to cause the system to: upon the stage flowrate being equal to a sum of the first flowrate and the second flowrate, flow a combined permeate water stream of the first permeate water stream and the second permeate water stream to the stage pump; upon the reinjection flowrate being equal to a sum of the fourth flowrate and the end flowrate, flow a combined permeate water stream of the fourth permeate water stream and the end permeate water stream to the second filter using the second pump; and upon the tank flowrate being equal to the third flowrate, flow the third permeate water stream to water storage tank.

198. The system of claim 191, further comprising a concentrated water storage tank configured to receive the end concentrated water stream.

199. The system of claim 191, further comprising a first energy recovery device fluidly coupled to the water storage tank, a concentrated water storage tank, the first filter and the end filter of the plurality of filters.

200. The system of claim 191, further comprising a second energy recovery device fluidly coupled to the second-stage filter, the water storage tank, the permeate water storage tank, and the stage flowmeter.

201. The system of claim 191, further comprising: a first pretreatment device fluidly coupled to the first filter and water storage tank; a second pretreatment device fluidly coupled to the second pump and the reinjection flowmeter; and a third pretreatment device fluidly coupled to the stage flowmeter and the stage pump.

202. The system of claim 191, wherein each of the first pretreatment device, the second pretreatment device, and the third pretreatment device is configured to include a pretreatment process that includes biological treatment, softening treatment, oxidation, media filtration, cartridge filtration, ultrafiltration, nanofiltration, membrane brine concentration, clarification, carbon filtration, coagulation, electrocoagulation, nanobubbles, diffuse air filtration (DAF), screening, decanting or press filtration, electrooxidation, electrowinning, and any combination thereof.

203. A method of multistage water desalination and membrane brine concentration, the method comprising: fluidly coupling a first pump with a water storage tank configured to store pre-treated water; obtaining a plurality of filters, each of the plurality of filters being fluidly interconnected in series, the plurality of filters including a first filter, a second filter, and an end filter; fluidly coupling the first filter to the first pump; fluidly coupling a second pump with the second filter and the end filter of the plurality of the filters; fluidly coupling a stage pump to the plurality of filters; fluidly coupling a stage flowmeter to the stage pump, the state flowmeter configured to measure a stage flowrate; fluidly coupling a first flowmeter to the first filter and the stage flowmeter, the first flowmeter configured to measure a first flowrate;fluidly coupling an end flowmeter to the end filter, the first flowmeter, and the stage flowmeter, the end flowmeter configured to measure an end flowrate; fluidly coupling a reinjection flowmeter to the second pump, the first flowmeter, the end flowmeter, and the stage flowmeter, the reinjection flowmeter configured to measure a reinjection flowrate; fluidly coupling a second-stage filter with the stage pump, the stage flowmeter, the water storage tank, and the permeate water storage tank. flowing a pre-treated water stream from the water storage tank to the first pump; increasing the pre-treated water stream to a first pressure using the first pump and flowing the pre-treated water stream to the first filter; separating the pre-treated water stream into a first permeate water stream and a first concentrated water stream; flowing the first concentrated water stream to the second filter; separating the first concentrated water stream into a second permeate water stream and a second concentrated water stream; flowing the second concentrated water stream to the end filter; separating the second concentrated water stream into an end permeate water stream and an end concentrated water stream; upon the end flowrate being equal to the reinjection flowrate, flowing the end permeate water stream to the second pump; increasing the end permeate water stream to the second pressure using the second pump and flowing the end permeate water stream to the second filter; upon the first flowrate being equal to the state flowrate, flowing the first permeate water stream to the state pump; and using the stage pump, increasing the first permeate water stream to a stage pressure and flowing the first permeate water stream to the second-stage filter.

204. The method of claim 203, further comprising: using the second-stage filter, separating the first permeate water stream into a stage permeate water stream and a stage concentrated water stream; and flowing the stage concentrated water stream to the water storage tank.

205. The method of claim 204, further comprising a permeate water storage tank configured to receive the stage permeate water stream.

206. The method of claim 203, further comprising: fluidly coupling a second flowmeter to the second filter, the first flowmeter, and the stage flowmeter, the second flowmeter configured to measure a second flowrate; and upon the stage flowrate being equal to a sum of the first flowrate and the second flowrate, flow a combined permeate water stream of the first permeate water stream and the second permeate water stream to the stage pump.

207. The method of claim 206, further comprising: fluidly interconnected a third filter of the plurality of filters with the second filter and the end filter; fluidly coupling a third flowmeter to the third filter, the second flowmeter, the end flowmeter, and the stage flowmeter, the third flowmeter configured to measure a third flowrate; using the third filter, separating the second concentrated water stream into a third permeate water stream and a third concentrated water stream; flowing the third concentrated water stream to the end filter; and upon the stage flowrate being equal to a sum of the first flowrate, the second flowrate, and the third flowrate, flowing a combined permeate water stream of the first permeate water stream, the second permeate water stream, and the third permeate water stream to the stage pump.

208. The method of claim 207, further comprising: fluidly interconnecting a fourth filter of the plurality of filters fluidly interconnected with the third filter and the end filter; fluidly coupling a fourth flowmeter to the fourth filter, the third flowmeter, the end flowmeter, and the stage flowmeter, the fourth flowmeter configured to measure a fourth flowrate,flowing the third concentrated water stream to the fourth filter; using the fourth filter, separating the third concentrated water stream into a fourth permeate water stream and a fourth concentrated water stream; and flowing the fourth concentrated water stream to the end filter.

209. The method of claim 208, further comprising: upon the reinjection flowrate being equal to a sum of the fourth flowrate and the end flowrate, flowing a combined permeate water stream of the fourth permeate water stream and the end permeate water stream to the second filter using the second pump.

210. The method of claim 208, further comprising: upon the reinjection flowrate being equal to a sum of the third flowrate, the fourth flowrate, and the end flowrate, flowing a combined permeate water stream of the third permeate water stream, the fourth permeate water stream, and the end permeate water stream to the second filter using the second pump.

211. The method of claim 208, further comprising: fluidly coupling a tank flowmeter to the third flowmeter; upon the stage flowrate being equal to a sum of the first flowrate and the second flowrate, flowing a combined permeate water stream of the first permeate water stream and the second permeate water stream to the stage pump; upon the reinjection flowrate being equal to a sum of the fourth flowrate and the end flowrate, flowing a combined permeate water stream of the fourth permeate water stream and the end permeate water stream to the second filter using the second pump; and upon the tank flowrate being equal to the third flowrate, flowing the third permeate water stream to water storage tank.

212. The method of claim 203, further comprising a concentrated water storage tank configured to receive the end concentrated water stream.

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