Abstract: Methods and systems are described herein for early detection of scaling during processing of liquid solutions. Particularly, the methods and systems described herein provide detection of the onset of scalant crystallization, so that measures can be deployed in a way that avoids significant scaling of membranes or other separating elements.

Abstract: A system for obtaining a desired cooling effect that utilizes a water-soluble endothermic salt solution and pure water. The cooling effect is created by cycling between two phases, a refrigeration phase and a dehydration phase. In the refrigeration phase, a water-soluble endothermic salt solution is used as a refrigerant to absorb heat by pumping through a first heat exchanger which cools an object or an area. In the dehydration phase, the cooling process is regenerated by pumping the now heated endothermic salt solution through a distillation membrane, where the solution and pure water are continuously commingled and separated from one another through a distillation membrane to optimize the thermodynamic efficiency of the system. At least two pumps provide the motive energy to move the endothermic salt and pure water through the closed loop piping system. The concentrated salt solution leaving the distillation membrane is further cooled using a second heat exchanger to facilitate crystal formation.