Under Pressure Or Vacuum Patents (Class 203/11)
  • Patent number: 8043479
    Abstract: A desalination system in the form of a submerged gas evaporator that includes a vessel, a gas delivery tube partially disposed within the vessel to deliver a gas into the vessel and a fluid inlet that provides a fluid to the vessel at a rate sufficient to maintain a controlled constant level of fluid within the vessel. A weir is disposed within the vessel adjacent the gas delivery tube to form a first fluid circulation path between a first weir end and a wall of the vessel and a second fluid circulation path between a second weir end and an upper end of the vessel. During operation, gas introduced through the tube mixes with the fluid and the combined gas and fluid flow at a high rate with a high degree of turbulence along the first and second circulation paths defined around the weir, thereby promoting vigorous mixing and intimate contact between the gas and the fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: Heartland Technology Partners LLC
    Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, Jr., Michael J. Rutsch
  • Patent number: 8021519
    Abstract: A system for distilling sea or brackish water includes a feed water arrangement for supplying feed water from a feed water source to one or more flashing stages. Each flashing stage has a water flash evaporator for vaporizing at least part of the water therein, and a condenser for receiving the vapour and converting at least a part of the vapour into distilled water. A heat storage arrangement provided with a heat generating source for storing heat energy is used to heat a fluid medium flowing through it. A heat exchange arrangement receives the hot fluid medium and transfers heat to a stream of vapour flowing under pressure from each flashing stage. The vapour leaving the heat exchange arrangement being at a raised temperature is arranged to be condensed into water at the condenser and to transfer some of its latent heat to the evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2011
    Inventor: Gregory Mark Paxton
  • Publication number: 20110186417
    Abstract: A method of water desalination in a filter press may comprise: providing a plurality of beads in a chamber between two filter plates in the filter press, the chamber being lined by filter cloths; pumping water into the chamber; heating the water in the chamber; and collecting water vapor generated by the heating. Furthermore, during the heating, the chamber may be vacuum pumped to facilitate removal of water vapor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2010
    Publication date: August 4, 2011
    Inventors: Daniel J. Simpson, Ferdinand Kogler
  • Publication number: 20110162952
    Abstract: System and process for producing no-salt water by desalination of salt water, by heating salt water directly with heated synthetic gas produced in a gasification reaction or by using steam produced using heated synthetic gas, to evaporate the salt water and produce no-salt water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Publication date: July 7, 2011
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: John A. Conchieri, Delome D. Fair
  • Publication number: 20110108406
    Abstract: Apparatus for distilling a fluid such as water includes a vessel and heat transfer plates within the vessel structures to form at least one each cooling channel, evaporative channel, and condensing channel. Air enters the vessel and passes through the cooling channel, where it is cooled due to evaporation taking place in an adjacent evaporative channel. In the evaporative channel, input fluid is supplied to the walls of the heat transfer plates facing into the evaporative channel and evaporation forms vapor. The vapor is condensed in a condensing channel. In some embodiments, an evaporation channel forms a vacuum chamber and a condensing channel forms a compression chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: IDALEX TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Valeriy Maisotsenko, Leland E. Gillan, Alan D. Gillan, Rick J. Gillan
  • Publication number: 20110108407
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for the desalination of water, and particularly sea water. The apparatus includes a pump such as a progressive cavity pump driven by a motor, an initial gas/liquid separator such as a gravity separator, a liquid entrainment section such as a serpentine coil, a final in-line gas/liquid separator to separate the moisture-laden air stream from the brine, and a condenser to condense the moisture in the air stream to produce clean water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Inventor: W. Paul Jepson
  • Publication number: 20110079504
    Abstract: Water is substantially separated from a liquid mixture (e.g., saline water) that includes water using a humidification chamber at a lower pressure and a dehumidification chamber at a higher pressure. A carrier gas is flowed through the humidification chamber; and inside the humidification chamber, the carrier gas directly contacts the liquid mixture to humidify the carrier gas with evaporated water from the liquid mixture to produce a humidified gas flow. The humidified gas flow is then directed through the dehumidification chamber, where water is condensed from the humidified gas flow and collected. The absolute pressure inside the humidification chamber is at least 10% lower than the absolute pressure inside the dehumidification chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2009
