Condensing Patents (Class 202/180)
  • Patent number: 11884555
    Abstract: A fluid vapor distillation apparatus. The apparatus includes a source fluid input, and an evaporator condenser apparatus. The evaporator condenser apparatus includes a substantially cylindrical housing and a plurality of tubes in the housing. The source fluid input is fluidly connected to the evaporator condenser and the evaporator condenser transforms source fluid into steam and transforms compressed steam into product fluid. Also included in the fluid vapor distillation apparatus is a heat exchanger fluidly connected to the source fluid input and a product fluid output. The heat exchanger includes an outer tube and at least one inner tube. Also included in the fluid vapor distillation apparatus is a regenerative blower fluidly connected to the evaporator condenser. The regenerative blower compresses steam, and the compressed steam flows to the evaporative condenser where compressed steam is transformed into product fluid. The fluid vapor distillation apparatus also includes a control system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Ryan K. LaRocque, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Stephen M. Ent, Andrew A. Schnellinger, Prashant Bhat, Stanley B. Smith, III, Otis L. Clapp
  • Patent number: 11857928
    Abstract: The invention relates to a multistage membrane distillation apparatus (5000), comprising a plurality of multistage membrane distillation modules (500, 600), the modules being configured to be flowed through in parallel by a liquid (F) to be concentrated. Each module comprises a plurality of serial condensation/evaporation stages (50, 60) configured to be flowed through in series by the liquid to be concentrated. Each condensation/evaporation stage comprises a plurality of parallel condensation/evaporation elements (101, 102) configured to be flowed through in parallel by the liquid to be concentrated. Each condensation/evaporation element comprises at least one condensation unit and at least one evaporation unit. The apparatus further comprises at least one of: a centralized heating stage configured to generate steam and to provide the steam to each of the modules in parallel, and a centralized condensation stage configured to receive steam from each of the modules in parallel and to condensate the steam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: EVCON GMBH
    Inventors: Norbert Borgmann, Markus Wenzel, Wolfgang Heinzl
  • Patent number: 11826681
    Abstract: A fluid vapor distillation apparatus. The apparatus includes a source fluid input, and an evaporator condenser apparatus. The evaporator condenser apparatus includes a substantially cylindrical housing and a plurality of tubes in the housing. The source fluid input is fluidly connected to the evaporator condenser and the evaporator condenser transforms source fluid into steam and transforms compressed steam into product fluid. Also included in the fluid vapor distillation apparatus is a heat exchanger fluidly connected to the source fluid input and a product fluid output. The heat exchanger includes an outer tube and at least one inner tube. Also included in the fluid vapor distillation apparatus is a regenerative blower fluidly connected to the evaporator condenser. The regenerative blower compresses steam, and the compressed steam flows to the evaporative condenser where compressed steam is transformed into product fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partneship
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Prashant Bhat, Ryan K. LaRocque, Otis L. Clapp, Andrew A. Schnellinger, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Stanley B. Smith, III
  • Patent number: 11814303
    Abstract: Systems and processes for water-oil separations include feeding an oil-water mixture to an inlet of a water-oil separation vessel for separation of the decontaminated water from the oil. Steam bubbles are used to facilitate the separations, where the systems and processes include a water circulation loop for circulating a portion of the decontaminated water through the water circulation loop and heating the water to generate steam via solar energy captured by the concentrated solar collector. The steam may then be fed to a distributor in a separation chamber of the water-oil separation vessel, the distributor distributing the steam in the separation chamber of the water-oil separation vessel as a plurality of bubbles, facilitating separation of oil from water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventor: Malik Abdulqader M. AlShareef
  • Patent number: 11745118
    Abstract: A distillation apparatus for removing a solvent from a feed solution and producing a concentrated solute with mechanical recompression of vapor. A pre-heating heat exchanger receives and heats the feed solution from a previously produced intermediate instance of the vapor. A heat exchanger receives the feed solution from the pre-heating heat exchanger, to further heat the feed solution from heat in the vapor, and there from produce the vapor and the concentrated solute. A separator separates the vapor and the concentrated solute. And a compressor receives and compresses the vapor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Ace Machine Design LLC
    Inventor: Agustus Berman Shelandaer
  • Patent number: 11703036
    Abstract: Thermal energy is extracted from geological formations using a heat harvester. In some embodiments, the heat harvester is a once-through, closed loop, underground heat harvester created by directionally drilling through hot rock. The extracted thermal energy can be converted or transformed to other forms of energy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: XGS Energy, Inc.
