SUBMERGED MEMBRANE DISTILLATION FOR DESALINATION OF WATER

摘要

Submerged membrane modules for use for desalination of water are disclosed. In one or more aspects, the membrane modules can be submerged either in a feed solution tank or the feed solution can pass through the lumen side of the membrane submerged within the tank. The feed solution can be a water-based feed stream containing an amount of salt.

主权项

1. A method of membrane distillation, comprising the steps of:
a) providing a membrane distillation module within a tank, the tank including an outlet, the membrane module formed at least in part of a hydrophobic microporous material and including a passageway within the material and an outlet in communication with the passageway; b) providing a feed stream to either the tank or to the passageway of the membrane module, the feed stream including water; c) heating the feed stream to cause formation of water vapor; d) providing a difference in partial vapor pressure across the material of the membrane module between the passageway and a side of the material exterior of the membrane module and opposite the passageway to drive the water vapor through the material of the membrane module as permeate and passing the water vapor permeate through the material of the membrane module; and e) passing the water vapor out of the outlet of one of the tank or the membrane module; wherein the membrane module is submerged within the tank in at least one of the feed stream or a coolant.