Forward osmosis pressurized device and process for generating potable water

• US 6,849,184 B1
• Filed: 12/11/2002
• Issued: 02/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hydration Systems LLC
• Original Assignee: Hydration Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: Beaudry, Edward, Lampi, Keith, Herron, Jack
• Primary Examiner(s): Walker, W. L.
• Assistant Examiner(s): MENON, KRISHNAN S
• Application Number:
  US10/317,468
• Time in Patent Office: 783 Days
• Field of Search: 210649-652, 210/321.6, 210/321.72, 210/321.74, 210/321.75, 210/321.76, 210/321.81, 210/321.83, 210/321.84, 210/321.85, 290/43, 290/54, 606/49, 603/98
• US Class Current: 210/649
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/002 Forward osmosis or direct osmosis
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/0022 Apparatus therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/02 Reverse osmosis; Hyperfiltration ; Nanofiltration
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/025 Reverse osmosis; Hyperfiltration
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/026 comprising multiple reverse osmosis steps
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/06 Energy recovery
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 61/58 Multistep processes
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 63/10 Spiral-wound membrane modules
• CPC Class Codes: B01D 63/12 comprising multiple spiral-wound assemblies
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/441 by reverse osmosis
• CPC Class Codes: C02F 1/445 by forward osmosis
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 20/131 Reverse-osmosis

Abstract

There is disclosed a process and device for Forward Osmosis (FO) Pressurized Device (FOPD) in general and one hydraulically coupled to a reverse osmosis (RO device for a FOPRO (Forward Osmosis Pressurized Reverse Osmosis). Specifically, there is disclosed a passive device (that is, not needed energy input) for using forward osmosis to generate significant hydraulic pressure that can be used to drive a reverse osmosis process, wherein the reverse osmosis process (not needed external energy to run pumps) can separate salt from salt water to generate potable water from water with high salt content (such as sea water, urine, sweat, brackish water and the like).

Claims

1. A device for desalinating water to produce drinking water, comprising:

(a) a closed housing assembly having a FO end and a RO end, a sealable osmotic agent access port communicating with the FO end of the housing assembly, a salt water inlet port and a water outlet port;

(b) a forward osmosis membrane element contained within the housing assembly at the FO end, wherein a central hollowed element communicates with the water outlet port;

(c) a reverse osmosis membrane element having a central hollowed element communicating with the water outlet port, and

(d) a movable piston or baffle assembly located between the FO end and the RO end of the housing assembly, whereby the piston or baffle acts to transmit hydraulic pressure generated by the FO element.

2. The device for desalinating water to produce drinking water of claim 1 wherein the housing assembly is cylindrical.

3. The device for desalinating water to produce drinking water of claim 1 wherein the forward osmosis membrane element is either in a plate and frame configuration or in a spiral wound configuration.

4. The device for desalinating water to produce drinking water of claim 1 wherein the reverse osmosis membrane element is in a spiral wound configuration.

5. The device for desalinating water to produce drinking water of claim 1 wherein the FO element membrane is a membrane selected from the group consisting of a thin film composite RO membrane, a cellulose ester membrane, and an asymmetric cellulose ester membrane having a porous woven or non-woven support backing.

6. The device for desalinating water to produce drinking water of claim 5 wherein the asymmetric cellulose ester membrane is backed with a woven or non-woven nylon or polyester or polypropylene fabric material.

7. A process to produce potable water from a salt water source, comprising:

(a) providing a device for desalinating salt water to produce potable water comprising;

(i) a housing assembly having a FO end and a RO end, a sealable osmotic agent access port communicating with the FO end of the housing assembly, a salt water inlet port and a water outlet port;

(ii) a forward osmosis assembly contained within the housing assembly at the FO end, wherein the forward osmosis assembly further comprises a central hollowed unit wherein the hollow communicates with the salt water inlet port;

(iii) a reverse osmosis element having a central hollow device assembly, wherein the hollow chamber communicates with the water outlet port; and

(iv) a piston or baffle assembly located between the forward osmosis assembly and the reverse osmosis element within the housing assembly to transmit hydraulic pressure between the FO end and the RO end of the housing assembly;

(b) adding osmotic agent or salt charge to the osmotic agent port and sealing closed the osmotic agent port;

(c) adding salt water to the salt water inlet port; and

(d) collecting potable water from the water outlet port.

8. The process to produce potable water from a salt water source of claim 7 wherein the housing assembly is essentially cylindrical in shape and the forward osmosis assembly and reverse osmosis element are both in a spiral wound configuration.

9. The process to produce potable water from a salt water source of claim 7 wherein the osmotic agent or salt charge is selected from the group consisting of brine, urine, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, dehydrate sea salt, an inorganic salt, and combinations thereof.

10. The process to produce potable water from a salt water source of claim 7 wherein the salt water source is sea water or brackish water.

11. The process to produce potable water from a salt water source of claim 7 wherein the FO element membrane is a membrane selected from the group consisting of a thin film composite RO membrane, a cellulose ester membrane, and an asymmetric cellulose ester membrane having a porous woven or non-woven support backing.

12. The process to produce potable water from a salt water source of claim 11 wherein the asymmetric cellulose ester membrane is backed with a woven or non-woven nylon or polyester or polypropylene fabric material.