Abstract: A reverse osmosis system includes a multi-element membrane array having a plurality of membrane elements disposed in series and a plurality of permeate pipes receiving permeate from a respective one of the plurality of membrane elements. Each of the plurality of elements has an inlet and an outlet. A plurality of connectors coupling successive permeate pipes together. Each of the plurality of connectors includes one of a plurality of flow restrictors. Each of the plurality of flow restrictors is sized to further restrict permeate flow into a subsequent permeate pipe of the plurality of permeate pipes.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis system and method of operating the same includes a membrane housing comprising a reverse osmosis membrane therein. The membrane housing has a feed fluid input, a brine outlet and a permeate outlet; The system further includes a charge pump, a plurality of valves and a tank having a volume comprising a movable partition dividing the volume into a first volume and a second volume. The plurality of valves selectively couples the charge pump to the first volume or the second volume and the brine outlet to the second volume or the first volume respectively.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis system and method includes a pump pressurizing a feed stream, a first and second membrane array that generates permeate and brine streams. A first energy recovery device uses first energy from the second brine stream to pressurize the first brine stream. A first and second auxiliary and bypass valves are associated with the first and second energy recovery device. A second energy recovery device uses second energy from the second brine stream to increase a second pressure of the feed stream. A first flowmeter generates a first flow signal for the first permeate stream. A second flowmeter generates a second flow signal for of the second permeate stream. A third flowmeter generates a third flow signal for the second brine stream. A motor drives the first energy recovery device. A controller controls the in response to the flow signals.

Abstract: A cavitation plate and system comprises a plurality of flow elements through the thickness of the cavitation plate. Each of the plurality of flow elements comprises an inlet channel a converging nozzle coupled to the inlet channel, a throat in fluid communicating with the converging nozzle, a diverging diffuser in fluid communication with the throat and an outlet channel in fluid communication with the diverging diffuser.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis system includes a membrane chamber having a feed line. The chamber generates a permeate stream and a brine stream from the feed line. A feed pump pressurizes the feed line. A first flow meter generates a first flow signal corresponding to a flow of fluid in the permeate stream. A booster device has a turbine in fluid communication with the brine stream and a pump in fluid communication with the feed line. A motor is coupled to the turbine device and a variable frequency drive is attached to the turbine device operating in response to the first flow signal. A second flow meter generates a second flow signal corresponding to a flow of fluid in the brine stream and a variable size nozzle operates an opening in response to the second flow meter.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis system and method of operating the same includes a membrane housing comprising a reverse osmosis membrane therein. The membrane housing has a feed fluid input, a brine outlet and a permeate outlet; The system further includes a charge pump, a plurality of valves and a tank having a volume comprising a movable partition dividing the volume into a first volume and a second volume. The plurality of valves selectively couples the charge pump to the first volume or the second volume and the brine outlet to the second volume or the first volume respectively.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis system and method of operating the same includes a membrane housing comprising a reverse osmosis membrane therein. The membrane housing has a feed fluid input, a brine outlet and a permeate outlet; The system further includes a charge pump, a plurality of valves and a tank having a volume comprising a movable partition dividing the volume into a first volume and a second volume. The plurality of valves selectively couples the charge pump to the first volume or the second volume and the brine outlet to the second volume or the first volume respectively.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis system and method of operating the same includes a membrane housing comprising a reverse osmosis membrane therein. The membrane housing has a feed fluid input, a brine outlet and a permeate outlet; The system further includes a charge pump, a plurality of valves and a tank having a volume comprising a movable partition dividing the volume into a first volume and a second volume. The plurality of valves selectively couples the charge pump to the first volume or the second volume and the brine outlet to the second volume or the first volume respectively.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis system includes a membrane chamber having a feed line. The chamber generates a permeate stream and a brine stream from the feed line. A feed pump pressurizes the feed line. A first flow meter generates a first flow signal corresponding to a flow of fluid in the permeate stream. A booster device has a turbine in fluid communication with the brine stream and a pump in fluid communication with the feed line. A motor is coupled to the turbine device and a variable frequency drive is attached to the turbine device operating in response to the first flow signal. A second flow meter generates a second flow signal corresponding to a flow of fluid in the brine stream and a variable size nozzle operates an opening in response to the second flow meter.

