Under Pressure Or Vacuum Patents (Class 203/11)
  • Patent number: 11666862
    Abstract: A membrane distillation apparatus includes a housing and an impeller. The housing includes a hot medium compartment, a cold medium compartment, an air gap compartment, a membrane, and a thermally conductive plate. The hot medium compartment includes a hot medium inlet configured to receive a hot medium stream including water. The cold medium compartment includes a cold medium inlet configured to receive a cold medium stream. The membrane defines pores that are sized to allow water vapor originating from the hot medium stream to pass from the hot medium compartment through the membrane to the air gap compartment. The thermally conductive plate and the cold medium stream are cooperatively configured to condense the water vapor from the hot medium stream. The air gap compartment is substantially filled with air and includes a permeate outlet configured to discharge the condensed water vapor. The impeller is disposed within the air gap compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals, Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Dahiru Umar Lawal, Mohammed Abdul Azeem, Turki Nabieh Baroud, Atia Khalifa, Hasan Al Abdulgader
  • Patent number: 11506120
    Abstract: Provided is a method for enabling high-density air to be efficiently manufactured without unnecessarily increasing the pressure and temperature. A method for manufacturing high-density air according to the present invention includes: mixing raw air A with fine water particles W to generate water-containing air A1 having a lower pressure than the raw air A; supplementing the water-containing air A1 with a differential pressure between the pressure of the raw air A and the pressure of the water-containing air A1; and consequently promoting vaporization of the fine water particles W in the water-containing air A1 and reducing the volume of the water-containing air A1 to manufacture high-density air A2. The density of air can be efficiently increased with this method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2022
    Inventor: Takaitsu Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 11413554
    Abstract: An assembly and a method for treating raw water wherein the raw water is heated on the heating side of a heat pump and at least partially evaporated into an air stream. At least part of the raw water evaporated into the air stream is separated in a suitable device. In addition, the heat pump is provided with heat on the cooling side by means of heated raw water that has not been evaporated into the air stream, and the heat pump has a thermal coupling in a coldest section of its cooling side, in order to provide cooling for external applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Inventors: Matthias Enzenhofer, Siegfried Gruber
  • Patent number: 11298631
    Abstract: An energy-saving method and system for distilling, desalinating or purifying water relating to a method of increasing the amount of heat recycled back into the system. The system involves powering a compressor using a series of expanders and the energy derived from each expander cumulatively powers the compressor. The compressor draws vapor from seawater contained in an evaporator and compresses it into a condenser. The heat given off by the condenser is absorbed by the evaporator and recycled back into the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Inventor: Arthur Francisco Hurtado
  • Patent number: 11014812
    Abstract: Plant and process for the generation of hydrogen from a hydrocarbonaceous feed gas and steam by means of catalytic steam reformation, wherein the heat of the synthesis gas and the flue gas is utilized for generating export steam from boiler feed water and process steam from the condensate separated from the synthesis gas, and wherein the gases expelled from the boiler feed water during its degasification and the vapors obtained during the depressurization of the elutriation waters of the steam boilers for the generation of export and process steam are used for preheating the fuel gas for operation of the burners of the steam reformer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: L'Air Liquide, Societe Anonyme Pour l'Etude et l'Exploitation des Procedes Georges Claude
    Inventors: Jean-Philippe Tadiello, Taekyu Kang, Thomas Wenz
  • Patent number: 10946304
    Abstract: A process for the separation of an aldehyde and a second component from a feed stream (3a, 3b, 3c) comprising the aldehyde and the second component, said process comprising: providing the feed stream to one or both of a first separation vessel (1) operating at a first pressure and a second separation vessel (2) operating at a second pressure wherein said second pressure (2) is greater than said first pressure; operating said first separation vessel (1) and said second separation vessel (2) such that separation occurs; recovering an aldehyde product stream (4) from at or near the bottom of the first separation vessel (1), said aldehyde product stream (4) having a concentration of aldehyde which is higher than that in the feed stream (3a, 3b, 3c); recovering a second component stream (8) from at or near the top of the second separation vessel (2), said second component stream having a concentration of second component which is higher than in the feed stream (3a, 3b, 3c); removing a first recycle stream (5, 6) f
