4507 results about "Desalination" patented technology

Desalination methods that include carbonate compound precipitation are provided. In certain embodiments, feed water is subjected to carbonate compound precipitation conditions prior to desalination. In certain embodiments, desalination waste brine is subjected to carbonate compound precipitation conditions. In yet other embodiments, both feed water and waste brine are subjected to carbonate compound precipitation conditions. Aspects of embodiments of the invention include carbone dioxide sequestration. Embodiments of the invention further employ a precipitate product of the carbonate compound precipitation conditions as a building material, e.g., a cement. Also provided are systems configured for use in methods of the invention.

An energy efficient desalination process that does not produce waste products involves the extraction of water from a first solution, such as seawater, by using a second concentrated solution to draw the water from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane. By manipulating the equilibrium of the soluble and insoluble species of solute within the second solution in favor of the soluble species of the solute, a saturated second solution can be used to generate osmotic pressure on the first solution. Also, by adjusting the equilibrium in favor of the less soluble species after the water has been drawn from the first solution, a portion of the solute can easily be precipitated out. Heating the second solution decomposes the solute into its constituent gasses. The constituent gasses and precipitated solute may be recycled through the process to affect the changes in equilibrium and eliminate waste products. Additionally, by using the waste steam from industrial sources and a heat pump to effectively distribute heat through the present method, the present method exhibits greater energy efficiency than prior art methods.

A reverse osmosis composite membrane that has a high salt rejection, a high water permeability, and a high fouling tolerance, and permits practical desalination at a relatively low pressure is provided by coating the surface of a reverse osmosis membrane of aromatic polyamide with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), for example, and controlling the surface zeta potential of the separation layer within±10 mV at pH 6. This reverse osmosis composite membrane is electrically neutral and controls the electrical adsorption of membrane-fouling substances having a charge group present in water. Therefore, a high separation property can be maintained without fouling the membrane even if water containing a surfactant or a transition metal component is supplied as raw water.

Disclosed herein are embodiments relating to particular systems comprising a selective transfer membrane that can be utilized in material separation. In certain embodiments, the membrane assembly comprises part of a desalination, distillation, liquid purification, and / or heating and cooling system. Other particular embodiments allow for a high rate of thermal capture by way of the system utilizing a selective transfer membrane. Certain preferred embodiments include a selective transfer membrane comprising an ionomeric polymer that is permeable to high dipole materials.

Methods and systems for low emission power generation in hydrocarbon recovery processes are provided. One system includes integrated pressure maintenance and miscible flood systems with low emission power generation. An alternative system provides for low emission power generation, carbon sequestration, enhanced oil recovery (EOR), or carbon dioxide sales using a hot gas expander and external combustor. Another alternative system provides for low emission power generation using a gas power turbine to compress air in the inlet compressor and generate power using hot carbon dioxide laden gas in the expander. Other efficiencies may be gained by incorporating heat cross-exchange, a desalination plant, co-generation, and other features.

A process for purification of fluids, for example, desalination of seawater or brackish water, using organic solutes in a concentrated water solution for use in a forward osmosis process, to extract fresh water out of salt water through the forward osmosis membrane, and subsequently separating the organic solutes out of the diluted forward osmosis permeate by cloud point extraction, thereby regenerating a concentrated organic solution for recycling to the forward osmosis process, and fresh water for potable water use.

A diffusion driven desalination apparatus and related method includes structure for receiving a heated water stream and creating at least one region having a thin film of water and structure for forcing a low humidity air stream over the thin film of water, wherein water from the thin film of water evaporates and diffuses into the air stream to create a humidified air stream. A diffusion tower including at least one plenum can be used to create and transfer the humidified air stream. At least one condenser, such as a direct contact condenser, condenses the humidified air stream, wherein purified water is produced. Waste heat from a power plant can be used to provide the heated water stream and power plants can use the waste heat generated to inexpensively provide purified water.

