Desalinization apparatus and method.

(54) Title: DESALINATION APPARATUS AND METHOD.

(54) Title: DESALINIZATION APPARATUS AND METHOD.

(57) Summary

The present invention relates to a desalination apparatus, and to methods related to desalination. In one embodiment, a desalination apparatus includes at least one opening for receiving air flow therethrough, at least one opening for receiving salt water therethrough, at least one outlet for providing a flow of pure water vapor outlet, and at least one outlet for providing an outlet flow of a mixture of water, salt and air; and a plurality of chambers for evaporating the salt water into the air flow, at least one of the chambers forms a plurality of openings arranged in a plurality of rows. In one embodiment, the method includes providing air flow to a desalination apparatus; providing the salt water to the desalination apparatus; form a vortex in the air flow to evaporate the water vapor from the salted water; and providing the water vapor in the air flow to a condenser to obtain pure water.

(57) Abstract

There is disclosed a desalinization apparatus, and methods related to desalinization. In an embodiment, a desalinization apparatus includes at least one port for receiving airflow therethrough, at least one port for receiving salt water therethrough, at least one output for providing outflow of puré water vapor, and at least one output for proving outflow of a mixture of water, salt and air; and a plurality of chambers for evaporating the salt water into the airflow, at least one of the chambers forming a plurality of ports arranged in a plurality of rows. In an embodiment, a method includes providing airflow to a desalinization apparatus; providing salt water to the desalinization apparatus; forming a vortex in the airflow to evaporate water vapor from the salt water; and providing the water vapor in the airflow to a condenser so as to obtain puré water.

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Mexican Institute of Industrial Property

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PATENT TITLE NO. 344847

Headlines)

LYTESYDE, LLC.

Home:

1691 Michigan Avenue, Suite 300, Miami Beach, Florida, 33139, USA

Denomination

DESALINATION APPARATUS AND METHOD.

Classification:

lnt.CI.8: B01D21 / 26

Inventor (s):

KELLY P. ROCK; BRUCE E. NADEAU, JR.

REQUEST

Number:

International filing date;

MX / a / 2013/012034 August 2009

Divisional Patent Number: 317786

PRIORITY

Country:

Date:

Number:

US August 2008

12/190,878

Validity: Twenty years

Expiration Date: August 11, 2029

The reference patent is granted based on articles 1, 2, section V, 6, section III, and 59 of the Industrial Property Law.

In accordance with article 23 of the Industrial Property Law, this patent is valid for twenty years, non-extendable, counted from the filing date of the international application and will be subject to the payment of the tarifti to keep the rights in force. . . .

Whoever signs this title does so based on the provisions of articles 8 'sections III and 7^or bis 2 of the Industrial Property Law (Official Owner of the Federation (DOF) 06/27/1991, amended on 08/02/1994, 16/25/1996, 12/26/1997, 05/17/1999, , 01/26/2004, 06/16/2005, 01/25/2006, 05/06/2009, 01/06/2010, 06/18/2010, 06/28/2010, 01/27/2012 and 04/08 / 2012); articles I^or, 3rd fraction V part a), 4^or and 12th sections I and III of the Regulations of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (D.OP. 12/14/1999, amended on 07/01/2002, 07/15/2004, 07/28/2004 and 09/07 / 2007); Articles 1, 3, 4®, 5® section V subsection a), 16 sections I and III and 30 of the Organic Statute of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property (DOF 12/27/1999, amended on 10/10/2002, 07/29/2004, 08/04/2004 and 09/13/2007); 1, 3 and 5 subsection a) of the Agreement that delegates powers to the Deputy General Directors, Coordinator, Divisional Directors, Heads of Regional Offices, Divisional Deputy Directors, Departmental Coordinators and other subordinates of the Mexican Institute of Industrial Property. (DOF 12/15/1999, amended on 02/04/2000, 07/29/2004, 08/04/2004 and 09/13/2007).

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Issue Date: January 10, 2017

TO DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR OF PATENTS

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NAHANNY CANAL REYES

Arenal No. 550, Floor 1, Col Pueblo Sarta María Tepepan Xochimico. CP 16020, Mexico City

Tel (55) 63 34 07 00 wwwjrnpi gob mx

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MX / 2017/2513

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DESALINATION APPARATUS AND METHOD

Field of Invention

The present invention relates to the field of desalination and provides a novel method and apparatus for desalination.