    Publication date: April 7, 2011
    Applicants: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM & MINERALS
    Inventors: Prakash N. Govindan, Mostafa H. Elsharqawy, John H. Lienhard, Syed N. Zubair
  • Patent number: 7914680
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for purifying liquids. In a particular implementation, the system includes a forward-osmosis unit for diluting a water source for a downstream desalination unit. A pretreatment unit may be located hydraulically upstream of the desalination unit, such as upstream or downstream of the forward-osmosis unit. In certain embodiments, the system includes an extraction unit for extracting a relatively easily extractable osmotic agent from an osmotic draw solution. The system may include one or more forward-osmosis units downstream of the desalination unit for diluting a concentrated brine stream produced by the desalination unit. In particular embodiments, a downstream forward-osmosis unit uses the concentrated brine stream as an osmotic agent, such as to extract water from seawater or brackish water. Another downstream forward-osmosis unit may use impaired water as a feed stream.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Board of Regents of the Nevada System of Higher Education, on behalf of the University of Nevada, Reno
    Inventors: Tzahi Y. Cath, Amy E. Childress
  • Patent number: 7915749
    Abstract: An electrical generating assembly 10 which may be selectively used in combination with and/or as part of a municipal wastewater treatment facility 12 and which allows the wastewater treatment facility 12 to generate electrical energy 48,62, 13 as received wastewater 14 is cleaned according to a plurality of diverse energy generating strategies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Inventors: John Gerard Chupa, Christopher J. Kobus, Subramaniam Ganesan
  • Publication number: 20110056822
    Abstract: Water is separated from a liquid mixture (e.g., sea water) using a humidification chamber and a dehumidification chamber that are each operated at a pressure less than ambient atmospheric pressure (e.g., at least 10% less than ambient atmospheric pressure). A carrier gas is flowed through the humidification chamber; and inside the humidification chamber, the carrier gas directly contacts the liquid mixture to humidify the carrier gas with water evaporated from the liquid mixture to produce a humidified gas flow. The humidified gas flow is directed through the dehumidification chamber, where water is condensed from the humidified gas flow and collected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Publication date: March 10, 2011
    Applicants: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM & MINERALS
    Inventors: Mostafa H. Elsharqawy, John H. Lienhard, Syed M. Zubair, Prakash N. Govindan
  • Publication number: 20110041515
    Abstract: Disclosed are anodically protected, corrosion resistant, self cleaning, high efficiency, submerged tube and plate heat exchangers. Also disclosed are systems for purifying liquids using the anodically protected, corrosion resistant, self cleaning, high efficiency, submerged tube and plate heat exchangers. Further disclosed are methods for purifying liquids using the anodically protected, corrosion resistant, self cleaning, high efficiency, submerged tube and plate heat exchangers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Inventor: Michael Lee Fraim
  • Publication number: 20110036703
    Abstract: A desalination system in the form of a submerged gas evaporator that includes a vessel, a gas delivery tube partially disposed within the vessel to deliver a gas into the vessel and a fluid inlet that provides a fluid to the vessel at a rate sufficient to maintain a controlled constant level of fluid within the vessel. A weir is disposed within the vessel adjacent the gas delivery tube to form a first fluid circulation path between a first weir end and a wall of the vessel and a second fluid circulation path between a second weir end and an upper end of the vessel. During operation, gas introduced through the tube mixes with the fluid and the combined gas and fluid flow at a high rate with a high degree of turbulence along the first and second circulation paths defined around the weir, thereby promoting vigorous mixing and intimate contact between the gas and the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2010
    Publication date: February 17, 2011
    Applicant: HEARTLAND TECHNOLOGY PARTNERS LLC
    Inventors: Bernard F. Duesel, JR., Michael J. Rutsch
  • Publication number: 20110017584
    Abstract: A system for desalinating water includes a generally cylindrical enclosure (10) and a vacuum generator (46) for forming a partial vacuum within the enclosure. Eductor (24) within a lower end of the enclosure receives heated air and brine water, and outputs a mixture of heated air and water vapor and droplets into the enclosure. Condensate collector (34) is positioned above the eductor for collecting desalinated condensate, and heat exchanger (18) above the condensate collector transfers heat within the enclosure to the brine water and condenses the water vapor to desalinated condensate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2010