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Matthey Davy Technologies Limited
    Inventor: Martin Lucas Smidt
  • Patent number: 10934178
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system that performs low-temperature desalination. During operation, the system feeds cold saline water through a liquid-cooling system in a computer data center, wherein the cold saline water is used as a coolant, thereby causing the cold saline water to become heated saline water. Next, the system feeds the heated saline water into a vacuum evaporator comprising a water column having a headspace, which is under a negative pressure due to gravity pulling on the heated saline water in the water column. This negative pressure facilitates evaporation of the heated saline water to form water vapor. Finally, the system directs the water vapor through a condenser, which condenses the water vapor to produce desalinated water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2021
    Inventors: Kenny C. Gross, Sanjeev Sondur
  • Patent number: 10927025
    Abstract: A produced water treatment system includes a skim oil unit, a particulate removal unit, a liquid/liquid separation unit, and a flash concentration unit including a burner for providing hot flue gas into a bath vessel. One or more tubes extending into the bath vessel may be fed hot flue gas by the burner and provide a path for the hot flue gas to flow into the bath vessel. The one or more tubes may include a distribution tube comprising a plurality of ports for hot flue gas to exit the flow path into the bath vessel. At least a portion of a flow path for hot flue gas generated by the burner may extend above a waterline of a bath vessel. Portions flanking the portion of the flow path extending above the waterline may be positioned below the waterline to be thereby submerged during operation. The skim oil unit may include a heated dissolved air floatation system. The heat may be provided by the flash concentration unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: W-Industries of Louisiana, LLC
    Inventors: Brandon Gaspard, Brennon Vinet
  • Patent number: 10914293
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to techniques for extracting heat energy from geothermal briny fluid. A briny fluid can be extracted from a geothermal production well and delivered to a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger can receive the briny fluid and transfer heat energy from the briny fluid to a molten salt. The molten salt can be pumped to a molten salt storage tank that can serve as energy storage. The briny fluid can be returned to a geothermal source via the production well. The briny fluid can remain in a closed-loop system, apart from the molten salt, from extraction through return to the geothermal production well.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Inventor: David Alan McBay
  • Patent number: 10899635
    Abstract: A seawater desalination device of industrial exhaust heat-driven ejector refrigeration and an application method thereof. The seawater desalination device comprises a seawater collecting pool, a low-pressure seawater storage tank, an ejector refrigeration system and a fresh water storage tank which are fluidly connected; the ejector refrigeration system comprising a nozzle for spraying low-pressure vapor, a mixing chamber, a diffuser, a first heat-exchanger, a condenser, a condensate pump and a generator; bottom of the low-pressure seawater storage tank being connected with a second heat-exchanger; the mixing chamber being connected with the nozzle, the diffuser and the low-pressure seawater storage tank, respectively; and the diffuser, the first heat-exchanger, the condenser and the fresh water storage tank being successively connected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: Dongguan University of Technology
    Inventors: Runhua Jiang, Huibin Yin, Baiman Chen, Yanxue Zhou
  • Patent number: 10815649
    Abstract: A method for cooling a fluid from an electrolysis unit and extracting water from ambient air comprising: conducting moist air having a first molar amount of water and raw water into an evaporator unit in a counterflow at a temperature at or below the boiling temperature of the water; evaporating pure water from the raw water into the moist air and cooling the raw water; conducting the cooled raw water into a heat exchanger thereby cooling the fluid stream of the electrolysis unit; conducting the moist air and the pure water into a water extraction unit; separating a second molar amount of the pure water off from the moist air in the water extraction unit, wherein a third molar amount of water remaining in the air is less than the first; conducting the preheated raw water back to the evaporator; and conducting the cooled fluid back into the electrolysis unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2020
    Assignee: SIEMENS AKTIENGESELLSCHAFT
    Inventors: Marc Hanebuth, Andreas Reiner, Markus Ungerer, Knut Siegert
  • Patent number: 10723634
