Abstract: A method of treating a fluid comprises introducing a feed fluid stream comprising multiple materials to first side of a semi-permeable membrane. A draw fluid stream having a higher temperature than the feed fluid stream is introduced to second, opposing side of the semi-permeable membrane to form a thermal gradient across the semi-permeable membrane. One or more of the multiple materials of the feed fluid stream is drawn through the semi-permeable membrane and into the draw fluid stream via thermal gradient osmosis. A fluid treatment system and a thermal gradient osmosis apparatus are also described.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for performing field enhanced separations on a feed, such as a petroleum feed, a refinery feed, or another type of hydrocarbonaceous feed. The system can allow for increased throughput of feed per volume of the separation device or system while performing a desired amount of field enhanced separation. The field enhanced separation can include separation by thermal diffusion, optionally enhanced by the presence of an electric field in the channel for performing the separation by thermal diffusion.

Abstract: Carbon dioxide (CO2) mineralization using reject brine is a process that includes obtaining reject brine discharged from a desalination plant, contacting the reject brine with ammonia to form ammoniated brine, contacting CO2 emitted from a chemical or power plant with the ammoniated brine to form sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) and aqueous ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) solution, and contacting the aqueous ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) solution with calcium oxide (CaO) to form calcium chloride and releasing virtually all ammonia from the ammonium chloride (NH4Cl) solution.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for desolvating flowing liquid streams while retaining temporal resolution of dissolved substrates are disclosed. A novel small-scale self-regulating spray dryer preserves temporal resolution while desolvating a liquid chromatography eluent stream and depositing the solute onto an optical surface for infrared spectrographic analysis. The liquid eluent is pumped through a heated nebulizer to create a high-speed jet of solute containing liquid and solvent vapor. This jet is directed circumferentially inside a hot cylindrical cavity. Centrifugal force causes the larger liquid droplets to travel along the outer diameter of the cavity. The cavity surface is heated to cause the droplets to film boil. Film boiling reduces droplet contact with the cavity surface thereby retaining the solute in the droplets. The solute temperature is limited by controlling the pressure into which the solvent evaporates from the droplets.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for desolvating flowing liquid streams while retaining temporal resolution of dissolved substrates are disclosed. A novel small-scale self-regulating spray dryer preserves temporal resolution while desolvating a liquid chromatography eluent stream and depositing the solute onto an optical surface for infrared spectrographic analysis. The liquid eluent is pumped through a heated nebulizer to create a high-speed jet of solute containing liquid and solvent vapor. This jet is directed circumferentially inside a hot cylindrical cavity. Centrifugal force causes the larger liquid droplets to travel along the outer diameter of the cavity. The cavity surface is heated to cause the droplets to film boil. Film boiling reduces droplet contact with the cavity surface thereby retaining the solute in the droplets. The solute temperature is limited by controlling the pressure into which the solvent evaporates from the droplets.

Abstract: The invention relates to a multistage membrane distillation device comprising a heating stage (28), preferably multiple condensing/evaporating stages (12), and a condensing stage (36) through which a liquid to be concentrated is passed in succession. Each condensing/evaporating stage comprises at least one condensing unit (K) and at least one evaporating unit (V). Each condensing unit comprises a first steam chamber that is delimited at least partly by a condensation wall (16), and each evaporating unit comprises a second steam chamber that is delimited at least partly by a steam-permeable liquid-tight membrane wall (20).

Abstract: A desalination system wherein a latent heat of condensation produced by the temperature gradient across a membrane distillation (MD) module is transferred directly to a latent heat of vaporization during desalination of a liquid flow stream. The desalination system comprises the MD module disposed within an object and configured to receive an input feed stream for desalination and produce an output flow stream of a product. The system also comprises a vapor compressor in fluidic communication with the MD module and configured to introduce a hot steam to a high temperature side of the MD module and extract a cool steam, having a temperature less than the hot steam, from a low temperature side of the MD module, thereby creating a temperature gradient across of the MD module. A desalination method is also presented.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments relating to particular systems comprising a selective transfer membrane that can be utilized in material separation. In certain embodiments, the membrane assembly comprises part of a desalination, distillation, liquid purification, and/or heating and cooling system. Other particular embodiments allow for a high rate of thermal capture by way of the system utilizing a selective transfer membrane. Certain preferred embodiments include a selective transfer membrane comprising an ionomeric polymer that is permeable to high dipole materials.