The invention relates to a desalination method and system that uses freeze crystallization technology that incorporates the use of compressed air energy as the source for freezing temperatures. When compressed air is released by a turbo expander, chilled air is produced as a by-product, wherein the chilled air is introduced into a crystallization chamber. Also injected into the chamber is a spray cloud of seawater droplets, which has been pre-chilled by heat exchange with the cold chamber walls, and which is then circulated and exposed to the chilled air in the chamber. The sizes of the droplets can vary, but are preferably predetermined, along with the relative temperatures, flows and speeds of the spray and chilled air, such that when the droplets are circulated within the chilled air, and settle at the bottom of the chamber, they are deposited at slightly above the eutectic temperature. This way, the ice / snow mass that forms at the bottom of the chamber will consist of frozen ice crystals, and a residue of salt water brine, which can runoff from the mass, either from the sides, or through any voids or channels that may form within the mass.

Methods and systems are provided for air conditioning, capturing combustion contaminants, desalination, and other processes using liquid desiccants.

An energy efficient desalination process that does not produce waste products involves the extraction of water from a first solution, such as seawater, by using a second concentrated solution to draw the water from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane. By manipulating the equilibrium of the soluble and insoluble species of solute within the second solution in favor of the soluble species of the solute, a saturated second solution can be used to generate osmotic pressure on the first solution. Also, by adjusting the equilibrium in favor of the less soluble species after the water has been drawn from the first solution, a portion of the solute can easily be precipitated out. Heating the second solution decomposes the solute into its constituent gasses. The constituent gasses and precipitated solute may be recycled through the process to affect the changes in equilibrium and eliminate waste products. Additionally, by using the waste steam from industrial sources and a heat pump to effectively distribute heat through the present method, the present method exhibits greater energy efficiency than prior art methods.

The invention relates to a universal system for producing cost effective energy particularly for cooling purposes. In one embodiment, wind turbines are used to generate electricity and compressed air energy, wherein the compressed air energy is used to co-generate electricity and chilled air. The chilled air is then used to chill water in either a mixing chamber, or a desalination system, wherein the chilled water is stored in a separation tank, wherein it can later be used to provide cooling for an air conditioning system for a facility. When desalination is used, the system produces chilled fresh drinking water which can be used for air conditioning, and then used as fresh drinking water. Any exhaust chilled air can be used directly for air conditioning.

A desalination apparatus capable of obtaining fresh water stably at low cost by utilizing low-temperature waste, wherein the desalination apparatus including a heat exchanger 92 cooperating with an evaporation can 60 so as to subject a low-temperature waste heat 11 and raw water 62 in the evaporation can 60 to heat exchange and generate water vapor 63 in the evaporation can 60; a condenser 98 cooperating with a raw water tank 72 so as to receive the water vapor 63 from the evaporation can 60, cool the water vapor 63 by subjecting the water vapor 63 and raw water 71 in the raw water tank 72 to heat exchange and obtain distilled water 76; a distilled water tank for storing the distilled water 76; vacuum means for evacuating the evaporation can 60 and depressurizing the inside thereof so as to promote generation of water vapor 63 in the evaporation can 60; and raw water supply means for supplying raw water to the evaporation can.

Disclosed is an improved method for the remineralization of process water in a desalination system. The method sequesters carbon dioxide gas (CO2) from seawater or concentrate (brine) of desalination process via a gas transfer membrane. The sequestered carbon dioxide gas (CO2) is thereafter used in the production of soluble calcium bicarbonate (Ca(HCO3)2). The calcium bicarbonate (Ca(HCO3)2) adds hardness and alkalinity to the resulting process water.

A method and apparatus for desalinating seawater which uses an ammonia bicarbonate forward osmosis desalination process. Seawater is pumped through one side of a membrane assembly. A draw solution is pumped through the other side of the membrane assembly. The draw solution withdraws water molecules from the seawater through the membrane into the draw solution. A draw solution separator receives a heated draw solution which then decomposes into ammonia, carbon dioxide and water. Potable water is separated from ammonia has and carbon dioxide gas. The ammonia gas and carbon dioxide gas are recombined with a portion of the potable water stream to reform the ammonium bicarbonate draw solution.

