Abstract: A filtration system includes an outer casing (210) that houses a plurality of elongated inner casings (220A–220F), which in turn house a plurality of filtration membranes. The outer casing, inner casing, and filtration membranes are disposed relative to one another to provide a three-flow channel system that provides additional feed fluid at one or more membrane couplings between membranes of the same inner casing. Ths arrangement defines a feed fluid flow path in which a feed fluid exiting from an upstream filter into a downstream filter is diluted by additional feed fluid.

Abstract: An electrolysis system (10) has a head portion (18) to a well casing (30). The head portion (18) has a hydrogen discharge (12), an oxygen discharge (12) and a water feed path (20) which is in fluid communication with an electrolyte reservoir (36) which is defined by the well casing (30). The oxygen discharge (14) is fluidly coupled to the oxygen conduit (38) and the hydrogen discharge (12) is fluidly coupled to the hydrogen conduit (40). An electrolyzer with the oxygen conduit 38) and hydrogen conduit (40). The electrolyzer is electronically coupled to an AC/DC converter (52) and may be fluidly coupled to an atomizer (50) and chemical collector (48).

Abstract: A filtration system has a plurality of filtration modules disposed within an outer casing, which produce both a low pressure filtrate and a high pressure waste fluid from a pressurized feed fluid. The subsystem used to pressurize the feed fluid is mechanically coupled to the subsystem used to recover energy from the waste fluid such that energy in the high pressure waste fluid is used to pressurize the feed fluid. The pressurization and energy recovery subsystems are preferably coupled using a common drive shaft and at least one of the pressurization and energy recovery subsystems may advantageously contain a turbine.

Abstract: A modularized filtration system includes multiple production modules mechanically coupled in series to form a production chain, and fluidly coupled by parallel feed fluid, waste fluid, and product fluid flowpaths. The system also includes a turbine, work exchange unit, or other energy recovery device to extract energy from the waste fluid. The system may also advantageously include a pressurization device for pressurizing a feed fluid, and provide a common drive shaft for the energy recovery and pressurization devices.

Abstract: A filtration system includes production modules (305) which are mechanically coupled in series, and which contain filters that are fluidly coupled in parallel. Among the many different possibilities contemplated, each production module may advantageously contain not only a filter (314), but also flowpaths for feed fluid (334a), waste fluid (334b), and product fluid (334c) so that a series of coupled modules can be installed, accessed, and removed as single unit. It is further contemplated that coupled modules may be deployed in space efficient manner, such as by insertion into a deep or shall well, a tower, along the ground, into the side of a hill or mountain, or even under a road or parking lot. It is still further contemplated that adjacent production modules may be designed to mate with one another using a slip fit joint, and that the production modules may be maintained in mating relationship through connections to supporting cables or rods.

Abstract: In a centrifugal pump, a sealing ring is affixed to the rotating shaft through which pumpate flows, and a non-rotating, axially slidable sealing member is biased against the sealing ring. In preferred embodiments the slidable sealing member sealingly additionally engages a second sealing member which is stationary with respect to the motor housing. In particularly preferred embodiments slidable sealing members are positioned near each end of the motor housing, with the sealing ring interposed between a rolling bearing and a slidable sealing member.

Abstract: A method of purifying fluids in which a filter is disposed at sufficient depth in a channel, a fluid is electrolyzed to produce a gas, and expansion of the gas is used to raised the filtrate upwards. The methods are contemplated to be particularly useful with salty or brackish feed fluids, and in which the channel provides a head pressure equivalent to a depth of at least 100 meters, or more preferably several hundred meters. The electrolysis preferably employs a catalyst, and produces hydrogen and oxygen.

Abstract: A combination of an air lift pump and a mechanical pump is used to lift a fluid from a lower level to a higher level. In preferred embodiments compressed air is released below the level of a submerged mechanical pump having an impeller, such that the compressed air impinges upon the low pressure side of the impeller. The combination may be used advantageously in conjunction with a semipermeable membrane disposed within a deep channel to lift a purified fluid.

Abstract: An improved pipe for positioning on the bottom of a body of water comprises a non-cylindrical shape and a widened, bottom contacting, base portion. Various embodiments of the improved pipe have a decreased tendency to float, to migrate upwards through a covering material, and/or to clog.The improved pipe may advantageously comprise a `D` shape wherein the widened, bottom contacting, base portion of the pipe is the flat portion of the `D`. The pipe may also have wings which extend the width of the base portion beyond the point at which the curved wall of the pipe contacts the base portion. The pipe may also have filter plugs removeably engaged in fluid inlet/outlet orifices. In some embodiments, the orifices will be positioned on the bottom of the pipe as part of the widened bottom contacting base portion.

Abstract: A semi-permeable membrane based purification system expresses permeate through a membrane, and uses an air lift pump to raise the permeate. In particularly preferred embodiments, a plurality of membranes are positioned at least several hundred feet below the surface of the each, and are used to desalinate salty or brackish water. Ozone may be used to further purify the water and help maintain the integrity of the membranes.

Abstract: The weight of a fluid is used to drive a plurality of semi-permeable membranes or other filter material to produce a permeate, and in at least some level of the apparatus more than 30% of the permeate produced is collected within a single filter casing. In other aspects, the filter material is at least partially contained within series production modules, which may contain transport zones for transporting feed or flushing fluid. In other aspects the ends of adjacent production modules may be designed to mate with one another using a slip fit, and the production modules may be maintained in mating relationship through connections to supporting cables or rods. In still other aspects of the inventive subject matter a submerged pump may be used to raise permeate towards the surface, and the pump may advantageously operate at least partially using centrifugal and/or air lift principles.

Abstract: A plurality of reverse osmosis units each having a cavity and a membrane are placed within a deep channel. The channel contains an unpurified liquid, and the membranes communicate directly with the unpurified liquid in the channel. The level of unpurified liquid is such that the differential pressure across the membranes is sufficient to cause purified liquid to accumulate in the cavities, from which it is emptied and pumped to the surface. The high pressure sides of the membranes are flushed by unpurified liquid being pumped through the channel. In this manner, a relatively large percentage of the channel diameter can be utilized, and the mechanisms can be implied over prior systems in which unpurified and purified liquids are piped from one reverse osmosis unit to another.

Abstract: A new integral motor/pump design utilizing a combination centrifugal enclosed impeller, shaft and feeder conduit. Whereby the impeller drive shaft serves a dual purpose of providing applied power from the hollow motor driveshaft directly to the impeller blade or blades and also is a fluid entrance conduit for the impeller media feed. The present invention hollow motor drive shaft, hollow impeller shaft and enclosed impeller also incorporates optional changeable impeller leading edge blades. These blades help facilitate the most efficient flow of various fluids and pumped media. The present invention utilizes simplicity of design whereby inspection and service accessibility is optimized. Design configuration renders radial thrust bearing curves more applicable to a broad range of applications and extended motor/pump service life.