Background of the Invention

Many types of devices have been developed over the years with ex. purpose of 10 converting liquids or aerosols into gas phase fluids. Many such devices have been developed, for example, to desalinate water so that excess salt and other minerals are removed from the water. Brackish water, or salted water, generally contains a significant concentration of dissolved salts. Seawater has a salinity of about 35,000 ppm, or 35 g / 1. Sea water is neither potable nor suitable for irrigation purposes.

The water can be desalinated to be converted into potable water suitable for human consumption or irrigation. Large-scale desalination typically uses large amounts of energy as well as expensive, specialized infrastructure. Because of this, it is very expensive to use desalinated water instead of drinking water from rivers or groundwater.

Three methods of desalination include distillation

REF. 244436

IMPI INSTITUTO MEXICANO D £ LA ΡΧΟΝβΠΑΓ ', IfíDUSTUIAL ___ under vacuum, reverse osmosis and multi-stage flash desorption distillation.

In vacuum distillation, water is boiled at a pressure lower than atmospheric. The boiling of a liquid occurs when the vapor pressure equals the ambient pressure and the vapor pressure increases with temperature. Due to the reduction in temperature, energy is saved.

Reverse osmosis technology involves semi-permeable membranes and pressure to separate salts from the water. Less energy can be used than in the case of thermal distillation. However, the desalination energy remains high.

Brief Description of the Invention

In one embodiment, a desalination apparatus is provided, comprising a first end and a second end opposed to each other, a line between the first end and the second end and forming an axis, the first end forming at least one opening for receive air flow through it and at a pressure higher than ambient atmospheric pressure, the first end forms at least one opening to receive the salt water through it and at a pressure higher than the ambient atmospheric pressure, the second end forms at least one outlet to provide the external flow of the pure water vapor, and the second end forms at least one outlet to provide

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ΙΝΠΤΠΙΤΟ MEXICAN I HEARD LA NOPIttMO INDUSTEIAL the external flow of a mixture of water, salt and air; and at least one tube cover extending between the first end and the second end, the tube cover encloses a plurality of chambers to evaporate salt water into the air flow, at least one of the chambers forms a plurality of passages placed substantially parallel with respect to the axis between the first end and the second end, forming a plurality of openings from the passages, and the openings arranged in a plurality of rows substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the axis between the first end and the second end.

In another embodiment, a method is provided, which comprises providing an air flow to the desalination apparatus at a pressure higher than ambient atmospheric pressure; providing the salt water to the desalination apparatus at a pressure higher than ambient atmospheric pressure; form a vortex in the air flow to evaporate the water vapor from the salt water; and providing the water vapor in the air flow to a condenser to obtain pure water.

Other modalities are also described.

Brief Description of Figures

The attached figures illustrate certain modalities described later and are a part of the

IMPI

MEXICAN INSTITUTE,. ,. M THE PROPERTY specification. industrial

Figure 1, Figure 2 and Figure 3 illustrate a perspective view of a desalination apparatus.

Figure 4 illustrates the inlet portion of the desalination device shown in Figures 1-3.

Figure 5 illustrates an enlarged view of the processing chambers in a processing section of the desalination apparatus shown in Figures 1-3.

Figure 6 and Figure 7 illustrate enlarged perspective views of the separator chambers in a separator section of the desalination apparatus shown in Figures 1-3.

Figure 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the desalination apparatus 10.

Figure 9, Figure 10, Figure 11, Figure 12, Figure 13, Figure 14, Figure 15 and Figure 16 illustrate various cross-sectional views of v-shaped cup configurations within the chamber of the processing section of the processing apparatus. desalination shown in Figures 1-3.

Figure 17, Figure 18 and Figure 19 illustrate three-row v-shaped cups of the chambers of the processing section of the desalination apparatus shown in Figures 1-3.

Figure 20 and Figure 21 illustrate five-row v-shaped cups from one of the section chambers

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IMPI ^

MSXICAN INSTITUTE

INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY processing of the desalination apparatus shown in Figures 1-3.

Figure 22 illustrates a partition from one of the separation chambers of the separation section of the desalination apparatus shown in Figures 1-3.

Figure 23 is a schematic diagram of a desalination process in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

In all figures, identical reference characters and descriptions indicate similar but not necessarily identical items.

