Abstract: A distillation apparatus having a hot liquid block, a thermoelectric module (TEM), a condensation surface, a feed liquid chamber having a feed chamber inlet, a feed chamber outlet, and a membrane disposed on at least one side of the feed liquid chamber. One side of the membrane faces to the condensation surface. An air gap of 1 mm to 20 cm separates the condensation surface and the membrane. A permeate outlet in fluid communication with the air gap. A heating unit in fluid communication with the feed liquid chamber and the hot liquid block. A cooling unit in fluid communication with the permeate outlet. A multi-stage distillation apparatus with a plurality of distillation apparatuses. A process of distilling water, by feeding a liquid into the distillation apparatus through the hot block inlet and collecting distilled water from the permeate outlet.

Abstract: A distillation apparatus having a hot liquid block, a thermoelectric module (TEM), a condensation surface, a feed liquid chamber having a feed chamber inlet, a feed chamber outlet, and a membrane disposed on at least one side of the feed liquid chamber. One side of the membrane faces to the condensation surface. A water gap of 1 mm to 20 cm separates the condensation surface and the membrane. A permeate outlet in fluid communication with the water gap. A heating unit in fluid communication with the feed liquid chamber and the hot liquid block. A cooling unit in fluid communication with the permeate outlet. A multi-stage distillation apparatus with a plurality of distillation apparatuses. A process of distilling water, by feeding a liquid into the distillation apparatus through the hot block inlet and collecting distilled water from the permeate outlet.

Abstract: A multi-stage sweeping gas membrane distillation (MS-SGMD) system and a method of use are provided. The MS-SGMD includes a plurality of modules, wherein each module includes a feed chamber fluidically coupled to a feed line and a carrier gas line, wherein the feed line introduces a liquid feed into the feed chamber from a liquid feed tank, and wherein the carrier gas line introduces a carrier gas into the feed chamber. Each module includes a sweeping gas chamber fluidically coupled to a sweeping gas line and a sweeping gas return line, wherein a sweeping gas is passed through the sweeping gas chamber. Each module further includes a membrane separating the feed chamber from the sweeping gas chamber, wherein the membrane allows transportation of vapor from the feed chamber to the sweeping gas chamber while blocking liquid from moving from the feed chamber to the sweeping gas chamber.

Abstract: A method for purifying a liquid is described. A liquid feed is fed to a feed chamber. A carrier gas is fed through the liquid feed in the feed chamber to form a humidified carrier gas. A coolant is fed to a coolant chamber. The coolant chamber is separated from the feed chamber by a permeate gap chamber. The permeate gap chamber is separated from the feed chamber by a membrane that allows vapor to pass while blocking liquid flow across the membrane. The coolant chamber is separated from the permeate gap chamber by a thermally conductive plate. At least a portion of the vapor from the feed chamber that transported through the membrane is condensed by the coolant in the coolant chamber and the thermally conductive plate to form a first distillate. At least a portion of the humidified carrier gas is condensed to form a second distillate.

Abstract: A multi-stage direct contact membrane distillation (MS-DCMD) system and a process for using the MS-DCMD are provide. The MS-DCMD includes a plurality of modules, wherein each module includes a feed chamber fluidically coupled to a feed line and a carrier gas line, wherein the feed line introduces a liquid feed into the feed chamber from a liquid feed tank, and wherein the carrier gas line introduces a carrier gas into the feed chamber. Each module includes a cold chamber fluidically coupled to a cold-water feed line and a cold-water return line, wherein cold water is circulated through the cold chamber. Each module further includes a membrane separating the feed chamber from the cold chamber, wherein the membrane allows transportation of vapor from the feed chamber to the cold chamber while blocking liquid from moving from the feed chamber to the cold chamber.

Abstract: A method for purifying a liquid is described. A liquid feed is fed to a feed chamber. A carrier gas is fed through the liquid feed in the feed chamber to form a humidified carrier gas. A coolant is fed to a coolant chamber. The coolant chamber is separated from the feed chamber by an air gap chamber. The air gap chamber is separated from the feed chamber by a membrane that allows vapor to pass while blocking liquid flow across the membrane. The coolant chamber is separated from the air gap chamber by a thermally conductive plate. At least a portion of the vapor from the feed chamber that transported through the membrane is condensed by the coolant in the coolant chamber and the thermally conductive plate to form a first distillate. At least a portion of the humidified carrier gas is condensed to form a second distillate.

Abstract: A multistage vacuum membrane distillation (MS-VMD) system including a plurality of modules is provided along with a method for using the MS-VMD. The MS-VMD system includes a feed chamber coupled to a feed line and a carrier gas line, wherein the feed line introduces a liquid feed into the feed chamber from a liquid feed tank, and wherein the carrier gas line introduces a carrier gas into the feed chamber. The MS-VMD system also includes a vacuum chamber coupled to a vacuum line, wherein the vacuum line pulls a vacuum on the vacuum chamber, and a membrane separating the feed chamber from the vacuum chamber, wherein the membrane allows transportation of vapor from the feed chamber to the vacuum chamber while blocking liquid from moving from the feed chamber to the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to superhydrophobic membranes and methods of making and using such membranes. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) substrate is formed on sandpaper such that the PDMS substrate has a surface texture replicating the opposite impression of the sandpaper texture. Separately, a PVDF solution is prepared and disposed on the PDMS substrate. The PVDF substrate and liquid film combination are transferred to a solution of deionized water mixed with 2-propanol to form a PVDF film on the PDMS substrate. The PVDF film-PDMS substrate is transferred to a second DI water bath, after which the PVDF film is detached from the PDMS substrate. The PVDF film is then washed and dried, to yield a superhydrophobic PVDF membrane having the texture of sandpaper.

