Submersible reverse osmosis desalination apparatus and method

• US 20080290032A1
• Filed: 05/25/2007
• Published: 11/27/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Huy Ton That
• Original Assignee: Huy Ton That
• Inventors: Ton That, Huy
• Granted Patent: US 7,731,847 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 210/651
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2311/04 Specific process operations in the feed stream; Feed pretreatment
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2311/2649 Filtration
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2313/02 Specific tightening or locking mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2313/06 External membrane module supporting or fixing means
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2313/243 Pumps
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2313/246 Energy recovery means
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2313/36 Energy sources
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 2315/06 Submerged-type; Immersion type
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/025 Reverse osmosis; Hyperfiltration
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/04 Feed pretreatment
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/06 Energy recovery
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/10 Accessories; Auxiliary operations
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/12 Controlling or regulating
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 13/10 Submerged units incorporating electric generators or motors
• CPC Class Codes: F03B 17/06 using liquid flow with predominantly kinetic energy conversion, e.g. of swinging-flap type , "run-of-river", "ultra-low head" F03B13/264 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2220/62 for desalination
• CPC Class Codes: F05B 2240/97 on a submerged structure
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/131 Reverse-osmosis
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/20 Hydro energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/30 Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient

Abstract

An submersible desalination unit composed of a structure containing a water intake system for acquiring sea water, a sea water pre-filtration system for removing lager contaminants and debris, a reverse osmosis system for the purification of the water, a permeate transfer system to carry the water to where it will be used, a power source for powering the equipment used in the process and a control system that operates and monitors the equipment and process of removing salt from the water and transferring the desalinated water to other use and returning the brine solution to the sea.

Claims

1. A submersible reverse osmosis desalination apparatus and method for removing salt from sea water producing a potable water, comprising:

means for containing the components of the apparatus;

means for transferring desalinated water from the unit to shore;

means for supplying air to the air blower;

means for transferring pre-filtered water from the pre-filtration hollow fiber membrane set to the main pressure pump inlet and the pressure exchanger energy recovery exchanger inlet;

means for transferring pre-filtered water from the main high pressure pump to the reverse osmosis pressure vessels/membranes;

means for making up missing pressure when sea currents are insufficient to power the sea current motor;

means for seawater reverse osmosis filtration;

means for housing the reverse osmosis membranes;

means for transferring the brine from the reverse osmosis pressure vessels to the pressure exchanger energy recovery brine inlet;

means for converting the pressure of the brine into pre-filtered water pumping energy;

means for transferring of pre-filtered water from the pressure exchanger energy recovery system to the reverse osmosis pressure vessels/membranes;

means for making up small pressure losses that occur through the salt water reverse osmosis membranes, the pressure exchanger energy recovery exchanger and the associated piping;

means for transferring the brine from the pressure exchanger energy recovery brine outlet to the sea current power converter dispersion system through the fins;

means for powering the main high pressure pump, the pressure exchanger booster pump and the pre-filtration membranes air blower;

means for converting sea energy into rotating power on the main shaft;

means for securing the unit to the sea floor;

means for hosting and securing the vessel'"'"'s docking arm, maintaining a static position under sea currents;

means for locking and securing the vessel to the cradle;

means for providing positive buoyancy to the cradle;

means for surfacing and submerging the desalinization vessel, including the sea current power converter, without disconnecting the pipelines;

means for transporting the permeate to the shore, delivering electricity to each vessel of an array to power the monitoring equipment, and to provide air supply to the pre-filtration air blowers;

means for junction between the desalination vessel and the main flexible pipeline; and

means for guiding the unit to the cradle for sea floor positioning.

2. The submersible reverse osmosis desalination apparatus and method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for containing the components of the apparatus comprises a fiber reinforced plastic main body or frame.

3. The submersible reverse osmosis desalination apparatus and method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for transferring desalinated water from the unit to shore comprises a flexible, reinforced permeate pipeline.

4. The submersible reverse osmosis desalination apparatus and method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for supplying air to the air blower comprises a flexible, reinforced air pipeline.

