OSMOTIC SEPARATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS
First Claim
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1. A method of maximizing draw solute recovery in an osmotically driven membrane system, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing a first osmotically driven membrane system comprising a forward osmosis membrane and configured for receiving a first solution on a first side of the membrane and a concentrated draw solution on a second side of the membrane;
osmotically separating a solvent from the first solution using the concentrated draw solution, thereby forming a second solution on the first side of the membrane and a dilute draw solution on the second side of the membrane, wherein the second solution comprises at least one first ionic species of solute via reverse ion exchange through the membrane;
separating the dilute draw solution to recover at least one draw solute and the solvent, wherein the recovered solvent comprises at least one second ionic species of solute;
recycling the recovered at least one draw solute to the first osmotically driven membrane system;
providing a second osmotically driven membrane system comprising a reverse osmosis membrane;
pressurizing the recovered solvent in the second osmotically driven membrane system to recover a substantially pure solvent and a concentrated solution comprising the at least one second ionic species of solute;
recycling the concentrated solution comprising the at least one second ionic species of solute to the first osmotically driven membrane system, wherein the concentrated solution is added to the first solution, thereby resulting in the second solution comprising the at least one first ionic species of solute and the at least one second ionic species of solute;
balancing the at least one first species of solute with the at least one second species of solute to form additional removable draw solutes; and
separating the second solution to recover the additional draw solutes and a third solution.
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Abstract
Separation processes using osmotically driven membrane systems 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. Enhanced efficiency may result from using low grade waste heat from industrial or commercial sources. Pre-treatment and post-treatment may also enhance the osmotically driven membrane processes.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of maximizing draw solute recovery in an osmotically driven membrane system, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a first osmotically driven membrane system comprising a forward osmosis membrane and configured for receiving a first solution on a first side of the membrane and a concentrated draw solution on a second side of the membrane; osmotically separating a solvent from the first solution using the concentrated draw solution, thereby forming a second solution on the first side of the membrane and a dilute draw solution on the second side of the membrane, wherein the second solution comprises at least one first ionic species of solute via reverse ion exchange through the membrane; separating the dilute draw solution to recover at least one draw solute and the solvent, wherein the recovered solvent comprises at least one second ionic species of solute; recycling the recovered at least one draw solute to the first osmotically driven membrane system; providing a second osmotically driven membrane system comprising a reverse osmosis membrane; pressurizing the recovered solvent in the second osmotically driven membrane system to recover a substantially pure solvent and a concentrated solution comprising the at least one second ionic species of solute; recycling the concentrated solution comprising the at least one second ionic species of solute to the first osmotically driven membrane system, wherein the concentrated solution is added to the first solution, thereby resulting in the second solution comprising the at least one first ionic species of solute and the at least one second ionic species of solute; balancing the at least one first species of solute with the at least one second species of solute to form additional removable draw solutes; and separating the second solution to recover the additional draw solutes and a third solution. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A system for osmotic extraction of a solvent from a first solution, comprising:
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a forward osmosis system comprising; a first chamber having an inlet fluidly connected to a source of the first solution; a second chamber having an inlet fluidly connected to a source of a concentrated draw solution; and a semi-permeable membrane system separating the first chamber from the second chamber; a first separation system fluidly coupled to the forward osmosis system downstream of the second chamber and configured to receive a dilute draw solution therefrom and to separate the dilute draw solution into draw solutes and a solvent stream; a pressure exchanger fluidly coupled to the separation system and configured to pressurize and transport the solvent stream; a reverse osmosis system fluidly coupled to the pressure exchanger and comprising; a first chamber configured for receiving the pressurized solvent stream; a semi-permeable membrane coupled to the first chamber; and a second chamber coupled to the semi-permeable membrane and configured for receiving a solvent fluxed through the membrane, wherein the first chamber of the reverse osmosis unit is fluidly coupled to the first chamber of the forward osmosis unit to provide at least a portion of the first solution; and a second separation system fluidly coupled to the first chamber of the forward osmosis system and configured for receiving a concentrated first solution therefrom and removing at least one of draw solutes and a product stream from the concentrated first solution. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9-16. -16. (canceled)
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17. A system for the processing of a solution using osmosis, the system comprising:
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a forward osmosis module comprising; a first chamber in fluid communication with a source of a first solution comprising a solvent and at least one solute; a second chamber in fluid communication with a concentrated draw solution; and a semi-permeable membrane coupling the first chamber and the second chamber; and means for introducing a plurality of seeds into the first chamber, wherein the plurality of seeds cause nucleation of at least a portion of the at least one solute when the first solution is introduced into the first chamber. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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21. (canceled)
Specification