Patents by Inventor Gregory P. Thiel
Gregory P. Thiel has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20240042345Abstract: A method for condensing a vapor uses a multi-stage bubble-column vapor mixture condenser that includes at least a first stage, a second stage, and a third stage, each with a carrier-gas inlet and outlet as well as a condensing bath and a volume of carrier gas above the condensing bath. The carrier-gas inlet of the second and third stages is in the form of a sieve plate. The first-stage condensing bath is at a temperature of 60° C. to 90° C. Carrier gas flows at a temperature above 60° C. and up to 93° C. into and through the carrier-gas inlet of the first stage, then into and through the condensing bath in the first stage, and then into and through the volume of carrier gas above the condensing bath in the first stage. The carrier gas then similarly flows through the second- and third-stage condensing baths, each of which is at least 5° C. cooler than the temperature of the condensing bath in the preceding stage.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 9, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Inventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Gregory P. Thiel, Ronan K. McGovern, John H. Lienhard, Mostafa H. Elsharqawy
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Publication number: 20210228998Abstract: A multi-stage bubble-column vapor mixture condenser includes at least a first stage and a second stage. Each stage includes a condenser chamber including a carrier-gas inlet and a carrier-gas outlet and contains a condensing bath. Carrier gas bubbles from the carrier-gas inlet up through the condensing bath, overcoming a hydrostatic head of the condensing bath, to a volume of carrier gas above the condensing bath. The carrier-gas outlet is positioned with an opening for carrier-gas extraction, and the first-stage carrier-gas outlet is in fluid communication with the second-stage carrier-gas inlet to facilitate flow of the carrier gas through the condensing bath in the first-stage condenser chamber, into the volume of carrier gas above the first-stage condensing bath, and then through the condensing bath in the second-stage condenser chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 17, 2021Publication date: July 29, 2021Applicants: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, King Fahd University of Petroleum & MineralsInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Gregory P. Thiel, Ronan K. McGovern, John H. Lienhard, Mostafa H. Elsharqawy
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Patent number: 11007455Abstract: A multi-stage bubble-column vapor mixture condenser comprises at least a first stage and a second stage. Each stage includes a carrier-gas inlet and a carrier-gas outlet, as well as a condenser chamber containing a condensing bath in fluid communication with the carrier-gas inlet and the carrier-gas outlet. The carrier-gas inlet is positioned to bubble carrier gas from the carrier-gas inlet up through the condensing bath, overcoming a hydrostatic head of the condensing bath. The carrier-gas outlet is positioned with an opening for carrier-gas extraction above the condensing bath, wherein the first-stage carrier-gas outlet is in fluid communication with the carrier-gas inlet of the second stage to facilitate flow of the carrier gas through the condensing bath in the condenser chamber of the first stage and then through the condensing bath in the condenser chamber of the second stage.Type: GrantFiled: May 7, 2019Date of Patent: May 18, 2021Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, King Fahd University of Petroleum and MineralsInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Gregory P. Thiel, Ronan K. McGovern, John H. Lienhard, Mostafa H. Elsharqawy
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Publication number: 20190282922Abstract: A multi-stage bubble-column vapor mixture condenser comprises at least a first stage and a second stage. Each stage includes a carrier-gas inlet and a carrier-gas outlet, as well as a condenser chamber containing a condensing bath in fluid communication with the carrier-gas inlet and the carrier-gas outlet. The carrier-gas inlet is positioned to bubble carrier gas from the carrier-gas inlet up through the condensing bath, overcoming a hydrostatic head of the condensing bath. The carrier-gas outlet is positioned with an opening for carrier-gas extraction above the condensing bath, wherein the first-stage carrier-gas outlet is in fluid communication with the carrier-gas inlet of the second stage to facilitate flow of the carrier gas through the condensing bath in the condenser chamber of the first stage and then through the condensing bath in the condenser chamber of the second stage.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 7, 2019Publication date: September 19, 2019Applicants: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, King Fahd University of Petroleum and MineralsInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Gregory P. Thiel, Ronan K. McGovern, John H. Lienhard, Mostafa H. Elsharqawy
