Water Purification Only Patents (Class 203/10)
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Publication number: 20100059358Abstract: A distiller to be used for water purification, said distiller comprising a condenser, an evaporation pan, means for allowing heated air to enter below said pan and joining an airflow above the pan, and an evaporator for collecting water from the airflow The method for purifying water using this distiller is to draw airflow above the evaporation pan containing contaminated water, passing the airflow across a cooling element, into a heat pipe, through a condenser and through the evaporation pan Purified water is collected from the airflow when it is passed across the cooling element.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 21, 2008Publication date: March 11, 2010Applicant: FREEDOM WATER COMPANY LTD.Inventors: Jonathan Ritchey, Richard Weisbeck
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Patent number: 7670456Abstract: In a multi-effect falling-film evaporator, purified water for special purposes is produced. In each effect, a steam phase and a water phase is produced from the feed water. The steam phase is used for heating in the subsequent effect, whereby it condenses to product water, and the water phase becomes the feed stream for the subsequent effect. A reject stream is removed from the process to carry off impurities separated from the water. According to the invention, a reject stream is removed from each effect. Preferably, each reject stream is a condensed fraction of the steam generated in the respective effect.Type: GrantFiled: May 14, 2004Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: STERIS Europe Inc. Suomen SivuliikeInventors: Teppo Nurminen, Mauri Salmisuo
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Patent number: 7666281Abstract: Purified water for special purposes is produced using a falling-film multieffect evaporator. From the feed water, each effect produces a steam phase and a water phase. The steam phase is used for heating in the subsequent evaporating step, whereby the steam phase condenses to product water, and the water phase becomes feed water for the subsequent evaporation step. According to the invention, the product water may be wholly or partly recycled to the initial feed water, allowing process startup and sterilisation of the plant without conducting hot product water to the drain.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2004Date of Patent: February 23, 2010Assignee: STERIS Europe Inc. Suomen SivuliikeInventors: Ilkka Olavi Laitinen, Teppo Nurminen, Mauri Salmisuo
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Publication number: 20100032280Abstract: Systems and methods for desalting seawater by means of distillation are disclosed. Warm air is fed into the bottom of a natural draft tower. The warm air passes through seawater in an exchange means to increase the water content of the air. The moisture-laden air then rises and is drawn through a condensing means. The condensing means is cooled by cold water drawn from deep ocean depths.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 26, 2006Publication date: February 11, 2010Inventor: Alan Dayton Akers
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Patent number: 7638059Abstract: The present invention relates to an oxygen isotope separation system and a method therefor. More specifically, the invention relates to a newly invented pressure-driven AGMD (Air Gap Membrane Distillation) system applied to a multi-stage membrane distillation cells which can produce an oxygen isotope effectively and economically, and a method therefor. The invention provides an oxygen isotope separation system including a number of Air Gap Membrane Distillation (AGMD) permeation cells connected in series to separate a feed into a product and a tail, wherein each of the AGMD cell is connected at a tail outlet with a reflux pump and at a product outlet, whereby the product from (i?1)th cell and the tail from (i+1)th cell are pumped as the feed into ith cell.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2007Date of Patent: December 29, 2009Assignee: Korea Atomic Energy Research InstituteInventors: JaeWoo Kim, Hwa-Rim Choi, Dae-Shik Chang, Yun-Young Choi
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Publication number: 20090313996Abstract: A system and method for decontaminating water and generating water vapor includes introducing contaminated water in to a vessel. The water is moved through a series of rotating trays alternately separated by stationary baffles so as to swirl and heat the water to effect the vaporization thereof to produce a vapor having at least some of the contaminants separated therefrom. The vapor is removed from the vessel for condensing apart from the separated contaminants and the remaining water. The vapor may be passed through a turbine connected to an electric generator. Sensors in a controller may be employed to adjust the speed of rotation of the trays or water input into the vessel in response to the sensed conditions. The treated water may be recirculated and reprocessed through the vessel to increase the purification thereof.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 22, 2009Publication date: December 24, 2009Applicant: VERNO HOLDINGS, LLCInventors: John D. Riley, Dana L. Johnson
