Method and system for processing glacial water

• US 10,399,642 B2
• Filed: 12/22/2014
• Issued: 09/03/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: World'S Fresh Waters Pte. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: World'S Fresh Waters Pte. Ltd.
• Inventors: Szydlowski, Allen, Szydlowski, Ian, Fouts, Mickey
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, George
• Application Number:
  US14/578,915
• Publication Number:
  US 20150125253A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,716 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 1/048 with hull extending principally vertically
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 2043/126 pneumatic, e.g. inflatable on demand
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 21/50 Anchoring arrangements or methods for special vessels, e.g. for floating drilling platforms or dredgers
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 25/08 fluid constructional features of bunkers B63B11/04; tanks for fuel or the like not forming bunkers B63B17/0027
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 27/00 Arrangement of ship-based loading or unloading equipment for cargo or passengers self-discharging barges or lighters B63B35/30; floating cranes B66C23/52
• CPC Class Codes: B63B 35/285 Flexible barges, e.g. bags
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/00 Treatment of water, waste water, or sewage C02F3/00 - C02F9/00 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/001 Processes for the treatment of water whereby the filtration technique is of importance C02F1/44 takes precedence; construction of filters in general B01D24/00 - B01D41/00
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/005 Systems or processes based on supernatural or anthroposophic principles, cosmic or terrestrial radiation, geomancy or rhabdomancy
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/008 Mobile apparatus and plants, e.g. mounted on a vehicle for biological treatment C02F2203/008
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/008 comprising telecommunication features, e.g. modems or antennas
• CPC Class Codes: E03B 3/30 from snow or ice
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/083 Shipping
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0831 Overseas transactions
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 10/33 using wind energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 10/37 using solar energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 137/0318 Processes

Abstract

Methods and systems for recovering, processing, containing, and transporting water obtained from an ice source, i.e., a glacier, ice sheet, ice cap, etc., are described herein. The ice obtained from the ice source holds unique properties and is processed as a beverage for consumption having unique properties. Further, the resulting product is produced and transported with minimal human alteration and reduced energy input as compared to conventional methods for packaging water.

Claims

1. A method of shipping water comprising:

a first location;

a second location; and

a shipping vessel, wherein;

said first location comprises substantial quantities of natural gas;

said second location comprises substantial quantities of water;

said shipping vessel is provided with cargo comprising natural gas at said first location and transported to said second location;

said shipping vessel is at least partially emptied of said cargo comprising natural gas and modified such that said vessel is adapted for transporting water as its cargo without subjecting the water to natural gas, said step of modifying including providing a flexible bag to contain said water;

providing said vessel with cargo comprising water at said second location;

wherein said shipping vessel is transported from said second location to said first location;

wherein said step of providing said shipping vessel with cargo comprising water includes the transfer of water from a bladder containing fresh water, said bladder comprising a hollow, flexible bag;

wherein said water is obtained from a melted glacial ice source, wherein the glacial ice is cut, drilled and/or divided into various segments to obtain said water; and

wherein said water is filtered at said second location.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the modified shipping vessel includes one or more bladders adapted for containing fresh, potable water by entirely encompassing the water in a flexible bag that isolates said water;

and

the water is sequestered in a form suitable for long term storage that does not affect the unique characteristics of the water.

3. A method of shipping water comprising:

providing a shipping vessel, wherein said shipping vessel comprises one or more shipping containers;

providing said one or more shipping containers on said shipping vessel with a first cargo at a first location, said first location including facilities adapted to convey at least one of oil and natural gas, said first cargo comprising said at least one of oil and natural gas;

transporting said shipping vessel to a second location, said second location having a source of at least one of fresh water and ice;

emptying said one or more shipping containers of said first cargo;

modifying said shipping vessel such that said shipping vessel is adapted for transporting as its primary cargo at least one of fresh water and ice without contacting said at least one of fresh water and ice with natural gas, said at least one of fresh water and ice being enclosed within a hollow, flexible bag;