The invention relates to a desalination method and system that uses freeze crystallization technology that incorporates the use of compressed air energy as the source for freezing temperatures. When compressed air is released by a turbo expander, chilled air is produced as a by-product, wherein the chilled air is introduced into a crystallization chamber. Also injected into the chamber is a spray cloud of seawater droplets, which has been pre-chilled by heat exchange with the cold chamber walls, and which is then circulated and exposed to the chilled air in the chamber. The sizes of the droplets can vary, but are preferably predetermined, along with the relative temperatures, flows and speeds of the spray and chilled air, such that when the droplets are circulated within the chilled air, and settle at the bottom of the chamber, they are deposited at slightly above the eutectic temperature. This way, the ice / snow mass that forms at the bottom of the chamber will consist of frozen ice crystals, and a residue of salt water brine, which can runoff from the mass, either from the sides, or through any voids or channels that may form within the mass.

Provided herein composition and methods for nanoporous membranes comprising single walled, double walled, or multi-walled carbon nanotubes embedded in a matrix material. Average pore size of the carbon nanotube can be 6 nm or less. These membranes are a robust platform for the study of confined molecular transport, with applications in liquid and gas separations and chemical sensing including desalination, dialysis, and fabric formation.

Desalination methods that include carbonate compound precipitation are provided. In certain embodiments, feed water is subjected to carbonate compound precipitation conditions prior to desalination. In certain embodiments, desalination waste brine is subjected to carbonate compound precipitation conditions. In yet other embodiments, both feed water and waste brine are subjected to carbonate compound precipitation conditions. Aspects of embodiments of the invention include carbon dioxide sequestration. Embodiments of the invention further employ a precipitate product of the carbonate compound precipitation conditions as a building material, e.g., a cement. Also provided are systems configured for use in methods of the invention.

The invention discloses a high-selectivity composite nanofiltration membrane and a preparation method thereof. The high-selectivity composite nanofiltration membrane comprises a nonwoven layer and a polymer porous supporting layer; and the porous supporting layer is provided with one or two polyamide surface layers prepared by reacting polyamine and / or amine polyalcohol with chlorine polyacyl. Compared with the prior art, by forming one or two polyamide surface layers on the porous supporting layer through an interfacial polymerization method, the nanofiltration membrane has increased thickness of a surface layer, has more smooth, hydrolysis-resistant, oxidation-resistant and scratch-resistant surface, and improves pollution resistance; and the surface of the membrane can carry negative or positive charges, so that the composite nanofiltration membrane has a high-selectively functional desalting layer; besides, the method for preparing the composite nanofiltration membrane is simple to operate, high water flux and desalination rate are ensured under low pressure, and the service life of the membrane component is prolonged.

A desalination system is driven by a solar powered boiler that outputs a pressurized vapor to drive an expander that generates output motive force. A pump is responsive to the motive force to output pressurized saline water. A reverse osmosis unit receives the pressurized saline water to output fresh water and pressurized brine. A recuperator that transfers heat from the expander exhaust to the boiler feed liquid is incorporated to improve the efficiency of the system. In a particular embodiment, a hydraulic motor receives the pressurized brine and outputs an augmenting motive force to the pump. In another embodiment, a novel motorless boiler feed pump is defined.

Desalination methods that include carbonate compound precipitation are provided. In certain embodiments, feed water is subjected to carbonate compound precipitation conditions prior to desalination. In certain embodiments, desalination waste brine is subjected to carbonate compound precipitation conditions. In yet other embodiments, both feed water and waste brine are subjected to carbonate compound precipitation conditions. Aspects of embodiments of the invention include carbone dioxide sequestration. Embodiments of the invention further employ a precipitate product of the carbonate compound precipitation conditions as a building material, e.g., a cement. Also provided are systems configured for use in methods of the invention.

The present invention provides a membrane, kit, and method of making a hydrophilic-hydrophobic random copolymer membrane. The hydrophilic-hydrophobic random copolymer membrane includes a hydrophilic-hydrophobic random copolymer. The hydrophilic-hydrophobic random copolymer includes one or more hydrophilic monomers having a sulfonated polyarylsulfone monomer and a second monomer and one or more hydrophobic monomers having a non-sulfonated third monomer and a fourth monomer. The sulfonated polyarylsulfone monomer introduces a sulfonate into the hydrophilic-hydrophobic random copolymer prior to polymerization.

