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US 2011/0079562 A1Published application
Liquid separation using relative motion and fluid effects
OwnerJames Alexander Starkinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
The embodiments disclosed herein are generally directed to the separation of mixtures of liquids and solids, of liquids and liquids, and/or liquids and solute using a separation medium. The separation medium can be a membrane with a small pore size or a fine mesh. In some embodiments the properties of interactions between the liquid and the medium and/or between components of the mixture are of significance.
Claims20
A system for liquid separation, comprising:
- a separation medium adapted to separate a liquid from a mixture, the separation medium having a first surface and a second surface, wherein the second surface is opposite the first surface and the second surface is adapted to contact the mixture;
- and
- a first moving element having an outer surface, wherein:
- at least a portion of the outer surface is movable relative to the separation medium,
- the first moving element is adapted to urge the liquid through the separation medium from the second surface to the first surface, and
- the outer surface of the first moving element is located in contact with or substantially adjacent to the first surface relative to the second surface.
3 more elements
A method for liquid separation, comprising:
- moving at least a portion of an outer surface of a first moving element into contact with or substantially adjacent to a first surface of a separation medium, the separation medium further comprising a second surface opposite the first surface, the second surface in contact with a mixture comprising a liquid, wherein the movement urges a first amount of liquid to move through the separation medium from the second surface to the first surface to contact the outer surface of the first moving element;
- and
- moving the portion of the outer surface of the first moving element away from the first surface to cause the first amount of liquid to be removed from the separation medium.
The method of claim 51, further comprising:
- causing a second amount of liquid to be moved through the separation medium from the second surface to the first surface by moving at least a second portion of the outer surface of the first moving element into contact with or substantially adjacent to the first surface;
- causing the second amount of liquid to be removed from the separation medium by moving the second portion of the first moving element away from and out of fluid communication with the first surface;
- and
- moving the second portion of the outer surface of the first moving element away from the first surface to remove the second amount of liquid from the separation medium.
1 more element
A system for liquid desalination, comprising:
- a separation medium adapted to separate an at least partially enclosed space into a first chamber and a second chamber, wherein the second chamber is adapted to receive salt water;
- and
- a first moving element positioned in the first chamber and in contact with or substantially adjacent to the separation medium, wherein the first moving element is adapted to pull water molecules through the separation medium from the second chamber into the first chamber via one or more of surface tension, hydrodynamic, and hydrostatic forces.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.