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Publication number: 20090297431Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating draw solution solutes and product solvent from a draw solution using a plurality of distillation columns. In one embodiment, the draw solution is used in a Forward Osmosis (FO) water desalination process. In this embodiment, the draw solution is directed to the plurality of distillation columns in parallel while the energy stream (heat) is directed to the plurality of distillation columns in series such that the efficiency of heat use is improved and in turn the cost of the heat is reduced.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 7, 2007Publication date: December 3, 2009Applicant: YALE UNIVERSITYInventors: Robert L. McGinnis, Elimelech Menachem
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Publication number: 20090277770Abstract: The invention disclosed and claimed herein relates to treatment of water contaminated with glycol to be recycled for further effective use of the cleaned water resulting therefrom, especially at airports. More specifically, this invention relates to improved techniques for efficiently and reliably generating continuous flows of cleaned water as well as a continuous flow of recyclable glycol water of controlled concentration.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2008Publication date: November 12, 2009Inventor: Brad Michael Malatesta
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Patent number: 7611604Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the production of pure steam. A falling-film evaporator is used. Of the water-steam mixture leaving the evaporator unit, part of the water is collected at the bottom of the device, and a fraction mainly consisting of steam enters a rising spiral channel for the separation of impurities. In the periphery of the spiral channel apertures are provided for separating impurity-containing droplets, which condense on a surface outside the apertures. The liquid formed is removed from the device. The water phase collected at the bottom enters a recycle line connected to the feed end of the evaporator unit. Feed water is supplied to the recycle line to compensate for pure steam consumption.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2003Date of Patent: November 3, 2009Assignee: STERIS Europe Inc.Inventors: Mauri Salmisuo, Ilkka Olavi Laitinen
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Patent number: 7608171Abstract: A distillation system for distilling contaminated water includes an evaporation chamber for receiving the contaminated water. The evaporation chamber includes (i) a vessel for absorbing the contaminated water; (ii) a plurality of heat conductive pipes extending through the vessel for delivering the contaminated water to the vessel; and (iii) a heat source for heating the plurality of heat conductive pipes for evaporating the contaminated water absorbed by the vessel and causing the at least one contaminant to be retained by the vessel. A condensation chamber is connected to the evaporation chamber for receiving the evaporated water for condensing and producing purified water in liquid form. A storage device is connected to the condensation chamber for storing the purified liquid water.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2005Date of Patent: October 27, 2009Inventor: Samuel Okwaja Otukol
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Patent number: 7597785Abstract: A sub-atmospheric pressure desalinating still employs a closed top, open bottom pipe filled with source water to be distilled, such as seawater, having a height greater than the height of a column of seawater that can be supported by the pressure at the bottom of the tank so that a subatmospheric pressure volume is formed at the top. Water from the source is also pumped into the subatmospheric volume and passed through an evaporator which enlarges its surface volume. A small percentage of the water is vaporized and the balance is cooled to provide the heat of vaporization and falls into the top of the seawater column, creating a downward flow. The vapor is drawn from the vacuum and condensed, preferably in a second subatmospheric volume above a column of fresh water.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2008Date of Patent: October 6, 2009Assignee: Smart VCR Limited PartnershipInventor: Michael R. Levine
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Patent number: 7594980Abstract: Device for distillation, for example extraction of fresh water from sea water, including a number of chambers (3) at least in one row, an inlet (10) for distillation fluid, an outlet (11) for the distillation residue, an outlet (5) for the distillate, and a gas compressor (13). Further, the device includes two pipe systems (1,2), where the first pipe system (1) has an inlet (10) for the distillation fluid and an outlet (11) for the distillation residue, together with an outlet (12) for damp. The second pipe system (2) has a number of chambers (3) in a row, each row (3) having an upper inlet (4) for damp and a lower outlet (5) for distillate. The inlets (4) are connected in parallel, and the outlets (5) are connected in parallel.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2002Date of Patent: September 29, 2009Assignee: GND Water ASInventor: Olav E. Sandstad
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Publication number: 20090223803Abstract: The invention provides an assembly for desalinating water comprising a cold air duct open to the dry channels of the evaporative cooler and extending around a humidification chamber disposed between the evaporative cooler and the condenser. The invention provides for a film valve including a flexible sheet intersecting the cold air duct for controlling air flow along the cold air duct to the condenser. The film valve allows for a fraction, or all of the cool air in the cold air duct to be utilized for comfort cooling.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2008Publication date: September 10, 2009Inventors: Mohinder Singh Bhatti, Ilya Reyzin, Shrikant Mukund Joshi, John Benoit
