METHODS FOR OSMOTIC CONCENTRATION OF HYPER SALINE STREAMS
First Claim
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1. A method of recovering solids from an aqueous source, said method comprising:
- providing a forward osmosis unit comprising;
a feed chamber having an inlet and an outlet;
a draw chamber having an inlet and an outlet; and
a semipermeable membrane positioned between the feed and draw chambers, said membrane having a permeate side in communication with the draw chamber, and a feed side in communication with the feed chamber;
passing;
source water through said feed chamber; and
a draw solution through said draw chamber, said passing causing water from said source water to be drawn through the membrane and into the draw solution, so that a concentrated source water exits from the feed chamber outlet and a diluted draw solution exits from the draw chamber outlet; and
carrying out one or more of the following;
(a) recovering solids from said concentrated water source;
(b) extracting energy from said concentrated water source; and
(c) returning said diluted draw solution for reuse as a draw solution.
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Abstract
A novel method of extracting minerals from an aqueous source, and an equipment system for carrying out this method, are provided. The method comprises feeding the aqueous source into the feed side of a forward osmosis device while simultaneously feeding a draw solution that includes an osmotic agent through the draw side of the forward osmosis device. The feed and draw sides are separated by a semi-permeable membrane that allows water to be drawn through the membrane to the draw side, thus yielding a concentrated stream from the feed side. The solids can then be separated from that stream and recovered for use.
13 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of recovering solids from an aqueous source, said method comprising:
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providing a forward osmosis unit comprising; a feed chamber having an inlet and an outlet; a draw chamber having an inlet and an outlet; and a semipermeable membrane positioned between the feed and draw chambers, said membrane having a permeate side in communication with the draw chamber, and a feed side in communication with the feed chamber; passing; source water through said feed chamber; and a draw solution through said draw chamber, said passing causing water from said source water to be drawn through the membrane and into the draw solution, so that a concentrated source water exits from the feed chamber outlet and a diluted draw solution exits from the draw chamber outlet; and carrying out one or more of the following; (a) recovering solids from said concentrated water source; (b) extracting energy from said concentrated water source; and (c) returning said diluted draw solution for reuse as a draw solution. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A solids recovery system comprising:
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a forward osmosis unit comprising; a feed chamber having an inlet and an outlet; a draw chamber having an inlet and an outlet; and a semipermeable membrane positioned between the feed and draw chambers, said membrane having a permeate side in communication with the draw chamber, and a feed side in communication with the feed chamber; a source water source in communication with the feed chamber inlet; a draw solution source in communication with the draw chamber inlet; an evaporation reservoir in communication with the draw chamber outlet; and a solids separation device in communication with the feed chamber outlet. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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Specification