5. The submersible reverse osmosis desalination apparatus and method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for transferring pre-filtered water from the pre-filtration hollow fiber membrane set to the main pressure pump inlet and the pressure exchanger energy recovery exchanger inlet comprises a flexible pre-filtered seawater pipes.

6. The submersible reverse osmosis desalination apparatus and method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for transferring pre-filtered water from the main high pressure pump to the reverse osmosis pressure vessels/membranes comprises a super duplex stainless steel or fiber glass reinforced piping reverse osmosis main feed high pressure pipes.

7. The submersible reverse osmosis desalination apparatus and method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for making up missing pressure when sea currents are insufficient to power the sea current motor comprises a swash plate, positive displacement electric high pressure pump.

8. The submersible reverse osmosis desalination apparatus and method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for seawater reverse osmosis filtration comprises a semi-permiable reverse osmosis membrane.

9. The submersible reverse osmosis desalination apparatus and method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for housing the reverse osmosis membranes comprises a fiber reinforced plastic pressure vessel.

10. The submersible reverse osmosis desalination apparatus and method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for transferring the brine from the reverse osmosis pressure vessels to the pressure exchanger energy recovery brine inlet comprises a super duplex stainless steel or fiber reinforced plastic reverse osmosis brine exit high pressure pipe.

11. The submersible reverse osmosis desalination apparatus and method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for converting the pressure of the brine into pre-filtered water pumping energy comprises a pressure exchanger energy recovery exchanger.

12. The submersible reverse osmosis desalination apparatus and method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for transferring of pre-filtered water from the pressure exchanger energy recovery system to the reverse osmosis pressure vessels/membranes comprises a super duplex stainless steel or fiber reinforced plastic pressure exchanger reverse osmosis feed high pressure pipe.

13. The submersible reverse osmosis desalination apparatus and method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for making up small pressure losses that occur through the salt water reverse osmosis membranes, the pressure exchanger energy recovery exchanger and the associated piping comprises a centrifugal pump, high pressure pressure exchanger booster pump.

14. The submersible reverse osmosis desalination apparatus and method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for transferring the brine from the pressure exchanger energy recovery brine outlet to the sea current power converter dispersion system through the fins comprises a flexible, strong pressure exchanger brine exit low pressure pipe.

15. The submersible reverse osmosis desalination apparatus and method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for powering the main high pressure pump, the pressure exchanger booster pump and the pre-filtration membranes air blower comprises a corrosion resistant, rigid, strong drive shaft.

16. The submersible reverse osmosis desalination apparatus and method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for converting sea energy into rotating power on the main shaft comprises a power generating sea current power converter.

17. The submersible reverse osmosis desalination apparatus and method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for securing the unit to the sea floor comprises a flexible, strong vessel anchor lines.

18. The submersible reverse osmosis desalination apparatus and method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for hosting and securing the vessel'"'"'s docking arm, maintaining a static position under sea currents comprises a fiber reinforced plastic main cradle.

19. The submersible reverse osmosis desalination apparatus and method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for locking and securing the vessel to the cradle comprises a fiber reinforced plastic docking arm hydraulic locking system.

20. The submersible reverse osmosis desalination apparatus and method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for providing positive buoyancy to the cradle comprises a synthetic foam buoy.

21. The submersible reverse osmosis desalination apparatus and method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for surfacing and submerging the desalinization vessel, including the sea current power converter, without disconnecting the pipelines comprises a flexible, strong, seawater resistant hoisting system.

22. The submersible reverse osmosis desalination apparatus and method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for transporting the permeate to the shore, delivering electricity to each vessel of an array to power the monitoring equipment, and to provide air supply to the pre-filtration air blowers comprises a flexible, strong main flexible pipeline.

23. The submersible reverse osmosis desalination apparatus and method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for junction between the desalination vessel and the main flexible pipeline comprises a flexible, strong secondary flexible pipeline.

24. The submersible reverse osmosis desalination apparatus and method in accordance with claim 1, wherein said means for guiding the unit to the cradle for sea floor positioning comprises a rigid, sea water resistant docking arm.