    Inventors: Piotr D. Moncarz, Walter R. Kolbe, Louis E. Capuano, Jr., Keanen Ryan
  • Patent number: 11612830
    Abstract: A distillation head for distilling a distillate from a vaporous distilland. The distillation head including a headspace chamber within a condenser surface. An inlet port having an extended portion below and to but not into the headspace, to receive the vaporous distilland and pass it into the headspace. A collection surface below the headspace to collect the distillate. And an outlet port, to receive the distillate from the collection surface and pass it out of the distillation head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Inventors: Agustus Berman Shelander, Lilibel De La Puente
  • Patent number: 11597660
    Abstract: Methods and systems for circulating hot air in a solar desalination system include a desalination structure having an air flow path defined between an external surface layer and an internal surface layer. A return flow conduit has a fan, a check valve, and a control valve. Saline water is delivered through a nozzle to provide a mist. An air flow within the air flow path is heated to form a hot air supply. The mist is heated with the hot air supply to form an evaporated fluid. The fan is operated to divert a diverted portion of the hot air supply into the return flow conduit to be mixed with an ambient air to form and heat the air flow. The volume of the diverted portion can be controlled with the control valve. The check valve prevents ambient air from entering the return flow conduit at a base end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2023
    Assignee: SAUDI ARABIAN OIL COMPANY
    Inventor: Thamer Al-Mutairi
  • Patent number: 11473813
    Abstract: A well completion to convert a hydrocarbon production well into a geothermal well includes flow tubes to transport a working fluid through the well and a heat exchanger at a downhole location coupled to the flow tubes to exchange heat of the formation at the downhole location with the working fluid. A heat exchange fluid surrounds the heat exchanger at the downhole location to be heated by the formation at the downhole location. The heat exchanger heats the working fluid to a state in which the working fluid rises to the surface. At the surface, a power plant uses the heated working fluid to generate work. The working fluid is then cooled and returned to the downhole location to repeat the work generation cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Atallah N. Alharbi, Mashari Al-Otaibi
  • Patent number: 11052349
    Abstract: The present disclosure to an apparatus for membrane distillation using a solar absorber and a heat pump, in which in the implementation of a membrane distillation process for producing treated water using a temperature difference between raw water and a coolant, raw water is heated using the solar absorber with improved heat collection efficiency, and through this, the treated water production efficiency of the membrane distillation process is improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: KOREA INSTITUTE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
    Inventors: Kyung Guen Song, Won Jun Choi, Jae Won Shin, Jin-soo Cho, Dasom Wang
  • Patent number: 10689265
    Abstract: A water purifying and desalination system includes solar concentrators that receive a sunlight and direct the sunlight toward many locations. Heat collection elements positioned at the of locations absorb and convert a solar radiation into thermal energy. Some of heat collection elements include perforations to facilitate a state change in a heat-transfer fluid having a high salinity. A condenser condenses a portion of the heat-transfer fluid using a portion of the heat-transfer fluid as its coolant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Inventor: Satish Mahna
  • Patent number: 10233095
    Abstract: The solar desalination and power generating system is a hybrid system combining a Fresnel solar concentrator with a solar desalination still, and further including at least one concentrating photovoltaic cell for simultaneously generating electrical power. The solar still includes an absorber base, at least one sidewall, and a hollow cover. The hollow cover has an inlet port for receiving seawater, which passes through an interior of the hollow cover and exits through at least one outlet port into an open interior region of the solar still. At least one collection duct collects pure water condensate. A vacuum pump selectively lowers the pressure within the open interior region of the solar still. The solar still is suspended above a linear Fresnel reflector array such that the at least one concentrating photovoltaic cell, mounted to a lower surface of the absorber base, is positioned at a focal line thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: King Saud University
    Inventor: Zeyad Abdulwahid Ghaleb Haidar
  • Patent number: 10202328
    Abstract: A process for extraction of ferulic acid present in an aqueous phase, obtained by treatment of at least one plant material, and also containing polysaccharides, is described, said process comprising at least the following steps: 1) the treatment of said plant material followed by a solid/liquid separation to recover a solid phase and an aqueous liquid phase comprising the ferulic acid and said polysaccharides, 2) the treatment of said liquid phase to selectively separate, on the one hand, the polysaccharides and, on the other hand, the ferulic acid present in an aqueous fraction, 3) the concentration of said aqueous fraction containing the ferulic acid so as to recover a ferulic acid-concentrated stream, 4) the recovery of the ferulic acid in solid form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: Rhodia Operations
    Inventors: Denis Revelant, Stephanie Foucher, Dominique Horbez, Philippe Marion
  • Patent number: 10183233