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Publication number: 20160271518Abstract: A multi-stage bubble-column vapor mixture condenser comprises at least a first stage and a second stage. Each stage includes a carrier-gas inlet and a carrier-gas outlet, as well as a condenser chamber containing a condensing bath in fluid communication with the carrier-gas inlet and the carrier-gas outlet. The carrier-gas inlet is positioned to bubble carrier gas from the carrier-gas inlet up through the condensing bath, overcoming a hydrostatic head of the condensing bath. The carrier-gas outlet is positioned with an opening for carrier-gas extraction above the condensing bath, wherein the first-stage carrier-gas outlet is in fluid communication with the carrier-gas inlet of the second stage to facilitate flow of the carrier gas through the condensing bath in the condenser chamber of the first stage and then through the condensing bath in the condenser chamber of the second stage.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2016Publication date: September 22, 2016Applicants: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, King Fahd University of Petroleum and MineralsInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Gregory P. Thiel, Ronan K. McGovern, John H. Lienhard, Mostafa H. Elsharqawy
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Patent number: 9416800Abstract: A carrier-gas mixture is directed through a fluid flow path in a combined heat and mass transfer device, which can be operated at sub-atmospheric pressure. Heat and mass are transferred from or to the carrier-gas mixture via interaction with a liquid composition that includes a vaporizable component in a liquid state to substantially change the content of the vaporizable component in the carrier-gas mixture via evaporation or condensation. The mass flow rate of the carrier-gas mixture is varied by extracting or injecting the carrier-gas mixture from at least one intermediate location in the fluid flow path, and/or the mass flow rate of the liquid composition is varied by extracting or injecting the liquid composition from at least one intermediate location in the fluid flow path; and the flow of the carrier-gas mixture or the liquid composition is regulated to reduce the average local enthalpy pinch in the device.Type: GrantFiled: June 24, 2013Date of Patent: August 16, 2016Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, King Fahd University of Petroleum MineralsInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Gregory P. Thiel, Ronan K. McGovern, John H. Lienhard, Sarit K. Das, Karim M. Chehayeb, Syed M. Zubair, Mohammed A. Antar
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Patent number: 9403104Abstract: A multi-stage bubble-column vapor mixture condenser comprises at least a first stage and a second stage. Each stage includes a carrier-gas inlet and a carrier-gas outlet, as well as a condenser chamber containing a condensing bath in fluid communication with the carrier-gas inlet and the carrier-gas outlet. The carrier-gas inlet is positioned to bubble carrier gas from the carrier-gas inlet up through the condensing bath, overcoming a hydrostatic head of the condensing bath. The carrier-gas outlet is positioned with an opening for carrier-gas extraction above the condensing bath, wherein the first-stage carrier-gas outlet is in fluid communication with the carrier-gas inlet of the second stage to facilitate flow of the carrier gas through the condensing bath in the condenser chamber of the first stage and then through the condensing bath in the condenser chamber of the second stage.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2015Date of Patent: August 2, 2016Assignees: Massachusetts Institute Technology, King Fahd University of Petroleum and MineralsInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Gregory P. Thiel, Ronan K. McGovern, John H. Lienhard, Mostafa H. Elsharqawy
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Patent number: 9320984Abstract: A humidification-dehumidification system comprises a source of liquid; a humidifier including carrier-gas and liquid inlets and outlets and a chamber in which the liquid can contact a carrier gas containing a condensable fluid in vapor phase that is introduced from the carrier-gas inlet in a counterflow arrangement and in which a portion of the liquid can vaporize into the carrier gas; a bubble-column vapor mixture condenser including at least first and second stages, each stage including a carrier-gas inlet and outlet and a chamber configured to contain a liquid bath in fluid communication with the carrier-gas inlet and the carrier-gas outlet; a conduit passing from the source of the liquid through the chamber of each stage of the bubble-column condenser; and an intermediate exchange conduit coupled with (a) the bubble-column vapor mixture condenser and (b) the humidifier chamber at intermediate stages of each for transfer of the carrier gas therebetween.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2015Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of TechnologyInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Gregory P. Thiel, Ronan K. McGovern, John H. Lienhard, Mostafa H. Elsharqawy
