Gas Hydrate Desalination System with Phase Transition Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current gas hydrate desalination systems face challenges in determining phase equilibria and hydrate phase properties, and are inefficient and high in energy consumption due to inadequate understanding and control of hydrate morphology, salt deposition, and separation of unreacted water, limiting their industrialization and scalability.
Innovation Solution
A gas hydrate desalination system comprising a hydrate crystallizer reactor with a detachable water jacket, thermocouples, sapphire glass lenses, and a data acquisition system for monitoring pressure, temperature, and hydrate morphologies, along with a sieve filter column for separating carbon dioxide hydrate and salt brine, which includes a magnetic stirrer and a cooling system to stabilize temperature and promote rapid discharge of salt brine.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional desalination technologies (MED, MSF, RO) are used, then large-scale production is achieved, but energy requirements are high and environmental protection is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention utilizes gas hydrate formation and decomposition phase transitions to achieve desalination. Gas (e.g., CO2) forms hydrate crystals with water molecules at specific pressure-temperature conditions, then decomposes to release pure water vapor, separating it from salt. This phase transition-based process requires significantly less energy than thermal distillation or high-pressure membrane processes while maintaining large-scale production capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces gas hydrate as an intermediary substance in the desalination process. Gas molecules act as mediators that facilitate water molecule organization into crystal structures, enabling selective water-salt separation. The gas hydrate forms temporarily during the process, then decomposes to yield pure water, with the gas being regenerated and reused, creating an efficient low-energy cycle.
2Reliability
If gas hydrate desalination is performed in batches with quiescent systems, then hydrate formation occurs, but kinetics are slow and thermodynamic equilibria are not well understood
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies mechanical vibration to the gas hydrate crystallization system to enhance mass and heat transfer, accelerate hydrate formation kinetics, and promote uniform crystal growth. The vibration prevents local stagnation, improves gas-liquid contact efficiency, and reduces induction time significantly compared to quiescent batch systems, while maintaining reliable hydrate formation and enabling better control of thermodynamic equilibria.
3Use of energy by moving object
If gas hydrate desalination systems are developed, then energy consumption is reduced, but understanding and control of hydrate morphology, salt deposition, and separation is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements feedback control systems that continuously monitor hydrate formation progress, crystal morphology, and salt deposition patterns using sensors and imaging techniques. Real-time data on pressure, temperature, and hydrate characteristics feed back to control algorithms that adjust operating parameters (gas flow rate, cooling rate, agitation speed) to optimize crystal growth and minimize salt fouling, enabling precise control despite reduced energy input.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies preliminary actions such as surface treatment of crystallization substrates, pre-cooling of the system, and controlled nucleation induction before main hydrate formation begins. These preliminary steps create optimal conditions for desired crystal morphology and prevent unwanted salt deposition, making the subsequent low-energy process more controllable and effective.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system enables efficient determination of phase equilibria and hydrate kinetics, reduces energy consumption, and facilitates the separation of freshwater from seawater, making it more viable for large-scale desalination by improving hydrate formation and dissociation processes.
Implementation Method 1
Gas hydrate formation is an established technology utilized in several industries for applications such as gas hydrate inhibition, gas separation, gas storage, and gas transport. Gas hydrate formation as an approach to provide freshwater was first reported in the literature in the 1800s
Implementation Method 2
heat transfer tubes configured to cool hydrate crystals formed in the hydrate crystallizer reactor
Implementation Method 3
detachable water jacket surrounding a portion of the hydrate crystallizer reactor
Implementation Method 4
a plurality of thermocouples disposed within the hydrate crystallizer reactor
Implementation Method 5
a pressure sensor disposed inside the hydrate crystallizer reactor
Implementation Method 6
a sieve filter column for separating carbon dioxide hydrate and salt brine
Implementation Method 7
which includes a magnetic stirrer and a cooling system to stabilize temperature
Implementation Method 8
Decomposition of the hydrate consequently forms freshwater, rendering a process that achieves seawater desalination by freezing
Data Source
AI summary
A gas hydrate desalination system that includes a reactor with a detachable water jacket and thermocouples. The reactor has a detachable lid having a liquid inlet, a gas inlet, sapphire glass lenses, and lid cameras. An exit concentrate channel is provided at a bottom of the reactor. A mixing unit of the system includes a liquid storage tank connected to the reactor through the liquid inlet, and a gas feed cylinder connected the reactor through the gas inlet. A resolving unit of the system includes a sieve filter column for filtering brine from gas hydrate. The sieve filter column is connected to the exit concentrate channel and a first fraction column, which is connected to a brine column. The channel is further connected to a second fraction column, which is connected to the brine column for separating freshwater from the gas hydrate.