Detailed description of the invention

Illustrative modalities and aspects will be described later. Of course it will be appreciated that in the development of any such current modalities, numerous implementation-specific decisions can be made to achieve vendor-specific goals, such as compliance with system-related and business-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation to another. Furthermore, it will be appreciated that such a development effort could be complex and time consuming, but could nevertheless be a routine undertaken by those of skill in the art who have the benefit of this disclosure.

When used from beginning to end of the

IMPI

INSTITUTO MEXICANO LA PROPIEDAD INOGSTRIAL specification and claims, the words that it includes and that it has, as used in the specification, include the claims, have the same meaning as the word that it comprises.

Turning now to the figures, and in particular to Figures 1-3, the embodiments of a desalination apparatus 10 are shown. For example, a first end 15 and a second end 20 may be provided opposite each other. A line between the first end 15 and the second end 2 0 forms an axis 2 5 (figure 1). The first end 15 may form at least one opening 30 to receive air flow 30AF therethrough and a pressure higher than ambient atmospheric pressure. The first end 15 can form at least one opening 35 to receive the salt water 35SW therethrough and at a pressure higher than ambient atmospheric pressure. The second end 20 can form at least one outlet 45 to provide the outlet flow of the pure water vapor, and the second end which forms at least one outlet to provide the outlet flow of a mixture of water, salt and air.

At least one tube cover 50 may be provided extending between the first end 15 and the second end 20. The tube cover 50 may enclose a plurality of chambers 55 (see Figures 2 and 3) to evaporate the water with 35SW salt in 30AF airflow, at

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INSTITUTO MEXICANO DE LA EROPISDAT »INDUSTÍML minus one of the chambers 55 may form a plurality of passages 60 positioned substantially parallel with respect to axis 25 between the first end 15 and the second end 20. A plurality of openings 65 from the passages 60 may be formed in at least one of the chambers 55. The openings 65 may be placed in a plurality of rows 70 substantially parallel to each other and substantially perpendicular to the axis 25 between the first end 15 and the second end 20.

Still referring to Figures 1-3, the first end 15 may include an inlet body 75 having a connector 80 for air flow, a connector 85 for fluid, and a valve assembly 90. The connector 80 for the air flow can be configured to receive the pipe 95 for the air flow 30AF provided thereto. The fluid connector 85 may be configured to receive the 35SW salt water tubing 100 provided therein. The valve assembly 90 is configured to regulate the flow of the 35SW salt water provided thereto.

Air flow and salt water inlet can be adjusted for efficient evaporation within the desalination apparatus. For example, the airflow connector 80 can be configured to provide 30AF airflow at a pressure of approximately 5.63 kg / cm.² (80 psi) on the

IMPI

MUJCANO INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PRORSDAD

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desalination 10. The air flow connector 80 can be configured to provide 30AF air flow at a volume of approximately 0.28 to 1.416 m³/ min (10 to 50 cubic feet per minute (cfm)). The air flow connector 80 can be configured to provide 30AF air flow at a temperature of approximately 37.78 to 65.56 ° C (100 to

150 ° F).

The fluid connector 85 can be configured to provide the 35SW salt water at a pressure of approximately 0.35 to 0.70 kg / cm² (5 to 10 psi) greater than the air flow pressure to provide a pressure difference, to allow the 35SW salt water to enter the air flow. In one embodiment, the desalination apparatus 10 can provide at least 10 ml per minute of the water from the pure water vapor. In another embodiment, desalination apparatus 10 can provide at least 13.5 ml per minute of water from pure water vapor.

The outlet may be provided to a passage 115 in communication with a refrigerator to condense the water vapor in the salt-free water. In one embodiment, outlet 45 may be configured to provide the outflow of a mixture of water, salt, and air that is configured to provide the mixture to a bottle.

INSTITUTE MBXICANQ

D € LA NOUSTJUAL PROH1DAD separator to further process the mixture in salt-free water. Referring to Figures 1-3, the tube cover 50 may include a processing section 105 and a spacer section 110 in fluid communication with each other. The processing section 105 can be configured to receive the flow of air 30AF and salt water 35SW from the first end 15. The processing section 105 can be configured to evaporate at least a portion of the 35SW salt water prior to the separator section 110. The separator section 110 can be configured to discharge the water vapor to a passage 115 in communication with a refrigerator to condense the water vapor into salt-free water and discharge a mixture of water, salt and air into a separate passage 45 from passage 115 in communication with the refrigerator.

