Forward Osmosis Separation Processes
First Claim
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1. A forward osmosis separation process, comprising:
- introducing a first solution comprising a solvent and at least one target species on a first side of a semi-permeable membrane;
introducing a second solution comprising ammonia and carbon dioxide in a molar ratio of at least 1;
1 on a second side of the semi-permeable membrane, thereby forming an osmotic concentration gradient across the semi-permeable membrane which promotes the flow of at least a portion of the solvent of the first solution across the semi-permeable membrane to form a third solution on the first side of the semi-permeable membrane and a fourth solution on the second side of the semi-permeable membrane;
promoting the flow of at least a portion of the fourth solution to a separation operation to thereby generate draw solutes and a solvent stream;
returning the draw solutes to the second side of the semi-permeable membrane; and
recovering the at least one target species from the third solution.
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Abstract
Separation processes using engineered osmosis are disclosed generally involving the extraction of solvent from a first solution to concentrate solute by using a second concentrated solution to draw the solvent from the first solution across a semi-permeable membrane. One or both of the solute and solvent may be a desired product. Enhanced efficiency may result from using low grade waste heat from industrial or commercial sources.
55 Citations
26 Claims
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1. A forward osmosis separation process, comprising:
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introducing a first solution comprising a solvent and at least one target species on a first side of a semi-permeable membrane; introducing a second solution comprising ammonia and carbon dioxide in a molar ratio of at least 1;
1 on a second side of the semi-permeable membrane, thereby forming an osmotic concentration gradient across the semi-permeable membrane which promotes the flow of at least a portion of the solvent of the first solution across the semi-permeable membrane to form a third solution on the first side of the semi-permeable membrane and a fourth solution on the second side of the semi-permeable membrane;promoting the flow of at least a portion of the fourth solution to a separation operation to thereby generate draw solutes and a solvent stream; returning the draw solutes to the second side of the semi-permeable membrane; and recovering the at least one target species from the third solution. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A forward osmosis waste treatment process, comprising:
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introducing a first solution comprising a solvent and at least one constituent on a first side of a semi-permeable membrane; introducing a concentrated draw solution comprising ammonia and carbon dioxide in a molar ratio of at least 1;
1 on a second side of the semi-permeable membrane to maintain an osmotic concentration gradient across the semi-permeable membrane;promoting flow of at least a portion of the solvent of the first solution across the semi-permeable membrane to form a second solution on the first side of the semi-permeable membrane and a dilute draw solution on the second side of the semi-permeable membrane; introducing at least a portion of the dilute draw solution to a separation operation to thereby generate draw solutes and a solvent stream; returning the draw solutes to the second side of the semi-permeable membrane; and removing the at least one constituent from the second solution. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A forward osmosis separation process, comprising:
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introducing a first solution comprising a solvent and at least one precipitable solute on a first side of a semi-permeable membrane; introducing a second solution comprising ammonia and carbon dioxide in a molar ratio of at least 1;
1 on a second side of the semi-permeable membrane, thereby forming an osmotic concentration gradient across the semi-permeable membrane that promotes the flow of at least a portion of the solvent of the first solution across the semi-permeable membrane to form a third solution on the first side of the semi-permeable membrane and a fourth solution on the second side of the semi-permeable membrane;promoting the flow of at least a portion of the fourth solution to a separation operation to thereby generate draw solutes and a solvent stream; returning the draw solutes to the second side of the semi-permeable membrane; and recovering the at least one precipitable solute from the third solution. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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Specification