Invention Grant
- Patent Title: Method, apparatus, and processes for producing potable water utilizing reverse osmosis at ocean depth in combination with shipboard moisture dehumidification
- Patent Title (中): 利用海洋深度的反渗透生产饮用水的方法,设备和方法,结合船上湿度除湿
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Application No.: US12481082Application Date: 2009-06-09
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Publication No.: US07901580B2Publication Date: 2011-03-08
- Inventor: Ival O. Salyer
- Applicant: Ival O. Salyer
- Agency: Dinsmore & Shohl LLP
- Main IPC: B01D61/00
- IPC: B01D61/00 ; B01D63/00 ; B01D3/10 ; E02B15/00 ; C02F3/12 ; F25D25/00 ; F25D17/06

Abstract:
Devices and methods for producing purified water. The device includes a reverse osmosis subsystem, a dehumidification subsystem and a purified water storage tank fluidly coupled to the subsystems such that purified water produced by each can be locally stored. A vehicular platform, such as a ship, can be used to locate the device adjacent a supply of saline water and humid air. A saline water inlet, membrane and purified water outlet cooperate in the reverse osmosis subsystem to allow preferential passage of water relative to salt in a saline water supply, while the dehumidification subsystem includes a heat exchanger that extracts moisture from the ambient humid air. Purified water produced by each of the subsystems can be used as a potable water source. When used in conjunction with a ship, part or all of the reverse osmosis subsystem can be submersed to a depth sufficient to generate a hydrostatic pressure that is in turn sufficient to passively operate the reverse osmosis membrane such that additional pressurizing equipment, such as a pump, is not needed. Furthermore, the temperature of the water purified by the reverse osmosis subsystem may be low enough to be used as a condensing agent for the ambient humid air passing through the dehumidification subsystem.
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