Abstract: An induced symbiotic osmosis system and method for treating produced fluids from a hydraulic fracturing process or system for symbiotic fluids fractionation, salinity power generation, brines and salts solution reverse osmosis. The system includes a reverse osmosis membrane assembly to create potable water from produced water. The membrane assembly includes a hollow fiber or flat sheet membrane and headers to transfer desalinated water therefrom. The system can include an electro coagulation system, an ultra or nano filtration system, and a desalter to treat the produced water or brine. A heat exchanger can be positioned between adjacent reverse osmosis membrane assemblies. An osmotic power generation unit can create electrical power by receiving and utilizing produce water and brine water from a brine storage. The system reduces the release of global warming contributing gases associated with hydraulic fracturing, while producing potable water and power.

Abstract: The present application includes a symbiotic reverse osmosis train system for maximizing desalinated water recovery, meanwhile yielding high salinity brine suitable for osmotic power generation or commercial salt production. The trains comprise a series of cells operating in an interrelated sequential pattern within a salinity field. Each cell forms a closed hydraulic brine loop having pumping means, power recovery means and shared semipermeable membranes between adjacent cells. Used are a semipermeable Flat Sheet or Hollow Fiber Membrane in desalination and osmotic power generation of brackish, seawater and brines of 15% salinity or more. Charging each cell in the train of cells with a formulated brine having a specified ionizable inorganic salt concentration and type, without permitting mixing of the given brines among adjacent cells. Allowing the train to achieve water recovery exceeding 85% with concentrated rejected brine of 28-30% salt content.

Abstract: The present application includes a system and method that introduces a rather new and unique approach to desalinating or recovering energy from hyper saline waters. The system includes a flat sheet membrane panel assembly including a plurality of membranes laid flat. A plurality of end caps are coupled to the plurality of membranes on opposing ends. A frame is configured to house the plurality of membranes and the plurality of end caps. The frame includes a top and bottom header to secure the membranes and permit the passage of fluid away from the membranes. The method includes subjecting a flat sheet membrane to pressurized untreated fluid. The fluid passes through a porous portion of a frame and is filtered by one or more flat sheet membranes. The treated fluid is collected and the brine is discharged. Pressure of the fluid is regulated to maintain consistent levels.

Abstract: An induced symbiotic osmosis system and method for treating produced fluids from a hydraulic fracturing process or system for symbiotic fluids fractionation, salinity power generation, brines and salts solution reverse osmosis. The system includes a reverse osmosis membrane assembly to create potable water from produced water. The membrane assembly includes a hollow fiber or flat sheet membrane and headers to transfer desalinated water therefrom. The system can include an electro coagulation system, an ultra or nano filtration system, and a desalter to treat the produced water or brine. A heat exchanger can be positioned between adjacent reverse osmosis membrane assemblies. An osmotic power generation unit can create electrical power by receiving and utilizing produce water and brine water from a brine storage. The system reduces the release of global warming contributing gases associated with hydraulic fracturing, while producing potable water and power.

Abstract: The present application includes a system and method that introduces a rather new and unique approach to desalinating or recovering energy from hyper saline waters. The system includes a flat sheet membrane panel assembly including a plurality of membranes laid flat. A plurality of end caps are coupled to the plurality of membranes on opposing ends. A frame is configured to house the plurality of membranes and the plurality of end caps. The frame includes a top and bottom header to secure the membranes and permit the passage of fluid away from the membranes. The method includes subjecting a flat sheet membrane to pressurized untreated fluid. The fluid passes through a porous portion of a frame and is filtered by one or more flat sheet membranes. The treated fluid is collected and the brine is discharged. Pressure of the fluid is regulated to maintain consistent levels.

Abstract: The present application includes a symbiotic reverse osmosis train system for maximizing desalinated water recovery, meanwhile yielding high salinity brine suitable for osmotic power generation or commercial salt production. The trains comprise a series of cells operating in an interrelated sequential pattern within a salinity field. Each cell forms a closed hydraulic brine loop having pumping means, power recovery means and shared semipermeable membranes between adjacent cells. Used are a semipermeable Flat Sheet or Hollow Fiber Membrane in desalination and osmotic power generation of brackish, seawater and brines of 15% salinity or more. Charging each cell in the train of cells with a formulated brine having a specified ionizable inorganic salt concentration and type, without permitting mixing of the given brines among adjacent cells. Allowing the train to achieve water recovery exceeding 85% with concentrated rejected brine of 28-30% salt content.

Abstract: The present application comprises symbiotic reverse osmosis train system for maximizing desalinated water recovery, meanwhile yielding high salinity brine suitable for osmotic power generation or commercial salt production; trains comprise series of number of cells operating in interrelated sequential pattern within a salinity field. Each cell forms a closed hydraulic brine loop having pumping means, power recovery means and shared semipermeable membranes between adjacent cells, defining the boundaries of flow path within a given cell, using applicant's technology for semipermeable Flat Sheet Membranes [FSM] or Hollow Fiber Membranes [HFM] intended for new and novel development in Hypersalinity processes and applications in desalination and osmotic power generation of brackish, seawater and brines of 15% salinity or more.