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system for extracting potable water from saline water. The system includes a pre-treatment unit configured to receive the saline water from a reservoir, and configured to heat the saline water to a predetermined temperature. An evaporator is coupled to the pre-treatment unit for receiving the heated saline water, and includes a housing for receiving the heated saline water, a porous material disposed in the housing and an evaporator gas port. The evaporator gas port routes gas into the housing via the porous material, and disperses to form gas bubbles. The gas bubbles induce turbulent motion within the housing for converting the heated saline water into the mixture of the water vapors and the concentrated saline water. Further, a condenser is coupled to the housing for receiving the mixture of the gas and the water vapors, and configured to condense water vapors to form potable water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Inventor: Mina Sagar
  • Patent number: 10696566
    Abstract: A power generating and water purifying system. The system includes a closed loop power generator, a closed loop heat exchanger, and a closed loop water purifier. Hot brine water vapor travels from a reactor to a turbine, which generates electricity. The hot brine water vapor is then cooled by the closed loop heat exchanger and travels back to the reactor. The electricity powers generators. The electricity further powers an ammonia pump and a coolant compressor of the closed loop heat exchanger. Dirty water enters through a water inlet and is chilled by the closed loop heat exchanger. The water is then directed to a hot water accumulator, in which the water is heated by the closed loop heat exchanger. The water is vaporized by a hot plate and a UV light source. The distilled water is then cooled in a cooling tower and delivered to water tower as purified water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Inventor: Shawn Erick Lange
  • Patent number: 10617973
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a cryo-thermal desalinator, which addresses thermal desalination inefficiency by introducing intrinsic cooling potentials of strategically-piped liquidized gasses to save fuel and increase potable water output. Liquid natural gas fuel flows through internally routed, uninsulated and dedicated piping to natural gas brine burners located outside and under a vessel. The liquid natural gas fuel contributes to condensation and converts to eventual pre-warmed natural gas at the brine burners. Liquid gas flows through an internally routed, closed-loop piping to continually provide condensation, while a liquid gas compressor of the closed-loop exhausts waste heat to assist brine conversion. Saline water piping inside the vessel implements cooling via an optional alternative cooling heat exchanger, accepting portable liquid nitrogen, liquid CO2 dry ice, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Inventor: Garold P. Hines
  • Patent number: 10609957
    Abstract: A vapor delivery device having a reservoir for containing an amount of fluid. An ejector receives the fluid, and a controller fires the ejector to express a given dosage of the fluid through a number of nozzles in the ejector into an airstream at a firing frequency and for a firing duration. As the amount of the fluid within the reservoir decreases, the controller also at least one of reduces the firing frequency of the ejector, increases the number of nozzles, and increases the firing duration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Funai Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Stephen T. Olson, Bruce D. Gibson, J. Glenn Edelen
  • Patent number: 10550008
    Abstract: A low energy fluid purification system and method of implementation including some embodiments having a vacuum-rated first chamber placed in or near a body of water with higher temperature near the surface and lower temperatures at greater depths. The vacuum-rated first chamber holds a quantity of non-potable water and a low pressure area less than or equal to the water's vapor pressure. Vaporization occurs when the higher temperature surface water is brought into contact with the low pressure area. A tubular vapor transport passage allows the vaporized water to pass to a lower temperature and lower pressure condensation chamber. The lower temperature condensation chamber is cooled by lower temperature water from a selected depth below the surface. As the temperature of the vapor lowers, the vapor will condense. This condensation is collected as a quantity of potable water. Additional embodiments and methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: United States of American, as Represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: Craig A MacDougall, Dylan Switzer, Aaron Wiest
  • Patent number: 10552806
    Abstract: A method and system for computing a stable index value of a regulated substance by computing a virtual value of the substance based on the value of a freely marketed product of the substance. Particularly the invention may be applied to develop a stable investment instrument for investing in fresh water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: AQUA INDEX LTD.