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Inventors: Gary L. Stevenson, Jonathan Gilchrist, David Mordekhay, Dan R. Whitcher, Steven M. Plumb
  • Publication number: 20100282592
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods useful in waste processing. Disclosed is the use of a regenerative thermal oxidation (RTO) unit for production of industrially useable steam. Disclosed are systems including a stripping unit associated with a regenerative thermal oxidation (RTO) unit so that the stripping unit provides fuel for the RTO unit and the RTO unit provides a stripping gas for the stripping unit. Disclosed are systems including an RTO unit providing steam to operate a vapor condensation (VC) unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2006
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: Elcon Recycling Center (2003) Ltd.
    Inventors: Zvi Elgat, Alexander Levin
  • Publication number: 20100282593
    Abstract: A method for reducing and re-using waste heat and water resulting from thermal hydrocarbon recovery operations involving accessing a hot water stream produced in a thermal hydrocarbon recovery operation; vaporizing water from the water stream by applying a vacuum, thereby producing water vapor; and condensing the water vapor to produce high quality water. A system is described including a hot water intake interfacing with a hot water stream from a thermal hydrocarbon recovery operation; a vaporization module receiving the hot water stream from the hot water intake, comprising a vacuum chamber in which a vacuum is applied to produce water vapor from the hot water stream; a condensation module in which water vapor produced in the vaporization module is condensed to form high quality water; and a water outlet for releasing the high quality water from the condensation module for re-use within the thermal hydrocarbon recovery operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2008
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventors: Brian C. Speirs, James Andrew Dunn
  • Patent number: 7811420
    Abstract: A method of and apparatus is disclosed for water desalination including steps of transferring water vapor from salt-water in a vaporization zone 7, via a water vapor transfer zone 12, to a condensation zone 11, and condensing the water vapor into fresh-water. The water vapor transfer zone 12 is maintained substantially free of any gas other than water vapor. Heat is supplied to the vaporization zone 7 and extracted from the condensation zone 11, at relative rates such that there is a net transfer of water from the vaporization zone to the condensation zone. Also disclosed is a method of and apparatus for degassing salt water using at least two degassing chambers 17A, 17B each provided with a valved vent 47 and a valved inlet 21,29,90,91, with a valved pipe circuit 17a, 72-82,85-87, having a pump 71.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Inventor: Sven Olof Sonander
  • Publication number: 20100252410
    Abstract: A water purification system for saltwater or otherwise polluted water. The system employs one or a plurality of tower like structures formed of a plurality of engaged modular individual boilers. Increased energy efficiency is obtained using rising heat from lower situated boilers in a communication with above situated modular boilers, through a channel surrounding the exterior of the stacked modular boilers. Incoming water is thereby subjected to a super heating process to render it potable and collected on exiting the top of the stacked modular boilers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2009
    Publication date: October 7, 2010
    Inventor: Frederick William Millar
  • Publication number: 20100224477
    Abstract: A water purification system has a copper-chlorine thermochemical water decomposition system, combustion, evaporation, and condensation chambers; hydrogen and oxygen channels; and a water vapor conduit. The copper-chlorine thermochemical water decomposition system generates hydrogen and oxygen from water. The hydrogen and oxygen are transported to the oxygen chamber in channels. The hydrogen is combusted in the oxygen in the combustion chamber to generate heated water vapor. The evaporation chamber generates water vapor from water. The water vapor conduit is disposed between the evaporation chamber and the condensation chamber. Heated water vapor from the combustion chamber traveling from the combustion chamber into the condensation chamber generates a vacuum on the water vapor conduit, drawing water vapor from the evaporation chamber into the condensation chamber. The condensation chamber receives water vapor from both the combustion chamber and the evaporation chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2009
    Publication date: September 9, 2010
    Inventor: Bruce H. Peters
  • Patent number: 7767170
    Abstract: A process is provided for cracking hydrocarbon feedstock containing resid comprising: heating the feedstock, mixing the heated feedstock with a fluid and/or a primary dilution steam stream to form a mixture, optionally further heating the mixture, flashing the mixture within a flash/separation vessel to form a vapor phase and a liquid phase, partially condensing the vapor phase by contacting with a condenser within the vessel, to condense at least some coke precursors within the vapor while providing condensates which add to the liquid phase, removing the vapor phase of reduced coke precursors content as overhead and the liquid phase as bottoms, heating the vapor phase, cracking the vapor phase in a radiant section of a pyrolysis furnace to produce an effluent comprising olefins, and quenching the effluent and recovering cracked product therefrom. An apparatus for carrying out the process is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Assignee: ExxonMobil Chemical Patents Inc.
