Patents Assigned to Desalination Systems
  • Patent number: 6767471
    Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed which allows the hydrate formed in the hydrate formation region of a desalination fractionation apparatus to be cooled as it rises in the apparatus. This has the beneficial effect of increasing its stability at lower pressures and reducing the depth at which the hydrate will begin to dissociate. The present invention provides for more efficient management of the distribution of thermal energy within the apparatus as a whole by controlling the flow of water through the system—particularly residual fluids remaining after hydrate forms—such that it is substantially downward through the fractionation column and out through a lower portion thereof. Hydrate thus separates from the residual fluid at or nearly at the point of formation, which helps keep the hydrate formation region of the apparatus at a temperature suitable for the formation of hydrate and improves efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Marine Desalination Systems, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Michael D. Max
  • Patent number: 6759564
    Abstract: Areas in which toxic material has been released, particularly in gaseous form but also in liquid form, are decontaminated by forming gas hydrate of the toxic agent. Smaller-molecule toxic agents form sI or sII type hydrates, whereas larger-molecule toxic agents for sH type hydrates. A “companion gas” or “companion agent” is supplied to fill the smaller voids of the sH hydrate, thereby enabling larger-molecule toxic agents to form hydrates by filling the larger voids of the sH hydrate which, but for the presence of the smaller-molecule agent in the smaller voids, would be unstable and not form. Portable as well as fixed, permanently installed apparatus for conducting hydrate-based decontamination is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2004
    Assignee: Marine Desalination Systems, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Michael D. Max, Sarah A. Holman
  • Patent number: 6733667
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for desalination of salt water (and purification of polluted water) are disclosed. Saline (or otherwise polluted) water is pumped to a desalination installation and down to the base of a desalination fractionation column, where it is mixed with hydrate-forming gas or liquid to form either positively buoyant (also assisted buoyancy) or negatively buoyant hydrate. The hydrate rises or sinks or is carried into a lower pressure area and dissociates (melts) into the gas and pure water. In preferred embodiments, residual salt water which is heated by heat given off during formation of the hydrate is removed from the system to create a bias towards overall cooling as the hydrate dissociates endothermically at shallower depths, and input water is passed through regions of dissociation in heat-exchanging relationship therewith so as to be cooled sufficiently for hydrate to form at pressure-depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2004
    Assignee: Marine Desalination Systems L.L.C.
    Inventor: Michael David Max
  • Patent number: 6673249
    Abstract: Various methods and apparatus for maximizing the efficiency of hydrate-based desalination or other water purification in open-water or partially open-water installations are disclosed. In one embodiment, water is accessed from depth where the ambient temperature is as cold as possible, which depth is other than the maximum depth of the hydrate fractionation column used in the process. The accessed water preferably is brought to reduced pressures so that gases other than hydrate-forming gases that are dissolved in the water to be treated are exsolved. Using pre-pressurized sources of hydrate-forming substances, including deep-sea natural gas deposits or supplies of liquified natural gas being transported by sea, are also disclosed. A multiple column, detachable column fractionation installation is disclosed, as is a hybrid installation having an underwater hydrate formation portion and a land-based dissociation and heat-exchange section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2004
    Assignee: Marine Desalination Systems, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Michael D. Max
  • Publication number: 20030150483
    Abstract: A condensation panel to be used for harvesting water from atmospheric moisture during those times of the diurnal cycle when relative humidity is at or near 100% utilizes very localized cooling to optimize condensation on a surface whose materials promote the condensation and collection of the water. The panel is passive in the sense that it can be deployed and left in an unmaintained condition for considerable periods of time. At least one time each day, almost certainly in the morning, water harvested by the process of assisted condensation can be collected for use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Publication date: August 14, 2003
    Applicant: Marine Desalination Systems, L.L.C.
    Inventor: Michael D. Max
  • Patent number: 6565715
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for desalination of salt water (and purification of polluted water) are disclosed. Salt water is pumped to a desalination installation and down to the base of a desalination fractionation column, where it is mixed with hydrate-forming gas to form positive buoyant hydrate. The hydrate rises and dissociates (melts) into the gas and pure water. In preferred embodiments, residual salt water which is heated by heat given off during formation of the hydrate is removed from the system to create a bias towards overall cooling as the hydrate dissociates endothermically at shallower depths. In preferred embodiments, the input water is passed through regions of dissociation in heat-exchanging relationship therewith so as to be cooled sufficiently for hydrate to form at pressure-depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Marine Desalination Systems LLC
    Inventor: Michael David Max
  • Patent number: 6562234
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for desalination of salt water (and purification of polluted water) are disclosed. Salt (or otherwise polluted) water is pumped to a desalination installation and down to the base of a desalination fractionation column, where it is mixed with hydrate-forming gas to form either positively buoyant or negatively buoyant (assisted buoyancy) hydrate. The hydrate rises or is carried upward and dissociates (melts) into the gas and pure water. In preferred embodiments, residual salt water which is heated by heat given off during formation of the hydrate is removed from the system to create a bias towards overall cooling as the hydrate dissociates endothermically at shallower depths. In preferred embodiments, the input water is passed through regions of dissociation in heat-exchanging relationship therewith so as to be cooled sufficiently for hydrate to form at pressure-depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2003
    Assignee: Marine Desalination Systems L.L.C.