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Patent number: 7572352Abstract: Salt-containing water is desalinated by first passing salt-containing water through a heat exchanger disposed in a basin containing solar-heated brine formed by several layers of water lying one above the other in the basin, each of the layers of water forming the brine having a higher salt content than the layer present there above. The heat exchanger is in the lowermost layer of water having a higher temperature than the temperature of the layers of water lying above the lowermost layer of water. The salt-containing water is heated in the basin by solar energy indirect heat exchange with the solar-heated brine to obtain heated salt-containing water. At least part of the heated salt-containing water is evaporated to obtain water vapor, and the water vapor is condensed to obtain desalinated water.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 2003Date of Patent: August 11, 2009Inventor: Hans Josef Van Els
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Patent number: 7566351Abstract: The invention comprises, in one form thereof, a technique which allows biomass to be utilized as a fuel for the co-production of electrical power and potable water in a most efficient manner. Almost any biomass is suitable as a feedstock and biomass which is locally available may be used to fuel the process. The biomass is fed into a gasification device to produce a gas stream containing appreciable amounts of carbon monoxide and hydrogen. The gas stream is used to fuel an electrical generation system Waste heat from the electrical generation system is recovered and used in the purification of saline, brakish or river and well water to produce highly pure potable water.Type: GrantFiled: April 20, 2007Date of Patent: July 28, 2009Assignee: Zeropoint Clean Tech, Inc.Inventors: Philip D. Leveson, John Paul Gaus
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Publication number: 20090173617Abstract: A method and an apparatus for desalinizing raw water are disclosed. The method can include wicking the raw water into a porous material by capillary action and heating the raw water in the porous material with a heating element to form water vapor. The water vapor then can be condensed to form purified water. The apparatus can include a chamber for holding raw water, a heating element, a sheet of porous material and a chamber for collecting water vapor evaporated from the raw water in the porous material.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 11, 2005Publication date: July 9, 2009Inventor: George E. Wilson
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Patent number: 7553396Abstract: A system for generating purified water from polluted water which includes an entry chamber communicating with a source of polluted water, a pump for delivering water vapor from the entry chamber to the vapor chamber, and a passageway for delivering condensed water from the vapor chamber to a reservoir of purified water.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2008Date of Patent: June 30, 2009Inventor: Joel Vance Miller
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Publication number: 20090152093Abstract: A distillation device for treating liquid to be purified comprising: a) a boiler having an upper chamber (1B) and a lower chamber (1A); b) a liquid delivery system (1) for delivering the liquid to the lower chamber (1A); c) a heater (14) to heat the lower chamber (1A) to a predetermined temperature at which the liquid will be vaporized upon entering and/or contacting a surface of the lower chamber (1A); d) a vapor collector (9, 11) located in the upper chamber (1B) to receive and collect the vapor emanating from the lower chamber (1A); and e) a condenser (1C) in communication with the vapor collector (9, 11) to receive and condense that vapor into purified liquid.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2005Publication date: June 18, 2009Inventor: Frederick William Millar
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Patent number: 7540936Abstract: An evaporator for receiving waste fluid stream and producing separate streams of an evaporated fluid and a condensate liquid for use in industrial waste treatment has a curved pathway bounded by a casing having an inlet port through which the waste fluid enters the casing. The casing defines a pathway having a flow direction therein through which the waste fluid stream flows, and within which casing the evaporated fluid is produced. The casing has a drain beneath the pathway through which the condensate passes, and an outlet through which the evaporated fluid is drawn. A series of fins of elongate aerofoil cross-section are located in and extend across the pathway in the flow direction of the waste fluid stream flowing along the pathway. The casing is curved and the fins are arranged parallel to a tangent of the curve.Type: GrantFiled: September 6, 2002Date of Patent: June 2, 2009Assignee: Industrial Waste Treatment LimitedInventor: Richard Lilleystone
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Publication number: 20090127091Abstract: A process for treating produced water to generate high pressure steam. Produced water from heavy oil recovery operations is treated by first removing oil and grease. Pretreated produced water is then fed to an evaporator. Up to 95% or more of the pretreated produced water stream is evaporated to produce (1) a distillate having a trace amount of residual solutes therein, and (2) evaporator blowdown containing substantially all solutes from the produced water feed. The distillate may be directly used, or polished to remove the trace residual solutes before being fed to a steam generator. Steam generation in a packaged boiler, such as a water tube boiler having a steam drum and a mud drum with water cooled combustion chamber walls, produces 100% quality high pressure steam for down-hole use.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2008Publication date: May 21, 2009Inventor: William F. Heins