    Inventor: Yaakov Shirazi
  • Patent number: 10465492
    Abstract: A system and method for the on-site separating and treating of a hydrocarbon liquid stream at an oil and gas production site is disclosed. The system comprises an oil and condensate distillation unit and a vapor recovery unit. In one embodiment, the oil and condensate distillation unit operates at low pressure or vacuum conditions to reduce the vapor pressure above the column of oil within a distillation column, thereby increasing the production of oil and condensate and capturing entrained natural gas otherwise lost or burned off. In another embodiment, oil from the distillation column can be measured by a flow meter and then transferred to one or more of an oil tank, a mobile tank, and an oil pipeline. Optionally, produced water at the production site can be run through the oil and condensate distillation unit to reduce the volume of produced water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: KATA SYSTEMS LLC
    Inventor: Joseph A. Ricotta
  • Patent number: 10457902
    Abstract: A solidification matrix includes sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, a water charge, an anhydrous metasilicate, a polycarboxylic acid polymer or salt or derivative thereof, and additional functional ingredients. The sodium hydroxide, sodium carbonate, a water charge, an anhydrous metasilicate, a polycarboxylic acid polymer, and additional functional ingredients interact to form a hydrate solid. The solidification matrix may be used, for example, in a solid detergent composition. Methods of making solid detergent compositions are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Caleb Jones, Katherine Molinaro, Darryl Bowling, Karen Rigley, Brenda Lynn Tjelta, Lisa Maureen Sanders, Michael Edward Besse
  • Patent number: 10450213
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to systems and methods directed towards arrangements of a preheater, a heat exchanger, a plasma recovery system, and at least one processing stage configured to use steam output of a calciner for heating incoming wastewater that is being processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Aquasource Technologies Corporation
    Inventors: Shyam Vasant Dighe, Jong Min Lee
  • Patent number: 10441919
    Abstract: A deep ocean desalination system that uses hydrostatic pressure to reverse osmosis the seawater. The membrane structure is deployed to a predetermined ocean depth and includes a submersible pump system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Inventor: Stephen K. Oney
  • Patent number: 10441895
    Abstract: A system has a first plate heat exchanger at a first pressure to heat a fluid containing dissolved solids to form a heated fluid at a temperature below the boiling point of the fluid. A vaporization chamber is connected to the first plate heat exchanger. The vaporization chamber is at a second pressure below the first pressure. The vaporization chamber receives the heated fluid and produces a gaseous component substantially free of dissolved solids and a solids component. A compressor is connected to the vaporization chamber. The compressor receives the gaseous component and produces a fluidic output. The first plate heat exchanger has plates forming chambers. A manifold arrangement distributes an unprocessed fluid from the vaporization chamber to a first subset of the chambers and distributes the fluidic output from the compressor to a second subset of the chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Effluent Free Desalination Corp.
    Inventor: Michael John Lord
  • Patent number: 10352574
    Abstract: A falling film of liquid desiccant in direct contact with a gas stream is formed, which allows water vapor transfer between a gas stream (air) and the desiccant, enabling dehumidification and/or humidification of air. Thin films are created in one way by a wettable layer that is in contact with a support structure and in another way directly on the support structure. The devices can be installed on an absorber (conditioner) side or a desorber (regenerator) side or both of air conditioning systems; for example, liquid desiccant air conditioning (LDAC) applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: 3M Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: Thomas J. Hamlin, Rajeev Dhiman, Laurence W. Bassett
  • Patent number: 10323491
    Abstract: Systems and methods for variable rate steam injection, including via solar power for enhanced oil recovery, are disclosed. Several embodiments include using the variable nature of solar-generated steam to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of enhanced oil recovery processes. In particular embodiments, the variable rate injection can provide more uniform steam distribution in an oil-bearing formation, at a lower cost than if the same amount of steam were provided on a continuous basis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: GlassPoint Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Palmer, Peter Emery von Behrens, John Setel O'Donnell, Ali Hassan Ibrahim Mohammadi
  • Patent number: 10322952
    Abstract: A system and method for effectively desalinating a source of water is provided. The source of water is desalinated by a desalination train comprising at least a heat exchanger, a plurality of flashing stages comprising hydrophobic membranes under reduced pressure, and at least a compression device. The source of water is passed through the heat exchanger prior to passing through the flashing stages to bring it to a vaporizing temperature by maintaining the flashing stages at reduced pressure so that at least a portion of water flashes into vapor. The vapor from the flashing stages is withdrawn, and at least a portion of the withdrawn vapor is compressed by the compression device. The compressed vapor is then condensed in the heat exchanger to produce a distillate stream, and heat the source of water before it enters the flashing stages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Inventor: Mansour S. Bader
  • Patent number: 10246349
    Abstract: A method of desalinating water through application of acoustic pressure shock waves to a slush to separate ice crystals from brine and recovering desalinated water from the separated ice crystals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2019
    Assignee: SANUWAVE, INC.