    Abstract: The solar desalination system is a hybrid system combining a Fresnel solar concentrator with a solar desalination still. The solar still includes an absorber base, at least one sidewall, and a hollow cover. The hollow cover has an inlet port for receiving seawater such that the seawater passes through an interior of the hollow cover and exits through at least one outlet port into an open interior region of the solar still. At least one collection duct is secured to an inner face of the at least one sidewall for collecting pure water condensate. A vacuum pump is in communication with the open interior region of the solar still through a vacuum port for selectively lowering the pressure within the open interior region of the solar still. The solar still is suspended above a linear Fresnel reflector array such that the absorber base is positioned at a focal point thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: King Saud University
    Inventor: Zeyad Abdulwahid Ghaleb Haidar
  • Patent number: 9978466
    Abstract: A method of harnessing geothermal energy to produce electricity by lowering a geothermal generator deep into a pre-drilled well bore below the Earth's surface. The Self Contained In-Ground Geothermal Generator (SCI-GGG) includes a boiler, a turbine compartment, an electricity generator, a condenser and produces electricity down at the heat sources and transmits it up to the ground surface by cable. The Self Contained Heat Exchanger (SCHE) is integral part of (SCI-GGG) system and can function independently. It consists of a closed loop system with two heat exchangers. No pollution is emitted during production process. There is no need for hydro-thermal reservoirs although not limited to hot rocks. It can be implemented in many different applications. The SCHE also includes an in-line water pump operatively coupled to the closed loop system and can be used in many different applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Inventor: Nikola Lakic
  • Publication number: 20150114817
    Abstract: An apparatus for vapourising a medium and separating droplets as well as for condensing, in which apparatus an evaporator (A) and a condenser (B) are arranged inside a single outer casing in such a manner that they are separated from each other by a partition wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventor: Mauri Kontu
  • Publication number: 20150075964
    Abstract: A water vending apparatus is disclosed. The water vending system includes a water vapor distillation apparatus and a dispensing device. The dispensing device is in fluid communication with the fluid vapor distillation apparatus and the product water from the fluid vapor distillation apparatus is dispensed by the dispensing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventors: Dean Kamen, Christopher C. Langenfeld, Ryan K. LaRocque, Andrew A. Schnellinger, Prashant Bhat, Stanley B. Smith, III, Otis L. Clapp, Jeremy M. Swerdlow
  • Publication number: 20150075963
    Abstract: A water treatment system (220) heats raw water, gasifies a portion thereof by an evaporator (34), and condenses the gasified steam at a condensation area (240) to obtain condensed water. The water treatment system (220) includes a heater (32) for heating raw water, a steam conducting part (35, 36) for conducting, to the condensation area (240), steam gasified from the raw water heated by the heater (32), and a pipe (221) for conducting circulating water from the condensation area (240) to the evaporator (34), causing heat exchange between the steam conducted to the condensation area (240) by the steam conducting part (35, 36) and the circulating water, as well as causing heat exchange between the raw water and the circulating water at the evaporator (34).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2013
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventor: Takashi Yabe
  • Patent number: 8920609
    Abstract: The device and method are provided to increase anhydrosugars yield during pyrolysis of biomass. This increase is achieved by injection of a liquid or gas into the vapor stream of any pyrolysis reactor prior to the reactor condensers. A second feature of our technology is the utilization of sonication, microwave excitation, or shear mixing of the biomass to increase the acid catalyst rate for demineralization or removal of hemicellulose prior to pyrolysis. The increased reactivity of these treatments reduces reaction time as well as the required amount of catalyst to less than half of that otherwise required. A fractional condensation system employed by our pyrolysis reactor is another feature of our technology. This system condenses bio-oil pyrolysis vapors to various desired fractions by differential temperature manipulation of individual condensers comprising a condenser chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Inventors: Philip H. Steele, Fei Yu, Qi Li, Brian Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20140360857
    Abstract: The steam condensation and water distillation system of the present invention comprises a first part (3) which comprises an evaporation compartment (3b) in which later received from a water source is evaporated and which is provided with a vacuum environment therein and at least one first column (3a) in which high density water is accumulated; a steam line (B 1) a part of which is located in the evaporation compartment (3b); a condensation pool (2a) in which the steam in the steam line (B 1) is transferred; a second part (5) which comprises a condensation compartment (5c) in which the steam in the evaporation compartment (3b) is transferred and which is provided with a vacuum environment, a second column (5a) in which distilled water formed by the condensation of the steam is accumulated, and a distilled water compartment (5b) which is provided with an amount of clean water therein, in which condensation compartment (5c) is positioned; a first distilled water line (A1) which is in connection with the distille
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Publication date: December 11, 2014
    Inventor: Rahmi Oguz Capan
  • Publication number: 20140346033
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and system for regeneration of kinetic hydrate inhibitor when it is used without a thermodynamic inhibitor. In that the use of a distillation column or tower is not needed, the present invention enables a more compact system, which also improves the possibility for heat integration of the regeneration process leading to very low energy consumption. Additional improvements over the prior art include reduced cost of buying new chemicals, reduced environmental impact because the chemicals are not discharged with the produced water and the possibility for the use of higher concentrations of kinetic hydrate inhibitor with still reduced cost and environmental impact.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: Statoil Petroleum AS