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Patent number: 7527711Abstract: A continuous supply of fresh water achieved through desalinization by a system of Venturi shafts to increase the velocity and pressure of air flow allowing for increased condensation and processing of evaporated water through a structure (1) that incorporates a blackened evaporation surface (16), concave Venturi wind walls (50), a vertical Venturi wind shaft (10), condensation chambers (5) connected by horizontally stacked hollow cylinders (61), a heat transfer duct (40) that draws cool air from a water body, vents hot air through an air exhaust port (48), and a water drainage port (35) that flows water to a reservoir (36).Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2004Date of Patent: May 5, 2009Assignee: Desal, LLCInventor: Jeffrey Ciudaj
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Publication number: 20090101490Abstract: Devices and methods for water purification are provided. An improved demister (70) for removing liquid or other particles from steam is disclosed. The demister can have adjustable outlets. In other embodiments, a demister apparatus is placed, at least partially, inside a boiler apparatus (310). Additionally, a filter flow indicator (401) that provides an optical indication of the efficiency of a water filter is also provided. The filter flow indicator has a viewable side passage that connects the input and output sides of a filter unit. A weighted object, such as a ball (440), can move up and down the side passage in response to the pressure differential in the filter system. The user can determine the status of the filter by viewing the location of the weighted object in the side passage. Additionally, a device and method of adding various minerals back to purified water in order to improve the flavor of the water is described.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2006Publication date: April 23, 2009Applicant: Sylvan Source, Inc.Inventor: Eugene Thiers
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Patent number: 7517493Abstract: Methods for inhibiting corrosion in aqueous evaporative systems where soluble silica (SiO2) is maintained at residuals between 10 Mg/L and saturation, but more preferably maintained at greater than 300 mg/L as SiO2, to provide corrosion inhibiting silica films that protect system metals. Silica is provided by evaporation of water and subsequent concentration and transformation of silica naturally contained in source water. The methods of the present invention provide highly effective inhibition of corrosion for mild steel, copper, stainless steel, aluminum, zinc, galvanized steel and various alloys of such metals. The methods of the present invention comprise pretreatment removal of polyvalent metal ions from the makeup source water, maintenance of concentration of monovalent metal ions, and controlling pH at a minimum of 7.0 in the presence of an elevated temperature aqueous environment.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2006Date of Patent: April 14, 2009Inventors: Dan A. Duke, John L. Kubis
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Patent number: 7510658Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for desalinating water are provided. A vessel includes a water intake system, a reverse osmosis system, a concentrate discharge system, a permeate transfer system, a power source, and a control system. The concentrate discharge system includes a plurality of concentrate discharge ports.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2006Date of Patent: March 31, 2009Assignee: Water Standard Company LLCInventor: Andrew W. Gordon
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Patent number: 7507316Abstract: The solar still has a frame, an evaporator within the frame and a glass sheet supported by the frame and spaced above the evaporator. The evaporator has a peripheral flange in contact with the edge of the glass sheet. The glass sheet and peripheral flange are nested within an inwardly facing channel on the frame, the sealing between the glass and the flange being by surface tension of water between the glass and the flange.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2003Date of Patent: March 24, 2009Inventor: John Ward
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Patent number: 7504005Abstract: A condensing chamber and a heating chamber are arranged in an enclosure. Liquid is fed into the condensing chamber where it is pre-heated. The pre-heated liquid flows to the heating chamber where it is boiled to produce vapor. Gas sparging in the condensing chamber enhances heat transfer and absorbs additional vapor generated by pre-heating. The condenser is a helical or other horizontal tube heat exchanger.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2005Date of Patent: March 17, 2009Inventors: Naisin Lee, Stephen F. Sporer
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Patent number: 7501046Abstract: An evaporation sleeve is placed within a solar distillation loop apparatus to increase the amount of water evaporated by the apparatus. The evaporation sleeve is rotationally attached within the above ground portion of the solar distillation loop so the sleeve lifts impure water into the air flow within the system. The evaporation sleeve significantly increases the water surface area available to the air flow within a solar distillation loop.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 2005Date of Patent: March 10, 2009Assignee: The United States of American, as represented by the Secretary of the InteriorInventor: James Edward Constantz
