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Desalination using positively buoyant or negatively buoyant/assisted buoyancy hydrate

  • US 20030024803A1
  • Filed: 10/08/2002
  • Published: 02/06/2003
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/12/1999
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A method of desalinating or purifying saline or polluted input water, respectively, said method comprising:

  • providing said input water to a hydrate formation region of a desalination fractionation installation that is located inland and causing said input water to be mixed with a hydrate-forming substance under pressure conditions and temperature conditions conducive to formation of hydrate such that hydrate spontaneously forms;

    providing said hydrate to a hydrate dissociation region of said installation;

    removing heat from said desalination fractionation installation by removing residual saline or polluted water that has been warmed by heat of endothermic formation of said hydrate;

    allowing said hydrate to dissociate into fresh water and the hydrate-forming substance in a dissociation region of said desalination fractionation installation; and

    collecting said fresh water;

    said method further comprising at least partially cooling said input water toward said temperature conditions conducive to formation of hydrate before said input water is mixed with said hydrate-forming substance.

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