    Inventor: Michael D. Max
  • Publication number: 20030029713
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for desalination of salt water (and purification of polluted water) are disclosed. Salt (or otherwise polluted) water is pumped to a desalination installation and down to the base of a desalination fractionation column, where it is mixed with hydrate-forming gas to form either positively buoyant or negatively buoyant (assisted buoyancy) hydrate. The hydrate rises or is carried upward and dissociates (melts) into the gas and pure water. In preferred embodiments, residual salt water which is heated by heat given off during formation of the hydrate is removed from the system to create a bias towards overall cooling as the hydrate dissociates endothermically at shallower depths. In preferred embodiments, the input water is passed through regions of dissociation in heat-exchanging relationship therewith so as to be cooled sufficiently for hydrate to form at pressure-depth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Publication date: February 13, 2003
    Applicant: Marine Desalination Systems L.L.C.
    Inventor: Michael D. Max
  • Publication number: 20030024803
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for desalination of salt water (and purification of polluted water) are disclosed. Saline (or otherwise polluted) water is pumped to a desalination installation and down to the base of a desalination fractionation column, where it is mixed with hydrate-forming gas or liquid to form either positively buoyant (also assisted buoyancy) or negatively buoyant hydrate. The hydrate rises or sinks or is carried into a lower pressure area and dissociates (melts) into the gas and pure water. In preferred embodiments, residual salt water which is heated by heat given off during formation of the hydrate is removed from the system to create a bias towards overall cooling as the hydrate dissociates endothermically at shallower depths, and input water is passed through regions of dissociation in heat-exchanging relationship therewith so as to be cooled sufficiently for hydrate to form at pressure-depth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 8, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Applicant: Marine Desalination Systems L.L.C.
    Inventor: Michael David Max
  • Patent number: 6497794
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for desalination of salt water (and purification of polluted water) are disclosed. Saline (or otherwise polluted) water is pumped to a desalination installation and down to the base of a desalination fractionation column, where it is mixed with hydrate-forming gas or liquid to form either positively buoyant (also assisted buoyancy) or negatively buoyant hydrate. The hydrate rises or sinks or is carried into a lower pressure area and dissociates (melts) into the gas and pure water. In preferred embodiments, residual salt water which is heated by heat given off during formation of the hydrate is removed from the system to create a bias towards overall cooling as the hydrate dissociates endothermically at shallower depths, and input water is passed through regions of dissociation in heat-exchanging relationship therewith so as to be cooled sufficiently for hydrate to form at pressure-depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Marine Desalination Systems L.L.C.
    Inventor: Michael David Max
  • Patent number: 6475460
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for desalination of salt water (and purification of polluted water) are disclosed. Saline (or otherwise polluted) water is pumped to a desalination installation and down to the base of a desalination fractionation column, where it is mixed with hydrate-forming gas or liquid to form either positively buoyant (also assisted buoyancy) or negatively buoyant hydrate. The hydrate rises or sinks or is carried into a lower pressure area and dissociates (melts) into the gas and pure water. In preferred embodiments, residual salt water which is heated by heat given off during formation of the hydrate is removed from the system to create a bias towards overall cooling as the hydrate dissociates endothermically at shallower depths, and input water is passed through regions of dissociation in heat-exchanging relationship therewith so as to be cooled sufficiently for hydrate to form at pressure-depth.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2002
    Assignee: Marine Desalination Systems LLC
    Inventor: Michael David Max
  • Patent number: 6004464
    Abstract: A method of reclaiming spent aqueous brine solutions used in the regeneration of water-softening resins. An aqueous solution chloride or other brine is acidified with HCl to a pH of between about 0.5 and 6 and a soluble sulfate salt, preferably Na.sub.2 SO.sub.4 is added, together with a precipitation inhibitor of the type polyacrylamide. Following such treatment, the spent brine is pumped at high pressure axially through a spirally-wound nanofiltration-type membrane device which is effective to remove at least about 90% of the divalent hardness while allowing passage therethrough of at least about 90% of the monovalent cations. As a result of such treatment, about 90 to 95% of the volume of spent brine can be efficiently and effectively reclaimed in a form in which it is suitable for use again in regenerating water-softening resins or the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Assignee: Desalination Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry A. Lien
  • Patent number: 5266195
    Abstract: A sandwich of a permeate fabric material within a folded sheet of semipermeable membrane is spirally wound together with a sheet of porous feed pathway material about a mandrel which, upon its removal, provides a central hollow region in the wound element. A single band of adhesive seals the outer end of the envelope, and once wrapping is completed, a thin layer of porous tape holds the winding tight. A porous small diameter tube is inserted into a pocket adjacent the fold in the semipermeable membrane material near the center of the winding and serves as a permeate discharge conduit. Axial ends of the spirally wound subassembly are sequentially potted in resin to complete the basic fabrication of the element. Communication with the feed pathway material is provided by drilling through the resin into the center hollow region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 1992