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Patent number: 7494573Abstract: The invention relates to an evaporator tube for a sea water desalination system, whereby drinking water or water for domestic or industrial purposes, respectively, is extracted from the sea in particular in areas having scarce fresh-water resources. The evaporator tube of the invention is characterized by being formed of a steel that is sea water resistant and at the same time acid resistant, and by having a wall thickness between 0.1 mm and 0.5 mm. The evaporator tube of the invention may be furnished and utilized economically, and is characterized in particular by a high corrosion resistance at good heat transition owing to the thin wall, and by good resistance against low pH values. In addition, scaling on the evaporator tubes may reliably be prevented. It is therefore also suited for economical operation in intermittently operated sea water desalination systems such as, e.g., wind energy-powered sea water desalination systems.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2003Date of Patent: February 24, 2009Assignee: Wme Gesellschaft Fur Windkraftbetriebene Meerwasserentsalzung MbHInventor: Ulrich Plantikow
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Patent number: 7494572Abstract: A mechanical water still (10) includes an impervious dome-like upper surface (12) and a membrane base (14) that is coupled (26) to the impervious dome-like structure (12) to form, when inflated, a chamber (20). The membrane base (14) supports a water pervaporation process therethrough. A water collection well (16) has an opening into which water droplets condensed from the water pervaporation process collect. The water collection well (16) is sited within the membrane base (14) and generally extends outwardly and downwardly from the membrane base (14), as shown in FIG. 1. In use, a contaminated water source (24) is brought into, ideally, complete contact with the membrane base (14), with the water collection well (16) arranged both to act as a heat sink into the water source (24) and to provide stability to the water still (10) when floating and immersed in the water source (24).Type: GrantFiled: June 10, 2003Date of Patent: February 24, 2009Assignee: Design Technology and Innovation Ltd.Inventors: Mark Christopher Tonkin, Mark Andrew Young, Neil David Eckert
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Patent number: 7491298Abstract: A plant and process for efficient production of low deuterium water from seawater. The plant includes a solar still with a black pan for collecting solar heat, that vaporizes portions of the seawater and a porous sloped membrane positioned over the black pan to collect and condense the vapor and to direct the condensate via gravity to a condensate tank. The condensate water is separated into its atomic components, hydrogen and oxygen, in an electralizer; then the hydrogen and oxygen are combined in a reactor to produce heat and low deuterium water. In preferred embodiments the reactor is a fuel cell which in addition to the heat and water also produces electricity. At least a portion of the heat produced in the reactor is used in the solar still to assist in the vaporization of the seawater and to greatly increase the efficiency of the still.Type: GrantFiled: November 25, 2003Date of Patent: February 17, 2009Inventor: Vladimir Z. Zlotopolski
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Patent number: 7488421Abstract: Water processing method, in particular for producing fresh water from salt water by membrane distillation. In comparison with previously known methods, a significant reduction in investment cost and operating cost can be achieved by the combination of the following measures: The water to be processed is kept in a supply chamber the wall of which is formed at least in part by a hydrophobic membrane being permeable for water vapor. A hydrophilic membrane having a greater thickness in comparison with the hydrophobic membrane and a lower thermal conductivity per unit area runs in parallel with the hydrophobic membrane. By the pumping action a vapor pressure difference is produced between the water to be processed and the fresh water so that the membrane distillation is driven by the vapor pressure difference resulting from the pumping action, the water condensing in the pores of the hydrophilic membrane.Type: GrantFiled: April 24, 2004Date of Patent: February 10, 2009Assignee: Clean Water Gesellschaft Fuer Wasseraufbereitungstechnik mbHInventors: Guenther Hambitzer, Heide Biollaz, Markus Borck, Christiane Ripp
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Publication number: 20090032387Abstract: The present invention is an improved type of distillation of water. Usual distillation is related to a liquid's boiling point. However, it is possible to distill significant quantities of water at temperatures well below the boiling point. During distillation a compound is taken from a liquid-phase to the gas phase and then condensed to the liquid again to get a pure liquid. The present invention uses water sprayed and adsorbed onto a solid surface such as micro-powder made from wood as a starting material. Absorbing water onto such a surface results in rapid evaporation with a relatively low temperature gradient when the water and particles are agitated. The present invention could be characterized as solid-phase distillation.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 6, 2008Publication date: February 5, 2009Applicant: BIOMASS CONVERSIONS LLCInventor: Seiji HATA