To evaporate the water from the salt water in the air flow, the processing section 105 directs the air flow and the salt water through the openings 65 of the chambers 55 to form at least one vortex around the axis. 25 to evaporate the water vapor from the salted water into the air flow. For example, one or more processors in the device can be configured to provide a pressure drop in the air flow direction, and this pressure drop evaporates the liquid into the air flow. In an exemplary fashion, each of the

IMPI

MEXICAN INSTITUTE OF INDUSTRIAL PROPERTY

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Eight processors can provide a pressure drop to evaporate the liquid. The pressure drop per processor can be in a range of 0.53 to 0.2 8 kg / cm² (0.75 to 4 pounds per square inch (psi)). In one embodiment, the plurality of chambers 55 that form the processing section 105 can include different types of v-shaped cups 120. Different types of v-shaped cups 120 include a restrictive v-shaped cup 102R, 3 rows of v-shaped cups 120R3, and 5 rows of v-shaped cups 120R5. The restrictive v-shaped cup 120R can be configured to create a pressure drop of the flow of air 30AF and salt water 35SW in it. This increases the pressure prior to the restrictive v-shaped cup 120R toward the first end 15 and allows the airflow 30AF to contain additional water vapor. Processing section 105 can be configured to maximize evaporation of the 35SW salt water prior to separator section 110.

Separator section 110 may be configured to prevent salt from being discharged from outlet 40 to provide an outflow of pure water vapor. In one embodiment, the processing section 105 may be configured to provide additional evaporation of the salted water prior to the second end 20.

One or more protrusions 125 can be provided for wtmnK.orna f

IMPI

MEXICAN INSTITUTE&gt; Λ

FROM THE PSOPIKAD ίν ^ ΞΒΤΛ · '.; * INDUSTRIAL connect processor section 105 and separator section 10 to inlet body 75 and outlet 40, respectively, jointly with each other. In various embodiments, the protrusions 125 may be removed for cleaning or repair of the desalination apparatus 10. In the alternative embodiments, the protrusions 125 may be integrally formed with the tube cover 50 or omitted from the desalination apparatus 10.

As best illustrated in Figures 2 and 3, a ring 135 may be provided between the areas of the chambers 55 around the distal end and each of the v-shaped cups 120 (towards the second end 2 0 of the desalination apparatus 10). Ring 13 5 can be formed of an elastic material to function as a removable tip. In other embodiments, the chambers 55 may be formed in other fluid-tight ways with respect to one another.

Referring to Figure 6, there is shown a series of separator chambers 135. In one embodiment, one or more separator chambers 135 may be formed with the partitions 140. An outlet 142 can be provided through each of the partitions 140 Within the separating chamber 135, the salt water flow will generally follow route 145 and the water vapor will generally follow route 150. The radius of the outlets 142 creates these routes 145, 150

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IMPI

INSTmn'U MEXICANO DE LA PIOMKÜAD INDUSTRIAL to prevent salt from entering exit 401. This configuration of exit 401 with a 40F overhang prevents mixing of routes 145, 150 and allows the collection of sediment, salt, and any other materials other than steam that have to be collected separately through passage 45. These materials pass through second end 20 and can be processed separately. Without the overhang 40F at exit 401, materials within route 145 can be mixed with route 150 to contaminate water vapor within route 150. Turning now to Figure 7, there is shown a perspective view of the second end 2 0 with outlet 40 for steam. Figure 7 illustrates outlet 45 for salt water and other contaminants.

Figure 8 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the desalination apparatus 10. The chambers 55 are shown with the outlets 122 leading from a portion towards the first end 15 to a subsequent chamber or separating section 110 towards the second end 20. As shown described above, a vortex can be formed in each of the chambers 55 by the flow of air through the plurality of openings 65. The air flow together with the salted water and any water vapor is received into each chamber 55 via passages 60 from a portion towards the first end 15 within the plurality of rows

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IMPL

INSTITUTO MEXICANO Dt LA PXOFISOAC INDUSTRIAL

70. After traveling through the openings 65 and forming a vortex, the air flow continues to travel to the second end 20 through the outlet 122.

