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US 12,390,767 B2Granted
Removing components of alcoholic solutions via forward osmosis and related systems
AssigneePorifera, Inc.
InventorsCharles Benton, Olgica Bakajin, Jennifer Klare, Ravindra Revanur
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Abstract
Examples disclosed herein relate to methods and systems for controllably removing one or more solutes from a solution. Examples disclosed herein relate to methods and systems for removing water from alcoholic beverages.
Claims20
A method for removing one or more solutes and water from a solution, the method comprising:
- introducing a feed solution having at least one permeable solute into a first side of a forward osmosis system;
- circulating a draw solution through a second side of the forward osmosis system, the draw solution having one or more solutes and a concentration of the at least one permeable solute that is lower than a concentration of the at least one permeable solute in the feed solution;
- generating a diluted draw solution in the second side of the forward osmosis system, the diluted draw solution having a higher water concentration and higher at least one permeable solute concentration than the draw solution;
- producing a product stream including a concentrated feed solution from the first side of the forward osmosis system, the concentrated feed solution having a lower water content and a concentration of the at least one permeable solute that is lower than the concentration of the at least one permeable solute in the feed solution;
- regenerating the draw solution from the diluted draw solution.
2 more elements
A system comprising:
- a forward osmosis element including at least one selectively permeable forward osmosis membrane separating a first side of the forward osmosis element from a second side of the forward osmosis element;
- a supply of an alcoholic beverage containing ethanol fluidly coupled to the first side of the forward osmosis element;
- a supply of draw solution fluidly coupled to the second side of the forward osmosis element, the draw solution having one or more solutes and a concentration of ethanol that is less than a concentration of ethanol in the feed solution;
- a reverse osmosis element operably coupled to the second side of the forward osmosis element, the reverse osmosis element including a reverse osmosis membrane defining a first side of the reverse osmosis element and a second side of the reverse osmosis element, wherein the reverse osmosis element is configured to receive a diluted draw solution from the forward osmosis element in the first side of the reverse osmosis element and produce at least a portion of a regenerated draw solution;
- and
- a draw solution regenerating apparatus configured to regenerate draw solution from diluted draw solution through the second side of the forward osmosis element.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.