providing said one or more shipping containers on said shipping vessel with a second cargo at said second location, wherein said second cargo comprises said at least one of fresh water and ice;

transporting said shipping vessel from said second location to said first location;

wherein the step of providing said shipping containers with said second cargo comprises transferring water from a hollow, flexible bladder containing fresh water;

wherein said second cargo includes at least water obtained from a glacial melt water source, wherein the glacial ice water source is cut, drilled and/or divided into various segments to obtain said water, and

wherein said shipping containers include photovoltaic arrays adapted for converting solar energy into forms of energy which may be used by said shipping vessel.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein said shipping container comprises at least one of a tank, a hull, a compartment, and a bladder.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein modifying said shipping vessel comprises providing one or more bladders within a portion of said shipping vessel that previously contained said at least one of oil and natural gas.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the modified shipping vessel includes one or more bladders adapted for containing said at least one of fresh water and ice.

7. The method of claim 3, further comprising providing a towable vessel selected from the group consisting of a flexible barge, a non-rigid barge, a bladder, a series of flexible fabric barges connected together in a string, and a non-rigid, water-impermeable device with an elongate shape.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said towable vessel comprises photovoltaic arrays adapted for converting solar energy into forms of energy which may be used throughout at least one of said shipping vessel and said towable vessel;

and

wherein filtering said water after said transporting step.

9. The method of claim 3, wherein modifying said shipping vessel comprises providing one or more bladders within said one or more shipping containers.

10. The method of claim 3, further comprising filtering said fresh water after said transporting step.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said filtering comprises filtration upon exit of said fresh water from said shipping container.

12. The method of claim 3, further comprising emptying said shipping containers of said second cargo.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said emptying of said shipping containers of said second cargo is at said first location.

14. The method of claim 3, further comprising transporting said shipping vessel to a third location and emptying said shipping containers of said first cargo at said third location before transporting said shipping vessel to said second location.

15. A method of shipping water comprising:

providing a shipping vessel, wherein said shipping vessel comprises one or more shipping containers;

providing said one or more shipping containers on said shipping vessel with a first cargo at a first location, said first location including facilities adapted to convey at least one of oil and natural gas, said first cargo comprising said at least one of oil and natural gas;

transporting said shipping vessel to a second location, said second location having a source of at least one of fresh water and ice;

emptying said one or more shipping containers of said first cargo;

modifying said shipping vessel such that said shipping vessel is adapted for transporting as its primary cargo at least one of fresh water and ice without contacting said at least one of fresh water and ice with natural gas, said at least one of fresh water and ice being enclosed within a hollow, flexible bag;

providing said one or more shipping containers on said shipping vessel with a second cargo at said second location, wherein said second cargo comprises said at least one of fresh water and ice;

transporting said shipping vessel from said second location to said first location;

wherein the step of providing said shipping containers with said second cargo comprises transferring water from a hollow, flexible bladder containing fresh water;

wherein said second cargo includes at least water obtained from a glacial melt water source, wherein the glacial ice water source is cut, drilled and/or divided into various segments to obtain said water, and

wherein said shipping containers include a source of one of a wind energy, wave energy and thermal energy that is adapted to convert one of wind, wave and thermal energy into a form of energy which may be used by said shipping vessel.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said shipping container comprises at least one of a tank, a hull, a compartment, and a bladder.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein modifying said shipping vessel comprises providing one or more bladders within a portion of said shipping vessel that previously contained said at least one of oil and natural gas.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein the modified shipping vessel includes one or more bladders adapted for containing said at least one of fresh water and ice.

19. The method of claim 15, further comprising providing a towable vessel selected from the group consisting of a flexible barge, a non-rigid barge, a bladder, a series of flexible fabric barges connected together in a string, and a non-rigid, water-impermeable device with an elongate shape.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein said towable vessel comprises solar energy arrays adapted for converting solar energy into forms of energy which may be used throughout at least one of said shipping vessel and said towable vessel;

and

wherein filtering said water after said transporting step.