    Date of Patent: November 30, 1993
    Assignee: Desalination Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: David H. Hopkins
  • Patent number: 5149433
    Abstract: Apparatus for the supply of decontaminated fuel to a diesel engine including two filtering stages, the first being a spiral wound, cross flow ultrafiltration unit and the second being a spiral wound deadheaded ultrafiltration unit with a pressure operated alarm connected to respond to the build-up of contaminants in said second stage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1992
    Assignee: Desalination Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry A. Lien
  • Patent number: 5108604
    Abstract: Cartridges for use in ultrafiltration or reverse osmosis separation devices are formed by injection molding a generally tubular, smooth, seamless shell about a spirally-wrapped semipermeable membrane assembly. These cartridges can be used within traditional separation devices having pressure vessels of precise interior diameter, for which the cartridges are uniquely suited because they have cylindrical surfaces of true circular cross-section and close tolerances. The cartridges can also be created so as to incorporate integral pressure vessels and thus permit their use in separation processes without the need for surrounding supporting pressure vessels. A reaction injection molding process is shown which provides for substantial efficiencies in the overall manufacturing of semipermeable membrane separation cartridges of the spirally-wound variety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1992
    Assignee: Desalination Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Adam Robbins
  • Patent number: 4906372
    Abstract: A reverse osmosis or ultrafiltration separation device for treating a liquid feed wherein a separation assembly is wound spirally about a central permeate-carrying tube. The assembly includes an elongated semipermeable membrane envelope which includes an interior permeate passageway and feed-passageway-providing sheet material spirally wound with said envelope to supply a liquid feed to be treated. A cylindrical housing of circular cross section having an inlet and a pair of outlets holds the spiral wound separation assembly which is tightly surrounded by a seamless, highly porous, rigid, tubular sleeve proportioned to be snugly received within the cylindrical housing. The sleeve has a predetermined thickness relative to the diameter of the housing chamber so that a desired amount of bypass flow of liquid occurs through the space generally occupied by the sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 6, 1990
    Assignee: Desalination Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: David H. Hopkins
  • Patent number: 4902417
    Abstract: Disclosed are spiral-wound membrane cartridge constructions for use in ultrafiltration and reverse-osmosis separation equipment, each of which include a feed layer, a membrane layer and a permeate carrier layer. By using a feed layer in the form of a channel material having a plurality of parallel ribs extending in an axial direction, interconnected by a matrix of smaller filaments which may be generally perpendicular thereto, this construction advantageously reduces resistance to liquid frlow axially through the cartridge, registering only very low pressure drops. Such cartridges of 40 to 70 inches in length and 8 inches in diameter may be employed in series, even within a single outer casing or pressure vessel. Such constructions are especially useful in separating liquids having high levels of particulate contamination using ultrafiltration membranes where clogging of the cartridge is a common problem and also in concentrating solutions of fairly viscous water-soluble polymers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 1988
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1990
    Assignee: Desalination Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry A. Lien
  • Patent number: 4842736
    Abstract: A spiral wound membrane cartridge for use in separating a first component from a feed fluid mixture of the first component and the second component. The cartridge includes a permeate collection tube and at least one permeate carrier leaf extending outwardly from the tube. The cartridge further includes at least one sandwich leaf extending outwardly from the tube and including a length of a semipermeable membrane sheet which has an active membrane side and a backing side. This sheet is folded in two, having the fold positioned adjacent the tube and with the membrane sides of the two parts of the folded sheet facing. The sandwich leaf also includes a length of a feed carrier positioned between the two parts of the folded membrane sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Assignee: Desalination Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald T. Bray, David H. Hopkins
  • Patent number: 4828708
    Abstract: A reverse osmosis membrane with excellent nitrate rejection that is particularly suitable for point-of-use drinking water purposes. The reverse osmosis membrane is a composite material comprising a porous support layer and an ultrathin polyamide desalinizing layer which is the interfacial condensation reaction product of (a) meta-phenylenediamine and (b) a mixture of a major portion of isophthaloyl chloride and a minor proportion of trimesoyl chloride.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: Desalination Systems
    Inventor: Donald T. Bray
  • Patent number: 4802982
    Abstract: Disclosed are spiral-wound membrane cartridge constructions for use in ultrafiltration and reverse-osmosis separation equipment. The membrane constructions include a membrane layer directly bonded to a permeate carrier layer characterized by a channel material having a plurality of parallel ribs extending in a transverse permeate-carrying direction, interconnected by a relatively thin matrix of smaller fibrils. It advantageously reduces resistance to permeate flow to a central collection point, and can be employed to separate both liquid and gaseous fluids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1989
    Assignee: Desalination Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Larry A. Lien