    Inventors: Baard Kaasa, Pål Viggo Hemmingsen
  • Publication number: 20140311888
    Abstract: The invention relates to a vapor-compression method. The aim of the invention is to provide such a method respectively a system with which a distillation with a further reduced energy requirement is possible, which simultaneously operates reliably, with little maintenance, and with only little available power, in particular when starting, and which is able to handle fluctuations in the available power. This is achieved in that an aqueous solution is preheated and fed to an evaporator at a lower end in order to generate vapor. The vapor is conducted from an upper end of the evaporator to a compressor (V) in order to be compressed. The vapor that is compressed in the compressor (V) is used to supply energy to the evaporator. The vapor that is thus cooled or optionally at least partly condensed is used to preheat the aqueous solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventor: Fariba Khandanian
  • Patent number: 8834683
    Abstract: Heat exchanger steam condenser water distillation is described. In one aspect, a water distillation condenser has a heated air conduit in air flow communication with a heat exchanger. A cold raw water compartment is disposed above the heated air conduit and at least a bottom surface of the cold raw water compartment disposed at an angle. A heated raw water channel is defined between the heated air conduit and the raw water compartment. A floor of the heated raw water channel is defined by a top of the heated air conduit. A distilled water trough is disposed below a lower extent of the cold raw water compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: King Saud University
    Inventors: Mazen A. Ba-abbad, Hany A. Al-Ansary, Essam A. Al-Ammar
  • Patent number: 8828192
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed toward a novel pressurized vapor cycle for distilling liquids. In an embodiment of the invention, a liquid purification system is revealed, including the elements of an input for receiving untreated liquid, a vaporizer coupled to the input for transforming the liquid to vapor, a head chamber for collecting the vapor, a vapor pump with an internal drive shaft and an eccentric rotor with a rotatable housing for compressing vapor, a condenser in communication with the vapor pump for transforming the compressed vapor into a distilled product, and an electric motor with motor rotor and magnets hermetically sealed within the fluid pressure boundary of the distillation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: DEKA Products Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Jason A. Demers, Scott A. Leonard, Kingston Owens
  • Publication number: 20140216916
    Abstract: The invention relates to a membrane distillation device, comprising at least one condensation/evaporation stage, which comprises at least one condensation unit and at least one evaporation unit and to which vapor is fed and through which a liquid to be concentrated flows, wherein each condensation unit comprises a first vapor chamber that is bounded at least partially by a condensation wall and to which the fed vapor is supplied and each evaporation unit comprises a second vapor chamber that is bounded at least partially by a vapor-permeable, liquid-tight membrane wall, and in each condensation/evaporation stage at least one flow channel is provided, which is formed between such a condensation unit and such an evaporator unit adjacent to said condensation unit and which conducts the liquid to be concentrated, and thus the liquid to be concentrated is heated by means of the condensation wall, and vapor arising from the liquid to be concentrated enters the second vapor chamber through the membrane wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2012
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: AAA WATER TECHNOLOGIES AG
    Inventor: Wolfgang Heinzl
  • Patent number: 8696872
    Abstract: An improved water desalination system is disclosed, in which contaminated water such as seawater or brackish water is preheated and fed into a primary pressure vessel through a distribution head. The seawater is distributed from the distribution head over a non-adherent surface such as a plurality of silicone chords hanging below a distribution tank or a cone- and cylindrical-shaped surface. The water is exposed to a high temperature steam environment in the chamber to cause at least a portion of the water in the contaminated water to evaporate, while the remaining concentrated salts from the contaminated water fall to the bottom of the chamber. A portion of the steam in the primary pressure vessel is withdrawn to be condensed into fresh water. The energy withdrawn with the steam extracted from the primary pressure vessel is made up by a supplemental energy apparatus, such as a steam generator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Water Desalination International, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank Passarelli
  • Publication number: 20140061022
    Abstract: An improved water desalination system is disclosed, in which contaminated water such as seawater or brackish water is preheated and fed into a primary pressure vessel through a distribution head. The seawater is distributed from the distribution head over a non-adherent surface such as a plurality of silicone chords hanging below a distribution tank or a cone- and cylindrical-shaped surface. The water is exposed to a high temperature steam environment in the chamber to cause at least a portion of the water in the contaminated water to evaporate, while the remaining concentrated salts from the contaminated water fall to the bottom of the chamber. A portion of the steam in the primary pressure vessel is withdrawn to be condensed into fresh water. The energy withdrawn with the steam extracted from the primary pressure vessel is made up by a supplemental energy apparatus, such as a steam generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Water Desalination International, Inc.