    Inventors: Richard C. Stell, George Stephens, Jennifer L. Bancroft, John R. Messinger
  • Publication number: 20100147673
    Abstract: An improved water desalination system is disclosed, in which contaminated water such as seawater or brackish water is preheated and fed into a primary pressure vessel through a distribution head. The seawater is distributed from the distribution head over a non-adherent surface such as a plurality of silicone chords hanging below a distribution tank or a cone- and cylindrical-shaped surface. The water is exposed to a high temperature steam environment in the chamber to cause at least a portion of the water in the contaminated water to evaporate, while the remaining concentrated salts from the contaminated water fall to the bottom of the chamber. A portion of the steam in the primary pressure vessel is withdrawn to be condensed into fresh water. The energy withdrawn with the steam extracted from the primary pressure vessel is made up by a supplemental energy apparatus, such as a steam generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: Water Desalination International, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank Passarelli
  • Patent number: 7731847
    Abstract: An submersible desalination unit composed of a structure containing a water intake system for acquiring sea water, a sea water pre-filtration system for removing lager contaminants and debris, a reverse osmosis system for the purification of the water, a permeate transfer system to carry the water to where it will be used, a power source for powering the equipment used in the process and a control system that operates and monitors the equipment and process of removing salt from the water and transferring the desalinated water to other use and returning the brine solution to the sea.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 8, 2010
    Inventor: Huy Ton That
  • Publication number: 20100126844
    Abstract: An apparatus for processing wastewater includes a pump driven by a motor, a gas/liquid separator, a liquid entrainment section, and a gas/solid separator The inventive method includes Introducing air and a liquid into the pump, where they are subjected to high heat and pressure, then delivered to the gas/liquid separator to separate the hot air from the hot liquid The hot air is then expanded through a nozzle to atmospheric pressure The liquid to be treated is injected into the hot air stream in the entrainment section The hot liquid from the gas/liquid separator passes through a valve to lower the high pressure liquid to near atmospheric pressure, thereby achieving flash evaporation of the hot liquid to produce hot water and hot steam, which is combined with the liquid to be treated and the hot air in the entrainment section This combined stream Is then delivered to the gas/solid separator
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventor: Paul W. Jepson
  • Patent number: 7694432
    Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and apparatus for dehumidifying, drying or the like of different materials. The invention is developed primarily for dehumidification of sewage sludge (7), but it may be utilized for many different materials including foodstuffs as crispbread and pasta. The sludge (7) or other material is dehumidified or dried in a chamber (1) by means of thermal radiation. The thermal radiation is given by means of one or more elements (2) for thermal radiation. The thermal radiation is concentrated to one or more distinct wavelength ranges at which water has peaks for absorption of radiation energy. Air is circulated in the chamber (1), to take up moisture evaporated from the material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Inventors: Niclas Eriksson, Lars Svenningsson
  • Publication number: 20100050636
    Abstract: A system for energy conversion includes a first sub-system to be disposed at about a surface of the ocean and a second sub-system to be disposed at an ocean depth. The first sub-system includes an evaporation unit. The system also includes a turbine that is coupled between the first and second sub-systems. The first heat exchange unit is configured to vaporize a working fluid, the vaporized working fluid turns the turbine. The second sub-system is configured to condense the working fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Inventor: Valangiman Subramanian RAMAMURTHY
  • Patent number: 7670463
    Abstract: When fresh water is produced from salt water or similar by evaporation of untreated or crude liquid in an evaporation device under partial vacuum and by vapor condensation in a condensation device connected with the vapor outlet of the evaporation device a high degree of evaporation and cost effectiveness can be obtained in that the evaporation device and the condensation device in a disconnected condition, are filled with crude or clean liquid, respectively, and are subsequently exposed to a partial vacuum created by volume enlargement under hermetically sealed conditions and that the evaporation device and the condensation device are not flow-connected with each other until they are under partial vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Inventor: Kurt Hausmann