    Inventors: Iulian Cioanta, John Jackson
  • Patent number: 10196285
    Abstract: A system and method for decontaminating a fluid like a non-azeotrope solvent such as water, wherein a transport gas is maintained at a temperature between the freezing point and boiling point at atmospheric pressure of the solvent and continuously circulated between an evaporation chamber and a condensation chamber, a contaminated solvent is introduced into the transport gas in the evaporation chamber under process heat and contaminant precipitates out, and the cleaned solvent cools in the condensation chamber releasing heat to be used in the evaporation chamber. A heat pump is used to promote evaporation and condensation within the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Innocorps Research Corporation
    Inventors: Aarya Shahsavar, Alexander Juin Hui Chan, Dawson Gordon James
  • Patent number: 10029933
    Abstract: An integrated utility system (10) comprising; i) a power supply (12); and ii) a wastewater treatment system (20), wherein waste energy from the power supply (12) is utilized in the wastewater treatment system (20).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2018
    Inventors: Trevor Redvers Bridle, Ian Moncrieff
  • Patent number: 10022646
    Abstract: The solar cooling and water desalination system is a roof-mounted system having a refrigeration unit driven by electricity produced by solar panels to chill water, which is stored in a first tank and used to cool living spaces. Seawater is preheated in a first heat exchanger by waste heat from operation of the refrigeration unit, and heated further in a second heat exchanger by hot distilled water. A field of solar collectors heats oil, which is stored in a hot oil tank and then powers a first boiler to produce high pressure and temperature steam for a steam ejector vacuum system connected to a desalination water boiler that desalinates the seawater, which is condensed by a condenser and stored in a distilled water tank, where it is stored at about 80° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: KING SAUD UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Yousef Abdullah Almotlaq, Mazen Abdullah Baabbad, Hany Abdulrahman Alansary, Essam Abdulaziz Al Ammar
  • Patent number: 9828974
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the utilization of deep ocean seawater in cooling water for offshore process applications. The present invention contemplates extracting deep seawater from regions of the ocean having minimal biological productivity for use as cooling water in offshore operations. In one embodiment, a sea water extraction system according to the invention may include a submersible pump, a pipe and riser, a floating vessel, a transfer pipe, and a cooling water heat exchanger system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2017
    Inventor: Stephen K. Oney
  • Patent number: 9351431
    Abstract: An automated multi-fluid cooling system and method are provided for cooling an electronic component(s). The cooling system includes a coolant loop, a coolant tank, multiple valves, and a controller. The coolant loop is at least partially exposed to outdoor ambient air temperature(s) during normal operation, and the coolant tank includes first and second reservoirs containing first and second fluids, respectively. The first fluid freezes at a lower temperature than the second, the second fluid has superior cooling properties compared with the first, and the two fluids are soluble. The multiple valves are controllable to selectively couple the first or second fluid into the coolant in the coolant loop, wherein the coolant includes at least the second fluid. The controller automatically controls the valves to vary first fluid concentration level in the coolant loop based on historical, current, or anticipated outdoor air ambient temperature(s) for a time of year.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Levi A. Campbell, Richard C. Chu, Milnes P. David, Michael J. Ellsworth, Jr., Madhusudan K. Iyengar, Robert E. Simons, Prabjit Singh, Jing Zhang
  • Patent number: 9266037
    Abstract: A thermal distillation system comprises heating means and cooling means arranged to heat and cool, respectively, treatable liquid in a liquid circuit having a first section between a heating means output and cooling means input, and a second section between an a cooling means output and heating means input, and further comprises distillation stages, each including an evaporator on the first section and a condenser on the second section in heat exchange relationship with liquid in the second section, a carrier gas circuit, on which the evaporator and condenser are arranged, and an output for outputting liquid extracted, wherein the stages are arranged such that their evaporators are disposed along the first section in a direction from the heating means to the cooling means and their condensers are disposed in corresponding order along the second section in a direction from the heating means to the cooling means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Inventors: Peter M. Urwin, Michael John O'Connell, Glenn Rees