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Publication number: 20150290557Abstract: A multi-stage bubble-column vapor mixture condenser comprises at least a first stage and a second stage. Each stage includes a carrier-gas inlet and a carrier-gas outlet, as well as a condenser chamber containing a condensing bath in fluid communication with the carrier-gas inlet and the carrier-gas outlet. The carrier-gas inlet is positioned to bubble carrier gas from the carrier-gas inlet up through the condensing bath, overcoming a hydrostatic head of the condensing bath. The carrier-gas outlet is positioned with an opening for carrier-gas extraction above the condensing bath, wherein the first-stage carrier-gas outlet is in fluid communication with the carrier-gas inlet of the second stage to facilitate flow of the carrier gas through the condensing bath in the condenser chamber of the first stage and then through the condensing bath in the condenser chamber of the second stage.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 19, 2015Publication date: October 15, 2015Inventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Gregory P. Thiel, Ronan K. McGovern, John H. Lienhard, Mostafa H. Elsharqawy
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Publication number: 20150260418Abstract: A humidification-dehumidification system comprises a source of liquid; a humidifier including carrier-gas and liquid inlets and outlets and a chamber in which the liquid can contact a carrier gas containing a condensable fluid in vapor phase that is introduced from the carrier-gas inlet in a counterflow arrangement and in which a portion of the liquid can vaporize into the carrier gas; a bubble-column vapor mixture condenser including at least first and second stages, each stage including a carrier-gas inlet and outlet and a chamber configured to contain a liquid bath in fluid communication with the carrier-gas inlet and the carrier-gas outlet; a conduit passing from the source of the liquid through the chamber of each stage of the bubble-column condenser; and an intermediate exchange conduit coupled with (a) the bubble-column vapor mixture condenser and (b) the humidifier chamber at intermediate stages of each for transfer of the carrier gas therebetween.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2015Publication date: September 17, 2015Inventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Gregory P. Thiel, Ronan K. McGovern, John H. Lienhard, Mostafa H. Elsharqawy
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Patent number: 9072984Abstract: In a bubble-column vapor mixture condenser, a fluid source supplies a carrier-gas stream including a condensable fluid in vapor phase. The condensable fluid in liquid form is contained as a bath in a chamber in each stage of the condenser, and the carrier gas is bubbled through the bath to condense the fluid into the bath. The bubble-column vapor mixture condenser can be used, e.g., in a humidification-dehumidification system for purifying a liquid, such as water.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2011Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, King Fahd University of Petroleum and MineralsInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Gregory P. Thiel, Ronan K. McGovern, John H. Lienhard, Mostafa H. Elsharqawy
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Patent number: 8778065Abstract: In a bubble-column vapor mixture condenser, a fluid source supplies a carrier-gas stream including a condensable fluid in vapor phase. The condensable fluid in liquid form is contained as a bath in a chamber in each stage of the condenser, and the carrier gas is bubbled through the bath to condense the condensable fluid into the bath. Energy from condensation is recovered to a coolant in a conduit that passes through the liquid in the stages of the condenser. The bubble-column vapor mixture condenser can be used, e.g., in a humidification-dehumidification system for purifying a liquid, such as water.Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2013Date of Patent: July 15, 2014Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, King Fahd University of Petroleum & MineralsInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Gregory P. Thiel, Ronan K. McGovern, John H. Lienhard, Mostafa Hamed Elsharqawy
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Publication number: 20140014212Abstract: A carrier-gas mixture is directed through a fluid flow path in a combined heat and mass transfer device, which can be operated at sub-atmospheric pressure. Heat and mass are transferred from or to the carrier-gas mixture via interaction with a liquid composition that includes a vaporizable component in a liquid state to substantially change the content of the vaporizable component in the carrier-gas mixture via evaporation or condensation. The mass flow rate of the carrier-gas mixture is varied by extracting or injecting the carrier-gas mixture from at least one intermediate location in the fluid flow path, and/or the mass flow rate of the liquid composition is varied by extracting or injecting the liquid composition from at least one intermediate location in the fluid flow path; and the flow of the carrier-gas mixture or the liquid composition is regulated to reduce the average local enthalpy pinch in the device.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2013Publication date: January 16, 2014Applicants: KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALS, MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGYInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Gregory P. Thiel, Ronan K. McGovern, John H. Lienhard, Sarit K. Das, Karim M. Chehayeb, Syed M. Zubair, Mohammed A. Antar
