Abstract: Utilizing a central variable frequency drive to control a reverse osmosis system with multiple membranes and energy recovery turbos.

Abstract: A turbocharger includes a turbocharger housing having an impeller housing comprising a circular cross-section. A main nozzle is disposed within the turbocharger housing communicating a first portion of a fluid stream to a first volute. A first auxiliary channel and a first auxiliary nozzle communicating a second portion of the fluid stream to the first volute. The first auxiliary nozzle is downstream of the main nozzle. A second auxiliary channel and a second auxiliary nozzle communicate a third portion of the fluid stream to the first volute. The second auxiliary nozzle is downstream of the first auxiliary nozzle. A valve assembly is selectively coupling the first auxiliary channel to the first auxiliary nozzle and the second auxiliary channel to the second auxiliary nozzle.

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 fluid machine and method of operating the same comprises a pump portion, turbine portion and a center bearing therebetween. The method includes communicating lubricant to a thrust bearing cavity disposed between a turbine impeller and a thrust wear ring, communicating lubricant from the thrust bearing cavity to a center axial shaft passage of a shaft through an impeller passage of the turbine impeller, communicating lubricant through the axial shaft passage to a bearing clearance between a shaft and a center bearing through a first radial shaft passage and a second radial shaft passage and communicating lubricant through the bearing clearance to a pump impeller chamber and a turbine impeller chamber.

Abstract: A turbocharger includes a turbocharger housing having an impeller housing comprising a circular cross-section. A main nozzle is disposed within the turbocharger housing communicating a first portion of a fluid stream to a first volute. A first auxiliary channel and a first auxiliary nozzle communicating a second portion of the fluid stream to the first volute. The first auxiliary nozzle is downstream of the main nozzle. A second auxiliary channel and a second auxiliary nozzle communicate a third portion of the fluid stream to the first volute. The second auxiliary nozzle is downstream of the first auxiliary nozzle. A valve assembly is selectively coupling the first auxiliary channel to the first auxiliary nozzle and the second auxiliary channel to the second auxiliary nozzle.

Abstract: A turbocharger includes a turbocharger housing having an impeller housing comprising a circular cross-section. A main nozzle is disposed within the turbocharger housing communicating a first portion of a fluid stream to a first volute. A first auxiliary channel and a first auxiliary nozzle communicating a second portion of the fluid stream to the first volute. The first auxiliary nozzle is downstream of the main nozzle. A second auxiliary channel and a second auxiliary nozzle communicate a third portion of the fluid stream to the first volute. The second auxiliary nozzle is downstream of the first auxiliary nozzle. A valve assembly is selectively coupling the first auxiliary channel to the first auxiliary nozzle and the second auxiliary channel to the second auxiliary nozzle.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis system includes a first pretreatment system and a fluid source located below a reservoir. A first membrane housing has a reverse osmosis membrane therein. A first turbocharger includes a first pump portion and a first turbine portion. The first pump portion receives feed fluid from the first pretreatment system, pressurizing the feed fluid and communicates the feed fluid to the feed fluid inlet. The first turbine portion receives brine fluid from the brine outlet. The system further includes a second and third turbocharger. A second turbine portion and the third turbine portion receive brine fluid from the first turbine portion. Second feed fluid is communicated through a booster pump, a second pretreatment system, and second pump portion to increase a pressure of the second feed fluid. The second feed fluid is communicated to the third pump portion which communicates the pressurized second feed fluid to the first pump portion.

Abstract: A system and method of operating the same includes a membrane chamber comprising a membrane, an inlet, a concentrate outlet and a permeate outlet. The membrane chamber is located in a body of water at a predetermined depth. A turbocharger is disposed at about the predetermined depth and includes a pump portion coupled to the inlet of the membrane chamber and a turbine portion coupled to the concentrate outlet. A pump communicates pressurizing feed fluid and communicates the feed fluid to the turbine portion of the turbocharger though a feed pipe. A permeate pipe extends from the permeate outlet to about the surface of at the body of water.

Abstract: A rotating machine has a stationary portion, and a rotating portion. The stationary portion and the rotating portion having a fluid passage therebetween. The stationary portion comprising a first fluid channel, a well, and a second fluid channel spaced apart from the first fluid channel. The first fluid channel fluidically is coupled to receive fluid from the fluid passage. A sensor is coupled to the stationary portion and is disposed at the well.

Abstract: A turbocharger includes a turbocharger housing having an impeller housing comprising a circular cross-section. A main nozzle is disposed within the turbocharger housing communicating a first portion of a fluid stream to a first volute. A first auxiliary channel and a first auxiliary nozzle communicating a second portion of the fluid stream to the first volute. The first auxiliary nozzle is downstream of the main nozzle. A second auxiliary channel and a second auxiliary nozzle communicate a third portion of the fluid stream to the first volute. The second auxiliary nozzle is downstream of the first auxiliary nozzle. A valve assembly is selectively coupling the first auxiliary channel to the first auxiliary nozzle and the second auxiliary channel to the second auxiliary nozzle.

Abstract: A fluid to fluid pressurizer includes an elongated stationary portion comprising a plurality of flow channels, said stationary portion comprising a first face at a first end and a second face at a second end. A first and second rotor housing are disposed adjacent to the end of the elongated stationary portion and have a fluid inlet fluidically coupled to respective first and second annular channels. A first and second rotary valve plates are in the housings and have inlet valve ports coupling the fluid inlet to the plurality of flow channels and outlet valve ports fluidically coupling the flow channels to adjacent the rotor faces. The rotary valve plates have sealing surfaces adjacent the stator faces. Annular seals are disposed between the rotor housings and the rotary valve plate between the annular channels. A motor or motors rotate the rotary valve plates within the housings.