  • Patent number: 9156710
    Abstract: A method of wastewater treatment comprises: providing waste water to a vessel within a solar collector; and superheating the waste water under pressure within the vessel using solar energy of the solar collector, thereby to provide oxidation conditions from said solar energy to oxidize organic matter. The water may then be passed to a flash chamber to vaporize and leave behind a brine with dissolved salts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Elcon Recycling Center (2003) Ltd.
    Inventor: Zvi Elgat
  • Patent number: 9085471
    Abstract: We provide an evaporation based zero-liquid discharge method for generation of steam for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) processes utilizing once-through steam generators (OTSGs). The method includes feeding the OTSG(s) with produced water, vaporizing a fraction of this water for steam injection and blowing down the balance of the water. This water, referred to as OTSG blowdown, can be flashed to produce a vapor stream and a liquid that is fed to a mechanical vapor compression (MVC) evaporative process. The latent energy contained in the vapor stream generated by the upstream flash is beneficially recycled to substantially reduce or eliminate the energy consumption of the MVC process. The evaporative process can be used to reduce the liquid waste for disposal or eliminate the need for liquid disposal by achieving zero liquid discharge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: AQUATECH INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Gregory J. Mandigo, Daniel P. Bjorklund
  • Patent number: 9072984
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignees: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
    Inventors: Prakash Narayan Govindan, Gregory P. Thiel, Ronan K. McGovern, John H. Lienhard, Mostafa H. Elsharqawy
  • Publication number: 20150114818
    Abstract: This invention relates to a vacuum air gap membrane distillation system for desalination purposes. More particularly, this invention relates to a membrane distillation system with multiple cells in which the system's flux is increased due to the temperature and pressure differential within the system. The configuration of the vacuum air gap membrane distillation system allows for latent heat within the system to be recycled effectively reducing the energy consumption of the system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2012
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: James Antony Prince, Gurdev Singh, Tiruvannamalai Sub-barayan Shanmugasundaram
  • Publication number: 20150075967
    Abstract: A distilling device having a vapor compression distiller. The vapor compression distiller can include a reservoir for receiving liquid for distillation. Evaporation surfaces can receive the liquid and evaporate the liquid into evaporated vapor for subsequent condensing. Condensing surfaces can receive the vapor and condense the vapor into distillate. A compressor can deliver the vapor to the condensing surfaces. The distilling device can also include an engine that produces heat. A boiler can be heated by the heat from the engine for producing a working vapor. A vapor turbine can be driven by the working vapor. The vapor turbine can be mechanically coupled to the compressor for mechanically driving the compressor, thereby reducing electrical power needs of the vapor compression distiller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Inventor: William H. Zebuhr
  • Publication number: 20150014147
    Abstract: Saline water from a body of water is desalinated using a water purification system. Chambers of a plurality of tanks are filled with a volume of saline water. The saline water is heated to increase a pressure and produce water vapor within the chamber of each tank. A condensation valve disposed within a condensing tube is moved to an open position such that the water vapor is released into a respective condensing tube. The water vapor is condensed to provide potable water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventor: Herbert J. Roth, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20150000914
    Abstract: We provide an evaporation based zero-liquid discharge method for generation of steam for enhanced oil recovery (EOR) processes utilizing once-through steam generators (OTSGs). The method includes feeding the OTSG(s) with produced water, vaporizing a fraction of this water for steam injection and blowing down the balance of the water. This water, referred to as OTSG blowdown, can be flashed to produce a vapor stream and a liquid that is fed to a mechanical vapor compression (MVC) evaporative process. The latent energy contained in the vapor stream generated by the upstream flash is beneficially recycled to substantially reduce or eliminate the energy consumption of the MVC process. The evaporative process can be used to reduce the liquid waste for disposal or eliminate the need for liquid disposal by achieving zero liquid discharge.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2013