    Inventor: Passarelli Frank
  • Patent number: 8608966
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for dewatering mixture of ethanol and water. The method comprises steps for feeding mixture of ethanol and water (1) into an evaporator (2), evaporating said mixture of ethanol and water (1) and feeding a stream of vaporized mixture of ethanol and water (3) to a vapor recompression unit (4), pressurizing vaporized mixture of ethanol and water (3) in the vapor recompression unit (4) and feeding a stream of pressurized vaporized mixture of ethanol and water (5) to a membrane unit (6), and dividing said stream of pressurized mixture of ethanol and water (5) in to a stream of mixture of ethanol and water (8) and into a stream of dewatered mixture of ethanol and water (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: ST1 Biofuels Oy
    Inventors: Antti Pasanen, Mikko Ahokas
  • Publication number: 20130292241
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed toward a novel pressurized vapor cycle for distilling liquids. In some embodiments of the invention, a liquid purification system is revealed, including the elements of an input for receiving untreated liquid, a vaporizer coupled to the input for transforming the liquid to vapor, a head chamber for collecting the vapor, a vapor pump with an internal drive shaft and an eccentric rotor with a rotatable housing for compressing vapor, and a condenser in communication with the vapor pump for transforming the compressed vapor into a distilled product. Other embodiments of the invention are directed toward heat management, and other process enhancements for making the system especially efficient.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Inventors: David F. Bednarek, Jason A. Demers, Timothy P. Duggan, James L. Jackson, Scott A. Leonard, David W. McGill
  • Publication number: 20130186740
    Abstract: Apparatus for use in distilling water, comprising a heating arrangement (20) for heating incoming water and thereby producing steam, a condensing arrangement (26) in a flow path of the steam from the heating arrangement (20) for producing condensed water from the steam, the arrangement being such that thermal energy from the condensing steam can be employed to heat the incoming water in the heating arrangement (20). The apparatus further comprises a pre-heating arrangement (16) upstream of the heating arrangement (20) in the flow path of the incoming water and in the flow path of the condensed water from the condensing arrangement (26) for transferring thermal energy from the condensed water to the incoming water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2010
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: ATLANTIC WATER CO. LIMITED
    Inventor: Rune Midttun
  • Publication number: 20130168225
    Abstract: The aim of the invention is to improve the energetic efficiency of the distiller by effective utilization of the residual heat. The invention relates to distillator with a thermal energy recycling in the closed loop energy circulation and to methods for thermal energy recycling of the distiller by returning the residual heat to the initial environment via the heat pump. The invention also further relates to reuse of the heat loss of the distiller using the heat pump which returns the residual heat to the initial environment. In distillers and methods according to present invention the heat energy and thermal losses are used repeatedly again in a closed loop energy circulation. If the problem of intensive energy consumption is resolved the distiller according to this invention can be appropriately utilized for instance in production of drinking water from the seawater or from any available natural water, as well as at the finishing stage of the noncomplicated wastewater treatment process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: HEAT RECYCLERS, OU
    Inventors: Tarmo Oikimus, Konstantin Oikimus, Mart Eensalu
  • Publication number: 20130153400
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for the regeneration of absorbed gas rich capture medium such as an absorption solution and the recovery of absorbed gas therefrom, an apparatus and method for the removal and recovery of a target gas from a gas stream, and the use of the same for post combustion carbon capture on a thermal power plant are described. The apparatus and method make use of a regenerative heating process. The apparatus and method are distinctly characterized by the use of CRH steam as a source of thermal energy for the heating process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Scott Alexander Hume, Agnieszka Magdalena Kuczynska
  • Publication number: 20130068608
    Abstract: Heat exchanger steam condenser water distillation is described. In one aspect, a water distillation condenser has a heated air conduit in air flow communication with a heat exchanger. A cold raw water compartment is disposed above the heated air conduit and at least a bottom surface of the cold raw water compartment disposed at an angle. A heated raw water channel is defined between the heated air conduit and the raw water compartment. A floor of the heated raw water channel is defined by a top of the heated air conduit. A distilled water trough is disposed below a lower extent of the cold raw water compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 19, 2011
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: King Saud University
