Mobile desalination plants and systems, and methods for producing desalinated water

• US 20040206681A1
• Filed: 12/11/2003
• Published: 10/21/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/08/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Water Standard Company LLC
• Original Assignee: Water Standard Company LLC
• Inventors: Gordon, Andrew W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,416,666 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/259
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/025 Reverse osmosis; Hyperfiltration
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/08 Apparatus therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/10 Accessories; Auxiliary operations
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/12 Controlling or regulating
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/421 by moving the components in a convoluted or labyrinthine path B01F25/433 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/4231 using baffles
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/45 Mixers in which the materials to be mixed are pressed together through orifices or interstitial spaces, e.g. between beads B01F25/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B01F 25/4521 the components being pressed through orifices in elements, e.g. flat plates or cylinders, which obstruct the whole diameter of the tube
• CPC Class Codes: B63J 1/00 Arrangements of installations for producing fresh water, e.g. by evaporation and condensation of sea water treatment of water in general C02F
• 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 1/041 by means of vapour compression
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/06 Flash evaporation
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/44 by dialysis, osmosis or reverse osmosis general membrane separation processes B01D61/00, membrane modules B01D63/00, electrodialysis C02F1/4693, combination of membrane modules and bioreactors C02F3/1268
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/441 by reverse osmosis
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/444 by ultrafiltration or microfiltration
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/66 by neutralisation; pH adjustment for degassing C02F1/20; using ion-exchange C02F1/42; for flocculation or precipitation of suspended impurities C02F1/52; for removing dissolved compounds C02F1/58
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/68 by addition of specified substances, e.g. trace elements, for ameliorating potable water medicinal water A61K
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2103/08 Seawater, e.g. for desalination
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2201/001 Build in apparatus for autonomous on board water supply and wastewater treatment (e.g. for aircrafts, cruiseships, oil drilling platforms, railway trains, space stations)
• 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 2201/009 : Apparatus with independent power supply, e.g. solar cells, windpower, fuel cells for electrolysis apparatus C02F2201/46165
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/005 : Processes using a programmable logic controller [PLC]
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/006 : comprising a software program or a logic diagram
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/008 : comprising telecommunication features, e.g. modems or antennas
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2209/02 : Temperature
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2303/185 : The treatment agent being halogen or a halogenated compound
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 2303/24 : Separation of coarse particles, e.g. by using sieves or screens
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 9/00 : Multistage treatment of water, waste water or sewage
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/124 : Water desalination
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/131 : Reverse-osmosis
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/141 : Wind power
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/212 : Solar-powered wastewater sewage treatment, e.g. spray evaporation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 10/37 : using solar energy

Abstract

Systems, methods, and apparatus for desalinating water are provided. A vessel includes a water intake system, a reverse osmosis system, a concentrate discharge system, a permeate transfer system, a power source, and a control system. The concentrate discharge system includes a plurality of concentrate discharge ports.

Claims

1. A vessel comprising:

a water purification system comprising;

a water intake system comprising a water intake and a water intake pump, wherein the water intake is operable to be disposed above a thermocline region within a body of water;

a reverse osmosis system;

a concentrate discharge system comprising a plurality of concentrate discharge ports;

a permeate transfer system;

a power source; and

a control system,

wherein

the reverse osmosis system is in communication with the water intake system,

the concentrate discharge system and the permeate transfer system are in communication with the reverse osmosis system,

the power source is in communication with the water intake system, the reverse osmosis system, and the permeate transfer system, and

the control system is in communication with the water intake system, the reverse osmosis system, the concentrate discharge system, the permeate transfer system, and the power source; and

wherein

the concentrate discharge system comprises a member operable to extend from the vessel within or below the thermocline region.

2. The vessel of claim 1, wherein the concentrate discharge system further comprises an aspirator suitable for drawing water into the discharge member from the surrounding body of water for mixing and subsequent dilution of the concentrate before the concentrate is discharged though a plurality of discharge ports.