Abstract: A turbine and method of operating the same a turbine includes a housing having a volute, an inlet and an outlet an impeller rotatable coupled to the housing, a first shroud disposed within the housing comprising a plurality of nozzle vanes and a second shroud disposed within the housing adjacent to the first shroud so that a nozzle area is formed between the first shroud and the second shroud, said nozzle area having a variable width. The second shroud is movable relative to the first shroud to vary the width so that fluid flow from the inlet to the outlet is variable.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis system includes a membrane chamber having a feed line. The chamber generates a permeate stream and a brine stream from the feed line. A feed pump pressurizes the feed line. A first flow meter generates a first flow signal corresponding to a flow of fluid in the permeate stream. A booster device has a turbine in fluid communication with the brine stream and a pump in fluid communication with the feed line. A motor is coupled to the turbine device and a variable frequency drive is attached to the turbine device operating in response to the first flow signal. A second flow meter generates a second flow signal corresponding to a flow of fluid in the brine stream and a variable size nozzle operates an opening in response to the second flow meter.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis system according to the present disclosure includes a first membrane array, a second membrane array, a hydraulic pressure booster, and a motor-generator. The first membrane array is configured to generate a first permeate stream and a first brine stream from a feed stream. The second membrane array is configured to generate a second permeate stream and a second brine stream from the first brine stream. The booster is configured to use energy from the second brine stream to increase pressure of at least one of the feed stream and the first brine stream. The motor-generator is coupled to the hydraulic pressure booster and is operable to use energy from a power supply to drive the hydraulic pressure booster. The motor-generator is also operable to use energy from the second brine stream to provide power to the power supply.

Abstract: A fluid machine in communication with a thrust bearing fluid source includes a housing having a bearing portion receiving fluid from the fluid source. A bearing chamber is formed in the bearing portion. An extension of a rotor is positioned within the bearing chamber so that a first pocket is disposed adjacent to a first side of the extension and a second pocket is disposed adjacent to a second side of the extension. An extension lateral side is adjacent to the bearing chamber lateral side. The extension comprises a first channel extending from a first half of the extension lateral side to the first pocket. The extension comprises a second channel extending from a second half of the extension lateral side opposite the first channel to the second pocket. The bearing chamber receives fluid from the bearing channel which is communicated to the first and second channels and the pockets.

Abstract: A fluid machine has a housing and a rotating portion that rotates relative to and is at least partially disposed within the housing. The housing is coupled to a seal assembly comprising a plurality of seal channels having a plurality of seal rings. Each of the plurality of seal channels comprises a respective one of the plurality of seal rings.

Abstract: A throttle housing having an inlet end and an outlet end includes a shuttle housing disposed within the throttle housing. The shuttle housing has a first end cap at a first end and an orifice array therethrough. The shuttle housing comprises a shuttle housing therein. The shuttle has an opened position and a closed position relative to the shuttle housing. The shuttle defines a varying control volume between the end cap, the shuttle and the shuttle housing. The control inlet fluidically communicates a control fluid to the control volume to control the position of the shuttle in the shuttle housing.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis system includes a plurality of feed pumps each having a feed pump input and a feed pump output, an input manifold in fluid communication with the feed pump inputs and a membrane feed manifold in fluid communication with the feed pump output. The system also includes a plurality of membrane chambers each in fluid communication with the membrane feed manifold and generating a permeate output and a brine output, each brine output in fluid communication with a brine manifold. The system further includes a plurality of booster devices each having a turbine portion with a turbine input in fluid communication with the brine manifold and a pump portion having a booster device pump input and a booster device pump output, each booster device pump output in fluid communication with the membrane feed manifold. The system includes a pump input manifold in fluid communication with the booster device pump input.

Abstract: A cavitation plate and system comprises a plurality of flow elements through the thickness of the cavitation plate. Each of the plurality of flow elements comprises an inlet channel a converging nozzle coupled to the inlet channel, a throat in fluid communicating with the converging nozzle, a diverging diffuser in fluid communication with the throat and an outlet channel in fluid communication with the diverging diffuser.

Abstract: A turbine and method of operating a turbine includes a housing having an inlet, a volute and an outlet. The inlet is coupled to the volute through a primary fluid path and a secondary fluid path. The turbine further includes an impeller rotatably coupled to the housing and a hydraulically actuated valve assembly disposed within the secondary fluid path selectively communicating fluid from the inlet to the volute. The turbine includes a hydraulic actuator coupled to the valve assembly moving the valve assembly from a first position communicating fluid from the inlet into the volute to a second position blocking flow from the inlet to the volute.

Abstract: A turbine and method of operating the same a turbine includes a housing having a volute, an inlet and an outlet an impeller rotatable coupled to the housing, a first shroud disposed within the housing comprising a plurality of nozzle vanes and a second shroud disposed within the housing adjacent to the first shroud so that a nozzle area is formed between the first shroud and the second shroud, said nozzle area having a variable width. The second shroud is movable relative to the first shroud to vary the width so that fluid flow from the inlet to the outlet is variable.

Abstract: A system and method of operating the same includes an absorption tank having a compressor communicating gas thereto, a suspended solid filtration tank having a primary inlet, a secondary inlet, a primary outlet and a secondary outlet and a pump comprising a pump inlet coupled to the secondary outlet and a pump outlet communicating fluid to the absorption tank. The absorption tank forms a solution from the fluid and gas. A turbine mechanically couples the pump with a common shaft extending to the pump. The turbine has a turbine inlet coupled to the absorption tank and a turbine outlet coupled to the secondary inlet. The turbine depressurizes the solution. The system may also use a centrifugal pump in place of a turbine and absorption tank.