Abstract: The invention relates to osmotically driven membrane processes and systems and methods for recovering draw solutes in the osmotically driven membrane processes. Osmotically driven membrane processes involve the extraction of a solvent from a first solution to concentrate solute by using a second concentrated solution to draw the solvent from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane. Draw solute recovery may be carried out by various means including with the use of a membrane device. The draw solute recovery may also include the use of multi-stage solute recovery using distillation columns and/or membranes, where the recovery may be assisted by a heat pump.

Abstract: A desalination system wherein a latent heat of condensation produced by the temperature gradient across a membrane distillation (MD) module is transferred directly to a latent heat of vaporization during desalination of a liquid flow stream. The desalination system comprises the MD module disposed within an object and configured to receive an input feed stream for desalination and produce an output flow stream of a product. The system also comprises a vapor compressor in fluidic communication with the MD module and configured to introduce a hot steam to a high temperature side of the MD module and extract a cool steam, having a temperature less than the hot steam, from a low temperature side of the MD module, thereby creating a temperature gradient across of the MD module. A desalination method is also presented.

Abstract: A water distillation system includes a membrane distillation unit which produces desalinated water from feed water comprising salt water. The system also includes a primary water heater which raises a temperature of the feed water upstream of the feed water entering the membrane distillation unit. The system additionally includes an evaporative cooler which lowers a temperature of a coolant upstream of the coolant entering the membrane distillation unit.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for concentrating gold contained in a leach residue obtained in a copper hydrometallurgical process for recovering copper from a copper sulfide mineral to efficiently separate and recover gold from the leach residue: a gold-bearing copper sulfide mineral is subjected to pressure leaching with sulfuric acid at a temperature higher than 102° C. and 112° C. or lower to obtain a leach residue, and the leach residue is subjected to flotation to separate it into a float fraction and a sink fraction; the float fraction obtained by flotation is desulfurized to obtain a desulfurized product; the desulfurized product is subjected to oxidative roasting to obtain an oxidatively-roasted product; the oxidatively-roasted product is dissolved in a sulfuric acid solution to obtain a copper solution, and a gold-bearing residue is separated and recovered from the copper solution.

Abstract: Water is removed from oily water produced during operation of a separation column by withdrawing the oily water from the column during separation into an external separator where the oily water is separated into a water phase and an oily phase. The oily phase is then heated to a temperature effective to produce a density differential that drives the oily phase back into the operating column.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention seek to provide a membrane distillation system having compact design and simplified connection system for fluid flow paths used in the system. According to one aspect, a membrane distillation system includes at least one membrane module and at least one like configured heat exchanger module, the modules being supported and connected to like configured manifold devices for providing fluid communication between said modules.

Abstract: Systems and methods of capturing and sequestering carbon dioxide, comprising mixing a substantially non-aqueous solvent and an alkali such that the solvent and alkali form a solvent suspension, mixing water and a flue gas containing carbon dioxide with the solvent suspension such that a reaction occurs, the reaction resulting in the formation of a carbonate, water and heat.