Abstract: A fluid to fluid pressurizer includes an elongated stationary portion comprising a plurality of flow channels, said stationary portion comprising a first face at a first end and a second face at a second end. A first and second rotor housing are disposed adjacent to the end of the elongated stationary portion and have a fluid inlet fluidically coupled to respective first and second annular channels. A first and second rotary valve plates are in the housings and have inlet valve ports coupling the fluid inlet to the plurality of flow channels and outlet valve ports fluidically coupling the flow channels to adjacent the rotor faces. The rotary valve plates have sealing surfaces adjacent the stator faces. Annular seals are disposed between the rotor housings and the rotary valve plate between the annular channels. A motor or motors rotate the rotary valve plates within the housings.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis system includes a first pretreatment system and a fluid source located below a reservoir. A first membrane housing has a reverse osmosis membrane therein. A first turbocharger includes a first pump portion and a first turbine portion. The first pump portion receives feed fluid from the first pretreatment system, pressurizing the feed fluid and communicates the feed fluid to the feed fluid inlet. The first turbine portion receives brine fluid from the brine outlet. The system further includes a second and third turbocharger. A second turbine portion and the third turbine portion receive brine fluid from the first turbine portion. Second feed fluid is communicated through a booster pump, a second pretreatment system, and second pump portion to increase a pressure of the second feed fluid. The second feed fluid is communicated to the third pump portion which communicates the pressurized second feed fluid to the first pump portion.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis system includes a membrane housing comprising a reverse osmosis membrane therein. The membrane housing comprising a feed fluid inlet, a brine outlet and a permeate outlet. A first turbocharger has a first pump portion and a first turbine portion. The brine outlet is coupled to a first pipe directing a first portion of brine to the first pump portion. The first pump portion is in fluid communication with the feed fluid inlet. A feed pump communicates feed fluid to the feed fluid inlet through the first turbine portion. The brine outlet is coupled to a second pipe directing a second portion of brine toward a drain through a brine control valve.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis system and method includes a feed pump pressurizing a feed stream, a first and second membrane array that generates permeate and brine streams. A first turbocharger 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 turbocharger. A second turbocharger uses second energy from the second brine stream to increase a second pressure of the feed stream. A first flow meter generates a first flow signal for the first permeate stream. A second flow meter generates a second flow signal for of the second permeate stream. A third flow meter generates a third flow signal for the second brine stream or the feed stream. A motor drives the first turbocharger or the feed pump. A controller controls the motor in response to the flow signals.

Abstract: A reverse osmosis system includes a membrane housing comprising a reverse osmosis membrane therein. The membrane housing comprising a feed fluid inlet, a brine outlet and a permeate outlet. A first turbocharger has a first pump portion and a first turbine portion. The brine outlet is coupled to a first pipe directing a first portion of brine to the first pump portion. The first pump portion is in fluid communication with the feed fluid inlet. A feed pump communicates feed fluid to the feed fluid inlet through the first turbine portion. The brine outlet is coupled to a second pipe directing a second portion of brine toward a drain through a brine control valve.

Abstract: An elongated tank for a slurry injection system has a side wall disposed in a vertical direction and top wall. The tank further comprises an end cap coupled to the side wall comprising a slurry injection channel and defining a bottom side of the tank. The bottom side is angled downward from the side wall toward the slurring injection channel.

Abstract: A rotating machine has a stationary portion, and a rotating portion. The stationary portion and the rotating portion having a fluid passage therebetween. The stationary portion comprising a first fluid channel, a well, and a second fluid channel spaced apart from the first fluid channel. The first fluid channel fluidically is coupled to receive fluid from the fluid passage. A sensor is coupled to the stationary portion and is disposed at the well.

Abstract: A fluid machine and method of operating the same includes a pump portion having a pump impeller chamber, a pump inlet and a pump outlet, a turbine portion having a turbine impeller chamber, a turbine inlet and a turbine outlet and a shaft extending between the pump impeller chamber and the turbine impeller chamber. The fluid machine also includes a first bearing and a second bearing spaced apart to form a balance disk chamber. A balance disk is coupled to the shaft and is disposed within the balance disk chamber and a turbine impeller coupled to the impeller end of the shaft disposed within the impeller chamber. A first thrust bearing is formed between the balance disk and the first bearing. The thrust bearing receives fluid from at least one of the pump outlet or the turbine inlet.

Abstract: A slurry injection system includes low and high pressure clear fluid manifolds. Low pressure clear fluid is pressurized and communicated to high pressure manifold. A blender unit communicates slurry through a sensor system that generates a flow rate signal and a density signal of the low pressure slurry. The slurry pressurizer is in fluid communication with the high pressure clear fluid manifold through a bypass pump, a mixer, the blender unit and the low pressure clear fluid manifold. The slurry pressurizer forms high pressure slurry that is communicated to the mixer and communicates fluid to the low pressure clear fluid manifold. The mixer mixes the high pressure slurry and high pressure clear fluid from the high pressure clear fluid manifold to form a mixture that is communicated to a slurry injection site. A controller controls the bypass pump using the flow rate and density to control a density of slurry.