  • Publication number: 20100044206
    Abstract: A desalination pipeline system (10) including a first pipeline (12) extending from a salt water source (14) for transferring salt water therethrough. The system includes at least one saltwater desalinator (18) in fluid connection with the first pipeline (12), enabling salt water to be drawn from the first pipeline (12) to the at least one desalinator (18). Each of the salt water desalinators (18) is provided to desalinate at least part of the water drawn from the first pipeline (12). Each desalinator (18) is in fluid connection with a second pipeline (24) extending between the salt water source (14) and the target outlet (16), such that the water that has been desalinated in a desalinator (18) is transferred to the second pipeline (24).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2006
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: Australia Creative Technologies PTY LTD
    Inventor: Stephen Shelley
  • Publication number: 20100038229
    Abstract: There is disclosed a desalinization apparatus, and methods related to desalinization. In an embodiment, a desalinization apparatus includes at least one port for receiving airflow therethrough, at least one port for receiving salt water therethrough, at least one output for providing outflow of pure water vapor, and at least one output for proving outflow of a mixture of water, salt and air; and a plurality of chambers for evaporating the salt water into the airflow, at least one of the chambers forming a plurality of ports arranged in a plurality of rows. In an embodiment, a method includes providing airflow to a desalinization apparatus; providing salt water to the desalinization apparatus; forming a vortex in the airflow to evaporate water vapor from the salt water; and providing the water vapor in the airflow to a condenser so as to obtain pure water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: LyteSyde, LLC
    Inventors: Bruce E. Nadeau, JR., Kelly P. Rock
  • Publication number: 20100000851
    Abstract: Contaminated water stored in an equalization basin is distributed to one or more flash vessels and a desired vacuum is pulled in a filled flash vessel, reducing the boiling point of the contained contaminated water. The suction force is preferably created by passing the contaminated water under pressure through a differential pressure injector. The contaminated water in the flash vessel completes an electrical circuit between conductive plates and a heating element that are submerged therein. An alternating electrical current is applied, some of which is conducted by the contaminated water to a heating element that heats the water, and the rest of which dissipates as thermal energy, heating the contaminated water. The alternating current is preferably generated by passing the contaminated water under pressure through a hydroelectric power generator. Little thermal energy is needed to evaporate the contaminated water, which condenses at the top of the flash vessel and is collected from a collection trough.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventor: Eric John Dole
  • Patent number: 7641771
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Inventors: Joel Vance Miller, Robert Samuel Smith
  • Publication number: 20090308727
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2007
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventor: Richard Eugene Kirts
  • Publication number: 20090255797
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for the desalinization of salt water utilizing a humidity chamber under partial vacuum and a water collection structure to collect fresh water product. Saltwater having a first temperature and cooling water contained in a condenser having a second temperature lower than the first temperature are introduced into the humidity chamber via a solar powered vacuum pump. A temperature gradient created by a difference in temperature between the saltwater and cooling water in combination with a partial vacuum (e.g., 10-20%) created by a solar powered vacuum pump is used to distill salt-free water from the saltwater with high efficiency. The temperature gradient is created in part by the use of a salinity gradient solar pond. The salt-free water is obtained by condensation of the water on a collection surface cooled by the cooling water followed by collection of the water in a storage apparatus.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Inventor: David E. LONGER
  • Patent number: 7597785
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Smart VCR Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Michael R. Levine
  • Patent number: 7569737
    Abstract: A method for reducing the salinity, as well as the hydrocarbon concentration of produced water to levels sufficient to meet surface water discharge standards. Pressure vessel and coflow injection technology developed at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory is used to mix produced water and a gas hydrate forming fluid to form a solid or semi-solid gas hydrate mixture. Salts and solids are excluded from the water that becomes a part of the hydrate cage. A three-step process of dissociation of the hydrate results in purified water suitable for irrigation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: UT-Battelle, LLC