Abstract: An emulsion treating unit and process. A subcooled boiling zone in the unit comprises a heat transfer surface to contact an emulsion at a temperature in excess of the saturation temperature of an aqueous phase in the emulsion, wherein the boiling zone is atmospherically vented. The unit also provides means for recovering an oil-rich layer from adjacent a vapor-liquid interface; and means for recovering an aqueous-rich layer from below the oil-rich layer. The process provides operation of the treating unit to heat an emulsion in the subcooled boiling zone, wherein the boiling zone is atmospherically vented, recovering an oil-rich layer and recovering an aqueous-rich layer from below the oil-rich layer. In one embodiment the boiling zone comprises a heat transfer surface having a temperature in excess of the saturation temperature of the aqueous-rich layer, wherein the vapor-liquid interface is subcooled with respect to the saturation temperature of the aqueous layer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an anaerobic digester.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments relating to particular systems comprising a selective transfer membrane that can be utilized in material separation. In certain embodiments, the membrane assembly comprises part of a desalination, distillation, liquid purification, and/or heating and cooling system. Other particular embodiments allow for a high rate of thermal capture by way of the system utilizing a selective transfer membrane. Certain preferred embodiments include a selective transfer membrane comprising an ionomeric polymer that is permeable to high dipole materials.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a desalination plant that operates with a sea water or brackish water feed and produces a concentrated and selectively improved salt reject stream and a pure water permeate stream from a first treatment section that is arranged to produce primarily water at high recovery using membrane desalination processes. The reject stream from the first treatment line has a component distribution that is substantially reduced in native di- and polyvalent scaling ions, essentially depleted of sulfate, has substantially higher total dissolved solids than a traditional sea water reverse osmosis reject, yet is suitable for thermal treatment processes. The system may be enhanced by monovalent salt components. The unit may be integrated with a second treatment section, in which the first reject stream is further concentrated, purified, and processed to produce a high purity salt product.

Abstract: A method is provided of recycling and cleaning up oil-based waste drilling mud and cuttings contaminated with oil-based waste drilling mud. A facility for performing the method is also provided. The method includes removing the coarse solids from the mud, breaking the emulsion, separating the hydrophobic phase from the water phase and the solid phase, vaporizing all residual oil and water from the solids, and burning off the vaporized oil. The method produces a solid “soil” product that is free from oil contamination, an oil product that is fit for reuse, and clean air emissions. A thermal desorber can be used to efficiently vaporize the oil at low temperature. Optionally the water fraction of the mud can be vaporized, solutes and salts can be captured as evaporite and then be mixed with the soil product. The method has the unique advantage of producing no persistent hazardous waste.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided to rapidly thaw and heat frozen bags of biological materials, such as plasma. The apparatus has a hollow bladder having a flexible wall that is placed in contact with the bag. A circulation system draws fluid from a reservoir and fills the bladder with the fluid. The circulation system also drains fluid from the bladder. A heater in the reservoir heats the fluid before the fluid enters the bladder. As heated fluid flows through the bladder, heat is transferred through the bladder wall to the plasma bag to thaw the biological material. The bladder wall expands against the plasma bag as the bladder fills with fluid, and contracts from the plasma bag as the bladder is drained. The expansion and contraction of the bladder wall agitates the plasma bag and biological material to accelerate the thawing process.

Abstract: A water treatment process whereby heat is used and recaptured to pasteurize water and or sewage effluent. Contaminated waters are partially treatable utilizing bacterial and chemical processes; however some bacteria (e.g. Cryptosporidium and Giardia) are resistant to chemicals. The present process raises the temperature of the water to a desired pasteurization temperature and for a corresponding required length of time to destroy pathogens and viruses. A heat exchanger is employed to use the waste heat from the pasteurization tank to pre-heat the fluid entering the tank. After the initial heating of the tank, the pre-heating reduces the required heat to maintain the temperature of the tank. Make-up heat increases the temperature within a small temperature range. The make-up heat may be waste heat from a separate process.