25. A submersible reverse osmosis desalination apparatus and method for removing salt from sea water producing a potable water, comprising:

a fiber reinforced plastic main body or frame, for containing the components of the apparatus;

a flexible, reinforced permeate pipeline, for transferring desalinated water from the unit to shore;

a flexible, reinforced air pipeline, for supplying air to the air blower;

a flexible pre-filtered seawater pipes, for transferring pre-filtered water from the pre-filtration hollow fiber membrane set to the main pressure pump inlet and the pressure exchanger energy recovery exchanger inlet;

a super duplex stainless steel or fiber glass reinforced piping reverse osmosis main feed high pressure pipes, for transferring pre-filtered water from the main high pressure pump to the reverse osmosis pressure vessels/membranes;

a swash plate, positive displacement electric high pressure pump, for making up missing pressure when sea currents are insufficient to power the sea current motor;

a semi-permiable reverse osmosis membrane, for seawater reverse osmosis filtration;

a fiber reinforced plastic pressure vessel, for housing the reverse osmosis membranes;

a super duplex stainless steel or fiber reinforced plastic reverse osmosis brine exit high pressure pipe, for transferring the brine from the reverse osmosis pressure vessels to the pressure exchanger energy recovery brine inlet;

a pressure exchanger energy recovery exchanger, for converting the pressure of the brine into pre-filtered water pumping energy;

a super duplex stainless steel or fiber reinforced plastic pressure exchanger reverse osmosis feed high pressure pipe, for transferring of pre-filtered water from the pressure exchanger energy recovery system to the reverse osmosis pressure vessels/membranes;

a centrifugal pump, high pressure pressure exchanger booster pump, for making up small pressure losses that occur through the salt water reverse osmosis membranes, the pressure exchanger energy recovery exchanger and the associated piping;

a flexible, strong pressure exchanger brine exit low pressure pipe, for transferring the brine from the pressure exchanger energy recovery brine outlet to the sea current power converter dispersion system through the fins;

a corrosion resistant, rigid, strong drive shaft, for powering the main high pressure pump, the pressure exchanger booster pump and the pre-filtration membranes air blower;

a power generating sea current power converter, for converting sea energy into rotating power on the main shaft;

a flexible, strong vessel anchor lines, for securing the unit to the sea floor;

a fiber reinforced plastic main cradle, for hosting and securing the vessel'"'"'s docking arm, maintaining a static position under sea currents;

a fiber reinforced plastic docking arm hydraulic locking system, for locking and securing the vessel to the cradle;

a synthetic foam buoy, for providing positive buoyancy to the cradle;

a flexible, strong, seawater resistant hoisting system, for surfacing and submerging the desalinization vessel, including the sea current power converter, without disconnecting the pipelines;

a flexible, strong main flexible pipeline, for transporting the permeate to the shore, delivering electricity to each vessel of an array to power the monitoring equipment, and to provide air supply to the pre-filtration air blowers;

a flexible, strong secondary flexible pipeline, for junction between the desalination vessel and the main flexible pipeline; and

a rigid, sea water resistant docking arm, for guiding the unit to the cradle for sea floor positioning.

26. The submersible reverse osmosis desalination apparatus and method as recited in claim 25, further comprising:

a hollow fiber membrane pre-filtration hollow fiber membrane set, for removing suspended solids and organic particles prior to reverse osmosis filtration.

27. The submersible reverse osmosis desalination apparatus and method as recited in claim 25, further comprising:

a fiber reinforced plastic pre-filtration membrane housing, for housing the pre-filtration hollow fiber membrane set.

28. The submersible reverse osmosis desalination apparatus and method as recited in claim 25, further comprising:

a pressure increasing main high pressure pump, for raising the pre-filtered seawater to above 800 psi maintaining a constant flow depending on the pump rotation speed.

29. The submersible reverse osmosis desalination apparatus and method as recited in claim 26, further comprising:

a fiber reinforced plastic pre-filtration membrane housing, for housing the pre-filtration hollow fiber membrane set.

30. The submersible reverse osmosis desalination apparatus and method as recited in claim 26, further comprising:

a pressure increasing main high pressure pump, for raising the pre-filtered seawater to above 800 psi maintaining a constant flow depending on the pump rotation speed.

