Abstract: In one embodiment, this invention relates to an electrodialysis device comprising an inlet for directing a feed stream into a plurality of first feed paths and a plurality of second feed paths; the feed stream is comprised of a first anionic scaling species and a first cationic scaling species; the first cationic scaling species is transferred from the second feed paths to the first feed paths through a first membrane group, the first anionic scaling species is transferred from the first feed paths to the second feed paths through the first membrane group. In another embodiment, this invention relates to a method for passivating scaling species in an electrodialysis device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, this invention relates to an electrodialysis device comprising an inlet for directing a feed stream into a plurality of first feed paths and a plurality of second feed paths; the feed stream is comprised of a first anionic scaling species and a first cationic scaling species; the first cationic scaling species is transferred from the second feed paths to the first feed paths through a first membrane group, the first anionic scaling species is transferred from the first feed paths to the second feed paths through the first membrane group. In another embodiment, this invention relates to a method for passivating scaling species in an electrodialysis device.

Abstract: In a desalination system, water is treated, for example by reverse osmosis, to produce desalinated product water and a reject stream. Salt from the reject stream is transferred to a flow of low salinity wastewater, such as effluent from a municipal wastewater treatment plant. For example, the reject stream may be fed to the high salinity cell in an electrodialysis (ED) unit. The adjacent low salinity cell receives the low salinity wastewater. The high salinity and low salinity cells are separated by ion exchange membranes. The salty wastewater is discharged, for example to the ocean. The salt-reduced reject stream is treated to extract more product water from it, for example by recycling it to the feed water. Less feed water is needed to produce a given volume of product water. If a thermal desalination unit is combined with divalent ion selective ion exchange membranes, then scaling is reduced.

Abstract: In one embodiment, this invention relates to an electrodialysis device comprising an inlet for directing a feed stream into a plurality of first feed paths and a plurality of second feed paths; the feed stream is comprised of a first anionic scaling species and a first cationic scaling species; the first cationic scaling species is transferred from the second feed paths to the first feed paths through a first membrane group, the first anionic scaling species is transferred from the first feed paths to the second feed paths through the first membrane group. In another embodiment, this invention relates to a method for passivating scaling species in an electrodialysis device.

Abstract: A process and apparatus treat brackish or non-brackish waters containing an oxidant such as perchlorate. The feed water is converted into a treated water stream and a concentrate stream in an ED, EDR, NF or RO unit. The concentrate passes through an IX resin. The IX resin removes oxidant from the concentrate stream to produce a second treated water stream. The IX resin is periodically regenerated, for example biologically in a fluidised bed reactor in regeneration system. Concentrate that has passed through the IX resin has a reduced concentration of oxidant, preferably a concentration safe for discharge or use. In the case of a brackish feed water, the second treated water stream may be desalted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for disposing of salt byproduct from a zero liquid operation, such as a zero liquid discharge desalination plant. The present method and apparatus concern a power generation plant, comprising a salinity gradient power unit (SGPU) comprising a high salinity feed, a low salinity feed, and a mixed water output. The high salinity feed is comprised of salt byproduct from a ZLD operation. The mixed water output empties into a body of water.

Abstract: In a desalination system, water is treated, for example by reverse osmosis, to produce desalinated product water and a reject stream. Salt from the reject stream is transferred to a flow of low salinity wastewater, such as effluent from a municipal wastewater treatment plant. For example, the reject stream may be fed to the high salinity cell in an electrodialysis (ED) unit. The adjacent low salinity cell receives the low salinity wastewater. The high salinity and low salinity cells are separated by ion exchange membranes. The salty wastewater is discharged, for example to the ocean. The salt-reduced reject stream is treated to extract more product water from it, for example by recycling it to the feed water. Less feed water is needed to produce a given volume of product water. If a thermal desalination unit is combined with divalent ion selective ion exchange membranes, then scaling is reduced.

Abstract: In one embodiment, this invention relates to an electrodialysis device comprising an inlet for directing a feed stream into a plurality of first feed paths and a plurality of second feed paths; the feed stream is comprised of a first anionic scaling species and a first cationic scaling species; the first cationic scaling species is transferred from the second feed paths to the first feed paths through a first membrane group, the first anionic scaling species is transferred from the first feed paths to the second feed paths through the first membrane group. In another embodiment, this invention relates to a method for passivating scaling species in an electrodialysis device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for disposing of salt byproduct from a zero liquid operation, such as a zero liquid discharge desalination plant. The present method and apparatus concern a power generation plant, comprising a salinity gradient power unit (SGPU) comprising a high salinity feed, a low salinity feed, and a mixed water output. The high salinity feed is comprised of salt byproduct from a ZLD operation. The mixed water output empties into a body of water.

Abstract: A method of removing at least benzene from a hydrocarbon stream comprises concentrating aromatics in the hydrocarbon stream by passing the hydrocarbon stream through a membrane unit having at least one membrane to produce a permeate stream and a retentate stream, wherein the permeate stream is aromatics rich relative to the hydrocarbon stream; and extracting aromatics after concentrating using a selective aromatics extraction solvent in an extraction unit to produce an extract stream, wherein the extract stream is aromatics rich relative to the permeate stream.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a combustion system comprises: a fuel supply comprising a fuel having a heating value of less than or equal to about 100 Btu/scf, an inert gas sequestration unit in fluid communication with the fuel supply, and a combustion system located downstream of and in fluid communication with the inert gas sequestration unit and with an oxidant supply. The inert gas sequestration unit comprises a membrane configured to separate N2 from CO and to form a retentate stream having a heating value of greater than or equal to about 110 Btu/scf. In one embodiment, a method for operating a power plant, comprises: passing a fuel stream through an inert gas sequestration unit to remove N2 from the fuel stream and to form a retentate stream, and combusting the retentate stream and an oxidant stream to form a combustion stream.

Abstract: A method of removing at least benzene from a hydrocarbon stream comprises concentrating aromatics in the hydrocarbon stream by passing the hydrocarbon stream through a membrane unit having at least one membrane to produce a permeate stream and a retentate stream, wherein the permeate stream is aromatics rich relative to the hydrocarbon stream; and extracting aromatics after concentrating using a selective aromatics extraction solvent in an extraction unit to produce an extract stream, wherein the extract stream is aromatics rich relative to the permeate stream.

Abstract: A transmix refining method comprises passing a transmix feed through a membrane to produce a permeate stream and a retentate stream without further processing the permeate stream and the retentate stream in a distillation device.

Abstract: A method of removing an oil-soluble metal from a hydrocarbon feedstock comprises passing the hydrocarbon feedstock through a nanofiltration membrane or a reverse osmosis membrane to produce a permeate stream having at least a vanadium concentration less than an initial vanadium concentration in the hydrocarbon feedstock, and a retentate stream having at least a vanadium concentration greater than the initial vanadium concentration in the hydrocarbon feedstock.