    Inventors: Mazen A. Ba-abbad, Hany A. Al-Ansary, Essam A. Al-Ammar
  • Publication number: 20130062189
    Abstract: System and method of treating waste water includes: receiving waste water at a first pressure and a first temperature, the waste water comprising dissolved solids and VOCs; pressurizing the waste water to a second pressure; preheating the pressurized waste water to a second temperature to produce distilled water and pressurized/preheated water; heating the pressurized/preheated to a third temperature to produce pressurized/heated water; removing dissolved solids from the pressurized/heated water, by an evaporator operated at a third pressure less than the second pressure, to produce steam and brine water; and crystallizing the brine water, by a crystallizer operated at a fourth pressure greater than the second pressure, to produce a solid mass waste product and steam. Steam produced by the crystallizer, at the fourth pressure and a fourth temperature, is a heat source for the preheater and/or heater, and steam produced by the evaporator is a heat source for the crystallizer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: Aquasource Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Shyam V. Dighe
  • Publication number: 20130062190
    Abstract: System and method of treating waste water includes: receiving waste water at a first pressure and temperature, the waste water comprising dissolved solids and VOCs; pressurizing, by a pump, the received waste water to a second pressure greater than the first pressure; preheating, by a preheater, the waste water to a second temperature greater than the first temperature producing distilled water; further heating, by a condenser, the pressurized/preheated waste water to a fourth temperature greater than the second temperature; still further heating, by a heater, the pressurized/further heated waste water to a third temperature greater than the fourth temperature; and removing, by a flash evaporator, dissolved solids from the pressurized/heated waste water by evaporation producing steam and brine water, the brine water having a TDS content greater than a TDS content of the received waste water. The brine water may be crystallized to a solid mass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: AQUASOURCE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shyam V. Dighe
  • Publication number: 20130062191
    Abstract: System and method of treating waste water includes: receiving waste water at a first pressure and temperature, the waste water comprising dissolved solids and VOCs; pressurizing, by a pump, the received waste water to a second pressure greater than the first pressure; preheating, by a preheater, the waste water to a second temperature greater than the first temperature producing distilled water; heating, by a condenser, the waste water to a third temperature greater than the second temperature; heating the pressurized/heated water with a heater operated with a hot gas developed by a plasma torch to a fourth temperature greater than the third temperature; and removing dissolved solids from the waste water by evaporation to produce steam and brine water, wherein the brine water has a total dissolved solids content greater than a total dissolved solids content of the received waste water. The brine water is crystallized to a solid mass.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: AQUASOURCE TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION
    Inventor: Shyam V. Dighe
  • Publication number: 20120267230
    Abstract: The invention concerns a portable solar-thermal device (1) for the production of fresh water from sewage water or salt water. The device is characterised in that it has a closed fluid circuit (2) made of connected pipe or hose elements with a sewage water supply (3) and a fresh water runoff (4) with the fluid circuit (2) having a tilted heating section (5) essentially aligned normally to the sun irradiation (S) for heating and vaporisation of the sewage water. Connected to this is an essentially vertically aligned condensation section (6) for condensation of the fresh water and heating of the sewage water, and a storage section (7) designed as base area for the condensed fresh water. The heating section (5) of the fluid circuit (2) is characterised by a solar collector (10) for concentration of the thermal energy of sun irradiation (S) on a vaporisation area inside the heating section (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2010
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: 4Elements Invent Ltd
    Inventors: Daniel Kerschgens, Norbert Sustr, Karl Albrecht Waldstein-Wartenberg, Franz Grabler-Fritz
  • Publication number: 20120247940
    Abstract: An improved water desalination system is disclosed, in which contaminated water such as seawater or brackish water is preheated and fed into a primary pressure vessel through a distribution head. The seawater is distributed from the distribution head over a non-adherent surface such as a plurality of silicone chords hanging below a distribution tank or a cone- and cylindrical-shaped surface. The water is exposed to a high temperature steam environment in the chamber to cause at least a portion of the water in the contaminated water to evaporate, while the remaining concentrated salts from the contaminated water fall to the bottom of the chamber. A portion of the steam in the primary pressure vessel is withdrawn to be condensed into fresh water. The energy withdrawn with the steam extracted from the primary pressure vessel is made up by a supplemental energy apparatus, such as a steam generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: WATER DESALINATION INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: Frank PASSARELLI
