Pro system using a hollow fiber membrane with superparamagnetic nanoparticle draw solution

摘要

An array of hollow fiber membranes is grouped into bundles is submerged in an enclosed pure-water bath. The bundles are potted into top and bottom membrane headers such that the fiber lumen (the inside of the hollow fiber) is open to the inside of the membrane header and the pure feedwater is prevented from leaking into either the header or into the inside of a hollow fiber. Pure water penetrates the hollow fiber membrane. In accordance with pressure retarded osmosis (PRO) principles, the permeate and draw solution within the lumen are transported to at least one hydroturbine where electricity is generated. The draw solution contains superparamagnetic nanoparticles that are prevented from proceeding beyond a magnetic field. The system has a heater to improve its efficiency.

主权项

1. A pressure retarded osmosis system for the production of electricity comprising:
a rigid water-tight enclosure filled with pure water; an array of bundles of hollow fiber membrane tubes, each bundle having a multiplicity of hollow fiber tubes and each hollow fiber tube having a multiplicity of pores, each hollow fiber tube acting as a semi-permeable membrane submerged in the pure water bath, the hollow fiber tubes permeated by the pure water and each bundle securely attached to a bottom membrane header and a top membrane header; a draw solution consisting of pure water with a highly concentrated colloidal solution of ligand-coated superparamagnetic nanoparticles, the superparamagnetic nanoparticles having a diameter larger than the diameter of the pores in the hollow fiber tubes; at least one hydroturbine through which permeate and draw solution leaving the water-tight enclosure pass; a magnetic field that prevents further passage of the superparamagnetic nanoparticles in the draw solution leaving the hydroturbine; a water heater heating the water passing through the magnetic field before it is returned to the water-tight enclosure outside of the membrane bundles; and a computer-controlled lattice of donut-shaped electromagnets each with a donut hole, a bundle of hollow fiber membrane tubes contained within each donut hole, and the lattice movable between the top membrane header and the bottom membrane header.