OSMOTIC SEPARATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS

摘要

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. Enhanced efficiency may result from using low grade waste heat from industrial or commercial sources.

主权项

1. A system for osmotic extraction of a solvent from a first solution, 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 comprising ammonia and carbon dioxide in a desired molar ratio of at least one to one; a semi-permeable membrane system separating the first chamber from the second chamber; a separation system fluidly connected downstream of the second chamber comprising a distillation column, the separation system configured to receive a dilute draw solution from the second chamber and to recover draw solutes and a solvent stream; a recycle system comprising an absorber configured to facilitate reintroduction of the draw solutes to the second chamber to maintain the desired molar ratio; and a source of low grade heat in thermal communication with the separation system.