  • Publication number: 20120228114
    Abstract: A distillation unit for producing potable water using solar radiation is disclosed. The distillation unit includes a heating chamber defining an interior chamber adapted to contain a non-potable liquid for distillation, and a dome-shaped condensing portion having an inner surface and an outer surface, with the condensing portion disposed over the heating chamber such that the heating chamber and the inner surface of the condensing portion are provided in fluid-transfer communication. The distillation unit also includes a pre-heat jacket having a first surface and a second surface and an interior defined therebetween adapted to receive non-potable liquid for distillation therein. The first surface is disposed adjacent the outer surface of the condensing portion, and the pre-heat jacket defines an access entry for introducing non-potable liquid for distillation into the interior of the heating chamber. The distillation unit also includes a trough adjacent for receiving a potable liquid therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: EPIPHANY SOLAR WATER SYSTEMS
    Inventors: Thomas A. Joseph, III, Charles Christopher Newton, Henry Maurice Wandrie, III, Matthew Carter
  • Publication number: 20120186970
    Abstract: A fresh water recovery system includes a solar heated evaporator and a heat exchanger operating in a waste heat recovery mode for recovering fresh water from a salt water supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Inventor: Dwight L. Jaeger
  • Publication number: 20110226605
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for water purification and desalination. The systems have a preheater, a degasser, multiple evaporation chambers with demisters, heat pipes, and a control system, wherein the control system permits continuous operation of the purification and desalination system without requiring user intervention or cleaning. The system is capable of recovering heat from each distillation stage, while removing, from a contaminated water sample, a plurality of contaminant types including: microbiological contaminants, radiological contaminants, metals, salts, volatile organics, and non-volatile organics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2009
    Publication date: September 22, 2011
    Applicant: Sylvan Source, Inc.
    Inventor: Eugene Thiers
  • Publication number: 20110139601
    Abstract: A solar still module for use in a solar still arrangement for producing a desired condensate from a feed treatment liquid. The solar still module includes a treatment chamber including a treatment member positioned below an upper solar energy transmission wall to receive, in use, solar energy therethrough. The solar still module includes a treatment liquid supply supplying treatment liquid to an upper end of a first region of the treatment member to flow in a liquid film flow gravitationally downwardly thereover while a component of the treatment liquid is at least partially evaporated and condensed to form a condensate on an inner surface of the upper solar energy transmission wall. The condensate flows gravitationally downwardly on the inner surface of the upper solar energy transmission wall and is collected at a lower location by condensate collection and discharge means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2009
    Publication date: June 16, 2011
    Applicant: FIRST GREEN PARK PTY LTD
    Inventor: Peter Johnstone
  • Publication number: 20110108406
    Abstract: Apparatus for distilling a fluid such as water includes a vessel and heat transfer plates within the vessel structures to form at least one each cooling channel, evaporative channel, and condensing channel. Air enters the vessel and passes through the cooling channel, where it is cooled due to evaporation taking place in an adjacent evaporative channel. In the evaporative channel, input fluid is supplied to the walls of the heat transfer plates facing into the evaporative channel and evaporation forms vapor. The vapor is condensed in a condensing channel. In some embodiments, an evaporation channel forms a vacuum chamber and a condensing channel forms a compression chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2010
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: IDALEX TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Valeriy Maisotsenko, Leland E. Gillan, Alan D. Gillan, Rick J. Gillan
  • Publication number: 20110048921
    Abstract: A desalinization plant and process utilizes solar radiation to produce steam from seawater which is then used to generate freshwater and electricity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Publication date: March 3, 2011
    Inventors: Daniel P. Cap, Alan V. von Arx
  • Publication number: 20110000777