    Inventors: Tommy J. Phelps, Costas Tsouris, Anthony V. Palumbo, David E. Riestenberg, Scott D. McCallum
  • Patent number: 7553396
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Inventor: Joel Vance Miller
  • Publication number: 20090159421
    Abstract: A method to produce distilled water includes the step of providing a closed-circuit, sealed, pressurized distillation unit. The unit includes a first sealed reservoir to receive and hold distilled water and removably sealingly installed in the distillation unit; a second sealed reservoir to hold contaminated water and removably sealingly installed in the distillation unit; an airstone positioned in the second reservoir to produce at least thousands of tiny bubbles per minute in contaminated water in the second reservoir; a coil positioned above the first reservoir; a cooling system operable to cool the coil; a vacuum pump with an input and an output; and conduit interconnecting the first and second reservoirs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2007
    Publication date: June 25, 2009
    Inventor: Chip Aadland
  • Publication number: 20090145739
    Abstract: A desalinization device is provided. The desalinization device may comprise a tank body divided into a condenser chamber and a vaporization chamber. The vaporization chamber is operative to receive salt water and transfer water vapor to the condenser chamber via a turbine. The remaining salt water may be concentrated with solid and removed from the vaporization chamber through a brine outlet. As the water vapor is transferred through the turbine, the water vapor experiences a temperature drop from the inlet to the outlet of the turbine. The temperature drop of the water vapor and water outlet introduced into the condenser chamber at a temperature about equal to the temperature of the water vapor at the turbine condenses the water vapor to fresh water. The fresh water produced by the device may be siphoned and reintroduced into the condenser chamber or used in another condenser chamber of a second desalinization device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2007
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventor: Bill G. Cotten
  • Publication number: 20090107832
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for removing hydrocarbon contaminants from groundwater. The apparatus preferably removes contaminants from groundwater by heating the groundwater to a temperature at which the contaminant vaporizes and separates from the liquid groundwater. Sparge air may be passed through the groundwater to assist in separating the vaporized contaminant. Further, a vacuum may be applied to lower the vaporization temperature of the contaminant. The extracted hydrocarbons are preferably destroyed in a thermal or catalytic oxidizer while the groundwater with the vaporized contaminant removed is preferably pumped through activated carbon filters to further reduce the amount of contaminants to governmental standards.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventor: Noel A. Shenoi
  • Publication number: 20090032388
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a process and apparatus for utilization of waste heat of flue gas liberated from different heat sources to provide high quality water from sea/brackish.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventor: S. Kumar
  • Publication number: 20090032387
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 6, 2008
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: BIOMASS CONVERSIONS LLC
    Inventor: Seiji HATA
  • Publication number: 20090014312
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Publication date: January 15, 2009
    Inventor: Michael R. Levine
  • Publication number: 20080277263
    Abstract: Apparatus and method are provided for treatment of impotable water and for optionally simultaneously creating surplus electricity. Briefly, water is marshaled through a series of chambers by variances in pressure which are created as the water changes state from liquid to gas and from gas to liquid. The source or input water moves through the system, first heated, then vaporized where the impurities fall out, then pushed and pulled through a nozzle where it turns the blades of a turbine-type generator, and finally condensed where the newly-distilled water is removed from the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Publication date: November 13, 2008
    Inventor: Helmer C. SWENHOLT
  • Publication number: 20080251373
    Abstract: A system of purifying water in a pressurised system using a venturi to contact a chemical with the water, the system having a main water line from inlet (5) to faucet (15) and including a bypass loop (13) incorporating the venturi (6) to add the chemical to the water, a pump (12) in the bypass loop (13) to pass water through bypass loop (13) at constant pressure whereby the venturi (6) delivers the chemical at a constant rate irrespective of the variation of water pressure in the main water line (5) due to opening and closing of the faucet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2005
    Publication date: October 16, 2008
    Applicant: Ecozone Pty. Ltd.