An exemplary embodiment of this configuration can also be seen in Figure 9. From left to right, in the same direction as illustrated in Figures 1-8, the air flow carried by the salt water, along with any Particulate matter and steam are introduced into the v-shaped bowl 120 through passages 60. The airflow is then directed through a plurality of openings 65 to form a vortex. Airflow subsequently emerges from outlet 122 for processing into another v-shaped cup 120 or separator section 110. Figure 10 illustrates airflow passages 60 and rows 70 in orthogonal relationship to each other. . Alternatively, the passages 60 and the rows 70 may be configured at another angle to each other.

Referring to Figure 11, there is illustrated a perspective view with a cross section of the v-shaped bowl 120 removed toward the first end 15. From inside the v-shaped bowl 102, the outlet 122 toward the second end 20 is visible. In addition, there are openings shown 65 as well as passages 65 and rows 70 to direct the flow of air to the inside of the shaped cup.

IMPI ^^ «STITUTO MEXICANO JS • E LA FEOHEDAO U / a /

INDUSTRIAL v 120. Figure 12 provides a similar illustration of the v-shaped bowl 120 as in Figure 11. In this view, outlet 122 is not visible, but ring 130 is provided in the notch at the end of the v-shaped cup 120 toward the second end 20. Figure 13 is another view in which the cross-sectional view is seen inside the v-shaped cup 120 toward the first end 15. The passages 60 and rows 70 leading to openings 65 are shown in Figure 13. In one embodiment, the v-shaped bowl 120 may include openings 65 in communication with rows 70 as illustrated in Figure 14.

Turning to Figure 15, and in one embodiment, an internal channel 155 may be provided to feed tangential passages 70 from passages 60. With this configuration, a lower strength v-shaped bowl 120 having either 5 rows or 3 rows of openings 65 can be provided.

The restrictive v-shaped cup 120R is illustrated in Figure 16. A three-row v-shaped cup 120R3 is illustrated in Figures 17-19. A 120R5 5-row v-shaped cup is illustrated in Figures 20 and 22.

Figure 22 is a perspective view of partition 140 with outlet 142 having a projection to prevent mixing and backflow of water vapor and

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IMPI

INSTITUTO MEXICANO M LA PROPERTY INDUSTRIAL other fluids and materials in a separation chamber.

Referring now to FIG. 23, there is shown an exemplary method 2300 related to desalination of water with salt. The method 2300 may include the provision 23 05 of the air flow to a desalination apparatus at a pressure higher than ambient atmospheric pressure. The method 2300 may further include the provision at 2310 of the salted water to the desalination apparatus at a pressure higher than ambient atmospheric pressure. The 2300 method may also include the formation of a vortex in the air flow at 2315 to evaporate the water vapor from the salt water. The method 2300 may include the provision 2320 of the steam with water in the air flow to a condenser to obtain pure water.

In one embodiment, method 2300 may include vortex formation that occurs in a chamber. For example, this may include forming a plurality of vortices in a plurality of chambers in series with each other prior to providing the water vapor in the air flow to the condenser.

Method 2300 may also include flow regulation of the flow of air to the desalination device. The air flow to the desalination apparatus can be provided at a pressure of approximately 5.63 kg / cm² (80 psi). The air flow in the

IMPI ^

MEXICAN INSTITUTE

M THE PROPERTY desalination apparatus can be supplied to a '^? IlhVienMea approximately 0.28 to 1.416 m³/ min (10 '' to '50 crf'm). 'ΕΊ air flow to the desalination process can be provided at a temperature of approximately 37.78 to 65.56 ° C (100 to 150 ° F).

Method 2300 may also include regulating the flow of the salt water to the desalination device. Salt water to the desalination apparatus can be supplied at a pressure of approximately 0.35 to 0.70 kg / cm² (5 to 10 psi) greater than the air flow pressure to provide a pressure difference to allow salt water to enter the air flow.

Using the specifications identified above, for example, the desalination apparatus can provide at least 10 ml per minute of water from pure water vapor. However, the desalination apparatus can provide at least 13.5 ml per minute of water from pure water vapor.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known to the applicant for putting the aforementioned invention into practice is the one that is clear from the present description of the invention.

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IMPI

INSTITUTO MEXICANO UE LA NDUSTRIAL PROPERTY