31. The submersible reverse osmosis desalination apparatus and method as recited in claim 27, further comprising:

a pressure increasing main high pressure pump, for raising the pre-filtered seawater to above 800 psi maintaining a constant flow depending on the pump rotation speed.

32. The submersible reverse osmosis desalination apparatus and method as recited in claim 29, further comprising:

a pressure increasing main high pressure pump, for raising the pre-filtered seawater to above 800 psi maintaining a constant flow depending on the pump rotation speed.

33. A submersible reverse osmosis desalination apparatus and method for removing salt from sea water producing a potable water, comprising:

a fiber reinforced plastic main body or frame, for containing the components of the apparatus;

a flexible, reinforced permeate pipeline, for transferring desalinated water from the unit to shore;

a flexible, reinforced air pipeline, for supplying air to the air blower;

a hollow fiber membrane pre-filtration hollow fiber membrane set, for removing suspended solids and organic particles prior to reverse osmosis filtration;

a fiber reinforced plastic pre-filtration membrane housing, for housing the pre-filtration hollow fiber membrane set;

a flexible pre-filtered seawater pipes, for transferring pre-filtered water from the pre-filtration hollow fiber membrane set to the main pressure pump inlet and the pressure exchanger energy recovery exchanger inlet;

a pressure increasing main high pressure pump, for raising the pre-filtered seawater to above 800 psi maintaining a constant flow depending on the pump rotation speed;

a super duplex stainless steel or fiber glass reinforced piping reverse osmosis main feed high pressure pipes, for transferring pre-filtered water from the main high pressure pump to the reverse osmosis pressure vessels/membranes;

a swash plate, positive displacement electric high pressure pump, for making up missing pressure when sea currents are insufficient to power the sea current motor;

a semi-permiable reverse osmosis membrane, for seawater reverse osmosis filtration;

a fiber reinforced plastic pressure vessel, for housing the reverse osmosis membranes;

a super duplex stainless steel or fiber reinforced plastic reverse osmosis brine exit high pressure pipe, for transferring the brine from the reverse osmosis pressure vessels to the pressure exchanger energy recovery brine inlet;

a pressure exchanger energy recovery exchanger, for converting the pressure of the brine into pre-filtered water pumping energy;

a super duplex stainless steel or fiber reinforced plastic pressure exchanger reverse osmosis feed high pressure pipe, for transferring of pre-filtered water from the pressure exchanger energy recovery system to the reverse osmosis pressure vessels/membranes;

a centrifugal pump, high pressure pressure exchanger booster pump, for making up small pressure losses that occur through the salt water reverse osmosis membranes, the pressure exchanger energy recovery exchanger and the associated piping;

a flexible, strong pressure exchanger brine exit low pressure pipe, for transferring the brine from the pressure exchanger energy recovery brine outlet to the sea current power converter dispersion system through the fins;

a corrosion resistant, rigid, strong drive shaft, for powering the main high pressure pump, the pressure exchanger booster pump and the pre-filtration membranes air blower;

a power generating sea current power converter, for converting sea energy into rotating power on the main shaft;

a flexible, strong vessel anchor lines, for securing the unit to the sea floor;

a fiber reinforced plastic main cradle, for hosting and securing the vessel'"'"'s docking arm, maintaining a static position under sea currents;

a fiber reinforced plastic docking arm hydraulic locking system, for locking and securing the vessel to the cradle;

a synthetic foam buoy, for providing positive buoyancy to the cradle;

a flexible, strong, seawater resistant hoisting system, for surfacing and submerging the desalinization vessel, including the sea current power converter, without disconnecting the pipelines;

a flexible, strong main flexible pipeline, for transporting the permeate to the shore, delivering electricity to each vessel of an array to power the monitoring equipment, and to provide air supply to the pre-filtration air blowers;

a flexible, strong secondary flexible pipeline, for junction between the desalination vessel and the main flexible pipeline; and

a rigid, sea water resistant docking arm, for guiding the unit to the cradle for sea floor positioning.