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Publication number: 20090020406Abstract: This invention describes a low temperature, self-sustainable desalination process operated under natural vacuum conditions created and maintained by barometric pressure head.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 12, 2007Publication date: January 22, 2009Applicant: ARROWHEAD CENTER, INC.Inventors: Nagamany Nirmalakhandan, Veera Gnaneswar Gude
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Patent number: 7476323Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatus for desalinating water are provided. A vessel includes a water intake system, a reverse osmosis system, a concentrate discharge system, a permeate transfer system, a power source, and a control system. The concentrate discharge system includes a plurality of concentrate discharge ports.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2007Date of Patent: January 13, 2009Assignee: Water Standard Company LLCInventor: Andrew W. Gordon
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Patent number: 7470349Abstract: A device for delivering purified water from a reservoir of salt water including a vapor tube supported concentrically inside a barrier tube The vapor tube has apertures that provide a passage of purified condensate from interior of the purified waste to the space between the space between the outside of the vapor tube and the inside of the barrier tube. A pump between the reservoir of salt water and the interior of the vapor tube generates a pressure differential that forces water vapor from the surface of salt water to the inside of the vapor tube. Condensate inside the vapor tube flows as fresh water to outside the vapor tube.Type: GrantFiled: April 11, 2006Date of Patent: December 30, 2008Inventor: Joel Miller
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Publication number: 20080277262Abstract: A process whereby freshwater is generated and wastewater is eliminated through the employ of waste combustion gas; wherein combustion gas is cooled below dewpoint, via the effects of a wastewater fed evaporative cooler, resulting in the combined benefits of freshwater generation from the combustion gas and evaporative reduction of the wastewater.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2008Publication date: November 13, 2008Inventor: James Jeffrey Harris
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Patent number: 7438129Abstract: A process for treating produced water to generate high pressure steam. Produced water from heavy oil recovery operations is treated by first removing oil and grease. Feedwater is then acidified and steam stripped to remove alkalinity and dissolved non-condensable gases. Pretreated produced water is then fed to an evaporator. Up to 95% or more of the pretreated produced water stream is evaporated to produce (1) a distillate having a trace amount of residual solutes therein, and (2) evaporator blowdown containing substantially all solutes from the produced water feed. The distillate may be directly used, or polished to remove the trace residual solutes before being fed to a steam generator. Steam generation in a packaged boiler, such as a water tube boiler having a steam drum and a mud drum with water cooled combustion chamber walls, produces 100% quality high pressure steam for down-hole use.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2005Date of Patent: October 21, 2008Assignee: GE Ionics, Inc.Inventor: William F. Heins
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Patent number: 7435317Abstract: An improved distillation of water. involves distilling significant quantities of water at temperatures well below the boiling point. During distillation, a compound is taken from a liquid-phase to a gas-phase and then condensed to the liquid-phase again to get a pure liquid. The present invention uses water sprayed (105) and absorbed onto a solid surface such as micro-powder (104) made from wood as a starting material. Absorbing water onto such a surface results in rapid evaporation with a relatively low temperature gradient when the water and particles are agitated. The present invention could be characterized as solid-phase distillation.Type: GrantFiled: March 29, 2001Date of Patent: October 14, 2008Assignee: Biomass Conversions, L.L.C.Inventor: Seiji Hata
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Patent number: 7431806Abstract: A sub-atmospheric pressure desalinating still employs a closed top, open bottom pipe filled with source water to be distilled, such as seawater, having a height greater than the height of a column of seawater that can be supported by the pressure at the bottom of the tank so that a subatmospheric pressure volume is formed at the top. Water from the source is also pumped into the subatmospheric volume and passed through an evaporator which enlarges its surface volume. A small percentage of the water is vaporized and the balance is cooled to provide the heat of vaporization and falls into the top of the seawater column, creating a downward flow. The vapor is drawn from the vacuum and condensed, preferably in a second subatmospheric volume above a column of fresh water.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2005Date of Patent: October 7, 2008Assignee: LEV Group, LLCInventor: Michael R. Levine