    Publication date: January 1, 2015
    Inventors: Gregory J. Mandigo, Daniel P. Bjorklund
  • Patent number: 8882967
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods for purifying a process water, which can comprise providing a process water comprising a first concentration of a first dissolved gas and a first concentration of a first dissolved ion, filtering the process water to create a filtered process water comprising a second concentration of the first dissolved gas, and evaporating the filtered process water to create a water vapor comprising a second concentration of the first dissolved ion that is less than the first concentration of the first dissolved ion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: The Southern Company
    Inventor: Dhansukhbhai V. Patel
  • Patent number: 8858762
    Abstract: An embodiment of a distillation system is disclosed having an influent column with an influent column first end and an influent column second end and having therein, a gas deflector. The influent column may contain at least an influent liquid and vapor from the influent liquid. The influent column first end may be in fluid communication with an influent liquid source. A distillation system is disclosed as having at least one effluent column having an effluent column first end and an effluent column second end and further comprising a condensation chamber adjacent the effluent second end. The effluent column may be positioned within the influent column and may contain at least an effluent liquid and vapor. A primary vacuum source may be in fluid communication with an influent column and positioned at an influent second end. A blower may be provided and connected to the condensation chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Inventor: Anthony D. Young
  • Publication number: 20140262738
    Abstract: A method and device are provided for purifying and recycling water vapor from a coal drying process. Included are a temperature-lowering and dehumidifying process, a flash distillation stripping process, and a vacuum condensing process. A condensing tower receives a temperature-lowered exhaust gas with high humidity from a cooling tube and a condensed water of 5˜60° C. from a flash distillation tank, allowing the exhaust gas and the condensed water to contact each other in a vapor-liquid reverse manner, to lower the temperature and dehumidify the exhaust gas. The flash distillation tank performs a vacuum flash distillation to the condensing water pumped therein from the condensing tower. Water vapor of 5˜60° C. evaporated through flash distillation in the flash distillation tank enters into the demisting washer to be dehumidified and then is condensed. The condensed water in the vapor condenser is transferred into a recycled water tank. Non-condensable gas is discharged out.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicants: National Engineering Research Center of Drying Technology and Equipment, TIANHUA INSTITUTE OF CHEMICAL MACHINERY AND AUTOMATION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xu Zhao, Maikui Zhang, Tao Shen, Zhongfu Zhan, Yongpeng Tan, Min Jia, Tianbao Wang, Xiaoling Xie
  • Publication number: 20140262737
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for desalination use kinetic energy in ocean waves as a power source. The apparatus comprises a wave tank and a condensation tank, the wave tank and condensation tank being connected by two pipes, each with a one-way valve, that produced a cycle of water saturated air from the wave tank to the condensation tank with a return of relatively desaturated air back to the wave tank following condensation of water. The wave tank captures the up and down motion of the waves and converts it to a pumping action. Air inside the wave tank is compressed when a wave comes in and has a negative pressure when the wave recedes. A saline water spray is introduced during wave troughs. Water evaporates into the negative pressure air hydrating the air. When the next wave comes in the water level rises inside the wave tank pressurizing the air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: Mind Flow LLC
    Inventor: Rodney M. Shields
  • Publication number: 20140262736
