Selective Transfer Membrane for Desalination via Phase Transition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current desalination methods, such as reverse osmosis, are energy-intensive, costly, and prone to membrane fouling due to the need for pressure to force water through hydrophobic membranes, which also allows contaminants to pass through, reducing efficacy and requiring complex cleaning systems.

Innovation Solution

A desalination system using a non-porous selective transfer membrane with ionomeric polymer domains that allows high-dipole moment materials like water to pass while preventing dissolved ions, utilizing a membrane assembly with a support structure and a heat exchanger to facilitate efficient water transfer and thermal energy management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If pressure is applied to force water through hydrophobic membranes in reverse osmosis, then water can be desalinated, but energy consumption increases and membrane fouling occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater productionVSAvoidenergy consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention utilizes phase transition of water from liquid to vapor and back to liquid through temperature difference across the membrane. The warm side causes water to evaporate through the membrane while the cold side causes condensation, eliminating the need for high pressure and reducing energy consumption compared to reverse osmosis.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces the mechanical pressure-driven system of reverse osmosis with a thermally-driven phase change system. Instead of using mechanical pressure to force water through hydrophobic membranes, the system uses temperature differential to drive water vapor through the membrane, reducing mechanical energy input.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Quantity of substance

If pressure is applied to force water through hydrophobic membranes, then desalination occurs, but contaminants can pass through reducing efficacy

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater productionVSAvoidcontaminant passage

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

By utilizing phase transition from liquid to vapor, the invention leaves contaminants including dissolved ions in the liquid phase on the warm side while only water vapor passes through the membrane to condense on the cold side, achieving effective separation without contaminant passage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

3Productivity

If hydrophobic membranes are used with pressure differential, then water can be forced through, but complex cleaning systems are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater production rateVSAvoidcleaning system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the pressure-driven mechanical system with a thermally-driven phase change system, which inherently prevents contaminant accumulation on the membrane surface that would require complex cleaning systems, while maintaining water production rate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Quantity of substance

If micro-porous membranes are used for evaporation, then water can transfer through, but dissolved ions precipitate forming barricades

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater transferVSAvoidmembrane performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention uses phase transition from liquid to vapor at the membrane interface, which leaves dissolved ions behind in the liquid phase and prevents their precipitation on the membrane surface, maintaining reliable membrane performance over time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

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 achieves efficient water desalination with reduced energy consumption and minimized membrane fouling, maintaining production rates while being more cost-effective and robust compared to traditional methods.

Implementation Method 1

the membrane assembly being configured to allow at least a portion of the high-dipole moment first material to pass through the membrane assembly into the second material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPermeation: Permeation

Implementation Method 2

the first material transfers thermal energy to the second material, thereby cooling the first material and heating the second material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeat exchange: Heat Exchanger

Implementation Method 3

having a second temperature lower than the first temperature, the first material transfers thermal energy to the second material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS8500960B2Multi-phase selective mass transfer through a membrane

Publication Date: 2013.08.06 TANGREDI PATRICIA

AI summary

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.