Abstract: A dehydrating apparatus, a dehydration system, and a dehydration method have improved membrane performance. The dehydrating apparatus 1 includes, in a dehydrating apparatus body, a water separation membrane module 10 in which a water separation membrane having at least one flow path extending in the up and down direction to cause a liquid to pass through is provided with a liquid inlet at the bottom thereof and a liquid outlet at the top thereof; and a shell 11 defined by the outer surface of the water separation membrane module and the inner wall of the dehydrating apparatus body. A heater 12 is provided in the shell near the liquid outlet, and a connection port 14 for connection with a pressure reducing device 13 is provided in the shell near the liquid inlet. As the liquid rises in the water separation membrane, water in the liquid permeates the water separation membrane and moves into the shell, by which the liquid is dehydrated.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for desolvating flowing liquid streams while retaining temporal resolution of dissolved substrates are disclosed. A novel small-scale self-regulating spray dryer preserves temporal resolution while desolvating a liquid chromatography eluent stream and depositing the solute onto an optical surface for infrared spectrographic analysis. The liquid eluent is pumped through a heated nebulizer to create a high-speed jet of solute containing liquid and solvent vapor. This jet is directed circumferentially inside a hot cylindrical cavity. Centrifugal force causes the larger liquid droplets to travel along the outer diameter of the cavity. The cavity surface is heated to cause the droplets to film boil. Film boiling reduces droplet contact with the cavity surface thereby retaining the solute in the droplets. The solute temperature is limited by controlling the pressure into which the solvent evaporates from the droplets.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for thermally purifying waste water, comprising a tank through which waste water can flow. The inventive device is characterized by having at least one flow guiding means for guiding the waste water inside the tank in an essentially meandering manner, and by having at least one heating means inside the tank for regulating a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: A process by which heat is removed from a reactant fluid to reach the operating temperature of a known pollutant removal method and said heat is recirculated to raise the temperature of the product fluid. The process can be utilized whenever an intermediate step reaction requires a lower reaction temperature than the prior and next steps. The benefits of a heat-recirculating cooler include the ability to use known pollutant removal methods and increased thermal efficiency of the system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for carrying out a method for thermophoretically removing particles from a particulate containing liquid the method including providing a heated turbulent flowing particulate contain liquid through a first conduit; redirecting a portion of the particulate containing liquid through a second conduit to provide laminar flow having a flow direction substantially parallel to the first conduit; forming a thermal gradient in said second conduit substantially perpendicular to the flow direction; concentrating particles in the particulate containing liquid in a portion of the second conduit aided at least in part by thermophoretic forces; and, separating the particulate containing liquid into at least a relatively concentrated particle containing portion and a relatively unconcentrated particle containing portion.

Abstract: The method and apparatus of the invention create a dynamic Soret effect for propelling a target chemical constituent along a pathway. A moving temperature profile impressed upon the pathway produces consecutive alternating warmer and cooler zones along the path which transport components of a mixture down the path according to their respective diffusivities. In one embodiment, the invention provides a dynamic thermophoretic concentrator for separating a target chemical constituent from a mixture of components on the basis of diffusion coefficient by using alternate forward and backward motion of a temperature profile along the pathway, thereby accumulating an ultimate concentration of the target constituent greater than its initial concentration in the mixture.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a unique apparatus and method for treating and reusing the wastewater discharged from agricultural animal farms. The apparatus and method of the present invention may be readily-sized and configured depending upon the amount and constituent(s) of the wastewater to be treated. In a first embodiment, the apparatus and method of the present invention is designed to be a zero discharge system in which no wastewater will be discharged or land applied. In use, the apparatus and method of the first embodiment may actually require addition of make-up water during periods of low rainfall to make up water losses due to evaporation and drift. It is contemplated that the only byproduct of the apparatus and method of the first embodiment may be a beneficial sludge if a sufficient number of installations are operated.

Abstract: The method for removing a thermophilic group of cells from a source of mixed cells, such as blood, comprises the steps of obtaining a sample, testing the sample to determine the temperature gradient required to cause migration of the thermophilic cells from the sample. In a preferred embodiment, the method includes the step of bringing the sample back to its ambient temperature quickly if it is desired to do so.