    Abstract: A method is provided for purifying and recycling water vapor from a coal drying process and device which employ temperature reduction and dehumidifying, a flash distillation, and vacuum condensation. With a condensed tower, a high humidity exhaust gas is preliminarily lowered in temperature, and condensed water of 5˜60° C. is pumped, are received, vapor-liquid reverse contact is performed, and temperature reduction and dehumidifying occurs. With a flash distillation tank and a demisting washer, condensed water of 40˜100° C. pumped by the flash distillation water pump is performed on vacuum flash distillation, water vapor of 5˜60° C. evaporated in the flash distillation tank enters into the demisting washer to be dehumidified and then into a vapor condenser. With a condenser and a water ring vacuum pump, water vapor of 5˜60° C. is condensed through mist eliminating and washing by the demisting washer, condensed water is recycled, and non-condensable gas is discharged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicants: National Engineering Research Center of Drying Technology and Equipment, TIANHUA INSTITUTE OF CHEMICAL MACHINERY AND AUTOMATION CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Tianhua Institute Of Chemical Machinery And Automation Co., Ltd., National Engineering Research Center of Drying Technology and Equipment
  • Publication number: 20140262739
    Abstract: Embodiments relate to techniques for forming underground caverns, and also to desalinization processes that may be employed in conjunction therewith. Particular embodiments form a salt cavern by introducing heated water into a salt formation, followed by removal of the resulting brine to leave a salt cavern. The injected water is provided as a result of a desalinization process of the brine. Concentrated brine resulting from the desalinization process, is used to form a solar pond whose stored thermal energy provides the heat source for the injected water. The resulting underground cavern may be employed to house large volumes of materials such as pressurized natural gas, liquid hydrocarbons, or compressed gas for energy storage. Also disclosed is a particular desalinization process based upon a Regenerative Evaporative Distiller (RED) structure, which efficiently leverages low grade heat available from the solar pond by relying primarily upon a latent heat of evaporation and condensation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: LIGHTSAIL ENERGY, INC.
    Inventors: Danielle A. FONG, Edwin P. BERLIN, JR., Stephen E. CRANE, Andrea C. ASHWOOD, Sebastian C. MANCHESTER
  • Publication number: 20140190817
    Abstract: A method for purifying water involves heating impure water in a first reboiler, a second reboiler and a combustion steam generator to ultimately produce about 3 parts by weight of clean water and about 1 part by weight of clean steam for every 4 parts by weight of the impure water. A water treatment system includes a gas-fired combustion steam generator that is operable to produce a hot steam stream. A reboiler is connected in receiving communication with the gas-fired combustion steam generator to receive the hot steam stream. A separator is connected with the reboiler and is operable to separate an output stream from the reboiler.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: PRATT & WHITNEY ROCKETDYNE, INC.
    Inventor: Jeffrey A. Mays
  • Patent number: 8771478
    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 o boil the contaminated liquid coming out of the heater to produce water vapor and contaminant concentrate, and condenser 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 contaminate 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: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Equus Environmental Ltd.
    Inventor: Dudley Edgar James Ward
  • Patent number: 8696873
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for purification of bilge and sludge water on a ship, especially at sea, using excess heat from the ship's engine(s) to a level of oil contamination of less than 15 ppm. The invention also relates to a plant for carrying out the method, and a vessel including such plant, as well as the use of the method and plant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: PPM-Clean AB
    Inventors: Benny Karlström, Jan Hedkvist
  • 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: 20140090970
    Abstract: A system and method for processing a fluid, including decontaminating water and generating water vapor includes introducing the fluid into a vessel. The fluid is moved through a series of rotating trays alternately separated by stationary baffles so as to swirl and heat the fluid to effect the vaporization thereof to produce a vapor having at least some of the contaminants separated therefrom. The vapor is removed from the vessel for condensing apart from the separated contaminants and the remaining water. The vapor may be passed through a turbine connected to an electric generator. Sensors in a controller may be employed to adjust the speed of rotation of the trays or fluid input into the vessel in response to the sensed conditions. The treated fluid may be recirculated and reprocessed through the vessel to increase the purification thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2013
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Applicant: VERNO HOLDINGS, LLC
    Inventors: John D. Riley, Dana L. Johnson