Abstract: A membrane distillation apparatus includes a housing and an impeller. The housing includes a hot medium compartment, a cold medium compartment, an air gap compartment, a membrane, and a thermally conductive plate. The hot medium compartment includes a hot medium inlet configured to receive a hot medium stream including water. The cold medium compartment includes a cold medium inlet configured to receive a cold medium stream. The membrane defines pores that are sized to allow water vapor originating from the hot medium stream to pass from the hot medium compartment through the membrane to the air gap compartment. The thermally conductive plate and the cold medium stream are cooperatively configured to condense the water vapor from the hot medium stream. The air gap compartment is substantially filled with air and includes a permeate outlet configured to discharge the condensed water vapor. The impeller is disposed within the air gap compartment.

Abstract: Devices and techniques may improve the permeate productivity in membrane distillation separation by modifying the feed and/or coolant sides of a membrane distillation module depending on the membrane distillation configuration. The bubbling of a carrier gas through the feed liquid in the feed liquid side of the module can increase the turbulent dissipation rate and/or enhance mass transfer across the membrane pores.

Abstract: A membrane distillation apparatus includes a housing and an impeller. The housing includes a hot medium compartment, a cold medium compartment, a permeate gap compartment, a membrane, and a thermally conductive plate. The hot medium compartment includes a hot medium inlet configured to receive a hot medium stream including water. The cold medium compartment includes a cold medium inlet configured to receive a cold medium stream. The membrane defines pores that are sized to allow water vapor originating from the hot medium stream to pass from the hot medium compartment through the membrane to the permeate gap compartment. The thermally conductive plate and the cold medium stream are cooperatively configured to condense the water vapor from the hot medium stream. The permeate gap compartment includes a permeate outlet configured to discharge the condensed water vapor. The impeller is disposed within the permeate gap compartment.

Abstract: A membrane distillation apparatus includes a housing and an impeller. The housing includes a hot medium compartment, a cold medium compartment, an air gap compartment, a membrane, and a thermally conductive plate. The hot medium compartment includes a hot medium inlet configured to receive a hot medium stream including water. The cold medium compartment includes a cold medium inlet configured to receive a cold medium stream. The membrane defines pores that are sized to allow water vapor originating from the hot medium stream to pass from the hot medium compartment through the membrane to the air gap compartment. The thermally conductive plate and the cold medium stream are cooperatively configured to condense the water vapor from the hot medium stream. The air gap compartment is substantially filled with air and includes a permeate outlet configured to discharge the condensed water vapor. The impeller is disposed within the air gap compartment.

Abstract: A membrane distillation apparatus includes a housing and an impeller. The housing includes a hot medium compartment, a cold medium compartment, a permeate gap compartment, a membrane, and a thermally conductive plate. The hot medium compartment includes a hot medium inlet configured to receive a hot medium stream including water. The cold medium compartment includes a cold medium inlet configured to receive a cold medium stream. The membrane defines pores that are sized to allow water vapor originating from the hot medium stream to pass from the hot medium compartment through the membrane to the permeate gap compartment. The thermally conductive plate and the cold medium stream are cooperatively configured to condense the water vapor from the hot medium stream. The permeate gap compartment includes a permeate outlet configured to discharge the condensed water vapor. The impeller is disposed within the permeate gap compartment.

Abstract: Devices and techniques may improve the permeate productivity in membrane distillation separation by modifying the feed and/or coolant sides of a membrane distillation module depending on the membrane distillation configuration. The bubbling of a carrier gas through the feed liquid in the feed liquid side of the module can increase the turbulent dissipation rate and/or enhance mass transfer across the membrane pores.

Abstract: A desalination and climate control system including a vapor-compression system having an evaporator, a condenser, and a working fluid that circulates between the evaporator and the condenser to transfer heat from the condenser to the evaporator, and a desalination system coupled with the desalination system having a humidifier that encloses the condenser, receives air and saline fluid, passes the saline fluid through the condenser to extract the heat and vaporizes the saline to provide humidified air and brine fluid, and a dehumidifier that encloses the evaporator, condensates the humidified air, and provides the air and demineralized fluid.

Abstract: A desalination and climate control system including a vapor-compression system having an evaporator, a condenser, and a working fluid that circulates between the evaporator and the condenser to transfer heat from the condenser to the evaporator, and a desalination system coupled with the desalination system having a humidifier that encloses the condenser, receives air and saline fluid, passes the saline fluid through the condenser to extract the heat and vaporizes the saline to provide humidified air and brine fluid, and a dehumidifier that encloses the evaporator, condensates the humidified air, and provides the air and demineralized fluid.