Apparatus and method for osmotic membrane distillation
US7361276B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 1, 2005 |
| Grant date | Apr 22, 2008 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 11, 2026 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC C)Chemistry; Metallurgy
- CPC primaryC25B15/08
- WIPO fieldChemical engineering
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A method of enhancing the concentration of a first inorganic compound in a first aqueous solution of a first process of a heavy chemical plant, the method comprising (a) feeding the first solution having the first compound at a first concentration and a first water vapor pressure to an osmotic membrane distillation means comprising a hydrophobic, gas and water vapor permeable membrane separating (i) a first chamber for receiving the first solution, from (ii) a second chamber for receiving a receiver feed aqueous solution having a second water vapor pressure lower than the first water vapor pressure; (b) feeding the receiver aqueous feed solution to the second chamber as to effect transfer of water vapor through the membrane from the first chamber to the second chamber, and to produce (i) a resultant first solution having a second concentration of the first compound greater than the first concentration and (ii) a diluted receiver feed aqueous solution; and (c) collecting the resultant first solution. The apparatus and method are of particular value in electrolytic haloalkali production plants in offering reduced capital and operating re-concentration and dilution costs.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.