Abstract: A thermophoretic filter cell for the filtering of particles from a liquid is constructed in a particular manner so that the liquid introduced into the filter acts as the heat sink. The cell is designed so that the thermophoretic velocity of the particles in the liquid equals or exceeds the velocity (flow rate per unit area) at which the liquid is passing through the filter.

Abstract: A thermal diffusion counterflow method and apparatus for separating isotopes in solution in which the solution is confined in a long, narrow, vertical slit which tapers from bottom to top. The variation in the width of the slit permits maintenance of a stable concentration distribution with relatively long columns, thus permitting isotopic separation superior to that obtainable in the prior art.

Abstract: An aqueous solution can be concentrated in respect to a volatile substance ontained therein by maintaining the aqueous solution on both sides of a porous membrane which has a pore size of 0.05 to 150 microns and giving a temperature difference between the two respective portions divided by the membrane.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for neutralizing detergent acid mixes containing unreacted sulfating agent such as sulfuric acid with an alkaline component such as sodium hydroxide. The neutralization process is highly exothermic and contains as a by-product large amounts of sodium sulfate. Due to the exothermic nature of the reaction it is necessary to use heat exchangers to regulate the temperature of the reaction mass following the addition of the alkaline component. When the sodium sulfate is supersaturated in the reaction mass, it has been observed that sulfate salts buildup upon the surfaces of the heat exchanger and eventually the system must be shut down to remove the buildup. This invention is therefore directed to a continuous neutralization and heat exchange process wherein the downtime required for removal of the sulfate salts from the heat exchanger surfaces is effectively eliminated.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system for causing the circulation or movement of a solution comprising a conduit for the solution, a solution of conical shaped particles and an asymmetric microporous membrane disposed in the conduit so that the solution can only pass the membrane through its pores. The pores of the membrane are tapered with substantially all of the large openings on one side of the membrane and substantially all of the small openings on the other side. The conical shaped solute particles can diffuse in both directions through the tapered holes of the membrane but have dimensions which preclude them turning around, fore to aft, inside the holes of the membrane.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously separating a volatile solvent from a solution of the solvent and a relatively non-volatile solute at a temperature substantially below the boiling point of the solvent. The apparatus includes opposed, slightly spaced, extended surfaces across which a temperature differential is established. In an exemplification of desalination, salt water is applied along an upper edge of the warmer surface and flows downwardly by gravity. Condensate of warm vapor from the warmed salt water is formed and collects on the cooler surface and flows downwardly for subsequent collection and removal. The cooler surface can be maintained cool by application of sea water, and the warmer surface can be maintained warm by the rays of the sun or by any heated discharge whose heat would ordinarily be wasted, such as coolant from an internal combustion engine or a nuclear power reactor.

Abstract: A boiler feedwater conditioning tank for removing mud, iron and any other settleable solids from boiler feedwater and adding soluble chemicals to the same, wherein the feedwater is mixed and heated by passing the mixture down and around and up into and through a system of concentric open-ended standpipes erected within the tank. The outlet for clean feedwater lies at the top of the tank inside the upper end of the inner standpipe, and the inlets for the same lie distributively around the outside of the outer standpipe at the bottom thereof. The input port for chemicals lies in the tank side walls and steam heating coils lie between the outer standpipe and the wall of the tank in the path of convective flow of feedwater up between the same.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for separating a volatile solvent from a solution of the solvent and a relatively non-volatile solute. A temperature gradient is provided across solvent-absorbing and gas-entraining matrix material infiltrated with the solution, resulting in concentration of the solution near the hotter matrix surface and dilution of the solution near the cooler matrix surface. The process lends itself to the desalination of sea water and to applications which require the recovery of either solute or solvent.

Abstract: Systems and methods of capturing and sequestering carbon dioxide, comprising mixing a substantially non-aqueous solvent and an alkali such that the solvent and alkali form a solvent suspension, mixing water and a flue gas containing carbon dioxide with the solvent suspension such that a reaction occurs, the reaction resulting in the formation of a carbonate, water and heat.