    Inventor: Simon Forbes Oke
  • Patent number: 7435317
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2008
    Assignee: Biomass Conversions, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Seiji Hata
  • Patent number: 7431806
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: LEV Group, LLC
    Inventor: Michael R. Levine
  • Publication number: 20080179175
    Abstract: Saltwater is boiled in a vacuum generated by a pump and its water vapor exhaust is condensed into purified water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Publication date: July 31, 2008
    Inventor: Kurt Lehovec
  • Patent number: 7390380
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Henry J. Molintas
  • Patent number: 7232878
    Abstract: A process for the separation of volatile material from particulate polymer which has been substantially freed from unreacted monomer in an earlier separation step, comprising (a) feeding the particulate polymer to a purge vessel, optionally causing it to move through the vessel in substantially plug-flow mode, (b) heating the particulate polymer in the purge vessel to a temperature greater than 30° C. but insufficiently high to cause the particles to become agglomerated, and/or maintaining the polymer at a temperature in this range in the purge vessel, (c) feeding air to the purge vessel counter-current to the movement of the particulate polymer to remove volatile material therefrom, (d) removing the particulate polymer from the purge vessel. Preferably the particulate polymer fed to the purge vessel is caused to move through the vessel in substantially plug-flow mode. The process is particularly suitable for polyethylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: BP Chemicals Limited
    Inventors: Gerald Mulgrew, Gary Lindsay Pitman
  • Patent number: 7191610
    Abstract: In the air-conditioning system, a primary side to generate heat includes a heat storage and a heat source and produces cool or warm water using an inexpensive commercial power source such as a nighttime power source. A system collaboration unit is disposed between a motor to drive a water pump and a power source. The unit is connected to the motor via a cable. An output from the inverter is connected to the motor via a cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2007
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Koichi Satoh, Seiji Yanagisawa, Shu Watabe, Yukihiro Fujita, Akio Shima, Yuji Tanaka, Shinichi Takahashi, Hiroshi Kunii
  • Patent number: 7163636
    Abstract: A multi-phase separation system utilized to remove contaminants from fluids includes a pre-filtering module for filtering a contaminated fluid to provide a filtered contaminated fluid. A condenser module receives the filtered contaminated fluid and a contaminated gas phase for condensing the contaminated gas phase to a contaminated liquid. A phase reaction chamber converts the filtered contaminated fluid to a contaminated mist wherein the mist is subjected to a low energy, high vacuum environment for providing a first change of phase by separating into a contaminated gas phase and a liquid mist phase. The contaminated gas phase is carried out of the phase reaction chamber by a carrier air. A vacuum pump provides the low energy, high vacuum environment in the phase reaction chamber and delivers the contaminated gas phase to the condenser module for condensation providing a second change of phase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced Phase Separation, LLC
    Inventor: Wayne W. Spani
  • Patent number: 7081205
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2006
    Assignee: Water Standard Company, LLC
    Inventors: Andrew W. Gordon, Charles R. Cushing, Steven J. Duranceau, J. Michael Cavanaugh