    Abstract: A vapor compression distillation system is disclosed. A pulsed power scale prevention module is provided in a recirculation loop of an evaporation loop and in each of a plurality of pre-evaporation heat exchange loops to nucleate contaminant particles in the liquid. The nucleated contaminant particles are removed from the system by filters in communication with the pulsed power scale prevention modules and by solids collection and discharge ports provided by heat exchangers in the evaporation loop and each of the pre-evaporation heat exchange loops. The evaporation loop and the pre-evaporation heat exchange loops provide a temperature gradient having discreet temperature zones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2009
    Publication date: January 6, 2011
    Inventor: Yun Yan Zhou
  • Publication number: 20100200388
    Abstract: A modular distillation apparatus including at least one heat exchanger that preheats contaminated liquids; a heater that heats the contaminated liquid from the heat exchanger; an evaporator condenser adapted to boil the contaminated liquid coming out of the heater to produce water vapor and contaminant concentrate, and condense the water vapor into distilled water; a vacuum chamber capable of operating at below atmospheric pressure, the vacuum chamber housing the evaporator condenser and including at least one partition to separate the distilled water from the contaminant concentrate; a vapor compressor operably associated with the vacuum chamber to receive water vapor from the evaporator condenser in the vacuum chamber and pump the water vapor at pressure back through the evaporator condenser, wherein the heat exchanger recovers sensible heat from outgoing condensed distilled water and contaminant concentrate recycled from the vacuum chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Publication date: August 12, 2010
    Inventor: Dudley Edgar James Ward
  • Publication number: 20100181185
    Abstract: A desalination process comprising heating brine in a preheating chamber and transferring the brine to a rotary kiln to be sprayed against the wall structure of the rotary kiln to boil to steam and a residue of salt/impurities, the exiting steam being pressurised in a compressor and passed to an externally powered heater to be heated and then fed to a hollow wall structure of the rotating kiln in which the steam condenses to pure water to be transferred to the preheating chamber to preheat the incoming brine, the rotating kiln being arranged to rotate past a scraper to remove salt/impurities from the wall structure for collection at the base of the kiln.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Publication date: July 22, 2010
    Applicant: DESALINATION TECHNOLOGY PTY LTD
    Inventor: Garth Davey
  • Publication number: 20100147673
    Abstract: An improved water desalination system is disclosed, in which contaminated water such as seawater or brackish water is preheated and fed into a primary pressure vessel through a distribution head. The seawater is distributed from the distribution head over a non-adherent surface such as a plurality of silicone chords hanging below a distribution tank or a cone- and cylindrical-shaped surface. The water is exposed to a high temperature steam environment in the chamber to cause at least a portion of the water in the contaminated water to evaporate, while the remaining concentrated salts from the contaminated water fall to the bottom of the chamber. A portion of the steam in the primary pressure vessel is withdrawn to be condensed into fresh water. The energy withdrawn with the steam extracted from the primary pressure vessel is made up by a supplemental energy apparatus, such as a steam generator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Publication date: June 17, 2010
    Applicant: Water Desalination International, Inc.
    Inventor: Frank Passarelli
  • Patent number: 7608185
    Abstract: A membrane module comprising an outer casing having an interior region, a seal disposed within the outer case, thereby dividing the interior region into a first chamber and a second chamber, and a plurality of hollow fiber membranes extending through the first chamber and the second chamber, where at least a portion of the plurality of hollow fiber membranes have first segments located within the first chamber and second segments located within the second chamber, the first segments being configured to allow vapor transmission therethrough, and the second segments being configured to substantially prevent vapor transmission therethrough, and further configured to allow transmission of thermal energy therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2009
    Assignee: Hamilton Sundstrand Corporation
    Inventors: Xiaohong Liao, Zidu Ma, James R. Irish
  • Patent number: 7563360
    Abstract: A top temperature T1 of a distillation tower 1 is held below a liquefying temperature of a light fraction by returning a part of an exhaust gas W, which is cooled by a condenser 5, to the upper zone of the distillation tower 1. A bottom temperature T2 is raised up to 300° C. at highest by returning a part of a liquid product P from a re-boiler 3 to a lower zone of the distillation tower 1. When a liquid hydrocarbon L comes in countercurrent contact with a stripping gas G inside the distillation tower 1 with the temperature profile that an inner temperature gradually falls down along an upward direction, mercury is efficiently transferred from the liquid L to a vapor phase without effusion of the light fraction in accompaniment with the exhaust gas W.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Japan Petroleum Exploration Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiyuki Yamaguchi, Senichiro Kaku, Kazutoshi Chaki