3. The vessel of claim 1, wherein the water intake comprises a sea chest.

4. A vessel comprising:

a water purification system comprising;

a water intake system comprising a water intake and a water intake pump;

a reverse osmosis system;

a concentrate discharge system comprising a plurality of concentrate discharge ports, wherein the concentrate discharge ports are operable to discharge concentrate above a thermocline region of a surrounding body of water;

a permeate transfer system comprising a transfer pump;

a power source; and

a control system,

wherein

the reverse osmosis system is in communication with the water intake system,

the concentrate discharge system and the permeate transfer system are in communication with the reverse osmosis system,

the power source is in communication with the water intake system, the reverse osmosis system, and the permeate transfer system, and

the control system is in communication with the water intake system, the reverse osmosis system, the concentrate discharge system, the permeate transfer system, and the power source; and

wherein

the water intake system comprises a member operable to extend from the vessel into or below the thermocline region.

5. The vessel of claim 4, wherein the concentrate discharge system further comprises an aspirator suitable for drawing water into the discharge member from the surrounding body of water for mixing and subsequent dilution of the concentrate before the concentrate is discharged though a plurality of discharge ports.

6. A vessel comprising:

a water purification system comprising

a water intake system comprising a water intake and a water intake pump;

a reverse osmosis system;

a concentrate discharge system comprising a plurality of concentrate discharge ports;

a permeate transfer system;

a power source; and

a control system,

wherein

the reverse osmosis system is in communication with the water intake system,

the concentrate discharge system and the permeate transfer system are in communication with the reverse osmosis system,

the power source is in communication with the water intake system, the reverse osmosis system, and the permeate transfer system, and

the control system is in communication with the water intake system, the reverse osmosis system, the concentrate discharge system, the

permeate transfer system, and the power source; and

wherein

the water intake system is operable to intake water into the water purification system at a depth that reduces intake of plankton into the water purification system.

7. A method for producing a permeate on a floating structure comprising:

intaking water through a water intake system comprising a water intake, wherein the water intake is disposed above a thermocline region of a body of water surrounding a floating structure;

supplying the water to a water purification system;

filtering the water to produce a permeate and a concentrate;

discharging the concentrate into the surrounding body of water through a concentrate discharge system comprising a discharge member comprising a plurality of concentrate discharge ports, wherein the plurality of concentrate discharge ports is disposed within or below the thermocline region.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising the step of drawing water into the discharge member from the surrounding body of water as the concentrate passes through the discharge member.

9. A method for producing a permeate on a floating structure comprising:

intaking water through a water intake system comprising a water intake member extending from the hull of the floating structure, wherein the water intake member comprises a water intake disposed above a thermocline region in a body of water surrounding a floating structure;

supplying the water to a water purification system;

filtering the water to produce a permeate and a concentrate;

discharging the concentrate into the surrounding body of water through a concentrate discharge system comprising a discharge member comprising a plurality of concentrate discharge ports, wherein the plurality of concentrate discharge ports is disposed within or below the thermocline region.

10. The method of claim 9 further comprising the step of drawing water into the discharge member from the surrounding body of water as the concentrate passes through the discharge member.

11. A method for producing a permeate on a floating structure comprising:

intaking water through a water intake system comprising a water intake member extending from the hull of the floating structure, wherein the water intake member comprises a water intake disposed within or below a thermocline region in a body of water surrounding a floating structure;

supplying the water to a water purification system;

filtering the water to produce a permeate and a concentrate;

discharging the concentrate into the surrounding body of water through a concentrate discharge system comprising a plurality of concentrate discharge ports, wherein the plurality of concentrate discharge ports is disposed above the thermocline region.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the concentrate discharge system comprises a discharge member comprising a plurality of concentrate discharge ports.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of drawing water into the discharge member from the surrounding body of water as the concentrate passes through the discharge member.

14. A method for producing a permeate on a floating structure comprising:

intaking water through a water intake system comprising a water intake, wherein the water intake is disposed at a depth below 10 meters;

supplying the water to a water purification system;

filtering the water to produce a permeate and a concentrate;

discharging the concentrate into the surrounding body of water through a concentrate discharge system comprising a plurality of concentrate discharge ports.