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Publication number: 20080237107Abstract: A desalinization system for converting a saltwater solution to a purified water composition is provided. The desalinization system (1000) has a primary tank (40) which contains a heated silicone composition within a heated silicone composition zone (210) and water globules (30) which pass through the heated silicone zone (14) to form an initially treated or initially heated water zone (60) within the primary tank (40). The initially heated water zone (60) then is fluidly displaced through a heating conduit (115) for passage into a secondary tank (120) in the form of steam (180). The steam (180) then condenses within a condensation zone (200) and forms a purified water zone (140) within secondary tank (120). The water within the purified water zone (140) of the secondary tank (120) may be removed through a water output line (150) from secondary tank (120).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 29, 2007Publication date: October 2, 2008Applicant: AQUITIC TECHNOLOGY, INC.Inventor: ANDREW F. KOZAK
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Patent number: 7428926Abstract: A process for treating produced water to generate high pressure steam. Produced water from heavy oil recovery operations is treated by first removing oil and grease. Pretreated produced water is then fed to an evaporator. Up to 95% or more of the pretreated produced water stream is evaporated to produce (1) a distillate having a trace amount of residual solutes therein, and (2) evaporator blowdown containing substantially all solutes from the produced water feed. The distillate may be directly used, or polished to remove the trace residual solutes before being fed to a steam generator. Steam generation in a packaged boiler, such as a water tube boiler having a steam drum and a mud drum with water cooled combustion chamber walls, produces 100% quality high pressure steam for down-hole use.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2005Date of Patent: September 30, 2008Assignee: GE Ionics, Inc.Inventor: William F. Heins
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Patent number: 7416643Abstract: A solar water desalination and purification device includes an outer liquid-tight containment and an inner liquid-tight containment disposed within the outer containment. The outer containment collects liquid that forms from condensing water vapor that evaporates within the inner containment and passes through the inner containment material. The inner containment is made from hydrophobic material that allows water vapor to pass through the material as the sunlight evaporates the contaminated water within the inner containment. An inlet communicates with the inner containment for allowing the contaminated water to fill the inner containment. An outlet communicates with the outer containment to allow discharge of condensed water vapor collected within the outer containment to be used as drinking water.Type: GrantFiled: October 19, 2004Date of Patent: August 26, 2008Inventor: Robert N. Yonover
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Publication number: 20080149573Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for removing contaminants from seawater by an evaporation/condensation process. The method and system utilize alternative energy sources, such as geothermal, solar, and wind energy. The system may include a water separation unit powered by a geothermal system to sufficiently vaporize source water. The system may further include a first input line configured to receive the source water for distillation by the water separation unit. A first heat exchanger coupled to the first input line is powered by a plurality of energy harnessing devices. The first heat exchanger is configured to preheat the source water. At least one second heat exchanger powered by the plurality of energy harnessing devices is configured to condense the vaporized source water into a distilled water product. The plurality of energy harnessing devices are electrically connected to a roadway system electricity grid.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 27, 2007Publication date: June 26, 2008Applicant: Genedics LLCInventors: Gene S. Fein, Edward Merritt
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Patent number: 7390380Abstract: Incoming wastewater is preheated in a heat exchanger before delivery to a flash chamber through an orifice for flashing into water vapor rising into an upper section of the flash chamber which also has a bottom section into which liquid waste oil or other contaminants settles. Rise of such water vapor into the upper chamber section is induced by a vacuum established therein by a vacuum pump withdrawing the water vapor in a superheated and compressed condition for cooling within a condenser from which the incoming wastewater is delivered to a heat exchanger for preheating. The water vapor during rise into the upper section of the flash chamber is filtered to extract contaminates therefrom while liquefied water vapor thereafter formed therein is collected before the remaining water vapor is cooled into the condensate for collection within a distillate tank from which it is withdrawn for overboard discharge after being monitored for oil content.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2004Date of Patent: June 24, 2008Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the NavyInventor: Henry J. Molintas