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Publication number: 20130341810Abstract: In a bubble-column vapor mixture condenser, a fluid source supplies a carrier-gas stream including a condensable fluid in vapor phase. The condensable fluid in liquid form is contained as a bath in a chamber in each stage of the condenser, and the carrier gas is bubbled through the bath to condense the condensable fluid into the bath. Energy from condensation is recovered to a coolant in a conduit that passes through the liquid in the stages of the condenser. The bubble-column vapor mixture condenser can be used, e.g., in a humidification-dehumidification system for purifying a liquid, such as water.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 26, 2013Publication date: December 26, 2013Applicants: KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALS, MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGYInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Gregory P. Thiel, Ronan K. McGovern, John H. Lienhard, Mostafa Hamed Elsharqawy
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Patent number: 8523985Abstract: In a bubble-column vapor mixture condenser, a fluid source supplies a carrier-gas stream including a condensable fluid in vapor phase. The condensable fluid in liquid form is contained as a bath in a chamber in each stage of the condenser, and the carrier gas is bubbled through the bath to condense the fluid into the bath. Energy from condensation is recovered to a liquid composition in a conduit that passes through the liquid in the stages of the condenser. The bubble-column vapor mixture condenser can be used, e.g., in a humidification-dehumidification system for purifying a liquid, such as water.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2012Date of Patent: September 3, 2013Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, King Fahd University of Petroleum and MineralsInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Gregory P. Thiel, Ronan K. McGovern, John H. Lienhard, Mostafa H. Elsharqawy
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Patent number: 8496234Abstract: A carrier-gas mixture is directed through a fluid flow path in a combined heat and mass transfer device operating at a sub-atmospheric pressure. Heat and mass are transferred from or to the carrier-gas mixture via interaction with a liquid composition that includes a vaporizable component in a liquid state to substantially change the content of the vaporizable component in the carrier-gas mixture via evaporation or condensation of the vaporizable component. The mass flow rate of the carrier-gas mixture is varied by extracting or injecting the carrier-gas mixture from at least one intermediate location in the fluid flow path, and/or the mass flow rate of the liquid composition is varied by extracting or injecting the liquid composition from at least one intermediate location in the fluid flow path; and the flow of the carrier-gas mixture or the liquid composition is regulated to reduce the average local enthalpy pinch in the device.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2012Date of Patent: July 30, 2013Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, King Fahd University of Petroleum and MineralsInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Gregory P. Thiel, Ronan K. McGovern, John H. Lienhard, Sarit K. Das, Karim M. Chehayeb, Syed M. Zubair, Mohammed A. Antar
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Publication number: 20130074694Abstract: In a bubble-column vapor mixture condenser, a fluid source supplies a carrier-gas stream including a condensable fluid in vapor phase. The condensable fluid in liquid form is contained as a bath in a chamber in each stage of the condenser, and the carrier gas is bubbled through the bath to condense the fluid into the bath. The bubble-column vapor mixture condenser can be used, e.g., in a humidification-dehumidification system for purifying a liquid, such as water.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2011Publication date: March 28, 2013Applicant: MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGYInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Gregory P. Thiel, Ronan K. McGovern, John H. Lienhard, Mostafa H. Elsharqawy
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Publication number: 20130075940Abstract: In a bubble-column vapor mixture condenser, a fluid source supplies a carrier-gas stream including a condensable fluid in vapor phase. The condensable fluid in liquid form is contained as a bath in a chamber in each stage of the condenser, and the carrier gas is bubbled through the bath to condense the fluid into the bath. Energy from condensation is recovered to a liquid composition in a conduit that passes through the liquid in the stages of the condenser. The bubble-column vapor mixture condenser can be used, e.g., in a humidification-dehumidification system for purifying a liquid, such as water.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2012Publication date: March 28, 2013Applicants: KING FAHD UNIVERSITY OF PETROLEUM AND MINERALS, MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGYInventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Gregory P. Thiel, Ronan K. McGovern, John H. Lienhard, Mostafa H. Elsharqawy