Channel based reverse osmosis
AssigneeNate International
InventorDennis H. Chancellor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A plurality of reverse osmosis units each having a cavity and a membrane are placed within a deep channel. The channel contains an unpurified liquid, and the membranes communicate directly with the unpurified liquid in the channel. The level of unpurified liquid is such that the differential pressure across the membranes is sufficient to cause purified liquid to accumulate in the cavities, from which it is emptied and pumped to the surface. The high pressure sides of the membranes are flushed by unpurified liquid being pumped through the channel. In this manner, a relatively large percentage of the channel diameter can be utilized, and the mechanisms can be implied over prior systems in which unpurified and purified liquids are piped from one reverse osmosis unit to another.
Claims17
A system for purifying a particulate containing liquid disposed within a channel, the system comprising:
- a plurality of membranes disposed within the channel in membrane units, the membranes substantially permeable to the liquid and substantially impermeable to the particles within a working pressure range, the membranes each having a high pressure side at least partially disposed within the channel, and a low pressure side in contact with a common permeate accumulation chamber such that a purified liquid passes across the membranes into the chamber;
- a discharge conduit distinct from the channel and coupling the membrane units;
- a permeate passageway coupling the membrane units;
- and
- a first pump fluidly coupled to the chamber to lift at least some of the purified liquid upwards.
A reverse osmosis apparatus for use in filtering a feed liquid, comprising:
- a channel containing the liquid to a depth of at least 50 feet such that portions of the feed liquid at different positions within the channel are under different pressures;
- a plurality of membranes disposed in membrane units, each of the membranes having a first surface in fluid contact with the feed liquid, a second surface fluidly coupled with a permeate accumulation space, the membranes positioned within the channel such that a differential pressure exists across the membranes sufficient to force at least some of the feed liquid across the membranes and into the permeate accumulation space, and thereby separate a permeate from a flow-by liquid;
- a first passageway which transports portions of the feed liquid between positions within the channel having differential pressures of at least 40 psi;
- a second passageway which couples the membrane units and transports the permeate across a differential pressure of at least 40 psi;
- and
- a third passageway which couples the membrane units and transports the flow-by liquid.
A method of purifying a feed liquid comprising:
- pumping a portion of the feed liquid into a channel;
- providing a plurality of membranes in membrane units, each of which said membranes is semi-permeable to the feed liquid, and each of which is fluidly coupled to a permeate collection space;
- positioning the membrane units in the channel at different depths where there is a pressure differential across the membranes sufficient to operate the membranes to produce a purified substance in the permeate collection space;
- flushing the exterior of the membranes with liquid from the channel;
- transporting the purified substance in a purified substance conduit that couples the modules;
- and
- transporting the flushing liquid in a flushing liquid conduit that couples the membrane units.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.