Abstract: The present application introduces design methodology and manufacturing procedures employing conventional permeable and semipermeable membrane flat sheet membrane apparatus [FSM], adapted for use in symbiotic fluids fractionation, water treatment, symbiotic osmotic processes of brine desalination and osmotic power generation, where flat sheet membranes are manufactured in the form of plurality of spaced apart, encaged self-supported unrolled membrane of flat surface panel (leaf) in three (3) categories, including; methodology for assembly of pre-cut flat sheet membrane panels, tube-like blown or rolled membrane film methodology, and blanketing membrane sheet methodology. Further assembling these flat sheet membranes in large membrane frames, where symbiotic reverse osmosis or symbiotic osmosis power generation membrane panels varies from about 250 mm (˜10 inch) to 1.00 m (˜40 inch) in width and 250 mm to 2.

Abstract: A method of making a membrane element adapted for use in water treatment and osmotic pressures, the method comprises providing a plurality of spacer structures having given dimension, placing one or more spacer structures on a hollow fiber (“HF”) assembly platform, extending rows of HFs with spaces having given width therebetween over the one or more spacer structures aligned with the longitudinal axis of the HF assembly platform, forming a membrane element comprising a stack of alternating rows of HFs and intervening spacer structures wherein each HF comprises a hydrophilic semipermeable membrane being adapted to achieve salt rejection of 98.5% or more and exhibiting a surface tension of 35 dynes/cm or more and the given dimensions, a first width and a second width are effective to maintain a Reynolds Number of 3000 or more and the stack maintaining a mechanical integrity at feed pumping pressure of 30 bars or higher.

Abstract: A membrane element comprising: a hollow fiber (HF) stack comprising a plurality of loosely packed hollow fibers (HFs) comprising first ends extending through one contact structure and opposed ends extending through an opposed contact structure, each HF comprising an elongated lumen extending between the one contact structure and the opposed contact structure and comprising a hydrophilic semipermeable membrane adapted to achieve salt rejection of 98.

Abstract: A membrane element consisting of a hollow fiber stack (HF stack) comprising a plurality of substantially equally spaced hollow fibers (HFs) comprising multiple alternate rows of HFs comprising first ends extending through and between contact structures comprising solid thermoset material, each HF consisting of a hydrophilic semipermeable membrane defining an elongated lumen, each HF comprising a portion that extends from one contact structure to an opposed contact structure, wherein the HFs in alternate rows are aligned with the spaces in adjacent rows, forming a hexagonal pattern comprising repeating adjacent and/overlapping hexagons, wherein each hexagon comprises a central hollow fiber (central HF) surrounded by six immediately adjacent HFs defining a hexagonal perimeter comprising six sides, the six immediately adjacent HFs being substantially equally spaced from one another and substantially equally spaced from the central hollow fiber, wherein the spacing is adapted to maintain a Reynolds' number of abo

Abstract: An induced symbiotic osmosis pump (ISOP) (and method of using same) comprising: a closed loop comprising a riser pipe and a downpipe having substantially the same length fluidly communicating at a base with an induced osmosis semipermeable membrane and fluidly communicating at an opposed end with a brine pump fluidly communicating with a pressure exchanger fluidly communicating with a reverse osmosis membrane, the downpipe comprising a check valve; the induced osmosis semipermeable membrane of the closed loop fluidly communicating with an initial reverse osmosis module fluidly communicating with a brine pump fluidly communicating with a source of fluid having an initial salinity; the brine pump electronically communicating with an electrical source; and, the reverse osmosis membrane fluidly communicating with a storage tank.

Abstract: An induced symbiotic osmosis pump (ISOP) (and method of using same) comprising: a closed loop comprising a riser pipe and a downpipe having substantially the same length fluidly communicating at a base with an induced osmosis semipermeable membrane and fluidly communicating at an opposed end with a brine pump fluidly communicating with a pressure exchanger fluidly communicating with a reverse osmosis membrane, the downpipe comprising a check valve; the induced osmosis semipermeable membrane of the closed loop fluidly communicating with an initial reverse osmosis module fluidly communicating with a brine pump fluidly communicating with a source of fluid having an initial salinity; the brine pump electronically communicating with an electrical source; and, the reverse osmosis membrane fluidly communicating with a storage tank.

Abstract: A membrane element comprising: a hollow fiber (HF) stack comprising a plurality of loosely packed hollow fibers (HFs) comprising first ends extending through one contact structure and opposed ends extending through an opposed contact structure, each HF comprising an elongated lumen extending between the one contact structure and the opposed contact structure and comprising a hydrophilic semipermeable membrane adapted to achieve salt rejection of 98.

Abstract: A method comprising providing a power train comprising a plurality of cells, each cell forming a hydraulic loop; producing a power train cycle comprising a controlled concentration-pressure loop wherein the concentration field: (a) osmotically induces a continuous and constant flow rate of substantially salt-free permeate flux throughout the power train; (b) maintains a salt concentration difference across the semipermeable membrane shared by the adjacent cells in the plurality of cells; (c) defines a salt concentration ratio within each cell that ensures a net positive power generation; and, (d) discharges the concentrated brine at the opposing end cell; and operating the power train under conditions effective to generate net positive power at an efficiency of 35% or more.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for renewable power generation utilizes the chemical potential dissimilarity between solutions of differing ionic formulations. A train is formed by a sequentially ordered set of a plurality of cells in which each successive cell is related to the preceding cell. Each cell has pumping means and hydro-power generation turbine means to form a closed hydraulic loop configured for specified volumetric and flow capacity. Adjacent cells share semipermeable membranes. Each cell is charged with a brine of specified ionizable inorganic salt quantity and type with the brine being cycled in a controlled concentration-pressure loop, with each of the cells operating at progressively increasing concentration and osmotic pressure ratio.