SYSTEMS INCLUDING A CONDENSING APPARATUS SUCH AS A BUBBLE COLUMN CONDENSER

摘要

Condensing apparatuses and their use in various heat and mass exchange systems are generally described. The condensing apparatuses, such as bubble column condensers, may employ a heat exchanger positioned external to the condensing vessel to remove heat from a bubble column condenser outlet stream to produce a heat exchanger outlet stream. In certain cases, the condensing apparatus may also include a cooling device positioned external to the vessel configured and positioned to remove heat from the heat exchanger outlet stream to produce a cooling device outlet stream. The condensing apparatus may be configured to include various internal features, such as a vapor distribution region and/or a plurality of liquid flow control weirs and/or chambers within the apparatus having an aspect ratio of at least 1.5. A condensing apparatus may be coupled with a humidifier to form part of a desalination system, in certain cases.

主权项

1. A desalination system, comprising:
a humidifier comprising a humidifier liquid inlet fluidly connected to a source of salt-containing water, a humidifier gas inlet fluidly connected to a source of a gas, and a humidifier outlet, wherein the humidifier is configured to produce a vapor-containing humidifier outlet stream enriched in water vapor relative to the gas received from the humidifier gas inlet; a bubble column condenser comprising a condenser inlet fluidly connected to the humidifier outlet, a condenser gas outlet, and a condenser water outlet, wherein the bubble column condenser is configured to remove at least a portion of the water vapor from the humidifier outlet stream to produce a condenser gas outlet stream lean in water relative to the humidifier outlet stream and a condenser water outlet stream; and a heat exchanger separate from the bubble column condenser and fluidly connected to the condenser water outlet, wherein the heat exchanger is configured to remove heat from the condenser water outlet stream to produce a heat exchanger outlet stream.