A method for removing dissolved solids, particularly salts, from water. An apparatus for performing the inventive method is disclosed. The aqueous solution to be treated, for example sea water, is atomized using special non-pneumatic nozzles, and sprayed into an evaporation chamber through which air, heated by waste heat, is blown. The micro-droplets undergo rapid evaporation in the chamber, resulting in the separation of the salt solids from the vapor phase of the water. The mixture of suspended solids and water vapor is filtered to remove and collect the salts, and the water vapor is condensed to collect the salt-free water.

Methods and systems are provided for air conditioning, capturing combustion contaminants, desalination, and other processes using liquid desiccants.

Methods and systems are provided for air conditioning, capturing combustion contaminants, desalination, and other processes using liquid desiccants.

A supercapacitor desalination cell is provided. The cell includes electrodes formed of conducting materials that are configured to adsorb ions in a charging state of the cell and desorb the ions in a discharging state of the cell. The conducting materials comprise conducting composites. An insulating spacer is disposed between the two electrodes and is configured to electrically isolate one electrode from the other. Further, the cell includes a first current collector coupled to the first electrode, and a second current collector coupled to the second electrode. Further, an energy recovery converter may be operatively associated with the cell and configured to recover energy released by the cell while transforming from a charging state to a discharging state. The converter is configured to transfer at least a portion of the recovered energy to a grid in the discharging state of the cell.

This invention relates to an asymmetric composite membrane containing a polymeric matrix and carbon nanotubes within a single membrane layer, where the carbon nanotubes are randomly oriented within the polymeric matrix and the composite membrane is formed by phase inversion. This invention also relates to a method for producing the composite membrane which includes: coating a surface with a film of a polymer solution containing a polymeric matrix and carbon nanotubes dissolved in at least one solvent; immersing the coated surface in a non-solvent to affect solvent / non-solvent demixing resulting in phase inversion to form a carbon nanotube-containing membrane; and optionally, removing the carbon nanotube-containing membrane from the surface. The invention also relates to a desalination method using the composite membrane.

The invention discloses a zero-emission integrated process for treatment and reuse of high-salinity wastewater. The invention relates to a softening desalination treatment technology of water and particularly relates to a reuse treatment system for reverse osmosis concentrated water containing low-concentration organic matters which can achieve the requirement of 'zero emission'. The integrated process comprises the following steps: (1) firstly softening and pre-treating the high-salinity wastewater; (2) acquiring pre-treated water by virtue of activated carbon adsorption and an ultrafiltration device; (3) acquiring nanofiltration softened water and nanofiltration concentrated water by virtue of a nanofiltration device; (4) acquiring reverse osmosis softened water and reverse osmosis concentrated water by virtue of a reverse osmosis device; (5) acquiring electrodialysis softened water and electrodialysis concentrated water by virtue of an electrodialysis device; and (6) carrying out evaporation crystallization treatment on the electrodialysis concentrated water by virtue of an evaporation-crystallization device, regularly outwards transporting salts generated by the evaporation crystallization, feeding generated salt into a water-producing tank to enter a reuse system and finally completing the treatment and reuse of high-salinity wastewater. The integrated process is mainly used for the integrated treatment of the high-salinity wastewater.

Methods and systems are provided for air conditioning, capturing combustion contaminants, desalination, and other processes using liquid desiccants.

A mobile emergency response apparatus providing water collection, handling, treatment, and storage capabilities, as well as serving as mobile telecommunication system. The apparatus comprises a raw water filtration system, a sodium ion exchange system, a storage system with a plurality of tanks, a reverse osmosis system, and heating and distributions systems. The apparatus also comprises a mobile electrical power system. Optionally, the apparatus includes a desalination system, a disinfection system, a rainwater collection system, a fluid containment and recovery system, and an auxiliary fluid distribution system. The disinfection system may include a chlorination, ultraviolet light, or ozone disinfection system, and may further include a distillation system that may be conventionally powered or solar powered. Water may be distributed through a plurality of auxiliary devices. The telecommunication system includes both satellite and terrestrial transmission and receiving capability, and location identification devices such as a global positioning system and a radiolocation system.