Systems and methods for processing black liquor solutions
OwnerNathaniel KRAFT, Cole Joseph HARRIS +7inventors
InventorsNathaniel KRAFT, Cole Joseph HARRIS, Kyle VANZANDT, Marcus LUNDGREN, George VOSS, Samuel RAE, Ella RICHARDS, Brandon Ian MACDONALD, Brent D. Keller
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Abstract
Systems and methods for concentrating black liquor solutions using pressure driven filtration processes are disclosed herein. The systems and methods described herein integrate multiple unit operations with graphene oxide membranes filtration devices to accomplish concentration of black liquor streams. These systems and methods provide a lower energy, more economical solution than the currently deployed technology of thermal evaporation.
Claims21
A system, comprising:
- a feed preparation component configured to receive a black liquor feed having an initial total concentration of dissolved and suspended solids, the feed preparation component being further configured to remove a portion of the suspended solids from the black liquor feed to produce a conditioned feed;
- a first filtration module including a graphene oxide membrane, the first filtration module being fluidically coupled to the feed preparation component and configured to contact the conditioned feed at a predetermined temperature with the graphene oxide membrane to produce a first concentrate and a first permeate;
- a second filtration module fluidically coupled to the first filtration module, the second filtration module configured to receive the first permeate and produce a second concentrate and a second permeate;
- a third filtration module fluidically coupled to the second filtration module, the third filtration module configured to receive the second permeate and produce a third concentrate and a third permeate;
- and
- a fourth filtration module disposed downstream the third filtration module, the fourth filtration module configured to receive the third permeate and produce a processed permeate,
- wherein the first, the second, and the third concentrate are combined to produce a processed concentrate having a total concentration of solids higher than the initial total concentration of solids.
A system, comprising:
- a feed preparation component configured to receive a black liquor feed having an initial total concentration of dissolved and suspended solids, the feed preparation component including:
- a tubular ceramic membrane configured to remove at least one of a portion of the suspended solids or a portion of the dissolved solids from the black liquor feed to produce a conditioned feed;
- and
- a heat exchanger fluidically coupled to the tubular ceramic membrane, the heat exchanger configured to cool the conditioned feed to a predetermined temperature;
- a first filtration module including a graphene oxide membrane, the first filtration module being fluidically coupled to the feed preparation component and configured to contact the conditioned feed at the predetermined temperature with the graphene oxide membrane to produce a first concentrate and a first permeate;
- and
- a second filtration module fluidically coupled to the first filtration module, the second filtration module configured to receive the first permeate and produce a second concentrate and a processed permeate,
- wherein the first concentrate and the second concentrate are combined to produce a processed concentrate having a total concentration of solids higher than the initial total concentration of solids.
21-29. (canceled)
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.