Abstract: A reverse osmosis system in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir and a method of operating the same includes a pressure vessel having a membrane therein, a high pressure fluid input, a low pressure fluid input, a permeate output and a brine output. The system further includes a high pressure valve, a low pressure valve and a high pressure pump in fluid communication with the high pressure input through the high pressure valve. The system also includes a low pressure pump in fluid communication with the low pressure input through the low pressure valve. The high pressure pump and the low pressure pump are in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir. The low pressure pump initially fills the pressure vessel and the high pressure pump operates during permeate production.

Abstract: A rotating process chamber assembly for processing various fluids comprises a substantially cylindrical process chamber has an outer wall extending between two end walls and a substantially cylindrical inner wall spaced radially inward from the outer wall in an axial direction. The outer wall and the inner wall define an annular reaction space therebetween. The housing has a central axis. The process chamber has an inlet located substantially coaxial with the central axial. The process chamber has an outlet located substantially axial with the central axis. A drive is coupled to the process chamber to rotate the housing about the central axis. A plurality of feed channels fluidically couples the inlet and the annular reaction space. A first plurality of product channels fluidically couples the annular reaction space to the outlet.

Abstract: A pump has a thrust bearing has a casing with an inlet port and a discharge port. A shaft is positioned within the pump. A thrust bearing is coupled to the shaft. A pressure alterable bearing cavity is located within the casing. The pressure alterable cavity allows the axial thrust on the shaft from the impellers to be counteracted. The thrust bearing has an annular seal coupled with respect to the casing disc is coupled to the shaft and positioned adjacent the seal. The seal and the disc have a gap therebetween. A feedback pipe couples the bearing cavity to the inlet port. As the axial thrust acting on the shaft changes, the gap between the seal and the disc also changes. The changing of the gap changes the pressure within the bearing cavity. The disc and thus the shaft are repositioned in response to the change in the bearing cavity pressure change.

Abstract: A rotary machine such as a pump or turbine has a casing defining a space therein. A fluid channel is formed in the casing and has a plurality of first channel portions fluidically coupled a plurality of second channel portions. The first and second channel portions are separated by the space. A rotor is rotatably coupled within the casing and within the space. The rotor has a plurality of apertures therethrough positioned within the space. The apertures are adjacent to the channel to coupled the first channel portions to the second channel portions.