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Patent number: 7381310Abstract: A sea water desalination installation that employs an evaporation-condensation system which operates continuously at a low temperature and which enables the recovery of energy released. The installation includes a cylindrical evaporator having a large evaporation surface and a concentric condenser with a large surface area. Sea water is used to cool the condenser and said water is subsequently sent to the evaporator. A static high-pressure ventilator is used to: (i) drive the vapor/air in a closed circuit between the evaporator and the condenser and (ii), using a calibrated nozzle, create a pressure gradient that is equivalent to the pressure of the saturated vapor at working temperature between said two zones. The aforementioned evaporator and condenser are thermally insulated in relation to one another and to the external environment.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2002Date of Patent: June 3, 2008Inventors: Maria Fernando Hernandez Hernandez, Francisco Fernadnez De Mazarambroz Bernabeu
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Patent number: 7368040Abstract: A method and an apparatus for heating fluid with a gas heater and distilling fluid with the pilot light of the gas heater are disclosed. The apparatus for heating fluid and distilling fluid includes a main tank for containing fluid to be heated, a heater, adapted to have a pilot light, for heating the fluid in said main tank and an evaporator tank for vaporizing fluid received therein with heat from the pilot light. The method of heating fluid and distilling fluid includes heating a first volume of fluid with a heater having a pilot light and heating a second volume of fluid with the pilot light.Type: GrantFiled: October 20, 2004Date of Patent: May 6, 2008Inventor: Freeman Wilks
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Publication number: 20080099324Abstract: A solar energy seawater desalination device comprises a seawater tank for collecting seawater; a water absorption device for absorbing seawater from the seawater tank and then transferring the absorbed seawater, a water absorption solar energy plate for receiving the seawater from the water absorption device and absorbing solar energy and then converting the solar energy into heat energy so that the seawater evaporates and the vapor from the sea do not contain salt; at least one condensing plate for absorbing the vapor and condensing the vapor so that the condensed water flowing along the condensing plate; and a condensing water collecting tank placed at a lower side of the condensing plate for collecting the condensed water from the condensing plate.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 26, 2006Publication date: May 1, 2008Inventor: Yun-Nan Chiu
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Patent number: 7357849Abstract: A method and system for treating feedwater includes evaporating a portion of the feedwater in a first evaporation chamber so as to separate water vapor from the remaining feedwater. Droplets of the remaining feedwater are dispersed into a stream of hot air produced in a second evaporation chamber. The droplets evaporate and solids in the feedwater precipitate. The precipitated solids are collected in the lower section of the second evaporation chamber. Water vapor discharged from both evaporation chambers can be treated in a cyclone separator to remove residual solids therefrom. The cleansed water vapor output from the cyclone separator can be condensed to recover clean water. Dry solids can be discharged from the second evaporation chamber and the cyclone separator for recovery.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2006Date of Patent: April 15, 2008Assignee: Watervap, LLCInventor: Robert R. Wright
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Publication number: 20080073200Abstract: Improved methods for carrier-gas humidification/dehumidification [HDH] or dewvaporization enable production of clean water, derived in part from models generated and tested with produced water from the oil and gas industries, which likewise address industrial waste water remediation and generally facilitate the time and cost efficient disposal of waste waters from a plurality of industries ranging from food, wine, and beverage production to novel enhanced efficiencies within the oil and gas industries themselves. High efficiency carrier gas HDH thermal distillation functions without membranes, at ambient or near ambient pressures with no required pre- or post-treatment, and economies of scale to leverage a plastics-based processing platform. Industrial waste water including that generated by the food, wine, and beverage industries, among others, is likewise ameliorated according to the instant teachings.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2007Publication date: March 27, 2008Inventors: Ned Allen Godshall, Matthew Jason Bruff
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Publication number: 20080023963Abstract: Methods and systems for producing electrical power, desalinated water, and/or salt are provided. The system can include one or more first turbines in fluid communication with a body of salt water; one or more boilers for heating the salt water to provide steam and brine; and one or more second turbines in fluid communication with the steam for producing the electrical power.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 20, 2007Publication date: January 31, 2008Inventor: Stephen Perich
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Patent number: 5238964Abstract: A method for the treatment of cerebrovascular contraction in mammals involving administration of a pharmaceutical composition containing as an effective ingredient a p-guanidinobenzoic acid derivative represented by the formula ##STR1## wherein R denotes a group represented by the formula ##STR2## or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.Type: GrantFiled: February 13, 1992Date of Patent: August 24, 1993Assignee: Torii & Co., Ltd.Inventors: Haruhiko Kikuchi, Hiroji Yanamoto